"Trade Negotiation A Two-Way Thing": Amul Chief Allays Farmers' Concerns

The India-US trade deal has sparked huge concern among the country's farmers, who feel that cheaper American products coming into the country will add to the challenges they face. The dairy sector, however, feels that those concerns might be misplaced. 

In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Amul's Managing Director  Jayan Mehta said the agreement strongly protects the farmers and the agriculture sector and give them invaluable access to the US market. 

"Market access is a very important part and a trade negotiation is always a two-way thing," he told NDTV. 

"The negotiations were necessary to get larger market access and that was done with this deal. More importantly, the tariffs also coming down from 50 to 18 per cent, will bring in the Indian products, getting better access to those markets and paving a way for the brighter future for all those associated with this sector," he added. 

"One of the key important aspects of the dairy industry and the livestock sector is cattle feed," he said, citing the example of Amul which works with 36 lakh farmers across 18,600 villages of Gujarat and collect and handle about 350 lakh litres of milk every day. 

One of the things Amul needs, he said, is to provide good quality cattle feed, which has a "combination of variety of agricultural-based ingredients like de-oiled rice bran, which comes after the extraction of oil from the husk of the paddy, to maize, rapeseed extractions and molasses".

"At Amul, we have about 8 plants manufacturing close to 12,000 tonnes of cattle feed every day," he said, but even here, India is not importing items for which there is little use, he said, giving the example of DDGS (Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles), a little of which is used in cattle feed.

India has also abundance availability of DDGS because we also started manufacturing ethanol from maize... but you cannot use more than 3 to 4% of DDGS in this.  So, there is no practical advantage of having that commodity coming into the country under the free trade agreement," he said.

"So, per se, there is nothing to worry for the cattle feed sector, for the dairy sector and for the farm sector... announced in the recent trade negotiation," he added.

The famer organisations of the country -- spearheaded by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha and All India Kisan Sabha -- have announced a one-day strike on February 12.

In a statement, the SKM alleged that the deal was a "total surrender" of Indian agriculture and farmers to American multinational corporations. 

"The framework is an abject rejection of the claim of the Commerce Minister that the agriculture and dairy sectors are out of the Free Trade Agreements (FTA) and the Government of India will not make any compromise on the interests of agriculture," read a statement from the farmers' groups.

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Video Shows 3 Men Catcalling Northeast Woman At Temple, Internet Fumes

A disturbing video documenting three men catcalling and following a woman while she was walking to a temple in India has surfaced on social media. The incident has sparked significant outrage and debate regarding women's safety. Chiro, who is from Northeast India, shared the video on Instagram, opening up about the incident. She mentioned that the men assumed she didn't understand Hindi. She wrote, "They thought I didn't understand Hindi, and, to be honest, this is so f wrong but then also, these kinds of things are happening to me just because I look a little different."

In the video, she's heard saying, "The weirdest species in the world would be Indian men when they see a girl walking alone. I'm on my way to the temple, and these guys have been catcalling me non-stop." The video shows three men following her, smiling, singing a Bollywood song loudly, and gesturing towards the camera. Despite being filmed, the three men continued to follow her. She clarified later that she only felt safe once she stopped and waited for friends to join her.

Here's the video:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chiro (@chiro_diaries)

Chiro also addressed accusations of staging the video for attention. She explained her reason for posting was to address the situation, not seek publicity. She also mentioned she's smiling in the video because she wanted to handle it calmly, and people shouldn't expect her to cry on camera.

Social Media Reaction

The video sparked outrage and concern, with many commenting on the men's audacity to harass a woman in a public space with no fear of consequences. Many also praised Chiro for her courage, noting how many wouldn't have dared to record the incident. One user wrote, "I will say again upbringing, morals, environment along with education on etiquette is what men in India need every sec."

Another commented, "The fact that they aren't even threatened of you recording their inappropriate behaviour they still have the audacity to smile seeing the camera. The country is never going to 'progress' when women can't even walk around freely."

A third user stated, "The audacity of these type of men is scary."

"Bro, this is honestly terrifying to me. I don't think I would've had the courage to record it like you did; you are really brave. It's even scared me how normalised this has become at this level that they don't even feel shame anymore because they know the justice system rarely holds them accountable," a fourth added. 

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T20 World Cup Points Table: India Take Huge Net Run-Rate Lead Over Pakistan

Suryakumar Yadav batting just like he does and Mohammed Siraj's incisive first spell headlined defending champions India's scratchy 29-run win against the United States of America despite a stunning top-order collapse in the opening encounter of the T20 World Cup on Saturday. A veteran of many-a-battle here at the Wankhede Stadium, Suryakumar's 49-ball unbeaten 84 was a blend of fine rescue act and a defiant counter-attack against a USA attack that proved to be more than mere pushovers. The Indian captain garnered all his experience of playing at his home ground, reaped rich dividends for being patient but more importantly, disciplined, as plucky USA had India on the mat at 77 for 6 at one stage in the first half.

But Suryakumar's late onslaught which had 10 fours and four sixes after being dropped on 15, took India as far as 161/9 after being precariously placed at 128/7 after 18 overs.

USA, in reply, finished at 132/8 in a meek response with the bat, especially in comparison to their first-innings show in which bowlers kept the high-flying Indians on a tight leash and held on to their catches.

Siraj, who joined the team late Friday evening, came in as a replacement for an indisposed Jasprit Bumrah and bowled a fuller Test match length to take two wickets in his first spell and ended with 3/29 in 4 overs. Once USA were 13 for 3 within fourth over, they didn't have a chance to surpass the middling total. USA's fight petered out with Siraj accounting for openers Andries Gous (6) and Saiteja Mukkamalla (2) and Arshdeep Singh (2/18) removing skipper Monank Patel for a duck.

From 13/3 in the fourth over, USA stitched multiple partnerships but never really got back on track of their chase. Milind Kumar (34), Sanjay Krishnamurthi (37) and Shubham Ranjane (37) played useful knocks which only reduced the margin of defeat.

None of them could really dominate and once Varun Chakravarthy (1/24) and Axar Patel (2/24) took charge of the post Powerplay overs giving only 48 runs and taking three wickets in those eight overs. Earlier, Suryakumar stood tall with a 49-ball innings, single-handedly driving India out of woods after a stunning collapse saw them reeling at 77 for six in the 13th over.

South Africa born Shadley van Schalkwyk returned with figures of 4-0-25-4 as India's famed batting line-up, barring Suryakumar, endured a horrendous outing with the bat and were in real trouble of being restricted for an under-par total.

The writing was perhaps on the wall when India failed to find a run on the first four balls of the innings with USA not giving any room for the Indian batters to free their arms.

While Ishan Kishan (20) smacked a six off the fifth ball to get rolling, the first blow to India came when Abhishek Sharma fell for a first-ball duck in the second over.

The world No. 1 Abhishek hit Ali Khan's delivery straight to Sanjay Krishnamurthi at deep cover, and for the first of the several times in the night the Wankhede Stadium fell silent.

The fielding set by US skipper Monank was top notch as he positioned fielders straighter than finer.

Tilak Varma (25) broke the shackles when he danced down to hit a straight off Saurabh Netravalkar (0/65) in the third over and went after van Schalkwyk for three fours in the next and it looked like India were finally up and running.

However, Ishan, having smacked Ali off his pads for a spectacular six, failed to make the most of a dropped catch and hit one straight to mid-on off van Schalkwyk on the first ball of the sixth over.

Van Schalkwyk couldn't believe his luck when Tilak failed to time a pull off a short ball off one that rose more than he expected, giving catching practice to USA captain Monank Patel.

Shivam Dube (0) is no stranger to the Wankhede wicket but the burly all-rounder was totally outfoxed by an innocuous slow bouncer failing to check his stroke.

Looking completely clueless, Dube was caught in an awkward approach during the time of connection with the ball flying to Netravalkar at short fine leg.

Rinku Singh (6 off 14 balls) couldn't control his first attacking stroke which went straight to long-on off Mohammad Mohsin (4-0-16-1). Hardik Pandya (5) fell to former Mumbai left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh (4-0-26-2) while trying to clear the sweeper cover, and Axar Patel (14) in his bid to get some late quick runs.

With the onus of getting India out of trouble once again solely on him, Suryakumar dug in deep to farm the strike and rarely missed connecting on the shots that have been his trademark.

Being the only Indian batter to have understood the nature of the wicket completely, Suryakumar opened up finally in the last two overs. He collected 34 runs off those, which included 21 in the last from Netravalkar.

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Sub-Contractor Knew Delhi Biker Fell Into Ditch, Did Nothing To Help: Cops

A sub-contractor has been arrested after a biker fell to his death in a pool-sized pit dug by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) in Janakpuri, officials said Saturday. 

A probe revealed that the sub-contractor, Rajesh Prajapati, was allegedly alerted about the accident hours before police received information about it, but he failed to take any action, officials said.

Twenty five-year-old Kamal Dhyani, a resident of Kailashpuri and an employee of a private bank, was returning home late Thursday night from his workplace in Rohini when he fell into the deep pit and died. His body, along with his motorcycle, was found inside the ditch the next morning.

A family passing through the area the previous night had noticed that the victim had fallen into the pit. They immediately alerted a security guard deployed at the site. 

The security guard informed a junior staff member the same night, stating that a person had fallen into the pit, police said.

The junior staff member then called Prajapati at around 12.22 am and asked him to reach the spot. Prajapati subsequently arrived at the site and saw a motorcycle and the man inside the pit but he didn't inform anyone and went back home, officials said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Darade Sharad Bhaskar said Prajapati knew that someone had fallen into the pit, hours before the matter came to the police's notice.

Call detail records showed that Prajapati was informed about the incident at around 12:22 am, following which he reached the spot within 15-20 minutes, the police said.

However, Prajapati neither informed the police nor any emergency authority at that time. Information about the incident reached police only the next morning around 8 am, Bhaskar said.

Kamal's twin brother, Karan Dhyani, said the family had visited several police stations, including Dabri, Vikas Puri and Sagarpur, while searching for him during the night but received no assistance.

"It has been more than 24 hours since my brother's death, and the police are still saying they are looking for cameras," Karan said, alleging negligence on the part of the DJB.

He further claimed that there were no warning boards, reflectors or barricades at the time the pit was dug.

A 20-foot-deep pit without proper barricading led to Kamal Dhyani's death, the lawyer representing the victim's family said on Saturday, alleging "complete carelessness" by the Delhi Jal Board and delays by police in collecting crucial evidence, including CCTV footage.

"The pit was not covered properly, nor was any barricading placed around it to warn commuters," the victim's lawyer said, adding that potholes were present across the Janakpuri area.

"The Delhi Jal Board showed complete carelessness," the lawyer added. 

On Friday, the Delhi government suspended three Delhi Jal Board (DJB) officials -- an executive engineer, assistant engineer and junior engineer. 

The same day, an FIR was registered at Janakpuri police station under Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the contractor and concerned DJB officials.

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In Wargame Simulation, Russia Invades A European Country. Then This Happens

European governments are stepping up military planning amid rising fears that Russia may move against NATO or European Union countries sooner than expected. Europe may not be fully prepared to respond to such a threat, a recent wargame has revealed.

The Baltic states, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, are considered key risk areas. 

The wargame, held in December by Germany's Die Welt newspaper and the German Wargaming Center at Helmut Schmidt University, simulated a Russian incursion into Lithuania in October 2026.

It involved former senior German and NATO officials, lawmakers, and security experts. Wargames are designed to identify gaps, risks, and possible outcomes without real fighting.

In the simulation, Russia used a claimed humanitarian crisis in its Kaliningrad exclave to justify taking over the Lithuanian city of Marijampole, a transport hub near the borders of Poland and Belarus. The narrative created enough uncertainty for the United States to avoid invoking NATO's Article 5.

The article says - if one NATO member is attacked, it is considered an attack on all members. Each member must take action to help defend the attacked country.

Germany hesitated in the exercise. Poland mobilised its forces but did not cross into Lithuania. A German brigade already deployed in Lithuania failed to intervene after Russian drones laid mines on roads leading from its base.

Marijampole, a town of about 35,000 people, is at an important road crossroads. It links the Via Baltica highway to Poland with the road from Belarus to Russia's Kaliningrad region. Lithuania has to keep this road open for Russian traffic under a treaty, which makes the town strategically important.

European defence officials say the risk of a Russian move has increased due to tensions with US President Donald Trump over Ukraine, Greenland, trade, and wider transatlantic issues.

Russia has also shifted to a war-driven economy. They have sharply increased weapons production, military recruitment and defence spending. Officials say this expansion goes well beyond the immediate needs of the war in Ukraine. They believe Russia is building the capacity to challenge NATO directly, as per The Wall Street Journal.

Earlier assessments in Berlin and other European capitals held that Russia would not be able to threaten NATO before 2029. That timeline is now under review. Many officials believe Russia could act much sooner, possibly before Europe completes its ongoing defence buildup.

“Our assessment is that Russia will be able to move large amounts of troops within one year,” the Netherlands Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said in an interview. “We see that they are already increasing their strategic inventories, and are expanding their presence and assets along the NATO borders.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken of restoring Russia's historic power. This raises concerns in countries that were once under Russian control. All three Baltic nations have been NATO and EU members for about two decades.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it has also increased hybrid attacks across Europe. In Poland, authorities have investigated several infrastructure-related incidents. In Ukraine, Russian strikes have repeatedly damaged the power grid, forcing civilians to adapt, especially during winter months.

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70% Of Air India Planes Have Recurring Technical Issues: Centre

More than seven out of every ten aircraft reviewed in the Air India Group fleet have shown recurring technical defects, according to official data tabled in Parliament on Thursday, putting the airline group at the top of the list among Indian carriers reviewed for such issues.

The figures, presented in the Lok Sabha by Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, reveal that 191 of the 267 aircraft operated by Air India Group were identified with repetitive defects during inspections conducted since January last year.

Within the Air India Group, 137 of 166 Air India aircraft and 54 of 101 Air India Express planes were found to have recurring issues during inspections.

Responding to the data, an Air India official said, "We have, out of abundant caution, carried out checks across our fleet. Hence, numbers are higher."

Offering further clarification, a top Air India executive said there are different types of equipment which are checked on planes and that these are categorised into A, B, C and D segments, depending on priority and urgency.

"In case of Air India, most of the issues are with category D, which includes items like seats, tray tables, screens (on the back of seats) and so on. These are not related to the safety of the aircraft," the executive said.

The executive added that "as the retrofit programme for narrow-body aircraft rolls out over the next two years, these issues will be resolved too."

Across the industry, a total of 754 aircraft belonging to six scheduled airlines were analysed for recurring deficiencies, of which 377 planes were flagged for repeated technical issues.

India's largest carrier IndiGo had 405 aircraft examined during the period. Of these, 148 planes were identified as having repetitive defects as of February 3 this year, the data showed.

Other airlines also reported such defects, with SpiceJet recording 16 affected aircraft out of 43 analysed, while Akasa Air saw 14 aircraft flagged from 32 reviewed planes.

The government also shared details of aviation safety oversight carried out by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). During the previous year, the regulator conducted 3,890 surveillance inspections, 56 regulatory audits, 84 checks on foreign aircraft, and 492 ramp inspections as part of planned monitoring.

In addition, 874 spot checks and 550 night surveillance inspections were carried out under unplanned safety oversight activities, the minister said.

On staffing, the government informed Parliament that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aviation regulator, had 637 sanctioned technical posts in 2022, a number that has now been increased to 1,063 following a restructuring exercise aimed at strengthening regulatory capacity.

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Class 12 Student Cuts Off Teacher's Lips In Roadside Attack In UP

A Class 12 student in Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, allegedly attacked his teacher with a sharp weapon on January 26, severing both her lips, according to police.

The victim's brother stated in his complaint that the student had been consistently harassing the teacher, who worked at a private school on Agra Road. Despite a previous complaint made to the student's mother during a parent-teacher meeting and subsequent assurances that the behaviour would stop, the harassment persisted.

Distressed by the student's conduct, the teacher eventually resigned and moved to a different school. However, the accused allegedly tracked her to her new workplace and continued to stalk her daily.

On January 26, the student intercepted the teacher on her way to work and attacked her with a sharp weapon, cutting off both of her lips before fleeing the scene.

"A case has been registered based on the complaint filed by the teacher's brother," said Kotwali Station House Officer Fateh Bahadur Singh. "We are currently searching for the accused and will take further action once he is in custody."

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