Delhi CM Rekha Gupta inaugurates CM Shri School, says Government schools to become first choice of parents

by Hansraj Agrawal | Feb 18, 2026 | top-stories

NEW DELHI: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday inaugurated the CM Shri School at Sarojini Nagar. The foundation stones for 75 CM Shri School projects across the Capital were also laid. This initiative of the Delhi Government has been launched in accordance with the National Education Policy to provide modern, technology-integrated and improved education.

On the occasion, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan congratulated the Chief Minister and the Education Minister, stating that within a year the government has made commendable progress towards fulfilling its commitments in the field of education. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that CM Shri Schools are not merely new buildings, but an initiative to make Delhi’s children globally competitive.

Education Minister Ashish Sood, public representatives, senior officials of the Education Department, teachers, parents and a large number of students were present at the event. The Union Education Minister described the establishment of 75 CM Shri Schools as a significant achievement and said that by developing them as institutions of high standards, the Delhi Government has set an example. These schools will provide children from economically weaker, lower and middle-income families with modern facilities and technologically advanced education comparable to private schools.

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Key Features of CM Shri Schools:

* AI-based smart classrooms

* Competitive examination preparation portal

* Multi-sectoral skill labs

* ICT labs

* Digitised libraries

* Career labs

* Multilingual education and foreign language learning facilities

* Industry-linked internships during schooling

* Play- and activity-based learning for young children

* Over 7,000 smart interactive boards

The Union Education Minister noted that hundreds of thousands of students are pursuing education in Delhi and that it is the government’s responsibility to effectively implement the National Education Policy. He expressed confidence that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Delhi Government is playing an active role in advancing school education, higher education and research-oriented learning in the country.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that CM Shri Schools are not merely about infrastructure, but represent a commitment to making Delhi’s children globally competitive. These schools are being developed as ‘Centres of Excellence’, integrating modern technology, skill education, career guidance and holistic personality development. The government’s aim is to create an education system that prepares children not only for examinations, but for life.

The Chief Minister informed that AI-enabled smart classrooms are being established in these schools, equipped with interactive panels, digital learning content and modern learning tools. This will enable personalised learning according to each student’s ability. A dedicated portal has also been developed for preparation for competitive examinations such as JEE, NEET, CUET, CLAT and NDA, featuring regular online tests and progress tracking.

Rekha Gupta further stated that multi-sectoral skill labs will introduce students at an early stage to subjects such as robotics, artificial intelligence, design and mechatronics, helping them secure employment or start their own ventures in the future. ICT labs will provide training in digital literacy, coding and computational thinking. Digitised libraries will offer e-books, research material and resources for competitive examinations.

She added that career labs will assess students’ interests and aptitudes, providing appropriate guidance for higher studies, skill development and employment. ‘Science of Living’ spaces will focus on mental well-being, moral education and personality development to ensure students grow with confidence and strong values. Special language labs are being established to promote multilingual education and foreign languages, enabling better opportunities for international education and careers. For the first time, mandatory internships in collaboration with industry are being introduced in government schools to provide practical work experience during schooling.

The Chief Minister stated that such an education model has not been implemented in this manner in any other state. With the integration of AI and technology-driven learning, multilingual education and structured industry engagement through internships, the schools aim not only to secure high board examination results but also to facilitate admissions into IITs, medical colleges and foreign universities, create quality employment opportunities and encourage entrepreneurship. She congratulated teachers, parents and the Education Department team, describing the initiative as a strong foundation for a developed Delhi and expressing confidence that CM Shri Schools will set a new benchmark for the nation’s education system.

On the occasion, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood said that at a time when the Global AI Impact Summit is being held internationally, Delhi is simultaneously launching a modern AI-driven education system, demonstrating its commitment to advancing education through technology. He stated that before the completion of one year of the government, 7,000 classrooms will be converted into AI-enabled smart classrooms.

He added that the previous government had not left behind a single fully functional ICT lab. Under the leadership of the Chief Minister, 175 new ICT labs equipped with 7,000 computers are now being launched. Additionally, more than 100 digital libraries and over 175 language labs are being dedicated to the public.

The Education Minister noted that the education model discussed over the past 11 years comprised only 700 smart boards, installed under CSR initiatives, and facilities were limited to select areas such as Rouse Avenue and Patparganj. Now, from Rohini to Dera Mandi and from Hiran Kudna to the farthest parts of Yamunapar, digital and technology-enabled education is being delivered uniformly across Delhi. Equal opportunities are now being extended to students across the entire city. He stated that all 7,000 smart classrooms will be fully operational before 31 March, marking a major milestone in Delhi’s educational history.

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End of the Pink Era? How Revanth Reddy orchestrated the BRS’s urban collapse

by Hansraj Agrawal | Feb 17, 2026 | top-stories

The 2026 Telangana Municipal Elections have delivered a historic mandate for the ruling Congress party. This cemented Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s status as the clear leader of the state. After a landslide victory in the gram panchayat polls, the municipal results announced on Monday, February 16, have further tightened Reddy’s grip on both the party and the public.

Congress candidates secured mayoral and chairperson positions in 86 out of 105 declared municipalities and corporations. This largely validates Reddy’s prediction of a 90% sweep before the election.

A ‘mini-assembly’ mandate

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Spanning 116 municipalities and seven corporations, the elections were viewed as a “mini-Assembly poll.” For Revanth Reddy, this victory serves as a shield against internal dissent.

Silencing dissent: The win effectively marginalizes internal critics, including voices like Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy, who had previously questioned the Chief Minister’s long-term leadership claims.

The ‘King and Minister’ doctrine: During a recent media interaction, Reddy described himself as both “king and minister.” He emphasized his absolute control over the state’s political and administrative machinery. Despite opposition backlash, the election results have reinforced his image as a strong leader.

Strategic maneuvers: The Kothagudem and Nizamabad deals

Reddy’s political skills were clear during the indirect elections for top posts:

The Kothagudem power-share. In a hung Kothagudem corporation where both Congress and CPI won 22 seats each, Reddy negotiated a power-sharing deal with the Left. This thwarted a BRS attempt to sway the CPI to their side.

The Nizamabad “Friendship.” In Nizamabad, Reddy successfully courted the AIMIM to support a Congress mayor. This effectively blocked the BJP, which had emerged as the single largest party.

Opposition status: BRS declines, BJP breaks through in Karimnagar

While the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) won 772 wards, it failed to capture a single municipal corporation. This is a serious setback for a party that ruled the state for a decade.

On the other hand, the BJP made a significant impact by winning the Karimnagar Municipal Corporation on its own. This signals its growing presence in urban areas. The Congress, however, increased its overall count to 86 by successfully attracting independents and candidates from other parties in hung councils.

A new era for Telangana Congress

Historically, the Congress high command has been cautious about elevating regional leaders. However, Revanth Reddy’s unique path-from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) to dislodging the BRS in 2023-has pushed a change from tradition. By winning every major election since taking office, including the Secunderabad Cantonment bypoll and now the municipal sweep, Reddy has successfully reduced the BRS’s influence across the state’s political landscape.

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Kashmir daily wagers march to JKNC headquarters, CM Abdullah seeks time to finalise solution

by Hansraj Agrawal | Feb 16, 2026 | top-stories

Daily wagers in Kashmir intensified their demonstrations by marching toward Nawa-I-Subha, the headquarters of the ruling party, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) in Srinagar. The protests attended by thousands of daily-wage employees center on several longstanding grievances.

Workers are seeking a comprehensive policy for the regularisation of over 60,000 daily wagers who have served in various government departments for decades.

The march was triggered by dissatisfaction with the recent Jammu and Kashmir budget session discussions on daily wagers’ demands, which protesters claim did not sufficiently address their wage revision or job security.

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By marching to Nawa-I-Subha, the workers aimed to hold the ruling party accountable for election promises regarding their welfare.

In response to the escalating protests, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced the formation of a high-level committee, headed by the Chief Secretary, to prepare a roadmap for regularisation.

Demonstrations at other locations, including the Chief Minister’s residence and the Civil Secretariat, saw a huge police deployment to stop the crowd of employees.

In the intensifying protests and the march towards Nawa-I-Subha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has sought time to finalise a formal solution, primarily through the formation of a high-level committee to address the regularization of over 60,000 workers. He had requested employees to give two days’ time as the broader regularisation process is ongoing.

Sajad Ahmad president Kashmir Daily wagers association said, “We want government to come clear on what policy they have made for the daily wagers regularization, do the policy cover those who are retire now or who have died that’s why we had organized the march, now the CM through his representatives have communicated us and requested for two days, if in those two days clarity is not announced publicly we will hit back to the roads.”

Protesters have threatened to return to the National Conference headquarters if a clear, time-bound policy is not provided within two days.

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J-K: Avalanche blocks Bhaderwah-Pathankot road, BRO clears path

by Hansraj Agrawal | Feb 16, 2026 | top-stories

Dozens of vehicles were stranded on the Bhaderwah-Pathankot inter-state road on Sunday evening after a small avalanche struck the strategic highway on Guldanda. Executive Magistrate of Bhaderwah, Kamal Preet Singh, confirmed that although several vehicles were initially stuck, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has since cleared the debris, and no injuries have been reported.

Speaking to ANI, Kamal Preet Singh said, “Today, there was a small avalanche on our Guldanda road, due to which some of our people, around 40 vehicles, got stuck. So, the BRO (Border Roads Organisation) came here and opened the road, making it passable, so the people who were stranded could leave. By God’s grace, there has been no loss of life or property. However, there was definitely some trouble due to being stuck. The BRO was very effective. As a precaution, ambulances, our police, and other members of civil society also reached the spot. They helped each other and told the people not to panic, saying they would fix it soon and make the road passable for them. There is no such damage on the road. We do not even need to close this tourist spot. It was a small patch, so it has been cleared.”

One of the tourists said, “We came from Rajasthan to see the place. Then the snowfall occurred, and we were irritated for 2 to 3 hours. Then the road gets opened. Now, we are happy.”

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Earlier, the Border Roads Organisation carried out a high-altitude rescue and road restoration operation at Jammu and Kashmir’s Chatergala Pass, located at an altitude of 10,500 feet, on the Bhaderwah-Chatergala axis. The operation followed heavy snowfall that disrupted connectivity in the area.

The rescue and clearance work was undertaken by the 118 Road Construction Company of the 35 Border Roads Task Force under Project Sampark of the BRO.

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Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath addresses public grievances during ‘Janta Darshan’ in Gorakhpur

by Hansraj Agrawal | Feb 15, 2026 | top-stories

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday organised ‘Janta Darshan’ in Gorakhpur, during which he heard the grievances of the people.

CM Yogi heard people’s grievances and asked officials to prioritise resolving them.

Earlier in the day, CM Yogi also extended heartfelt wishes for Mahashivratri, offering his prayers to devotees gathered at the Triveni Sangam in Tirtharaj Prayag for the holy dip.

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In a post on X, CM yogi prayed for the well-being and fulfillment of the devotees’ wishes and urged that the grace of Devadhidev Mahadev and Mother Ganga be upon them.

“On the sacred bathing festival of Mahashivratri, dedicated to the worship of Devadhidev Mahadev, heartfelt congratulations to all the revered saints, religious leaders, sadhaks who have come for Kalpavas, and devotees who have arrived at the Triveni Sangam of Tirtharaj Prayag today to take the holy dip of faith. May the grace of Devadhidev Mahadev and the sacred Mother Ganga, the bestower of merit, remain upon all devotees. May the sadhana of the seekers be fulfilled and the heartfelt wishes of the devotees be granted. This is my sincere prayer. Har Har Mahadev.”

Meanwhile, devotees in large numbers gathered at the Sangam ghats in Prayagraj to participate in the holy Mahashivaratri snan of the Magh Mela.

Mahashivratri, celebrated across India with great devotion, marks the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Devotees observe fasts, offer prayers, and participate in night-long vigils to seek the deity’s blessings.

According to Hindu mythology, on the night of their wedding, Lord Shiva was escorted to Goddess Parvati’s house by a diverse group of Hindu gods, goddesses, animals, and demons. The Shiva-Shakti duo is considered the epitome of love, power, and togetherness. The festival marking their sacred union, Mahashivratri, is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm across India.

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Telangana Municipal Election 2026: Final poll data shows Congress ahead of BRS even in urban pockets

by Hansraj Agrawal | Feb 14, 2026 | top-stories

Telangana Municipal Election 2026: The results of the February 2026 urban local body elections have changed the political scene in Telangana. Final data from the State Election Commission, released on February 13, shows that the ruling Congress party achieved a significant win. In contrast, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) experienced a large drop in its previous municipal strongholds.

The elections, held on February 11 across 116 municipalities and 7 municipal corporations, saw a voter turnout of 73.01%.

Final tally: Congress leads in wards and corporations

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The Congress party surpassed its opponents in both the total number of wards won and the control of key municipal bodies. According to the final results released on February 13, 2026, the Indian National Congress (INC) secured a dominant victory with 1,526 wards, effectively claiming clear majorities in 5 out of the 7 municipal corporations that went to the polls.

The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) maintained its position as the primary opposition by winning 772 wards, though this represents a significant decline of nearly 1,000 wards compared to their 2020 performance. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) showed notable growth, particularly in North Telangana, finishing with 326 wards and appearing likely to secure leadership in 2 corporations. Other parties, including Independents and the AIMIM, collectively accounted for 372 wards, retaining localized influence in specific urban pockets.

ఏఐసీసీ జాతీయ ప్ర‌ధాన కార్య‌ద‌ర్శి, ఎంపీ శ్రీమతి ప్రియాంక గాంధీతో ఈ రోజు ఢిల్లీలో భేటీ అయ్యాను.

రాష్ట్రంలో మున్సిప‌ల్ ఎన్నిక‌ల ఫ‌లితాల‌పై ఇరువురి మధ్య చర్చ జరిగింది. మున్సిప‌ల్ ఎన్నిక‌ల్లో కాంగ్రెస్ పార్టీ ఘ‌న విజ‌యం సాధించ‌డం పట్ల శ్రీమతి ప్రియాంక గాంధీ హ‌ర్షం వ్య‌క్తం చేస్తూ,… pic.twitter.com/so2ruCtka6
— Revanth Reddy (@revanth_anumula) February 13, 2026

For the first time in an urban election, the BRS vote share decreased significantly, continuing a downward trend seen since the 2023 Assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, where the party did not win any parliamentary seat.

Shift in urban dynamics

These results mark a reversal from the 2020 municipal polls, where the BRS (then TRS) dominated with over 1,700 wards. Urban and semi-urban voters, who once formed the core of BRS support, have shifted towards the Congress and BJP.

The BJP remained in third place overall but performed strongly in districts like Nizamabad and Karimnagar. This shows its rise as a major challenger in some urban areas.

The election coincided with the second anniversary of the Congress government. Chief Minister A. Critics note that the results reflected the usual “incumbency advantage” seen in local body elections, where the ruling party often holds an edge.

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What’s next?

The newly elected councillors and corporators are set to take their oaths on February 16, 2026. Special meetings will follow to elect mayors, deputy mayors, and municipal chairpersons. With Congress having a majority in most bodies, the party is likely to dominate the top administrative posts across the state.

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