Daily Briefing: Latest on the Mumbai hit-and-run case; 2 soldiers & 6 militants killed in Kashmir; Ishan Kishen interview; and more

Mihir Shah, son of Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) leader from Palghar Rajesh Shah has been booked in a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder after a speeding BMW car rammed into a two-wheeler in Mumbai, leading to the death of a 45-year-old woman. While Mihir is absconding, his father and driver have been arrested, say police. Here are the latest developments in the case.

Meanwhile, in Kashmir’s Kulgam district, after two soldiers, including a Para commando, were confirmed killed in separate encounters which broke out in Chinigam and Modergam villages on Saturday, the militant toll rose to six on Sunday.

Among the martyred soldiers was 27-year-old Para commando Pradeep Nain, hailing from Jind district of Haryana. Nain’s village was in mourning Sunday, awaiting the return of the soldier who was supposed to be back home for the birth of his first child. We report.

👉 Only in Express

Arrangements for a badminton entourage, special feed for horses, weekly meetings held over a span 3 years — as India’s athletes await their touch down in Paris for the Olympic Games, for the Indian sports ecosystem, these journeys may well be the signoff on years of preparations for the mega event, on a scale never seen before, reveals an Express RTI application. Don’t miss!

“I think they (Opposition) don’t want an independent voice to rise from among the backward classes. They think whoever stands for elections has to be supported by them… I said my name is Azad.”

Chandrashekhar Azad, National President Azad Samaj Party and Bhim Army chief, speaks to Deputy Associate Editor Deeptiman Tiwary in the most recent edition of Idea Exchange.

📰 From the First Page

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has announced a prize of Rs 125 crore for the T20 World Cup-winning team. Between the players, the coach and the staff, here’s how the money will be split. 

Social media platforms such as Instagram and YouTube are flooded with posts from Indians travelling to Silk Road countries like Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, and the Southeast Asian tourist hotspot Vietnam. We explore why these destinations are increasingly attracting budget-conscious Indian travellers.

⚡Must Read

In today’s Opinion, Ashok Gulati writes about the importance of bridging the trust deficit between the farming community and the agri-policy makers. “If agriculture in the country has to be put on a fast and sustainable track, the first order of business for Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan must be to attempt to converge on some important reforms in the agri-sector.”

The Central government has unveiled draft rules to operationalise the Digital Bharat Nidhi, aimed at enhancing telecom connectivity in rural areas. This initiative seeks to replace the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), which faced criticism for its underutilisation of funds in telecom projects. We explain how DBN would work and address this drawback. 

Prime Minister Modi’s decision to visit Russia first after taking office showcases the importance New Delhi accords to its relationship with Moscow. We explain why Russia is a priority in terms of India’s defence interests, oil trade and how India is managing a delicate diplomatic position with its Western allies amid the Russia-Ukraine war.

🔴 And Finally

Highly-rated wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan, who last played for India in November, recently explained in an exclusive interview with The Indian Express why he requested a break during the South Africa tour. He discussed his decision not to play for his state during this period, the support he received from his family when others didn’t understand his state of mind, and his joy at seeing his India teammates succeed in winning the T20 World Cup.

Olympic medalist and former Rajya Sabha member Mary Kom surprised the crowd at a bar in south Delhi on Friday evening by joining a local band on stage to sing. She received a huge applause as she performed three songs: Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight”, 4 Non Blondes’ “What’s Up”, and Olivia Newton-John’s “Let Me Be There”.

🎧 In today’s episode of the 3 Things Podcast, we talk about the return of Hemant Soren as Jharkhand CM, the Mumbai hit-and-run case and the  new report card system introduced by NCERT. 

Until next time,

Ayesha Jain and Aradhana Kalia

Business as Usual by Unny