Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the 15th edition of the Rozgar Mela held virtually across 47 locations, distributed 51,236 appointment letters to newly recruited candidates in central government departments and organisations.

Addressing the young appointees, PM Modi congratulated them for securing permanent government positions and emphasised their crucial role in strengthening India’s economy, infrastructure, internal security, and welfare systems. He stated, “The more dedicated you are, the faster we progress towards a Viksit Bharat.”

Highlighting the importance of youth in national development, PM Modi remarked that countries where youth actively participate in growth see rapid progress. He pointed to India’s young population as a key driver behind the country’s advancements in technology and innovation.

Focus on innovation and self-employment

The Prime Minister underlined the success of government initiatives like Skill India, Startup India, and Digital India, noting their impact in opening platforms for innovation and entrepreneurship. He credited young Indians for leading the digital transformation through platforms like UPI, ONDC, and GeM.

PM Modi also touched upon the new Manufacturing Mission announced in the Budget 2025-26, aimed at boosting the ‘Make in India’ initiative and helping youth manufacture globally competitive products.

Growth across sectors and new opportunities

Citing record growth in sectors such as automobiles, footwear, and Khadi and cottage industries, PM Modi noted that the turnover for Khadi and cottage industries has crossed Rs 1.7 lakh crore. He also spoke about the expansion of inland water transport, where cargo movement through waterways grew from 18 million tonnes in 2014 to 145 million tonnes in 2025, and the number of national waterways increased from 5 to over 110.

Another highlight was PM Modi’s mention of the upcoming World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025) in Mumbai, aimed at providing a platform for young content creators in India.

Inclusivity and future-focused initiatives

PM Modi praised the rising participation of women in India’s success story, referring to the recent UPSC results where women secured the top two ranks. Stressing the importance of inclusivity, he discussed future-focused initiatives around Artificial Intelligence (AI), with workshops planned to prepare the youth for emerging media and digital content industries.

He also encouraged the new appointees to participate in the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative, dedicating a tree plantation to their mothers.

Concluding his address, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the collective goal of building a prosperous and developed India.

The appointees will join key ministries including Home Affairs, Railways, Labour and Employment, Revenue, and Higher Education. Since its launch in October 2022, the Rozgar Mela has facilitated the appointment of over 10 lakh individuals in government jobs.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has issued a powerful statement denouncing the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam area, which claimed at least 26 lives on April 22. In a press statement released by the Council President, France’s Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont, the 15-member body “condemned in the strongest terms” the violence and emphasized the urgent need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers, and sponsors of the attack to justice.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the UNSC stressed that all states must actively cooperate with relevant authorities under their obligations of international law and Security Council resolutions. The Council reaffirmed its longstanding position that terrorism, in all its forms, poses a serious threat to international peace and security.

The victims of the April 22 attack included 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, primarily tourists from various parts of India. Expressing profound condolences, the Council extended sympathy to the families of those killed and to the governments of India and Nepal. It also wished a swift and full recovery to the injured.

A press statement from the Security Council is a collective declaration made by its President on behalf of all 15 members. Notably, the United States is reported to have circulated the draft for this particular statement, which underwent negotiations before its release. Pakistan, currently a non-permanent member of the Council, was also part of the discussions.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, through his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, expressed “deep concern” over the situation between India and Pakistan, urging both nations to exercise “maximum restraint” to prevent further escalation. Responding to speculation about tensions between the two countries, Dujarric reaffirmed that the UN is closely monitoring the situation and reiterated condemnation of the terrorist attack.

The UNSC further emphasized that all terrorist acts are criminal and unjustifiable, irrespective of their motives, and called for international efforts to combat terrorism while adhering to the United Nations Charter and obligations under international law.

In a stringent move following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, security forces destroyed the houses of five terrorists across Jammu and Kashmir on Friday night. The operation targeted properties in Shopian, Kulgam, and Pulwama districts, as authorities intensified their crackdown on Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives and suspects linked to the assault that claimed 26 lives.

According to officials, the house of LeT commander Shahid Ahmed Kutte in Chotipora village of Shopian was among those demolished. Kutte, reportedly active in terror activities for the past three to four years, is accused of playing a major role in orchestrating anti-national operations.

In Kulgam’s Matalam area, the residence of active terrorist Zahid Ahmed was also torn down. Meanwhile, in Pulwama’s Murran area, security forces demolished the house of Ahsan Ul Haq, a terrorist trained in Pakistan in 2018 who had recently re-entered the Valley, raising alarms among intelligence agencies.

Further actions included the demolition of the double-storey house belonging to LeT terrorist Ehsan Ahmad Sheikh, active since June 2023, and the razing of Haris Ahmad’s residence in Kachipora, Pulwama, who has also been operating since last year.

Officials confirmed that cases have been registered against all the individuals whose properties were destroyed.

This follows similar actions on Thursday night when security forces demolished the houses of LeT operatives Adil Hussain Thoker and Asif Sheikh, believed to be directly involved in the Pahalgam attack. Reports indicated that explosives were found placed inside their houses.

Meanwhile, Anantnag Police released sketches of Thoker and two Pakistani nationals — Hashim Musa alias Suleman and Ali Bhai alias Talha Bhai — suspected to be involved in the attack. Authorities have announced a reward of ₹20 lakh for information leading to their capture.

The Pahalgam attack unfolded on Tuesday when multiple terrorists opened fire at tourists visiting Baisaran Valley, known as “Mini Switzerland,” resulting in widespread panic. In the wide-open spaces of the valley, tourists struggled to find cover as the gunmen continued their assault.

In the wake of the attack, a massive manhunt involving the Army, CRPF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police has been launched to apprehend the perpetrators. Additionally, India has suspended the Indus Water Treaty, citing “sustained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to “identify, track, and punish” all terrorists and their supporters behind the attack.