India News

21-year-old Bengaluru student shot dead in Ukraine #RIPNaveen

Russia-Ukraine crisis: Recently, a report came that says that an Indian student from Karnataka, who was also stranded in Ukraine has been shot dead, while he was leaving for the train station for Lviv to reach the western border.

Published

4 years ago

March 1, 2022

Russia invaded Ukraine a few days ago and from then a series of bombardments have been taking place in the country. Amidst this, people are seeking shelters to protect themselves. It is also reported that around 16,000 Indians are stuck in the war zone. Recently, a report came that says that an Indian student from Karnataka, who was also stranded in Ukraine’s Kharkiv has been shot dead, while he was leaving for the train station for Lviv to reach the western border.

The ministry of external affairs has also confirmed the firing that took place in Ukraine in which the 21-year-old Indian student died. Arindam Bagchi, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, shared a tweet, in which he confirmed that an Indian student lost his life in shelling in Kharkiv this morning. He said that the Ministry is in touch with his family.

He further said that the Foreign Secretary is calling in Ambassadors of Russia and Ukraine to reiterate our demand for urgent safe passage for Indian nationals who are still in Kharkiv and cities in other conflict zones.

Who was the Indian student who died in the shelling in Ukraine?

The student has been identified as Naveen Shekharappa Gyanagoudar and he was studying in Ukraine. He was 21-years-old. He was a fourth-year student of Kharkiv Medical University. It is reported that Naveen was from Karnataka. His friends said that they had left for the train station from Kharkiv to leave for Lviv to reach the western border to reach Poland, which is closer to Lviv when this incident took place.

According to reports, Naveen was killed when the Russian missile attack took place on Kharkiv Governor House when the 21-year-old had gone to get food.

See the map of Ukraine given below to understand where the Indian students were headed:

Mayor of Mariupol says the city is being ‘pounded’ by Russian attacks, as a Kharkiv official says Russian missiles have struck residential areas.

🔴 LIVE updates: https://t.co/9kG0cK3DkI pic.twitter.com/AAsKAYhga6
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) March 1, 2022

The students are desperately seeking help from the Indian embassy, Meanwhile, Naveen’s parents in Chennai sought the Russian embassy’s help to get students out of Kharkiv as they state that Russia is just 30 km from the Kharkiv border.

Reaction on the demise of Naveen has started coming in:

The National President of Indian Youth Congress, Srinivas BV, shared the picture of Naveen and wrote, we are sorry Naveen. RIP.

We are Sorry Naveen.. RIP 🙏🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/pWhK1sbRYY
— Srinivas BV (@srinivasiyc) March 1, 2022

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that he received the tragic news of an Indian student Naveen losing his life in Ukraine. He further wrote that he reiterates that the Government of India needs a strategic plan for safe evacuation.

Recently, India also urged its citizens to leave the Ukrainian capital Kyiv immediately today, by any possible transport mean that they find.

They issued an advisory in which it was mentioned that all Indian nationals including students are advised to leave Kyiv urgently today. Preferably by available trains or through any other means available. Moreover, they said that they sincerely request all Indian nationals/students to remain calm, peaceful and united. A large crowd can be expected at the railway stations, therefore, it is advised that all Indian students remain patient, composed and especially not exhibit aggressive behaviour while at the railway station.

Just yesterday, former PM and Janata Dal (Secular) leader H.D. Deve Gowda had appealed on twitter for not politicising the evacuation of students from Ukraine.

In other news, the Arab and Middle Eastern Journalists Association (AMEJA) has condemned the western media coverage of war in Ukraine and called out the coverage as orientalist, racist and double standard.

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India News

Rescue operation underway after water surge traps workers in Chamoli tunnel

At least 10 workers are believed to be trapped after a sudden surge of water and debris entered a tunnel at a THDC project site in Chamoli.

Published

12 hours ago

August 13, 2026

APNLive Desk

At least 10 workers are believed to be trapped after water and debris entered a tunnel at a Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Limited (THDC) project site in Pipalkoti in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. A rescue operation is underway.

According to police, 18 labourers were working inside the tunnel when a sudden surge of water occurred. The strong current swept several workers towards the tunnel’s exit, according to a preliminary report.

Eight workers have been rescued so far, while 10 are still believed to be trapped inside the tunnel.

“Additional ambulances have been dispatched to the site. Police and administrative teams have arrived at the location,” Chamoli Superintendent of Police Surjeet Singh Pawar said.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed officials to carry out rescue and relief operations on a war footing.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have also been dispatched to assist in the rescue operation.

India News

Delhi Metro to start services at 4 am on Independence Day

Delhi Metro will begin services at 4 am on August 15, with trains running every 30 minutes before regular services start.

Published

12 hours ago

August 13, 2026

APNLive Desk

Delhi Metro services will start at 4 am on August 15 to facilitate the movement of special guests, invitees and members of the public attending the Independence Day celebrations, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said on Thursday.

Metro trains will operate at 30-minute intervals on all lines from 4 am until regular revenue services begin according to the scheduled timetable for the day.

Special QR tickets for Independence Day invitees

The DMRC said 1.30 lakh special pre-vended QR tickets have been supplied to the Ministry of Defence for the travel of special guests and bona fide invitees attending the celebrations.

Invitees carrying valid physical admit cards issued by the Ministry of Defence will also be provided special pre-vended QR tickets at designated Metro stations to facilitate their travel.

The cost of journeys made using these special QR tickets will be reimbursed to the DMRC by the Ministry of Defence, the corporation said.

Nearest Metro stations to Red Fort

The Lal Quila, Jama Masjid and Delhi Gate Metro stations are the nearest stations to the venue of the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort.

The early start of Metro services is aimed at facilitating the movement of people attending the celebrations on Independence Day.

India News

Bengal withdraws Banga Bibhushan from BJP MP Nagendra Ray over Netaji remarks

West Bengal has withdrawn the Banga Bibhushan awarded to BJP MP Nagendra Ray after his controversial remarks about Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

Published

12 hours ago

August 13, 2026

APNLive Desk

The West Bengal government has withdrawn the Banga Bibhushan, the state’s highest civilian honour, from BJP Rajya Sabha MP Nagendra Ray, popularly known as Ananta Maharaj, amid controversy over his remarks about Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

The award was conferred on Ray on February 21, 2026, when the Mamata Banerjee government was in power. The state government said the honour recognises distinguished and exemplary contributions to the state and its people and carries a high degree of dignity and prestige.

Why Bengal withdrew the award

The decision came less than 24 hours after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari directed the police to take stringent action, including arrests, against people making derogatory remarks about Netaji on social media.

Adhikari had also said that the law would apply equally to MPs, MLAs and government officials.

The directive followed remarks by Ananta Maharaj in which he described Netaji as a “war criminal” and questioned his leadership as well as the role of the Azad Hind Fauj in India’s freedom struggle.

What the Bengal government said

In its order, the state government said that “certain facts and circumstances” had emerged that raised questions over Nagendra Ray’s continued retention of the honour.

The government said the competent authority had concluded that retaining the Banga Bibhushan was inconsistent with the dignity, prestige and purpose of the award.

It therefore withdrew and annulled the honour conferred upon Nagendra Ray on February 21, 2026, with immediate effect. The order did not specifically identify the particular offence behind the decision.

Who is Nagendra Ray?

Nagendra Ray, popularly known as Ananta Maharaj, is a BJP Rajya Sabha MP from West Bengal who hails from Cooch Behar in the northern part of the state and is a leader of the Rajbanshi community.

The withdrawal of the state honour comes amid controversy over his remarks concerning Netaji, a prominent figure in India’s freedom struggle and a revered personality in Bengal.