Ambika Pandit
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Journalist, TOI; like to be called a storyteller; National Foundation For India media fellow (2009-10 & 2017); follow for regular news updates @AmbikaPanditTOI
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Articles by Ambika Pandit
Govt renames flagship social assistance scheme, drops Indira Gandhi tag Original
NEW DELHI: The Centre on Wednesday approved the continuation of its flagship social security scheme National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years until 2031, while renaming it Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana and dropping former PM Indira Gandhi’s name from three of its sub-schemes. Announcing the decision, I&B minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the “comprehensive social security net” will cover vulnerable groups, including the elderly, widows and persons with disabilities.
3.85L complaints, appeals pending with 28 information commissions Original
NEW DELHI: Over 3.85 lakh appeals and complaints were pending across 28 information commissions as of June 30 this year. Moreover, 14 commissions have an estimated waiting time of 1 year or more to dispose of a matter. These findings are part of the 'Report Card on the Performance of Information Commissions in India 2025-26' released by voluntary organisation Satark Nagrik Sangathan.
Over 1 crore manuscripts reported to Gyan Bharatam; mission aims to preserve, digitise them Original
From family shelves to temples and libraries, more than a crore manuscripts have been reported to Gyan Bharatam. Ambika Pandit follows the effort to conserve and digitise them and checks out how easy it will be to read them In the lanes behind Delhi’s Turkman Gate, Shah Abun Nasar Anas Farooqi and his son Ubada guard 579 manuscripts in Arabic, Persian and Urdu. The family says the paper manuscripts are 100 to 800 years old.
Delimitation a design to punish TN reduce its voice in Parliament: Rahul Gandhi Original
CHENNAI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made his youth outreach programme ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ held at Chennai’s Island Grounds, the platform to take on PM Narendra Modi led govt over its attempts to bring the delimitation bill in the garb of women's reservation, alleging that delimitation was a design to punish Tamil Nadu and reduce its voice in Parliament.
Rahul Gandhi: 'My message to students: you have nothing to fear. We are standing with you' Original
NEW DELHI/CHENNAI: The opposition came out strongly to condemn the action against protesters with the leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi launching a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that “Mogambo Modi” is destroying India’s democracy. “There is no force in this world that is going to stop Modi from facing justice. I guarantee you!, “ Gandhi said. “My message to all the students: you have nothing to fear.
Congress stays away, Left & AAP to join CJP stir against CEC Original
NEW DELHI: Cockroach Janta Party's invitation to all opposition parties to join its Oct 10 demonstration against EC's functioning under CEC Gyanesh Kumar saw only the Left, Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool and AAP openly backing its agitation. While the Left and AAP have announced their participation, it was not clear till Friday night whether Mamata's party would be part of the CJP protest.
INDIA bloc top leaders to meet President today evening over functioning of EC under CEC Gyanesh Kumar, MPs to gather at Central Hall ahead of meeting
New Delhi: The INDIA bloc of Opposition parties will be leading a delegation to meet President of India Droupadi Murmu at 8 pm today to brief her and submit a representation over the functioning of the Election Commission under CEC Gyanesh Kumar and the SIR process.
Mamata Banerjee’s Delhi arrival fuels buzz over INDIA bloc meet with President Original
NEW DELHI: The news of TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee arriving in Delhi on Thursday evening has heightened the anticipation that an appointment sought by INDIA bloc for a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu over the functioning of Election Commission and the SIR process may be coming soon. Opposition INDIA bloc parties have agreed to restrict their delegation to 10 as sought by the President Secretariat, sources said.
National Commission for Women seeks gender-neutral childcare leave, shared caregiving by parents
NEW DELHI: Noting that “motherhood should not become a career penalty”, National Commission for Women (NCW) has called for measures to prevent recruitment discrimination against women arising from maternity, as part of a slew of recommendations to govt on laws related to maternity and childcare.
National Commission for Women issues safety guidelines to step-up monitoring of app-based and digital transport services Original
NEW DELHI: Taking note of safety concerns emerging from across states the National Commission for Women has issued guidelines to states and UTs for safety of women passengers using app-based and digital transport services calling for appropriate verification of criminal antecedents, police verification and background of drivers before onboarding, monitoring of drivers operating during late-night hours and providing SOS buttons in every cab to send out alerts to the command-and-control centre.
'INDIA Bloc stands united and will move forward collectively....it is not about individual decisions': Mamata Original
NEW DELHI: A day after the INDIA Alliance announced a joint agitation to demand the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar over the SIR exercise, Trinamool Congress Chairperson and former West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said that for the Opposition this was a “collective” fight and shared that she had promptly responded to CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby last week when he reached out to her over the working of the Election Commission as it was a "national issue".
Opposition may seek FIRs against those without immunity Original
NEW DELHI: Seeking to get around the 2023 law shielding CEC Gyanesh Kumar and two ECs, opposition may seek FIRs against ECI functionaries not covered by immunity provisions, keeping the watchdog in its sights for allegedly "hijacking democracy". The opposition has decided to implead in the Supreme Court in the ongoing challenge to the 2023 Act. The manoeuvre will come even as the India bloc will mount pressure for repeal of the immunity law.
Amid SIR row, INDIA bloc puts up united front, targets PM Modi, Shah Original
NEW DELHI: Upping the ante against CEC Gyanesh Kumar and PM Modi, the opposition INDIA bloc Wednesday announced a month-long nationwide agitation starting Oct 2, coinciding with the protest call given by various student bodies, including the Cockroach Janata Party, in Delhi and states. Crucially, the opposition collectively demanded that elections should revert to ballot papers from EVMs, and that pre-SIR electoral rolls be restored for future elections.
Government deploys AI tool to scrutinise rural road project DPRs Original
NEW DELHI: In a bid to cut down delays and improve quality, the government has deployed an AI-based detailed project report (DPR) scrutiny tool that aims at strengthening and streamlining the technical appraisal of rural road projects under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.
UNFPA report: Migrant workers cite livelihood insecurity, low wages, poverty and debt as reasons for moving out for better life Original
NEW DELHI: Nearly 72% of migrant workers surveyed in three south Indian states felt that moving for work has improved their standard of living and more than half (around 57%) intended to continue working in their destination state, as per a new report. At the same time, it turns out that over 86% of workers have no signed employment contracts and many face difficulties ranging from accessing welfare and essential services to experiencing language, communication and social barriers.
Babita Singh Reporting Review
పరిచయం ‘బబితా సింగ్ రిపోర్టింగ్’ చిత్రం 2026 ఆగస్టు 28న అమెజాన్ ప్రైమ్ వీడియో వేదిక ద్వారా ప్రేక్షకుల ముందుకు వచ్చింది. అంబికా పండిత్ దర్శకత్వం వహించిన ఈ క్రైమ్ డ్రామా, మధ్యప్రదేశ్ రాష్ట్రంలో జరిగిన ఒక హత్య కేసును ఆధారంగా చేసుకుని రూపొందించబడింది. ఈ చిత్రంలో నిమిష సజయన్ ప్రధాన పాత్రలో నటించగా, బరున్ సోబ్తీ, అన్షుమన్ పుష్కర్, రాజేశ్ కుమార్, సునీత రజ్వర్ వంటి నటీనటులు సహాయక పాత్రల్లో తమ ప్రతిభను కనబరిచారు.
Child abuse content row: Meta admits lapses, govt questions its 'safe harbour' status Original
NEW DELHI: Govt has told Meta that it cannot go on invoking intermediary status and must shoulder greater responsibility as a service provider after the tech giant admitted to lapses in dealing with child sexual abuse material. This can have far-reaching consequences, including the company losing the "safe harbour" immunity that it enjoys on grounds of being an intermediary, although it can challenge any decision of the govt in court.
Meta India officials summoned over child abuse ads
NEW DELHI: National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has summoned Meta India's managing director and country head to appear before it on Wednesday over advertisements allegedly linked to child sexual exploitation and abuse material (CSEAM) on Instagram. NCPCR commission took suo motu cognisance of a BBC Eye report and issued a notice to Meta Platforms Inc on July 3, seeking an explanation and documents.
NCPCR summons Meta India head over alleged child abuse ads
NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has summoned Meta India’s managing director and country head to appear before it on Wednesday over advertisements allegedly linked to child sexual exploitation and abuse material (CSEAM) on Instagram. The commission took suo motu cognisance of a BBC Eye report and issued a notice to Meta Platforms Inc on July 3, seeking an explanation and documents.
NHRC seeks report on hostel facilities for DU students from Delhi chief secretary, UGC
NEW DELHI: Taking cognisance of the lack of adequate and affordable hostel facilities for students of the Delhi University, the National Human Rights Commission has issued directions to Delhi chief secretary and chairperson of the University Grants Commission to submit in consultation with DU a consolidated “action-oriented report” within four weeks on the status of existing facilities, college-wise requirement, steps taken and the proposed plan with timelines for augmenting hostel...
In fight against malnutrition govt to promote dietary diversity, importance of protein rich foods
NEW DELHI: Stepping up the fight against malnutrition, which remains a significant health challenge, govt will take the message of dietary diversity and importance of “protein rich foods” in a child’s diet — with special focus on children enrolled in around 14 lakh anganwadi centres — across the country, as part of its annual “Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026”. The month-long nutrition campaign will be launched on Sept 9 from Varanasi.
UN declares Nov 27 as day for elimination of child marriage Original
NEW DELHI: In a significant development that brings the need to step up global action on Sustainable Development Goals 2030 into focus, UN has declared Nov 27 as International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage. India, along with 65 countries, backed the resolution steered by Sierra Leone .
UN approves resolution to declare Nov 27 as ‘International Day For Elimination Of Child, Early & Forced Marriage’
NEW DELHI: In a significant development that brings focus on the need to step up action to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, the United Nations (UN) has declared November 27 the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage. The date carries special significance for India, which backed the resolution steered by Sierra Leone, as it was on Nov 27 that the govt had launched the ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ campaign in 2024.
UN approves resolution to declare Nov 27 as ‘International Day For Elimination Of Child, Early & Forced Marriage’
News India News UN approves resolution to declare Nov 27 as ‘International Day For Elimination Of Child, Early & Forced Marriage’ Trending NEW DELHI: In a significant development that brings focus on the need to step up action to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, the United Nations (UN) has declared November 27 the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage.
CPI(ML)L to launch ‘Fix the schools’ campaign, seeks to keep Jantar Mantar momentum going Original
NEW DELHI: Preparing to assert the Left’s presence in upcoming state polls next year in Punjab, UP and Uttarakhand where it proposes to field candidates in certain constituencies, the CPI(ML) Liberation is looking to build on the gains made by its students’ wing AISA with Gen Z during the recent Jantar Mantar protests by launching a nationwide outreach “School theek karo, shiksha sudharo” (Fix the schools, improve education) to focus on educational reform from primary to higher education levels.
Child sex abuse material on Meta: NHRC notices to IT, I&B ministries Original
NEW DELHI: National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to the ministries of electronics and information technology (MeitY) and information and broadcasting (I&B) as part of the ongoing scrutiny of circulation of child sexual abuse material on Instagram . NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo, whose bench issued the notices on Sept 2, highlighted that the inquiry was no longer confined to who uploaded objectionable content on a platform.
Safai Karmachari Andolan counters govt reply in Parliament, claims manual scavenging still exists in atleast 46 districts Original
NEW DELHI: Challenging the Centre’s claim made in Parliament in the monsoon session that a survey conducted in all districts of the country during the year 2024-25 found no person engaged as a manual scavenger, Safai Karmachari Andolan (SKA) on Tuesday brought together women from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and youth from Jammu & Kashmir claiming to be engaged in manual cleaning of human excreta in insanitary latrines to highlight that the illegal practice still persists in atleast...
AIMPLB to launch campaign for protection Constitution and Sharia Original
NEW DELHI: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board will launch a movement on Sept 17 to mobilise public opinion for protection of the Constitution and 'Sharia', religious freedom and rights and dignity of citizens. The Board plans to start the campaign from Jantar Mantar in Delhi and reach out to all faiths over three months. In a statement, the board said that as part of the campaign, a charter of demands will be submitted to the President of India Droupadi Murmu through governors in each state.
Babita Singh Reporting Review: Nimisha Sajayan delivers as a determined cop, Barun Sobti adds depth
Movie Name: Babita Singh Reporting Critics Rating: 3/5 Release Date: August 28, 2026 Director: Ambika Pandit Genre: Drama Women in uniform have taken on several responsibilities for the country and their families while dealing with professional duties, personal struggles and the constant battle to prove themselves. As a result, female police characters have often left a lasting impression on audiences.
Lok Sabha Secretariat issues notices to 20 rebel TMC MPs Original
NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha Secretariat has issued notices to 20 rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs who have aligned with NCPI and sought their responses within seven days on petitions filed by TMC national general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee seeking their disqualification under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution that lays down the anti-defection framework.
Centre for Child Rights set up at Lohiya Law University Original
LUCKNOW: In a significant step, city-based Dr Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University has set up the ‘Centre for Child Rights’ on its campus. The multidisciplinary Centre inaugurated on Saturday will focus on research, capacity building and evidence-informed advocacy on matters concerning the rights of the child.
61.5% of women taking up G RAM G work shows positive indicator of rural livelihoods Original
NEW DELHI: Over 11.4 crore person-days have been generated since the rollout of Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act (VB G RAM G Act), which replaced MGNREGA , according to the govt portal on the new scheme. Women account for 61.5% of the total person-days so far. Even under the now-repealed MGNREGA, women's participation over the years was over 50%, with data available from 2013-14 indicating a rise, which saw 2023-24 witnessing the highest 58.9%.
CARA to tweak rules to boost regulatory system
NEW DELHI: Central Adoption Resource Authority announced Thursday that it was undertaking a review of the adoption regulations notified in 2022 in order to strengthen the regulatory framework and address "emerging legal, procedural and implementation-related issues". The 2022 regulations had marked a significant shift, wi-th district magistrates getting the power to issue adoption orders in place of district courts.
Disability rights groups raise concern over Census enumeration framework Original
NEW DELHI: Disability rights organisations and activists have raised concern over the categorisation for enumeration of persons with disabilities under Census 2027, highlighting that the nine-category framework “fails to adequately capture this legal and social reality” of the 21 disabilities recognised under the law.
Public exams to become more transparent, secure and trustworthy: President Murmu Original
NEW DELHI: Referring to students as “architects of India’s future”, President Droupadi Murmu Friday said govt is undertaking comprehensive steps to reform the public examination system to “completely curb” the use of unfair means, make it more transparent, secure and trustworthy for the youth. “Just as govt and society must remain united to ensure national security, everyone must contribute through joint and concerted efforts to safeguard the present and future of our students.
Gen Z led student protest taught MPs how to use humour in serious political communication: Derek O' Brien Original
NEW DELHI: Hailing opposition unity evident in the way the INDIA bloc parties cornered the BJP led NDA in the monsoon session of Parliament, TMC’s Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’ Brien said that while the session that ended on Thursday belonged to the opposition, it was the protests over the NEET paper leaks at Jantar Mantar by youth that set the pitch for what followed in Parliament. “This was a session that belonged to the opposition. This was a win for the students and youth of the country.
TMC gears up to move Supreme Court within 10 days to seek disqualification of 20 rebel MPs Original
NEW DELHI: The Trinamool Congress is preparing to move the Supreme Court against the 20 rebel Lok Sabha MPs who merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India . A disqualification petition will be filed within 10 days, TMC sources said. TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee had met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday to reiterate his demand for a speedy decision on the disqualification petitions submitted by TMC in June.
Church Bodies welcome referral of FCRA bill to JPC a 'positive step' that opens space for 'clause-by-clause review' Original
NEW DELHI: The Joint Action Forum on Minorities that had led a delegation of representatives of Churches to meet Home Minister Amit Shah last week described the decision of the govt to refer the FCRA Amendment Bill 2026 to a Joint Parliamentary Committee as a “positive step” that presents an “important opportunity for a comprehensive, clause-by-clause review of its provisions and their implications”.
Parl Panel flags shortfall in achieving even 25% of skill development targets under action plan for persons with disabilities Original
NEW DELHI: The parliamentary standing committee on social justice and empowerment has brought into focus the failure of the National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (NAP-SDP) to meet setout targets and highlighted that the continued shortfall in achieving even 25% of the set targets is a matter of serious concern.
Over 9.69 cr person-days generated within a month of roll-out of VB G RAM G: Govt Original
NEW DELHI: Over 9.69 crore person-days have been generated in approximately a month of the rollout of the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act (VB-G RAM G) which replaced MGNREGA , the govt informed Lok Sabha on Tuesday. When VB- G RAM G Scheme was rolled out from July 1, revised wage rates were notified by the govt with a new interim base wage rate of Rs 300 per day.
Amit Shah assured proposed FCRA changes will not be retrospective, says Mizoram CM
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NHRC summons Delhi police chief after failure to answer summon over CSAM content on Instagram Original
NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission has issued summons to the Delhi police commissioner to appear before it taking a serious view of a lack of response to its notice and later a reminder directing an investigation into allegations of paid advertisements on Instagram (owned by Meta) promoting child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The NHRC had sought an action taken report within 15 days but is still awaiting a reply.
MPs feel left out of foundation stone laying, parliamentary panel steps in Original
News India News MPs feel left out of foundation stone laying, parliamentary panel steps in Trending A parliamentary panel has called attention to the frequent exclusion of MPs from events related to rural road schemes.
CPI (ML) L whose students wing was at forefront of Gen Z protests wants voting age lowered to 16 Original
News India News CPI (ML) L whose students wing was at forefront of Gen Z protests wants voting age lowered to 16 Trending NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, whose student wing All India Students Association (AISA) was at the forefront in the Cockroach Janta Party led protests at Jantar Mantar, has demanded that the voting age should be lowered to 16 from 18 years to empower the younger lot among Gen Z.This comes in the backdrop of the students protests that...
India’s students do not need PM Modi's forgiveness, they are owed his apology: Rahul Gandhi
News India News India’s students do not need PM Modi's forgiveness, they are owed his apology: Rahul Gandhi Trending File photo: PM Modi and leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi NEW DELHI: Reacting sharply to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's late night Instagram video on Friday, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi while citing leaked papers, cancelled exams and years of hard work of students destroyed in the process, lashed out at the PM for having the "audacity" to speak...
TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee meets Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, seeks early decision on disqualification of 20 rebel MPs Original
News India News TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee meets Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, seeks early decision on disqualification of 20 rebel MPs Trending File photo: TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee & Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla NEW DELHI: TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Monday in Parliament urging him to expedite his decision on pending petitions seeking disqualification of the 20 MPs, elected on TMC symbol, who have aligned with NCPI.Banerjee, a Lok Sabha MP,...
India saw more than 5,000 child adoptions last year, highest in a decade Original
News India saw more than 5,000 child adoptions last year, highest in a decade NEW DELHI: Amid challenges ranging from nearly 26,000 people waiting to adopt kids to only a limited number of children available in the most-sought-after 0-2 age group with adoption agencies, as many as 5,022 children were adopted between April 2025 and March 2026 - the highest in over a decade - as per data shared by Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) since 2015-16.According to CARA, as many as 4,603...
Opposition to take on government in Parliament over police action against protesting student Original
News Opposition to take on government in Parliament over police action against protesting student File photo: Opposition camp protesting against ruling MPs outside Parliament (Picture credit: PTI) NEW DELHI: The second week of the monsoon session of Parliament is set for a fiery start with the opposition led by the Congress set to mount its attack on the govt over the alleged police brutality against protesting students, demanding accountability and an apology from Prime Minister Narendra...
Sarnath joins Unesco World Heritage list
Sarnath gets global recognition Sarnath gets global recognition Sarnath gets global recognition NEW DELHI: India's ancient Buddhist site of Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh was inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage List Saturday, becoming India's 45th site to receive this recognition. India ranks sixth globally and second in Asia Pacific Region for the most number of 'World Heritage Sites'.Sarnath was included in the tentative list in 1998.
Left scores win, despite its shrunken presence, through its student organs Original
News India News Left scores win, despite its shrunken presence, through its student organs Trending When the Left-aligned student groups joined the CJP-led protest, they were drawn into the fold organically, said parties’ functionaries NEW DELHI: It must qualify as a striking case of maximising one's returns on meagre capital.
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