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Why Rahul Gandhi chose Mann's Sangrur stronghold: 69 Malwa seats, agrarian politics and Congress's 2027 challenge

Neeraj Bali
Chandigarh, Nov 4 (UNI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's decision to begin his party's campaign for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's home district of Sangrur reflects a political calculation centred on Malwa's 69 Assembly seats, the state's agrarian heartland and a region where the Congress suffered a crushing defeat in 2022.
Wednesday's 'Insaaf Rally' at Phaguwala village is expected to focus on drug abuse, unemployment, farmers' grievances and law and order, while providing an early test of the Congress's efforts to rebuild its organisation ahead of the elections.
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This Diwali is truly special, says Modi as he celebrates festival of lights with Bastar security forces

08 Nov 2026 | 7:14 PM

By Shishir Roy
Jagdalpur, Nov 8 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited the CoBRA Operations Base at Karanpur in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, which served as the training base and launch pad for counter-Naxal operations in Bastar and Abujhmad, to celebrate Diwali with the security forces. Addressing the jawans, the Prime Minister described 2026 Diwali as truly special because it marks the first festival of lights after India won its decades-old battle against Maoist terror and rendered every district Naxal-free.

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Sammu village of Hamirpur -- where Diwali is not celebrated due to a 'curse'

08 Nov 2026 | 6:23 PM

Punkaj Bhaaratiya
Hamirpur(HP), Nov 8 (UNI) The residents of Sammu village in Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh believe the village was cursed by a woman who had committed 'Sati' and told them not to celebrate Diwali for seven generations. When some villagers attempted to celebrate the festival, a sudden fire broke out, resulting in untimely deaths and numerous hardships, they say. And that is the reason that the village goes without Diwali celebrations every year.

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Ballabgarh nears severe pollution mark at AQI 398, Delhi at 376 as toxic air grips NCR despite GRAP curbs

08 Nov 2026 | 5:29 PM

Panchkula, Nov 8 (UNI) Air pollution continued to pose a serious public health threat across the National Capital Region (NCR) on Sunday, with Haryana's Ballabgarh recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 398, just three points below the 'severe' threshold, while Delhi registered 376, as 14 of the 34 monitored cities and towns reported 'very poor' air quality despite stringent anti-pollution restrictions. .

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Haryana CM Nayab Saini offers prayers at Nada Sahib Gurdwara in Panchkula

08 Nov 2026 | 5:18 PM

Panchkula, Nov 8 (UNI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini visited the historic Gurdwara Sri Nada Sahib in Panchkula with his family and offered prayers for the peace, prosperity and well-being of the people of the state. .

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Ballabgarh nears severe pollution mark at AQI 398, Delhi at 376 as toxic air grips NCR despite GRAP curbs

08 Nov 2026 | 4:28 PM

Panchkula, Nov 8 (UNI) Air pollution continued to pose a serious public health threat across the National Capital Region (NCR) on Sunday, with Haryana's Ballabgarh recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 398, just three points below the 'severe' threshold, while Delhi registered 376, as 14 of the 34 monitored cities and towns reported 'very poor' air quality despite stringent anti-pollution restrictions.

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