MP Evening Wrap:PM Modi’s plane lands on Assam highway; right-wing protests against Valentine’s Day in Bhopal more

Bhaskar English brings you the biggest news from Madhya Pradesh and around the world. Here are the top news headlines of the day: 1. Modi’s plane lands on Assam highway, calls North-East ‘Ashtalakshmi’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on a visit to Assam on Saturday, addressed a public meeting in Guwahati where he launched a sharp attack on the Congress, alleging that the party had endangered national security during its tenure. The aircraft landed at the Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on the Moran Bypass, making Modi the first Prime Minister to land on a highway airstrip in Assam. Read More 2. Right-wing protests against Valentine’s Day in Bhopal The impact of protests against Valentine’s Day was visible on the ground in the state capital on Saturday, as activists of the International Hindu Council gathered outside Chinar Park, raising slogans and brandishing sticks. Read More 3. ‘Remove kids from schools that make Vande Mataram compulsory’, says Imam The central government, on January 28, issued new guidelines regarding the national song Vande Mataram. Under the revised instructions, the song will now be played at government functions, schools and other formal events, and all attendees will be required to stand during its rendition. Read More 4. Rahul says, ‘US trade deal will ‘ruin textile industry’ LoP Rahul Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government over the India-US interim trade agreement, claiming it could harm India’s cotton farmers and textile exporters. Gandhi highlighted that Indian garments face an 18% tariff in the United States, while Bangladesh gets a zero per cent tariff on its garment exports, provided it imports American cotton. Read More 5. ‘Veg dating or non-veg dating?’ girl asks; ‘Rental girlfriend’ services trending in MP on Valentine’s Day Love—once seen as an emotion built on trust and connection—has turned into a paid “package” in parts of Madhya Pradesh. For singles who want to celebrate Valentine’s Week, networks operating in Indore and Bhopal are offering “girlfriends on rent,” with hourly rates and special Valentine pricing. Read More 6. MGM suicide exposes state’s ragging crisis again; MP Medical Science University tops in national ragging list Madhya Pradesh’s medical education system is under renewed scrutiny following the suicide of a first-year MBBS student at MGM Medical College, Indore, an incident that has once again brought ragging concerns in the state’s medical institutions to the forefront. Read More 7. BNP’s India-inspired poll tactics paid off Relations between India and Bangladesh may not be warm at the moment, but India’s influence on the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its chairman, Tarique Rahman’s campaign was evident. This influence played a key role in giving the BNP an advantage in the elections. Read More 8. Mahakal temple decked up for Maha Shivratri Preparations for the grand celebration of Maha Shivratri have begun at the Shree Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, with the temple premises being adorned with exotic flowers imported from four countries. Read More 9. Culture Dept’s 14 offices staffed with guards on fake licence A private security agency allegedly used a PASARA licence bearing the signatures of an IPS officer who had died two years earlier to secure tenders for 14 offices linked to the Madhya Pradesh Culture Department. The agency is alleged to have received payments of more than Rs 8 crore over five years on the basis of this licence. Read More 10. SEBI gives nod to 5 IPOs, including Duroflex and Hexagon SEBI has given the green light to the public issues of a total of 5 companies, including Duroflex and Hexagon Nutrition. On February 13, SEBI issued its ‘observations’ on the draft papers of these companies. Now these companies will be able to launch their IPOs in the market in the coming months. Read More