The Good Samaritan Rules, notified in 2020 under Section 134A of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, are aimed at protecting citizens who assist injured persons during the crucial “Golden Hour”.

The Golden Hour – the first hour following a serious injury – is considered the most critical period for medical intervention. Timely assistance during this window can significantly reduce fatalities, lifelong disabilities, and trauma.

The ministry stressed that becoming a Rah-Veer does not require medical training or special equipment; often, the willingness to act is enough to make the difference between life and death.

Under the rules, a Good Samaritan cannot be compelled to disclose personal details, forced to file an FIR, detained by authorities or subjected to repeated questioning.

Hospitals are prohibited from demanding payment from Rah-Veers for emergency treatment provided to accident victims, and helpers are free to leave once the injured person is admitted.

Those who choose to act as witnesses can give a single statement at a time and place convenient to them, while anonymity remains a protected right.

Despite improvements in road infrastructure, India continues to record one of the highest numbers of road accidents globally.

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has previously noted that road accidents impose a heavy economic burden, costing the country nearly 3 percent of its GDP, as highlighted in an IIT Delhi report.

Fear of legal and procedural complications among bystanders often delays assistance, leading to avoidable deaths during the Golden Hour.

To encourage proactive intervention, the Rah-Veer (Good Samaritan) Scheme also provides financial recognition.

Individuals who help accident victims receive medical care within the Golden Hour are eligible for a reward of Rs 25,000 along with a Certificate of Appreciation, with recognition available up to five times a year for repeated acts of bravery.

The ministry said the Rah-Veer initiative seeks to foster a culture of empathy and shared responsibility on Indian roads, reminding citizens that saving a life does not require professional expertise – only the courage to act.

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A wreath-laying ceremony was held at the memorial, led by Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, GOC-in-C Northern Command, and Lt Gen P K Mishra, GOC White Knight Corps, along with local legislators, veterans, and family members of fallen soldiers.

Honorary Captain Bana Singh (Retd), Param Vir Chakra awardee, and Chinta Devi, wife of late Naib Subedar Sub Chunni Lal, were also honoured for their service and sacrifice.

The ceremony included the lighting of a torch symbolising the eternal glory of the fallen.

The motorcycle rally was ceremonially flagged off by Honorary Captain Bana Singh and Chinta Devi. Senior Army officers rode alongside the bikers from Udhampur to Nagrota in the first leg of the rally, demonstrating solidarity with veterans.

Covering around 740 km, the Dhruva Motorcycle Rally will pass through the Pir Panjal region in the White Knight Corps zone and conclude at a mega ex-servicemen rally in Rajouri on January 13.

Along the route, wreath-laying ceremonies will be held at war memorials, while ‘Aarogya Rakshak’ medical teams will conduct health camps for ex-servicemen, including the distribution of blood pressure monitoring devices to senior veterans.

The rally underscores the Indian Army’s commitment to veterans’ welfare and its ethos of “Service Beyond Uniform”.

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The promotion orders, issued earlier this week, have resulted in the regular elevation of 34 Assistant Executive Engineers, 28 Executive Engineers, 13 Superintending Engineers, and three Chief Engineers.

Officials and engineers alike say the move has helped unclog long-pending seniority issues at various levels, particularly at the Assistant Engineer cadre, and has opened the door for addressing the long-standing Junior Engineer seniority backlog.

Engineers’ bodies termed the development historic, stating that years of ad-hoc arrangements and career stagnation had adversely impacted morale as well as administrative efficiency within the department.

“This is not just about promotions, it is about restoring institutional stability,” an officer said, adding that regular postings at senior levels would improve decision-making and accountability in the power sector.

A significant aspect of the recent exercise is the filling of vacancies at the top administrative tier.

The department has cleared proposals for promoting Superintending Engineers to the level of Chief Engineer, a step aimed at strengthening governance and improving the functioning of various power corporations.

“This move strikes at the root of the additional charge culture that had crippled the department for years. With full-time officers in place, the system will function more smoothly and transparently,” an official said.

Reacting to the development, President of JKEEGA, Pirzada Hidayatullah, expressed gratitude to the J&K leadership for addressing the long-pending issue.

“The engineering fraternity is deeply thankful to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of J&K, the Chief Secretary, and especially the Financial Commissioner (ACS) JKPDD for taking this bold and much-needed step,” he said.

Hidayatullah also appreciated the role of the Establishment-cum-Selection Committee in clearing the regularisation proposals.

Welcoming the move, he said engineers were hopeful that the government would continue the momentum.

“We expect early action on Junior Engineer seniority as well, so that the entire backlog is cleared and regular promotions become the norm rather than the exception,” Hidayatullah said.

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A statement of Arco Cement issued here said that the theme of the Arco Cement 2026 calendar centers on the architectural heritage of Kashmir, featuring traditional elements such as intricately carved pillars, elegant arches, and other timeless design motifs that reflect the region’s historic craftsmanship and aesthetic excellence.

The unveiling ceremony was attended by Director, Arco Cement, Imran Latif Anim, along with senior officials of the company.

Speaking on the occasion, Anim said that the unveiling of the 2026 calendar is a meaningful initiative aimed at reviving and celebrating Kashmir’s architectural legacy.

He said that the images featured in this year’s calendar focus on local heritage structures, many of which were built over a century ago.

“Through this calendar, we have revived and highlighted these architectural treasures so that people can once again feel a deeper connection with our local traditions and culture. It is our effort to preserve the essence of Kashmir’s heritage while presenting it to today’s generation,” he Anim said.

Managing Director, Arco Cement, Javaid Ahmad Anim, who was not available at the ceremony and spoke to reporters telephonically, expressed his satisfaction over the initiative.

He said that he was happy to focus on preserving and highlighting Kashmir’s architectural heritage through this year’s calendar.

“By showcasing these heritage elements, we are making an effort to stay connected with our roots and pass on the essence of our rich cultural legacy to future generations. Such initiatives reflect our responsibility towards society, culture, and tradition,” he said.

Earlier, Sales Head, Arco Cement, Altaf Hussain, said that the calendar carries a strong message of cultural continuity.

“In an era of rapid modernisation, it becomes essential to remain mindful of our traditions,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Digital Marketing Manager, Arco Cement, Muhammad Fariq Farooq, said that despite rapid technological advancements and the growing use of digital tools, wall calendars continue to hold a special place in every Kashmiri household.

He said that the 2026 calendar was the result of dedicated and tireless efforts spanning several days.

“After backbreaking work, it is immensely satisfying to see the calendar finally unveiled before everyone. We have tried our best to make it one of the finest calendars of 2026, with a strong focus on the architectural heritage of Kashmir, while also including all essential calendar details such as prayer timings and holidays. We truly hope it will be loved by the people,” Farooq said.

The 2026 wall calendar and e-calendar reflect Arco Cement’s broader vision of blending tradition with modernity, while strengthening its bond with the region by honoring Kashmir’s heritage, values, and craftsmanship, alongside its continued commitment to quality and excellence in the construction sector.

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The book, published by Wyzr, exposes the silent crisis of metabolic health – especially insulin resistance – and offers a roadmap to prevent the diseases quietly affecting millions.

“It is a part memoir of a family tragedy, part scientific investigation, and part practical playbook for reclaiming your health. In these pages, we will dismantle the myths that have made us sick and replace them with a clear, evidence-based framework for metabolic health that is specifically tailored to Indian reality,” the publisher said.

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The man, Mandeep Kumar, was tricked by unscrupulous travel agents and later forced to join the Russian army.

He died in a drone attack while fighting against Ukraine, his elder brother Jagdeep Kumar claimed on Sunday.

Jagdeep, who recently returned from Russia after searching for his brother, said Mandeep’s mortal remains have been brought back.

They were received at the Delhi airport on Saturday.

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The seminar was inaugurated by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, who congratulated ADA on completing 25 years of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas flight programme and stressed the importance of adhering to delivery timelines to ensure the Indian Air Force remains operationally prepared in a rapidly evolving security environment.

Addressing the gathering, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat highlighted the need to develop indigenous, cutting-edge technologies to reduce dependence on imports and realise the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

The seminar has brought together experts from industry, academia, and the wider aerospace community to deliberate on the future of aeronautics, design innovation, and manufacturing.

Key themes include next-generation aircraft manufacturing, digital and precision manufacturing, aerodynamics, propulsion, flight testing, digital twin technology, certification challenges, avionics, flight control systems, artificial intelligence in aircraft design and maintainability of fighter platforms.

The event will also trace the journey of the LCA Tejas from concept to operational deployment. Designed and developed by ADA, the Tejas programme has completed over 5600 successful flight trials and involved more than 100 government laboratories, academic institutions and industry partners.

The LCA Mk1A is set to meet the IAF’s operational requirements, while LCA Mk II and the naval variant are under development.

Currently, 38 LCA aircraft, including fighters and trainers, have been inducted into two IAF squadrons.

The seminar also features exhibitions by PSUs, DPSUs, MSMEs and private industry showcasing indigenously developed airborne technologies.

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General Dwivedi’s visit begins in the UAE from January 5 to 6, where he will be accorded a Guard of Honour by the UAE Land Forces.

During his stay, the Army Chief will call on senior leadership of the UAE Armed Forces, including the Commander of the UAE Land Forces, and receive briefings on the structure, roles, and operational capabilities of the UAE Army.

He is also scheduled to visit key military establishments and interact with officers and troops, highlighting the deepening defence partnership between India and the UAE.

As part of his engagements, General Dwivedi will visit the UAE National Defence College, where he will address officers undergoing professional military education.

From January 7 to 8, the Chief of the Army Staff will be in Sri Lanka, where he will receive a Guard of Honour from the Sri Lanka Army.

He will hold meetings with senior military and civil leadership, including the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, the Deputy Minister of Defence, and the Defence Secretary.

Discussions are expected to focus on areas of mutual interest such as training cooperation, capacity building, and regional security.

During the Sri Lanka leg of his visit, General Dwivedi will address officers at the Defence Services Command and Staff College and interact with officers and trainees at the Army War College in Buttala, underlining India’s commitment to defence education and professional military exchanges with Colombo.

He will also pay homage at the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) War Memorial in honour of Indian soldiers who laid down their lives.

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In a statement, the aviation regulator said power banks cannot be used for charging gadgets at any time during a flight, including through aircraft seat power outlets.

The move comes after several incidents worldwide in which lithium batteries overheated or caught fire on board aircraft.

The Director General of Civil Aviation had earlier, in November, issued a Dangerous Goods Advisory Circular that allowed power banks and spare lithium batteries only in hand baggage. These items are strictly prohibited from being stored in overhead compartments, as fires in overhead bins are difficult to detect and control.

According to the advisory, the increasing use of lithium batteries in rechargeable devices has led to a sharp rise in passengers carrying power banks and spare batteries during air travel. The DGCA warned that such devices can act as ignition sources and may trigger fires on board, posing a serious risk to flight safety.

The regulator explained that lithium batteries kept in overhead stowage bins or inside carry-on bags may remain hidden from view, making it harder for passengers or crew members to notice early signs of smoke or fire. This can delay emergency response and increase the danger during a flight.

The DGCA has directed all airlines to review their existing safety risk assessments related to lithium batteries carried by passengers. Airlines have been asked to strictly enforce stronger safety measures to prevent battery-related fire incidents.

The aviation watchdog has also stressed the importance of improved training for cabin crew so they can quickly identify signs of fire and take appropriate action. Airlines have been instructed to ensure that adequate firefighting equipment and protective gear are available on board all aircraft.

In addition, airlines have been told to clearly inform passengers about the updated rules through in-flight announcements and other communication channels to ensure awareness and compliance.

The DGCA said these steps are necessary to strengthen passenger safety and reduce the risks associated with lithium battery fires during air travel.

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In a statement issued here, the employees said that the decision of the Commissioner Secretary’s office to promote the General Manager and appoint him as Director was a commendable and forward-looking step.

They described the promotion as well-deserved, stating that it recognised the dedication, merit and professional commitment of a deserving officer.

The employees said the move has also opened up new avenues of promotion and career growth for other staff members of the department.

“This decision has significantly boosted the morale of the employees, bringing renewed enthusiasm, efficiency and a sense of excellence in the functioning of the department,” the statement said. According to the employees, the promotion has added new strength and prestige to the Government Press, while creating a positive and motivating work environment.

They expressed appreciation for the encouragement extended by Kamli and also thanked the J&K government for its continued support and benevolence towards the department.

Reiterating their commitment, the employees assured the authorities of their continued dedication and sincere service. “Once again, we convey our deepest thanks and reaffirm our resolve to work with honesty and commitment for the betterment of the department,” the statement said.

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