Banks To Remain Closed for Half-Day on January 22 for Ram Temple Pran Patishtha in Ayodhya: Live Breaking News Headlines & Updates, January 18, 2024

All banks nationwide will remain closed for half-day on January 22 for the 'Pran Patishtha' of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The development comes in line with a similar order that was issued for the Central government offices.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the Shri Jagannath Express bus service today, January 18. Naveen Patnaik launched the express bus service from different districts to Puri. Read more here.

On Thursday, January 18, EAM Dr S Jaishankar met his Maldives counterpart, Moosa Zameer, on the sidelines of the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Uganda. The meeting between the two ministers comes days after the relations between India and Maldives took a hit after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Lakshadweep.

An under-construction flyover collapsed in Chennai today, January 18. So far, there have been reports of no injuries or casualties. Read more here.

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Under-Construction Flyover Collapses in Chennai

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Thursday, January 18, said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, Bharat is taking a quantum leap towards digitalisation. "The Modi government is committed to creating a cyber-success society by making the internet secure for every citizen," he said. The BJP leader also said that preventing cyber crimes is a priority of the Modi government.

A boat carrying 27 children capsized in Vadodara's Harni Motnath Lake today. A rescue operation has been launched. Read more here.

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Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, on Thursday, January 18, laid the foundation stone of Ram temple in the state. As per the news agency ANI, Bhupendra Patel laid the foundation stone of the Ram temple at Unai Mata temple premises in Navsari.

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Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam today, January 18, said that Lord Ram is the soul of India. He also said that India cannot even be imagined without Lord Ram.

On Thursday, January 18, the Indian Railways said they suspended a TTE who reportedly slapped a passenger on the Barauni-Lucknow express train. As per news agency ANI, the TTE has been suspended by the competent authority, and an inquiry has been initiated against him. The development comes after a video surfaced on social media showing the TTE allegedly slapping a passenger on the Barauni-Lucknow express train. Uttar Pradesh: TTE Brutally Thrashes Passenger on Barauni–Lucknow Express, Video Surfaces.

On Thursday, January 18, the Central Government announced a half-day closing till 2:30 pm on January 22 at all Central Government offices, Central institutions, and Central industrial establishments throughout India on the occasion of the Ram Temple pran pratishtha ceremony.

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The National Testing Agency (NTA) will likely release the UGC NET Exam Result 2023 for the December session today, January 18. However, the results have not been declared so far. Originally, the UGC NET Exam Results were supposed to be declared on January 10, but it was later shifted to January 17. Read more here.

In preparation for the upcoming pran pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Temple, the city of Ayodhya is being adorned with floral decorations. The city is bustling with activity as it readies itself for this significant event.

Ayodhya Being Decorated With Flowers 

Mahua Moitra, a leader of the Trinamool Congress and former Lok Sabha MP, has taken legal action against a notice that ordered her to leave her government residence. She has brought the issue before the Delhi High Court, which is scheduled to consider the case today.

Mahua Moitra Challenges Bungalow Eviction Notice

In a significant development, Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia unveiled the Air India Airbus A350 at the Wings India event in Hyderabad, Telangana.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Unveils Air India Airbus A350 

The much-anticipated ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of the Ayodhya Ram Temple is scheduled to take place on the 22nd of January. In preparation for this significant event, the idol of Lord Ram has been reverently placed in the ‘Garbha Griha’ of the temple. This marks a momentous milestone in the temple’s history.

Ayodhya Ram Temple Prepares for ‘Pran Pratishtha’ Ceremony

A blast at a chemical factory in the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) area of Badlapur, Thane, has resulted in five injuries. Fire tenders have arrived on the scene to manage the situation. Further details about the incident are currently awaited.

Thane Factory Blast

In a significant event, the idol of Ram Lalla was ceremoniously brought into the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya during the early hours of Thursday. The idol was carefully transported into the temple premises utilising a crane. Before the idol’s arrival, a special puja was conducted within the sanctum sanctorum, setting a divine ambiance for the auspicious occasion.

Ayodhya Ram Temple Welcomes Ram Lalla Idol

A thick layer of fog blanketed Delhi as the city continued to grapple with cold conditions on Thursday leaving passengers stuck at airports and railway stations. Passengers were stuck at Delhi airport and railway station after flight and train operations took a hit due to fog. As flight and train schedules took a hit, several passengers could be seen waiting at air and rail terminals for their journey.

Trains, Flights Delayed in Delhi