Afternoon briefing: Meiteis, Kukis in Manipur harden stance, world's most expensive Ramayana in Ayodhya; all latest news

A shortlist of the biggest headlines, recommended stories, and a collection of news events you should check out.

Published on: Jan 20, 2024, 13:08:30 IST

By HT News Desk

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The two prominent groups that represent the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur on Friday hardened their stances demanding action from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government amid heightened violence which has claimed the lives of over 200 people since the clashes began on May 3 last year. Since Tuesday, seven people, including two policemen have been killed and at least a dozen others, including three Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, have been injured in the recent clashes which took place in Tengnoupal, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Imphal West districts. Dig Deeper

People come out on the road to meet Manipur CM N Biren Singh, in Imphal.

With just two days left for the ‘pran-pratishtha’ ceremony on January 22, a bookseller offered the world's most expensive and unique Ramayana at the Ram temple in the holy city of Ayodhya. Priced at ₹1.65 lakh, the special edition of the Ramayana is also being described as the ‘most beautiful’. The bookseller, Manoj Sati, can be seen explaining the details of the Ramayana, a holy book written by Valmiki depicting the life story of Lord Ram, in a video posted by news agency ANI. According to him, the book features three boxes designed to resemble the Ram temple - mirroring the temple's three floors. Dig Deeper

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India News

Ram Mandir ceremony: Bengal BJP chief urges Mamata Banerjee to declare holiday on January 22. Dig Deeper

Andhra CM Jagan Reddy unveils 125ft tall Ambedkar statue. Dig Deeper

Ram Mandir inauguration: 3-layer security detail deployed to shield Ayodhya temple. Dig Deeper

Global Matters

Donald Trump gets slammed as he confuses Nikki Haley with Nancy Pelosi for Jan 6: 'He's ageing very fast'. Dig Deeper

International students in Canada cross 1 million mark. Dig Deeper

13 dead in China after fire breaks out at boarding school; owner detained. Dig Deeper

Lifestyle and Health

Calling all fashion enthusiasts! Brace yourselves for the upcoming 71st Miss World pageant, set to unfold in India after a 28-year hiatus. Organisers announced the exciting news on January 19, revealing that the globally streamed and televised event will kick off in New Delhi on February 18. The festival of “Beauty with a Purpose” promises to be a month-long extravaganza, culminating in the grand finale on 9 March 2024 in Mumbai. The upcoming event will welcome participants from 120 nations around the world, and the honour of representing India falls to Femina Miss India World 2022, Sini Shetty. She will proudly carry the Indian flag on the international stage. From dates to venue details, here's everything you need to know about this glorious event. Dig Deeper

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More