President Droupadi Murmu expressed her distress and offered heartfelt condolences to the families of devotees who lost their lives in a stampede at Tirupati on Thursday. She also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and urged for better crowd management at religious places. The stampede occurred on Wednesday night as devotees were jostling for tickets at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple on Tirumala Hills for the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam.
Tirupati Temple Stampede: Tragedy and Call for Improved Crowd Management
On Thursday, a tragic stampede occurred at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirupati, leaving 11 devotees dead and 10 others injured. The incident has sent shockwaves through the nation and prompted President Droupadi Murmu to express her condolences and call for better crowd management at religious places.
Background:
The Tirupati temple, located on the Tirumala Hills in Andhra Pradesh, is one of the most revered Hindu pilgrimage sites in India. It attracts millions of devotees every year, especially during the auspicious Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam, which allows pilgrims to enter through the special gate of the temple.
Stampede Incident:
The stampede occurred on Wednesday night as devotees jostled for tickets for the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam. According to reports, the crowd became unruly and uncontrollable, leading to a rush towards the distribution counters. As a result, many devotees were crushed or trampled.
Emergency Response:
Authorities immediately responded to the emergency, rescuing the injured and providing medical assistance. The stampede has sparked widespread outrage and concern, with calls for better crowd management measures at religious places.
Condolences and Prayers:
President Murmu expressed her distress and offered heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. She also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and urged officials to take comprehensive steps to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Top 5 FAQs:
1. What caused the stampede? Answer: The stampede occurred due to overcrowding and poor crowd management. Devotees jostled for tickets, leading to a rush towards the distribution counters and a loss of control.
2. How many people died in the stampede? Answer: Eleven devotees lost their lives in the stampede.
3. What is Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam? Answer: It is an auspicious ritual where pilgrims enter the Tirupati temple through a special gate, known as the Vaikunta Dwara. It is believed to bring good fortune and blessings.
4. Has there been a similar stampede at Tirupati before? Answer: Yes, a stampede occurred in 2013, resulting in the death of 11 devotees.
5. What measures are being taken to improve crowd management? Answer: Authorities have assured that measures such as wider entrances, improved queuing systems, and increased security personnel will be implemented to prevent future stampedes.
On Engineers' Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored the legacy of Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya, a pioneering figure in India's engineering history. In a message on this occasion, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude and admiration for Sir M. Visvesvaraya's groundbreaking contributions that laid the foundation for India's modern engineering landscape. He also applauded the current generation of engineers for their creativity and determination in continuing to drive innovation and tackle challenges, highlighting their crucial role in building a developed India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Manipur, his first since the outbreak of violence in 2023, aims to bring peace and progress to the state. He inaugurated various developmental projects and assured support from the government for ensuring peace and stability in the state. However, the Congress has criticized the visit, calling it "shockingly insensitive." PM Modi also emphasized the strong bond between India and Nepal.
Sanjay Raut, a leader of the Shiv Sena party, has called for a boycott of the upcoming India-Pakistan cricket match in Dubai, citing it as an insult to the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. He also accused Indian cricket board chief Jay Shah, son of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, of forcing the Indian team to play in the match despite their reluctance. Meanwhile, Sena workers have staged protests and even broken a TV set to show their disapproval of the match.
Veteran ABC journalist Barrie Cassidy falls for fake news about Charlie Kirk's alleged killer, falsely accusing the suspect as a right-wing extremist. However, it was later revealed that the killer was actually influenced by left-wing ideology, causing Cassidy to issue a public apology for his mistake.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized the importance of Hindi as a "friend" rather than a competitor to other regional languages during his keynote address at the Hindi Diwas 2025 and Rajbhasha Conference. Shah traced the roots of Hindi's acceptance in Gujarat and highlighted how it has coexisted with Gujarati, providing children with a wider reach at the national level. This fifth edition of the conference held outside Delhi showcases the government's efforts to strengthen communication between Hindi and regional languages.
After the outbreak of ethnic conflict in Manipur in May 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first visit to the state and addressed separate gatherings in Churachandpur and Imphal. In his speeches, he emphasized peace as a precondition for progress, reconciliation between the hills and valley, infrastructure, and welfare. He also announced a special package and funds for rehabilitation of over 60,000 people displaced by the conflict, showcasing the central government's commitment towards rebuilding lives in Manipur. With this visit, Modi aimed to ease tensions and promote unity in the polarized state, urging for collective will in bringing back normalcy and fostering development.
On the occasion of Hindi Diwas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah shared greetings and urged the people of the country to take a pledge to preserve and enrich all Indian languages, including Hindi. They emphasized that language is a living heritage of identity and culture, and the growing respect of Hindi on the world stage is a matter of pride. They also highlighted the role of Indian languages in carrying forward India's culture, knowledge, and traditions through generations.
CM Yogi of Uttar Pradesh has been actively engaging with the public through the 'Samarth Uttar Pradesh - Viksit Uttar Pradesh @2047' campaign, with visits to all 75 districts and the gathering of over 1.5 lakh feedback entries so far. The top feedback entries have highlighted education as the biggest issue among the public, with over 50,000 suggestions related to education. Other areas of concern include urban and rural development, health, social welfare, and agriculture.
Amid massive anti-government protests and a constitutional crisis in Nepal, top sources reveal that former chief justice Sushila Karki is likely to be announced as the interim Prime Minister. This decision comes after days of political turmoil and unrest, with President Ramchandra Paudel pushing for a solution within the constitutional framework. Army troops continue to patrol sensitive areas while representatives of the youth-led 'Gen Z' hold talks with military officials to finalize the transitional government.
The political world was rocked by tragedy as Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot while speaking at a Utah college. President Trump expressed his shock and sadness over the loss of his close ally, and offered his condolences to Kirk's wife Erika, who is said to be devastated by the news. While the investigation into the shooting is ongoing and the killer is still at large, the President has announced plans to award Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.