India News | Modi in Manipur
Your daily Essential | 14 September 2025 | 110th Edition
Good morning. It's Sunday, finally! Not as many imperitive to know headlines today, which is a welcomed move! Which reminds us, we don’t fill in the headlines just for the sake of it; quality and importance of each word written is judged to the highest standards at OneRead. Here are today's essential stories.
Absolutely Essential to Know 🚨:
PM Modi Visits Manipur, Met with Protests and Praise
India Seizes Pakistani Goods in 'Operation Deep Manifest'
Major 7.5 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Russia's Far East
And many more, read on…
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🕊️ PM Modi Visits Manipur, Met with Protests and Praise
First visit by PM since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023.
Called for a "strong bridge of harmony" between hill and valley districts.
Announced development projects worth over ₹7,300 crore.
Opposition leaders labelled the visit a "belated farce" and "tokenism".
The Deeper Take: This visit is a political Rorschach test. For the government, it’s a necessary step towards reconciliation. For the opposition, it’s a classic case of too little, too late, conveniently timed. The real question is whether a bridge of harmony can be built with political dynamite.
📦 India Seizes Pakistani Goods in 'Operation Deep Manifest'
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 800 metric tonnes of Pakistani goods.
Cosmetics and dry dates worth ₹12 crore were misdeclared as originating from the UAE.
Two individuals arrested in the operation at Nhava Sheva Port.
Part of a wider crackdown following a ban on Pakistani imports.
Why It Matters: This isn't just about customs duty; it's economic warfare via shipping containers. The elaborate smuggling routes show that when political doors close, smugglers just find a new window to climb through, usually via Dubai. A game of cat and mouse played on a global scale.
🏏 Thackeray Slams India-Pakistan Cricket Match as "Insult"
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray condemned the upcoming Asia Cup match.
Called it an "insult to national sentiments" while soldiers are dying.
Announced a 'sindoor' protest, where vermilion will be collected and sent to the PM.
Accused the BJP of preferring "trade and money over nationalism".
The Bottom Line: Welcome to the eternal Indian derby where cricket and politics are the two main combatants. One side sees it as sport, the other as a betrayal. The only two things everyone agrees on is that the television ratings will be absolutely stratospheric and this makes for great faux political issue.
🤫 Ajit Pawar Dodges Controversy at Public Meeting
Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar surfaced at a 'jansamvad' (public dialogue).
He evaded questions regarding a recent row involving an IPS officer.
Pawar stated the matter was being "raked up repeatedly".
His appearance comes after a period of absence from the public eye.
The Political Playbook: This is a classic move from Chapter 4 of the "How to Handle a Scandal" handbook: lay low, then reappear at a controlled event and dismiss the controversy as old news. A masterclass in saying nothing while looking like you're addressing everything.
🏛️ Maharashtra to Survey and Preserve Historic Stepwells
A survey of historic stepwells and wells will be undertaken in Maharashtra.
The announcement was made by minister Ashish Shelar.
The initiative aims to document and preserve these ancient water sources.
Stepwells are an integral part of India's architectural and cultural heritage.
Why It Matters: A welcome dive into the past. In a country obsessed with building the future, this initiative is a crucial nod to preserving the architectural marvels of the past, recognising that our history is just as important as our high-rises.
A Dose of Good News
📖 Police Initiative Transforms Maoist Stronghold with Libraries
The Gadchiroli Police in Maharashtra have established their 72nd library under the 'One Village, One Library' initiative.
The latest library is in Jijgaon, a former Maoist stronghold.
The project aims to counter extremist influence by promoting education and knowledge.
It's a key part of their community policing and development efforts.
Why It Matters: This is fighting an insurgency not with bullets, but with books. It's a long-term strategy that understands the best way to win hearts and minds is by empowering them, offering a future that's more compelling than the one offered by extremism.
🎾 India Scores Historic Davis Cup Victory Over Switzerland
India's tennis team defeated Switzerland in a historic Davis Cup tie.
It's the first time India has beaten a European team in an away tie since 1993.
The last such victory was against France, led by Leander Paes and Ramesh Krishnan.
The win is a significant milestone for Indian tennis.
The Deeper Take: A fantastic, and much-needed, shot in the arm for Indian tennis. This victory isn't just a win; it's a powerful echo of a glorious past and, hopefully, a sign of a resurgent future for a sport that has been searching for its next generation of giants.
🌳 Professor Starts Open-Air Tree School in Murshidabad
A professor in Murshidabad has started an open-air school under the trees.
The school aims to teach first-generation learners by connecting them with nature and culture.
It's an innovative approach to education, especially for children from marginalised communities.
The initiative blends formal learning with environmental awareness.
The Deeper Take: A beautiful, modern-day tribute to Tagore's educational philosophy. This is a story about one person's refusal to let children fall through the cracks of the system, using the simplest of resources—nature itself—to create a space for learning and growth.
The World at a Glance
🇬🇧 Over 100,000 Join Far-Right Rally in London
A massive rally led by far-right activist Tommy Robinson took place in London.
Police estimated over 100,000 attendees, protesting against immigration and for "free speech".
The event was partly framed around the recent killing of US conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Nine arrests were made after clashes with police and counter-protesters.
Why It Matters: This isn't a fringe movement anymore. A crowd of this size marks a significant and worrying mainstreaming of far-right politics in the UK, fuelled by a potent mix of anti-immigrant sentiment and online culture wars imported from the US.
🇷🇺 Major 7.5 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Russia's Far East
A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 struck off Russia's Far East.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake.
A tsunami warning centre said hazardous waves were possible within 300 km of the epicentre.
The event occurred early on Saturday morning local time.
The Deeper Take: A powerful reminder from Planet Earth that geopolitical tensions mean nothing to tectonic plates. While the world's attention is on human conflicts, nature continues to operate on its own, often devastating, schedule.
Stay sharp,
The OneRead Team
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