Days after the murder of a nine-year-old girl, Puducherry on Friday observed a complete bandh called by Opposition parties AIADMK, DMK, and the INDIA bloc to protest against the failure of the Union Territory government to prevent the drug menace that allegedly led to the murder of the minor girl.

AIADMK supporters in Puducherry protested at Anna Salai, demanding Chief Minister N Rangaswamy’s resignation. The Opposition condemned the government and police for their failure to effectively address the drug problem, as the accused involved in the murder of a Class 5 student were found to be under the influence of drugs.

The District Magistrate (DM) of Puducherry has taken necessary measures to ensure the smooth conduct of an examination despite a bandh. As per the statement issued by Puducherry administrator, A Kulothungan, the administration has taken all the necessary steps to ensure that school students and the public do not face any hurdles due to the bandh.

Additionally, measures have been taken to provide uninterrupted essential services to the public. Police personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order and to prevent any untoward incidents.

Several hotels and restaurants were also shut down at different places in the UT. Autos and temos went off the roads. Several daily wagers were also affected by the bandh.

The police have taken Vivekanandan, 56, and Karuna’s alias Kakka, 19, into custody for offences related to murder, kidnapping, and violations of the Indian Penal Code, POCSO, and SC/ST Acts. To investigate the incident, a special team headed by SSP R Kalivanan has been created.

Earlier, Puducherry Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan met the mother of the 9-year-old girl whose body was found in a drain near the house on 5th March, three days after she went missing.

Earlier, Puducherry Chief Minister Natesan Krishnasamy Rangasamy met the victim’s family and announced a compensation of Rs 20 lakh, while Lieutenant Governor Tamilisai Soundarajan assured the establishment of a fast-track court to expedite the case.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented the Best International Creator award to Bhojpuri-speaking American YouTuber Drew Hicks at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Friday.

During an interaction with Hicks, PM Modi was curious to know how he learned Indian languages despite being an American. Hicks explained that his father had studied at Banaras Hindu University, which gave him an opportunity to spend some time in Varanasi and learn Hindi. Later, his family moved to Patna, Bihar, where they were involved in the Mithila painting business and he learned Bhojpuri.

At the first-ever National Creators Award, PM Modi presented awards to several social media influencers, including motivational speaker Jaya Kishori, RJ Raunac, popularly known as “Bauaa”, singer Maithili Thakur, and others.

The awards were presented across 20 categories, including Best Storyteller, Disruptor, Celebrity Creator, Green Champion, Best Creator for Social Change, Most Impactful Agri Creator, Cultural Ambassador, Best Travel Creator, Swachhta Ambassador, New India Champion, Tech Creator, Heritage Fashion, Most Creative Creator (Male and Female), Best Creator in Food Category, Best Creator in Education, and International Creator Award.

Addressing the event at Bharat Mandapam, PM Modi praised the creators saying, the influencers are the people who have created a place for yourselves and this is why they are at the Bharat Mandapam. This is the place where the G20 was organised and discussion for creating the future of the world was done, PM Modi recalled.

Today, all the talented people have gathered here to discuss how to create the future of India, he added. When the times change, when a new era begins, it becomes any country’s responsibility to adapt to the same. Today, at Bharat Mandapam, India is fulfilling that very responsibility, the Prime Minister further added.

Congratulating the people who have been conferred with the National Creators Award, he said around 1.5 to 2 lakh creative minds were attached to this National Creators Award program. It is a great coincidence that the first-ever National Creators Award is being organised on Mahashivratri, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced that the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders will be cut by Rs 100 to benefit nearly 33 crore poor households on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

Taking to X, PM Modi announced that, on Women’s Day, his government has decided to reduce LPG cylinder prices by Rs 100. This will significantly ease the financial burden on millions of households across the country, especially benefiting Nari Shakti.

By making cooking gas more affordable, the Centre also aim to support the well-being of families and ensure a healthier environment, he added. This is in line with the central government’s commitment to empowering women and ensuring ‘Ease of Living’ for them, the Prime Minister further added.

Notably, under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) over 10 crore poor households have been covered. The government had separately announced the extension of the subsidy for LPG cylinders to poor women under the Ujjwala Yojana for the next fiscal year starting from April 1.

With the increase in subsidy from Rs 200 per domestic cylinder for up to 12 refills per year to Rs 300 per bottle. The Rs 300 per cylinder subsidy was applicable for the current fiscal year which ends on March 31.

The Indian government has decided to provide free cooking gas connections to around 10 crore families, at a cost of Rs 12,000 crore. The move comes ahead of the General elections scheduled in April-May.

In May 2016, the government launched PMUY, which aimed to provide deposit-free LPG connections to adult women of poor households. However, beneficiaries had to pay for LPG refills at market prices. The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) reports that almost 50 per cent of rural households and 90 per cent of urban households in India use LPG as their primary source of energy.