Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar has opted out of attending the 'Pran Prathisha' ceremony for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, following the lead of fellow INDIA alliance leaders. In a letter to the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra General Secretary, Pawar expressed gratitude for the invitation and announced his decision to visit for "darshan" once the temple's construction is complete. The move aligns with the Congress party's earlier decision to boycott the event, accusing the BJP and RSS of exploiting it for electoral gains. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has also stated her intention to abstain from the ceremony.

Dense fog continues to wreak havoc in North India, disrupting air and rail travel. With over 100 flights cancelled and 600 delayed since Sunday, passengers face extensive delays at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. The freezing conditions also impact railway operations, leaving numerous trains running behind schedule. The India Meteorological Department issues an orange alert for Delhi as the cold wave persists. IMD scientist Soma Sen predicts ongoing foggy mornings, while the air quality in the national capital hits "severe" levels. Authorities implement Stage 3 measures to tackle rising pollution, compounding the challenges for residents and travelers alike.            

Amid ongoing pregnancy speculations, a new picture of power couple Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma has surfaced online as they receive an invitation for the Ram Temple's Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya. The image provides a sneak peek into their lavish Mumbai home. Anushka, dressed in a white salwar-suit, and Virat, in a blue shirt and white pyjamas, are seen with the invitation. The couple celebrated their 6th wedding anniversary in December 2023 and welcomed their daughter Vamika in January 2021. Anushka's upcoming film, "Chakda Xpress," a biopic on cricketer Jhulan Goswami, is yet to receive a release date.          

In addition to Standard Operating Procedures issued to airlines by the DGCA, Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Tuesday, "war rooms" will be set up at six metro airports to address "passenger inconvenience with immediacy". Sharing details on X, Scindia said: "In addition to these SOPs, we have sought incidence reporting thrice daily for all the 6 metro airports." The government will ensure "sufficient" CISF manpower availability at airports round-the-clock, he assured. Allowing airlines to cancel flights that are likely to be delayed beyond three hours, the DGCA SOP yesterday stated: "Facilities to be provided to passengers by airlines due to denied boarding, cancellation of flights, and delays in flights." Fog-induced disruptions to domestic and international commercial flight operations resulted in passenger fury as IndiGo and other airlines battled poor communications in the last few days.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today visited the Veerbhadra Temple in Andhra Pradesh's Lepakshi, a site of significance in the Hindu epic Ramayana. Lepakshi is believed to be where the giant eagle Jatayu tried to protect Goddess Sita after her abduction by Ravan. Dying Jatayu conveyed information about Sita's captivity and was granted 'Moksha' by Lord Ram. Modi's spiritual journey comes just before the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, which lakhs of pilgrims are expected to attend. The Prime Minister is on a two-day trip launching development projects in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, including a ship repair facility. On Wednesday, PM Modi will offer prayers at the Guruvayur and Thriprayar Shree Ramaswami temples in Kerala.

EaseMyTrip CEO Nishant Pitti responds to allegations that the company's decision to suspend flight bookings to the Maldives instigated the recent diplomatic standoff. Pitti clarifies the move was in response to the Maldivian president's "pro-China" stance and anti-India sentiments. Highlighting the 95% support from the Indian public, he asserts the decision was about upholding the country's dignity. The travel aggregator faced criticism for exploiting the row, leading to a surge in interest for Lakshadweep trips. The India-Maldives tension continues following critical remarks about PM Modi by suspended ministers. The Maldives insists on Chinese tourist influx, escalating the diplomatic rift.

A transformative journey unfolds as NITI Aayog's report discloses that 24.82 crore people in India exited multidimensional poverty from 2013-14 to 2022-23. The national decline from 29.17% to 11.28% showcases a significant reduction in poverty levels. Uttar Pradesh leads the states with 5.94 crore people escaping poverty, followed by Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. Prime Minister Modi applauds the achievement, emphasizing inclusive growth. The report projects India reaching single-digit poverty levels by 2024, and it foresees the realization of Sustainable Development Goals ahead of 2030. Noteworthy initiatives and global collaboration contribute to this substantial positive shift.

In Ayodhya, the town resonating with spiritual significance, the seven-day 'Pran Pratishtha' rituals for the consecration of the Ram temple have commenced. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, intimately linked to the temple's history, is set to preside over the grand ceremony on January 22. The intricate rituals, following Hindu traditions, include the 'Dashvidh' bath, atonement, Teerth Poojan, Jal Yatra, and diverse poojas. The installation of Golden Doors in the temple's Garbh Griha adds a touch of opulence. As Ayodhya becomes the focal point of these sacred practices, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation, echoing the aspirations and devotion that have fueled this decades-long journey.      

In an unprecedented incident at Delhi Airport, frustrated passengers resorted to sitting on the tarmac and having meals next to an IndiGo aircraft after enduring a 12-hour delay. The chaos unfolded as hundreds demanded answers from airlines due to widespread flight disruptions caused by dense fog. The situation escalated, leading to a man slapping an IndiGo pilot inside a parked aircraft. The airline, along with others, faced operational challenges and diversions. Air India issued a statement expressing regret for disruptions. The incident highlights the strain on air travel amidst weather-related challenges, impacting both passengers and airline operations.

In the 10-day period for public feedback, the ‘One Nation, One Election’ committee established by the Law Ministry has amassed over 8,000 responses regarding simultaneous elections. The committee, initiated in September 2023 to explore possibilities for synchronized polls at various levels, received diverse suggestions. Respondents included the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), expressing concerns about the impact on parliamentary democracy, and AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi opposing the move without clear rationale. The committee will analyze the submissions in an upcoming meeting, expecting the final count to rise. Former Chief Election Commissioners have also been invited to share their insights by January 15.