New Delhi, Jul 20 (PTI) Following are the top stories at 5 pm:

NATION

DEL39 PM-LD UK-MALDIVES

* PM Modi to visit Britain, Maldives; boosting bilateral ties, inking India-UK FTA top focus

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay a four-day visit to the United Kingdom and the Maldives from Wednesday to shore up overall bilateral ties and ink the landmark India-UK free trade deal. *

DEL43 PAR-SESSION-4THLD ALLPARTY

* Oppn raises Pahalgam attack, Trump’s remarks, SIR in session eve meet; govt says open to discuss all issues as per rules

New Delhi: Government on Sunday indicated its willingness to discuss in Parliament Operation Sindoor, a key opposition demand at an all-party meeting on eve of the Monsoon session, even as the INDIA bloc insisted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should respond on the matter as well as on the US President’s ‘ceasefire’ claims and SIR in Bihar. *

DEL41 CONG-SESSION-JK STATEHOOD

* INDIA bloc will demand full statehood for J-K in Monsoon Session: Venugopal

New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday said the party will raise the demand for restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir in the Monsoon session of Parliament beginning on July 21. *

DEL42 RIJIJU-WAQF

* Congress, other parties criticizing new Waqf law want to keep Muslims as vote bank: Rijiju

New Delhi: Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has alleged that the basic purpose of the Congress and some other parties criticizing the Waqf (Amendment) Act is to keep Muslims as their vote bank, and asserted that the Modi government believes in “appeasement to none, justice to all”. *

DEL29 INTERVIEW-OMAR ABDULLAH

* Statehood is our right, says JK CM Omar Abdullah; rules out ‘Hybrid System’

Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday made a forceful plea for restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir without further delay, and indicated that all avenues, including legal options, were being explored by the ruling National Conference in this regard. By Sumir Kaul *

DEL34 DISASTER-CADAVER DOGS

* NDRF to soon commission cadaver dogs to assist in disaster operations

New Delhi: The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) will soon operationalise its first contingent of cadaver dogs who can sniff out the dead or human remains in a disaster or accident zone, officials in the federal organisation said. *

BOM13 MH-MINISTER-VIDEO

* Row over Maharashtra minister Kokate’s mobile ‘game’ video during legislative session

Nagpur/Mumbai: A viral video of NCP leader and Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate purportedly playing a game of rummy on his mobile phone during a legislative session has sparked a huge row, with the opposition accusing the government of being insensitive to farmers. *

CAL17 BH-GANGSTER MURDER-LD ARREST

* Bihar Police arrests prime accused, 3 associates in Patna hospital murder case

Patna: Bihar Police on Sunday said it has arrested the prime accused and his three associates for the murder of gangster Chandan Mishra inside a private hospital in Patna. *

DEL37 CHILD LABOUR-LD BRICK KILNS

* Too young to work, too poor to stop: Children of brick kiln migrants struggle for basic rights

Bulandshahr/Aligarh: In the scorching May heat, 12-year-old Rajni cradles her infant sister while stirring watery dal simmering in a soot-blackened aluminium pot outside her hut in Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh district. *

DEL40 EAM-UPSC-INTERVIEW

* My interview was on Mar 21, 1977, day Emergency was revoked: Jaishankar recalls UPSC journey

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday reminisced about his entry into the civil services, saying his UPSC interview in Delhi took place on March 21, 1977 — the day the Emergency was lifted. *

FOREIGN

FGN13 NEPAL-INDIA-OLI

* Nepal PM Oli to visit India in mid-September

Kathmandu: Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli will pay an official visit to India towards mid-September, the Foreign Ministry said on Sunday. By Shirish B Pradhan *

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, on Sunday, reminisced about his entry into the Indian civil services and revealed that his UPSC interview took place on a historic day—March 21, 1977—the very day the Emergency was officially lifted in India. Speaking to a fresh batch of civil services entrants at an event in Delhi, Jaishankar shared personal reflections and valuable lessons from his experience nearly five decades ago.

Reflecting on the political climate of the time, Jaishankar recalled that the atmosphere was charged with the aftermath of the 1977 General Elections, which had concluded just a day earlier. “Election results were coming from the previous day… The sense of the defeat of the Emergency rule was coming into understanding. In a way, that is what got me through the interview,” he said.

Describing the UPSC civil services examination as an “Agni Pariksha” (trial by fire), the minister said that the real challenge lies not just in clearing the written exams, but in facing the interview. He emphasised its uniqueness as a testing system, calling it one of the most remarkable methods anywhere in the world to select candidates for public service. He went on to narrate his own experience. “My interview was on March 21, 1977. That was the day the Emergency was revoked. Revoked! So, I go in for an interview at Shahjahan Road… First person that morning,” he said.

Warm greetings to the Government and the people of Colombia on the occasion of their Independence Day.

🇮🇳 🇨🇴 pic.twitter.com/KvVGIpAv50 — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 20, 2025

The Emergency, imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in June 1975, had finally come to an end with the revocation order on March 21, 1977. Elections had taken place between March 16 and 20, resulting in a sweeping defeat for the Congress and the rise of the Janata Party, with Morarji Desai taking office as the next Prime Minister.

During the interview, Jaishankar recalled being asked about the outcome of the elections and the political climate. As a political science student at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), he felt well-prepared. “I was lucky,” he admitted, revealing that he had actively participated in the election campaign and worked for the defeat of the Emergency regime. “We had taken part in the 1977 election campaign. We had all gone there and worked for the defeat of the Emergency,” he said. Jaishankar recounted that during the interview, he became so engaged in the discussion that he momentarily forgot he was being interviewed. “At that moment, my communication skills somehow came together,” he recalled.

Also Read: Rahul slams EAM, calls Jaishankar-Xi meet a ‘full circus’

One of the major takeaways from the interview, according to Jaishankar, was learning how to communicate under pressure without offending anyone. He added that this skill would serve civil servants well in their careers. He also recalled discovering what he described as the “Lutyens’ bubble” after noticing how surprised the interviewers were by the election results. “These people were really shocked. They could not believe that this election result had happened, whereas for us, the ordinary students, we could see that there was a wave against the Emergency,” he said.

From this, he learned two crucial lessons: how to express oneself effectively during stressful moments and the realization that people in positions of influence might sometimes be disconnected from ground realities. “How do you persuade, how do you explain—this was one carry-away. The second carry-away was that important people may be living in a bubble and not realising what is happening in the country,” he added.

Addressing the newly selected civil servants, Jaishankar reminded them that they were stepping into a service, not merely a job. He urged them to take ownership of the nation’s development goals and to become leaders of India’s “Amrit Kaal” — the 25-year journey towards a developed nation by 2047. “This Amrit Kaal of 25 years is your era. Your era, because you will have to work, you will have to deliver, and you will be the beneficiaries of this era, you will be the leaders of this era,” he said. Concluding his address, he encouraged the officers to think long-term and reflect on the role they would play in building a “Viksit Bharat.” “I want you to think 20 years ahead… When we move towards the journey of Viksit Bharat, what will be your contribution? And, the mindset that you have to bring to realise that dream of making a developed nation,” Jaishankar said.

Also Read: India welcomes US move listing TRF as terrorist outfit

SRINAGAR, Jul 20: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, on Sunday conducted a detailed review of the ongoing arrangements for the Amarnath Yatra during his visit to the Baltal base camp.

The Lt Governor chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials from the civil administration, police, security forces, and other key departments overseeing the yatra operations.

He reviewed critical aspects including accommodation, healthcare services, sanitation, and security measures for pilgrims.

Stressing the importance of seamless inter—departmental coordination, LG Sinha directed officials to ensure a safe, smooth, and hassle-free pilgrimage experience for devotees undertaking the sacred journey.

During the visit, the Lt Governor also interacted with service providers, volunteers, and representatives of various organisations engaged in yatra management.

He lauded their commitment and tireless efforts in supporting one of India’s most revered spiritual events. (KNO)

English News

National

Jaishankar Recalls UPSC Interview On Emergency’s Last Day

Jaishankar recalls UPSC interview on Emergency’s last day: Says, learned to speak under pressure, senior officials sometimes live in bubble

New Delhi 3 minutes ago

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Foreign Minister Jaishankar addressed new civil service officers in Delhi

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday recounted his UPSC interview experience, sharing that it took place on March 21, 1977 — the very day the Emergency was revoked in India.

Speaking at an event for new civil service officers in Delhi, Jaishankar said he was just 22 years old when he appeared for the interview at the UPSC office on Shahjahan Road. He was the first candidate to be interviewed that morning.

Interview taught him two key lessons

Reflecting on the experience, the minister said the interview taught him two key lessons: the ability to speak under pressure, and the realisation that some people in high positions live in a ‘bubble’, disconnected from the country’s ground realities.

Jaishankar said that he was 22 years old when he gave the interview at the UPSC office.

3 important points from Jaishankar’s speech…

1. Foreign Minister described the atmosphere after Emergency

Jaishankar said that elections were ongoing and results were expected when the atmostphere of Emergency gained more prowess. The coincidence is not about the interview date only but the wave of political change also became a part of his interview.

People started feeling strongly about Emergency during that time. It was imposed by then PM Indira Gandhi on June 1975, which ended on March 21, 1977.

Lok Sabha election which was held immediately after Emergency, the Janata Party won and Moraji Desai became the PM.

2. Jaishankar calls himself lucky Jaishankar said that he was asked about that election during the interview. He said,

Jaishankar says he was asked about the election during the interview. He said,

I was studying at JNU and I was a political science student. So I had complete knowledge of that atmosphere. I was fortunate. I personally participated in the campaign against the Emergency

3. The feeling of ‘Lutyens Bubble’

Jaishankar said that some members of the interview board were very much surprised with the election results. They could not believe that the public had made such a decision however the students got an idea about the upcoming shift in ground reality.

Some people sitting at the top fails to understand the ground situation and seems disconnected.

4. Amrit Kaal for the New Generation Foreign Minister Jaishankar called UPPSC an agnipariksha (trial by fire) and said that this is a test of your character and thinking. Addressing civil service candidates, he said that,

You all are going into a service. The next 25 years of Amrit Kaal is for you. You have to work for the country’s development. You will play an important role in transforming developing India into developed India

He said:-

You need to start thinking from today about what you can do for the country in the next 20 years. Your thoughts and work will become the foundation for the country’s future.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Sunday recalled his entry into the prestigious civil services and said his interview took place on March 21, 1977, the day the Emergency was lifted in the country. EAM S Jaishankar said his interview took place on March 21, 1977.(AFP)

Walking down memory lane, Jaishankar said he learnt two things from the UPSC interview- the importance of communication under pressure and that the important people may be living in a “bubble.”

“(1977) Election results were coming from the previous day… The sense of the defeat of the Emergency rule was coming into understanding. In a way, that is what got me through the interview,” Jaishankar told the fresh batch of entrants to the civil services at an event in Delhi, according to PTI news agency.

The union minister said that the real challenge in the UPSC civil services exams is the interview, adding that his own interview took place 48 years ago. Calling the UPSC examination an ‘Agni Pariksha’ (trial by fire), Jaishankar said it is a “very unique” testing system in the world to select candidates for the services.

Also Read: ‘We are proud of it’: What two Himachal brothers said after marrying same woman

Recalling his own experience of the UPSC interview, he said, “My interview was on March 21, 1977. That was the day the Emergency was revoked. Revoked! So, I go in for an interview at Shahjahan Road… First person that morning.”

The Emergency, which was imposed by the Indira Gandhi government in June 1975, was lifted on 21 March 1977. The General elections in the country were held between 16 and 20 March, 1977.

The Janata Party, a coalition of opposition leaders, emerged victorious in the 1977 Lok Sabha elections, in an upset for Indira Gandhi, and Morarji Desai became the next prime minister.

‘I was lucky’

Jaishankar said he was asked about what had happened in the 1977 elections. The foreign minister said that being a student of JNU and having studied political science, “I was lucky.”

He said he had taken part in the election campaign and had worked for the defeat of the Emergency.

Also Read: ‘Speak Marathi or get out’: Massive verbal spat breaks out in Mumbai local train | Video

“We had taken part in the 1977 election campaign. We had all gone there and worked for the defeat of the Emergency,” Jaishankar told PTI.

He then forgot he was in an interview, adding that at that moment, “my communication skills somehow came together.”

He also said that after the UPSC interview, he learnt of the “Lutyens’ bubble”.

The minister further said that the interviewers were shocked of the public wave against the Emergency.

“These people were really shocked, they could not believe that this election result had happened, whereas for us, the ordinary students, we could see that there was a wave against the Emergency,” the EAM recalled.

He added that from that day, he learned how to communicate under pressure, without offending anyone.

Also Read: Who was Prince Al-Waleed, Saudi Arabia’s ‘Sleeping Prince’, who died after 20 years in coma?

“How do you persuade, how do you explain. This was one carry-away. The second carry-away was that important people may be living in a bubble and not realising what is happening in the country,” Jaishankar said.

Addressing the successful UPSC candidates, he urged them to remember that they are all “entering into a service”.

“This Amrit Kaal of 25 years is your era. Your era, because you will have to work, you will have to deliver, and you will be the beneficiaries of this era, you will be the leaders of this era,” the EAM said, urging them to contribute to the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

“I want you to think 20 years ahead… When we move towards the journey of Viksit Bharat, what will be your contribution? And, the mindset that you have to bring to realise that dream of making a developed nation,” he added.