The Congress party has opposed the central government's new rule mandating the singing of all six stanzas of 'Vande Mataram'. The party stated it stands by its 1937 resolution, which approved singing only the first two stanzas based on the views of Jawaharlal Nehru and Rabindranath Tagore. The move has sparked a fresh political controversy between the BJP and Congress regarding national symbols and guidelines. https://www.prajavani.net/explainer/digest/vande-mataram-six-stanzas-congress-objection-controversy-4208761

According to Vastu Shastra, there are strict rules for watering the Tulsi plant at home. Watering the plant on Sundays and Ekadashi is considered inauspicious as Goddess Tulsi is believed to observe a fast for Lord Vishnu on these days. Breaking her fast by watering can lead to financial distress and poverty. Additionally, one should avoid watering or touching the plant during solar or lunar eclipses. Following these Vastu guidelines ensures peace and prosperity in the household while avoiding economic hardships. https://kannada.asianetnews.com/gallery/vaastu/according-to-vastu-shastra-there-are-certain-rules-for-watering-the-tulsi-plant-in-the-house-mrq-rbznyqc

BJP National President Nitin Naveen has appointed new state in-charges and co-in-charges for Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Gujarat ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. Rajya Sabha MP Vinod Tawde has been named the in-charge for Uttar Pradesh, while Satish Poonia and Tarun Chugh will oversee Punjab and Gujarat respectively. Jagdish Ishwarbhai Patel will serve as the co-in-charge for UP. These appointments come into effect immediately as the party gears up for future polls. https://www.prajavani.net/news/india-news/bjp-appoints-new-incharges-for-uttar-pradesh-punjab-and-gujarat-4203053

The Union Cabinet, led by PM Narendra Modi, has approved the establishment of a bench of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court in Ladakh. Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that this move aims to provide easier access to justice for the people of Ladakh's remote areas, significantly reducing travel time and distance. Currently, residents rely on benches in Srinagar or Jammu. This will be the third bench of the high court, serving the residents of Leh and Kargil directly within their territory. https://tv9kannada.com/national/modi-government-decides-to-set-up-bench-of-high-court-of-jammu-and-kashmir-in-ladakh-amit-shah-announces-1227618.html

Tensions have emerged within the NDA alliance in Andhra Pradesh between the TDP and Janasena Party over seat-sharing for upcoming local body elections. Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan has reportedly skipped four consecutive cabinet meetings and the ongoing assembly sessions, signaling his dissatisfaction. While Janasena is demanding more seats and specific municipal corporations, TDP is hesitant, fearing it might weaken its grassroots base for the 2029 elections. Although Janasena cited health reasons for Kalyan's absence, political analysts view it as a pressure tactic to secure better terms in the alliance. https://www.prajavani.net/news/india-news/pawan-kalyan-tdp-janasena-rift-andhra-politics-4209897

South Western Railway has announced a special express train between SMVT Bengaluru and Thiruvananthapuram North to handle the extra rush during the Onam festival. Train No. 06575 will depart Bengaluru on August 22, while the return train No. 06576 will leave Thiruvananthapuram on August 23. The 20-coach train will stop at major stations including Bangarapet, Salem, Palakkad, and Ernakulam. Passengers can check the schedule via the official railway website or the NTES app. https://tv9kannada.com/karnataka/bengaluru/onam-special-train-2026-bengaluru-to-thiruvananthapuram-north-schedule-and-details-1227712.html

The Karnataka government has approved a ₹50 crore renovation plan for the famous Sri Nimishamba Temple in Ganjam, Mandya. The project involves rebuilding the temple in the historic Vijayanagara architectural style, including a massive 108-foot Vimana Gopura and a 'Chandrashala' pavilion for devotees. While the original sanctum sanctorum will remain untouched, the surrounding infrastructure will be upgraded to accommodate the high influx of pilgrims from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. The renovation is expected to be completed within two years, boosting local spiritual tourism. https://kannada.news18.com/news/astrology/nimishambha-temple-redevelopment-50-crore-mandya-pos-abn-local18-2473619.html

Preparations for the Ganesh Chaturthi festival are in full swing in Hubballi. The famous 'Hubballi Ka Maharaja' idol in Maratha Galli is being crafted by a team of specialized artists from Kolkata who have been working for 4-5 months. Using clay, bamboo, and wood, they are creating a massive and artistic idol that attracts thousands of devotees from North Karnataka every year. https://publicnext.com/news/district/hubballi-dharwad/news/kn/hubballi-preparations-are-in-full-swing-for-ganapati-festival-devotees-eagerly-await-hubballi-ka-maharaja-darshan-1285939

Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar attended the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting in Mahabalipuram, chaired by Amit Shah. Sitting next to Tamil Nadu CM Vijay, Shivakumar raised the Cauvery water-sharing issue, emphasizing that water should unite rather than divide states. He highlighted Karnataka's significant 33% contribution to India's GDP and stressed that rivers like Cauvery and Krishna are lifelines for the southern region. https://kannada.news18.com/news/state/dk-shivakumar-raises-karnatakas-water-fiscal-and-political-concerns-at-31st-southern-zonal-council-pvn-2473842.html