Kedarnath Dham to reopen for devotees

Dehradun: The gates of Kedarnath will open for the devotees at 7 am on May 10, the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) announced on the occasion of Mahashivratri on Friday.   The announcement was made by BKTC chairman Ajendra Ajay at the Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath.  The portals of the Himalayan temple, visited by lakhs of people every year were closed during the winters when it remains snow-bound.  Greeting people on the occasion of Mahashivratri, Ajay said a record number of devotees visited Kedarnath Dham during the last yatra season and the number of pilgrims will rise further this year.

Sudha Murty nominated to RS

New Delhi: Philanthropist and author Sudha Murty was nominated to the Rajya Sabha on Friday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauding her contribution in diverse fields. Modi asserted in a post on X that her presence in the Upper House is a powerful testament to “Nari Shakti” (women power), exemplifying the strength and potential of women in shaping the nation’s destiny. Wishing her a fruitful tenure, he said, “I am delighted that the President of India has nominated Sudha Murty Ji to the Rajya Sabha. Sudha Ji’s contributions to diverse fields including social work, philanthropy and education have been immense and inspiring.” Murty, wife of Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy, is also the chairperson of the Murty Trust and has authored several books. The 73-year-old, whose nomination comes on International Women’s Day, was awarded the Padma Shri in 2006 and the Padma Bhushan in 2023.