Senior Maoist leader Mallojula Venugopal Rao, alias Sonu ‘Bhupati’, surrendered with 62 cadres and 54 weapons in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. This event signals the potential end of the state’s five-decade-long Maoist insurgency, following a siege of the guerrilla headquarters. The surrender bolsters the Union Home Minister’s vision for a Naxal-free India.

While the US Chess Championship showcased professional player treatment with an umbrella for sunlight, India’s National Championship faced chaos. Players endured monkeys, power cuts, and leaking tents, highlighting poor playing conditions. This stark contrast raises concerns about India’s ability to host major chess events, despite its growing chess prowess.

Devkinandan Thakur, Dhirendra Krishna Shastri of Bageshwar Dham, Indresh Upadhyay, and Chinmayanand will lead their respective teams in the tournament