The Assembly elections in Kerala, Puducherry and Assam attracted global attention, with 38 delegates from 22 countries visiting India to witness India’s electoral process first-hand under the poll panel’s International Election Visitors Program (IEVP) 2026, the Election Commission (EC) said on Saturday.In a statement, the Election Commission said delegates were impressed by the scale, accuracy and vibrancy of the voting and described the experience as a “true festival of democracy”. Croatia’s Branimir Farkas said in a statement, “Indian voting, it is a true festival of democracy for the whole world… The biggest thing for me is the enthusiasm of the people to vote. We can only learn from this process; it is a big process and done right.”The statement said the international delegates began their two-day visit to Assam, Kerala and Puducherry on April 8 and 9 by visiting despatch and distribution centres, where they witnessed the orderly movement of election materials as well as polling parties through well-planned logistics and established standard operating procedures.The statement said that on the morning of polling day, the delegates observed the mock poll and later visited polling stations in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry to witness the actual polling process.The delegates expressed their appreciation for the record voter participation, meticulous planning and seamless execution of the elections by the ECI.“The delegates also interacted with Chief Electoral Officers and State Police Nodal Officers of the respective states on the overall conduct of the elections as well as security arrangements. They also visited the CCTV control rooms set up at the CEO offices to monitor 100 per cent webcasting of polling stations and described them as ‘strong pillars of transparency’,” it said.The Election Commission said the delegates also praised the “inclusive, participatory and accessible features” at polling stations, including ramps, wheelchairs, volunteers and crèche facilities, as well as dedicated booths managed by women and persons with disabilities (PWDs).The statement said the IEVP is a flagship initiative of the Election Commission aimed at promoting international cooperation and engagement with election management bodies (EMBs) and global organisations.“The program provides a comprehensive overview of India’s electoral framework, institutional mechanisms and operational architecture, while introducing delegates to best practices and innovations in election management,” the statement said.

New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday took a dig at Islamabad as it is mediating talks between Iran and the United States, highlighting Pakistan Prime Minister’s allegations Shahbaz SharifWas prepared by ex post Washington.Speaking to reporters, Tharoor said, ‘Do you know what kind of relationship Pakistan has with Washington… There have been some allegations that Washington had written that tweet for the Pakistani PM, because its heading was, “Draft for the PM of Pakistan.”“If you and I have written something for the Indian Prime Minister, would we write ‘Draft for the Prime Minister of India’ on top of it? And the language used was also the language of Washington. Moreover, some of the phrases were similar to those used by Donald Trump a few hours earlier. Only Pakistan can play the role it has played with Washington.This comes days after Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif posted a “draft” message about the Iran conflict on his official X account and quickly edited it. The post called for a two-week ceasefire and diplomatic pause and appeared just as the United States and Iran were moving toward a temporary truce.In both versions, Sharif urged Donald Trump to extend his deadline for military action by two weeks to push talks forward. Calling it a goodwill gesture, he also appealed to Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for the same period. “We urge all warring parties everywhere to observe a ceasefire for two weeks,” the post reads, describing the pause as essential for “long-term peace and stability in the region.”Within hours, Washington and Tehran confirmed they had agreed to a two-week ceasefire, stepping back from the brink of major escalation.The breakthrough came after a dramatic reversal by Trump, who had previously threatened a widespread attack on Iranian infrastructure if Tehran failed to meet his demands. Instead, he halted the planned attacks shortly before their deadline and said the decision was based on talks with Sharif and Pakistan’s military leadership. Trump signaled cautious optimism, saying “the two-week period will allow the agreement to be finalized.”Meanwhile, delegations from the US and Iran reached Islamabad in Pakistan on Saturday to hold peace talks on the ongoing war in the Middle East. The 71-member Iranian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Bagher Ghalibaf and including the country’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi, landed in the Pakistani capital earlier in the day. While US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, along with Jared Kushner, arrived in the afternoon. The US delegation is led by US Vice President JD Vance.

Ambassadors are seen in most of the events.These were realized at the Times Internet Half Marathon.They weren’t just promoting the race from the sidelines or sharing countless posts – they were out on the course, meeting participants step by step, turning representation into action – and that’s what really defines the event.

Where impact faced stamina

Amongst the extraordinary performances, Jalaj Arora took on the toughest race – 21K – showing remarkable stamina and dedication even when the course became challenging. Deepak Gupta also had a strong run, maintaining a steady pace and displaying consistent control throughout.The performance in the 10K category was equally impressive. Jitendra Advani stood out with his pace and balance, while Ramnik Singh Kochhar made a notable impact with his steady performance and commitment on the course.One of the biggest highlights was Deepak Maurya, whose run was fast, focused and highly impressive, setting a strong benchmark among the ambassadors.

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Not just runners, but enablers too

What set these ambassadors apart was not just limited to their performance on race day, but the impact they made in the lead up to the event.Through constant engagement, interaction and outreach, he encouraged participation at every level. First-time runners were inspired, hesitant individuals gained confidence, and a broader sense of community began to take shape even before the starting line was drawn.Their contributions extended beyond numbers – they brought intention, energy and belief to the marathon ecosystem.

Redefining representation

At its core, the Ambassador Program wasn’t just about visibility – it was about credibility. By running the same courses, enduring the same physical demands, and facing the same challenges, these ambassadors established deep connections with the participants. Their presence strengthened faith, making their encouragement more authentic and effective.When those inspiring participants were also actively part of the journey – striving, enduring, and working together with others to accomplish the task – the marathon evolved into more than just an event.It became a shared experience and at the Times Internet Half Marathon, the ambassadors made sure it was a story worth remembering.

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