• Heavy rain is forecast for nine Tamil Nadu districts, including Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Erode, Salem and Vellore, on Tuesday.
• Nilgiris and Coimbatore may see continued heavy showers with strong winds until September 20.
• Two people died in separate lightning strikes in Dindigul and Tenkasi districts.
• Sudden flooding near Pachamalai hills in Perambalur stranded several people, who were later rescued using ropes.
• Chennai may receive moderate rain on Wednesday evening or night, with a trough from Karnataka to the Bay of Bengal driving the weather pattern.

An Extended Spell of Heavy Rain Across Tamil Nadu

Heavy rain is likely to lash nine Tamil Nadu districts on Tuesday, while the Nilgiris and Coimbatore may continue to experience heavy showers accompanied by strong winds until September 20, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre. The extended forecast window for these two districts suggests a more prolonged weather event compared to the rest of the state, where heavy rain is currently expected primarily for the immediate near term.

The Weather System Driving the Rain

According to the weather agency, a trough extending from southern interior Karnataka to the southwest Bay of Bengal is currently influencing weather conditions across Tamil Nadu. Under its influence, heavy rain has been forecast for the Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Erode, Salem, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Vellore, Tirupattur and Ranipet districts, while moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is expected in Madurai, Dindigul, Virudhunagar and Sivaganga.

What's Expected on Wednesday

Looking ahead to Wednesday, heavy showers may occur in Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Tirupattur and Ranipet, as well as the Cauvery delta districts of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai and Nagapattinam. Chennai itself is expected to receive moderate rain during the evening or night, a comparatively milder forecast relative to the heavy rain warnings issued for the western and northern districts. The weather agency also cautioned that maximum temperatures could run up to three degrees Celsius above normal at isolated places in interior Tamil Nadu, indicating that despite the widespread rain, some areas may still experience unusually warm conditions during the day.

Flooding Strands Residents Near Perambalur

The impact of this weather system has already been felt across several districts. In Perambalur district, heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning over the Pachamalai hills caused sudden flooding in fields and streams near Adakkampatti village. Several people who had ventured toward the foothills found themselves stranded after rising water cut off their return route, before local residents managed to rescue them using ropes, a stark illustration of how quickly flash flooding in hilly terrain can trap people caught unprepared.

Two Lightning Deaths Reported

The severe weather has also proven fatal in two separate incidents. In Dindigul district, Sonuram Kond, a 25-year-old worker from Odisha, died after being struck by lightning while engaged in borewell construction work at Silvarpatti near Reddiyarchatram. In a separate incident in Tenkasi district, Kasirajan, a mason, was killed by lightning while working at a construction site in Krishnapuram near Kadayanallur during a spell of light rain. These fatalities underscore the particular danger lightning strikes pose to outdoor and construction workers during active storm systems, especially when work continues despite ongoing rainfall.

Infrastructure Disruption in Madurai

Near Sholavandan in Madurai district, a large tree was uprooted during heavy rain and fell on an electricity pole, prompting an immediate suspension of power supply as a safety precaution. A delay in clearing the fallen tree resulted in a power outage lasting more than two hours, causing considerable inconvenience to local residents in the affected area.

Waterlogging Affects Businesses in Virudhunagar

Heavy showers also led to waterlogging on roads in Virudhunagar, with rainwater entering several shops in the area, affecting both residents and local traders who found their premises impacted by the flooding.

A Mix of Relief and Disruption Elsewhere

Not all of the rainfall's effects were disruptive, however. Moderate rainfall brought welcome relief to people and farmers in several parts of Theni district, while Kodaikanal and its surrounding areas experienced notably cooler weather after receiving moderate rain for over three hours. Similarly, Paramakudi in Ramanathapuram district recorded widespread rainfall for about an hour during the afternoon, offering residents relief from the humid conditions that had prevailed prior to the rain.

A State Bracing for Continued Wet Weather

With the current weather system expected to persist, particularly over the Nilgiris and Coimbatore through September 20, authorities and residents across Tamil Nadu are likely to remain on alert for further disruptions, ranging from localised flooding and infrastructure damage to the kind of lightning-related risks that have already proven fatal in multiple districts this week.

• EAM S Jaishankar called the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi a "resounding success"
• Summit coincided with BRICS' 20th anniversary
• Held September 12–13 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, with India as 2026 BRICS chair
• PM Modi called BRICS an "ecosystem of solutions," urged time-bound implementation of outcomes
• New Delhi Declaration adopted at the summit
• China to host the next BRICS summit
• BRICS bloc: 11 members + 10 partner countries

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday described the 18th BRICS Summit, held in New Delhi, as a resounding success, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for bringing together nations from varied geographies and cultures around common ground.

Sharing his assessment in a video posted on X, Jaishankar noted that the summit — held as BRICS marked its 20th year — reflected progress in narrowing differences among member states, with discussions that stayed open and constructive throughout.

Outcome Reflects Push for Global South, Says Jaishankar

The External Affairs Minister said the summit's outcome document reflected a shared commitment among BRICS members to advance the interests of the Global South. He credited Indian officials for working intensively behind the scenes to deliver the summit's results, and pointed to what he described as growing worldwide traction for Modi's emphasis on peace, dialogue and diplomacy.

India Hosted Two-Day Summit as 2026 BRICS Chair

As BRICS chair for 2026, India hosted the two-day summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, bringing together leaders from BRICS member states, partner countries and outreach invitees.

BRICS currently comprises Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the UAE, alongside ten partner countries: Belarus, Cuba, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

PM Modi Calls for Time-Bound Action on Summit Outcomes

Speaking a day earlier at the summit's session on "Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability," Prime Minister Modi said the two days of discussions had reinforced BRICS' role as an "ecosystem of solutions" rather than merely a grouping of nations. He expressed hope that the New Delhi Declaration adopted at the summit would offer clear direction for the bloc's future cooperation, and called for translating outcomes into concrete, time-bound action rather than documentation alone.

Modi thanked fellow BRICS leaders for their participation and said their input had added depth to the grouping's cooperation, describing the scale of engagement as a sign of BRICS' growing relevance and inclusiveness.

Looking ahead to BRICS' third decade, Modi said the bloc now faces rising expectations for concrete results rather than ideas alone, and expressed confidence that collective effort would meet those expectations. He also extended good wishes to China, which will host the next BRICS summit, and thanked the organising teams for the New Delhi summit's success.

(Inputs: IANS)

• MMA's first Asian Games appearance: Varun Sanyal will compete in the men's 77kg division as MMA debuts as a medal sport at Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
• A two-time national champion: He also won bronze at the Asian AMMA Championships in China in January 2026, part of a two-member Indian MMA contingent.
• An unlikely entry point: Sanyal's interest in combat sports began through WWE and TNA wrestling, deepened by watching Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt at the 2012 London Olympics.
• Father's steady support: Economist Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the PM's Economic Advisory Council, has backed his son's journey across multiple sports since childhood.
• A late qualification confirmation: Varun received final confirmation of his Asian Games selection just two weeks before the event.
• Seeking greater institutional backing: He said government interest in MMA has grown, but athletes still rely heavily on personal sponsorships and federation-funded support.

New Delhi: When Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) makes its Asian Games debut at Aichi-Nagoya 2026, India's Varun Sanyal will enter the competition carrying both an established record and a personal journey shaped by wrestling, WWE and a love for the Rocky Balboa story.

A two-time national champion and bronze medallist at the Asian AMMA Championships in China in January 2026, Varun will compete in the men's traditional 77kg division as MMA makes its first appearance as a medal sport at the Asian Games.

Varun is part of a two-member Indian MMA contingent for the Games, alongside Suchika Tariyal Hooda, who represented India in kurash at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou and will compete in the women's 60kg category.

From WWE Fandom To Martial Arts

A professional fighter and a first-class business management honours graduate from Queen Mary University of London, Varun's introduction to combat sports came through an unlikely combination of professional wrestling and cinema. WWE and TNA sparked his initial interest, while watching Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt succeed at the 2012 London Olympics pushed him further towards martial arts.

"Seeing our Olympians succeed really drew me towards martial arts and eventually towards MMA. MMA is, in many ways, the most primal form of sport and competition, so I was naturally drawn to it. It's also a life skill. Learning how to defend yourself, stay calm under pressure and make decisions when you're under physical threat are incredibly important skills. Having to make decisions under pressure, sometimes with very serious consequences, has been one of the biggest learnings I've taken from MMA," Varun told SAI Media.

Varun's sporting development was also shaped by a wide range of disciplines. Growing up in Singapore, he played cricket, football, athletics and squash, while also taking up powerlifting before moving into wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai and eventually MMA.

A Father's Support Across Every Sport

His father, economist and author Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India, has been a constant source of support throughout that journey.

"Growing up, I remember my father taking me out to the field and kicking a football around with me. He would take me to play squash, we'd sometimes go on random runs, and he'd make us do exercises together. Even when I was very young, he put me into taekwondo classes, although I wasn't particularly interested in it at the time. As I grew up, whether it was playing cricket, going to the gym, or getting into powerlifting, he was always very supportive.

"MMA took him a little bit of time to come around to, but I can't deny how supportive he's been throughout my journey. When it comes to MMA, he's always discussing it with me and trying to understand the sport a little more. He's supportive in whatever way he can be," said Varun.

A Qualification Confirmed Just Two Weeks Before The Games

The Asian Games qualification journey, however, was far from straightforward. After winning the MMA SFI Nationals in 2025, Varun qualified for the Asian AMMA Championships in China, where his bronze medal placed him within the Asian ranking system.

"At the time, though, it wasn't particularly clear who had qualified for the Asian Games or what the qualification process was going to look like. There wasn't much clarity from the Asian side about how the qualification process would work. So rather than sitting around waiting, I decided to focus on my professional career.

"Eventually, I received final confirmation that I would be going to the Asian Games just two weeks before the Games themselves. So, obviously, preparing mentally and physically for something of this magnitude in such a short period has been quite a challenge. But I suppose that's part of sport. That's what sport is," said Varun.

Seeking Greater Institutional Support For MMA

Varun believes the inclusion of MMA at the Asian Games could prove transformative for the discipline in India, although he feels athletes still need greater institutional backing.

"The government is now aware of MMA and has shown more interest in the sport over the last year than it ever has before. That is certainly a positive step. We are still having to find support from different places just to continue our careers. I'm fortunate to have Raphe mPhibr sponsoring me and supporting me on my journey, and I've had other people support me over the years as well. But I understand that MMA is still a relatively new sport, and I trust that things will improve with time."

Varun also acknowledged the efforts of national federation president Nikhil Kunder and others who have helped sustain the sport in India.

"I know how difficult it must be. The nationals, the events that have been conducted, and a lot of the training and expenses involved in supporting the fighters have been funded by the people running the federation themselves. A lot of that money has effectively gone straight out of Nikhil's or the other people's own pockets. So, while I'm happy that the government is now looking at MMA more closely, I would like to see that interest translate into more direct support for the athletes."

Building A Wider Pathway For Indian MMA Fighters

With MMA now entering the Asian Games programme, Varun sees an opportunity to build a much wider competitive pathway for Indian fighters.

"We now have two Indian athletes who have qualified and are ranked in the top six in Asia. I don't see why there can't be more. I don't see why, eventually, we can't fill all the weight categories in MMA in the same way that we do in sports like wrestling and boxing," said Varun.

• Four-day campaign launches September 18: BJP's 'Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra' will begin in Pathankot and conclude in Bathinda on September 21.
• Nitin Nabin leads the opening leg: BJP National President will kick off the campaign in Pathankot, focused on highlighting drug abuse in Punjab.
• Rekha Gupta joins in Fatehgarh Sahib: Delhi CM will participate in the September 19 leg of the yatra.
• Arjun Ram Meghwal in Fazilka: The Union Minister will join the campaign's September 20 stop.
• Shivraj Singh Chouhan concludes in Bathinda: The final leg on September 21 will see the Union Minister wrap up the four-day campaign.
• Aimed at organisational and public outreach: The BJP seeks to strengthen its network in Punjab while spotlighting its stance on the drug menace.

Chandigarh: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to launch a mega 'Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra' from September 18, and senior party leaders are scheduled to participate in the campaign across different parts of Punjab.

The four-day yatra, aimed at highlighting the BJP's campaign for a drug-free Punjab, will cover key districts across the state, beginning in Pathankot and concluding in Bathinda on September 21.

According to the schedule released by the party, BJP National President Nitin Nabin will lead the campaign in Pathankot on September 18, marking the beginning of the mega outreach programme focused on the issue of drug abuse in the state.

Day-By-Day Route Of The Yatra

On September 19, the 'Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra' will move to Fatehgarh Sahib, where Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is scheduled to participate and support the party's campaign for a drug-free Punjab.

The yatra will proceed to Fazilka on September 20. Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is scheduled to join the campaign and participate in the BJP's outreach activities in the district.

On September 21, the final leg of the four-day campaign will reach Bathinda, where Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will participate in the yatra, bringing the BJP's state-wide campaign to a close.

Political Objectives Behind The Campaign

The BJP's 'Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra' is expected to serve as a major public outreach initiative centred on the issue of drug abuse, which remains a significant concern in Punjab.

The participation of senior BJP leaders is likely to provide political momentum to the campaign and underline the party's focus on addressing the drug menace in the state.

Through the yatra, the BJP is also seeking to strengthen its organisational network and public outreach across Punjab. The issue of drug abuse has remained a prominent subject in the state's political discourse, with parties frequently highlighting the need for stronger measures to tackle the problem.

During the campaign, the BJP is expected to highlight its vision and proposed approach for creating a drug-free Punjab while engaging directly with people in the districts covered by the yatra.

The party is likely to use the four-day programme to raise awareness about the adverse impact of drugs and reiterate its emphasis on combating the menace.

Full Schedule

The schedule of the BJP's 'Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra' is as follows: September 18 in Pathankot, led by BJP National President Nitin Nabin; September 19 in Fatehgarh Sahib, with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta; September 20 in Fazilka, with Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal; and September 21 in Bathinda, with Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

(With inputs from IANS)

• Statewide celebrations: The Gowri-Ganesha festival was marked across Karnataka with devotees thronging temples and markets on Monday.
• 3,000 additional CCTV cameras in Bengaluru: Security was ramped up with new cameras, KSRP platoons, and drone surveillance in sensitive areas.
• Heavy crowds at K.R. Market: Shoppers arrived from early hours for puja materials, disrupting traffic from around 5 a.m.
• Milk abhisheka at Dodda Ganapathi Temple: Around 1,000 litres of milk were used in special worship, with devotees queuing from 3 a.m.
• 101 Ganesha idols in Mysuru: The historic 101 Ganesh Temple saw a large turnout, with idols installed by 101 families across four tiers.
• 2,500+ idols in Davanagere: Police tightened security in 13 hypersensitive areas as devotees preferred idols from the Kunnur region.

Bengaluru: The Gowri-Ganesha festival was celebrated across Karnataka with religious fervour and enthusiasm on Monday, with devotees thronging temples and markets to mark Ganesh Chaturthi.

In Bengaluru, elaborate security arrangements were in place across the city. In addition to the existing CCTV network, around 3,000 more cameras have been installed to monitor movements in sensitive and hypersensitive areas.

Security Arrangements Across The City

Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) platoons have been deployed at key locations, while drones are being used for aerial surveillance. Police have also issued directions regarding the use of loudspeakers and made security arrangements along the procession routes.

The situation is being closely monitored from the police command centre, with strict vigil being maintained throughout the city.

Heavy Crowds At K.R. Market

K.R. Market witnessed heavy crowds from the early hours as people arrived to purchase fruits, flowers, vegetables, puja materials and other items required for the festival. Traffic movement around the market was disrupted from around 5 a.m. due to the large gathering.

Dodda Ganapathi Temple: A 1,000-Litre Milk Abhisheka

At the historic Dodda Ganapathi Temple in Bengaluru's Basavanagudi, devotees began queuing up as early as 3 a.m. on Monday. Temple priests performed special worship around 2.30 a.m., followed by a milk abhisheka using around 1,000 litres of milk. Maha Mangalarati was performed at 6 a.m.

The temple is scheduled to remain open for devotees until 12.30 a.m. on Monday.

Temple management head Srinivas said arrangements had been made to distribute prasadam to devotees from 6 a.m. until midnight. He said a special milk abhisheka involving 1,000 litres of milk had already been performed as part of the celebrations.

Mysuru's 101 Ganesh Temple

In Mysuru, the historic 101 Ganesh Temple also witnessed a large turnout of devotees. Special worship began at around 3 a.m., with people queuing up to seek the darshan of all 101 Ganesha idols installed at the temple.

According to the temple's chief priest Sunil, 101 families had come together to install the 101 idols within the temple premises. There are 32 idols on the first step, 26 on the second, 24 on the third and 18 on the fourth, while a large Ganesha idol is installed at the top, taking the total number of idols to 101.

Sunil said special worship is conducted at the temple on every Sankashta Chaturthi. Devotees believe that visiting the temple, offering akshate and submitting their prayers helps them get relief from sins and doshas.

Hubballi And Davanagere Celebrations

In Hubballi, popularly regarded as the Chota Mumbai, the festival was also celebrated with great enthusiasm. Streets witnessed large crowds as people came out to purchase Ganesha idols. Several people from rural areas arrived in bullock carts to buy idols and take them home for installation.

In Davanagere, more than 2,500 Ganesha idols are being installed as part of the festival celebrations. Police have stepped up security measures, particularly in 13 identified hypersensitive areas, to ensure peaceful celebrations and prevent any untoward incidents. People preferred to buy idols from the Kunnur region, believing that the land and soil were blessed by a revered Sufi saint, Santa Shishunala Sharif.

Authorities across the state have urged people to celebrate the festival peacefully, while maintaining communal harmony and following safety regulations during processions and idol immersions.

• Shafali Verma scored the fastest fifty in Women's T20 Asia Cup history, reaching her half-century off just 24 balls.
• She surpassed opening partner Smriti Mandhana's previous record of 25 balls, set in 2022.
• This was Shafali's 21st T20I fifty and her third of the ongoing tournament, joint-most in a single edition alongside Chamari Athapaththu's 2024 tally.
• India captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and chose to bat first, with G Kamalini replacing Pratika Rawal as the only change.
• The record-breaking knock came in the 2026 final against Sri Lanka at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

A Record-Breaking Start to the Final

India star batter Shafali Verma etched her name into the history books on Sunday, smashing the fastest half-century in the history of the Women's Asia Cup during the 2026 final against Sri Lanka at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Reaching her fifty off just 24 balls, Shafali's innings set the tone for India's approach in the title clash after the Women in Blue elected to bat first.

A Slow Start That Turned Explosive

Interestingly, Shafali's innings did not begin with the same urgency it would eventually be remembered for. She took four balls just to get off the mark, suggesting a cautious assessment of the conditions and the Sri Lankan bowling attack in the opening exchanges. Once she had seen off the initial deliveries, however, she shifted gears dramatically, taking apart the Sri Lankan bowlers with a string of aggressive strokes that carried her rapidly toward her half-century, which she completed with a boundary off Kavisha Dilhari in the eighth over.

Breaking Her Own Partner's Record

The knock marked Shafali's 21st T20I half-century overall, and notably, the fastest fifty in the history of the Women's T20 Asia Cup, surpassing the previous record of 25 balls set by her own opening partner, Smriti Mandhana, against Sri Lanka in Sylhet back in 2022. The symbolism of one opening partner breaking the other's record, in a final against the same opposition, adds a layer of context to the achievement, reflecting the consistent quality India's opening pair has brought to the tournament's biggest stage.

The Complete List of Fastest Fifties

According to tournament records, the list of fastest half-centuries in Women's T20 Asia Cup history now reads as follows: Shafali Verma's 24-ball fifty against Sri Lanka in Dubai in 2026 sits at the top, followed by Smriti Mandhana's 25-ball effort against Sri Lanka in Sylhet in 2022. Richa Ghosh's 26-ball fifty against UAE in Dambulla in 2024 and two further 26-ball innings, both by Shafali herself, against Nepal in Dambulla in 2024 and against Thailand in Dubai earlier in the current 2026 tournament, round out the list, underlining just how frequently Shafali has featured among the tournament's fastest innings across multiple editions.

A Tournament of Consistent Big Scores

This fifty also marked Shafali's third half-century of the ongoing tournament, a tally that now places her level with Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu for the joint-most fifties scored in a single edition of the Women's T20 Asia Cup, matching Athapaththu's own tally of four fifties during Sri Lanka's title-winning campaign in 2024. The comparison is notable given that Athapaththu's side is the very opponent India face in this final, adding an extra layer of rivalry to the record-breaking context.

India's Team Composition for the Final

India won the toss ahead of the match, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur opting to bat first in the summit clash. The team made one change to its lineup for the final, bringing in G Kamalini in place of Pratika Rawal. Speaking at the toss, Kaur explained the team's approach and the reasoning behind the change. "We are going to bat first. It's a very important game for us; put up a score on the board. Every final is important; there is pressure, but we need to play good cricket. We have one change: Pratika is resting, and Kamalini is playing," she said, framing the decision to bat first as an attempt to set a competitive target and apply pressure on Sri Lanka's chase in what both sides would regard as a high-stakes, high-pressure occasion.

• Legendary bhajan singer Anup Jalota launched the "Bhaktidwar Television App" and unveiled its logo.
• He described the platform as "a gateway to devotion, happiness and peace" amid rising stress and anxiety.
• Jalota noted that younger generations are increasingly embracing devotional music and spiritual content.
• Founder Dinesh Asopa revealed the app took nearly a decade to develop, aiming to be a dedicated hub for Sanatan Dharma-related content.
• Several original series on the platform have been directed by filmmaker Jaidev Chakravorty, blending spiritual themes with a contemporary format.

A New Digital Space for Devotion

Legendary bhajan singer and Padma Shri awardee Anup Jalota launched the "Bhaktidwar Television App" at an event that brought together devotion, spirituality and modern technology under a single platform. Jalota also unveiled the app's logo during the proceedings, lending his considerable stature within India's devotional music tradition to the new initiative's public debut.

Jalota's Case for the App's Relevance

Addressing attendees at the launch, Jalota offered a heartfelt endorsement of the platform, framing it as more than just another app. "I have myself entered Bhaktidwar. It is not just an app; it is a gateway to devotion, happiness and peace. Today, people are going through stress, anxiety, and mental pressure. In such times, remembering God, listening to bhajans, and connecting with spirituality can bring true peace to the mind. I believe Bhaktidwar will connect millions of people with spirituality and bring positivity into their lives," he said.

Why This Framing Resonates in the Current Moment

Jalota's emphasis on stress and mental pressure as a backdrop for the app's relevance reflects a broader trend in how devotional and wellness-oriented content is increasingly being positioned, not purely as religious practice, but as a response to the pressures of contemporary life. This framing allows a traditionally faith-based platform to appeal to audiences seeking calm and grounding amid modern anxieties, potentially widening its reach beyond audiences who might engage with devotional content purely on religious terms.

A Younger Audience for Devotional Content

Jalota also observed that today's younger generation is increasingly embracing devotional music and spiritual content, a trend that suggests such platforms may be finding audiences well beyond the older demographics traditionally associated with bhajan and religious programming. "When a person is under stress, there is no greater comfort than remembering God and immersing oneself in devotion. Bhaktidwar is a wonderful initiative that carries this positive thought forward," he added.

The Founder's Decade-Long Journey

Dinesh Asopa, founder of the Bhaktidwar Television App, expressed his gratitude to Jalota for his guidance and support throughout the platform's development, describing the app's launch as the culmination of a long-held personal ambition. Asopa revealed that the project had taken approximately a decade to bring to fruition. "I have been working on this app for the last 10 years. Our objective was not merely to create another OTT platform, but to build a digital destination where people can access devotional, spiritual and Sanatan Dharma-related content under one roof. Seeing this dream finally become a reality is a very special moment for me," he said.

A Deliberately Focused Content Strategy

Asopa's framing of the app as a dedicated destination for devotional, spiritual and Sanatan Dharma-related content, rather than a general-purpose streaming platform, suggests a deliberate positioning strategy in an increasingly crowded OTT market. Rather than competing broadly with mainstream entertainment platforms, Bhaktidwar appears to be targeting a specific, underserved niche: audiences actively seeking religious and spiritual programming consolidated in one accessible digital space.

Original Content With a Contemporary Touch

Several of the special series created for Bhaktidwar have been produced under the direction of filmmaker Jaidev Chakravorty. These shows are designed with spiritual themes presented in a contemporary format, while still aiming to retain their core devotional essence, an approach that seeks to modernise the presentation of religious storytelling without diluting its traditional spiritual core, potentially helping the content appeal to audiences accustomed to more polished, modern production values.

• South Bengal, including Kolkata, will see no heavy rain in the coming days, only scattered light to moderate showers with thunderstorms.
• Rain intensity in south Bengal is expected to decrease further over the next five days.
• North Bengal districts, including Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar, face yellow alerts for heavy rain through the week.
• Kolkata's rain is linked to the monsoon axis stretching from Jaisalmer to Gopalpur, with a low-pressure area over south Chhattisgarh having no further impact on Bengal.
• Kolkata's Saturday maximum temperature was 31.02°C, slightly below normal, with humidity ranging between 77-95%.

A Break in the Rain for South Bengal

South Bengal is set to receive some relief from persistent rainfall, with the Met Office confirming on Sunday that there is no forecast for heavy rain in the region over the next few days. However, scattered light to moderate showers accompanied by thunderstorms may continue across the area, including Kolkata, meaning residents shouldn't expect entirely dry conditions just yet, only a reduction in intensity.

The Weather System Behind the Shift

According to the Met Department, the current low-pressure area is positioned over south Chhattisgarh and is not expected to have any further impact on West Bengal. Instead, the region's rainfall is currently being shaped by the monsoon axis, which extends from Jaisalmer in Rajasthan to Gopalpur in Odisha and further stretches into the east-central Bay of Bengal, a system whose positioning explains why south Bengal is seeing reduced intensity even as monsoon activity continues more broadly across the wider region.

What to Expect in Kolkata

An official from the Met Department detailed the near-term outlook for the city specifically. "Light to moderate rain with thundershowers is likely in Kolkata. Gusty winds may blow at a speed of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour. The amount of rain will further decrease from tomorrow. The relative humidity in the air today is 77 to 95 per cent," the official said, indicating that while some wind and thunderstorm activity should still be expected, the overall rainfall trend is clearly downward starting from Monday. The department further indicated that rain will continue decreasing across south Bengal over the next five days, suggesting the current wet spell affecting the region is winding down rather than merely pausing temporarily.

A Different Picture in North Bengal

While south Bengal moves toward drier conditions, districts in north Bengal are set for a considerably wetter stretch. The Met Office has issued a Yellow Alert for heavy rain in Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts on Monday, with scattered rain expected across the remaining districts in the north as well.

A Rolling Series of Alerts Through the Week

The alerts continue into the following days with shifting geographic focus. On Tuesday, a Yellow Alert for heavy rain has been issued specifically for Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri districts. This is followed by a broader alert on Wednesday covering Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts, indicating an intensifying and geographically expanding rain event across north Bengal's hill and foothill districts through the middle of the week.

A Localised Alert to Close Out the Week

By Thursday, the alert narrows again, with a Yellow Alert issued for heavy rain accompanied by thundershowers at one or two places specifically in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts. After this point, rainfall in north Bengal is expected to decrease as well, though the Met Department noted this easing trend holds only in the absence of any new weather system forming in the Bay of Bengal in the meantime, an important caveat given how quickly such systems can develop and alter regional forecasts.

Kolkata's Recent Temperature and Humidity Readings

Providing additional context on recent conditions, the department noted that Kolkata and its surrounding areas recorded a maximum temperature of 31.02 degrees Celsius on Saturday, which was 1.03 degrees below normal for the period. The minimum temperature stood at 27.01 degrees Celsius, marginally above normal by 0.07 degrees Celsius. Relative humidity levels ranged between a maximum of 95 per cent and a minimum of 77 per cent, consistent with the generally moist conditions typical of this stage of the monsoon season in the region.

• South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called for a "new era" in India-South Africa economic relations at a roundtable on the BRICS Summit sidelines.
• He identified renewable energy, green hydrogen, critical minerals, infrastructure, agriculture and digital innovation as key cooperation areas.
• South Africa has identified 195 strategic integrated projects worth over $100 billion, inviting Indian companies to participate.
• Ramaphosa cited Indian firm Atain's Cape Town expansion, growing its workforce from 1,500 to over 2,000.
• He called for deeper collaboration between universities, research institutions and businesses to build youth capabilities.

A Call for a New Chapter in Bilateral Ties

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a new era in economic relations between South Africa and India, pointing to significant opportunities for deepening cooperation across investment, trade, industrial development and sustainable growth. Addressing the South Africa-India Roundtable in New Delhi, held on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, Ramaphosa urged businesses from both nations to move beyond policy dialogue and translate discussions into commercially viable projects and long-term investments.

Framing the Moment as an Opportunity

"We are ready for a new era in economic relations between our two countries," Ramaphosa said, placing particular emphasis on the need for greater private-sector participation to expand bilateral economic ties beyond government-to-government engagement alone.

Key Sectors Identified for Cooperation

Ramaphosa outlined several specific sectors where he saw strong potential for expanded collaboration, including renewable energy, green hydrogen, critical minerals, infrastructure, agriculture and digital innovation. He drew a direct connection between the two countries' complementary strengths, noting that South Africa's mineral resources paired with India's manufacturing capabilities could create meaningful opportunities in developing electric vehicles, batteries and other industrial products, a pairing that reflects a broader global trend of resource-rich nations seeking manufacturing partnerships to capture more value from the clean-energy supply chain rather than exporting raw minerals alone.

An Invitation to Indian Infrastructure Investment

Ramaphosa also extended a direct invitation to Indian companies to participate in South Africa's infrastructure development pipeline. He pointed to 195 strategic integrated projects that South Africa has identified, with a combined value exceeding $100 billion, spanning transport networks, renewable energy, water infrastructure and hospitals. The scale of this pipeline suggests South Africa is actively seeking international capital and expertise to accelerate infrastructure development across multiple sectors simultaneously, rather than pursuing a narrower, sector-specific investment strategy.

Digital Economy as a Growing Area of Cooperation

Beyond traditional infrastructure and industrial sectors, Ramaphosa highlighted the expanding potential for digital economy cooperation between the two countries. He referenced the new Cape Town site of Indian business services company Atain, noting that the operation is expected to grow its workforce in South Africa from 1,500 to more than 2,000 young people, offering a concrete, already-underway example of the kind of investment he was encouraging other Indian companies to consider.

Building Institutional Partnerships for the Long Term

Ramaphosa further called for stronger collaboration between universities, research institutions, skills development organisations and businesses from both countries, arguing that deeper institutional partnerships would help build capabilities and create new opportunities specifically for young people. This emphasis on institutional and educational cooperation suggests a recognition that sustainable economic partnership requires investment in human capital and skills development, not just capital projects and trade agreements alone.

Measuring Partnership by Outcomes, Not Agreements

Summarising his broader message, Ramaphosa offered a pointed observation about how the success of the bilateral relationship should ultimately be judged. "The strength of the partnership between our countries is not measured by the agreements we sign but by the impact we achieve," he said, a statement that implicitly calls for follow-through on the sectors and opportunities he outlined, rather than allowing the roundtable's discussions to remain at the level of diplomatic intent.

A Roundtable Set Against the Backdrop of BRICS

The South Africa-India Roundtable took place as global leaders gathered in New Delhi for the broader BRICS Summit, providing businesses and policymakers from both countries a dedicated forum to explore new avenues for bilateral investment, trade and industrial cooperation outside the summit's main multilateral proceedings.

Building on a Longstanding Relationship

Ramaphosa's remarks reflect an effort by both India and South Africa to build on their already longstanding economic relationship by sharpening their focus on sectors tied to the global energy transition, critical minerals, manufacturing, infrastructure and digital innovation, areas that align closely with both countries' current economic priorities and the broader themes shaping this year's BRICS agenda under India's chairship.

• Singer Shaan joined the viral 80s Instagram trend using real throwback photos instead of AI-generated recreations.
• His album included a stage performance shot, a stylish sunglasses pose, and two school-days trophy photos.
• Shaan captioned the post noting he "didn't need AI" to participate in the trend.
• On Komal Nahta's podcast "Game Changers," Shaan revealed interests in advertising and journalism.
• He admitted feeling like the "weakest link to music" in a family with a strong musical legacy.

A Personal Twist on a Viral Trend

Acclaimed singer Shaan put his own spin on the ongoing viral 80s trend sweeping Instagram, choosing authenticity over artificial intelligence to participate. While many users have used AI tools to generate stylised 80s-themed versions of their photos, Shaan opted instead to share genuine throwback pictures from the actual decade, turning the trend into a nostalgic look back at his own life rather than a digitally generated recreation.

What Shaan Shared

Posting to his official Instagram account, Shaan uploaded a set of old photographs accompanied by a pointed caption: "Didn't need AI to do the 80's trend for me," tagged with references to the trend, ChatGPT, and throwback content. The album's primary image showed Shaan performing on stage, captured mid-song while holding a microphone. This was followed by a photo of him seated on a wall in stylish attire, wearing black sunglasses and exuding a confident, era-appropriate style. The collection also included two nostalgic school-days photos: one showing Shaan being honoured with a first-place prize, likely for singing, with trophies visible beside him, and another of him holding a separate trophy while flashing a broad smile.

Why This Approach Stands Out

In a trend largely defined by AI-generated novelty, Shaan's decision to lean on real archival photographs offers a notably different kind of engagement, one rooted in personal history rather than technological experimentation. For an artist with an actual decades-long career and a genuine visual record from the era in question, opting for authenticity over AI recreation adds a layer of credibility and personal narrative that a generated image simply cannot replicate, turning what is typically a lighthearted digital trend into a more meaningful walk through his own past.

A Candid Reflection on Career Paths Not Taken

Beyond the social media post, Shaan recently offered a more introspective glimpse into his life during an appearance on Komal Nahta's podcast "Game Changers." He revealed that he had, at various points, considered pursuing careers outside music entirely, expressing interest in both advertising and journalism as fields he wished he could have explored.

On Being the "Weakest Link" in a Musical Family

Perhaps most striking was Shaan's candid admission about his place within his own family's musical legacy. Despite being one of India's most celebrated playback singers, he confessed to viewing himself as the least musically gifted among his relatives. "I was the weakest link to music in my family. My father was a composer and a very good singer. My grandfather, mother and sister were also good singers, so I honestly felt I was the weakest link when it came to music in my family," he said, offering a rare moment of self-deprecating honesty from an artist whose own career has spanned decades of chart-topping success, despite what he describes as a comparatively humble starting point within his own household's musical standards.

• Continuous heavy rainfall since Saturday night has caused severe waterlogging in Mumbai, Nalasopara and Vasai-Virar.
• Railway tracks at Kurla station have flooded, disrupting train movement, while commuters waded through water near Nalasopara station.
• IMD has issued a yellow alert for Mumbai, Thane and Palghar, forecasting thunderstorms, lightning and winds up to 40-50 kmph.
• Further rainfall is expected on Monday, with light to moderate rain likely on Tuesday during Ganesh idol immersion processions.
• The rain coincides with the first day of the Ganesh festival, raising concerns over disruption to celebrations.

A Wet Start to the Weekend Across Mumbai

Continuous heavy rainfall has disrupted normal life across Mumbai and its adjoining areas, with waterlogging at multiple locations causing significant inconvenience to commuters and motorists as the city grapples with an intense spell of monsoon activity.

Nalasopara Bears the Brunt

Heavy rains that have persisted since Saturday night have resulted in severe waterlogging on the eastern side of Nalasopara Railway Station. Despite the difficult conditions, passengers were forced to wade through accumulated water to reach their destinations, with large crowds gathering inside the station premises even as the rainfall continued.

Vasai-Virar Roads Turn Impassable

The persistent downpour has also lashed Vasai-Virar city since Saturday night, leaving several roads in Nalasopara waterlogged, including areas around Centre Park and Tulinj Bridge. These conditions created considerable difficulty for both motorists and pedestrians attempting to navigate the area during the morning hours, highlighting how quickly sustained rainfall can overwhelm local drainage infrastructure in low-lying pockets of the city's northern suburbs.

Central Mumbai Sees Disruption Too

The rain's impact wasn't confined to the western suburbs. Mumbai's Dadar area also experienced continued heavy rainfall, causing inconvenience for commuters travelling through the locality. Perhaps most significantly for the city's transport network, railway tracks at Kurla station were flooded following the continuous downpour, directly affecting train movement in and around one of Mumbai's busier railway junctions.

IMD Issues a Yellow Alert

In response to the ongoing weather conditions, the India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for Mumbai, Thane and Palghar for Sunday, forecasting thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, light to moderate rainfall, and strong winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph in some areas. The weather department elaborated on the expected conditions, stating that the sky would remain generally cloudy with occasional moderate rain or thundershowers, accompanied by lightning and strong winds, while noting that isolated areas could see heavier rainfall spells.

Why This Timing Adds Complexity

The persistence of this rain spell carries particular significance given its timing. Sunday marks the first day of the Ganesh festival, one of Mumbai's largest annual public celebrations, drawing enormous crowds for pandal visits and processions across the city. Continued waterlogging and transport disruptions during this period could complicate movement for both residents and visitors participating in festival activities, adding a logistical dimension to what is typically one of the city's busiest and most vibrant periods of the year.

More Rain on the Horizon

The IMD has indicated that Mumbai is likely to witness further rainfall on Monday as well, with prevailing weather conditions expected to sustain rainfall activity over the city and its neighbouring areas in the coming days. For Sunday itself, the department has forecast moderate rainfall, directly coinciding with the festival's opening day.

Concerns Ahead of Idol Immersion

Looking further ahead, the idol immersion processions, a major and highly anticipated component of the Ganesh festival, are scheduled to begin on Tuesday. According to the current weather forecast, the city is expected to receive light to moderate rainfall on that day as well, raising questions about how the ongoing wet spell might affect the scale and conduct of immersion activities, which typically involve large processions moving through the city's streets toward various water bodies and the coastline.

• Gandhinagar received development projects worth Rs 1,848 crore, split between the Municipal Corporation (Rs 798 crore) and Roads and Buildings Department (Rs 1,050 crore).
• CM Bhupendra Patel and Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi flagged off around 30 new e-buses under PM-eBus Sewa and rode one to the Ministers' Residential Complex.
• New projects worth Rs 48.26 crore were announced for traffic and urban infrastructure, including a Rs 20.76 crore underpass at Bhat-Koteshwar Crossing.
• Civic works include new CC roads, an overhead water tank in Randheja, drainage lines across 30 sectors, and a new urban primary health centre in Sargasan.
• Officials credited PM Modi's original vision and MP Amit Shah's continued involvement in transforming Gandhinagar into a smart, green city.

A Major Infrastructure Push for the Capital

Gujarat's Gandhinagar district received development projects worth Rs 1,848 crore on Saturday, covering road connectivity, drainage, water supply, healthcare, public transport and urban amenities. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi marked the occasion by flagging off around 30 new electric buses under the 'PM-eBus Sewa' scheme, adding a public transport dimension to the day's broader infrastructure announcements.

Breaking Down the Rs 1,848 Crore Allocation

The overall investment is split between two major implementing bodies: works worth Rs 798 crore under the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation, and a larger allocation of Rs 1,050 crore under the state's Roads and Buildings Department. This division suggests a coordinated approach spanning both civic-level amenities managed locally and larger road infrastructure projects handled at the state level. Alongside this, Chief Minister Patel announced a further Rs 48.26 crore in new projects specifically aimed at addressing traffic congestion and strengthening urban infrastructure in the capital.

A Symbolic Bus Ride

After the flag-off ceremony, Patel and Sanghavi chose to travel as ordinary passengers on one of the newly inaugurated e-buses from the event venue to the Ministers' Residential Complex, a gesture that put the new public transport initiative directly in view of officials and the public alike. They were accompanied on the ride by Minister of State for Urban Development Darshna Vaghela, MLAs Rita Patel and Alpesh Thakor, Mayor Mira Patel, Deputy Mayor Natuji Thakor, Standing Committee Chairman Gaurang, City BJP president Dr Ashish Dave, and several other municipal office-bearers and former mayors.

Targeted Traffic and Connectivity Projects

Among the specific works announced, a Rs 20.76 crore underpass is planned at the Bhat-Koteshwar Crossing, intended to ease the growing traffic burden on the Gandhinagar-Koba-Airport Road, a route that has evidently seen rising congestion as the surrounding area develops. The government will also allocate Rs 12.80 crore to strengthen the bridge over the Sabarmati River connecting Raksha Shakti Circle toward GIFT City-Shahpur, an important corridor given GIFT City's growing prominence as a financial and business hub. Further funds include Rs 7.70 crore for junction and road development from GIFT City toward PDPU, and Rs 7 crore for road safety and paver works between Raksha Shakti Circle and GIFT City Circle, together forming a cluster of investments focused on improving connectivity around the GIFT City corridor specifically.

Expanding Civic Infrastructure Beyond the Core City

The civic works extend beyond arterial roads to more localised improvements as well. These include an 80-metre road connecting Airport Road with Raysan, a service road linking Raksha Shakti to Sargasan, and new cement-concrete roads across several villages, including Khoraj, Pethapur, Randheja, Kolavada, Vavol, Vasana Hadmatiya and Adivada. This spread across multiple outlying villages signals an effort to extend infrastructure investment beyond Gandhinagar's central, older sectors into areas more recently incorporated into the city's administrative boundary.

Water, Drainage and Healthcare Upgrades

To address recurring monsoon-related issues, a new overhead water tank will be constructed in Randheja, while new drainage lines will be laid across Sectors 1 to 30 and seven surrounding villages, directly targeting waterlogging concerns that have evidently affected these areas during the rainy season. On the healthcare front, a new urban primary health centre will be established in Sargasan, adding to the city's existing network of medical facilities.

Child Development and Public Spaces

The development plan also includes modern, theme-based smart Anganwadis, designed to offer children facilities comparable to those found in private play schools, a notable upgrade to early childhood care infrastructure. Additional civic amenities include modern gardens in Jhundal, Amiyapur and Sector 20, the renovation of the Swarnim Cultural Centre at Raysan, and the development of Raysan Chowk, rounding out a mix of functional infrastructure and public recreational spaces.

Officials Frame the Work Within a Larger Vision

Mayor Mira Patel positioned Saturday's announcements within a longer-term transformation of the city, tracing its origins back to a vision first laid out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation for Gandhinagar's development, and the vision of transforming it from an administrative centre into a world-class smart and green city is being realised," she said. She also credited Gandhinagar MP and Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah for his continued attention to the city's development, including planning for new lakes, gardens and facilities in outlying villages, and acknowledged the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister for approving and financially supporting the various development proposals. She specifically thanked the Chief Minister for inaugurating and laying foundation stones for municipal works worth approximately Rs 798 crore.

A City With Existing Infrastructure Momentum

Gandhinagar North MLA Rita Patel added further context on the city's ongoing development trajectory, noting that Gandhinagar had already built up modern infrastructure in education and healthcare, including libraries, UN Mehta Hospital, Civil Hospital, and various primary and community health centres. She also highlighted the scale of the city's green infrastructure efforts, noting that around 125 modern gardens, including the Central Vista, had already been developed, alongside the recent planting of approximately 18 lakh trees, underscoring that Saturday's announcements build on an already active development pipeline rather than marking an isolated initiative.

• PM Modi personally welcomed BRICS leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, at Bharat Mandapam.
• India holds the BRICS Chairship in 2026 under the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability."
• The summit opens with a closed session on "Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism."
• Leaders will visit the "Bharat Innovates Exhibition," take a family photo, join a tree plantation and attend a dinner hosted by PM Modi.
• 2026 marks 20 years since BRICS's founding, and India's fourth Chairship after 2012, 2016 and 2021.

A Ceremonial Start to a Major Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally welcomed a lineup of world leaders at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Saturday, marking the ceremonial opening of the 18th BRICS Summit. Among those received by PM Modi were Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and other heads of state and government ahead of the summit's formal proceedings.

India's Role as 2026 BRICS Chair

As BRICS Chair for 2026, India is hosting the two-day summit at Bharat Mandapam, with proceedings beginning Saturday. According to a statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs, India's chairship this year is guided by the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability," which the MEA has linked to PM Modi's people-centric vision rooted in the spirit of "Humanity First."

Why This Summit Carries Extra Significance

This year's gathering arrives at a symbolically important moment for the grouping, coinciding with 20 years since BRICS's establishment. For India, hosting a milestone-anniversary summit while also marking its fourth chairship term, following earlier stints in 2012, 2016 and 2021, adds a layer of significance beyond the summit's regular agenda, positioning India as a country with a sustained, recurring leadership role within the bloc rather than a one-time host.

What the Leaders Will Discuss

Beyond the ceremonial welcome, the leaders are expected to discuss ways to strengthen intra-BRICS cooperation on shared priorities, while also exchanging views on global and regional issues of mutual interest. The summit's substantive engagement begins with a closed session exclusively for BRICS member countries, titled "Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism," a topic that reflects the grouping's continued emphasis on reforming global institutions to better represent emerging economies.

BRICS's Expanded Membership

The BRICS grouping currently comprises Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates as full members, alongside ten partner countries: Belarus, Cuba, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. This expanded structure reflects the bloc's significant growth since its founding as a smaller group of major emerging economies two decades ago.

A Packed Schedule Beyond the Formal Sessions

Later in the day, BRICS leaders are scheduled to visit the "Bharat Innovates Exhibition," followed by a formal family photograph and a tree plantation ceremony, activities that are typically used at such summits to project shared symbolic commitments alongside the more substantive closed-door discussions. The day's proceedings are set to conclude with a dinner hosted by PM Modi for the visiting heads of state and government.

A Founding Member's Recurring Leadership Role

As a founding member of BRICS, India's decision to use this year's chairship, its fourth overall, to mark the bloc's 20th anniversary underscores the country's long-standing and continuing involvement in shaping the grouping's direction, from its original five-nation composition to its now significantly expanded membership spanning multiple continents.

• India thrashed South Korea 5-1 in the first semifinal to reach the AHF Junior Women's Asia Cup 2026 final.
• Drag-flick specialist Supriya scored a hat-trick, all from penalty corners.
• Madhu Sidar and Sukhveer Kaur scored India's other two goals from open play.
• India will face the winner of the China vs Japan semifinal in the title clash.
• The defending champions remain firmly on track to retain their Asia Cup title.

India Storm Into the Final With Dominant Display

Defending champions India booked their place in the final of the AHF Junior Women's Asia Cup 2026 with a commanding 5-1 win over South Korea in the first semifinal on Saturday, powered by a hat-trick of penalty-corner conversions from drag-flick specialist Supriya. The victory keeps India firmly on course to retain the title they currently hold, and sets up a summit clash against the winner of the second semifinal between hosts China and Japan.

A Cautious Start Gives Way to Indian Control

The opening quarter saw both sides reluctant to commit numbers forward, resulting in a tightly contested opening period. India gradually found their attacking rhythm as the game progressed, breaking the deadlock in the 13th minute when Madhu Sidar finished off a well-worked team move to put the defending champions ahead.

Supriya's Set-Piece Mastery Takes Over

Once ahead, India began pressing more consistently into the Korean circle, and their persistence paid off with a penalty corner in the 17th minute. Supriya converted it with a precise drag-flick to double India's lead, the first of what would become a match-defining hat-trick. India continued to dominate territory and possession, and struck again in the 21st minute through a well-executed aerial pass into the Korean 23-metre area, which set up Sukhveer Kaur for a clinical finish to make it 3-0. South Korea created a handful of openings before the break, but India's defence held firm to take a comfortable three-goal cushion into half-time.

Extending the Lead After the Break

India carried their attacking momentum into the second half, earning another penalty corner in the 33rd minute. Supriya once again made no mistake, converting her second of the match to push India's lead to 4-0. South Korea did manage to pull one back in the 41st minute, with Yuri Jeong scoring from a set-piece to bring the scoreline to 4-1, offering the Koreans a brief window of hope.

A Third Strike Seals the Contest

India, however, did not allow that opening to develop into any real momentum shift. They tightened their defensive shape while continuing to create chances through counters and set-pieces, and were rewarded with another penalty corner in the 56th minute. Supriya stepped up once more, converting her third drag-flick of the match to complete her hat-trick and effectively seal the result beyond any doubt.

Why This Result Matters for India's Title Defence

The manner of India's win, built on defensive control, clinical set-piece execution and contributions from multiple attackers, offers a strong marker of form heading into the final. With Supriya's penalty-corner precision proving decisive across three separate instances in a single match, India's set-piece unit looks to be operating at a level that could prove crucial in a title-deciding contest, particularly if the final turns into a tighter, lower-scoring affair against either China or Japan.

Looking Ahead to the Final

With the semifinal win secured in emphatic fashion, India's title defence remains firmly on track as they await the outcome of the second semifinal between hosts China and Japan to learn their opponents for the summit clash.

• Adani Electricity is offering temporary electricity connections to Ganesh pandals at residential rates.
• Connections can be approved within 48 hours of application via the company's website.
• Over 1,000 pandals received uninterrupted power last year, with a Quick Response Team on standby this year too.
• The company will install 2,958 floodlights across more than 167 idol immersion locations.
• Adani Electricity has issued detailed safety guidelines covering wiring, load limits, earthing and access to meter cabins.

A Festival-Season Commitment to Power Continuity

Adani Electricity announced on Saturday that it will support Mumbai's upcoming Ganesh Festival celebrations by offering temporary electricity connections to Ganesh pandals at residential rates, an initiative aimed at ensuring reliable power supply throughout the festivities. Under the scheme, pandals can expect their connections to be approved within 48 hours of submitting an application.

How the Application Process Works

Organisers looking to set up temporary connections can visit the Adani Electricity website and navigate to the 'New Connection' section to apply for temporary supply. An Adani Electricity spokesperson framed the initiative as part of the company's broader commitment to customer service during the festival period. "By offering reliable temporary electricity connections for Ganesh Pandals, we aim to ensure the festival's spirit is celebrated with uninterrupted power. This initiative reflects our dedication to serving our customers," the spokesperson said.

Why This Matters for a City-Wide Festival

Mumbai's Ganesh Festival involves thousands of pandals set up across residential and public spaces, many of which require short-term power access for lighting, sound systems and decorative displays over the course of the celebration. Offering these connections at residential rather than commercial rates, combined with a fast 48-hour turnaround, reduces both the cost burden and administrative delay for often informally organised community pandals, a detail that matters given how many of these setups are run by neighbourhood committees rather than commercial entities with dedicated resources for utility applications.

Building on Last Year's Scale

The company pointed to its track record from the previous year as evidence of its readiness to handle this year's demand. "Last year, we successfully provided uninterrupted power to over 1000 Ganesh pandals across the city. We've made thorough preparations to expedite connection approvals and maintain reliable power supply throughout the festival. Our dedicated Quick Response Team is strategically deployed to address any issues swiftly," the spokesperson said, signalling that the infrastructure and response mechanisms built up over previous festival seasons are being scaled up again this year.

Extensive Lighting for Immersion Sites

Beyond individual pandal connections, Adani Electricity confirmed it will provide illumination through 2,958 floodlights installed at more than 167 idol immersion locations across the city. Immersion sites typically see large crowds gathering after dark during the festival's concluding days, making adequate lighting a significant safety consideration alongside its role in supporting the visual spectacle of the immersion processions.

Safety Guidelines for Pandal Organisers

Given the scale of temporary electrical setups involved, Adani Electricity has laid out detailed safety guidelines for organisers. The company is urging pandals to use only authorised, licensed electrical contractors for wiring work, and has outlined a series of specific precautions: ensuring wiring readiness at the site, restricting meter cabin access to authorised personnel, using standard wires and switches, installing a single isolation point for emergencies, securing wires with standard insulation tape, maintaining clear access to meter cabins and switches, and ensuring connected load stays within sanctioned limits.

Additional safety measures recommended include keeping a fire extinguisher with clear operating instructions near the meter cabin, displaying a danger board, and ensuring proper earthing at the site. Organisers have also been explicitly warned against unauthorised extensions or direct power tapping, creating unnecessary wiring joints, blocking meter cabin access, exceeding sanctioned load limits, or allowing public access to floodlights, pedestals, fans or insulated joints.

A Balance Between Festivity and Precaution

Taken together, Adani Electricity's initiative reflects an attempt to balance the practical demands of a citywide festival, requiring fast, affordable and widespread power access, with the safety risks inherent in large numbers of temporary electrical setups operating simultaneously across densely populated areas, particularly around immersion sites where crowd density adds further complexity to electrical safety management.

• Mohammed Shami played his 100th first-class match during the Duleep Trophy 2026 final for East Zone.
• East Zone beat South Zone in the final, marking their third Duleep title with Shami involved in both the first in 2012 and this latest win.
• Shami said his hunger and passion remain unchanged despite the years, with only added maturity and game planning.
• He took 2/42 in the final and reflected on the ups and downs of a long career.
• The veteran fast bowler has been out of the Indian team for a while but continues playing domestic cricket.

A Milestone Wrapped in a Championship Moment

Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami's 100th first-class match arrived under circumstances few cricketers get to experience, coinciding with the Duleep Trophy 2026 final, where his East Zone side went on to defeat South Zone. For a bowler who has spent months away from the national team, the milestone offered both a personal landmark and a chance to contribute directly to a significant team victory.

Why the Timing Made This Milestone Different

Reaching a century of first-class appearances is, by itself, a marker of endurance and longevity in the sport. But for Shami, the coincidence of this milestone falling on a Duleep Trophy final carried added symbolic weight. Speaking in a video shared by BCCI Domestic, he described the achievement in personal terms: "100th match is always special, whether you score a hundred and raise your bat for the first time or you play in 100 matches, it is a very long journey, a long sacrifice and a goal of your life." He added that playing 100 first-class matches, representing one's state across different venues and conditions, remains a genuine dream for any cricketer.

A Full-Circle Moment for East Zone

The occasion held particular significance given Shami's history with East Zone's Duleep Trophy campaigns. He was just 21 when East Zone won their maiden Duleep Trophy title in 2012, and 14 years later, he played a vital role in the side's third title triumph. "Last time the East Zone won, I was there, and now, after those years, I am still present here as the circle comes full. 100th match and the Duleep Trophy final win, it's really special for me," Shami said, framing the victory as a kind of career bookend spanning over a decade of involvement with the team.

On Hunger, Maturity and What Has Changed

Reflecting on how his approach to the game has evolved, Shami was clear that his fundamental motivation remains untouched by time. "Hunger is the same, I think, the hunger for the wicket, the passion to run; it's the same as before. Now only one thing has changed; at that time I didn't know anything, now I know planning, plotting, and maturity is more, so that's the only difference, but I don't think anything else has changed," he said. The distinction he draws, between unchanged passion and accumulated tactical maturity, offers insight into how experienced fast bowlers often sustain long careers: not through renewed physical intensity alone, but through smarter application of experience.

Performance in the Final

Shami contributed with the ball in the final, picking up figures of 2/42 across his spells, a modest but meaningful contribution to East Zone's title-winning effort on a personally significant occasion.

On Managing the Ups and Downs of a Long Career

Beyond the immediate milestone, Shami reflected more broadly on what it takes to sustain a career spanning this many years, acknowledging the inevitable struggles along the way. "There are ups and downs; if you look at life, there is a lot of struggle, there is pain, there is relief, laughter, happiness, everything comes in it, but how you manage, how you maintain yourself, that is a very important part," he said. He pointed to consistency, rhythm and staying connected to the game as the real determinants of longevity, rather than any single formula for success. "The same fight, the same passion, the same passion takes us forward and gives us the opportunity to perform for so many years, so I think you should be a good fighter, so I don't think it's very difficult," he concluded.

What This Means Going Forward

At 36 and currently outside the Indian team setup, Shami's continued presence in domestic cricket, marked by this landmark appearance and a title-winning contribution, signals that his competitive drive remains very much intact, even as questions about his international future continue to linger in the background.

• INS Sudarshini hosted Italian Navy Chief Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto at Livorno, who interacted with the crew and cadets.
• Indian Ambassador to Italy Vani Rao also visited the ship, welcoming Italian dignitaries onboard.
• Indian Navy personnel visited the ITS Virginio Fasan frigate and the Italian Naval Academy during the port call.
• INS Sudarshini undertook a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Italy's ITS Palinuro after arriving at Livorno on Wednesday.
• The visit follows the ship's six-day Barcelona port call as part of its ongoing Lokayan 26 transoceanic expedition.

A High-Level Reception at Livorno

Indian Navy sail training ship INS Sudarshini hosted Italian Navy Chief Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto during its port call at Livorno, in an engagement that underscored the deepening maritime relationship between India and Italy. The Admiral was briefed on the ship's activities and spent time interacting with its crew and cadets, an exchange the Indian Embassy in Rome described as reflective of the enduring friendship and growing naval cooperation between the two countries.

Ambassador Rao's Onboard Visit

Indian Ambassador to Italy Vani Rao also visited INS Sudarshini at Livorno, spending time with officers, sailors and cadets aboard the vessel and welcoming Italian dignitaries who attended a reception held on the ship. According to the Indian Embassy, Rao used the occasion to highlight the longstanding maritime linkages between India and Italy, as well as ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation on maritime security. She also extended wishes for fair winds and following seas to the crew as they continue their Lokayan26 voyage.

Why This Port Call Matters

Sail training deployments like Lokayan26 serve a dual purpose for the Indian Navy: they build seamanship and leadership skills among cadets while doubling as instruments of naval diplomacy across the ports the ship visits. The Livorno stop, involving both a chief-of-navy-level reception and ambassador-level engagement, signals that India views its maritime relationship with Italy as one worth reinforcing at multiple levels simultaneously, military and diplomatic, rather than treating the port call as a routine logistical stop.

Professional Exchanges Beyond the Ship

Beyond the receptions, Indian Navy personnel used the Livorno stop to visit ITS Virginio Fasan, an Italian Navy Carlo Bergamini-class frigate, as well as the Italian Naval Academy. The Indian mission in Italy noted that these visits fostered professional exchanges between the two navies and added further depth to the port call's programme, extending the engagement beyond ceremonial interactions into working-level naval cooperation.

A Passage Exercise With the Italian Navy

INS Sudarshini arrived at Livorno Port on Wednesday and, during its stay, carried out a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the Italian Navy's ITS Palinuro. The Indian Embassy described the exercise as having boosted interoperability and camaraderie between the two navies, framing it as evidence of both countries' shared commitment to deepening maritime cooperation. Passage exercises of this kind typically allow participating navies to coordinate manoeuvres and communication protocols, offering a practical dimension to what might otherwise remain largely symbolic port visits.

Part of a Larger Transoceanic Expedition

The Livorno engagement comes shortly after INS Sudarshini concluded a six-day port call in Barcelona, Spain, earlier in the week, as part of its ongoing Lokayan 26 transoceanic expedition. That Barcelona stop had similarly reaffirmed maritime ties between India and Spain, suggesting a broader pattern to the voyage: using an extended sailing expedition to systematically strengthen India's naval relationships across multiple European ports rather than concentrating engagement in a single destination.

• A three-day shoot, fond memories: Manoj Bajpayee recalled shooting his role in "Veer-Zaara" over one day at Film City and two days in Amritsar.
• Working with Yash Chopra was the biggest draw: He shared how much he had wanted to work with the legendary director, calling the experience deeply memorable.
• Yash Chopra's honesty stood out: Bajpayee recalled the director candidly telling him he doesn't typically make films for actors like him, and said he admired that honesty.
• Warmth beyond the camera: He remembered Chopra taking care of his food, arranging a party for him in Amritsar, and treating him with genuine warmth.
• A role that became iconic: Bajpayee said he was unaware at the time how his small but impactful character would become a cult part of Indian pop culture.
• Shared during 'Last Man in Tower' promotions: He reflected on this alongside co-star Divya Dutta and director Ben Rekhi in Mumbai.

Mumbai: The National Award-winning actor Manoj Bajpayee has recollected his fondest memories of working on the iconic film "Veer-Zaara."

The actor spoke with IANS along with Divya Dutta and director Ben Rekhi during the promotions of the film "Last Man in Tower" in the Andheri West area of Mumbai.

"I Always Wanted To Work With Him"

He told IANS, "I enjoyed myself while working on that film. For three days I was there on the sets of the film. One day at Film City and 2 days in Amritsar. So, it was (took a dramatic pause) quite good. I shot those two, three sequences that I had. And the biggest advantage was that I was working for Mr. Yash Chopra. I always wanted to work with him."

"But he told me very honestly that he doesn't make films for actors like me. And he was very candid about it. I didn't mind it at all because there's somebody that honest, and a man of that stature. You just love him for his honesty. He didn't promise me anything. But I was very happy just facing the camera under his direction. So, I got a few days to spend with him. And he took great care of me in terms of my food, the party, everything. He just treated me with so much warmth."

A Small Role That Became A Cult Character

While walking down the memory lane, he was unaware that his small but impactful role in the film had become a cult before he was told about the impact of the character on the landscape of India's pop culture.

The film told the story of two star-crossed lovers, from arch-nemesis neighbours, India and Pakistan. Manoj's character in the film is responsible for putting SRK behind bars on the grounds of charges of spying.

"Manoj Is A Guest": Yash Chopra's Warmth In Amritsar

"He got everybody together to party with me in the evening in Amritsar saying, 'Manoj is a guest'. So, everybody should be really there, you know, all of that. I was expecting nothing from the role because it was a Yash Chopra film, there was a superstar in the film, and it was a highly anticipated film, the eyeballs were there," he added.

(With inputs from IANS)

• 85,000+ jobs created: CM Mohan Yadav said the state aims to generate around one lakh new government jobs annually, alongside promotions for nearly 2.5 lakh posts.
• Comments made at "Seva Sankalp Abhiyan" event: The month-long campaign marks PM Modi's 25 years in public life.
• Response on recent tragedies: Yadav addressed the Chhindwara cough syrup deaths and the Sagar liquor tragedy that killed 16, saying prompt action was taken in both cases.
• Healthcare push for backward regions: The government plans more hospitals across the Rewa-Satna to Betul and Chhindwara belt to reduce dependence on Jabalpur or Nagpur.
• Jabalpur to become a metropolitan city: Preparations are underway to develop the city to better serve the surrounding region.
• Investment and infrastructure claims: Yadav cited MP's investment growth, the Ken-Betwa and Kalisindh-Chambal river-linking projects, and rising medical college numbers.

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Friday that the state government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, remains firmly committed to providing employment to the youth.

He announced that more than 85,000 government jobs have already been created and that the state aims to generate around one lakh new jobs every year, along with promotions for nearly 2.5 lakh posts.

CM's Remarks On PM Modi's 25 Years In Public Life

Addressing a press conference at the state BJP headquarters on the month-long "Seva Sankalp Abhiyan" to mark Prime Minister Modi's 25 years in public life, Chief Minister Yadav said the work done by the Prime Minister during this period would be remembered for generations.

He noted that despite attempts to disrupt global trade, India continues to move forward with strength while keeping its national interests paramount.

The Chief Minister highlighted India's growing global prestige, saying that the country now confidently engages with major powers, including the United States and China, while prioritising its own interests.

Recalling PM Modi's past days when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Chief Minister Yadav said the United States had denied him a visa, yet today India under his (PM Modi's) leadership has established a strong presence on the world stage.

The continued resilience of the Indian economy amid global challenges, he added, further validates the Prime Minister's visionary leadership.

Response On Chhindwara And Sagar Tragedies

Responding to questions on recent incidents in the state, including the Chhindwara cough syrup deaths and the Sagar toxic liquor tragedy that claimed 16 lives, CM Yadav said the state government had taken prompt and strict action in every case.

He told that the main accused in the Sagar liquor case faced a "short-encounter" while trying to escape.

A state-wide campaign against drug abuse is also underway, and negligence at any level will not be tolerated, the Chief Minister asserted.

Healthcare Expansion In Backward Regions

Chief Minister Yadav said the region from Rewa-Satna to Betul and Chhindwara has long remained backward and requires more hospitals.

The state government is focusing on establishing allopathic and Ayurvedic facilities so that people do not have to travel to Jabalpur or Nagpur for treatment, he added.

This, he said, would also generate local employment.

Preparations are in progress to develop Jabalpur as a metropolitan city to serve the surrounding region better, the Chief Minister added.

Investment And Infrastructure Claims

He also said that Madhya Pradesh has emerged as the country's leading state in attracting the fastest investment, and the Global Investment Summit will again be held in Bhopal next year.

"Under the Prime Minister's leadership, the state has secured major river-linking projects such as Ken-Betwa and Kalisindh-Chambal."

"The Suryaghar free electricity scheme has given a strong push to green energy, while the number of medical colleges in the state has seen a historic rise."

(With inputs from IANS)

• A long journey for a special day: Preity Zinta shared pictures and videos documenting her cross-globe travel to be present for twins Jai and Gia's first day of school.
• "Wouldn't Miss It For Anything In The World": She posted her flight journey on X, capturing the moment she rushed to make it in time.
• Recently in India for 'VIBE' promotions: The actress had been in the country promoting her upcoming film before the trip.
• On balancing motherhood and career: Preity spoke about how having a strong support system allows her to manage professional commitments alongside being present for her children.
• Acknowledges her privilege: She credited her resources for making this balance possible, while praising women managing the same without similar means.
• Recent comeback with 'Batwara 1947': Preity returned to films after an eight-year hiatus with the period drama, which released on August 14, 2026.

Mumbai: Actress and entrepreneur Preity Zinta gave a glimpse of her journey from across the globe as she made it in time for her twins Jai and Gia's "First Day of School."

Preity took to X (formerly Twitter) and shared a series of pictures and videos documenting her journey.

Sharing a picture of herself during the flight along with a view from the aircraft window, the actress wrote: "Rushed across the globe to make it for 'First Day of School' Wouldn't miss it for anything in the world! Ting."

The actress also shared glimpses from her journey, giving fans a peek into the long travel she undertook to be present for the special day of her children.

Preity's Life Between India And The US

Preity was in the news recently for her upcoming movie "VIBE," which she was in India to promote.

Preity, who is known for maintaining a relatively private life with her family, is based in Los Angeles, California, where she lives with her American husband Gene Goodenough and their twins Jai and Gia.

The actress often is seen juggling between India and USA for work. She had recently spoken about how motherhood has changed her priorities and how she tries to be present for important moments in her children's lives.

"Women Are Natural Multitaskers"

Speaking to IANS, the "Soldier" actress opened up about balancing motherhood with her professional commitments.

Preity stated that while managing multiple responsibilities is not easy, having a strong support system has made it possible for her to pursue different things in life.

"Women are natural multitaskers. If you look at your mom or my mom, she might not have a job but her job is to look after my dad, three children, the household, so many things. So, women are natural multitaskers. Now women have become super women because there are a lot of women who are working and then they come home and they're still taking care of the kids," she said.

"I Am Very Lucky And Fortunate"

Preity acknowledged that juggling a career and motherhood can be challenging, but said she considers herself fortunate to have the resources and support needed to manage both.

"I am very lucky and fortunate and I'm very grateful to God that I have a lot more means so I can have help. I couldn't have come here if I didn't have help."

The "Dil Se" actress also stressed that while support can ease the challenges of balancing professional and personal responsibilities, it cannot replace a mother.

"Of course, no one can substitute for the mother but my mom is there, we have other people. So yes, it's not easy but then if you want different things in life then you have to put everything aside and see different things at different times. So obviously it's not easy but it's not that tough also when you have the means," she added.

"Hats Off" To Women Without The Same Resources

The "Veer-Zaara" actress also praised women who manage work and family responsibilities without the same resources.

"There are a lot of women who don't have the means and they are doing it. So when I look at those situations I say hats off to them and I'm very grateful to God that I do have those choices," she said.

About Preity's Recent Comeback

For the uninitiated, Preity had taken an eight-year hiatus from films before making her return to the silver screen with the period drama "Batwara 1947," directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and backed by Aamir Khan Productions. The film, starring Sunny Deol, released in theatres on August 14, 2026.

(With inputs from IANS)

Also Read: Preity Zinta Once Faked Being 18 to Sneak Into an Army Party

• Gold medal in his sights: Sunil Kumar, who won bronze at Hangzhou 2022, is now focused on winning gold at the upcoming Asian Games in the 87kg Greco-Roman category.
• Uzbekistan training camp paid off: Training alongside 2022 gold medallists in Uzbekistan helped push the Indian contingent to a higher level, he said.
• From village wrestling to national duty: Kumar recalled how his motivation shifted from personal enjoyment to representing the country.
• Managing the fear of injury: After knee surgery last year, he said the fear of getting hurt never fully disappears for any wrestler, but remains part of the sport.
• Eyes on Olympic qualification next: Once the Asian Games conclude, his preparation for the 2027 Olympic qualification events will begin.
• Recovery backed by IIS: The Inspire Institute of Sport supported his rehabilitation, which he said left him feeling stronger than before the injury.

New Delhi: India's Greco-Roman wrestler Sunil Kumar has set his eyes on the gold medal at the upcoming Asian Games as he looks to go all the way after winning a bronze in Hangzhou 2022.

Kumar, who competes in the 87kg category, began his journey in the sport in his village and has now turned out to be one of the top wrestlers in the Indian contingent heading for the Asian Games.

"I Wanted To Do Something For My Country"

"I started wrestling in my village, and in the beginning, it was just something I enjoyed doing. But as I grew and started competing, I began to think that I wanted to do something for my country, not just for myself. That thought has stayed with me ever since, and it is what pushes me even today," said Sunil.

A Strong Training Camp In Uzbekistan

Kumar has his focus on winning a gold medal as he looks to build on the recent training camp in Uzbekistan. "My full focus right now is on winning a gold medal for the country at the Asian Games. Everything I am doing is working towards that one goal. We recently had a training camp in Uzbekistan, and it went very well.

"The Uzbek wrestlers are very good, and there were a few gold medallists from 2022 training there as well. Training alongside wrestlers of that level pushed all of us to get better," he said.

Living With The Fear Of Injury

The grappler has had his own share of battles with injuries over the years. He underwent knee surgery last year and admitted that fear of getting hurt never fully goes away for any wrestler, even at his level. However, Kumar also sees this as something that every athlete fears.

"I had knee surgery last year, so I know what it feels like to go through an injury. The fear of injury is always there at the back of your mind; no wrestler can say that they don't feel it. But if injuries were not a part of this sport, then anyone would have been able to do what we do. Everyone carries a little bit of that fear; it is just part of playing this sport at this level," he said.

Looking Ahead: Olympic Qualification In 2027

The Asian Games 2026 remains Kumar's top priority, but he is also keeping an eye on the next phase of his career as he looks for an Olympic qualification next year.

"Once the Asian Games are done, my preparation for the Olympics will begin properly from 2027, when the qualification events start. That will be the next big target for me," he said.

IIS's Role In His Recovery

The grappler has also had the backing of the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) for the support that carried him through that period. "After my knee surgery, IIS supported me a lot through my rehab. They gave me access to a really good gym and made sure I had everything I needed to recover properly. Because of that support, my comeback went well, and honestly, once I came back from rehabilitation, my body actually felt stronger than it did before the injury," he said.

(With inputs from IANS)

• Applications reopened: BCCI is again inviting applications for Head – Sports Science and Medicine at its Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, after failing to find a suitable candidate in a 2025 attempt.
• Vacant since March 2025: The post has been empty since Nitin Patel, who helped players like Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul recover in time for the 2023 World Cup, left the role.
• Wide-ranging responsibilities: The role involves leading BCCI's sports science strategy, managing senior medical staff, and overseeing injury prevention, rehabilitation and player welfare.
• Strict eligibility criteria: Candidates need a Master's degree in Sports Science (Doctorate preferred), five years of strategic leadership experience, and must be under 60 years old.
• Reports to VVS Laxman: The successful candidate will report directly to the Head of Cricket at the CoE, former India batter VVS Laxman.
• BCCI in no rush: Secretary Devajit Saikia said the board wants the right candidate rather than rushing the appointment, citing a global shortage of qualified specialists.

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday said it is again inviting applications for the position of Head – Sports Science and Medicine at its state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence (CoE) facility in Bengaluru.

The BCCI had previously asked for applications to fill the top post in September 2025, but it didn't find a suitable candidate due to various reasons. The position has been vacant since Nitin Patel ended his successful stint of nearly three years and left the CoE after March 2025.

Patel, a former Indian team physiotherapist, oversaw the recovery processes of Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and Mohammed Shami and got them fit in time for the 2023 Men's ODI World Cup.

Role And Responsibilities

According to a media advisory released by the BCCI, the successful candidate will provide strategic and operational leadership across elite cricket programs and manage senior medical staff, including the national team's physios and strength and conditioning experts.

"The successful candidate will provide strategic and operational leadership to BCCI's Sports Science and Medicine services across its elite cricket and CoE programmes. The role will also involve line management of the Head of Physiotherapy (CoE), Team India Head of Physiotherapy, Head S&C (CoE) and Team India S&C, while working closely with National and CoE coaches, Cricket Education and other performance specialists to deliver integrated support programmes for Indian players," the BCCI stated in its advisory.

The role will carry a core focus on athlete longevity and modern medical practices. "The position will have a key focus on player welfare, injury prevention and rehabilitation, physical development, research, innovation and the adoption of relevant technologies and services," added the BCCI.

Outlining the core duties of the executive, the BCCI noted that the individual will "develop and implement the strategic vision, objectives and framework for BCCI's Sports Science and Medicine department, including clinical and medical governance, service delivery, risk management and player welfare."

Furthermore, the official will "oversee programmes related to injury prevention and risk reduction, player recovery and rehabilitation, athlete development, illness and wellness management, and long-term physical development," while also driving research initiatives and institutional partnerships.

Eligibility Criteria And Application Process

Candidates applying for the high-profile post are required to hold a Master's degree in Sports Science or a related discipline, with a Doctorate preferred, alongside a minimum of five years' experience in a strategic leadership role managing multidisciplinary performance teams in professional or Olympic sport.

The applicant must be under 60 years of age and will report directly to the Head of Cricket at the CoE, former India batter VVS Laxman. Interested candidates have been asked to submit their applications online by 5pm on September 30, following which shortlisted applicants will be called for personal interviews.

BCCI Secretary: "We Won't Rush Into Filling The Vacancy"

After a review meeting was held earlier this month at its headquarters in Mumbai, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia had stated that the board won't rush into filling the long-standing vacancy. "The vacant position of the head of sports science is not a deterrent to our activities in CoE. The proper qualified person should be positioned (for that role), not anyone just having the qualification is fit for that.

"In that aspect, we have about 16 persons in place to maintain the fitness level or the rehab or the prehab facilities in COE, but one important person is required to supervise that. That kind of person is very short in number in India as well as in the whole world."

"So we are trying to find that kind of a person at the earliest possible time and once again we will start the exercise to find a person who can fit into that position of the head of sports science and medicine in COE," he had said.

(With inputs from IANS)

Staged at Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi, on Thursday, 10 September, the production wove together classical dance, music and visual storytelling to reflect on pressing environmental challenges — from the degradation of rivers and forests to humanity’s expanding footprint beyond Earth. The evening was graced by Stefan Priesner, UN Resident Coordinator in India, as Chief Guest.

This collaboration extends ReNew’s commitment to taking the clean energy and climate conversation beyond the energy sector. At the heart of this effort is Clean Energy Humse Hai, ReNew’s campaign that makes the clean energy transition personal and relevant to every Indian. Built on the idea that clean energy is not just about technology or policy, but about all of us, the campaign seeks to inspire collective ownership of the choices shaping our future.

Conceived by Guru Dr. Shovana Narayan, along with her Asavari Repertory, Fractured Harmonies unfolds across four acts — exploring polluted rivers and seas, deforestation and its impact on communities, humanity’s growing presence in space, and the challenge of space debris. The performance culminates in Restoring Nature’s Harmony — a call to move from recognition to responsibility, and from awareness to collective action.

Drawing on the regenerative forces of Sooraj, HawaaurPaani, the production uses the vocabulary of Kathak to reflect on the interconnectedness of life and the possibility of renewal.

Speaking at the occasion, Vaishali Nigam Sinha, Co founder, ReNew, said: “Clean Energy Humse Hai is about recognising that the transition to a cleaner future is not somebody else’s responsibility — it belongs to each of us. Art has a unique ability to make us pause, reflect and feel. Our collaboration with Guru Dr. Shovana Narayan brings this message to life in a powerful new way.”

She added: “Fractured Harmonies reminds us that the choices we make today have consequences for generations to come. But it also reminds us that renewal is possible. We can restore balance when we recognise our shared responsibility and act together.”

“Fractured Harmonies is a subject very close to my heart,” says Guru Shovana Narayan. “Through dance, we have sought to engage with some of the most pressing concerns of our time. While the production acknowledges what is being lost, it also looks towards renewal and our shared capacity to restore balance. Art can encourage us to pause, reflect and perhaps see our responsibilities differently.”

Through this initiative, ReNew is broadening the public conversation around India’s clean energy transition, encouraging greater individual ownership of the journey towards a sustainable future. By bringing the message into the realm of art and culture, ReNew seeks to make climate action not just something we understand, but something we feel and engage with.
This collaboration reflects a shared belief: addressing the climate challenge requires both systemic change and individual participation. As India moves towards a cleaner energy future, the conversation must reach beyond the energy sector and become part of the larger national dialogue on how we live, consume and coexist with our natural world.

• 80 lakh vaccinations administered: The Union Ministry of Health announced India has crossed 80 lakh HPV vaccinations, calling it a key milestone in preventive healthcare.
• Campaign launched in February: PM Modi launched the nationwide HPV vaccination drive for girls aged 14 and above from Ajmer, Rajasthan.
• Goal: Eliminate cervical cancer: The initiative aims to protect millions of girls from developing HPV-associated cancers in the future.
• Expert backing: Oncologist Dattatreyudu Nori said the vaccination drive gives India a "decisive advantage" in eliminating cervical cancer within years.
• 200 deaths daily cited: Nori noted that around 200 women die of cervical cancer in India every day, calling the disease preventable, detectable and curable.
• Broader healthcare progress noted: Nori also credited the establishment of the National Cancer Institute and expanded cancer treatment facilities over the past 12 years.

New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Health on Friday announced that India has crossed 80 lakh Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations, marking an "important milestone" against HPV infection and HPV-associated cancers.

In a post on X, the Health Ministry said: "India has crossed 80 lakh HPV vaccinations, marking another important milestone in strengthening preventive healthcare and advancing protection against HPV infection and HPV-associated cancers."

"With every vaccination, India takes another step towards a healthier, cancer-free future for its daughters," it added.

About The Nationwide Campaign

The nationwide HPV vaccination campaign for girls aged 14 years and above was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Rajasthan's Ajmer in February.

What Is HPV And Why This Vaccine Matters: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that, in persistent infections, is the primary cause of cervical cancer — one of the most common cancers among women in India. The HPV vaccine works by protecting against the virus strains most responsible for triggering these cancers, making early vaccination, before likely exposure to the virus, a key preventive tool rather than a treatment.

The initiative aims to eradicate cervical cancer among women in India.

By expanding access to the HPV vaccine, the programme is expected to protect millions of girls across the country from developing life-threatening cancers in the future.

Expert View: "We'll Be Able To Eliminate Cancer Of The Cervix"

Earlier this year, Indian-American radiation oncologist Dattatreyudu Nori said HPV vaccination could give India a decisive advantage in its fight against cervical cancer and help eliminate the disease in the coming years.

"Now, with the HPV vaccination, we have an upper hand, and in few years, we'll be able to eliminate cancer of the cervix from India," Nori said in an interview with IANS.

The 2026 Padma Bhushan awardee described cervical cancer as preventable, detectable and curable, making the continued loss of lives particularly distressing for doctors working in oncology.

"Cancer of the cervix is preventable, is detectable, is treatable and curable," he said.

Nori said about 200 women die of cervical cancer every day in India. He welcomed the introduction of free HPV vaccination for girls, saying it could substantially strengthen prevention efforts.

Broader Progress In India's Cancer Care

He also praised the changes he said had taken place in India's healthcare sector over the past 12 years, particularly in cancer prevention and treatment.

"A lot of significant positive changes have happened in healthcare," he said.

Nori also cited the establishment of the National Cancer Institute and the expansion of cancer treatment facilities among the important steps taken during this period.

• Five-member inspection team formed: Headed by the Majhgawan SDM, the team will identify structures obstructing the Mandakini River's natural flow in Chitrakoot.
• Flood levels far exceeded HFL: During floods on August 28-29, water at Arogyadham reached 145.76 metres against the designated High Flood Level of 139.60 metres.
• Hanumandhara Bridge washed away: The flooding caused significant infrastructure damage, including the loss of the bridge.
• Inspection follows SC and NGT guidelines: The exercise will assess illegal plotting, weak structures and new constructions along the riverbanks.
• Minister had flagged encroachments: Kailash Vijayvargiya had earlier said encroachments obstructing the river's flow would be removed.

Satna: The Satna district administration in Madhya Pradesh has constituted a five-member team to inspect constructions and encroachments along the banks of the Mandakini River in Chitrakoot following the flooding of the river last week.

The team, headed by the Majhgawan Sub-Divisional Magistrate, will identify structures that may be obstructing the natural flow of the river and also assess the High Flood Level (HFL) of the Mandakini, Collector Satish Kumar S. said.

The inspection will be carried out in accordance with guidelines issued by the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT), he said in a statement.

Flood Severity: Water Level Exceeded HFL By Over 6 Metres

During the floods on the night of August 28-29, the water level of the Mandakini River at Arogyadham reached 145.76 metres, against the designated HFL of 139.60 metres. The Hanumandhara Bridge was also washed away in the flooding.

Understanding High Flood Level (HFL): The High Flood Level is the highest water level a river is officially expected to reach, based on historical data, used by authorities to plan riverside construction and flood-preparedness measures. When actual flood levels exceed the HFL by as much as 6 metres, as happened here, it signals either an extraordinarily severe flood event or that obstructions along the riverbank — like unauthorised construction — may be worsening the river's natural flow and pushing water levels higher than they otherwise would be.

"The team will identify constructions and other infrastructure obstructing the natural flow of the river. Action will be taken against violations as per rules," he said.

Who Is On The Inspection Team

The team comprises the Chief Municipal Officer, a Naib Tehsildar, Sub-Divisional Officers of the Public Works Department and Water Resources Department, and a Municipal Council sub-engineer.

What The Inspection Will Cover

Illegal plotting and government and private constructions along the riverbanks will be examined during the inspection.

The administration will also identify old and structurally weak buildings and check whether they comply with the prescribed norms. New constructions and reconstructed buildings in the riverbank areas will also be scrutinised from the safety point of view, according to the official statement.

"The exercise is aimed at minimising flood-related damage and ensuring public safety during any future rise in the river's water level," the Collector said.

Background: Minister Had Flagged Encroachments Earlier

The move comes days after Urban Development and Housing Minister and district in-charge minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said government and private encroachments obstructing the Mandakini's flow would be removed.

The inspection is expected to help the administration identify violations and determine further action to prevent obstruction of the river's flow.

• Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia announced: PM Modi announced compensation from the PM's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each person killed in the Nanded accident.
• Rs 50,000 for the injured: The Prime Minister also announced financial assistance for those injured in the crash.
• Six killed, eight critically injured: A passenger van collided head-on with a truck on the Nanded-Bhokar road on Thursday evening near Sitakhandi Ghat.
• Locals led the initial rescue: Residents rushed to the spot to pull injured passengers from the mangled van before shifting them to hospitals.
• Accident occurred on Pola festival day: The crash triggered panic in the area, with police and rescue teams managing the scene.
• Cause under investigation: Officials have not yet confirmed whether road conditions, visibility, speed or mechanical failure contributed to the collision.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed sadness over the loss of lives in a road accident in Maharashtra's Nanded and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased.

PMO India took to social media 'X' and said, "Saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Nanded, Maharashtra. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000: PM Narendra Modi."

What Is PMNRF: The Prime Minister's National Relief Fund is a fund maintained to provide immediate financial assistance to families affected by natural disasters, accidents and other emergencies. It is funded entirely through public and corporate donations, not government budgetary allocations, and ex-gratia payments like this one are a routine mechanism the PM's office uses to offer swift support to affected families while longer-term relief and investigations proceed separately.

How The Accident Occurred

Earlier, at least six people were killed and eight others critically injured after a passenger van collided head-on with a truck on the Nanded-Bhokar road in Maharashtra's Nanded district on Thursday evening, police said.

The accident took place at around 7 p.m. near Sitakhandi Ghat, an official said.

The van was travelling from Nanded towards Bhokar when it collided with the truck. The impact left the van mangled, the police official said.

Local residents rushed to the spot following the accident and helped pull the injured out of the wreckage. The injured were subsequently shifted to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment.

Victims And Ongoing Investigation

Among those killed were Syed Almas of Bilal Nagar in Bhokar, Sheikh Firoz of Bhokar, Pandurang Laxman Waghmare and his wife, Laxmibai Pandurang Waghmare, of Syed Nagar, and Balwan Pawar of Potatanda village in Taluka Hadgaon. Police have not yet identified one of the deceased.

Some of the injured were stated to be in critical condition, the official said.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision, including how the van and truck came into contact on the road. Further details are expected as the investigation progresses.

Officials have not yet provided information on whether factors such as road conditions, visibility, vehicle speed or mechanical failure contributed to the accident.

The accident occurred on the day of the Pola festival, triggering panic in the area. Local residents and rescue teams rushed to the spot after the crash, while police arrived and began managing traffic and rescue operations.

• 16-match unbeaten streak: Ishan Kishan extended his unbeaten record as first-class captain to 16 matches, a run that began in 2018.
• 350 runs across two innings: He led East Zone to victory over South Zone in the Duleep Trophy final, scoring 350 runs across both innings.
• East Zone's third-ever title: The win marks East Zone's third Duleep Trophy title.
• Top 10 among unbeaten captains: Kishan now ranks among the top 10 unbeaten captains in first-class cricket, per CricViz, with Mahinda Halangoda leading at 30 unbeaten matches.
• Second captaincy title: This follows his Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy win with Jharkhand in the 2025/26 season.
• Credits the group effort: Kishan said the title was a collective achievement, emphasising the team's focus on supporting each other.

Chennai: India international Ishan Kishan extended his unbeaten record as captain in first-class cricket after leading East Zone to their third-ever Duleep Trophy title on Thursday.

Kishan was in stellar form in the final against South Zone, scoring 350 across two innings to lead the domestic side to a win on the first-innings lead. With the victory, Kishan has also extended his record for being unbeaten as captain in first-class cricket to 16 matches. His run began in 2018 and is now in its ninth year.

What Does "Winning On First-Innings Lead" Mean: In multi-day first-class cricket, when a match doesn't reach a natural conclusion within the allotted days (both sides completing two innings each), the result is often decided by which team scored more runs in their first innings. Since East Zone's final against South Zone wasn't finished within the scheduled duration, East Zone's higher first-innings total was enough to hand them the win — a common outcome in domestic four-day cricket where time constraints frequently prevent a full result.

A Top-10 Unbeaten Captain In First-Class Cricket

This has made him enter the top 10 of the unbeaten captains list in FC cricket. As per CricViz, the list is headed by former Sri Lanka cricketer Mahinda Halangoda, who was unbeaten in 30 FC matches as skipper.

"We Won This Title As A Group"

Meanwhile, Kishan credited the team's collective effort for their win. "We won this title as a group. I think everyone was taking care of each other, which was the most important thing for me. I think I've been a good leader (offered a cheeky smile), but I think the journey doesn't end here.

"You need to keep getting better in all the departments. Whether you're fielding or batting, you'll always make mistakes. So we just need to rectify that and get better day by day," Kishan said in the post-match presentation ceremony.

A Second Captaincy Title, And A Period Of Growth

The Duleep Trophy win is Kishan's second title as captain after winning the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Jharkhand in the 2025/26 season. Reflecting on his approach and mindset during his time away from the national team, the wicketkeeper-batter highlighted how the period helped him mature both as a cricketer and as a captain.

"I think it was more about just being calmer after the break, being more into the game, knowing what's important, how aware you are of the game and how you are reading the situation. You need to take care of each other, try and help each and every ball, so they don't get into that zone where I was.

"So I was just trying to help everyone, and it's been a good transformation for me as well. I've been more calm, more aware of situations, and more hungry. You want to perform for your team. You need to make your team win, and that is something which changed in me. Hundred percent, that is going to be there (on being that cheeky guy) till I turn ninety," he added.

• 2029 target set: CM Pema Khandu said Arunachal Pradesh aims to achieve Mission Shikshit Arunachal's objectives by 2029, alongside NEP 2020 implementation.
• School rationalisation underway: The government is strengthening the Inter-Village (IV) school model, focusing on infrastructure and subject-teacher availability.
• Rising enrolment bucks national trend: Khandu noted increasing government school enrolment even as such numbers decline nationally.
• 870 students felicitated: 30 state-level toppers and around 840 district-level students received the Golden Jubilee Meritorious Students Award.
• Push for defence careers: The state is setting up structured NDA/CDS coaching and has established Sainik Schools at Pasighat and Tawang.
• Support for global education: Arunachal Pradesh is backing students admitted to universities ranked in the QS global top 150.

Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday said the state government is undertaking comprehensive reforms in the education sector to restore the quality and effectiveness of government schools by implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and Mission Shikshit Arunachal, with a target of achieving its objectives by 2029.

Felicitating the state-level meritorious students under the Golden Jubilee Meritorious Students Awards for the academic session 2024-25, the Chief Minister said a task force was constituted for implementation of NEP 2020, followed by extensive consultations with community-based organisations and other stakeholders.

Strengthening School Infrastructure And Enrolment

Khandu said that the government is rationalising the number of schools and moving towards strengthening the Inter-Village (IV) school model, with greater emphasis on infrastructure and adequate availability of teachers, particularly subject teachers.

He also noted the encouraging rise in enrolment in government schools in recent years, saying the trend was particularly significant at a time when declining government school enrolment remains a challenge across the country.

The Chief Minister called upon the young achievers to remain disciplined, focussed and committed to excellence as they prepare to shoulder the responsibility of Arunachal Pradesh's future.

870 Students Felicitated At The Award Ceremony

A total of 30 state-level toppers from Classes III to XII were felicitated at the ceremony, while around 840 students received the award at various district levels.

The Golden Jubilee Meritorious Students Award was instituted in 2022, the year Arunachal Pradesh celebrated 50 years since it was named Arunachal Pradesh in 1972, and its implementation began from the academic year 2023-24.

Referring to Arunachal Pradesh's tribal traditions, the Chief Minister urged students to preserve the culture of respecting parents, elders, teachers and all members of the school community.

He stressed that sports should receive equal importance alongside academics for the overall development of young people, noting that playgrounds have been provided in government schools across the state.

Career Pathways: Government, Private Sector And Defence

Khandu said the state has created multiple avenues for young people to pursue careers in government service, the private sector, entrepreneurship, startups and other emerging fields.

The Chief Minister said the state government has been creating opportunities to encourage more Arunachali youth to join the Armed Forces as officers.

He highlighted the establishment of the state's first Sainik School at Pasighat in collaboration with the Government of India and the second Sainik School at Tawang under the PPP mode.

Khandu said the government is also working with the Army to establish a structured coaching mechanism through which selected Arunachal students would receive specialised preparation for competitive examinations such as NDA and CDS.

The proposed initiative would help young people pursue careers as officers in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Central Armed Police Forces, including SSB, ITBP, CRPF and BSF.

Support For Global Higher Education

Highlighting the state government's efforts to provide global exposure to Arunachal's students, Khandu said the state is supporting students who secure admission to universities ranked among the top 150 globally under QS rankings.

The award ceremony in Itanagar was attended by Education Minister P.D. Sona, Advisor to Education Minister Mutchu Mithi, senior officials of the Education Department, teachers, students and parents.

(With inputs from IANS)

• A genuine throwback, not AI-generated: Kirron Kher joined the viral 1980s nostalgia trend by sharing an authentic black-and-white picture from her younger days.
• "It didn't need anything else": She emphasised the photo required no AI tools or filters, pairing it with Lata Mangeshkar's "Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh."
• A career spanning decades: From her 1983 Punjabi film debut to acclaimed roles in "Devdas," "Rang De Basanti" and "Veer-Zaara," Kirron built a diverse filmography.
• A familiar TV presence: She became known for hosting shows and judging "India's Got Talent" from 2009 onwards.
• Family in the spotlight: She was previously married to Gautam Berry, with whom she has son Sikandar Kher, before marrying actor Anupam Kher in 1985.

Mumbai: Actress Kirron Kher has joined the ongoing social media nostalgia around the 1980s.

Instead of using AI to recreate an old-school look, she shared an actual picture of herself from the era, stating that it did not need any external support to recreate the picture and wished to keep it real.

"Just A Real Picture From The 80s"

Taking to her social media account, Kirron shared a striking black-and-white picture from her younger days and wrote, "Couldn't resist sharing this one just as it is. No ChatGPT. No AI. No filters. Just a real picture from the 80s and honestly, it didn't need anything else."

The actress paired the picture with Lata Mangeshkar's evergreen song "Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh."

The picture comes amidst the 1980s-inspired trend which has taken over social media.

Kirron Kher's Journey In Cinema

Talking about the actress on her professional front, she made her film debut with the Punjabi film "Aasra Pyaar Da" in 1983 and later appeared in "Pestonjee" in 1988, before taking a sabbatical.

Her breakthrough in Hindi cinema came much later, when she returned to films in the 1990s.

Her comeback film was Shyam Benegal's "Sardari Begum" in 1996, followed by acclaimed performances, including Rituparno Ghosh's "Bariwali."

Kirron went on to deliver memorable performances in films such as "Devdas," "Main Hoon Na," "Hum Tum," "Veer-Zaara," "Rang De Basanti," "Fanaa," "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna," "Singh Is Kinng" and "Dostana."

From Films To Television

She became a familiar television face through shows including "Purushkshetra," "Kirron Kher Today" and "Jagte Raho with Kirron Kher." She later became synonymous with the talent reality show "India's Got Talent," serving as a judge for many seasons from 2009 onwards.

Personal Life

On the personal front, she first married businessman Gautam Berry in 1979, and the couple had a son, Sikandar Kher. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1985.

That same year, Kirron married actor Anupam Kher. Anupam became a father figure to Sikandar, who later followed his parents into acting. Sikandar made his Hindi film debut with "Woodstock Villa" in 2008 and has since appeared in films and shows including "Aarya."

(With inputs from IANS)

• Rs 1,233.87 crore transferred: The August social security pension was credited to 105.68 lakh beneficiaries across Bihar via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) on September 10.
• Rs 1,100 per beneficiary: Each eligible person received Rs 1,100 for the month, up from the earlier Rs 400 monthly amount.
• Pension hike traces back to 2025 polls: The increase was announced during the 2025 Bihar Assembly election campaign and retained by the NDA government after returning to power.
• Launched from Munger: Samrat Choudhary initiated the transfer via remote control and video conferencing at an event in Munger.
• Personal visit coincides with the launch: Choudhary also attended his mother's death anniversary observance in his native Munger the same day.
• Flood relief visit: Mamata Choudhary toured flood-affected areas in Munger, meeting victims and inspecting a community kitchen.

Patna: In a major relief for social security pension beneficiaries in Bihar, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Thursday initiated the transfer of the social security pension amount for August directly into beneficiaries' bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Choudhary initiated the transfer at a programme organised in Munger, using a remote control and participating in the DBT process through video conferencing.

He reached the event venue at Ganga Mor around 12:30 p.m. He subsequently launched the transfer of the August pension amount to beneficiaries across the state.

Pension Amount And Beneficiary Details

Under the social security pension scheme, each beneficiary received Rs 1,100 for the month of August.

A total of Rs 1,233.87 crore was transferred to the accounts of 105.68 lakh beneficiaries through DBT.

The pension amount was credited to the beneficiaries' accounts on September 10. Beneficiaries can check whether the amount has been credited through their respective banks or via mobile and internet banking services.

Background: How The Pension Amount Was Raised

The monthly social security pension for widows, elderly persons and people with disabilities was earlier Rs 400.

During the 2025 Bihar Assembly election campaign, the then state government announced an increase in the pension amount to Rs 1,100 per month.

The NDA government retained the enhanced pension after returning to power, continuing the higher monthly assistance for eligible beneficiaries.

The social security pension programme is aimed at providing regular financial support to vulnerable sections of society, including elderly persons, widows and persons with disabilities.

A Personal Visit To Munger

Samrat Choudhary, along with his wife Mamata Choudhary, reached his native place Munger on Thursday morning and attended an observance marking the death anniversary of his mother.

His mother had also served as an MLA from the Tarapur Assembly constituency. Later, he wrote on X, "Heartfelt tribute to the revered Mother Shri Late Parvati Devi Ji on her death anniversary."

Mamata Choudhary also toured flood-affected areas of Munger. She met flood victims to enquire about their well-being and inspected arrangements at a community kitchen.

(With inputs from IANS)

• Launcher collapse in Vaishali: A bridge launcher collapsed near Jalalpur village in Lalganj block around 9:30 am, injuring several labourers and trapping one worker.
• One worker critical: A worker from neighbouring Muzaffarpur district remained trapped under the structure; rescue teams used gas cutters to reach him.
• Site details: The collapse occurred at an under-construction overbridge on the Gandak River corridor, part of a 38.8-km road connecting Bakarpur to Manikpur.
• Unverified safety allegations: Villagers alleged inadequate safety equipment and prior signs of the structure sinking; these claims have not been independently verified.
• Crowd unrest during rescue: An agitated crowd reportedly vandalised the construction company's camp, damaging chairs, tables and CCTV cameras amid anger over response delays.
• Investigation launched: Authorities are probing the cause of the collapse and the safety measures at the site.

Patna: A major accident occurred in Bihar's Vaishali district on Thursday morning when a launcher used in the construction of a bridge on a four-lane highway collapsed, injuring several labourers and trapping one worker beneath the iron structure.

The incident took place at around 9.30 a.m. near Jalalpur village under Lalganj block in Vaishali district. According to local residents, five to seven labourers sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment. One worker, reportedly a resident of neighbouring Muzaffarpur district, remained trapped and was said to be in critical condition. Rescue teams later used gas cutters to remove parts of the structure and reach him.

What Is A Bridge Launcher: A bridge launcher (or launching girder) is a large piece of construction machinery used to lift and position massive concrete or steel bridge segments into place across a span, allowing crews to build a bridge outward from existing supports without needing a crane positioned beneath the structure — a common method for elevated highway corridors and river crossings like this one.

Site And Eyewitness Accounts

The collapse occurred at the site of an under-construction overbridge on the Gandak River corridor, around half a km before the river near Jalalpur village, eyewitnesses said. Villagers claimed they provided water to the trapped worker while waiting for rescue personnel to arrive.

As rescue operations gathered pace, large numbers of local residents assembled at the site, expressing anger over what they described as delays in the emergency response.

Unverified Allegations Over Safety Standards

Villagers and workers alleged that adequate safety equipment, including safety belts, had not been provided at the construction site. They also claimed emergency arrangements were insufficient following the collapse. These allegations could not be independently verified.

Some residents further alleged that parts of the structure had shown signs of sinking before the accident, raising questions about construction quality. These claims are also yet to be independently verified.

Officials Reach The Site, Tensions Escalate

Following the incident, Gopal Mandal, SDPO of Lalganj Sadar-2, along with police personnel, Block Development Officer Sujit Kumar, local representatives and other administrative officials, reached the site to oversee rescue and crowd-management efforts.

Tensions escalated during the rescue operation, with an agitated crowd allegedly vandalising the construction company's camp. Chairs, tables and CCTV cameras were reportedly damaged. Shubhank Mishra, Senior Superintendent of Police, Vaishali, later reached the spot and reviewed the situation.

About The Project

The project forms part of a nearly 38.8-km road corridor connecting Bakarpur in Saran district with Manikpur in Muzaffarpur district via Lalganj in Vaishali district. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse and the safety measures in place at the construction site. Further details on the injured workers were awaited.

• Instagram ID's origin story: Divyenndu revealed that Shraddha Kapoor created his Instagram account during the shoot of "Batti Gul Meter Chalu" (2018).
• Wasn't on Instagram before that film: He had already worked in "Pyaar Ka Punchnama" and "Chashme Baddoor" but wasn't on the platform until then.
• Reason behind his name spelling: Divyenndu explained his belief in staying in sync with energies as the reason for changing his name's spelling.
• Anupam Kher created his Twitter: He also revealed that Anupam Kher set up his Twitter account during the making of "21 Topon Ki Salaami."
• Shared on 'Double Date': The revelations came during his appearance on Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi's show.

Mumbai: Actor Divyenndu revealed that actress Shraddha Kapoor created his ID on Instagram during the shoot of the 2018 film "Batti Gul Meter Chalu" and opened up about the reason behind changing the spelling of his name and his belief in the science of balancing energies.

Divyenndu appeared on Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi's show "Double Date," where he disclosed why he decided to make the change and how strongly he believes in being in sync with the energies around him.

"I Want To Stay In Sync With The Energies"

Divyenndu shared, "Yeh mera naam hai aur mujhe sync mein rehna hai energies ke saath. Toh koi cheez agar mujhe energies ke saath sync mein laayegi, toh main uski baat maanunga." (This is my name, and I want to stay in sync with the energies. So, if something helps me align with those energies, I will follow it.)

Neha asked Divyenndu whether he had also changed the spelling of his name across his social media and email IDs.

How Shraddha Kapoor Set Up His Instagram

Divyenndu revealed that his Instagram account was actually created by Shraddha Kapoor while they were working together on "Batti Gul Meter Chalu."

He said, "Mera Insta banaya tha Shraddha Kapoor ne jab humne Batti Gul Meter Chalu kari thi. Pyaar Ka Punchnama aur Chashme Baddoor kar chuka tha main usse pehle, lekin main Instagram pe nahi tha."

(Shraddha Kapoor created my Instagram account when we started working on Batti Gul Meter Chalu. I had already done Pyaar Ka Punchnama and Chashme Baddoor before that, but I wasn't on Instagram.)

Anupam Kher's Role In His Twitter Account

The actor also shared a fun anecdote about his Twitter account, revealing that veteran actor Anupam Kher was behind its creation.

"Aur mera Twitter Kher sahab, Anupam Kher ji ne banaya tha. Humne film banayi thi 21 Topon Ki Salaami. Toh unhone kuch karke mera account banaya tha."

(And my Twitter account was created by Kher sahab, Anupam Kher ji. We had made a film called 21 Topon Ki Salaami, and he did something to get my account created,) he said.

(With inputs from IANS)

• 5,400 special buses over 5 days: Tamil Nadu's State Transport Undertakings will run additional buses from Thursday to Monday ahead of Vinayaka Chaturthi and the extended weekend.
• Kilambakkam handles the bulk: The terminus alone will operate 3,520 outward special services between Thursday and Sunday, covering routes to Madurai, Coimbatore, Salem and more.
• Koyambedu and Madhavaram also scaled up: Koyambedu will run 585 services and Madhavaram 330, connecting Chennai to destinations like Bengaluru, Vellore and Puducherry.
• 765 buses for the return rush: Additional services are planned for Monday to manage passengers travelling back to Chennai and Bengaluru after the holiday.
• Heavy advance bookings: Reservations already show 32,171 bookings for Friday alone, with numbers expected to climb closer to the festival.
• Book early, officials advise: Passengers have been urged to reserve tickets via the TNSTC website or app to avoid last-minute overcrowding.

Chennai: Tamil Nadu's State Transport Undertakings will operate 5,400 special buses over five days to handle the expected surge in passenger traffic ahead of Vinayaka Chaturthi, auspicious wedding dates and the extended weekend.

The additional services will run from Thursday to Monday, connecting Chennai with major towns and cities across Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states.

Kilambakkam To Run The Largest Share Of Services

The transport department has planned the largest share of services from Kilambakkam bus terminus, the principal departure point for south-bound routes. A total of 585 special buses will leave Kilambakkam on Thursday, followed by 1,255 on Friday, 1,030 on Saturday and 650 on Sunday. These buses will serve Tiruvannamalai, Tiruchy, Kumbakonam, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Nagercoil, Kanniyakumari, Thoothukudi, Coimbatore, Salem, Erode and Tirupur. Koyambedu will also handle additional services during the holiday period.

The transport corporations will operate 240 special buses from the terminus on Friday and Saturday, besides 105 services on Sunday. They will connect Chennai with Tiruvannamalai, Nagapattinam, Velankanni, Hosur and Bengaluru.

Services From Madhavaram And Other Cities

Corresponding services have been arranged from these destinations to Chennai. At Madhavaram terminus, 110 extra buses will be operated daily from Friday to Sunday. The services will cover Kallakurichi, Tiruvannamalai, Tiruchy, Kumbakonam, Vellore, Hosur and Puducherry.

Outside Chennai, another 200 special buses will operate from Bengaluru, Tirupur, Erode and Coimbatore to different destinations. Authorities have also made arrangements for the return rush on Monday, when 765 additional buses will be deployed from various places to Chennai and Bengaluru according to passenger demand.

The deployment has been staggered to match the anticipated movement of travellers out of Chennai before the festival and their return after the holiday.

Kilambakkam alone will account for 3,520 outward special services between Thursday and Sunday, while Madhavaram will provide 330 and Koyambedu 585 during their respective operating periods overall.

Advance Bookings Point To Heavy Travel

Advance reservations indicate heavy travel during the period. According to the Managing Director of the State Express Transport Corporation, 8,666 passengers have booked tickets for Thursday and 32,171 for Friday. Bookings stand at 18,772 for Saturday, 11,177 for Sunday and 23,740 for Monday.

Officials expect the figures to rise as the festival approaches. Passengers undertaking long-distance journeys have been urged to reserve seats early to avoid overcrowding and last-minute inconvenience. Tickets can be booked through the official TNSTC website, www.tnstc.in, or the TNSTC mobile application.

(With inputs from IANS)

• Calls it "Hanuman Ji's grace": Hema Malini praised "Hanuman Ansh" as a superhit, attributing its success to blessings from Lord Hanuman.
• Praises first-time producer: She lauded Anupriya Nagar for backing the project despite having no prior filmmaking experience, calling her "a normal, simple girl."
• Celebrity endorsements pour in: Preity Zinta, Aditya Dhar and Varun Dhawan are among those who have praised the film.
• Preity Zinta's theatre reaction: She shared her experience watching the film, urging followers not to miss it in theatres.
• Marks a Bollywood debut: The film introduces Shobhinaw Satyaa in the lead role of Neem Karoli Baba, and released in theatres on August 7.

Mumbai: Veteran actor and BJP MP Hema Malini has praised the success of "Hanuman Ansh," calling the film a superhit.

Addressing the media, she described its success as a blessing from Lord Hanuman. Hema also lauded producer Anupriya Nagar for backing the project despite having no prior experience in filmmaking. Despite being new to the world of film production, Nagar went ahead with the project, which has now received a positive response from viewers. Hema congratulated the producer and the entire team for the film's success.

"It Is Hanuman Ji's Grace"

The "Sholay" actress shared, "Hanuman and Neem Karoli Baba temple is here. I always go there. And today, I am so happy that a film has been made on them. It has become a superhit. It is Hanuman Ji's grace, let me tell you. Whoever produced this film, she is a normal, simple girl. She doesn't even know what filmmaking is. But because of her contribution, it has become so good. Everyone is eager to watch it. I also want to watch it."

Celebrities Endorse The Film

"Hanuman Ansh" has been receiving praise from several celebrities, including Preity Zinta, filmmaker Aditya Dhar, and Varun Dhawan, among others. The Vishal Chaturvedi directorial has caught the attention of Bollywood personalities for its devotional theme and portrayal of Lord Hanuman and Neem Karoli Baba.

After watching "Hanuman Ansh" in a theatre, Preity took to social media to share her reaction and urged her followers to experience the film on the big screen. The 51-year-old actor shared a glimpse of herself watching the film in a theatre on her Instagram Stories. Keeping her reaction brief, she posted a still from the movie along with the words "Sita Ram" and "Wow." In another post, she encouraged her followers to watch the film in theatres, writing, "Don't miss it, folks."

Filmmaker Aditya Dhar has also praised the film, adding to the growing appreciation from members of the film fraternity.

About 'Hanuman Ansh'

Directed and produced by Dr Vishal Chaturvedi, "Hanuman Ansh" marks Shobhinaw Satyaa's Bollywood debut. He plays the lead role of Neem Karoli Baba. The film also stars Chandan Anand, Nikhil Dubey, Udaysinh Rajput, Purnima Tiwari, and Mannish Chaudhary in key roles.

"Hanuman Ansh," produced by Anupriya A. Nagar, was released in theatres on August 7.

(With inputs from IANS)

• A Kathak revival: Meenakshi Seshadri revealed Kathak is the classical dance form she has performed least, despite being trained in it, and revisited it by recreating "Ghar More Pardesiya."
• Deep admiration for the style: She described Kathak's grace, showmanship and rhythmic diversity as qualities she has always loved.
• Bollywood's connection to Kathak: Meenakshi noted that Kathak has inspired some of Bollywood's most celebrated dance numbers.
• Traditional look for the video: She performed in a traditional outfit with statement jewellery, showcasing intricate Kathak movements.
• Known for nostalgia recreations: Seshadri regularly shares videos recreating iconic songs and past performances on social media.

Mumbai: Veteran actor and trained classical dancer Meenakshi Seshadri has opened up about her enduring love for Kathak.

She revealed that Kathak is the classical dance form she has learned but has not performed as frequently as some of the other styles she knows. Meenakshi revisited the dance form by recreating the iconic "Ghar More Pardesiya." Sharing her thoughts, Meenakshi said that while Kathak is the Indian classical dance style she has performed the least, it remains one of the forms she has always admired.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Meenakshi Seshadri (@iammeenakshiseshadri)

"The Grace, The Showmanship, The Rhythmic Diversity"

The "Damini" actress also pointed out that Kathak has had a strong presence in Bollywood, with several memorable and celebrated dance numbers based on the style. Meenakshi described "Ghar More Pardesiya" as an iconic number and expressed her happiness at getting an opportunity to recreate it.

Sharing her video, the veteran actress wrote, "The one Indian classical dance style I have learned but not performed much compared to the other styles I know is Kathak. However, in Bollywood, Kathak is perhaps the one style of which we see the most prolific dance numbers."

"I have always loved the grace, the showmanship, the strong connection with the audience and the rhythmic diversity in Kathak. Ghar more pardesia is an iconic number and I'm so happy to be able to re-create it and restoke my love for Kathak."

The Performance

The dance video features Meenakshi Seshadri dressed in a traditional outfit as she gracefully performs Kathak. She showcases a range of intricate Kathak movements. Completing her traditional look, the "Ghatak" actress accessorised with statement jewellery that complemented her outfit and added to the overall elegance of her appearance.

About Meenakshi Seshadri

Meenakshi Seshadri often takes to social media to share videos recreating iconic songs and revisiting memorable dance performances.

Seshadri has featured in several popular films, including "Dacait," "Ghayal," and "Ghatak," among others.

(With inputs from IANS)

• Rs 10,021 crore approved: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs cleared five multitracking railway projects spanning Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana.
• 540 km added, 2,121 villages connected: The projects will expand the rail network by about 540 km, benefiting 2,121 villages with a combined population of around 52 lakh.
• Five key routes: These include Arakkonam-Renigunta (77 km), Whitefield-Bangarapet (47 km), Hosur-Omalur (147 km), Salem-Karur-Dindigul (159 km) and Secunderabad-Kazipet (110 km).
• Completion by 2029-30: The projects, planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, aim to ease congestion and improve service reliability.
• Boost to tourist and freight connectivity: The upgrades will improve access to destinations like Tirupati and Kodaikanal, while adding 47 MTPA of freight capacity for goods like coal, cement and steel.
• Environmental impact: The projects are expected to cut oil imports by 8 crore litres and reduce CO2 emissions by 42 crore kg — equivalent to planting around 2 crore trees.

New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved five multitracking railway projects with an investment of Rs 10,021 crore.

The five projects, covering 17 districts across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana, will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 540 km. The multi-tracking projects will enhance connectivity to approximately 2,121 villages, with a total population of about 52 lakh.

The Five Projects

These projects include the Arakkonam-Renigunta 3rd and 4th Line over a stretch of 77 km, Whitefield-Bangarapet 3rd and 4th Line (47 km), Hosur-Omalur Doubling (147 km), Salem-Karur-Dindigul Doubling (159 km), and Secunderabad (Ghatkesar)-Kazipet, extending to 110 km, according to an official statement.

The increased line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. These multi-tracking projects are poised to alleviate congestion and are scheduled to be completed by 2029-30.

Part Of PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan

The projects are planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with a focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. These projects will provide seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods, and services.

Boost To Tourism And Pilgrimage Circuits

The approved capacity enhancement will improve rail connectivity to several prominent tourist destinations across the country, including Tirupati, Subramaniya Swamy Temple (Tiruttani), Sri Padmavati Ammavaari Temple (Tiruchanur), Kotilingeshwara Devaalaya, Sri Seethi Byraveshwara Swamy Temple, Bangaru Tirupati, Kolar Gold Fields, Hogennakkal Falls, Hosur Fort, Mettur Dam, Kodaikanal Hills, Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary, Namakkal Anjaneyar Temple, Namakkal Fort, Kalyana Pasupatheswar Temple, Yadagirigutta Temple, Bhongir Fort, Surendrapuri, and Swarnagiri Temple.

Freight And Environmental Benefits

These projects are also essential routes for transportation of commodities such as coal, cement, iron and steel, containers, automobiles, food grains, petroleum products, fertilisers, etc. The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 47 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum).

The Railways, being an environment-friendly and energy-efficient mode of transportation, will help both in achieving climate goals and minimising logistics costs of the country, reduce oil imports by around 8 crore litres and lower CO2 emissions by 42 crore kg, which is equivalent to the plantation of around 2 crore trees, the statement added.

• Rs 1.50 crore approved: Gujarat sanctioned funds to upgrade facilities at 29 Ashramshalas, grant-in-aid hostels and secondary schools in Aravalli, benefiting around 4,922 tribal students.
• Under the New Gujarat Pattern Scheme: The approval covers equipment and infrastructure based on students' living and studying requirements.
• Facilities to be added: These include bunk beds with mattresses, classroom benches, washing machines, solar rooftop systems and RO drinking water systems.
• Procurement safeguards in place: Equipment purchases will follow quality checks, warranty provisions, staff training and stock-register documentation.
• Ministerial oversight: The decision was taken under CM Bhupendra Patel, with Tribal Development Minister Naresh Patel and MoS Poonamchand Baranda overseeing implementation.

Gandhinagar: The Gujarat government on Wednesday approved Rs 1.50 crore for improving residential and educational facilities at 29 Ashramshalas, grant-in-aid hostels and secondary schools in Aravalli district, benefiting around 4,922 tribal students.

The administrative approval has been granted under the "New Gujarat Pattern Scheme" to provide equipment and infrastructure based on the requirements of students living and studying at these institutions.

What Facilities Will Be Added

The facilities to be developed include bunk beds with mattresses, classroom benches, washing machines, solar rooftop systems and reverse osmosis (RO) systems.

The bunk beds and mattresses will strengthen accommodation facilities for students staying in Ashramshalas and hostels, while additional benches are intended to improve classroom arrangements.

The approved funds will also be used for washing machines to support the day-to-day management of residential institutions and RO systems to provide access to treated drinking water. Solar rooftop installations are also part of the works planned under the approval.

"The decision was taken under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, with Tribal Development Minister Naresh Patel and Minister of State, Poonamchand Baranda, overseeing the department concerned," officials said.

Procurement And Implementation Process

The government said the works would be implemented according to prescribed procurement procedures, financial regulations and other applicable rules.

Equipment procurement and installation will be subject to quality checks, while student safety will be taken into account during installation.

For equipment such as washing machines, suppliers will be required to provide demonstrations and necessary training to institutional staff.

Warranty, guarantee and after-sales service provisions will also be considered during procurement. Details of purchased equipment will be entered in stock registers, with regular inspections planned as part of the implementation process.

Addressing Both Educational And Residential Needs

The government said the infrastructure improvements were intended to address both the educational and residential requirements of students in tribal areas.

In addition to classroom facilities, the works cover accommodation, drinking water, sanitation-related requirements, daily-use equipment and renewable-energy infrastructure.

The Rs 1.50 crore approval follows the technical and administrative clearances for the proposed works and will allow the facilities at the 29 institutions in Aravalli to be taken up for implementation under the New Gujarat Pattern.

(With inputs from IANS)

• 28 years in the industry: Preity Zinta reflected on how filmmaking has evolved since her 1998 debut, from film cameras to digital technology.
• Witnessed the shift to live sound: She recalled being part of the industry when "Dil Chahta Hai" (2000) introduced live sound, ending the era of dubbing.
• Bollywood's thematic shift: Preity said the industry has moved from NRI-centric romances to stories rooted in Indian pride, history and the armed forces.
• Pressure to get it right first time: She noted that with live sound, actors can no longer "fix it in dubbing," unlike in the past.
• Comeback after 8-year hiatus: Preity returned to films with "Batwara 1947," which released on August 14, 2026, after her long break to focus on family.

Mumbai: Actress Preity Zinta has opened up about the changes she has witnessed in Bollywood throughout her journey in the film industry.

Looking back at her career, which began in the late 1990s, the actress reflected on how filmmaking, technology and storytelling have evolved over the years. Speaking exclusively to IANS, Preity recalled being part of a period when the industry was undergoing several significant changes. From the introduction of live sound to the transition from film cameras to digital technology, she said filmmaking has come a long way.

From Dubbing To Live Sound: Witnessing The Shift

The "Veer Zara" actress stated, "By 28 years, I say, I was very lucky that I actually came right at the end of the '90s, really. Films were changing then because I did a film called Kya Kehna, and it was a very different film. Not so different, as they had made films like that before, but for me, as a newcomer, to debut in a film like that was very different."

"Then, in 2000, Dil Chahta Hai came, and it was a film that used live sound, so dubbing stopped. I think I was part of that change when it was happening in the industry. From there to now, I don't see any big difference in terms of how films are approached, except that digital cameras have come in, and you're not shooting on film anymore."

"A Lot More Pride In Being Indian"

The "Soldier" actress also highlighted a shift in the themes explored by Hindi cinema. Preity said Bollywood's focus has gradually shifted from the NRI-centric romances that were popular during an earlier era to stories that are more rooted in India. She noted that filmmakers are now exploring themes such as national pride and history.

Preity said, "So, the one thing that I see that's different about films is that there's a lot more pride in being Indian. Earlier, we did a lot of NRI romances, but now the focus has shifted to India — you know, our pride, historical movies, movies on the army. Comedies are different in terms of the vibe — the vibe is vibing, as you say. So, there are some differences, but not that many."

"You Have To Get It Right, Very Few People Dub Now"

Speaking about the changes, she further mentioned that the pressure of delivering remains the same. "So, the pressure — I mean, the pressure is still the same of delivering what you're doing. Earlier, we had film cameras, except now the cameras have turned digital, and there are a lot of things where people go, 'Don't worry, we'll fix it in post.' We didn't have that option of fixing things in post or with live sound. Things have become different."

"You have to get it right because earlier, you could dub it and fix it in dubbing. Now, you have to get it right because very few people dub. You only dub sequences where there's noise or something; otherwise, you don't really dub."

About Preity Zinta's Career

Preity Zinta made her acting debut with Mani Ratnam's 1998 Hindi film "Dil Se." After establishing herself in Bollywood with a string of successful films, the actress took a long break from acting to focus on her personal life, marriage and family.

After an eight-year hiatus, Preity returned to the silver screen with the period drama "Batwara 1947." Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and backed by Aamir Khan Productions, the film, starring Sunny Deol, hit theatres on August 14, 2026.

(With inputs from IANS)

• Fire breaks out early Wednesday: A major fire erupted at Shyam Sangini Textile Market in Surat's Saroli area, with the control room receiving the first call around 12:52 a.m.
• 20-22 fire tenders deployed: Firefighters used turntable ladders and hydraulic platforms to tackle flames on the market's fourth and fifth floors.
• Double-height floors add difficulty: Officials said the affected floors are effectively at a height of around 20 metres due to the market's double-height floor design.
• Electricity shut off as precaution: Power supply to the building was cut to prevent electrical hazards during firefighting operations.
• Zero visibility inside: Dense smoke reduced visibility to almost nothing, forcing firefighters to use breathing apparatus to enter the premises.
• No casualties reported: No one has been reported trapped inside, with containment operations continuing.

Surat: A major fire broke out at the Shyam Sangini Textile Market in the Saroli area of Surat early Wednesday, prompting the deployment of around 20-22 fire brigade vehicles as firefighters battled intense flames and dense smoke spreading across the upper floors of the market, officials said.

According to rescue officials, the fire control room received the first emergency call at around 12:52 a.m., following which fire tenders were immediately dispatched from three nearby fire stations to the location.

Firefighters who reached the spot found the fourth and fifth floors of the market engulfed in flames, while thick smoke had severely reduced visibility inside the building, making it difficult for personnel to assess and approach the affected areas.

Considering the intensity and scale of the blaze, a major fire call was subsequently declared, following which additional fire tenders were mobilised from other areas of Surat to assist in the firefighting and rescue operation.

Firefighting Complicated By Double-Height Floors

Surat Municipal Corporation Chief Fire Officer Basant Parikh said that firefighting operations were being carried out with the assistance of turntable ladders and hydraulic platforms due to the considerable height of the floors affected by the fire.

"Around 20-22 fire tenders have been deployed to control the blaze," he said.

"The textile market has double-height floors, which means that the fourth and fifth floors are effectively situated at a much greater height than their conventional levels. As a result, firefighters are having to conduct the operation at a height of around 20 metres," he added.

Electricity Cut, Zero Visibility Inside

Parikh mentioned that the electricity supply to the building has been shut off as a precautionary measure to prevent any electrical hazard during the firefighting operation.

At the same time, he said that the heavy smoke inside the market has reduced visibility to almost zero, creating additional challenges for the firefighters working inside the building.

"Firefighters are using breathing apparatus sets to enter the smoke-filled premises and reach the affected floors to tackle the flames," Parikh stated.

Operation Still Underway

The firefighting teams are continuing efforts to bring the blaze under control and prevent the fire from spreading further to other parts of the market or nearby areas.

There have been no reports of anyone being trapped inside the building, and firefighting and containment operations remain underway, officials said.

(With inputs from IANS)

• Pleasant, cloudy day for Delhi-NCR: IMD forecasts a cloudy sky on Wednesday, with temperatures between 26°C and 35°C, and no weather warning issued for the week.
• Stable week ahead for Delhi: Daytime temperatures are expected to stay between 32°C and 35°C through September 15, gradually easing to around 31°C next week.
• Haryana and Rajasthan hot and dry: Both states expect temperatures around 36-37°C with hazy sunshine, and no warnings issued.
• Heavy rain warnings for Bihar and Odisha: IMD has flagged thunderstorms, lightning and heavy rainfall risks in both states.
• Uttarakhand faces intense rain spells: IMD has warned of thunderstorms and very intense rain at isolated locations across several districts.
• Himachal Pradesh sees isolated showers: Partly sunny skies with scattered afternoon rain are expected, though no major warning has been issued.

New Delhi: Delhi-NCR is likely to experience relatively pleasant weather on Wednesday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting a cloudy sky throughout the day. The minimum temperature is expected to remain around 26 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature may touch 35 degrees Celsius.

According to the weather department, winds in Delhi are likely to blow at around 3.89 kmph, with gusts reaching speeds of up to 8.61 kmph. The national capital witnessed sunrise at 6:02 a.m. on Wednesday, while sunset is expected at 6:33 p.m.

A Stable Week Ahead For Delhi

The IMD forecast suggests that weather conditions in Delhi are likely to remain broadly stable during the coming week. Daytime temperatures are expected to remain between 32 and 35 degrees Celsius from September 9 to September 15.

On Thursday, September 10, the maximum temperature is forecast to remain around 35 degrees Celsius. It is expected to fall slightly to 32 degrees Celsius on Friday. Temperatures could remain close to 33 degrees Celsius over the weekend before dropping further to around 31 degrees Celsius next week.

The IMD has not issued any weather warning for Delhi for the week, indicating that the national capital is likely to experience generally stable conditions. The weather pattern is consistent with September conditions in Delhi, when temperatures gradually begin to moderate, although humidity can continue to remain high.

Haryana And Rajasthan: Hot And Dry

In neighbouring Haryana, weather is expected to remain very warm, with hazy sunshine likely in several areas. The maximum temperature may rise to around 37 degrees Celsius, while most parts of the state are expected to remain dry. No weather warning has been issued for Haryana, though rain activity could pick up in parts of northern India later in the week.

Rajasthan is also likely to remain hot and predominantly sunny. Temperatures may reach around 36 degrees Celsius, with the IMD issuing no weather warning for either eastern or western parts of the state.

Bihar And Odisha Under Heavy Rain Warning

Bihar, however, is expected to experience more unsettled conditions, with cloudy skies, thunderstorms and rain likely at several places. The IMD has issued a warning for heavy rainfall, along with thunderstorms and lightning, urging residents to remain cautious during periods of severe weather.

Odisha may witness partly cloudy conditions accompanied by thunderstorms in some areas. Temperatures are likely to remain in the lower 30s. The weather department has issued a heavy-rain warning for the state and cautioned about thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds in some areas.

Himachal Pradesh And Uttarakhand: Rain In The Hills

In Himachal Pradesh, partly sunny skies and isolated showers are expected, particularly during the afternoon. While no major weather warning has been issued, scattered rainfall remains possible.

Uttarakhand is likely to witness cloudy spells and rain, especially during the afternoon. The IMD has warned of thunderstorms, lightning and intense to very intense spells of rain at isolated locations across several districts.

(With inputs from IANS)

Also Read: Delhi-NCR: Rain, Thundershowers Likely Tuesday; AQI Moderate

• A disguised trip to the cinema: Madhuri Dixit revealed she once wore a burqa to watch her own film "Tezaab" in a theatre, curious about the craze for her song "Ek Do Teen."
• Shared on 'The Kapil Sharma Show': She recounted the story after host Kapil Sharma asked if she had ever watched her own movie in a cinema hall.
• Coins thrown at the screen: Sitting in the front row of Chandan Cinema, Madhuri recalled coins being thrown from the back as soon as "Ek Do Teen" began playing.
• Recognised despite the disguise: Though she thought no one would recognise her, fans identified her the moment she stepped into the lobby after the show.
• About 'Tezaab': The 1988 N. Chandra-directed film starred Madhuri and Anil Kapoor, and went on to become the year's highest-grossing Hindi film with a golden jubilee run.

Mumbai: Did you know that Bollywood's "Dhak Dhak" girl once went to the cinema hall wearing a burqa to watch her own movie, "Tezaab"?

She had gone to the theatre to witness the craze for her song "Ek Do Teen" from the movie.

During her appearance on "The Kapil Sharma Show," host Kapil Sharma asked her if she had ever gone to watch her own movie.

"I Started Sweating In The Burqa"

To this, Madhuri shared the fun incident, saying, "Yes, I went to watch my own movie. Actually, everyone said that the song 'Ek Do Teen' has become very popular. 'You don't know, it is so much fun in the theatre.' So I went to watch it in the Chandan Cinema; it is a single theatre. So I wanted to see it there."

"I went inside wearing a burqa and sat down. Sometimes they used to switch off the AC there, so I started sweating in the burqa. I was waiting for the song 'Ek Do Teen', and as soon as it started, we were sitting in the front row; the coins started coming from the back and fell on our heads. We ran away from there."

Recognised Despite The Disguise

Madhuri added that while they thought that since she was in disguise, no one would come to know that she had come to watch the movie. However, to her surprise, as soon as they stepped out of the theatre and went to the lobby, people recognized her and started saying, "Madhuri has come."

About 'Tezaab'

Talking about "Tezaab," the 1988 romantic actioner was directed by N. Chandra.

With Madhuri and Anil Kapoor as the lead pair, the project also saw Anupam Kher, Chunky Panday, Kiran Kumar, and Suresh Oberoi as the supporting cast.

Released on 11 November 1988, "Tezaab" turned out to be the highest-grossing Hindi film of the year, enjoying a golden jubilee run in the cinema halls.

• Reason revealed: Neha Kakkar said her break from music and social media earlier this year was due to a fight with her brother Tony Kakkar, not her husband Rohanpreet Singh, as many assumed.
• Music tied to her bond with Tony: She said music, for her, is closely linked to her relationship with Tony bhai, and the fight left her wanting to step away from everything.
• Never truly leaving music: Despite the emotional break, Neha said she could never abandon music or her fans.
• Break announced in January 2026: She had originally cited stepping away from "responsibilities, relationships, and work," requesting privacy from paparazzi and fans.

Mumbai: Singer Neha Kakkar opened up about why she had decided to step away from music and social media earlier this year.

Speaking to the media, Neha said that while people assumed that her decision was because of her husband Rohanpreet Singh, she was actually upset because of a tiff with her brother Tony Kakkar.

"Music Means My Tony Bhai"

She said, "Whenever a married girl talks about a relationship, people take it straight to the husband. Whereas I had a fight with Tony bhai, and for me, music means my Tony bhai. Tony bhai and I are exactly like this when it comes to doing a thing, and because I had a big fight with Tony bhai I thought, 'I am leaving everything, I don't want to do anything. This world is bad.' You know what I am saying?"

Neha added that, being an artist, she is extremely emotional; however, she could never really say goodbye to music.

"When you have a fight with your brother, that's what happens. But of course, we are all artists, and we artists are very emotional. So those feelings came out in those emotions, but I am never leaving music. How can I do such an injustice to my fans who love me so much? I had to be back," she added.

Looking Back At Her January Announcement

Refreshing your memory, Neha announced her break from social media on January 19, 2026, claiming she was stepping away from "responsibilities, relationships, and work."

She had shared on her official handle, "Time to take a break from responsibilities, relationships, work and everything I can think of right now. Not sure if I'll be back or not. Thank you."

"I request paparazzi and fans not to film me at all. I hope you respect my privacy and let me live freely in this world. No cameras plz! I request! This is the least you all can give me for my peace," Neha added. She later deleted the post.

(With inputs from IANS)

• Hunger strike enters second day: J&K medical interns' hunger strike demanding a stipend hike continued into its second day, with protesters vowing to continue until a formal government order is issued.
• Demanding stipend hike to Rs 30,000: Interns, protesting for over a week, want their monthly stipend raised from Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000, unchanged since 2018.
• A 2023 recommendation not implemented: A June 2023 government order had already recommended raising the stipend to Rs 25,000, but interns say it was never implemented.
• CM Omar Abdullah acknowledges delay: The Chief Minister said the matter should have been resolved earlier and noted the protest is affecting interns' work and training.
• 10 medical, 2 dental colleges affected: The protest spans interns from across J&K, with hospitals facing acute staff shortages during the strike.
• Political support: PDP MLA Syed Aga Muntazir Mehdi joined the protesting interns, criticising the UT government's priorities.

Srinagar: The hunger strike by J&K medical interns demanding an increase in their monthly stipend entered its second day on Tuesday as the protesters said their protest would continue till a formal government order is issued.

People's Democratic Party's Budgam MLA Syed Aga Muntazir Mehdi joined the protesting interns, telling reporters that the continuing protest by the medical interns indicates that the priorities of the UT government are misplaced.

The interns, who have been protesting for over a week, are demanding an increase in their monthly stipend from Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000. They have maintained that the agitation will continue until the government issues a written order on the demand.

The protesting interns said despite a manifold increase in the cost of living, their stipend has remained unchanged since 2018.

Talks With Health Minister Continue

The latest escalation followed a meeting between representatives of the protesting interns and Health Minister Sakina Itoo. The interns said assurances were not sufficient and sought a formal order on the stipend enhancement.

Meanwhile, representatives of protesting medical interns will again meet Itoo on Tuesday to resolve the issue.

A 2023 Recommendation That Was Never Implemented

The protest involves interns from 10 Government Medical Colleges and two dental colleges across J&K. The interns have also cited the delay in implementing an earlier government recommendation on the issue. Government Order No. 538-JK(HME), issued in June 2023, had recommended enhancement of the stipend from the 2019 rate of Rs 12,300 to Rs 25,000.

Government's Response

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Monday the matter should have been resolved earlier and acknowledged that the continuing agitation was affecting the interns' work and training.

Health Minister Itoo had appealed to the interns to resume their duties, maintaining that patient care should not be affected by the protest.

Impact On Healthcare Services

Medical interns form an important part of J&K's healthcare delivery system. They work in OPDs, operation theatres, emergencies and also attend to in-hospital patients in J&K. The hospitals are presently facing an acute shortage of staff during the last one week since the interns have struck work.

(With inputs from IANS)

• Large youth turnout: Young people, including Gen Z students, gathered in Vadodara to welcome PM Modi ahead of his development projects launch.
• Students hope for direct interaction: Several students expressed hope of meeting the PM personally and having him visit their college pavilions.
• Rs 35,000 crore projects to be unveiled: PM Modi is scheduled to lay foundation stones, inaugurate and dedicate development projects worth over Rs 35,000 crore around noon.
• BJP leaders welcome the enthusiasm: MP Hemang Joshi called it "a day of great joy," describing the turnout across age groups as unprecedented.

Vadodara: Young people, including members of Gen Z, turned out in large numbers in Vadodara on Tuesday to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing excitement and enthusiasm over his visit to the city and the development projects scheduled to be unveiled during his programme.

Students gathered at various locations to catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister and expressed their desire to interact with him during his visit. Several youngsters said they were particularly excited about the opportunity to see PM Modi in person and convey their appreciation for the initiatives undertaken for the country's youth and economic development.

Students Share Their Excitement

Speaking to IANS, a student said there was considerable enthusiasm among young people who had gathered to welcome the Prime Minister.

"There is immense enthusiasm. A large crowd has gathered here to see Narendra Modi. When we meet him, we would like to tell him that he has done a lot for us. The Prime Minister has closely focussed on our economic growth, travels to various places, meets people, and represents India, which is really great for us," the student said.

Another student described PM Modi's visit to Vadodara as a special occasion, saying it was a matter of good fortune for the city that the Prime Minister was visiting after a long gap. The student also expressed hope that he would interact directly with students and visit their college pavilion.

"First of all, it is our good fortune that he is coming to Baroda after such a long time. I would like him to interact with us once, visit our college pavilion, and also interact with our faculty... We hope he continues to speak to Gen Z, as he frequently interacts with the youth," the student said.

Another student said getting an opportunity to meet the Prime Minister would be a memorable experience and credited his government with improvements in the education sector.

"If we get a chance to meet PM Narendra Modi, it would be a huge privilege. The education system has improved significantly because of him," the student said.

Rs 35,000 Crore Worth Of Projects On The Agenda

The Prime Minister is scheduled to lay foundation stones, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation several development projects worth more than Rs 35,000 crore in Vadodara at around noon. The projects are expected to cover multiple sectors and form a significant part of his visit to the city.

BJP Leaders React To The Turnout

The large turnout of young people was also welcomed by BJP leaders, who said the participation reflected the enthusiasm among people across different age groups for the Prime Minister's visit and the development initiatives being announced in Vadodara.

BJP MP Hemang Joshi, speaking to IANS, described the occasion as a moment of celebration for the city and said people had gathered in large numbers to welcome the Prime Minister.

"Today is a day of great joy for us, as our country's illustrious Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Vadodara to present several development gifts. The program organised today is truly unprecedented," Joshi said.

"Everyone is present here — be it children, youth or women — to welcome the Prime Minister to Vadodara," he added.

(With inputs from IANS)

• PM Modi's wishes: PM Modi praised Giriraj Singh's initiatives to strengthen the textiles sector and empower weavers and artisans on his birthday.
• Amit Shah, Piyush Goyal, Kiren Rijiju also wish him: Multiple Cabinet colleagues extended birthday greetings, highlighting his work in the textile and handloom sector.
• Long political career: Singh has held roles from Bihar Legislative Council member to Union Minister for Animal Husbandry, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, and now Textiles.
• Two-time Begusarai MP: Singh won Begusarai in 2019 by defeating Kanhaiya Kumar, and retained the seat in 2024, defeating Awadhesh Kumar Rai by 81,480 votes.
• Textiles portfolio since 2024: He took charge as Union Minister of Textiles on June 11, 2024.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended birthday wishes to Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh, praising his initiatives to strengthen the sector and empower weavers and artisans.

"Best wishes to Union Minister Shri Giriraj Singh Ji on his birthday. He is undertaking several initiatives aimed at strengthening the textiles sector, which is so closely linked with Indian heritage and is vital to fulfilling our vision of self-reliance. Praying for his long and healthy life," PM Modi said in a post on X.

Other Leaders Extend Greetings

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also extended his greetings to Singh and lauded his efforts to promote the textile industry and make weavers and artisans self-reliant.

"Heartfelt birthday wishes to Union Minister Shri Giriraj Singh ji. Under the leadership of Modi ji, you are doing commendable work in promoting the textile industry and making weavers and artisans self-reliant. I pray to God for your healthy and long life," he said.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal also wished Singh on his birthday, highlighting his contribution to the development of the textile and handloom sectors.

"Heartfelt birthday wishes to my colleague in the Union Cabinet, Giriraj Singh ji. Your continuous efforts towards the development of the textile and handloom sector and the empowerment of our weavers and artisans are commendable. I pray to God for your good health and long life," he said.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also conveyed his greetings to Singh. "Heartfelt birthday wishes to the Honorable Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh ji. I pray to God for your excellent health and long life," Rijiju said.

Giriraj Singh's Political Journey

Born on September 8, 1952, in Barahiya town of Bihar's Lakhisarai district, Singh graduated from Magadh University in 1971. He served as a member of the Bihar Legislative Council from 2002 to May 2014.

Singh served as Bihar's Cooperative Minister from 2005 to 2010 and Animal Husbandry Minister from 2010 to 2013. He later entered the Lok Sabha from Nawada in the 2014 general election.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Singh won from Begusarai, defeating CPI candidate Kanhaiya Kumar. He subsequently served as Union Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairying, and Fisheries.

Following the July 2021 Cabinet reshuffle, Singh was appointed Minister of Rural Development and Minister of Panchayati Raj.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Singh retained the Begusarai seat for a second consecutive term, defeating Awadhesh Kumar Rai by 81,480 votes. He took charge as Union Minister of Textiles on June 11, 2024.

(With inputs from IANS)

• Cloudy skies, light rain for Delhi: IMD forecasts generally cloudy weather with light rain or drizzle in Delhi on Tuesday, with partly cloudy skies expected September 9-10.
• High humidity across NCR: Humidity is expected to remain relatively high in Delhi, and could touch 90% in Noida and Gurugram.
• Noida and Gurugram forecast: Noida will see partly cloudy conditions till September 13 with temperatures around 34-35°C; Gurugram expects similar conditions with possible thundershowers by September 13.
• Heavy rain warning for 17 states: IMD has warned of heavy rain and thunderstorms across 17 states and UTs, including Bihar, UP, Haryana, Rajasthan and West Bengal, with wind speeds up to 70 kmph in some areas.
• Monsoon active nationwide: Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir are all expected to see continued rainfall activity through September 13.

New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast generally cloudy weather with light rain or drizzle in Delhi on Tuesday. The national capital is likely to witness partly cloudy skies on September 9 and 10, while another spell of light rain may occur from September 11. Humidity is expected to remain relatively high during the period. The weather department has not issued any warning for Delhi for the coming days.

Noida And Gurugram Forecast

In Noida, partly cloudy conditions are likely to prevail from September 8 to 13. Maximum temperatures are expected to remain between 34 and 35 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature is likely to stay around 26 degrees Celsius. Humidity levels could rise as high as 90 per cent. No weather warning has been issued for the city.

Gurugram is also likely to experience partly cloudy weather from September 8 to 12, with maximum temperatures ranging from 31 to 33 degrees Celsius. On September 13, the maximum temperature is expected to be around 32 degrees Celsius, with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers possible. Humidity may reach 90 per cent, though no weather warning has been issued.

Heavy Rain Warning Across 17 States

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon remains active over several parts of the country. The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and other regions on Tuesday.

The IMD has warned of heavy rain and thunderstorms across 17 states and Union Territories, including Bihar, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Wind speeds could reach 65-70 kmph in some areas.

Region-Wise Rainfall Timeline

The weather department has forecast heavy rainfall in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh until September 13. Uttar Pradesh may receive rain between September 9 and 13, while Rajasthan could witness rainfall on September 12 and 13. Uttarakhand is likely to continue experiencing monsoon activity, while Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh may receive rain during September 8-13.

• Five MCD officials suspended: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta suspended South Zone officials — Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar, SE Ranvir Singh, EE Lalit Kumar Goel, AE Sunil Chauhan and JE Ashish Kumar — over the Satya Niketan collapse.
• Citywide sealing drive ordered: The CM directed immediate sealing of buildings with unauthorised fifth floors across Delhi, with nearby PGs also being inspected.
• Building owner arrested: Hariram Bansal was apprehended in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, by a 10-team police operation after a Look Out Circular was issued against him.
• Death toll at seven: Seven people have been confirmed dead, with several still feared trapped under the debris as rescue operations continue.
• Adjacent building also collapsed: Eyewitnesses reported an adjacent structure collapsing too, raising concerns about the area's building safety.
• Student protests erupt: SFI and KYS-affiliated students marched at Delhi University's North Campus, demanding proper hostel construction for students.

New Delhi: A day after a building collapse claimed seven lives, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday vowed not to spare anyone found guilty, adding that five MCD officials have been suspended after the tragedy in South Delhi's Satya Niketan.

The Chief Minister also coordinated with civic agency officials to launch a citywide drive to seal buildings with unauthorised fifth floors.

In a message on X, the Chief Minister said, "MCD Deputy Commissioner, Executive Engineer, Superintending Engineer, Assistant Engineer and Junior Engineer have been suspended with immediate effect following the tragic Satya Niketan incident."

Who Has Been Suspended

The suspended employees include South Zone officials — Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar, Superintending Engineer (SE) Ranvir Singh, Executive Engineer (EE) Lalit Kumar Goel, Assistant Engineer (AE) Sunil Chauhan and Junior Engineer (JE) Ashish Kumar.

Understanding The MCD Hierarchy: These five roles represent a chain of civic oversight — from Junior Engineer (ground-level inspection) up through Assistant and Executive Engineer to Superintending Engineer and Deputy Commissioner (zonal administrative head). Suspending officials across this entire chain signals that the government is treating the lapse as a systemic failure of building oversight, not an isolated error by a single official.

Sealing Drive And Building Inspections

Giving an update on the crackdown following the incident, Chief Minister Gupta said, "The building owner has been arrested. Immediate sealing of buildings with unauthorised fifth floors has been ordered across Delhi."

"Nearby PGs and buildings are also being thoroughly inspected. Strict action, including sealing, will be taken against violations. Delhi Government has taken the matter with utmost seriousness. Anyone found guilty or responsible will not be spared," said the Chief Minister.

Owner Arrested After Manhunt

CM Gupta's tough talk against illegal constructions came on a day when the owner of the collapsed building, Hariram Bansal, was apprehended by Delhi Police from Rajasthan's Bhiwadi.

He was arrested hours after the Delhi Police issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) following the collapse of the five-storey building, which served as a PG accommodation for students, as investigations into the incident and responsibility for the tragedy continue.

The police had formed 10 teams to apprehend Bansal after a look-out notice was issued against him, said an official.

CM Revisits Site, Assures Action

On Monday morning, Chief Minister Gupta revisited the collapse site to review the ongoing rescue and related operations.

Following the inspection, she assured that strict action would be taken against officials found guilty of negligence or oversight.

Search Operations Continue

So far, seven people have been confirmed dead in the building collapse. Several are receiving treatment, while many are still feared to be trapped under the debris.

The search and rescue operations continued throughout the night. Officials said that several people, mostly students, are still feared trapped under the debris, and efforts are underway to rescue them safely.

The five-storey building, known as "Hostel Daze," was operating as a boys' PG, and several students were staying there when the incident took place around 1.30 p.m. on Sunday, the police said.

An adjacent building also collapsed, according to eyewitnesses, adding to concerns over the safety and structural condition of buildings in the area.

Students Protest, Demand Proper Hostels

Meanwhile, students affiliated with SFI and KYS held a protest and took out a march at Delhi University's North Campus on Monday to voice concern over the Satya Niketan building collapse. They demanded the construction of proper hostels for all students of the university.

• Father-daughter Bigg Boss connection: Rhiti Tiwari has entered "Bigg Boss 20," 16 years after watching her father, Bhojpuri star Manoj Tiwari, participate in "Bigg Boss 4."
• "A different kind of exposure": Rhiti said the show let audiences see the person behind her father's star image, beyond his films and music.
• Childhood memories of watching him: She recalled eagerly waiting for every episode as a child, missing her father daily but finding it exciting to see him in a new world.
• Roles have now reversed: Rhiti said it feels surreal that she is now inside the house while her father watches from outside, the reverse of her childhood experience.
• Her own music career: Rhiti has built an independent identity in music, releasing tracks including "Sab Ghoom Raha Hai" and "Maansik Santulan."

Mumbai: Singer-songwriter-composer Rhiti Tiwari, who has entered "Bigg Boss 20" 16 years after watching her father and Bhojpuri star Manoj Tiwari participate in the reality show, has stated that the show gave her father an entirely different kind of exposure.

Speaking about Manoj's stint on "Bigg Boss 4," Rhiti said that while her father was already a well-known star, the reality show allowed audiences to see the person behind his public image.

"Before Bigg Boss, Dad was already a star, but I think the show gave him an entirely different kind of exposure. Suddenly, people who might not have known him through his films or music were watching him every single day and getting to know the person behind the star," Rhiti said.

Childhood Memories Of Watching Her Father On TV

She recalled watching her father on the show as a child and said she would eagerly wait for every episode.

"I remember watching every episode as a kid. I would literally wait to see him on screen. I would miss him every day, but at the same time, there was something exciting about seeing my father live in this completely different world," she said.

Rhiti was only a child when she watched her father inside the Bigg Boss house, and now entering the same show years later has been a surreal experience, as stated by her.

"Little did I know then that I would be signing up for the same show 16 years in the future. Back then, I, of course, didn't understand the magnitude of what Bigg Boss was," she said.

"The Roles Have Somehow Reversed"

Looking back, she feels the roles between her and her father have now reversed.

"It feels incredibly surreal because the roles have somehow reversed. I was once the kid sitting at home waiting to watch my father, and now I'm the one inside the house, while he is on the other side watching me," Rhiti said.

About Manoj Tiwari's Bigg Boss 4 Run

For the uninitiated, Manoj Tiwari participated in "Bigg Boss 4," which aired in 2010 and was hosted by Salman Khan.

The season also featured television actors Shweta Tiwari and Sara Khan, actor Samir Soni, Ashmit Patel, singer Rahul Bhatt, wrestler The Great Khali and television personality Dolly Bindra, among others.

From Bigg Boss To Parliament: Manoj Tiwari's Second Innings

Manoj Tiwari's journey didn't stop at reality television and Bhojpuri cinema. He went on to join the BJP and has represented the North East Delhi constituency in the Lok Sabha for three consecutive terms — winning in 2014, 2019, and again in 2024, when he defeated Congress's Kanhaiya Kumar. His "Bigg Boss" appearance, which Rhiti credits with humanising his public image, is often cited as having boosted his profile beyond the Bhojpuri film industry in the years before he entered mainstream politics.

About Rhiti Tiwari

Rhiti has been carving her own identity in the independent music space and has released tracks including "Sab Ghoom Raha Hai" and "Maansik Santulan."

• Launch on September 9 in Varanasi: Union Minister Annpurna Devi will launch the month-long ninth Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 at the Rudraksh International Cooperation and Convention Centre, alongside UP CM Yogi Adityanath.
• A nine-year-old nationwide movement: Observed every September since 2018, Poshan Maah has grown into a Jan Andolan mobilising communities around nutrition for women, children and adolescents.
• PMMVY completes 10 years: This year's edition will mark a decade of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, the flagship maternity benefit scheme, as a dedicated fifth theme.
• 100% saturation drive planned: The campaign will aim to enrol all eligible pregnant and lactating women, speed up Direct Benefit Transfers, and roll out a state/UT-level PMMVY Toolkit.
• Nationwide community events: Poshan Maah 2026 will be observed across all states and UTs through events at Anganwadi centres, schools, panchayats and households.

New Delhi: Union Women and Child Development Minister Annpurna Devi will launch the month-long ninth Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 on September 9 in Varanasi with the aim of improving nutrition and health of women, children and adolescents, an official said on Monday.

The launch event will be held at the Rudraksh International Cooperation and Convention Centre in Varanasi, where the Union Minister would be joined by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur and ministers and officials from the state, an official statement said.

What Is Rashtriya Poshan Maah

Observed every September since its launch in 2018, Rashtriya Poshan Maah has grown into a Jan Andolan that mobilises communities to strengthen nutrition, health and caregiving behaviours among women, children and adolescents, the statement said.

Marking A Decade Of PMMVY

Guided by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of a "Suposhit Bharat" to lay the foundation of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 will celebrate 10 years of Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), the flagship maternity benefit programme that has supported maternal nutrition and health-seeking behaviour for a decade, as a fifth theme.

What Is PMMVY: The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana is a central government scheme that provides cash benefits directly to pregnant and lactating women, intended to partly compensate for wage loss during pregnancy and encourage better nutrition and health-seeking behaviour, such as regular check-ups and institutional delivery. The scheme has been running for a decade and is being highlighted this year as one of the key pillars of the nutrition campaign.

A 100 per cent saturation drive will enrol all eligible pregnant and lactating women, expedite Direct Benefit Transfers, and launch a PMMVY Toolkit for localisation by states and Union Territories (UTs), the statement said.

What To Expect At The Launch

The launch programme will open with a walkthrough of the Poshan Mela by the dignitaries and the lighting of the lamp.

Beneficiary testimonial videos on hot cooked meals, take-home ration, home visits and early childhood care and education will be screened, followed by a live interaction between the Union Minister and the anganwadi workers.

Films marking 10 years of PMMVY and the Poshan Maah 2026 launch will set the stage for the dignitaries to formally launch the campaign.

Nationwide Rollout

Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 will be observed across all states and UTs through community events at Anganwadi centres, schools, panchayats and households, reaffirming that a well-nourished child is the shared responsibility of every citizen and the surest foundation of a Viksit Bharat.

• Yellow Alert issued for 13 districts: IMD flagged rain across West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Muzaffarpur, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Vaishali, Samastipur and Supaul.
• Heavy rain expected in 4 districts: Supaul, Samastipur, Sitamarhi and Darbhanga are likely to see heavy rainfall, with winds up to 30 kmph and lightning possible.
• 6.65 lakh people affected by floods: Floodwaters have hit 18 districts, driven by heavy rainfall in Nepal and Uttarakhand raising river levels across Bihar.
• Ganga, Punpun above danger mark: The Ganga is flowing above danger levels from Buxar to Bhagalpur; the Punpun has crossed the mark by 2.75 metres, breaching embankments in south Patna.
• 35% rainfall deficit despite floods: Bihar has received only 531.3 mm against an expected 820.9 mm this season, even as isolated heavy spells trigger flooding.
• Transport links disrupted: The Patna-Gaya rail section, Bihta-Sarmera NH 78 and Mokama National Highway have all been affected by rising waters.

Patna: The monsoon remains active across Bihar, with the Meteorological Department issuing a Yellow Alert for rain in 13 districts on Monday, even as floods driven by upstream rainfall continue to affect lakhs of people across the state.

The alert covers West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Muzaffarpur, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Vaishali, Samastipur and Supaul. Heavy rainfall has been forecast in four districts — Supaul, Samastipur, Sitamarhi and Darbhanga — with strong winds reaching speeds of up to 30 kmph and the possibility of lightning also expected in some areas. The Meteorological Centre has advised residents to remain cautious during adverse weather.

What A Yellow Alert Means

Under IMD's colour-coded weather warning system, a Yellow Alert signals "watch and stay updated" — conditions worth monitoring but not requiring the heightened preparedness of an Orange Alert ("be prepared") or the more severe Red Alert ("take action"), which is reserved for extreme weather likely to cause significant disruption or damage.

Rainfall Pattern: Heavy Spells, Yet An Overall Deficit

Several parts of Bihar received significant rainfall over the past 24 hours. Munger recorded 73 mm, followed by Patna with 68 mm, Banka with 67 mm, Muzaffarpur with 65 mm, and Jamui and Siwan with 55 mm each.

Despite this recent rainfall, Bihar has recorded a 35 per cent deficit in cumulative rainfall so far this season — against an expected 820.9 mm, the state has received only 531.3 mm. This gap explains why the state can simultaneously face a rainfall shortfall and severe localised flooding: intense, concentrated spells in the catchment areas of Nepal and Uttarakhand are overwhelming specific river stretches even as Bihar's own season-long rainfall total lags behind normal.

Patna received 68 mm of rainfall on Sunday. The capital is expected to remain cloudy on Monday, although the possibility of continuous heavy rainfall is low, with light drizzle likely in some areas. Humidity and temperatures may rise once the rain subsides, while no significant change in temperature is expected over the coming week.

Rivers Above Danger Mark, Embankments Breached

While rainfall continues in parts of the state, rising river levels have compounded the situation. Heavy rainfall in Nepal and Uttarakhand — both upstream of Bihar's river network — has contributed to increased water levels in several rivers, with floodwaters now affecting 18 districts and approximately 6.65 lakh people.

The Ganga is flowing above the danger mark from Buxar to Bhagalpur — a stretch of roughly 300 km covering some of the state's most densely populated riverside areas. The "danger mark" refers to the water level beyond which a river is considered likely to cause flooding to surrounding low-lying and embankment-protected areas.

The Punpun has risen 2.75 metres above the danger mark, with floodwaters reportedly overtopping or breaching protective embankments in the southern parts of Patna and entering residential areas — bringing floodwaters unusually close to the state capital itself.

Transport And Riverside Villages Hit

Flooding has also disrupted transportation at several locations, with water affecting the Patna-Gaya railway section, Bihta-Sarmera NH 78, and the Mokama National Highway.

The Son River has also caused flooding in riverside villages in the Bihta block, affecting around 20,000 people and submerging several roads.

According to the Meteorological Department, rainfall across Bihar is expected to remain uneven over the next few days, with localised cloud activity and light rain likely in different areas.

(With inputs from IANS)

Also Read: Bihar Floods: Ganga Nears Highest Flood Level in Patna, Bhagalpur

• Discharge hiked to 12,000 cusecs: Officials increased the release from Mettur Dam to 12,000 cubic feet per second from 6 a.m. on Monday, amid rising irrigation demand in the Cauvery delta.
• Steady increases since September 1: The dam was opened at 3,000 cusecs for samba cultivation, raised to 7,000 cusecs within hours, and held there for six days before further hikes.
• Outflow now exceeds inflow: The current release of 12,000 cusecs is higher than the recorded inflow of 9,709 cusecs, making future inflow levels critical for continued discharge decisions.
• Reservoir at 92.39 feet: As per Sunday evening figures, the Mettur reservoir held around 55.35 TMC of storage at a water level of 92.39 feet.
• Relief for delta farmers: The enhanced supply is expected to support early-stage cultivation and dependable irrigation for the samba paddy season.

Salem (Tamil Nadu): The discharge of water from the Mettur Dam was increased to 12,000 cubic feet per second on Monday morning as irrigation demand rose across the Cauvery delta region.

Officials stepped up the release from 6 a.m., marking the latest in a series of increases since water was opened from the reservoir on September 1 for samba cultivation.

The decision is expected to improve supplies to agricultural areas where farmers are preparing fields and carrying out early-stage cultivation operations.

Discharge Raised In Stages Since September 1

When the dam was opened at the beginning of the month, water was initially released at the rate of 3,000 cusecs. The discharge was raised to 7,000 cusecs within a few hours and maintained at that level for six consecutive days.

With irrigation requirements increasing in the Cauvery delta, authorities enhanced the outflow to 10,000 cusecs at 6 p.m. on Sunday. A further revision followed on Monday morning, taking the release to 12,000 cusecs.

Reservoir Level And Storage

According to figures recorded on Sunday evening, the water level in the Mettur reservoir stood at 92.39 feet. Inflow into the dam was measured at 9,709 cusecs, while the available storage was approximately 55.35 thousand million cubic feet (TMC).

Outflow Exceeds Inflow, Future Adjustments Likely

The increased discharge is intended to carry more water downstream to the delta districts, where dependable irrigation is crucial for the samba paddy season. Farmers in the region are hopeful that the higher release will meet the immediate water requirement and enable cultivation to proceed without disruption.

Mettur Dam is the principal regulating reservoir for irrigation supplies to the Cauvery delta. Changes in its discharge are closely monitored by farmers, particularly during the main paddy seasons, because the timing and volume of water determine the pace of agricultural activity across the command area.

The latest increase also comes as officials balance the demand of downstream farms with inflow and remaining storage in the reservoir. The outflow of 12,000 cusecs is currently higher than the reported inflow of 9,709 cusecs, making future inflows an important factor in decisions on continued releases.

Authorities are expected to keep watch on the reservoir level, inflow, storage and irrigation demand before making further adjustments. For now, the enhanced supply has brought relief to delta farmers who depend on Cauvery water for samba cultivation.

• Rain likely in Western Ghats: The Regional Meteorological Centre has forecast moderate rain in Tamil Nadu's Western Ghats districts for five days starting late Sunday.
• Interior temperatures to rise: Maximum temperatures in interior parts of the state could stay up to four degrees Celsius above normal over the next four days.
• Mixed weather for Chennai: The capital will see a partly cloudy day with light evening or night rain possible in parts of the city and suburbs, but no widespread rainfall expected.
• Squally wind warning issued: Winds up to 55 km/h are likely over the Gulf of Mannar, the southern coastal belt and the Comorin Sea.
• Fishing restricted in Rameswaram: Permits for mechanised boat fishermen in Rameswaram have been suspended until further notice as a precaution.

Salem (Tamil Nadu): Tamil Nadu is set to experience contrasting weather conditions over the coming days, with moderate rain forecast in districts along the Western Ghats, rising temperatures across the interior, and strong winds over the southern coastal waters.

In its latest weather bulletin, the Regional Meteorological Centre said moderate rain was likely in the Western Ghats districts for five days beginning late in the day. Other parts of the state may also receive isolated showers, depending on local weather conditions.

Interior Districts To Face Rising Heat

At the same time, residents of interior Tamil Nadu have been advised to prepare for hotter weather. Maximum temperatures in some places could remain as much as four degrees Celsius above normal for the next four days. The combination of heat and humidity could cause discomfort, particularly during the afternoon hours.

Chennai is expected to have a partly cloudy sky during the day, with light rain possible in parts of the city and its suburbs during the evening or at night, offering some respite from the prevailing warm conditions. The forecast, however, does not indicate widespread or sustained rainfall for the capital.

Fishermen Warned Of Squally Winds

The weather office has issued a separate warning for fishermen operating off the southern Tamil Nadu coast. Squally winds with speeds reaching 55 km per hour are likely over the Gulf of Mannar, the adjoining southern coastal belt and the Comorin Sea.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into these areas until conditions improve. Following the warning, Fisheries Department officials said permits would not be issued to mechanised boat fishermen in Rameswaram to enter the sea. The restriction will remain in force until further notice as a precaution against rough conditions and potentially dangerous winds.

The suspension is expected to keep fishing boats anchored along the Rameswaram coast and may temporarily affect fishing operations and the daily income of crews dependent on deep-sea voyages.

Officials To Monitor Situation Closely

Officials are expected to review the situation on the basis of subsequent weather bulletins. People living in coastal areas have also been urged to remain alert to sudden changes in wind conditions.

Authorities advised fishermen and boat operators to closely follow official warnings rather than take risks based on short periods of apparently calm weather. The weather department said it will continue closely monitoring the rain, temperature and wind pattern and issue updates if there is any significant change.

Also Read: Heatwave to Continue Across Tamil Nadu; IMD Warns Fishermen

• Clear message to students: Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi urged students at the state-level Teachers' Day event in Kataka to avoid social media distractions and misinformation, and stay focused on their studies.
• Teacher-student bond emphasised: The CM called for a friendlier relationship between teachers and students, describing education as a process of character-building rather than just knowledge transfer.
• Tribute to guru-shishya tradition: Majhi paid homage to Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan on his birth anniversary, tracing India's teacher-student legacy from Lord Rama and Krishna to APJ Abdul Kalam.
• Major education reforms highlighted: Odisha has become the first state in India to offer free education from Shishu Vatika to postgraduate level under the 'KG to PG' scheme, alongside 2,200 new model primary schools worth Rs 12,000 crore.
• Fresh commitments announced: The government reiterated plans to fill 45,000 teacher posts over three years, alongside continued mid-day meals, free textbooks, and the Shaheed Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Yojana for tribal students.

 Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday urged students to focus fully on their studies, without wasting valuable time on social media or falling prey to misinformation.

The Chief Minister was speaking at the state-level Teachers' Day celebrations held at the Secondary Board High School in Kataka. During his interactions with students, Majhi advised them to remain focused on building their careers and avoid anything that could hamper their future prospects.

"As students, your foremost duty is to study diligently, acquire skills, and contribute to both personal and national development. This is the core purpose of our education system. Therefore, stay away from anything that has the potential to create obstacles in building your career," he said.

Highlighting the relationship between teachers and students, the Chief Minister said it needed to become more friendly in the present times, and advised students to reach the pinnacle of success with the blessings of their parents and teachers. "Education is not merely about imparting knowledge; it is a great process of building human character, and teachers have been shouldering this great responsibility," he said.

Explaining the significance of the bond between teachers and students, Majhi paid tribute to former President Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan on his birth anniversary, saying the guru-shishya tradition was unparalleled in Indian culture. From Lord Rama and Lord Krishna to Chandragupta Maurya and Swami Vivekananda, he said, the role of teachers had been decisive in shaping the lives of these great personalities. "Even in today's era, a great personality like 'Missile Man' Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, despite holding the nation's highest office, considered it an immense matter of pride to identify himself first as a teacher," Majhi said.

What the 'KG to PG' scheme actually involves: The Chief Minister's reference to Odisha's free education reforms points to the 'Gyanodaya–Shiksharu Samruddhi' scheme, which the state Cabinet approved on July 1, 2026, and which took effect from the 2026-27 academic session. Under it, students at government and government-aided schools, colleges and state public universities receive a full waiver of admission fees, covering Classes 9-12, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Since education up to Class 8 was already free in the state, this effectively makes the entire education pipeline free from kindergarten through postgraduate study — though students in self-financing, unaided, PPP-mode institutions or professional and technical courses are not covered. The government estimates around 32 lakh students will benefit, with the scheme costing Rs 895.57 crore in its first year and a projected Rs 5,467.55 crore over five years. Odisha's government has described this as the first such comprehensive scheme of its kind nationally — for comparison, Telangana offers free KG-to-PG education only to economically weaker sections, while Kerala's free education runs from KG to graduation level and is limited to Arts and Science students, making Odisha's version broader in scope than either.

Highlighting reforms further, Majhi said 2,200 world-class 'Godabarish Mishra Adarsha Primary Schools' are being constructed at a cost of Rs 12,000 crore — one planned for every panchayat in the state, with foundation stones already laid for over 300 of them in the initial rollout — while 45,000 Shishu Vatika centres have also been opened for pre-school children.

Majhi reiterated the government's commitment to providing mid-day meals to students of Classes IX and X, supplying textbooks, implementing the 'Shaheed Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Yojana' for tribal students, and filling 45,000 teacher posts over the next three years — building on the roughly 26,000 teachers the state says it has already recruited over the past two years.

The Chief Minister called for building a strong, prosperous and self-reliant Odisha through the collective efforts of teachers, students, alumni and the public, drawing on their knowledge, talent, experience and cooperation. On the occasion, he felicitated and honoured several distinguished teachers for their dedicated service in teaching and shaping the future of students.

• A confession decades in the making: Chunky Pandey revealed on India's Best Dancer Season 5 that as a 15-year-old, he wore a burqa to sneak into a cinema hall and watch Zeenat Aman's 1978 film Satyam Shivam Sundaram.
• Repeated attempts, repeated failures: Chunky admitted he tried three to four times to enter the theatre to watch the adult-rated film before resorting to his disguise plan.
• Terence Lewis gets nostalgic too: IBD judge Terence Lewis recalled Zeenat's iconic yellow sunglasses look, calling it simple yet striking and crediting it with shaping fashion trends of the time.
• Zeenat sets the record straight: The actress revealed she styled her now-legendary look herself, inspired by a trip to Southern California.
• A film still remembered fondly: Directed by Raj Kapoor and starring Zeenat Aman and Shashi Kapoor, Satyam Shivam Sundaram remains iconic for its music and its exploration of beauty and perception.

Actor Chunky Pandey revealed a hilarious teenage memory of going to extraordinary lengths to watch legendary actress Zeenat Aman on the big screen — recalling how he eventually wore a burqa to enter a cinema hall and watch her 1978 film Satyam Shivam Sundaram.

Chunky shared the anecdote on the dance reality show India's Best Dancer Season 5, where Zeenat Aman appears as a special guest. Recalling his teenage years and the impact the actress had on him, Chunky said he was only 15 when he repeatedly tried to watch the film, which was then rated for adults only.

"Zeenat ji, aapko pata hai, main pehli baar ladki bhi aapki wajah se bana, I swear to God. Aapki jo film lagi thi Satyam Shivam Sundaram aur woh adult picture thi. Toh main 15 saal ka tha, toh maine teen-chaar baar koshish ki cinema theatre mein jaane ke liye. Hamesha mujhe bahar phenk dete the. Fir end mein maine burqa pehen ke chala gaya," he said.

(Translation: "Zeenat ji, you know, I became a girl for the first time because of you, I swear to God. Your film Satyam Shivam Sundaram had released and it was an adult film. I was 15 years old, so I tried three or four times to enter the cinema theatre. They would always throw me out. Finally, I went wearing a burqa.")

Why the film needed an adult certificate in the first place: Satyam Shivam Sundaram was, by most accounts, one of the more sexually explicit mainstream Hindi films of its era, and its production history reflects that. Several leading actresses of the time — including Hema Malini, Dimple Kapadia and Vidya Sinha — reportedly turned down the female lead specifically because of the degree of skin exposure the role required, before Zeenat Aman took it on. The film's release was subsequently challenged in the Himachal Pradesh High Court on obscenity grounds; director Raj Kapoor approached the Supreme Court, which quashed the case on the technical ground that the censor certificate had already been granted, meaning Kapoor could not be held liable after the fact. Zeenat Aman herself has since spoken publicly about the controversy, saying she never saw anything inherently obscene about the human body and that her character's sensuality was part of the story rather than its central point.

The episode of India's Best Dancer will also see choreographer and judge Terence Lewis recall Zeenat's influence on fashion. Speaking about her iconic look, Terence remembered her yellow sunglasses and effortless style. "Zeenat ji, jo aapka yellow sunglasses the, aapne pehna, I can't forget that. It was so simple but so striking and you look awesome. I feel whole fashion has come back into that safe zone and those big sunglasses who styled you like this," he said.

Zeenat, however, revealed that the striking look was entirely her own creation. "I just came back from Southern California and, may I say that, I styled it myself," she said.

Zeenat also revisited memories from the shoot of Satyam Shivam Sundaram in Kathmandu, recalling the intense atmosphere on set and the large crowds of locals who would gather while the song was being filmed.

Released on March 24, 1978, Satyam Shivam Sundaram: Love Sublime was directed and produced by Raj Kapoor under his own R.K. Studio banner, and starred Zeenat Aman and Shashi Kapoor in the lead roles, with Padmini Kolhapure, A.K. Hangal, Leela Chitnis and others in supporting parts. Zeenat played Rupa, a village woman whose appearance and beauty become central to the film's exploration of love, perception and social attitudes, while Shashi Kapoor played Rajeev, an engineer who initially rejects her once he discovers a scar on her face.

The film is also remembered for its music, composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, who won the Filmfare Best Music Director Award for the score. The title track, "Satyam Shivam Sundaram," sung by Lata Mangeshkar, became one of the biggest hits of the year and remains an iconic song of Hindi cinema. The soundtrack also carries a poignant footnote: it featured the last recorded song of legendary playback singer Mukesh, and the film was dedicated to his memory.

• A layered care model: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted the state's three-tier cancer care network designed to bring advanced, affordable treatment closer to patients across the state.
• Kokrajhar as a flagship example: The Kokrajhar Cancer Care Centre was cited as a key example, expected to significantly cut travel distances for patients in western Assam and neighbouring areas.
• A regional health challenge: Cancer has become a major public health concern in Assam and the wider Northeast, with patients historically forced to travel to distant cities for specialised care.
• Tata Trusts partnership: The expansion is being carried out in collaboration with Tata Trusts, with cancer care centres coming up at multiple locations across the state.
• Decentralisation as the end goal: The government aims to reduce dependence on a handful of specialised hospitals by building an integrated system covering prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care.

Assam is strengthening its cancer treatment infrastructure through a three-tier cancer care network aimed at bringing advanced and affordable healthcare closer to patients across the state, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday.

Sarma, in a post on X, highlighted the ongoing expansion of the state's cancer care grid, saying the initiative was helping patients access quality treatment at affordable prices while also ensuring a more compassionate approach towards patients and their attendants.

He cited the Kokrajhar Cancer Care Centre as an example of the approach being adopted under the state's expanding cancer care network. The three-tier model is designed to create a network of cancer treatment facilities at different levels, allowing patients to receive care closer to their homes while reducing the need to travel long distances for treatment.

Cancer has emerged as a major public health concern in Assam and the wider Northeast, with the region witnessing a significant burden of cancer cases. For years, patients from Assam and neighbouring northeastern states have often had to travel to major cities outside the region for specialised diagnosis and treatment.

The scale of the problem this network was built to address: According to health officials involved in setting up the programme, Assam has historically reported around 52,000 new cancer cases every year, with roughly 70 per cent detected only at the last stage — a delay that pushed the state's cancer mortality rate to an estimated 40-50 per cent. Contributing risk factors identified in the Assamese population include consumption of smoked fish, tobacco use, smoking, and betelnut chewing. Before this network existed, cancer care was concentrated almost entirely in Guwahati, Dibrugarh and Silchar, meaning patients from other parts of the state faced travel times of six to ten hours just to reach a treatment centre, with many travelling as far as Delhi, Chennai or Mumbai for specialised care.

How the network is actually structured: The initiative operates under the Assam Cancer Care Foundation (ACCF), a not-for-profit partnership between the Assam government and Tata Trusts formed in 2018 — described at the time as the largest public-private partnership in India's healthcare sector. The original plan called for 19 facilities across four levels: 12 comprehensive cancer care centres located on Government Medical College premises (including Barpeta, Dhubri, Diphu, Jorhat, Karimganj, Kokrajhar, Lakhimpur, Nagaon, Nalbari, Silchar, Tezpur and Tinsukia) offering full diagnosis and treatment; 5 centres attached to District Hospitals (Darrang, Goalpara, Golaghat, Haflong and Sivasagar) offering diagnostics and day-care services including chemotherapy; Assam Medical College in Dibrugarh upgraded into an apex centre with education and research capabilities; and the State Cancer Institute in Guwahati expanded into a 500-bed apex research facility. A "Digital Nerve Centre" was also set up at the State Cancer Institute to virtually connect all facilities, helping guide patients from community-level screening up to specialist referral as needed.

Funding for the project has come from multiple sources: the Assam government has contributed upwards of Rs 2,700 crore, Tata Trusts around Rs 1,150-1,180 crore, the Government of India roughly Rs 108 crore toward the State Cancer Institute, and corporate CSR contributions adding a further Rs 81 crore — together making it one of the largest healthcare infrastructure investments undertaken by any Indian state. Seven of the network's hospitals — at Dibrugarh, Barpeta, Tezpur, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Kokrajhar and Darrang — were formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2022, with the remaining facilities brought online in phases since. At full capacity, the 17-hospital network is designed to serve up to 50,000 patients annually, drawing not just from Assam but from neighbouring northeastern states as well.

The state government has therefore been focusing on developing this distributed cancer care system that combines facilities for screening and early detection with centres capable of providing specialised treatment, in partnership with Tata Trusts, with cancer care centres developed at multiple locations across Assam. The broader objective is to create an integrated system covering prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care, making cancer services more accessible in both urban and rural areas.

The Kokrajhar facility is particularly significant for patients in western Assam and adjoining areas, as it reduces the distance patients need to travel for cancer-related services. Sarma's remarks underline the government's emphasis on affordability and patient-centric care alongside expansion of medical infrastructure, with continued focus on strengthening early detection and awareness — since timely diagnosis remains crucial to improving cancer treatment outcomes.

With the three-tier grid being expanded, the government aims to establish a more decentralised cancer care ecosystem, reducing dependence on a few specialised hospitals and making comprehensive cancer services accessible to a larger section of the population.

• 118 educators felicitated: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta honoured 118 teachers across categories at 'Shikshak Mahakumbh - State Teachers Awards 2026' held at Thyagaraj Stadium on Teachers' Day.
• Big budget commitment: The Delhi government has allocated Rs 19,148 crore for education in FY 2026-27, aimed at building quality education infused with skills, values and confidence.
• Tech-driven classrooms ahead: 170 modern language labs are being set up across Delhi schools — 70 in CM Shri Schools and 100 in other government schools — to boost communication skills.
• Beyond textbooks, a values push: CM Gupta emphasised that teachers shape not just knowledge but character, duty and direction, calling their influence generational rather than individual.
• Multiple initiatives in play: Programmes like Neev, Rashtraneeti and NIPUN Sankalp are being deployed to build entrepreneurship, innovation, democratic values and foundational literacy among students.

New Delhi, September 5: Promising to prepare schools for the future, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday honoured 118 teachers for their outstanding contribution to education at "Shikshak Mahakumbh - State Teachers Awards 2026," organised at Thyagaraj Stadium.

Speaking at the event on the occasion of Teachers' Day, the Chief Minister said educators are the strong foundation of society. She said the recognition for the 118 educators was not merely an honour for their achievements, but for the dedication, patience and faith through which they shape children's futures every day.

"They do not merely impart textbook knowledge to students, but also instil values, skills, confidence, a sense of duty and the right direction in life. A teacher's influence does not remain limited to an individual student, but contributes to shaping an entire generation," she said.

CM Gupta said the Delhi government was committed to ensuring every child receives quality education that builds knowledge, skills, values and confidence. As part of this commitment, a budget allocation of Rs 19,148 crore has been made for education in FY 2026-27, with schools being prepared for the future through technology and smart teaching resources.

Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood, MP Bansuri Swaraj, MLAs Abhay Verma, Neeraj Basoya and Chandan Kumar Chaudhary, Education Department Director Ankita Anand, senior officials, and teachers, principals, vice-principals and students from various schools attended the event.

A total of 118 teachers were honoured across categories, including 20 Heads of Schools, 69 teachers from DoE and MCD schools, and teachers from three CM Shri Schools, along with librarians, special educators and sports teachers recognised for notable contributions. NCC cadets presented a guard of honour, followed by a welcome song from music teachers, with children in traditional attire welcoming guests.

What CM Shri Schools actually are: These are a network of 75 government schools launched under Delhi's Rs 100 crore initiative, modelled on the Centre's PM-SHRI scheme and aligned with the National Education Policy 2020. Inaugurated in February 2026, they feature AI-enabled libraries, AR/VR-equipped smart classrooms, robotics laboratories, biometric attendance systems, and are designed as solar-powered, zero-waste campuses. The Delhi government has since approved a further Rs 265 crore for additional infrastructure at these schools, including sports facilities, auditoriums and accessibility features for students with special needs. The initiative drew over 50,000 admission applications within its first week of opening — a sign of the demand these schools have generated among parents.

CM Gupta said 170 modern language labs are being established across Delhi's schools — 70 in CM Shri Schools and 100 in other government schools — to strengthen language and communication skills. Alongside this, initiatives such as Neev, Rashtraneeti and NIPUN Sankalp are being used to build entrepreneurship, innovation, problem-solving, democratic values, and foundational literacy and numeracy among students.

• Fresh pact inked: Adani Defence & Aerospace has signed a five-year agreement with Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) to supply 7.62x39 mm ammunition for AK-203 rifles.
• Two industrial giants, one supply chain: The deal links IRRPL's rifle production at Korwa, Amethi, with Adani's ammunition manufacturing, creating an integrated domestic pipeline.
• Massive rifle order backs the deal: IRRPL is already producing under a December 2021 contract for 6,01,427 AK-203 rifles for India's Armed Forces.
• Adani's defence footprint widens: This follows Adani Defence's July agreement with DRDO for the AEW&C-MKII airborne early warning programme on modified A321 aircraft.
• Strategic push for self-reliance: The pact reinforces Aatmanirbhar Bharat goals by reducing reliance on imported small-calibre ammunition for frontline infantry weapons.

Adani Defence & Aerospace has signed a five-year agreement with Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) — the India-Russia joint venture manufacturing AK-203 assault rifles in India — to supply indigenous 7.62x39 mm small-calibre ammunition for the programme, it was announced on Saturday.

Under the agreement, Adani Defence will supply 7.62x39 mm ammunition for the AK-203 for five years, providing an Indian source for the ammunition required and supporting continuity of supply during the contract period.

The agreement brings together AK-203 rifle production by IRRPL and ammunition production by Adani Defence, creating an integrated domestic supply chain, further strengthening capabilities across the small-arms sector and supporting the Aatmanirbhar Bharat objective in defence manufacturing.

The scale of the programme this ammunition deal feeds into: IRRPL was incorporated in 2019 under an India-Russia intergovernmental agreement to manufacture AK-203 rifles for the Indian Armed Forces, with its facility located at Korwa in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. A contract for 6,01,427 rifles was signed with IRRPL in December 2021, valued at roughly Rs 5,124 crore (about $670 million) — one of the largest defence deals between India and Russia in recent years. The AK-203 is intended to replace the Indian Army's INSAS rifle, in service since 1996 and known for reliability issues such as jamming in cold conditions. Under the original production plan, localisation of manufacturing was set to begin at around 5 per cent for the first 70,000 rifles, rising in phases to 70 per cent, before the remaining rifles are produced with full localisation — meaning the domestic ammunition supply chain Adani Defence now enters becomes more central to the programme as local content increases over its production run.

The joint venture has Indian shareholders Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited and Munitions India Limited, alongside Russian shareholders Concern Kalashnikov and Rosoboronexport. The Ministry of Defence has identified IRRPL as the designated joint venture for indigenous AK-203 production.

Adani Defence & Aerospace has separately established manufacturing capabilities for small-calibre ammunition in India, including a facility in Kanpur.

This agreement follows another major milestone for the company: in July, Adani Defence and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) signed an agreement for AEW&C-MKII, India's next-generation Airborne Early Warning and Control programme. That deal made Adani Defence the first private Indian company entrusted with development, integration and lifecycle support of an airborne mission platform of this scale, covering joint development, manufacture and integration of airborne mission systems on six modified Airbus A321 aircraft for the IAF, along with logistics, maintenance, repair and overhaul, and technical support for up to 30 years.

• Tribute to Educators: Tamil Nadu CM C. Joseph Vijay paid rich tributes to teachers on Teachers' Day, emphasising their role extends far beyond classroom education.
• Beyond Academics: He said teaching involves cultivating discipline, humanity, fraternity and social responsibility among students, not just imparting knowledge.
• Honouring Radhakrishnan's Legacy: CM Vijay recalled former President Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan's contribution to education while extending Teachers' Day greetings.
• A Societal Impact: He said teachers' influence extends beyond individual students to contribute to the progress of society and the nation as a whole.
• A Call for Appreciation: The Chief Minister urged people to recognise the invaluable work of teachers who remain committed despite professional challenges.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Saturday paid rich tribute to teachers for their contribution to shaping generations of students and building a progressive society, saying their role extended far beyond classroom education.

In a message marking Teachers' Day, CM Vijay said teachers played a crucial role in nurturing young minds, instilling values, and preparing students to become responsible citizens capable of contributing to the country's development.

The story behind Teachers' Day itself: Teachers' Day is observed in India on September 5 to mark the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan — a philosopher, scholar, and India's second President. Before entering public life, Radhakrishnan taught philosophy at institutions including Madras Presidency College and Mysore University, and later became the first Indian to hold the Spalding Professorship of Eastern Religions and Ethics at Oxford. He also served as Vice-Chancellor of both Andhra University and Banaras Hindu University. The tradition of Teachers' Day traces back to 1962, the year he became President, when a group of his students and admirers asked to celebrate his birthday; Radhakrishnan reportedly asked them to instead observe the day in honour of all teachers — a request that has been followed nationally ever since.

Extending his greetings, CM Vijay recalled Radhakrishnan's contribution to education and wished teachers across the state. He said teachers worked selflessly to secure a prosperous future for students and deserved recognition for the enormous responsibility they carried in shaping the younger generation.

Highlighting the wider role of educators, CM Vijay said teaching was not merely about imparting academic knowledge — teachers enlightened young minds and helped cultivate discipline, humanity, fraternity, and a sense of social responsibility among students. They also encouraged children to pursue their dreams, identified and nurtured their talents, and provided guidance necessary for them to build successful lives, he said.

According to CM Vijay, the influence of teachers ultimately went beyond individual student development and contributed to the progress of society and the nation as a whole. Their efforts in preparing responsible, skilled, and socially conscious citizens were, he said, integral to building an inclusive and progressive society.

The Chief Minister called on people to appreciate the invaluable work carried out by teachers who remain committed to educating and guiding students despite the challenges associated with the profession. He said the dedication and guidance provided by teachers could determine the direction of a student's future and enable young people to realise their potential.

CM Vijay expressed hope that the selfless commitment of teachers and their continued guidance would make students' futures brighter and help them emerge as responsible members of society, and conveyed his heartfelt Teachers' Day greetings to educators across Tamil Nadu.

• Historic Milestone Crossed: The Ganga surpassed its previous 2016 peak level at Patna's Gandhi Ghat around 10:30 a.m. Saturday, according to Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Chaudhary.
• Multiple Rivers Above Danger Mark: The Ganga, Gandak, Kosi, Burhi Gandak, Punpun and Ghaghara are all flowing above danger levels at various locations across the state.
• Massive Relief Scale-Up: Community kitchens have been expanded significantly, with Bhojpur's 13 kitchens serving nearly 2.84 lakh people and Patna's eight kitchens covering 2.32 lakh people across nine blocks.
• Boat Deployment: The government is operating 693 boats across flood-affected districts, with Vaishali leading deployment at 155 boats.
• Continuous Monitoring: Officials have been stationed at vulnerable points, with district teams directed to conduct continuous patrolling of riverbanks and embankments.

The flood threat in Bihar has intensified as the Ganga and several other major rivers continue to rise, prompting authorities to expand relief and rescue operations across affected districts.

At Patna's Gandhi Ghat, the Ganga has crossed the danger mark and is flowing close to its Highest Flood Level (HFL), triggering heightened vigilance by the state government and the Disaster Management Department. Authorities have issued alerts and stepped up monitoring in vulnerable areas.

How this compares to the last record: Gandhi Ghat's danger level is set at 48.60 metres, and its previous highest-ever flood level — recorded in 2016 — stood at 50.52 metres. Deputy Chief Minister and Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said the Ganga surpassed that 2016 peak at around 10.30 am on Saturday, meaning the river is now at its highest recorded level at this site in at least a decade. The 2016 flood, for context, affected roughly 23.71 lakh people across Bihar and caused 22 deaths, with over a lakh people evacuated to safer ground — giving a sense of the scale authorities are now bracing to exceed.

Chaudhary reviewed the situation with senior officials on Saturday and directed them to maintain strict surveillance along riverbanks and embankments, alert residents in vulnerable areas, and ensure prompt preventive measures. District-level teams have been asked to conduct continuous patrolling of sensitive locations, with officials stationed at vulnerable points and the administration stating it is fully prepared to handle any emergency.

Several major rivers besides the Ganga — including the Gandak, Kosi, Burhi Gandak, Punpun and Ghaghara — are flowing above the danger mark at multiple locations. The Ganga remains above danger level at Digha, Gandhi Ghat, Hathidah, Bhagalpur, Kahalgaon, Buxar and Munger; the Gandak has crossed the mark at Dumaria Ghat and Hajipur; the Kosi at Baltara and Kursela; the Burhi Gandak at Khagaria; the Punpun at Sripalpur; and the Ghaghara at Darauli.

Relief efforts have been scaled up accordingly. In Bhagalpur, six community kitchens are serving around 5,000 people, having distributed over 70,600 meals so far. Bhojpur has 13 kitchens catering to nearly 2.84 lakh affected people across four blocks, while Patna has eight kitchens serving about 2.32 lakh people across nine blocks, with additional centres opened at seven new locations in the state capital. Saran's kitchens are serving around 20,000 residents.

In Vaishali, relief assistance is reaching nearly 85,000 people, with 326 residents shifted to a special relief camp. The government is operating 693 boats for evacuation and transport across affected districts — Vaishali leads with 155 boats, followed by Samastipur (88), Bhojpur (87), Patna (70), Madhepura (58), Khagaria (43) and Purnea (35).

Relief materials and evacuation arrangements are also being mobilised in Arwal, Buxar, Begusarai, Samastipur, Khagaria, Munger and Katihar, with authorities maintaining continuous surveillance as river levels remain on an upward trend.

For residents in affected areas: Bihar's State Emergency Operation Centre can be reached at 1070 for assistance during flooding.

• Major Overhaul Planned: Tamil Nadu's Teachers Recruitment Board (TRB) is preparing a digital overhaul covering applications, document management, roster preparation, certificate verification and results.
• Addressing Long Delays: The reform comes amid concerns over recruitment delays, with candidates sometimes waiting six months to over a year for results and completion.
• One-Time Registration: A proposed system will let candidates register via mobile number, receive individual dashboards, and reuse submitted details for future applications.
• Certificate Digitisation: Candidates will be able to upload certificates for digital storage up to five years, with on-screen verification reducing repeated submissions.
• Better Access to Results: Candidates will access exam results directly through dashboards, replacing the current system of time-limited links.

The Tamil Nadu Teachers Recruitment Board (TRB) is preparing a major digital overhaul of its recruitment system, aiming to reduce delays and make the selection process for government educational institutions faster, simpler and more transparent.

The proposed reforms will bring most stages of recruitment online — applications, document management, reservation roster preparation, certificate verification and publication of results. The actual conduct of examinations, however, is expected to continue under the existing system.

The initiative comes amid persistent concerns over how long TRB recruitment exercises take. In some cases, candidates have waited between six months and more than a year for results and completion of recruitment procedures. TRB examinations draw large numbers of applicants — ranging from about 25,000 to over one lakh depending on the recruitment — with more than 2.3 lakh serving teachers recently appearing for the Special Teacher Eligibility Test (TET).

One of the principal changes under consideration is a one-time registration system. Candidates currently have to resubmit personal and educational details separately every time a fresh recruitment notification is issued. Under the proposed arrangement, applicants will register through their mobile numbers and receive individual dashboards, with initial information reusable for future applications.

A model that already exists in Tamil Nadu: This isn't an untested idea for the state. The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC), which recruits for a wide range of state government posts, has run a similar One-Time Registration (OTR) system for several years — candidates register once via Aadhaar for a Rs 150 fee, with the registration valid for five years and reusable across multiple TNPSC recruitment drives without re-entering the same details each time. If TRB adopts a comparable structure, it would essentially extend a system already functioning elsewhere in Tamil Nadu's own recruitment machinery to the separate teacher-recruitment pipeline.

The board also plans enhanced online assistance — real-time helplines, chat support, regularly updated FAQs, digital instructions and explanatory videos.

Candidates will be able to upload certificates to their accounts, with documents retained digitally for up to five years, alongside proposed on-screen certificate verification to reduce repeated submission of the same records. Another change will let candidates access results directly through their dashboards, rather than through links that currently often become inaccessible after a set period.

TRB is also developing an online roster-processing mechanism for communal reservation rosters and merit-cum-roster lists, with automation expected to cut errors and speed up revisions required by government orders. Plans further include digitising TRB's reference library and building a database of subject experts for question preparation.

Candidates, meanwhile, want the reforms to also address recurring issues such as errors in answer keys, which have previously triggered disputes and delayed result publication. The overall goal is to shorten the recruitment cycle while improving accuracy, accessibility and transparency.

• Widespread Rainfall: Rain has returned across multiple Rajasthan districts, including Jaipur, Ajmer, Dausa, Alwar, Bharatpur and Sawai Madhopur.
• Wall Collapse in Ajmer: A wall of Arya Putri School near Plaza Cinema collapsed around 6 a.m. Saturday, damaging parked cars, though no casualties were reported.
• Dam Gates Opened: Rising water levels prompted authorities to open two gates of Bandh Baretha Dam in Bharatpur's Bayana area on Saturday morning.
• Alerts Issued: The Meteorological Department has issued an Orange Alert for three districts and a Yellow Alert for 24 districts for Saturday.
• Schools Shut: Schools in Jhalawar and Karauli were closed Saturday due to the heavy-rain warning.

The monsoon has turned active again in Rajasthan, with rain reported across several districts, including Jaipur, Ajmer, Dausa, Alwar, Bharatpur and Sawai Madhopur.

Heavy rainfall has caused waterlogging in several areas, while rising water levels at reservoirs prompted the opening of two gates of Bandh Baretha Dam in Bharatpur.

In Ajmer, a wall of Arya Putri School near Plaza Cinema collapsed around 6 am on Saturday following the rain. A few cars parked near the wall were damaged after being buried under debris; no casualties have been reported so far.

Heavy rain has also disrupted normal life in parts of Alwar and Dausa, where roads and low-lying areas have been inundated. Jaipur has been receiving intermittent rain since Friday evening, bringing a noticeable drop in temperatures. Up to one inch of rain has been recorded at some locations in rural Jaipur.

The Meteorological Department has issued an Orange Alert for heavy rain in three districts for Saturday, and a Yellow Alert for 24 districts. Under IMD's alert system, an Orange Alert signals that authorities and residents should "be prepared" for disruptive weather, while a Yellow Alert is a lower-intensity "be aware/watch" advisory — meaning the three Orange-alert districts face a more serious near-term risk than the 24 under Yellow.

Schools in Jhalawar and Karauli were closed on Saturday in view of the heavy-rain warning.

About the dam that made gates news: Bandh Baretha, on the Kakund river in Bharatpur's Bayana tehsil, is one of the district's oldest reservoirs — construction began in 1866 under the erstwhile rulers of Bharatpur and was completed in 1897. Beyond its role in regulating water for the region, the reservoir and surrounding area now function as a wildlife sanctuary known for migratory bird populations, making changes in its water level a matter of both flood-management and ecological interest locally. The water level rose after continuous rainfall in its catchment area over the past two days, prompting authorities to open two gates in Bayana on Saturday morning to regulate the rise.

The renewed rainfall has brought relief from Jaipur's recent heat, with rain continuing intermittently across the capital and surrounding areas since Friday evening.

Weather experts said a low-pressure system originating in the Bay of Bengal is currently influencing conditions along eastern Rajasthan. The monsoon trough extends from Sri Ganganagar and Narnaul, through the low-pressure area over northern Madhya Pradesh and southern Uttar Pradesh, towards the Bay of Bengal. As a result, the monsoon is expected to remain active over eastern Rajasthan on September 5 and 6, with the possibility of continued rainfall across several districts.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate showers across the region, with thunderstorm and lightning activity likely during both the morning and afternoon-evening hours.

The forecast follows a day after Delhi witnessed heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds, with gusts touching nearly 60 kmph in parts of the city. Friday's downpour caused waterlogging at several locations, disrupting traffic movement.

IMD attributed the continuing wet spell to a well-marked low-pressure area over central Madhya Pradesh and adjoining south Uttar Pradesh, expected to remain nearly stationary for the next two days — allowing moisture-laden conditions to persist over Delhi-NCR.

For Saturday, Delhi is expected to stay generally cloudy, with one or two spells of light to moderate rain, thunderstorms and lightning from early morning through the forenoon, followed by another spell in the afternoon-evening.

Maximum temperature is likely to settle between 29°C and 31°C, with the minimum between 24°C and 26°C — both lower than the previous day, owing to the ongoing rain.

How IMD defines rain intensity: Under its official classification, rainfall below 15 mm in a day counts as "light," 15–64.5 mm as "moderate," 64.5–115.5 mm as "heavy," 115.6–204.4 mm as "very heavy," and anything above 204.4 mm is "extremely heavy." Saturday's forecast for Delhi-NCR falls in the light-to-moderate band.

Noida is expected to see similar conditions — cloudy skies with one or two spells of light to moderate showers and thunderstorms, first in the morning, then again in the afternoon or evening. Gurugram is forecast to follow the same two-spell pattern.

Ghaziabad is also expected to receive rain with thunderstorms and lightning at different times through the day; the city recorded a maximum of 34.9°C and minimum of 27.1°C over the previous 24 hours. Faridabad remains under the same weather system, with rain expected in the morning and evening — it logged a maximum of 34.4°C, a minimum of 28.3°C, and 4.5 mm of rainfall in the past day.

According to the extended forecast, rainfall is expected to taper from September 6, with only very light showers likely. From September 7 to 10, conditions should turn mainly dry with partly cloudy skies, as wind direction shifts from southeasterly to northwesterly — signalling the onset of drier weather. Once the rain-bearing system moves away, maximum temperatures are expected to climb back to the 33°C–35°C range.

IMD has advised commuters to remain cautious, citing possible traffic disruption, water accumulation in low-lying areas, and higher accident risk during heavy spells. During active thunderstorms, people are additionally advised to avoid standing under trees, stay away from concrete walls and floors during lightning, and check traffic advisories before stepping out.

Also Read: Delhi-NCR to See More Rain, Thunderstorms: IMD Forecast

• New Initiative Announced: Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu unveiled a recorded teaching system for students in Classes 9 to 12 to strengthen technology-enabled classroom learning.
• Teacher Training First: Educators will undergo online training to learn how to integrate recorded lessons and digital tools into their regular teaching practices.
• Structured Learning Goal: The initiative aims to make the learning process more organised while providing additional academic support to both students and teachers.
• Supplementing, Not Replacing: The recorded system is designed to complement conventional classroom instruction rather than substitute it.
• Revision Support: Students will gain an additional avenue to revise lessons and strengthen subject understanding beyond regular classroom hours.

Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu announced on Friday the introduction of a recorded teaching system for students from Classes 9 to 12, as part of the state government's broader effort to strengthen classroom learning through technology. The initiative marks a notable step in the state's ongoing push to integrate digital tools more deeply into its higher secondary education framework.

What the System Aims to Achieve

The initiative is designed to provide students in higher classes with access to structured, technology-enabled teaching resources, while simultaneously supporting teachers in adopting digital methods of instruction. By combining recorded lessons with existing classroom teaching, the government hopes to create a more consistent and organised learning framework for this crucial stage of school education.

Why It Matters: Preparing Teachers First

According to Minister Pegu, teachers will undergo online training to familiarise themselves with the recorded teaching system and learn how to effectively incorporate digital learning tools into their regular classroom practices. This training-first approach signals the government's intent to ensure educators are well-equipped before the system is rolled out more broadly, rather than introducing the technology without adequate preparation.

How the Training Will Work

The training programme will be conducted entirely through an online mode, allowing teachers to understand the functioning of the system and how recorded lessons can be meaningfully integrated into the broader teaching-learning process. This format is likely intended to make the training accessible to educators across the state without requiring extensive in-person sessions.

Supporting Both Students and Teachers

The Education Minister said the initiative is intended to make the learning process more organised and provide additional academic support to both students and teachers, positioning the recorded teaching mechanism as a supplement to conventional classroom instruction, particularly for students in Classes 9 to 12, a stage widely regarded as pivotal in a student's academic trajectory.

Building Digital Capability, Not Just Access

Beyond simply introducing recorded lessons, the state government is also focused on building teachers' digital capabilities, aiming to ensure technology is used effectively as an integrated teaching tool rather than serving merely as an additional, standalone classroom resource. This distinction suggests a deliberate emphasis on pedagogical integration over technology for its own sake.

Industry Impact: Part of a Wider Education Technology Trend

Minister Pegu's announcement arrives amid growing efforts by educational institutions and governments across India to expand the use of digital platforms and technology-based teaching methods in schools. Assam's approach, prioritising structured teacher training ahead of system rollout, reflects a broader recognition within the education sector that technology adoption succeeds only when paired with adequate educator preparation.

What Students Can Expect

Through recorded lessons and digital resources, students will gain greater access to structured learning material, while teachers will be equipped with additional tools to reinforce concepts taught in physical classrooms. The initiative is expected to give students another avenue for revising lessons and strengthening their understanding of subjects beyond regular classroom hours, potentially benefiting those who need additional reinforcement outside standard school timings.

The Bigger Picture

By combining classroom teaching with recorded lessons delivered by trained educators, the Assam government aims to build a more consistent and structured learning environment specifically for students in higher secondary classes, a segment often considered critical for board exam preparation and future academic pathways.

The Bottom Line

As the online training for teachers gets underway, the actual rollout and effectiveness of the recorded teaching system will likely depend on how well educators are equipped to blend traditional classroom methods with these new digital resources, a factor the Assam government appears to be treating as a priority ahead of full implementation.

• Semis Already Sealed: Seven-time champions India face Pakistan in their final Group A clash on Saturday, having already secured a semi-final berth.
• Smriti's Record-Breaking Form: Smriti Mandhana surpassed Mithali Raj's record for most runs in international women's cricket and now holds the record for most centuries across all formats in the women's game.
• India's Middle-Order Concerns: Despite being clear favourites, India's middle order has faced scrutiny after associate teams exposed weaknesses on Dubai's slow pitches.
• Pakistan's Batting Woes: Pakistan remain in semi-final contention after beating Thailand, but slipped to 25/3 in the powerplay before defending a modest total.
• Match Details: The clash takes place Saturday, September 5, at 8:00 PM IST at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, live on Sony Sports Ten 1 and Sony LIV.

India will look to refine their T20 approach when they take on arch-rivals Pakistan in their final Group A clash of the 2026 Women's Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday. With a semi-final spot already secured, the seven-time champions enter the fixture with less pressure on the result itself, but with clear intent to sharpen their game ahead of the knockout stages.

A Rivalry That Rarely Delivers Close Contests

While India-Pakistan encounters typically generate immense off-field anticipation, particularly given their rarity outside multi-nation events, recent fixtures between the two sides have seldom produced tight, gripping contests on the field. This pattern positions India as clear favourites heading into Saturday's clash.

Why It Matters: India's Middle-Order Under the Scanner

Despite entering as heavy favourites, Harmanpreet Kaur's India side has faced scrutiny over its middle-order form, an area of concern that has been repeatedly exposed by associate nations on Dubai's slow, tricky pitches. This vulnerability remains a key aspect for India to address, even in what is expected to be a comfortable fixture on paper.

Smriti Mandhana's Historic Form

India's batting strength going into the match is headlined by vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and opening partner Shafali Verma, both arriving in outstanding touch after scoring 124 and 64 against Hong Kong China and Thailand respectively. Mandhana, in particular, enters the fixture on the back of a record-breaking performance on Thursday night, where she surpassed former teammate Mithali Raj's record for most runs in international women's cricket. She also registered her 18th international century in the same innings, moving past Meg Lanning and Laura Wolvaardt to claim the record for most centuries across all formats in the women's game. Given that she also struck a match-winning fifty against Pakistan in this year's T20 World Cup clash in Edgbaston, another big innings from Mandhana appears well within reach.

India's Bowling Attack in Good Shape

On the bowling front, pacer Nandani Sharma has impressed alongside Kranti Gaud in picking up breakthroughs, while Deepti Sharma has continued her consistent wicket-taking form. This depth in the bowling unit adds further weight to India's status as favourites heading into the contest.

Pakistan's Persistent Batting Concerns

Pakistan remain in contention for the semi-finals following an opening win over Thailand, but their batting fragility continues to be a significant worry. The side slipped to 25/3 during the powerplay in their previous match before managing to defend a modest target of 119 against their lower-ranked opponents, a performance that underlines the gap in batting depth compared to India.

Leaning on Established Names

Pakistan continues to rely heavily on top-order wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali and captain Fatima Sana to anchor their innings and set the tempo. However, the side will need a marked improvement in overall batting performance to genuinely compete against a considerably more formidable Indian line-up.

Match Details

The India-Pakistan clash is scheduled for Saturday, September 5, at 8:00 PM IST at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai. The match will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Ten 1 SD and HD channels, with live streaming available on the Sony LIV app and website.

Full Squads

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shafali Verma, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), G Kamalini (wk), Arundhati Reddy, Prema Rawat, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani, Renuka Thakur, Nandni Sharma, Kranti Gaud, and Pratika Rawal.

Pakistan: Fatima Sana (captain), Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wk), Sadaf Shamas, Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar.

The Bigger Picture

Beyond the result, this match offers India a valuable opportunity to fine-tune combinations and address middle-order concerns ahead of the knockout stages, while Pakistan will be looking to build batting confidence regardless of the semi-final equation. The historic rivalry ensures the contest will draw significant viewership, even with the group-stage stakes already settled for India.

The Bottom Line

With Smriti Mandhana in record-breaking form and India's bowling attack firing on most cylinders, Saturday's clash presents India with a chance to iron out their middle-order concerns before the business end of the tournament, while Pakistan will be hoping their top order can finally deliver the platform their bowlers need to stay competitive.

• The Incident: IndiGo flight 6E 225 (VT-NOG), flying from Navi Mumbai to Srinagar, came into contact with a VDGS pole while being positioned at Bay No. 06 around 9:02 a.m. Friday.
• No Injuries Reported: Airport authorities confirmed all passengers and crew are safe, with passengers deboarded safely using manual aircraft stairs.
• Inquiry Underway: Officials said the circumstances will be examined per prescribed procedures, with no conclusions drawn on the cause at this stage.
• Normal Operations Continue: Flight arrivals and departures at Srinagar international airport have continued as per schedule despite the incident.
• A Busy Airport Hub: Srinagar International Airport handles 20-24 daily departures and up to 60 total daily movements, served by five major carriers including IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, SpiceJet and Akasa Air.

An IndiGo flight came into contact with a pole holding the Visual Docking Guidance System (VDGS) while parking at Srinagar international airport on Friday morning. Airport authority officials confirmed that despite the incident, all passengers and crew members remained safe throughout.

What Happened

According to Srinagar airport authorities, IndiGo flight 6E 225 (VT-NOG), operating from Navi Mumbai to Srinagar, was being positioned at Bay No. 06 at around 9:02 a.m. when the aircraft came into contact with the VDGS pole during the parking process. Officials stated, "All passengers and crew members are safe, and no injuries have been reported," adding that passengers and crew were safely deboarded using manual aircraft stairs as a precautionary measure.

Inquiry to Follow Standard Procedure

In an official statement, airport authorities said the details and circumstances surrounding the incident would be examined by the appropriate authorities as per prescribed procedures. "The exact cause will be ascertained following completion of the enquiry and no conclusion regarding the cause is being drawn at this stage," the statement clarified, underscoring that this remains an active, ongoing investigation.

Why It Matters: Operations Remained Unaffected

Despite the incident, airport operations at Srinagar international airport remained normal, with flight arrivals and departures continuing as per schedule. This continuity suggests the impact was contained to the specific bay and aircraft involved, without triggering wider disruptions to the airport's broader flight network.

Understanding Srinagar Airport's Scale

Srinagar International Airport (SXR) is a significant regional aviation hub, operating around 20 to 24 daily departing flights, with roughly 40 to 60 total daily flight movements when including arrivals. This scale of operation means the airport handles a steady, high-frequency flow of domestic air traffic connecting Kashmir to the rest of India.

Key Carriers and Routes

Five major carriers operate regular flights from Srinagar International Airport: IndiGo, which holds the highest frequency and serves the most destinations, alongside Air India, Air India Express, SpiceJet and Akasa Air. Among the airport's major routes, New Delhi stands out as the busiest, with multiple daily non-stop flights, while Jammu is served through frequent daily and weekly commuter connections. Mumbai also sees regular daily and connecting services. Other key destinations from Srinagar include Chandigarh, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Amritsar.

Operational Hours and Constraints

Flights at Srinagar generally operate during daytime hours, typically governed by current airport availability and local scheduling considerations, roughly between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. or into the evening, depending on seasonal night closures and any ongoing runway maintenance notices in effect.

Industry Impact: A Reminder of Ground Safety Protocols

Incidents involving contact with ground infrastructure like VDGS poles, while relatively uncommon, highlight the importance of precise coordination during aircraft parking and docking procedures, particularly at airports with high daily traffic volumes like Srinagar. Such incidents typically prompt airport authorities and airlines to review taxiing and marshalling protocols at the specific bay involved.

The Bigger Picture

Given Srinagar airport's role as a key connectivity point for the Kashmir valley, maintaining smooth operations even after such incidents is critical, both for passenger convenience and for sustaining the airport's dense daily flight schedule across multiple carriers and destinations.

The Bottom Line

With all passengers and crew confirmed safe and normal operations continuing at Srinagar international airport, attention now turns to the enquiry into what led to the aircraft's contact with the VDGS pole, a process that will determine the exact circumstances behind Friday morning's incident.

• A Mentor's Message: Yuvraj Singh wished mentee Abhishek Sharma on his 26th birthday, praising his growth as a leader and his willingness to learn from failures.
• Playful Video Shared: The video showed Yuvraj making Abhishek do sit-ups for playing rash shots, capturing the lighthearted dynamic of their mentor-mentee bond.
• Wimbledon Memories: The clip also featured Yuvraj, Abhishek and Sanju Samson watching Wimbledon together, with Abhishek asking only for Yuvraj's blessings.
• Stellar T20I Record: Abhishek has scored two centuries and 11 half-centuries in 55 T20I innings, including the second-fastest century for India, in just 37 balls.
• What's Next: Abhishek will next feature in a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in New Delhi, looking to bounce back after a lean recent patch.

Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh marked the 26th birthday of his mentee Abhishek Sharma with a warm and playful tribute on social media on Friday. Yuvraj, who has played a significant role in shaping Abhishek's rise to international cricket, used the occasion to reflect on his mentee's growth both as a cricketer and as a person.

What Yuvraj Wrote

Sharing a cheeky video alongside his message, Yuvraj wrote on Instagram, "Sir Abhishek, it's your birthday. What an auspicious day. Love the person you have become - sharing and caring for those around you, and a leader! Always learning from your failures and willing to put in more hard work each time! Wishing you a year of runs and tons! Lots of love always." The message captured both admiration for Abhishek's cricketing journey and his personal development under Yuvraj's guidance.

A Lighthearted Bond on Display

The accompanying video showcased the playful dynamic between mentor and mentee, with Yuvraj seen instructing Abhishek not to play rash shots and humorously making him do sit-ups for his errors. In the clip, Yuvraj can be heard saying, "Bol mai pehli ball te lappa nahi maaranga," to which Abhishek responds, "Mai pehli ball te lift nahi maranga," a light-hearted exchange reflecting the coaching relationship that has clearly evolved into a close friendship.

A Shared Moment at Wimbledon

The video also included footage of Yuvraj, Abhishek and fellow cricketer Sanju Samson attending the Wimbledon event together from the stands. In an emotionally touching exchange, Yuvraj asked Abhishek, "Kya chahiye aapko?" to which Abhishek replied, "Aapka Aashirwaad" (your blessings), with Yuvraj responding simply, "Always," underscoring the depth of their bond beyond cricket.

Why It Matters: A Mentorship That Shaped India's T20I Approach

Yuvraj's mentorship has been credited with helping Abhishek rise to become the No. 1 T20I batter and reinvent India's T20I batting template, a significant contribution given the format's growing importance in modern international cricket. This kind of senior-junior mentorship relationship, made visible through such public tributes, reflects a broader trend of experienced Indian cricketers actively shaping the next generation of talent.

Abhishek's Rise in Numbers

Abhishek has firmly established himself as a fearsome presence in T20I cricket, having struck two centuries and 11 half-centuries across 55 innings. Notably, he holds the second-fastest century in T20Is for India, having smashed a hundred in just 37 balls against England last year. He trails only former captain Rohit Sharma on this list, with the 2024 T20 World Cup-winning skipper having scored a century in 35 balls against Sri Lanka back in 2017.

A Test Ahead: Bouncing Back From a Lean Patch

Abhishek will next be in action during the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in New Delhi, where he will look to make the most of his opportunities following mixed outings against Ireland, England and Zimbabwe. Recent form has been a challenge for the left-handed batter, who has managed only one fifty in his last 10 innings and has been dismissed in single digits in his last four outings.

Industry Impact: The Weight of Public Mentorship in Cricket

Public gestures of mentorship like Yuvraj's carry symbolic weight in Indian cricket, often reinforcing a player's standing and providing a morale boost during periods of inconsistent form. For a young batter navigating a recent rough patch, this kind of visible endorsement from a senior figure can serve as both encouragement and a reminder of the long-term faith placed in his abilities.

The Bigger Picture

As Abhishek Sharma heads into the Afghanistan series carrying both immense promise and recent form concerns, Yuvraj's birthday message serves as a timely reminder of the bigger picture: a player who has already reshaped expectations for Indian T20I batting, now looking to rediscover consistency at the crease.

The Bottom Line

Yuvraj Singh's birthday tribute to Abhishek Sharma blends personal warmth with cricketing significance, celebrating a mentorship that has already left a mark on India's T20I approach. As Abhishek prepares for the Afghanistan series, the message doubles as both a birthday wish and a vote of confidence heading into a crucial phase of his career.

• The Incident: IndiGo flight 6E 225, flying from Navi Mumbai to Srinagar, came into contact with a Visual Docking Guidance System (VDGS) pole while parking at Bay No. 06 around 9:02 a.m. Friday.
• All Safe: Srinagar Airport Authorities confirmed all passengers and crew are safe, with no injuries reported; passengers deboarded via manual aircraft stairs.
• Inquiry Ordered: Officials said the circumstances leading to the incident will be examined as per prescribed procedures, with no conclusions drawn at this stage.
• Normal Operations: Airport operations at Srinagar remain unaffected, with flight arrivals and departures continuing on schedule.
• Second IndiGo Incident This Week: This comes a day after an IndiGo flight from Doha to Bengaluru was diverted to Muscat due to the pilot falling unwell mid-flight.

An IndiGo aircraft came into contact with a pole holding the Visual Docking Guidance System (VDGS) display unit, along with its associated laser or camera sensors, while being parked at Srinagar airport on Friday morning, officials said. The incident occurred during the aircraft's positioning process at the airport bay.

What Happened

According to a statement, IndiGo flight 6E 225 (VT-NOG), operating from Navi Mumbai to Srinagar, came into contact with the VDGS pole at approximately 9:02 a.m. while being positioned at Bay No. 06 at Srinagar Airport. The VDGS system is a critical ground infrastructure component that helps guide aircraft to the correct parking position using visual and sensor-based cues.

Passenger and Crew Safety Confirmed

Srinagar Airport Authorities confirmed that all passengers and crew members on board were safe, with no injuries reported as a result of the incident. As a precautionary measure, passengers and crew were safely deboarded using manual aircraft stairs rather than the airport's standard boarding bridge, given the aircraft's contact with the docking equipment.

Why It Matters: Standard Procedure Now in Motion

Officials stated that the details and circumstances leading to the incident will be examined by the appropriate authorities in accordance with prescribed procedures. They clarified that the exact cause will only be ascertained following the completion of a full enquiry, and no conclusions regarding the cause are being drawn at this stage, reflecting standard aviation safety protocol for ground-based incidents involving contact with airport infrastructure.

Airport Operations Continue Normally

Despite the incident, airport officials confirmed that operations at Srinagar airport remain normal, with flight arrivals and departures continuing as per schedule, indicating the incident's impact was contained to the specific bay and aircraft involved rather than disrupting broader airport functioning.

Industry Impact: A Second IndiGo Incident in Two Days

This ground incident comes just a day after a separate IndiGo flight from Doha to Bengaluru was safely diverted to Muscat after the pilot-in-command reported feeling unwell and required immediate medical attention. That flight, 6E 1302, saw its pilot attended to by a medical team after landing in Muscat before being taken to a hospital; the crew member has since been reported to be in good health. IndiGo had arranged an alternate aircraft from Bengaluru to Muscat along with a fresh crew to allow passengers to continue their journey, with the airline citing "an urgent requirement of medical attention for one of the operating crew members" as the reason for the diversion.

A Pattern Worth Watching

The near back-to-back nature of these two incidents, one involving a mid-air medical emergency and the other a ground-based contact with airport equipment, is likely to draw attention to IndiGo's operational oversight during this period, even though the nature of the two incidents is unrelated. Ground equipment contact incidents during parking, while not uncommon across the aviation industry, typically prompt airlines and airport authorities to review taxiing and docking procedures at the specific bay involved.

The Bigger Picture

As India's largest airline by market share, IndiGo operates an extensive daily flight schedule, meaning isolated operational incidents, while newsworthy, need to be viewed within the context of the airline's overall scale of operations. Nonetheless, the proximity of this incident to the previous day's diversion adds to a string of recent operational headlines for the carrier.

The Bottom Line

With all passengers and crew confirmed safe and Srinagar airport operations continuing normally, attention will now turn to the enquiry into what caused the aircraft's contact with the VDGS pole. As IndiGo navigates this and the previous day's diversion incident, both cases underscore the routine but closely scrutinised nature of aviation safety protocols in India's commercial airline sector.

• Yellow Alert Issued: IMD has warned of light to moderate rainfall across Delhi on Friday and Saturday, with thunderstorms and lightning likely during the night.
• Temperature Relief: Delhi is expected to see temperatures between 24°C and 31°C, offering some respite from recent humid conditions.
• NCR-Wide Impact: Noida, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad and Faridabad are all forecast to experience cloudy skies with intermittent rain and possible thundershowers through the weekend.
• Regional Weather System: Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh are expected to remain under the influence of a developing weather system over the Bay of Bengal.
• Wind Risk: Wind speeds could reach up to 70 kmph during intense thunderstorm activity, raising the risk of disruptions.

Delhi-NCR is bracing for another round of cloudy skies and intermittent rainfall on Friday, with the India Meteorological Department forecasting light rain at several places and moderate showers in isolated pockets. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are also expected during the night, prompting the weather department to issue a yellow alert for the national Capital, warning of light to moderate rainfall through Friday and Saturday.

Why It Matters: Relief From Recent Humidity

The forecast rain is expected to bring some respite from the humid and uncomfortable conditions that have persisted recently, helping keep daytime temperatures relatively moderate. Delhi is likely to record a minimum temperature of around 24 degrees Celsius and a maximum of nearly 31 degrees Celsius, with the capital expected to remain mostly overcast and experience occasional light showers, moderate rainfall in some areas, and possible thunderstorms later in the day and into the night.

Noida: Cloudy With Spells of Rain

In Noida, weather conditions are expected to mirror the capital's pattern, with cloudy skies and periodic rain spells. The maximum temperature may settle around 30 degrees Celsius, while the minimum is likely to hover close to 24 degrees Celsius. Although the rainfall is expected to make conditions more comfortable compared to the recent hot and humid spell, increased humidity may still be felt. Commuters have been advised to exercise caution, as rain could temporarily reduce visibility and make roads slippery.

Gurgaon: Afternoon Showers Likely

Gurgaon is expected to see predominantly cloudy weather, with rainfall likely during the afternoon hours. Temperatures are projected to range between 24 and 30 degrees Celsius. According to the IMD forecast, several parts of Gurgaon and adjoining areas could receive rain on Friday, while isolated areas of Haryana may witness heavy showers, with rainfall activity expected to continue into Saturday as well.

Ghaziabad: Intermittent Showers Through the Weekend

Ghaziabad is likely to experience a mix of cloudy conditions and intermittent showers, with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers possible during both the morning and afternoon. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 and 33 degrees Celsius, with the unsettled weather pattern likely persisting into Saturday as rain and thunderstorms continue to affect parts of the Delhi-NCR region.

Faridabad: Rain Amid Cloudy Skies

Faridabad is also set to receive rainfall amid generally cloudy conditions, with temperatures ranging from approximately 24 to 30 degrees Celsius. The IMD has predicted rain at several places in Faridabad and other parts of southern Haryana, with isolated areas potentially witnessing heavy showers during the forecast period.

The Bigger Picture: A Regional Weather System

Rain and thundershowers are expected to persist through Saturday across the Delhi-NCR region before gradually weakening after the weekend. The broader weather pattern points to continued rainfall activity across North India and the Gangetic plains, with several states, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, expected to remain under the influence of a developing weather system over the Bay of Bengal.

Industry Impact: Preparedness for Disruptions

This Bay of Bengal weather system is likely to support widespread rain across the affected states in the coming days, with some areas potentially receiving heavy precipitation. The weather department has also warned of thunderstorms and strong winds in vulnerable areas, with wind speeds potentially reaching around 70 kmph during intense weather activity, a factor that could heighten the risk of disruptions to power supply, transport and outdoor activities during peak thunderstorm periods.

The Bottom Line

With a yellow alert in place and a regional weather system expected to sustain rainfall activity across North India in the coming days, residents across Delhi-NCR should prepare for a wet, overcast weekend, with particular caution advised during thunderstorm activity and periods of reduced visibility on the roads.

Also Read: Delhi-NCR Sees Pleasant Weather; Rain Till Aug 16

• Emotional Tribute: Actress Monalisa marked her father's first death anniversary with a heartfelt Instagram post, expressing how much she continues to miss him.
• Cherished Memories: She recalled his happy moments, innocent conversations, calls and the wishes he shared during festive occasions.
• Photo Carousel: The post included family pictures, including one of her feeding him, alongside photos from his prayer meet.
• Background: Monalisa's father passed away on September 3, 2025, after a prolonged illness, a loss she shared publicly at the time with an equally moving tribute.
• Real Identity: Monalisa, whose real name is Antara Biswas, is known for her work in the show "Nazar" and Bhojpuri cinema.

Actress Monalisa marked a deeply personal milestone on Thursday, remembering her late father on his first death anniversary with an emotional tribute shared on Instagram. The "Nazar" actress reflected on the memories she continues to hold close, expressing how she still misses him every day.

A Note Filled With Memory

In her post, Monalisa looked back on happy family moments, innocent conversations, phone calls, and the wishes her father would send on every special occasion. She also recalled the small, everyday details she now treasures, like the requests and reminders he would share with her. Her tribute read, "It's Been 1 Year Already You Left Us 'BABA'... I Miss You Everyday... All The Best Memories... Your Happy Moments, Your Innocent Talks... Your Wishes In Every Occasions... Your List Of Requirements... Your Calls... I Can Understand You Were In Great Pain... And You Left Us And Went To A Better Place... I Love You BABA 03/09/2026."

The Photographs Shared

The accompanying carousel featured photos of Monalisa with her father during a family outing, including one image of her feeding him affectionately, alongside pictures taken during the prayer meet held in his memory.

Looking Back to Last Year

Monalisa's father passed away on September 3, 2025, following a prolonged illness. At the time, the actress, whose real name is Antara Biswas, shared the news publicly along with an emotional tribute describing him as strong, cheerful and fun-loving. In that earlier post, she wrote about missing his birthday wishes, festive greetings, grocery orders and small daily gestures, describing the loss as "such a void," while finding comfort in the belief that he would watch over her "like an angel" from the other side.

A Continuing Thread of Remembrance

This latest tribute reflects the anniversary as a moment of renewed reflection rather than a single passing mention, showing how the actress continues to process and honour her father's memory a year on. Her openness in sharing both the grief and the fond memories offers a glimpse into a private, personal side of her life beyond her on-screen work in "Nazar" and Bhojpuri cinema.

The Bottom Line

Monalisa's tribute stands as a quiet, personal reminder of enduring love and loss, marking one year since her father's passing with memories that clearly remain vivid and close to her heart.

• Top Leaders Inspect Rivers: CM Samrat Choudhary and former CM Nitish Kumar separately toured Patna and adjoining areas to review the rising Ganga on Thursday.
• Record Levels Looming: The Ganga at Gandhi Ghat could cross the Highest Flood Level (HFL) by Thursday night; Hathidah in Mokama is expected to cross HFL by September 4 afternoon.
• Bhagalpur Crisis: Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Chaudhary confirmed multiple embankment breaches and rapid riverbank erosion in Bhagalpur, prompting emergency reinforcement work.
• Nepal Rainfall Factor: JD(U)'s Sanjay Jha attributed the surge partly to heavy rainfall and flooding in Nepal increasing river inflow into Bihar.
• Extended Threat Period: Officials warned the flood season could persist until early October, with the next 1-1.5 months called particularly challenging.

Bihar's top political leadership moved swiftly on Thursday to assess a deteriorating flood situation, as the Ganga's continuously rising water level heightened concerns across Patna and surrounding districts. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary personally inspected the river, assessing water levels and directing officials to ensure minimal public inconvenience while completing all precautionary measures in advance to protect lives and property.

Nitish Kumar's Parallel Inspection

Former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar conducted his own tour of Patna and adjoining areas on the same day, visiting JP Setu to inspect the Ganga's rising water level and flow before travelling to Saran to assess conditions there. He also visited the six-lane bridge connecting Patna and Raghopur, reviewing the river's flow and water level, accompanied by JD(U) National Working President Sanjay Jha.

Why It Matters: A Cross-Border Rainfall Effect

Speaking to reporters, Sanjay Jha explained that water levels in most of Bihar's major rivers, including the Ganga, had risen rapidly, attributing the situation partly to heavy rainfall and flooding in Nepal that has increased the flow of rivers entering Bihar. He noted that the state government's precautionary measures, taken after receiving advance information about the surge from Nepal, had helped prevent major loss of life and property so far — crediting Choudhary and the Water Resources Department for timely action.

Patna Nears a Historic Threshold

Significantly, Jha revealed that the river's water level had already surpassed the Highest Flood Level recorded in Patna back in 2016. Despite this, he said Patna had experienced comparatively less disruption because water management and protection measures within the river's flow path had been strengthened over recent years — a point highlighting the value of sustained infrastructure investment in flood-prone urban stretches.

Bhagalpur Emerges as a Serious Hotspot

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary conducted a high-level review of the state's flood situation through video conferencing from the Water Resources Department's Command and Control Centre, assessing river levels alongside reports of cracks, damage and breaches in embankments across multiple districts. He confirmed that the rising Ganga had caused breaches at several locations in Bhagalpur and triggered rapid riverbank erosion, creating a serious situation in the district. The Punpun and Dardha rivers in South Bihar were also reviewed as part of the same assessment.

Emergency Response Underway

Water Resources Department teams have been deployed extensively in Bhagalpur and other vulnerable areas, with emergency measures including the deployment of mega geo-bags supported by steamers to counter strong currents and erosion. Officials and engineers have been stationed directly at vulnerable embankments to oversee protection work, while river and embankment conditions across the state are being monitored in real time from the Command and Control Centre in Patna to enable immediate emergency response.

Industry and Administrative Impact

Chaudhary cautioned that the flood season would continue, with the threat potentially persisting until early October, and described the coming one to one-and-a-half months as particularly challenging for both the Water Resources Department and the broader state administration — signalling sustained resource deployment and monitoring pressure ahead.

The Numbers Behind the Alert

According to data recorded on the morning of September 3, the Ganga was flowing well above the danger mark at multiple locations. At Gandhi Ghat, the river stood at 49.71 metres against a danger mark of 48.60 metres, roughly 1.11 metres above the threshold. At Hathidah in Mokama, the level reached 42.96 metres compared to a danger mark of 41.76 metres, putting it about 1.20 metres above danger level. Digha Ghat recorded a level of 51.60 metres.

What Comes Next

The Water Resources Department has forecast that the Ganga at Gandhi Ghat could cross the Highest Flood Level on Thursday night, while the river at Hathidah in Mokama is expected to cross the HFL by the afternoon of September 4. In response, the Disaster Management Department has issued an alert and directed the administration to remain fully prepared, exercising special caution in riverside and low-lying areas.

The Bigger Picture

Residents of vulnerable areas across Bhojpur, Patna, Saran, Vaishali, Nalanda, Begusarai, Lakhisarai and Jehanabad have been urged to stay alert and follow all administrative instructions. The Disaster Management Department has specifically appealed to people not to take unnecessary risks near rivers and to cooperate with officials in the event of evacuation or other emergency measures.

The Bottom Line

With the Ganga poised to breach historic flood levels in Patna within hours and Bhagalpur already grappling with embankment breaches, Bihar's flood management machinery faces an intensifying test. As officials warn the crisis could stretch into early October, sustained coordination between state leadership, the Water Resources Department and district administrations will be critical in the weeks ahead.

Also Read: Nepal Flash Flood Sparks Bihar Alert as Gandak Level Watched

• Firm Denial: CM Devendra Fadnavis categorically ruled out a move to national politics, stating he will remain in Maharashtra until at least 2029.
• Leadership Call: He said any decision on his role rests entirely with his party leadership, adding he'd go to Delhi "the day they decide."
• Sanjay Raut's Claim: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged that PM Modi wants to bring Fadnavis to Delhi for a major responsibility, citing RSS inner-circle discussions.
• Deputy PM Speculation: Raut further claimed RSS wants a leader outside the current Union Cabinet — someone he implied is Fadnavis — elevated to Deputy Prime Minister.
• Economic Vision: Fadnavis said Maharashtra, already at $660 billion, is closest among Indian states to becoming a $1 trillion economy, targeting the milestone by 2030.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday moved decisively to quash persistent speculation about a potential shift to national politics, stating unequivocally that he intends to remain in the state until at least 2029. Speaking at an infrastructure conclave organised by a Marathi television channel, Fadnavis addressed the recurring rumours head-on, emphasising that any change in his political role would ultimately be a decision made by his party leadership.

"The Day They Decide, I Will Go"

Fadnavis was candid about the nature of political decision-making within his party, stating, "My party and my leaders will decide my role. The day they decide, I will certainly go to Delhi. But as of today, it is my view that I am not going to Delhi until 2029." His comments struck a balance between deference to party hierarchy and a clear personal expectation of continuity in his current position.

A Touch of Humour Amid Serious Denial

Rather than dismissing the chatter with irritation, Fadnavis addressed it with characteristic wit. He remarked that some well-wishers view a Delhi move as a "promotion," while others believe his departure would lift a burden off their shoulders. He added, "Whether people like it or not, my leaders will keep me in Maharashtra until 2029. Every two to three months, whenever someone lacks news or wants to create hype, they send me to Delhi. I actually enjoy it." The comment reflects the frequency with which such speculation has surfaced in Maharashtra's political discourse.

Why It Matters: The Context Behind the Speculation

Fadnavis's clarification arrives directly in response to fresh claims made by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut. Speaking to the media on the same day, Raut asserted that despite Fadnavis's public denials, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to bring him to New Delhi for a significant responsibility. Raut claimed, "Prime Minister Modi wants to bring Devendra Fadnavis to Delhi and assign him a significant responsibility. This much I know for a fact."

Raut's Deputy PM Claim

Raut went further, alleging that discussions around Fadnavis's elevation are actively taking place within inner circles of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). According to Raut, the RSS reportedly favours appointing a senior leader who is currently outside the Union Cabinet to the position of Deputy Prime Minister — someone positioned as a potential successor to PM Modi. He stated, "According to information from within RSS circles, the Sangh holds the view that a crucial leader who is not currently in the Central government should be appointed as Deputy Prime Minister... and as far as I know, that person is currently not in Delhi," a comment widely interpreted as an indirect reference to Fadnavis, though Raut did not name him explicitly in that context.

Industry and Political Impact

This exchange highlights the ongoing undercurrent of speculation surrounding leadership realignments within the BJP and its allies, particularly regarding succession planning at the national level. Such claims, even when denied, tend to keep a leader's national profile active and can shape perceptions of influence within both party ranks and opposition narratives.

Maharashtra's Economic Ambitions Take Centre Stage

Beyond addressing the political speculation, Fadnavis used the conclave to outline his vision for Maharashtra's economic trajectory. He highlighted the state's proximity to becoming a $1 trillion economy, noting its current growth rate stands at 8.8 per cent, with a target of crossing 10 per cent to meet its ambitious deadline within the decade. "Many states dream of reaching a $1 trillion economy, but Maharashtra is closest to achieving it because we have already reached $660 billion," he said, expressing confidence that sustained growth would deliver the trillion-dollar milestone by 2030.

The Bigger Picture

Fadnavis's comments reflect a dual narrative at play — firm political continuity in Maharashtra paired with ambitious economic targets for the state. Whether or not the Delhi speculation resurfaces in the coming months, as he himself predicts it will, his public positioning suggests a leader focused on consolidating his current mandate rather than pursuing an immediate national shift.

The Bottom Line

With Fadnavis publicly committing to Maharashtra until 2029 and simultaneously projecting the state toward a $1 trillion economy by 2030, his political and economic timelines now appear closely intertwined. Whether Sanjay Raut's claims about RSS deliberations carry weight remains to be seen, but for now, Fadnavis has left little ambiguity about his own stated intentions.

• Double Birthday Wish: Randeep Hooda took to Instagram to wish both his mother, Asha Hooda, and his niece, Sana Sangwan, a happy birthday — as they share the same date.
• Emotional Note: He called them his "two laughing partners and sources of joy and art," describing their love as "two very different kinds," yet equally precious.
• Family Affection on Display: The actor shared two separate happy photos, one with his mother and one with his niece, marking the occasion.
• Recent Family Milestone: The post follows wife Lin Laishram's touching birthday tribute to Hooda on his 50th birthday last month, referencing their newborn daughter Nyomica.
• What's Next Professionally: Hooda is set to headline the war drama "Operation Khukri," based on the book detailing the Indian Army's peacekeeping mission.

Actor Randeep Hooda turned to social media to celebrate a special coincidence in his family — his mother and his niece sharing the same birthday. The "Sarabjit" actor penned a heartfelt note dedicated to both women, describing them as his two most precious sources of joy and inspiration.

What He Wrote

Sharing two happy photographs, one with his mother and another with his niece, Hooda wrote, "Happy Birthday to my mother @hooda_asha and niece @sangwan_sana. My two laughing partners and sources of joy and art. Two generations, born on the same day, yet, two very different kinds of love, but both equally precious to me. Love you." The post captured the actor's evident affection for both generations of women in his family, framing their shared birthday as a meaningful, almost poetic coincidence.

Why It Matters: A Consistent Pattern of Public Affection

This is not the first time Hooda has used his social media platform to express love and admiration for his family. The actor has repeatedly shared personal, sentimental posts celebrating milestones involving his loved ones, positioning his public persona as one that balances his intense on-screen roles with a visibly warm, family-oriented off-screen presence.

A Recent Family Milestone: Hooda's 50th Birthday

The post comes weeks after Hooda's own 50th birthday on August 20, which was marked by an equally heartfelt tribute from his actress-wife Lin Laishram. Referring to him affectionately as "Nyomica ke Papa" — a nod to their newborn daughter — Laishram shared a compilation of images and clips, wishing him a life filled with adventure, abundance and love. Her note included wishes for "many more homes in jungles, farms to wander through and adventures in every corner of the world," along with hopes that he would retain his curiosity, enthusiasm and innocence.

Industry Impact: Balancing Personal Life and Career Milestones

Hooda's willingness to share these intimate family moments publicly reflects a broader trend among Bollywood actors using social media to humanize their public image alongside their professional output. For an actor known for intense, socially conscious roles, these glimpses into his family life offer fans a more personal, relatable dimension.

What's Next for Randeep Hooda

Professionally, Hooda is set to headline the epic war drama "Operation Khukri." The actor has secured the official movie rights to "Operation Khukri: The Untold Story of the Indian Army's Bravest Peacekeeping Mission Abroad," a book authored by Major General Rajpal Punia and Damini Punia, signalling his continued interest in stories rooted in military valour and true events.

The Bigger Picture

Between his recent 50th birthday celebrations and this latest tribute to his mother and niece, Hooda's social media presence this year paints a picture of an actor at a reflective personal milestone, even as his professional slate moves toward a significant new project centred on real-life heroism.

The Bottom Line

Randeep Hooda's birthday tribute to his mother and niece adds another warm chapter to his public family narrative, coming on the heels of his own milestone birthday celebrations. As he gears up for "Operation Khukri," this blend of personal sentiment and professional ambition continues to shape his evolving public image.

• Television actress Shivangi Joshi attended a party hosted by Sunita Ahuja, wife of veteran actor Govinda.
• 'Lock Upp 2' co-contestant Harshad Chopda was also among the guests spotted at the gathering.
• Shivangi was seen stepping out in a stylish pink outfit.
• Sunita Ahuja is known for hosting warm celebrity gatherings in Mumbai.
• Shivangi has built a strong television career across several successful shows.

Television actress Shivangi Joshi was among the celebrity guests spotted at a warm gathering hosted by Sunita Ahuja — the wife of veteran actor Govinda — at a Mumbai venue this week. Stepping out in a stylish pink outfit, Shivangi was one of several television personalities who joined the evening. Her 'Lock Upp 2' co-contestant Harshad Chopda was also among the guests at the party, adding to the roster of familiar faces from Indian television who came together for the occasion.

For fans of Indian television, celebrity party appearances offer occasional warm glimpses into the social lives of the personalities they enjoy watching on screen.

The Evening in Mumbai

Sunita Ahuja has long been known within Bollywood social circles for hosting warm, well-attended celebrity gatherings — often bringing together friends and colleagues from across the film and television industries. Wednesday's party continued that tradition, drawing several familiar names from the television world.

Shivangi Joshi was captured stepping out of the venue in a beautifully styled pink outfit — carrying the elegant, understated presence that has become one of her signature looks at public appearances.

Familiar Television Faces

Adding another notable presence to the evening, actor Harshad Chopda was also spotted at the gathering. Harshad has been a well-regarded name in Indian television for years, and his presence at events like these is always warmly noted by fans of the medium.

Shivangi and Harshad had earlier appeared together on 'Lock Upp 2' — the popular reality show that has featured a range of well-known Indian television personalities across its seasons. The two also worked together in 'Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 4', a professional collaboration that added to their existing on-screen chemistry.

Both actors have consistently spoken about their bond as one of professional friendship — grounded in mutual respect and their shared experience working across multiple projects. That kind of durable industry friendship is a familiar and welcome feature of the Indian entertainment ecosystem.

Shivangi Joshi's Career Journey

For fans following her work, Shivangi Joshi has built a genuinely strong television career over the years.

Her journey began with 'Khelti Hai Zindagi Aankh Micholi' before she went on to appear in a range of well-regarded shows, including 'Begusarai', 'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai' — the long-running family drama that significantly expanded her audience — 'Balika Vadhu 2', and 'Barsatein — Mausam Pyaar Ka'.

Her role in 'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai' in particular introduced her to a very large audience across India, and remains one of the most well-remembered chapters of her career.

More recently, she starred opposite Harshad Chopda in 'Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 4' — the latest season of the beloved franchise that has been a defining part of Hindi television for years.

The Sunita Ahuja Connection

For those unfamiliar with the host of the evening, Sunita Ahuja is the wife of veteran actor Govinda — one of the most beloved figures in Hindi cinema history. Sunita has long been an active presence within Bollywood's social ecosystem, known for her warm approach to hosting gatherings that bring together friends from across the industry.

Her events tend to combine the informality of family gatherings with the visibility of celebrity social spaces — a combination that makes them warmly followed by fans of Hindi entertainment.

Why It Matters

Celebrity social gatherings, while relatively small news items in themselves, offer fans occasional glimpses into the personal warmth that exists between industry colleagues. When television personalities are seen at each other's events, at friends' homes, and at industry gatherings, it reinforces the sense that the industry is, in many ways, an extended community held together by real friendships and long-standing collaborations.

For fans of Shivangi Joshi and Harshad Chopda specifically, seeing them both attend a warm evening like this quietly reflects the healthy professional camaraderie that continues to define their working relationship.

The Television Industry Context

For India's television industry, moments like these are a reminder of the strong sense of community that has long characterised the medium. Long-form daily television creates deeply collaborative work environments — where cast and crew often spend months and years working closely together. The friendships that emerge from these shared experiences often endure well beyond the individual projects that brought people together.

Sunita Ahuja's hosted gatherings are one of several venues in Mumbai's social ecosystem where these industry bonds continue to be nurtured through shared meals, warm conversation and genuine friendship.

The Bigger Picture

Wednesday's party at Sunita Ahuja's venue was a warm example of the kind of everyday celebrity social life that continues to underpin Mumbai's entertainment community. Familiar faces from television. Elegant style choices. Genuine friendships across professional collaborations. And the reliable hospitality that Sunita Ahuja has become known for.

For Shivangi Joshi, the appearance added another stylish public moment to her ongoing calendar. For Harshad Chopda, it offered another opportunity to catch up with industry friends outside the demands of their professional schedules. For Sunita Ahuja, it was another warm evening of hosting duties in what has become her characteristic style.

For fans of Indian television, glimpses like these are the kind of everyday celebrity moments that offer occasional warm windows into the personal lives of the personalities they enjoy watching on screen.

As Shivangi Joshi continues her television career — building on a body of work that already includes several of Hindi television's most well-remembered shows — appearances at industry gatherings like this one remain a familiar and welcome part of the ongoing rhythm of her public life.

And for the broader Indian television community, the continued warmth of gatherings like Sunita Ahuja's is a reminder that some of the most enjoyable moments of the industry happen not on the studio floors or the red carpets, but in the quieter social spaces where colleagues become friends, and friendships continue to grow over years of shared work, shared meals and shared moments of everyday celebrity life.

Also Read: Shivangi Joshi Spotted Quiet at Farah Khan’s Lock Upp Bash

• Fresh spell of floods has hit Assam, affecting more than 25,000 people.
• Seven districts currently affected — Goalpara, Sivasagar, Biswanath, Nagaon, Morigaon, West Karbi Anglong and Cachar.
• 13 relief camps set up to accommodate displaced people.
• Around 6,477.31 hectares of crop area have been affected.
• Total flood-related deaths in Assam this year climbed to 108 with the latest fatality.

Assam is once again navigating a difficult flood situation. According to the latest assessment released by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) on Thursday, a fresh spell of flooding has affected more than 25,000 people across seven districts of the state. With the latest flood-related death of a woman in the West Karbi Anglong district, the total toll for this year has climbed to 108 — a sobering reminder of the sustained human cost of the state's recurring monsoon-season flood emergencies.

For the affected communities, and for everyone across Assam and beyond who has been watching the state navigate multiple flood spells over recent months, Thursday's assessment carries both practical urgency and deeper reflection about the ongoing challenges Assam faces during its monsoon seasons.

The Current Assessment

Speaking about the current situation, a senior official said that floodwaters have affected seven districts across Assam. These are Goalpara, Sivasagar, Biswanath, Nagaon, Morigaon, West Karbi Anglong and Cachar.

Around 25,083 people in 155 villages are currently affected by the floods, according to ASDMA's assessment. That's a significant number of families navigating the immediate challenges of displacement, disruption and uncertainty as flood conditions unfold in their communities.

To support displaced residents, 13 relief camps have been set up to accommodate people who have had to leave their homes. These camps represent the first line of humanitarian response — providing shelter, meals, water and basic amenities to families whose homes have become temporarily unlivable.

The Agricultural Impact

Beyond the direct human displacement, the current flooding has also caused considerable damage to agricultural land — with cascading implications for farmer livelihoods across affected districts.

According to ASDMA, around 6,477.31 hectares of crop area have been affected by the inundation. That's a substantial area of agricultural loss — one that raises real concerns over the impact on the livelihoods of farming communities in the affected districts.

For farmers whose seasonal cultivation has been damaged, the coming weeks and months will require sustained support — both immediate relief assistance and longer-term help with crop recovery, seed replenishment and livelihood restoration.

The River Levels of Concern

River levels continue to be a concern in some areas of the state. Specifically, the Dhansiri River at Numaligarh and the Katakhal River at Matizuri are flowing above their respective danger levels.

When rivers flow above danger levels, the risks include continued inundation of adjacent areas, potential further displacement of nearby communities, damage to riverside infrastructure and heightened need for careful monitoring by disaster management authorities.

For residents living along these river corridors, the current situation calls for continued alertness and full cooperation with any evacuation or safety advisories issued by local authorities.

The Human Toll

The most sobering dimension of Thursday's assessment is the confirmation that the total flood-related death toll in Assam for the year has now climbed to 108 — following the latest fatality of a woman in West Karbi Anglong district.

Each of those 108 numbers represents a human being. A family. A community affected forever by the loss. Behind every one of those numbers sits people who will carry the memory of lives lost in this year's floods for the rest of their own lives.

For Assam as a state, and for India's broader disaster response ecosystem, that ongoing human toll is a reminder that flood-related fatalities remain a serious challenge — one that continued investment in warning systems, evacuation infrastructure, community preparedness and rapid response capacity must continue to address.

The Ongoing Institutional Response

Authorities across Assam are keeping a close watch on river levels, low-lying areas and other vulnerable locations as flood conditions persist in parts of the state.

Relief and rescue operations are continuing in the affected districts, with local administrations working to provide assistance to people impacted by the floods. Officials are also carrying out assessments to determine the extent of damage to homes, agricultural land and other properties.

The administration has been actively monitoring areas vulnerable to further inundation, given the continuing concerns over rising water levels in some rivers.

That coordinated ongoing response reflects the substantial disaster management capacity Assam has built up over years of navigating recurring monsoon-season flooding.

Why It Matters

Assam is one of India's most flood-prone states. Its geographical position — with the mighty Brahmaputra River system and its tributaries flowing through the state, combined with heavy monsoon rainfall patterns — creates recurring flood challenges that the state navigates year after year.

Every flood season carries real human, economic and social costs. Displaced families. Damaged homes. Destroyed crops. Disrupted livelihoods. And, sadly, lost lives.

For Assam's people, resilience in the face of these recurring challenges has become a defining characteristic. Communities help each other through relief camp stays. Neighbours support neighbours through home damage. Farmers rebuild their agricultural work after devastating crop losses. Local administrators, disaster response teams and civic organisations coordinate response efforts through weeks and months of sustained work.

That resilience deserves recognition — and it also deserves continued institutional support to reduce the sustained toll of these events over time.

District-Level Focus

Each of the seven affected districts is navigating its own version of the current situation.

Goalpara sits in western Assam and often faces flood pressure during high monsoon activity. Sivasagar in Upper Assam carries both flood vulnerability and significant cultural and historical importance. Biswanath on the north bank of the Brahmaputra frequently experiences river-related inundation. Nagaon in central Assam is one of the state's larger districts and has significant flood-prone areas. Morigaon faces recurring flood challenges given its geographical position. West Karbi Anglong in the hill districts region is currently dealing with the tragic latest fatality. Cachar in the Barak Valley region also faces its own flooding vulnerabilities.

For each of these districts, the coming days will require sustained coordinated response, careful monitoring and effective delivery of relief and support to affected communities.

The Farmer Impact

For Assam's farming communities, the 6,477.31 hectares of affected crop area represents a genuinely painful setback. Crops that farmers have invested labour, savings and hope in have been damaged or destroyed. The immediate financial impact will be significant. The longer-term impact — on family incomes, on planning for the next agricultural cycle, on the broader rural economy — will require sustained support to help farmers recover.

For Assam's agriculture department, the state government's rural development machinery, and various rural credit and insurance institutions, the coming weeks will require thoughtful, focused effort to support affected farming families through their recovery journeys.

The Displacement Reality

For the families currently in the 13 relief camps across the affected districts, life has been temporarily transformed. Familiar homes have been left behind. Daily routines have been disrupted. Personal belongings have been lost or damaged. Children's schooling has been affected. Livelihoods have been suspended.

For these families, the quality of relief camp operations matters enormously. Adequate food and water. Safe shelter. Basic medical care. Access to hygiene facilities. Care for the specific needs of children, senior citizens and pregnant women. Emotional support for families processing sudden displacement.

Local administrations, working alongside NGOs and civil society organisations, carry the important responsibility of ensuring that these camps provide dignified, adequate support for as long as families need to stay in them.

The Broader Context

Assam has been experiencing recurring flood situations during the monsoon, with large areas of the state's riverine and low-lying regions remaining vulnerable to inundation. This year has been a particularly difficult one — with the 108 flood-related deaths reflecting the sustained human cost of the season's multiple flood spells.

For India's broader conversation about climate adaptation, disaster preparedness and long-term flood management in vulnerable states, Assam's ongoing experience represents both a challenge and a lesson. Investment in early warning systems, robust evacuation infrastructure, community preparedness programmes, resilient rural infrastructure and effective post-disaster livelihood restoration all matter enormously.

Institutional Recognition

For the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, the state government's various response departments, the National Disaster Response Force, and the countless local administration officials, community volunteers and civil society workers who have been supporting flood-affected families through this difficult season — Thursday's assessment is another reminder of the sustained, difficult work they continue to do on behalf of the state's people.

That work often happens without significant public recognition. But it makes an enormous difference to the lives of the affected families and communities every single day.

The Bigger Picture

Thursday's ASDMA assessment captures a snapshot of a genuinely difficult ongoing chapter for Assam. Over 25,000 people affected across seven districts. 155 villages under flood impact. 13 relief camps operational. Over 6,400 hectares of crop area damaged. Two rivers flowing above danger levels. And a year-to-date flood-related death toll of 108 that carries the weight of every single life lost.

For Assam's people, particularly those directly affected, the coming days will call for continued resilience, community support and cooperation with authorities. For the state's institutional systems, the priority is sustained coordinated response — combining immediate relief with careful monitoring, damage assessment and preparation for any further escalation.

For India's broader disaster response ecosystem, Assam's ongoing situation is a reminder that flood management remains one of the most consequential challenges for climate-vulnerable states — one that continued investment, coordination and community engagement must continue to address.

For everyone connected to Assam — whether residents, family members of those affected, or observers watching from elsewhere — the message from Thursday's assessment is one that calls for both practical concern and quiet solidarity.

The affected families are navigating a genuinely difficult time. The relief workers are doing sustained, demanding work. The institutional systems are operating in extended response mode. And the state as a whole is once again demonstrating the resilience that has always characterised its people during flood seasons.

For long-term progress, continued investment in flood preparedness infrastructure, climate adaptation, riverbank management and community resilience will matter. So will sustained attention to the affected families' longer-term recovery needs — well after the immediate flood situation has passed.

But in the immediate present, the priority is clear. Support the affected. Sustain the relief efforts. Monitor the river levels. Respect the human cost. And extend to the people of Assam the same care, respect and solidarity that difficult moments like this always deserve.

Because as Thursday's assessment made unmistakably clear, another flood season is testing Assam once again — and once again, the state's people, institutions and communities are working together to navigate through it. That work deserves recognition. It deserves support. And it deserves the continued attention of everyone with a stake in ensuring that vulnerable states like Assam receive the sustained investment, care and solidarity that their recurring flood realities genuinely call for.

Also Read: Assam cabinet eases norms to attract private investment in higher education

• Delhi-NCR likely to witness predominantly cloudy skies with intermittent rain on Thursday.
• IMD has issued a heavy-rain warning for Haryana, including Thursday.
• Maximum temperature in Delhi likely around 32°C; minimum near 26°C.
• Wednesday evening showers brought a drop of 1-2°C in minimum and 3-5°C in maximum temperatures.
• Isolated areas could witness heavy showers during Thursday night.

Delhi and its neighbouring National Capital Region cities are heading into another meaningfully wet day. According to the latest India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast, Delhi-NCR is likely to witness predominantly cloudy skies with intermittent spells of rain and thunderstorms on Thursday. Combined with a heavy-rain warning issued for Haryana, temperature drops recorded from Wednesday's showers and continued unsettled weather patterns across the region, the coming day promises to keep residents attentive to the sky throughout their routines.

For commuters, working professionals, students, delivery workers and everyone navigating the everyday realities of NCR life, Thursday's weather will require exactly the kind of routine preparedness that active monsoon days always demand.

The Delhi Forecast

The weather across Delhi is expected to remain relatively moderate, but with the ever-present possibility of sudden showers and lightning during periods of heightened rainfall activity.

According to the IMD forecast, Delhi may receive light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning at different places. Another spell of rainfall is likely from afternoon to evening, while isolated areas could witness heavy showers during the night.

The national capital is expected to remain mostly cloudy throughout the day. The maximum temperature is likely to settle around 32 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature may remain close to 26 degrees Celsius — offering relatively comfortable conditions given the season.

The IMD has forecast further rainfall and thunderstorm activity across Delhi-NCR and has advised residents to remain alert for sudden weather changes.

The Wednesday Backdrop

The showers recorded in parts of the national capital on Wednesday evening brought some genuine respite from the prevailing humid conditions. Beyond the immediate refreshing effect, the rainfall also resulted in a noticeable drop in temperatures across several areas.

Several parts of Delhi recorded light to very light rainfall during the past 24 hours, while some locations witnessed moderate showers accompanied by thunder and lightning. The rainfall contributed to a decline of around 1-2 degrees Celsius in minimum temperatures and 3-5 degrees Celsius in maximum temperatures — providing meaningful temporary relief from the humid weather that had been building up across the region.

For anyone who has been navigating a particularly muggy stretch of NCR weather, that kind of temperature drop is always welcome.

The NCR City-Wise Picture

The rainfall activity is expected to extend across the broader NCR — with each of the major cities in the region facing its own version of Thursday's active weather.

Noida is likely to experience overcast conditions with intermittent rainfall and thunderstorms. Light to moderate showers are expected during the morning, followed by another spell of very light to light rain between afternoon and evening.

Gurugram is expected to see cloudy skies persist with chances of rain and thunderstorms. Notably, the IMD has issued a heavy-rain warning for Haryana — including Thursday. Rainfall activity is likely to continue at intervals through the day.

Ghaziabad is expected to remain cloudy, with intermittent showers and the possibility of thunderstorms. High humidity may continue to make the weather uncomfortable despite the rainfall — prompting residents to carry umbrellas while stepping out.

Faridabad could witness cloudy weather followed by spells of rain during the afternoon. Thunderstorms are also possible, indicating that weather conditions may change rapidly through the day.

For residents across each of these cities, Thursday will call for exactly the kind of everyday weather adaptability that NCR living regularly requires — umbrellas at hand, flexible plans and attention to any localised weather updates.

The Haryana Heavy-Rain Warning

The heavy-rain warning issued by the IMD for Haryana is particularly worth noting. Heavy rainfall over relatively short periods can lead to localised waterlogging, temporary road disruption and increased challenges for outdoor workers.

For Gurugram and Faridabad in particular — both of which fall within Haryana's administrative jurisdiction — the warning represents a specific reason to plan the day thoughtfully. Avoiding vulnerable low-lying areas during peak rainfall. Building extra buffer time into commute planning. Staying updated on any localised advisories from municipal authorities.

That kind of everyday, sensible preparedness makes a meaningful difference in how smoothly heavy-rain days unfold.

Why It Matters

Weather forecasts for major urban regions like Delhi-NCR carry real everyday consequences. Commute planning. School logistics. Business operations. Outdoor work scheduling. Health considerations for vulnerable population groups. Municipal service planning. Emergency preparedness.

Every one of these dimensions is directly affected by whether it rains, when it rains, how much it rains and how the weather changes through the day.

The IMD's forecast — combined with the specific advisory for Haryana — provides exactly the kind of actionable information that residents, administrators and businesses need to plan the day sensibly. Following these forecasts is a small but genuinely helpful habit for navigating urban life during active monsoon periods.

Commuter and Everyday Impact

For daily commuters across Delhi-NCR, Thursday's weather will call for practical adjustments. Carrying umbrellas or rainwear becomes essential — not just for the morning commute but for the possibility of afternoon and evening showers too. Building buffer time into travel plans helps accommodate any rain-related traffic slowdowns. Being alert to standing water on roads is important for two-wheeler riders in particular.

For those relying on delivery services, ride-sharing or public transport during rainy periods, patience with slightly extended timelines becomes an important everyday accommodation.

Impact on Working Professionals

For working professionals — particularly those balancing office commutes, external meetings and site visits — Thursday's weather calls for thoughtful scheduling. Rescheduling non-critical outdoor engagements to drier windows during the day, if possible. Preparing for the possibility of arriving somewhat damp to meetings. Building small resilience buffers into the day for unexpected weather-related delays.

For those with hybrid work options, choosing work-from-home for particularly rainy days can significantly reduce commute stress.

Impact on Students and Families

For students commuting to schools and colleges, and for families managing school pickup and drop-off routines, Thursday's forecast calls for extra weather-readiness. Ensuring children have appropriate rain protection. Coordinating with school transport providers about any weather-related delays. Being prepared for potentially disrupted after-school activity schedules if rainfall intensifies.

Health and Safety Considerations

Active weather days also carry some health considerations worth being aware of. Sudden temperature drops can affect vulnerable population groups — including children, senior citizens and those with respiratory conditions. Waterlogged areas can increase mosquito breeding, adding to vector-borne disease considerations. Slippery surfaces can create fall risks for elderly citizens.

Basic precautions — staying dry where possible, avoiding standing water, being careful on wet surfaces — help minimise these everyday risks.

The Broader Weather System

The current weather activity across Delhi-NCR forms part of a broader monsoon pattern that continues to bring intermittent rainfall to much of northern and eastern India during this period of the season. Localised weather systems, moisture patterns from the Bay of Bengal, and regional atmospheric conditions all combine to produce the specific weather experience the NCR is currently navigating.

For anyone tracking broader weather patterns across the country, this Delhi-NCR situation is one small part of a larger, dynamic monsoon-season story unfolding across multiple states simultaneously.

Institutional Response

For Delhi-NCR's municipal bodies, disaster management authorities, traffic police and utility providers, active monsoon days call for coordinated operational readiness. Drainage systems need to function effectively. Traffic management needs to accommodate weather-related slowdowns. Utility restoration teams need to be ready for any weather-related service disruptions.

That kind of coordinated urban service readiness, when it works well, keeps active weather days manageable rather than disruptive for the millions of residents across the region.

The Bigger Picture

Thursday's forecast for Delhi-NCR reflects the everyday reality of navigating an active monsoon in one of India's most densely populated urban regions. A predominantly cloudy day. Intermittent rain and thunderstorms. Isolated heavy showers possible during the night. A heavy-rain warning specifically for Haryana. Temperatures likely to remain relatively comfortable, hovering around 32 degrees Celsius maximum. And the ever-present possibility of sudden weather changes throughout the day.

For residents of Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Faridabad, Thursday will offer another chance to navigate the mix of small challenges and welcome refreshment that active monsoon days always bring. Some commute delays perhaps. Some plans that need small adjustments. Some moments of frustration during particularly intense showers. But also that beautiful, distinctive experience of rain in the city — the changed light, the softened air, the temporary respite from summer's lingering intensity.

For those with the flexibility to enjoy the day's weather from indoors, Thursday offers exactly the kind of atmospheric setting that Indian monsoons at their best are known for. For those navigating the day's demands outdoors, sensible weather-readiness — combined with patience and cooperation with any weather-related service delays — makes all the difference.

As the IMD's forecast unfolds through Thursday, and as Delhi-NCR continues to navigate its current stretch of active monsoon weather, the message for residents is clear. Stay alert. Carry rain protection. Plan flexibly. Be attentive to any localised advisories, particularly for Haryana. And extend the everyday patience and cooperation that active weather days always require.

Because in the end, Delhi-NCR's monsoon experience — like every dimension of life in this vibrant, energetic urban region — is at its best when residents combine practical preparedness with the openness to enjoy the season for exactly what it is. A time of change. A time of rain. A time of that particular urban rhythm that only monsoon in a major Indian city truly offers.

And on Thursday, that rhythm will play out once again across the streets, buildings, homes and hearts of everyone across the National Capital Region. Umbrellas ready. Plans flexible. Attention alert. And spirits, hopefully, warmed by the small everyday joys that even active weather days quietly bring.

Also Read: Delhi-NCR: Rain, Thundershowers Likely Tuesday; AQI Moderate

• BJP releases Urban Development Sankalp Patra for upcoming Rajasthan civic body elections.
• Promises PNG connections for 7 lakh households across the state.
• Committed to 24-hour domestic electricity supply in urban areas.
• Ward to be treated as the basic unit of development in every urban local body.
• Separate Sankalp Patras to be released for individual civic bodies.

Rajasthan's political landscape received a significant new chapter on Wednesday. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formally released its Urban Development Sankalp Patra for the upcoming civic body elections in the state — laying out an ambitious set of commitments including accelerated urban development, improved drinking water supply, PNG connections for 7 lakh households, and 24-hour domestic electricity supply in cities. Unveiled at the state BJP headquarters in Jaipur in the presence of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, State BJP President Madan Rathore and other senior party leaders, the document represents the party's structured pitch to the state's urban voters ahead of the polls.

For citizens of Rajasthan's cities and towns, and for anyone following the state's political trajectory, Wednesday's release offers a substantive articulation of what the ruling party is proposing for urban governance over the coming years.

The Central Commitments

The BJP's Urban Development Sankalp Patra includes a set of specific, tangible commitments across critical urban service categories.

At the heart of the document sit several major promises. PNG connections for 7 lakh households across Rajasthan — a substantial expansion of piped natural gas coverage that would meaningfully change household energy access across urban areas. 24-hour domestic electricity supply in urban areas — addressing one of the most fundamental quality-of-life expectations in any modern city. Improved drinking water supply in civic bodies facing shortages — addressing a persistent challenge for many urban local bodies across the state. And treating the ward as the fundamental unit of urban development — a governance philosophy that emphasises decentralised, ward-level responsiveness.

Additionally, the party has committed to releasing separate Sankalp Patras for individual civic bodies — incorporating local priorities and requirements specific to each municipal corporation, municipality and urban local body across the state.

The Chief Minister's Framing

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma placed particular emphasis on the language chosen for the document — deliberately calling it a Sankalp Patra rather than simply a manifesto.

"We have released the Urban Development Sankalp Patra today because a manifesto is merely for making announcements, whereas a Sankalp Patra is about getting work done," Sharma said.

That framing signals the party's intent to position the document as a working commitment rather than a routine election-time announcement. It's a subtle but meaningful linguistic distinction — one that aims to convey a stronger sense of accountability and action orientation.

Sharma added that the document represents a five-year commitment to the people of Rajasthan — outlining the BJP government's approach to urban development for the coming years.

The 'One State, One Election' Reference

The Chief Minister also used the occasion to reference the state government's proposal to implement 'One State, One Election' — an ambitious governance reform aimed at synchronising various levels of state elections.

Recalling earlier political criticism of the proposal, Sharma made a pointed remark about the reform's progress.

"When I stated in the Legislative Assembly that we would implement 'One State, One Election,' a senior Congress leader remarked that even my uncle couldn't pull it off. Now, let him see for himself exactly which 'uncle' is making 'One State, One Election' happen," Sharma said.

That kind of confident political framing is characteristic of ruling party leaders showcasing their governance ambitions ahead of important electoral cycles.

The State BJP President's Statement

State BJP President Madan Rathore also spoke at the event, emphasising the party's confidence in delivering on the commitments articulated in the Sankalp Patra.

"The public trusts CM Bhajanlal Sharma's guarantee. Today, we have released the manifesto for urban civic bodies. We do what we say. We are firmly committed to fulfilling this manifesto," Rathore said.

He further offered a broader political framing — inviting voters to judge the current government's performance against the record of previous administrations. "The public knows and understands the history — what others said and did versus what we said and did," Rathore said, adding that the people had witnessed the government's work and understood its performance.

That kind of governance-vs-governance comparative framing is a familiar feature of political campaigning worldwide — with parties typically inviting voters to make choices based on relative track records.

The Committee Behind the Document

The BJP's process for developing the Sankalp Patra reflects a structured, consultative approach.

On August 2, the party constituted a 13-member election manifesto committee to prepare the Urban Development Sankalp Patra. The committee included Rajya Sabha MP Ghanshyam Tiwari, former MPs Santosh Ahlawat and Rajendra Kumar Gehlot, State General Secretary Shravan Singh Bagdi, former MLA Mohanlal Gupta and former Jaipur Mayor Saumya Gurjar — among other members.

According to the party, the committee completed the document within 30 days after holding consultations and preparing the proposals for urban development. That 30-day preparation timeline reflects reasonable diligence for a document of this scope and significance.

The party will now prepare and release separate Sankalp Patras for individual civic bodies ahead of the Rajasthan urban local body elections — allowing each ULB-specific document to reflect the particular needs and priorities of that community.

The Ward-Level Focus

Perhaps the most structurally interesting element of the Sankalp Patra is the party's commitment to treating the ward as the fundamental unit of urban development. That's a governance philosophy that emphasises decentralised, hyperlocal responsiveness to citizen needs.

Ward-level focus means that the everyday concerns of citizens — road quality, drainage functionality, sanitation, streetlights, local parks, waste collection — receive dedicated attention through structured governance mechanisms rather than being left to broader city-level or state-level processes.

If implemented effectively, that kind of ward-first approach can meaningfully improve the responsiveness of urban local governance to citizen needs.

Why It Matters

Urban local bodies play a critical role in delivering the everyday public services that shape quality of life in cities. Water supply. Electricity distribution coordination. Drainage. Sanitation. Solid waste management. Street lighting. Local road maintenance. Neighbourhood infrastructure. All of these are areas where the effectiveness of municipal governance directly affects citizens' daily lives.

When a ruling party articulates specific, measurable commitments across these categories, citizens gain a concrete framework against which they can eventually evaluate performance. That kind of clear articulation is exactly what strengthens democratic accountability in urban governance.

For Rajasthan's urban voters, the coming civic elections will provide an opportunity to weigh the Sankalp Patra's promises against their own experiences and expectations — and to choose leaders accordingly.

The Substantive Commitments Analysed

Each of the major commitments in the Sankalp Patra addresses a substantive urban development priority.

PNG for 7 lakh households represents a meaningful expansion of piped natural gas coverage — a cleaner, more convenient cooking fuel option that would benefit household economics, air quality and daily convenience across urban Rajasthan. Executing this at scale would require coordinated infrastructure investment, utility partnerships and structured rollout planning across cities.

24-hour domestic electricity supply in urban areas addresses one of the most fundamental quality-of-life expectations. Achieving this consistently across all urban centres would require sustained investment in generation, transmission, distribution infrastructure and grid reliability.

Improved drinking water supply in civic bodies facing shortages tackles a persistent challenge across many Rajasthan cities and towns. Delivering meaningful improvement would require investment in water source development, storage capacity, distribution infrastructure and reduction of transmission losses.

Ward-level focus, if implemented with genuine institutional discipline, could improve responsiveness across dozens of everyday urban service categories.

Each of these commitments, taken seriously, represents genuinely valuable urban development work.

Institutional Impact

For Rajasthan's Urban Development Department, its urban local bodies, its utility providers and its municipal administrations, the Sankalp Patra's commitments — if the BJP performs well in the civic polls — would translate into a substantial urban development agenda over the coming years.

Coordinated implementation across water, power, gas, waste management, roads and citizen services would require significant institutional capacity, sustained financial resources, and disciplined execution across multiple stakeholder groups.

Political and Electoral Impact

For Rajasthan's political landscape, the BJP's structured approach to the civic polls — combining a state-level Sankalp Patra with subsequent locality-specific versions — reflects a comprehensive electoral strategy focused on urban voters.

For opposition parties in the state, the Sankalp Patra sets out a set of specific commitments that they will inevitably examine, critique and offer alternatives to over the campaign period. That kind of substantive electoral debate — around concrete governance commitments rather than only around personalities — is exactly what strengthens democratic engagement.

Citizen and Civic Impact

For Rajasthan's urban citizens, the Sankalp Patra offers a concrete framework against which they can evaluate the ruling party's proposals ahead of the civic polls. It also provides a benchmark for eventually assessing performance if the BJP secures mandates in the urban local body elections.

For civic organisations, resident welfare associations and citizen advocacy groups, the specific commitments in the document create useful anchors for constructive engagement with elected representatives after the polls.

The Bigger Picture

The BJP's Wednesday release of its Urban Development Sankalp Patra represents a substantive political and governance moment ahead of Rajasthan's civic polls. Ambitious commitments across piped gas, electricity, water supply, ward-level focus and locality-specific responsiveness. A structured process anchored by a 13-member manifesto committee. Clear leadership framing from Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and State BJP President Madan Rathore. And plans for subsequent locality-specific documents to complement the state-level release.

For Rajasthan's urban voters, the coming weeks will bring an active electoral campaign — during which the Sankalp Patra's commitments, opposition parties' alternatives, and candidates' individual profiles will all shape voting decisions.

For India's broader democratic conversation about urban governance, the Rajasthan civic polls represent one more important chapter in the ongoing story of how urban local bodies are chosen, held accountable and evolve over time.

As the civic polls approach, and as the political campaign intensifies across Rajasthan's cities and towns, the message from Wednesday's Sankalp Patra release is clear. The ruling party has laid out its commitments. The document has been anchored in specific promises. The five-year framework has been articulated. And the invitation to voters has been formally extended.

What now follows will be the everyday work of democratic engagement — with voters weighing options, comparing alternatives, evaluating track records, and eventually casting their choices at the polls. That process, when it works well, is exactly how healthy democracies produce responsive urban governance.

For Rajasthan's citizens, the coming weeks offer exactly the kind of opportunity for informed civic participation that meaningful local elections are designed to enable. And when the votes are eventually counted and the new urban local bodies take office, the substantive work of turning promises into performance — across piped gas, electricity, water, ward-level responsiveness and everything else — will begin in earnest across cities and towns throughout the state.

• Kolkata and several south Bengal districts likely to receive more rain over the next two days.
• Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata has issued a yellow warning for all south Bengal districts.
• Gusty winds of 30 to 40 km per hour also expected.
• Extremely heavy rain likely in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar on Thursday.
• Bolpur in Birbhum district has already faced significant waterlogging.

West Bengal is navigating one of its most unsettled weather stretches of the season. On Wednesday, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Kolkata confirmed that Kolkata and several districts in south Bengal are likely to receive more rain over the next two days — the result of a low-pressure system currently active over the Bay of Bengal. With a yellow warning in place across south Bengal, scattered rainfall forecast to continue until September 8, and separate warnings of heavy to extremely heavy rain issued for parts of north Bengal, the state is entering a period of heightened weather vigilance across both regions.

For residents, commuters, weather agencies and civic administrators alike, the coming days will demand exactly the kind of alertness and precaution that intense monsoon spells always require.

The Weather System Behind the Rainfall

The current rainfall episode was triggered by a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal — a familiar monsoon-season weather pattern that regularly brings intense rainfall to eastern India, particularly to West Bengal, Odisha and neighbouring regions.

The system has already brought moderate to heavy showers to almost all districts of south Bengal, including Kolkata, on Monday and Tuesday. The Met Department has forecast that Kolkata is likely to receive light to moderate rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday — continuing the wet weather pattern that residents have been navigating for several days.

The Yellow Alert Details

According to the latest weather bulletin, a yellow warning has been issued for all districts of south Bengal — including Kolkata — for Wednesday. The warning also flags gusty winds with speeds of 30 to 40 km per hour across the region.

Some districts have been flagged for potentially moderate to heavy rainfall. A specific warning of heavy rainfall has been issued for Purulia, West Burdwan and Birbhum on Wednesday.

For residents in these districts, the warning is a signal to take routine precautions — avoiding unnecessary travel where possible, staying alert to any localised waterlogging or flooding, and remaining attentive to any further official advisories that may be issued as the day progresses.

The North Bengal Picture

While south Bengal navigates its own weather challenges, north Bengal is also expected to see continued unsettled weather over the next few days.

The Met Department has issued a warning of heavy rainfall across the northern region, with extremely heavy rain likely in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar on Thursday. Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar and Alipurduar are all expected to receive heavy rainfall for three consecutive days.

That's a significant weather system for the region — one that will require sustained attention from residents, district administrations and disaster response systems across those areas. Heavy rainfall over multiple consecutive days can quickly translate into river swelling, waterlogging in urban areas, and increased landslide risk in hillier zones.

The Bolpur Situation

The continuing rain has already produced visible disruptions in parts of the state. In Birbhum district, several wards of Bolpur were submerged following persistent overnight rainfall. Water accumulated on roads and in low-lying areas — affecting movement and daily life for local residents.

The situation at Gitanjali Theatre in Bolpur was particularly difficult, with water reportedly reaching knee-deep levels on the premises. Residents and visitors faced considerable inconvenience as water also entered the premises of several institutions and houses.

Waterlogging on the roads further affected local transportation — creating exactly the kind of everyday disruption that intense rainfall episodes typically bring to urban and semi-urban areas that were not designed with heavy monsoon drainage in mind.

Kolkata's Wednesday

Kolkata itself witnessed heavy rain from Wednesday morning, leaving several streets waterlogged across parts of the city. The city recorded a minimum temperature of 26.2 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. The maximum temperature in Kolkata and adjoining areas on Tuesday was 28.02 degrees Celsius.

For a city as densely populated and as dependent on smooth urban movement as Kolkata, even localised waterlogging can create meaningful daily-life disruption — affecting commutes, business operations, school schedules and general urban activity.

The Extended Forecast

Weather conditions are expected to improve slightly from Thursday. However, scattered rainfall is likely to continue across southern districts until September 8 — meaning that residents should not expect a dramatic, immediate return to dry conditions.

The RMC in Kolkata has predicted scattered light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms in other parts of West Bengal until September 8.

For anyone planning outdoor activities, travel or other weather-dependent engagements over the coming week, the message is straightforward — monitor local weather updates, stay flexible with plans, and prioritise safety over rigid adherence to schedules.

Why It Matters

West Bengal's monsoon rainfall is essential to the state's ecology, agriculture and water resources. Well-distributed monsoon activity supports crops, replenishes water bodies, sustains river systems and shapes the seasonal rhythms of everyday life across the state.

However, intense rainfall episodes also bring significant challenges — particularly to urban areas that face waterlogging in low-lying zones, and to communities living close to swollen rivers and streams. Balancing the essential role of the monsoon with the practical challenges of managing intense rainfall episodes is one of the persistent tests of urban and rural planning across the state.

Days like Wednesday, when heavy rainfall is combining with active alerts and visible urban disruption, are exactly when preparedness systems, drainage infrastructure and community response capacity are tested in real time.

Community and Institutional Response

For the West Bengal government's disaster management authorities, municipal bodies, urban local bodies and district administrations, the coming days will require continued vigilance and rapid response capacity. Real-time monitoring of water accumulation in vulnerable urban areas. Ready deployment of drainage and pumping resources. Timely public advisories through appropriate channels. Coordination with utility providers to minimise weather-related service disruptions.

For residents in affected districts, particularly Bolpur, Birbhum and other south Bengal areas facing significant waterlogging, the situation calls for practical caution — avoiding waterlogged roads where possible, being alert to any electrical safety hazards near submerged areas, and cooperating with any local advisories that may be issued.

Everyday Impact

For daily commuters across Kolkata and south Bengal, the weather is creating exactly the kind of everyday disruptions that intense rainfall spells typically bring. Delayed movement. Waterlogged streets in some areas. Reduced visibility during heavy showers. General slowness across urban systems.

For businesses, schools, healthcare providers and other institutions operating in affected areas, the situation calls for flexible planning and thoughtful accommodation of employees, students and users navigating weather-related challenges.

The Cultural Context

For a state like West Bengal — where monsoon rains are deeply woven into cultural memory, literary traditions and everyday emotional life — this kind of intense rainfall spell is a familiar visitor. Kolkata's poets, filmmakers, musicians and everyday citizens have long carried a complex, romantic-yet-practical relationship with the monsoon.

Even amid the practical disruptions of days like Wednesday, that cultural affection for the rains remains part of what makes the season distinctive for the state.

The Bigger Picture

West Bengal's current weather situation is a reminder of the everyday realities of navigating an active monsoon in a densely populated, geographically diverse state. A low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal. Yellow warnings across south Bengal districts. Heavy rainfall alerts for Purulia, West Burdwan and Birbhum. Extremely heavy rainfall warnings for Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar in the north. Visible waterlogging in Bolpur and parts of Kolkata. And scattered rainfall likely to continue for nearly a week.

Each of these dimensions calls for coordinated attention from weather agencies, administrative authorities and residents themselves.

For West Bengal's institutional systems, the coming days will require sustained coordinated action across weather monitoring, urban drainage management, disaster response and public communication. For residents, the priority is caution, patience and cooperation with official advisories.

As the state now navigates the current weather episode and moves toward the coming days, the message from the RMC in Kolkata is unambiguously clear. The rain isn't done yet. The forecast points to continued unsettled conditions across the state until at least September 8. And residents should prepare accordingly — with sensible precaution, careful planning and attentive engagement with official weather updates.

For anyone currently in West Bengal — whether residing in the state, visiting for work or travel, or simply following the weather with concern — the priority is straightforward. Stay alert. Stay safe. Follow local advisories. Avoid unnecessary risks near waterlogged areas or swollen water bodies. And extend care and cooperation to the communities most affected by the current situation.

Because as with every intense monsoon spell, the way through is the same combination of thoughtful individual behaviour, responsive institutional systems and shared community care that has always defined how Bengal has weathered the more challenging chapters of its monsoons. And on that front, the coming days will offer plenty of opportunity for exactly the kind of collective resilience that the state has always demonstrated when its weather turns intense.

Also Read: Met Office Predicts Heavy Rain in South Bengal Till Tuesday

• Former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta says India should look beyond Jadeja in Test cricket.
• Jadeja finished the Sri Lanka series with eight wickets across four innings.
• Dasgupta identifies Washington Sundar as a potential long-term Jadeja replacement.
• He also backs young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar as a specialist option.
• Jadeja recently became only the fourth player to complete 4,000 Test runs and 350 wickets.

Indian cricket's ongoing conversation about long-term succession planning received a fresh, thoughtful contribution on Tuesday. Former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta, speaking on his YouTube channel following India's recent two-Test series in Sri Lanka, has called on the team management to begin actively preparing for a future beyond Ravindra Jadeja in Test cricket. Dasgupta argued that while Jadeja remains one of India's most decorated all-rounders, the veteran is no longer producing the same impact as a frontline spinner — and that building the next generation of bowling options is now genuinely urgent.

For fans of Indian Test cricket, and for anyone who has admired Jadeja's remarkable career, Dasgupta's comments arrive as part of a wider conversation that is both emotionally difficult and cricketing sensible.

The Central Argument

Dasgupta's core position, articulated on his YouTube channel, was direct and measured.

"Apart from Manav, our spinners didn't look as lethal as we expected. I'm not saying there is no ability. On such pitches, Jadeja has always been very destructive and lethal. I thought he would be crucial on the fifth day. He has been a great servant, but it's done now. He was not as accurate as he is. His action is very shoulder-dominant," Dasgupta said.

That "he has been a great servant, but it's done now" framing is significant. It combines genuine respect for Jadeja's contributions with a clear-eyed cricketing judgment about where the team's spin bowling requirements are heading.

The Sri Lanka Series Context

Dasgupta's remarks came in the specific context of India's recent two-Test series in Sri Lanka — where India's spin attack had been expected to play a decisive role given the traditional characteristics of subcontinental surfaces.

Jadeja, 37, finished the Sri Lanka series with eight wickets across four innings. However, Dasgupta felt India's spin attack struggled to consistently threaten the opposition on surfaces where the visitors would have expected their slower bowlers to dominate.

The former wicketkeeper particularly pointed to the closing stages of the second Test in Colombo. Despite Sri Lanka being made to follow on, India were unable to quickly break through their lower order as Sonal Dinusha produced a century and helped his side build a substantial lead.

That kind of extended lower-order resistance is exactly the situation where a frontline spinner is expected to close out matches decisively. When it doesn't happen, the questions about spin bowling effectiveness naturally start to build.

The Manav Suthar Exception

Interestingly, Dasgupta's assessment was not uniformly critical of India's spin bowling in the series. He specifically singled out young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar as the exception among the visitors' slower bowlers — suggesting that Suthar could develop into a specialist left-arm spin option for India going forward.

That kind of specific, differentiated feedback is genuinely useful. It doesn't reduce the situation to a blanket criticism of India's spin attack but instead identifies the specific players and roles where the team's current setup is working and where it isn't.

The No-Ball Concern

Dasgupta also touched on a specific technical concern that emerged during the Sri Lanka series — the repeated no-ball issues faced by India's spinners.

Saransh Jain, making his Test debut in Colombo, bowled four no-balls during the match. Jadeja also overstepped once. For a spin bowler, no-balls are a particularly avoidable form of self-inflicted damage — one that Dasgupta traced back to training habits.

"If you are not careful in the nets, it will happen. Even when I was playing, a lot of them would bowl from ahead and say it would not happen in the match, but they would repeat the same thing in the match. You need to avoid this in the nets. This issue is not new with Jadeja; it has only gotten worse," he added.

That's a valuable, technical piece of feedback rooted in Dasgupta's own playing experience. Good nets habits — bowling from behind the line consistently rather than treating practice as a lower-stakes environment — are what prevent no-ball problems from carrying into international matches.

The Successor Question: Washington Sundar

Perhaps the most constructive element of Dasgupta's assessment was his articulation of who should be developed as Jadeja's long-term replacement.

"We need the next line of spinners to be ready. We need Washington Sundar to be ready. He is absolutely the same as Jadeja. So when Jadeja decides to hang up his boots, you need someone who can do the same work. We have to make sure he is ready. It is an important slot," he said.

The comparison of Washington Sundar to Jadeja is a meaningful one. Both are left-hand batter, off-spin/left-arm spin bowling all-rounders who can genuinely contribute across departments. If Sundar can be developed to consistently deliver the kind of dual-discipline impact that Jadeja has offered India over the years, his emergence as a long-term successor would provide the team with important continuity.

The Suthar Angle

Beyond Sundar, Dasgupta also emphasised the value of nurturing Manav Suthar as a specialist left-arm spin option.

That two-track succession approach — a long-term all-rounder in Sundar plus a specialist spinner in Suthar — reflects mature cricketing thinking. It recognises that Jadeja's current role can be split into complementary specialisations rather than requiring a single perfect replacement.

For Indian cricket's selectors, coaches and support staff, that kind of framework offers a useful starting point for planning the transition.

Jadeja's Continued Legacy

Even amid the discussion about succession planning, Dasgupta's comments consistently reflected genuine respect for Jadeja's ongoing legacy.

Jadeja remains one of India's most accomplished Test all-rounders. He added another major milestone during the Sri Lanka series — becoming only the fourth player in Test history to complete the double of 4,000 runs and 350 wickets. That's a truly remarkable achievement, one that places him firmly in the pantheon of the greatest all-rounders in the history of Test cricket.

His contributions over more than a decade at the top of Indian cricket — batting rescues, wicket-taking spells, exceptional fielding, and moments of match-defining brilliance — have earned him a legacy that no succession conversation can diminish.

Why It Matters

Cricket is a sport where succession planning matters enormously. Great players do not stay at their peak forever, and the teams that manage transitions effectively tend to sustain competitive success across generations — while the teams that leave transitions too late often face difficult rebuilding periods when their stars finally step away.

For a team like India, which has enjoyed an era of exceptional depth and consistent success in Test cricket, thinking ahead about who will fill critical roles as senior players approach the end of their careers is exactly the kind of forward-looking planning that keeps a team competitive over the long term.

Dasgupta's comments contribute to that conversation in a thoughtful, cricketing-first way. He is not asking for Jadeja to be dropped tomorrow. He is asking for the team to actively develop the next line of spin options so that when Jadeja does eventually step away, the transition happens smoothly rather than painfully.

The Debate Around the Comments

Comments like Dasgupta's naturally generate some emotional response among fans of the players involved. That is completely understandable. Jadeja has been a beloved figure in Indian cricket for years, and his exceptional achievements — highlighted by his recent 4,000 runs / 350 wickets milestone — genuinely deserve continued celebration.

At the same time, healthy cricketing debate about team composition, succession planning and long-term strategy is exactly the kind of conversation that ultimately strengthens the sport. Every great player, including Jadeja himself, eventually reaches a point where transition planning becomes necessary — and having those conversations openly, respectfully and with cricketing rigour is part of how teams manage generational change effectively.

Institutional Impact

For India's Test cricket selectors and team management, Dasgupta's comments add another voice to the broader ongoing conversation about how the team's spin bowling department should evolve in the coming years. Selectors will inevitably be forming their own assessments based on match performances, training observations and long-term strategic planning.

For emerging spinners like Washington Sundar and Manav Suthar, senior voices like Dasgupta publicly identifying them as potential future cornerstones of Indian Test cricket represents meaningful validation of their potential — and adds to the professional expectations they will need to continue meeting through consistent performances.

Cricket Culture Impact

For India's broader cricket culture, the ongoing conversation about spin bowling succession reflects the maturity of the country's cricketing ecosystem. Teams that can produce top-quality debate about team strategy — grounded in cricketing analysis rather than personal attacks — tend to make better long-term decisions.

Dasgupta's comments, offered thoughtfully and with clear respect for Jadeja's legacy, are exactly the kind of cricketing contribution that adds value to the broader Indian cricket conversation.

The Bigger Picture

Deep Dasgupta's YouTube channel comments about Ravindra Jadeja are more than just a spot assessment of a single Test series. They form part of a much larger, genuinely important conversation about how India manages its Test cricket transition over the coming years.

Jadeja's remarkable legacy — 4,000 runs, 350 wickets, countless match-defining performances, and years of exemplary service — is not in question. What is being debated is how India can best prepare for the period beyond his central involvement in Test cricket, so that when that transition eventually comes, the team is positioned to continue its recent era of Test success without significant disruption.

For fans who love Jadeja as a player, and for cricketing observers who care about India's long-term Test performance, both perspectives can and should coexist. Genuine appreciation for what Jadeja has given Indian cricket, alongside genuine attention to what the team will need in the years ahead as generational transition unfolds.

For Washington Sundar and Manav Suthar in particular, being publicly identified as key parts of India's spin bowling future carries both opportunity and responsibility. The opportunity to become central figures in one of world cricket's most storied national teams. The responsibility to continue building their games with the discipline, skill and consistency such a role demands.

As Indian cricket now moves forward from the Sri Lanka series and toward the next chapters of its Test schedule, conversations like the one Dasgupta initiated on Tuesday will continue to shape the thinking of selectors, coaches, players and fans alike. And in that ongoing debate — respectful, cricketing-focused and forward-looking — lies exactly the kind of institutional thinking that keeps great teams great across generations.

For Ravindra Jadeja himself, whose contributions to Indian cricket have been genuinely extraordinary, the coming months and years will bring their own moments of clarity — about how his own Test career will continue to unfold, and how his eventual transition will shape the team he has served with such distinction for so many years.

And when that transition ultimately happens — on whatever timeline it happens — Indian cricket will have the enormous benefit of having had voices like Dasgupta's contributing thoughtful, respectful analysis to the conversation about what comes next. Because in the end, planning ahead for the future while still appreciating everything the present has offered is exactly the kind of balanced thinking that sustains great cricketing institutions across generations.

• CM C. Joseph Vijay announces withdrawal of criminal cases against farmers and teachers who participated in peaceful protests.
• Decision covers cases registered between May 2021 and April 2026.
• Includes cases from Parandur airport protests and SIPCOT industrial estate opposition in Tiruvannamalai.
• Also covers teachers who protested over salaries, pensions, job security and working conditions.
• CM Vijay made the announcement in the Legislative Assembly under Rule 110.

The Tamil Nadu government has taken one of its most significant early actions on civil liberties and democratic accountability. On Wednesday, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced in the state Legislative Assembly the withdrawal of all criminal cases registered against farmers and teachers who participated in peaceful protests between May 2021 and April 2026 in support of their livelihoods, rights and other legitimate demands. Framed by the Chief Minister as an effort to protect democratic rights and rebuild trust between the government and ordinary citizens, the decision represents a substantive shift in how the state approaches the criminalisation of peaceful dissent.

For thousands of farmers and teachers who have been making repeated court and police appearances over the past several years, Wednesday's announcement brings genuine, meaningful relief.

The Announcement That Set the Tone

Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay made the announcement in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly under Rule 110 — a mechanism that allows ministers to make statements of policy importance directly to the House.

The announcement described the case withdrawals as an effort to protect democratic rights and rebuild trust between the state government and ordinary citizens. That kind of framing is deliberate. It positions the withdrawal not as a routine administrative decision but as a principled institutional stance on the relationship between the state and citizens exercising their democratic right to peaceful protest.

The Cases Being Withdrawn

The order will cover a broad set of cases registered against protesters over a five-year window from May 2021 to April 2026.

Two specific categories of protest-related cases have been highlighted in the announcement. First, cases filed against farmers who opposed the proposed State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) industrial estate in Tiruvannamalai district. Second, cases registered during the prolonged agitation against the proposed greenfield airport at Parandur in Kancheepuram district.

The Parandur Airport Story

For anyone who has followed Tamil Nadu's civic protest movements over the past several years, the Parandur airport case has been one of the most closely watched.

Residents of Parandur and surrounding villages had organised sustained protests against the airport project, arguing that it would lead to the acquisition of fertile agricultural land, damage waterbodies and destroy traditional sources of income. Their concerns were rooted in the same essential questions that many rural communities across India have raised about large infrastructure projects — questions about livelihoods, ecological sustainability, land rights and the meaningful consultation of affected communities.

Several protesters were booked by the previous government during the agitation. Some farmers were also detained under the Goondas Act — an application that drew significant criticism from political parties, civil society organisations and human rights activists at the time.

Wednesday's announcement effectively unwinds those legal proceedings, providing meaningful relief to the farmers and community members who have been navigating them.

The Teachers Included

The announcement also extends its coverage to teachers who took part in peaceful demonstrations during the same five-year period.

Teachers' associations across Tamil Nadu had organised protests over multiple issues affecting their profession — including salaries, pensions, job security, regularisation of temporary employees, promotions and general working conditions. These are exactly the kinds of livelihood and workplace concerns that teachers around the world routinely raise through peaceful, organised advocacy.

By explicitly including teachers in the withdrawal announcement, the government has signalled that its principled stance extends across occupational categories — not just to agrarian protests but also to the concerns raised by educators.

The Government's Rationale

The government has been clear about the principles guiding the decision.

According to the announcement, the cases would be withdrawn on humanitarian and democratic grounds, regardless of the legal provisions under which they had been registered. Necessary instructions would be issued to the departments and authorities concerned to begin the process of withdrawal. Officials will examine the cases and complete the required legal formalities before applications are submitted to the appropriate courts.

The government maintained that people should not be subjected to prolonged criminal proceedings merely for raising legitimate grievances through peaceful and democratic means. CM Vijay emphasised that the administration recognises the right of farmers, teachers and other sections of society to express their concerns without fear of punitive action.

That framing is significant. It articulates a substantive principle — that peaceful protest is a democratic right, and that criminalising participation in peaceful protests undermines the fundamental compact between the state and its citizens.

The Expected Benefits

The move is likely to benefit hundreds of protesters across Tamil Nadu. The government has stated that withdrawing the cases would strengthen democratic values, reduce unnecessary litigation and create a more constructive relationship between citizens and the administration.

For farmers and teachers who have been making repeated appearances before courts and police authorities in connection with the protests, the practical relief is substantial. Court appearances take time away from farming, teaching and family responsibilities. Legal fees create financial strain. And the persistent uncertainty of ongoing criminal proceedings adds meaningful psychological pressure to the everyday lives of the individuals involved.

Wednesday's announcement addresses each of these dimensions in a meaningful way.

Why It Matters

The right to peaceful assembly and protest is one of the foundational elements of any functioning democracy. When citizens can raise their concerns publicly, organise around shared grievances and advocate collectively for their interests without fear of criminal prosecution, democratic institutions become stronger, more responsive and more legitimate.

When peaceful protest is criminalised — through excessive use of criminal cases, preventive detention laws or other punitive legal instruments — the space for democratic engagement narrows, and trust between citizens and the state erodes.

Wednesday's decision by the Tamil Nadu government represents a substantive statement in favour of the first model. It acknowledges that peaceful protest is not a criminal act and that the state should not treat it as one.

Political and Institutional Impact

For the newly elected Tamil Nadu government under Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, the case withdrawal announcement represents an early, high-profile signal of the administration's approach to civic and democratic issues. Announcements of this kind, made early in a government's tenure, tend to carry significant symbolic weight — signalling institutional priorities to citizens, civil servants, activists and political observers alike.

For Tamil Nadu's civic and political landscape, the decision opens up important conversations about the state's approach to future protest movements, community consultation on large infrastructure projects, and the appropriate application of laws like the Goondas Act.

For India's broader democratic conversation, the announcement adds another data point to the ongoing discussion about how state governments across the country handle the criminalisation of peaceful dissent.

Impact on Affected Communities

For the farmers of Parandur and Tiruvannamalai, and for the teachers who participated in protests over their working conditions, the case withdrawals bring both practical relief and emotional acknowledgment. The relief comes from the end of ongoing legal proceedings. The acknowledgment comes from being publicly recognised as citizens exercising legitimate democratic rights rather than as criminal defendants.

That combination — practical relief plus public acknowledgment — often matters just as much to affected communities as the underlying legal outcomes themselves.

Civil Society Response

For civil society organisations, human rights activists and legal aid groups that have been advocating for the affected protesters over the past several years, Wednesday's announcement represents a genuine institutional response to sustained advocacy. Cases involving detention under the Goondas Act had drawn particular attention from human rights groups, and the case withdrawal announcement addresses those specific concerns directly.

Cultural Impact

Tamil Nadu has a long, culturally rich tradition of civic engagement, agrarian activism and public advocacy. Farmers' movements, workers' movements, students' movements and teachers' associations have all played meaningful roles in shaping the state's political and social evolution over decades.

By formally recognising that peaceful protest is a legitimate democratic expression rather than a criminal act, the state government is engaging with this deep cultural tradition in a way that many citizens will find affirming.

Institutional Impact

For Tamil Nadu's Home Department, the state's police force, its district administration structures and its judicial system, Wednesday's decision creates a clear implementation agenda. Cases will need to be reviewed, legal formalities completed, and formal withdrawal applications filed in the appropriate courts.

That coordinated administrative work is what will translate the political announcement into real relief for the affected individuals. And the speed and thoroughness of that implementation will itself become an indicator of how meaningfully the state government follows through on its stated commitment.

The Bigger Picture

CM C. Joseph Vijay's Wednesday announcement in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly is more than just an administrative decision. It is a substantive articulation of how the state government intends to approach questions of democratic engagement, peaceful protest and citizen-state relationships.

Farmers who opposed the SIPCOT industrial estate in Tiruvannamalai. Farmers who protested the Parandur airport project. Teachers who advocated for their salaries, pensions and working conditions. Community members who raised their voices peacefully about issues affecting their livelihoods and families. Each of these groups will now find themselves relieved of the criminal cases that had been hanging over them for years.

Beyond the immediate relief, the decision also creates institutional space for a healthier future relationship between the state and its citizens. When citizens know that peaceful protest will not be criminalised, they are more likely to engage constructively with policy processes. When governments know that they can facilitate rather than criminalise dissent, they are more likely to build lasting public trust.

For Tamil Nadu's farmers, teachers and civil society more broadly, Wednesday's announcement represents a moment of meaningful institutional acknowledgment. For the state's democratic culture, it represents a moment of principled reaffirmation.

As the state's departments and authorities now begin the process of formally executing the case withdrawals, the coming weeks and months will offer clear evidence of how comprehensively the announcement translates into practice. But the political intent has been established. The principled stance has been articulated. And the message from the Legislative Assembly to the state's citizens is unmistakably clear.

Peaceful protest is not a crime. Democratic dissent deserves respect, not prosecution. And the relationship between the government and its citizens is being deliberately, publicly reset toward one of mutual trust, mutual respect and shared commitment to democratic values.

For everyone in Tamil Nadu who has ever raised their voice peacefully for a cause they believed in, Wednesday's decision from the Legislative Assembly stands as an important affirmation. And for the broader Indian democratic conversation, it offers exactly the kind of principled leadership that this moment in the country's civic evolution genuinely calls for.

Also Read: CM Vijay Opens Mettur Dam for Delta Irrigation After 3-Month Delay

• A newborn baby girl was rescued from a forested area in Madhya Pradesh's Raisen district on Tuesday.
• A shepherd who heard her cries alerted ASHA and Anganwadi workers.
• She is currently admitted to the Sick Newborn Care Unit at Raisen District Hospital.
• Bamhauri police have registered a case and launched an investigation.
• The Child Welfare Committee has initiated the process for further action concerning the child.

A newborn baby girl was rescued on Tuesday from a forested area in Madhya Pradesh's Raisen district, thanks to the alertness of a shepherd who heard her cries and immediately raised the alarm. The infant is now receiving medical care at the Raisen District Hospital, where doctors are keeping her under close observation, while local police and the Child Welfare Committee coordinate on the steps ahead.

For everyone involved in the rescue — from the shepherd who first heard her, to the community health workers who responded, to the doctors now caring for her — the priority is now clear. Every step going forward must be about ensuring her safety, her medical recovery and her long-term wellbeing.

The Rescue

The infant was found in Dungariya Khurd village under Bamhauri tehsil on Tuesday. A shepherd grazing livestock in the area heard her cries, followed the sound, and discovered the baby in a forested spot with no one else present.

He immediately informed ASHA and Anganwadi workers — India's frontline community health functionaries who play a critical role in exactly these kinds of emergency situations. Police and villagers subsequently reached the location and rescued the infant.

That quick, coordinated response — from a shepherd's alertness to community health workers to police — reflects exactly what the ASHA and Anganwadi system is designed for. It is a small but genuinely important example of how India's rural community health infrastructure can save lives when it works as intended.

The Medical Care

The baby was initially taken to the Bamhauri Sub-Health Centre and subsequently referred to hospitals in Silwani and Raisen as her condition was considered serious.

At the Raisen District Hospital, she has been admitted to the Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU), where doctors are keeping her under close observation.

SNCU in-charge Dr Alok Rai confirmed that the baby is currently receiving intensive care and being monitored carefully. India's SNCU network was established precisely to provide specialised neonatal care in exactly these kinds of situations — and Raisen District Hospital's SNCU is now doing what it is designed to do.

The Police Investigation

Bamhauri police have registered a case against unknown persons and launched an investigation to identify those responsible for the abandonment.

Bamhauri police station house officer Pritam Singh Rajput confirmed that the investigation is being handled with the seriousness it warrants. "We have registered a case against unknown persons and are making inquiries in the surrounding villages to identify the parents," he said.

Police teams are conducting inquiries in the surrounding villages as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Child Welfare Committee Steps In

Perhaps the most important institutional development in the case is the involvement of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) — the statutory body designated under India's juvenile justice framework to handle exactly these situations.

Child Welfare Committee member Mamta Patel visited the district hospital after learning about the incident and enquired with doctors about the infant's condition and treatment. The committee has initiated the process for further action concerning the abandoned child, she told media on Wednesday.

Patel also confirmed that the baby will remain under medical supervision for the next three to four days as her recovery continues.

The CWC's involvement is exactly what should happen in such cases. India's juvenile justice architecture provides a structured, child-centric framework for handling abandoned and vulnerable infants — one designed to prioritise the child's safety, medical wellbeing, and long-term future above all else.

Why the Institutional Response Matters

Cases like this one are, ultimately, tests of whether India's child protection systems function as they are designed to. On Tuesday and Wednesday in Raisen, several parts of that system responded exactly as they should have.

A community member acted with urgency the moment he heard the child. ASHA and Anganwadi workers responded immediately. Police coordinated the rescue and initiated a formal investigation. The Sub-Health Centre triaged and escalated. The District Hospital SNCU took over medical care. And the Child Welfare Committee stepped in to oversee the child's welfare going forward.

That kind of chain of institutional response, when it works, saves lives.

The Path Ahead

For the baby now recovering in the Raisen District Hospital SNCU, the coming days will be about medical stabilisation and observation. Beyond that, her longer-term welfare is now formally in the hands of the Child Welfare Committee, which is empowered under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act to make decisions that centre the best interests of the child.

Whatever pathway her life takes from here — whether through family tracing, foster care or eventual adoption through the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) framework — the process is now structured to prioritise her safety, dignity and future.

A Note on Reporting

Cases involving newborn children require care, both in how they are handled institutionally and in how they are reported publicly. India's child protection framework — including the Juvenile Justice Act and Press Council of India norms — provides clear guidance on protecting the privacy, identity and long-term interests of vulnerable minors. As this case unfolds, the primary focus should remain on the institutional response, the child's welfare, and the systems working to protect her — rather than on speculation, graphic detail or coverage that could complicate her future.

The Bigger Picture

The rescue in Raisen is, at its core, a story about a child whose life was saved by the alertness of a shepherd, the responsiveness of community health workers, the coordination of local police, and the institutional structures that India has built specifically for such moments.

The chain that saved her — from the pasture where she was found to the SNCU bed where she now recovers to the CWC that is now overseeing her future — represents the quiet, everyday functioning of a child protection ecosystem that most people never think about, but which exists precisely for moments like these.

For everyone reading about this case with concern, the most helpful thing to hold onto is not the difficulty of what happened but the strength of the response that followed. A baby who was in genuine danger is now safe, receiving care, and has an entire institutional framework working to protect her going forward.

Her future will be shaped in the weeks and months ahead by the CWC, the medical team caring for her, and the child protection systems designed to ensure that children like her get the safety, dignity and care every child deserves.

And in that ongoing work — quiet, careful, and rarely making headlines — sits some of the most important, most humane work being done by India's public institutions every single day.

• Fifth Indian aircraft has departed for Nepal with an 11-member rescue team and 5.5 tonnes of essential medicines.
• India has rushed over 68 tonnes of emergency relief materials so far.
• Nepal's flash floods followed a glacial collapse in Tibet on August 26.
• A 19-member Indian forensic team is assisting Nepali experts with DNA identification work.
• India and China have sent technical teams to assist in search operations at hydropower tunnels.

India's humanitarian response to Nepal's ongoing flood tragedy entered another significant phase on Wednesday, with the fifth Indian aircraft carrying rescue personnel, specialised equipment and essential medicines departing for the neighbouring country. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar formally announced the latest dispatch — reinforcing India's role as one of the primary international responders supporting Nepal through what has become one of the country's most difficult recent weeks.

For families across Nepal navigating unimaginable loss and uncertainty in the aftermath of the disaster, every incoming international aircraft carrying relief materials represents a small but meaningful measure of solidarity from a world watching with concern.

The Latest Aid Dispatch

Taking to X on Wednesday, EAM Jaishankar shared the update on India's ongoing assistance to Nepal.

"The fifth Indian aircraft has departed for Nepal. It is carrying a 11-member rescue team with specialised equipment, and 5.5 tonnes of essential medicines," he wrote.

That's a genuinely substantial contribution — combining trained rescue personnel with critical medical supplies at a moment when Nepal's own medical and disaster response capacity is under considerable strain.

The Cumulative Scale of India's Response

Across the multiple aircraft dispatched so far, India has rushed over 68 tonnes of emergency relief materials and specialised rescue teams to support Nepal following the devastating flash floods.

The deliveries have included blankets, sleeping bags, heavy-duty tarpaulins, plastic sheeting and hygiene kits — all essential for supporting displaced families and communities coping with the immediate aftermath of the disaster. The supplies also include essential medicines, food packets, solar lamps, water purification tablets and portable generators.

Together, these materials represent exactly the kind of comprehensive, thoughtfully assembled relief response that a disaster of this magnitude requires. Each category of supplies serves a specific function — from shelter and warmth to sanitation, hydration, illumination and medical care.

The Origin of the Disaster

The current disaster in Nepal was triggered by a glacial collapse in Tibet on August 26. The resulting flash floods have caused catastrophic damage across multiple districts of Nepal — affecting families, communities, infrastructure and livelihoods across a wide geographical area.

Flash floods triggered by glacial events are among the most difficult natural disasters to respond to. They arrive with limited warning, move with tremendous force, and leave behind widespread damage across large areas — placing enormous strain on emergency response systems.

The Human Cost

Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) confirmed on Tuesday that over 1,000 people have now been confirmed dead following the floods.

According to Nepal Police, as many as 4,606 people remain unaccounted for — including 583 foreigners. That number, and the scale of uncertainty it represents, reflects the deeply painful reality that many families across Nepal and around the world are currently living through, waiting for information about missing loved ones.

For every one of those families, the coming days and weeks will carry immense emotional weight.

The Hydropower Rescue Efforts

One of the most technically challenging elements of the ongoing rescue operation involves the hydropower projects along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river corridors in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts. Nepali authorities are working to locate people who remain unaccounted for at various hydropower projects along these corridors.

Recognising the technical complexity of these rescue operations, and at the request of the Nepali government, both India and China have sent technical teams to assist in search and rescue operations inside hydropower tunnels. That kind of coordinated cross-border technical cooperation is exactly what disasters of this scale demand — and it reflects the international goodwill and support Nepal is receiving during this difficult time.

The Forensic Team

Adding another important dimension to India's assistance, a 19-member Indian forensic team has begun analysing DNA samples in coordination with Nepali forensic experts. Their work is aimed at helping identify people killed in the tragedy — a critical, sensitive process that will bring some measure of closure to grieving families over the coming weeks.

Forensic identification work in the aftermath of large-scale disasters is among the most difficult humanitarian tasks anyone can undertake. It requires deep technical expertise, extraordinary emotional resilience and unwavering commitment to helping families find answers. The Indian team's involvement in this effort represents one of the most meaningful forms of support one country can offer another in a moment of profound tragedy.

Why It Matters

Nepal and India share one of the deepest, most enduring civilizational, cultural and geographic relationships between any two neighbours in the world. When Nepal experiences a disaster of this scale, India's response is not just a matter of diplomatic protocol — it reflects a genuine, longstanding bond between two peoples who have always shared each other's joys and sorrows.

For India, being among the first international responders in Nepal's moment of need is entirely consistent with the country's long-established role as a first responder in South Asian humanitarian crises. From earthquakes to floods to health emergencies, India has repeatedly stepped forward to provide immediate, substantive assistance to neighbours in distress.

For Nepal, receiving this scale of coordinated international support — including from India, China and other partners — reflects the global community's collective solidarity during this period of tragedy.

The Human Response Behind the Numbers

Behind every logistics detail lie individual people working around the clock. Rescue team members putting themselves in physically demanding, emotionally difficult situations to search for survivors. Forensic experts working with extraordinary care to identify victims and help families find closure. Aid workers unpacking supplies, setting up shelter arrangements and providing basic care to displaced families. Medical professionals treating injuries and preventing disease outbreaks in affected areas.

Each of these people — Indian, Nepali, Chinese and from every other country contributing to the response — represents the very best of what humanitarian work looks like when it is done with genuine care and dedication.

The Continued Coordination Ahead

The disaster response in Nepal will continue for weeks, if not months. Recovery operations. Identification work. Displacement management. Infrastructure repair. Livelihood restoration. Long-term psychosocial support for affected families. Each of these dimensions will require sustained attention from the Nepali government and its international partners.

India's continued engagement — through further aid, technical support and diplomatic solidarity — will remain an important part of that longer arc of recovery.

Institutional and Diplomatic Impact

For the Ministry of External Affairs and India's disaster response ecosystem — spanning the National Disaster Response Force, the armed forces, medical teams, forensic units and logistics providers — the Nepal response demonstrates the increasingly mature, coordinated capability India has developed for rapid regional humanitarian action.

For India-Nepal relations, the response strengthens the bilateral bond during a moment when Nepal is most in need of its neighbours' support.

Regional Cooperation Impact

The fact that both India and China are contributing technical teams to hydropower rescue operations at Nepal's request is a small but meaningful example of how, in moments of humanitarian crisis, regional cooperation often finds ways to transcend broader geopolitical dynamics. When lives are at stake, the priority becomes coordinated action to save them — regardless of other considerations.

The Bigger Picture

Nepal is currently going through one of the most difficult chapters in its recent history. Families are grieving. Communities are displaced. Infrastructure has been damaged. Search and identification operations are still underway. And the full scale of the loss will only become clearer over the coming days and weeks.

In such moments, the humanitarian response of neighbours and international partners is more than just logistics. It is a statement of solidarity — a way of saying to every affected family that they are not alone, that the world is watching with concern, and that support is being mobilised with care and urgency.

Wednesday's departure of India's fifth aircraft carrying rescue personnel and essential medicines is one small part of that larger message. Combined with the over 68 tonnes of relief materials already sent, the ongoing forensic identification work, and the technical teams supporting hydropower rescue operations, India's response reflects exactly the kind of committed, sustained assistance that this moment demands.

For everyone watching Nepal's tragedy unfold from a distance, there are meaningful ways to help — through verified humanitarian organisations, through respectful support for grieving communities, and through the simple, powerful act of holding space for the affected families in one's thoughts.

For Nepal, the coming weeks will be about recovery, healing, identification and rebuilding. And through every phase of that difficult journey, the country's neighbours and partners — including India — will continue to stand alongside it.

Because in moments like these, what matters most is not just the aircraft that arrive, or the tonnes of supplies that are delivered, or the technical teams that get deployed. What matters most is that neighbours show up for each other with genuine care, sustained commitment, and unwavering respect for the humanity of every single life affected. And on that count, the message from India to Nepal in these difficult days is unmistakably clear. You are not alone. We are with you. And we will continue to be, for as long as this journey of recovery takes.

Also Read: Nepal Flash Flood Sparks Bihar Alert as Gandak Level Watched

• Defending champions Kashi Rudras beat Meerut Mavericks by 56 runs in Match 29.
• Upendra Yadav's unbeaten 57 off 29 balls powered Kashi Rudras to 175/4.
• Kartik Yadav's spell of 3/12 earned him the Player of the Match award.
• Meerut Mavericks, Lucknow Falcons, Kashi Rudras and Noida Kings make the top four.
• All playoff matches shifted to Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow from September 3.

Defending champions Kashi Rudras produced exactly the kind of statement performance that big tournaments demand from big teams on Tuesday. In a must-win encounter against the table-topping Meerut Mavericks in Match 29 of the UP T20 League 2026, the Rudras delivered a comprehensive 56-run victory at Kanpur's historic Green Park Stadium — sealing their playoff berth, finalising the top four of the tournament, and heading into the knockouts with genuine momentum on their side.

For fans of the UPT20 League, Tuesday's match was one of those beautiful evenings where cricket delivered everything it can — a captain's knock, an explosive finishing performance, a fiery bowling spell, a rare team hat-trick, and playoff drama coming full circle.

The Playoff Picture Is Set

Tuesday's result finalised the playoff picture for the 2026 season.

Meerut Mavericks retain the top spot with 15 points. Lucknow Falcons follow in second place with 13 points. Kashi Rudras and Noida Kings complete the top four, finishing third and fourth respectively with 10 points each.

Gaur Gorakhpur Lions and Kanpur Superstars, meanwhile, have been officially eliminated from the tournament — bringing an end to their respective 2026 campaigns.

The Toss and the Decision

Knowing a win was absolutely necessary to keep his team alive in the tournament, Kashi Rudras skipper Karan Sharma won the toss and confidently opted to bat first. It was exactly the kind of decisive, no-hesitation move that a defending champion captain needed to make.

His opening pair immediately vindicated the decision. Vaibhav Jaiswal and Karan Sharma put together a solid 75-run stand off 51 balls — the kind of platform-building partnership that gives a T20 innings the freedom to accelerate later.

Vaibhav Jaiswal contributed a brisk 33 off 24 deliveries, playing his role with clean stroke play. Skipper Karan Sharma anchored the innings beautifully with a brilliant 57 off 40 balls, setting a robust foundation for the middle and lower order to build on.

Upendra Yadav's Late Assault

Then came the innings that changed the shape of the match.

Wicketkeeper-batter Upendra Yadav took charge in the late overs and unleashed a devastating assault on the Meerut bowling attack. Yadav smashed an unbeaten 57 off just 29 deliveries, laced with four boundaries and five massive sixes. His explosive finishing performance took the innings from steady to imposing — powering the Kashi Rudras to a total of 175/4 in their 20 overs.

That's the kind of late-innings acceleration that turns a competitive total into a match-winning one. And it gave Kashi Rudras exactly the kind of scoreboard pressure they needed to defend under lights.

The Meerut Chase Starts to Crumble Immediately

Faced with a challenging target of 176, the Meerut Mavericks' chase stumbled at the very first hurdle. Star opener Swastik Chikara fell for a four-ball duck to Kartik Yadav — an early dismissal that set the tone for what was to follow.

Kartik Yadav then delivered one of the most decisive bowling spells of the tournament. His figures of 3/12 in four overs suffocated the Meerut top order and reduced them to 70/5 in 13 overs — a scoreline from which recovery was going to be extremely difficult against a defending champion side that knew exactly how to close out matches.

For his phenomenal spell that effectively derailed the chase, Kartik Yadav was rightfully named the Player of the Match.

The Rajput Brothers' Impact

Divyansh Rajput did try to stabilise the innings, battling his way to a gritty 39 off 31 balls. But even his resistance ended in an unfortunate manner — dismissed hit-wicket by Rishabh Rajput on the fifth ball of the 16th over.

On the very next delivery, Rishabh dismissed Yash Garg, ending the over with Meerut needing 70 runs from 24 balls with just three wickets in hand. It was, by any measure, an almost impossible situation.

The Team Hat-Trick Moment

Then came the moment of drama that will be talked about long after this match is over.

On the first ball of the 17th over, Impact Player Sangam Singh struck immediately — completing a spectacular team hat-trick that spanned across the two overs. Team hat-tricks are rare and memorable events in cricket. They happen when three consecutive dismissals across the same passage of play are shared by different bowlers of the same team.

In this case, the sequence of Rishabh Rajput dismissing Divyansh Rajput hit-wicket, Rishabh Rajput dismissing Yash Garg on the very next ball, and Sangam Singh striking on the first ball of the next over came together to create exactly that rare, thrilling moment.

The Final Wickets

The Meerut Mavericks were eventually bundled out for 119 in 19.2 overs — sealing a comprehensive 56-run victory for the Kashi Rudras.

Rishabh Rajput finished with excellent figures of 3/13, while Atal Bihari Vipin Rai chipped in with two wickets. Together, the Kashi Rudras bowling attack delivered exactly the kind of disciplined, wicket-taking performance that a defending champion side needs at the sharp end of a tournament.

The Momentum Shift

The result gives the Kashi Rudras back-to-back wins and immense momentum heading into the knockouts. For a defending champion side, that kind of late-league surge in form is exactly what you want going into playoff cricket — where confidence, momentum and belief often matter as much as tactical planning.

For the Meerut Mavericks, on the other hand, the loss comes as their second consecutive defeat — meaning they will need to regroup quickly ahead of Qualifier 1. However, their top-of-the-table finish gives them the crucial advantage of getting two shots at the final through the qualifier route.

Playoffs Shifted to Lucknow

With the league stage now concluded, the tournament enters its decisive playoff phase. However, due to persistent rain and wet outfield conditions in Kanpur, all playoff matches have been officially shifted to the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

The Ekana Stadium — one of India's finest modern cricket venues — will now host the tournament's biggest matches.

The Playoffs Schedule

September 3

• Qualifier 1: Meerut Mavericks vs Lucknow Falcons, 3:00 PM IST
• Eliminator: Kashi Rudras vs Noida Kings, 7:30 PM IST

September 4

• Qualifier 2: Loser of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Eliminator, 7:30 PM IST

September 6

• Final: Winner of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Qualifier 2, 7:30 PM IST

That's a beautifully structured playoff schedule — offering fans multiple high-stakes matches across the next few days, with the final scheduled for September 6.

Why It Matters

State-level T20 leagues like the UPT20 League play a critical role in India's cricketing ecosystem. They provide platforms where regional talent gets to test itself against experienced professionals, where new stars emerge into wider visibility, and where cricketing infrastructure across smaller cities gets used, celebrated and strengthened.

For Uttar Pradesh — one of India's most populous and cricket-passionate states — the UPT20 League continues to serve as a vital talent identification and development platform. Every season adds new names to the state's cricketing conversation.

The Player Performances That Stand Out

Tuesday's match delivered several standout individual performances worth remembering.

Karan Sharma's captain's knock of 57 off 40 balls provided leadership from the front. Upendra Yadav's blazing 57 off 29 balls demonstrated exactly the kind of finishing quality that wins T20 matches. Kartik Yadav's 3/12 spell showcased how disciplined new-ball bowling can define the shape of a T20 chase. Rishabh Rajput's 3/13 completed the bowling picture beautifully. And the rare team hat-trick moment involving Rishabh and Sangam Singh added a spectacular piece of tournament history.

Together, these performances made Tuesday's match one of the most memorable of the 2026 season.

Institutional and Cricketing Impact

For the UPT20 League as an institution, delivering another well-executed season culminating in a thrilling playoff phase adds to the credibility of the tournament and its long-term potential. For Uttar Pradesh cricket, every meaningful season deepens the state's cricketing depth and creates new pathways for young players to progress.

For India's broader domestic T20 ecosystem, state-level leagues like the UPT20 continue to complement the IPL and other national tournaments by providing valuable additional match exposure to hundreds of aspiring cricketers.

The Bigger Picture

Match 29 of the UPT20 League 2026 will be remembered for several reasons. A defending champion side rising to the occasion in a must-win game. A captain leading from the front. A wicketkeeper-batter delivering an explosive finish. A young bowler earning the Player of the Match honour with a decisive spell. And a rare team hat-trick moment adding a spectacular flourish to the day.

For Kashi Rudras, the coming days now offer a shot at defending their title — but they will need to negotiate the Eliminator against a determined Noida Kings side first. For Meerut Mavericks, the twin advantage of a top finish and Qualifier 1 access still keeps them extremely well-placed in the tournament, despite two consecutive losses.

For Lucknow Falcons, second place gives them exactly the platform they needed. For Noida Kings, the Eliminator opportunity offers a chance to make a deep playoff run.

As all four playoff-bound teams now travel to Lucknow's Ekana Cricket Stadium, the coming few days promise some of the most exciting cricket of the entire UPT20 League 2026 season. September 3, September 4 and September 6 will decide who ends the tournament with the trophy.

And on Tuesday night, thanks to a statement performance that combined batting authority, bowling brilliance and a rare team hat-trick, Kashi Rudras made one thing crystal clear — the defending champions have not just qualified for the playoffs. They have arrived in them, on form, with momentum, and with intent.

• Himachal Pradesh received 212.5 mm rainfall in August 2026, the 29th lowest since 1901.
• Highest August rainfall on record was 542.4 mm in 1927.
• State recorded 17 per cent deficit against the normal of 256.8 mm.
• Kangra district received the highest rainfall at 658.0 mm; Lahaul-Spiti the lowest at 27.8 mm.
• Lahaul-Spiti recorded the highest negative rainfall departure at -76 per cent.

Himachal Pradesh's August 2026 rainfall picture reflects a state navigating both climate variability and sharp intra-state differences. According to data released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday, the state received 212.5 mm of rainfall during August — its 29th lowest August total since 1901. In contrast, the highest August rainfall in the state's recorded history was 542.4 mm, recorded almost a century ago in 1927.

For a state whose economy, ecology, agriculture and everyday life are deeply tied to monsoon patterns, the August numbers deserve close attention — and the details behind the headline figure tell a much more nuanced story.

The Headline Numbers

Himachal Pradesh received 212.5 mm of actual rainfall against a normal of 256.8 mm in August — a shortfall of 17 per cent. Officially, the IMD has categorised this as "normal" precipitation, since departures within a specified range still fall within the normal band, though the deficit is clearly on the higher side of that range.

That combination — technically normal but with noticeable deficit — reflects the kind of transitional monsoon pattern that has become increasingly common across many parts of India in recent years.

An Uneven Month

The rainfall wasn't uniformly distributed across the month. IMD's analysis shows that the state received scattered to fairly widespread precipitation on many days of August, but the intensity varied significantly.

Active monsoon activity was recorded on five days — August 5, 7, 11, 19 and 31. Weak monsoon activity, on the other hand, was observed on 11 days — August 2, 3, 9, 13, 14, 21, 25, 27, 28, 29 and 30.

That pattern — of concentrated bursts of active rainfall interspersed with extended stretches of weak activity — is what shaped the overall monthly total, and it also explains why some districts felt the rainfall more strongly than others.

The Intense Days

Some days during August delivered particularly heavy rainfall bursts to specific districts.

Very heavy rain was recorded at isolated places over Sirmaur and Bilaspur districts on August 4, over Sirmaur and Una districts on August 5, over Kangra district on August 15, and over Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur and Kangra districts on August 19.

Heavy rain was observed at isolated places on multiple days. On August 2, Bilaspur received heavy rainfall. On August 3, Mandi, Bilaspur and Sirmaur districts received heavy rainfall. On August 4, Sirmaur received heavy rainfall. On August 5, Sirmaur, Bilaspur, Kangra, Mandi and Hamirpur districts received heavy rainfall. On August 6, Chamba and Kangra received heavy rainfall. On August 7, Sirmaur, Mandi and Kangra received heavy rainfall. On August 29, Kangra received heavy rainfall. And on August 31, Chamba, Kangra, Bilaspur, Sirmaur and Mandi received heavy rainfall.

Together, these localised intense rainfall events shaped the district-level rainfall picture across the state.

District-Level Variations

The most striking element of August's rainfall picture is the sharp variation across districts.

Kangra district received the highest rainfall in the state at 658.0 mm — reflecting the district's traditionally higher exposure to monsoon activity. At the other extreme, Lahaul-Spiti district received the lowest rainfall at just 27.8 mm — a stark contrast to Kangra's numbers, and one that reflects the very different climatic conditions in the high-altitude cold desert region of the state.

Sirmaur district recorded the highest positive rainfall departure at 17 per cent, meaning it received more rainfall than its August normal. Lahaul-Spiti district, on the other hand, recorded the highest negative rainfall departure at minus 76 per cent — a very significant deficit for the district.

The Broader District Picture

The overall district-wise classification also reveals a mixed rainfall performance.

Bilaspur, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur and Una districts have received normal precipitation. Chamba, Hamirpur and Solan districts have received deficient precipitation. The remaining districts have received large deficient precipitation.

That distribution reflects one of the enduring truths about weather in a state like Himachal — geography matters enormously. Between higher and lower elevations, between windward and leeward slopes, between the state's western plains-adjacent districts and its northern high-altitude regions, rainfall patterns can vary dramatically within a single month.

Why It Matters

Himachal Pradesh's economy, ecology and everyday rural life are deeply shaped by its monsoon patterns. The state's agriculture — including its important horticulture and apple-growing sectors — depends on well-timed rainfall. Its hydroelectric power generation depends on adequate water inflows into reservoirs. Its drinking water supply relies on healthy rainfall replenishing local sources. And its ecological balance across forests, streams and rivers is inextricably linked to seasonal rainfall patterns.

When rainfall is below normal — particularly when specific regions experience very sharp deficits like the minus 76 per cent departure in Lahaul-Spiti — the consequences can be meaningful across multiple sectors.

Agricultural and Ecological Impact

For agriculture, uneven rainfall creates uneven outcomes. Districts that received normal rainfall may see relatively stable agricultural performance, while districts that experienced deficient or large-deficient rainfall may see impact on crop yields, soil moisture retention and irrigation availability.

For horticulture in Himachal, timely, well-distributed rainfall is particularly important. Any prolonged imbalance can affect fruit quality, ripening cycles and overall crop economics.

For the state's forests, streams and wildlife, sustained rainfall deficits over multiple years can gradually contribute to ecological stress — particularly in already-vulnerable high-altitude regions.

Water Resource Implications

Himachal Pradesh is home to some of India's most important river systems and hydroelectric projects. Water inflows into reservoirs and rivers depend heavily on monsoon rainfall patterns.

When rainfall underperforms in specific regions, water resource authorities need to factor these deficits into their planning — both for hydropower generation and for downstream water supply to other states that depend on Himalayan river systems.

Climate Context

The August performance also fits into a broader climate context. IMD had earlier forecast below-normal rainfall across India for September, citing strong El Nino conditions prevailing over the equatorial Pacific. That larger climate pattern likely contributed to the mixed rainfall performance across Himachal in August.

For state agencies planning ahead into September and October, staying alert to continued rainfall variability — particularly in already deficient regions — will be important.

Institutional Response

For Himachal's state disaster management authorities, agriculture departments, water resource agencies and rural development bodies, the August rainfall picture provides important early data on where attention may be needed most in the coming weeks.

Districts with large deficient precipitation may require closer monitoring — including agricultural extension support, water conservation planning and community advisories on managing available water resources carefully.

The Bigger Picture

Himachal Pradesh's August 2026 rainfall picture is a story of contrasts. Kangra received 658 mm, while Lahaul-Spiti received just 27.8 mm. Some districts recorded normal or above-normal rainfall, while others faced significant deficits. And overall, the state's August total ranks 29th lowest since 1901 — placing it well below what has historically been received in the wettest August months.

For a state where every district experiences the monsoon differently, and where the impact of rainfall varies enormously based on geography, elevation and dependent activity, the numbers tell a much richer story than any single average could convey.

As Himachal Pradesh now steps into September, weather patterns will continue to be closely watched. IMD's forecast of below-normal rainfall across India for September, combined with the mixed August performance, means state authorities and citizens alike will need to remain vigilant about water conservation, agricultural planning and disaster preparedness in the coming weeks.

For Himachal Pradesh's residents, from farmers in Kangra to families in Lahaul-Spiti, the message from August's rainfall data is clear. The monsoon has behaved unevenly this year. Some regions have received their fair share. Others have not. And as the season begins to wind down, adapting thoughtfully to these variations — and preparing for whatever the coming weeks bring — will be one of the state's most important collective priorities.

Because in a state as geographically and ecologically diverse as Himachal Pradesh, understanding rainfall not just as a state-level average but as a district-level reality is what turns weather data into meaningful, actionable insight. And on Tuesday, IMD's August summary did exactly that — offering everyone from policymakers to farmers a clearer picture of exactly where the state stands, and what may lie ahead.

Also Read: Delhi-NCR Braces for Rain, Thunderstorms Today

• All six franchises in the Dehradun T20 League 2026 have confirmed their squads for the tournament.
• The league runs from September 2 to 9, with matches at Abhimanyu Cricket Academy.
• Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal attended the players' draft as chief guest.
• Former BCCI Vice-President Mahim Verma was the Guest of Honour at the event.
• Franchises include Selaqui Strikers, Doiwala Kings, Rishikesh Dragons, Mussoorie Thunder, Vikasnagar Dhamaka and Herbertpur Knightriders.

Uttarakhand cricket is heading into one of its most exciting weeks of the year. All six franchises in the Dehradun T20 League 2026 have officially confirmed their squads ahead of the tournament opener on September 2. Featuring a compelling mix of IPL and domestic circuit players sharing dressing rooms with promising Uttarakhand youngsters, the league is once again positioning itself as one of the most significant cricket development platforms in the state.

For young cricketers dreaming of the national stage, the coming eight days at the Abhimanyu Cricket Academy could well be career-defining.

The Tournament at a Glance

The Dehradun T20 League 2026 will run from September 2 to 9, with all matches to be played at the Abhimanyu Cricket Academy. The compact eight-day format ensures a fast-paced, intense cricketing experience — one that will keep fans and players engaged from the opening ball to the final delivery.

The Government's Backing

The tournament received strong endorsement from the Uttarakhand state government, with Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal attending the players' draft as chief guest. Speaking at the event, he underlined the state's confidence in its cricketing talent pool.

"There is no shortage of talent in Uttarakhand. The Dehradun T20 League is providing our young players with a platform where they can prove themselves and make their mark at the national level. The state government is always ready to support sports and athletes. I am confident that this league will prove to be a significant step forward for cricket in Uttarakhand," Uniyal said.

That kind of clear political and administrative support gives the league significant institutional backing — the kind that helps sustain talent-development ecosystems over the long term.

A Pathway for Local Cricketers

Former BCCI Vice-President Mahim Verma, who attended the event as the Guest of Honour, highlighted the developmental value of the league for local players.

"This league is not just a tournament, but a major opportunity for our local cricketers to progress. When young players from Uttarakhand share the dressing room with experienced captains and players from the IPL and domestic cricket, their confidence and standard of cricket will improve significantly," he said.

That framing captures exactly what makes leagues like the Dehradun T20 League so valuable. Talent development happens most effectively when young players get to train alongside, learn from and compete against more experienced professionals. Every dressing room conversation, every warm-up session, every match strategy discussion becomes a learning opportunity.

World-Class Preparation Behind the Scenes

Dehradun T20 League CEO Navneet Mishra shared insights into the preparations that have gone into ensuring the tournament runs smoothly.

"We have left no stone unturned in providing world-class facilities and excellent playing conditions to the players. We aim to create an environment where every player can freely express themselves and perform at their best. Fans can look forward to exciting cricket over the course of eight days," he said.

That focus on facilities and playing conditions reflects a mature understanding of what modern domestic T20 cricket requires. Great cricket happens when great infrastructure meets great talent.

The Six Franchises and Their Squads

Ahead of the tournament, all six franchises have confirmed their playing squads for the 2026 edition.

Selaqui Strikers are led by captain Piyush Joshi. The squad includes Vijay Sharma, Siddharth Gupta, Aryan Sharma, Abhay Kshetri, Ankit Mahori, Nikhil Harsh, Sanskar Rawat, Shivansh Gautam, Naman Sharma, Nishu Patel, Abhyuday Bhatnagar, Sameer Rai, Keshav Kumar Rana, Priyank Singh, Aryan Kapoor, Nitish Joshi, Kshitij Negi, Jitendra Pal, Prajwal and Binay Singh.

Doiwala Kings are captained by TNR Mohit. The squad features Aasman Gulati, Avneesh Sudha, Divyanshu Yadav, Sarang Rawat, Mukesh Gupta, Tanishq Khatri, Uday Sharma, Aksh Saini, Adi Khan, Dhruv Pratap Singh, Vishu Kashyap, Abhaydeep, Ajay Yadav, Preet Singh Sirohi, Shiv Pratap Singh, Shivanshu Pandey and Shubham Singh.

Rishikesh Dragons are led by Yuvraj Chaudhary. The squad includes Saurabh Rawat, Ravinder Negi, Aarav Mahajan, Aviral Mishra, Aditya Sethi, Kamal Singh, Harjeet Singh, Ishagr Jaguri, Viplabh Gautam Nautiyal, Harshvardhan Singh, Sachin Chauhan, Rajdeep Singh, Rahul Chauhan, Shiva Soni, Mukul Nagar, Tejender Singh, Vishal Joshi, Devendra Dhariyal and Priyanshu Fartiyal.

Mussoorie Thunder are captained by Akash Madhwal, one of the most exciting names to feature in the tournament given his IPL background. The squad features Aryan Garg, Neeraj Rathore, Purvansh Dhruv, Lakshya Raichandani, Akhil Singh Rawat, Harsh Patwal, Anmol Singh, Allen Chetan, Rakshit Rohi, Atul Saini, Deepesh Singh, Shubham Nainwal, Arnav Bansal, Jonty Rawat, Ayush Chauhan, Parghi Deepal Haribhai, Priyanshu Rawat, Aarav Lokesh Singh and Aryan Godiyal.

Vikasnagar Dhamaka are led by captain Kunal Chandela. The squad includes Rohit Danu, Vinay Aswal, Shashwat Dangwal, Vishal Kashyap, Janmajay Joshi, Rohit Singh Dangwal, Sagar Rawat, Goldie Malik, Gaurav Negi, Ansh Joshi, Vishal Dangwal, Naveen Rana, Hitesh Naula, Vishal Rawat, Rahul Dev Nath, Abhishek Singh, Ajay Joshi, Prashant Chauhan and Gopal Singh.

Herbertpur Knightriders are captained by J. Suchith. The squad features Ashar Khan, Ayush Deshwal, Nikhil Pundir, Devendra Bohra, Samad Bhatt, Priyanshu Badswal, Naveen Kumar, Prateek Pandey, Srijan Singh Rawat, Kunal Veer Singh, Gaurav Chaudhary, Sachin Yadav, Mohd. Zaid, Deepak Deshwal, Tushar Bachhas, Veer Pratap Singh, Riansh Rawat, Mohd. Uzair Malik, Varnit Singh and Akshay Thapli.

Why It Matters

Domestic T20 leagues like the Dehradun T20 League play an increasingly important role in India's cricketing ecosystem. They provide platforms where young state-level players can showcase their talent, gain competitive experience against senior professionals, and get noticed by selectors, coaches and IPL franchise talent scouts.

Every performance in leagues like this can potentially change a young cricketer's trajectory — whether by earning a state selection, catching the eye of a scout, or building the confidence needed to push into higher levels of the sport.

For Uttarakhand specifically, which has been steadily building its presence in domestic Indian cricket, the Dehradun T20 League represents a critical part of the state's ongoing effort to strengthen its cricket infrastructure and talent pipeline.

The Value of Shared Dressing Rooms

The most valuable structural feature of leagues like this is often the mixing of experienced professionals with emerging young players. When a talented but unproven youngster from Uttarakhand shares a dressing room with an IPL cricketer, a domestic circuit veteran or an experienced captain, they absorb learnings that no coaching manual can fully capture.

Match strategy conversations. Approach to pressure situations. Recovery and nutrition habits. Mental preparation routines. All of it flows naturally in a competitive dressing room environment.

Mahim Verma's observation about the developmental power of these shared dressing rooms is exactly right. Cricket ecosystems grow when experience is transferred not just through structured coaching but through everyday professional interaction.

Institutional and Cricketing Impact

For the Uttarakhand Cricket Association and the state's cricketing ecosystem, the smooth execution of another edition of the Dehradun T20 League strengthens the credibility of the state as a serious cricketing region. It also creates opportunities for the association to identify and support the next generation of cricketers who might one day represent Uttarakhand at the Ranji Trophy, IPL and even national level.

For India's broader cricketing landscape, well-run state-level T20 leagues contribute meaningfully to the depth of talent available in the country. Every league adds to the pool of match-ready players — and every match creates opportunities for undiscovered talent to make its mark.

Cultural and Community Impact

Beyond the cricketing dimensions, tournaments like the Dehradun T20 League also carry significant cultural and community value. They give local fans opportunities to watch high-quality cricket in their own backyard, generate local pride, and create heroes that young children in the state can aspire to.

For fans across Uttarakhand, the coming eight days will bring memorable evenings of cricket — filled with local heroes, professional stars and the shared joy of competitive sport played on home soil.

The Bigger Picture

The Dehradun T20 League 2026 is set to bring together everything that makes state-level T20 cricket in India so exciting — a strong governance framework, quality playing infrastructure, a mix of experienced and emerging talent, and clear institutional support from both the state government and cricket administrators.

For the young cricketers taking the field from September 2 onwards, this is more than an eight-day tournament. It is an opportunity to prove themselves, learn from the best, and take one more step toward their bigger cricketing dreams. For the experienced professionals joining the league, it is a chance to give back to the sport by mentoring, inspiring and competing alongside the next generation.

As all six franchises finalise their preparations and Abhimanyu Cricket Academy readies itself for the opening match, one thing is clear. Cricket in Uttarakhand is once again heading into a phase of visibility, activity and excitement. And when the first ball is bowled on September 2, the state's cricketing future will step, once again, one meaningful match closer to the goals it continues to reach for.

• Indian middle and long-distance athletes are training at SAI's NCOE in Bengaluru ahead of Asian Games 2026.
• The camp uses a specialised smart track that captures real-time performance data.
• The camp features Avinash Sable, Parul Chaudhary, Krishan Kumar, Manju Rani, Priyanka and others.
• The 73-member Indian athletics contingent will compete at Aichi-Nagoya from September 19 to October 4.
• The smart track was also used by CWG 2026 para-athletics medalists Dilip Mahadu Gavit and Mohammed Basil.

With the Asian Games 2026 just around the corner, India's top athletes have shifted into their highest preparation gear. And at the heart of that preparation sits an unusual advantage — a specialised 'smart track' at the Sports Authority of India's (SAI) National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Bengaluru, one of a kind in India. The centre is currently hosting a critical national coaching camp for the country's middle and long-distance runners, blending cutting-edge sports technology with world-class coaching expertise in the final stretch before the Aichi-Nagoya Games.

For India's medal hopefuls, this camp represents exactly the kind of scientifically supported preparation environment that global athletic performance now demands.

The Camp That's Powering India's Preparation

The Sports Authority of India's National Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru has emerged as a crucial preparation base for India's middle and long-distance runners heading to the Asian Games 2026.

A national coaching camp is currently underway at the SAI centre, scheduled to run until September 8. The camp — sanctioned under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) — features some of India's most exciting athletics talents.

Among those training at the camp are 800m runner Krishan Kumar, steeplechase star Avinash Sable, high jumpers Aadarsh Ram and Supriya B, decathlete Thowfeeq N, middle and long-distance runner Parul Chaudhary, and race walkers Manju Rani and Priyanka.

All eight are part of the approved 73-member Indian athletics contingent (35 men and 38 women) heading to the Asian Games — with the marquee event scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya from September 19 to October 4.

The 'Smart Track' Advantage

Beyond the conventional camp infrastructure, athletes in Bengaluru have access to a genuinely unique advantage — a specialised smart track that allows coaches to capture real-time performance data during training.

"This is one of a kind in India," said Suresh Kumar, Coach (Athletics) at SAI NCOE Bengaluru, explaining the technology embedded into the track. "So what happens is when the athlete runs, we get the real-time speed data. We get the split timings wherever the gates are placed, then the total timing we get, as well as the stride length and the stride frequency. All this data is captured in real time. This helps a lot for the athletes in the training," Kumar was quoted as saying by SAI Media.

That level of data granularity — real-time speed, split times, stride length, stride frequency — is exactly the kind of information that separates modern elite training environments from traditional ones. Every one of those data points can help an athlete fine-tune their technique, optimise their race strategy and identify small improvements that can matter enormously at the international level.

A Track With Proven Champions

The smart track's credibility is anchored in real, recent results. It was used extensively for training by Commonwealth Games 2026 para-athletics medalists Dilip Mahadu Gavit and Mohammed Basil — ahead of the Glasgow Games.

The duo went on to finish in the top two positions in the men's 100m T47 category at CWG 2026, winning gold and silver medals respectively. That kind of tangible medal-level outcome linked to training at the smart track adds serious weight to its value as a preparation tool.

Electronic Timing at Training Level

For athletes, the ability to replicate electronic timing conditions during training is another meaningful advantage. It gives them the closest possible experience to what they will encounter in high-stakes competitions.

"The athletes are very happy because they get to understand and find out the real data based on the electronic timing, not just during training but in any competitions that take place here," Kumar said.

That's a critical distinction. Training with electronic timing accuracy allows athletes to build confidence in their times, calibrate their pacing, and mentally prepare for competition-level precision — all before they set foot on the actual competition track.

The Technology Behind the Track

The smart track was installed at the Bengaluru centre in 2024 and has since been used extensively by elite athletes training at the facility. Its timing gates are positioned both on the straight and around the curve, allowing coaches to analyse different phases of a run.

An accompanying app enables the data to be accessed immediately for post-run analysis — turning every training session into a rich, data-driven learning opportunity.

Notably, the technology has been designed to work alongside existing athletics infrastructure rather than requiring a completely new track. According to Kumar, the system can be installed on any existing synthetic track by embedding the magnetic gates beneath the surface — with installation possible within a single day.

That scalability is a significant point. If proven successful at Bengaluru, similar smart tracks could potentially be installed at other SAI centres across the country — democratising access to high-tech training environments for athletes nationwide.

A Camp Backed by Elite Coaching

The pre-Asian Games camp at SAI Bengaluru is combining high-level coaching, sports science and technology in an integrated preparation environment. The camp includes specialised coaches such as race-walking coach Ronald Gerd Weigel, jumps coach Sahana Kumari Nagaraj Gobbargumpi, along with coach Kalyan Chaudhary and masseuse Meena Sagar Ugale.

That kind of specialised coaching structure — matched to the specific event categories being trained — reflects the maturity of India's current elite sports preparation model.

Details Coaches Couldn't Capture Before

The smart track also gives coaches information that would have been extremely difficult, if not impossible, to capture manually during a sprint.

"You even get the split timing because, for a sprint coach, if I'm at the finish line or like 40m or 50m away from when the athlete is starting, we will be able to get the electronic split time," Kumar explained.

That's a game-changer for sprint coaches. In the past, coaches would have to rely on visual estimation, handheld stopwatches or portable timing setups that couldn't match the accuracy of embedded electronic timing. Now, every phase of a run can be analysed with precision.

Weather-Proof Training

Another meaningful advantage of the embedded magnetic timing gates is that they eliminate weather-related training disruptions. Unlike conventional portable timing equipment, the smart track's technology remains embedded in the surface — meaning it can be used in rain or dusty conditions.

"So with this, we don't have to worry about the weather. We don't have to worry about the wear and tear, nothing. It's just like it's already there. You just need to run over in between that. The real-time data is always available," Kumar added.

For a national preparation camp on a tight countdown to a major international event, weather-proof training reliability is an operational advantage that shouldn't be underestimated.

Why It Matters

The Asian Games are one of the most important multi-sport events on India's international sporting calendar. Every medal won at the Asian Games not only elevates individual athletes but also contributes to India's overall standing in the global sports ecosystem — building the pipeline of experience, ambition and confidence that will eventually shape performances at Olympic Games and world championships.

The kind of scientifically supported preparation environment now being offered at SAI Bengaluru reflects exactly the direction India's elite sports ecosystem needs to move in. Global sporting powerhouses have long relied on data-driven training, real-time performance analytics, and highly specialised coaching structures. India is now steadily building the same kind of infrastructure — and the Bengaluru smart track is a strong example of that direction.

Athlete Impact

For the athletes at the camp — from Avinash Sable in steeplechase to Parul Chaudhary in middle and long-distance running to the race walkers Manju Rani and Priyanka — the smart track provides a direct performance advantage. Every session, every split, every stride is captured, analysed and refined.

That kind of continuous, data-supported iteration is what modern high-performance sport is built on. It allows athletes to arrive at competitions with a deeper self-knowledge, a stronger sense of race pacing, and a clearer understanding of their own performance parameters.

Institutional and Sports Ecosystem Impact

For the Sports Authority of India and India's broader athletics ecosystem, the smart track at Bengaluru is more than a piece of equipment. It is a model — one that demonstrates how technology, coaching and infrastructure can be integrated to serve elite performance.

If the model succeeds at scale — through Asian Games medals, world championship performances, and eventually Olympic outcomes — it will likely inspire similar investments at other SAI centres across the country.

The Bigger Picture

India's preparation for the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya is unfolding at a level of technological sophistication that would have been almost unimaginable a decade ago. Real-time performance data. Weather-proof electronic timing. World-class specialist coaches. Scientific race analysis. And a preparation base that has already produced Commonwealth Games medalists.

For India's athletes, the tools available today are among the best they have ever had access to. The infrastructure is world-class. The coaching is elite. The technology is cutting-edge. And the ambition is clear.

As the countdown to Aichi-Nagoya continues, the athletes training at SAI Bengaluru will carry with them not just their years of hard work but also the confidence that comes from being backed by one of India's most technologically advanced preparation environments.

When the Indian contingent takes to the track and field in Japan from September 19, the story won't just be about medals won or personal bests broken. It will be a story about how far India has come in building the systems, science and support structures required to compete at the highest levels of world sport. And the smart track at SAI Bengaluru will be quietly proud of the part it played in preparing them for that moment.

• Women in Himachal to pay just 4% stamp duty on property up to Rs 1 crore; 8% above that.
• Men and others to pay 6% up to Rs 40 lakh; 8% above that.
• Family property transfers between spouses and blood relatives now taxed at just 0.1%.
• Non-residents acquiring land under Section 118 to pay a flat 12% stamp duty.
• Indian Stamp (Himachal Pradesh Second Amendment) Bill, 2026 introduced to modernise 1899-era laws.

Himachal Pradesh is on the verge of one of its most consequential property law reforms in recent memory. During the Monsoon Session of the state Legislative Assembly, the Congress government led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday announced significant changes to the rules governing stamp duty on property transactions and registrations. The move is being widely welcomed for two reasons in particular — sharp relief for women buying or receiving property, and a substantial reduction in the cost of transferring property between family members.

For anyone considering buying land in Himachal, or navigating property division within a family, the new rules represent a genuinely meaningful shift.

The Case for Reform

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, addressing the Assembly, laid out the rationale behind the changes.

He informed lawmakers that with the exception of property sales and gifts, stamp duty rates for many other types of documents had remained unchanged for years. Furthermore, to eliminate the confusion caused among the public by frequent minor amendments to the old rules, the government has decided to replace the entire existing list with a new, simplified list (Schedule 1-A).

The Indian Stamp (Himachal Pradesh Second Amendment) Bill, 2026 has been introduced with this objective. Its primary aim, according to the government, is to modernise and simplify the outdated and complex laws of 1899 — making them clearer and easier to navigate for the average citizen.

That's a meaningful reform intent. Property laws in India often trace back to colonial-era frameworks that have been amended piecemeal over decades — leaving a fragmented, hard-to-navigate system. A wholesale replacement of the existing schedule with a cleaner, simpler version marks a serious step toward modernisation.

The Headline Change: A Big Win for Women

The most visible change under the new Bill is the sharp reduction in stamp duty rates for women.

If a woman registers a property worth up to Rs 1 crore in her name — or receives a property as a gift — she will be required to pay a stamp duty of only 4 per cent. For properties valued above Rs 1 crore, the rate will move up to 8 per cent.

That's a significant cost advantage, and one that directly encourages more property to be registered in women's names — a shift that carries meaningful long-term social and economic implications for women's financial independence.

For men and others, the stamp duty has been fixed at 6 per cent for property registration up to Rs 40 lakh, and 8 per cent for properties valued above Rs 40 lakh.

Family Property Transfers Get Much Cheaper

Perhaps the most striking element of the new Bill is the dramatic reduction in the cost of transferring property within a family.

The government has provided significant relief regarding property transfers between spouses or among blood relatives such as parents and children. Under the new rules, the stamp fee for transferring family property will now be just 0.1 per cent of the total property value.

That's a genuinely transformative change. Family property transfers — often triggered by inheritance planning, generational transitions, marriage, or family reorganisation — have historically been burdened by heavy stamp duty costs. Bringing that cost down to 0.1 per cent removes a major financial obstacle for families looking to structure their property affairs cleanly and legally.

Section 118 Remains Stringent for Non-Residents

For cases involving non-residents and Section 118, the Bill maintains a more stringent regime — and importantly, does not distinguish between men and women in this specific category.

In cases where special permission under Section 118 is obtained to acquire land from the state government or take it on lease, a substantial stamp duty of 12 per cent must be paid directly. That preserves Himachal Pradesh's long-standing protection of its land ownership regime, particularly in relation to non-residents seeking to acquire land in the state.

Everyday Documentation Adjustments

The Bill also brings some clarity to routine everyday documentation. The standard affidavits prepared at tehsil offices will now require a Rs 100 stamp. And the cost of executing legal documents for child adoption (adoption deeds) will now be Rs 2,000.

Those are the kind of small, practical rate updates that keep everyday citizen-government transactions functional, transparent and consistent.

Why It Matters

The Bill's most impactful implication lies in the direction it pushes society toward — one where property ownership in women's names becomes financially more attractive, and where family property transfers become much less costly.

For women, the reduced stamp duty rate for properties up to Rs 1 crore creates a meaningful financial incentive to register property in their own name. Property ownership has historically been one of the most powerful drivers of women's economic security, financial independence and long-term wealth accumulation. When a state government makes the cost of that ownership meaningfully lower for women, it sends a strong policy signal about the kind of gender-progressive society it is trying to build.

For families, the 0.1 per cent stamp duty on inter-family property transfers is potentially transformative. It removes one of the major financial disincentives to formalising inheritance, executing generational planning, and cleanly transferring assets between spouses and blood relatives.

The Modernisation Angle

The broader Bill — which replaces the entire existing list of stamp duty rules with a simplified Schedule 1-A — reflects the government's larger effort to modernise outdated administrative frameworks. India's stamp duty regime, largely built around the Indian Stamp Act of 1899, has long been criticised for its complexity, ambiguity and frequent minor amendments that leave citizens confused about applicable rates.

A cleaner, simpler schedule benefits everyone. Citizens can better understand their obligations. Registrars can process documents more consistently. Real estate professionals can advise clients with greater clarity. And the overall property market benefits from more predictable, transparent transaction costs.

Financial and Economic Impact

For Himachal Pradesh's real estate market, the new rules could catalyse meaningful shifts.

Lower stamp duty for women may encourage more property purchases and registrations in their names — expanding demand-side activity and reshaping ownership patterns over time. Sharply reduced family-transfer stamp duty could unlock a wave of long-pending intra-family property formalisations, adding transaction volumes to the market. And the simplified schedule may improve confidence among first-time buyers and small property investors who often find the current system opaque.

For the state government, while individual transaction rates may be lower in some segments, higher registration activity and formalisation of previously undocumented transfers could offset revenue impact over time.

Social and Cultural Impact

Beyond the financial dimensions, the Bill carries a strong social message. It signals that Himachal Pradesh is actively encouraging women's participation in property ownership. It acknowledges that family property transfers are a normal, essential part of household life — and that the government should not stand in the way with excessive costs. And it affirms the state's commitment to modernising its citizen-facing legal framework.

For women in particular, that message matters. In a country where property ownership in a woman's name remains far below what social equality would demand, every policy nudge that makes such ownership more accessible plays a meaningful role in shifting long-standing norms.

Institutional Impact

For the Himachal Pradesh government, the successful implementation of the new Bill will require coordinated efforts across the Revenue Department, tehsil offices, sub-registrar offices, real estate industry bodies, and public awareness initiatives.

Ensuring that citizens across the state — from Shimla and Dharamshala to smaller towns and rural blocks — clearly understand the new rules will be essential to fully realising the benefits of the reform.

The Bigger Picture

Tuesday's announcement in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly is more than a routine tax-rate update. It is a structural reform that touches multiple important dimensions of citizen life — gender equity, family financial planning, real estate transactions, legal modernisation and long-term wealth-building.

The Indian Stamp (Himachal Pradesh Second Amendment) Bill, 2026 replaces a fragmented, decades-old framework with a simplified, more equitable schedule. It rewards women's property ownership with meaningfully lower stamp duty. It dramatically reduces the cost of family property transfers. And it maintains protective vigilance around Section 118 land acquisition by non-residents.

For women across the state, the Bill quietly opens up a wider financial pathway to property ownership. For families, it removes one of the biggest cost hurdles standing in the way of clean intergenerational property planning. And for Himachal Pradesh as a whole, it reflects a state government willing to combine gender-progressive policy with administrative modernisation.

As the new rules move toward implementation, their real impact will be measured over the coming months and years — in how many more women register property in their names, how many families finally formalise long-pending transfers, and how much smoother property transactions become across the state.

But the signal, from Tuesday's Assembly session onward, is unmistakable. Himachal Pradesh is opening its property doors a little wider — especially for the women who, historically, have often been the last in the room to hold the keys. And in that quiet policy shift lies a much bigger message about the kind of state Himachal Pradesh is choosing to become.

• Fitness entrepreneur Krishna Shroff shares five key principles that shape her approach to fitness.
• She emphasises discipline over motivation and consistency over intensity.
• Strength training, she says, changed both her body and her confidence.
• She underscores recovery, sleep and active rest days as essential to any training routine.
• Krishna considers mental resilience the biggest lesson fitness has taught her.

Fitness entrepreneur and reality TV personality Krishna Shroff has offered one of the most grounded and honest reflections on fitness in recent memory. In a set of quotes shared exclusively with IANS, the daughter of actor Jackie Shroff and sister of Tiger Shroff opened up about the principles that have shaped her personal fitness philosophy — a philosophy that goes well beyond aesthetics and centres firmly on discipline, consistency, strength and mental resilience.

For a generation of young Indians increasingly interested in serious fitness, Krishna's five-point framework arrives as exactly the kind of message worth pausing on.

The Foundational Principle: Discipline Over Motivation

Right at the heart of Krishna's approach sits an unmistakable belief — discipline is more important than motivation.

"Motivation is temporary. Discipline is what gets you up when the motivation is completely gone. I made a decision a long time ago to show up, no matter what, and that decision has changed everything for me," Krishna said.

That framing is one of the most important messages any fitness enthusiast can internalise. Motivation is by nature inconsistent — it comes and goes, driven by mood, circumstance and energy levels. Discipline, however, is a decision, one that carries you through the days when motivation isn't there.

Krishna's clarity on this point is exactly what makes her fitness philosophy stand out. She isn't romanticising the journey. She is naming the discipline required to sustain it.

Consistency Over Intensity

Krishna's second principle is one that many committed fitness enthusiasts eventually learn — the sessions that build you the most aren't always the hardest ones. Sometimes, they are simply the ones you almost didn't show up for.

"I used to think I had to go all out every single session. But the sessions that have built me the most are the ones I almost didn't show up for. Showing up consistently, even at 60 per cent, will always beat going hard once and burning out," she said.

That's a powerful reframe. It shifts the definition of fitness success from "how hard did I push today" to "did I show up today". And for anyone trying to build a long-term relationship with fitness, that reframe can make all the difference.

The Power of Strength Training

Krishna also spoke openly about the transformational role strength training has played in her life — not just physically, but psychologically.

"Strength training changed my body, but more than that, it changed how I carry myself. There is something that happens to your confidence when you realise what your body is actually capable of. And I want every woman to feel that," she said.

That message carries particular weight for women approaching fitness. Historically, strength training has often been positioned as either intimidating or unnecessary for women. Voices like Krishna's — grounded, confident, unapologetic — are quietly changing that narrative. She is showing that strength training is not just about aesthetics or performance. It is about a fundamentally different relationship with one's own body and capability.

The Non-Negotiable Value of Recovery

Krishna's fourth principle challenges one of the most common mistakes fitness enthusiasts make — treating recovery as optional.

She believes recovery should be considered an essential part of training. Rest is necessary for the body to repair and rebuild after exercise. Adequate sleep, dedicated rest days and active recovery are all core to any sustainable fitness routine.

That kind of emphasis on recovery matters. In a fitness culture that often glorifies overtraining, hustle and constant intensity, reminding people that rest is not the opposite of progress but part of it is a genuinely important message.

Mental Resilience: The Biggest Lesson

For Krishna, the most meaningful takeaway from her fitness journey has been mental resilience. And she made this connection beautifully in her own words.

Reflecting on her broader journey, she stated: "Everything I have built, from MFN, my fitness journey, my business, has required me to get back up after being knocked down. The gym taught me that. When you push through a hard set, you are also training your mind to push through hard moments in life."

That's a profound observation. Physical resilience and mental resilience are deeply connected. The mindset you build in the gym — pushing through when things get hard, showing up when you don't feel like it, returning after setbacks — transfers directly into how you navigate professional and personal challenges outside the gym.

Krishna's ability to draw that connection so clearly, and to speak about it so openly, is part of what makes her such a genuine voice in India's evolving fitness conversation.

Why It Matters

India's fitness culture is undergoing a significant transformation. More young people are engaging with structured training. More women are entering gyms and strength training spaces. More families are prioritising physical activity as part of everyday life. And more entrepreneurs are building fitness businesses that shape how the country trains.

In this context, thoughtful, grounded voices like Krishna Shroff's play an important role. Her framework — discipline, consistency, strength, recovery and mental resilience — offers a practical, honest guide that cuts through the noise of trend-driven fitness content.

For young people just starting their fitness journeys, hearing someone with Krishna's platform speak so clearly about the importance of showing up on low-motivation days can be genuinely transformative.

The MFN Journey

Krishna's fitness credibility isn't just built on her personal training routine. It is also anchored in her role as the co-founder of MFN (MMA Matrix Fitness Network) — one of India's growing fitness and MMA-focused business ventures. Building that brand has required exactly the kind of resilience she credits her fitness journey for teaching her.

That combination — personal fitness practice, entrepreneurial journey, business building and consistent public presence — makes her one of the most authentic voices in the country's growing fitness ecosystem today.

Cultural Impact

Fitness content in India has often skewed toward aesthetics — transformation reels, before-and-after photos, quick results. Krishna's messaging deliberately moves in the opposite direction. She talks about discipline, consistency and mental resilience — the deeper, less glamorous, but far more sustainable foundations of long-term fitness.

That's a valuable cultural contribution. It helps reshape how younger audiences think about their own fitness journeys — not as short bursts of intense effort, but as long-term commitments to showing up.

Empowerment for Women

Krishna's specific message about wanting every woman to feel what strength training can do for confidence is also worth highlighting. It aligns her voice with a broader global movement of women reclaiming their relationship with their bodies through strength, movement and physical capability.

For young women in India — often navigating cultural expectations, body image conversations and access to fitness spaces — Krishna's voice offers something both aspirational and practical.

The Bigger Picture

Krishna Shroff's five-principle fitness framework is more than a personal reflection. It is a valuable, real-world contribution to India's evolving conversation about health, movement and mental strength.

Her insistence on discipline over motivation. Her championing of consistency over intensity. Her belief in the transformative power of strength training. Her respect for recovery. And her acknowledgement of mental resilience as the biggest lesson fitness can offer.

Together, these principles form a genuinely useful playbook — one that any young person beginning their fitness journey, and any experienced enthusiast reflecting on their own habits, can benefit from thinking about.

For Krishna herself, this framework has clearly shaped not just her body, but the way she approaches her business, her career and her life. And by sharing it so openly with her audience, she is offering an important reminder that the biggest lessons from the gym often aren't measured in kilograms lifted or reps completed — but in the mindset built along the way.

Because as Krishna made unmistakably clear on Monday, the strongest thing you can build in the gym isn't just your body. It is the person you become when you keep showing up. And that is a lesson everyone — inside a gym or far beyond it — could benefit from carrying forward.

• TN CM C. Joseph Vijay opened the Stanley Reservoir sluice gates at Mettur on Tuesday.
• Water release will continue for 45 days from September 1, subject to inflows and storage.
• Release was delayed from the customary June 12 date due to weak rainfall and low reservoir storage.
• This is CM Vijay's first Mettur visit since taking office on May 10.
• Supreme Court has adjourned the Cauvery water dispute case to September 15.

Tamil Nadu's Cauvery delta farmers finally received the moment they had been waiting for through months of anxious uncertainty. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday opened the sluice gates of the Stanley Reservoir at Mettur, releasing water for irrigation across the delta districts after a delay of nearly three months caused by inadequate rainfall and poor reservoir storage. For lakhs of farmers preparing their fields for the season's paddy cultivation, the moment marked the return of the lifeline they depend on year after year.

The Release Plan

The Tamil Nadu government has confirmed that the water release will continue for 45 days from September 1, subject to inflows and the availability of water in the reservoir. The discharge is expected to benefit agricultural lands across the delta districts, where farmers have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Mettur water to begin cultivation activities.

That 45-day window is critical. It provides farmers with a defined planning horizon for their kuruvai paddy cultivation and gives them time to mobilise labour, inputs and equipment for the season.

A Delayed Start to a Difficult Season

Water from the Mettur dam is normally released on June 12 every year to support kuruvai — the short-duration paddy crop cultivated extensively across the Cauvery delta. This year, however, the customary opening had to be postponed because of deficient rainfall in the river's catchment areas and insufficient storage in the reservoir.

That delay had triggered significant concern across the delta farming community. Farmers rely on the June opening to plan their crop cycles carefully, and any extended postponement carries meaningful economic consequences.

The eventual release on September 1 has come as much-awaited relief — although the compressed cultivation timeline will still require careful planning by farmers to make the most of the 45-day window.

The Chief Minister's First Mettur Visit

Tuesday's ceremonial opening also carried symbolic significance. The event marked Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's first visit to Mettur since taking office on May 10.

For a leader stepping into one of the state's most anticipated agricultural rituals for the first time as Chief Minister, the moment carried both operational and political weight — a formal reaffirmation that the state government stands with delta farmers as they navigate a challenging season.

The release assumes even greater significance given the mounting uncertainty farmers have been facing over irrigation availability and the broader Cauvery water situation this year.

The Cauvery Dispute Backdrop

The Mettur opening comes against the backdrop of the continuing legal dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the sharing of Cauvery waters — a decades-old contest that continues to shape the water security equations of both states.

On Monday, the Supreme Court adjourned the case to September 15 after Tamil Nadu sought directions to Karnataka to clear the accumulated shortfall in water releases.

A Bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta asked both states to place subsequent developments on record before the next hearing — keeping the door open for updated data to shape the coming rounds of legal deliberation.

Tamil Nadu's Position

Appearing for Tamil Nadu, senior advocate C.S. Vaidyanathan submitted before the court that Karnataka had failed to make good the shortfall in water releases, despite the matter having been recorded by the Cauvery Water Management Authority.

He said large stretches of farmland in Tamil Nadu depended on Cauvery water — and urged the court to ensure that the state received its rightful allocation as determined by the authority.

That's a critical argument. Tamil Nadu's delta agriculture, particularly kuruvai paddy cultivation, is heavily dependent on assured, timely Cauvery water releases. Any sustained shortfall directly affects farmer incomes, crop yields, procurement volumes and the broader rural economy of the region.

Karnataka's Response

Karnataka, on its part, disputed the allegation of shortfall and maintained that it had been releasing more water than the stipulated quantity.

Its counsel, senior advocate Shyam Divan, told the court that Karnataka had released 9,888 cusecs on August 30 against the required 9,000 cusecs. He added that the discharge had subsequently exceeded 11,000 cusecs.

The Bench observed that Karnataka had increased the release from 11,000 to 12,000 cusecs from August 12 — a significant increment that has directly contributed to the improved inflows now reaching Mettur.

The Legal and Operational Interplay

Tamil Nadu had approached the Supreme Court seeking enforcement of the Cauvery Water Management Authority's directions, warning that any continuing deficit could severely affect delta agriculture.

That legal push, combined with the improved rainfall in Karnataka's catchment areas over the past two weeks, has together created the conditions that made the Mettur release possible on September 1. It reflects how legal enforcement, operational data and natural rainfall patterns often intersect in shaping outcomes for water-sharing disputes between neighbouring states.

Why It Matters

For the Cauvery delta, Mettur water is not just an agricultural input — it is a lifeline. Nearly 16 lakh acres of agricultural land across 13 districts depend on the release of Mettur water for kuruvai cultivation, followed by other seasonal crops later in the cycle.

When the sluice gates open, they do not just release water. They release the possibility of income for hundreds of thousands of farming families, the security of harvests for local rural economies, and the continuity of a cultural identity that has been built around Cauvery farming for generations.

For Tamil Nadu, ensuring the flow of Cauvery water is one of the most consequential water governance responsibilities the state undertakes each year — and one that carries direct implications for its rural voters, its food economy, and its inter-state relations.

The Farmer's Perspective

For delta farmers themselves, the delay in this year's release has been especially difficult. Every day of postponement translates into agricultural planning uncertainty, financial anxiety, and the mounting stress of not knowing when the season will begin.

Tuesday's release will bring immediate operational relief. Farmers can now begin their preparations, seed procurement, field readying and irrigation planning — with the reassurance that water will be flowing through the delta channels for the next 45 days.

Institutional and Political Impact

For the newly formed state government under Chief Minister Vijay, the Mettur release represents an important early-tenure moment. Handling the Cauvery release process well — both operationally at Mettur and legally at the Supreme Court — will be a defining early test of the government's water governance capacity.

For Tamil Nadu's legal team, the September 15 hearing will be another critical opportunity to press for stricter enforcement of Cauvery allocations. And for the Cauvery Water Management Authority, the coming weeks will require close monitoring of Karnataka's release volumes to ensure that agreed quantities are being consistently maintained.

The Bigger Picture

Tuesday's Mettur opening is a story that sits at the intersection of natural rainfall patterns, inter-state water politics, agricultural livelihoods and legal enforcement. It is a reminder that in India, water is not just a resource — it is a political, economic and social issue that touches millions of lives every single year.

For farmers across the Cauvery delta, the 45-day release ahead offers a much-needed window to salvage what has otherwise been a difficult season. For the state government, it marks the beginning of what will be a closely watched water management cycle. And for the Cauvery water dispute itself, the September 15 Supreme Court hearing will provide the next major update in a case that continues to shape the water security of both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

As the water begins to flow through the delta channels on Tuesday and beyond, it will do exactly what it has always done — carry the hopes, the harvests and the futures of the farming families who have called the delta home for generations.

And on Tuesday morning at Mettur, as the sluice gates opened under Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's watch, the sound of the water rushing out was more than a bureaucratic milestone. It was the sound of a season finally beginning, of anxiety slowly giving way to activity, and of a lifeline returning — right when the delta needed it most.

• Television actor Zain Imam has announced a short break from social media.
• He is deactivating his Instagram account for a few days to disconnect and recharge.
• He clarified he is not unfollowing or removing anyone during the pause.
• Zain rose to fame with 'Kaisi Yeh Yaariaan' and 'Tashan-E-Ishq' as Yuvraj Luthra.
• He was most recently seen as Teerth Mittal in the show 'Suman Indori'.

Television actor Zain Imam has quietly delivered one of the more grounded, self-aware celebrity posts of the day. In a heartfelt note shared with his followers, the actor announced that he is temporarily stepping away from social media — deactivating his Instagram account for a few days to disconnect from the online world, recharge, and focus on things that matter away from the screen.

In a media environment where staying constantly visible is treated as a professional imperative, Zain's decision to consciously log off, even briefly, stands out as a warm and thoughtful act of self-care.

The Note That Set the Tone

Sharing a simple text post on his social media, Zain wrote openly about the reason behind his break.

"Going off Instagram for a few days. Nothing to worry about — just taking a little time away from social media to disconnect, recharge, and focus on the things that matter away from the screen. Sometimes it's nice to step away from the noise, disconnect for a bit, and spend some time being present in the real world," he wrote.

That kind of quiet honesty — no drama, no over-explanation, just a clear personal decision — is exactly the kind of message that many of his followers likely needed to read today. In an era of constant digital consumption, the reminder that stepping away is not just okay but valuable is a genuinely important one.

Reassuring His Followers

Aware of how easily an unexplained absence from Instagram can be misinterpreted by fans, Zain also made sure to clarify the intent behind his break.

"I'll be deactivating my account, but I'm not unfollowing anyone or removing anyone, so please don't misunderstand the silence. I'll be back soon. Until then, sending good vibes your way. Thank you," he added.

That's a thoughtful communication touch. In an ecosystem where sudden social media disappearances often trigger speculation — about personal issues, professional conflicts or bigger crises — Zain has clearly chosen to pre-empt any such misreading by being direct about his intent.

Why the Break Matters

Zain's decision to take a break isn't just a personal wellness moment — it also carries a quietly important message for his large fan base. Social media, for all its benefits, can be exhausting. Constant availability, non-stop content pressure, and the emotional weight of engaging with millions of comments and reactions every day can be genuinely draining, especially for public figures.

By openly acknowledging that stepping away is part of taking care of oneself, Zain is offering his followers a small but meaningful example of what healthy digital habits can look like — even for someone whose profession is closely tied to visibility.

The Zain Imam Story

For fans unfamiliar with his full journey, Zain Imam is a familiar and much-loved name in the Hindi television industry. He began his acting journey with the youth show 'Kaisi Yeh Yaariaan', in which he played Abhimanyu Thakkar — a role that quickly connected him with a young, loyal audience base.

He then featured in shows such as 'Tashan-E-Ishq', 'Yeh Vaada Raha' and 'Naamkarann'. His role as Yuvraj Luthra in 'Tashan-E-Ishq' proved to be an important turning point in his career, cementing his status as one of the most promising young actors in the television space at the time.

Zain later took on the role of ACP Neil Khanna in 'Naamkarann' — a character that added significant range and depth to his growing filmography.

Expanding Beyond Traditional Television

Zain has since expanded his footprint across multiple formats. He has been part of shows like 'Ishqbaaaz' and 'Ek Bhram – Sarvagun Sampanna', in which he starred opposite Shrenu Parikh, further cementing his onscreen chemistry credentials with strong lead actresses.

He also successfully ventured into the digital space with projects including 'Poison 2' and 'Crashh' — a shift that reflects how many television actors have expanded their creative careers by embracing OTT platforms.

In 2019, Zain also participated in the stunt-based reality show 'Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 9' — a show that gave audiences a very different, more physically challenging side of the actor.

The Recent Chapter

More recently, Zain has been seen as Teerth Mittal in the television show 'Suman Indori', a role that has been well-received by his loyal fan base. His other notable fiction roles include Agastya Raichand in 'Fanaa: Ishq Mein Marjawan'.

Across all these projects, one common thread has always defined his approach — genuine emotional presence in every character he plays. Zain has consistently connected with audiences by bringing sincerity to his work, and that sincerity now clearly extends to how he approaches his personal wellbeing too.

Why It Matters

In an entertainment ecosystem where social media has become an inseparable part of every actor's public identity, choosing to step away — even briefly — is a meaningful act. It signals a healthy prioritisation of the things that exist beyond likes, followers and public engagement metrics. It reminds audiences that public figures are, first and foremost, human beings navigating the same emotional realities everyone else is.

For younger fans watching Zain's example, the takeaway is worth carrying forward. It is okay to log off. It is okay to disconnect. It is okay to prioritise real life over online presence.

Cultural Impact

There is a growing cultural conversation across India — especially among younger audiences — about the mental health impact of constant social media consumption. When popular actors like Zain openly model healthy digital breaks, that conversation gains additional visibility and legitimacy.

Small acts like these help shift the norm — reminding audiences that stepping away isn't a sign of retreat, but of strength.

The Bigger Picture

Zain Imam's decision to briefly step away from Instagram is a small but genuinely valuable moment in the ongoing conversation about digital wellbeing. His warmth in framing the break, his care in reassuring his followers, and his clarity in explaining his intent — all reflect the qualities his fans have long appreciated about him.

As he takes this short pause to disconnect, recharge and be present in the real world, his followers will no doubt continue to hold his space with patience, love and understanding. And when he returns to Instagram in a few days, he will be greeted by exactly the kind of warm energy his open, honest note deserves.

Because as Zain quietly reminded everyone today — sometimes, stepping away from the noise is the most important thing you can do to hear yourself think again. And for a public figure to say that out loud is exactly the kind of message the digital world could use a little more of.

• IndiGo flight 6E 2102 from Goa to Delhi returned to Manohar International Airport on Tuesday.
• The aircraft had departed North Goa at 9:16 am; a technical issue was detected shortly after take-off.
• ATC declared a full emergency at nearly 9:30 am as the aircraft returned.
• All passengers were disembarked safely with no injuries reported.
• The aircraft is undergoing maintenance checks; alternative arrangements have been made for passengers.

An IndiGo flight from Goa to Delhi made an emergency return to Goa on Tuesday morning after facing what the airline described as a "technical issue." The situation, though serious enough for a full emergency to be declared by Air Traffic Control, was managed by the flight crew in line with standard operating procedures — resulting in a safe landing and no reported injuries.

The Sequence of Events

Flight number 6E 2102 departed North Goa at 9:16 am, headed for Delhi. Shortly after take-off, however, the crew detected a technical issue and made the decision to turn back to base.

Air Traffic Control declared a full emergency at nearly 9:30 am as the aircraft headed back to Goa's Manohar International Airport. The pilots executed the return safely, landing the aircraft without incident.

All passengers were disembarked safely with no injuries. They were subsequently accommodated in the boarding area while the airline arranged alternative travel plans.

The Airline's Statement

Responding to the incident, IndiGo issued a detailed statement outlining what had happened and how it was handled.

"A technical issue was detected, shortly after take-off, on IndiGo flight 6E 2102 operating from North Goa to Delhi. Following the standard operating procedure, the relevant authorities were informed, and the pilots turned back and landed the aircraft safely at Manohar International Airport," the airline said.

The statement confirmed that the aircraft is currently undergoing maintenance checks and will resume operations after securing all necessary clearances — the standard technical validation process that follows any such incident.

Focus on Passenger Comfort

The airline also addressed the disruption experienced by its customers.

"We regret the inconvenience caused to our customers and made every effort to minimise it, including offering refreshments and timely updates," the IndiGo Spokesperson said.

The carrier confirmed that it has made alternative arrangements for customers to reach their destination — a critical operational detail that determines how significantly a disruption of this kind affects passenger schedules.

"The safety of our customers, crew, and aircraft remains our top priority at IndiGo," the airline added.

How the Crew and ATC Responded

While the phrase "full emergency" naturally sounds alarming to passengers and observers, it is important to note that it also represents exactly the kind of formal, structured protocol activation that aviation systems are designed to execute in real time.

When a crew detects a technical concern shortly after take-off, standard procedure calls for immediate coordination with ATC, a return to the origin airport (or the nearest suitable one), and full deployment of ground emergency services on standby. The safe landing of flight 6E 2102 at Manohar International Airport reflects precisely how well-drilled that entire chain of communication and action is at Indian airports and airlines today.

The Recent IndiGo Backdrop

Tuesday's incident comes in the wake of some other recent operational concerns at the airline. Earlier last month, IndiGo's website faced technical disruptions, leaving several passengers unable to book flights, complete web check-ins or access certain online services. Some users also reported difficulties logging into the airline's mobile application.

The airline acknowledged the issue through a service advisory, stating that it was experiencing intermittent problems with its core reservation platform and that the disruption could make it difficult for some customers to access its online services.

That advisory came just two days after IndiGo had reported a similar problem with its core reservation system — flagging intermittent issues that could affect customers' access to online services.

Together, these incidents underscore the operational complexity that comes with running India's largest domestic airline at scale — where technology, aircraft, ground operations and customer service all need to work seamlessly across hundreds of daily flights.

Why It Matters

For India's aviation industry, incidents like Tuesday's emergency return serve as important reminders of both the risks that come with commercial flying and the robustness of the safety systems that manage those risks. Every safe return, every successful emergency landing, every well-coordinated ATC-cockpit exchange reflects the professionalism of India's aviation ecosystem.

For passengers, the outcome — safe disembarkation, refreshments, timely updates and alternative travel arrangements — represents exactly how disruptions should be managed when they occur.

Passenger Experience

For the passengers of flight 6E 2102, Tuesday morning was undoubtedly stressful. A flight taking off from Goa on a routine morning schedule, only to turn back shortly thereafter with a "full emergency" declared, is exactly the kind of moment that stays with travellers long after the incident is resolved.

That said, the fact that everyone disembarked safely — with clear communication from the crew, refreshments provided at the boarding area, and alternative travel arrangements activated by the airline — reflects the kind of passenger-centric handling that helps rebuild trust after any operational scare.

Industry Impact

For IndiGo, the incident will now be followed by the standard chain of technical evaluation and reporting. Every such event triggers a detailed investigation into the specific technical trigger, followed by inspections, engineering sign-off and clearance procedures before the aircraft returns to service.

For India's civil aviation regulator, incidents like these also feed into the broader safety and reliability data that shapes ongoing oversight of airline operations.

The Bigger Picture

Tuesday's emergency return of IndiGo flight 6E 2102 is, at its heart, a story of a well-managed aviation incident. A crew that identified an issue quickly. A pilot team that made the right call to return. An ATC system that coordinated the emergency with speed. An airport ground team that received the aircraft safely. And an airline that stepped up on the customer service side to minimise the impact on passengers.

That's exactly the kind of quiet, well-executed institutional response that keeps India's aviation ecosystem safe and reliable, day after day.

As IndiGo now works through the technical checks on the affected aircraft, and as its passengers continue their onward journeys through alternative arrangements, the takeaway remains the same one that defines aviation safety around the world — every safe landing is a success. Every prompt return is a good decision. And every passenger walking off unharmed after an emergency is proof that the system worked exactly as it was designed to.

For IndiGo, the coming days will likely bring detailed technical evaluation and continued focus on operational reliability. For passengers, the message from Tuesday's incident is a reassuring one — when things go wrong at 30,000 feet, the systems built to bring you home safely are working exactly as they should.

Also Read: IndiGo Website Hit by Second Tech Glitch in One Week

• WB CM Suvendu Adhikari to chair a critical dengue strategy meeting at Swasthya Bhavan on Tuesday, 5 p.m.
• The meeting will bring together five key departments — Health, PWD, Panchayat, Municipal Affairs and Irrigation.
• Nodal officers from 21 urban civic bodies across the state have also been asked to attend.
• Five districts identified as most dengue-prone — Kolkata, Howrah, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas and Murshidabad.
• Weather unpredictability and continued rainfall have added to the state health department's worries.

West Bengal is preparing to escalate its response to the ongoing dengue crisis. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari will chair a crucial multi-department strategy meeting later on Tuesday at Swasthya Bhavan, the headquarters of the state health department at Salt Lake in the northern outskirts of Kolkata. The meeting, set to bring together ministers, senior bureaucrats and civic body representatives, is expected to lay out a comprehensive, coordinated blueprint for how the state will combat the disease across its most affected districts.

The Coordinated Approach

The meeting will be attended by some ministers and all the top bureaucrats from five key state departments — Health, Public Works, Panchayat Affairs and Rural Development, Municipal Affairs and Urban Development, and Irrigation. Together, these departments will work out the blueprint of how a coordinated approach can be adopted to combat the current dengue crisis.

The rationale behind bringing multiple departments together reflects the multi-dimensional nature of the challenge.

"The Chief Minister is of the opinion that although the primary task of combating the crisis is of the state health department, the said department alone might not be able to combat the current crisis unless it works in coordination with the other four departments," said a senior officer from the state secretariat.

That framing is important. Dengue is not just a medical problem — it is a public sanitation, water management, urban planning, waste disposal and rural infrastructure problem all at once. Any effective response must therefore work across multiple department jurisdictions simultaneously.

The 21 Urban Civic Bodies

Alongside representatives from the five state departments, nodal officers from 21 urban civic bodies in the state have also been asked to be present at the meeting. This inclusion is critical, as urban civic bodies are typically the frontline institutions responsible for on-ground execution of mosquito control, sanitation drives and public health outreach.

The meeting is scheduled to start at 5 p.m.

The Cleanliness Drive Rollout

According to the state government official, the state municipal affairs and urban development department has already started intensifying cleanliness drives in the urban areas across Kolkata and its suburbs.

Now, that effort is set to be significantly expanded into rural geographies.

"Now it has been decided that the state irrigation and panchayat affairs and rural development departments will be involved actively to undertake the same cleanliness drive in the rural areas," the state government official added.

That expansion into rural regions is significant. In many parts of West Bengal, mosquito breeding grounds are as much a rural challenge as an urban one — driven by open water storage, agricultural runoff, and pockets of stagnant water in villages and semi-urban settlements.

Health Department as the Nodal Coordinator

Despite the involvement of so many departments, the state health department will act as the nodal department in this coordinated exercise. The entire exercise will be conducted under the direct supervision of the Chief Minister's office.

"Precisely, that is why the crucial meeting today had been convened at Swasthya Bhavan, instead of the state secretariat of Nabanna," the state government official said.

That location signal is meaningful. Convening the meeting at the health department headquarters, rather than the general state secretariat, is a symbolic reinforcement of where the operational nerve centre of the anti-dengue campaign will sit.

The Operational Challenges

The state government official also spoke candidly about the operational challenges that make the current dengue response particularly difficult.

"The boards of almost all of the urban civic bodies in the state are non-functional now. The health workers who were involved in the work of tackling the mosquito larvae menace earlier are now working for the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat project in the state. The doctors at the health centres, who are already overburdened, are not always able to concentrate properly in this dengue-combating exercise," the official said.

That is an unusually honest institutional assessment. It highlights three real bottlenecks — the absence of functional urban civic boards in many locations, the diversion of trained health workers to the rollout of Ayushman Bharat, and the workload pressures on doctors at primary health centres.

In such a situation, the Chief Minister's personal intervention is considered significant — bringing top-down political attention and administrative coordination to a challenge that has struggled to find sustained institutional focus.

The Five Most Vulnerable Districts

The West Bengal Health Department has already identified five districts as the most dengue-prone in the state. These are — Kolkata, Howrah, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas and Murshidabad.

These districts represent a mix of dense urban geographies (Kolkata, Howrah), highly populated peri-urban regions (North and South 24 Parganas), and important rural population centres (Murshidabad). Targeting these five districts with concentrated anti-dengue action is expected to significantly reduce case load and mortality if implemented well.

The Weather Factor

Adding another layer of urgency to the situation is the current weather pattern. The continued weather unpredictability and rainfall have kept the state health department most worried, as dengue cases and dengue-related deaths have increased in certain districts.

Erratic rainfall creates ideal conditions for mosquito breeding — with alternating spells of rain, humidity and warmth producing water accumulation in exactly the kind of pockets where aedes aegypti mosquitoes thrive.

Why It Matters

Dengue is one of India's most consequential seasonal public health threats. Every year, thousands of families across states like West Bengal face the disease's economic, medical and emotional toll. When any state government moves to coordinate a comprehensive multi-department response, the impact can extend to lakhs of vulnerable residents.

For West Bengal specifically, the current dengue season carries added weight because of the operational constraints being flagged — non-functional civic boards, redeployed health workers, and doctors stretched thin. Coordinated top-down action becomes especially important when routine institutional systems are under such strain.

Public Health Impact

For residents of the five identified high-risk districts, the outcomes of Tuesday's meeting will matter directly. A well-coordinated response can translate into intensified fogging operations, larvae control drives, better public awareness campaigns, faster case detection, timely referrals to secondary care and reduced mortality.

For local hospitals and primary health centres, improved coordination between departments can also ease the operational burden — with cleanliness and vector-control activities managed by municipal and rural bodies, allowing medical staff to focus on patient care.

The Bigger Picture

Tuesday's dengue strategy meeting at Swasthya Bhavan is more than an administrative gathering. It represents a moment of coordinated seriousness — five departments, 21 civic bodies, top bureaucrats, and the Chief Minister himself coming together to fight a disease that quietly claims lives across the state every monsoon and post-monsoon season.

Dengue's damage is often measured in individual case counts and mortality figures. But its true toll is much larger — households derailed, incomes lost, hospitals overloaded, children pulled from school, and rural economies disrupted. When state governments act decisively and coordinate effectively, that toll can be significantly reduced.

As West Bengal's five most vulnerable districts brace for continued weather-driven vector activity in the coming weeks, the effectiveness of Tuesday's coordinated blueprint will be closely watched. For families across Kolkata, Howrah, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas and Murshidabad, the message that will matter most is one of visible action — cleaner streets, drained water pockets, well-run fogging operations, well-informed public awareness, and healthcare centres ready to catch cases early.

And on Tuesday evening at Swasthya Bhavan, that blueprint will begin to take shape — one department, one district, one line of coordinated defence at a time. Because in the fight against dengue, coordination isn't a bonus. It is the difference between a crisis contained and a crisis prolonged.

• Delhi-NCR to see partly cloudy skies with rain and thundershowers likely on Tuesday.
• Delhi may record a minimum of 26°C and a maximum of nearly 34°C.
• More widespread rainfall expected across Delhi-NCR on September 2.
• Very heavy rainfall forecast in parts of Chhattisgarh, East MP, Odisha and Uttarakhand.
• Delhi-NCR AQI remained in the 'moderate' category, with Wazirpur recording the highest at 225.

Delhi-NCR is heading into a wetter stretch of weather. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast partly cloudy skies with chances of rain and thundershowers across the region on Tuesday, with weather activity expected to pick up especially through the afternoon and evening hours. Along with the changing weather, the region's air quality has held in the 'moderate' category — offering residents a slightly better breathing environment than in previous weeks.

The Turn Toward Rainier Days

According to IMD, the regional weather is likely to turn wetter from Tuesday onwards, with intermittent showers expected to continue over the next few days. The forecast indicates one or two spells of rain or thundershowers across the national capital and adjoining areas.

For a region moving into September — traditionally a month that sees the tail end of the monsoon — these showers offer both a welcome cool-down and a small boost to overall seasonal rainfall.

Delhi's Weather Snapshot

Delhi is expected to record a minimum temperature of around 26 degrees Celsius and a maximum of nearly 34 degrees Celsius on Tuesday. While the morning may remain partly cloudy, the possibility of rain and thunderstorms is expected to increase as the day progresses.

More widespread rainfall is likely across Delhi-NCR on September 2 — a signal that residents should keep umbrellas handy and factor in potential traffic slowdowns as the mid-week begins.

The NCR City-by-City Picture

In Noida, partly cloudy conditions are expected to prevail, with rain likely later in the day. Temperatures may hover between 25 and 34 degrees Celsius. The IMD has also forecast increased chances of rain and thundershowers in the coming days.

Gurugram is likely to witness a mix of sunny spells and clouds on Tuesday, with the maximum temperature expected to touch around 34 degrees Celsius. The possibility of rainfall is likely to rise from September 2 onwards.

Ghaziabad may begin the day with partly sunny conditions before cloud cover increases through the afternoon. Light rain is possible in the second half of the day, while temperatures are expected to remain between 26 and 35 degrees Celsius. No specific weather warning has been issued for the city.

Faridabad is also likely to remain partly cloudy and warm, with thunderstorms possible during the afternoon. The minimum temperature is expected to be around 28 degrees Celsius, while the maximum may reach 37 degrees Celsius. No warning has been issued for the area.

Together, that combined picture points to a familiar late-monsoon pattern — warm mornings, building cloud cover through the day, and afternoon or evening showers arriving intermittently across the NCR.

Wider National Rain Picture

Beyond Delhi-NCR, the IMD's national outlook is significantly more intense in some regions. Very heavy rainfall has been forecast in parts of Chhattisgarh, East Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Uttarakhand on Tuesday. Isolated spells of intense rain are also likely over Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

Those regions will need to remain on higher alert, particularly for waterlogging, landslides in hill areas, and river-level fluctuations in flood-vulnerable districts.

Delhi-NCR Air Quality: In the 'Moderate' Range

On the air quality front, Delhi-NCR remained in the 'moderate' category on Tuesday morning — a category that is neither severely polluted nor entirely clean, but a meaningful improvement over the more difficult air quality days that the capital region often experiences later in the year.

Monitoring stations across Delhi recorded the following AQI readings — 148 at CRRI Mathura Road, 112 at Burari Crossing, 126 at North Campus, DU, 101 at Pusa, 114 at Shadipur, 98 at DTU, 102 at Mandir Marg, 126 at R.K. Puram, 182 at Dwarka Sector 8, 135 at Jahangirpuri, 149 at Rohini, 117 at Patparganj, 225 at Wazirpur, 99 at Bawana, 147 at IIT Delhi, 97 at JNU, 56 in the Cantonment Area and 90 at Talkatora Garden.

Wazirpur emerged as the station with the highest recorded AQI at 225 — the only reading in the 'poor' category. The Cantonment Area, at 56, was the cleanest station of the morning, reflecting the significant variation in air quality that exists even within a single metropolitan region.

Why It Matters

Weather updates in Delhi-NCR carry unusually direct relevance to daily life for the region's residents. Rain and thundershower activity means traffic slowdowns, waterlogging in low-lying areas, and disruptions to outdoor plans. Higher air quality readings, especially in the 'poor' bucket, mean vulnerable residents — children, senior citizens and those with respiratory conditions — may need to take precautions.

By publishing city-specific forecasts alongside AQI monitoring data, the IMD's regular updates enable residents to plan their day more effectively — from commute choices to outdoor activity planning to home ventilation decisions.

Precautions for Residents

For residents heading out on Tuesday, some basic precautions are advisable. Carry an umbrella or raincoat. Plan for possible traffic delays during the afternoon and evening. If travelling in areas known for waterlogging, allow extra time. And for those living or working near Wazirpur — the only recorded 'poor' AQI station of the morning — consider limiting outdoor exposure or wearing a mask if particularly sensitive to air pollution.

The Bigger Weather Picture

As September begins, the country enters an important transitional phase — one where the southwest monsoon begins to retreat and pre-winter weather patterns start to take shape. For Delhi-NCR specifically, the coming weeks will be closely watched for continued rainfall activity, changes in humidity, and gradual shifts in air quality.

For now, the message from Tuesday's IMD outlook is simple. Expect a wetter, cloudier week ahead. Watch for rain-driven traffic and infrastructure disruptions. Enjoy the cooler temperatures where possible. And keep a periodic eye on local AQI updates, especially as the season transitions into the post-monsoon period when air quality typically requires closer attention.

As Delhi-NCR steps into September, the sky above the capital is doing exactly what a healthy monsoon does — reminding the region that rain, however inconvenient at times, is still one of the most important gifts the season brings.

Also Read: Delhi-NCR Faces Cloudy Skies, Rain; Air Quality Poor

• Gautam Adani said big infrastructure projects like Mundra, Vizhinjam and Khavda don't just meet demand — they create new capabilities.
• Speaking at CareEdge Group's annual summit, he called for India's rating frameworks to evolve alongside the country's changing infrastructure.
• He said Mundra has built an ecosystem "multiple times the size of the port".
• Vizhinjam ended India's dependence on foreign transhipment hubs like Singapore, Dubai and Colombo.
• Khavda, he said, is a convergence platform for energy, AI, manufacturing and digital infrastructure.

Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani delivered one of the most forceful and forward-looking articulations of India's infrastructure philosophy in recent memory on Monday. Speaking at rating agency CareEdge Group's annual summit, Adani argued that large infrastructure assets like Mundra port, Vizhinjam port and the Khavda renewable energy project do not just satisfy existing demand — they create entirely new capabilities and fundamentally change the economics around them.

His central message was clear. India has entered a new era, and the frameworks used to evaluate its infrastructure must evolve to match the ambition of what is now being built.

'The Nature of Infrastructure Has Changed'

Setting the tone of his address, Adani made an important structural observation about where India now stands.

"India has now entered a very different period. The nature of infrastructure has changed, and the sophistication of our rating frameworks must evolve alongside the sophistication of what India is building," he said.

That framing — pushing rating agencies to update their evaluative lens — reflects a growing conversation within Indian industry about how conventional risk-assessment tools often underestimate the transformational potential of large infrastructure investments.

His subsequent line landed even more sharply.

"If we build only for the demand we can see today, India will always be late for the opportunities of tomorrow," Adani remarked.

That single sentence captures the philosophical heart of his entire address — the argument that Indian infrastructure must be built with anticipatory ambition, not just reactive demand-matching.

Mundra: The Case Study for Ecosystem Creation

Adani offered the Mundra port as a prime illustration. Today, Mundra stands as India's largest port. But three decades ago, he pointed out, a traditional rating assessment would have dismissed it as a marshy coastline with no industrial ecosystem to speak of.

"Today, Mundra is easily one of India's most important commercial gateways. But more importantly, Mundra has created an ecosystem multiple times the size of the port. It is a port connected to rail. Rail connected to logistics centres. Logistics connected to power plants. Power connected to industrial zones. Industrial zones connected to traders and manufacturers all across India," Adani said.

That's the argument in its most tangible form. Mundra didn't just serve demand — it created the conditions for entirely new economic activity to emerge around it.

Vizhinjam: The Sovereignty Story

If Mundra was Adani's example of ecosystem-building, Vizhinjam was his example of national sovereignty. The Kerala-based deep-water port project had struggled to find takers for 25 years, with the capital risk considered "too immense" despite the strategic need. The Adani Group eventually stepped in and built it.

"We sat just 10 nautical miles from the world's busiest shipping routes, yet we could not handle our own container cargo. We had to tranship through Singapore, Dubai, and Colombo. For decades, Indian commerce paid a direct sovereignty tax to foreign ports simply because domestic infrastructure was deemed too risky for institutional capital," Adani highlighted.

That "sovereignty tax" framing is striking. It reframes decades of India's dependency on foreign transhipment hubs not as a logistical inconvenience but as an ongoing economic cost extracted from the country by the absence of domestic infrastructure. Vizhinjam, in his framing, wasn't just a port. It was a correction of that structural leak.

Khavda: More Than a Renewable Project

Adani then turned to Khavda — the massive renewable energy project that, on a conventional assessment, might look like a harsh desert with execution risk and uncertain demand.

"But what is missed is that Khavda is not a renewable energy project. Khavda is a platform where energy, artificial intelligence, manufacturing, digital infrastructure and industrial capability converge at an unprecedented scale," he observed.

That framing is significant. It positions Khavda not as a standalone clean-energy play but as an integrated platform that could underpin India's next generation of high-compute, AI-driven economic activity.

"It can provide the clean electrons required to power India's future compute infrastructure. It is the foundation for India's AI manufacturing ecosystem. It can become part of the foundation upon which India's AI economy is built," Adani added.

That's a bold, forward-looking claim — and one that reframes clean energy investment as a strategic enabler for India's AI-era economy rather than merely a climate transition play.

The Bigger Structural Argument

Threading his examples into a broader message, Adani spoke to how India's infrastructure ambitions have historically been constrained.

"India's infrastructure ambitions were earlier constrained by limited resources, limited capability, and limited confidence. However, today, India has resources and has demonstrated its capability, but more importantly, discovered a belief in its own potential which ultimately changes the future of a nation," he asserted.

That belief-driven framing is quietly powerful. It suggests that the biggest constraint on transformational infrastructure is often not capital or capability but conviction — and that India has now crossed that threshold.

India's Infrastructure Momentum

Highlighting the pace of India's current build-out, Adani noted that roads, ports and airports are expanding at unprecedented speed. He said renewable energy capacity is growing faster in India than in any other nation on earth, and that digital infrastructure now reaches hundreds of millions of Indians.

Those three data points together — roads, energy and digital reach — form the foundation of what many economists now describe as India's next decade of structural growth.

Why It Matters

Gautam Adani's remarks land at an important moment. India is investing in infrastructure at scale, but debates around risk-assessment, capital allocation and rating agency methodology continue to shape how large projects get financed. When one of India's most prominent industrial voices explicitly calls for rating frameworks to evolve alongside the changing sophistication of Indian infrastructure, it opens up a serious policy conversation.

His argument that big projects create new economics — rather than merely responding to existing ones — challenges a long-standing conservative bias in institutional capital deployment. If applied thoughtfully, it could reshape how future infrastructure projects are evaluated, financed and built across sectors.

Industry Impact

For India's infrastructure sector, Adani's articulation provides a broader intellectual framework for justifying long-cycle, high-capex projects. For rating agencies, the address is a direct nudge to review whether their traditional methodologies fully capture the transformational potential of ecosystem-building projects. For institutional investors, it is an invitation to reconsider how they price transformative infrastructure.

For the wider Indian economy, the message is even more consequential. If India intends to build for the tomorrow it wants — rather than only for the demand of today — that ambition needs matching frameworks, matching capital, and matching belief across every layer of decision-making.

Cultural and Policy Impact

There is also a cultural dimension to Adani's speech. India's infrastructure story has often been discussed defensively — through the language of risk, cost overruns and execution challenges. Adani's reframing shifts that narrative into a more confident register — one that centres ambition, ecosystem effects and long-term sovereignty gains rather than immediate cost-benefit calculations.

For policymakers, that reframing offers useful language for defending and championing large capital-intensive projects that may look expensive on paper but pay off structurally over decades.

The Bigger Picture

Gautam Adani's address at the CareEdge summit is more than a case study of three projects. It is a broader manifesto on how India should think about the infrastructure it is building for the coming decades. Mundra as ecosystem. Vizhinjam as sovereignty. Khavda as an AI-era enabler.

Each of these examples underscores a common theme — that the value of transformational infrastructure is often invisible in traditional demand-based analysis, but visible everywhere in the economic transformation that follows once the infrastructure exists.

As India moves deeper into its next phase of growth — one increasingly defined by AI, clean energy, digital reach and global supply chain shifts — the country's willingness to build not just for today but for tomorrow will shape the trajectory of the coming decade. And on Monday in Mumbai, one of India's most prominent industrialists made a compelling case for exactly that kind of ambition — arguing, in effect, that the projects worth investing in are the ones that don't just serve the economy that exists, but create the economy that hasn't been built yet.

Also Read: Adani Group to Build 2,000-Bed Hospital Near Kolkata

• Vijay Deverakonda spoke about his deep bond with director Sandeep Reddy Vanga at 'Romanchakam' pre-release event.
• He said his love for Sandeep is beyond director-actor, brother or friend relationships.
• He recalled 'Arjun Reddy' days when both had no money, influence or fans.
• Pranay Reddy Vanga and Prabhakar uncle mortgaged land to make 'Arjun Reddy'.
• 'Romanchakam' is presented by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and releases worldwide on September 3, 2026.

Popular Telugu star Vijay Deverakonda delivered one of the most emotionally honest reflections of the year at the pre-release event of director Venu Gopal Reddy's romantic drama 'Romanchakam' — a film presented by his long-time collaborator Sandeep Reddy Vanga. In a set of remarks that quickly went viral, Vijay opened up about the depth of his bond with the ace director, offering fans a rare, unfiltered look at the friendship, sacrifice and shared belief that shaped 'Arjun Reddy' — and everything that followed.

'I Can't Express the Love in Words'

Stating that his love for Sandeep Reddy Vanga is not something he could put into words, Vijay attempted to describe a bond that clearly transcends conventional industry categories.

"I can't express the love I have for Sandeep in words. It's not just a director-actor relationship. It's not just a brother relationship or a friend relationship. It's something else," Vijay said.

That framing — a bond too deep to slot into a single relationship — is exactly the kind of thing only creative partnerships forged under real pressure produce.

The 'Arjun Reddy' Days

Vijay then took the audience back in time — to a period long before 'Arjun Reddy' turned him into a national name and Sandeep Reddy Vanga into one of India's most talked-about directors.

"Back then, we went to war together. We didn't know what we were doing. Had the film not worked out, we would have gone crazy. Both of us didn't have money. We did not have influence. We didn't have any pull. There were no fans at that time because Pellichoopulu hadn't released then," he recalled.

Those two lines — "we went to war together" and "we didn't know what we were doing" — capture the raw, high-stakes creative gamble that 'Arjun Reddy' truly was. Before it became a cultural phenomenon, it was simply a director and an actor betting everything on a story they believed in, without any external validation to fall back on.

'I Miss Him for the Moments, Not the Success'

The most emotionally powerful section of Vijay's remarks came when he spoke about what he actually misses about that chapter of his life.

"I miss Sandeep Reddy not for Arjun Reddy's success or what it has gone on to become. I miss him for all the moments we spent together — building a film together, sharing our lives, our stress and sharing our battles. Pranay and Prabhakar uncle mortgaged their lands to get money to make that film. They made that film showing faith in Sandeep and he in turn, had faith in me. He also got them to believe in me and made that film," Vijay said.

That layered acknowledgment — of Sandeep's faith in him, of Pranay Reddy Vanga and Prabhakar uncle mortgaging their lands, of shared stress and battles — reveals the deep interpersonal foundation that made 'Arjun Reddy' possible.

The Stakes That Shaped a Movement

Highlighting just how personal the stakes were, Vijay went on to emphasise the seriousness of what had gone into the film.

"You put your entire family, earnings and future on film. Sandeep will go to any extent for me and I will go to any extent for Sandeep," he said.

That single line — a mutual, absolute commitment between two creative collaborators — is exactly the kind of statement that turns a professional partnership into a lifelong bond.

The 'Romanchakam' Connection

The occasion for these emotional reflections was the pre-release event of 'Romanchakam', a romantic drama directed by Venu Gopal Reddy and presented by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. The film is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on September 3, 2026.

That Sandeep is presenting the film — with Vijay Deverakonda championing it publicly — reflects the extended creative family that has grown around the Vanga name in Telugu cinema.

The Buzz Around 'Romanchakam'

Excitement about 'Romanchakam' has been steadily building since the makers released a glimpse video a couple of weeks ago. The glimpse opens with the characters played by Sumanth Prabhas and Ananthika Sanilkumar being madly in love — before shifting sharply in tone as the two begin to hate each other in the second half of the reveal.

Adding to the intrigue is the character played by actor Upendra Limaye, whose presence in the glimpse suggests he plays a cop in the film — a casting choice that has generated significant curiosity among fans.

The Cast and Crew

Beyond Sumanth Prabhas, Ananthika Sanilkumar and Upendra Limaye, the film also features Venkatesh Kakumanu, Narendra Ravi, Mani Aegurla and Sai Sohan among others.

'Romanchakam' is produced by Pranay Reddy Vanga, with cinematography by Pavan Pappula and music by Vasuki Vaibhav. Gobind Kotap has choreographed the dances, while Akunur Keerthana has designed the costumes for the film.

The combination of a fresh creative team, a compelling story hook, and the presenting association of Sandeep Reddy Vanga has positioned 'Romanchakam' as one of the more anticipated Telugu releases heading into September.

Why It Matters

Vijay Deverakonda's remarks at the event stand out not just because they are emotionally rich, but because they offer a rare, honest glimpse into how great cinema actually gets made. Behind every successful film sits a network of belief, risk, faith and sacrifice — and Vijay's tribute pulls back the curtain on that reality with unusual candour.

For younger actors and filmmakers watching, his framing offers a valuable lesson. The bonds that shape careers most powerfully are often forged not in successful projects but in the messy, terrifying, high-stakes early days when nothing is guaranteed. Those are the moments that create real creative partnerships.

The Vanga-Deverakonda Legacy

Since 'Arjun Reddy', both Vijay Deverakonda and Sandeep Reddy Vanga have gone on to become defining names in Indian cinema. Vijay has expanded his footprint across Telugu, Hindi and pan-India projects. Sandeep has directed some of the most talked-about and commercially successful films in recent memory, including 'Kabir Singh' and 'Animal'. Yet, as Vijay's remarks reveal, the emotional foundation of their journey remains rooted in those early, high-risk days when both were untested.

Cultural Impact

Vijay's public tribute also carries a cultural signal. In an industry often defined by transactional relationships and PR-managed friendships, his willingness to speak so openly about mutual faith, shared stress and lifelong loyalty is refreshingly honest. It reminds fans that the best partnerships in cinema are built on something much deeper than deal memos and box office numbers.

The Bigger Picture

Vijay Deverakonda's pre-release remarks about Sandeep Reddy Vanga are more than just a warm friendship tribute. They are a window into how one of the most impactful director-actor collaborations in modern Indian cinema was born — through mortgaged lands, shared uncertainty, absolute belief and the willingness of two young creative minds to go to war together.

As 'Romanchakam' prepares to hit theatres on September 3, Vijay's public tribute has already added another layer of anticipation to the film. Because when a star of his stature stands on a pre-release stage and speaks with that much emotion about the man presenting the film, it tells audiences one thing above everything else — this project belongs to a creative family that continues to build together. And in the world of Indian cinema, where new films arrive every week but real bonds are rare, that family energy is often exactly what turns a good film into an unforgettable one.

• Rapper Badshah has released his first-ever Marathi hip-hop track titled 'Chimna'.
• He called the song his "love letter to Maharashtra's rich creative canvas."
• The music video was shot entirely in Kolhapur and features Marathi actress Neha Khan.
• The track features Bollywood singer Divya Kumar and Marathi folk artist Nagesh Morwekar.
• 'Chimna' opens with the folk lines "ek chimna chiv chivla / majha sajan jaga zhala ho" and ends with Badshah saying, "tumcha mulga badshah."

Rapper Badshah, one of India's most commercially successful contemporary music stars, has taken a distinctive new creative step. He has just released his first-ever Marathi hip-hop track — 'Chimna' — a song that blends traditional folk elements with contemporary hip-hop and, in his own words, serves as his ode to the state of Maharashtra.

For fans following the ever-expanding fusion of Indian regional music with mainstream hip-hop, 'Chimna' arrives as one of the most anticipated crossovers of the year.

The Song That Bridges Two Worlds

'Chimna' is designed to sit exactly at the intersection of two musical universes — the traditional folk textures of Maharashtra and Badshah's signature commercial sound. The song celebrates the state's culture and community while creating a genuinely fresh listening experience.

That balance — respecting the tradition while advancing the sound — is exactly what separates a superficial fusion attempt from a meaningful one. And going by the way 'Chimna' is being received, Badshah seems to have landed on the right side of that line.

'A Love Letter to Maharashtra'

Speaking about the song, Badshah made his creative intent unmistakable.

"India's regional music is a goldmine and I want to celebrate every corner of it. 'Chimna' is my love letter to Maharashtra's rich creative canvas. I am incredibly grateful for how this project turned out, and this one's dedicated to all my day one Maharashtrian fans!" he said.

That framing — the song as a love letter, and a dedication to his day one fans in the state — sits at the emotional heart of the release. It's not being positioned as a commercial gimmick. It's being positioned as a genuine cultural tribute.

Shot Entirely in Kolhapur

The accompanying music video has been shot entirely in Kolhapur, a city widely considered one of Maharashtra's cultural strongholds. The video captures different aspects of everyday life in the state — wedding processions, daily wage workers, and mud wrestlers training at a traditional akhada.

That last detail is particularly striking. The akhada is a deeply Maharashtrian symbol — one that connects the state to its wrestling heritage, its physical culture, and its long-standing tradition of celebrating strength, community and discipline. Featuring an akhada in a mainstream hip-hop music video is exactly the kind of grounded, respectful cultural detail that elevates a crossover project.

Marathi actress Neha Khan also features prominently in the video, adding local authenticity and star presence to the visual world of the song.

The Collaborators

For his Marathi debut, Badshah has brought together a thoughtful mix of collaborators. He has partnered with Bollywood playback singer Divya Kumar and Marathi folk artist Nagesh Morwekar to create the song's distinctive layered texture. The track has been produced by Hiten.

That collaboration structure is significant. It ensures that the folk elements of the song aren't merely borrowed but are being brought in by a genuine Marathi folk voice. Nagesh Morwekar's participation gives the song rooted credibility that a purely commercial approach could never have replicated.

The Song's Musical Journey

'Chimna' opens with the beautifully evocative traditional folk lines: "ek chimna chiv chivla / majha sajan jaga zhala ho / surya ugavla" — which roughly translates to "A sparrow chirped, my beloved woke up, the sun has risen."

That opening immediately places the listener inside a Marathi folk soundscape — pastoral, warm, familiar. From there, the song transitions into Badshah's signature hip-hop verses, blending the two worlds with clear intentionality.

The rapper also brings local flavour to the song with lines such as "dance kar rahi dekho maushi maushi / nacho jab tak subah chidiya bole" — playful, warm, and unmistakably rooted in the everyday textures of Marathi social life.

And the track ends with a final Badshah signature line delivered in Marathi: "tumcha mulga badshah" — meaning "Your boy Badshah." It's a warm, respectful sign-off that positions the artist not as an outsider dropping into the language, but as a devoted admirer stepping into it as one of Maharashtra's own.

Why It Matters

Badshah has been one of the most consistent voices in Indian commercial music for over a decade — building a career built on Punjabi and Hindi hip-hop hits that have consistently dominated charts, playlists and social media. His decision to step into Marathi music, and to do so with such intentional cultural framing, marks a meaningful new direction for both him and for the wider Indian music industry.

For Marathi music, having a mainstream commercial artist of Badshah's scale invest so seriously in the language brings additional national visibility to Maharashtra's musical traditions. For hip-hop as a genre, it further demonstrates how Indian regional music continues to serve as a rich creative resource — one that keeps expanding the possibilities of what modern Indian pop can sound like.

Cultural Impact

The music video's focus on wedding processions, daily wage workers and akhada wrestlers reflects an important cultural choice. Rather than showcasing polished, urban glamour, Badshah has chosen to celebrate the everyday textures of Marathi life — the parts of the state that many songs overlook. That representation matters.

For Marathi audiences, seeing their traditions, streets and cultural symbols placed at the centre of a mainstream Indian hip-hop release carries genuine emotional weight. For non-Marathi audiences, the song offers a warm, respectful introduction to a state whose musical richness is often underexplored in mainstream Bollywood.

Industry Impact

For India's music industry, 'Chimna' further validates a growing trend — mainstream commercial artists are increasingly investing in regional linguistic crossovers. Whether it's Diljit Dosanjh performing globally in Punjabi, or now Badshah stepping into Marathi with 'Chimna', India's music market is becoming more genuinely multilingual and culturally diverse.

For younger Marathi musicians and folk artists, the visibility of Nagesh Morwekar alongside Badshah is likely to open new doors — showing that traditional Marathi folk voices have serious contemporary commercial value when paired thoughtfully with mainstream production.

The Bigger Picture

Badshah's 'Chimna' is more than a song. It is a cultural gesture. A love letter, as he called it, from an artist who has spent years crafting national-scale hits to a state whose musical heritage deserves wider celebration.

By blending traditional folk with hip-hop, casting Marathi talent, filming in Kolhapur, collaborating with a Marathi folk artist, and signing off in Marathi himself, Badshah has created a song that is respectful in its intent, thoughtful in its execution, and genuinely warm in its emotional register.

For Maharashtra's day one fans that Badshah dedicated the song to, 'Chimna' arrives as exactly what he promised — a musical letter of love, delivered in their language, filmed in their state, and finishing with the words every fan will remember: Tumcha mulga Badshah. Your boy Badshah. And on Sunday, that boy stepped confidently into a new chapter of India's musical story.

• South Delhi Superstarz have clinched the Delhi Premier League 2026 title with a 7-wicket win over Central Delhi Kings.
• Co-owner Shikhar Dhawan joined the players for celebrations and took a lap of honour at Arun Jaitley Stadium.
• Ankit Dabas and Anmol Sharma scored 62 runs each in the successful chase of 183.
• The women's team won DPL 2025, giving the franchise back-to-back title success across formats.
• The Superstarz women's team also plays the DPL final on Wednesday this week.

Former India cricketer Shikhar Dhawan had one of those unforgettable Sundays every co-owner in franchise cricket dreams of. His side, the South Delhi Superstarz, clinched the Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2026 title at the Arun Jaitley Stadium — and Dhawan was right there in the middle of it, celebrating with players, taking a lap of honour, and later reflecting on what the moment truly meant to him.

The Final: A Commanding Performance

South Delhi Superstarz produced a truly commanding performance in the final, beating Central Delhi Kings by seven wickets to lift the DPL 2026 trophy. Chasing 183, the Superstarz sealed victory with 10 balls to spare — a chase built on the calm, composed batting of Ankit Dabas and Anmol Sharma, both of whom scored 62 runs each.

That kind of dominant chase in a title decider is exactly the sort of performance that defines champion sides — batting under pressure, absorbing the moment, and finishing the job with genuine authority.

Dhawan's Reaction: 'A Moment I'll Carry With Me'

Sharing his thoughts in an Instagram post after the victory, Dhawan spoke about what the moment meant to him personally.

"Watching South Delhi Superstarz become Delhi Premier League champions, right there at the final, was a moment I'll carry with me," he wrote.

That framing — the moment as something to carry, not just a milestone to celebrate — captured the emotional connection Dhawan clearly feels with the franchise he co-owns.

Dhawan, Chairman of Da One Group and Founder of the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation, co-owns the South Delhi Superstarz through Da One Sports. The former India opener was present at the Arun Jaitley Stadium for the final and joined the players in celebrating their title-winning performance.

The Franchise's Growing Legacy

The DPL 2026 title triumph added another significant chapter to what is quickly becoming one of the DPL's most consistent franchise stories. Both the men's and women's teams of the South Delhi Superstarz have now enjoyed title success across successive editions of the tournament — the women's team won the DPL in 2025, and the men's side has followed up with the 2026 crown.

That kind of back-to-back franchise success — across both formats — reflects strong ownership vision, thoughtful team building, and a genuine investment in the sport at multiple levels.

The Women's Team Set for the Final

Adding to the excitement, the franchise's women's team is also set to feature in the final of the ongoing DPL season on Wednesday. A win there would create a rare and remarkable moment — both the men's and women's Superstarz teams lifting DPL titles in the same season.

For a franchise, few achievements match that kind of dual-format success. It signals that the ownership's investment isn't concentrated on one team but is genuinely spread across the entire cricketing structure.

Dhawan on What Really Matters

While the trophies are meaningful, Dhawan made it clear that the real significance of the title extends beyond silverware. In his Instagram post, he emphasised the opportunities that leagues like the DPL provide to young cricketers.

"What excites me most isn't just the trophies. It's seeing young cricketers get a platform, take responsibility, play without fear and discover what they are capable of," he said.

That statement carries genuine weight. Domestic T20 leagues in India — DPL, UPT20 and others — are increasingly serving as important launchpads for talent that might otherwise not get high-visibility platforms. Ownership groups that see themselves as builders of that talent pipeline, not just as commercial franchise operators, are quietly reshaping the country's cricketing ecosystem from the ground up.

The Fan Moment After the Final

After the final, Dhawan joined the South Delhi Superstarz players in their celebrations before taking a lap of honour around the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Fans gathered around the former India opener as he signed autographs and distributed South Delhi Superstarz jerseys among spectators — the kind of warm, unfiltered post-match moment that reminds everyone why cricket connects so deeply with its audiences in India.

Dhawan's Broader Sports Philosophy

Beyond his DPL involvement, Dhawan has been steadily expanding his footprint in Indian sports since transitioning from his active playing career. Through Da One Sports, he supports academies and sporting programmes, including a High Performance Centre in Gwalior and initiatives in regions such as Jammu and Kashmir.

That kind of holistic sports involvement — franchise ownership, academies, high-performance training and regional grassroots programmes — reflects a genuine long-term commitment to Indian cricket rather than a purely brand-driven engagement.

Recognising the Team Effort

Dhawan also used his Instagram post to thank the entire South Delhi Superstarz team ecosystem.

"Congratulations to every player, coach and member of the Superstarz family," Dhawan wrote. "You have shown what happens when talent meets opportunity, belief and hard work."

That message of recognition — spread across players, coaches and the entire support system — reflects an ownership philosophy that values every layer of team-building, not just the on-field heroes.

Why It Matters

Leagues like the DPL play an important role in developing India's cricketing depth. They provide platforms for uncapped talent, opportunities for coaches and staff to gain experience with structured franchise setups, and exposure to competitive, high-pressure cricket for players who may not yet be in national reckoning.

When a well-known former international cricketer like Shikhar Dhawan invests in a franchise, brings visibility to its games, and celebrates its wins with genuine warmth, it lifts the entire perceived value of the league — attracting more fans, better sponsors, and more talented young players.

Industry Impact

For India's expanding domestic franchise cricket ecosystem, the growing success of leagues like the DPL and franchises like South Delhi Superstarz is a strong signal. It shows that domestic leagues, if backed by serious ownership and thoughtful operational structures, can command genuine fan interest, sponsor engagement and player commitment.

For young cricketers watching from every corner of the country, it also signals that the road to bigger opportunities — including IPL contracts and potentially international selection — passes through leagues like these, where every performance is watched, every match matters, and every good outing can shift a career trajectory.

The Bigger Picture

South Delhi Superstarz's DPL 2026 title is more than a franchise triumph. It is another chapter in a broader story — one where thoughtful ownership, quality players, strong coaching and passionate fan support are quietly building the depth of Indian cricket beyond the international spotlight.

For Shikhar Dhawan, Sunday's celebration at Arun Jaitley Stadium was a full-circle moment. From India opener to franchise co-owner. From player to enabler. From cricketer to cricket-builder. His lap of honour around the ground, jerseys handed to fans, autographs signed with players cheering behind him — all of it reflected an ownership vision powered by genuine love for the game.

And with the women's team set to play the final on Wednesday, the South Delhi Superstarz story may just be getting started. For Dhawan and his co-owners at Da One Sports, this DPL 2026 title is not the end goal. It is proof of concept — proof that when talent meets opportunity, belief and hard work, championship trophies are just the beginning of what a franchise can build.

• MP CM Mohan Yadav will transfer Rs 25,000 each to about 1.22 lakh meritorious Class 12 students on Tuesday.
• Total transfer exceeds Rs 304.98 crore, being routed directly to student bank accounts.
• Students who secured 75% or more in Class 12 on their first attempt are eligible.
• The event will be held at Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre in Bhopal.
• The scheme falls under the state's Talented Student Encouragement Scheme.

Madhya Pradesh is preparing for one of the largest single-day student welfare disbursements in recent memory. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will transfer Rs 25,000 each to around 1.22 lakh meritorious Class 12 students on Tuesday, helping them buy laptops to support their journey into higher education. The event will be held at the Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre in Bhopal — and its scale, both financial and human, reflects a genuine effort to bridge digital access gaps for the state's brightest young students.

The Scale of the Programme

The Chief Minister will transfer the amount to about 1.22 lakh meritorious Class 12 students during the Bhopal event. Students who secured 75 per cent or more marks in the Class 12 examination on their first attempt are eligible for the assistance.

The financial aid is being provided under the state government's Talented Student Encouragement Scheme, implemented by the School Education Department. In total, more than Rs 304.98 crore will be transferred to the bank accounts of eligible students, with each student receiving Rs 25,000 for purchasing a laptop.

That's a significant single-day disbursement — one that carries direct, tangible impact for a large cross-section of high-performing young students across the state.

The Purpose of the Scheme

The scheme is designed with a specific and forward-looking objective. It aims to help meritorious students gain access to digital tools for higher education. The laptops can be used for online classes, digital study material, e-learning platforms, and a wide range of educational resources — all of which have become essential in today's academic landscape.

For students preparing to move from school-level education to college or professional courses, the ability to access online resources, participate in virtual classes, and engage with digital learning platforms can meaningfully shape the quality of their preparation.

The Chief Minister's Message

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has framed the scheme within a broader philosophy of supporting talent and enabling opportunity.

He said the government was committed to supporting talented students and providing them with resources needed for higher education. He added that the government wanted meritorious students to move ahead with the help of modern technology and secure better opportunities.

Emphasising the deeper purpose behind the scheme, CM Yadav noted: "Education is the strongest foundation for the future of the youth, and providing laptops to meritorious students will help them make better use of digital learning resources."

That framing — of education as foundational and digital access as enabling — sits at the heart of what modern student welfare policy looks like when done well.

Bridging the Digital Access Gap

The scheme also plays an important role in bridging one of India's most persistent educational challenges — the digital access gap. Many high-performing students, particularly from smaller towns and rural regions, often lack the personal devices required to fully participate in the modern educational ecosystem. A Rs 25,000 laptop grant, delivered directly to their bank accounts, addresses that gap immediately and meaningfully.

Officials said the financial assistance would help students use technology for their studies and improve access to online educational resources.

Delivery Mechanism

One of the most important design elements of the scheme is its direct-transfer mechanism. The assistance is being given directly to students' bank accounts — eliminating middlemen, reducing delays, and ensuring that funds reach the intended beneficiaries in the most transparent way possible.

That kind of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) architecture, now common across many Indian welfare programmes, ensures that student welfare schemes deliver value at speed and scale.

Why It Matters

For 1.22 lakh students in Madhya Pradesh, Tuesday's event won't just be another announcement. It will be a concrete moment of empowerment — a new tool arriving in their hands that could shape how they study, learn and grow through the coming years of higher education.

For families across the state, the assistance also carries emotional weight. Buying a laptop is often a significant financial decision for households, especially in middle-income and lower-income segments. State-supported grants reduce that burden and allow families to focus on other higher-education expenses like tuition fees, hostel accommodation and travel.

The Merit-Based Design

The scheme is specifically structured to reward academic excellence — with the 75 per cent-plus first-attempt eligibility criterion serving as both a benchmark and an incentive. Merit-based design keeps the programme aspirational, giving students an additional reason to work hard through their Class 12 year knowing that consistent academic performance can unlock direct government support.

Institutional Implementation

The School Education Department is implementing the scheme as part of the state government's broader efforts to encourage students who perform well in Class 12 examinations. That coordination — between state-level policy vision, departmental execution and district-level student outreach — is what ensures a programme of this size runs smoothly and reaches its intended beneficiaries.

Cultural and Economic Impact

Programmes like these carry a cultural signal that goes beyond their financial value. They tell young students across the state that hard work and academic performance are visible and valued at the highest levels of government. They tell parents that the state is invested in their children's futures. And they tell communities that meritocratic effort has meaningful, tangible payoffs.

For India's larger education technology and hardware markets, the scheme also creates a genuinely large purchase pool. 1.22 lakh laptops purchased over the coming weeks and months represents a significant boost to the sector — with local retailers, e-commerce platforms and manufacturers all likely to benefit.

The Bigger Picture

Tuesday's laptop-aid transfer in Bhopal is more than a routine student welfare event. It is a Rs 304.98 crore statement — one that connects academic performance, digital access, personal aspiration and long-term state development into a single, coherent initiative.

For CM Mohan Yadav's government, the programme reinforces its commitment to positioning youth empowerment at the heart of its policy priorities. For the 1.22 lakh students receiving Rs 25,000 each, it represents an important boost as they step into the next phase of their academic and personal journeys. And for Madhya Pradesh as a whole, it stands as one more example of how thoughtful, well-targeted state schemes can make real, immediate differences in the lives of the students who represent its brightest tomorrow.

As the students log into their brand-new laptops in the coming weeks, they will not just be opening a device. They will be opening a doorway — one built through their own hard work and backed by their state's genuine investment in their future.

Also Read: MP CM Transfers Rs 3,300 Cr to Over 82 Lakh Farmers

• Anupam Kher has shaved off his moustache for a new film role and shared the look on Instagram.
• He said he rarely shaves it as it gives him "the comforting feeling that, technically, I do have hair."
• Fans have flooded the comments with praise, though some have already asked for the moustache to return.
• Earlier today, Kher also announced his landmark 555th film — details are being kept under wraps.
• His current lineup includes 'Shri Rambhoomi', 'Khosla Ka Ghosla 2' and Sooraj Barjatya's next film.

Veteran actor Anupam Kher is having one of those weeks that only a truly beloved public figure could pull off. Between announcing his landmark 555th film and unveiling a striking new clean-shaven look for an upcoming project, he has managed to keep his fans thoroughly engaged, entertained, and — as always — smiling.

On Monday, the 'Special 26' actor turned to social media to reveal that he had shaved off his moustache for his next film, and asked his followers a delightfully self-aware question: should the moustache make a comeback, or enjoy an extended holiday?

The Post That Sparked a Debate

Sharing pictures of himself sporting his new clean-shaven look, Kher was refreshingly candid about his relationship with his facial hair.

"I rarely shave off my moustache. It has always given me the comforting feeling that, technically, I do have hair!! But a film demanded a new look, so the moustache had to make the sacrifice. And I must confess… I'm quite liking these pictures without it! What do you think? Should the moustache make a comeback, or enjoy an extended holiday?" he wrote.

That trademark self-deprecating humour is exactly why Anupam Kher's social media posts consistently connect with audiences across generations. He blends professional updates with personal warmth, big film announcements with small everyday reflections, and somehow makes it all feel like a conversation with an old friend.

Fans Weigh In

The comments section quickly filled up with reactions from netizens who couldn't help but respond to the actor's dashing new look.

"You looking so dashing and handsome," one fan wrote. "Looking good!" said another. A third simply said, "Amazing look."

However, there was also a section of fans firmly in the pro-moustache camp. "This is nice, sir. But the mustache MUST make a comeback," one user wrote — offering exactly the kind of playful pushback the post seemed designed to invite.

The 555th Film Announcement

Earlier today, Kher had used social media to make another significant announcement — one that reflected the extraordinary length and depth of his cinematic career.

Keeping the details of the project under wraps for the time being, he wrote: "Announcement! Some things are better kept close to the heart for a little while!! Because the joy of revealing them at the right time is something else! So, for now, all I will say is: I am delighted to announce my landmark 555th film. Details at the right time. Till then, please allow me to enjoy the suspense too! Jai Ho! #555 #Gratitude."

Reaching a landmark of 555 films is a rare achievement even among the most seasoned veterans of Indian cinema. It represents four decades of consistent work, extraordinary range, and a career that has spanned virtually every kind of role imaginable — from iconic character parts to lead performances, from Hindi cinema to international projects, from stage to television.

The Slate Ahead

Anupam Kher's upcoming lineup is genuinely impressive. He recently completed the shoot for 'Shri Rambhoomi', in which he plays the late Vishva Hindu Parishad leader Ashok Singhal. He had spoken about the film with unusual emotion when he wrapped, describing the experience as one that "purified the soul."

His slate also includes 'Khosla Ka Ghosla 2', a much-anticipated sequel to the beloved original, in which he will play a crucial role. And another significant addition is Sooraj Barjatya's forthcoming drama, where Kher's presence adds significant emotional weight to what is expected to be a family-oriented cinematic experience.

That combination of an intense historical role, a beloved comedy sequel, and a Sooraj Barjatya family drama gives fans a beautifully varied glimpse of the range Kher continues to work across at this stage of his career.

Why It Matters

There is something quietly powerful about a veteran actor who continues to reinvent himself, embrace new looks for new characters, and remain playfully in conversation with his audience. Kher's willingness to shed his moustache for a role — despite his affection for it — reflects the same craft-first, character-first commitment that has defined his career for decades.

For younger actors watching, that flexibility is a lesson. Look after every character. Sacrifice comfort when a role demands it. Show up fully for the story.

The Personality Behind the Career

What makes Anupam Kher's social media presence particularly special is that he never separates his professional milestones from his personal warmth. In the same week, he can announce his 555th film, share reflections on a spiritually significant role like Ashok Singhal, and casually ask his fans whether his moustache should make a comeback. That range — grand and grounded, historic and playful — is exactly what has kept him one of the most beloved figures in Indian cinema for over four decades.

Cultural Impact

For fans across generations, Anupam Kher has always occupied a special place. Older audiences grew up watching him deliver some of the most iconic character performances in Hindi cinema history. Younger audiences discovered him through international projects, thoughtful interviews and warm social media content. His ability to remain relevant across those generational shifts is itself a rare achievement.

His moustache-off post is a small but perfect example of how he continues to keep that connection alive — through humour, honesty and a willingness to invite fans into his creative process.

The Bigger Picture

Anupam Kher's Monday post might seem like just a fun social media moment. But within it lies the story of an actor who continues to evolve with every project, who takes his craft seriously without ever taking himself too seriously, and who genuinely enjoys the presence of his audience in his creative journey.

Whether the moustache makes a triumphant comeback or enjoys the extended holiday his fans have suggested, one thing is certain — Anupam Kher continues to be one of the most engaging, versatile and warmly celebrated actors in Indian cinema. And as he steps into his landmark 555th film and continues shaping upcoming projects like 'Shri Rambhoomi', 'Khosla Ka Ghosla 2' and Sooraj Barjatya's drama, his fans will be waiting eagerly — moustache or not — to see what he brings to the screen next.

Also Read: Anupam Kher Shares Rare Throwback from Age 18

• Shiva Singh took a hat-trick and a five-wicket haul as Noida Kings stormed into UPT20 playoffs.
• The must-win game against unbeaten Meerut Mavericks was truncated to five overs per side due to rain.
• Meerut were restricted to 33/7; Noida chased down the target in 3.3 overs.
• Shiva credited a phone call from his father, ex-Ranji player Ajit Singh, for his inspired performance.
• He is a 2018 U19 World Cup winner alongside Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill and Arshdeep Singh.

Sometimes, the biggest performances in T20 cricket are set in motion long before the toss — with a single phone call, a father's words, and a mind finally at peace. That's exactly what unfolded on Sunday as left-arm finger spinner Shiva Singh delivered one of the most stunning individual performances of the UPT20 League fourth season, single-handedly powering Noida Kings into the playoffs with a sensational hat-trick and a five-wicket haul in a rain-shortened, must-win clash against the previously unbeaten Meerut Mavericks.

The Stage: Do or Die for Noida

Coming into their final league stage match, Noida Kings knew what was at stake. A win was non-negotiable — anything less would end their season. Their opponents were Meerut Mavericks, an unbeaten side riding high on confidence throughout the tournament.

Then the rain arrived. The fixture was truncated to a five-over shoot-off — the kind of shortened format that traditionally favours batters and puts bowlers under enormous pressure. With Meerut batting first, Noida were in for a tough day.

Or so it seemed.

The Hat-Trick That Turned the Match

Shiva Singh, son of former Ranji Trophy player Ajit Singh, walked into the situation and turned it upside down. Bowling with clarity and control, the left-arm spinner ripped through the Meerut batting order — picking up a hat-trick as part of a five-wicket haul that restricted the previously unbeaten side to a shockingly low total of 33/7.

That level of performance in a five-over T20 shoot-off is almost unheard of. And it set the platform Noida needed. The Kings chased down the target comfortably in just 3.3 overs — sealing their playoff qualification in emphatic style.

The Phone Call That Changed Everything

After the game, Shiva revealed the deeply personal story behind his match-winning performance — one rooted not in tactics or preparation but in a simple conversation with his father.

"Actually, I hadn't spoken to my dad for the first nine matches," Shiva revealed after the game. "Today, he called me up and said, 'It's the last league game, just play the way you always do. It's on you now; you are the main player of the team. Just perform the way you do in local matches.' That really helped me. Mentally, I was taking a lot of pressure before this, but hopefully, it turned out to be a great day."

That's a beautifully human insight into what elite cricket often looks like beneath the surface. Behind the strategy meetings, the analytics and the training routines sits the emotional weight of a young cricketer battling his own pressure — and sometimes, the release comes from something as timeless as a father's reassurance.

The Plan for a Five-Over Match

Speaking about his approach to bowling in a truncated match, Shiva laid out a smart, disciplined mindset — one that clearly served him well.

"The planning is quite simple," Shiva explained when asked about his approach to the shortened game. "Since it's a short match, you have to look at the batsman, the wicket, and the conditions, and bowl accordingly. You have to think a bit differently from your usual big-match plans. You have to be a bit smarter. My only plan was not to concede boundaries."

That single line — "my only plan was not to concede boundaries" — is bowling economy philosophy distilled into its purest form. In a five-over game where batters are looking to attack from ball one, denying boundaries is often the only strategy that works. Shiva executed it with precision.

The U19 World Cup Legacy

Shiva Singh's story carries an extra layer of resonance for Indian cricket fans. He was part of India's 2018 U19 World Cup-winning squad — a legendary batch that also featured Prithvi Shaw as captain, Shubman Gill, and Arshdeep Singh. Since then, Gill has become India's captain in Tests and ODIs, while Arshdeep has become a regular member of the senior international side.

Shiva, meanwhile, has been quietly building his own path — with visible determination and self-awareness.

The Right Mindset

Asked about how he views his own journey compared to his more high-profile U19 batchmates, Shiva delivered one of the more mature answers of the day.

"If you want to keep playing cricket, you have to learn something new every single day," he reflected. "You need to have that mindset to learn; only then can you move forward. I don't really look at where my batchmates are right now. I just try to focus on balancing my weaknesses and positives so I can perform well in the match."

That kind of grounded, self-directed philosophy is exactly what separates cricketers who continue to grow from those who plateau. Shiva's focus on continuous improvement over comparison is a lesson young cricketers everywhere would benefit from carrying with them.

From Kashi Rudras to Noida Kings

Shiva Singh's UPT20 journey has been rich. He was part of Kashi Rudras during the first three seasons of the league, helping them win two titles. This season, he has moved to Noida Kings — a franchise now being led by Prashant Veer, a Rs 14.2 crore signing of the Chennai Super Kings.

Praise for Captain Prashant Veer

Shiva was full of appreciation for his captain, offering a warm assessment of what Prashant brings to the Noida Kings dressing room.

"Prashant has played the IPL, so I would say he brings a lot of experience," Shiva noted, praising his skipper. "This is his fourth year, and he has been doing great in all four seasons. Earlier, he was alone in Noida, playing innings that won matches single-handedly. He's a very good leader and a great team man. He always steps up in tough situations. It shows character—coming from the IPL and dominating here. He has a really good attitude towards cricket."

Coming from a player who has just won his side a playoff spot, that kind of open praise for a captain reveals a healthy, aligned dressing room culture — often one of the most under-discussed drivers of team success in franchise cricket.

The Playoff Picture

With their emphatic win, Noida Kings have now become the third team to book their place in the UPT20 League playoffs — after Meerut Mavericks and Lucknow Falcons. Now they will set their sights on going the distance and lifting their maiden UPT20 title.

Why It Matters

Domestic T20 leagues like UPT20 play an increasingly important role in India's cricketing ecosystem. They give players outside the immediate national spotlight a stage to perform, sharpen their skills and prove themselves in high-pressure situations. Shiva Singh's Sunday performance is the perfect example of what these leagues can produce — a player rediscovering his form through a phone call from his father, seizing a must-win moment, and delivering a match-defining performance that carries his team into a playoff spot.

For selectors, scouts and IPL franchise talent evaluators, performances like this stand out. A five-wicket haul with a hat-trick in a five-over shoot-off — under intense pressure and against an unbeaten side — is exactly the kind of high-stakes moment that separates capable domestic performers from special ones.

Cultural Impact

Shiva's story is also a beautiful reminder of the emotional infrastructure that quietly holds up so many sports careers in India. Family — especially fathers who have themselves played the game — often serve as invisible coaches, mentors and mental health anchors for young cricketers navigating the pressure of the professional circuit. Ajit Singh's call to his son on Sunday will now go down as one of those moments that shaped a match.

The Bigger Picture

Shiva Singh's Sunday performance for Noida Kings will be remembered for many reasons — the hat-trick, the five-wicket haul, the playoff qualification and the emphatic dismantling of an unbeaten side. But at the heart of it all was something much simpler. A father calling his son. A son listening. And a young cricketer finally releasing the mental pressure he had carried through nine matches to deliver one of the finest bowling performances of his career.

The playoffs now beckon Noida Kings, and with a player like Shiva Singh peaking at exactly the right moment, they will fancy their chances of going all the way. For the young left-arm spinner himself, this is just another reminder that in cricket — as in life — sometimes the biggest moments are set in motion not by tactics or team meetings, but by a familiar voice on the other end of a phone call, reminding you to just play the way you always do.

• BJP national General Secretary Satish Poonia says the party will contest all 117 Punjab Assembly seats on its own strength.
• No alliance is planned; meetings with PM Modi should not be interpreted as political understandings.
• Poonia was recently appointed as the BJP's organisational in-charge for Punjab.
• The party's Seva Sankalp Abhiyan will run from September 17 to October 17 nationwide, including in Punjab.
• Focus will be on strengthening the party from the booth level up under 'Mission Punjab 2027'.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national General Secretary Satish Poonia on Monday delivered a clear and decisive message on the party's strategy for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. In his first media interaction after being appointed as the BJP's organisational in-charge for Punjab, Poonia unambiguously stated that the party will contest all 117 Assembly seats on its own strength — putting speculation about a possible alliance firmly to rest.

The Core Message: 117 Seats, No Alliance

Responding to persistent questions about the possibility of a pre-poll alliance in Punjab, Poonia made the party's position categorical.

"I am the ambassador of the central leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party and its clear message is that we will contest all 117 seats on our own strength. A meeting does not mean an alliance. In a democracy, people and political leaders can meet the Prime Minister to discuss various issues. It should not be interpreted as an indication of any political understanding," Poonia said.

That statement is significant for two reasons. First, it publicly settles a strategic question that has been the subject of considerable political commentary in recent months. Second, it firmly positions the BJP's Punjab plan as a solo, self-driven campaign — one that will require strong organisational depth across the state.

Grassroots Strengthening as the First Priority

Speaking about his role in the coming months, Poonia said his primary responsibility would be to strengthen the party's organisational base from the ground up.

His initial focus, he said, would be on understanding the organisation, reviewing its functioning and strengthening the party structure from the booth level all the way up to the state level. Meetings with the BJP core committee, office-bearers, district presidents and district in-charges will form part of his early programme.

That kind of ground-first approach is a familiar organisational template for the BJP — one that has served it well in states where the party had historically not been dominant.

The Seva Sankalp Abhiyan

Poonia also announced that the BJP's Seva Sankalp Abhiyan will be organised from September 17 to October 17 across the country, including in Punjab. He was clear that the campaign is not merely a celebration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday, but a structured national push focused on social service and public welfare.

That framing gives the initiative a broader mission — one designed to strengthen the party's community-level engagement while simultaneously energising its cadre through service-oriented activity.

'Our Workers Are Our Strength'

Throughout his interaction, Poonia repeatedly emphasised the centrality of the party's karyakartas — its workers.

He said the BJP's strength lies in its cadre and that the party's endeavour would remain to keep workers at the centre of organisational activities.

"There are limited organisational positions and limited tickets for elections, but the party has always made efforts to give due respect and responsibility to its workers. The organisation certainly recognises those who remain continuously connected with the party and work with commitment," he said.

That message serves two audiences at once. It reassures long-time workers that their commitment will be respected. And it signals to newer entrants that consistent grassroots engagement matters more than short-term positioning.

An Appeal for Discipline

Poonia also appealed to party workers to maintain discipline and express their views within the framework of organisational values. He described the BJP as a cadre-based organisation and said discipline, commitment and collective effort would be essential to achieving the objective of Mission Punjab 2027.

That appeal is particularly important in a state like Punjab, where political dynamics can shift quickly and where organisational cohesion often becomes as important as external campaigning.

The Coming Weeks

In the days ahead, Poonia said, he would hold detailed organisational meetings in Jalandhar with state office-bearers, district presidents and district in-charges, and interact with leaders and workers to understand the party's strengths, challenges and priorities.

He said the party would systematically review the organisation, strengthen its grassroots presence and prepare a comprehensive roadmap for the elections. That structured, review-first approach signals a serious institutional intent to plan Punjab's 2027 campaign with the same discipline the BJP has demonstrated in many of its major electoral pushes elsewhere.

Why It Matters

Punjab has historically been one of the more challenging states in the BJP's electoral map. The state's political landscape has traditionally been dominated by regional parties, and the BJP's alliance-based approach in previous cycles helped it navigate that terrain in earlier phases. The decision to contest all 117 seats alone in 2027 represents a strategic shift — one that reflects the party's growing confidence in its own organisational strength and its readiness to build a standalone footprint in the state.

For the Punjab political ecosystem, this announcement immediately reshapes the pre-election chessboard. Every major regional party will now need to factor in a BJP that is planning to compete across all seats — not selectively.

Political Impact

For the BJP itself, this is a resource-intensive commitment. Contesting all 117 Assembly seats requires organisational depth in every constituency, candidate pipelines, campaign machinery, media coverage and grassroots mobilisation at scale. Poonia's insistence on booth-level review and cadre-first organisation suggests that the party is preparing to build that depth systematically over the coming 18-24 months.

For rival parties, the announcement adds another variable to their own strategy planning. Both traditional regional players and newer political entrants will need to recalibrate their positioning for a state where the BJP intends to fight independently at scale.

Institutional Approach

What stands out about Poonia's messaging is the institutional discipline it reflects. There is no room for interpretation left. There are no ambiguous signals. The stated position is clear, the reasoning is direct, and the implementation plan — organisational review, grassroots strengthening, cadre engagement, service outreach — has been outlined publicly.

That kind of clarity in messaging often becomes the foundation of long-form electoral planning.

The Bigger Picture

Satish Poonia's first media interaction as Punjab in-charge lays down more than a strategic position. It lays down a philosophy. The BJP is committing to fighting Punjab 2027 on its own terms, with its own cadre, backed by its own organisational depth. Whether that commitment translates into meaningful electoral gains will depend on how effectively the party builds its base over the next two years — from booth-level workers to district in-charges to state-level leadership.

But for now, one thing is clear. The Punjab BJP's 2027 campaign has an unambiguous shape. All 117 seats. No alliance. Cadre-first organisation. And a leader on the ground tasked with reviewing, strengthening and preparing the party for one of its most ambitious solo attempts in the state's political history. As the countdown to Mission Punjab 2027 begins, that clarity — delivered on Monday from Chandigarh — may end up being one of the most consequential political statements of this pre-election phase.

• MP CM Mohan Yadav visited flood-affected areas of Chitrakoot along the Mandakini and Sinhawal rivers.
• He met people in relief camps and reviewed ongoing relief and rescue operations.
• Officials have been directed to stay on the ground for 2-3 days and ensure essentials, medical aid and food supply.
• CM said no loss of life has been reported thanks to accurate forecasts and quick administration response.
• SDRF teams and IAF helicopters were deployed; six relief shelters were set up with food and medical arrangements.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Sunday made a direct, on-ground assessment of the flood situation in Chitrakoot by personally visiting areas along the swollen Mandakini and Sinhawal rivers. His visit — coming a day after he had announced his intention to review the crisis firsthand — sent an unambiguous message. The state government, in his words, "stands firmly with every flood-affected family."

The Ground-Level Assessment

The Chief Minister inquired about the well-being of people staying in relief camps and settlements, and closely reviewed the ongoing relief and rescue operations. His presence on the ground carried more than symbolic weight — it enabled first-hand assessment of the extent of damage, the effectiveness of the relief measures underway, and the emotional condition of the displaced families.

Speaking after the visit, the Chief Minister said relief and rescue work is continuing without any pause across the affected areas.

The Chief Minister's Message

On his X handle, CM Yadav wrote about his visit to the flood-affected areas of Chitrakoot along the Mandakini and Sinhawal rivers, describing his priorities clearly.

"Officials have been directed to remain present on the ground for the next two to three days and ensure the uninterrupted supply of essential materials, medical assistance and food to the affected families. In this difficult time of natural calamity, the state government stands firmly with every flood-affected family," CM Yadav said.

That two-to-three day continuous ground presence for officials is a meaningful administrative instruction. It ensures accountability, real-time coordination and immediate resolution of issues that families in relief camps might face during the most critical period after a flood event.

'No Loss of Life' — A Small Silver Lining

Perhaps the most heartening element of CM Yadav's update was that despite the intensity of the flooding, no loss of life had been reported. He credited this outcome to a combination of factors — divine grace, accurate weather forecasts and the prompt response of the administration.

"Due to divine grace, accurate weather forecasts and the prompt response of the administration, there has been no loss of life," the Chief Minister said.

In natural calamities of this magnitude, avoiding loss of life is arguably the most important outcome any state government can deliver. The credit here appears to belong to a well-functioning coordination chain between meteorological services, disaster response teams, local administration and safety infrastructure.

Focus on Economic Loss Assessment

While human lives have been protected, the Chief Minister acknowledged that many families have suffered significant economic damage — and committed to a thorough survey to assess the loss.

"A thorough survey would be conducted to assess the economic losses suffered by several families, and every possible assistance would be provided to them," he assured.

That commitment matters. Flooding events often destroy homes, damage livelihoods, wipe out livestock, ruin standing crops and disrupt small businesses — many of which sit outside insurance safety nets. A structured survey followed by targeted compensation is what allows families to genuinely recover in the weeks and months after the water recedes.

The Crisis Backdrop

The Chief Minister's visit followed his Saturday announcement that he would review the flooding of the Mandakini River in Chitrakoot and the damage caused by heavy rainfall. The situation had escalated rapidly through the previous 48 hours as continuous downpour caused the river to swell dramatically.

The rising water levels had inundated Ramghat and surrounding areas — pilgrimage-heavy zones that hold deep cultural and religious significance for the region. The old bridge on the Hanuman Dhara access road suffered damage, prompting the deployment of SDRF teams and Indian Air Force helicopters to strengthen rescue and relief operations.

Six relief shelters had been set up with arrangements for food and medical care to accommodate displaced families. Recent updates indicate that the water level of the Mandakini River had begun to recede after approaching the maximum flood level — offering some early relief to the region.

Why It Matters

Chitrakoot is not just a district. For millions across India, it is a sacred pilgrimage destination, closely associated with Lord Ram and revered across religious traditions. Flooding of the Mandakini River — which holds particular spiritual significance — carries emotional weight far beyond the immediate physical impact. Ensuring rapid relief, protecting cultural sites, and supporting displaced families is therefore both an administrative and a cultural priority for the state.

The Chief Minister's personal visit — and the clear public communication that followed — sends a message across two audiences at once. To affected families, it reassures them that the state is present and engaged. To the broader public, it signals proactive governance during a period of natural stress.

Industry and Institutional Impact

For the state's disaster response infrastructure — SDRF teams, IAF coordination, local administration and district-level medical units — the current operation is another live test of India's evolving disaster preparedness architecture. The successful protection of human life indicates that early warning systems and rapid deployment mechanisms are increasingly effective.

For future policy design, the Chitrakoot flooding may generate important lessons on how to strengthen bridge infrastructure, riverbank management and pilgrimage-heavy town preparedness in flood-vulnerable geographies.

Cultural and Emotional Impact

For pilgrims, priests and residents of Ramghat and Hanuman Dhara area, the coming weeks will involve emotional recovery alongside physical restoration. Damage to a bridge on the Hanuman Dhara route is not just a civil engineering setback — it directly affects access to one of the most spiritually important pathways in the region. Its restoration will be closely watched by devotees and residents alike.

The Bigger Picture

CM Mohan Yadav's Sunday visit to Chitrakoot represents governance at its most direct — a chief minister on the ground, in the affected zone, meeting displaced families, listening to their concerns, and issuing clear instructions to his administrative machinery. In an era where public governance is often mediated through statements and press releases, that kind of physical presence still carries unmatched credibility.

As Mandakini's waters begin to recede and Chitrakoot slowly begins its journey back to normalcy, the focus will shift to detailed damage assessment, family-level support and infrastructure restoration. The Chief Minister's assurance — that no affected family will be left without support in the coming days — now becomes the operational commitment his administration will be measured against. And for the families sheltered in Chitrakoot's relief camps this weekend, that commitment is exactly what they needed to hear.

• NBEMS successfully conducted NEET-PG 2026 on Sunday across 1,111 centres in 339 cities.
• Over 2.65 lakh candidates appeared out of the 2.73 lakh registered.
• 2,445 candidates in Jaipur were unable to complete the exam due to power supply issues.
• The re-exam for the affected Jaipur candidates will be held on September 5 in the second half.
• Over 2,527 faculty appraisers, 700+ Flying Squad members and 16 NBEMS Command Centres monitored the test.

India's biggest annual medical postgraduate entrance test has been successfully executed. The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) conducted the NEET-PG 2026 examination on Sunday, with more than 2.65 lakh candidates appearing across the country in what officials described as a secure and seamless process. Despite one localised disruption in Jaipur, the nationwide execution was broadly smooth — a significant operational achievement given the exam's sheer scale.

The Scale of the Exercise

The NEET-PG 2026 exam was slated for 2.73 lakh candidates at 1,111 examination centres across 339 cities, covering all 36 states and Union Territories. According to official estimates released by NBEMS, a total of 2,65,980 candidates appeared in the examinations on Sunday.

Executing an examination of this magnitude — across such a vast geographic footprint, in a single window — is a logistical feat that requires deep institutional coordination.

"The successful conduct of the examination across 1,111 centres in 339 cities reflects the extensive coordination among examination authorities, medical institutions, faculty, security agencies, technology teams and other stakeholders involved in the nationwide exercise," the examination body said in a statement.

The Jaipur Disruption

The only significant disruption of the day came from Jaipur, where the examination could not be completed for 2,445 candidates due to power supply issues at their centre.

Recognising the severity of the disruption and the emotional weight it carried for candidates whose exam attempts were interrupted, NBEMS moved swiftly.

The re-examination of the affected candidates will be conducted in Jaipur on September 5, in the second half. Expressing regret over the inconvenience caused, the NBEMS confirmed that steps have been taken to provide fair and equitable opportunity to all students. Affected candidates will be provided with venue details and other examination-related instructions soon.

That kind of quick, transparent response is exactly what a national testing agency is expected to deliver when things go wrong — recognise the impact, take responsibility, and offer a structured recovery pathway.

The Security and Monitoring Architecture

The scale of monitoring behind NEET-PG 2026 reveals just how seriously NBEMS treats the integrity of the exam. The examinations were supported by real-time monitoring and multiple layers of security.

A total of 2,527 faculty members were appointed as Independent Appraisers to oversee the conduct of the examination. In addition, more than 700 senior faculty members — including Deans, Directors, Medical Superintendents and senior professors — were deployed as Flying Squad members to inspect examination centres and prevent any operational lapses.

To further strengthen coordination and monitoring, 16 NBEMS Regional Command Centres were made operational across the country.

Live CCTV Surveillance From Dwarka

Perhaps the most significant technological layer was the live CCTV surveillance system. All examination centres were placed under live CCTV surveillance, which was continuously monitored from the NBEMS Command Centre at its Headquarters in Dwarka.

A dedicated team of 190 personnel from NBEMS and TCS was deployed for real-time surveillance and monitoring — enabling centralised oversight of every examination centre in the country in real time.

That level of live monitoring adds a significant layer of integrity to the examination. It sends a strong message about both accountability and the seriousness with which exam malpractice or process breaches would be identified.

'Appreciation for Candidates and Institutions'

NBEMS made a point of thanking the wider ecosystem that made the test possible.

The body, in its official statement, acknowledged the cooperation, patience and trust of the candidates while also recognising the efforts of the personnel and institutions associated with the conduct of NEET-PG 2026.

That kind of institutional gratitude, publicly expressed, is important. It positions the examination not merely as an administrative event but as a collaborative national exercise involving lakhs of candidates and thousands of professionals.

Why It Matters

NEET-PG is one of the most consequential examinations in India's medical education ecosystem. Every candidate who clears it advances one step closer to postgraduate specialisations — MD, MS, and other advanced medical courses that shape the country's future specialist workforce. Behind every result sits years of preparation, family investment, career aspiration and — for many — the culmination of a decade-long journey into medicine.

By successfully executing the exam at such scale, and by responding to disruption with immediate corrective action, NBEMS has quietly reinforced public confidence in India's high-stakes exam architecture.

The Bigger Institutional Story

The success of NEET-PG 2026 also speaks to the maturing state of India's exam infrastructure. Large-scale computer-based tests, centralised command centres, live CCTV monitoring, region-level coordination, flying squads and rapid recovery protocols for centre-level disruptions are the operational features of a modern national testing environment. NBEMS's ability to execute at this level meaningfully strengthens the credibility of India's medical education gatekeeping process.

For future editions of NEET-PG — and for other high-stakes exams across the country — the operational model demonstrated on Sunday will serve as a strong reference point.

Industry and Institutional Impact

For India's healthcare ecosystem, the smooth conduct of the exam ensures continuity in the country's specialist medical workforce pipeline. For medical colleges preparing for the upcoming counselling and admission cycle, the successful execution keeps the academic calendar on track. For test technology partners like TCS, whose infrastructure supports these exams, this stands as another successful large-scale execution reinforcing their national operational credibility.

For the 2,445 Jaipur Candidates

For the specific 2,445 candidates in Jaipur whose exam was interrupted, September 5 will now carry a weight that only they can fully understand. The disruption they faced through no fault of their own is being addressed through a structured, transparent recovery — a re-exam window specifically designed to give them a fair chance to demonstrate what they've prepared for. That commitment matters. In a high-stakes exam environment, how the system treats those affected by disruptions is as important as how the exam itself is run.

The Bigger Picture

NEET-PG 2026 has quietly delivered one of the most consequential national exam moments of the year. Over 2.65 lakh medical graduates have now completed the entrance test they have long prepared for. Behind them stands an ecosystem of examination authorities, faculty appraisers, security agencies, live monitoring teams and technology partners that together made Sunday's exercise possible.

As results now begin their next journey — through evaluation, counselling and admissions — the story of NEET-PG 2026 will be remembered for two things. First, for its scale — the sheer size and reach of a nationally coordinated, tech-monitored, highly secure examination process. And second, for its integrity — the willingness to acknowledge disruption, take responsibility, and offer affected candidates a fair second chance. For India's next generation of specialist doctors, Sunday marked the beginning of a new professional chapter. And for India's testing infrastructure, it marked another confident step forward.

Also Read: NEET-UG 2026 Topper Aryan Gupta Shares Success Mantra

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and UP CM Yogi Adityanath performed Bhoomi Pujan for 14 projects worth over Rs 100 crore at Lucknow Cantonment.
• Projects span AI-based solid waste management, multi-utility sports complex, water supply upgrades and school infrastructure.
• Two projects will be implemented in collaboration with the state government — a city polyclinic and Mukhyamantri Abhyudaya Coaching Centre.
• Several Cantt markets have been renamed after Indian freedom fighters and national leaders.
• Rajnath framed the initiative under the broader vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047.

Lucknow Cantonment is set for one of its most ambitious development pushes in years. On Sunday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath jointly performed the Bhoomi Pujan for 14 development projects — including two flagship initiatives being implemented in collaboration with the state government — with a combined investment of more than Rs 100 crore. Together, the projects are designed to reshape civic life, education, healthcare, sports and urban infrastructure across the Cantonment.

'Development of the Cantt Is Linked to the Development of Lucknow'

Speaking during the event, Rajnath Singh framed the launch as a demonstration of what happens when the Centre and the state align to deliver good governance on the ground.

"The development of Lucknow Cantonment is closely linked with the progress of Lucknow. Coordinated efforts by the Centre and the state can accelerate development and good governance," he said.

That framing carried a strategic message. Lucknow Cantonment doesn't function in isolation — its infrastructure, civic amenities and services affect the daily lives of thousands of residents, and, by extension, shape how the wider city functions.

The 14 Projects at a Glance

The package of projects announced covers an impressively broad spectrum of civic and social infrastructure. Together, they touch nearly every dimension of urban life inside a cantonment area.

The initiatives being launched include an Artificial Intelligence-based Solid Waste Management Plant; a Multi-Utility Sports Complex; a Modern Crematorium; a 1500 KL Underground Reservoir; replacement of the old water supply pipeline; construction of eight tubewells with SCADA Automation; Overhead Tanks with SCADA integration; a Special School for Differently Abled Children; construction of additional classrooms and toilets at RA Bazar Madhyamik Vidyalaya; construction of additional classrooms and toilets at Rainbow Model School; Multi-Level Robotic Car Parking and Commercial Complex; and Legacy Waste — Bio-Mining and Bio-Remediation.

The two projects being implemented in collaboration with the state government are the RA Bazar City Polyclinic and the Mukhyamantri Abhyudaya Coaching Centre — both of which directly serve residents through healthcare and educational access.

That's the kind of project mix that reflects a modern urban development philosophy — leveraging technology (AI-based waste plants, SCADA-integrated tubewells, robotic parking), while simultaneously investing in inclusion, education and public health.

'Viksit Bharat Is Not Just About Grand Buildings'

Placing the initiative within a broader national vision, Rajnath Singh reminded the audience of India's larger 2047 goal.

He emphasised that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is moving forward with the resolve to become a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047. But he added an important nuance — one that shaped much of his speech.

'Viksit Bharat', he said, does not merely mean grand projects and modern buildings. It also means children receiving quality education, clean water reaching every household, youth getting opportunities to play and showcase their talent, and a differently-abled child never feeling left behind by society. He reiterated the Union government's commitment to ensuring that development directly improves the quality of life for ordinary citizens.

That framing gave the Bhoomi Pujan its philosophical spine — a development push measured not just in crores of investment, but in the everyday improvements it delivers to residents.

The Renaming of Cantt Markets

Rajnath Singh also spent a portion of his address highlighting one of the more culturally significant changes underway at Lucknow Cantonment — the renaming of markets that had carried British-era names for decades.

"Royal Artillery Bazar has been renamed Ekta Bazar, British Cavalry Bazar as Uda Devi Bazar, British Infantry Bazar as Matadin Valmiki Bazar and another British Infantry Bazar as Mangal Pandey Bazar, while Kanedy Market has been renamed Atal Bihari Vajpayee Market. The initiative seeks to connect future generations with India's heritage and inspire national service," he said.

Each renaming carries symbolic weight. Uda Devi, Matadin Valmiki and Mangal Pandey are figures deeply embedded in India's freedom struggle. Atal Bihari Vajpayee's inclusion links contemporary political history with the Cantt's public geography. And 'Ekta Bazar' as a name replacement carries an unmistakable message of national unity.

The Leadership on Ground

The Bhoomi Pujan brought together a wide cross-section of national and state leadership. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Brajesh Pathak, Minister of State Asim Arun, Central Command's General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta, along with senior officials of the Defence Forces, Central and state governments and Lucknow Cantonment Board, were present on the occasion.

That combination of civilian and defence leadership underscored the significance of the event — the projects are not just civic upgrades, but foundational to how the Cantt operates in the years ahead.

Why It Matters

Cantonment areas play a unique role in Indian urban geography. They are simultaneously home to defence personnel and their families, and civic spaces that serve residents, students, professionals and small businesses. Historically, cantonment infrastructure across India has often lagged behind adjacent urban development because of unique administrative complexities.

Investments like the Rs 100 crore push at Lucknow Cantonment are a signal that this trend is being deliberately reversed — and that modern, technology-enabled civic infrastructure is being brought inside cantonment boundaries at scale.

Industry and Institutional Impact

For construction, waste management, sanitation, education infrastructure and healthcare service providers, the announcement opens up meaningful project pipelines. For students at RA Bazar Madhyamik Vidyalaya and Rainbow Model School, the classroom and sanitation upgrades will translate into a tangibly improved learning environment. For differently-abled children who will now benefit from a dedicated Special School, this is a genuine expansion of educational inclusion.

For Lucknow city as a whole, the addition of a Multi-Utility Sports Complex, a Multi-Level Robotic Car Parking, and an AI-driven solid waste management plant strengthens the city's positioning as one of India's most rapidly modernising tier-1 destinations.

Cultural and Historical Impact

The renaming of key markets carries deeper significance too. In moving away from British-era names, the Cantt is aligning its urban identity with independent India's cultural memory. Names like Uda Devi Bazar and Mangal Pandey Bazar will now serve as everyday cultural touchpoints for shoppers, students and residents — quietly reinforcing India's freedom struggle in the geography of daily life.

The Bigger Picture

Sunday's Bhoomi Pujan at Lucknow Cantonment isn't a routine ceremonial event. It represents a Rs 100 crore-plus commitment to reshaping the daily experience of thousands of residents — through cleaner water, better classrooms, more inclusive schools, smarter waste management, healthier public services and stronger cultural identity.

The 14 projects together tell a bigger story about what modern Indian urban development looks like when defence, state and local governance align — grounded in infrastructure, powered by technology, and delivered with an eye on equity and inclusion. As the projects move from Bhoomi Pujan to construction, they will quietly begin transforming the everyday reality of Lucknow Cantonment. And by the time they are complete, the message from Sunday's event will feel less like a launch and more like a promise fulfilled — that in Viksit Bharat's journey to 2047, no cantonment, no classroom, no clean-water household and no differently-abled child will be left behind.

• Tamil Nadu will sell onions at subsidised rates through ration shops to cushion households from rising retail prices.
• Large onions have jumped from Rs 30 per kg last month to nearly Rs 60 per kg in retail markets.
• Small onions or shallots have climbed from Rs 40-50 per kg to nearly Rs 70 per kg.
• The state has asked NAFED for 70,000 kg of onions for distribution.
• Subsidised onions will be sold at Rs 30-40 per kg — up to Rs 30 cheaper than open-market rates.

Tamil Nadu is preparing to move decisively to protect household budgets from the sharp jump in onion prices, with the state's cooperative sector rolling out a plan to sell onions at subsidised rates through ration shops. As retail prices climb in wholesale mandis and neighbourhood markets, the move is being positioned as a critical, timely intervention to bring relief to millions of families for whom onions remain a daily essential.

The Price Surge That Triggered the Move

The trigger behind the state's plan is unmistakable — a rapid, unusually steep rise in onion prices over the past few weeks. Large onions, which were available for about Rs 30 a kg at the end of last month, are now being sold at nearly Rs 60 a kg in many retail markets — a near-doubling within a matter of weeks.

Small onions, or shallots — a staple in many Tamil Nadu households, especially in southern districts and in traditional cooking — have seen an even sharper climb. Prices have moved from around Rs 40-50 a kg last month to nearly Rs 70 a kg in retail markets.

For families already contending with higher prices of several essential vegetables, this kind of surge adds real strain to weekly grocery bills.

The State's Response: A Public Distribution Push

With market rates continuing to remain firm, the state cooperative sector has decided to intervene by procuring onions in bulk and supplying them through the public distribution system at prices substantially below prevailing retail levels. This is a classic and time-tested playbook — using government-run outlets to insulate consumers when open-market prices spike sharply.

As part of the initiative, the state has approached the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India, better known as NAFED, seeking an allocation of 70,000 kg of onions.

That request aligns neatly with the Union government's ongoing effort to make onions more affordable to consumers through retail channels — a national push already visible in cities like Delhi. Once the consignment reaches Tamil Nadu, the onions will be distributed to ration shops across the state.

The Price Point: Rs 30-40 Per Kg

Officials have indicated that the subsidised onions will be sold at prices between Rs 30 and Rs 40 per kg. That works out to a saving of up to Rs 30 per kg compared to prevailing retail rates — a meaningful reduction for daily-wage earners, low-income families and pensioners who rely on ration shops for their essentials.

That kind of price gap between the ration shop and the market is exactly what makes such interventions effective — creating an immediate, visible alternative to inflation-hit retail pricing.

A Phased Rollout Approach

The state is taking a considered, phased approach to the rollout. Officials said the first consignment would help assess demand before further quantities are sought. That's a smart operational decision — it allows the state to test the responsiveness of the distribution network, evaluate purchase patterns and calibrate future orders accordingly.

Details regarding the number of ration outlets covered, purchase limits for individual cardholders and the date on which sales will begin are expected to be announced after supplies reach the state.

Why It Matters

For households across Tamil Nadu, especially those in lower-income segments, onions are not a luxury item — they are a daily-use staple. A sudden doubling of price can force families to either reduce consumption, alter recipes or shift spending away from other essentials. When such price surges hit staple items, the impact is broader and more emotional than most inflation numbers suggest.

By stepping in with a public distribution intervention, the state is doing more than releasing 70,000 kg of onions. It is sending a clear message — the government is watching prices in real time and is willing to actively cushion citizens against volatility.

A Familiar Toolkit, Deployed With Purpose

Cooperative outlets and ration shops have previously been used by the government to sell essential commodities at controlled prices whenever supply shortages or seasonal fluctuations caused retail prices to rise sharply. Onion price interventions, in particular, have a long history in India's public procurement playbook.

What makes this intervention notable is its speed and precision. Prices haven't yet reached crisis levels, but the state is choosing to intervene early — reflecting a proactive rather than reactive approach to food inflation management.

Consumer Impact

For consumers, the arrival of Rs 30-40 per kg onions at ration shops will provide immediate relief in three ways. It puts downward pressure on retail pricing by creating a visible alternative. It supports household budgets already stretched by rising costs across multiple food categories. And it strengthens trust in the state's ability to respond to daily-life issues faced by citizens.

Industry Impact

For wholesale traders and market intermediaries, the visible presence of subsidised onions will act as a soft ceiling on how much they can push retail prices further. For NAFED, this state-level rollout in Tamil Nadu — following similar rollouts elsewhere — strengthens its role as a critical price-stabilisation actor in India's food supply chain.

Continued Monitoring

Authorities are expected to closely monitor onion prices and availability in wholesale and retail markets even while the subsidised sales programme is rolled out. That continuous monitoring is what will help decide whether the next consignment needs to be larger, whether more cities need to be added quickly, and whether purchase caps need adjusting.

The Bigger Picture

Tamil Nadu's onion intervention is a small but powerful example of how state governments in India increasingly use public infrastructure — ration shops, cooperative societies, PDS channels — as active price-stabilisation tools rather than merely as welfare delivery mechanisms.

For families in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy and beyond, the coming weeks may bring welcome relief at the ration shop counter. The onion in Tamil Nadu's tempering pan is once again about to become a symbol of both economic sensitivity and state responsiveness. And when the first consignment lands, it won't just carry 70,000 kg of onions. It will carry a promise — that when prices threaten to push essentials out of reach, the state is willing to step in and pull them back within reach.

• PM Modi said women account for 46% of PM SVANidhi Yojana beneficiaries — around 35 lakh women across India.
• He described the trend as a "living example of women's empowerment" during his 137th Mann Ki Baat episode.
• He shared the story of Babita Sharma of Ghaziabad, whose roadside stall grew into a proper shop after PM SVANidhi support.
• He also cited T.S. Ningamma of Bengaluru, whose idli-dosa cart evolved into a thriving family business.
• Modi said the empowerment of a woman fuels the growth of her entire family.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday used his 137th 'Mann Ki Baat' address to spotlight one of India's most under-discussed empowerment stories — the transformation quietly unfolding among lakhs of women street vendors who are using the PM Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Yojana to expand their livelihoods, uplift their families, and step confidently into the country's small-business ecosystem. Anchoring his message on real people from Ghaziabad and Bengaluru, the Prime Minister described this trend as a "living example" of women's empowerment.

The Numbers Behind the Story

Sharing the scale of the women-led shift within the scheme, PM Modi delivered the standout statistic of the segment.

"However, now, lakhs of such mothers and sisters are gaining new strength through the 'PM SVANidhi Yojana'. This aspect of 'women empowerment' is not discussed as much as it should be. Women account for approximately 46 per cent of the beneficiaries of the 'PM SVANidhi Yojana'. This means that around 35 lakh women across the country are expanding their businesses by connecting with this scheme," the Prime Minister said.

In a country where women's participation in the workforce continues to be a subject of national conversation, 35 lakh women anchoring their own street-based businesses through a single credit scheme is a genuinely significant marker.

'A Living Example of Women's Empowerment'

For PM Modi, the story wasn't just statistical. It was structural.

"From morning till evening, lakhs of women across the streets of our cities and towns are engaged in their work. Some sell vegetables or fruits, others run tea stalls, while some sell flowers, earthen lamps, and worship materials. Often, a mere lack of capital prevents their businesses from growing further," he said.

He noted that PM SVANidhi is providing financial support to many such women and helping them strengthen and expand their livelihoods. It is, in effect, addressing one of the oldest bottlenecks in India's informal economy — access to formal credit for the smallest self-employed businesses.

Babita Sharma's Journey From Roadside Stall to Shop

To ground the message in real lives, PM Modi shared the story of Babita Sharma of Ghaziabad. Before benefiting from PM SVANidhi, Babita ran a small roadside stall selling items used for worship — flowers, earthen lamps, incense sticks and coconuts — while contributing to her family's livelihood.

"She worked very hard, but capital was needed to grow the business. She received financial assistance through 'PM SVANidhi'. She increased her stock and expanded her business. Her customer base and income grew, and gradually, her small roadside stall transformed into a proper shop," PM Modi said.

That single arc — from wooden cart on a footpath to a permanent shop — captures exactly the kind of upward mobility PM SVANidhi is designed to enable. And it captures the emotional payoff of financial inclusion in a way statistics alone cannot.

T.S. Ningamma's Bengaluru Story

The Prime Minister then turned to a second story from Bengaluru, describing it as "very inspiring."

"Ningamma ji and her husband started a small venture selling idli, dosa, and sambar. The business took off, but capital was required to take it to the next level. Ningamma ji also received support from 'PM SVANidhi'. She upgraded her cart, began purchasing supplies in bulk, and added new items to her menu," PM Modi said.

The transformation, according to the Prime Minister, was profound. "As customers and earnings increased, the family's financial situation improved. Today, she is able to provide a better education for her three children."

That final sentence — about her ability to fund her children's education — captures the true intergenerational impact of women-led enterprise. It is not just business growth. It is the change of trajectory for an entire family.

Empowerment That Radiates Across the Household

Broadening the frame, PM Modi drew out the wider societal impact of women's economic participation.

"When a woman's business grows, the future of her entire family advances along with it. Children receive a better education, household needs are met, and the woman's self-confidence is strengthened. This is, indeed, a living example of 'women's empowerment'," the Prime Minister said.

That framing is important. In development economics, women's earnings are known to have an outsized effect on household outcomes — including nutrition, education and healthcare. PM Modi's language echoes that global consensus but reroutes it into a distinctly Indian, distinctly familiar image: the sabziwali behen at the corner, the flower-seller at the temple gate, the idli cart in the bylane.

'I Wish Every Street-Vendor Sister a Bright Future'

Ending the segment with a personal note of solidarity, PM Modi said: "I extend my best wishes for a bright future to all the sisters involved in street vending."

That direct address — to women whose work is often overlooked in India's larger economic narrative — carried a small but powerful message of national recognition.

Why It Matters

PM SVANidhi is one of the few Indian schemes designed specifically to bring the country's smallest, most informal traders — often invisible in policy conversations — into the formal credit system. That women are now 46 per cent of its beneficiaries reveals two important dynamics. First, women are proving to be among the most reliable adopters of small credit for enterprise-building. Second, when access to capital is offered on their terms, women use it not just to survive, but to grow.

For street vendor communities across India, this creates a virtuous cycle — more capital access, more business expansion, more household stability, and more downstream impact on children's education and health.

Industry and Institutional Impact

For India's banking and MSME ecosystem, the PM SVANidhi story reinforces the case for continued investment in micro-credit infrastructure that goes directly to grassroots entrepreneurs. For urban local bodies, the visible transformation of street vendors from cart to shop offers a real-world data point that can inform how licensing, vending zones and street-vendor rehabilitation policies are designed going forward.

Cultural Impact

Perhaps the most important shift PM Modi's address triggers is cultural. For years, India's economic conversation has centred on large industrial success stories and salaried employment metrics. Highlighting street-vending women as central agents of national economic empowerment quietly widens that conversation. It signals that empowerment doesn't need a corner office. It needs credit, effort, and confidence — and these women, all 35 lakh of them, are delivering all three every day.

The Bigger Picture

The PM SVANidhi women's story that PM Modi anchored in his 137th 'Mann Ki Baat' is not a moment. It is a movement. From Babita Sharma's shop in Ghaziabad to T.S. Ningamma's expanded idli-dosa business in Bengaluru, thousands of small, everyday transformations are unfolding across the country's streets, temples, markets and bylanes. Each one, powered by a formal credit lifeline that finally reached where it was needed most.

As the Prime Minister rightly noted, this is not empowerment discussed enough — but it is, in the most visible and grounded sense, the empowerment India lives every day. And on Sunday morning, through the 137th episode of 'Mann Ki Baat', those millions of women who sell, serve and support their families from the footpaths of urban India were seen, celebrated and saluted. Because in every roadside cart that becomes a shop, and every idli plate that becomes a school fee, the country is quietly writing a story of empowerment that no headline has been able to capture fully. Until now.

• A day-care centre for cancer patients will be inaugurated at Vidisha Medical College on September 8.
• The facility will serve patients from Vidisha, Raisen, Sehore, Dewas, Sagar and adjoining Bundelkhand districts, including Ashoknagar.
• AIIMS Bhopal will initially assist in running the centre through a formal MoU with Vidisha Medical College.
• Union MoS Jitendra Singh and MP Deputy CM Rajendra Shukla will attend the inauguration.
• Chouhan also announced RSETI-led skill training programmes for women starting September 5.

In one of the most consequential healthcare announcements to come out of Madhya Pradesh in recent weeks, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday confirmed that a dedicated day-care centre for cancer patients will be inaugurated at Vidisha Medical College on September 8. The move is set to fundamentally reshape access to critical cancer care for patients across six districts in central India — a region that has long relied on distant, often overburdened facilities for treatment.

A 'Historic Day' for the Region

Speaking during his visit to Vidisha, Chouhan framed the announcement in terms that made clear the significance of the moment.

"September 8 will be a very special and historic day for Vidisha and Vidisha district. A day-care centre for cancer patients will be inaugurated here," he said.

For a district that has historically depended on Bhopal, Indore or other larger cities for oncology services, a dedicated cancer day-care facility at its own medical college represents a genuine shift — one that reduces travel burden, cost stress and treatment delays for hundreds of families.

Who the Centre Will Serve

The facility will cater to patients from Vidisha and neighbouring districts including Raisen, Sehore, Dewas, Sagar and the adjoining areas of Bundelkhand such as Ashoknagar. That geographic reach is important. Together, these districts represent a wide catchment of rural and semi-urban populations for whom accessing cancer treatment has historically meant multi-hour journeys, disrupted work and financial strain.

Bringing day-care services closer to home directly addresses one of the most under-appreciated aspects of cancer care in India — the sheer human cost of geography.

AIIMS Bhopal to Back Operations Initially

Recognising the technical demands of running a specialised oncology facility, the state has ensured strong institutional backing from the outset. Chouhan said AIIMS Bhopal would initially assist in running the centre until required facilities are fully developed. An MoU will be signed between Vidisha Medical College and AIIMS Bhopal for providing assistance in operating the facility.

This kind of institutional partnership is critical. Cancer day-care centres require experienced oncology support, protocol design, chemotherapy administration expertise and outcome tracking. Leveraging AIIMS Bhopal's clinical infrastructure gives the Vidisha centre credibility, capability and consistency from day one.

High-Profile Inauguration

The inauguration is being treated as a significant public-health moment. Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh and Madhya Pradesh Health Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla will attend the event on September 8.

That level of political and administrative presence signals the seriousness with which the state and Centre are treating this rollout — as a template that could potentially be replicated across other tier-2 and tier-3 districts in India.

A Day That Also Celebrated Ladli Behna and Raksha Bandhan

Chouhan was in Vidisha along with his wife to participate in programmes organised on the occasion of Bhujariya and Raksha Bandhan. He also met women beneficiaries of the state's Ladli Behna scheme. During the programme, women tied rakhis on Chouhan's wrist, while his wife Sadhna Singh Chouhan presented him a gift — a moment that added a warm, family-oriented dimension to what was otherwise a policy-heavy day.

Skill Training for Women's Economic Empowerment

Chouhan didn't stop at the cancer centre announcement. He also announced skill training programmes aimed at making women financially self-reliant — two structured courses to be launched through Rural Self-Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs).

A 30-day beauty parlour training course will begin from September 5 in Vidisha, Raisen and Sehore. A 31-day tailoring training programme will also be conducted alongside. After completion of the training, the government will actively work to link women with self-employment opportunities through bank linkages — helping them convert skills into sustained income sources.

That specific commitment matters. Skill training programmes without post-training bank linkage often produce trained workforce with limited employment traction. By committing to link women with financing support after training completion, the state is closing the last-mile gap that typically constrains such programmes.

Chouhan's Framing on Women's Empowerment

Emphasising the broader philosophy behind the state's women-focused push, Chouhan said the government was working toward the economic and social empowerment of women.

"Mothers, sisters and daughters are akin to goddesses, and serving them is equivalent to worshipping the Goddess," he added — a framing that ties policy delivery to cultural respect.

Why It Matters

For central India, this combined announcement — a cancer day-care centre plus women's skill training with bank linkages — represents a healthcare and empowerment package delivered in a single visit. Cancer care access remains one of India's most under-addressed rural healthcare challenges. Establishing a professional day-care centre at a district medical college, backed by AIIMS Bhopal, offers a scalable model that can meaningfully reduce disease burden and treatment stress across regions where oncology services have historically been urban-concentrated.

At the same time, the RSETI skill training push reinforces the state's focus on economic mobility for women — combining short training cycles with real self-employment pathways.

Industry and Public Health Impact

For India's public health ecosystem, the Vidisha centre could become an important reference point. A district-medical-college-based cancer day-care facility partnered with a national institute like AIIMS could evolve into a scalable model — one that reduces pressure on tertiary care centres in state capitals while bringing care physically closer to patients.

For women in Vidisha, Raisen and Sehore, the skill training-and-bank linkage design offers a chance to build meaningful income streams in categories that have deep local demand — beauty services and tailoring.

The Bigger Picture

Shivraj Singh Chouhan's Vidisha announcement is more than a routine political visit. It captures a governance philosophy where healthcare, women's welfare and cultural festivals coexist within the same day of engagement. On September 8, when the cancer day-care centre opens its doors, it will not just represent a new medical facility. It will represent a real answer to one of the most heart-breaking questions rural cancer patients face in India — where can I go for treatment?

For thousands of families across Vidisha, Raisen, Sehore, Dewas, Sagar and Ashoknagar, that answer is about to become a lot shorter, a lot closer, and a lot more possible. And in a country where geography still shapes health outcomes far too often, that shift alone is worth marking as historic.

• Gujarat has approved releasing 600 cusecs of water from Machhu-2 reservoir through SAUNI Link-1 to Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar.
• Drinking water will be prioritised over irrigation in the two Saurashtra districts.
• The decision was taken under CM Bhupendra Patel amid below-normal rainfall and low Narmada basin storage.
• SAUNI Link-1 runs from Machhu-II Dam in Morbi to Sani Dam in Jamnagar with a carrying capacity of 1,200 cusecs.
• The link is designed to fill 30 reservoirs across four districts, benefiting about 2.02 lakh acres.

In a decisive move to address rising water stress in the Saurashtra region, the Gujarat government has approved the release of 600 cusecs of water from the Machhu-2 reservoir through Link-1 of the Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation (SAUNI) scheme. The water will be routed to meet the drinking and irrigation needs of Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar districts — with drinking water clearly prioritised over agriculture. It's a governance decision that reflects both the scale of the water challenge and the sequencing discipline needed to manage it.

A Decision Rooted in Immediate Need

The decision was taken by the state government under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, keeping in view the water requirements of residents and farmers in the two Saurashtra districts. Officials explained that the region normally depends on local reservoirs for irrigation, but lower rainfall has affected water availability, while storage in the Narmada basin is also below normal levels.

That double stress — poor rainfall locally and reduced Narmada-basin storage — has forced the state to activate its long-planned water diversion infrastructure to bridge the gap.

How the Water Will Flow

Under the special approval, water will be drawn from the Machhu-2 reservoir through the SAUNI pipeline and supplied towards the local requirements of Jamnagar and Devbhumi Dwarka. The state Water Resources and Water Supply Department said 600 cusecs is currently being drawn through SAUNI Link-1.

That volume represents a substantial delivery through the pipeline network — capable of meaningfully easing the immediate water shortage across the two districts.

The Sequencing: Drinking Water First

One of the most important elements of the state government's decision is its clarity on prioritisation.

"The water would first be allocated for drinking purposes. Any water remaining after meeting drinking-water requirements would subsequently be made available for agriculture and irrigation," officials said.

In a state where water use conflicts between farming and household consumption often become politically sensitive, this sequencing puts human need first. It ensures that even amid an irrigation squeeze, no household is deprived of basic drinking water — a principle that reflects both administrative prudence and public accountability.

About the SAUNI Project

The SAUNI project was designed to divert water through a network of pipelines to reservoirs across the Saurashtra region — one of the most water-stressed parts of Gujarat and, historically, one of the most drought-vulnerable regions of the country.

According to the state government, Link-1 runs from the Machhu-II dam in Morbi district towards Sani Dam in Jamnagar and has a carrying capacity of 1,200 cusecs. It is intended to fill 30 reservoirs across Rajkot, Morbi, Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar districts, benefiting about 2.02 lakh acres.

In effect, SAUNI is one of the most ambitious water transfer engineering projects in western India — a system built to redirect available water into stressed geographies through pipelines rather than the traditional canal-based approach.

Why It Matters

The state's decision comes as local water resources face pressure following lower-than-usual rainfall. For rural households across Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar, that pressure has real consequences — reduced borewell yields, uncertain drinking water supply, and unpredictability around farming decisions for the coming season.

Activating SAUNI Link-1 with an assured 600 cusecs flow provides a structured intervention against those risks. It sends a clear signal that even in a difficult monsoon year, the state has the infrastructure and the institutional coordination to route water where it is needed most.

Governance Implications

The decision also reinforces a governance philosophy visible in several of the Gujarat government's recent moves — one that leans on major infrastructure assets to solve real-time delivery problems. SAUNI is exactly the kind of long-term investment whose value only becomes fully visible during a stress year, and this activation is a live demonstration of that infrastructure paying off.

For state administrations across drought-vulnerable parts of India, the SAUNI model offers a useful case study — showing how pipeline-based water diversion, when planned strategically, can serve as an insurance mechanism during years of poor rainfall.

Impact on Farmers

While the drinking-water priority is unambiguous, the state government has also indicated that farmers will not be left out of the equation. Officials said the measure would help ease drinking-water concerns in parts of Jamnagar and Devbhumi Dwarka while providing relief to farmers dependent on water for agricultural activities.

That balanced framing — protect drinking water first, but keep agriculture in the picture — is likely to help maintain rural morale during a season where farming families across Saurashtra have been anxious about crop planning.

Industry and Rural Impact

For the wider Saurashtra economy — where agriculture, dairy, small-scale manufacturing and cotton processing all depend on water availability — the SAUNI-based release provides a stabilising factor. Confidence in water availability directly influences agricultural sowing decisions, livestock management, and community-level economic activity in the region.

The Bigger Picture

Gujarat's decision to release 600 cusecs through SAUNI Link-1 is more than a routine water management move. It is a real-time demonstration of how large-scale infrastructure investment converts into direct public benefit during moments of stress. By combining engineering scale with clear humanitarian sequencing — drinking water first, agriculture next — the state has quietly reinforced its water governance credibility.

For the residents of Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar, the announcement means one immediate thing: taps will stay running even as skies remain uncertain. And that assurance, delivered through a pipeline network built for exactly this kind of moment, is arguably one of the most quietly powerful outcomes of Gujarat's long-term investment in the SAUNI project. In a state that has fought water scarcity for decades, this Saturday's decision is a reminder that when the rains fall short, careful planning can still keep the water flowing.

• Comedian Bharti Singh got emotional on Raksha Bandhan as Mumbai paparazzi surprised her with gifts.
• She was seen performing aarti and tying rakhi to some members of the paparazzi.
• One paparazzo gifted her an idol of Lord Ganesha.
• Bharti thanked them, saying she had never seen the media giving gifts to someone before.
• She invited them to visit her Raksha Bandhan shoot in the years ahead to keep the bond alive.

Comedian and television personality Bharti Singh delivered one of the most emotionally resonant Raksha Bandhan moments of the year — and it didn't come from a stage, a set, or a scripted appearance. It came from an unplanned, unfiltered encounter with the very people who follow her every public step: the Mumbai paparazzi. In a video now going viral, Bharti is seen being visibly moved to tears as photographers surprised her with thoughtful gifts on the festival, turning a routine media interaction into one of the warmest celebrity moments Bollywood has shared this week.

The Moment That Set the Internet Talking

In the video making the rounds on social media, Bharti can be seen interacting with the paparazzi when they suddenly presented her with gifts to mark Raksha Bandhan. What began as a light, familiar interaction quickly turned into something more emotional as the comedian realised the depth of their gesture.

The clip shows Bharti performing aarti and tying rakhi to some members of the paparazzi. One of them gifted her an idol of Lord Ganesha, while others also presented her with meaningful gifts. As the sequence unfolded, Bharti was visibly overwhelmed. Her expression shifted, her voice caught, and eventually the tears came.

'I Have Never Seen This Happen'

Trying to hold back her emotions, Bharti thanked the paparazzi in a way that captured the rarity of the moment.

"Thank you guys. Thank you so much. I have never seen in my life that the media is giving a gift to someone," she said.

That one line captured why the moment resonated so widely. Celebrity-paparazzi interactions in India are usually one-directional — photographers wait, celebrities pose, gifts flow in the other direction only. For the paparazzi to be the ones giving, and giving thoughtfully, quietly upended that pattern.

A Brotherly Bond She Doesn't Take Lightly

Bharti went on to explain the emotional core of what she was feeling — a brotherly bond she has built with several members of the media over the years.

"But there are some people with whom I feel like a brother. I don't meet them often, but today I shook hands with them. Something strange happened," she said.

For anyone who has followed her public appearances, that admission won't come as a surprise. Bharti has long been known for her easy, genuine warmth with photographers — often greeting them by name, laughing at their jokes, and treating them as familiar faces rather than professional adversaries.

'This Brother-Sister Relation Should Continue'

What made the moment even more special was Bharti's spontaneous decision to formalise the emotional connection. She looked at the assembled paparazzi and asked them to make the tradition a recurring one.

"Thank you so much, guys. Now this brother-sister relation should continue. I am shooting anywhere on Raksha Bandhan. You have to come. Will you come?" she said.

To that, the paparazzi replied, "Yes, we will come." It was a small verbal exchange, but it captured a rare, quietly reciprocal bond between a public figure and the professionals who document her.

A Longstanding Warmth With the Media

Bharti Singh's easy relationship with the Mumbai paparazzi is well documented. She is frequently seen indulging in light-hearted banter with them, often responding to camera calls with quick jokes and inviting the photographers into the moment rather than trying to escape them.

Last year, Bharti was seen joking with the paparazzi during her baby shower, when she playfully responded to their comments about her pregnancy with the line, "Twins nahi hai bhai." That easy back-and-forth revealed the same camaraderie that made this year's Raksha Bandhan moment feel so believable — and so emotional.

Why It Matters

The relationship between celebrities and paparazzi in India is often portrayed as transactional — a mutually necessary but rarely warm arrangement. Bharti Singh's Raksha Bandhan moment stands out because it demonstrated the exact opposite. When you spend years being polite, warm, respectful and human with the people who cover you, that kindness eventually returns — not just as professional respect, but as personal affection.

For younger public figures navigating their own media relationships, Bharti's example offers a quiet lesson. Warmth is not a strategy. It's a habit. And when practised consistently, it can turn even the most transactional professional interactions into something meaningful.

Cultural Impact

The video has struck a chord partly because it upends a familiar celebrity storyline. In a country where paparazzi culture is often criticised for being intrusive, this moment showed a very different side — one where the photographers actively chose to honour someone they clearly enjoy covering, and where a celebrity chose to receive that gesture with open, unguarded emotion.

That kind of visible mutual respect has a ripple effect. It reminds audiences that there are human beings on both sides of the camera, and that the best public moments are often the ones nobody planned.

The Bigger Picture

Bharti Singh's Raksha Bandhan moment is a beautiful reminder that meaningful bonds don't always need a shared history, a family tree, or long years of formal friendship. Sometimes they are forged simply through consistent warmth — a smile at a red carpet, a joke at a gate outside a shoot, a moment of eye contact between a celebrity and the person taking her picture.

On this Raksha Bandhan, that warmth came back to Bharti Singh in the shape of a Ganesha idol, a bunch of gifts, and a group of photographers who chose to become her brothers for a day. And in her tears, in her thank-yous, and in her promise that "this brother-sister relation should continue," Bollywood was reminded — sometimes the sweetest family stories are the ones you never expected to write.

• Ileana D'Cruz wished her mother Samira D'Cruz on her birthday with a heartfelt Instagram post.
• She shared a hug picture and captioned it, "Mama. No one like you. Happy Birthday my Mamadoo."
• Ileana married Michael Dolan in 2023 and the couple welcomed their first son Koa the same year.
• The couple welcomed their second son Keanu Rafe Dolan in 2025.
• Ileana was last seen in Shirsha Guha's 'Do Aur Do Pyaar' alongside Vidya Balan and Pratik Gandhi.

Actress Ileana D'Cruz has once again reminded her fans that her most memorable public moments are the ones rooted in family. On her mother Samira D'Cruz's birthday, Ileana took to Instagram with an affectionate note that struck the perfect balance between simplicity and sincerity — declaring, in just a few words, that there is no one else in the world like her mom.

The Post That Set the Tone

Sharing a picture of herself wrapped in a warm hug with her mother, Ileana didn't need much text to say what she wanted to. "Mama. No one like you. Happy Birthday my Mamadoo," she wrote as the caption.

That single word — "Mamadoo" — captured something instantly relatable. It's the kind of personal nickname that lives inside families for years, never spoken publicly but always deeply felt. For Ileana to share it openly on her mother's birthday made the post feel unusually intimate, cutting through the usual noise of celebrity greetings with something warm and unguarded.

A Personal Chapter Full of Joy

Ileana's family life has undergone a beautiful evolution over the past few years. The actress married her beau Michael Dolan in 2023, and the couple welcomed their first child Koa the same year. In 2025, they became parents again as they welcomed their second son — named Keanu Rafe Dolan.

That two-child family life has clearly deepened Ileana's connection to the maternal figures in her own life — including her mother, whose birthday post now sits alongside her growing archive of family-first moments.

Ileana's Cinematic Journey

Now 39, Ileana made her screen debut in 2006 with the Telugu-language romantic-drama film 'Devadasu' and quickly built one of the most versatile filmographies of her generation. She went on to star in films including 'Pokiri', 'Jalsa', 'Kick' and 'Julayi'. She also delivered a strong performance in the Tamil film 'Nanban'.

Born to a Goan Catholic father and a Muslim mother, Ileana branched out into Hindi cinema in 2012 with Anurag Basu's comedy-drama 'Barfi!' — a film that formally introduced her to a pan-India audience. From there, she was seen in a string of box-office successes such as 'Main Tera Hero', 'Phata Poster Nikhla Hero', 'Happy Ending', 'Mubarakan', 'Pagalpanti', 'The Big Bull', and the crime thrillers 'Rustom' and 'Raid'.

Her ability to move seamlessly between Telugu, Tamil and Hindi cinema — and between mainstream commercial films and character-driven roles — has kept her one of Indian cinema's most respected working actresses.

Her Recent Work

Ileana was last seen in 'Do Aur Do Pyaar' by Shirsha Guha. The film also stars Vidya Balan, Pratik Gandhi and Sendhil Ramamurthy. Its story centres on a married couple navigating emotional distance and extramarital attractions, leading to moments of reckoning and rediscovery — a nuanced, adult narrative that gave Ileana yet another opportunity to demonstrate her emotional range.

A Recent Glimpse Into Motherhood

The birthday post for her mother also comes on the heels of a warm motherhood glimpse Ileana shared on August 19. Taking to her social media account, she posted a candid picture in which she can be seen sitting outdoors on a chair with her little one Koa resting in her arms. Dressed in a white shirt and denims, Ileana is seen smiling as she looks lovingly at her son.

Koa, dressed in a white printed outfit and red-and-black shoes, was seen comfortably nestled on his mother's lap. Ileana captioned the post: "Mini me + me."

Together, that mother-son post and today's mother-daughter birthday post form a beautiful full circle — Ileana as a daughter honouring her mother, and Ileana as a mother building her own bond with her son.

Why It Matters

In a celebrity culture often defined by curated, brand-aligned social media, Ileana's family posts feel like a return to something more grounded. They aren't event-driven, they aren't campaign-driven, and they aren't styled to please an algorithm. They are personal declarations of love — small, sincere and beautifully understated.

Her willingness to publicly share the nicknames, hugs and everyday intimacy of her family life gives her fans an unfiltered window into who she is behind the camera. And that's precisely why every one of these posts tends to resonate so strongly.

Cultural Impact

Ileana has quietly built a reputation as one of Bollywood's most emotionally honest female voices. From her openness about mental health and body image in earlier years, to her joyful embrace of motherhood, to her ongoing celebration of family bonds, she has consistently used her platform to reflect the softer, more human parts of celebrity life. In an environment where perfect appearances often crowd out real emotional textures, that consistency matters.

The Bigger Picture

Ileana D'Cruz's birthday tribute to her mother isn't a headline-grabbing gesture. It doesn't need to be. It is a simple, honest note from a daughter to the woman she calls "Mamadoo" — the woman she says there is no one else like. And in that quiet, warm message shared with the world, Ileana once again reminded her audience that some of the most beautiful moments in a public life happen away from the spotlight — inside a hug, inside a nickname, inside a bond that no film role can ever replicate.

• Gujarat BJP will organise four special programmes across the state on Sunday to mark PM Modi's 137th 'Mann Ki Baat' episode.
• The episode will be broadcast at 11 a.m. on August 30 across Akashvani, Doordarshan and digital platforms.
• Dr Satish Poonia will listen with the Rajasthani community in Ahmedabad; Jagdish Vishwakarma with youth in Gandhinagar.
• C. R. Patil will attend with chartered accountants in Surat; Varsha Doshi with young farmers in Surendranagar.
• Similar arrangements will be made at BJP booths across Gujarat for citizens to listen together.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat is preparing to turn the broadcast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 137th episode of 'Mann Ki Baat' into a state-wide community engagement exercise. On Sunday, senior party leaders will fan out across four carefully chosen locations in the state to watch the monthly address alongside members of different sections of society — from the Rajasthani community and youth to chartered accountants and young farmers.

The Programme Schedule

The 137th episode of 'Mann Ki Baat' is scheduled to be broadcast at 11 a.m. on August 30. The programme has been confirmed by official government platforms and will be aired across the Akashvani and Doordarshan networks and streamed on digital platforms — ensuring wide accessibility across urban and rural India.

For millions of Indians, 'Mann Ki Baat' has become a familiar Sunday morning ritual. In Gujarat, the party is turning that ritual into something more visibly organised — bringing specific communities together with senior political leadership for structured, themed listening sessions.

The Four Programmes Across Gujarat

According to party leaders, the four locations have been strategically chosen — both geographically and demographically.

National General Secretary Dr Satish Poonia will watch the programme with members of the Rajasthani community at Sardar Smarak Bhavan in the Shahibaug area of Ahmedabad. That pairing is deliberate — connecting a senior leader with Rajasthani roots to a diaspora community that has long played a significant role in Gujarat's economic and cultural life.

State BJP president Jagdish Vishwakarma will join youths at Pramukh Arcade in the Kudasan area of Gandhinagar. Engagement with young voters is a consistent political priority, and this session is aimed squarely at that constituency.

Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil will watch the programme with chartered accountants and company secretaries at the Surat City BJP office in Udhna — a session that speaks directly to the state's business and professional community.

BJP National Vice-President Varsha Doshi will join young farmers at Dudhai in Muli taluka of Surendranagar district — an outreach that anchors the party's engagement with agricultural India, particularly younger generations returning to or reinventing farming.

A Booth-Level Follow-Through

The four flagship gatherings are not isolated events. The party said similar arrangements would be made at all BJP booths across Gujarat, where party leaders, workers and citizens will listen to the programme together. That kind of scaled, booth-level implementation ensures that the state party's engagement with 'Mann Ki Baat' isn't limited to symbolic top-down events but reaches deep into every neighbourhood and village.

What 'Mann Ki Baat' Represents

'Mann Ki Baat', broadcast on the last Sunday of every month, highlights the achievements and work of Indians from different parts of the country. Over its 137 episodes, it has evolved into one of the most enduring communication touchpoints of the PM Modi era — combining storytelling, policy signalling and citizen recognition into a single monthly broadcast.

Party leaders said the programme focuses on issues including cleanliness, environmental protection, women's advancement, self-reliance and innovations by young people. "PM Modi has always talked and highlighted the achievements of our people," they added.

The Themes Behind the Four Gujarat Events

The four Gujarat programmes have been titled to reflect their audience focus — 'Mann Ki Baat – With the Rajasthani Community', 'Mann Ki Baat – With the Youth', 'Mann Ki Baat – With Chartered Accountants' and 'Mann Ki Baat – With Young Farmers'.

That level of segmentation is significant. It shows a shift from generic broadcast viewing to intentional, community-focused engagement — treating each segment of society as a distinct stakeholder in the national conversation.

Why It Matters

For a broadcast programme, 'Mann Ki Baat' has become more than a monthly address. It functions as a soft-power vehicle — one that shapes public discourse, spotlights lesser-known achievers, and reinforces themes the government wants to bring into mainstream focus. Gujarat's structured community-listening approach adds another layer to that ecosystem — turning the broadcast into a shared civic moment rather than a solo listening experience.

For political parties elsewhere, Gujarat's model offers a template for how national broadcasts can be paired with targeted local engagement to strengthen ground-level connect.

Political and Cultural Impact

Gujarat has historically been one of the most politically active states in India when it comes to BJP-driven community programmes. The scale and structure of the state's engagement around 'Mann Ki Baat' reflects that legacy — one where the party's organisational strength allows even routine broadcasts to be converted into meaningful community touchpoints.

At the same time, the choice of engagement groups — Rajasthani community, youth, chartered accountants, young farmers — reveals the priority audiences the party wants to be seen listening alongside on Sunday morning. It is politics as storytelling, played out in real time across four cities.

Industry and Institutional Impact

For chartered accountants and company secretaries in Surat, the presence of Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil at the listening session is a signal of political engagement with the professional services community. For young farmers in Surendranagar, the presence of a National Vice-President signals the party's ongoing intent to keep agricultural voices in national conversations. Every one of these micro-signals adds up.

The Bigger Picture

Gujarat's four-event rollout for the 137th 'Mann Ki Baat' episode reflects how a single monthly national broadcast has been transformed into a network of local conversations. From Ahmedabad's Sardar Smarak Bhavan to Gandhinagar's Pramukh Arcade, from Surat's BJP office in Udhna to a farmer gathering in Dudhai — August 30 will see PM Modi's voice being received not just through radio waves, but through carefully curated community moments.

For the citizens who gather at those venues, and for the millions listening in through Akashvani, Doordarshan and digital streams, the 137th episode will land as another chapter in what has become one of the most sustained direct communication exercises between an Indian Prime Minister and the country. And in Gujarat, that chapter will be experienced not alone, but together — one community, one profession, one demographic at a time.

• Preity Zinta once revealed on 'Rendezvous with Simi Garewal' that she tried to sneak into an army party at just 12.
• She borrowed her mother's bra and stuffed it with oranges to pretend she was above 18.
• Her father, then a major in the army, was called out — and her mother was furious with her.
• Preity recently returned to the big screen after eight years in period drama 'Batwara 1947'.
• 'Batwara 1947' released in theatres on August 14 and features Sunny Deol, Shabana Azmi and Ali Fazal.

Every once in a while, an old Bollywood confession resurfaces and reminds fans exactly why they fell in love with a star in the first place. Preity Zinta's famous story from her appearance on 'Rendezvous with Simi Garewal' — where she candidly revealed how she once tried to sneak into an army party at the age of 12 — is doing exactly that. It is equal parts hilarious, cheeky and quintessentially Preity.

The Curious Case of an Army Party She Wasn't Allowed To Attend

Preity, who grew up in an army household as the daughter of an army major, opened up on the show about her insatiable childhood curiosity. Army parties, she explained, had a strict age rule that only fuelled her interest in what was going on behind their closed doors.

"Well, in the army, as you know, children below 18 are not allowed for army parties, and it intrigued me to know what was happening behind those doors. So, I asked my mom once that even I want to come for this party, and they said no, 'children below 18 are not allowed', and I must have been 12," Preity had recalled.

For most 12-year-olds, that would have been the end of the story. For a young Preity Zinta, it was just the beginning.

Oranges, a Borrowed Bra, and a Plan

Determined to see for herself what all the fuss was about, Preity turned to a wonderfully inventive solution. She went to her mother's cupboard, took out one of her bras, and stuffed it with oranges to fake a grown-up look. Then, wearing her improvised disguise, she went to the club where the party was being held and stood outside, doing her best to pass off as someone above 18.

The plan, of course, didn't survive its first serious test.

The Guy at the Door — and a Very Familiar Phone Call

The guard or entry supervisor at the party took one look at little Preity, immediately recognised what was happening, and instead of turning her away directly, decided to escalate matters — by calling her father, who was a major in the army at the time.

Anyone who has grown up in a disciplined household — army or otherwise — can imagine exactly how that call went.

'She Got Really Upset With Me'

By the time Preity got home, the fallout was inevitable. Her mother had learned exactly what her mischievous daughter had tried to pull off, and let's just say the reaction was not a warm one.

"She got really upset with me," Preity had shared on the show — a memory clearly recalled with the affectionate laughter of someone who had long made peace with her own childhood mischief.

Why It Matters

The story has resurfaced online because it captures a very specific kind of Preity Zinta charm — one that has always sat somewhere between wide-eyed innocence and unapologetic mischief. It also offers a warm reminder that stars, before the fame and the awards and the years in the spotlight, were once simply children — curious, restless and constantly trying to slip through doors they weren't supposed to open.

For many fans, it is that quality — a mix of intelligence, warmth and a hint of naughtiness — that has made Preity one of the most enduringly beloved names in Indian cinema, even in periods when she was away from the big screen.

Growing Up in the Army Household

The story also indirectly gives fans a glimpse into the disciplined but affectionate environment Preity grew up in. Army households across India are known for their structured routines, strong parental oversight and a clear moral compass — none of which stopped young Preity from finding creative ways to test the rules. That same combination of discipline and curiosity is arguably what shaped the actress who would later choose so many unconventional roles in Bollywood.

Preity's Cinematic Return

While the throwback continues to circulate online, Preity is currently having a professional moment of her own. She has recently returned to the big screen after an eight-year hiatus with the period drama 'Batwara 1947', where she shares screen space with Sunny Deol, Shabana Azmi, Karan Deol, Ali Fazal, Abhimanyu Singh, Khushi Hajare and Kanikka Kapur.

'Batwara 1947' is widely believed to be a cinematic adaptation of Asghar Wajahat's celebrated drama 'Jis Lahore Nai Vekhya, O Jamya E Nai' — a phrase that translates roughly to the sentiment that experiencing Lahore is so fundamental to a fulfilling life that not seeing it is akin to not truly living. It is a work of significant literary and emotional weight, and Preity's return to a project of this depth signals a considered creative comeback rather than a routine screen appearance.

The film released in theatres on August 14.

Cultural Impact

The re-emergence of the oranges-and-army-party story also highlights something quietly powerful about Preity's public identity. Even at her peak stardom, she never fully shed the openness, self-deprecation and slight rebelliousness of the child she used to be. In an era where celebrity personalities are increasingly polished and PR-managed, that unfiltered charm still feels rare — and worth revisiting.

The Bigger Picture

Preity Zinta's army-party confession is a reminder of why storytelling like the 'Rendezvous with Simi Garewal' era of television remains so beloved. It gave audiences the space to see stars as human beings first — mischievous children, embarrassed daughters, curious teenagers — before the spotlight defined them. And in Preity's case, the girl who once stuffed oranges into her mother's bra to see the world she wasn't allowed to enter grew up to become one of the most fearlessly charming women Indian cinema has ever known. Some stories age. Others just get more delightful with time. Preity Zinta's army-party story is firmly in the second category.

• NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Dr Ashok K. Lahiri visited the Siachen Base Camp with his team.
• He undertook an aerial reconnaissance of the Northern Glacier and paid homage at the Siachen War Memorial.
• Dr Lahiri was briefed at Headquarters Fire and Fury Corps by Lt Gen Madanraj Pande on Ladakh's operations and development.
• The Siachen Glacier at 5,753 metres altitude remains the world's highest active battlefield.
• India has controlled the entire Siachen Glacier since Operation Meghdoot in 1984.

In a rare and symbolically significant visit, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Dr Ashok K. Lahiri travelled to the Siachen glacier base camp along with his team, offering a top-level policy salute to the Indian Army troops who continue to guard one of the most unforgiving terrains on Earth. The visit, disclosed by the country's apex think-tank on Saturday, put a national spotlight back on Siachen — the world's highest active battlefield — and on the men who serve there in conditions few outside the military can begin to imagine.

The Visit in Full

In a post on X on Saturday, NITI Aayog outlined the visit in detail. "Dr. Ashok K. Lahiri, Vice Chairperson, NITI Aayog, along with his team, visited Siachen Base Camp and undertook an aerial reconnaissance of the Northern Glacier, witnessing the extreme terrain and conditions in which Indian Army troops steadfastly guard the nation's frontiers," the statement said.

The itinerary was substantive and clearly designed to give the Vice Chairman a full sense of the operational reality on the ground. He was briefed by the Commander Siachen Brigade, visited the Rockcraft Training School, and paid homage at the Siachen War Memorial — the last of these being a particularly poignant moment given the number of Indian soldiers who have lost their lives in service on the glacier.

'Courage, Sacrifice and Resilience'

The visit was more than a ceremonial one. It served as a public acknowledgement by one of India's highest policy institutions of the courage, sacrifice and resilience of the Indian Army in securing the nation's frontiers. When the country's premier policy think-tank travels to Siachen, it is a statement — one that recognises the human cost that sits behind every map and border line the country celebrates.

Fire and Fury Corps Briefing

The visit also included a strategic policy briefing at Headquarters Fire and Fury Corps. There, Dr Lahiri was briefed by Lt Gen Madanraj Pande, GOC Fire and Fury Corps, on the operational and developmental aspects of Ladakh — spanning modernisation, logistics, infrastructure, connectivity and social outreach.

That combination of subjects is telling. It reflects the fact that Ladakh, and specifically its high-altitude frontier zones, are no longer being viewed only through a purely military lens. Increasingly, they represent a governance and development frontier as well — one where roads, communication systems, medical logistics, and community engagement all shape the security equation as much as any weapons platform.

About Siachen: The World's Highest Active Battlefield

The Siachen Glacier is located in the eastern Karakoram range of the Himalayas, just northeast of the point NJ9842 — the point where the Line of Control (LoC) between India and Pakistan officially ends. Situated at an altitude of 5,753 metres, it is the world's highest active battlefield.

It is also one of the world's most geographically remarkable stretches — the longest glacier in the Karakoram range and the second-longest in the world's non-polar areas.

The entire Siachen Glacier, along with all its major passes, has been under the administration of India as part of the Union Territory of Ladakh since 1984. Pakistan controls the western region of the Saltoro Ridge, lying west of the glacier, with Pakistani posts located roughly 1 km below more than 100 Indian posts positioned along the ridge — a tactical elevation advantage that has been carefully maintained by Indian forces for decades.

Operation Meghdoot: The Reason India Holds Siachen

India came to control the Siachen Glacier through Operation Meghdoot — the codename used by the Indian Armed Forces for the 1984 operation launched to pre-empt Pakistan's own planned 'Operation Ababeel' aimed at taking full control of the glacier. Operation Meghdoot stands out in military history as a rare successful high-altitude airlift assault, and it fundamentally shaped India's strategic posture along the India-Pakistan-China tri-junction.

Since then, generations of Indian soldiers have served in Siachen under extreme cold, low oxygen levels, and dangerous glacial conditions. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice — not always in combat, but often to the terrain itself.

Why the Visit Matters

The visit by a top NITI Aayog official carries weight for several reasons. First, it signals recognition from India's key policy planning body that the country's frontier realities cannot be understood only through data dashboards — they demand direct, on-ground exposure. Second, it reinforces the growing integration between defence, development and civilian planning in India's high-altitude regions. And third, it delivers a morale boost to troops posted at one of the loneliest and most demanding stations in the world.

Development-Security Integration

The nature of the briefing Dr Lahiri received — spanning modernisation, logistics, infrastructure, connectivity and social outreach — reflects a wider strategic shift underway across India's border areas. Roads, telecommunications, medical infrastructure, tourism corridors and community programmes are increasingly seen as inseparable from defence readiness. In border regions, development is deterrence.

The Bigger Picture

The Siachen Glacier will always occupy a unique place in India's national imagination — a place of ice, altitude, sacrifice and unbroken presence. When someone at the level of NITI Aayog's Vice Chairman makes the physical journey to its base camp, undertakes an aerial view of the Northern Glacier and stands at the Siachen War Memorial, it does more than complete an itinerary. It affirms, quietly but publicly, that the nation's civilian leadership remembers what the country's soldiers endure at 17,000 feet so the rest of India can live at its usual pace. And in a country that too often forgets its frontiers between crises, that reminder — delivered from Siachen itself — matters more than most people realise.

• Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi distributed the fifth instalment of Subhadra Yojana at a special event in Lathipada, Nayagada.
• Over Rs 5,163 crore has been provided to 1,03,26,162 beneficiaries across the state so far.
• IIM Sambalpur and SBI surveys show 80% of women have used the assistance for long-term financial security and business, not just daily needs.
• 87.19% of beneficiaries have said Subhadra Yojana is "extremely useful."
• Odisha has led India in creating 27 lakh Lakhpati Didis, well ahead of its target.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday delivered a strong articulation of what women's empowerment truly means for his government — not simply monetary assistance, but the ability of women to be self-reliant socially, politically and economically, and to take decisions on their own terms. Speaking during the distribution of the fifth instalment of financial assistance under the state's flagship Subhadra Yojana, the CM used the occasion to reframe the scheme as a foundational instrument of long-term social change.

Rs 5,163 Crore to Over 1 Crore Beneficiaries

The scale of Subhadra Yojana's rollout is now impossible to ignore. On Friday, the fifth instalment of financial assistance under the scheme was distributed at a special event in Lathipada, Nayagada district. More than Rs 5,163 crore has been provided to 1,03,26,162 beneficiaries across the state, including 2,33,585 beneficiaries from Nayagada district alone.

That's not a symbolic scheme. That's a transfer architecture reaching one out of every few households in the state, moving money directly into women's accounts.

'Assistance Is Not Enough — Empowerment Is'

The CM's speech was notable for its philosophical framing. Majhi explained that merely assisting was not enough — women must be empowered to become socially, politically and economically self-reliant and make decisions independently. That distinction matters. In a policy landscape where welfare schemes are often measured only in disbursement numbers, positioning the outcome as decision-making agency represents a genuinely deeper vision.

Addressing the Subhadra mothers and sisters present at the event, Majhi said Subhadra Yojana was not merely an occasion for allocation of money — it was a symbol of women's empowerment and of the government's commitment towards half of the state's population.

What the IIM and SBI Surveys Reveal

To back up his framing, Majhi cited survey findings from IIM Sambalpur and the State Bank of India, both of which have studied the actual impact of Subhadra Yojana on beneficiaries' financial behaviour. The results are striking.

Around 80 per cent of women have not spent the Subhadra assistance only on their daily needs. Instead, they have used it for long-term financial security, business and developmental activities. That's a strong indicator that the scheme is not being consumed away — it's being converted into savings, capital and productive investment.

Even more telling — 87.19 per cent of beneficiaries said the Subhadra Yojana was extremely useful. The CM added that women beneficiaries' account balances and monthly expenditure have increased, suggesting that the scheme is contributing not just to spending capacity but to household financial stability.

The Women Entrepreneurship Platform

Complementing the cash transfer architecture, the government has set up a Women Entrepreneurship Platform designed to make women more self-reliant. Through this platform, women receive guidance on starting businesses, access to skill training, market linkages and financial support.

That combination — direct assistance plus structural entrepreneurship support — reflects a maturing understanding of what it takes to move a household from welfare to economic mobility. Cash alone builds resilience. Capacity plus cash builds enterprise.

Odisha's Lakhpati Didi Lead

The CM highlighted another milestone that many outside the state may have missed. Odisha has secured the first position in the country by creating 27 lakh Lakhpati Didis — the national programme aimed at supporting women's economic self-reliance — well ahead of the stipulated target. That is a formidable statistic. For a state that has often been described in developmental terms as "catching up," Odisha is instead leading the country on one of India's most important gender-forward economic indicators.

Local Development Commitments

The event also brought forward important local commitments for Nayagada district. The CM assured attendees that, with the cooperation of the Central Government, the Nayagada sugar mill would be established soon. He also confirmed that work on the Brutanga irrigation project would commence — two announcements that carry major implications for agriculture, employment and water security in the region.

The Political Presence at the Event

The programme drew a strong political presence, indicating the strategic importance the government attaches to Subhadra Yojana. Speaker Surama Padhy, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, Puri MP Sambit Patra and Kandhamal MP Sukanta Panigrahi were among the leaders in attendance.

Why It Matters

Subhadra Yojana has emerged as one of the most closely watched women-focused welfare schemes in India. Unlike many similar programmes across states, it has already crossed the one-crore beneficiary mark and is now backed by academic and financial-sector research validating its real-world impact. When 80% of assistance is going into long-term security and business use rather than daily consumption, the scheme starts to look less like welfare and more like a financial empowerment platform.

For CM Majhi, the political message is clear — the government is not just delivering money, it is delivering agency. And that framing is likely to shape how Odisha positions itself on women-centred governance in the coming years.

Industry and Economic Impact

The economic implications are significant. Rs 5,163 crore flowing into women-held bank accounts across Odisha translates into meaningful savings behaviour, small-business capital formation and consumption patterns that support local rural economies. Combined with the 27 lakh Lakhpati Didi milestone, the state is quietly building a broad-based women's economic ecosystem — one that could shape rural entrepreneurship trends far beyond Odisha's borders.

The Bigger Picture

Subhadra Yojana is no longer just a welfare scheme. It has become a policy statement about what women-first governance can look like in India — one that combines direct financial transfer, entrepreneurship enablement, banking-sector participation and independent academic evaluation. On a Friday in Lathipada, as the fifth instalment reached lakhs of women, Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi essentially staked out a clear governance philosophy: real empowerment isn't measured by the money a woman receives, but by the decisions she can now make with it. And by that measure, Subhadra Yojana appears to be quietly reshaping the state, one bank transfer at a time.

• Jal Shakti Ministry has asked states to engage local colleges to document and publish Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 best practices.
• Each district must complete one student tour and one published case study with local academic institutions by end-September 2026.
• Areas of focus include community participation, source sustainability, water quality, O&M and decentralised governance.
• Higher secondary students will be taken on tours to Water Treatment Plants, SCADA and IoT-based systems and NABL-accredited water testing labs.
• Findings will be disseminated via journals, research papers, institutional reports and newsletters for evidence-based replication.

In a move that quietly redefines how government schemes engage with academia, the Jal Shakti Ministry has asked states to encourage local colleges and academic institutions to document and publish best practices emerging under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0. The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) has flagged JJM as one of the country's most significant developmental initiatives in the rural drinking water sector — and now, it wants students and educators to help make its lessons visible and replicable at scale.

JJM 2.0: A Playbook Being Written in Real Time

Since its commencement, JJM 2.0 has led to the emergence of several noteworthy best practices across states and Union Territories in areas such as community participation, source sustainability, water quality management, operation and maintenance, technology adoption and decentralised governance. The mission has generated a rich pool of ground-level innovation — but capturing, structuring and disseminating that innovation has, until now, remained a gap.

The Ministry's new initiative aims to close that gap by turning colleges and universities into on-ground documentation partners.

The Deadline: One Case Study, One Tour Per District by September 2026

The mandate is specific and time-bound. According to the official statement, at least one student tour and one published case study or best-practice write-up with local academic institutions shall be undertaken in each district by the end of September 2026.

That's a demanding but structurally powerful commitment. In effect, every district in the country will have a written, publicly available academic record of what's actually working in its rural water infrastructure — a first for a scheme of this scale.

Where the Learning Will Come From

The Ministry has suggested that educational institutions organise tours for Higher Secondary and Senior Secondary students from nearby schools. The visits will span some of the most important components of JJM 2.0's operational architecture — Multi Village Schemes (MVS), Water Treatment Plants (WTPs), Intake Wells, and modern technologies such as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Internet of Things (IoT) systems.

Students will also be taken to NABL-accredited Water Testing Laboratories — a rare direct exposure to the scientific machinery that ensures the water reaching households is safe.

For students, the exposure is significant. For most young learners, water security is either a policy headline or a household inconvenience. Standing inside a modern water treatment plant or a SCADA-monitored operations centre reframes it as an engineering, community and technology story combined.

How the Field Learnings Will Reach the World

The initiative's second — and perhaps more consequential — objective is dissemination. The Ministry aims to ensure that findings are shared through academic journals, institutional reports, newsletters, research papers, websites and other suitable platforms. That structured pipeline of academic-grade documentation is what allows a case study from one district to become a template for another.

This is exactly the kind of evidence-based knowledge-sharing India's development sector has often called for — moving beyond scheme brochures and press releases into peer-reviewed, publicly accessible research.

The Coordination Framework

To make it work at scale, the Ministry has asked institutions to coordinate with local academic institutions and schools, District Water and Sanitation Missions (DWSMs) and Gram Panchayats for planning the educational tours. That triangulation — academic institutions, district missions and village-level governance — is what will decide whether the initiative delivers meaningful research or ends up as tick-box tourism.

Why It Matters

India's rural drinking water story is, in many ways, one of the country's most under-covered infrastructure transformations. Millions of households have been connected to piped water for the first time under JJM. But documenting how it worked — through which combination of community participation, engineering choices, monitoring frameworks and governance models — is what will allow these gains to be sustained and replicated.

By involving educational institutions, the Ministry is doing something structurally clever. It is decentralising research capacity, distributing it across districts, and turning students into stakeholders of the scheme rather than just observers.

Educational and Governance Impact

For India's higher education institutions, the initiative opens up a rare pipeline of field-based research, publication opportunity and community engagement. For students, it becomes an opportunity to build tangible research portfolios anchored in real developmental work. And for the mission itself, it creates a self-reinforcing knowledge cycle — new learnings feeding back into policy design, technology adoption and community mobilisation.

The Bigger Picture

Through this initiative, JJM 2.0 seeks to deepen the culture of learning from the field, encourage innovation and make successful rural water supply practices more visible and accessible — thereby contributing to the sustained strengthening of rural water security. In effect, the Centre is doing something rare: acknowledging that scheme success cannot be measured in numbers alone, and that the story of how India's rural water systems now work deserves to be written down, published and studied.

If it delivers on its promise, this initiative could become a model for how large-scale public schemes engage with academia in India. Because sometimes, the best way to future-proof a national mission is to hand a portion of its documentation over to the next generation — and let them turn it into knowledge that outlasts any single government term.

• Rajasthan Police busted an interstate gang stealing high-tension power cables worth Rs 5-6 crore, arresting 12 accused.
• Thefts occurred along a 103 km stretch of the 765 kV D/C Sikar-II to Narela transmission line by PowerGrid Wataman Transmission Ltd.
• Vehicles including a Thar, car, pickup truck and two motorcycles were seized, along with two iPhones bought using stolen cable proceeds.
• The operation was carried out by DST Sikar and Sadar Neem Ka Thana police under SP Praveen Nayak Noonawat's direction.
• Police say the gang has confessed to involvement in dozens of theft incidents; investigation into buyers and associates is ongoing.

Rajasthan Police have cracked open one of the most significant power infrastructure crime operations in recent memory, busting an interstate gang allegedly involved in stealing high-tension power cables worth an estimated Rs 5-6 crore. Twelve members of the gang were arrested in a joint operation carried out by the District Special Team (DST), Sikar, and the Sadar Neem Ka Thana police — bringing to light a systematic assault on one of India's critical transmission projects.

The Recoveries: Vehicles, Handsets and a Trail of Evidence

The scale of the seizures gives a strong indication of just how organised the operation was. Vehicles allegedly used in the thefts — including a Thar, a car, a pickup truck and two motorcycles — were recovered from the accused. Two iPhones, reportedly purchased with proceeds from the stolen cables, were also seized. That mix of high-utility crime vehicles and premium personal purchases sketches the picture of a gang that had turned cable theft into a fully monetised, near-professional enterprise.

103 Kilometres of Transmission Line Under Attack

Superintendent of Police Praveen Nayak Noonawat said the accused have confessed to stealing cables along approximately 103 kilometres of the 765 kV D/C Sikar-II to Narela transmission line, currently being developed by PowerGrid Wataman Transmission Limited. The thefts occurred within the jurisdiction of Sadar Neem Ka Thana and Dabla police stations. That's not a one-off crime spree — it's a systematic, geographically distributed assault on a piece of national infrastructure being built to support high-voltage power evacuation.

The accused have admitted involvement in dozens of cable theft incidents, indicating that this operation may have been running for months and possibly affected other projects in the region as well.

The Anatomy of the Crackdown

The crackdown itself was a textbook example of coordinated policing. It was carried out under the direction of SP Praveen Nayak Noonawat following instructions from Rahul Prakash, Inspector General of Police, Jaipur Range. Police teams supervised by Additional SP (Neem Ka Thana) Lokesh Meena and Circle Officer Sushil Maan analysed CCTV footage, monitored suspects and used technical intelligence to piece together the gang's movements and identify their base of operations.

That layered use of digital surveillance, manual patrolling and human intelligence has become a signature of Rajasthan Police's approach to organised infrastructure crime in the state.

The Complaint That Kicked It Off

The case began on August 9, 2026, when Dipankar Debnath, Assistant Manager at Skipper Limited, Neemkathana, filed a complaint reporting thefts of conductors, wires and other transmission-line material from four sites between July 11 and August 6. That single complaint set in motion the sequence of inspections, tracking and intelligence gathering that ultimately led to the identification and arrest of 12 suspects.

The Accused

The arrested accused include Dheeraj Bagadiya (26), Mohit Jakhar (20), Lokesh Mehraniya (20), Vijay Kumar Mehraniya (20), Sachin Kumar Saini (19), Deepak Meena (23), Rahul Yadav (21), Hanuman Meena alias Abhi (19), Jagdish Bawariya (38), Monu Jat, Himanshu Nayak (19) and Sunil Gurjar (24). The demographic mix — mostly young men in their late teens and early twenties — reveals a worrying pipeline of youth being pulled into infrastructure-linked organised crime, often under the guise of quick cash-flow opportunities.

Why It Matters

Cable theft may sound like a routine property crime, but its consequences are far more severe than they appear on the surface. High-tension cables from active or under-construction transmission lines represent both a public safety hazard and a national economic risk. Every stolen kilometre of cable can delay grid stabilisation, drive up project costs and stretch power evacuation timelines — with downstream impact on industries, households and macroeconomic productivity.

The 765 kV Sikar-II to Narela line, being developed by PowerGrid Wataman Transmission Limited, is precisely the kind of high-value asset targeted by organised gangs looking to convert copper and other conductor material into black-market cash quickly.

Industry Impact

For India's power transmission sector, this bust is a wake-up call — and simultaneously a validation of the value of on-ground project security. Companies operating high-voltage transmission networks are increasingly investing in physical security, drone surveillance, real-time monitoring systems and community-informant networks. Cases like this one are likely to accelerate that investment further, particularly along rural stretches of ultra-high-voltage lines that are historically harder to monitor round-the-clock.

The Investigation Ahead

Police have made it clear that the arrests are only the beginning. Further interrogation is expected to shed light on dozens of suspected high-tension wire thefts and the gang's wider network. Investigators are tracing where the stolen cables were sold or disposed of, identifying buyers and associates, and probing possible links to other property-related crimes. The search for additional suspects continues.

The Bigger Picture

The Rajasthan Police bust is more than a routine crackdown on a theft ring. It's a reminder that India's infrastructure story runs on physical assets that cannot be left to fend for themselves. As the country accelerates its push towards renewable evacuation corridors and high-voltage grid modernisation, protecting these assets from organised crime becomes as critical as building them. In taking down 12 accused, recovering key vehicles, and unmasking a 103-km theft trail, Rajasthan Police haven't just closed a case — they've reinforced a message: infrastructure crime, no matter how quietly it operates, will be traced, tracked and shut down.

• Amitabh Bachchan reflected on the brother-sister bond during the latest episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati.
• He said siblings fight, tease and pull each other's legs but are the first to stand up for one another when it matters.
• Big B admitted the youngest child in the family often gets away with a lot, while older siblings face more scolding.
• The actor shared that the same dynamic played out in his own household growing up.
• The moment resonated as one of the most relatable KBC 18 conversations of the week.

Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan once again reminded audiences why Kaun Banega Crorepati has quietly become one of Indian television's most emotionally intelligent spaces. In the latest episode of the reality game show, Big B took a deeply personal look at the unique bond shared between siblings — and in doing so, delivered a moment so universally relatable that it instantly resonated with millions of Indian households.

'The Brother-Sister Bond Is Truly Unique'

Speaking during the show, Amitabh painted a picture of the brother-sister relationship that anyone with a sibling would instantly recognise. "Bhai-behen ka joh rishta hota hai na bada anokha hota hai... Ek doosre se ladte bhi hain aur ek doosre ki taang bhi kheechte hain, lekin zaroorat pade toh sabse pehle saath bhi wahi khade rehte hain," he said.

Translated: "The relationship between a brother and sister is truly unique. They fight with each other and pull each other's legs, but when there is a need, they are also the first ones to stand by each other."

It's a simple observation, but coming from Big B — a lifelong observer of Indian family life through his cinema and his own household — it carried the weight of lived truth rather than a scripted line.

The Universal Truth Every Elder Sibling Knows

The moment that had the audience nodding in agreement, though, was when Amitabh candidly turned to the age-old family dynamic that has quietly wounded generations of elder siblings. "Jo ghar ka chhota hota hai na, toh kyunki woh chhota hai, sab log usko maaf kar dete hain aur jitne bade hain na usse, unko itni maar padti hai... Kuchh bhi karenge woh, lekin unko kuchh nahi bola jata hai," the legendary actor said.

Translated: "The youngest one in the house is often forgiven because they are younger, while the older ones get scolded or punished so much... They can do anything, but they are not told anything."

For elder siblings everywhere, that line landed with the force of a lifetime's evidence — the exact injustice they have been trying to articulate at family dinners since childhood.

'It Was the Same in Our Family, Sir'

What made the moment even more endearing was Amitabh admitting that this exact dynamic played out in his own household growing up. "Hamare bhi, Sir aisa hi hai. Jo chhote the, humko bahot maarte the, idhar-udhar karte the, unko kuchh nahi bola jata tha," he said.

Translated: "It was the same in our family, sir. The younger ones would trouble us and do all sorts of things to us, but they would never be told anything."

It's the kind of admission that turns a superstar into a relatable elder brother in seconds. For Big B, a man often described in larger-than-life terms, sharing a childhood grievance about being the older sibling was a moment of pure human warmth.

Why It Matters

Coming on the sidelines of Raksha Bandhan, Amitabh's observations felt perfectly timed. Across India, families were celebrating the sibling bond in ceremonies large and small, and Big B's words offered a kind of cultural companion piece — one that reminded viewers that the beauty of the sibling bond lies precisely in the fights, teasing, injustices and unwavering loyalty that come stitched together.

Cultural Impact

Amitabh Bachchan has, over his years hosting KBC, quietly created a space where India talks to itself. Whether it's marriage advice, tributes to trailblazing contestants, or reflections on sibling life, his role has evolved beyond that of quiz master into something closer to a national elder — one whose off-the-cuff observations often carry more emotional weight than scripted television.

His comments on sibling bonds particularly resonated because they cut across geography, class and generation. In every Indian household, there is that one elder sibling still nursing the memory of being blamed for something the youngest actually did — and that one youngest still enjoying the family's continued protection well into adulthood.

The Bigger Picture

At its heart, Big B's KBC reflection wasn't just a nostalgic monologue. It was a celebration of what makes Indian family life so uniquely tangled and tender — the everyday fights that don't erase the deeper loyalty, and the parental favouritism that becomes family folklore rather than family fracture. On a week defined by Raksha Bandhan celebrations, Amitabh Bachchan gave audiences a small but perfectly framed reminder of what siblings really are: your first rivals, your first defenders, and, no matter how old you get, your first sense of home. And yes — the youngest one will still probably get away with it.

Also Read: Aishwarya, Aaradhya Greet Staff with Namaste on Return

• Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel described Raksha Bandhan as a festival of "sacred affection and unbreakable trust" between siblings.
• Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi shared a brief but heartfelt message: "A promise that goes beyond words."
• State BJP president Jagdish Vishwakarma linked the festival to women's dignity, safety and empowerment.
• Vishwakarma highlighted the mutual responsibility siblings share — with brothers safeguarding their sisters' dignity and self-respect.
• He credited PM Modi and CM Patel for placing women's empowerment at the centre of national and state development policy.

As families across Gujarat prepare to celebrate Raksha Bandhan on Friday, the state's top political leadership used the occasion to send out messages that went well beyond festive greetings — turning the day into a broader conversation about family values, cultural continuity and women's empowerment. From Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi and state BJP president Jagdish Vishwakarma, each leader placed a distinct emphasis on what the festival represents in today's India.

CM Bhupendra Patel: 'Sacred Affection and Unbreakable Trust'

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, in a message posted on X, described Raksha Bandhan as a festival of the "sacred affection and unbreakable trust" between siblings. His framing carried both warmth and weight — positioning the festival not merely as a ritual, but as one of the most important symbols of family values, cultural traditions and respect for women's empowerment in Indian society.

"Heartiest greetings to everyone on the auspicious festival of Raksha Bandhan," CM Patel said, extending his wishes to citizens of the state and beyond. He expressed the hope that the festival would bring happiness, peace, prosperity and harmony to families — a wish that reflected both the personal and public significance the day holds for Indian households.

Deputy CM Sanghavi's Short but Poignant Note

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi kept his message deliberately brief, but its resonance was clear. "A promise that goes beyond words. Happy Rakshabandhan!" he posted on X — a single sentence that captured the emotional essence of the festival without needing embellishment. In a political landscape often filled with elaborate statements, Sanghavi's terse message stood out for its restraint.

Jagdish Vishwakarma: Placing Women's Empowerment at the Centre

State BJP president Jagdish Vishwakarma took the messaging a step further, using his festival greeting to underline the wider issue of women's dignity, safety and empowerment. In his message issued on the eve of the festival, he described Raksha Bandhan as a symbol of the love, affection and mutual trust shared by brothers and sisters.

"Indians living across the world celebrate the festival with joy and enthusiasm. The tying of a rakhi by a sister on her brother's wrist represented her wishes for his happiness, health and safety, while the thread also symbolised the enduring affection and mutual responsibility between siblings," he emphasised.

'The Responsibility Is Mutual'

Vishwakarma was careful to frame the responsibility associated with Raksha Bandhan as flowing both ways. Brothers, he said, are expected to stand by their sisters and safeguard their dignity, security, happiness and self-respect at every stage of life. He described the festival as an occasion for siblings to reaffirm their commitment to supporting each other during difficult times and sharing in each other's happiness.

That reframing — from a ritual of protection given to a promise of mutual responsibility — is a small but significant shift. It recasts Raksha Bandhan in a language that resonates more strongly with contemporary conversations around gender, respect and shared care.

Linking the Festival to National Policy

Vishwakarma also tied the festival's spirit to a broader political and policy narrative. Indian culture, he said, has accorded women a position of honour and dignity — and that value now finds expression in modern governance.

"The BJP-led government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi had placed women's empowerment at the centre of the country's development through initiatives aimed at strengthening women's safety, dignity, economic self-reliance and participation in decision-making," he emphasised.

He added that Gujarat, under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's leadership, is continuing to move in the same direction — connecting festival messaging to real-world state policy on women's welfare, safety and empowerment.

Why It Matters

Political leaders across India routinely issue festival greetings, but the tone and framing can vary widely. What stands out about Gujarat's leadership messaging this Raksha Bandhan is the deliberate braiding of tradition and progress. The Chief Minister anchored the festival in family and cultural values. The Deputy Chief Minister captured its emotional core in a single line. And the state BJP chief connected the emotional ritual of tying a rakhi to the larger, ongoing project of women's empowerment.

Together, they've turned a one-day festival into a broader statement about how the state wants to be seen — as one that honours its cultural inheritance while continuing to strengthen the position of women in every sphere.

Cultural Impact

Raksha Bandhan has always carried more meaning than its surface ritual suggests. In an era where women's safety, agency and self-reliance are being debated more visibly than ever before in India, framing the festival as a mutual promise rather than a one-way protection gesture is a subtle but meaningful contribution to that conversation.

The Bigger Picture

For Gujarat, this year's Raksha Bandhan is arriving alongside the state's ongoing push toward inclusive, women-centred development. From the recent announcement of women-focused welfare schemes to the political leadership consistently placing women's empowerment at the centre of public messaging, the state is signalling clearly that its cultural celebrations and its policy priorities are meant to reinforce each other. As sisters across Gujarat tie rakhis on their brothers' wrists on Friday, the thread — that fragile, colourful strand — will carry both a family promise and a policy vision quietly stitched into it.

• Bollywood actor Rajat Bedi is presenting the Marathi film 'Bandhu', releasing on November 20.
• He said the film's universal family theme and merging of two stories into one is what convinced him to come on board.
• Rajat, who grew up in Maharashtra and studied Marathi as a third language, called the project a personal moment of pride.
• Written and directed by Nitin Sindhuvijay Supekar, the film is jointly backed by Pranav Desai, Juhi Desai and Kuldeep Sunil Ojha.
• 'Bandhu' is presented by Rajat Bedi and JSD Studio in association with Triflix Entertainment.

Bollywood actor Rajat Bedi is expanding his creative footprint in a direction that clearly means a lot to him — Marathi cinema. Coming on board as the presenter of the upcoming Marathi film 'Bandhu', Rajat has opened up about what convinced him to say yes to the project, and his answer is as much about family and roots as it is about story.

'The Way It Touches Every Family Member's Heart Is Beautiful'

For Rajat, the decision to back 'Bandhu' came down to the emotional universality of its narrative. "I would not like to discuss much about the story, but the beautiful way the director has merged two stories into one is what really stood out to me," he said. "Basically, this is a story that is universal for all families because of the problem we are discussing in the film. The way it eventually touches every family member's heart is beautiful."

That framing — a story that speaks to every generation within a household — is a rare pitch in an era where content is often engineered for narrow audience slices. It's also a category Marathi cinema has excelled in for years, delivering intimate, deeply human family dramas that connect far beyond regional boundaries.

'Extremely Proud, Regardless of Box Office'

Rajat also made it clear that his commitment to 'Bandhu' is not driven by commercial calculation. "I mean, this is one of those films that I will always be extremely proud of in my life. I don't know how it's going to fare; that's in the public's hands, but I am extremely proud of this content," he added.

Coming from an actor with decades of screen experience, that's a significant endorsement — one that positions 'Bandhu' as a legacy-oriented project rather than a fleeting film-industry association.

A Marathi Connection Rooted in Childhood

For Rajat, this isn't just another project on the calendar. Marathi has been part of his life since childhood. "I have grown up in Maharashtra. I was born in Maharashtra, and I'm extremely proud that today I am presenting a Marathi film. I was in Jamnabai Narsee School, and my third language was Marathi. I understand Marathi, and I can speak a little Marathi. So I'm very, very excited about doing something in this language," he shared.

That personal backstory adds a layer of authenticity to his involvement. He isn't stepping into Marathi cinema as an outsider testing new waters — he is returning, in a sense, to a language and cultural space that has been a part of his own life story.

The Team Behind 'Bandhu'

'Bandhu' has been written and directed by Nitin Sindhuvijay Supekar. Presented by Rajat Bedi and JSD Studio, in association with Triflix Entertainment, the film is jointly backed by Pranav Desai, Juhi Desai and Kuldeep Sunil Ojha. The combination of producers, along with a director committed to emotionally driven storytelling, positions the film as a serious contender in this year's Marathi release calendar.

Why It Matters

Rajat Bedi's cross-industry involvement matters at a moment when regional cinema is quietly reshaping India's overall content landscape. Marathi films, in particular, have earned a reputation for delivering socially relevant, emotionally intelligent narratives that outperform their budgets. When a mainstream Hindi film face steps in as presenter, it signals two things: a maturing regional-national creative ecosystem, and a recognition that language is no longer a limiting factor for stories that carry universal weight.

Cultural Impact

The presenter role, in particular, plays an important function in Indian cinema. It brings visibility, credibility and reach to films that might otherwise stay within regional distribution circles. For 'Bandhu', Rajat's involvement could unlock wider media attention and audience curiosity beyond Marathi-speaking markets — while staying anchored to the film's core cultural identity.

Industry Impact

For the Marathi film industry, moments like this reinforce a growing trend — mainstream Hindi cinema figures publicly endorsing and participating in regional storytelling. It contributes to a healthier creative economy where regional and mainstream systems support rather than compete with each other, and it opens the door to more meaningful cross-industry collaborations in the years ahead.

The Bigger Picture

'Bandhu' hits the cinemas on November 20 — a strategic winter release window that traditionally rewards family films with strong emotional storytelling. With Rajat Bedi's heartfelt presenting endorsement, Nitin Sindhuvijay Supekar's storytelling instincts, and a producer team invested in the film's soul, 'Bandhu' arrives with a clear identity: a family drama determined to hit every household where it matters most — the heart. For Rajat, it's also a homecoming of sorts. And for Marathi cinema, it's another quiet reminder that its stories don't need translation to travel.

• The J&K FDA has ordered a ban on the sale of junk food within 50 metres of all schools across the Union Territory.
• The School Education Department has been directed to enforce food safety norms in all government and private schools.
• Restrictions apply to foods high in saturated fat, trans-fat, added sugar or sodium — both inside campuses and around them.
• Schools must have licensed food operators, Food Safety Display Boards and Food Safety Supervisors where applicable.
• Free safe drinking water and designated meal times are now mandated to promote healthy eating habits among students.

The Jammu and Kashmir Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued one of the sharpest child-nutrition directives the Union Territory has seen in years — banning the sale of junk food within 50 metres of school premises across J&K. The order marks a decisive shift in how the region views the intersection of children's health, food safety and school-zone regulation.

The Order at a Glance

Officials confirmed on Thursday that the FDA has directed the School Education Department to strictly implement food safety regulations across all government and private schools. The core mandate is unambiguous: no junk food is to be sold within school premises or within 50 metres of school gates in any direction.

That 50-metre buffer effectively creates a "healthy zone" around every school in the Union Territory, cutting off easy access to the packaged snacks, sugary drinks and street-side high-fat items that traditionally cluster around school entrances.

Anchored in National Regulations

In a communication to the Directors of School Education, the FDA reinforced that the Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and Balanced Diets for Children in School) Regulations, 2020 must be effectively implemented to ensure safe, hygienic and nutritionally balanced food for school children.

Under the regulations, schools must ensure that food products high in saturated fat, trans-fat, added sugar or sodium are neither sold nor offered within their premises. Just as importantly, the restriction extends to a 50-metre radius around the school gate, where the sale, marketing or advertising of such food products to schoolchildren is prohibited. The advertising clause is significant — it targets not just food access but the influence-first tactics that shape children's food choices.

Licensing, Display Boards and Supervisors

The FDA has laid out a clear compliance framework for the operators who do provide food inside school campuses. School authorities and food business operators running food services on campus must be registered or licensed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. They must also comply with prescribed sanitary and hygienic requirements.

Where applicable, food facilities must have Food Safety Display Boards and Food Safety Supervisors — turning food safety into a visible, monitorable and accountable practice rather than a background administrative function.

Meal Times, Drinking Water and Everyday Practice

Beyond the buffer zones and licensing, the directive incorporates simple but structurally important changes to the school day. Schools are required to designate meal times to encourage healthy eating habits among children and provide safe drinking water free of cost to all students.

These may sound like small operational details, but they represent a philosophical shift — one that treats mealtime as part of the school's educational responsibility rather than an incidental break.

Making Principals and Managements Accountable

Responsibility for enforcement has been placed squarely with school leadership. School authorities, including principals and headmasters — along with the bodies responsible for the management of the institutions — have been tasked with ensuring regular inspection of food premises and monitoring the quality, safety and hygiene of food served to students. In effect, the buck now stops at the principal's desk.

A New Role: Health and Wellness Ambassador

To institutionalise the change, the FDA has recommended that schools may appoint a Health and Wellness Ambassador or constitute a Health and Wellness team as a nodal mechanism for monitoring the availability of safe, balanced and hygienic food. That's a subtle but important governance addition — a specific role tied to student nutrition and lifestyle, rather than diffuse responsibility spread across staff.

Why It Matters

India has been staring at a rapidly rising childhood obesity and lifestyle-disease burden for years. Studies have repeatedly linked easy access to sugary drinks, packaged snacks and deep-fried street food to poor eating habits that persist into adulthood. By drawing a 50-metre buffer, the J&K FDA is doing something surprisingly rare: physically limiting the availability of harmful food where it hurts most — right at the school gate.

Industry Impact

The directive will inevitably reshape the small-vendor and packaged food economy that has traditionally revolved around school hours. For local sellers, this will mean either reformulating their offerings toward healthier options or relocating outside the buffer zone. For packaged food brands, it means losing a critical impulse-purchase touchpoint and being pushed to reconsider the nutritional design of products marketed to school-age children.

Cultural Shift

Perhaps the most significant outcome of the order is the cultural signal it sends to parents, teachers and students. It reframes what a "healthy school environment" means — not just clean classrooms and safe playgrounds, but a food ecosystem consciously shaped for children's wellbeing. That signalling is often the precursor to genuine behavioural change.

The Bigger Picture

The FDA has called upon the School Education Department and school authorities to ensure strict compliance across Jammu and Kashmir. If implemented seriously, this could become a template that other states and Union Territories study closely. In a country where children's health has too often been an afterthought in day-to-day policy, J&K's 50-metre buffer is a small line on paper — but a bold statement in practice. Because sometimes, protecting the next generation begins with something as simple as clearing the sidewalk in front of their school.

• PM Narendra Modi addressed youth from over 5,000 institutes across India at the Khelo India Samvaad ahead of National Sports Day 2026.
• Modi announced a nationwide Talent Hunt targeting children aged 5 to 15 to strengthen India's grassroots sporting pipeline.
• He outlined a long-term strategy focused on the 2036 Olympics, urging India to master disciplines it doesn't currently compete in.
• Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya said India, for the first time, is treating sports as "a national priority" rather than an activity.
• Olympic medallist Gagan Narang and Paralympic bronze medallist Sheetal Devi shared their journeys with youth at IIT Gandhinagar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday laid out one of his most ambitious articulations yet of how sports fit into India's national future — connecting via video conference with youth and athletes across more than 5,000 institutes as part of the National Sports Day 2026 celebrations. The Khelo India Samvaad (Khelo India Dialogue) wasn't just another set of ceremonial remarks. It was a full-scale strategic address that placed sport at the centre of the Viksit Bharat vision.

'Those Who Play Will Blossom'

Speaking to the youth of the country, Prime Minister Modi framed sports not as a peripheral cultural activity but as a nation-building force. "When I talk about sports, it isn't just about winning medals; it is a campaign to integrate India's sports power and youth energy to build a Viksit Bharat. I have always said, 'Those who play will blossom,'" he said.

That framing — sports as a national capability, not just a competition — set the tone for everything that followed.

'We Must Master the Sports We Don't Even Play'

The Prime Minister then made a striking observation that reset the conversation about India's medal ambitions. "Other countries are winning medals in sports where India does not even participate; we must master these sports as well," he said. He added, "To increase our medal tally, we will absolutely have to achieve mastery in these sports."

It's a candid acknowledgement that India's Olympic performance has historically been concentrated in a narrow band of disciplines. Expanding that footprint isn't just a matter of pride — it's a mathematical necessity if the country wants to fundamentally increase its medal count on the world stage.

The 2036 Olympics Vision

Modi outlined India's long-term sporting strategy centred squarely on the 2036 Olympics. His stated goal: to build a talent base wide and deep enough that Indian athletes not only qualify across a broad range of disciplines but also excel in them. It's a long horizon — but that's precisely the point. Sporting excellence is a generational project, and 2036 gives the country a decade-plus to build a competitive pipeline from scratch.

A Nationwide Talent Hunt for Ages 5–15

At the heart of that strategy sits a bold new initiative — a massive national Talent Hunt targeting children aged 5 to 15. This is the age band where sporting foundations are laid, where identification of natural ability translates into structured training pathways, and where India has historically underinvested at scale.

"Whatever support is needed from the government for this, the government will walk shoulder-to-shoulder with you in it," the Prime Minister assured, signalling that the initiative would come with backing rather than just branding.

Sports as a National Priority: Mandaviya's Framing

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, welcomed the Prime Minister virtually from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar, and put the shift in unambiguous terms. "The country has, for the first time, seen sports not merely as an activity but as a national priority," he said.

He also acknowledged the Prime Minister's personal relationship with the country's athletes — a factor often credited for reshaping how India's sporting fraternity feels about state support. "Your personal connect with athletes is the biggest strength of your sports vision. You have celebrated champions' victories; you have always given them praise and encouragement. But when any athlete faced defeat, you never left their side. This is the reason why India's athletes consider you their own," Mandaviya said.

MyBharat and the Youth Movement

Dr. Mandaviya highlighted the growing footprint of the MyBharat platform. "More than 2.4 crore youth across the country have already joined it, and are contributing to nation-building alongside their careers," he said.

On the broader policy front, he pointed out that the youth-centric spirit had shaped the country's fiscal priorities. "Based on the ideas of the youth, this year's budget was called the Youth-Centric Budget. Today the youth of the country feel that their ideas are no longer ignored, but implemented."

Governance, Transparency, Fair Opportunity

An equally significant part of Mandaviya's address focused on institutional reform. "Through the National Sports Governance Act, the effort to strengthen transparency, accountability and fair opportunity ensures that talent gets its due," he said. For decades, sports federation politics in India have been criticised for opacity and favouritism — turning transparency into a formal legislative priority is a structural shift, not just a slogan.

Voices From the Podium

After the Prime Minister's address, Olympic medallist Gagan Narang shared his journey with the youth at IIT Gandhinagar. "Thanks to the administrative changes in sports nowadays, the athletes get the best equipment to compete at the international level. It is because of such changes that we have come here," he said — a very grounded reminder that infrastructure and administrative reform translate directly into medals.

He was joined by 2024 Paralympic bronze medallist Sheetal Devi, who spoke about the shift in public mindset around para-sports. "Mindsets have changed today. Those who used to question, 'what can they (para-athletes) achieve,' today say, 'yes, they will achieve; they are the ones who will bring home the medals'," she said. It was a powerful summary of how India's perception of ability, disability and excellence has evolved in just a few short years.

The Five Themes for a Sporting India

The students of IIT Gandhinagar rounded out the event with a presentation built around five key themes outlined by the Prime Minister — Sports, Olympic Aspirations, Youth Leadership, Viksit Bharat, and Nasha Mukt Yuva. Together, they mapped India's journey towards sporting excellence with a clear focus on grassroots inclusion, elite ambition and drug-free youth culture.

Why It Matters

National Sports Day is celebrated on August 29 every year as the birth anniversary of hockey magician Major Dhyan Chand — a date that has traditionally been reserved for tribute and reflection. What the Khelo India Samvaad has done this year is convert that ceremonial moment into a national strategy briefing. By tying sports directly to the Viksit Bharat framework, PM Modi has effectively elevated athletic performance from a cultural aspiration into a measurable national goal.

The Bigger Picture

Between a nationwide Talent Hunt for kids aged 5 to 15, the ambitious 2036 Olympics roadmap, the National Sports Governance Act, expanding participation across new disciplines, and the youth-driven MyBharat movement, India is quietly building the scaffolding of what could become one of the most consequential sporting reinventions of any large nation this decade. If the vision holds and the delivery keeps pace, the story that begins on August 29, 2026 could well end with a very different India walking onto the Olympic podium in 2036.

Also Read: PM Modi's Khelo India Dialogue to Link 2036 Olympic Bid With Youth Leadership

• Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare confirmed there is no shortage of onions in India, either in production or availability.
• Retail sale of onions has begun at Rs 35 per kg through NCCF, NAFED and Kendriya Bhandar outlets and mobile vans.
• Mobile vans have begun operations at 40 locations across Delhi from Day 1 itself.
• Talks are underway to sell onions at Rs 35 per kg through PDS shops in Delhi as well.
• Onion exports this year are at almost the same level as last year, according to the Secretary.

The Centre on Thursday moved decisively to reassure consumers ahead of any potential price spiral in onions, kicking off the retail sale of onions at Rs 35 per kg from its price stabilisation buffer stock. In one clear, no-ambiguity statement, Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare confirmed there is no shortage of onions in the country — a message aimed as much at markets and traders as at everyday households worried about their kitchen budget.

A Flag-Off With a Clear Message

Khare formally flagged off the onion distribution campaign from Krishi Bhawan in the national capital. Initially, onions will be sold at Rs 35 per kg through outlets and mobile vans operated by the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation (NCCF), the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED), and the Kendriya Bhandars — the three consumer-facing pillars of the government's price intervention toolkit.

Speaking to the media, Khare made it clear that this kind of retail intervention is part of a predictable annual playbook, not a crisis response. "Every year, the government makes efforts to ensure that consumers get onions at subsidised rates through retail intervention whenever prices rise," she said.

'No Shortage in Production or Availability'

The Secretary was unambiguous in her diagnosis of the current situation. "There is neither any shortage in onion production nor in its availability across the country," she said, adding that the government remains fully committed to protecting consumers from sudden spikes in onion prices.

She also flagged that onion exports this year are at almost the same level as last year — a data point that effectively pushes back against any suggestion that heavy exports could be responsible for domestic price pressure. The government, she noted, intervenes in the market from time to time to keep prices under control and provide relief to consumers.

NAFED's Rollout: Mobile Vans Across Delhi

NAFED Managing Director Deepak Agarwal, speaking to IANS, offered fresh operational detail. He said the sale of onions through mobile vans has begun at 40 locations across Delhi — a scale designed to make the intervention immediately visible to consumers rather than lost in bureaucratic distribution.

Onions will also be made available through NAFED and NCCF stores, e-commerce platforms, and organised retail chains. That multi-channel approach reflects a deliberate strategy: reach the consumer wherever they already shop, whether that's a physical outlet, a delivery app, or a supermarket aisle.

PDS on the Horizon

Agarwal also confirmed a critical next step in the pipeline. Discussions are underway with the Delhi government to make onions available at Rs 35 per kg through Public Distribution System (PDS) shops as well. If the proposal is implemented, a large number of consumers — particularly ration-card-holding households — are expected to benefit from the initiative.

Bringing PDS shops into the retail chain would be a significant expansion, giving the intervention deeper penetration in lower-income neighbourhoods where price sensitivity is highest.

NCCF's Metro-First Approach

Speaking to IANS, NCCF Managing Director Anice Joseph Chandra confirmed that the federation began selling onions at its retail centres immediately after the campaign's launch from Krishi Bhawan. "Consumers can purchase onions at Rs 35 per kg from NCCF outlets, particularly those located near metro stations," she said.

The strategic choice to prioritise NCCF outlets near metro stations is a smart one — placing subsidised produce squarely on the daily commute path of urban working consumers. Chandra added that the retail network will be expanded further in the coming days to ensure that affordable onions reach a larger number of consumers.

Why It Matters

Onion prices in India have long been an emotionally and politically charged indicator. A spike in the humble bulb has historically shaken not just kitchen budgets but electoral outcomes and government credibility. By stepping in early, communicating clearly and rolling out a multi-channel retail intervention, the Centre is essentially trying to get ahead of any sentiment-driven panic before it takes hold.

Industry Impact

For traders and wholesalers, the government's clear signal that there is no shortage — combined with a physical presence of Rs 35/kg supply on the streets — makes it harder to justify aggressive price mark-ups at the retail end. For farmers, the assurance that exports are steady offers some reassurance that intervention won't shrink their market. And for consumers, the buffer-stock release provides a very concrete relief valve at a time when inflation anxieties are ever-present.

The Bigger Picture

The Rs 35/kg onion rollout is more than a price intervention — it's a demonstration of how India's food-price management architecture is being deployed with speed, coordination and communication. Between NCCF outlets, NAFED mobile vans, Kendriya Bhandars, e-commerce partners and the proposed PDS integration, the state is signalling that food security is no longer just about production numbers — it's about last-mile access. And for the average household, it means one very tangible thing: the onion in tonight's tadka just got a lot easier on the wallet.

• Kavin has revealed that Nayanthara's ability to multitask across acting, production, business and personal life is what he admires most about her.
• The actor praised her clarity in never letting challenges from one part of her life affect another.
• Their romantic family entertainer 'Hi' will now release in theatres on August 28, pushed from an original August 14 date.
• Directed by debutant Vishnu Edavan, the film has been cleared with a U/A certificate by the Censor Board.
• 'Hi' is set across Chennai, Coimbatore and Pollachi, and reportedly features no villains — pitched as a pure family entertainer.

Actor Kavin, who leads director Vishnu Edavan's much-awaited romantic entertainer 'Hi' opposite Lady Superstar Nayanthara, has offered a rare, thoughtful glimpse into what he genuinely admires most about his co-star — and it's not a trait tied to the screen. In a candid conversation with IANS, Kavin spoke about the one Nayanthara quality that has left a lasting impression on him: her extraordinary ability to multitask without letting one part of her life derail another.

'She Manages Everything From the Shooting Spot Itself'

"I think I admire her ability to multi-task. She is a producer who makes movies, and she also acts. She also has a business and a personal life. She manages everything from the shooting spot itself," Kavin said, offering a look at just how tightly Nayanthara's professional and personal worlds are stitched together on set.

For Kavin, the more revealing detail wasn't just what she does, but how cleanly she separates the moving parts. "She will not let the challenges she faces in one sector to affect the others. I think because she does everything correctly, she is in the position she is today," he added — a striking observation that goes beyond admiration and lands closer to genuine study.

'I Am Someone Who Thinks Doing One Thing Properly Is Enough'

In a moment of refreshing honesty, Kavin admitted he isn't sure he could ever match that bandwidth. "If you ask me if I have that amount of talent and if whether I will be able to do like how she does it in the future, I don't know. I will be scared. I am someone who thinks that if I can do one thing properly, that's enough."

The self-aware humility from a young actor sharing screen space with one of Indian cinema's biggest names has only added to the pre-release charm around 'Hi'.

'Hi' Locks August 28 as Its New Release Date

'Hi' has generated enormous curiosity, and the film is now slated to hit screens on Friday, August 28. It was originally scheduled for an August 14 release, but the makers eventually pushed the date. The Censor Board has already cleared the film with a U/A certificate, opening the doors for a wide family audience turnout in its opening weekend.

A Cross-City Story With No Villains

The film's storyline is designed as a full-fledged family entertainer. Sources close to the unit have told IANS that 'Hi' unfolds across three cities — Chennai, Coimbatore and Pollachi — and, notably, features no villain characters at all. In an era dominated by high-octane action and antagonist-driven plots, a large-scale romantic entertainer built entirely on relationships and warmth is itself a bold creative choice.

A Strong Supporting Cast

'Hi' brings together a robust ensemble alongside Kavin and Nayanthara. The film features Prabhu, Radhika, Sathyan, Adithya Kathir and Kureishi in prominent roles, adding both experience and range to the storytelling. The film is jointly produced by Zee Studios South, The Rowdy Pictures and Seven Screen Studios — a combination that guarantees both scale and reach.

The Vishnu Edavan Debut

'Hi' also marks the directorial debut of Vishnu Edavan, who has been groomed inside one of Tamil cinema's most influential filmmaking universes. He worked as an associate director to Lokesh Kanagaraj on several of his projects, including 'Kaithi', 'Master' and 'Vikram'. That pedigree has already set high expectations for his stylistic approach and storytelling instincts.

Speaking about his debut earlier, Vishnu had described 'Hi' as a wholesome family entertainer that would speak about true love — a promise the industry is now waiting to see delivered on screen.

Why It Matters

'Hi' represents multiple firsts and pivots. It is the first on-screen collaboration between Nayanthara and Kavin — a pairing that has already sparked significant curiosity across audiences and trade circles. It is also Vishnu Edavan's launchpad from the Lokesh Kanagaraj school of Tamil filmmaking, and one of the year's rare high-profile Tamil films that deliberately opts out of the villain-driven formula.

A Technically Loaded Package

Backing the emotional core is a strong technical team. The film's music has been composed by Jen Martin, while Rajesh Shukla handles cinematography. Editing is by the capable Philomin Raj, and art direction by Shekhar B. Dances have been choreographed by the legendary Brinda, while stunts have been designed by Dinesh Kasi — even for a "no-villain" film, the production has clearly ensured its craft firepower is intact.

The Bigger Picture

At its heart, 'Hi' feels like a film that is trying to reintroduce warmth and simplicity to the Tamil mainstream — anchored by a Lady Superstar at her multitasking peak, a young actor who openly admires that discipline, and a first-time director stepping out of an iconic mentor's shadow. When 'Hi' opens on August 28, it will be tested not just on its box office numbers, but on whether it succeeds in delivering something Tamil cinema has been quietly hungry for: an unabashedly wholesome love story that trusts its audience to show up for feeling alone.

• Women from various communities and social organisations tied rakhis to Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel at Lok Bhavan in Gandhinagar on Raksha Bandhan.
• Participants included representatives of Brahma Kumaris, charitable institutions and organisations serving persons with disabilities.
• CM Patel reaffirmed his commitment to the holistic development and safety of women across Gujarat.
• Minister Rivaba Jadeja, Gandhinagar Mayor Miraben Patel, and MLAs Ritaben Patel, Nimishaben Suthar and Payalben Kukrani attended.
• BJP national vice-president Varshaben Doshi and state Mahila Morcha president Anjuben Vekariya were also present.

Gandhinagar's Lok Bhavan turned into a warm, colourful gathering point on Thursday morning as women from different communities and sections of society came together to tie rakhis to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. It was more than a ceremonial event — it was a symbolic reinforcement of the bond between the state's leadership and the diverse constituencies of women it serves.

A Gathering That Reflected the State

The turnout was striking not just for its size but for its diversity. Women associated with social organisations, charitable institutions, the Brahma Kumaris and groups working for persons with disabilities participated in the celebrations. One by one, they tied rakhis on the Chief Minister's wrist and offered prayers for his good health and long life — a gesture that carried both personal warmth and cultural weight.

CM Patel, in turn, welcomed the women who had gathered from different parts of Gujarat, accepting their blessings and good wishes. The exchange between the Chief Minister and the assembled women set a distinctly personal, grounded tone to the state-level programme.

Focus on Women's Safety and Development

While the traditional bond represented by Raksha Bandhan formed the emotional heart of the event, the underlying message was more strategic. The programme placed a clear spotlight on the participation of women from different sections of society, and CM Patel used the moment to reaffirm his commitment to the holistic development and safety of women across Gujarat, according to the statement issued after the programme.

That commitment — tying together social welfare, safety, education and economic empowerment — has been a recurring theme of the Patel government's messaging, and the Raksha Bandhan celebration effectively became another platform to reinforce it.

A Notable Political Turnout

The event drew a strong political presence, cutting across state government and party leadership. Minister of State for Education Rivaba Jadeja was in attendance, alongside Gandhinagar Mayor Miraben Patel. MLAs Ritaben Patel, Nimishaben Suthar and Payalben Kukrani were also part of the gathering, giving the programme a distinctly women-led political flavour.

Adding further weight, BJP national vice-president Varshaben Doshi and state BJP Mahila Morcha president Anjuben Vekariya joined the celebrations, along with representatives from various fields and senior government officials. The composition of the guest list signalled the party's intent to place women at the centre of both governance and organisational narrative.

The Ceremony at the Core

Even amid the political and administrative significance, the core of the programme remained the human ritual itself — the tying of rakhis, the offering of blessings, and the simple, quiet exchange of good wishes. That deliberate emphasis kept the event rooted in the spirit of Raksha Bandhan, rather than allowing it to slide entirely into a formal state function.

Why It Matters

Raksha Bandhan is traditionally observed as a celebration of the bond between brothers and sisters, with sisters tying a rakhi around their brothers' wrists as a symbol of affection and protection. When that ritual is carried out at Lok Bhavan — with women from Brahma Kumaris, disability-focused organisations, charitable institutions and grassroots social groups — it becomes an expression of a much broader kind of protection. It reframes governance as a form of guardianship: the state as a rakhi-bound custodian of women's safety, wellbeing and dignity.

Cultural and Political Impact

For a government that has repeatedly foregrounded women-centred welfare schemes, this year's Raksha Bandhan celebration served as a public reinforcement of that narrative. By opening Lok Bhavan to women from diverse communities — including those working with persons with disabilities and spiritually oriented groups like the Brahma Kumaris — the event projected inclusivity as a core value rather than a slogan.

The Bigger Picture

This year's celebrations in Gujarat, held as women from different parts of the state gathered at the venue in Gandhinagar, are a reminder of how public festivals in India are often more than personal — they double as cultural stages where governance, tradition and identity meet. For CM Bhupendra Patel, the Raksha Bandhan morning at Lok Bhavan was a chance to hold that moment tight: to receive rakhis from women who represent modern Gujarat in all its variety, and to publicly commit — once again — to protecting the future they are building.

• Rajasthan government has activated emergency helplines after Nepal's Rasuwa flash floods left over 750 people missing, including 133 Indian nationals.
• Many of the missing Indians are believed to be Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims and tourists travelling through the affected region.
• The State Emergency Operation Centre in Jaipur is running 24x7, coordinating with the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and Nepali authorities.
• Toll-free numbers 1070 and 112 have been activated, along with multiple landlines and email ID relief-rj@nic.in for family queries.
• Families are being urged to avoid social media rumours and share full name, passport details and last known location of missing relatives.

The Rajasthan government has swung into full emergency mode after the devastating flash floods and landslides in Nepal's Rasuwa district left more than 750 people missing or unreachable — including 133 Indian nationals. With communication networks down and access routes destroyed, the state has rolled out a multi-line emergency response system to help families desperately trying to trace loved ones across the border.

The Scale of the Crisis

Preliminary reports from the disaster-hit region indicate that many of the missing Indians are Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims and tourists who were travelling through Rasuwa — a strategically significant border zone near Nepal-Tibet that serves as a major transit point for pilgrimage and Himalayan tourism. While the exact number of Rajasthan residents among the missing Indians has not yet been established, officials say the state cannot afford to wait for that clarity before mobilising.

The state's Disaster Management Department has already placed its full emergency machinery on alert to assist Rajasthan residents who may be stranded or missing. Severe damage to roads and infrastructure, coupled with disruptions to communication networks, has made it extremely difficult for families back home to establish contact with relatives in Nepal.

Command Centre in Jaipur, Coordination With Kathmandu

At the heart of the operation is the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) in Jaipur, which is now functioning round the clock. It is coordinating in real time with the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, the Ministry of External Affairs, and local authorities in Nepal to trace stranded residents and facilitate assistance and evacuation wherever possible.

The Helpline Grid: What Families Need to Know

The government has published a detailed set of contact points so that no family is left without an official channel. Toll-free numbers 1070 and 112 are the primary entry lines to the Rajasthan control room. In addition, families can call 0141-2851960, 0141-2385776 and 0141-2385777. Backup lines include 0141-2227296, 0141-2927392 and 0141-2227603. For internal government coordination, the emergency IP number is 28888. Written queries can be sent to relief-rj@nic.in.

Authorities have specifically requested callers to provide the traveller's full name, passport or identification details, last known location and any other available travel information. Doing so allows verification and cross-referencing to be done quickly — a critical factor when every hour counts.

Why It Matters

The Rajasthan response is significant because it treats the Nepal disaster as an active domestic emergency rather than an external situation. That distinction matters — it acknowledges that pilgrimage and Himalayan tourism from India often outpace formal registration systems, meaning a large number of citizens can be moving through a foreign border zone at any given time. The state's rapid activation of the SEOC and helpline grid is essentially a template for how sub-national governments in India can plug gaps in trans-border crisis response.

The Kailash Mansarovar Angle

The likely presence of Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims among the missing lends this disaster a particularly emotional weight. For thousands of Indian families each year, the pilgrimage represents both a spiritual milestone and a significant financial and physical undertaking. Rasuwa, sitting on the Nepal-Tibet frontier, is one of the key gateway zones for this journey — making it precisely the kind of area where a natural disaster can simultaneously hit a concentrated pool of Indian citizens.

A Warning Against Rumour and Panic

Along with the helpline rollout, the state government has issued a clear appeal: rely only on official channels for verified information, and avoid circulating unconfirmed reports on social media. In fast-moving disaster scenarios, misinformation can worsen family distress and complicate identification and rescue operations. Officials have urged families not to panic and to immediately report anyone believed to be missing or stranded — even if they are not certain.

The Bigger Picture

The Rasuwa flash floods are shaping up as one of the most complex trans-boundary disasters of the year, straddling geography, religion and diplomacy. For Rajasthan — a state whose citizens travel widely for religious and cultural journeys — the response is as much about civic assurance as it is about rescue coordination. As information trickles in from Nepal and Tibet, the state's message is clear: no missing citizen will be treated as just a number.

Also Read: Sadhguru's 80-Member Isha Group Missing in Nepal-Tibet Flood

• Spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev confirmed an 80-member Isha Foundation group is missing after flash floods on the Nepal-Tibet border.
• The group includes citizens of 21 countries — 22 from the US, 12 Canada, 11 Australia, nine UK, four Germany, three each from France and Nepal, and more.
• Indian news reports suggest around 484 people are missing on the Nepali side; Sadhguru estimates total impact could exceed 1,500.
• The disaster struck at 9.14 a.m. Wednesday — just nine minutes after group leader Ishanga Praveen sent a message from the immigration point.
• Sadhguru is currently in Saga, Tibet, and has sought permission through Indian, Chinese and American embassies to travel to Gyirong.

Spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, founder of the Isha Foundation, has confirmed with visible anguish that an 80-member group associated with the organisation is caught in the devastating flash floods that struck along the Nepal-Tibet border on Wednesday. Speaking from Saga in Tibet, Sadhguru described a scene of near-total communication blackout, washed-out towns and mounting fears for lives — a disaster he called "terrible and extraordinary."

'Almost Half the Town Is Washed Away'

"With a profound sense of pain and regret, I wish to bring to your notice that there has been a terrible flash flood between the Tibet and Nepal border, and on the Nepali side, as per the Indian news reports, about 484 people have gone missing, and on this side, we don't have any official information," Sadhguru said. He revealed that he had personally attempted to reach the site earlier in the day, but was blocked by downed telecommunications and destroyed roads.

Describing the scale of destruction, he added, "The same building where we were for the immigration just a week ago, that entire building is washed away, and part of the town is washed away." He estimated that the overall number of people affected could be significantly higher than the official Nepali figure, potentially crossing 1,500, including local Nepali guides and their families.

A Group Drawn From 21 Countries

The missing 80-member group is strikingly international in composition — a snapshot of just how global Isha Foundation's participant base has become. It includes 22 people from the United States, 12 from Canada, 11 from Australia, nine from the United Kingdom, four from Germany, three from France, three from Nepal, two from the Netherlands, two from New Zealand, two from Singapore and two from Spain. There is also one participant each from Finland, Hungary, Israel, Lithuania, the Philippines, Portugal, Russia and South Africa.

The group comprises 34 male and 46 female participants. Accompanying them were a few additional volunteers staying at nearby hotels, along with three volunteers and one doctor travelling with the main party.

A Nine-Minute Window Between Message and Disaster

The most haunting detail Sadhguru shared was the timeline. At 9.05 a.m. on Wednesday, he received a message from the group leader, Ishanga Praveen — a full-time Isha volunteer for over two decades — confirming that the team had arrived at the immigration checkpoint. Just nine minutes later, at 9.14 a.m., the disaster struck.

"Praveen, who was leading the team… we noticed that his Nepal phone did not come active. If he had crossed over, his Nepal phone should have come active; it did not come," Sadhguru said. Based on the last known communication, he believes the entire group was inside the immigration building at the moment the flood hit. "Literally the entire group was there in the building. So this is a terrible and an extraordinary event which unfortunately has turned out this way."

Diplomatic Push for Access to Gyirong

With no official confirmations coming through and rescue operations under way in extremely difficult terrain, Sadhguru said he is actively seeking permission to travel to Gyirong in the Tibet Autonomous Region, where the affected zone lies. He confirmed that the embassies of all the countries whose citizens are part of the group have been informed, both in India and Nepal.

"We are seeking permission through the Indian embassy and the Chinese embassy in India, and the American embassy is working on this to see if they can permit a group of people and me to be there and see what we can do," he said.

In an emotional appeal, Sadhguru added: "We, along with the families, beseech you to kindly allow us — myself and a few volunteers — to be at Gyirong. We deeply respect and understand the nature of the rescue efforts and will in no way hamper them. Our only intent is to stand with them and aid in looking for some signs that would help the families." He confirmed he is currently in Saga and awaiting facilitation to move ahead.

Why It Matters

The scale of this event is enormous — not just because of the human toll, but because of the international footprint of those affected. A single spiritual expedition has now become a multi-country diplomatic incident, involving governments across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and beyond. It also brings sharp focus back to the fragility of high-Himalayan travel routes, where climate-linked events, glacial instability and sudden debris flows are turning long-standing pilgrimage and adventure corridors into high-risk zones.

The Bigger Picture

Wednesday's flash flood is now shaping up as one of the most consequential trans-boundary disasters of the year, with impact stretching from the immigration towns of Rasuwa on the Nepali side to communities in Tibet — and now, through the Isha group, into 21 countries. For families waiting for information, every hour without communication deepens the anguish. For governments and rescue teams, the challenge is racing against terrain, weather and time. And for Sadhguru, whose own volunteers are among the missing, the priority is clear: be on the ground, stand with the families, and search for any sign of hope.

• A devastating flash flood struck Nepal's Rasuwa district around 9 a.m. Wednesday, damaging Timure, Syaphrubesi and Rasuwagadhi, with many people reported missing.
• The floodwaters follow a Tibet-Bhote Koshi-Trishuli-Narayani-Gandak-Ganga route, directly linking the Nepal disaster to Bihar's river system.
• The Valmikinagar Gandak Barrage in West Champaran has become the critical monitoring and regulation point for Bihar.
• Districts on watch include West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Muzaffarpur, Saran and Vaishali.
• Officials say it is premature to call this an immediate flood threat to Bihar, but heightened vigilance is in place across the Gandak basin.

A devastating flash flood in Nepal's Rasuwa district has set off a wave of concern across northern Bihar, where authorities are now closely tracking the Gandak River — the downstream Indian identity of a river system that begins deep in Tibet. The event is a stark reminder of how tightly the water fates of Tibet, Nepal and Bihar are stitched together by a single, interconnected river chain.

The River Chain: Tibet to Bihar in One Continuous Flow

The floodwaters entered the Bhote Koshi River from the Tibet region before flowing into the Trishuli River and eventually the Narayani — which is known as the Gandak once it enters India. Traced end-to-end, the route runs from Tibet through the Bhote Koshi, Trishuli, Narayani, Gandak, and finally into the Ganga. It is one of the most direct trans-Himalayan hydrological pathways affecting India, and it is precisely this connectivity that has forced Bihar's disaster monitoring machinery into high alert mode.

What Happened in Rasuwa

The Nepal flood occurred around 9 a.m. on Wednesday and caused extensive damage across areas including Timure, Syaphrubesi and Rasuwagadhi. Roads, bridges and other infrastructure were washed away, and a large number of people have been reported missing. Nepali authorities said the sudden surge originated in Tibet, with preliminary assessments suggesting that an obstruction caused by glacial debris may have given way suddenly — a scenario that has become increasingly common in the Himalayan region as glacial and permafrost dynamics shift.

Why It Matters for Bihar

An official monitoring the situation explained that Nepal's flood does not automatically translate into flooding in Bihar. "The development has prompted increased monitoring of the Gandak River in Bihar. However, the occurrence of flooding in Nepal does not automatically mean that Bihar will face immediate flooding. The impact will depend on the volume of water moving downstream, rainfall, contributions from other rivers and the manner in which barrages regulate the flow," the official said.

The Gandak enters Bihar through Valmikinagar in West Champaran, making the Valmikinagar Barrage the single most important regulatory chokepoint in this crisis. How much water is released, held back, or redirected from the barrage will effectively determine how the flood wave behaves once it enters Indian territory.

Districts Under the Scanner

The list of districts requiring close monitoring stretches across a wide swathe of northern Bihar. West Champaran, particularly the areas around Valmikinagar and the wider Gandak basin, is at the front line and could face increased pressure if water levels rise. In East Champaran, low-lying and riverside areas remain at heightened risk of flooding and erosion.

Gopalganj, which adjoins both West and East Champaran, could face a flood threat if there is a sudden spike in Gandak water discharge. Low-lying areas connected to the Gandak system in Siwan district, adjoining Gopalganj, are also being monitored. The western parts of Muzaffarpur district may experience increased waterlogging or erosion if the river rises substantially. Further south, the Gandak passes through Saran district before reaching the Ganga, making monitoring around Chhapra important. The river ultimately joins the Ganga near the Sonepur-Hajipur region, placing riverside areas in Saran and Vaishali districts under continued watch as well.

How the Flood Wave Will Behave

Officials have been careful not to over-alarm the public, stressing that the flood wave's intensity will change as it moves downstream. "As the flood wave moves through the river system, its intensity may change because of distance, river capacity, additional inflows and other hydrological factors," the official noted. "The Valmikinagar Gandak Barrage, therefore, remains a critical point for monitoring and regulating the flow entering Bihar. For now, it would be premature to describe the Nepal flash flood as an immediate flood threat to Bihar."

The Bigger Picture

The Rasuwa flash flood is more than a Nepal story. It is a fresh reminder of how climate-linked events in the high Himalayas — glacial lake outbursts, sudden debris obstructions, extreme rainfall — can send shockwaves down river systems that end thousands of kilometres away in Indian towns and villages. For Bihar, a state that has historically borne the brunt of trans-boundary flooding, this event underscores the need for even tighter cross-border hydrological coordination, sharper early-warning systems, and continuous investment in barrage and embankment management. For now, the Gandak is calm — but its upstream story means it will not be taken lightly.

• Ajay Devgn mourned the death of filmmaker Kuku Kohli, the director who launched him in 'Phool Aur Kaante' (1991).
• Kuku Kohli passed away in Mumbai on Tuesday at the age of 77 after suffering a cardiac arrest.
• Ajay wrote: "Some people change the course of your life forever. Kuku ji was one of those people for me."
• Veteran actress Aruna Irani, married to Kuku Kohli since 1990, was seen visibly bereaved at the funeral.
• Rohit Shetty, Vicky Kaushal, Katrina Kaif and Raza Murad were among those who attended the final rites.

Bollywood superstar Ajay Devgn on Wednesday mourned the passing of veteran filmmaker Kuku Kohli, the director who gave him his first break in Hindi cinema with 'Phool Aur Kaante'. In an emotional social media tribute, Ajay remembered Kohli as a mentor whose belief in him at the start of his journey altered the trajectory of his life.

Sharing a picture of the filmmaker, Ajay wrote, "Some people change the course of your life forever. Kuku ji was one of those people for me. Forever grateful for the faith you had in me. You will be deeply missed, Kuku ji. Om Shanti."

A Sudden Loss for the Industry

Kuku Kohli passed away in Mumbai on Tuesday at the age of 77 after suffering a cardiac arrest. His demise has left the film fraternity in mourning, particularly those who worked with him during the 1990s and early 2000s — a period when his brand of action-romance cinema defined mainstream Hindi entertainment. Over the course of his career, he directed a string of popular films including 'Phool Aur Kaante', 'Suhaag', 'Haqeeqat', 'Zulmi', 'Anari No. 1' and 'Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa'.

The Film That Made Ajay Devgn a Star

Kohli played a defining role in shaping Ajay Devgn's career by casting him as the lead in 'Phool Aur Kaante', which released in November 1991. The action-romance not only marked Ajay's debut as a leading man but also went on to become a commercial success. The now-legendary introduction sequence — in which Ajay is seen performing a split while standing between two moving motorcycles — remains one of the most iconic debut moments in Hindi cinema and is still referenced across generations of viewers.

Ajay and Kohli later reunited for 'Suhaag', which also featured Akshay Kumar, Karisma Kapoor and Nagma — cementing a professional bond that Ajay clearly held close.

Aruna Irani, Bereaved and Emotional at the Funeral

Kuku Kohli's personal life had long been intertwined with veteran actress Aruna Irani. The two married in 1990, and their relationship remained largely private for years, partly because Kohli had been previously married and had two daughters from his earlier marriage.

At the funeral in Mumbai on Wednesday, Aruna was seen visibly bereaved as she arrived at the crematorium. Dressed in white, the veteran actress appeared emotional and had to be helped as she made her way toward the venue — a moment that quietly underscored the depth of a partnership that had spanned more than three decades.

The Industry Turns Up to Pay Its Respects

Several personalities from the Hindi film fraternity arrived to pay their final respects to the filmmaker. Filmmaker Rohit Shetty, along with actors Vicky Kaushal, Katrina Kaif and Raza Murad, were among those spotted at the funeral — a cross-generational turnout that reflected Kohli's long-standing footprint in the industry.

Revisiting 'Phool Aur Kaante'

'Phool Aur Kaante', released in November 1991, was an action-romance drama that starred Ajay Devgn opposite Madhoo, and featured Amrish Puri, Aruna Irani, Jagdeep and Raza Murad in key roles. Its music, composed by the immensely popular Nadeem-Shravan duo, became a defining soundtrack of the era. Songs like "Maine Pyar Tumhi Se Kiya Hai", "Tumse Milne Ko Dil Karta Hai", "Premi Aashiq Aawara" and "Dheere Dheere Pyar Ko Badhana Hai" remain memorable tracks even today.

Why It Matters

Kuku Kohli's legacy sits at an interesting intersection of Bollywood history — he wasn't just a successful commercial director; he was the man who spotted, backed, and launched a young Ajay Devgn at a moment when the industry was still discovering what its next generation of stars would look like. Every action set piece Ajay has headlined since arguably traces back to that first split between two motorcycles.

The Bigger Picture

Ajay Devgn's tribute is more than a farewell. It's a reminder of how much of Bollywood's superstardom rests on the quiet, career-defining gambles taken by directors who choose to believe in newcomers. In losing Kuku Kohli, the industry has lost one of those believers — and one of the men who helped shape the modern face of Hindi action cinema.

• Over 1.14 crore beneficiaries from 25 lakh-plus families have received foodgrains under Gujarat's Food Security Scheme in the past five years.
• Beneficiary coverage jumped from 14.48 lakh in 2022-23 to 39.65 lakh in 2025-26 — a nearly threefold rise in three years.
• Wheat, rice, sugar, edible oil, gram and coarse grains are distributed monthly and during festivals, free or at subsidised rates.
• Food and Civil Supplies Minister Raman Solanki credited CM Bhupendra Patel's leadership for the scheme's expansion.
• Annual foodgrain distribution expenditure has ranged between Rs 6,761 lakh and Rs 11,677 lakh across the five-year window.

Gujarat's Food Security Scheme has emerged as one of the state's most far-reaching welfare interventions, with more than 1.14 crore beneficiaries from over 25 lakh families receiving foodgrains over the past five years. According to fresh data released by the Food and Civil Supplies Department on Wednesday, the government has distributed wheat, rice and coarse grains — either free of cost or at heavily subsidised rates — as part of an expanding safety net for the state's most vulnerable households.

The Scheme at a Glance

Food and Civil Supplies Minister Raman Solanki said the state government has taken several measures to strengthen food security under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. "Beneficiaries are provided wheat, rice, sugar, edible oil, gram and coarse grains on a monthly basis and during various festivals," he said. The scheme's design — combining monthly rations with festival-linked distribution — is aimed at ensuring both consistent nutritional access and dignity during culturally significant periods.

A Sharp Upward Curve in Coverage

The most striking takeaway from the data is the sheer pace at which the scheme has scaled. In 2022-23, 3,06,026 families comprising 14,48,943 beneficiaries were covered. That number rose to 5,63,406 families and 25,43,101 beneficiaries in 2023-24. By 2024-25, coverage had climbed to 7,49,252 families and 34,53,403 beneficiaries. In 2025-26, the scheme reached 9,20,610 families covering 39,65,325 beneficiaries — nearly three times the 2022-23 figure in just three years.

Foodgrain Distribution: The Numbers Behind the Reach

The volume of grain moved through the system tells a story of large-scale logistical execution. In 2021-22, the state distributed 26.91 lakh metric tonnes of wheat and 12.57 lakh metric tonnes of rice. In 2022-23, distribution stood at 12.66 lakh MT of wheat and 22.70 lakh MT of rice. The following year, 2023-24, saw 9.20 lakh MT of wheat, 11.03 lakh MT of rice and 1.28 lakh MT of coarse grains distributed.

In 2024-25, the state moved 10.48 lakh MT of wheat, 11.35 lakh MT of rice and 0.84 lakh MT of coarse grains. In 2025-26, the distribution stood at 8.76 lakh MT of wheat, 10.45 lakh MT of rice and 0.88 lakh MT of coarse grains.

The Fiscal Footprint

The government's spending on the scheme has remained substantial. Expenditure on foodgrain distribution was Rs 11,118.10 lakh in 2021-22, including Rs 6,640.04 lakh on wheat and Rs 4,478.06 lakh on rice. It stood at Rs 11,677.77 lakh in 2022-23, Rs 6,761.85 lakh in 2023-24, Rs 7,665.94 lakh in 2024-25 and Rs 7,001.25 lakh in 2025-26.

Why It Matters

For a state often defined by its industrial and economic headlines, the food security data offers a different lens on Gujarat — one focused on welfare delivery at scale. The tripling of beneficiary coverage in three years suggests either aggressive identification of eligible households, improved last-mile delivery, or both. Either way, it points to a growing role for the state in cushioning inflation-hit families against rising food costs.

Transparency and Delivery Focus

According to the Food and Civil Supplies Corporation, the state government has sought to ensure timely and transparent delivery of foodgrains to eligible beneficiaries. This emphasis on transparency is particularly significant given the historical challenges around leakage and diversion in public distribution systems across India.

The Bigger Picture

Gujarat's five-year data effectively benchmarks food security as a core plank of the state's governance model. With nearly 40 lakh beneficiaries currently on the rolls and consistent multi-thousand-crore expenditure sustaining the scheme, the direction of travel is unmistakable: broader coverage, larger volumes, and a welfare architecture designed to keep pace with the state's growing at-risk population.

• Director Milo's horror sci-fi supernatural fantasy thriller 'Nova', starring Raiza Wilson, will hit theatres this September.
• A new poster teases the character 'Sivagami — The Arrival' with the tagline: "This world was never ready for her arrival."
• Raiza plays a pivotal role in the film's flashback portions, describing it as a "story within a story."
• The shoot took place in the sandalwood forests of Marayoor, Kerala, with the crew braving leeches, constant rain and wild animals.
• The cast includes Dhruva, Adviti Shetty, Krithika Biswas, Joe John Chacko, Sendrayan and YouTube stars Finally Swathika and Finally Krishna.

The wait is nearly over for fans of Raiza Wilson. The makers of 'Nova', the ambitious horror science-fiction supernatural fantasy thriller directed by debutant Milo, on Wednesday confirmed that the film will hit theatres this September. Marking the announcement, director Milo took to Instagram with a striking new poster and a cryptic caption: "She didn't come looking for this world… This world was never ready for her arrival. Sivagami — The Arrival." The poster carried the confirmation: "In theatres from September."

A First Look That Sets the Tone

The 'Sivagami — The Arrival' reveal is designed as a mood piece — atmospheric, ominous, and deliberately mysterious. It positions the film as more than a genre exercise, hinting at a mythic, otherworldly premise built around a central female character whose emergence disrupts the world she enters. It's a promise that 'Nova' isn't chasing template Tamil horror; it's building its own vocabulary.

Raiza Wilson on Her Most Demanding Role Yet

Best known for her performance in 'Pyaar Prema Kaadhal', Raiza Wilson has previously described 'Nova' as unlike anything she has attempted before. "The film is structured like a story within a story. I play an important character that appears in the flashback portions," she said, adding that the movie fuses action, thriller and science-fiction into one narrative. "I have never acted in a story or role like this before, which is exactly why I was drawn to it."

Shooting Inside Sandalwood Forests: The Real Behind-the-Scenes Story

The production journey was as intense as the film's premise. Raiza revealed that 'Nova' was shot in the forests of Marayoor in Kerala, including sequences filmed deep inside protected sandalwood forests where permissions themselves are notoriously hard to obtain. "There were many challenges — blood-sucking leeches, constant mist and rain, the intimidating sounds of wild animals, and muddy, slippery paths," she recalled. "Before going there, I thought the shoot would be quite easy. I had no idea it would be so demanding. I have never faced such difficulties in any of my previous films. Despite all this, we completed the shoot on schedule without delays."

She credited director Milo for maintaining an energetic and positive atmosphere on set, saying the hardships never became overwhelming because of the environment he cultivated. "It is remarkable that he chose such a complex story for his very first feature film. It takes a lot of courage."

Action Sequences in the Rain

The physicality of the shoot was significant. "Since it rained most of the time, I often had to sit on set in wet clothes. The action scenes I performed were filmed there," Raiza said. Stunt master Vimal Rambo trained her specifically for the film, though prior fight training for 'Mr. X' gave her a head start. "So, performing the action scenes in Nova became easier."

The Ensemble Around the Lead

Alongside Raiza Wilson, 'Nova' features a diverse pan-Indian cast — Dhruva of 'Aanmai Thavarael', Adviti Shetty, Bengali actress Krithika Biswas, Malayalam actor Joe John Chacko, Sendrayan, and popular YouTube personalities Finally Swathika and Finally Krishna. The blending of film actors from multiple language industries with digital-first talent signals a deliberate attempt to reach both traditional theatrical audiences and the online generation.

Why It Matters

For Tamil cinema, 'Nova' represents a rare swing at genre ambition — a debut director attempting a horror-sci-fi-fantasy hybrid, anchored by a female lead in a flashback-driven narrative, shot in one of Kerala's most restricted natural locations. If the film delivers on the atmosphere the poster promises, it could open the door to a new wave of experimental genre filmmaking in the industry.

The Bigger Picture

September's release window places 'Nova' in a competitive but opportunity-rich slot. With curiosity building around 'Sivagami — The Arrival' and Raiza Wilson stepping into her most physically and creatively demanding role to date, the film has all the markers of a genre event worth watching for.

• Television star Shubhangi Atre marked Onam by sharing a photo carousel titled 'Kerala through my eyes' on social media.
• The post features Kathakali artistes, Kalaripayattu performances, floral rangolis and glimpses of Kerala's cultural richness.
• Shubhangi called it a "blissful journey" and a celebration of tradition, art, colours and flavours.
• The former 'Angoori Bhabhi' exited 'Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain!' in 2025 after nearly a decade on the show.
• The Onam post signals a more travel- and lifestyle-forward chapter for the actress post-Bhabiji.

Television actress Shubhangi Atre chose to celebrate Onam differently this year — not with a studio-style greeting, but with a heartfelt visual tribute to Kerala itself. In a warm, colour-drenched social media post titled 'Kerala through my eyes', the actress took her followers on a journey through the state's classical art, martial traditions and festive spirit, calling the experience a "blissful journey" she will cherish forever.

A Carousel Steeped in Tradition

The photo series captures Shubhangi immersed in Kerala's cultural landscape. She is seen posing between two Kathakali performers in full costume, framed by their signature elaborate makeup and expressive gestures. Other frames spotlight Kathakali artistes mid-performance, capturing the drama and precision that defines the classical dance-drama form. The carousel also gives fans a glimpse of Kalaripayattu — Kerala's ancient martial art — alongside vivid floral arrangements and other snapshots that together form what she described as "a beautiful tapestry of tradition, art, colors, and flavors."

In her caption, Shubhangi wrote: "From the mesmerizing expressions of Kathakali and the powerful grace of Kalaripayattu, to vibrant rangoli patterns and the irresistible flavors of Kerala cuisine... every moment felt like a celebration of culture and life."

Why It Matters

For an actress best known for the comedic warmth of 'Angoori Bhabhi', the Onam post reveals a quieter, more reflective public persona. It also taps into a growing trend among Indian television stars who are using festival moments to spotlight regional culture rather than personal branding — a shift that resonates strongly with audiences on Google Discover and Instagram alike.

A Career Built on Nearly Two Decades of Television

Shubhangi has been a fixture on Indian television for close to twenty years. She began with 'Kasautii Zindagii Kay' before landing her breakthrough in Ektaa Kapoor's 'Kasturi', where she played the titular role opposite Karan Patel. Subsequent projects such as 'Havan', 'Chidiya Ghar', 'Adhuri Kahaani Hamari' and 'Do Hanson Ka Jodaa' kept her steadily on-screen.

However, it was her portrayal of Angoori Bhabhi in 'Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain!' that turned her into a household name. She took over the role from Shilpa Shinde and played the much-loved character for nearly a decade. Her association with the show also placed her at the centre of the long-running conversation around Shinde's exit and replacement. Shubhangi has consistently maintained that she focused on making Angoori Bhabhi her own rather than mimicking her predecessor's portrayal.

After nearly 10 years, she announced her exit from the show in 2025.

Life Beyond the Screen

On the personal front, Shubhangi married Piyush Poorey in 2003, and the couple have a daughter, Ashi. After years of marriage, the two separated, with the actress publicly confirming the split in 2023. In the time since, her public presence has increasingly leaned toward travel, wellness and cultural exploration — of which the Onam post is a natural extension.

The Bigger Picture

The Kerala diary is more than a festive post. It signals the kind of content pivot many post-daily-soap actors are making — moving from character-driven fame to lifestyle-led storytelling. For Shubhangi, Onam has offered the perfect canvas: a festival rooted in celebration, and a state whose cultural depth allows her to reintroduce herself to audiences on her own terms.

• India women's hockey team faces Germany in the 5th-6th place classification match at FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 in Amstelveen on Thursday.
• A win would deliver India's best-ever World Cup finish since the fourth-place result at the inaugural 1974 edition — a 52-year benchmark.
• India have lost just once in five matches, holding China, England and Australia to draws and hammering South Africa 6-1.
• Head coach Sjoerd Marijne says the squad is proud but "hungry for more," acknowledging finishing has been the missing piece.
• Deepika and Navneet Kaur remain key from penalty corners; Savita, Bichu Devi and captain Salima Tete anchor the defence.

The Indian women's hockey team stands one game away from writing a new chapter in the sport's history. When Sjoerd Marijne's side takes the field against Germany in the 5th-6th place classification match of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 in Amstelveen on Thursday, it will do so knowing that a win delivers India's best World Cup finish since the fourth-place effort at the tournament's inaugural edition in 1974 — a milestone that has stood unmatched for more than five decades.

Why It Matters

Fifth place at a World Cup may not carry the shine of a podium, but for Indian women's hockey, it would represent generational progress. In nine appearances at the FIH World Cup, the team has repeatedly flirted with a breakthrough only to fall short. Beating Germany would not just improve the record book — it would validate a decade of investment, coaching restructures, and grassroots development that has finally brought India into consistent conversation with the world's top-ranked sides.

The Campaign So Far

India have lost only once in five matches at this World Cup. They held Paris Olympics silver medallists China, England and Australia to draws — draws that in previous editions might have been defeats. Their attacking capability was on full display in a commanding 6-1 win over South Africa, the team's most prolific World Cup victory to date. The only blemish came against defending champions the Netherlands, who needed a hard-earned 2-0 result to see India off. A third-place finish in the second stage meant India narrowly missed the semi-finals — a heartbreak that has fed straight into their motivation for the classification match.

Germany's Path to the Clash

Germany arrive with their own competitive story. Wins over Scotland, USA and Spain kept them in contention, but a defeat to Belgium consigned them to third in their pool and into the 5th-6th playoff. Historically strong and tactically disciplined, the German side will present a stern test — but one India believes it can meet head-on.

The Finishing Question

If there has been a recurring theme in India's campaign, it is the gap between opportunities created and goals scored. Marijne's forwards have consistently worked their way into the attacking third against elite opposition but have often lacked the killer touch. Deepika and Navneet Kaur will be central to unlocking Germany, particularly from penalty corners, where set-piece execution could decide the match. Defensively, goalkeepers Savita and Bichu Devi Kharibam have been outstanding, while captain Salima Tete's rushing blocks during penalty-corner defence have added another layer of security.

Coach's Take

"The girls have already made history by securing the best ranking in a World Cup since 1974, but we want more," Marijne said. He acknowledged the team's disappointment at missing the semi-finals but framed it as a healthy sign — a squad that no longer settles for competing but now expects to win.

The Bigger Picture

A victory in Amstelveen would do more than close a memorable tournament on a high. It would give Indian women's hockey a fresh benchmark, one built on the current generation's shoulders rather than a fading 1974 memory. For a program long defined by "close finishes" and "learning experiences," Thursday offers something different: a chance to convert progress into a permanent line in the history books.

• Diksha Dagar will lead the Indian team at the 2026 Women's Irish Open, starting Thursday at The K Club's Palmer South Course in County Kildare.
• Tournament marks its 20th edition with over 129 players from 34 countries competing for a €450,000 prize pool.
• India fields a four-player team — Diksha Dagar, Pranavi Urs, Avani Prashanth and Tvesa Malik.
• Dagar currently ranks 11th on the Order of Merit with 5 Top-10 finishes and 4 additional Top-20 placements this season.
• Home hopes rest on Solheim Cup star and World No. 82 Leona Maguire, as Ireland fields a record 16 players — 9 professionals and 7 amateurs — but the tournament has yet to see a home winner.

Indian women's golf takes centre stage on the European circuit this week as the 2026 Women's Irish Open tees off on Thursday at The K Club's Palmer South Course in County Kildare, Ireland. Marking its 20th edition, the tournament has drawn a robust international lineup — with over 129 players from 34 countries battling for a €450,000 prize pool. For the host nation and for India alike, this is one of the most anticipated events on the Ladies European Tour calendar.

India's Four-Player Line-Up

India's challenge at Kildare will be led by two-time LET winner Diksha Dagar, with a strong four-player squad rounding out the team. Alongside Dagar, Pranavi Urs, Avani Prashanth and Tvesa Malik will represent India — offering a compelling mix of seasoned experience, mid-career consistency and emerging talent. It is a lineup that captures the current momentum of Indian women's golf on the LET.

Diksha Dagar: The Team's Anchor

Diksha Dagar enters the week as one of the most consistent Indian players on the European circuit. She has achieved five Top-10 finishes and four additional Top-20 placements this season, currently ranking 11th on the Order of Merit. Her precision, strategic play and dependable short game are particularly suited to the challenges of the Palmer South Course, where wind conditions could add another layer of difficulty for the field.

Pranavi Urs: Consistency in Form

Pranavi Urs arrives at Kildare with strong recent form and impressive consistency. She was the only Indian to qualify for the Swiss Ladies Open two weeks ago, where she finished tied for 38th. The golfer from Mysuru has had a steady season, making 12 cuts in 17 events, and currently ranks 46th in the LET season standings. Her focus at Kildare will be to convert this consistency into a strong finish that further solidifies her season trajectory.

Avani Prashanth: The Teenage Rising Star

At 18, Avani Prashanth brings a distinct spark of youth and promise to the Indian squad. The teenager secured her full LET card earlier this season and is returning to competition after taking a brief break in India, having skipped the Swiss event. Prashanth has already demonstrated her ability to compete at this level — finishing tied for third with Diksha Dagar at the Dutch Ladies Open, and placing T-5 at the Jabra Ladies. Her performance this week will be closely watched by Indian golf followers.

Tvesa Malik: Chasing a Return to Form

Completing India's line-up is the seasoned Tvesa Malik. Malik will look to regain her best form after missing the cut in Switzerland. However, her tie-for-fifth finish at the Jabra Ladies Open earlier this season is a clear reminder that she remains fully capable of competing at the top of the LET leaderboard. A strong showing at Kildare would help re-anchor her season trajectory.

The K Club: A Course Built to Test Every Skill

The Palmer South Course at The K Club is designed to challenge all facets of a player's game. Strategic hazards, demanding approach shots and the ever-present possibility of strong winds mean that precision, course management and mental patience will be as important as raw power. On this kind of layout, players with elite short games and disciplined shot selection often gain a significant edge — a factor that could benefit Dagar in particular.

A Competitive International Field

With 129 players from 34 countries in the mix, the international field is deeply competitive. Every round at the K Club is expected to feature multiple leaderboard shifts, tight scoring bands and moments of high pressure. In such a field, consistency of ball-striking, resilient short-game recovery and mental composure through weather variability will be defining differentiators.

The Ireland Storyline: Home Hopes on Maguire

For the host nation, this year's Women's Irish Open carries particular emotional weight. A record 16 Irish players — nine professionals and seven amateurs — are participating, signalling the growing strength of women's golf in Ireland. Although Irish women's golf is gaining strength, the tournament has yet to see a home winner. Solheim Cup star and World No. 82 Leona Maguire will spearhead Ireland's effort to break that streak. Maguire is the only Irish player to have won on the Ladies European Tour, securing the individual title at the 2024 Team Series – London.

Why It Matters: A Pivotal Season Marker for Indian Golf

Every LET event represents an opportunity for Indian women golfers to expand their international footprint, gain valuable points and refine their game against elite global fields. The Women's Irish Open — with its 20th-edition history, strong purse and challenging course — is one of the more significant markers of the LET season. A strong Indian performance here would carry meaningful implications for Order of Merit standings, world rankings and next-season planning.

Diksha Dagar's Consistency Story

Over recent seasons, Diksha Dagar has emerged as one of India's most reliable ambassadors on the LET. Her rankings, cuts made, top-10 finishes and Order of Merit position all reflect the steady, disciplined trajectory of a modern global professional. Her two LET titles have already secured her a place in India's contemporary golfing history — and every strong finish now adds another layer to that ongoing narrative.

The Rising Wave: India's Deepening Golf Pipeline

The mix within India's team — Dagar's tour-ready consistency, Urs's steady progression, Prashanth's teenage promise and Malik's experience — reflects the deepening pipeline of Indian women's golf. Where earlier generations often depended on individual breakthroughs, the current LET season is showing a growing base of competitive Indian participation across multiple tournaments. That is a healthy structural sign for the future of the sport in India.

Why It Matters: A Culture Being Built

Behind every LET season lie years of quiet groundwork — training academies, coaching investments, tournament exposure, family support, private sponsorships and federation-level backing. India's growing presence on the LET is not accidental. It is the outcome of a slowly maturing golfing culture that is now beginning to yield genuine international-level talent, particularly in the women's game.

The Palmer South Wind Factor

Weather conditions — particularly wind — will be a major variable through the week. The Palmer South Course is known to punish careless shot selection when the wind picks up. Players who can read wind well, adapt their club selection accordingly and stay patient through swirling conditions will have a distinct edge. For Dagar, whose game is built on precision, these conditions may present both a challenge and an opportunity.

Industry Impact: Building Indian Golf's Global Profile

Every strong outing by Indian women golfers on the LET further strengthens the visibility of Indian women's golf in global sports conversations. This visibility in turn helps attract further sponsorship, media attention, developmental investment and youth participation back home. Success on stages like the Women's Irish Open therefore carries value well beyond the immediate leaderboard.

Audience Sentiment: Curiosity, Confidence and Hope

For Indian golf fans, this week's event carries a familiar mix of curiosity, confidence and hope. Curiosity about how the teenage sensation Avani Prashanth continues to develop. Confidence in Dagar's ability to challenge deep into the leaderboard. Hope that Urs can build on her Swiss appearance, and that Malik can rediscover her top form. Together, these emotions are shaping strong pre-tournament follower engagement.

The Amateur Layer: Ireland's Talent Investment

The presence of seven Irish amateurs alongside nine professionals reflects an important structural aspect of golf development. Amateur exposure at professional-level events is one of the most effective ways to accelerate the growth curve of emerging players. This is a model that Indian golf federations and academies continue to invest in as well, and the Irish approach is a useful reference for how the amateur-professional bridge can be strengthened.

The Global Field: A Rich Tapestry of Talent

With players from 34 countries in the mix, the leaderboard at Kildare is expected to reflect a wide range of golfing styles, cultural approaches and competitive philosophies. That kind of diversity is one of the great strengths of the LET, and it consistently makes the Women's Irish Open one of the more colourful tournaments on the tour calendar.

Why It Matters: Every Cut Counts

For all Indian players, making the cut is the first and most immediate goal. Every made cut on the LET builds ranking points, prize money and season momentum. It also translates into further opportunities to compete at higher-tier events. For Urs and Malik in particular, a strong week could meaningfully shift their season trajectories.

The Leona Maguire Factor

Leona Maguire's presence at the tournament adds a distinctly elevated competitive dimension. As Ireland's most prominent modern women's golfer, her home-course energy, elite skill set and consistent LPGA and LET experience make her a natural favourite for the top of the leaderboard. Her presence also elevates the overall competitive intensity of the field — a healthy environment for players like Dagar to test themselves against.

What to Watch: Key Storylines Through the Week

Several storylines will shape audience attention through the tournament. Can Diksha Dagar convert her season consistency into a strong Kildare finish? Can Avani Prashanth continue her impressive rookie-season trajectory on the LET? Will Pranavi Urs build on her Swiss appearance? Can Tvesa Malik reset her season with a solid outing? And most importantly — will Leona Maguire finally deliver the elusive first Irish home win? Each of these questions carries its own dramatic weight.

The Bigger Picture: Indian Golf's Global Chapter

At a wider level, the sustained presence of multiple Indian women players at events like the Women's Irish Open reflects a genuine, ongoing chapter of internationalisation for Indian golf. It is a chapter being written not by dramatic breakthroughs alone, but by the quiet, weekly grind of tournaments played, cuts made, courses learnt and rankings built. That grind is what eventually produces sustained global success.

Industry Impact: Growing the Women's Golf Audience

Every LET event featuring Indian players contributes to the slow but steady growth of the women's golf audience in India. As more fans, sponsors, media outlets and young aspirants engage with the LET calendar, the ecosystem around women's golf in India continues to strengthen — creating a more supportive environment for future generations of players.

Why It Matters: A Long Season, Sharpened by Weeks Like This

The LET season is a long, endurance-driven calendar. It is precisely weeks like the Women's Irish Open — with strong fields, meaningful courses and rich histories — that sharpen a player's competitive edge and shape her broader career trajectory. Every result at Kildare will feed into the wider Order of Merit story that will define the final months of the season.

The Bottom Line

The 2026 Women's Irish Open is set to be a genuinely compelling week of golf. With Diksha Dagar leading India's challenge alongside Pranavi Urs, Avani Prashanth and Tvesa Malik, Indian golf fans have every reason to tune in with anticipation and excitement. The Palmer South Course at The K Club will test every player's precision, patience and resilience — while a record 16-strong Irish contingent, led by Solheim Cup star Leona Maguire, will chase the elusive dream of a first Irish home win in the tournament's 20-year history. For India, the goals are layered — cuts made, top finishes chased, world ranking points earned, and season momentum reinforced. For Ireland, the storyline is emotional and historic. For the wider LET, this is one of those weeks that reminds fans why women's golf continues to grow in reach, quality and global relevance. When the first ball is teed off on Thursday at Kildare, the K Club will not just be hosting a tournament — it will be hosting a global celebration of women's golf at its resilient, competitive, inspiring best. And with an Indian team as strong and diverse as this one lining up on the tee, this could well be one of the more memorable weeks of the season for Indian golf followers around the world.

• Actress Helly Shah unveils her first full-fledged comic role in upcoming streaming series 'Chumbak' at the show's trailer launch in Mumbai.
• Says she was "so nervous, so unsure" if she could pull off comedy for the first time in her career.
• Credits director "Atish sir's trust and belief" for helping her explore a comedic side of herself she did not know existed.
• While she was earlier seen in the comedy-drama 'Gullak', her part there leaned toward drama — making 'Chumbak' her true comic debut.
• Reveals she got emotional on the last day of shoot, calling the experience "something so close to my heart".

Actress Helly Shah is stepping into unfamiliar creative territory — and she is doing so with rare honesty. As she awaits the release of her upcoming streaming series 'Chumbak', the actress attended the show's trailer launch in Mumbai on Wednesday and offered a heartfelt account of what it meant to step into a comic role for the very first time. Her reflections carry the tone of an actor who genuinely stretched herself — and discovered a new dimension of her own craft in the process.

The First-Time Comedy Leap

Sharing her experience of working on the show, Helly said, "Comedy is completely new. This is my first time doing comedy. I have never done comedy before. And I was honestly so nervous, so unsure if I will be able to pull it off or not. But I personally feel it's Atish sir's trust and belief in me that I can do this. And I am just so, so glad that he could see that spark of twinkle in me because I honestly went on the set after surrendering." That phrase — "surrendering" — quietly captures the emotional truth of what many performers experience when they step into a genre they have never attempted before.

A True First, Despite 'Gullak'

While Helly was earlier seen in the widely loved comedy-drama streaming series 'Gullak', her part in that show leaned more toward the drama side of the narrative. That makes 'Chumbak' her first full-fledged comic role — a distinct creative pivot that positions her in a genre she has never anchored before. For an actress who has built a strong following through emotional, layered performances, this shift adds a fresh layer of curiosity around her upcoming work.

The Director's Belief

Helly went on to acknowledge that this leap would not have been possible without the confidence her director placed in her. "I didn't know how it will be, what I will do. But he has helped me explore a part of myself as an actor. Because I didn't know that I could do comedy. I didn't know that something like this could come out of me," she said. It is a reminder that great directorial partnerships often work precisely by unlocking capabilities that actors themselves may not yet recognise in their own craft.

The Emotional Final Day

The vulnerability of Helly's experience showed itself most tenderly on the last day of shoot. "And I am so thankful to sir. Because I think I told sir on the last day as well. I think I shiver because this is something so close to my heart. And I always get emotional that I have done something new. And he has trusted me with all his heart," she added. Her words reflect the deep emotional investment she brought to the role — an investment that, if the trailer indicators are anything to go by, is likely to translate meaningfully to the screen.

Why It Matters: Actors Who Choose to Stretch

In an industry that often rewards comfort-zone casting, Helly Shah's choice to actively step into a genre outside her established creative identity is a small but important marker of professional growth. Actors who stretch themselves tend to build longer, richer, more layered careers — because they train themselves to bring fresh instincts to every new opportunity. Her willingness to embrace comedy — despite her own nervousness — reflects that mindset in action.

The Comedy Test in Streaming

Comedy on streaming platforms today is a demanding creative space. Modern audiences expect sharp writing, layered characters, tonal balance and performances that feel real rather than performative. Every actor stepping into this space is essentially being tested not just for laugh-generating ability, but for their capacity to blend humour with warmth, rhythm and truth. Helly's early comments suggest that she has approached her 'Chumbak' role exactly in that spirit.

The Trust Factor: Actor-Director Chemistry

Helly's repeated reference to her director's belief in her is worth reflecting on. In performance-heavy creative work, the trust between an actor and a director is often the invisible engine that powers the on-screen result. When an actor feels genuinely believed in, they show up with the courage to try, fail, retry and eventually discover new abilities. That kind of trust often shapes an actor's identity for years to come.

Audience Sentiment: Warmth for a Familiar Face

Helly Shah's fan base — built over years of television and streaming work — has reacted warmly to the news of her first comedy outing. There is genuine anticipation to see her in a lighter, more playful register, and her honest sharing about the emotional weight of the experience has already helped humanise her upcoming performance in the eyes of her followers.

Industry Impact: The Rise of Genre-Fluid Performers

Helly's move into comedy is part of a broader trend in Indian streaming — actors are increasingly embracing genre fluidity, moving comfortably between drama, comedy, thriller, romance and slice-of-life narratives. This genre fluidity is a healthy sign for the industry, as it expands the creative scope of performers, deepens audience engagement, and encourages writers and directors to design more layered characters.

The Vulnerability Advantage

One of the most striking elements of Helly's press interaction was the sheer vulnerability of her language — "nervous", "unsure", "surrendered", "shiver", "emotional". These are not the words typically deployed in polished promotional interviews. They are the words of an actor still processing the depth of a creative experience. That kind of vulnerability tends to translate into performances that carry emotional truth.

Why It Matters: A Comedy Anchored in Human Truth

The best comedies are almost always anchored in human truth. They may be built on jokes, misunderstandings or absurd situations, but they land emotionally only when the characters within them feel real. Helly's approach to her comic role in 'Chumbak' — steeped in emotional investment, personal risk and vulnerability — suggests that her character is likely to carry that quality of human truth, even within a humorous framework.

Behind the Scenes: A Warm Set Culture

Helly's repeated references to being trusted by her director indicate a set environment that appears to have prioritised creative safety, collaboration and mutual support. Such set cultures are often visible on screen — actors who feel supported tend to take bigger creative risks, which in turn produce more memorable performances. If the on-set atmosphere is as warm as her comments suggest, 'Chumbak' may well benefit from that reflected chemistry.

What to Watch for in 'Chumbak'

For fans and viewers, the run-up to the release of 'Chumbak' will now bring the full promotional cycle — including full-length trailer moments, cast interactions, character reveals and behind-the-scenes glimpses. Attention will particularly focus on how Helly Shah's comic timing translates to screen, how her performance blends with the rest of the ensemble and how her character arc unfolds through the series.

The Larger Career Arc

For Helly Shah personally, 'Chumbak' represents an important career milestone. Every actor's journey benefits from certain landmark projects that expand their range, redefine their identity and open new creative doors. If she pulls off her comic role effectively, it could very well mark the start of a new phase in her career — one in which she comfortably navigates both dramatic and comedic registers with equal command.

Why It Matters: The Value of Directorial Vision

Helly's story also reinforces the essential value of strong directorial vision. Sometimes, the best gift a director can give an actor is the belief that they can be more than what they have already been. When directors take that leap of faith, and actors respond to it with their full commitment, the outcome often surprises even the creators themselves. That is exactly the kind of creative collaboration Helly's press comments have described.

The Streaming Audience Advantage

Streaming platforms have transformed how Indian audiences discover new sides of familiar actors. Where television schedules once locked performers into narrow character templates, streaming shows offer them the freedom to explore complex, layered and genre-bending roles. Helly Shah's move into comedy through a streaming series is therefore both timely and strategic — placing her in a space that is designed to reward exactly this kind of creative reinvention.

Audience Anticipation Continues to Build

Reactions to Helly's trailer launch appearance suggest that anticipation for 'Chumbak' is genuinely building — driven both by her personal fan base and by broader curiosity around watching a well-loved actress attempt something new. That combination often creates a strong pre-release momentum, particularly on streaming platforms where discoverability is significantly aided by early buzz.

Why It Matters: Reinvention Keeps Careers Alive

At its core, the biggest lesson from Helly Shah's honest reflections is the enduring value of reinvention. Actors who continue to explore new genres, take on unfamiliar roles and embrace creative risk tend to build the longest and most rewarding careers. Her willingness to walk into a comedy set nervous but committed is a lovely example of exactly that principle in action.

The Bigger Picture: A Craft-First Approach

In today's entertainment ecosystem — where visibility, virality and social media reach often dominate conversations around actors — Helly's decision to open up about her creative process, her fears, her trust in her director and her emotional investment in the role is a refreshing return to craft-first conversation. That kind of grounded, honest engagement with one's own work is exactly what continues to distinguish enduring performers from momentary trends.

The Bottom Line

Helly Shah's first full-fledged comic outing in 'Chumbak' is more than just a new project — it is a genuine creative milestone in her acting journey. Her willingness to be openly vulnerable about her nervousness, her trust in her director, her surrender to the process and her emotional investment in the character all suggest a performer who is stepping into a new genre not with vanity but with grace. As anticipation builds ahead of the streaming show's release, one thing is already clear — 'Chumbak' has offered Helly Shah the space to discover a side of herself she did not previously know existed. And in that discovery lies not just a fresh chapter in her career, but a beautiful reminder to every artist and every fan that growth, more often than not, begins exactly where certainty ends. If the honesty of her press interaction is any indicator, viewers of 'Chumbak' may well be watching an actress step into her most personally meaningful role yet — one built on trust, courage, and the quiet strength of choosing to try.

• 58-year-old Rohtak-based runner Bimla Banwala is set to line up for the Delhi Half Marathon, having completed more than 100 races since 2020.
• Her running tally includes more than 50 half marathons, five full marathons, multiple 10Ks and several long-distance events; she now participates in around 10 events every year.
• Has completed the Procam Slam and featured in the Delhi Half Marathon, Tata Mumbai Marathon, Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata and TCS World 10K Bengaluru.
• Runs alongside her husband Chandrapal Banwala — a former Army man — earning the affectionate "power couple" tag in the running community.
• Views running as her source of fitness, positivity and mental freshness rather than a numbers-driven pursuit.

At 58, when many people think of slowing down, Rohtak-based runner Bimla Banwala is preparing to add yet another chapter to one of the most inspiring endurance journeys in Indian recreational running. She is set to line up for the Delhi Half Marathon — an event she is entering with more than 100 completed races already behind her. What began as a simple effort to stay active during the pandemic in 2020 has quietly evolved into a full-blown, deeply loved way of life.

The Numbers Behind the Passion

Bimla's story is remarkable in its consistency and scale. She has completed more than 50 half marathons, five full marathons, several 10Ks and multiple other long-distance races since she started running just five years ago. She now participates in around 10 events every year — a schedule that would challenge even significantly younger runners. And yet, the driving force behind her running is not the numbers themselves.

Running as a Source of Positive Energy

For Bimla, running has become deeply personal. "I started running in 2020, and since then it has become a very important part of my life. I enjoy running in marathon races, and after running, I feel good and have positive energy; my mind remains fresh," she says. That framing — where running is celebrated for what it gives back emotionally, mentally and physically — is exactly what tends to sustain long-term commitment to any endurance sport.

A Familiar Face on India's Biggest Race Circuit

Bimla's running journey has taken her to some of India's biggest and most celebrated road races. A regular participant in Procam International's marquee events, she has completed the Procam Slam — a coveted achievement recognising participation across the Delhi Half Marathon, Tata Mumbai Marathon, Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata and TCS World 10K Bengaluru. That is a nationally significant portfolio of races, and one that speaks to the depth of her commitment.

Running as a Family Story

What makes Bimla's story even more special is that it has grown into a full-fledged family journey. Her husband, Chandrapal Banwala, has joined her on the road, and the couple now travels together to participate in races across the country. Their shared dedication to running has earned them the affectionate tag of a "power couple" within their running community — a recognition that celebrates not just their individual achievements, but their combined pursuit of an active life.

Chandrapal's Own Journey

Chandrapal's own journey with sport goes back much further than the pandemic. A former Army man who joined the forces in 1987, sport has long been part of his life. He was introduced to disciplines such as wrestling during his service years, and running became a major pursuit after the pandemic. Since then, he has completed numerous marathons and ultra-marathons — and has also registered several podium finishes.

'Nothing Better for One's Health'

Speaking about how running has transformed his life, Chandrapal offers a clear, heartfelt endorsement. "I have become so passionate about running that I don't see anything else. Running has become such an integral part of my life, and I truly believe there is nothing better for one's health," he says. His words carry the weight of both discipline and lived experience — someone who has spent decades understanding what physical excellence really means.

A Shared Journey Across Cities

Together, the Banwalas have travelled to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru for races — turning what started as an individual fitness pursuit into a shared life experience. For any couple, especially in their later years, having a shared passion that combines travel, health, discipline and companionship is a remarkable gift. Running has quite literally become a shared vocabulary in their daily lives.

Why It Matters: A Story That Redefines Age

Bimla's journey carries powerful cultural significance. In a society that often subtly encourages older women to step back from public-facing pursuits, her decision to actively participate in over 100 races between the ages of 53 and 58 is a strong, visible statement. It sends a clear message — that endurance sport belongs to every age, every background, and every stage of life.

The Mental Wellness Dimension

One of the most valuable aspects of Bimla's running journey is the mental wellness dimension. Every long-distance runner will tell you that running is as much a mental exercise as it is physical. The discipline of showing up for training, the meditative rhythm of long runs, the clarity that comes after crossing a finish line, and the emotional space that endurance sport creates all contribute to sustained mental well-being. For Bimla, these benefits have clearly become central to why she keeps running.

Industry Impact: The Rise of India's Senior Runner Movement

Bimla is part of a growing wave of senior recreational runners in India who are actively transforming the country's road running culture. From city marathons to community running clubs to organised training programmes, senior runners are increasingly visible — inspiring younger participants, mentoring new runners and contributing meaningfully to the overall health of India's endurance sports ecosystem.

The Post-Pandemic Fitness Awakening

Bimla's story is also emblematic of a wider post-pandemic fitness awakening across India. The lockdowns of 2020 and 2021 forced many Indians to reassess their health, movement habits and long-term wellness priorities. For a significant number of them, that period became the starting line of long, deeply meaningful physical journeys. Bimla's own decision to start running in 2020 is one of the most inspiring examples of how a difficult moment for the world became a transformative moment for individuals.

The Delhi Half Marathon Return

As the Delhi Half Marathon brings runners back to the capital's streets, Bimla will return to the start line with more than a century of races behind her. For someone who has run through India's biggest metros, its most iconic race routes and its most demanding weather conditions, the Delhi Half will not just be another race — it will be another meaningful milestone in an already extraordinary personal chapter.

Why It Matters: Consistency Over Speed

One of the most valuable lessons from Bimla's journey is the lesson of consistency. She is not chasing personal best timings or podium positions. She is chasing continuity, joy and purpose. That framing — where the value of running is defined by its consistency rather than its intensity — is exactly the kind of running philosophy most sports scientists would celebrate as sustainable and health-positive.

Audience Sentiment: A Story That Inspires Beyond Sport

Bimla's story resonates far beyond the world of running. It inspires women who wonder if it is too late to start something new. It inspires older adults who are questioning whether their bodies can take on ambitious physical goals. It inspires couples looking for shared passions they can build together in their later years. And it inspires families who see in the Banwalas a model of active, purposeful ageing.

The Ecosystem Around Her

Behind every long-term runner is a supporting ecosystem — coaches, running communities, event organisers, family members and fellow runners. Bimla's running life has been enriched by all of these — but especially by the running community in and around Rohtak and the national ecosystem built by organisations like Procam International, which has consistently created platforms for runners of every age, gender and level to participate meaningfully.

Why It Matters: Recreational Running Is Nation-Building

Recreational running may look like an individual pursuit, but its collective impact is nation-building. Every runner who takes to the streets contributes to a healthier, more disciplined, more community-oriented society. Bimla and Chandrapal, in their small but significant way, are part of a much larger movement that is quietly building a fitter and more active India — one race at a time.

The Bigger Picture: Ageing With Purpose

At its heart, Bimla's story is about ageing with purpose. In a culture that too often equates ageing with slowing down, her journey offers a counter-narrative — where age becomes an anchor for wisdom, discipline and continued adventure. Every race she runs, every km she completes, every training session she completes, adds to the wider conversation about what a well-lived life at 50, 60 and beyond can truly look like.

What Bimla Represents

Bimla Banwala is not a professional athlete. She is not a celebrity endorser. She is not a national-level competitor. She is something arguably more powerful — an ordinary Indian woman who chose, in the middle of a pandemic, to lace up her shoes and step onto the road. And she has kept stepping, kept running and kept showing up ever since. That kind of consistency is precisely what makes her story so universally inspiring.

Why It Matters: The Culture of Family Fitness

The Banwalas' example also offers an important reminder about the value of family-based fitness. When couples, families and households pursue physical activity together, the benefits multiply — from stronger emotional bonds to shared goals to mutual encouragement during setbacks. Bimla and Chandrapal have quietly built one of the more admirable examples of this kind of shared endurance journey in Indian recreational sport.

The Road Ahead

As she prepares for her upcoming Delhi Half Marathon, Bimla is unlikely to be counting how many races she has completed or how much time she may finish in. She is far more likely to be doing what she has always done — showing up, staying joyful, running her rhythm, embracing the community around her and quietly extending the boundary of what is possible at her age. And in that quiet consistency lies the truest strength of her story.

The Bottom Line

Bimla Banwala's journey — from a Rohtak-based homemaker who first laced up in 2020 to a runner with more than 100 races behind her — is a powerful reminder that endurance sport is not the exclusive territory of the young, the elite or the professional. It is available to everyone who chooses to show up, one training run, one race, one weekend at a time. Alongside her husband Chandrapal, she has redefined what a couple's shared later-life passion can look like. Through her participation in India's biggest races — from Mumbai to Kolkata, Bengaluru to Delhi — she has become a familiar and beloved face in the country's running community. And as she now prepares to line up for another Delhi Half Marathon, her example continues to speak to something much deeper than running itself. It speaks to the power of purpose in later life. It speaks to the beauty of consistent, quiet ambition. And it speaks to the truth that when you start something new — no matter what age you begin — you never know how far, or how meaningful, the road ahead may become. For 58-year-old Bimla Banwala, that road has already stretched over 100 races. And by the look of things, she is only just warming up.

• Government clarifies India is not facing a sugar shortage; adequate stocks available to meet domestic demand until new crushing season begins in October.
• Share of sugar diverted for ethanol production has fallen from around 12% in 2022-23 to around 9% in 2025-26; nearly three-fourths of ethanol now comes from grains, primarily maize.
• Retail sugar prices for consumers rose only around 3% annually between August 2024 and July 2026; however, sugar climbed from Rs 48.18/kg on July 20 to Rs 55.70/kg on August 20 — a 15.6% jump in a month.
• Sugar production for the current season expected at around 306 LMT vs initial estimate of 343 LMT, impacted by Red Rot, Top Borer disease and waterlogging.
• Global sugar deficit for 2026-27 estimated at around 33 LMT; international sugar prices rose from $474/tonne on June 30 to $552/tonne on August 20 — a 16%+ increase.

Amid recent noise around rising sugar prices and speculation over ethanol-linked diversion, the Central government on Wednesday moved firmly to reassure the country that India is not facing a sugar shortage. In a comprehensive factsheet, the government clarified that adequate stocks are available to meet domestic demand until the new crushing season begins in October — a critical timing marker that separates the current phase of tight supplies from a market-wide crisis narrative. Given how quickly sensitive commodities like sugar can shape consumer sentiment, this clarification lands at exactly the right moment.

Ethanol Diversion: Facts vs Perception

One of the most important corrections the government offered relates to the ethanol narrative. The share of sugar diverted for ethanol production has declined from around 12 per cent in 2022-23 to around 9 per cent in 2025-26. Moreover, nearly three-fourths of the ethanol produced in India now comes from grains, particularly maize. This decisively refutes the increasingly common assumption that ethanol is the primary driver of the recent sugar price rise. In fact, the country's ethanol programme is no longer as sugar-heavy as many public perceptions still assume.

The Bigger Retail Price Picture

Zooming out, retail sugar prices for consumers have actually remained broadly stable. According to the government factsheet, sugar prices increased by only around 3 per cent annually between August 2024 and July 2026 — a fairly moderate long-term trajectory in the context of India's broader inflationary environment. That long-term stability is often lost in short-term price commentary, but it is critical to placing recent price movements in the right structural context.

The Recent Price Uptick

That said, the last few weeks have seen a visible upward movement in sugar prices. Sugar prices rose from Rs 48.18 per kg on July 20 to Rs 55.70 per kg on August 20 — an increase of around 15.6 per cent in just one month. This is exactly the kind of movement that has understandably triggered public conversations and even speculation across markets. The government, however, has clarified that this uptick largely reflects short-term supply and market factors, rather than a shift in the underlying long-term price trend.

What's Driving the Current Rise

The current increase in sugar prices, the government explains, is the outcome of a combination of factors. These include lower-than-expected domestic production, an increase in demand ahead of the festive season, and weather-related damage to the sugarcane crop. In addition, tightening global sugar supplies and rising international prices are exerting upward pressure. Speculation and hoarding by some sections of the industry are also cited as contributing factors — an important admission that acknowledges the role of market behaviour, not just physical supply.

The Production Reality

Sugar production during the current season is expected to be around 306 LMT (lakh metric tonnes), compared to the initial estimate of around 343 LMT. That is a meaningful production shortfall, driven primarily by two agronomic factors: Red Rot and Top Borer disease, and waterlogging caused by excess rainfall. Despite this shortfall, however, the government has confirmed that adequate sugar stocks remain available in the country to meet domestic demand — a key clarification given that domestic sugar consumption is generally in the range of 280-290 lakh MT each year.

The October Trigger: A Key Timing Marker

An important operational trigger the government wants the market and consumers to remember is the start of the new crushing season in October. Every year, the sugar market's fundamentals reset with the arrival of the new sugarcane crop. Once crushing resumes, fresh production begins flowing into the market, easing supply tightness and calming price pressures. That timing anchor is critical to understanding why the current price movement is not being treated as a structural shortage — it is being managed as a transitional supply gap.

The Global Angle: A World-Wide Squeeze

The government has also gone out of its way to place India's sugar dynamics in a global context. The tightening of sugar supplies is a global phenomenon — not just an Indian one. The global sugar deficit for 2026-27 is estimated at around 33 lakh MT. As a result, international sugar prices have risen sharply from $474/tonne on June 30, 2026 to $552/tonne on August 20, 2026 — an increase of over 16 per cent in less than two months. This global context matters, because it firmly places India's current price movements in a broader worldwide commodity cycle.

Why It Matters: Sugar Is a Politically Sensitive Commodity

Sugar occupies a uniquely sensitive place in India's political economy. Every household consumes it, every festival ritual uses it, every small business bakery relies on it, and every rise in its price feeds into wider consumer inflation perception. That is why sugar price shocks tend to generate outsized public and political attention. The government's decision to publish a comprehensive factsheet — with data on production, ethanol diversion, retail prices, global trends and farmer dues — is essentially an effort to anchor public understanding with facts before speculation defines the narrative.

Ethanol's Broader Value: A Structural Story

While the government has moved to correct exaggerated perceptions around ethanol's contribution to the price rise, it has also stood firmly by the value of the ethanol programme itself. India produces on average 300-340 lakh MT of sugar annually against domestic consumption of around 280-290 lakh MT. In years of surplus production, excess stocks block the funds of sugar mills and delay payments to sugarcane farmers. Diversion of excess sugar toward ethanol has helped address this structural problem, improved the financial health of sugar mills, and stabilised the entire cane payment ecosystem.

Rising Cane Cultivation: A Sign of Farmer Confidence

Another important structural data point in the factsheet is the growing area under sugarcane cultivation. The area under sugarcane cultivation has increased from 49.27 lakh hectares in 2015-16 to 58.87 lakh hectares in 2025-26. That is a meaningful expansion — one that reflects rising farmer confidence in sugarcane as a viable, remunerative crop. This is directly linked to timely payments, ethanol-linked revenue streams for mills, and consistent state-level policy support.

Cane Dues: 97 Per Cent Paid, and Rising

Perhaps one of the most encouraging data points shared by the government relates to sugarcane farmer payments. As of August 20, 2026, 97 per cent of sugarcane dues for the 2025-26 sugar season have already been paid to farmers. This is a significant improvement over historical delays that have long plagued the sector. The government attributes this improvement to the strengthened financial position of sugar mills — which in turn has reduced their dependence on government support.

Weather and Disease: The Twin Agri-Shocks

The current production shortfall highlights the increasing vulnerability of Indian agriculture to twin agri-shocks — plant disease and unpredictable weather. Red Rot and Top Borer are among the most disruptive sugarcane pests and diseases, and their spread across specific belts can significantly reduce yields. Combined with the growing frequency of excess rainfall and waterlogging events, these agri-risks are becoming a structural policy priority for both the government and the sugar industry.

Industry Impact: A Wake-Up Call for Supply Resilience

For the sugar industry, this current supply squeeze is a real-world reminder of the need to invest more aggressively in resilience — disease-resistant seed varieties, precision agriculture, better drainage infrastructure, farmer-level advisory services, and pest management systems. India's ability to consistently meet domestic sugar demand at stable prices in the coming decades will depend directly on how strongly these resilience investments are made.

The Speculation and Hoarding Angle

The government's explicit reference to speculation and hoarding by some sections of the industry is worth noting. In tight-supply environments, speculative behaviour can amplify short-term price movements beyond what pure fundamentals would justify. Continued vigilance, stronger monitoring mechanisms, and appropriate enforcement action against wilful hoarding will therefore remain critical parts of the government's near-term response toolkit.

Consumer Impact: Balancing Communication and Reality

For everyday consumers, the current price uptick is real. A 15.6 per cent monthly rise directly affects household budgets, particularly for lower-income families that consume sugar-based products daily. This is precisely why the government's messaging has focused not only on reassurance about supply, but also on setting expectations — that the price rise reflects short-term forces and that the new crushing season in October will help ease supply pressure.

Why It Matters: A Balanced View of the Ethanol Programme

The clarification around ethanol diversion also carries larger implications for how the public understands India's clean energy strategy. Ethanol-blending is a critical pillar of India's transition away from imported fossil fuels, and preserving public confidence in this programme is essential for its long-term success. By transparently sharing the decline in sugar-linked ethanol diversion and highlighting the shift toward grain-based ethanol, the government is protecting the integrity of both its sugar market and its ethanol vision simultaneously.

Industry Impact: The Sugar Mill Business Model Is Evolving

Underlying all these dynamics is a much deeper transformation — the ongoing evolution of the Indian sugar mill business model. Traditional sugar mills are becoming increasingly diversified businesses, with revenue streams from sugar, ethanol, molasses, bagasse-based cogeneration and by-product utilisation. This diversification is what has allowed mills to strengthen their financials and clear farmer dues faster than in earlier decades. It is a structural shift that will continue to shape the sector for years to come.

The Consumer Sentiment Balance

Consumer sentiment around commodity prices is often shaped less by absolute numbers and more by perceived trajectory. If consumers believe prices are unstable or that shortages are coming, panic buying and speculative demand can amplify pressures. The government's transparent communication about production numbers, stock adequacy, timing of the new crushing season, and global context is essentially an attempt to shape sentiment through information — a healthy communication practice for sensitive commodities.

Global Sugar Deficit: A Long-Term Concern to Watch

The estimated global sugar deficit of around 33 lakh MT for 2026-27 is not something India can ignore. Even if domestic supply remains adequate, sustained global tightness affects trade opportunities, price benchmarks, currency-linked import costs (where applicable) and the strategic positioning of Indian sugar in global markets. Long-term monitoring of global sugar production trends, particularly in Brazil, Thailand and Europe, will remain critical for Indian policy planning.

Why It Matters: The Farmer, the Mill and the Consumer

At its heart, India's sugar sector is a triangular balance — the farmer, the mill and the consumer. Every policy intervention needs to serve all three simultaneously. Farmers need timely, dignified prices for their cane. Mills need financial stability to run efficiently. Consumers need stable prices for their daily purchases. The government's current communication strategy — anchored in production data, ethanol clarity, cane payment progress and global context — reflects an effort to keep this triangle in visible balance.

The Bigger Picture: A Structural Shift in Commodity Governance

India's approach to commodity governance is quietly maturing. Rather than react to price spikes with sudden bans or opaque interventions, the current approach — driven by transparent factsheets, structured data-based clarifications and layered explanations — reflects a growing sophistication in how the government communicates with its industry, its consumers and its markets. That kind of transparent commodity governance is important not just for sugar, but for India's broader agri-commodity ecosystem.

What to Watch: The October Crushing Window

The most immediate variable to watch in the coming weeks is the run-up to the October crushing season. Progress on cane maturation, weather patterns across major cane-producing states, mill readiness, procurement plans and any potential supply-side interventions by the government will all shape near-term sugar market sentiment. The market's ability to hold its composure between now and October will determine whether the current uptick fades quickly or persists longer than needed.

The Bigger Picture: A Sector Undergoing Transformation

India's sugar sector is not the same one it was even five years ago. It has evolved into a more diversified, ethanol-integrated, farmer-friendlier, technology-informed and globally-linked ecosystem. Every short-term disruption — like the current price rise — must be understood in that broader context. The industry has structural strength; the government has structural policy tools; and the farmer has structural support systems. Together, these give India strong long-term capabilities to manage occasional short-term shocks.

The Bottom Line

The government's clear, data-anchored message is that India is not facing a sugar shortage. Domestic stocks are adequate to meet demand until the new October crushing season, the share of sugar diverted for ethanol has actually declined, retail prices have risen only around 3 per cent annually over the past two years, 97 per cent of cane dues for 2025-26 have been paid, and the recent uptick in prices is a short-term outcome of production challenges, festive demand and global tightness. In effect, India's sugar market is currently navigating a phase of transitional pressure — not structural weakness. The coming crushing season will begin to reset supply dynamics, and the government's transparent communication is designed to prevent short-term price movements from being misread as long-term shocks. For consumers, the message is one of reassurance. For industry, it is one of accountability. For farmers, it is one of validation. And for the broader Indian public, it is a reminder that the country's sugar story — built on the interconnected lives of millions of farmers, thousands of mills and hundreds of millions of consumers — continues to move forward with fundamental strength intact, one crushing cycle at a time.

• PM Narendra Modi will address the Khelo India Dialogue on Thursday at 11 a.m. via video conferencing as part of National Sports Day 2026 celebrations.
• Programme is organised by Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) across two colleges in every district in all states and Union Territories.
• Dialogue links India's sporting ambitions — including its bid to host the 2036 Olympics — with youth leadership and civic engagement.
• Yuva Samvaad session will focus on 5 themes: strengthening sports ecosystem, nurturing 2036 Olympic talent, developing youth leaders, contributing to Viksit Bharat, and the Nasha Mukt Yuva movement.
• Format includes local interactions between young participants, MY Bharat volunteers, athletes and public representatives, reinforcing sport as a nation-building platform.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address young people across the country on Thursday in a significant new initiative that seeks to reimagine sport as far more than competition and medals. As part of the National Sports Day 2026 celebrations, PM Modi will address the Khelo India Dialogue at 11 a.m. via video conferencing — placing India's next-generation athletes, volunteers and youth leaders at the centre of a much larger national conversation. It is a program deliberately designed to link the country's sporting ambitions with its broader nation-building agenda.

The Backbone: Mera Yuva Bharat's Nationwide Reach

Organised by Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), the nationwide programme will bring together young Indians at two colleges in every district across all States and Union Territories. That kind of granular, ground-level reach is what makes the Khelo India Dialogue distinctive. It is not simply a top-down address; it is engineered to actively involve grassroots participation, ensuring that the conversation flows both ways — from Delhi's platforms to the country's smallest districts and back.

Sport Meets the 2036 Olympic Vision

The initiative comes at a moment when India's sporting ambitions are extending well beyond participation and medals. The country is actively preparing to bid for the 2036 Olympics, and the Khelo India Dialogue is being framed as one of the platforms through which young Indians can be brought into that longer-term national vision. In effect, the government is inviting youth to see themselves not just as future athletes or spectators, but as active co-authors of India's next great sporting chapter.

Beyond Sport: A Wider Nation-Building Frame

What makes the Khelo India Dialogue distinctive is its willingness to move beyond the boundaries of sport alone. It brings together sports, fitness, youth leadership, volunteering, civic responsibility and nation-building — all within a single unified framework. That integrated approach reflects a broader policy conviction that sport is not merely about physical excellence; it is a proven vehicle for discipline, teamwork, civic pride, mental resilience and community engagement.

Yuva Samvaad: The Five-Theme Blueprint

A central component of the programme will be Yuva Samvaad, a structured youth-facing dialogue built around five broad themes. Together, these themes function as a blueprint for how young India is being asked to engage with sport and nation-building simultaneously.

Theme 1: Strengthening India's Sports Ecosystem

The first theme will focus on strengthening India's sports ecosystem through better facilities, coaching, sports science and inclusive participation. This is arguably the foundational layer — without world-class training environments, modern sports science infrastructure and inclusive access, no long-term sporting ambition can be realistically pursued. This theme will invite youth to reflect on what needs to change on the ground for India to compete at global levels.

Theme 2: Nurturing 2036 Olympic Talent

The second theme will examine ways to nurture talent for the 2036 Olympics through scientific talent identification, transparent selection and long-term athlete development. India's 2036 Olympic aspirations are only credible if backed by a full-cycle talent pipeline — from scouting to grooming to professional-grade development. Placing this discussion in front of young Indians ensures that the conversation begins early, with the very generation that will actually shape that Olympic outcome.

Theme 3: Creating a New Generation of Youth Leaders

The third theme will focus on creating a new generation of youth leaders — through governance platforms, structured leadership pathways, and MY Bharat-led volunteering programmes. In a democracy of India's scale, youth leadership development is not a soft priority; it is a structural imperative. The Khelo India Dialogue is being positioned to feed directly into that leadership pipeline.

Theme 4: Youth Contribution to Viksit Bharat

The fourth theme will explore how young people can contribute to Viksit Bharat — through developing civic-mindedness, future-ready skills and a culture of structured volunteering. India's long-term development story cannot be delivered by governments alone. It requires a generation of young Indians who see civic contribution as intrinsic to their identity — not optional to it.

Theme 5: Nasha Mukt Yuva Movement

The fifth theme will focus on the Nasha Mukt Yuva movement, positioning sport and peer networks as powerful tools to combat substance abuse among the youth. This is a critical, if sometimes underemphasised, application of sport — as a preventive social intervention. The initiative will be reinforced through weekly Jan Bhagidari activities under the Prime Minister's 100-week nationwide campaign launched on August 2, ensuring sustained, structured community-level participation.

Local Interactions Round It Off

Beyond the national address and structured Yuva Samvaad, the programme also incorporates a strong local layer. It will be followed by local interactions involving young participants, MY Bharat volunteers, local sportspersons and public representatives. Youth with a deep interest in sport will also get the opportunity to interact directly with leading Indian athletes and medal winners — bringing role-model inspiration into a live, dialogue-driven setting.

Why It Matters: The Convergence of Sport and Civic Identity

The Khelo India Dialogue reflects a maturing approach to India's sports ecosystem — one that recognises that sporting excellence and civic strength are inextricably linked. A country that trains for the Olympics simultaneously trains itself in the values of discipline, meritocracy, teamwork, resilience, respect and long-term commitment. Those very values are essential for nation-building at scale.

Industry Impact: A Signal for Sports Investment and Employment

For India's growing sports and wellness sector — from sports infrastructure companies to sportstech platforms, from athlete management firms to sports nutrition brands — programmes like Khelo India Dialogue send an important signal. Government focus on long-term sporting excellence, backed by grassroots-level engagement, typically translates into stronger policy support, increased public investment, expanding private sector opportunities, and a widening base of sports-linked employment.

The 2036 Olympic Bid: A Multi-Dimensional Vision

India's push to host the 2036 Olympics is not merely about winning bidding rights. It is about mobilising a decade-long structural transformation across athlete development, infrastructure, governance, coaching, technology and sports culture. The Khelo India Dialogue is a critical piece of that mobilisation — because ultimately, the 2036 Olympics, if hosted, will be delivered not by policies but by people. And most of those people are today college students, school athletes and young volunteers.

Youth Leadership: The Real Underlying Story

Woven through the entire Khelo India Dialogue is a deeper conviction — that India's next chapter will be shaped by the quality of its youth leadership. The programme is deliberately structured to give young people not just a voice, but a platform. Their aspirations, ideas and feedback on how India's sporting ecosystem and youth programmes should evolve will feed directly into the design of future policies and initiatives.

The Nasha Mukt Yuva Angle: A Preventive Public Health Priority

The Nasha Mukt Yuva movement's inclusion within the Khelo India Dialogue is particularly important. Substance abuse among young people is a serious challenge across India, and sport has consistently proven to be one of the most effective preventive interventions. Structured peer networks, physical engagement and sporting identity all offer powerful protective factors against addiction. Linking the Nasha Mukt Yuva movement with the wider Khelo India platform sharpens its reach and social credibility.

Audience Sentiment: A Programme That Speaks the Youth Language

For India's youth, the framing of the Khelo India Dialogue is likely to resonate strongly. It does not talk down to them; it invites them in as stakeholders. It does not confine sport to elite competition; it treats it as a lifelong civic tool. It does not view youth engagement as a soft outreach exercise; it treats it as a strategic national asset. That framing is precisely what today's young Indians increasingly demand from their public institutions.

Why It Matters: Sport as Soft Power for Nation-Building

Historically, some of the strongest examples of sport-driven nation-building have come from countries that consciously used their sporting infrastructure to shape civic identity, discipline, national pride and community engagement. From post-war Germany's rebuilding through football to China's transformation into a sporting powerhouse, sport has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to align national ambition with mass participation. India appears to be moving decisively into that same conversation with programmes like the Khelo India Dialogue.

The Bigger Picture: Building a Fitter, More Engaged Generation

At its heart, the Khelo India Dialogue is about far more than the Olympic bid or medal counts. It is about shaping a generation that is fitter, more disciplined, more civically engaged, more nationally invested and more socially conscious. It is about ensuring that India's sporting momentum is not built on isolated talent breakthroughs but on a broad, deep, inclusive foundation of youth participation.

What to Watch: From Dialogue to Delivery

The real test of the Khelo India Dialogue will lie in the follow-through. National-level addresses generate initial energy, but sustained impact requires strong operational execution — active MY Bharat chapters, well-structured volunteering platforms, transparent youth leadership pathways, expanded talent identification networks, and continuously deepening links between sport, education and social development. The government's willingness to build and maintain those operational rhythms will determine how far this initiative genuinely goes.

The Bottom Line

PM Modi's Khelo India Dialogue on Thursday is a landmark moment in India's evolving relationship with sport, youth engagement and nation-building. By linking the country's 2036 Olympic ambitions with a five-theme dialogue on ecosystem strengthening, talent development, youth leadership, Viksit Bharat contribution and the Nasha Mukt Yuva movement, the programme places young Indians at the very heart of the country's next great national mission. It reframes sport as a lifelong civic identity, not just an elite competitive pursuit. It positions youth not merely as future athletes or spectators, but as leaders, volunteers, changemakers and co-architects of India's long-term development. And in doing so, it lays down the foundation of a generation that will not only cheer for India on the global sporting stage — but will actively build the India that eventually stands on it. On National Sports Day 2026, the message from the Khelo India Dialogue will be clear: the game is bigger than the medals, the medals are bigger than the moments, and the moments are being built, right now, by a generation that is being asked to step forward — not later, but today.

• The AIFF has appointed Anthony Andrews as assistant coach of the India U17 women's national team; Joakim Alexandersson continues as head coach.
• Andrews will take up the role on a dual basis, continuing as head coach of East Bengal FC.
• He is the most successful coach in Indian Women's League (IWL) history with four titles — two with Gokulam Kerala FC and two with East Bengal FC.
• Under him, East Bengal recently became the first Indian women's club to qualify for consecutive group stages of the AFC Women's Champions League.
• Andrews has already joined the India U17 women's team in Tashkent, where they will play Uzbekistan in friendlies on August 27 and 30 ahead of the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers.

Indian women's football has just received a significant strategic boost. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has officially appointed Anthony Andrews, currently the head coach of Indian Women's League champions East Bengal FC, as the assistant coach of the India U17 women's national team. Joakim Alexandersson will continue as the head coach of the Young Tigresses, and Andrews will now support that setup on a dual basis, running the roles alongside his ongoing responsibilities at East Bengal FC. It is a bold, structurally significant appointment — bringing arguably India's most decorated women's football coach into the national team environment.

The Most Successful Coach in IWL History

Andrews' credentials are difficult to argue with. He is the most successful coach in the Indian Women's League's history, having won four titles across two clubs. He first guided Gokulam Kerala FC to consecutive IWL titles in 2021-22 and 2022-23, before moving to East Bengal FC and leading them to back-to-back championships in 2024-25 and 2025-26. He is the only coach to have won multiple IWL trophies — a distinction that carries genuine weight when discussing the evolution of Indian women's football at the club level.

Continental Success With East Bengal

Andrews' impact has already extended well beyond India's borders. Last Sunday, he guided East Bengal FC to victory in the Preliminary Stage of the AFC Women's Champions League 2026-27 in Malaysia — a landmark moment that made East Bengal the first Indian women's club to qualify for the group stage in consecutive seasons. Under his stewardship, East Bengal also became the first Indian women's club to win a match in the AFC Women's Champions League group stage last season. Add to that the SAFF Women's Club Championship title he led the Moshal Girls to in December last year, and Andrews' resume reads like a blueprint of modern Indian women's football success.

A Dual Role: East Bengal Plus India Duty

The most unusual — and interesting — element of the appointment is its dual structure. Andrews will continue as the head coach of East Bengal FC while also serving as the assistant coach of the India U17 women's team. On one level, this is a pragmatic solution that allows the AIFF to bring in top-tier coaching expertise without disrupting a successful club setup. On another level, it is a signal that Indian women's football is willing to build innovative, collaborative arrangements between clubs and the national team when the situation calls for it.

Joining the Young Tigresses in Tashkent

Andrews has already joined the India U17 women's team in Tashkent, where the Young Tigresses are scheduled to play two international friendly matches against Uzbekistan on August 27 and 30 as part of their preparations for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers. His hands-on involvement in a critical preparation window with the U17 squad signals that this is not a symbolic appointment — it is a functional one aimed at delivering real value in the run-up to a major tournament.

The Road to Malaysia

The Qualifiers will be held in Malaysia from October 5 to 11, with India set to compete in Group E alongside Malaysia, Syria and Iraq. Every session between now and October will be critical in shaping the squad's tactical structure, defensive discipline, attacking cohesion and mental readiness. With Andrews joining head coach Joakim Alexandersson, the U17 girls will benefit from a coaching pairing that combines his Indian Women's League and continental experience with the wider technical framework of the AIFF's youth development philosophy.

Andrews's Own Words: 'A Great Honour and Privilege'

Speaking about his appointment, Anthony Andrews said, "It is a great honour and privilege to be part of the India U17 Women's National Team setup. I'm grateful to the AIFF for the trust and confidence they have shown in me, and I'm excited about the opportunity to contribute to the development of the next generation of Indian footballers. Having spent a significant part of my coaching career in women's football, working across both youth and senior levels, representing the country in this capacity is a responsibility that I take with immense pride and commitment."

Grounded in Player Development

Andrews also spoke about the coaching philosophy he brings to the setup. "Over the years, I have been fortunate to work with and develop many players who have gone on to represent India at youth and senior levels. Those experiences have given me valuable insights into player development, talent identification, and creating environments where young players can maximise their potential. I hope to bring that experience, along with the winning culture, professionalism, and high-performance standards that have contributed to recent success at East Bengal FC, to help support the players and staff as we prepare for the future of Indian women's football." His framing is important — it positions his role not merely as a technical support function, but as one grounded in nurturing long-term talent pipelines.

Why It Matters: A National-Level Impact From a Club-Level Track Record

Andrews' domestic and continental success has been anchored in a coaching identity built on structure, professionalism, high standards and player empowerment. Extending that same coaching identity to a national team environment — particularly at the U17 level, where career trajectories are shaped — has the potential to deliver outsized long-term impact. It is precisely the kind of upgrade the Indian women's football ecosystem has been quietly waiting for.

The Broader Coaching Ecosystem

For Indian women's football, the injection of top-tier domestic coaching talent into the national team setup is a strong structural signal. It suggests that the AIFF is actively looking beyond just international coaches and is willing to formally recognise and leverage the excellence being built within its own domestic league. That in turn is likely to raise coaching aspirations across Indian club circuits — sending a message that professional coaching excellence can translate into national-level opportunity.

The U17 Squad's Big Moment

For the current India U17 women's squad, the timing of Andrews' arrival is significant. Preparing for continental qualifiers is one of the most demanding phases of any young athlete's career. Having a coach of Andrews' pedigree join the setup during this exact window means the players will benefit from a coach who understands what winning looks like at the highest domestic and continental levels of the women's game.

Building Confidence Ahead of Malaysia

Facing Uzbekistan in two international friendlies is exactly the kind of graded preparation the Young Tigresses need before entering the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers in Malaysia. Uzbekistan will offer sound competitive resistance, while also allowing the coaching staff to test tactical setups, rotation options and individual player development. Andrews' presence during this phase gives the coaching setup an additional layer of tactical intelligence.

Industry Impact: A New Coaching Model for AIFF?

The dual-role model Andrews is being placed in may well become an interesting template for the AIFF going forward. Similar arrangements — top club coaches taking on part-time or advisory roles with youth national teams — have worked well in several global football federations. It allows federations to tap into the best domestic coaching expertise without asking coaches to give up successful club roles that themselves contribute to talent development.

Audience Sentiment: Warm Reception Across the Community

The reaction to Andrews' appointment across the Indian women's football community — from fans and coaches to former players and analysts — has been unmistakably positive. His track record inspires trust, and his willingness to take on the additional national team responsibility while still leading East Bengal FC signals a clear commitment to the growth of the women's game at every level.

The Long Game: Building for AFC 2027 and Beyond

While the immediate goal is qualification for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2027, the deeper mission behind Andrews' appointment is developmental. Every player in the U17 setup today is a potential India senior team player of tomorrow. A coach with Andrews' pedigree working with them at this formative stage means they will be exposed to elite-level standards early in their careers — an advantage that pays dividends for years to come.

Why It Matters: A Confidence Boost for Indian Women's Football

Indian women's football has been steadily gaining momentum over the past few years — with growing league quality, expanding fan engagement, and improved international showings. Every appointment, every continental milestone, every off-field structural improvement contributes to that momentum. Andrews' appointment is one such important building block, reinforcing the sense that Indian women's football is entering a serious, competitive era with the right people in the right roles.

The Bigger Picture

At its core, Anthony Andrews' appointment as the assistant coach of the India U17 women's team is more than just a personnel decision. It is a statement about how the AIFF is thinking about the future of the women's game in India. It is an acknowledgment that domestic club success has value, that youth pipelines require expert nurturing, that continental ambition demands continental-level coaching, and that Indian women's football deserves the very best coaching minds the country has to offer.

What Comes Next

In the immediate term, focus turns to the two friendlies against Uzbekistan on August 27 and 30, followed by intense preparation for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers in Malaysia from October 5 to 11. Every session, every match, every review meeting will now be shaped by the additional inputs of a coach who has consistently delivered results at both the Indian Women's League and AFC Women's Champions League stages.

The Bottom Line

Indian women's football has just added one of its most decorated modern coaches to the national team setup. In appointing Anthony Andrews as assistant coach of the India U17 women's team, the AIFF has signalled its intent to raise standards, professionalise pipelines, and empower young players with world-class coaching intelligence. Between his four Indian Women's League titles, his continental campaigns with East Bengal FC, and his deep experience in player development, Andrews brings both credibility and ambition into the national team environment. As the Young Tigresses gear up for their next big challenge in Tashkent — and later in Malaysia — Indian women's football has every reason to feel that this appointment marks not just a coaching change, but a genuine turning point in its long-term journey towards continental relevance and beyond.

• Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar has ordered all government, private and charitable healthcare facilities in the state to conduct immediate fire, electrical, structural and equipment safety audits.
• Institution heads to be held directly responsible if delays in audits or unresolved flaws lead to adverse incidents.
• Every hospital building and block must undergo a physical fire safety evaluation every six months; each facility must appoint a designated Nodal Officer.
• Directive follows the Amravati hospital tragedy in which three newborns suffocated to death due to heavy smoke; 36 children evacuated, 6 shifted to a private hospital for urgent care.
• Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered an inquiry; Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has warned of culpable homicide charges against those found guilty.

Maharashtra has moved decisively to overhaul the safety infrastructure of its healthcare institutions in the wake of the deeply distressing Amravati hospital tragedy, in which three newborns lost their lives after suffocating in heavy smoke. Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Prakash Abitkar on Tuesday directed all government, private and charitable healthcare facilities across the state to conduct immediate fire, electrical, structural and equipment safety audits, and submit their findings directly to the state government. The directive marks one of the most sweeping healthcare safety interventions the state has undertaken in recent years.

The Directive: A State-Wide Safety Mandate

The order is not confined to any particular category of hospitals. It applies uniformly across government, private and charitable healthcare facilities — a critical scope, given that Maharashtra's health infrastructure includes an enormous mix of institutions serving populations of every socio-economic profile. Every hospital, from super-specialty urban complexes to smaller municipal centres, must now comply.

Minister Abitkar's Firm Message

Abitkar underlined that patient safety is the government's foremost responsibility, and warned that negligence regarding fire safety will not be tolerated. His statement made it clear that the state is not treating this as a routine compliance advisory, but as a moment of institutional reset. Hospital heads, Regional Deputy Directors, Civil Surgeons, District Health Officers, Municipal Health Officers and Medical Superintendents have all been made directly accountable for compliance checks in their respective regions.

What the Audits Will Cover

The health department has been instructed to conduct rigorous reviews of high-risk units, including ICUs, NICUs, nurseries and operation theatres — precisely the kinds of units where a single lapse can have devastating human consequences. Inspectors will examine electrical wiring and load management, medical gas pipeline systems, evacuation routes, fire-fighting equipment readiness and staff training. Any deficiencies identified will need to be rectified immediately, not scheduled for later cycles.

The Six-Monthly Safety Rhythm

The directive introduces a new sustained safety cadence into Maharashtra's hospital administration. Every hospital building and block must undergo a physical fire safety evaluation every six months. This is designed to ensure that safety measures are not treated as a one-time, checklist-driven event, but as an ongoing operational discipline. It also creates a documented, auditable trail that state authorities can rely on during regular reviews.

The Nodal Officer System

To institutionalise accountability, each hospital must appoint a designated Nodal Officer to monitor electrical safety, evacuation plans and drills, and submit regular compliance reports. This creates a single point of ownership within every institution — someone specifically responsible for tracking, executing and reporting on safety compliance. Without such nodal-level accountability, safety directives tend to disperse across departments and lose enforcement teeth.

Personal Accountability for Institution Heads

Perhaps the most consequential element of the directive is Abitkar's clarification that institution heads will be held directly responsible if delays in audits or unresolved flaws lead to adverse incidents. This shifts safety compliance from a general institutional obligation to a matter of personal accountability at the top of every hospital's chain of command. It is a significant deterrent — and one that puts real weight behind the state's safety expectations.

The Amravati Backdrop: A Tragedy That Cannot Be Repeated

The directive comes in the shadow of the Amravati hospital tragedy, in which three newborns suffocated to death after heavy smoke engulfed a hospital unit. Rescuers managed to evacuate 36 children from the affected area, six of whom were shifted to a private hospital for urgent care. The loss of newborn lives has understandably created enormous public grief and outrage, and has become the emotional foundation for the sweeping safety mandate now being enforced.

Political and Administrative Response

The state's political leadership has moved swiftly. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered an inquiry into the Amravati incident. At the same time, Revenue Minister and Amravati Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has warned that strict action — including culpable homicide charges — will be taken against those found guilty. This combination of a state-wide safety directive at the health ministry level and personal accountability signals at the political level marks a coordinated, high-priority response.

Why It Matters: Newborn ICUs and NICUs Deserve the Highest Safety Bar

Newborn ICUs and NICUs are among the most vulnerable healthcare environments anywhere. Patients within them are entirely dependent on machines, personnel and infrastructure for survival. Even brief interruptions in electricity, oxygen supply or ventilation can have irreversible consequences. That is why any lapse in fire, electrical or structural safety in such units carries disproportionately high stakes — and why the state's decision to prioritise them in this directive is both necessary and morally correct.

The Larger Structural Issue

The Amravati incident is not an isolated occurrence in Indian healthcare's recent history. Similar tragedies in other states, involving fire, smoke inhalation or electrical faults in hospital settings, have periodically shaken public confidence. Common structural culprits often include ageing electrical wiring, overloaded circuits, blocked or narrow evacuation routes, insufficient staff training in emergency response, and inadequate fire-fighting infrastructure. Maharashtra's directive attempts to address each of these vulnerabilities systematically.

Industry Impact: Private and Charitable Facilities Face Sharpened Scrutiny

While government hospitals often receive the most public attention during such tragedies, this directive brings private and charitable facilities squarely under the same compliance framework. Given that private hospitals form a substantial portion of India's healthcare delivery infrastructure, this parity of expectations is critical. Every institution treating patients must be held to the same standards — because the risk to human life does not vary by ownership structure.

Financial and Operational Implications for Hospitals

The new audit and compliance requirements will inevitably carry operational and financial implications for hospitals across Maharashtra. Institutions may need to invest in wiring upgrades, replacement of outdated fire equipment, safety-oriented staff training programmes, structural retrofitting and appointment of dedicated safety officers. However, these investments are, in the truest sense, non-negotiable — they are the cost of running a healthcare facility responsibly.

Public Sentiment: Grief Meets Demand for Accountability

Public sentiment around the Amravati tragedy has been marked by profound sorrow and a strong demand for accountability. Parents, healthcare workers and citizens across Maharashtra have been vocal in demanding that no other family should be forced to endure a similar loss. The state's swift issuance of a sweeping directive is likely to be viewed as a meaningful acknowledgment of that public outcry.

Why It Matters: Systemic Reform Over Symbolic Response

What distinguishes Abitkar's directive from a purely symbolic post-tragedy response is its structural depth. It goes beyond immediate inquiry and blame-fixing, and instead sets in motion a state-wide framework for continuous safety compliance. It combines physical audits, personnel accountability, six-monthly evaluation rhythms and formal reporting mechanisms. If executed diligently, this framework could genuinely transform how Maharashtra manages hospital safety over time.

The Enforcement Question

The success of the directive, however, will ultimately depend on rigorous enforcement. Maharashtra will need to ensure that submitted audit reports are genuinely reviewed, that corrective actions are followed through, that six-monthly evaluations do not become a paper formality, and that Nodal Officers are empowered to act rather than merely file reports. Enforcement muscle — coupled with visible action against non-compliant institutions — will decide whether this directive becomes a real turning point or another well-intentioned safety framework.

The Broader Health System Message

The message Maharashtra is sending, in the wake of the Amravati incident, is unambiguous — patient safety is a systemic priority, not a project. From ICU wiring to evacuation drills, from fire extinguisher inspections to structural audits, every element of hospital safety is now expected to be treated with the same seriousness as clinical care. That framing has implications for how Indian healthcare institutions think about their responsibilities in the years ahead.

Why It Matters: Trust in the Healthcare System

Ultimately, safety directives like this one are not just about compliance. They are about restoring and reinforcing patient trust in the healthcare system. Families walk into hospitals during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. They need to know — with absolute confidence — that the institution they are entrusting with a loved one's life is itself safe. Rebuilding that confidence, especially after a tragedy like the one in Amravati, requires exactly the kind of decisive, structural response Maharashtra is now attempting.

The Bigger Picture

The Amravati tragedy was avoidable. That is what makes it so unbearably painful. The state government's response — sweeping, structured and personally accountable — is a much-needed corrective step. If Maharashtra follows through with genuine enforcement, it has the potential to become a national reference model for how hospital safety should be governed, monitored and delivered. Other states are likely to watch closely, and, hopefully, learn quickly.

What Comes Next

In the immediate term, hospitals across Maharashtra will now be racing to conduct audits, identify vulnerabilities, initiate remedial action and appoint Nodal Officers. The inquiry into the Amravati incident will move forward, potentially resulting in criminal charges against those directly responsible. Meanwhile, the state government is expected to release detailed guidelines and reporting formats to ensure uniformity of the compliance process across institutions.

The Bottom Line

Three newborns lost their lives in Amravati, and their loss must not remain a statistic. Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar's directive is an attempt to make sure that it does not — that from every ICU wiring inspection to every evacuation drill in the state, the memory of those three lives becomes a permanent reminder of what is at stake when healthcare institutions get safety wrong. In healthcare, safety is not an accessory to care. It is care. And Maharashtra's response signals that the state is finally treating it with the gravity it deserves. If executed with discipline and enforcement, this directive could well become the turning point at which Indian hospital safety, at least in one state, was systematically reset — not because compliance was chased, but because a tragedy demanded change, and the

• Taapsee Pannu says she was drawn to 'Gandhari' by her character Bani's "refusal to give up, even when everything seemed stacked against her".
• The trailer, unveiled on Tuesday, shows Taapsee as a mother whose daughter is abducted from a railway station.
• Story unfolds in the fictitious town of Joypurra, where fear, silence and mysterious Behrupiyas form part of the cultural fabric.
• Directed by Devashish Makhija, written and produced by Kanika Dhillon; stars Taapsee alongside Ishwak Singh, Jatin Sarna, Swastika Mukherjee, Mita Vashisht and Chhaya Kadam.
• The film premieres on Netflix on September 3, 2026.

Bollywood actress Taapsee Pannu, whose filmography has consistently spotlighted resilient, morally layered women, is now gearing up for what may be one of the most emotionally intense outings of her career — the Netflix thriller 'Gandhari'. The trailer of the film, unveiled on Tuesday, has already begun stirring conversation for its atmospheric mystery, its unsettling small-town canvas, and above all, for Taapsee's portrayal of Bani — a mother whose daughter is abducted from a railway station and whose grief transforms into fierce, unrelenting resolve.

Bani's Refusal to Give Up

For Taapsee, the character of Bani is more than a role — she is a study in unshakeable perseverance. Talking about what drew her to the film, the actress said, "What stayed with me throughout Gandhari was Bani's refusal to give up, even when everything seemed stacked against her. The role demanded a great deal physically, but it was her resilience, conviction and unwavering spirit that truly drew me in." Her comments capture the emotional spine of the film — a story where a mother's love becomes a force that refuses to accept defeat.

A Trusted Creative Partnership Reunites

Taapsee also underlined how meaningful it was to be back on a project with writer-producer Kanika Dhillon and Netflix. "Reuniting with Kanika as well as Netflix once again was incredibly special," she said. Elaborating on the depth of that partnership, she added, "Over the years, we've built a creative partnership rooted in trust and a shared love for telling stories about complex, compelling women. Bringing this film to life with Devashish and such a talented ensemble cast made the experience all the more rewarding. I can't wait for audiences around the world to experience Gandhari on September 3." Her framing signals that 'Gandhari' is not merely a one-off project but the latest chapter in an evolving creative universe centred on women who refuse to fit into easy narratives.

The World of Joypurra

'Gandhari' is set in the fictitious town of Joypurra — a place where fear and silence coexist with the enigmatic Behrupiyas who form an integral part of the town's cultural fabric. The Behrupiyas — traditional Indian performers known for their layered disguises and shape-shifting personas — provide the film with a unique visual and cultural texture. Their presence lends the town a dreamlike, unsettling quality, hinting at a place where identity, illusion and truth blur into one another.

The Abduction That Begins Everything

The trailer opens the door to the film's inciting crisis — the abduction of Bani's daughter from a railway station. It is a moment that not only launches the narrative but also lays bare the fragility of everyday life in Joypurra. As the investigation begins to unravel unsettling questions about the town, its people and its silences, Bani takes matters into her own hands — refusing to wait for a system that seems too slow, too disinterested or too complicit.

Devashish Makhija's Vision

Director Devashish Makhija has crafted a distinctive cinematic universe for 'Gandhari' — one that combines suspense, atmosphere and emotional depth. "What drew me to Gandhari was the cinematic potential to visually build a mysterious, layered world that hasn't been seen before on screen. Yet, beneath all of the suspense, peril and action is a universal story of human choices, consequences, and the extraordinary lengths someone can go to for the one they love most. Bringing this vision to life with Tapsee and a fantastic, inspiring ensemble cast was a privilege. With Netflix, now audiences across the world can experience this journey on September 3," Makhija said.

His comments position the film as a rare hybrid — a mystery-thriller that is powered by mood and world-building, but anchored in universal emotion.

An Ensemble Built for Layered Performance

'Gandhari' brings together an ensemble that reads like a masterclass in performance-first casting. Alongside Taapsee, the film stars Ishwak Singh, Jatin Sarna, Swastika Mukherjee, Mita Vashisht and Chhaya Kadam. Each of these actors carries a distinct emotional register — from restrained intensity to sharp instinct — and together they create a cast capable of shouldering the film's dense atmospheric demands.

The Chhaya Kadam Layer

The presence of Chhaya Kadam, who has revealed that she learnt Bengali specifically for her role in 'Gandhari', adds another significant dimension of authenticity to the film. Casting decisions like these — where actors immerse themselves in language and culture — often become the small details that elevate a thriller from good to memorable.

The Emotional Core: Action Meets Sacrifice

While the film is being packaged as a thriller with strong action sequences, its emotional anchor lies elsewhere. 'Gandhari' blends intense action with a deeper story of courage, sacrifice and perseverance. In many ways, the mystery is the trigger; the emotional journey of Bani is the actual movie. That balance is what tends to separate atmosphere-heavy thrillers from truly resonant ones.

Why It Matters: A Mother's Story With Universal Weight

Bani's journey in 'Gandhari' taps into one of the oldest and most emotionally powerful narrative wells — a mother willing to go to extraordinary lengths to protect her child. That archetype cuts across languages, cultures and audiences. Layered onto that universal emotional pillar is Devashish Makhija's atmospheric small-town canvas and the Behrupiyas' cultural specificity — a combination that gives the film both mainstream reach and creative distinction.

Industry Impact: The Women-Led Thriller Momentum Continues

'Gandhari' arrives at a moment when women-led thrillers have been steadily carving out significant space on Indian streaming platforms. Netflix, in particular, has been aggressively curating a slate of female-led stories that are morally layered, tonally ambitious and internationally scalable. 'Gandhari' fits squarely into that curation — combining Taapsee's proven audience pull, Kanika Dhillon's writing signature and Devashish Makhija's directorial voice into one project.

The Kanika Dhillon Signature

Kanika Dhillon's fingerprints on 'Gandhari' are unmistakable. Over multiple projects, she has built a distinct writing identity around women who defy expectation, live with contradictions and refuse to be reduced to victimhood. Her decision to write and produce Bani's story signals that this is a character crafted with the intent of long-term cultural resonance — one that could sit alongside her earlier iconic female leads in Indian audience memory.

Audience Sentiment: Trailer-Led Anticipation

Reactions to the trailer have been notably enthusiastic. Fans have praised the visual palette, the eerie small-town setting, the ensemble casting and Taapsee's fierce presence. Social media conversations around 'Gandhari' have leaned into the mystery angle — with viewers already dissecting frames from the trailer for clues, symbolism and character hints. This kind of active, participatory audience engagement is a strong indicator of pre-release momentum.

Why It Matters: Netflix's Increasingly Nuanced India Story

Streaming platforms globally have been sharpening their focus on region-specific storytelling that carries universal appeal. Netflix's continued investment in projects like 'Gandhari' shows a clear editorial confidence in Indian stories that lean into cultural nuance, moral complexity and craft ambition. For audiences, that means an increasingly diverse and rewarding slate of Indian originals.

The Bigger Picture: Cinema That Trusts Its Audience

At its core, 'Gandhari' represents a kind of cinema that trusts its audience — one that assumes viewers can hold silence, ambiguity, complexity and cultural specificity all at once. In a global content environment that often defaults to fast-paced simplicity, this kind of storytelling is both rare and important. It marks a maturation of what Indian streaming cinema is willing to attempt — and what Indian audiences are increasingly ready to embrace.

Countdown to September 3

With just days to go until its Netflix premiere, the promotional cycle for 'Gandhari' is expected to intensify. More character reveals, behind-the-scenes glimpses, cast interviews and thematic explorations are likely to roll out in the coming days. For fans of Taapsee Pannu, Kanika Dhillon and Devashish Makhija, September 3 has been circled on the calendar for a while — and the trailer has only sharpened that anticipation.

The Taapsee Pannu Legacy

Bani, in that sense, joins a specific gallery of Taapsee Pannu characters — women who have been dismissed, underestimated or endangered, but who refuse to fold. From 'Pink' to 'Thappad', from 'Haseen Dilruba' to 'Mission Mangal', Taapsee has consistently chosen roles that trust the audience to travel with a complex, resilient female protagonist. Bani seems perfectly positioned within that lineage — perhaps even further along it.

The Bottom Line

'Gandhari' is shaping up to be one of the most emotionally charged and visually distinctive Indian streaming releases of the year. In Bani, Taapsee Pannu has found another character whose defining trait — the refusal to give up — mirrors the values that have defined her own career. In Joypurra, Devashish Makhija has built a fictional world that feels both familiar and unsettling. And in Kanika Dhillon, the film has a writing voice that consistently insists on placing complex, uncompromising women at the centre of Indian storytelling. When 'Gandhari' drops on Netflix on September 3, audiences will not just be watching a mystery unfold. They will be watching a mother refuse — with quiet ferocity — to accept a world that has taken her child. And that, ultimately, is the kind of story that cinema was made for.

• Playback icon Sonu Nigam has revealed that during his early Delhi days, he used to record 16-17 jingles a day in different voices and languages.
• Delhi jingles stint gave him fluency in languages ranging from Kashmiri and Haryanvi to Tamil, Telugu, Manipuri and Assamese, long before he moved to Mumbai.
• Has sung in Odia, Bengali, Kannada, Rajasthani, Gujarati, Marathi, Khasi, Konkani, Garhwali, Kumaoni, Dogri and many more.
• Recently released Haryanvi track 'Chunni' with Renuka Panwar; written and composed by Aamin Barodi, music video features Charmee Zaveri.
• Has lent his voice to more than 6,000 songs across over 32 languages; discography extends to English, Latin and Dutch.

Playback legend Sonu Nigam has, over the past three decades, become one of the most recognisable voices in Indian music — but the story of how he built the technical and linguistic muscle to sing across dozens of languages often gets lost in the noise of his mainstream success. In an exclusive conversation with IANS, the 'Kal Ho Na Ho' singer opened up about a defining early chapter of his career — his years in Delhi as a prolific jingle singer, when he would routinely record 16 to 17 jingles a day in different voices and languages. That chapter, he suggests, is where the multilingual legend was quietly built.

The Delhi Grind: A Blueprint for Range

For Sonu Nigam, the Delhi jingle circuit was not just a career waypoint — it was a masterclass in linguistic and vocal versatility. "I started very early, so I got a chance to sing in different languages when I was still in Delhi. I was doing jingles at that point. I hadn't come to Bombay yet, and I was recording in Delhi. I used to record 16-17 jingles in different voices every day. So, I got a chance to become acquainted with different languages of India, from Kashmiri to Haryanvi, Rajasthani, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Manipuri, Assamese, and many others. I used to sing in all those languages in Delhi. And when I came to Bombay, after that, I got the opportunity to sing in Mumbai," he shared.

The Discipline That Built the Legacy

Recording 16 to 17 jingles in a single day is not merely a productivity milestone — it is a rare form of vocal, mental and linguistic discipline. Each jingle demands its own emotional register, tonal identity, cultural nuance and phonetic accuracy. Doing that across multiple languages in the same day requires a level of preparation, breath control, cultural sensitivity and command over voice modulation that most singers do not encounter across an entire year. That is precisely the discipline Sonu built during his Delhi years — long before his voice ever became a household name.

An Encyclopaedic Linguistic Discography

The result of that early grounding is a discography that reads like a linguistic map of India itself. "I have sung in Odia, Bengali, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Rajasthani, Gujarati, Marathi, Haryanavi, Khasi, Manipuri, Konkani, Garhwali, Kumaoni, Kashmiri, Dogri, and many, many more. I had sung in Haryanavi earlier as well for films; now I am doing it privately. So yes, because it has been such a long career, I have had lots of opportunities to learn newer styles and sing in different languages," he added. Few contemporary Indian singers have this kind of linguistic footprint — and even fewer have delivered in each with the fidelity Sonu Nigam consistently has.

'Chunni': A Return to Haryanvi Roots

Even at this stage of his career, Sonu continues to make choices that reconnect him with his roots. He recently released the Haryanvi track 'Chunni', a romantic number that features his soulful vocals alongside singer Renuka Panwar. Written and composed by Aamin Barodi, the music video for the song features Charmee Zaveri. The release has been embraced warmly by fans of Haryanvi music, who see it as an affirming embrace of the region's rich musical culture by one of India's most established voices.

Haryana: An Emotional Homecoming

Sonu has previously told IANS that Haryana holds a special place in his heart, as the state is closely connected to his family. He has revealed that he spent part of his childhood there, and that his father and sister also grew up in Haryana. That emotional connection makes his choice to sing in Haryanvi — particularly at this point of his career, when he can technically choose from any language and genre — feel less like a professional decision and more like a personal homecoming.

The Numbers That Define a Legacy

Sonu Nigam's career, when reduced to numbers, is staggering. He has lent his voice to more than 6,000 songs across over 32 languages. His extensive body of work spans Hindi, Kannada, Bengali, Punjabi, Marathi and multiple other Indian languages. Beyond India, he has taken his voice to global platforms with performances in English, Latin and Dutch — an international footprint that has quietly grown alongside his mainstream Bollywood identity.

Why It Matters: The Unseen Foundations of Playback Genius

The Delhi jingle chapter of Sonu Nigam's career highlights something the wider music industry often forgets — that behind every celebrated playback voice lies a foundation of relentless, low-glamour, high-discipline work. Recording jingles is rarely spotlighted in celebrity narratives, but it is often the crucible in which future icons develop technique, versatility and emotional range. Sonu's own trajectory is a powerful reminder that the loudest careers often begin in the quietest studios.

The Language of Music, The Music of Language

For Sonu Nigam, learning to sing in a language is not just about pronunciation — it is about culture, feeling and respect. That is precisely why his cross-language performances land emotionally, not just technically. Whether he is singing a Bhojpuri folk melody, a Tamil devotional or a Konkani wedding number, his voice carries not just the words but the cultural weight of those words. That emotional accuracy is difficult to teach and is usually the outcome of exactly the kind of ecosystem exposure his Delhi years provided.

Industry Impact: A Lifelong Case for Range

Sonu Nigam's career offers a masterclass in the commercial power of range. In an industry that often pressures singers to build a niche identity, his willingness to move fluidly across languages, genres and moods is a case study in longevity. It reinforces the idea that specialisation may make you visible, but versatility keeps you relevant across decades. For emerging singers, that is a foundational lesson worth internalising.

Audience Sentiment: A Rare Kind of Trust

Sonu Nigam's audience has, over decades, developed a rare kind of trust in his voice — one that transcends language boundaries. Fans in Chennai listen to him as attentively as fans in Chandigarh. Diaspora audiences in London, Toronto or Dubai carry the same emotional connection to his voice as listeners in Lucknow. That kind of trust is a cumulative result of years of consistent quality, cultural respect and vocal integrity — none of which happens by accident.

The Independent Music Chapter Continues

Alongside his film work, Sonu has been actively engaging with independent music — including regional-language releases like 'Chunni'. This dual-track presence is important. It keeps him connected to shifting audience tastes, extends his relevance in the streaming-first era, and allows him to explore artistic choices that might not always fit the constraints of mainstream Bollywood. It is exactly the kind of hybrid identity that today's music industry increasingly rewards.

Why It Matters: The Case for Craft Over Shortcuts

At a time when a large portion of viral music is built on algorithm-friendly hooks and rapid-fire content cycles, Sonu Nigam's story reminds the industry — and its emerging voices — that craft still matters. His mastery over multiple languages, his early jingle-era work ethic, and his willingness to keep learning even as one of India's most celebrated singers all reinforce a simple but powerful principle: shortcuts may build moments, but craft builds careers.

The Bigger Picture: A Living Chapter of Indian Music History

At his current stage in the industry, Sonu Nigam is not just an active artist — he is a living chapter of Indian music history. His career has spanned the transition from radio to television to streaming, from analogue recording to digital production, from film-dominated music to independent releases. Very few voices have not only witnessed this evolution but continued to remain central to it. His journey stands as both an artistic and industrial reference point for anyone who wants to understand how modern Indian music truly took shape.

What to Watch Next

Fans will now be watching closely for what Sonu Nigam takes on next. Whether it is more independent regional releases, film soundtracks that showcase his classical roots, or the international collaborations he has previously said he is keen on exploring, his upcoming projects will continue to demonstrate the same underlying philosophy — that curiosity, hard work and respect for language remain the truest foundations of great music.

The Bottom Line

The story of Sonu Nigam recording 16 to 17 jingles a day in Delhi is more than just a nostalgic anecdote — it is the origin story of one of India's most technically accomplished and emotionally connected voices. It is the story of how a young singer, long before fame arrived, laid down the linguistic, vocal and cultural foundations that would eventually let him sing in over 32 languages and cross more than 6,000 songs. In a music industry that today often celebrates instant success, Sonu Nigam's Delhi years serve as a powerful reminder that the greatest voices are not created overnight — they are shaped, day by day, jingle by jingle, language by language, until one day the world realises that a legend has quietly been in the making all along.

• Gujarat will install 20,000 new household biogas plants in 2026-27 under the GOBARDhan scheme, expanding a fast-growing rural clean energy programme.
• New 2-cubic-metre flexible biogas plants to be set up in partnership with Amul, Banas Dairy, Dudhsagar Dairy and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
• Over 14,000 biogas plants are already operational across 88 clusters in Gujarat.
• Livestock farmers to receive Rs 25,000 financial assistance per plant through the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin).
• Each 2-cubic-metre plant can save 8-10 LPG cylinders annually, manage 18,250 kg of livestock waste, and cut CO2 emissions by approximately 834 kg.

Gujarat is preparing to significantly expand its rural clean energy footprint, with the state government confirming that 20,000 new household biogas plants will be added in 2026-27 under the GOBARDhan scheme. The move builds on a rapidly growing programme that converts cattle dung and other organic waste into clean cooking fuel and organic fertiliser — reducing rural households' dependence on LPG while creating a circular economy at the village level. In an era where climate action increasingly needs to move from the boardroom to the doorstep, Gujarat's expansion is a decisive step in exactly that direction.

The Dairy-Cooperative Powerhouse Behind the Plan

The new 2-cubic-metre flexible biogas plants will be installed with the support of the state's extensive dairy cooperative network — a critical enabler for a state-wide rural clean energy programme. Amul, Banas Dairy, Dudhsagar Dairy and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) will play instrumental roles in scaling this rollout. Gujarat's dairy cooperatives, long celebrated for their transformative impact on rural incomes, are now emerging as key partners in a broader agenda that combines livelihoods, sanitation, waste management and renewable energy.

The Scheme's Roots: GOBARDhan Under Swachh Bharat Mission

The initiative is being implemented under the GOBARDhan scheme of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin). More than 14,000 biogas plants are already operational across 88 clusters in Gujarat — a foundation that gives the state significant institutional muscle to scale up further. The clustering approach ensures that the programme is deployed efficiently, with each cluster benefiting from shared logistical support, service infrastructure and community awareness activities.

The Cluster Roadmap: Phase-Wise Expansion

Gujarat has adopted a cluster-based approach to expand the programme systematically. In the first phase, 7,423 plants were installed across 38 clusters, with support from NDDB, Amul, Banas Dairy and Dudhsagar Dairy. The second phase targeted another 10,000 plants across 50 clusters, with nearly 7,000 plants already established in partnership with the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation and various district milk unions. This phased structure has allowed the state to iron out execution challenges before scaling, laying a strong operational blueprint for the new 20,000-plant push.

Direct Financial Support for Farmers

To make participation economically attractive, livestock farmers will receive Rs 25,000 financial assistance per plant through the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin). This kind of upfront capital support meaningfully lowers the entry barrier for rural households, encouraging widespread adoption. In effect, the state is investing directly in behaviour change — not through advocacy campaigns alone, but through targeted subsidies that create measurable adoption outcomes.

How the Plants Work: A Full Circular Loop

The mechanics of the biogas system are elegantly circular. Cattle dung is fed into the biogas plant, where it is converted into cooking gas that households use for their daily meals. The resulting bio-slurry, a nutrient-rich residue, can then be used as organic fertiliser to enhance farm productivity. That means one household investment addresses multiple challenges — cooking fuel, livestock waste disposal, agricultural inputs and emissions reduction — all at once.

The Environmental Impact: Numbers That Matter

According to figures cited by the Gujarat government from a UNICEF survey, a single 2-cubic-metre biogas plant can save the equivalent of eight to 10 LPG cylinders a year, manage around 18,250 kg of livestock waste annually, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 834 kg. Multiply these numbers across 14,000 existing plants, and further across 20,000 new plants coming online, and the cumulative environmental impact becomes substantial — not just at the household level but at a state-wide scale.

Voices From the Ground: The Banas Dairy Perspective

Sangram Chaudhary, managing director of Banas Dairy, spoke about the wider ecological logic of the programme. "Renewable and clean energy protects the ozone layer from the damage caused by climate change. At the same time, the use of compressed CNG helps us reduce carbon emissions, which are a major cause of global warming," he said. His statement reflects how leading dairy cooperatives are now increasingly seeing themselves as active players in the country's clean energy and sustainability transition — not just as milk aggregators.

A New Income Stream for Livestock Farmers

The programme is quietly creating an additional income source for livestock rearers by linking them to commercial biogas projects. In Banaskantha, Banas Dairy has established a commercial biogas plant and is purchasing cattle dung directly from livestock farmers in surrounding villages. This creates an entirely new value stream for cattle dung — a resource that, until recently, was often either underutilised or discarded.

Farmer Testimonies: Real-World Impact

Real-world voices give the programme its most powerful validation. Ramji Chaudhary, a livestock farmer from Banaskantha, described how his family's use of cattle dung has now shifted. "Since the plant was established, we have been sending all the cow dung there. A tractor comes from the dairy every day and collects the cow dung," he said.

Another livestock farmer, Rinku Chaudhary, spoke about how the additional income has meaningfully improved her family's life. "The income from the dairy, the income from milk and the income from the biogas plant are all helping our children and us greatly. The standard of living of our children has also improved," she said. These grounded voices matter — they translate a state-level policy announcement into visible, everyday lived experience.

Why It Matters: Reducing Household Dependence on LPG

For rural households across India, LPG remains a critical but sometimes financially stretching part of monthly expenses. Every household biogas plant reduces that dependence and creates an alternative cooking energy source that is not exposed to fluctuating fossil fuel prices. Over time, this reduces both household expenditure and macro-level pressure on India's LPG import bill.

The Bio-Slurry Advantage: Cutting Chemical Fertiliser Dependence

Beyond cooking fuel, the state government has been actively emphasising the importance of bio-slurry as organic fertiliser. Using bio-slurry can reduce farmers' reliance on chemical fertilisers and support long-term soil health. Given the pressures Indian farmers face around soil fertility, crop yields and input costs, this dimension of the programme is arguably one of its most under-appreciated benefits. The programme is therefore being seen not just as a clean energy intervention, but also as a soil and agriculture play.

Industry Impact: A Boost for Rural Cooperative Value Chains

Gujarat's dairy cooperatives, already among the most sophisticated rural value chains in the world, are now emerging as multi-purpose rural service delivery networks. From milk collection to feed distribution to biogas plant installation and dung procurement, these cooperatives are becoming the operational backbone of India's rural bioeconomy. This diversification strengthens the resilience and long-term relevance of the cooperative model.

The National Bioenergy Push: A Well-Timed Alignment

Gujarat's rollout is well-aligned with the national policy direction. The Centre has approved the National Circular Bioenergy Scheme — GOBARDhan, with a total outlay of Rs 23,731 crore, to promote the conversion of organic waste into bioenergy and bio-fertilisers. Gujarat's expansion, therefore, is not an isolated state-level initiative, but rather a strong contribution to a much larger national vision of a circular bioeconomy driven by rural India.

Audience Sentiment: A Grassroots Win

Community-level sentiment around GOBARDhan in Gujarat has been visibly positive. The tangible benefits — clean cooking, reduced LPG dependence, additional income and improved sanitation — make it an unusually well-rounded rural intervention. Additionally, the involvement of trusted institutions like Amul and Banas Dairy adds significant credibility to the programme at the ground level, ensuring stronger participation and adoption.

Why It Matters: A Model of Circular, Climate-Positive Development

Gujarat's rural bioenergy push offers a compelling case study of circular, climate-positive development. It links livestock, sanitation, energy, agriculture, income and emissions into a single tightly woven ecosystem. Each element strengthens the other — better livestock waste management improves cleanliness; more biogas reduces LPG usage; more bio-slurry cuts chemical fertiliser dependence; more organic farming improves long-term soil productivity. It is exactly the kind of interlinked policy design climate economists have long argued for.

The Bigger Picture: A Rural Clean Energy Revolution

At its core, Gujarat's expansion of GOBARDhan is not simply about installing more biogas plants — it is about building the foundations of a rural clean energy revolution. Each new plant is a small but powerful example of how sustainability can be economically attractive, socially transformative and environmentally impactful, all at the same time. Multiply that across tens of thousands of households, and the cumulative long-term impact becomes truly enormous.

The Bottom Line

With 20,000 new biogas plants set to come online under GOBARDhan in 2026-27, Gujarat is quietly writing one of the most compelling rural sustainability stories in the country. From Banaskantha to Anand to Kutch, this initiative promises cleaner kitchens, cleaner air, cleaner fields, additional household income and a lower carbon footprint — all built on a resource that rural India has always had in abundance. In effect, the humble cow dung is being reimagined as a critical building block of a modern, climate-conscious rural economy. And as Gujarat continues to lead the way, its GOBARDhan expansion may well emerge as a template that other Indian states — and other developing economies — study closely in the years ahead.

• India U20 men's football team head to Tashkent on Wednesday for the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers.
• Blue Colts enter the qualifiers on the back of an unbeaten run — three wins and one draw across four friendlies in Bengaluru, with four consecutive clean sheets.
• Group B campaign: India face Syria on August 31 (4:30 PM IST), hosts Uzbekistan on September 3 (7:30 PM IST) and Bangladesh on September 6 (4:30 PM IST).
• Winger Vishal Yadav credits the Bengaluru camp for team preparation; defender Sumit Sharma Brahmacharimayum captained India in both matches against Yemen.
• Group winners and the seven best second-placed teams across eight qualifying groups will book their tickets to AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027.

Indian football's next generation is about to face one of its most critical stages of the year. The India U20 men's football team, popularly known as the Blue Colts, will head to Tashkent on Wednesday for the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers. The trip comes on the back of a highly encouraging preparation phase in Bengaluru — an unbeaten run across four international friendlies that featured three wins, a draw and four consecutive clean sheets. In simple terms, coach Mahesh Gawali's team is heading into the qualifiers exactly the way any coach would want — sharp, structured and quietly confident.

The Bengaluru Camp: A Real Confidence Builder

The recent Bengaluru camp produced results that are hard to argue with. The Blue Colts beat Singapore twice — 3-0 and 1-0 — before drawing 0-0 with Yemen and then defeating the West Asian side 1-0 in the return fixture. In total, India scored five goals and did not concede a single one across the four matches. That defensive resilience, especially against a physically-strong opponent like Yemen, is a strong platform on which to build a qualifying campaign.

Vishal Yadav: 'We're Working Together'

Winger Vishal Yadav, who started all four friendlies, credited the camp for allowing the team to prepare collectively for the challenge ahead. "The camp is going really well so far. We are working together for the Qualifiers and putting in our best effort to be fully prepared for the three games ahead," Yadav said. His comments reflect the kind of collective mindset every youth national team coach hopes to see — no individual chasing personal glory, but a group focused on the larger mission.

Why the Friendlies Mattered

The four friendlies were not just about results; they were about exposure and stress-testing the squad. "The friendly matches against Singapore and Yemen were very important for us. They gave us a chance to test ourselves against strong opposition, understand where we need to improve and gain confidence. Yemen, in particular, were good both with and without the ball. The matches were challenging both physically and tactically, which helped us prepare better for the upcoming competition," Yadav noted. Facing a team like Yemen — technically stronger and tactically disciplined — provided precisely the kind of examination that qualifying campaigns demand.

A Captain's Story: Sumit's Big Moment

One of the most emotionally resonant subplots from the Bengaluru camp was defender Sumit Sharma Brahmacharimayum's captaincy of India in both matches against Yemen. "It felt like a huge honour and a big responsibility to be the captain of the national team. Being captain in such big games gave me more confidence and extra motivation to lead the team and communicate better with my teammates. I was proud of the trust the coaches and my teammates showed in me, and it made those two games special," he said.

Returning From Injury, Building Chemistry

For Sumit, the friendlies were also a personal comeback moment. He had missed the SAFF U20 Championship earlier this year due to a minor injury, and the Bengaluru camp gave him an opportunity to reintegrate with the group. "Unfortunately, I was not part of the SAFF U20 Championship because of a minor injury. So, it was good for me to play with these teammates, understand each other better and build a stronger connection so that we can improve together. That's how those four games helped," he said. Those subtle moments of chemistry-building often make more difference in tournament football than headline moves.

Yemen: A Real Yardstick

Sumit acknowledged that facing Yemen offered India a genuine benchmark. "Against Yemen, obviously, it was a tougher challenge, and they gave us a higher standard to play against," he said. In youth football, growth comes from being pushed against opposition operating at a slightly higher tempo — and Yemen appears to have provided exactly that stimulus. The two clean sheets in those fixtures suggest that the Blue Colts responded to the challenge with maturity beyond their age category.

The Defensive Blueprint

India's defensive organisation emerged as one of the standout takeaways from the Bengaluru camp. "We stuck to the game plan. We had a plan where the whole team had to attack and defend together. Based on our previous matches, we analysed a few things and made sure we made very limited mistakes at the back. As a whole team, we defended well. The objective was to defend as a team, and we defended as a team in all four games," Sumit noted. That commitment to collective defensive shape is a coaching hallmark — and, if replicated in Uzbekistan, could give India a serious advantage.

The Fixture List: Three Matches, Three Different Tests

India's Group B campaign in the qualifiers offers three distinct challenges. The Blue Colts open against Syria on August 31 at 4:30 pm IST. They then face hosts Uzbekistan on September 3 at 7:30 pm IST — arguably the toughest test of the group given the home advantage the Uzbeks will enjoy. India then close their group campaign against Bangladesh on September 6 at 4:30 pm IST. Each opponent brings its own tactical profile, and India will need to adapt from match to match without losing the defensive identity they built in Bengaluru.

The Qualification Format: The Path to China 2027

The qualifying pathway is clearly defined. The group winners, along with the seven best second-placed teams across the eight qualifying groups, will secure their places in the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027. For India, that means winning matches counts, but the manner of winning and the goal difference could also be decisive if the team ends up chasing a best-runners-up berth. Every clean sheet, every goal, every point begins to carry weight.

Why It Matters: Youth Football Is India's Long-Term Bet

India's football journey at the senior level has often been shaped by structural gaps in youth development. That is precisely why the U20 category — where the next generation of national team players is groomed — carries such strategic importance. A strong showing at the AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers is not just about the Cup itself. It is about building a pipeline of confident, internationally-tested players who can eventually anchor India's senior squad in the coming years.

The Coach's Silent Impact

While the players have spoken publicly, much of the credit for the Bengaluru camp's structure and preparation lies with head coach Mahesh Gawali. His ability to instil a team-first defensive identity, extract clean-sheet performances and manage minute-by-minute rotations across four back-to-back friendlies has quietly set the tone for the qualifiers. Youth coaches rarely get the spotlight, but their imprint on the players' development often outlasts a single tournament cycle.

Industry Impact: The Grassroots-to-Global Journey

For Indian football's broader ecosystem — clubs, academies, scouts and administrators — the U20 team's international outings serve as important scouting and validation opportunities. Players who perform in an AFC-level qualifier become natural candidates for I-League and ISL contracts, national U23 selections and eventually senior team consideration. Every match in Tashkent is therefore also a career audition for the young athletes on the field.

Audience Sentiment: Quiet Belief Meets Cautious Expectations

Indian football fans, particularly the passionate youth football community, are approaching the qualifiers with quiet belief. The Bengaluru results have injected genuine optimism, but there is also awareness that qualifying tournaments — especially in Central Asia — can be tactically punishing. What fans will be watching for is not just results but the team's ability to execute a clear plan under pressure.

Why It Matters: The Long March to China 2027

The AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 is more than just another age-group tournament. It is a critical developmental staircase for Asian football's next generation, and it offers exposure to a level of intensity that domestic competition alone rarely delivers. Qualifying for it would give India's Blue Colts an entire cycle of high-quality international competition ahead of them — a runway that could reshape the team's ceiling.

The Bigger Picture

At its core, this India U20 campaign is a snapshot of a football culture trying to steadily reset its trajectory. The Blue Colts' clean sheets in Bengaluru, their willingness to test themselves against tougher opposition, their emerging leadership figures and their disciplined coaching setup all point to a program that is beginning to move with a sense of purpose. The next 12 days in Tashkent will offer the clearest test yet of whether that progress has real, tournament-level substance.

What to Watch

Watch for India's set-piece defending, for the transitions when the team wins the ball back, for Vishal Yadav's threat down the flanks, and for Sumit Sharma Brahmacharimayum's leadership at the back. If those elements come together consistently across three matches, the Blue Colts will not just be competitive — they will be genuine contenders for a spot at the continental showpiece.

The Bottom Line

India U20 fly to Tashkent with confidence, clean sheets and clarity. The unbeaten Bengaluru run has given them a foundation, but qualifying campaigns are not won on friendlies — they are won on match nights, in high-pressure moments, against opponents who will test every layer of preparation. On August 31, when the Blue Colts step onto the pitch against Syria, the next chapter of India's youth football story begins. And if the players and their coach can carry the collective discipline of Bengaluru into that opening whistle, this campaign could well become one of the more inspiring chapters in Indian football's ongoing journey towards continental relevance.

• NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of reports that at least 9 people died and 39 others were hospitalised in critical condition after allegedly consuming spurious IMFL in Gujarat's Bhavnagar district.
• Notices issued to Gujarat's Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP), seeking a detailed report within two weeks.
• Illicit liquor was allegedly spiked with a high concentration of methanol and sold in counterfeit bottles bearing the label of a popular brand.
• Racket surfaced during investigation into the accidental death of a police recruit; large manufacturing setup uncovered with chemicals, fake stickers and packaging.
• Total arrests in the case have now risen to 27 after Gujarat Police's State Monitoring Cell (SMC) arrested 13 more accused; police custody remand granted till September 2.

A deadly spurious liquor tragedy in Gujarat's Bhavnagar district has now drawn national attention, with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) formally stepping in. At least nine people have lost their lives and 39 others have been hospitalised in critical condition after allegedly consuming spurious Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL). Observing that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights, the apex human rights body has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident.

NHRC's Intervention: Notices to Top Gujarat Officials

The NHRC has issued notices to the Gujarat Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP), seeking a detailed report within two weeks. The Commission has asked for granular disclosure — an updated status of the death toll and hospitalised victims, details of the investigation including steps taken to trace the entire supply chain of methanol and other raw materials, and departmental action initiated against suspended police personnel and any other erring officials. The scope of the notice makes it clear that the NHRC is treating this incident as both a criminal and a systemic failure.

Relief and Long-Term Reform: The Other Half of the Notice

The Commission has also sought details of the relief, compensation and medical assistance provided to the families of the deceased and the survivors — an important angle that keeps the focus not only on prosecution but also on care and rehabilitation. Additionally, it has asked for information on long-term measures being implemented to strengthen enforcement of Gujarat's prohibition law and to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

What Happened: Methanol-Spiked Liquor in Fake Bottles

According to media reports, the illicit liquor was allegedly spiked with a high concentration of methanol and sold in counterfeit bottles bearing the label of a popular brand. Methanol, unlike ethanol, is highly toxic even in small doses and can cause blindness, systemic organ failure and death — which explains the severity of the current medical situation for the hospitalised victims. The use of counterfeit labels of a well-known brand also underscores how sophisticated the criminal operation had become before it was uncovered.

The Break: A Police Recruit's Death Cracks Open the Racket

The tragedy came to light during the investigation into the accidental death of a police recruit — an unrelated case that quickly unravelled a much larger criminal ecosystem. During the subsequent investigation, police uncovered a large manufacturing setup and seized a range of incriminating material, including chemicals, colouring agents, ready-filled counterfeit liquor bottles, fake branded stickers and sticker rolls, bottle caps, and cardboard packaging material. The scale of the seizure indicates that this was not an amateur operation but a well-organised counterfeit liquor manufacturing chain.

Arrests Climb to 27 as SMC Widens the Net

The Gujarat Police's State Monitoring Cell (SMC) has now arrested 13 more people in connection with the spurious liquor case, taking the total number of accused arrested to 27. The latest arrests followed information obtained during the interrogation of 14 accused arrested earlier — which helped investigators identify the source of raw materials, the process used to manufacture the contaminated liquor, and those allegedly involved in its sale and distribution. The pattern of expanding arrests reflects the depth of the network the SMC is now working to dismantle.

Custody Remand and Court Proceedings

The 13 newly arrested accused were produced before a court, which granted their police custody remand until September 2 — a critical window during which investigators are expected to extract further leads, potentially unmasking more supply-chain participants and financial handlers. Custody remands of this length are typically granted only when the court is convinced of the seriousness of the case and the need for extended interrogation.

The Madhya Pradesh Link

One of the most significant threads emerging from the investigation is the interstate dimension of the case. Among the 13 newly arrested accused is Anand Chhandi, a resident of Rajgarh district in Madhya Pradesh. Police allege that he was brought in from Ujjain and played a major role in the conspiracy to manufacture the poisonous liquor, including the supply of chemicals used in its preparation. The Madhya Pradesh connection suggests that the raw materials and possibly the criminal know-how for this operation extended well beyond Gujarat's state borders.

The Local Distribution Network

The other 12 accused, residents of different parts of Bhavnagar district, are alleged to have played various roles in the supply chain — including procuring the liquor, keeping it in their possession, and supplying or selling it to consumers. This distributed structure of the network is precisely what makes such rackets so dangerous — no single link is large enough to attract attention, but together they form a lethal pipeline that reaches the ultimate consumer without warning.

The SMC's Continuing Investigation

The State Monitoring Cell has confirmed that its teams are continuing to collect evidence and trace others allegedly involved in the procurement of chemicals, the manufacture, transportation and distribution of the contaminated liquor. The SMC has said further efforts are being made to apprehend other accused and to establish the complete network behind the supply of the poisonous liquor. In essence, the investigation is still in an active, expanding phase — and further arrests are expected in the coming weeks.

Why It Matters: A Public Health and Governance Failure

Spurious liquor tragedies are not merely criminal law-and-order incidents; they are compounded public health and governance failures. When methanol-laced alcohol reaches consumers, it is often the outcome of gaps across multiple systems — from enforcement of prohibition norms and monitoring of chemical raw material sales, to intelligence gathering on illicit brewing networks. The Bhavnagar case, playing out in a state with a formal prohibition regime, sharpens all of these questions.

The Prohibition Paradox in Gujarat

Gujarat's prohibition law prohibits the sale and consumption of alcohol within the state, making it one of the few Indian states with a comprehensive dry law. However, tragedies involving spurious liquor point to the persistent existence of parallel underground markets — where high consumer demand, restricted legal supply, and criminal profit motive combine to create dangerous, unregulated production ecosystems. Every incident like this reopens the difficult policy debate around prohibition enforcement and its unintended consequences.

Industry Impact: Renewed Focus on Chemical Supply Chains

For India's chemical distribution ecosystem, the Bhavnagar case is likely to trigger renewed scrutiny of methanol and industrial solvent supply chains. Regulators, industry associations and enforcement agencies will need to work more closely to ensure traceability of bulk chemical sales — particularly to unregulated buyers. Stricter compliance frameworks, KYC-linked purchase norms, and periodic audits may emerge as the natural next steps in preventing the diversion of industrial chemicals into illicit liquor manufacturing.

Audience Sentiment: Grief, Anger and Demand for Accountability

Public sentiment in Bhavnagar and across Gujarat has been marked by grief and anger. Families of the deceased have called for the strictest possible action against those responsible, while civil society voices have questioned how such a large manufacturing setup was able to operate without earlier detection. The NHRC's intervention is likely to be viewed as a validation of these public demands for accountability — and a signal that the case is now firmly on the national radar.

Why It Matters: NHRC's Role in Rights-Based Accountability

The NHRC's decision to take suo motu cognisance of the tragedy positions this incident squarely within a human rights framework. Its notices to the state's top civil and police officials, coupled with the demand for detailed disclosures on medical care, compensation and departmental action, ensure that the response cannot be limited to arrests alone. The Commission's involvement adds an additional layer of institutional oversight — one that both survivors and the families of the deceased can look to for continued accountability.

The Bigger Picture: A Test Case for Enforcement and Reform

The Bhavnagar tragedy is now shaping into more than a police investigation; it is fast becoming a test case for how effectively India's enforcement and regulatory ecosystems can respond to a public health disaster caused by criminal negligence. From methanol supply monitoring to counterfeit brand enforcement, from prohibition-era intelligence gathering to victim compensation frameworks, virtually every link in the chain is now under scrutiny.

What Comes Next

Over the coming two weeks, the Gujarat Chief Secretary and DGP will be expected to file detailed responses to the NHRC's notices. The SMC will continue its investigative expansion, with more arrests likely and a clearer picture of the criminal network expected to emerge. Simultaneously, medical teams will remain focused on the survivors, whose long-term recovery, particularly around methanol-induced injuries, will require sustained clinical attention.

The Bottom Line

Nine lives lost, 39 people in critical condition, 27 arrests so far, and a national human rights body now watching closely — the Bhavnagar spurious liquor tragedy is a devastating reminder that behind every counterfeit bottle lies a system that failed to detect, deter or prevent. As the investigation deepens and the NHRC awaits its detailed report, the state's response over the coming weeks will not only shape justice for those affected but will also test Gujarat's larger commitment to enforcing its prohibition regime, protecting its citizens, and holding both criminal actors and administrative gaps to account.

Rooted in heritage weaves with a modern edge, the women’s collection highlights classic Maheshwari and cotton-silk sarees adorned with delicate gold khari hand-block prints. For a fresh, fluid look, hand-embroidered modal tops and linen-silk tunics pair seamlessly with ghera skirts. 

The men’s range keeps things equally refined, featuring gradient ombre cotton-silk long kurtas touched with gold accents, alongside tailored short kurtas in a lightweight silk-blend Kosi fabric.

The children's collection captures the heart-warming magic of Rakhi with fuss-free festive outfits that let kids run free while looking camera-ready. Boys can twin in crisp scallop-detail kurtas, while girls shine in festive zari-embroidered kurta sets styled with scarves. 

To round out the celebrations, Fabindia enriches its gifting range with curated tokens of appreciation for siblings—from statement earrings and delicate bracelets to handcrafted clutches, silk stoles, and much more.

Adding to the festive magic, Fabindia has also released a heart-warming short film celebrating the golden craft of Khari printing through the innocent eyes of a child. You can watch the film across Fabindia's official social media channels.  

The Rakhi curation is available at all the Fabindia stores and online at www.fabindia.com.

• Television actress Shivangi Joshi has officially clarified that she is NOT participating in 'Bigg Boss 20'.
• Her clarification came after a video claiming to confirm her participation went viral on social media.
• 'Bigg Boss 20' premieres on September 6, with Salman Khan returning as host.
• Names in the buzz include Rajat Bedi (reportedly confirmed), Geeta Basra and Showik Chakraborty (said to be finalised), with Niti Taylor and Anjali Arora in advanced discussions.
• Shivangi was recently seen as the first runner-up of 'Lock Upp Season 2', with Shreya Kalra winning the trophy at the grand finale on August 5, 2026.

Popular television actress Shivangi Joshi has officially closed the door on one of the biggest reality TV rumours of the season. Amid a swirl of speculation about the 'Bigg Boss 20' contestant lineup, the 'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai' star publicly clarified on Tuesday that she is not part of Salman Khan's upcoming Bigg Boss season. Her statement, timed and phrased with clarity, effectively pulls the plug on what had become one of the most viral fan-driven casting narratives online.

The Trigger: A 'Confirmed Contestant' Video Goes Viral

The clarification came in direct response to a video circulating widely on social media, which claimed to confirm her participation in 'Bigg Boss 20'. In the meme-driven, screenshot-friendly world of reality TV fandom, such videos travel fast — often faster than the ability of the celebrity in question to respond. In this case, Shivangi chose to intervene decisively and personally rather than let the narrative harden into perceived fact.

The Actress's Own Statement

Taking to her Instagram Stories, the 'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai' actress wrote, "It has come to my attention that a video circulating on social media falsely claims to confirm my participation in Bigg Boss 20. I would like to clarify that I am NOT participating in Bigg Boss 20, and the video is completely fake." The tone was firm, factual and free of ambiguity — a textbook example of a public figure using their own platform to shut down misinformation directly.

Why This Rumour Went Viral

Shivangi Joshi's name has, unsurprisingly, been at the top of every fan-generated Bigg Boss casting wishlist for multiple seasons now. Her enormous fan following built through 'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai', combined with her more recent visibility on 'Lock Upp Season 2' — where she finished as first runner-up — makes her a natural candidate for the show. That existing fan appetite is precisely what allowed the fake video to gain traction, feeding into a pre-existing narrative rather than creating one from scratch.

The Bigger Bigg Boss 20 Picture

'Bigg Boss 20' is set to premiere on September 6, with the ever-reliable Salman Khan returning as host — the axis around which every new Bigg Boss season traditionally revolves. As is customary in the run-up to a new season, the internet has been flooded with reports, speculations and unofficial casting lists. However, the makers are yet to officially announce the final contestant lineup, leaving space for a steady stream of both accurate reports and, as this incident illustrates, some outright misinformation.

Names in the Buzz

Several celebrity names have been doing the rounds ahead of the new season. According to reports, actor Rajat Bedi is reportedly confirmed, while Geeta Basra and Showik Chakraborty are said to have been finalised as part of the contestant lineup. Additionally, Niti Taylor and Anjali Arora are reportedly in advanced discussions to join the show. Together, these names hint at a season blending fresh faces, digital-first celebrities, and returning television personalities — a familiar Bigg Boss casting formula.

Why It Matters: The Fake Video Problem

Shivangi's episode is a small but telling case study of a much larger challenge facing the modern celebrity ecosystem — the ability of misinformation to circulate at scale before official denials can catch up. Fake videos, morphed statements and fabricated posters have become common in the run-up to major reality shows, particularly one with as much fan intensity as Bigg Boss. For celebrities, the ability to swiftly and publicly correct the record has become an essential communication skill in itself.

Industry Impact: A Signal for Producers Too

The incident also carries implications for the show's producers and PR machinery. Even before an official contestant lineup is announced, fake casting narratives risk creating audience expectations that may not align with the actual final list. That, in turn, can create early perception problems for the season. Structured, timely and consistent communication from the makers is one of the strongest antidotes to a rumour-driven content environment.

Fan Sentiment: Disappointment Meets Respect

Reactions from Shivangi's fan community to her clarification have been layered. On one hand, many fans have expressed disappointment that she is not entering Bigg Boss 20 — a stage they have long imagined her thriving on. On the other, there has been widespread appreciation for the crisp, dignified manner in which she addressed the fake video head-on. In an era of ambiguous non-denials, a clear, unequivocal statement is often the most respected posture a celebrity can take.

The Salman Khan Factor

Regardless of casting particulars, Salman Khan's return as host once again positions Bigg Boss as one of the most influential reality properties on Indian television. His presence anchors the season commercially, culturally and emotionally, giving even mid-tier controversies a magnified reach. The pressure of casting decisions, in that sense, is not just about individual episodes — it is about maintaining the show's positioning as India's most talked-about reality format.

Shivangi's Recent Highlight: Lock Upp Season 2 Runner-Up Finish

While she is out of the Bigg Boss race, Shivangi Joshi's recent trajectory tells its own compelling story. She emerged as the first runner-up of 'Lock Upp Season 2', with Shreya Kalra taking home the winner's trophy at the grand finale held on August 5, 2026. Her strong performance on Lock Upp had, in fact, further amplified her stock as a natural fit for reality TV — reinforcing why so many fans instinctively believed she would show up in the Bigg Boss house.

What This Means for Her Career Path

By publicly opting out of Bigg Boss 20, Shivangi Joshi is signalling clarity around her project pipeline and personal preferences. Reality TV, particularly formats like Bigg Boss, can be enormously rewarding but equally demanding — physically, emotionally and reputationally. Her decision suggests that she is choosing to steer her career on her own terms, rather than being nudged into moves shaped purely by external expectations.

Why It Matters: The Rise of Celebrity Self-Communication

Shivangi's approach — a direct Instagram Story statement instead of a filtered PR release — reflects a broader shift in how modern celebrities are increasingly relying on their own social platforms for narrative control. It is faster, more personal, and reaches millions of followers directly. In a media environment where speed often defines truth, self-communication has become one of the most valuable tools in a celebrity's crisis-management kit.

Audience Sentiment: A Craving for Authentic Voices

Fans across social media platforms have widely applauded Shivangi's honesty. In a season already dominated by rumour cycles, her willingness to say "no" clearly — and to publicly call out the fake video for what it was — reinforces her image as an artist who values authenticity over spin. That reputation, over time, tends to translate into stronger long-term audience loyalty.

The Bigger Picture

The Shivangi Joshi–Bigg Boss 20 chapter is small in isolation, but it captures a larger truth about the state of Indian celebrity media. Speculation is loud, misinformation travels fast, and the burden of setting the record straight increasingly rests on the shoulders of the celebrity themselves. Shivangi's swift, unambiguous denial is a template many peers may want to study — one that protects both truth and trust.

What to Watch: The Bigg Boss 20 Reveal

For fans of Bigg Boss, the countdown to September 6 is officially on. The makers are expected to roll out the final contestant lineup, teaser promos, and Salman Khan-anchored launch content over the coming days. Every announcement between now and premiere night will be dissected, celebrated, criticised and memed by fans, in a season that promises no shortage of drama — even before the first task is assigned.

The Bottom Line

Shivangi Joshi may not be walking into the Bigg Boss 20 house, but she has once again reminded her fans — and the wider industry — of something arguably more important than any reality show appearance. That in a media landscape often shaped by noise, a single clear, honest sentence from a star can still cut through everything. And that, ultimately, is a form of celebrity power that no fake video can manufacture — or take away.

Also Read: Tanushree Dutta Slams Bollywood 'Veteran' Culture: Trust Character, Not Age

• Students protesting for cancellation of the 70th BPSC exam and reform in TRE-4 marched from Gandhi Maidan towards Lok Bhawan in Patna on Tuesday.
• Protesters broke barricades and engaged in a scuffle with police at multiple checkpoints.
• Heavy security deployed at Dakbungalow Crossing, Income Tax Golambar; water cannons and 'Vajra' riot vehicles on standby.
• Core demands: abolition of negative marking in TRE-4, single-phase exam, cancellation of 70th BPSC paper, and inquiry into Sub-Inspector (Daroga) recruitment.
• On Monday, Education Secretary and Patna DM held talks with students, but no consensus reached on the two key TRE-4 demands.

The state capital of Bihar witnessed a sharp escalation in student unrest on Tuesday as thousands of BPSC and TRE-4 aspirants took to the streets, marching from Gandhi Maidan towards the Chief Minister's residence at Lok Bhawan. What was billed as a peaceful protest quickly turned tense as protesters broke through barricades and engaged in scuffles with the police at multiple checkpoints. The scenes on Patna's arterial roads reflected the deep frustration among Bihar's exam-going youth — a demographic that has, in recent months, become a critical political constituency in the state.

The March: Planned Siege, Prepared Response

The Tuesday protest was not spontaneous. Student organisations had publicly announced their intent to lay siege to the Chief Minister's residence, prompting the Patna administration to activate extensive security arrangements across the capital. Additional police personnel and senior officers were deployed at key locations leading to Lok Bhawan — including Dakbungalow Crossing and Income Tax Golambar. Water cannons and 'Vajra' riot control vehicles were kept on standby as authorities braced for potential flare-ups. Despite the deployment, the sheer numerical strength of the protesters overwhelmed several barricades.

The Scuffles: Barricades Broken, Warnings Ignored

Agitating students tried to break through the police barricades erected at multiple checkpoints, ignoring repeated warnings by the Patna Police. They gathered in large numbers, chanted slogans and attempted to advance towards Lok Bhawan while police personnel tried to contain them. The intensity of the confrontation drew comparisons to previous rounds of student agitation in the state — but the scale, mobilisation and clarity of demands this time signal a new level of coordination among protest organisers.

The Core Demands: A Detailed Charter

The protest is not driven by a single grievance but by a layered set of demands. The primary asks include the abolition of negative marking in the Bihar Public Service Commission's (BPSC) teacher recruitment exam TRE-4, and the conduct of the exam in a single phase rather than a multi-stage format. Beyond that, students are demanding: an announcement of the date for the BSSC Inter-level exams, cancellation of the 70th BPSC exam paper amid allegations of irregularities and leaks, and an inquiry into the Sub-Inspector (Daroga) recruitment process. Collectively, these demands stitch together a wider narrative — one that questions the integrity, structure and fairness of Bihar's recruitment ecosystem.

The Alleged Irregularities: BPSC's Credibility Under Pressure

The intensity of the protest is being fuelled by widespread allegations of irregularities and paper leaks in recent BPSC-conducted exams. For aspirants who often invest years — and considerable personal resources — into preparing for these exams, allegations of exam malpractice strike a deep emotional chord. The demand for cancellation of the 70th BPSC exam paper, in that sense, is not merely procedural; it is a call for the restoration of trust in the system.

Monday's Dialogue Ended Without Full Consensus

Ahead of Tuesday's escalation, senior government officials — including the Education Secretary and the Patna District Magistrate — engaged in dialogue with student representatives on Monday, in an attempt to defuse tensions. While agreement was reportedly reached on several issues, no consensus could be achieved on the two most emotionally charged demands — the removal of negative marking for TRE-4 and the holding of the exam in a single stage. The failure to bridge that gap directly set the stage for Tuesday's street mobilisation.

Why It Matters: Bihar's Youth Bulge Meets Recruitment Bottleneck

Bihar has one of the largest youth populations in the country, with lakhs of aspirants competing for a limited number of government jobs each year. In such a demographic scenario, every recruitment cycle carries outsized emotional and economic weight. Any perceived unfairness — whether around exam structure, marking systems or paper integrity — can quickly transform from a policy grievance into a full-blown political flashpoint. The TRE-4 controversy is a textbook example of that dynamic in action.

Industry Impact: The Coaching Ecosystem Weighs In

Bihar's coaching hubs — from Boring Road in Patna to smaller institutes in the districts — form the backbone of the state's exam preparation economy. Any structural change in the format of TRE-4, or the cancellation of the 70th BPSC paper, will ripple through this ecosystem, affecting course structures, revision plans and the operational calendars of thousands of coaching institutes. That is why student demands here are not just individual grievances but industry-shaping developments.

Political Angle: The Government's Balancing Act

For the state government, the protest presents a delicate balancing act. Conceding to all demands may be perceived as ceding too much ground; ignoring them risks alienating the state's most politically vocal demographic. Every recruitment-related protest in Bihar carries subtle electoral undertones, and the coming days will test the administration's ability to combine firm policing with genuine dialogue and structural reform.

Security Optics: A Fine Line to Walk

The visible deployment of water cannons, riot vehicles and additional police personnel signalled the state's intent to maintain order. However, images of students clashing with police and breaking barricades are the kind that can rapidly go viral — sharpening public sympathy for the protesters and amplifying scrutiny of law enforcement's response. The police, in that sense, are walking a very fine tightrope between enforcement and restraint.

Audience Sentiment: Wide Public Backing for Reform

Across Bihar's social media, the mood has been visibly sympathetic to the students. Aspirants, past exam-takers, coaching mentors and even some political voices have amplified calls for reform in exam structures and integrity mechanisms. In such a saturated recruitment landscape, procedural fairness has emerged as a non-negotiable expectation — one the state administration will have to increasingly prioritise if it wants to preserve public confidence in the recruitment system.

The Broader Story: Not Just a Bihar Problem

While Tuesday's protest is playing out on Patna's streets, the underlying issues echo challenges being faced by aspirants across the country. Paper leaks, opaque marking systems, multi-stage exam formats and unpredictable exam calendars are structural pain points that transcend state boundaries. The Bihar protest, in that sense, could well be a precursor to more coordinated aspirant-driven mobilisations in other states going forward.

What Comes Next

The immediate priority for the administration will be to restore order in Patna, prevent further clashes, and reopen negotiations with student representatives in a more structured setting. Meaningful, time-bound assurances on TRE-4 exam structure, negative marking and BPSC paper integrity will likely be central to any de-escalation. Beyond that, longer-term reforms — including tamper-proof exam delivery and transparent grievance redressal — will need to move from policy discussion into concrete implementation.

The Bigger Picture

At the heart of Tuesday's protest is a simple but powerful message from Bihar's aspirants — that the road to government employment must be paved with clarity, credibility and consistency. Their willingness to march on Lok Bhawan, break barricades and face police action is not the outcome of a fringe agitation; it is the culmination of years of anxiety around exam fairness and career prospects. Whether the state government reads this moment as a challenge to be managed or an opportunity to reform will determine not just the fate of TRE-4, but also the tone of Bihar's larger conversation around youth, employment and trust in public institutions.

Also Read: The Onam Sadhya: How Kerala's 26-Course Banana-Leaf Feast Still Holds Firm

• The Onam Sadhya — a 26-course feast served on a banana leaf — continues to be the emotional and cultural anchor of Kerala's biggest festival.
• Celebrations gather momentum through the first Onam, peak on Thiruvonam (Wednesday), and continue through the third and fourth Onam.
• Traditional joint-family gatherings have shrunk, but Onam has kept the family reunion tradition alive, even in smaller numbers.
• A parallel Onam economy has flourished — small caterers, restaurants and hotels now sell Sadhya parcels priced from Rs 300 to well over Rs 1,000.
• Whether served in an ancestral home, a city apartment or a takeaway box, the essence of the feast — and the sense of shared community — remains unchanged.

Onam may have evolved with the times, adapted to new geographies, shortened its rituals and reshaped its family gatherings — but there is one tradition Kerala has firmly refused to let go of: the grand Onam Sadhya. A 26-course vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf, the Sadhya remains the emotional, cultural and culinary centrepiece of a festival that continues to define what it means to be Malayali. From this day — the first Onam — kitchens across Kerala will be working overtime as families prepare for the most elaborate meal of the year.

The Rhythm of Onam Days

The celebrations will gather momentum through Wednesday, Thiruvonam — the most important day of the festival — and continue through the third and fourth Onam. Each day carries its own meaning and rituals, weaving together mythology, memory and community. Through it all, the Sadhya remains the undisputed hero — the one shared experience around which every family, every neighbourhood and every restaurant table orbits.

Kerala's Most Secular Festival

Onam is arguably Kerala's most genuinely secular festival, cutting across caste, religion and social boundaries. It evokes memories of a mythical golden age of prosperity and equality — the reign of King Mahabali — even though the Onam celebrated today is more a recreation of that ethos than a mirror image of it. In an era when public festivals are increasingly politicised across the country, Onam continues to stand out for its inclusivity — celebrated by Hindus, Christians and Muslims alike, and marked with equal enthusiasm in homes, workplaces and public institutions.

Joint Families May Have Shrunk, But the Table Still Gathers

The old Kerala of sprawling joint families has largely disappeared. The ancestral home once filled with brothers, sisters, cousins and children around one long dining row is now, increasingly, a memory. Yet Onam has found a way to keep the family gathering alive. Siblings living in different cities — and increasingly, different countries — often return home for the festival, turning the Sadhya into an annual reunion. The gathering may be smaller than it once was, but the emotional intent behind it is undiminished.

Anatomy of a 26-Course Marvel

And what a feast it remains. Twenty-six preparations, each with its own place and purpose, arrive on the plantain leaf in a carefully established order. Rice, parippu, ghee, sambar, avial, thoran, olan, kalan, erissery, pickles, pachadi, kichadi, papad, banana, chips — and the concluding succession of payasams — together make the meal less a lunch than a culinary celebration of Kerala itself. The Sadhya is not just eaten; it is experienced, plate by plate, in a rhythm that has been passed down through generations.

The Sadhya's Culinary Philosophy

Beyond the numbers, the Sadhya is a masterclass in balance. Every dish speaks to a specific role — the sour balances the sweet, the crunchy offsets the creamy, the tangy pickles cut through the richness of ghee-laced rice. The choreography of serving, the order of consumption, and even the way the banana leaf is laid out — with the tip to the diner's left — carries centuries of layered tradition. It is one of the last truly ritualised eating experiences left in Indian cuisine.

Why It Matters: A Living Cultural Anchor

In an age of accelerating cultural convergence, the Sadhya's survival is significant. It is one of the rare Indian food traditions that has resisted the pull of fast fusion, held on to its plant-based purity and preserved its ritualistic depth, even as the surrounding social structures have transformed. For a state that has led India on many social indicators, the Sadhya is a reminder that modernity and tradition can, when handled with care, coexist on the same banana leaf.

The Rise of the Onam Economy

The Onam economy has changed too — and dramatically so. Today, some of the biggest beneficiaries of the season are the small caterers, restaurants and hotels that have turned the traditional feast into a thriving seasonal business. For families unable to cook the elaborate spread at home, the answer is increasingly a parcel of Sadhya delivered to the doorstep. Prices range from around Rs 300 at the lower end to well above Rs 1,000 at premium hotels, depending on the scale and setting. Everyone from neighbourhood mess-kitchens to five-star chefs is now part of Kerala's biggest annual F&B moment.

Industry Impact: A Seasonal Boom for the F&B Sector

For Kerala's hospitality industry, the Onam window is arguably the most profitable stretch of the calendar. Hotels open advance bookings weeks in advance, caterers hire additional hands, and even small restaurants build custom pricing packages for corporate offices, apartment communities and delivery aggregators. The Sadhya has effectively become a mid-scale economic engine, generating employment for cooks, waiters, delivery agents, packaging suppliers and produce vendors alike.

The Home Kitchen Still Rules — But With Company

Even with the commercial ecosystem thriving, the home kitchen retains pride of place. The smell of ghee melting into hot rice, the sound of coconut being scraped for thoran, and the sight of freshly cut plantain leaves being wiped down remain sensory anchors that no takeaway box can fully replicate. But the emergence of the Sadhya parcel has, in many ways, expanded the festival — allowing bachelors in cities, working professionals living far from home and elderly couples without cooking help to remain part of the collective celebration.

Audience Sentiment: A Warmth That Cuts Across Generations

For younger Malayalis, particularly those living outside Kerala, the Sadhya has taken on renewed emotional weight. Instagram feeds fill up with images of banana-leaf spreads shared with roommates, colleagues and inter-cultural friends. Older generations reminisce about the sprawling Sadhyas of their childhood, when three generations sat down together. Between the two, the Sadhya continues to serve as a shared cultural language — one that connects a modern, dispersed Kerala across geographies and time zones.

The Bigger Picture: A State That Sits Down Together

Whether served on a banana leaf at an ancestral home, arranged in a modest apartment or packed neatly into a takeaway box, the essence of the Sadhya remains unchanged. For a few days each year, Kerala sits down together to eat. Homes open up, kitchens go into overdrive, temples ring with celebration, and even hospital wards and police stations often prepare their own scaled-down versions of the feast. It is one of the few remaining rituals in India where the community, in its truest sense, still eats as one.

Beyond Nostalgia: A Tradition That Adapts to Stay Alive

The genius of the Onam Sadhya lies not just in its preservation, but in its quiet adaptability. It has moved from the joint-family verandah to the nuclear-family apartment, from the ancestral plantain-leaf spread to eco-packed takeaway containers, without losing its cultural core. That flexibility — reverence for form, openness in delivery — is precisely what has allowed the tradition to survive urbanisation, migration and modern lifestyles.

The Feast That Holds Kerala Together

At its heart, the Sadhya is more than food. It is Kerala's most enduring metaphor for togetherness — cooked slowly, served generously and eaten collectively. In a world that celebrates speed and individualism, the Onam Sadhya insists on slowness and community. And that, perhaps, is why it has held on so firmly, even as everything around it has changed.

The Table That Never Empties

Onam 2026 will unfold across cities, villages, offices, temples and apartment complexes. Some Sadhyas will be served in traditional homes with jasmine-lit verandahs. Others will arrive at office desks in cardboard boxes. Some will be shared with extended family under a single roof. Others will be enjoyed alone, plated on a leaf-shaped disposable, over a video call with siblings in another country. But across all of them, one truth will hold — that at the centre of the table, as it has been for generations, is the 26-course Sadhya. The feast that still holds Onam and Kerala together.

Also Read: Vipul Amrutlal Shah on Reuniting With Akshay Kumar for Alien Thriller 'Samuk'

• Filmmaker-producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah has reunited with superstar Akshay Kumar after 13 years for ambitious alien action thriller 'Samuk', which has gone on floors.
• Directed by Kanishk Varma; positioned as a large-scale theatrical survival-action thriller with an international production approach.
• Academy Award-nominated creature-effects designer Alec Gillis — known for work on 'Alien' and 'Predator' — has designed the film's central alien.
• International action team headed by British action director Luke Tumber; project has been in development for over two years.
• Shah and Akshay have previously collaborated on 'Aankhen' (2002), 'Waqt: The Race Against Time' (2005), 'Namastey London' (2007), 'Singh Is Kinng' (2008) and 'Action Replayy' (2010).

One of Hindi cinema's most successful actor-producer partnerships has finally been rekindled. Filmmaker-producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah has confirmed that he is reuniting with superstar Akshay Kumar after 13 years for the ambitious alien action thriller 'Samuk', which has officially gone on floors. The reunion, coming after a decade-plus gap, is being treated as an event moment by both the filmmaker and the actor's fanbase — and the scale of the project only heightens the anticipation.

Vipul Shah's Emotional Note on the Reunion

Talking about coming back together with Akshay after such a long pause, Shah struck a heartfelt tone. "After a gap of 13 years, starting a new journey with Akshay Kumar today is a very, very joyful, happy and proud moment for all of us," he said. He added, "The ambition to create something better and bigger every single time with Akshay Sir has been the hallmark of our journey. We have challenged each other in many ways to keep pushing ourselves and do better, and this time, the challenge is bigger than ever. I hope we create something together that people will absolutely love."

What Is 'Samuk'?

Directed by Kanishk Varma and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, 'Samuk' is being mounted as a large-scale theatrical survival-action thriller. Uniquely for a Bollywood tentpole, the film brings together an international creature and stunt team to explore the alien genre in an Indian setting — a genre space Hindi cinema has historically flirted with but rarely tackled head-on at this scale.

An Alien Genre Bet From Bollywood

Bollywood's tryst with alien and creature-driven sci-fi has been sporadic — with a handful of standout films but no consistent genre pipeline. 'Samuk' represents a serious swing at establishing homegrown, world-class alien storytelling that combines Indian sensibilities with international production standards. The genre gamble is significant, and its success or failure could shape how Indian studios approach speculative-fiction cinema going forward.

Two Years in Development

According to the makers, 'Samuk' has been in development for over two years, with Shah and director Kanishk Varma building a world that fuses military realism, survival elements and alien mythology. The layered creative approach signals that this is not being treated as a genre novelty — it is being architected as a proper franchise-ambition film, backed by disciplined pre-production.

The Alec Gillis Factor: Hollywood-Grade Creature Design

Arguably the biggest technical headline of 'Samuk' is the involvement of Academy Award-nominated creature-effects designer Alec Gillis. Gillis is a legendary name in the space, with credits that include seminal work on 'Alien' and 'Predator' — franchises that essentially defined the creature-feature genre for global cinema. His involvement in designing the film's central alien immediately vaults 'Samuk' into a different production tier and signals the makers' seriousness about visual craft.

International Action Direction: Luke Tumber Leads

Alongside Gillis, British action director Luke Tumber leads the film's international action team. That combination of a globally-experienced action head with a Hollywood-pedigree creature designer suggests 'Samuk' is being engineered to deliver both spectacle and physical intensity of a scale rarely attempted in mainstream Hindi cinema. For action-genre fans, this is a stacked technical setup.

The Shah-Akshay Legacy: A Look Back

Vipul Shah and Akshay Kumar's creative history is one of Bollywood's most productive collaborations. Their first outing together was the multi-starrer heist thriller 'Aankhen' in 2002, followed by the family drama 'Waqt: The Race Against Time' in 2005. The romantic drama 'Namastey London' in 2007 became a cultural moment for the diaspora audience, while Shah produced the blockbuster 'Singh Is Kinng' in 2008. Their last collaboration was 'Action Replayy' in 2010, before the two amicably drifted onto separate creative paths. 'Samuk' now closes that 13-year loop.

Why It Matters: A New Chapter in Akshay Kumar's Genre Play

For Akshay Kumar, 'Samuk' represents another bold step in his continually diversifying filmography. Alongside patriotic dramas, historical films and mainstream comedies, the actor is now leaning into large-format genre cinema. An alien-survival-action thriller is uncharted terrain for him — and stepping into it under a filmmaker with whom he shares deep professional history minimises creative risk while maximising ambition.

Industry Impact: A Signal to Bollywood's Sci-Fi Ambitions

'Samuk' arrives at a moment when Indian audiences are increasingly open to genre-defining sci-fi cinema, thanks in part to the success of Telugu and Tamil films that have taken bold speculative-fiction swings. Bollywood's ability to compete in this space has been widely debated. A Vipul Shah–Akshay Kumar collaboration, backed by Alec Gillis's creature design and Luke Tumber's action choreography, is arguably the most ambitious industry answer to that debate yet.

Audience Sentiment: Anticipation Meets Curiosity

Fan reactions have combined nostalgia for the Shah-Akshay pairing with genuine curiosity about the film's genre and scale. The involvement of an Academy Award-nominated creature designer has become a leading talking point online, with fans framing 'Samuk' as a "next-level Bollywood attempt at sci-fi". The narrative momentum, even at the floors-on stage, is significant — and hard-earned in a market where launch buzz is increasingly difficult to build.

The Road Ahead

With production underway and top-tier international collaborators on board, all eyes are now on how 'Samuk' unfolds through its shoot schedule, VFX build and eventual promotional rollout. If Shah and Varma succeed in delivering the theatrical scale they are aiming for, and Akshay Kumar delivers a performance that matches the ambition of the world around him, 'Samuk' could genuinely reset expectations for what a Bollywood alien-action thriller can look like.

The Bigger Picture

Above all, 'Samuk' is a reminder that some of Hindi cinema's most powerful creative equations don't fade — they simply wait for the right story to bring them back. Thirteen years since their last collaboration, Vipul Amrutlal Shah and Akshay Kumar are picking up not where they left off, but somewhere far more ambitious. And if their track record is any indication, audiences are in for a spectacle worth the wait.

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• Rishabh Pant picked up a right shoulder injury and was off the field as India bowled in the final phase of Day 2 at the SSC in Colombo.
• Dhruv Jurel took over wicketkeeping duties, capping a superb day in which he also smashed an unbeaten 115.
• India declared their first innings at 503/9d and reduced Sri Lanka to 8/2 in three overs before stumps.
• Pant was hit on the right shoulder by an Asitha Fernando bouncer in the 94th over — a day after copping a blow on his left wrist off Lahiru Kumara.
• Prasidh Krishna and Manav Suthar picked up the two Sri Lankan wickets to fall by stumps; the hosts trail by 495 runs.

India ended Day 2 of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo in complete control — but not without an injury cloud hovering over one of their star performers. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant picked up a right shoulder issue after being hit by a bouncer earlier in the day and stayed off the field as India came out to bowl in the closing overs. Fellow wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel, fresh off an unbeaten 115, took over the gloves and manned the stumps as India reduced Sri Lanka to 8/2 in just three overs before stumps.

Jurel Confirms Pant's Shoulder Concern

Addressing the media after the day's play, Jurel confirmed that Pant was carrying a right shoulder problem and was under close monitoring by the team's physio. "He (Pant) got hurt on his right shoulder. Physio is monitoring him. Today, I kept wickets because he had pain in his right shoulder. Hopefully, he'll be fine tomorrow," Jurel said. The comment offered a measured update — cautiously optimistic but leaving the door open for further assessment overnight.

How Pant Picked Up the Injury

The specific blow that triggered Pant's shoulder issue came in the 94th over of India's first innings, when Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando cranked in a well-directed bouncer. Pant did not fully read the line and length and could do little more than take the blow flush on his right shoulder. The physio ran on to attend to him, applied an ice pack to the affected area, and Pant courageously carried on — going on to construct a spirited 63 off 89 balls before eventually falling.

Second Blow in Two Days

Monday's shoulder injury was, in fact, the second physical setback for Pant in the Test. On Day 1, he was struck on the left wrist by a short ball from Lahiru Kumara in the 58th over of India's innings. That blow required immediate medical attention — the physio applied ice, taping was done on the wrist, and Pant walked off the field unbeaten on 3, retiring hurt. His return later in the innings, and the fluent knock that followed, had already earned him widespread admiration for his grit.

Jurel's Century Steals the Show

While Pant's fight was the emotional subplot, the statistical showpiece of Day 2 was Dhruv Jurel's unbeaten 115. The young wicketkeeper-batter continued his run of impactful red-ball performances with a composed, tempo-setting innings that pushed India into a match-defining position. His hundred, coupled with contributions across the order, powered India to 503/9d and forced Sri Lanka into a survival mindset even before they had faced a delivery.

Late Wickets Rock Sri Lanka

The Indian bowlers wasted no time in stamping their authority. Prasidh Krishna and Manav Suthar struck in the closing overs to remove opener Lahiru Udara and nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya, leaving the hosts reeling at 8/2 in three overs at stumps. Sri Lanka now trail by 495 runs — a mountain that grows steeper with every session lost.

Jurel's Second Job of the Day: Behind the Stumps

Perhaps the most striking image of Day 2 was Jurel switching from batting hero to wicketkeeping duty within hours. With Pant sidelined and KL Rahul available as an option, the decision to hand the gloves to Jurel reflects both the team management's confidence in him and the flexibility built into India's Playing XI, which features three wicketkeepers. It is a rare and enviable luxury in modern Test cricket.

Why It Matters: Pant's Availability Is a Big Question

For India, the immediate concern remains Pant's readiness for Day 3 and beyond. Beyond his individual value, the presence of a fit Pant behind the stumps also influences bowling plans, DRS decisions and lower-order stability. If he is unable to keep, Jurel is expected to continue with the gloves — a scenario the team is clearly equipped to handle, but one it would prefer to avoid on a match-defining Day 3.

Player Welfare: The Bouncer Question Returns

The two blows Pant absorbed in as many days also revive a familiar conversation in Test cricket — the physical toll of relentless short-ball tactics against batters who choose to take on the challenge rather than duck. Pant's willingness to counter-attack has always been his hallmark, and it is precisely that intent that made him such a difficult batter to bowl at during his 63. The trade-off, however, is the physical hits that come with it — a reminder of just how demanding Test-match keeping and batting can be over five gruelling days.

Match Context: India's Command

At the close of Day 2, India's dominance is not in doubt. A 503-run first innings, an early two-wicket burst, and a nightwatchman already removed — the visitors have set themselves up for a potentially decisive Day 3. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, must dig in for a long, patient survival job on a pitch that will only get more challenging for batting as the Test progresses.

The Day 3 Storyline

The narrative going into Day 3 is layered — will Pant recover in time to reclaim the gloves? Can India press home the advantage and rip through Sri Lanka's line-up in the first session? And how will Jurel back up his century, both in the field and, if needed, at the crease later in the game? The morning session at SSC could well decide the shape of the match, and possibly the series.

The Bigger Picture: Pant's Fearless Legend Grows

Injuries or not, Rishabh Pant's willingness to take blows, walk back on and still score at Test-match tempo continues to define his cricketing persona. Add to that Jurel's steady rise as a red-ball certainty, and India's wicketkeeper-batter pipeline is looking more secure than at almost any point in recent memory. In Colombo, it is that depth — of talent, temperament and toughness — that is quietly turning the second Test into an Indian showcase.

• Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the launch of 'Mama Coaching Classes' in Raisen, Madhya Pradesh.
• Programme will prepare students for MPPSC, SSC, banking and other state and central competitive exams — free of cost.
• Application window: September 10-15; written exam on September 20; classes to begin October 5.
• Also inaugurated the Rs 38.38-crore Sandipani School and participated in the application process for the Azim Premji Foundation Girls' Scholarship Scheme.
• Chouhan honoured Class 10 and 12 toppers with laptops at the Prem Sundar Meritorious Student Felicitation Ceremony.

Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday announced the launch of 'Mama Coaching Classes' in Raisen — a government-backed initiative aimed at delivering high-quality, free competitive exam coaching to local students. The move directly addresses a long-standing pain point for students in smaller cities and towns: the prohibitive cost of private coaching institutes, which has long stood between aspiration and access.

The Coaching Blueprint

The programme has been rolled out with a clear operational timeline. Applications will be invited from September 10 to 15, followed by a written examination on September 20. Selected candidates will go through an interview round, and classes are scheduled to begin from October 5. The initiative will prepare students for the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), banking sector recruitment and other competitive examinations conducted by both state and central governments.

'Coaching Instead of Fee Reimbursement'

Chouhan framed the initiative as a rethink of how government support reaches aspirants. "Instead of paying the fees of individual students, we have decided to provide quality coaching in Raisen itself," he said. He added that online coaching would also be explored for students unable to secure direct admission — an important nod to hybrid learning models that have gained ground since the pandemic.

Sandipani School: Rs 38.38 Crore Model Institution Inaugurated

The day's engagements went beyond the coaching announcement. Chouhan inaugurated the newly constructed Sandipani School in Raisen — built at a cost of Rs 38.38 crore. He used the occasion to spell out his vision for what such institutions should look like. Sandipani-style schools, he said, must feature modern laboratories, libraries, smart classrooms, playgrounds and facilities for sports, music, dance and painting. It is a template designed to blur the perceived quality gap between government and private schools.

'Government Schools Should Fulfil Dreams'

Chouhan's most striking articulation of the day came in a single line that will likely be widely quoted. "Government schools should not just be buildings. They should become places where children can fulfil their dreams," he said. He underlined that education should not be restricted by economic circumstances, and that government-run schools must be equipped to deliver facilities comparable to their private counterparts.

Honouring Meritorious Students

The coaching announcement came during the Prem Sundar Meritorious Student Felicitation Ceremony, where Chouhan honoured Class 10 and 12 toppers with laptops — an incentive tailored to help students continue their academic journey with better tools. The felicitation reinforced the government's message that public investment in education must be visible, tangible and recognitional.

Azim Premji Foundation Girls' Scholarship Scheme

Chouhan also participated in the application process for the Azim Premji Foundation Girls' Scholarship Scheme — a public–philanthropic collaboration aimed at extending financial support to girl students in the region. The presence of a Union Minister at such an application drive is designed to encourage participation, particularly among first-generation learners and families where girls' higher education is not always prioritised.

Skilling for the Real Economy

The Union Minister also announced plans to provide skill training to young people aligned with actual industry requirements, acknowledging that not every youth can — or will — secure a government job. He said Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and private institutions will be involved in the training, followed by employment fairs to facilitate placements. It is a pragmatic recognition of India's evolving jobs landscape, where employability and adaptability increasingly matter as much as academic degrees.

'Every Child Has Immense Potential'

Addressing the students directly, Chouhan struck a motivational note. "Every child has immense intelligence, talent and the ability to succeed. Whether a boy or a girl, no child is weak," he said, adding that every child could succeed if given confidence, guidance and the right opportunities. The line landed well with the student audience and set the tone for the day's felicitations.

Why It Matters: Democratising Competitive Exam Prep

India's competitive exam ecosystem — from UPSC and MPPSC to SSC and banking — has long been dominated by expensive private coaching hubs concentrated in a handful of cities. That geography of opportunity has historically disadvantaged aspirants from smaller towns and rural districts. Initiatives like 'Mama Coaching Classes' represent an attempt to shift that balance — bringing structured, examination-focused preparation directly to district headquarters like Raisen.

Industry Impact: A New Public-Sector Coaching Model

If the Raisen initiative is executed effectively, it could serve as a template for other districts within Madhya Pradesh and beyond. It also raises the bar for how state governments think about educational welfare — moving from indirect financial support (fee reimbursements, scholarships) towards direct service delivery (running actual coaching institutions). Existing private coaching players, in turn, will need to think harder about differentiation, quality and accessibility.

Audience Sentiment: Warm Response, High Expectations

Reactions in Raisen have been visibly warm, with students and parents welcoming both the coaching initiative and the inauguration of the Sandipani School. Local social media sentiment has centred on the recognition that a Union Minister taking direct interest in district-level educational infrastructure is significant in itself. The larger expectation now is around consistent execution — the coaching centre must maintain quality faculty, updated study material and disciplined delivery to earn student trust.

The Bigger Picture

Shivraj Singh Chouhan's Monday visit to Raisen was a compact showcase of a governance philosophy — that education, coaching, skilling and infrastructure must all move in tandem to genuinely change life outcomes for a district's young population. From free coaching to a Rs 38.38-crore school, from scholarship drives to industry-linked skilling plans, the day's announcements collectively spoke to a single core idea: aspirational India is now being built as much in Raisen as it is in Delhi and Bengaluru.

Review of Development Works

Chouhan also attended a review meeting with senior administrative officials to assess development works and the on-ground implementation of government schemes in Raisen district — reinforcing the message that policy announcements will be tracked against tangible outcomes. For students, teachers and families in Raisen, the next few weeks — from application to admission to classroom rollout — will reveal how quickly 'Mama Coaching Classes' translates from announcement to opportunity.

• Top seed WFM Pratitee Bordoloi surged into the sole lead of the Asian Junior Girls Classical Chess Championship with 6 points from 7 rounds after beating WCM Aadya Gowda.
• WCM Shohradova Leyla of Turkmenistan slipped to 5.5 points after being held to a draw by Shivamshika G.
• FM Prishita Gupta strengthened her title challenge with a win over WFM Nivedita V C, joining the chase group on 5.5.
• In the Open Championship, GM-elect Mayank Chakraborty stayed sole leader with 6/7 after a top-board draw with IM Vignesh Advaith Vemula.
• IM Artem Pingin (Russia) surprisingly held to a draw by Daksh Goyal; FM Sharnarthi Viresh climbed to 5.5 points with a key win over FM Amanmuhammet Hommadov.

Indian chess prodigies continued to dominate the Asian Junior Classical Chess Championship at the ITC Maratha Sheraton, Mumbai, with top seeds WFM Pratitee Bordoloi and GM-elect Mayank Chakraborty extending their leads in the Girls and Open sections respectively. As the tournament enters its decisive final stretch, the top two boards are shaping up as showcases of India's deep bench of teenage chess talent.

Pratitee's Decisive Round 7 Charge

The Girls Championship saw a crucial reshuffle at the top, with Pratitee Bordoloi surging into the sole lead after her hard-fought seventh-round win over WCM Aadya Gowda. The result took Pratitee's tally to six points from a possible seven — enough to open up a critical half-point cushion over her nearest challengers. Her performance across the tournament has been marked by tactical sharpness and endgame precision, hallmarks of a player positioning herself as one of Indian women's chess's next big names.

Leyla Slips, Prishita Climbs

Sharing the lead going into Round 7 was WCM Shohradova Leyla of Turkmenistan, but her hopes of staying alongside Pratitee were dented after being held to a draw by Shivamshika G. Leyla slipped to 5.5 points and now shares the immediate chase group with India's FM Prishita Gupta, who strengthened her own title challenge with a decisive victory over WFM Nivedita V C.

Just behind them, WFM Mariya Kholyavko of Kazakhstan and WCM Dakshita Kumawat played out a draw, moving to 5 points and staying within striking distance depending on how the closing rounds unfold.

Mayank Chakraborty Keeps His Grip on the Open Section

Over in the Open Championship, top seed GM-elect Mayank Chakraborty maintained his sole lead after seven rounds. Facing a stern top-board test from IM Vignesh Advaith Vemula, Mayank was held to a draw — but the result was enough to take his tally to six out of seven and preserve his half-point lead over the chase pack. His mix of solid preparation and calm middle-game play has kept him firmly in title-contention mode.

The Chase Pack Tightens

The Open section's chase group has been steadily shaped by a mix of Indian and international contenders. IM Artem Pingin of Russia was surprisingly held to a draw by Daksh Goyal — a result that will resonate loudly through the standings. FM Sharnarthi Viresh scored an important victory over FM Amanmuhammet Hommadov of Turkmenistan to climb to 5.5 points. Vignesh, Pingin and Viresh are all now within striking distance of the top, ensuring that Mayank cannot afford a single slip in the closing rounds.

Earlier Drama: Jaiveer's Statement Round

Earlier in the tournament, FM Jaiveer Mahendru had emerged as sole leader of the Asian Junior Open Classical Chess Championship after a stunning upset win over International Master Aaditya Dhingra. Jaiveer, rated 2326, out-manoeuvred the higher-rated Dhingra (2403) — an eye-catching win that immediately marked him as one of the young players to watch. He was followed by a strong chase group featuring top seed IM Mayank Chakraborty (India), IM Artem Pingin (Russia), FM Amanmuhammet Hommadov (Turkmenistan) and FM Sharnarthi Viresh (India).

The Guru Prakash Story

One of the tournament's most heartening subplots has been the performance of Guru Prakash, rated 2113. In an earlier round, he punched decisively above his weight by holding FM Madhvendra Pratap Sharma (2363) to a draw — a result that captures the unpredictable magic of junior chess, where preparation and grit routinely overcome rating gaps.

The Girls Championship's Round 4 Turning Point

The Girls Championship, too, had its earlier moment of drama in Round 4, when Pratitee defeated Shivamshika G. and was joined at the top by WCM Shohradova Leyla, who beat the previously unbeaten Pranavasri S. That round set the stage for the tussle at the top that has now decisively swung in Pratitee's favour.

Why It Matters: A Snapshot of India's Chess Depth

The current standings are more than just a leaderboard — they are a snapshot of India's expanding bench of world-class junior talent. Across both Open and Girls sections, Indian players occupy multiple positions in the top half of the standings, mirroring a broader trend that has seen India establish itself as one of the fastest-emerging chess superpowers of the decade.

Industry Impact: A Boost for India's Chess Ecosystem

The Asian Junior Championship also serves as a critical scouting and grooming platform for coaches, federations and sponsors. Strong performances here translate into invitations to elite international events, GM norm opportunities and sponsorship visibility. For a country now producing a Grandmaster every few months, tournaments like this one at ITC Maratha Sheraton are integral pieces of the pipeline.

Audience Sentiment: Rising Following for Junior Chess

Indian chess fans have been closely tracking the tournament, with real-time updates and analyses of Pratitee's and Mayank's games trending across chess social media. The success of D. Gukesh at the world stage, combined with the strong performances of players like R. Praggnanandhaa and Vidit Gujrathi, has created a genuine fan culture around Indian chess — one that now closely follows even junior-level events.

The Road to the Final Round

With one round remaining, the equations at the top are finely poised. Pratitee needs just a steady finish to lift the Girls title, while Leyla and Prishita will need to win outright to have a shot at glory. In the Open section, Mayank Chakraborty must navigate one more pressure-cooker board against a chase pack that has quietly closed in. The final round in Mumbai, therefore, promises to be a fitting finale to a championship that has already announced the next wave of Asian chess stars.

• Actress Tanushree Dutta has questioned Bollywood's tradition of automatically respecting or trusting someone based on age or 'veteran' status.
• In a new video post on Monday, she said she now gives respect based on character, not age: "Never trust a person just for their age."
• Recalled her own stardom era, admitting she wasn't "street smart" and was made a "scapegoat" on a film set despite being the biggest star there.
• Redefined seniority sharply: "There is no senior in Bollywood by age. The one whose stars are high is a senior. The one whose movie is getting a hit is a star."
• In a strongly worded caption, she argued that "veteran" in Bollywood often means a manipulative operator, adding, "demons are also veteran".

Actress Tanushree Dutta, whose voice has consistently pierced Bollywood's carefully guarded silences, is back with another provocative reflection — this time targeting the industry's culture of automatic reverence for age and 'veteran' status. In a video shared on Monday, the 'Aashiq Banaya Aapne' actress declared that she now judges people by character rather than age, warning against blind trust in industry veterans. Her core message: seniority in Bollywood isn't a function of years; it's a function of power, hits, and, sometimes, calculated manipulation.

'Never Trust a Person Just for Their Age'

Reflecting on her personal journey and hard-earned lessons, Tanushree cut through polite showbiz convention with a single line: "Never trust a person just for their age." She added that she now gives respect based on a person's character, not the number on their calendar. It is a rejection of one of Hindi cinema's most entrenched norms — the assumption that longevity in the industry automatically confers wisdom, integrity or benevolence.

Redefining Who a 'Senior' Really Is

The 'Dhol' actress also pushed back against the conventional Bollywood hierarchy that equates seniority with age or vintage. "There is no senior in Bollywood by age. The one whose stars are high is a senior. The one whose movie is getting a hit is a star," she asserted. In a business where power is fluid and box-office cycles rewrite pecking orders overnight, her formulation captures a harsher, more transactional truth about the industry.

Looking Back at Her Own Stardom

Tanushree used the video to look back at a phase when her career was at its peak. "I was a very big star. I may not have been the top number one star, or I may not have been a super duper star, but I was a very big star," she recalled. But even that success, she said, came without the essential armour she now recognises as necessary — industry street-smarts. "I was definitely not street smart. I did not get a chance to learn the grace, mischief, and cunning of God," she admitted candidly.

The 'Scapegoat' Recollection

The actress also recalled a difficult episode on a film set where she felt she was made the target of a coordinated controversy. She claimed she was turned into a "scapegoat" even though she was the biggest star present on that set at the time. Without naming names, she reflected on the dynamics that allowed such a moment to unfold — the alliances, the power play, and her own inexperience in reading the room.

The Caption That Stopped Bollywood's Scroll

Alongside the video, Tanushree posted a caption that quickly began doing the rounds online. "Mujhe bhi yehi laga tha ki aged actor hai, koi kaam nahi de raha, help kar deti hoon. But no, Bollywood mein 'veteran' ka matlab hai shatir-dimag manjha hua khiladi jo ghat ghat ka paani peekar saari chaalbaazi seekh chukar hai, jissko saari media & Public manipulation aati hai. So they can cover up their crimes and real character. Yeh hai real world definition of veteran," she wrote.

She went further: "Never trust a person just for their age. Some of these very evil and negative people with very dark and nefarious intentions towards youngsters are in the category of veteran. They hate young privileged people and will do anything to destroy them. Bollywood has seen this phenomenon time and time again."

'See Them as Souls': The Spiritual Sign-Off

The actress closed her post with a spiritual reframe. "See them as souls. See everyone as a soul before you see age, appearance or background. This world is built by people like us and destroyed by those who wear masks of propriety. Recognise souls and divinity. Demons are also veteran!! They are older than humans, yes the demons are ancient beings. So they are veteran evil, meaning they doing evil for a long time. Some humans are incarnations of demons and rakshasas meant to lead humanity astray. I learnt a big lesson. Today I give respect according to character, not age," she added.

Why It Matters: The Long Shadow of an Unfinished Conversation

Tanushree Dutta is not just any actress reflecting on industry etiquette. She was the catalyst for India's #MeToo movement in 2018, and every subsequent statement from her carries the weight of that landmark moment. Her critique of the 'veteran' construct extends that same conversation — pointing to how seniority can be weaponised as cover for accountability, and how younger entrants are often expected to defer to power rather than question it.

Industry Impact: Cracks in Bollywood's Elder-Reverence Ethos

Bollywood has long operated on layered protocols of deference, where seniors are addressed with elaborate respect and rarely publicly challenged. Statements like Tanushree's chip away at that ethos and hand younger actors a vocabulary to distinguish between earned respect and enforced deference. Whether the industry embraces this recalibration or resists it will shape the workplace culture that emerges in the next decade.

Audience Sentiment: A Divided but Engaged Response

Reactions on social media have been immediate and polarised. A large section of users has praised her for articulating what many industry outsiders have long suspected. Others have argued that she is generalising too broadly and unfairly maligning genuinely respected artists. What is not in dispute, however, is that Tanushree's voice continues to force uncomfortable but necessary conversations that most in Bollywood would rather sidestep.

The Bigger Picture

At its core, Tanushree Dutta's Monday post is a challenge to a system, not a set of individuals. It asks a simple, discomfiting question: what does 'veteran' actually mean in an industry where reputation is often curated more carefully than craft? For now, she has once again positioned herself at the sharp edge of that conversation — and Bollywood, as always, is listening even if it isn't yet ready to reply.

 It happened quite organically. I grew up seeing the family business, but it was only when I became involved that I discovered how fascinating the world of rugs, design and craftsmanship is. What started as helping the family gradually became something I genuinely enjoyed and wanted to take forward in my own way.”

Talking about the usp of the new store and the Niwala Rug collection she says,”The new store is about experiencing rugs, not just buying them. With Niwala, we’ve tried to bring together beautiful contemporary design, Indian craftsmanship and, importantly, a sense of purpose.  A percentage of the sales from every Niwala rug goes towards the Niwala kit, supporting food and essential needs for people who need it.”

Since it’s the first store in the business hub of the country Anupriya shares,”I think rugs are universal. They add warmth, personality and character to a space, irrespective of where you live. Mumbai has a very strong appreciation for design, and I feel Niwala’s contemporary approach to Indian craftsmanship will really resonate here.”

Whatever we do in life we always want our family to appreciate it. And Anupriya is not an exception to that. Sharing more about her family’s support she says,”My family has been my biggest support. I’ve had the opportunity to learn from their experience, but they’ve also given me the freedom to bring my own ideas and identity to the business.”

So what’s your motto as ai entrepreneur? She says,”For me, it’s keep learning, keep evolving and stay true to yourself. Coming from a completely different profession taught me that you don’t have to know everything when you start—you just need the willingness to learn and the courage to take the step.”

And when asked about the vision for Niwala the young doctor turned entrepreneur adds,”I want Niwala to grow into a contemporary rug brand known for design, craftsmanship and purpose. I’d love to take it to more homes across India and eventually internationally, while keeping the Niwala Promise and the idea of giving back at the heart of the brand.”
Here is the link https://www.saraswatiglobal.com/collection/niwala

• India reached 419/6 in 112 overs at lunch on Day 2 of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo.
• Rishabh Pant unbeaten on 63 off 88 balls; Dhruv Jurel not out on 59 off 107 balls in an unbroken 112-run seventh-wicket stand.
• Pant retired hurt on 3 after a blow on his left wrist, then returned to counter-attack and dominate the Sri Lankan attack.
• One of Pant's pulls off Lahiru Kumara sailed over the stadium roof and damaged a solar panel — a replacement ball had to be sought.
• Asitha Fernando struck early with the second new ball, dismissing debutant Saransh Jain; ended the session with 4/60. Devdutt Padikkal earlier scored 117.

Wicketkeeper-batters Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel produced a session of grit, guile and audacity in Colombo on Sunday, joining hands in an unbroken 112-run stand to help India cross the 400-run mark and firmly wrest control back from Sri Lanka on Day 2 of the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club. At the lunch interval, India reached 419/6 in 112 overs — a scoreboard that flattered the visitors after a session of relentless Sri Lankan probing.

The Session in a Snapshot

Pant was unbeaten on 63 off just 88 balls, while Jurel walked back to the pavilion undefeated on 59 off 107 balls. The pair batted through a sweltering morning at SSC and effectively pulled the game out of the balance and into India's grip. Pant's 21st Test fifty came off a thumped pull to square leg, while Jurel raised his third half-century with a crisp pull through midwicket.

Sri Lanka's Early Strike With the Second New Ball

The session had begun on Sri Lanka's terms. Fast bowler Asitha Fernando, extracting bounce with the second new ball, ambushed debutant Saransh Jain with a sharp round-the-wicket bouncer, and the leading edge was pouched safely at gully. Fernando's four-for anchored a disciplined new-ball spell that briefly threatened to unravel India's innings — until Pant walked in and shifted the tempo.

Pant's Retired-Hurt Return: Bruised but Unfazed

The morning's most compelling sub-plot belonged to Pant himself. Having earlier retired hurt on 3 after copping a blow on his left wrist, the left-hander walked back in and was immediately targeted with a barrage of short-pitched bowling by the Sri Lankan seamers. He absorbed two more painful hits — this time on his right shoulder — that required medical intervention on the field. Yet, in trademark fashion, Pant refused to retreat. A short ball down the leg side from Lahiru Kumara was dispatched over the stadium roof, damaging a solar panel and forcing officials to seek a replacement ball.

Jurel's Calm Counterpoint

If Pant provided the theatre, Jurel provided the ballast. Pristine in his drives and flicks, he read the length of the Sri Lankan seamers early, and when spin came on, he pulled Prabath Jayasuriya and Keshara Nuwantha to the boundary with authority. His running between the wickets, defence against turn, and shot selection under pressure underlined why he is being groomed as a long-term red-ball option in India's middle order.

Pant's Craft: Paddle, Feet, Nudges

Pant, meanwhile, mixed his usual audacity with more considered craft. He used the paddle sweep to counter the spinners, danced down the track to disrupt their lengths, and worked edges intelligently along the ground to keep the scoreboard ticking. As Sri Lanka persisted with spin from both ends approaching lunch but failed to build consistent pressure, the two wicketkeeper-batters raised their 100-run partnership for the seventh wicket — a stand that has effectively put Sri Lanka on the back foot for the rest of the day.

Why It Matters: A Statement Innings for India's WK Depth

The unbroken stand between two current-generation wicketkeeper-batters is a statement in itself for Indian cricket's talent pipeline. With Pant reaffirming his match-defining ability post-injury and Jurel building a red-ball résumé, the Test XI is quietly resolving one of its trickiest selection puzzles — depth in the wicketkeeper-batter slot without compromising batting quality.

Match Context

Devdutt Padikkal's earlier 117 laid the foundation of the innings, and the 419-run vantage point now gives India ample runs to work with on a surface that will only get trickier for batting as the Test progresses. For Sri Lanka, Asitha Fernando (4-60) and Lahiru Kumara (1-61) have been the pick of the bowlers, but their spinners were unable to break the seventh-wicket resistance.

Brief Scores: India 419/6 in 112 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 117, Rishabh Pant 63 not out, Dhruv Jurel 59 not out; Asitha Fernando 4-60, Lahiru Kumara 1-61) against Sri Lanka.

The Session Ahead

With Pant and Jurel set, and India eyeing a total north of 500, the post-lunch session becomes crucial for Sri Lanka. Another new-ball window is not far away, and unless the hosts strike early, this Test could quickly slide out of their reach.

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid tribute to former Union Minister Arun Jaitley on his sixth death anniversary, calling him an "incisive legal expert, masterful speaker and ace administrator".
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described Jaitley as a skilled administrator and outstanding parliamentarian with deep knowledge of constitutional and legal matters.
• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar remembered him as a "friend and mentor to many" whose wisdom and warmth continue to inspire.
• UP CM Yogi Adityanath hailed Jaitley's role in nation-building and his sharp political and intellectual insights.
• Jaitley, who passed away on August 24, 2019, at the age of 66, was posthumously conferred the Padma Vibhushan in 2020 for his contribution to public affairs.

The BJP's senior leadership came together on Monday to remember former Union Minister Arun Jaitley on his sixth death anniversary, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath leading a wave of tributes across social media. The remembrances painted a portrait of Jaitley not just as a Cabinet heavyweight, but as an intellectual and communicator whose imprint on the ruling establishment continues to shape its policy voice.

Amit Shah's Tribute: Legal Mind Meets Political Communicator

Setting the tone for the day's tributes, HM Amit Shah posted on X, "Remembering Arun Jaitley Ji on his Punyatithi. An incisive legal expert, a masterful speaker and an ace administrator, Jaitley Ji contributed to taking the policies of the govt to the masses through impactful communication and played a crucial role in executing the game-changing policies of the government. His enduring legacy will continue to inspire young leaders." The reference to communication and policy execution is notable — Jaitley was widely credited within the party for translating complex reforms into public-friendly narratives.

Rajnath Singh: A Parliamentarian's Parliamentarian

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh underscored Jaitley's parliamentary craft in his tribute. "On the death anniversary of former Union Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley ji, humble tribute to him. Proficient in subjects like the Constitution and law, Arun ji was a skilled administrator and an outstanding parliamentarian. His deep understanding, foresight, and logical perspective on politics and policy matters will always remain inspiring. His dedication to the nation's interest and his invaluable contribution to public life will always be remembered," he posted on X.

Jaishankar's Personal Note

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar struck a more personal chord, describing Jaitley as a mentor figure. "Warmly remember Shri Arun Jaitley ji on his Punya Tithi today. A friend & mentor to so many, his wisdom, warmth, & commitment to public service continue to inspire," Jaishankar wrote — a reminder of the wide personal network Jaitley cultivated across bureaucracy, diplomacy and politics.

Yogi Adityanath Salutes 'Padma Vibhushan' Jaitley

UP CM Yogi Adityanath paid his respects on X, writing, "On the death anniversary of former Union Finance Minister, 'Padma Vibhushan' Arun Jaitley, humble tribute. His contribution to the building of a strong nation and his sharp thoughts will forever remain unforgettable and inspiring."

The Man Behind the Tributes: A Life in Public Service

Arun Jaitley (1952-2019) was one of the most influential political figures of his generation — a prominent lawyer, senior BJP leader and Cabinet minister who held multiple key portfolios in the Union government, including Finance, Defence, Corporate Affairs, Information and Broadcasting, and Law and Justice. His versatility across ministries was matched by his fluency in both legal argumentation and mass political communication.

Why It Matters: The GST Legacy and Beyond

As Union Finance Minister in the first Narendra Modi government, Jaitley played a central role in shaping the country's most consequential tax reform in decades — the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Beyond GST, he was the government's principal defender in Parliament and on television during a phase of high-stakes economic reforms. His ability to distil complex fiscal policy into digestible political narrative remains a benchmark inside the party.

Enduring Political Imprint

Jaitley passed away on August 24, 2019, at the age of 66, and was posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honour, in 2020 for his contribution to public affairs. Six years on, the sheer breadth of the BJP leadership queuing up to pay tribute — from the Home Minister to the External Affairs Minister to state Chief Ministers — is a measure of how deeply his ideas, mentorship and institutional style continue to shape the party's governance grammar.

Audience Sentiment: A Statesman Remembered

Across social media, tributes from party workers, journalists and public figures echoed a common theme — that Jaitley combined the rigour of a top-flight lawyer with the accessibility of a political communicator, a combination that made him a bridge figure between the legal fraternity, the corporate world and the political class. On his sixth Punyatithi, that composite legacy stood front and centre in the remembrances flowing in from India's highest offices.

• IMD has issued a yellow alert in 8 Kerala districts on Monday amid a strengthening low-pressure system over the northwest Bay of Bengal.
• First Onam falls on August 25 and Thiruvonam — the festival's biggest day — on August 26, placing celebrations directly in the weather window.
• Kasaragod, Kannur, Thrissur, Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam are under alert; three districts remain flagged on Tuesday.
• Fishing has been completely banned along the Kerala and Lakshadweep coasts; INCOIS has warned of Kallakkadal-driven coastal inundation.
• Notably, no rain warning has been issued for Thiruvonam itself — a relief for outdoor festivities, public events and cultural programmes.

Kerala is entering the most anticipated stretch of its cultural calendar, but the state's Onam celebrations are unfolding under a distinctly wet sky. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert in eight districts on Monday, warning of heavy rainfall as a low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal continues to strengthen. With First Onam on August 25 and Thiruvonam — the festival's grand centrepiece — on August 26, the timing could not be more delicate.

Eight Districts on Yellow Alert

The IMD's Monday alert covers Kasaragod, Kannur, Thrissur, Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam — a spread that stretches across northern, central and southern Kerala. Three of these districts will remain under alert on Tuesday, and unsettled weather is expected in several other pockets. Crucially, however, no rain warning has been issued for Thiruvonam at present, keeping hopes alive for the day that anchors the entire celebration.

Coastal Warning and Kallakkadal Watch

The threat is not limited to the interiors. Fishing has been completely banned along the Kerala and Lakshadweep coasts in view of the potential for heavy rain and strong winds. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has flagged the possibility of coastal inundation under the Kallakkadal phenomenon, with waves between 0.9 and 1.3 metres expected along the Kerala coast until 11.30 p.m. on Monday. Coastal residents, tourists and vessel operators have been advised to stay clear of the sea until further notice.

Why It Matters

Onam is Kerala's biggest cultural and commercial event, driving weeks of activity across retail, hospitality, tourism, food and transport. Streets, markets and shopping centres are already teeming with festival footfall, and families are deep into preparations for the Onasadya and traditional gatherings. A washout during the peak days could dent outdoor turnout, disrupt public events, and force cultural programmes to move indoors — with knock-on effects for organisers, vendors and small businesses that bank on Onam week.

Audience Sentiment: Celebration Meets Caution

For Malayalis at home and across the diaspora, Onam is as much a public spectacle as a family ritual — from pookalams and Vallamkali imagery to community feasts. The mood on the ground remains celebratory, but authorities are urging vigilance, especially in low-lying areas and along the coast. The messaging is clear: the festivities need not stop, but they must be weather-smart.

The Bigger Question

With the weather system evolving and the IMD keeping a close watch, the coming 72 hours will be a balancing act between festive cheer and safety caution. The skies may stay overcast, but the Onam spirit — resilient by nature — is unlikely to be dampened. The real question now is whether Kerala will get to celebrate its biggest festival under open skies, or whether much of the joy will have to move indoors this year.

Speaking to reporters after the prayers, Narendra Swamy said the district administration had organised a special Rudrabhisheka and prayers at the temple as directed by the government, seeking abundant rainfall. “If there is good rainfall in the land of Mother Cauvery and Sri Igguthappa, the reservoirs across the state will be filled, ensuring a good crop as well as adequate drinking water. I have prayed for abundant rainfall in the Cauvery and Igguthappa regions in the coming days,” he said.

The minister said adequate rainfall in the Cauvery basin would also help address inter-state water disputes. “If the Cauvery basin receives average rainfall, inter-state water disputes can be resolved. Nearly 90 per cent of the problems can be addressed,” he said, adding that the state government had taken positive steps after gaining the confidence of all stakeholders. He noted that the current shortage of rainfall had created several problems and that prayers had been offered seeking more rain.

Responding to a question on rising human-wildlife conflict in Madikeri, Narendra Swamy said the government was taking steps to address the wild elephant menace on a lasting basis. He urged tourists, workers and others visiting forest-fringe areas to exercise caution and remain alert.

Among those present were Virajpet MLA and Chief Minister’s Political Secretary A.S. Ponnanna, Madikeri MLA Dr Mantar Gowda, Deputy Commissioner S.J. Somashekar, Zilla Panchayat CEO Anand Prakash Meena and Superintendent of Police R.N. Bindumani.

“Mr Kuldeep Yadav has not fully recovered from his viral illness. He was unavailable for selection in the Playing XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka. However, he can take the field as a concussion substitute, if required,” the BCCI stated in an official statement on Sunday.

Saransh received his Test cap in the team huddle before the toss, after which India elected to bat first at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground. A hamstring injury to off-spin bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar during India’s ODI tour of England had opened the door for Jain’s inclusion in the squad for the Sri Lanka trip.

Saransh, 33, has a strong domestic record, with 54 first-class matches in which he has scored 2,223 runs at an average of 31.75 and taken 188 wickets at an average of 27.30. He also performed well on the India ‘A’ tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year, making an unbeaten 70 and taking a six-wicket haul.

With his debut, Saransh becomes the first off-spinner to make his Test debut for India since Washington Sundar in January 2021. He is the 320th men’s Test player for India and the fifth from Indore to play red-ball cricket for the country, after Narendra Hirwani, Rajesh Chauhan, Naman Ojha and Rajat Patidar. Jain is also the oldest India player to debut in Tests after turning 33 since Robin Singh in 1998.

According to senior officials from the Manipur Transport Department, over 200 passengers departed from the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) at Khuman Lampak in Imphal on Saturday morning. The convoy, consisting of four full-sized buses and six high-capacity Winger passenger vans, successfully traversed the mountainous stretches of the Kangpokpi and Senapati districts.

Restoring Essential Arteries Across the Northeast

National Highway 2 serves as the primary ground line of communication connecting landlocked Manipur with Nagaland, Assam, and the broader Indian rail network. Following the onset of ethnic violence on May 3, 2023, regular transit along the corridor faced severe restrictions, isolating local communities and forcing residents to rely on expensive commercial air travel.

The reopening follows a joint agreement announced earlier this month by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, and local community representatives in Kangpokpi. The collaborative accord guaranteed unhindered transit for civilian passengers across all community jurisdictions.

State transport authorities confirmed that the initial cohort of 125 passengers who departed Imphal during Friday's inaugural run arrived safely in Guwahati early Saturday morning, validating the security protocols established along the transit corridor.

Relieving Financial Strain on Local Travelers

The return of reliable surface transport provides immediate economic relief to students, medical patients, small-business operators, and daily wage earners who have faced exorbitant airfares between Imphal and regional hubs over the past three years.

Addressing the public, Chief Minister Khemchand Singh highlighted the economic burden that prolonged highway disruptions had imposed on ordinary citizens.

"Airfares between Imphal and Guwahati reached unsustainable levels, acting as an unintended financial penalty on our people," Chief Minister Singh noted. "The resumption of public transit services along NH-2 is a critical step toward restoring basic rights of movement, lowering travel costs, and bringing structural normalcy back to the state."

Security Protocols and Regional Stability

To maintain safety across sensitive transit zones, state security forces and central paramilitary units have coordinated patrol coverage along vulnerable mountain passes in the Kangpokpi and Senapati sectors. Transport officials noted that peaceful transit over consecutive days has significantly bolstered public confidence.

As operations stabilize, the Manipur Transport Department plans to evaluate expanding daily departure schedules from the Khuman Lampak terminal to accommodate growing passenger demand, while continuing close coordination with civil society groups in neighboring states.

The successful delivery took place at the specialized IVF Laboratory located within the College of Veterinary Science at the Assam Agricultural and Veterinary University campus in Khanapara, Guwahati.

Genetic Preservation Meets Assisted Reproduction

The laboratory facility behind the breakthrough was established under the central government's Rashtriya Gokul Mission—a national initiative aimed at conserving, developing, and genetically upgrading indigenous bovine breeds.

Lakhimi cattle, native to the floodplains and hilly terrain of Assam, are prized for their hardiness, disease resistance, and adaptability to humid climatic conditions. However, traditional breeding constraints have historically limited rapid multiplication of high-yielding Lakhimi genetic stock.

By applying assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to native breeds, scientists can extract oocytes from genetically superior donor cows, fertilize them in a controlled laboratory setting, and transfer viable embryos into surrogate cows. This process significantly accelerates generation intervals and allows high-value indigenous genetic lines to expand rapidly across smallholder dairy communities.

"The world's first IVF female calf of the Lakhimi breed -- native to Assam -- has been born at the Assam Veterinary and Fishery University," Chief Minister Sarma posted on X (formerly Twitter). "This achievement represents a historic convergence of Assam's civilization, culture, and innovation."

Economic and Dairy Implications for Rural Assam

The successful application of embryo transfer technology to Lakhimi cattle is expected to address several structural challenges facing the region's dairy sector, including low per-animal milk yields and livestock disease vulnerability.

According to veterinary researchers involved in the project, scaling up IVF operations for indigenous cattle provides a dual benefit: preserving rare regional genetic diversity while systematically selecting for higher milk production and disease resistance over successive generations.

Sarma emphasized that while the newborn calf is small in physical size, its scientific significance carries massive long-term implications for the regional rural economy.

"My heartiest congratulations to all the veterinary scientists and professionals behind this historic achievement," Sarma added. "This work has the potential to usher in a new era for Assam's dairy sector, improving disease control, enhancing milk productivity, and boosting the livelihoods of our livestock farmers."

Building on Regional Biotechnology Milestones

Saturday's announcement builds on a series of recent reproductive technology successes achieved by the Khanapara research facility. Earlier this year, the university's veterinary team successfully delivered Assam's first field-level IVF-born female Gir calf in Sonapur, demonstrating the commercial and operational viability of embryo transfer techniques under real-world farming conditions.

With the successful birth of the Lakhimi calf, veterinary researchers are now preparing to expand embryo transfer protocols to progressive dairy clusters across rural districts in Assam.

By combining modern genetic selection tools with indigenous livestock conservation, the state aims to build a self-sustaining dairy framework that reduces reliance on inter-state milk imports while safeguarding native cattle heritage.

The victory marks North Delhi’s second consecutive win in as many matches, propelling them to the top of the tournament standings.

Shivi Sharma Anchors First-Innings Total

Opting to bat first, North Delhi Strikers posted a target of 141/4 in their allotted 20 overs, driven by a dominant half-century from middle-order batter Shivi Sharma.

Sharma paced her innings with technical precision, finishing unbeaten on 71 off 54 deliveries in an effort punctuated by nine boundaries. She anchored two crucial partnerships: first alongside opening batter Upasana Yadav, who contributed a steady 43 off 42 balls, and later with team captain Ayushi Soni, who added a quickfire 17.

Despite disciplined spells from the South Delhi bowling unit, Sharma’s late-overs acceleration provided North Delhi with a defendable total on a surface offering balanced bounce for seamers and spinners alike.

South Delhi Chase Stalls Despite Middle-Order Fightback

In reply, South Delhi Superstarz endured a disastrous start to their run chase. Wicketkeeper-batter Nishika Singh was dismissed for a three-ball duck in the opening over, putting early pressure on the top order.

Opening batter Priya Punia and Tanishqa Singh attempted to rebuild, putting together a 36-run stand before Punia fell for 10 off 18 balls. Tanishqa then took on the anchor role, top-scoring for her side with a crisp 46 off 44 balls featuring six boundaries. She found support in captain Shweta Sehrawat, who chipped in with a brisk 27 off 23 balls, including two boundaries and a six.

However, North Delhi’s bowling attack maintained tight line-and-length discipline, consistently breaking partnerships just as South Delhi began to accelerate.

Left-arm spinner Nazma delivered the decisive spell of the second innings, picking up 2/28 from her four overs. Reshika Beniwal, Apeksha Anand, and Priya Mishra each claimed a wicket to restrict South Delhi’s scoring options during the middle overs.

Tight Death Bowling Seals Match

The match swung decisively in North Delhi’s favor in the 14th over when Tanishqa was dismissed with the score at 72/3. Sehrawat fell shortly after at 94/4, leaving South Delhi’s lower-middle order with an escalating required run rate.

When Ekta Bhadana was dismissed for four, South Delhi required 28 runs from the final two overs. Despite an unbeaten 24 off 19 balls from Tanisha Singh and a brief nine-run cameo from Disha Nagar, North Delhi's death bowlers held their nerve, restricting South Delhi Superstarz to 131/5 at the end of 20 overs.

With two wins from two fixtures, North Delhi Strikers now lead the points table as the tournament progresses through its group stages in New Delhi.

Posting a photo with his arms wrapped around Mana, Shetty expressed his gratitude for her support through every stage of his life and career.

"Through every phase, every high and every storm. My calm My strength My home," Shetty wrote on his official Instagram account. "Here’s to you - today and always. Love you endlessly. Tough Keeping up with you…Happy Birthday Wifey."

Family Celebrations and Tributes

The couple's children—actor Athiya Shetty and actor Ahan Shetty—also published dedicated messages celebrating their mother across their respective social media handles.

Athiya shared a photo accompanied by a caption highlighting Mana's role as the emotional anchor of their household:

"Happy birthday to my whole wide world... nothing is right without you, Mama," Athiya posted.

Ahan shared a quiet moment from a private family gathering alongside a simple message:

"Happy Birthday mom," he wrote.

Suniel and Mana Shetty married on December 25, 1991, following a nearly decade-long courtship, and remain one of the Hindi film industry's most enduring couples.

Recent Visits and Professional Projects

The birthday celebrations follow a recent personal trip to Punjab, where the couple visited the Golden Temple in Amritsar to offer prayers. Media footage recorded during the visit showed the couple interacting with visitors outside the shrine complex and spending quiet time together on the temple grounds.

On the professional front, Shetty was last seen in the ensemble comedy Welcome to the Jungle, appearing alongside an extensive cast including Akshay Kumar, Arshad Warsi, Jackie Shroff, Paresh Rawal, Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Disha Patani, and Jacqueline Fernandez.

Looking ahead, Shetty is set to reprise his popular character 'Shyam' in the next chapter of the Hera Pheri franchise, reuniting with longtime co-star Akshay Kumar. Additionally, the actor has joined the cast of an upcoming, untitled action-thriller directed by Sachin Ravi, starring opposite Tiger Shroff.

Addressing reporters in a pre-match press conference on Saturday, Gambhir addressed media scrutiny, team rankings, and the internal direction of the squad.

"My job is to win trophies, not views and likes. That's all I believe in and that is the difference between me and everyone," Gambhir stated.

Navigating the Transition Period

With India currently positioned fourth in the ICC Test rankings, critics have pointed to recent inconsistency as a sign of a struggling side. Gambhir, however, firmly rejected that narrative, attributing temporary fluctuations to an ongoing roster transition following last year's tour of England.

"Not at all. We are not struggling that much," Gambhir emphasized. "Rankings do not matter. I think we are going through a transition and I am sure that people sitting in the press box and in the commentary box know that... Despite of that, yes, there will be blips, ups and downs. But I thought that since the last one year after the England tour, I think we have played reasonably consistent cricket and Test cricket as well."

He reassured supporters that the team's internal metrics and technical progression point toward long-term sustainability rather than short-term panic.

Selection Synergy and Workload Strategy

A key focus of Gambhir’s press conference centered on squad continuity and workload management. Joined in Colombo by Chairman of Selectors Ajit Agarkar, the head coach highlighted their shared strategy for managing player fatigue while ensuring India’s core match-winners remain available for key assignments.

Gambhir reiterated that the dialog between team management and the selection panel focuses entirely on long-term squad health and results, dismissing speculation of friction over selection choices.

Advocating for Three-Match Test Series

Looking at the broader landscape of red-ball cricket, Gambhir advocated for longer bilateral engagements. He expressed a clear preference for minimum three-Test series over truncated two-match tours, pointing to the structural flaws inherent in shorter formats.

"Ideally I would want a three-Test match series," Gambhir noted. "I've always believed that there should always be a possibility for a team losing the first Test match to come back and win a series... In a two-Test match series, if you lose the first Test match, there is no chance for the other team to come back and win... The maximum you can do is probably draw."

He cited India’s historic 2-1 comeback victory against Australia as a blueprint for why extended series offer better competition and truer indicators of a team's strength.

Focusing on the Present

As India continues its campaign in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, Gambhir concluded by urging his side to avoid projecting too far ahead. Instead, the team’s core operational philosophy remains focused on session-by-session execution.

"We should only control what we can control," Gambhir advised. "The entire focus is about looking forward to the next five days and more importantly looking every session and every hour as well... It's not about where we're going to be at the end of the World Test Championship cycle. It's about if we can continue to try and win Test matches, everything else will take care of itself."

The international summit launched with a cultural and environmental visit to the ancient Buddhist archaeological complex at Thotlakonda, situated on a hilltop overlooking the Bay of Bengal. Visiting foreign dignitaries toured the third-century BCE monastic ruins, gaining direct insight into Andhra Pradesh’s historical maritime and spiritual heritage, followed by a joint ceremonial sapling plantation drive organized by state host authorities.

Focus on Youth Empowerment and Digital Inclusion

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya is presiding over both ministerial tracks, supported by Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse, Secretary (Youth Affairs) Sunil Paliwal, and Secretary (Sports) Hari Ranjan Rao.

Guided by India’s overarching 2026 BRICS Chairship theme, "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability," Saturday’s Youth Ministers' sessions prioritized cross-border educational exchanges, technical skill development, digital entrepreneurship, and mental health frameworks for young populations across the Global South.

The assembly reviewed policy recommendations generated during preliminary working group sessions, including the BRICS Youth Council Meeting and the BRICS Youth Summit held earlier this year in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The discussions are set to culminate in the formal adoption of the BRICS Youth Ministerial Joint Declaration alongside a multilateral BRICS Youth Cooperation Framework.

Indigenous Sports and Technological Integration

The summit will pivot to athletic policy and sports diplomacy during the BRICS Sports Ministers’ Meeting. Agenda items include expanding bilateral athletic exchanges, preserving indigenous and traditional sports, advancing sports manufacturing infrastructure, and integrating artificial intelligence into athletic performance analytics.

Delegates from each of the 11 member nations will deliver official country statements outlining national sports development goals before formally signing the BRICS Sports Joint Declaration.

Beyond formal plenary sessions, the multilateral event includes bilateral side meetings, a community BRICS Friendship Cycling Event along Visakhapatnam's iconic Beach Road corridor, cultural showcases featuring traditional Andhra performing arts, and a high-level state dinner hosted by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to explore regional investment and tourism opportunities.

Shroff’s emotional posts resonated across the film industry, highlighting the contributions of classical artists and character actors whose careers helped shape mainstream Hindi cinema over decades.

Remembering Achyut Potdar: A Legacy on Screen

In a moving homage to Achyut Potdar, Shroff shared a vintage photograph featuring the late actor with the caption, “Always in our hearts #AchyutPotdar. Remembering Achyut Potdar ji on his birth anniversary.” To make the post personal, Shroff layered iconic dialogue audio from their 1992 crime-drama Angaar, directed by Shashilal K. Nair, where Potdar played the role of father to Shroff's character, Jaikishan (Jaggu).

In a moving homage to Achyut Potdar, Shroff shared a vintage photograph featuring the late actor with the caption, “Always in our hearts #AchyutPotdar. Remembering Achyut Potdar ji on his birth anniversary.” To make the post personal, Shroff layered iconic dialogue audio from their 1992 crime-drama Angaar, directed by Shashilal K. Nair, where Potdar played the role of father to Shroff's character, Jaikishan (Jaggu).

Potdar’s journey into acting was unconventional. Born in Jabalpur on August 22, 1934, he served in the Indian Army and worked with Indian Oil before making his feature film debut at age 44 in Govind Nihalani's Aakrosh (1980). Over a career spanning four decades, Potdar appeared in over 125 films and nearly 100 television series. His prominent filmography includes classics such as Ardh Satya, Tezaab, Parinda, Rangeela, Vaastav, and Lage Raho Munna Bhai. Younger audiences widely recognize him for his role as the professor in Rajkumar Hirani's 3 Idiots, famous for the line, "Kehna kya chahte ho?"

Honoring Choreographer Gopi Kishan and Veteran Actor Paintal

Shroff also remembered classical dance pioneer Nataraj Gopi Kishan, sharing a monochrome photograph depicting the maestro mid-performance. Born on August 22, 1935, Gopi Kishan was one of India’s foremost Kathak exponents and film choreographers. At just 17, he became the youngest choreographer in Hindi cinema history with the 1952 film Saqi. Awarded the Padma Shri in 1975, his cinematic legacy includes landmark dance sequences in Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje, Umrao Jaan, and Naache Mayuri. He also holds a historic record for a continuous nine-hour and 20-minute Kathak performance.

Celebrating the living legend Kanwarjit Paintal on his 78th birthday, Shroff posted: “Warm Wishes, Paintal ji #HappyBirthday #KanwarjitPaintal.”

Born on August 22, 1948, in Tarn Taran, Punjab, Paintal graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in 1969. Celebrated for his comedic timing in classics like Bawarchi, Jawani Diwani, and Satte Pe Satta, as well as his portrayals of Shikhandi and Sudama in B.R. Chopra's Mahabharat, Paintal later headed FTII’s Acting Department, shaping generations of dramatic talent.

The incident occurred around 2:00 AM inside the specialized care ward, where the infants were placed inside an electronic radiant warmer designed to regulate body temperature for vulnerable post-birth neonates.

Preliminary investigations indicate that a high-voltage electrical spark within the warmer’s heating filament ignited the unit. The high-concentration oxygen environment inherent to NICU care units accelerated the thermal runaway, causing flames to instantly engulf the enclosed bassinet before staff could manually isolate the power source.

Emergency Evacuation and Immediate Referral

Dr. Anshul Lamba, a pediatrician on duty at Chhindwara District Hospital, confirmed the technical failure that triggered the blaze.

“Newborns are kept in warmers after birth to keep their body temperature stable,” Dr. Lamba stated. “At night, the filament sparked suddenly and the fire broke out. All three babies suffered severe burns.”

Medical staff and duty nurses on night shift intervened using on-site fire extinguishers to suppress the flames and pull the neonates from the burning equipment. Medical personnel immediately initiated emergency stabilization and wound dressing.

However, given the deep-tissue nature of the thermal burns and the lack of a dedicated pediatric burn surgeon at the Chhindwara facility, hospital administrators ordered an immediate transfer to the tertiary care medical college in Jabalpur, located approximately 200 kilometers away.

The three infants were transported in specialized ambulances accompanied by a medical team consisting of two doctors and pediatric nursing staff. Attending physicians reported that one of the three newborns remains in extremely critical condition and may require immediate surgical intervention and mechanical ventilation.

Equipment Maintenance Protocols Under Scrutiny

District health authorities have ordered a formal administrative and technical inquiry into the tragedy. Investigators and biomedical engineers are inspecting the damaged radiant warmer to determine whether the electrical malfunction was caused by a manufacturing defect, voltage fluctuation, or inadequate routine maintenance.

The incident highlights ongoing safety vulnerabilities in public healthcare infrastructure across rural and tier-2 districts in India. Oxygen-rich medical environments present severe fire hazards if electrical medical devices lack functional auto-cutoff switches or regular thermal compliance audits.

Local health officials confirmed that safety logs, electrical load distributions, and equipment servicing records for the NICU ward have been impounded as part of the ongoing probe to establish accountability.

Reflecting on his leadership role for his hometown franchise, the hard-hitting left-handed opening batsman stated that while winning the title remains a clear objective, the true measure of success lies in providing a launchpad for local talent to reach the next level, including state team call-ups and Indian Premier League (IPL) contracts.

“Lifting the trophy would be special, but true success means seeing three or four young lads from our squad gain the confidence and exposure to earn IPL contracts and state call-ups,” Sharma said while discussing his expectations for the tournament. “If I can inspire the next generation from Amritsar whilst playing winning cricket, that is the ultimate reward.”

Bridging the Domestic Talent Gap

The Sher-e-Punjab T20 League has emerged as a crucial fixture in Punjab's domestic cricket ecosystem, designed to provide district-level players with access to televised, high-pressure competitive cricket and a professional franchise environment.

For many young cricketers who struggle to transition directly from district tournaments to national domestic setups like the Ranji Trophy or Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the league offers vital exposure to broadcast visibility and high-level match scenarios.

“It is a game-changer for Punjab cricket,” Sharma emphasized. “There is immense raw talent across districts that does not always get immediate limelight in national domestic tournaments. A televised, competitive league bridges that gap.”

Emotional Roots and Fearless Strategy

For Sharma, who developed his game through the grassroots structure in Amritsar before breaking into national prominence, leading his city's franchise carries significant personal weight. Having experienced the pathway firsthand, he views the captaincy as both a milestone and a responsibility to give back to his home state.

“It is an honour to lead this team and a deeply emotional responsibility as well,” Sharma noted. “Punjab has given me everything in my cricketing journey, and stepping out not just as a player but as captain to lead a franchise in my home state’s T20 league is a proud milestone.”

Addressing the tactical identity of the Amritsar Soormas, Sharma revealed that he intends to instill the same aggressive, high-intent brand of cricket that has defined his own career. He outlined a strategy centered on role clarity, proactive play, and mental resilience under pressure.

“My personal approach to the game is all about taking the attack to the opposition right from ball one, and I want that same mindset to reflect across the entire XI. Whether batting, bowling, or fielding, we should never play with the fear of failure,” he stated.

By integrating international and IPL-tested experience into the dressing room, Sharma aims to mentor squad members on match awareness, decision-making, and handling high-stress situations—key attributes required for players aspiring to reach top-tier professional cricket.

According to synoptic bulletins released by RMC weather scientists, the unstable weather is driven by a weak low-pressure system and lower-tropospheric wind convergence persisting off the Tamil Nadu coast. The meteorological influence is expected to sustain steady precipitation patterns across Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Ranipet districts through Sunday.

City Conditions: High Humidity and Evening Showers

Ground observations in Chennai indicate high ambient moisture combined with elevated daytime temperatures, creating intensely humid conditions across the metropolitan area. Daytime highs are projected to peak between 37°C and 38°C—roughly two to three degrees above seasonal averages—while night temperatures will hover between 27°C and 28°C.

"While daytime heating combined with coastal moisture will lead to sticky, uncomfortable weather early in the day, thermal convection is expected to trigger evening or nighttime convective storms, bringing brief, intense relief," noted RMC meteorology officials during the daily weather brief.

Sky conditions over the city will remain partly cloudy throughout the day, with convective activity intensifying during late evening hours.

Western Ghats and Hill Districts on Alert

As the weather system shifts slightly westward early next week, rainfall intensity is set to scale up over Tamil Nadu's high-altitude regions. The RMC has placed the hilly tracts of the Nilgiris and the Ghat areas of Coimbatore district on alert for heavy rainfall isolated over single or two locations on August 24 and 25.

By August 26 and 27, the heaviest activity is expected to taper off, leaving isolated, moderate rainfall restricted primarily to districts along the Western Ghats line. The remaining interior districts of Tamil Nadu, as well as the Union Territories of Puducherry and Karaikal, are slated for comparatively dry or partly cloudy weather, barring localized short-lived convective showers.

Safety Advisories Issued

Local civic agencies and traffic authorities have stepped up monitoring along known waterlogging hotspots across Greater Chennai. Motorists are urged to exercise caution during sudden downpours due to reduced visibility and temporary street flooding.

The RMC strongly advises residents to follow basic lightning safety protocols:

• Avoid taking shelter under tall or isolated trees during electrical storms.

• Stay clear of open metal structures, electrical poles, and exposed ground.

• Secure loose outdoor fixtures against sudden gusty winds.

The technical disruption left passengers encountering repeated "No Data Available" and "No flights found" error messages when attempting to search for routes or finalize payment processing on both the official website and mobile application.

Systemic Failure Hits Peak Travel Window

Acknowledging the widespread outage through an official service advisory on social media platform X, IndiGo confirmed ongoing operational friction within its central reservation infrastructure.

"We are currently experiencing intermittent issues with our core reservation platform, which may make it difficult for some customers to access our online services," the low-cost carrier stated in an official advisory. "Our teams are working on priority, along with our partner, to resolve the issue as quickly as possible."

The airline declined to specify the technical root cause of the crash or identify the third-party technology provider managing the reservation software.

Friday's digital outage follows an identical system-wide crash on Wednesday, August 19, where similar server freezes caused widespread check-in failures. During Wednesday's disruption, ground staff at major aviation hubs like Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport were forced to switch to manual check-in procedures, causing lengthy queues and minor flight departure delays.

Passengers Vent Frustration Amid Market Dominance Concerns

Frustrated flyers inundated social media platforms with screenshots of failed transactions, unconfirmed debit charges, and seat allocation errors. Several travelers reported being unable to download digital boarding passes hours before scheduled departures, leaving many stranded at airport entry gates without valid travel documentation.

Industry analysts highlight that given IndiGo’s immense market share—commanding roughly 67% of domestic passenger traffic—even brief technical snags generate massive ripple effects across India's transportation network.

IndiGo advised passengers with immediate travel requirements to seek assistance directly at airport helpdesks or contact its centralized customer care centers. However, the airline has yet to issue a definitive timeline for the full restoration of its online booking and check-in portals.

The association warned that cab movements originating from Assam into Meghalaya would also be forcibly halted if authorities fail to establish security checkpoints and guarantee the physical safety of drivers and transit passengers along National Highway 6.

Origins of the Interstate Transit Crisis

The regional transport breakdown stems from a "black-flag" motorcycle demonstration organized in Shillong by the Khasi Students' Union (KSU) over a five-point charter of policy demands. The list includes full enforcement of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), local employment reservations, and structural reforms within state recruitment boards.

Although police granted permission under an explicit peaceful undertaking, masked agitators infiltrated the march. District law enforcement reported that at least 31 vehicles were vandalized, key government properties were set on fire, and several pedestrians were assaulted. Non-local commuters and Assam-registered vehicles were specifically targeted. In one instance, a family travelling from Assam sustained injuries after stone-pelters smashed their vehicle's windows.

Counter-Protests and Border Standoff

In response to the Shillong violence, Assam-based commercial drivers organized blockades at key interstate gateways, including Jorabat and Khanapara. Demonstrators prevented Meghalaya-registered passenger vehicles from entering Assam, leaving hundreds of interstate commuters, cargo trucks, and tourists stranded along the border through Thursday afternoon.

The complete suspension of commercial cabs by Meghalaya operators on Friday threatens to cripple regional tourism, hospitality networks, and cross-border commercial supply lines. Industry federations across Meghalaya issued joint statements condemning the violence, warning that unmitigated security lapses risks inflicting long-term damage on the state's tourism economy.

Government Mobilization and Law Enforcement Response

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma engaged in direct consultations with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to coordinate border patrol activities and restore public confidence along transit highways.

State law enforcement has initiated crackdown measures:

• Key Arrests: Police arrested KSU President Raymond Kharjana, Vice President Pynkmenlang Sanmiet, and General Secretary Reuben Najiar late Wednesday. The leaders were produced before the District and Sessions Court in Shillong on Thursday and remanded to 14 days' judicial custody under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

• Security Operations: Police units conducted raids at the KSU headquarters in Jaiaw, deploying tear gas to disperse retaliatory gatherings.

• State Highway Patrols: Joint armed patrols involving Assam Police and Meghalaya state forces have been deployed along vulnerable segments of the Guwahati-Shillong road to protect commuters.

While the KSU leadership expressed regret over the property destruction, claiming external elements infiltrated the rally, state authorities reiterated that non-compliance with rally guidelines will be prosecuted without exception. Transport operators maintain that service suspensions will remain in effect until clear security protocols are instituted along the interstate highway network.

The districts of Rewa, Dindori, Satna, Panna, and Chhatarpur are among the hardest hit. In Rewa district alone, emergency teams have successfully rescued more than 4,000 residents trapped in submerged residential zones. Local administrators confirmed that approximately 3,000 displaced individuals are currently housed across 27 designated relief camps, where basic supplies and medical evaluations are being provided.

Infrastructure Disruptions and Rescue Incidents

In Mauganj district, the swollen Ashtabhuja River breached local embankments, trapping four construction laborers assigned to an Amrit Yojana infrastructure project in Naigarhi village. Emergency crews were immediately dispatched to the site, though officials confirmed that one worker was carried away by the powerful current before teams could reach the location. Search and recovery operations remain active along the downstream channels.

Travel and educational activities across the eastern belt have faced severe halts:

• Highway Closures: In Dindori, the Khermer River overflowed its banks, submerging key transit bridges and forcing an immediate closure of the Dindori-Mandla State Highway.

• Precautionary Closures: Local administrations suspended primary and secondary classes across Dindori, Maihar, and Panna districts. Early childhood Anganwadi centers in Dindori were also instructed to stay closed until conditions stabilize.

• Tourism Suspended: In the holy town of Chitrakoot, waters from the overflowing Mandakini River poured into surrounding commercial markets, leading officials to close the Gupt Godavari cave complex to visitors as a safety measure.

Monsoon Dynamics and Outlook

According to meteorologists at the India Meteorological Department (IMD) regional centre in Bhopal, the current wet spell is driven by a well-marked low-pressure system positioned over northeast Madhya Pradesh, reinforced by an active monsoon trough line.

Weather scientists forecast continued moderate-to-heavy precipitation over eastern Madhya Pradesh, with rainfall activity expected to expand toward the state's central and west-central districts.

Despite the recent localized flooding, official meteorological data indicates that Madhya Pradesh is still navigating an overall seasonal precipitation deficit. Since the start of the monsoon season, the state has logged approximately 599 mm of rainfall against a historical average of 675.1 mm, reflecting an 11% shortfall state-wide (11% deficit in eastern MP and 12% in western MP).

District magistrates in vulnerable zones remain on high alert, with relief teams maintaining round-the-clock surveillance along critical river basins.

Dholakia, best known for her landmark portrayal of the antagonist Komolika Majumdar in the hit television series Kasautii Zindagii Kay, documented the trip through a video montage shared on her verified Instagram profile. The visual diary captures the duo navigating various London landmarks, interspersing candid travel moments with solo photo ops.

A Friendship Forged in Indian Television History

Accompanying the video post, Dholakia reflected on the enduring nature of their relationship, captioning the post: "We are not just making memories.. we are paving the way for many more @ektarkapoor #travel #dostiyaari #london #urvashidholakia."

To complement the nostalgic tone of the travelogue, Dholakia set the montage to the track "Life Is Crazy," composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy from the soundtrack of the film Wake Up Sid.

The creative partnership between Dholakia and Kapoor dates back to 2001, when Kapoor’s production banner, Balaji Telefilms, cast Dholakia in Kasautii Zindagii Kay. Dholakia's performance as Komolika became a defining fixture of early-2000s Indian television, establishing her as one of the industry's most recognizable screen talents. Over the subsequent two decades, their professional association extended through multiple Balaji Telefilms properties, including the hit fantasy drama Naagin 6, while simultaneously fostering a close personal dynamic away from the set.

Industry Networks and Recent Projects

The London trip follows a broader international gathering reported last week, where Dholakia shared photographs alongside Kapoor and film actress Nargis Fakhri. In that update, Dholakia referred to the creative figures as her "right tribe," emphasizing the importance of supportive professional and personal networks within the high-pressure entertainment industry.

Industry observers note that sustained personal alliances of this duration remain relatively rare within the fast-paced television sector. Beyond her travel updates, Dholakia continues to maintain an active presence on television. She was most recently featured as a contestant on Maa Hai Na, a high-concept cooking reality series hosted by Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty. The format paired public figures with family members, featuring Dholakia alongside her family in a series of culinary and comedic challenges.

Kapoor, meanwhile, continues to oversee operations at Balaji Telefilms and Balaji Motion Pictures, expanding her slate across digital platforms, traditional broadcast networks, and feature films.

Sharing a photo montage featuring key moments from Vayu’s early childhood alongside his parents and younger brother Rudralokh, Ahuja described the four-year-old as the family's "greatest joy."

"Happy birthday to our precious little Vayu. Four years of sunshine, laughter, mischief and pure magic," Ahuja wrote. "You have brought so much happiness into our lives, and watching you grow into the sweetest, brightest little boy has been one of our greatest joys. May your beautiful smile always shine, your little heart always be filled with love, and that precious sparkle in your eyes never fade."

Ahuja added her blessings for her grandson's future, writing, "You may be little, but you have made the biggest place in our hearts. Lots and lots of love, hugs, and blessings always and forever."

Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja, who married in an intimate Mumbai ceremony in May 2018, welcomed Vayu on August 20, 2022. The couple welcomed their second son, Rudralokh, in March 2026.

Throughout Vayu's early years, the London- and Mumbai-based couple has maintained a protective approach to their children's privacy, selectively sharing glimpses of their home life while keeping their sons' faces largely shielded from public digital platforms.

The birthday celebration comes as Kapoor prepares to resume public engagements following a period focused on her family. Attending a luxury jewelry event in Mumbai on Wednesday evening, the actor shared on social media that she was gradually stepping out from her "postpartum sabbatical."

Since making her feature film debut in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2007 romance Saawariya, Kapoor has built a notable career in mainstream Hindi cinema, starring in critically acclaimed and commercially successful projects such as Delhi-6, Aisha, Raanjhanaa, Khoobsurat, Veere Di Wedding, and the 2016 biographical drama Neerja, which earned her a National Film Award.

Stepping away from the glamour of film sets and public appearances, the War star embraced a rustic aesthetic during her getaway, posing barefoot among dense greenery and wooden outdoor settings. Documenting her time outdoors across her official Instagram channel, Kapoor uploaded a gallery capturing her relaxed mood amidst natural surroundings.

"Found my natural habitat. I’ll take this version of me. barefoot and mildly feral. smile came with the hair flip. just look up," Kapoor captioned the post.

The visual series features Kapoor seated on a weathered wooden bench surrounded by forest foliage. Emphasizing an earthy and grounded atmosphere, one image depicts her mud-dusted feet, while an accompanying video clip captures her playfully flipping her hair with towering trees and a dense canopy framing the background.

The social media update drew immediate engagement from fans and industry peers alike. Fellow actor Raashii Khanna reacted to the post by leaving heart emojis in the comments section, reflecting the warm reception from her contemporary circle.

Kapoor frequently utilizes her digital platforms to maintain an authentic dialogue with her audience, alternating between high-fashion editorial shoots and spontaneous behind-the-scenes glimpses. Prior to sharing her outdoor excursion, the actor had posted portraits clad in an off-shoulder top paired with casual denim.

A Diverse Cinematic Trajectory

Kapoor’s latest social media update arrives during an active phase in her professional career. Since making her feature film debut under the Yash Raj Films banner in the 2013 romantic comedy Shuddh Desi Romance, she has steadily built a varied filmography within commercial Hindi cinema.

Her credits include high-profile projects such as Aditya Chopra’s Paris-set romance Befikre (2016) alongside Ranveer Singh, the action blockbuster War (2019) co-starring Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff, and the progressive romantic drama Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui (2021) opposite Ayushmann Khurrana. She also features in the crime-thriller franchise installment Raid 2 alongside Ajay Devgn.

In addition to feature films, Kapoor has recently expanded her footprint into mainstream music media. She starred in the visual video for the hit track "Aadat," a major collaboration featuring prominent Punjabi music figures Yo Yo Honey Singh and AP Dhillon.

Commenting on the cross-genre project, Kapoor noted that she was drawn to the track's distinctive energy and production scale, expressing enthusiasm for collaborating with two artists whose musical output she has long admired.

Whether headlining major studio releases or sharing quiet moments away from the spotlight, Kapoor continues to balance a busy production calendar with moments of personal retreat, keeping her multi-platform audience closely connected to her journey.

The petitions—spearheaded by successful candidates including Avadhesh Kumar, Deepmala, Sonam Kumari, and Saurabh Singh—seek urgent interim relief and a stay on the official notifications issued by the Department of Personnel, Administrative Reforms, and Rajbhasha.

The petitioners represent a section of recruits who cleared rigorous selection stages for the 11th–13th JPSC Combined Civil Services Examination, the JSSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination, and the Food Safety Officer post. Several petitioners have already completed verification, received formal appointment letters, and joined active government service across various state departments.

Core Arguments Before the Bench

In their legal challenge, the candidates contend that the state administration executed a blanket, unilateral cancellation without affording appointed personnel a right to be heard—a move they argue violates fundamental principles of natural justice.

Key submissions presented in the petitions include:

• Absence of Individualized Proceedings: Petitioners argue that while law enforcement agencies must penalize individuals implicated in malpractices, terminating an entire batch of merit-based appointees without individual inquiry or proven guilt constitutes arbitrary administrative action.

• Disruption of Existing Service: Hundreds of petitioners had resigned from previous public- and private-sector positions upon securing selection under JSSC and JPSC recruitment notifications, leaving them facing sudden employment termination.

• Compliance with Prior Judicial Mandates: Counsel for the JSSC-CGL petitioners highlighted that the final merit list and subsequent job allocations were executed in compliance with prior High Court directives, making a total executive reversal legally vulnerable.

Background of the Executive Order

The Hemant Soren-led coalition government announced the cancellation of 22 recruitment tests and ordered a comprehensive Crime Investigation Department (CID) probe into 17 other exams conducted since 2014. The executive decision followed a 26-day sustained agitation by the JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium over alleged paper leaks and widespread irregularities.

The government maintained that scrapping the examinations was necessary to restore public trust in state selection boards following findings presented by Special Investigation Teams (SIT) and the CID.

The judicial outcome of Thursday’s afternoon hearing is expected to establish crucial precedent regarding whether executive authorities can void completed selection processes after appointments have been formalized under state service rules.