3rd T20I: A Storm That Blew Afghanistan Away Abhishek Dishes Out Unforgettable Six-hitting Blitz
Arun Jaitley Stadium: Storms usually give some warning before arriving to leave a citys weather cycle in a mess and leave people wondering when it really came, hit them hard and then vanish as if it never came in the first place. Similar scenes unfolded at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday night. Abhishek Sharma, taking strike for his first delivery of the night, had to push defensively to cover as Fazalhaq Farooqi got some good away shape. But on the very next ball, with fans around the Mohinder Amarnath stand chanting Abhishek, Abhishek, Farooqi bowled a half-volley which had hit me written all over, Abhishek brought out his signature loft over extra cover and the India walle song from Happy New Year blared from the speakers at the stadium. From there, for the next 50 minutes Afghanistan were caught in a storm and were literally blown away by the carnage unleashed by Abhishek. By the time he was out in the 10th over, Abhishek had made 108 off just 34 balls. He had hit 11 sixes and nine fours, reached the fastest mens T20I hundred by an Indian batter, the quickest ton by a batter from a Full Member nation and put the game beyond Afghanistan's reach. The loud cheer at the toss hinted at what the 26,230 fans wanted. When Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran chose to bowl, they roared as India had won the toss and fielded first in both earlier matches, and though they won the matches, the fans had been waiting to watch the world champions bat first with nothing to hold them back. By the time, Indias innings ended at 221/7, despite making 79 runs in the final overs, the fans could not have asked for more. For all the talk of a dead rubber, the people who paid to be there got far more than their money's worth, and most of it came from one bat of Abhisheks. After a gentle opening over, Abhishek showed signs of hitting the fifth gear quickly. Azmatullah Omarzai was pulled over square leg for six and Jai Ho song was played by the DJ. Suddenly the crowd began to chant, Ek chakka aur maar (Hit one more six), and for a moment it felt like going back to the Salim Durani era, where the stylish batter would hit sixes on appeal from fans. Abhishek then came down the pitch at Omarzai, the first time all night he charged a seamer and lifted him down the ground for four going in the completely opposite direction of what the fans appealed to him. Their request, though, was fulfilled on the last ball of second over when Abhishek crunched Omarzai over deep cover for six, leaving the stands in a frenzy. When Farooqi came back and pitched it up again, he was taken for two sixes and two fours. Holding the bat handle high, Abhisheks strengths have been pretty simple - to hit seamers cleanly on both sides of the wicket with his eye-catchy bat-swing. Against spinners, he hangs back and brings out shots to be hit all over the park and at times, makes room to execute his shots. All of it was on show on Thursday. Mohammad Nabi's off-spin suffered the most as at the end of it, Abhishek had raced to 50 off just 16 balls. It was the sixth time he had reached a T20I fifty inside 20 deliveries. His mentor Yuvraj Singh, Colin Munro, Finn Allen, Dasun Shanaka and Adil Butt have done it three times each. It was also the fifth time Abhishek got to fifty inside the powerplay, which no other batter from a Full Member side has done more than twice. Afghanistan then did something they rarely do - bring in Rashid Khan inside the first six overs. Abhishek hit him for two fours, then came down the track and hit a straight six off him, as he had in each of the three matches. It was his seventh six in the power-play (and 37 in all in T20Is this year, again a record in mens T20Is), and it took India to exactly a century of runs in power-play, their highest six-over score in T20Is and the joint fifth-highest in the format. It was the fourth time India had gone past 90 in the powerplay, and each time Abhishek had led the way in Mumbai, Guwahati, and the T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad. His own power-play contribution was 76 not out off 22 balls, the highest by any batter at the end of a T20I powerplay on record. Even after the fielding restrictions ended, Afghanistan could not find a way to stop Abhishek. Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Abdullah Ahmadzai paid for small errors, as the others had. Abhishek went from fifty to a hundred in only 14 balls and amassed 51 runs along the way. He reached three figures with a single in the ninth over - no batter had ever got to a men's T20I hundred earlier in an innings. The previous best mark was also his, 10.1 overs against England at the Wankhede last year and bettered what Rohit Sharma had done before - a 35-ball ton against Sri Lanka in 2017. Amidst the crowd rising to applaud an unforgettable blitzkrieg, which included his father Rajkumar Sharma beaming with pride and being congratulated by spectators in the hospitality stand, Abhishek looked puzzled. He turned to Sanju Samson, who later hit a 35-ball fifty, to ask what was going on, and Samson had to tell him he had just reached his hundred. After all that noise, his celebration was completely still. After holding his helmet and bat aloft, Abhishek did not leap or punch the air. He took off his helmet, sat down on the turf and settled into a meditative pose with his eyes closed and chanted Om Namah Shivaye. Though it left a few people laughing over the latest entry into unique milestone celebrations in cricket, including head coach Gautam Gambhir and rest of the Indian team having a smile, that was just a glimpse into what Abhisheks mindset was absolutely in zen mode and blowing away the hapless Afghanistan bowlers. The end came in the 10th over, when he tried to hit a Rashid googly out of the ground and edged it to Rahmanullah Gurbaz behind the stumps. Abhishek had made 108 off just 34 balls at a strike rate of 317, while the rest of India's batters managed 112 off 86 balls at 127. Of his 108 runs, 102 came from boundaries which translates to 94.44 per cent, the highest share of boundary runs in any men's T20I hundred. Apart from notching up his third T20I century, it was Abhisheks 10th hundred in all T20 cricket, level with Virat Kohli for the most by an Indian mens batter. The boundary-hitting carnage meant more because of what happened with Abhishek before coming to New Delhi for the series. At the T20 World Cup he made 141 runs a mixture of three ducks (and being messed up by stomach infection), before hitting fifties in must-win clashes, including the final. Though he got 563 runs in IPL 2026 for Sunrisers Hyderabad, the fight for places at the top of the order for India was getting tighter via Vaibhav Sooryavanshis entry. Against Zimbabwe in July, Abhishek made 1, 8 and 2. Suddenly, the murmurs over him retaining his spot in the playing eleven rose. When Abhishek is in form, doubt does not seem to stay with him. But when he is not, that harshness with himself is visible. His technique for T20 cricket, though, was never the problem. A quick fifty in the series opener on Sunday suggested the good old Abhishek was coming back and Thursdays game settled the debate. The rest of India's innings was quieter just like the calm after the storm. But the damage caused by Abhishek, especially in the powerplay, made the result a foregone conclusion. Look, I'll tell and want to say one thing. It's not about the hundred that he scored here. I can sit here and keep talking about his 100. But it's just the impact. The only thing that we talk about in that dressing room is about how much impact we can create with the bat and how much impact we can create with the ball and that has been our ideology and philosophy since the last two years. T20 cricket is not about runs or wickets. It's about how much impact you can create and for both Sanju and Abhishek, I think you can easily sit here and say one got a 50 and the other one got a 100. But for me, I think the biggest positive was when we got a 100 in the power-play - that we have never done in my coaching tenure. So I think that was a very clear message that if you're going hard, just keep going hard, said Gambhir in the post-game press conference. The only thing that we talk about in that dressing room is about how much impact we can create with the bat and how much impact we can create with the ball and that has been our ideology and philosophy since the last two years. T20 cricket is not about runs or wickets. It's about how much impact you can create and for both Sanju and Abhishek, I think you can easily sit here and say one got a 50 and the other one got a 100. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories So that's probably the next target because the kind of talent we have in that dressing room, we should be doing some incredible things. So we still have a lot to achieve, he added. On Thursday, as he brought out a storm of sheer six-hitting in New Delhi, Abhishek showed it may not be far away. Article Source: IANS
Salman Khan wishes PM Modi, calls him
Mumbai: Bollywood superstar Salman Khan extended birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he turned 76 on Thursday. In his message, the Sultan actor warmly addressed him as Narendra Bhai. Taking to his X handle (formerly known as Twitter), Salman shared a special greeting for the Prime Minister, writing, Janam Din Mubarak Ho Honourable Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Apple fans turned up in large numbers outside Apple Stores in Mumbai and Delhi on Friday morning, with some customers reaching the outlets hours before the sale of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max began. At Apple's Mumbai
Union minister Jitendra Singh joins coastal cleanup at Mumbai
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Jackie Shroff celebrates 34 years of Sangeet starring Madhuri Dixit, Satish Shah
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 18 (IANS) Bollywood star Jackie Shroff took a trip down memory lane as he marked 34 years of his 1992 film Sangeet, sharing a montage of stills from the film that also starred Madhuri Dixit, Nitish Bharadwaj, Satish Shah, Aruna Irani and Parikshat Sahni. Jackie shared the throwback visuals on social media with the hashtag #Celebrating34YearsOfSangeet. The montage features many memorable moments from the K. Viswanath directorial, including images of Jackie as Sethuram and Madhuri Dixit in her dual role. Talking about the movie, released on September 18, 1992, it was a drama-romance produced by Gulshan Kumar and directed by acclaimed filmmaker K. Viswanath. The film had music by Anand-Milind and lyrics by Santosh Anand, with songs such as 'O Rabba Koi To Bataaye' featuring prominently in its soundtrack. The storyline followed Sethuram played by Jackie Shroff, who arrives in Bombay with his uncle and brother hoping to make a career through music. He meets Nirmala essayed by Madhuri Dixit, a woman passionate about music and dance, and becomes involved in the life of Sangeeta, a talented blind orphan who dreams of becoming a successful singer. The movie revolves around family relationships, music, sacrifice and an eye-donation subplot. Sangeets one of the distinctive features was Madhuri Dixit's double role. She portrayed both Nirmala, the older woman, and Sangeeta, her daughter. The film's principal cast included Madhuri Dixit as Nirmala/Sangeetha, Jackie Shroff as Sethuram, Nitish Bharadwaj as Upendra Joshi, Shafi Inamdar as Yashraj Ahuja, Aruna Irani as Shanta, Parikshat Sahni as the Doctor, Satish Shah as Dhrupadkumar, Asha Sharma as Mrs Inder Joshi and Anjan Srivastav as Chiranjilal. Talking about Jackie and Madhuris professional equation, they had already shared screen space before Sangeet. One of their most memorable collaborations was Subhash Ghai's Ram Lakhan released in 1989, in which Jackie played Inspector Ram Pratap Singh, while Anil Kapoor played his younger brother Lakhan. Madhuri played Radha Shastri, Lakhan's love interest, while Dimple Kapadia played Geeta, Ram's love interest. The two actors reunited in Prem Deewane in 1992, released just months before Sangeet. Jackie played Ashutosh, while Madhuri portrayed Inspector Shivangi Mehra. The film also starred Pooja Bhatt and Vivek Mushran. A decade later, Jackie and Madhuri were part of the ensemble of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas in 2002. Madhuri played the celebrated role of Chandramukhi, while Jackie played Chunnilal.
Tata Group shares fall up to 8 pc amid corporate feud over N Chandrasekaran
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 18 (IANS) Shares of Tata Group-backed companies came under heavy selling pressure on Friday amid uncertainty following corporate feud over the reappointment of N Chandrasekaran as Tata Sons chairman with Tata Chemicals, Tata Investment Corporation scrips falling up to 8 per cent in early deals. By 9:40 am, Tata Chemicals shares tumbled 8 per cent to Rs 716.65, hitting an intraday low, while Tata Investment Corporation stock plunged as much as 5 per cent to hit an intraday low of Rs 682.55 on NSE from the previous close. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) shares fell to an intraday low of Rs 2,115.40 on the NSE, down 3.41 per cent from its previous close of Rs 2,190. The IT stock was last trading at Rs 2,124, down 3 per cent. Similarly, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV) declined to Rs 304 which is a decrease of 3.34 per cent from its previous close of Rs 314.50. Tata Power fell as much as 2.20 per cent to Rs 360.90 from its previous close of Rs 369. The stock was last down 1.83 per cent at Rs 362.25. Another auto stock from the group, Tata Commercial Vehicles (TMCV) touched an intraday low of Rs 430.20, a 1.35 per cent decline from its previous close of Rs 436.10. Meanwhile, Tata Steel also fell almost 1 per cent from its previous close of Rs 187.29 to an intraday low of Rs 185.66. Tata Technologies shares also slipped as much as 2.73 per cent to an intraday low of Rs 738. Tata Group-backed hospitality services provider Indian Hotels Company's shares declined 0.56 per cent from the previous close to touch Rs 722.60, while Tata Consumer Products fell 0.42 per cent to Rs 1,009.40. Additionally, the Nifty India Corporate Group Index - Tata Group 25 per cent cap fell to an intraday low of 13,855.45, down 1.14 per cent from its previous close of 14,015.75. It was last trading at 13,867.70, down over 1 per cent. The selling pressure in the group stocks comes a day after Tata Sons announced that Chandrasekaran had agreed to reconsider his decision not to seek another term and that the board had resolved by a majority vote to reappoint him as executive chairman for another five years. The development followed reported differences within Tata Trusts which holds a majority stake in Tata Sons. However, Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata had described the reappointment as illegal, according to the statement.
John Travoltas dog Peanut celebrates bath time with adorable face licks
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 18 (IANS) Hollywood star John Travolta shared an adorable glimpse of his bond with his pet dog Peanut, celebrating the pooch after his bath. Travolta took to Instagram, where he shared video of cuddling peanut in bed after his furry friend returned from a bath. In the video, Travolta can be heard proudly telling Peanut how clean he is, before the happy dog responds by showering him with affectionate licks. In the clip, Travolta could be heard saying: Did we just have a bath? You're so clean. Are you so clean? Yes, you're so clean. I'm so proud of you. Taking to the caption section, he wrote: Peanut is happy after having a bath. Travolta began acting in television before transitioning into a leading man in films. His accolades include a Primetime Emmy Award, three Golden Globes and an Honorary Palme d'Or, in addition to nominations for two Academy Awards, a British Academy Film Award, and three Actor Awards. He gained the spotlight with Welcome Back, Kotter, followed by a supporting performance in Carrie and then leading roles in Grease, Urban Cowboy, and Blow Out. The star has worked in Pulp Fiction, Get Shorty, Broken Arrow, Michael, Face/Off, A Civil Action, The General's Daughter, The Punisher, Wild Hogs, Hairspray, Bolt and Savages. The actress returned to television as lawyer Robert Shapiro in The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story. He was also Emmy-nominated for his role in the action-comedy web series Die Hart. Travolta is also a private pilot. Travolta was last seen in Die Hart, a comedy action-adventure television series. The series stars Kevin Hart as a fictionalized version of himself, with John Travolta, Nathalie Emmanuel and Josh Hartnett playing supporting roles in the first season. The series received seven nominations at the Primetime Emmy Awards for the actors' performances. The show is about America's funnyman Kevin Hart, who wants to be an action star, but in order to land a life-changing role, he first has to get schooled on how to be an action hero.
NIA case: Nine convicted, including eight Bangladeshis, get life imprisonment
According to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the special court, in its order passed on September 17, also imposed a total fine of Rs 1,37,000 on the convicted accused. It further awarded three months of simple imprisonment in default of payment of the fine
Hardik Yet To Be Ready To Bowl 10 Overs In ODIs, Wont Be Rushed Back: Gambhir
Nitish Kumar Reddy: Ace seam-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya is not yet fit enough to bowl his full quota of 10 overs in ODIs and will not be hurried back into international cricket, said India head coach Gautam Gambhir. Pandya hasnt played competitive cricket since IPL 2026 due to rehabbing from a back injury picked while leading Mumbai Indians. A quadriceps injury and a leg niggle meant Pandya wasnt picked for the white-ball games against Afghanistan, Ireland, England, Zimbabwe. Though Pandya was a notable absence in 3-0 T20I series win over Afghanistan and in the upcoming white-ball series against the West Indies, he has been named in the India A squad for the 50-over series against Australia A, although his final inclusion is subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. With Hardik still unavailable, India chose to withdraw seam-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy from the Asian Games in Japan and slotted him into the white-ball games against the West Indies, starting with the three-match ODI series in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27. First of all, from Nitish's point of view, it's actually a great thing that he's been withdrawn from a T20 format and he'll get game time against the West Indies as well. We know how important seam bowling all-rounders will be probably in a year's time when we go to South Africa and Namibia. Once Hardik comes back, obviously it's going to be good. Sometimes we could even go on to play both of them in the playing 11. But again, Hardik at the moment, yes, he cannot bowl 10 overs and he hasn't played a lot of cricket since the IPL. So we don't want to push him into international cricket because international cricket can be extremely tough on your body as well. So if he plays those, that India A series, obviously he'll get some game time as well and that was the clear message to him that if he can play that A series and then if everything goes well, he can come back and be part of the T20s and the one-day squad as well. In the meantime, Nitish will get more game time as well because he hasn't played enough cricket since the IPL either,. Gambhir said in the post-match press conference after India wrapped up the 3-0 series win over Afghanistan with a thumping 127-run win at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Reddy, who himself missed trips to Ireland, United Kingdom and Zimbabwe due to a quadriceps strain, took consecutive three-fors against Afghanistan after a shaky start to the series, where he gave away 30 runs and missed his lengths. Gambhir added that his bowling returns had been one of the biggest gains from the series. It's been a huge plus for us because we want to expose him to most of the international games because we know how important he is - whether it's in 50-over format or going forward in T20s as well because there are not many going around guys who can bowl and who can bat at the middle order. So it's a massive positive that the way he's bowled in this series. Obviously, he didn't start off that well in the first game, but then we always know that the more you bowl in international cricket, the more he's going to get better and that's what he should. So I think it's good that we got Nitish now from the Asian Games so that now he can, and you could see, the more he bowls, the better he becomes and we have, when you can develop a couple of seam bowling all-rounders, it will always be handy in a year's time, he added. Gambhir also admitted that majority of players missing ODIs against the West Indies to play in the Asian Games wasnt an ideal scenario to prepare for the 2027 World Cup, though he also saw it as a chance for newbies Naman Dhir and Auqib Nabi to showcase their mettle in 50-over cricket. Look, it's not ideal. Obviously, we know that it's not ideal when we are preparing for a World Cup, which is in a years time. But again, the Asian Games squad was selected long back. Sometimes it's difficult for the selectors when they have to put the best squad in place. So, we always knew that if the best team goes to the best, the front-line players go to the Asian Games. Obviously, we will probably have to compromise a bit in this one-day series against the West Indies. But again, it gives other people the opportunity as well. Obviously, in a series like this, we've got young guys like Naman Dhir and Auqib Nabi getting those opportunities in this squad. So, they can also show what they bring in white ball format. Obviously, the bigger the pool, the better it is for us when we have this opportunity in the next three one-day games. Normally, when you have all the players available, sometimes players might not get that opportunity. But now, with people like Vipraj (Nigam, going to the Asian Games), Naman and Auqib, these guys will get their opportunity. So, from one end, it's good. But on the other side, obviously, you want the best players. The head coach signed off by admitting that players not being able to play an entire series due to varied injuries hasnt been ideal for him and ODI skipper Shubman Gill. Obviously, the bigger the pool, the better it is for us when we have this opportunity in the next three one-day games. Normally, when you have all the players available, sometimes players might not get that opportunity. But now, with people like Vipraj (Nigam, going to the Asian Games), Naman and Auqib, these guys will get their opportunity. So, from one end, it's good. But on the other side, obviously, you want the best players. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories More importantly, it's not fair on a young captain as well if he doesn't get the best team, playing consistently and regularly and not being on the path consistently. That's why I have to be dead honest. Yes, as a coach, I can take all the criticisms, but for me, I think it is important for Shubman to get the best team and eleven as many times as he can in red ball and in white ball formats as well, he said. Article Source: IANS
Indian markets open higher tracking positive global cues; metal, realty stocks lead
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 18 (IANS) Domestic equity markets opened higher on Friday tracking positive global cues and amid buying in metal, real estate cement sectors stocks. Sensex opened at 74,575.24, up 260 points or 0.35 per cent, while Nifty rose 64 points or 0.28 per cent to 23,334.70. Among sectoral indices, Nifty Metal gained the most and rose 0.76 per cent in early trade, followed by Nifty Realty which gained 0.74 per cent. Nifty Cement was up 0.55 per cent and Media trading 0.47 per cent higher. Meanwhile, healthcare, auto, banking, pharma, energy and FMCG indices were also trading higher. On the other hand, Nifty IT declined more than 1 per cent, while Nifty MidSmall IT & Telecom fell 0.40 per cent. From the Nifty index, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, TCS, Infosys, Tech Mahindra and HCL Technologies were top losers and declined up to declined up to 3 per cent in morning trade. Analysts said resilience in the US market despite elevated bond yields and expectations of strong corporate earnings have supported global equities. The underlying strength of the economy is supporting the market which continues to be buoyant, and this strength of the mother market is supporting markets elsewhere, they said. On the domestic front, experts said the ongoing boom in the primary market has shifted investor attention towards IPOs and listing gains, leaving some large-cap stocks in the secondary market depressed. For long-term investors, this is an opportunity. Leading banks, capital goods majors, select automobiles and pharmaceutical stocks provide buying opportunities, according to them. Technically, the broader market structure remains weak, while the RSI at 29.95 indicates oversold momentum. Immediate support for the Nifty is placed at 23,000-23,150, while resistance is seen at 23,350-23,450. A decisive move beyond the resistance zone could signal a stronger recovery, while a break below support may keep the corrective trend intact, the analysts said. In addition, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) remained net sellers on Thursday, offloading equities worth Rs 3,208 crore, according to provisional exchange data. While domestic institutional investors (DIIs) continued to provide support and bought equities worth Rs 3,617 crore. Additionally, global cues remained positive. Overnight on Thursday US markets ended higher as the S&P 500 closed 1.14 per cent higher and the tech-heavy Nasdaq rose 1.69 per cent. In Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei was up nearly 2 per cent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained almost 1 per cent. South Korea's KOSPI surged more than 2 per cent. On the commodities front, international benchmark Brent crude declined 1 per cent to $103.61 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was around $101 a barrel, down 0.77 per cent.
Gold and silver prices today, 18 September: Check the latest 24K, 22K gold and 999 silver retail rates across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other major Indian cities, along with MCX market updates.
Sakshi Tanwar, Sweta Keswani, Shweta Kawatra relive old times as team Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii reunite
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 18 (IANS) Nostalgia took over as members of the much-loved television show Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii reunited for a mini get-together. Actress Sweta Keswani shared glimpses from the evening on her social media account and have glimpses of all that fun that was had. Sweta shared a collage featuring pictures from the reunion and captioned it as, Like old times at my mumbai home. Time really flies and yet we catch up where we left off... @shwetakawaatra @manavgohil @gautampinetree @mitzmm so good we can do this #kggk #reunion #foreverfriends #sakshit anwar #friendslikefamily One of the pictures shows Sweta Keswani posing with Sakshi Tanwar, who played the iconic character of Parvati Agarwal in the show. Another group picture features Shweta Kawatra, Manav Gohil and Gautam Chaturvedi, among others. Many other members of the show seemed to be missing at the reunion. For the uninitiated, the show, which became a major part of Indian television's early-2000s soap era, revolved around the lives of Parvati and Om Agarwal and their large Marwari joint family. Talking about Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, the show premiered on October 16, 2000, on StarPlus and went off air on October 9, 2008, completing nearly eight years on television. It was created by Ekta Kapoor and produced by Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor under Balaji Telefilms. The show emerged during the same period as Ekta Kapoor's other hugely popular family drama Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, which premiered in July 2000. Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii quickly became one of the leading shows on Indian Television and went onto attain a cult status in the history of Indian soap dramas. At the heart of the show was Sakshi Tanwar as Parvati Om Agarwal, with Kiran Karmarkar as Om Agarwal, becoming synonymous with the series and remained the pillar to its story of family, relationships and conflicts within the Agarwal household. The ensemble also included Deepak Qazir as Vishwanath Agarwal aka Babuji, Nayan Bhatt as Krishna Agarwal aka Maaji, Lily Patel as Dadi, Jyotsna Karyekar as Nani, Neelam Mehra as Vandy Maasi, Ali Asgar as Kamal Agarwal. Among the other members of the cast were Tina Parekh as Shruti, Rinku Dhawan as Chhaya Agarwal, Manav Gohil as Vikram, Gautam Chaturvedi as Gaurav Agarwal, and Shweta Kawatra as Pallavi. Sweta Keswani was seen as Avantika Agarwal, a negative character who became one of the memorable antagonistic roles in the show. She played Avantika during the show's early years, with her character appearing between 2001 and 2003. Meanwhile, Shweta Kawatra's Pallavi was another prominent negative character in the series. However, it was Parvati aka Sakshi Tanwar who went on to become the most iconic babu of all times on Indian television.
BLACKPINKs Lisas backup career plan was a Disneyland performer as princess
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 18 (IANS) K-pop girl group BLACKPINK member and Thai singer Lisa revealed she had a couple of backup career options in case her singing career did not work out, including performing at Disneyland. During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the K-pop icon said she could have become a dance teacher or worked as a Disneyland performer dressed as a princess. A clip shared on Instagram by the show was captioned: If her singing career didnt work out, @lalalalisa_ms backup jobs were to be a dance teacher or a @disneyland performer #FallonTonight #LISAonFallon In the video, Fallon asked: Was there ever a backup plan for you or you just knew that you'd get to this point and this is what you wanted to do, that you just want to be a singer? Was that always your goal? To which, Lisa replied: I think so or maybe my B plan was a plan B was a dance teacher or maybe work as a performer at Disneyland. Like a princess costume. Yeah, I love doing it. Lisas latest song SaWaDiKa has been released. A few weeks ago, she expressed her gratitude and said that the whole village helped her bring her track to life. Sharing a heartfelt note on Instagram, Lisa thanked the team across Thailand, Korea and Los Angeles. Lisa wrote: Its been one day since SaWaDiKa is released to the world!! From Thailand to Korea to LA, it took a whole village to bring this to life, so a huge Thank you to every single person that was involved. She released SaWaDiKa on September 4, as a pre-release single from her upcoming EP Press Play. One of K-Pops most followed artists on Instagram, Lisa rose to prominence as a member of the South Korean girl group Blackpink, which debuted in August 2016 and became one of the best-selling girl groups of all time.
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max sale in India triggered long queues outside Apple stores in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Videos and photos of customers waiting from early morning or even overnight quickly became viral, with social media users turning the scenes into memes featuring references from 3 Idiots, Baghban and jokes about inflation, GST and expensive smartphones.
Bihar Army soldier dies of burn injuries, villagers protest demanding action
The protesters also raised questions over the police handling of the case
Mumbai cafe where Nolan stopped for chai loses licence
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licences of several food establishments in Mumbai, including the Nair Hospital canteen and Olympia Coffee House, due to serious violations of food safety and hygiene standards. Inspections revealed issues like unsanitary conditions, improper food handling, pest infestations, and lack of trained staff. The FDA also cancelled licences of other businesses and seized unhygienic milk products as part of a festive season campaign.
Amy Jackson on brilliant sons 7th bday: Watching you grow is the greatest privilege of my life
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 18 (IANS) Actress Amy Jackson celebrated her son Andreas seventh birthday with a note, calling him the funniest, kindest, most brilliant little boy and saying that watching him grow has been the greatest privilege of her life. Amy took to Instagram, where she shared a string of pictures of her with Andreas, whom she shares with her former partner George Panayiotou. The pictures are a mix from their holidays together to her wedding with Ed Westwick. Taking to the caption section, Amy wrote: 7 today From birthday cake for breakfast to seven years of the funniest, kindest, most brilliant little boy. How has it gone this fast!?! Watching you grow is the greatest privilege of my life. You make us laugh every single day, keep us firmly on our toes and have the biggest heart. Never stop being completely and unapologetically you, my Dre Dre. I love you more than youll ever know. Happy 7th birthday baby boy. English star Ed Westwick took to the comment section and wrote: Happy Birthday slugger. Amy dated Panayiotou and got engaged in 2019. Their son was born in September 2019. The couple later broke up at an unknown date in 2021. She began dating Westwick in 2022. In 2024, they announced that they had gotten engaged in Gstaad, and got married in August of that year in Rocca Cilento, Campania. The same year, Jackson announced she was pregnant with her second child and first with Westwick. In 2025, they revealed that their son, Oscar Alexander, had been born. Amy works in Tamil films, along with a few Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, and English films. Her most notable roles include Amy Wilkinson in Madrasapattinam, Sarah in Singh Is Bliing, Annie in Theri and Nila in 2.0. She made her Hindi debut in Ekk Deewana Tha in 2012, and Telugu debut in Yevadu in 2014. She made her American debut as Imra Ardeen / Saturn Girl in the television series Supergirl, and her British debut as Nimisha in Boogie Man. Amy was last seen in Crakk, an extreme sports action film directed by Aditya Datt. It stars Vidyut Jammwal, Arjun Rampal, Nora Fatehi, Amy Jackson, Jamie Lever, Pooja Sawant, Ankit Mohan, and Rukmini Maitra.
NTA releases final answer keys for UGC-NET June 2026 exam
The agency had earlier issued a notice on August 16, 2026, regarding the conduct of the test.
UNGA allows Palestine president to address high-level meet via video link
This will be the second time that Abbas speaks by video at the Assembly, which he did last year after a visa refusal
IIT grad among 6 held for 'digital arrest' scam
Mumbai Cyber Police have apprehended six individuals, including an IIT graduate and a bank manager, for allegedly defrauding a senior citizen of Rs 1.12 crore through a digital arrest scam. The victim was coerced into transferring funds after being threatened with family arrest by impersonators.
Why Katrina Kaif Sydney Sweeney
Give me a lush Katrina Kaif over a naked Sydney Sweeney any day. As a woman in her forties, I feel its time we came together to change the body and beauty standard
Delhi court seeks NIA response on US national Matthew Van Dykes bail plea
They said that the agency has to file its reply by September 18
Students deserve spacious accommodation
There are fears too that the Haji Ali building will overshoot its deadline.
Russia, Ukraine swap fallen soldiers bodies, amid strikes
Near-border strikes prompted neighbouring Poland to scramble fighter jets and suspend flights
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 18 (IANS) Veteran actress Shabana Azmi will soon be turning 75 on the 18th of September. The actress celebrated the occasion a day prior to her actual birthday, surrounded by friends and colleagues from the film industry. Ahead of her special day, the actress received an unusual and expressive birthday tribute from actress Vidya Balan and producer husband Siddharth Roy Kapur, which left her smiling. Shabana took to her social media account to share a glimpse of the special birthday gesture, which was a cake featuring an artistic representation of her alongside the words Batwarapan! A talent that is borderless! EST. 1950 STILL GOING STRONG/EST. Thanking Vidya and Siddharth for the thoughtful gesture, Shabana wrote: Thank you so much #Siddharth Roy Kapur and #Vidya Balan for this innovative message. It brought a big smile to my face. The actress also shared a glimpse of her birthday celebrations, giving fans a peek into the intimate gathering attended by many of her industry friends. In another post, Shabana shared a group picture featuring her actress friends and simply captioned it, Pretty women. The celebrations saw many familiar faces from the film fraternity come together, including Divya Dutta, Tanvi Azmi, Dia Mirza, Richa Chadha, Vidya Balan and Shahana Goswami, among others. The gathering was seen turning into a lively celebration as the veteran actress marked the milestone with friends. Filmmaker-producer Boney Kapoor was also among those who attended the celebrations. In a glimpse from the gathering, he and Shabana were seen enjoying pani puri together. Shabana was also seen spending time with her childhood friends, with the group joining in for a rendition of the iconic song Yeh Dosti Hum Nahin Todenge from the 1975 cult classic Sholay. For the uninitiated, born on September 18, 1950, Shabana Azmi is the daughter of celebrated poet and lyricist Kaifi Azmi and theatre actress Shaukat Kaifi. She made her film debut with Shyam Benegal's Ankur in 1974. The film became a landmark in her career. Over the decades, Azmi established herself as one of Indian cinema's most acclaimed performers, balancing parallel cinema alongside mainstream films. Her notable works include Nishant, Junoon, Arth, Khandhar, Paar, Mandi, Masoom, Shatranj Ke Khilari, Sparsh, Amar Akbar Anthony, Fakira, Godmother and Fire, among several others.
Mumbai FDA suspends seven food licences over hygiene, safety violations
Official find urinal in the food-storage area at Olympia Coffee House, meat-blood residues at Worlis Milan Punjab
Houthis say Saudi launched 40 airstrikes across Yemen
Neither Aramco nor Saudi officials have commented on the claims
Canada welcomes EU associate membership proposal; Trump calls it laughable
While Carney clarified the alliance is not intended to rival major global powers, US President Donald Trump called the concept laughable, warning it could be considered a hostile act and threatening heavy tariffs on Europe
IIT grad, bank manager among 6 held for taking 1.12 crore from senior citizen after 'digital arrest'
Gohel is a web developer with a BE degree from IIT Delhi and was previously booked in a 2021 cheating case, while Tyagi works as an operations manager with a private bank, the official said.
US President Donald Trump lauds Indias crackdown on opium
Trump said he looks forward to continued cooperation through the United States-India Drug Policy Framework
Five-member armed dacoity gang arrested after police chase in Kashigaon
Police recover two country-made pistols, weapons and burglary tools; says one accused has 33 previous cases across three states
Mid-day Impact: BMC cleans Santacruz East dumping spot after resident complaints
Action comes day after this newspaper highlighted plight of residents, who are now hopeful of permanent solution
Mid-day Impact: FIR filed over dry waste allegedly dumped into Mogra nalla
Vehicle identified after video surfaces; BMC begins contractual action, orders checks of dry-waste collection across Mumbai
FDA suspends Caf Mondegar licence over food-safety lapses; wider crackdown hits Mumbai eateries
The action formed part of a larger festival-season enforcement drive in Greater Mumbai carried out between September 11 and 14
Mumbai wildlife groups flag rising abandonment of Indian Star Tortoises
Experts say illegal pet trade leaves protected tortoises, turtles abandoned in poor health
External chajjas are common areas, Maharashtra co-op court rules
Nepean Sea Road owner loses appeal against societys repair work; court says external chajjas are common areas
Mumbai: Disha Salians father to serve fresh notice to Aaditya Thackeray
Satish Salian seeks police cover for Saturday visit to serve notice on Aaditya Thackeray, move comes amid CBI probe into daughters death
Aman Pant says PM Modis encouragement gives artists confidence: Their voices reach people
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 18 (IANS) Music composer Aman Pant, whose special song Ashirwad Ka Diya was shared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his social media on his 76th birthday, bas been over the moon ever since then. Expressing his joy, the composer in an exclusive conversation with IANS, stated that such recognition from the countrys Prime Minister can give an artist immense confidence. Pant spoke about Modis interaction with and encouragement of artists, saying it helps their work reach audiences that they may otherwise find difficult to reach. If you see, in the last few days, many artists have come forward and Modi ji has been encouraging artists a lot. I have seen that Modi ji has already put songs of many artists and shared them and such things have happened, he said. So, I feel that the confidence of the artists also increases a lot. If the Prime Minister of a country shares your song, it has to be a big deal, he added. Aman said artists are ordinary people and noted that the Prime Ministers engagement with their creative work can help their voices reach a larger audience. An artist is an ordinary man, an ordinary artist, an ordinary man of the country. So, you see that the Prime Minister is also associated with an ordinary man, it has to be a big deal, he said. He added, I felt that Modi ji is encouraging such artists and from different levels, artists also come forward. Their voices reach people, people whose voices may never reach, he said. Aman also spoke about how Modis work ethic and energy have personally inspired him. I always think one thing. Inspiration is there. I always think that how can a person do so much work? We often get tired of whatever work we do and we say that we are very busy, we have a lot of work, Pant said. My wife always tells me this thing. She always gives example of Modi ji. That he is running the country till morning and evening. And you get tired of these small things, he added. So, it inspires me that the way he is always on the go. His energy levels are amazing. And I feel that he excites me a lot, that energy level. He also has the energy level of a youngster, he said. The composer added, You will see that every age group person also connects with him because his energy levels are like that, Pant said. The conversation came after Aman Pants Ashirwad Ka Diya, sung by Sneha Shankar, was released as a musical tribute to Modi on his birthday. The song was dedicated to Modi to mark his 76th birthday as well as 25 years of his public life. The Prime Minister, to Amans sheer surprise, reposted the video on his social media account and described Ashirwad Ka Diya as a special expression of affection. Some gestures remain very special! #AshirwadKaDiya is one such expression of affection that has deeply touched me. Every blessing strengthens my resolve to serve our beloved Bharat with even greater devotion, read the caption by Narendra Modi.
Houthi leader denies targeting Mecca amid escalating tensions with Saudi Arabia
Digital Desk | Sanaa, Sep 18 (IANS) Yemen's Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi rejected accusations that his group had attempted to attack the Islamic holy city of Mecca, calling the allegation fabrication and misinformation amid escalating hostilities with Saudi Arabia. In a televised address carried by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, al-Houthi on Thursday said claims that Houthi forces had targeted Mecca were a lie, arguing that the accusation was being used to mobilize broader support for what he described as military measures imposed on Yemen. Al-Houthi also accused Saudi Arabia of failing to advance a political settlement during the period of relative calm preceding the latest escalation, Xinhua news agency reported. Instead, he said, restrictions affecting Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen had been tightened, with limitations on airport operations and imports remaining among the key unresolved issues. Al-Houthi called on supporters across Yemen to hold mass demonstrations on Friday to reject what he described as Saudi fabrications and slander. His remarks came a day after Saudi Arabia publicly accused the Houthis of launching a drone toward Mecca. The Saudi-led coalition said on Wednesday that the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces intercepted and destroyed the drone south of Mecca on Tuesday evening, before it entered the holy city's restricted airspace. Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki described the security of Islam's two holiest sites and pilgrims as a ed line and said necessary measures would be taken in response. He said the incident was the second alleged Houthi attempt to target Mecca, following what the coalition described as a ballistic missile attack on July 27, 2017. The exchange comes amid a widening confrontation, with the Houthis making major gains along Yemen's Red Sea coast and around the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait since Sept. 3, while stepping up missile and drone attacks on Saudi military and oil facilities. The Houthis, meanwhile, say Saudi warplanes have intensified airstrikes across Yemen. Yemen's conflict erupted in late 2014 when the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa and much of northern Yemen, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene in March 2015 in support of the internationally recognised Yemeni government.
Navi Mumbai: Vashi Mini Seashore murder sparks demand for tighter security
Residents say security concerns had been mounting even before 18-year-old Sujankumar Mahato was allegedly killed there; 105 signatories now want round-the-clock police presence and tighter surveillance at the location
Crowds gather at Apple Stores in Mumbai, Delhi ahead of sales of iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max
A massive crowds gathered outside the Apple Store in Mumbai as eager customers queue up ahead of the official sales launch of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in India. A customer...
Mumbai: BMC pilots tree basin revival for 50 old native trees on Prabhadevi road
More than two months after 11-year-old boy was crushed to death in a tree collapse at Chembur, BMC pilot project aims to revive kattas, or basins, around 50 old trees along footpath in Prabhadevi. The move could be replicated across city to prevent avoidable tragedies
Ashutosh Gowariker meets club and league cricketers for Aamir Khans Lalkaara
Ashutosh Gowariker has reportedly met around 50 club and city-level cricketers in Mumbai for look tests for Aamir Khans Lalkaara. The sports drama, based on the 1952 India-Pakistan Test series, will feature real cricketers alongside actors
Bombay High Court asks Thane restaurant to approach Food Safety Commissioner over licence suspension
A Bench of Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna observed that where a statutory appellate remedy was available, the restaurant should first avail it before approaching the High Court.
FDA chief Tukaram flags huge price gaps in medical devices, seeks Centres intervention
The report cited that an IV set purchased for 11.05 had a declared MRP of 325, while an infusion set purchased for 11 had an MRP of 201.
Suryakumar Yadav worships at Mumbai's iconic Lalbaugcha Raja.
Army, Rotary Club inaugurate modern dental facility at SDH Langate
A modern dental facility equipped with two high-tech dental chairs and supporting equipment was inaugurated at Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Langate on Thursday. The facility is expected to benefit over 1.5 lakh people in Langate and adjoining areas. The facility has been established with the support of Rotary Club Mumbai under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, while Army Camp Langate facilitated the project by coordinating between the Rotary Club and SDH Langate and providing the required logistical support. Block Medical Officer (BMO) Langate Dr Nazir Ahmad, on the occasion, said that the new facility will improve access to dental consultation and treatment for people in the area, particularly those living in remote and underserved areas. It is also expected to reduce the need for patients to travel to distant healthcare centres for specialised dental care, he added. Rotary Club Regal Governor, District 3141, Rajan Dua, while talking to Greater Kashmir, said the initiative is aimed at strengthening local healthcare infrastructure through civil-military cooperation and improving access to essential dental services for the local population. We have been carrying out several people-friendly initiatives in district Kupwara, which include school buses in Machil last year, a school building in Army Goodwill School Wayen Kupwara and other projects, and ambulances for people living in border areas of Kupwara. I believe that very little has been done and much remains to be done, he added. Locals appreciated the initiative and expressed gratitude to the Indian Army and Rotary Club Mumbai for supporting the establishment of the facility and contributing towards improved healthcare services in the area. The people of over a hundred villages were suffering due to lack of better dental care facilities at SDH Langate, and now with the addition of improved facilities, people will certainly feel the difference and can avail treatment, said Langate Traders Federation President Lateef Ahmad.
Pretend Im on ballot: Trump urges voters
Digital Desk | Washington, Sep 18 (IANS) US President Donald Trump urged Virginia voters to treat Novembers congressional elections as if he were on the ballot, warning that Democratic victories would threaten his administrations agenda as he endorsed three Republican lawmakers seeking re-election. Speaking at a virtual tele-rally, Trump backed Representatives Rob Wittman, Jen Kiggans and John McGuire. He repeatedly asked supporters to turn out on November 3, making his own political record central to his appeal. And you have to do one favor for me, pretend that I'm on the ballot, Trump said. Because when I've been on the ballot, which has been three times, we've gotten tremendous turnout. And when I'm not, we don't get the same turnout. The president framed the contests as a test of whether Republicans could preserve their tax and spending priorities. He credited the three lawmakers with supporting legislation he called the Great Big, Beautiful Bill. Trump highlighted what he described as tax relief on tips, overtime and Social Security. He asserted that Democrats would terminate those benefits and pursue tax increases. The transcript provided no Democratic response to those claims. So, uh, we worked and we got all of these things for you, and we're gonna keep them for you, he said. Trump devoted separate portions of the call to each lawmaker, linking their congressional records to military spending, border enforcement, lower taxes and support for veterans. He praised Wittman, who represents Virginias 1st Congressional District, for his work as vice-chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. Trump said Wittman had helped secure military investment and supported the administrations tax legislation. He also credited Wittman with voting for the Save America Act and said his administration would continue pushing for its passage. Turning to Virginias 2nd Congressional District, Trump described Kiggans as a former Navy helicopter pilot and praised her economic record. He said she had voted to ban insider trading by members of Congress, adding that he would support such a prohibition. He urged voters to return her to Congress. Trump then praised McGuire, a former Navy SEAL representing Virginias 5th Congressional District. He described him as a reliable supporter of border restrictions, lower taxes, fewer regulations, military strength and veterans. And I must tell you that all three have exactly those same qualities, Trump said. The president also attacked the lawmakers Democratic opponents, naming Shannon Taylor, Elaine Luria and Tom Perriello. His remarks included allegations about their positions on policing, congressional trading and immigration. The supplied material contained no responses from the three Democrats. Trump returned repeatedly to turnout, telling listeners that the three Republicans had his endorsement and promising further campaign support. They will never, ever let you down, Trump said. He urged supporters to vote on election day or take advantage of early voting, concluding that November 3 would be a very big day for America.
Nilesh Kakade, the Leader of the Opposition Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) party in the Malegaon Municipal Corporation, complained about the particular portrait of Tipu Sultan in the office building of the corporation, the petition states
Horoscope today, Sept 18: Check astrological predictions for all zodiac signs
Wondering what's in store for you today? Well, we've got you covered. Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Virgo, Cancer, Leo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius
Langate hospital gets modern dental facility
Srinagar, Sep 17: A modern dental facility equipped with two high-tech dental chairs and supporting equipment was inaugurated at Associated GMC Hospital Langate on Thursday, in a move aimed at strengthening dental healthcare services for people in Langate and adjoining areas. The facility has been established with support from Rotary Club, Mumbai under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. Army Camp Langate facilitated the project by coordinating with the Rotary Club and the hospital and providing the required logistical support. The new facility is expected to benefit around 1.5 lakh people in Langate and neighbouring areas. It will provide patients with better access to dental consultation, diagnosis and treatment, particularly for people living in remote and underserved areas. Members of the Rotary Club said the initiative is part of their larger effort to improve dental healthcare facilities in Kashmir and take dental services to an advanced level. We want to take dental health in Kashmir to an advanced level. This is an important beginning, and in the coming time, more equipment will be provided to strengthen the facility further, members said. They said the focus would remain on improving access to modern dental care and supporting healthcare institutions in areas where patients face difficulties in accessing specialised treatment. The availability of modern dental equipment at the hospital is also expected to reduce the need for patients to travel to distant healthcare centres for treatment. The facility will help strengthen local healthcare infrastructure and provide people with services closer to their homes. Officials and local residents welcomed the initiative and appreciated the efforts of the Rotary Club, Mumbai and the Indian Army in supporting the establishment of the facility. Residents said improved dental services would particularly benefit people from remote areas, who often have to travel to Srinagar and other centres for specialised dental treatment. The initiative also highlights the role of cooperation between civil institutions, the Indian Army and social organisations in expanding healthcare facilities in underserved areas of J&K.
Orrys sweet birthday wish for PM Modi: He also made yoga cool again
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 18 (IANS) Social media personality Orry shared his best wishes to PM Modi on the occasion of his 76th birthday. Orry took to his Instagram, on Thursday, and shared a video of himself talking to the camera, as he wished the PM. In the video, he can be seen dressed in ethnic wear, as he changed his camera angles to lend his monologue. He said in Hindi, Respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, warm birthday wishes to you. May God bless you with a long life, and may your life be filled with health, happiness, and fame. May all your resolutions be fulfilled, therefore today I take the oath of national service and to ensure your efforts are successful, I will keep lighting a lamp before the Lord. He further mentioned, The pride of India may always be a source of inspiration for you, with your energy, dedication, and commitment. May God bless you with patience, excellent health, and boundless energy. Warm birthday wishes, Modi ji. You are appreciated and revered. He also penned a long note in the caption, touching upon his journey and his political career, and also credited him for making Yoga cool again. He wrote, To understand modern India, you need to know the man who has led its government for more than a decade. Born in 1950, just 3 years after India gained independence, into a family of modest means in the small town of Vadnagar, Gujarat, working at his familys tea stall, he grew up to become Prime Minister of the worlds most populous country and one of its largest economies. That is the story of Shri Narendra Damodardas Modi @narendramodi His journey to the top of Indian politics took decades. He joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), rose through its organisation and in 2001 became Chief Minister of Gujarat, a position he held for almost 13 years. He went on, Then came 2014. Shri Narendra Modi ji became Prime Minister of India - leading the government of more than a billion people, hundreds of languages and dialects, countless cultures and traditions, and the worlds largest democracy. Following the elections of 2019 and 2024, india returned him the PMO, today serving an uncommon third consecutive term. His political identity has been built around large-scale development, strong central leadership, technological modernisation, infrastructure and a more prominent India on the world stage. His governments launched nationwide programmes including Swachh Bharat, Jan Dhan Yojana, Digital India and Make in India. He further mentioned, The Modi era has seen an extraordinary digital transformation, with UPI changing everyday payments, alongside expanding highways, railways, airports and metros - including but not limited to my favourite, Vande Bharat. He has sought to position India as a country that doesnt simply participate in the future, but helps build it. His leadership is intensely debated, like any powerful and long-serving democratic leader. But his place in contemporary Indian history is unmistakable. The little boy born in 1950 Vadnagar, working at a tea stall, grew up to become THE PRIME MINISTER of more than a billion people, the man entrusted with leading the Government of one of the biggest, most diverse and extraordinary countries on Earth. Happy 76th Birthday to the Honble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi ji. P.S. He also made yoga cool again, he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 76 on Thursday with birthday wishes pouring in from several celebrities and public figures. He has served as India's Prime Minister since May 2014. Over the years, his leadership has focused on initiatives such as Digital India, Make in India, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and infrastructure development. His birthday is often marked by public events, welfare activities, and community service initiatives organized by supporters and various organizations. Several prominent figures from the Indian film industry wished the PM on his birthday, who completed another trip around the sun.
Mumbai police arrest three for supplying SIMs, OTPs to cyber fraudsters in Cambodia
State punishment for cop who flouts rules: Bombay HC on Palghar hospital attack
Bombay HC sets guidelines for land title on layout with multiple buildings
Dishas death: Uddhav warns of legal action over allegations
Sion railway bridge nears completion, BMC sets Oct 15 deadline
The bridge is being reconstructed as part of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP-2), under which Central Railway is developing the fifth and sixth railway lines between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Kurla
FIR filed against BMC waste contractor over dumping in Mogra nullah in Mumbai
Cannot disallow business expenses paid through spouses credit card if reimbursed: ITAT
Fees fixed for NRI, management quotas cannot be changed for duration of entire course: FRA
IIT-Bombay closes lecture halls for overnight use; students voice concerns in campus magazine
FIR on ex-BJP MLA & dismissed cop for allegedly gang-raping woman in Bhiwandi
Vice President Radhakrishnan to Visit Mumbai, Lonavala, and Pune on September 18
Vice President Radhakrishnan will visit Mumbai, Lonavala, and Pune for cultural and religious events on September 18. Vice President Radhakrishnan to Visit Mumbai, Lonavala, and Pune on September 18
Kunbi (OBC) certs to Marathas in Marathwada soared from 652 to 3.1 lakh in 3 years
From Mumbai maidans to coaching Japan: Vinay's cricket journey comes full circle
From Mumbai maidans to coaching Japan: Vinay's cricket journey comes full circle
PM Modi is like a university from which one can keep learning: CM Fadnavis
CM Fadnavis said PM Modi had taken India to new heights and expressed confidence that the Prime Minister would help realise the goal of Viksit Bharat, or developed India
Couple scours Bandra for missing 76-year-old adopted uncle, files abduction complaint
Maharashtra sets up panel for implementation of maritime development policy
Man arrested for posing as PMO official files bail plea
BMCs Tree Authority seeks candidates for nominated members
Mumbai resident missing in Malvan river after boat capsizes
Tata Trusts asks Tata Sons to explore options other than listing to save Tata model
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 17 (IANS) Tata Trusts Chairman Noel N. Tata, at the Tata Sons Board meeting held on Thursday, reiterated the position that Tata Trusts have not agreed to the listing of Tata Sons and the century-old structure of Tata Sons and the Tata Group should be preserved, according to a trusts statement. Tata Sons has been asked to explore options other than listing as the Tata model has to be saved, the statement said. That is not sentiment. It is the operating model of this House, and it has stood the test of time for more than a century. A listing will destroy its character and strike at the heart of this principle, Noel Tata said, as per the statement. He highlighted that the communication received from the Reserve Bank of India on September 11 was discussed at the board meeting. The Board agreed that all available options, and not listing alone, should be thoroughly explored and assessed on an immediate basis, with the findings and recommendations presented to the Board. Following this review, a separate Board meeting will be convened to consider the assessment and determine the appropriate course of action, the statement said. In this context, the Tata Sons Board had already considered the matter of public listing and reached a unanimous conclusion in March 2024, under the guidance of the (late) Ratan Tata, and had resolved that the company should remain unlisted. In July 2025, the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust also unanimously passed resolutions that the Company should remain unlisted and the same was duly communicated to Tata Sons for necessary action. Accordingly, the position of the Tata Trusts has remained consistent and unchanged, the statement said. Noel Tata, speaking about the House of Tatas, stated that Tata Group was conceived as a national service carried on through business and has conducted itself so in this manner for over a century. The structure of its ownership is what has allowed it to remain so and has permitted Tata Sons to act repeatedly in ways that a purely commercial calculus would not have supported. Therefore, what is at stake today is something very fundamental: the nature and character of the Tata Group as a unique institution. What makes the Tata operating structure unique is that it is premised on trust and its majority shareholder is a charity. That charity funds hospitals, universities, and research from the dividends it receives. It exists for public purpose and for nation building, he added. The Trusts support a constructive, informed, and lawful process that enables all permissible options to be examined comprehensively, with due regard to protecting the long-term public interest. The Tata Trusts will continue to engage with Tata Sons and the relevant authorities to support a fair, transparent, and legally compliant process, he said, the statement added.
The company already holds redevelopment projects across locations including Breach Candy, Pali Hill, Lokhandwala, Chembur, Malabar Hill and Cuffe Parade
Saudi Arabia: Houthi drone debris kills one, injures two in Taif
Debris from an intercepted Houthi drone killed one person and injured two others in Saudi Arabias Taif province, officials said. A Yemeni national died, while a Saudi citizen and Pakistani national were injured as regional tensions continue to rise
Fadnavis announces 70 TMC water diversion to tackle Marathwada drought
Speaking at an event marking Marathwada Mukti Sangram Day after hoisting the national flag at the Martyr's Memorial, Fadnavis also assured farmers that the government would provide assistance in view of the prolonged dry spell affecting the region
Maharashtra forms panel under ex-finance secretary to tackle fiscal stress
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has announced a high-level committee headed by former Union Finance Secretary Vijay Kelkar to strengthen the states public finances. The panel will examine tax reforms, revenue generation, public spending and borrowing
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 17 (IANS) Filmmaker Meghna Gulzar, who is gearing up for the release of her upcoming film Daayra starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Kareena Kapoor Khan, has credited the late actor Irrfan's powerful performance in 'Talvar' for convincing audience that Aarushi Talwar's parents weren't at fault. The filmmaker spoke with IANS during the promotions of Daayra in the Andheri West area of Mumbai. She said that Irrfan's portrayal of Ashwin Kumar, Joint-Director of CBI in Talvar strongly worked in the favour of the audience empathising with the parents of Aarushi Talwar. The film was based on the 2008 Noida double murder case, the unsolved murders of 13-year-old girl Aarushi Talwar and her house help, Hemraj. The two were killed on the night of 1516 May 2008 at Aarushi's home in Noida, India. When Aarushi's body was discovered in her bedroom on May 16, Hemraj was missing at the time, and was considered the main suspect. The next day, Hemraj's partially decomposed body was discovered on the terrace. Meghna said that the film is purely based on facts, and presents the events as is without taking sides. She told IANS, Irrfan sir's performance has convinced you. But the facts are the facts and the facts are what have been depicted in the film. So, the facts look like they are veering more in favour of the parents, that was the reality. It's just that Irrfan sir as an actor and a performer convinced you a little more. But he convinced you with what? With the facts that he had. And the facts were as they were in life, which is why the Talvar family then got exonerated in the high court. Talvar didn't create that fiction, she added. After ruling out former domestic servants of the family, Aarushi's parents, Dr. Rajesh Talwar and Dr. Nupur Talwar were treated as the prime suspects by the police. The police suspected that Rajesh had murdered the victims after finding them in an objectionable position, or because Rajesh's alleged extra-marital affair had led to his blackmail by Hemraj and a confrontation with Aarushi. The Talwars' family and friends accused the police of framing them in order to cover up the botched-up investigation. The couple was acquitted of all charges by the Allahabad High Court in 2017. On March 8, 2018, the CBI challenged the acquittal in the Supreme Court.
Shaktipeeth Expressway: Farmers block road in Hingoli over land acquisition
The protest was held near Martyrs Memorial Park, where Hingoli Guardian Minister Narhari Zirwal was scheduled to attend a flag-hoisting ceremony marking Marathwada Liberation Day. The protesters remained on the road leading to the venue, blocking the route of the ministers convoy
Longevity healthcare startup Vytalyou raises 8-10 cr in growth funding
Mumbai-based Vytalyou has raised Rs 8-10 crore at a valuation of around Rs 33 crore to expand its network in Mumbai and enter other major Indian cities in 2027
Nitin Nabin leads BJP blood donation initiative on PM Modis birthday
BJP chief Nitin Nabin donated blood at the partys central office as part of the month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyan marking PM Narendra Modis birthday. Nabin extended birthday wishes to Modi and highlighted the campaigns public service initiatives
Ganesh Visarjan tragedy: Six students drown in Telangana
Six students drowned while they had gone for Ganesh idol immersion in Peddakanjarla village in Patancheru, Telangana. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed shock over the tragedy and directed officials to provide necessary support to the families
PM Modi turns 76: WHO chief Tedros, Netanyahu extend birthday wishes
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, and former Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih wished PM Narendra Modi on his 76th birthday. Sri Lankan Buddhist clergy also offered blessings, highlighting Indias international ties
FDA suspends food licence of Cafe Olympia and 6 other Mumbai food establishments
Tukaram Mundhe-led FDA Maharashtra FDA suspended the licence of Olympia Coffee House in Colaba after an inspection found alleged food safety and hygiene violations, including cockroaches, flies, meat blood residues and poor food handling. Licences of 13 other establishments were also suspended statewide
