bhaskarlive

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Nov 8 (IANS) Actress Aditi Rao Hydari, who is awaiting the release of her upcoming film Parivarik ManuRanjan, has shared her experience of working with a writer who is also an actor. The film is written is actor and writer Brijendra Kala along with Varun V. Sharma and Ali Abbas Zafar, and opened up a new avenue for her. The actress spoke with IANS along with her co-actor Pankaj Tripathi at a 5-star property in the Goregaon east area of Mumbai during the promotions of the f

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Nov 8 (IANS) Actress Manisha Koirala, who was last seen in the streaming series Heeramandi:The Diamond Bazaar, is an animal lover, and feels that compassion for other lives should not be confined to just the home but should also extend to the animals on the streets. On Sunday, the actress took to her Instagram, and shared a series of pictures from her visit to Nepal, where she attended a special event for animal welfare. The pictures featured her with the First Lady of Nep

Digital Desk | Agartala, Nov 8 (IANS) The Border Security Force (BSF) celebrated Diwali with its Seema Praharis deployed at various border locations along the India-Bangladesh International Border on Sunday with traditional festivities, distribution of sweets and a message of unity and brotherhood. A BSF spokesman said that Princee Rani, Inspector General (IG) of the BSF's Tripura Frontier, joined the celebrations with the border personnel at different locations. The festivities featured the lig

Digital Desk | Hyderabad, Nov 8 (IANS) Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy celebrated Diwali with a beneficiary of the Indiramma housing scheme in Parsapur village, in his Assembly constituency of Kodangal in Vikarabad district, on Sunday. To highlight the governments flagship housing scheme for low-income families, the Chief Minister, along with Ministers and MLAs, celebrated the festival with the beneficiary's family. The Chief Minister, who also celebrated his birthday on Sunday, inaugu

Digital Desk | Paris, Nov 8 (IANS) Carlos Alcaraz captured his ninth ATP Masters 1000 title and first at the Rolex Paris Masters after overcoming American Ben Shelton in straight sets in the final on Sunday. The World No. 3 defeated the third-seeded Shelton 7-6(5), 7-5 in one hour and 57 minutes, gaining late-season revenge for his five-set quarter-final defeat to the American at the US Open in September. Alcaraz, who returned to action after a four-month layoff due to a wrist injury at the US O

Digital Desk | Bangkok, Nov 8 (IANS) Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has inaugurated the Amazing Thailand Grand Diwali Festival 2026, the longest Diwali celebration outside India, spanning 27 days across the month of November, the Indian Embassy in Thailand said. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul inaugurated the Amazing Thailand Grand Diwali Festival 2026 today in the presence of Ambassador Puneet Agrawal, Minister of Tourism and Sports Surasak Phancharoenworakul, Governor of Bang

Digital Desk | Agartala, Nov 8 (IANS) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Sunday evening inaugurated the three-day Diwali festival at the historic 525-year-old Mata Tripura Sundari Temple in the state's Gomati district. The Chief Minister said that the Mata Tripura Sundari Temple, built in 1501 by erstwhile Maharaja Dhanya Manikya, who ruled the princely state of Tripura from 1490 to 1515, is widely renowned across the country as well as in neighbouring countries. He added that following the in

Digital Desk | Amaravati, Nov 8 (IANS) Continuing its impressive performance in local body elections, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led NDA in Andhra Pradesh has bagged 499 out of 582 Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTC) seats and 5,861 out of 7,768 Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTC) seats. Opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) emerged second biggest party after the TDP to wing 76 ZPTCs and 1,711 MPTCs. The State Election Commission (SEC) on Sunday night released the fi

Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Nov 8 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Punjab on Sunday marked Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas by lighting special lamps at the party's state office in memory of young people who lost their lives to drug abuse, highlighting the growing concern over the drug menace in the state. Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon participated in the ceremony and lit lamps, including one dedicated to the youths who fell victim to drug addiction. The symbolic gesture was also

Digital Desk | Ayodhya, Nov 8 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya on Sunday morning for Diwali and offered prayers to Ram Lalla. He performed the aarti, sought blessings and lit a traditional earthen lamp within the temple premises as part of the festive celebrations. The Chief Minister reached the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple around 8 am, where he was warmly welcomed by Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj, General Secretary of the Shri

Digital Desk | Bengaluru, Nov 8 (IANS) In a major push to improve Bengalurus infrastructure, ease traffic congestion, and resolve long-pending housing and residential site issues, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is scheduled to hold a comprehensive review meeting with senior officials of the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) tomorrow. The meeting is expected to focus on progress on major infrastructure and urban development projects, land acquisition, financial requirements, administrative hurd

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid a visit to the residence of veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani to extend his warm birthday greetings. Advani, one of the foundational stalwarts of modern Indian politics and a recipient of the prestigious Bharat Ratna, celebrated his 99th birthday, marking his official entry into his hundredth year. During the visit, PM Modi spent time with the veteran p

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharges Diwali greeting, in which he described the festival as the Eid of happiness, has triggered a sharp political controversy and gone viral on social media. While extending festive wishes to the nation, the AICC chief told reporters that Deepawali is a festival of happiness and an Eid of joy. He called the festival of lights a celebration of peace, harmony and national brotherhood, stressing that festivals of all communiti

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) Indian missions in major world capitals, including London, Washington, Paris, Moscow and Abu Dhabi, extended Diwali greetings and celebrated the festival with the Indian diaspora on Sunday, while New York Governor Kathy Hochul proclaimed November 8 as Diwali in the state. India's High Commissioner to the UK, P. Kumaran, extended greetings to the Indian diaspora in a special message. A message of light, hope and togetherness this Diwali! In his special messa

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Nov 8 (IANS) Legendary playback singer Kumar Sanu, who has collaborated with his friend, and professional rival Udit Narayan for the song Suniyo Zara, has shared that he faced threats from the underworld during the peak of his playback career in the 90s. The veteran singer spoke with IANS at his house in the Andheri West area of Mumbai during the promotions of the song. He said that he did receive threats but he tackled them smartly by not giving the money but by using his

Digital Desk | Imphal, Nov 8 (IANS) In view of the Diwali and Ningol Chakouba festivals, the Manipur government on Sunday released more than Rs 5.88 crore from the State Emergency Fund to provide financial assistance to 58,863 eligible internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by ethnic violence and currently staying in relief camps across various districts of the state. Ningol Chakouba is a traditional festival of the Meitei community in Manipur that celebrates the bond of love between marri

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Nov 8 (IANS) Lyricist Sameer once spoke about the phenomenon of new age playback singers sounding the same across the board. An old clip of the lyricist from his podcast Sameer Ka Safarnama has resurfaced on the Internet, and it shows him talking to playback singer Javed Ali about all the singers sounding similar. He said, All the veterans of Hindi film music had their own colour, and style. And all the composers, writers and singers of that time had a wonderful thing. Lik

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Nov 8 (IANS) Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan has shared glimpses of her Diwali celebrations with her family. On Sunday, the actress took to her Instagram, and shared a series of pictures featuring her parents, Randhir Kapoor and Babita Kapoor, her sister Karisma Kapoor, and her elder son, Taimur. She also penned a long note in the caption, as she wrote, Jeena yahan, marna yahan, iske siwa jaana kahan. Happy Diwali people Its always all about loving your parents alway

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) Former International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief economist Gita Gopinath has warned that the global artificial intelligence (AI) investment boom is approaching a potential valuation correction as companies may struggle amid fierce competition to recover the massive funds that are being poured into the technology. I personally think that there will be a correction. It's impossible to tell when that correction will happen, the Harvard Professor said while speak

Digital Desk | Los Angeles, Nov 8 (IANS) Hollywood actor Dwayne Johnson recently celebrated his mother Ata Johnsons 78th birthday. On Sunday, the actor took to his Instagram, and shared a series of pictures and videos from the birthday celebrations. The actor organized the apex traditional Samoan solo dance, Taualuga, as a part of the celebrations. He also penned a long note in the caption, as he shared that with age, his number 1 job is to keep her happy. He wrote, A sons honor to escort his mo

Digital Desk | Jagdalpur/Raipur (Chhattisgarh), Nov 8 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday underlined that lasting success against Naxalism (Maoism) was possible only because of the right intentions backed by the right policies. Addressing security forces in Bastar, he said a series of firm decisions were taken in the interest of national security, some of which remain unknown to the public even today. These measures, the Prime Minister stated, dealt a major blow to the funding networks

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) Indian wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul won hearts with a thoughtful gesture as he gifted his Game Changer of the Match award, a mobile phone, to a ground staff member following the rain-affected second ODI between India and New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday. Rahul's gesture left the staff member pleasantly surprised, with the cricketer earning appreciation from fans and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for his kind act. The BCCI shared a vi

Digital Desk | Colombo, Nov 8 (IANS) Sri Lankan lawmakers, political leaders, business community, diplomats, India's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha and members of the Indian community took part in the Diwali celebrations here. Sharing glimpses from the celebration on X, Jha on Sunday said that the people of Colombo celebrated Diwali with high-energy beats and pure festival magic at the 'Colind-ICF Diwali Ball!. Delighted to join Hon'ble Ministers, senior political leaders, business c

Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 8 (IANS) The price of red hibiscus, an essential item for Kali Puja rituals, shot up more than fivefold in Kolkata's retail markets on Sunday, as the auspicious occasion coincides with Diwali. A garland of 108 red hibiscus flowers is selling between Rs 150 and Rs 200 in retail markets, depending on the locality, up from around Rs 25 to Rs 30 just a week ago. The price of a garland of 1,008 pieces of red hibiscus, which is mainly sold on the occasion of Kali Puja or du

Digital Desk | Lincoln, Nov 8 (IANS) India A tightened their grip on the third unofficial Test against New Zealand A after declaring at 464/5 on the second day, with Dhruv Jurel, Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar contributing half-centuries at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval here on Sunday. The visitors, who had resumed at 227/2, added another 237 runs to their overnight total before declaring with roughly an hour remaining in the day's play. New Zealand A, in reply, were reduced to 36/2 at stumps, leav

Digital Desk | Seoul, Nov 8 (IANS) The number of children entering elementary schools in South Korea is expected to fall below 300,000 for the first time next year amid the country's low birth rate, data showed Sunday. The number of first graders, born in 2020, entering elementary school for the 2027 academic year, is expected to fall short of 300,000, just three years after dropping below the 400,000 mark, according to data compiled by the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS) and the

Digital Desk | Chennai, Nov 8 (IANS) Setting an example in wildlife conservation, residents of more than 10 villages surrounding the Vellode Birds Sanctuary in Tamil Nadus Erode district celebrated Deepavali without bursting firecrackers on Sunday, continuing a remarkable tradition for the 21st consecutive year. The villagers have voluntarily adopted the practice to protect thousands of resident and migratory birds from the deafening noise and air pollution associated with firecrackers. Their co

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) Pakistans external debt has nearly doubled over the past decade, climbing to $135.1 billion in 2025 from $68.7 billion in 2015, according to the World Banks International Debt Report 2026. The country's external debt increased by around 4 per cent from $129.9 billion in 2024, according to The Khaama Press News Agency. Of the total external debt, $107.08 billion comprised public and publicly guaranteed obligations, while private-sector borrowing without gove

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) In the face of mounting criticism from the ruling alliance over senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's reported response to the demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992, party leader Udit Raj said that she was emotional about the country's situation at that time. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had questioned the Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson's reported emotional response to the events of December 6, 1992. Speaking to IANS, Udit Raj said that the issue

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Congress veteran leader Sonia Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, accusing them of practising vote-bank politics and selectively expressing concern over incidents involving religious communities. Speaking to IANS, Singh alleged that Sonia Gandhi had expressed grief over the Babri Masjid issue and the Batla House encounter but had remained silent when devotees of Lord Ram were all

Digital Desk | Bastar, Nov 8 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited the CoBRA Operations Base at Karanpur in Chhattisgarh's Bastar district to celebrate Diwali with security personnel and laud their courage and sacrifices in the fight against Naxalism (Maoism). The facility served as a training centre and launchpad for counter-Naxal operations in the Bastar region and Abujhmad, which were once considered major strongholds of Maoist insurgency. Addressing the personnel stationed at

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Nov 8 (IANS) Global sensation Priyanka Chopra wished everyone a 'Happy Diwali' with a perfect family picture with husband Nick Jonas, and daughter Malti Marie Chopra Jonas. On Sunday, PeeCee uploaded a couple of glimpses from the Diwali bash she recently hosted at her L.A home. Priyanka looked something out of a fairy tale as she opted for a burgundy-and-gold strapless gown, embroidered with zardozi, beadwork and gold thread. She accessorized the festive look with a tiny k

Digital Desk | Kabul, Nov 8 (IANS) At least seven people were killed and two others injured in a highway collision in eastern Afghanistan's Laghman province, the provincial police office said on Sunday. The accident occurred when a speeding vehicle struck a three-wheeled motorcycle in the Mashli area of Qarghayi district, along a major highway linking Kabul to the eastern provinces on Saturday. Seven people died at the scene, while two others sustained injuries, according to police. The dead and

Digital Desk | Hyderabad, Nov 8 (IANS) Three members of a family allegedly committed suicide in their house here on Sunday, police said. The incident occurred in Goppanapalli under the limits of Gachibowli Police Station. A couple and their son allegedly hanged themselves in their flat at Jayabheri Apartments in Goppanapalli. The deceased were identified as Battula Mareddy, 65, his wife Bharathi, 60, and their son Nishanth Reddy, 38. According to police, information was received at 8.40 a.m. tha

Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Nov 8 (IANS) In a major breakthrough, the Punjab Police, with support of Central agencies, have secured the deportation of noted gangster Gurwinder alias Afridi from Ethiopia ahead of Diwali, after a sustained one-year manhunt under Operation SHAHID. Gurwinder alias Afridi is a kingpin of the Doni BalPrabh Dassuwal gang and has been under the agencies radar for several organised criminal activities in Punjab, including extortion. The Punjab government had also announce

Digital Desk | Raipur, Nov 8 (IANS) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Sunday extended a warm welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his visit to Bastar, where he will celebrate Diwali with security personnel deployed in the region, which was once severely affected by Maoist violence. Taking to X, CM Sai expressed gratitude for the Prime Minister's special affection towards the state and its people, saying, Respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, a warm welcome and h

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) It is not uncommon for a mother to defend her child, whatever the circumstances. It is a deeply ingrained human instinct. So, when Sonia Gandhi says Congress and other Opposition parties have not had a level playing field since 2014, it appears to be little more than a mother coming to her son's defence. She says the BJP has a complete stranglehold over all institutions, particularly the Election Commission. The veteran leader also claims that the mainstrea

Digital Desk | Cairo, Nov 8 (IANS) The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has said that it has parted ways with national team head coach Hossam Hassan and his coaching staff. EFA has tasked Ali Maher with assuming the role of head coach for the senior national team for the upcoming period and has requested that he present his vision for the composition of the new technical staff. Following a meeting of the EFA Board, and after reviewing all the circumstances and events that have unfolded recent

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Nabin, along with other party leaders, on Sunday performed a special 'puja' and 'havan' to mark the 100th birthday of veteran BJP leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani. The 'havan' was organised at the BJP Central Office to pray for the good health and well-being of the veteran politician. Earlier on Sunday, the BJP chief took to the social media platform 'X' to extend birthday greetings to t

Digital Desk | Hyderabad, Nov 8 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday greeted Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on his birthday. The Prime Minister conveyed his best wishes to Revanth Reddy and prayed for his long life and good health. Warm greetings for your birthday on November 08. Wishing you continued good health and a long, fulfilling life, wrote the Prime Minister in a letter. In this era of Amrit Kaal, as India takes rapid strides toward development, prosperity and inclusi

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Nov 8 (IANS) Actress Raavee Gupta called her 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' co-star Smriti Irani a 'thorough professional'. While speaking exclusively to IANS, Raavee added that Smriti never lets her grand political stature come on the set. She was asked, You have worked with Smriti Irani. Given her political journey and professional stature, does that influence her working style on the sets? Calling Smriti extremely 'friendly and warm', Raavee added, She never brings he

Digital Desk | Paris, Nov 8 (IANS) Christian Harrison and Neal Skupski secured a place in the Paris Masters final with a 6-4,6-4 win one-hour-and three-minute victory over Lucas Miedler and Neil, keeping alive their outside chance of finishing the year as the worlds top doubles team. Heliovaara and Patten are currently 1,570 points clear of second-placed Harrison and Skupski in the ATP Live Doubles Teams Rankings, the barometer for discerning who will finish 2026 with Year-End ATP Doubles No. 1.

Digital Desk | Chennai, Nov 8 (IANS) More than 15 lakh passengers travelled out of Chennai between November 5 and 7 to celebrate Diwali in their hometowns, triggering a massive rush at bus terminals and railway stations across the city. Government and private buses transported nearly seven lakh passengers during the three days, while trains carried several lakh more. Thousands of people also travelled in private cars and other vehicles. The exodus gathered momentum on Friday and continued throug

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Nov 8 (IANS) Actor Vardhaan Puri remembered enjoying Diwali sweets and bursting crackers with grandfather Amrish Puri as a kid. Looking back on his fondest Diwali memories as a child, he said, My fondest childhood memories are those with my grandparents at home. I used to be obsessed with Kaju Katli. So, Kaju Katli, Moti Choor ke Laddu, Besan Laddu, Kheer, Rasmalai. I used to really enjoy sweets. I still do, but now due to my fitness goals, I try to be very disciplined. I

Digital Desk | Tiruppur, Nov 8 (IANS) Serious concerns have emerged over irrigation water distribution under the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project (PAP) in Tamil Nadu's Tiruppur district, with farmers alleging that large-scale illegal diversion of water has disrupted supplies to agricultural lands in the tail-end regions. The controversy has brought renewed attention to alleged lapses in monitoring the extensive canal network, particularly the failure to prevent unauthorised extraction of water. Farme

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) President Droupadi Murmu extended warm Diwali greetings to the countrymen on Sunday and wished for the patriotic youth of the nation to contribute enormously towards the goal of Viksit Bharat. People across India are celebrating Diwali on Sunday with traditional fervour and enthusiasm, illuminating their homes, streets and public spaces with diyas, decorative lights and colourful decorations. In a statement, the President said, On the auspicious occasion of

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) Multiple fire incidents have been reported in Delhi, including a massive blaze at a hardware and paint store in Uttam Nagar and another fire in the basement of a building in Malviya Nagar. Several fire tenders were deployed to contain the blazes, with no casualties or injuries reported in either incident. A massive fire broke out at a hardware and paint store on Main Najafgarh Road in Uttam Nagar late Saturday evening, spreading from the ground floor to the

Digital Desk | Paris, Nov 8 (IANS) Riding the momentum of his stunning quarter-final win over Taylor Fritz, Carlos Alcaraz brushed aside Casper Ruud to reach his first Rolex Masters final. The Spaniard did not face a break point in his 86-minute win against Ruud, whom he now leads 7-1 in the pairs ATP Head-2-Head series. With his win against Ruud, Alcaraz reached the final at a seventh different ATP Masters 1000 event. The 23-year-old has now reached 11 championship matches at Masters 1000 tourn

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Nov 8 (IANS) As Ranbir Kapoor and Yash starrer 'Ramayana' continues to perform well at the box office, the makers have issued a stern warning against those found recording the film in cinema halls and then sharing it online. They took to their official X (Previously known as Twitter) handle and said that strict legal action will be taken against those found guilty. It has come to our attention that unauthorised footage of Namit Malhotras Ramayana is being recorded inside c

Digital Desk | Washington, Nov 8 (IANS) New York state and Toronto have formally recognised Diwali on November 8, honouring South Asian communities as US and Canadian leaders marked the festival with greetings and community celebrations. New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed her proclamation on October 26, designating November 8 as Diwali The Festival of Lights. Indias consulate in New York shared a photograph of the proclamation on Saturday and thanked her for recognising Indian Americans cont