Businessman's Rs 1 Crore Rolex Gift To Contractor For Building His "Fortress"

A businessman in Punjab has gifted a Rolex watch worth Rs 1 crore to his contractor for his exceptional work on his grand 9-acre property. Gurdip Dev Bath, who commissioned the sprawling estate, said that contractor Rajinder Singh Roopra's commitment to "quality, speed of delivery, and meticulous attention" to detail inspired him to make the generous gesture.

Crafted in 18-carat yellow gold, the watch, a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller, has a signature Oyster bracelet, crafted with robust gold links.

It also has a champagne-coloured dial.

 

The project near Punjab's Zirakpur resembles a modern-day fortress.

Over a period of two years, Roopra, a contractor from Punjab's Shahkot, managed a daily workforce of more than 200 laborers to complete the expansive property on schedule.

"This is not just a house; it's a statement of grandeur, carefully designed and constructed to reflect timeless elegance," said Bath.

"His commitment to timelines, coupled with a remarkable eye for detail, provided more than I could have asked for," he said, adding that Roopra not only met but "exceeded" the family's expectations throughout the project.

The design, executed by architect Ranjodh Singh, features a sweeping boundary wall enclosing the estate, making it a private fort.

 

The property includes expansive halls, carefully landscaped gardens, and unique architectural elements that bring both style and practicality to the space.

Roopra said that working on such a large-scale and refined project was both a challenge and a rewarding experience, crediting the cohesive efforts of the entire workforce in bringing the vision to life.

He said that building a property of this calibre was no easy task, particularly one that would embody the spirit of Rajasthani forts.

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"Cute", "Hawwt": HR Highlights Creepy Messages From Rejected Candidates

An HR professional from Noida has shared screenshots of inappropriate messages she received from candidates who weren't selected for a job. In a LinkedIn post, Harshita Mishra, a talent acquisition specialist, raised the disturbing trend of rejected candidates crossing professional boundaries and sending inappropriate messages at odd hours. She called it a “regular occurrence”.

“Let's be clear, rejection is a chance for growth, not an invitation to overstep. My phone number is solely for professional communication. As professionals, you're here to build your careers, if not then at least strive to be respectful human beings who value others' boundaries and time,” she wrote.

One of the job-seekers called her the “most beautiful girl in the world”, pleading with her not to get “angry”. In a series of messages, the man reminded her, “You took my interview” adding, “You are so beautiful that I haven't been able to forget you ever since.”

Screenshots show how the man messaged the HR professional repeatedly despite not receiving any response from her. He called her at least five times in a row and even requested to hear her voice for a second or two.

“I am just asking,” he said.

Another screenshot shows a man sending love poetry to Harshita after being rejected for a job. When asked for feedback, Harshita said, “Need improvement. Not fit for us.” Soon after the rejected candidate started sending her love poems hinting that he could not live without her.

It doesn't end there. Another candidate first asked for a second chance to share a revised resume or “proper CV”. He even asked for the years of experience required for the role. But within minutes, he changed the course of the conversation and went on to pass lewd remarks on her physical appearance.

“You were looking hawwt that day!” he texted, adding that he had not been able to "sleep or wake up" since he saw her.

Harshita shared screenshots without hiding mobile numbers to “expose” the offenders.

“I'm committed to maintaining a respectful and calm demeanor, even in the face of inappropriate behavior. Don't mistake this for my weakness,” she wrote, adding that people who cannot maintain “even a basic level of professionalism have already failed - both as a professional and as a human being”.

Netizens are in shock. Many users went on to advise Harshita on what she should do or should have done in such a situation.

“I am not saying its your fault… but you will have to contact with the employees through official email instead of whatsapp…” commented one LinkedIn user.

“Sadly, any woman, by default, is not safe,” wrote another and shared five tips including not sharing one's personal number, asking the organisation to divide the list of candidates gender-wise, and quitting if the company isn't doing anything about it.

“Don't wait for ten messages, you can simply block unknown people who text you at midnight,” they added.

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Ayodhya Ram Temple To Not Use Chinese Decorative Items During Diwali: Trust

The Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust, which manages the Ram Temple in the city, has decided not to use Chinese decorative items during Diwali to promote local craftsmanship, according to officials.

The city of Ayodhya is preparing for a grand Deepotsav this year -- it will be the eighth edition of the event and the first since the consecration ceremony at the Ram Temple in January.

The temple premises will also be decorated with diyas and other items.

"The Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust has prohibited the use of Chinese decorative items during Diwali, promoting local craftsmanship and aligning with the 'Vocal for Local' initiative and the push toward self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat)," according to a media statement.

Police said there will be around 10,000 security personnel on duty to maintain security during the Deepotsav event and nearly half of them will be in plain dress.

When asked about the Ram Temple's decision not to use Chinese decorative items, Ayodhya Commissioner Gaurav Dayal said, "Basically, we want to just use items which are indigenous and local. They are saying they will not use Chinese items but the whole idea is they want to promote local artisans, local artists and local material which is more eco-friendly."

Asked if there is any such appeal or directive to people to not use Chinese material, he said it's up to them. "We cannot force people."

Deeptosav will be organised on Wednesday, a day before Diwali, with the government aiming to set a Guinness World Records again this year with most number of diyas lit simultaneously. Special Ram Leela and other performances have been planned for the day.

"Renowned fashion designer Manish Malhotra has been tasked with designing special outfits for Ram Lalla and his brothers, showcasing the blend of high fashion and spirituality for the festive occasion," according to the media release. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Not Humane": PM Slams Delhi, Bengal For Not Implementing Ayushman Bharat

Targeting the Trinamool Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over not implementing the Ayushman Bharat scheme in West Bengal and Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the tendency to oppress ailing people for political interests is inhuman.

The Prime Minister launched the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) health insurance scheme for senior citizens. Under this scheme, people aged above 70 years will get a health cover up to Rs Rs 5 lakh annually. Those already covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme will get a top-up of Rs 5 lakh crore. The scheme aims to benefit about 6 crore senior citizens.

"There was a time when people's houses, lands, jewellery were sold for treatment. The soul of the poor trembled on hearing the cost of treatment for a serious disease. The helplessness of not being able to get treatment due to lack of money would shatter the poor. I could not see my poor brothers and sisters in this helplessness. That is why the 'Ayushman Bharat' scheme was born," the Prime Minister said, adding that around 4 crore people in the country benefited from the scheme.

"But I apologise to the elderly in Delhi and West Bengal for being unable to serve them. I would know that you are in trouble, but I won't be able to help you. Because the governments in Delhi and West Bengal are not joining this scheme," he said.

"The tendency to oppress the sick people of your state for political interests does not stand the test of humanity. I can serve the people of the country, but the walls of political interests are preventing me from serving the elderly people of Delhi, and West Bengal," the Prime Minister said.

Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, the Centre and state governments shoulder the cost of premiums in a 60-40 ratio. Both Bengal and Delhi governments have health insurance schemes of their own, which they claim are better than the Centre's plan. 

The Prime Minister said the government has prepared five highlights of a national health policy. "First is preventive healthcare, second is timely intervention, third is affordable treatment and medicines, fourth is robust facilities and qualified doctors in small cities and the fifth is use of advanced technology. India now looks at healthcare with a holistic viewpoint," he said.

The Prime Minister launched a string of health projects worth Rs 12,850 crore.  
 

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Hyderabad Couple Lives With Son's Body For 4 Days, Not Knowing He Is Dead

An elderly, visually challenged couple lived with the body of their 30-year-old son for four days, unaware that he was dead. The traumatic situation would probably have continued if the couple's neighbours in Hyderabad's Blinds Colony had not noticed a foul smell emanating from the house and called the police on Monday.

The station head officer of Nagole police station, Surya Nayak, told news agency PTI that the man and the woman were over 60 and tried calling out to their son for food and water, but did not get any response. Their voices were feeble and that is probably why their neighbours could also not hear them, he said. 

Police officials said the couple were in a semi-conscious state when they reached the house. They were rescued and given food and water. 

Mr Nayak said the couple's son probably died of his sleep four to five days ago and his body has been sent for a post-mortem.

The couple's elder son, who lives in another part of the city, was informed, and his parents were entrusted to his care.
 

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IPL Winning Pacer To Debut As India Take Drastic Step For 3rd Test vs NZ

Delhi seamer Harshit Rana's promising domestic season took an exciting turn on Tuesday as he was called up to join India's squad for the third Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, sources say. The 22-year-old Delhi fast bowler, who impressed in the ongoing season with both ball and bat, is likely to make his Test debut on Friday. He is set to miss the round four matches for Delhi and will be leaving for Mumbai on Tuesday evening. The young pacer's call-up to the Test squad marks another step in what has been a rapid ascent in India's domestic scene. A day before India's recent series loss to New Zealand in Pune, he was also named in the 18-member squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.

Rana's inclusion comes after a stellar performance in Delhi's Ranji Trophy third-round match against Assam, after being released from his role as a travelling reserve with the national team to gain match practice.

At the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Rana showcased his all-round abilities, claiming a five-wicket haul - his second in First-Class cricket - and scoring a valuable half-century (59). His efforts helped Delhi secure a commanding 10-wicket victory and earn a crucial bonus point.

His pace and precision caught the selectors' attention, earning him a place in India's T20I squad against Bangladesh. Although he didn't make his debut in that series, Rana continued to prove his potential.

India, down 2-0 in the series, will eye a consolation win in Mumbai before leaving for the all-important Australia tour.

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Raymond Chairman Slams Lamborghini For Not Responding To His Complaints

Raymond Group Chairman and Managing Director Gautam Singhania has blasted Italian carmaker Lamborghini for "arrogance" having failed to reach out to him regarding an issue with his car.

Mr Singhania had earlier tweeted on X about his Lamborghini Revuelto getting stranded at Mumbai's trans-harbour link due to a complete electrical failure.

"I'm shocked at the arrogance of India Head @Agarwal_sharad and Asia Head Francesco Scardaoni. No one has reached out even to check what the customer issues are," he tweeted on Sunday.

Lamborghini India could not immediately reach out about the matter.

In a tweet on October 16, Mr Singhania had noted that the Lamborghini India and Asia leadership failed to reach out to him despite him being an old loyal customer.

"It is shocking that the India Head of Lamborghini @agarwal_sharad has not even bothered to make a phone call to enquire what the problem with an old loyal customer is. Is the brand arrogance getting to another level?" he tweeted.

Earlier this month, Singhania had tweeted about taking his new Lamborghini Revuelto for a test drive and ended up stranded on the trans-harbour link due to a complete electrical failure.

"It's a brand-new car'. Are there reliability concerns? This is the third one I've heard of experiencing issues within 15 days of delivery," he had stated.

Lamborghini Revuelto is priced around Rs 8.89 crore in India. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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PCB Central Contracts: Big Setback For Shaheen, Babar Placed In...

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday demoted premier pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi to Category B from Category A, and did not offer central contracts to senior players Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed and Osama Mir for the 2024-25 season. Test skipper Shan Masood remained in Category B despite Pakistan scoring a come-from-behind 2-1 series victory over England recently.

The board awarded the central contracts to a total of 25 players just two short of the 27 who were given contracts last year.

Like last year, the PCB made the contracts announcement after a delay of nearly three months as the players performances, fitness levels and behaviour were analysed.

As part of the PCB's strategy to incentivise, encourage and reward talented and emerging cricketers, five players have been offered central contracts for the first time.

They are: Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Irfan Khan and Usman Khan.

They have been placed in Category D.

The board has awarded A category contracts to just two players – former captain Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan, who will soon be announced as Pakistan's white ball formats captain.

List of centrally contracted players: Category A (2): Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan Category B (3): Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shan Masood Category C (9): Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel and Shadab Khan Category D (11): Aamir Jamal, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Hurraira, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr and Usman Khan.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Feeling Betrayed": Indian PhD Student Moved To Masters Course At Oxford

An Indian PhD student has accused the University of Oxford of transferring her to a master's course against her will, describing the experience as “betrayal.” 

Lakshmi Balakrishnan, who hails from Tamil Nadu, invested nearly £100,000 (around Rs 1.09 crore) in her education and living expenses at the institution, where she aimed to pursue her doctoral studies in English literature, reported the BBC.

Ms Balakrishnan said that the English faculty has “not acted in good faith” after initially accepting her thesis proposal at both the application stage and during her first year. Later, the faculty rejected her research idea in her fourth year, she claimed.

“They forcibly removed me from the PhD program and moved me to a masters level course without my consent. I feel a sense of betrayal and I feel like I have been let down by an institution that I held in high regard. I already have two masters degrees from India and I paid £100,000 at Oxford to get my PhD, not another masters course,” the BBC quoted Balakrishnan as saying.

Raised in south India by her father after losing her mother at a young age, Lakshmi Balakrishnan said she was the first member of her family to study abroad, overcoming significant challenges to enrol at Oxford. “I hail from an underprivileged background, I made immense sacrifices to come and study at Oxford,” she said.

During her fourth year, Ms Balakrishnan underwent an assessment where two different assessors deemed her Shakespeare research insufficient for PhD-level study. She contested the faculty's decision and entered an appeals process but reported that her efforts were unsuccessful. “I believe that the university's strategy is to force me to wade through endless appeals and complaints procedures in the hope that I will eventually give up and go,” she claimed.

The appeals process has now concluded, with Oxford University stating that, “To achieve Confirmation of Status, progress must sufficiently demonstrate a strong likelihood of successful completion of a doctoral thesis.”

The Queen's College, where Ms Balakrishnan was enrolled, has expressed concern regarding her treatment. The college noted that while she failed two assessments, there were no serious concerns highlighted in her term reports. In addition, two Shakespeare scholars have endorsed her research, stating it has the potential for a PhD, stated the BBC report.

Despite these endorsements, the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) supported the university's stance.

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First Look: Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Set To Revolutionise Overnight Travel

The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai is gearing up to launch the much-anticipated sleeper version of the Vande Bharat train. In newly released pictures, we see the train's interiors, luxurious design and advanced features.

This new addition expands the Vande Bharat portfolio, which includes chair car variants and metro trains. Designed for overnight travel, the Vande Bharat sleeper is expected to operate on routes covering distances between 800 km and 1,200 km.

The Vande Bharat Sleeper Train has multiple features to enhance passenger comfort and safety. The train is fully air-conditioned and consists of 16 coaches to accommodate up to 820 passengers. With a top speed of 160 kilometres per hour, the new train will significantly reduce travel times.

U Subba Rao, General Manager of ICF, highlighted the state-of-the-art amenities that set the Vande Bharat sleeper apart from conventional trains. 

Key Features:

• Sensor-Activated Doors: Passengers can touch the door to open it.
• Touch-Free Bio-Vacuum Toilets: These facilities ensure hygiene and convenience.
• Interconnecting Doors: Designed for easy access.
• Touch-Free Bio-Vacuum Toilets: These facilities prioritise hygiene and allow passengers to use the restroom without physical contact.
• Talk-Back Units: These units improve communication between passengers and train attendants.
• Flight-Style Attendant Buttons: Located in first-class compartments, these buttons allow easy access to upper berths.

Safety measures

The Vande Bharat Sleeper Train has an emergency brake system, among other advanced security features. The train also includes the "Kavach" anti-collision system and anti-climbing technology, which prevent coaches from piling on top of each other during accidents.

Testing phase

Before its official launch, the train will undergo rigorous testing. Over the next two months, it will be tested at speeds ranging from 90 kmph to 180 kmph, with an emphasis on evaluating its safety and security features. This testing will take place at the Lucknow RDSO and Western Railway facilities, with the completion date set for November 15.

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New-Gen KTM 390 Adventure Details Leaked Ahead Of EICMA 2024 Unveil

KTM is all-set to unveil the new-generation KTM 390 ADV range at EICMA 2024. The company has teased the models already and there have been enough sightings of test mules. And yes, we say range because there will be more than on variant of the KTM 390 ADV on offer. There will be a KTM 390 Adventure R, which will be off-road oriented, and the KTM 390 Adventure X, which will be road-biased. And now, ahead of its global debut at EICMA 2024, we have details regarding these two models.

Also Read: 2025 KTM 390 Adventure R Spotted Ahead Of EICMA Debut 

2025 KTM 390 Adventure R

The KTM 390 Adventure R will have a 21-inch and an 18-inch wheel setup with spokes. The motorcycle will also get adjustable suspension with travel of 230 mm, hinting at strong off-road capabilities. The seat will be tall at 885 mm, more than that of the Royal Enfield Himalayan and the Hero XPulse 200 4V Pro. There will be cornering ABS and traction control on offer too, which can be switched off. Expect KTM to offer Bluetooth/smartphone connectivity as well. Expect the 390 Adventure R to get the same 399 cc single-cylinder engine as on the KTM 390 Duke, which makes 43.5 bhp and 39 Nm. The engine is likely to have a 6-speed gearbox with a quick-shifter. We have already seen photos of the camouflaged motorcycle earlier. In terms of design, the 390 Adventure R gets vertically stacked headlights, a tall windscreen, high mudguard and a rather tall stance.

Also Read: KTM To Unveil 5 Motorcycles At EICMA 2024

2025 KTM 390 Adventure X

For those who like to stick to the road, KTM will also offer the 390 Adventure X, which will have a 19-inch and a 17-inch alloy wheel setup. The chassis, engine and body panels will be the same, but the 390 ADV X will have non-adjustable suspension with 200 mm travel. The seat height will be the same as the Himalayan 450, at 825 mm. This model will get lesser equipment, which means an LCD console instead of a TFT and non-cornering ABS. We expect smartphone/Bluetooth connectivity to stay.

When launched in India, the KTM 390 ADV range will go up against the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and the Triumph Scrambler 400 X, particularly the 390 ADV X.

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Babita Phogat's Big Reveal, Dangal Made Rs 2000 Crore. Her Family Got...

Former Indian wrestler Babita Phogat, whose life story inspired the famous Bollywood movie Dangal, has made an astonishing revelation. Babita, who has gone on to walk a political path after her retirement from wrestling, turned many heads as she revealed some financial details from the movie Dangal. The Bollywood flick, starring Amir Khan, went on to shatter many box office records after its release. It is widely suggested that the movie made over Rs 2000 crore. However, Babita Phogat revealed that her family only received a sum of INR 1 crore from the makers.

"Out of Rs 2,000 crore made from Dangal, the Phogat family received only Rs 1 crore?", Babita was asked during an interview with News 24. The wrestler-turned-politician confirmed the figure and responded with a firm "Yes."

When asked if she or her family was disheartened upon receiving a meager sum of Rs 1 crore while the move made an exorbitant amount of money, Babita said that she and her family's motive was only to earn respect and love.

"Nahi, papa ne ek cheez kahi thi ki logo ka pyaar aur sammaan chahiye." (No, father had said one thing, we want people's love and respect.)

The movie Dangal, released in 2016, featured the story of Babita Phogat, her elder sister Geeta Phogat, and their father Mahavir Phogat. The story revolves around how Mahavir Phogat turned his daughters into elite wrestlers who went on to earn several laurels for the country.

Babita herself has clinched a silver medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. In 2014, she produced an even better result, earning a CWG gold.

She also has a bronze medal to her name at the World Wrestling Championships in 2012. She was also a part of the Indian contingent at the 2016 Rio Olympics, but failed to win a medal. In 2019, Babita quite wrestling and turned into a politician.

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"Bouncers For After Sales": Latest In Kunal Kamra vs Ola's Bhavish Aggarwal

The ongoing spat between stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra and Ola chief Bhavish Aggarwal saw the former responding to social media posts alleging that the company is hiring "bouncers for after sales" on Tuesday.

Mr Kamra's posts came in response to social media posts by customers who alleged that bouncers were deployed at Ola service centers, with the company not interacting with customers regarding service requests.

Requesting journalists to fact check these allegations, Mr Kamra slammed Ola's deployment of "bouncers for after sales". He also hit out a Mr Aggarwal, stating in a post, "You've sold such an innovative indian product  you've had to hire bouncers to protect the staff."

Please can a journalist fact check this.
If true this is truly unique -
Sales team for sales & Bouncers for after sales 😂😂😂 https://t.co/AGz6oKiKxP

— Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) October 20, 2024

Hey @bhash You've sold such an innovative indian product you've had to hire bouncers to protect the staff…
😂😂😂 https://t.co/EewAzsX73h

— Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) October 20, 2024

Mr Kamra had earlier this month flagged the situation at the service centre for the company's electric scooters. The argument began when Mr Kamra took to his official X account and posted an image showing a large number of EV scooters being parked at an Ola service centre. "Do Indian consumers have a voice? Do they deserve this? Two-wheelers are many daily wage workers' lifeline... Anyone who has an issue with Ola Electric leave your story below tagging all...," he wrote. His post, however, irked Bhavish Aggarwal, who said that it was a "paid tweet" and asked Mr Kamra to "come and help" them out.

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KJo's Dharma Productions Sells 50% Stake To Adar Poonawalla

Business tycoon Adar Poonawalla has acquired a 50% stake in Karan Johar's Dharma Productions and Dharmatic Entertainment (collectively known as Dharma). According to a press note released by Dharma Productions, the deal, finalised for ₹1,000 crore, involves Poonawalla's Serene Entertainment. The remaining 50% ownership will remain with Karan Johar, who will lead the company's creative vision as the Executive Chairman. As the Chief Executive Officer, Apoorva Mehta will collaborate with Karan to guide the strategic direction and ensure operational excellence within the organisation.

Adar Poonawalla expressed his happiness to join hands with Karan Johar. He said, "I am delighted to have the opportunity to partner with one of the most iconic production houses in our nation, along with my friend Karan Johar. We hope to build and grow Dharma and scale even greater heights in the years to come."

Talking about the partnership, Karan Johar said, "From its inception, Dharma Productions has been synonymous with heartfelt storytelling that captures the essence of Indian culture. My father dreamed of creating films that would leave a lasting impact, and I've dedicated my career to expanding that vision.” 

KJo added, “Today, as we join forces with Adar, a close friend and an exceptional visionary and innovator, we're poised to elevate Dharma's legacy to new heights. This partnership represents a perfect blend of our emotional storytelling prowess and forward-thinking business strategies. It's about honoring our roots while embracing the future of global entertainment. Dharma's journey has been remarkable, and this collaboration opens up a world of possibilities for creating content that will resonate across borders and generations."

The CEO of Dharma, Apoorva Mehta said that this partnership allows the production house to take “bigger creative steps.” He said, "Over the years, I've witnessed Dharma's transformation into a multi-faceted content powerhouse. This partnership with Adar realizes our vision and marks a new era where cinema, streaming, and global content converge. It enables us to explore new avenues in content creation and distribution, elevating the Indian entertainment ecosystem. More importantly, this investment allows us to take bigger creative steps."

Dharma Productions was founded in 1976 by Karan Johar's father, Yash Johar. The production house has been behind films such as Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, Student of the Year, Good Newwz and Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva.

On the other hand, Dharmatic Entertainment was launched in 2018 and focuses on a wide array of projects, including web series, documentaries and feature films. Ajeeb Daastaans, Ae Watan Mere Watan, Koffee With Karan, Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives and The Tribe are produced by Dharmatic Entertainment.

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Atishi's "Underworld" Jab At Centre Over Delhi Blast, BJP's "Puppet" Reply

Amid a multi-agency investigation into the mysterious blast in Delhi's Rohini today, Chief Minister Atishi targeted the ruling BJP over the law and order situation in the national capital. The Union Home Ministry controls Delhi Police and this has been a key point of conflict between the Centre and Delhi's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.

The blast, which took place at 7.47 am, blew off a wall of the CRPF school in Delhi's Prashant Vihar. While no one was injured, the explosion shattered car windows and damaged hoardings of shops. Multiple security agencies, including Delhi Police Special Cell, National Investigation Agency, CRPF and NSG, are now probing the matter.

In a post on X, Ms Atishi said the blast had exposed Delhi's "crumbling" law and order system. "The responsibility to maintain law and order in Delhi is with BJP's central government. But BJP ignores this and uses its time to disrupt the work of Delhi's elected governments. This is why Delhi's situation is now that of Mumbai during the era of the Underworld. Bullets are being fired in the open, gangsters are extorting money and criminals are upbeat. The BJP neither has the intent nor the ability (to handle this)," she said.

"If by mistake, Delhiites give them (BJP) charge of Delhi government, the condition of hospitals, power and water supply will become the same as the law and order situation in Delhi," the Chief Minister added.

Responding to Ms Atishi's charge, BJP's Shazia Ilmi told NDTV, "The puppet CM is known for this. If you make her speak on any topic, it is always about the Centre. Something very serious has happened. The situation is totally in control. Instead of expressing anxiety about the situation and (thinking) what should be done, a political blame game has begun. It is immature and irresponsible to always do politics on serious issues."

Elections in the national capital are due in February and the AAP, which has been in power for 10 years now, is pushing hard to win a third term. AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested in a corruption case linked to Delhi's now-scrapped liquor policy, stepped down as Chief Minister last month and said he would return to the top office only after the "people's court" elects him again. Following his resignation, senior party leader Atishi took over the top job.

Delhi Police have registered a case under the Explosives Act and started a detailed probe into the Rohini blast. Sniffer dogs and forensic teams have visited the spot to search for clues. Preliminary probe suggests a crude bomb could be behind the explosion. Police have found a white powder-like substance at the spot. The area has been cordoned off and is being mapped. Police are scanning CCTV footage in the area to identify who planted the bomb. According to sources, police are not ruling out a conspiracy angle.

Vijender Gupta, BJP leader and MLA from Rohini, visited the blast site this morning. Speaking to NDTV, he said, "It is a relief that no one was harmed. It was a big blast."

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"Kasam Khuda Ki...": On 'Bigg Boss', Salman Khan Alludes To Death Threats

Actor Salman Khan has in a lighter vein alluded to what's happening in his life - amid threats by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang - while anchoring the reality show Bigg Boss.

On Friday, Salman Khan was threatened allegedly by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, demanding Rs 5 crore to "end the enmity". A WhatsApp message sent to the Mumbai Traffic Police warned that if the money is not paid, then the actor's fate would be worse than that of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, who was murdered recently, allegedly by Lawrence Bishnoi gang members.

"Yaar, kasam khuda ki, what all I am going through in my life and I have to handle this," Salman Khan said in Bigg Boss, referring to bickering among the contestants.

His comment was also seen as alluding to the threats he has been dealing with in recent times, comparing it to the challenging task of steering the reality show.

The Mumbai Police has arrested several accused, who are allegedly linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, for plotting to kill actor Salman Khan.

Police sources said one of the arrested accused had been in touch with a Pakistan-based handler to plan the attack, which would include the use of guns such as the AK series assault rifles, smuggled from the neighbouring country.

" Yaar, Qasam khuda ki what all I am going through in my life and I have to come and handle this " #Salmankhan on Weekend ka Vaar "

Professionalism on It's Peak 🙌@BeingSalmanKhan #Biggboss18 pic.twitter.com/xbwJoieo41

— Just Raj..! (@iBeingRaj_) October 19, 2024

Earlier this year, the Navi Mumbai police filed a first information report (FIR) against 18 people allegedly from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang for plotting to kill Salman Khan. The FIR followed a shocking incident in which members of the gang fired outside Salman Khan's Bandra home.

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Ex Indian Spy, Wanted By FBI, Dismisses Terrorist Murder Plot Charge

An Indian ex-official charged by the US with directing a murder-for-hire plot has dismissed the allegations, his family said, expressing shock that Vikash Yadav was wanted by the FBI. Yadav, 39, described the claims as false media reports when he spoke to his cousin, Avinash Yadav, the relative told Reuters on Saturday in their ancestral village about 100 km from Delhi.

The US Department of Justice charged Yadav with leading an unsuccessful plot to murder Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun last year. Yadav was an official of the Research and Analysis Wing spy service, according to the indictment unsealed on Thursday.

India, which has said it was investigating the allegations, said Yadav was no longer a government employee, without saying whether he had been an intelligence officer.

"The family has no information" about him working for the spy agency, Yadav's cousin said in the village of Pranpura in Haryana state. "He never mentioned anything about it," despite the two speaking to each other regularly.

"For us he is still working for the CRPF," the federal Central Reserve Police Force, which he joined in 2009, said Avinash Yadav, 28. "He told us he is deputy commandant" and was trained as a paratrooper.

The cousin said he did not know where Yadav was but that he lives with his wife and a daughter who was born last year.

Indian officials have not commented on Yadav's whereabouts. The Washington Post, citing American officials, reported on Thursday that Yadav was still in India and that the US was expected to seek his extradition.

His mother, Sudesh Yadav, 65, said she was still in shock. "What can I say? I do not know whether the U.S. government is telling the truth or not."

"He has been working for the country," she said.

The US accuses Yadav of directing another Indian citizen, Nikhil Gupta, who it alleges paid a hitman paid $15,000, to kill Pannun.

But in Pranpura, Yadav's cousin pointed to the family's modest, single-storey house, saying, "Where will so much money come from? Can you see any Audis and Mercedes lined up outside this house?"

Most of the village's nearly 500 families have traditionally sent young men to join the security forces, locals said.

Yadav's father, who died in 2007, was an officer with India's border force till he died in 2007, and his brother works with the police in Haryana, said Avinash Yadav.

Another cousin, Amit Yadav, 41, said Vikash Yadav had been a quiet boy interested in books and athletics and was a national-level marksman.

"Only the government of India and Vikash know what has happened," he said, adding that Indian officials should inform them.

If the government "abandons" a paramilitary officer, Amit Yadav said, "then who will work for them?"

Avinash Yadav said: "We want the Indian government to support us, they should inform us what has happened. Otherwise where will we go?"

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IIT Roorkee Begins Probe After Video Of Rats In Hostel Kitchen

A video showing rats in cooking utensils, allegedly at a hostel mess of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, has led to outrage among students. In the video, rats can be seen inside a frying pan and a pressure cooker filled with rice. 

According to reports, the students found the rats on the afternoon of October 17 when they went to the mess for lunch. Some students ventured into the kitchen and were taken aback to find the rodents scurrying about, raising fears that about consuming contaminated food.

Watch the video here: 

pic.twitter.com/UV0DFJInqB

— Deepak Rathor (@https_deepak) October 17, 2024

The video sparked a protest outside the mess, with many students demanding immediate action.

In response to the protest, IIT Roorkee has said that the claims made in the videos are misleading. In a statement,  IIT Roorkee said that rats were discovered in a closed area of the mess, and that no food items were contaminated, Hindustan Times reported.

The institute said that after a preliminary investigation into the incident, they discovered that the video circulating on social media was recorded by students who entered the mess late at night. The statement added that the footage captured the rodents in a restricted area of the mess, where only empty utensils and non-edible items were stored. “No food items were found to be contaminated. The videos appear to be a deliberate attempt to misrepresent the situation,” the statement said.

A report in India Today quoted IIT-Roorkee's media in-charge Sonika Shrivastava as saying, “Immediate investigation has been started, and corrective action is being taken to ensure compliance with hygiene standards. The health and safety of the students remains the top priority. External special experts have been engaged to assess the situation and prevent such incidents in future.”

Ms Shrivastava added that IIT Roorkee routinely oversees vendor activities to ensure adherence to all regulations, including food safety standards, and conducts regular inspections to uphold the highest quality of services for its students.

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Hemant Soren's JMM, Congress To Contest 70 Of 81 Seats In Jharkhand

INDIA bloc will contest the upcoming Jharkhand assembly polls together, Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced today. The Congress and ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha will field candidates in 70 of the 81 assembly segments, he said.

"We can't go into the details of the seat-sharing right now. Our alliance partner is not here right now. When they are here, we will finalise the number of seats and other details," Mr Soren told reporters, adding seat-sharing talks are on with other alliance partners - RJD and Left parties - for the remaining 11 segments.

Jharkhand will vote in two phases on November 13 and 20. Votes will be counted on November 23.

In the last elections, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha or JMM had contested 43 seats while Congress contested 31 seats. But this time around, the Congress is likely to get somewhere between 27 to 28 seats, sources said. The JMM is expected to increase its share because it believes that Hemant Soren is a key face in Jharkhand and the grand alliance will get votes on his name, they added.

According to the sources, the Communist Party of India (M-L) and Marxist Coordination Committee (MMC) also want to join forces with the JMM and Congress in this election. The Rashtriya Janata Dal, which fought on seven seats in the last assembly polls, is expected to contest fewer seats this time and agree to give the Bagodar seat to CPI (M-L) and Nirsa to MMC, they added.

Mr Soren's announcement came a day after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) revealed its seat-sharing formula for the state. BJP will contest 68 seats, while its allies, All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) will contest 10, Janata Dal (United) will contest two and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) will contest the lone seat of Chatra.

"NDA is at its strongest in Jharkhand so far. It has never been in history that four parties have come together to fight the elections. NDA allies are even ready to swap their seats at the last moment if needed. We are ready to throw the corrupt government off the seat. All NDA members should come and fight with us. Hemant Soren's government is the most corrupt in the state's history," said Bharatiya Janata Party leader Pratul Shah Deo.

In the 2019 Assembly polls, the JMM won 30 of the 81 seats, the Congress 16 and the RJD won one seat. The three parties formed a coalition government with a comfortable majority. The BJP won 25 seats, down from 37 in 2014, while the AJSU Party, contesting alone, ended up winning two seats.

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Pro-Trump Group Funded By Elon Musk Struggles With Outreach Targets

The political action committee funded by billionaire Elon Musk to help re-elect former US President Donald Trump is struggling in some swing states to meet doorknocking goals and is investigating claims that some canvassers lied about the number of voters they have contacted, according to people involved in the group's efforts.

The difficulties, in pivotal battleground states including Wisconsin and Nevada, come as the group, America PAC, races to enlist voters behind the Republican candidate in the final two weeks before the Nov. 5 election. Four people involved in the group's outreach told Reuters that managers warned canvassers they are missing targets and needed to raise the number of would-be voters they contact. 

Alysia McMillan, who canvassed for the PAC in Wisconsin, said field organizers recently told campaigners there they weren't reaching daily objectives and were on track to miss an ultimate goal of contacting 450,000 voters by Election Day. In one meeting with canvassers, recorded by McMillan and reviewed by Reuters, a manager warned of the shortfall. 

"We're not going to hit 450,000, not with what we've got now," the manager said in the Oct. 8 meeting. It isn't clear how many knocks the Wisconsin teams have reached so far. 

McMillan, who worked for two local contractors hired by America PAC to knock on voter doors, said she is speaking out because she is concerned a shortfall could cost the former president a victory. "If this isn't looked into in a timely manner, this can result in a waste of time and money and risk President Trump winning the election," she told Reuters.

McMillan said she was fired by one contractor, after a pay dispute, but was hired by another shortly afterward. 

One canvassing manager in Arizona said leaders there had issued similar warnings. Three other people familiar with the outreach told Reuters that Chris Young, a Musk aide and longtime Republican operative, had recently traveled to Nevada to audit whether doorknocking tallies there had been inflated by some of the workers hired by contractors. Another person briefed on the matter said America PAC was struggling to find sufficient people to conduct audits in other states. 

A person close to America PAC's operations said McMillan's account of a Wisconsin shortfall is inaccurate and that the group will reach its goals. Senior operatives, the person added, routinely visit field offices to check on performance. 

Young didn't respond to a request for comment. 

America PAC's ongoing outreach is built around door-to-door efforts to convince "low propensity voters" – those who may support Trump, but could stay home instead of voting – to cast their ballots. The work has focused on battleground states, where any small difference in voter turnout could clinch victory for Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate, in an election that polls continue to say is too close to call. 

Musk, ranked by Forbes as the world's richest person, so far has supplied at least $75 million to America PAC, according to federal disclosures, making the group a crucial part of Trump's bid to regain the White House. The entrepreneur behind carmaker Tesla and rocket and satellite venture SpaceX has increasingly supported Republican causes. This year, the mogul became an outspoken supporter of Trump, who has said if elected he would appoint Musk to head a government efficiency commission. 

Musk didn't respond to a request for comment. 

A Trump campaign spokesperson declined to comment. 

Despite the influx of cash, some of America PAC's outreach has been plagued by disarray, the people familiar with its efforts told Reuters. As with many campaign operations, the group has hired contractors to carry out grass-roots efforts, relying on hourly workers to knock on doors and speak face-to-face with potential voters. 

Some of those workers have been difficult to retain. Three canvassers, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters the work isn't worth the pay, starting at some contractors at as low as $20 per hour. In some cases, they added, canvassers drive long distances in remote areas and don't get reimbursed for gasoline. 

In Nevada, it isn't clear whether Young's audit has concluded, reached any findings or prompted any change in America PAC's outreach. Text messages reviewed by Reuters show managers at one Nevada contractor, Lone Mountain Strategies, fretting because they had to fire canvassers who used smartphone apps to disguise their locations and lie about their doorknocking numbers. 

"Our auditors keep catching people cheating," one of the messages read. "We've fired two people today and auditors are going around checking doors for flyers."

Lone Mountain Strategies didn't respond to emails or phone calls seeking comment. 

America PAC recently updated its website to prominently display advertisements seeking canvassers. "Pay starts at $30 per hour, with bonuses for performance," the site reads.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Video: Yamuna Blanketed In Toxic Froth, Delhi Air Quality Remains Poor

In a double whammy for the national capital, the average air quality index remained in the poor category at 293 on Friday and severe frothing was reported in the Yamuna, with parts of the river remaining blanketed in white. 

The pungent foam contains high levels of ammonia and phosphates, posing serious health risks, including respiratory and skin problems, environmental experts told news agency PTI. They said the pollution levels in the river are alarming and urged the government to tackle it on a war footing because major festivals like Chhath Puja are approaching.

"This kind of foam formation is common when fats from decaying plants and pollutants mix with the water, but its presence during the monsoon is surprising," an expert was quoted as saying by the news agency, attributing the frothing to the absence of flood spells that typically wash away pollutants. 

#WATCH | Delhi: Toxic foam seen floating on the Yamuna River. Visuals from Kalindi Kunj. pic.twitter.com/tXeBtNk4MI

— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2024

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed that, as of 9 am on Friday, the AQI was also in the very poor category (between 301 and 400) in several parts of Delhi. In north Delhi's Wazirpur, the AQI was 379 while in east Delhi's Vivek Vihar, it stood at 327. The figure was 337 in central Delhi's Shadipur and 312 in west Delhi's Punjabi Bagh. 

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said different local sources of pollution have been identified at 13 hotspots in the capital and 80 anti-smog guns will be deployed to keep dust in check. Each of the hotspots, he said, will have a coordination committee to act against local sources of pollution.

The political blame game also continued, with North East Delhi MP and BJP leader Manoj Tiwari saying that the AAP government in Delhi does not want to tackle pollution.

"Arvind Kejriwal was the chief minister for 10 years and Atishi has been in the post for a month. They have no intention of tackling pollution and letting the people of Delhi breathe. Pollution is turning fatal again - from the air to the river - and this is just the beginning," he said.

Hitting back, Mr Rai said, "We are doing everything to curb pollution. It is the Arvind Kejriwal government that ensured 24-hour power and reduced the smoke from generators. The BJP is a party that spreads pollution, our party reduces it."

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Alarming Rise In AI-Produced Child Abuse Material, Warns Regulatory Body

The negative impacts of artificial intelligence, which have already led to the proliferation of fake and deepfake videos of celebrities online, are now extending to children. AI-generated child sexual abuse content is increasingly being found on publicly accessible areas of the internet.

According to a report by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), AI-generated child sexual abuse content is exposing even more people to the harmful and horrific imagery.

Many of the images and videos of children being hurt and abused are so realistic that they can be very difficult to tell apart from imagery of real children and are regarded as criminal content in the eyes of UK law, much in the same way as 'traditional' child sexual abuse material would be, as per the IWF.

In the past six months alone, analysts at the IWF have seen a 6% increase in confirmed reports containing AI-generated child sexual abuse material, compared with the preceding 12 months.

The IWF is warning that almost all the content (99%) was found on publicly available areas of the internet and was not hidden on the dark web. Most of the reports have come from members of the public (78%) who have stumbled across the criminal imagery on sites such as forums or AI galleries. The remainder were actioned by IWF analysts through proactive searching.

Analysts say that viewing AI-generated content of children being sexually abused can be as distressing as seeing real children in abuse imagery if a person is not prepared or trained to cope with seeing such material.

Some AI child sexual abuse material is classified as non-photographic imagery, such as cartoons, and is also regarded as harmful to view and accordingly assessed by IWF analysts.

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What Is Aerobraking That A Secretive US Spacecraft Will Perform In Earth's Orbit

A highly secretive US spacecraft is set to embark on a series of innovative flight manoeuvres in Earth's orbit. The spacecraft, the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-7), is an experimental space plane operated by the United States Space Force (USSF). While the full scope of its mission remains classified, the X-37B has garnered significant attention for its cutting-edge capabilities.

In a release, the US Space Force said that the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-7) is set to carry aerobraking, which will allow it to adjust its orbit around Earth and safely discard its service module in line with international guidelines for managing space debris. Since December 28, 2023, the US Space Force, with the support of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, has been conducting radiation impact studies and trialling Space Domain Awareness technologies while in a highly elliptical orbit.

Aerobraking involves the spacecraft making multiple passes through Earth's atmosphere, using the atmospheric drag to alter its orbit while conserving fuel. Once this manoeuvre is successfully completed, the X-37B will continue its testing and experimental missions. After fulfilling its objectives, the vehicle will de-orbit and return to Earth safely.

Frank Kendall, Secretary of the Air Force, said, “This novel and efficient series of manoeuvres demonstrates the Space Force's commitment to achieving groundbreaking innovation as it conducts national security missions in space.”

This marks the first time the US Space Force and the X-37B will attempt the dynamic aerobraking manoeuvre, building on the success of six previous missions where the space plane has operated safely, according to the release.

An official illustration of the spacecraft unveiled last year hinted at its potential, depicting the futuristic vehicle intercepting a hostile satellite attempting to disable a friendly satellite, suggesting its role in space defence operations, stated a report in the New York Post.

Another report in Live Science stated that X-37B, a covert, remotely operated spacecraft developed by Boeing, is designed for undisclosed missions under the direction of the US Department of Defense (DOD). While its specific operations remain classified, Live Science said that the spacecraft has previously been used to study the impact of solar radiation on seeds.

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India, Pak Match Soon? Cricket Comes Up In S Jaishankar's Islamabad Visit

Cricket featured as a talking point between S Jaishankar and his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar during an official lunch hosted by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, sources said.

Mr Jaishankar and Mr Dar, who sat next to each other during the lunch, held only informal talks over cricket and there was no formal discussion over resumption of cricketing ties, sources added. This was the first direct conversation since 2015 between the two countries' foreign ministers.

Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi was also present at the dinner meet, sources said.

While the exact content of the talks is not known, sources said that Pakistan wants India to send its team for the ICC Champions Trophy, set to be hosted by the neighbouring nation next February. Top officials of the England and Wales Cricket Board had recently told the PCB that organising the Champions Trophy without India will be meaningless since it will impact the ICC's revenue.

India has not played any match in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup due to tensions between the two countries arising out of the Mumbai terror attacks. Pakistan has made three tours to India since 2008 but India hasn't sent its team to Pakistan due to security concerns.

Mr Jaishankar was in Islamabad for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting of Heads of Governments, which marked the first Pakistan visit by an Indian foreign minister since 2015.

During his visit, Mr Jaishankar met Prime Minister Sharif at the multilateral event but did not hold any bilateral with Pakistan. Mr Jaishankar had clarified that India-Pakistan ties won't feature during his Islamabad visit since it was for the SCO summit.

At the SCO summit, he delivered a strong and veiled message aimed at Pakistan, stating that cooperation in areas like trade is unlikely to flourish if cross-border activities are characterised by terrorism.

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5 Indians Killed In Car Crash In Texas, 3 Were From Andhra Pradesh

Five Indians, including three from Andhra Pradesh, died in a horrific road accident near Randolph, Texas in the United States of America, on Sunday. The sixth passenger in the car is critically injured. The accident involved a head-on collision between two vehicles, 10 kilometers south of South Banham, according to Texas Public Safety officials. The incident took place around 6:45 PM (US time).

Three of the five dead are natives of Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh. They have been identified as Tirumuru Gopi from Gudur town, Rajini Siva from Srikalahasti and Hari.

Sai Chennu, Hari's husband, suffered severe injuries and is currently in critical condition.

Kondapalli Srinivas, MLA from Andhra Pradesh and a member of the Telugu Desam Party was informed about the unfortunate incident.

Telugus living in the USA have demanded a thorough investigation into the accident. Telugu organisations in the country have expressed deep condolences over the tragic loss of lives.

The incident is a grim reminder of road safety concerns.

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Sarfaraz To Replace Injured India Star In Playing XI vs NZ In 1st Test?

India batter Shubman Gill may miss the first Test against New Zealand. The 25-year-old has reportedly complained about neck and shoulder pain, and informed the team management about this on Monday, as per a report by India Today. The report further states that a final call on Gill's selection will be made on the morning of the Test match, on Wednesday, October 16. Gill's absence could open the door for Sarfaraz Khan or Dhruv Jurel to find their way back into India's playing XI.

Gill has made the No. 3 spot in Test cricket his own in recent months. He starred with a century against Bangladesh in the first Test of the recently-concluded series.

In fact, Gill boasts the highest batting average among all Indian batsmen in Test cricket in the second innings since 2020.

Sarfaraz Khan - who slammed a stunning double century for Mumbai in the Duleep Trophy - would be the favourite to replace Gill in the lineup. After a good start to his Test career against England, Sarfaraz could've considered himself a tad unlucky to miss out after the return of KL Rahul from injury.

However, if Sarfaraz does enter the XI, India's batting order may need to be re-shuffled. Who goes up to No. 3 would be an interesting decision. India may opt to go with Virat Kohli, KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant up the order.

India face New Zealand after a dominant 2-0 Test series win over Bangladesh. History is in favour of India, as New Zealand have never won an away Test series in the history of the World Test Championship (WTC).

On the other hand, a result in the game is in doubt, with rain predicted to impact play on all five days of the Test match. The overcast and rainy conditions could also impact India's selection for the game.

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"0 Experience": India Star's Taunt After Harmanpreet-Led Team's Loss vs Aus

Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian cricket team's dreams of entering the Women's T20 World Cup semi-finals suffered a major blow when it lost to Australia in its final Grup A match. The loss means that India's fortunes are not in their own hands. Though India are sitting at the second spot in Group A behind Australia, with the top two teams advancing to the last four stage, third-placed New Zealand are firm favourites to beat Pakistan on Monday to enter the semi-finals. For India to qualify for semi-finals, Pakistan must beat New Zealand but not by a big margin as that would see the Fatima Sana-led side leap both teams to enter the next stage. 

After the result, Indian cricket team player Punam Raut's post went viral. Raut was part of the Indian team that finished runner-up in the 2017 Women's World Cup. She and Harmanpreet Kaur have been teammates in many matches.

"Having 100 matches experience = 0 experience..if it's can't be applied in big games." Raut posted on X. Several social media users wondered who the post was targetted at. 

Having 100 matches experience = 0 experience..
if it's can't be applied in big games.

— Punam Raut (@raut_punam) October 14, 2024

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed frustration over missing opportunities to capitalise on loose deliveries during her 63-run stand with Deepti Sharma for the fourth wicket as her side suffered 7-run loss against Australia in a crucial Women's T20 World Cup clash.

India's narrow loss on Sunday night left Harmanpreet's side needing a helping hand from Pakistan if they are to progress to the semifinal from Group A as the defending champions Australia have officially qualified for the knockout stages of the tournament with a win.

Harmanpreet's superb 54 not out saw India go agonisingly close to a tournament-saving win over defending champions Australia. She had rebuilt for India as they looked to chase down 152 to win, and accelerated to her half-century to set up a final over where 14 runs were required.

But four wickets fell in Annabel Sutherland's final over, including two run outs, as India and Kaur fell short of the winning post.

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Harmanpreet said that the depth of Australia's quality won out on the day. "I think their entire team contributes; they don't depend on one or two players, they have a lot of all-rounders who contribute. We also planned well and we were there in the game. They didn't gave away easy runs and made it difficult. They are an experienced side."

Harmanpreet identified two more reasons why her effort was insufficient. In the middle overs, the scoring rate was not kept high enough by her and Deepti Sharma, who together restored India's position in the match. Furthermore, in the crucial moments of the match, Australia's prior success served as a valuable asset.

"When me and Deepti were batting, we couldn't hit a few loose balls. We can learn a lot from Australia. Whatever was in our hands, we were trying to do that but that's something not in our control. If we get the opportunity to play another game, that will be great. But otherwise, whoever deserves to be there, that team will be there.

With IANS inputs

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"Real House Of Horrors": Woman Breaks Ankles In New York's Haunted House

A woman's honeymoon turned into a nightmare after a terrifying experience at A Haunting in Hollis, a notorious haunted house in New York City. Solainne Moncero-Tannis filed a lawsuit on October 2 in Queens Supreme Court, alleging she suffered two broken ankles while navigating the haunted attraction. Her traumatic experience occurred just two weeks after her wedding.

The 33-year-old's lawsuit claims she was injured on Satan's Slope, a 20-foot slide inside the house. According to her lawyer, Michael Goldberg, the slide “went straight down in complete darkness” and ended abruptly on a concrete surface, as per the NY Post.

The incident left Ms Moncero-Tannis undergoing surgery and relearning how to walk.

Mr Goldberg also called the haunted house a "real house of horrors" and said that it had been allowed to operate year after year without "proper safety measures, inspections, or even liability insurance", which he suggested the attraction seemed to lack.

The woman told the NY Post, "It's been very difficult for me, psychologically, emotionally, and physically. To this day, I have difficulty navigating stairs and day-to-day activities are not the same for me."

The house, owned by Janette and Lataya Carter, has been at the centre of multiple claims of unsafe conditions. It has a long history of being a popular attraction in the Queens neighbourhood. Four other lawsuits were filed last year against A Haunting in Hollis and its owners, following injuries that occurred in 2022 and 2023. One of the claims also involved someone breaking their ankles on the same slide, Satan's Slope.

This week, the city finally shut down the haunted house due to safety concerns, after officials discovered the building had been "radically altered". FDNY Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention Tom Currao said, "The interior arrangement was totally changed so that anybody in there, in case of an emergency, would have a very hard time getting out."

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Man Resigns On 1st Day Due To Manager's Toxic Behaviour, Letter Goes Viral

A product designer revealed that he resigned on his first day at a new job due to toxic work conditions and unreasonable demands from his manager. The professional shared his resignation letter on Reddit, which quickly went viral and ignited discussions about toxic workplaces.

He explained that despite accepting a below-industry pay offer for the benefit of remote work, his enthusiasm quickly faded when his boss imposed extreme expectations. The manager demanded that Shreyas work overtime without additional compensation and dismissed the concept of work-life balance as a "fancy term" tied to "Western developed nation behaviour."

The man, who started the job on October 7, was shocked when his manager expected him to work beyond the agreed nine-hour shift, pushing him toward a 12- to 14-hour workday without pay. His attempts to set boundaries were met with mockery, and the manager ridiculed his need for personal time, such as reading and exercising.

In his resignation post, the employee criticised his manager for making personal attacks, displaying belittling behaviour, and having an unprofessional attitude toward work-life balance. He acknowledged that while occasional overtime may be necessary, the toxic environment and personal insults were intolerable.

Quit My Job on the 1st Day After Standing Up to a Toxic Boss. Email attached in the comments.
byu/Old-Ad169 inindia

He highlighted that his resignation underscored a broader issue of toxic work culture, urging others to prioritise their health and well-being. His post garnered widespread support, with many users commending him for standing up against such behaviour.

Several people shared their own experiences with toxic workplaces, expressing admiration for the person's decision. One person commented, "Proud of you. Wish I had done it early in my career," while another praised the resignation email as one of the best they'd ever seen.

The story has since sparked further discussions on workplace expectations and the importance of maintaining personal boundaries.

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Woman Raped, Dumped In Delhi's Sarai Kale Khan: Cops

A 34-year-old woman was allegedly raped and later dumped in a semi-conscious state in Delhi, police said on Saturday.

According to officials, a passerby spotted the woman in Sarai Kale Khan area and informed the police around 3.30 am on Friday.

A police team reached the spot and took her to AIIMS Trauma Center, they said.

Police said they are suspecting that the woman was sexually assaulted elsewhere and was dumped at Sarai Kale Khan area.

The woman, a resident of Odisha, left her hometown a year ago and had been staying in Delhi, a senior police officer said.

"The victim stayed with another woman in Delhi's Katwaria Sarai," the officer said.

She was later asked to leave in August due to a dispute and stayed on the streets for several days, he said.

The officer further said that she is a graduate and had previously been seen in southeast Delhi's Jamroodpur where she had allegedly tried trespassing a house.

However, no complaint was filed. She also stayed a night inside an ATM booth in Kishangarh, he said.

"She is changing her statement and not cooperating with the investigators. Her parents have been informed and she has been kept under observation," the officer said.

Efforts are underway to identify the accused on the basis of CCTV footages and other technical surveillance, the police said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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India vs Vietnam LIVE: Match Starts In 10 Minutes, Coach Makes Big Switch-Up

India vs Vietnam LIVE Updates: The Indian football team will be aiming to notch up their first win under new head coach Manolo Marquez, as they take on Vietnam in an international friendly. Having drawn against Mauritius and lost to Syria during the Intercontinental Cup, the players are expected to be in better shape with the Indian Super League (ISL) season already underway. Vietnam (116th) are ranked 10 spots ahead of India (126th) in the FIFA rankings, and therefore, a close game is anticipated between the two.

Here are the LIVE Updates of India vs Vietnam LIVE Score, International Friendly from Thien Truong Stadium, Nam Dinh, Vietnam:

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Navi Mumbai Airport Sees Successful Trial Landing, Operational In 2025

The Navi Mumbai International Airport saw its first successful trial landing on Friday after an Indian Air Force aircraft touched down on the runway, marking a major milestone in the airport's journey towards becoming operational early next year. 

An Indian Air Force C295, a multi-role tactical airlifter, made a successful landing on the south runway of the airport, receiving a water salute from the fire brigade and a flypast by Sukhoi 30 jets. 

The development of the Navi Mumbai International Airport was started by the Adani Group in 2021 and will be the conglomerate's first greenfield airport after construction is completed early next year. Jeet Adani, Director of Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL) said he was proud of the progress that Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited (NMIAL) had made and that the trial landing was a historic moment for Navi Mumbai. 

The event was also attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar and Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, among others.

Taking to social media platform X, Jeet Adani said, "A historic moment for Navi Mumbai as we celebrate the first landing on the new airport with the Indian Air Force's C-295! Grateful for the support of @IAF_MCC, including a stunning low pass by the Su-30. This marks the dawn of a new era in Indian aviation, where the sky is no longer the limit. Together, we soar higher!"

A historic moment for Navi Mumbai as we celebrate the first landing on the new airport with the Indian Air Force's C-295! Grateful for the support of @IAF_MCC , including a stunning low pass by the Su-30. This marks the dawn of a new era in Indian aviation, where the sky is no… pic.twitter.com/gxdJma94Ed

— Jeet Adani (@jeet_adani1) October 11, 2024

Talking about the development of the airport, Jeet Adani said, "As AAHL's first greenfield airport, NMIAL represents years of planning, investment and hard work. We are grateful to the Government of Maharashtra, the regulatory bodies including CIDCO and Airports Authority of India and all the other stakeholders who have come together to make this project possible. This world-class airport will play a pivotal role in the region's growth, serving as a crucial hub for travellers across the globe".

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that the Navi Mumbai airport will help ease congestion at the Mumbai airport and that the two airports will be connected through metro and roads, according to news agency IANS.

He said the airport would be "India's greenest airport with the potential to generate 36 MW of solar and wind energy" and "India's first multi-modal aviation hub connected by expressway, highways, two metro rail corridors, high-speed rails".

The Navi Mumbai airport, which will have four terminals, will eventually have the capacity to handle 90 million passengers a year and 8 lakh tonnes of cargo.

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Opinion: Why Farm Protests Made Little Impact On Haryana Elections

In the lead-up to the recently concluded Haryana assembly elections, anti-incumbency sentiment was expected to surge, fuelled by farmers' protests and other significant issues weighing on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Congress banked heavily on the unrest among farmers, wrestlers' protests, and caste divisions to build a narrative that seemed poised to propel the party to the top of the state's political landscape.

However, the election results told a different story. So, how much impact did the protesting farmers have on the assembly elections? In the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress saw an increase in both the number of seats and vote share in Haryana, largely attributed to the farmers' discontent with the BJP.

Three years ago, when a coalition of peasant organisations successfully forced the rollback of three controversial farm laws, it was perceived as a significant blow to the Narendra Modi-led Union government. The euphoria of this so-called victory among farmer leaders soon transitioned into a political campaign against the BJP. Although their demands, including the legalisation of the Minimum Support Price (MSP), remained a focus, the protests took on an increasingly political tone.

A Mixed Outcome For Farmers

The Haryana assembly results revealed a mixed outcome for the protesting farmers. While the BJP's popularity appeared to dip after the Lok Sabha results, the assembly election results signalled a change. Initially, the protesters succeeded in shaping the narrative. From staging pickets against BJP leaders during campaigns to public outreach and demonstrations, the farm leaders left no stone unturned. Protests at administrative offices and toll plazas further reinforced their message, but the overall mandate suggests their efforts had limited impact.

Gurnam Singh Charuni, a prominent farmer leader who played a key role in the protests against the now-repealed farm laws, managed to secure only 1,170 votes in Pehowa, finishing fifth. The seat was won by Mandeep Chatha of the Congress, who defeated BJP's Jai Bhagwan Sharma by more than 6,500 votes.

Charuni, 64, who has faced multiple imprisonments since 1992 due to his activism, is the president of a faction of the Bhartiya Kisan Union. He contested the election under his political party, the Sanyukt Sangharsh Party (SSP). It is said that Charuni was initially seeking a Congress ticket to challenge the BJP but decided to contest independently when that didn't materialise.

In contrast, state BJP leader and former Haryana minister Anil Vij managed to retain the Ambala Cantonment constituency despite facing significant farmer protests. He defeated independent candidate Chitra Sarwara, a former member of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), by over 7,000 votes, with Congress candidate Parvinder Pal Pari trailing in third place.

Vij - who was dropped from the cabinet when Manohar Lal Khattar was replaced as chief minister by Nayab Singh Saini in March - was heavily targeted by farmer unions throughout his campaign. They picketed his election rallies, and protests followed his campaign trail.

However, in Hisar and Ratia, where BJP candidates also faced intense protests over farm issues, the party suffered losses. In Hisar, BJP leader Kamal Gupta finished third, while in Ratia, Sunita Duggal lost to Congress candidate Jarnail Singh by over 21,000 votes. Gupta had previously won the Hisar seat in both the 2014 and 2019 assembly elections. In Ratia, sitting BJP legislator Lakshman Dass Napa quit the party after being denied a ticket.

The Border Impact

In constituencies bordering Punjab - a state that strongly rejected the BJP and has a robust base of farm unions - the election results were more polarised. Congress secured nine seats, while the BJP won three. Of these, the BJP managed to retain one but lost five to the Congress. The Congress kept two seats but lost one to the BJP. Dushyant Chautala's Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), which was once allied with the BJP, lost the two seats it previously held in the Punjab border region - one to Congress and the other to the BJP. Notably, the JJP failed to win a single seat in this election.

Farm Politics And Political Leanings

Despite many Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) leaders being directly connected with anti-BJP parties, the group largely stayed out of the elections. In 2022, the SKM severed ties with the Samyukta Samaj Morcha (SSM) led by Balbir Singh Rajewal and Charuni's SSP.

The poster boy of the 2020-2021 anti-farm law protests, Rakesh Tikait, previously contested elections, but without success. On the other hand, Hannan Mollah, a senior leader of the All India Kisan Sabha and former member of Parliament from the Communist Party of India (Marxist), won from West Bengal's Uluberia eight times.

The political leanings of most SKM leaders are rooted in socialist or Left ideologies - traditionally anti-BJP. However, the peasant leaders likely missed a critical lesson from 2020 when, during the height of the protests, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won a majority in the Bihar assembly elections, despite the anti-farm law sentiment.

Undeterred, farm leaders continued to campaign against the BJP in subsequent state elections. While the BJP won governments in Assam and Puducherry, other parties triumphed in states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, where SKM leaders claimed some credit for the electoral outcomes, particularly in West Bengal, where Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress scored a major victory.

Despite these efforts, two years later it seems that while farm-related issues may have influenced voters in border areas, they failed to swing the overall mandate away from the BJP.

(Jayanta Bhattacharya is a senior journalist writing on polls and politics, conflict, farmer and human interest issues)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author

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'Goa' - Ratan Tata's Dog Came To Pay Last Respects To Him

Industrialist, philanthropist and dog lover, Ratan Tata, died at the age of 86 in Mumbai yesterday. The national flag will be flown at half-mast across government offices in Maharashtra as a mark of respect. 

Ratan Tata had a deep compassion for dogs and advocated for the welfare of stray animals. He was passionate about the welfare of abandoned pets and ensuring their safety, particularly during the monsoon season, when stray dogs often seek shelter under cars.

At his funeral, his dog, 'Goa', came to pay his last respects to Mr Tata. There's a story behind why Mr Tata named the dog 'Goa'.

Once, Ratan Tata was in Goa, when a stray dog started accompanying him. He decided to adopt him and bring him to Mumbai. Mr Tata named him 'Goa' and lives in the Bombay House in Mumbai along with other stray dogs. Just like the iconic Taj Hotel, stray dogs are welcomed at the Bombay House - a historic building in the city which serves as the head office of the Tata Group. 

The caretaker of 'Goa' said, "He has been with us for the last 11 years. The security guards brought this dog from Goa when we went there for a picnic. Ratan Tata loved him a lot."

Mr Tata has shared his pictures with 'Goa' and other dogs on Instagram.

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A post shared by Ratan Tata (@ratantata)

Mr Tata's connection with dogs was deep. In 2018, he was to receive a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the British Royal Family. The ceremony, organised by King Charles III (then Prince Charles) and hosted by the British Asian Trust, was set to honour Tata for his philanthropic contributions. Although Tata initially confirmed his attendance, he chose to remain at home to care for his sick dog. This story was shared by businessman Suhel Seth, who recalled how Tata explained: "Tango and Tito, my dogs-one of them has fallen terribly ill. I can't leave him and come."

Among his many projects, Mr Tata had a vision for the Small Animal Hospital in Mumbai (SAHM), a facility equipped with cutting-edge technology to care for animals. This initiative was close to his heart, and his efforts to provide quality care for animals highlighted his dedication to improving the lives of strays and pets alike.

The hospital opened in July and is a five-storey centre that can house almost 200 patients.

The project was announced in 2017 and is planned to be housed in Navi Mumbai. However, Tata felt the commute would be cumbersome for pet parents and, hence, moved the hospital to a central location.

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Ratan Tata's Last 'Pet Project': A Small Animal Hospital In Mumbai

Industrial Ratan Tata's last 'pet project' months before he died was a hospital for animals in Mumbai. Located in Mahalaxmi, the hospital opened in July and is a five-storey centre that can house almost 200 patients.

Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, died at 86. Just on Monday, the industrialist in a social media post had dismissed speculation surrounding his health and had said he was undergoing routine medical investigations due to his age.

The animal hospital, which cost Rs 165 crore to construct, is led by British veterinarian Thomas Heathcote.

The project was announced in 2017 and is planned to be housed in Navi Mumbai. However, Tata felt the commute would be cumbersome for pet parents and, hence, moved the hospital to a central location.

Spread over 98,000 square feet, the hospital with 24x7 emergency care, ICUs and HDUs with life support for critically ill and injured animals, advanced diagnostic imaging services, surgery units, speciality treatment (dermatology, dental, ophthalmology, etc), in-house pathology lab and in-patient wards.

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A post shared by Small Animal Hospital, Mumbai (@sahmumbai)

On the board of directors is Shantanu Naidu, a general manager in the office of Ratan Tata, who founded the startup, Motopaws, which makes reflective collars for dogs so that they are visible to vehicles at night.

The philanthropist had elaborated that he had to fly a pet to the University of Minnesota for a joint replacement. "But I was too late, and so they froze the dog's joint in a particular position. That experience enabled me to see what a world-class veterinary hospital was equipped to do," he had said.

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