Month: December 2024

Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Wednesday said that Bharat Ratna should be conferred upon Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik.

“Nitish Kumar has worked for the development of the state. Naveen Patnaik has also served Odisha for years. Such people should be honoured with awards like Bharat Ratna,” Giriraj Singh told reporters.

He further said that the NDA government will be formed under the leadership of Nitish Kumar.

“NDA government will be formed again in Bihar. Nitish Kumar has been the Chief Minister for so many years. Today’s children who have turned thirty have not seen Lalu ji’s jungle raj,” he added.

On Tuesday, Union Minister and JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh said that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will contest the 2025 Bihar Assembly election under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

“In the 2025 Bihar Assembly election, the NDA will contest under the leadership of Nitish Kumar,” Ranjan Singh told ANI.

The ruling NDA did well in the Lok Sabha polls in Bihar. Apart from BJP, NDA in Bihar includes JD-U, LJP (Ram Vilas) and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular).

Nitish Kumar toppled the Mahagathbandhan government a few months before the 2024 Lok Sabha election and again formed a government with the BJP.

BJP is senior partner in the NDA in the state. While BJP has 84 MLAs, JD(U) has 48 in the State Assembly.

Notably, the Assembly elections for 243 assembly seats in Bihar are likely to be held at the end of 2025. (ANI)

A passenger plane flying from Azerbaijan to Russia crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan, killing four people, Al Jazeera reported, citing health officials and medical workers.

29 people, including two children, survived the crash and were hospitalised, according to Azerbaijan’s Emergency Ministry, Al Jazeera reported.

Flight number J2-8243, an Embraer 190 aircraft with 62 passengers and five crew members on board, was forced to make an emergency landing on Wednesday about 3km (1.8 miles) from Aktau.

Al Jazeera quoted Russian news agency Interfax as saying that there may be more survivors and quoted medical workers at the scene as saying that four bodies have been recovered.

The ministry said fire services had put out the blaze. It said 150 emergency workers were at the scene.

According to preliminary reports, the plane requested landing at an alternative airport before the accident due to heavy fog in Grozny, Al Jazeera’s reported.

“Unfortunately, Azerbaijan’s President Aliyev was forced to leave St Petersburg (where he had a summit). Putin has already called him and expressed his condolences in connection with the crash of the Azerbaijani plane in Aktau,” Al Jazeera quoted Kremlin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov as saying.

“We deeply sympathise with those who lost their relatives and friends in this plane crash and wish a speedy recovery to all those who managed to survive,” he added.

Russia’s Federal Agency for Air Transport, Rosaviatsiya said in a statement that preliminary information suggested the pilot had decided to make an emergency landing after a bird strike.

Authorities in Kazakhstan said a government commission had been set up to investigate the crash and its members were ordered to fly to the site and ensure that the families of the dead and injured were getting the help they needed.

Al Jazeera cited Russia’s Interfax news agency and stated that Kazakhstan’s authorities were investigating the crash and are looking into possible angles that could have led to this situation. (ANI)

As the cold wave intensified in Himachal Pradesh, the Shimla District Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap on Wednesday assured that all departments are ready to coordinate for any adverse situations.

Speaking to ANI, the Deputy Commissioner of Shimla District Administration, Anupam Kashyap said, “All stakeholder departments are prepared to coordinate in case of adverse situations. I request all people to avoid unauthorised parking as it can cause traffic which impacts the whole city. Please follow the police advisory on traffic.”

“The roads connecting to the capital are open. The roads going to upper areas of Shimla were opened yesterday, but people have been advised to avoid them during early morning and late evening as the roads are slippery. The police have been stationed at the bifurcations to guide tourists and locals,” he said.

The cold wave situation in Himachal Pradesh has intensified over the past 24 hours, with Shimla city recording a minimum temperature of two degrees Celsius.

Higher-altitude areas, including Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu, Chamba, and Dalhousie, have plunged into sub-zero temperatures. Even the plains of the state, such as Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Sirmaur, Solan, and Kangra, are experiencing biting cold, posing significant challenges to daily life and travel.

Over the last 24 hours, most regions in Himachal Pradesh have recorded sub-zero temperatures. The lowest minimum temperature was recorded in the tribal area of Lahaul-Spiti’s Tabo at minus 10.6 degrees Celsius. In Kaza, the temperature was at minus 6.9 degrees, while Kukumseri recorded at minus 8.2 degrees Celsius. In Kinnaur district’s Reckong-Peo, the temperature was recorded at minus 0.9 degrees Celsius.

Manali also experienced a temperature of -0.3 degrees Celsius. The state capital, Shimla, recorded 2.0 degrees Celsius, while Kufri and Narkanda recorded 0.1 degrees Celsius and -2.8 degrees Celsius, respectively. In Kalpa, Kinnaur, the temperature was recorded at -4.0 degrees Celsius, and Dharamshala reported a temperature of 5.02 degrees Celsius.

According to the India Meteorological Department, it is considered to be Cold Wave when the minimum temperature of a station is 10 degrees Celsius or less for plains and 0 degrees Celsius or less for Hilly regions. (ANI)

Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty is celebrating his 42 years of marital bliss with his wife Mana Shetty, today.

After a long courtship, the couple, who married on December 25, 1991, shared their love story with fans on social media, setting relationship goals for couples everywhere.

To commemorate the special occasion, Suniel posted two beautiful pictures on Instagram, capturing the essence of their enduring relationship.

The first image, taken from behind, shows the couple walking hand-in-hand through a lush garden. The second, equally heartwarming, shows them climbing stairs hand-in-hand, radiating love and togetherness.

Suniel captioned the post, “Happy 42nd anniversary to us wifey.”

As soon as Suniel shared the touching pictures, fans flooded the post with warm wishes and congratulations. Their daughter, Athiya Shetty, who has always been vocal about her admiration for her parents, also joined the celebration.

In the comments section, Athiya dropped a heart emoji, expressing her affection for her parents.

She later took to her Instagram Stories to share a throwback photo from her parents’ engagement ceremony, where Mana is seen placing a ring on Suniel’s finger, both wearing garlands in the beautiful moment.

Athiya’s caption read, “My definition of love. Happy Anniversary!”

Suniel and Mana Shetty, who tied the knot over four decades ago, have two children–daughter Athiya, born in 1992, and son Ahan, born in 1996.

Their enduring relationship and mutual respect have made them one of the most beloved couples in the entertainment industry.

Meanwhile, Suniel Shetty is gearing up for several upcoming projects, including highly anticipated films such as ‘The Legend of Somnath’ and ‘Welcome 3’.

He recently spoke to ANI about his upcoming work, saying, “In the coming months, I will be seen in The Legend of Somnath. I am quite excited about it. The film has already been made… only some VFX work is pending. I also have Welcome to the Jungle and a show Nanda Devi with Lionsgate.”

Fans of the ‘Welcome’ franchise will be thrilled to see Suniel reunite with actor Akshay Kumar in ‘Welcome 3’, the third instalment of the popular comedy series.

The movie promises to deliver the same humour and star power that made the original a blockbuster hit.

He will also be seen in ‘Hunter: Tootega Nahi Todega’, created and directed by Prince Dhiman and Alok Batra.

The first season of action thriller stars Suniel Shetty in the lead as A.C.P Vikram Sinha, Esha Deol, Rahul Dev, Barkha Bisht, Mihir Ahuja, Teena Singh, Chahat Tejwani, Karanvir Sharma, Siddharth Kher, Gargi Sawant and Pawan Chopra in pivotal roles.

The 8-part episodic series is produced by Yoodlee Films – the film division of Saregama India Limited and directed by Prince Dhiman & Alok Batra.

He also has a show ‘Nanda Devi’ with Lionsgate, and ‘Hunter 3’ in the pipeline. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects in Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh.

PM Modi laid the foundation stone of the Ken-Betwa River linking national project, the country’s first interlinking of rivers project under a national perspective plan. This project aims to provide irrigation facilities to various districts in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh benefitting lakhs of farmer families.

In his address on the occasion, PM Modi said, “In one year of (chief minister) Mohan Yadav’s government, development has gained a new momentum. Today also, development projects worth thousands of rupees have been started here. The Ken-Betwa link project has also been approved. I congratulate the people of MP for these projects.”

The Prime Minister also released a commemorative stamp and coin marking the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He laid the foundation stone of 1153 Atal Gram Sushasan buildings. These buildings will play an important role in the practical conduct of work and responsibilities of Gram Panchayats leading to good governance at the local level.

Further, PM Modi inaugurated the Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project established at Omkareshwar in the Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh. As per a release, the project will reduce carbon emissions and contribute to the Government’s mission of net zero carbon emissions by 2070. It will also help in water conservation by reducing water evaporation. (ANI)

Dense fog and poor visibility in New Delhi caused major disruptions on Christmas morning, with 20 trains departing from the city delayed, including major services like the Mumbai Central Rajdhani Express and Dakshin Express.

The fog, coupled with the persisting cold temperature and poor visibility, added to the problems.

The trains delayed included the Mumbai Central Rajdhani express running from New Delhi to Mumbai, Durg-Hazrat Nizammudin expres running from Durg to Delhi, Dakshin express running from Delhi to Hyderabad, Duronto express and the Jabalpur-Hazrat Nizammudin Gondwana Express running from Jabalpur to Delhi among other trains.

The temperature recorded in the city was 10 degrees Celsius, according to the Indian Meteorological Department. Visibility in the city was recorded at 100 meters due to dense fog at 5:30 am.

Earlier today, locals said that they used bonfires to keep themselves warm.

“The temperature have dropped down a lot due to the rain that took place yesterday. We have to use bonfires to keep ourselves warm..” Mohammad Javed Ansari, a local said speaking to ANI.

.Another local complained about the lack of visibility due to the fog.

“The temperature has dropped down a lot due to the rain yesterday. It has become very cold and there is barely any visibility..” said the local.

Meanwhile, the AQI in the city was recorded at 333, falling under the ‘very poor’ category, as per the Central Pollution Control Board at 8 am.

The AQI measured in other areas also remained in the ‘very poor’ category. AQI in Anand Vihar was 360, 372 at Ashok Vihar, 362 at Bayana, and 324 at the CRRI Mathura Road.

An AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101-200 is moderate, 201-300 is poor, 301-400 is very poor, and 401-500 is severe.

Deepak Pandey, another local, said both the winter and pollution had become harsh in the city. “The pollution and the winters both have become very harsh. It is taking a toll on people as they are suffering from breathing difficulties…” said Pandey.

Another local said that the government would have find a permanent solution to the pollution in the city. “The pollution has reduced a bit due to the rain, however the government needs to find a permanent solution to this,” said the local.

Meanwhile, on December 24, moderate rain lashed the city further amplifying the winter chill. (ANI)

Following notices issued by senior officials of the Delhi government disavowing the Aam Aadmi Party’s registration process for two of its schemes in the national capital, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of distributing money to voters in the New Delhi assembly constituency, where Arvind Kejriwal contests elections.

Atishi also claimed that BJP leader and former two-time MP from West Delhi, Parvesh Verma, was “caught distributing money” at his official residence.

“The BJP is distributing money to people by checking their voter cards in the New Delhi assembly constituency, from where Arvind Kejriwal contests elections. Today, Parvesh Verma was caught red-handed giving out money at his official residence, which he received as an MP. Women from various slums in the New Delhi assembly constituency were called there and given Rs 1,100 in an envelope,” CM Atishi said in a press conference.

Atishi alleged that crores of rupees are in Parvesh Verma’s house and urged the Election Commission to instruct the ED and Delhi Police to raid Verma’s official residence and arrest him.

“I want to inform the ED and CBI that cash worth crores of rupees is still at Parvesh Verma’s house. I urge the Election Commission to have the ED and Delhi Police raid his official residence and arrest him immediately. The BJP is trying to win a lost election. We will officially lodge a complaint with the police and the Election Commission. The pamphlet used for distributing money also features pictures of PM Modi and JP Nadda,” she said.

This comes after several newspapers today published a public notice issued by a joint director in the Department of Women and Child Development, which termed the Mahila Samman Yojana as “non-existent.” The department stated that no such scheme has been officially notified.

In the public notice, the Women and Child Development Department confirmed that any private individual or political party collecting information from citizens through forms and registration processes in the name of the Mahila Samman Yojana is “committing fraud.”

“It is clarified that no such scheme has been notified by the Delhi Government,” the Women and Child Development Department stated in the notice.

Additionally, a public notice by the special secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department indicated that there is no scheme to provide free treatment for Delhi’s residents aged over 60 at private and government hospitals. The health department explicitly stated that it does not have any such “supposed Sanjeevani scheme” in existence and has not authorized anyone to collect personal data from elderly citizens, nor is it providing any cards.

The notice described these promises as fraudulent, noting that people have begun visiting government hospitals and offices to inquire about the nonexistent scheme. (ANI)