Month: February 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to participate in the grand Sufi music festival, Jahan-e-Khusrau 2025, which will take place on Friday, February 28, at New Delhi’s Sunder Nursery.

The grand Sufi music festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

PM Modi has been a strong proponent of promoting the diverse art and culture of the country. In line with this, he will participate in Jahan-e-Khusrau, an international festival dedicated to Sufi music, poetry, and dance, according to a press release.

The festival is bringing together artists from across the world to celebrate the legacy of Amir Khusrau.

Organized by the Rumi Foundation, the festival, started by renowned filmmaker and artist Muzaffar Ali in 2001, will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year and will be held from February 28 to March 2.

During the festival, the Prime Minister will also visit the TEH Bazaar (TEH – The Exploration of the Handmade), which will feature One District-One Product crafts and other exquisite artifacts from across the country, along with short films on handicrafts and handlooms, among other items. (ANI)

The Haryana unit of Congress has expelled five leaders including a former MLA for six years for indulging in “anti-party activities” with immediate effect.

The leaders were expelled after reports found party leaders indulging in anti-party activities recently.

Former MLA Rambir Singh is also among the expelled leaders.

The other four leaders are Vijay Kaushik, Rahul Chaudhary, Pooja Rani and Rupesh Malik.

An order issued by the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee read, “Consequent upon the receipt of reports through various means of communications pertaining to party leaders/workers having found indulged in anti-party activities in the recent past during ongoing process of MC Elections (2025), the following persons are hereby expelled from the party for 6 years with immediate effect”.

Earlier on February 20, the Congress in Haryana had expelled seven party leaders from across the state for indulging in “anti-party activities” in the upcoming 2025 municipal corporation elections.

The seven leaders were suspended for six years in consultation with the state in-charge BK Hariprasad.

According to the order, the expelled leaders included former District Congress Committee (DCC) presidents Tarlochan Singh and Ashok Khurana (Karnal), Member Coordination Committee Pradeep Chaudhary (Karnal), and former District Youth Congress (DYC) president Madhu Chaudhary (Yamuna Nagar).Ram Niwas Rara, a Congress candidate from the Hisar assembly constituency, has also been expelled by the party. Additionally, Harvinder (Lovely) from Gurugram and Ram Kishan Sain (from Gurugram) were expelled for six years with immediate effect.

Haryana Congress president Udai Bhan also raised concerns over the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), and demanded the use of ballot papers for the polls.

“We have demanded that elections be conducted using ballot papers instead of EVMs like in Uttarakhand… In every state election, EVMs are being questioned and cases have been registered due to doubts on its authenticity, so ballot papers should be used as permitted under the law,” he said

Raising concerns over the delay in counting, he added, “Secondly, the counting of votes for all local body elections takes place on the day of the election itself, so why are the results of Haryana Municipal Corporation elections being kept after 10 days?” (ANI)

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan on Thursday released an intriguing teaser for his film Sikandar, which also stars Rashmika Mandanna.

The one-minute and 21-second long teaser of the film introduces Salman’s character named Sanjay, who was lovingly called Sikandar by his grandmother.

Salman unleashed his full massy avatar in the teaser, which is loaded with high-octane action sequences and ‘paisa-vasool’ dialogues.

“Kayde mein raho fayde mein rahoge” and “Insaaf nahi hisab karne aaya hun” are some of the one-liners that Salman delivered with his trademark swag.

Sharing the teaser’s link on Instagram, Salman wrote, “Jo dilon par karta hai raj woh aaj kehlata hai Sikandar #SajidNadiadwala’s #Sikandar Directed by @a.r.murugadoss.”

The film is directed by AR Murugadoss, who is best known for directing Tamil and Hindi films such as Ghajini and Thuppakki. Sajid Nadiadwala has produced the project, and interestingly, It marks Salman Khan’s reunion with Sajid after their 2014 blockbuster, ‘Kick’.

Earlier this month, Salman had unveiled a new poster for his Sikandar. The poster showed Salman attempting to deflect an attack from a sharp object.

Sikandar is slated for release on Eid this year. Salman will also appear in ‘Kick 2’ in the coming months. (ANI)

Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog were all found dead at their New Mexico home, authorities have confirmed.

The office of Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed their deaths to Variety. There is no immediate indication of foul play, per authorities, though the Sheriff’s office did not immediately provide a cause of death.

“All I can say is that we’re in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, waiting on approval of a search warrant,” the sheriff told the Santa Fe New Mexican. The statement came before authorities had positively identified the pair, per the publication. “I want to assure the community and neighborhood that there’s no immediate danger to anyone.”

One of the industry’s most honoured performers, Hackman, 95, was a five-time Oscar nominee who starred in dozens of films. He received two Oscar wins, for ‘The French Connection’ and ‘Unforgiven’. He had also won two BAFTA Awards and four Golden Globes.

Hackman always had a surprise hit up his sleeve, as in films like “The French Connection II,” “The Firm” and even “The Poseidon Adventure.”

Hackman delivered an impressive array of performances that have only grown in stature over time. His Harry Caul in Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Conversation” is every bit as strong and well delineated now, as when the film debuted in 1974. The same is true of his stoic promoter in the Michael Ritchie ski film “Downhill Racer.”

In 1990, around the time he and Arakawa made Santa Fe their home, Hackman underwent angioplasty due to congestive heart failure. He continued to work as a screen actor for 14 years, as per Variety.

Hackman also penned three novels with undersea archaeologist Daniel Lenihan: “Wake of the Perdido Star” (1999), “Justice for None” (2004) and “Escape From Andersonville” (2008). His 2011 work, “Payback at Morning Peak,” was a solo effort.

He was married twice and had three children. His first marriage to Faye Maltese lasted 30 years from 1956 to 86. Hackman married Arakawa in 1991. Arakawa was a classical pianist. (ANI)

Parents of the victim of RG Kar Medical college rape and murder incident on Thursday arrived in Delhi to meet the Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The father of the victim said that even after seven months of the incident, the family had not got justice despite fighting for it.

He further stated that the he wanted to let the people know that their money spent on tax was being misused.

Speaking to ANI, the father said “Seven months have passed by. There is no sign of justice till now. We have come here to meet the CBI director and our Supreme Court lawyer. We were begging for justice, but now we are fighting for it… We have also sent an email to the Prime Minister and soon we will make it public. We want people to know how the taxpayers’ money is being misused…”

Further, he said that death certificate of their daughter had not been received yet due to the discrepancies in the document.

“We have not even received the death certificate because there are many discrepancies in the documents. We have not even received the death certificate because there are many discrepancies in the documents.”

On February 24, CM Mamata Banerjee announced a salary hike for state government doctors and health staff of the state.

She made the announcement, after holding a meeting at Dhanadhanya Auditorium, which was attended by the principals of medical colleges, district health officials, and other doctors.

Further, the West Bengal Chief Minister speaking at the ‘Chikitsar Arek Naam Seva’ Program today expressed her heartfelt tributes to the victim of R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, who was raped and murdered on August 9, 2024.

Further, she urged male doctors to protect their female counterparts as both work together at the grassroots level.

CM Mamata Banerjee said, “I have walked on the streets after this incident, and the state government has passed Aparajita Bill. We want proper punishment for the culprits. So that such incidents are not repeated I give the responsibility to my brothers. You protect our sisters. Today men and women are practising together and they are at the grassroot level.

“I kept the Health Ministry with me since it is very vast, and its development is not possible for a state minister. Today, there are a lot of fake medicines and fake propaganda through social media. In government hospitals facilities have been started to provide treatment free of cost. We emphasised expanding the gates of the hospital and to provide night shelters,” Banerjee said.

The Chief Minister announced that the stipend for interns, house staff, and postgraduate trainees has been increased by 10,000 rupees each.

She announced an increase in the salaries of senior resident doctors across all levels by Rs 15,000. As a result, Diploma-holding senior resident doctors will now receive Rs 80,000 instead of Rs 65,000, while Postgraduate senior resident doctors will get Rs 85,000 instead of Rs 70,000. (ANI)

In connection with the ongoing investigation into the recent rape incident at the Swargate bus depot, Pune city police have released a poster of the wanted accused, urging the public to come forward with information.

The poster mentions that a case under section 64, 351(2) of 2023 has been registered against the accused.

As per the poster, “A case has been registered under section 64, 351(2) of 2023 and the said case is accused named Dattatray Ramdas Gade, age 37 years, Res. Gunat T. Shirur, Distt. Pune and he is a wanted accused in the registered crime. Information about accused Dattatray Gade Rs. 1,00,000/- (one lakh rupees) will be awarded. The name of the informant will be kept confidential.”

Earlier, Pune City Police on Thursday said they have expanded their efforts to apprehend the accused in the Swargate bus depot rape case, who has been on the run since Tuesday. They have also announced a Rs one lakh cash reward to nab the accused identified as Dattatray Ramdas Gade.

A total of 13 teams have been deployed to track down the suspect, with eight teams from the Crime Branch and five teams from Swargate Police Station working on the ground. Police teams have even been dispatched outside the district to intensify the search, they said.

Smartana Patil, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Zone II, Pune said, “We have declared a Rs one lakh cash award for the person who helps in nabbing the accused. We have sent the bus for forensic investigation. Our teams have been working day and night since the incident happened.”

Maharashtra’s Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik also ordered a departmental inquiry against the Assistant Transport Superintendent and the Bus Depot Manager of the Swargate Bus Depot in Pune following the February 25 incident in which a 26-year-old woman was allegedly raped inside a parked bus.

Maharashtra’s Minister of State for Home, Yogesh Ramdas Kadam, addressed the situation, providing updates on the ongoing investigation.

Speaking to the media, Kadam clarified, “The Day before yesterday, the incident that happened in Swargate, I am here today to review that incident… After receiving the complaint, police started an investigation immediately… Police are searching for the accused, and very soon, he will be arrested. Some misinformation is being spread that the investigation was started late, but there is nothing like that.” Kadam emphasized that the authorities were taking swift action and that rumours of a delayed response were unfounded.

The incident took place on Tuesday when the rape survivor, a working woman, was waiting for a bus to return home to Phaltan, which is located around 100 km away. She was allegedly approached by the accused, who falsely claimed that the bus to her destination was parked elsewhere. He led her to a MSRTC Shivsahi bus parked in the depot where he allegedly raped her. (ANI)

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, arrived in the national capital on Thursday on a two-day official visit and said India is a trusted friend and a strategic ally for Europe.

Ursula von der Leyen is accompanied by the European Union College of Commissioners and the second ministerial meeting of the India – EU Trade and Technology Council and bilateral ministerial meetings will be held during the visit.

Ursula von der Leyen, who will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, said they will discuss how to take strategic partnership to the next level.

“Touchdown in Delhi with my team of Commissioners. In an era of conflicts and intense competition, you need trusted friends. For Europe, India is such a friend and a strategic ally. I’ll discuss with @narendramodi how to take our strategic partnership to the next level,” Ursula von der Leyen said in a post on X.

On her arrival, the President of the European Commission was accorded a warm and special welcome and was received by Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare AnupriyaSPatel

“Elevating the – multifaceted partnership to new heights. President of the @EU_Commission @vonderleyen arrives in New Delhi for the first visit of EU College of Commissioners to India. Warmly received with a special welcome by MoS for Health & Family Welfare @AnupriyaSPatel at the airport,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.

This will be President Ursula von der Leyen’s third visit to India. She has earlier visited India for a bilateral official visit in April 2022, and to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit in September 2023. PM Modi and President Ursula von der Leyen have also met regularly on the sidelines of multilateral meetings.

A MEA release said that this will be the first ever visit of the EU College of Commissioners together to India and among the first such visits since the start of the mandate of the current European Commission in December 2024 after the European parliamentary elections held in June 2024.

The release said that India and European Union are strategic partners since 2004 and their bilateral ties have expanded and deepened across a wide range of areas. As the two sides enter the third decade of the strategic partnership, the visit of President von der Leyen and the EU College of Commissioners will pave the way for further strengthening of bilateral relations based on growing convergences. (ANI)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was manipulating the voters’ list with the blessing of the Election Commissioner.

She formed a committee on Thursday to check the irregularities in the voters’ list in every district of West Bengal.

She alleged that the BJP added fake voters in the voters’ list to manipulate elections in Maharashtra and Delhi and they were trying the same trick in West Bengal.

CM Mamata Banerjee said, “Sitting in the Election Commissioner’s office, they have created a fake voter’s list online, and in every district of West Bengal, fake voters have been added. Using this trick, they have won elections in Delhi and Maharashtra. The opposition in Maharashtra could not find out these facts. Most of the fake voters are from Haryana and Gujarat. BJP is manipulating voters list with the blessing of EC, Bengal’s culture gave rise to independence.”

She further appealed to the people of Bengal to check the voter list.

“Any day in the name of NRC and CAA the actual names can be removed. It has 2 main objectives. One is to defeat TMC and ti remove the names of persons in the list. This is being done with blessings of EC. Keep a watch on data operators. If anyone is at grassroots then it is TMC. iN 2026 Assembly polls we have to hit the ball more hard and this would start from voter’s list. This has to be done at booth level. District president would have to take care of this,” she said.

She further said that an IT Media cell, panchayat councillors, and a core committee will be formed to access the voters list.

“I need information after every 3 days. I am forming a committee, and 4 people would have to be present on a rotation basis. Birbhum would not be included in this assessment. The district president will have to form a booth committee and look into it. I don’t trust the BJP. They can implement One Nation One Election. They do not regard democracy. Only in the name of religion can they do unethical work,” she added. (ANI)