Month: March 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday reaffirmed India’s commitment to conserve water and promote sustainable development on the occasion of World Water Day.

Highlighting the critical role of water in civilisation, he urged for collective action to safeguard this invaluable resource for future generations.

“On World Water Day, we reaffirm our commitment to conserve water and promote sustainable development. Water has been the lifeline of civilisations and thus it is more important to protect it for the future generations!” PM Modi posted on X.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Jal Shakti, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Government of Haryana, is set to launch the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: ‘Catch the Rain – 2025’ on Saturday on the occasion of World Water Day.

According to the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the campaign, themed Peoples’ Action for Water Conservation – Towards Intensified Community Connect, underscores the importance of water security, rainwater harvesting, and groundwater recharge in the face of climate change and growing water challenges.

The initiative will focus on 148 districts across the country, fostering greater synergy between government agencies, communities, and stakeholders in ensuring the sustainable management of water resources.

The Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain – 2025 aims to drive nationwide awareness and action for water conservation, making the vision of ‘Every Drop Counts’ a reality. The campaign calls upon all citizens to join hands in securing India’s water future through innovative solutions and grassroots participation.

World Water Day, held on March 22 every year since 1993, is an annual United Nations Observance focusing on the importance of freshwater.

A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: Water and sanitation for all by 2030. (ANI)

US President Donald Trump announced the Pentagon’s decision to proceed with the development of a next-generation fighter jet, designated the F-47, during joint remarks with Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth from the Oval Office on Friday (local time), CNN reported.

Trump stated that Boeing had been awarded the contract for the newest US fighter aircraft.

“At my direction, the United States Air Force is moving forward with the world’s first sixth-generation fighter jet, number six, sixth generation, nothing in the world comes even close to it, and it’ll be known as the F-47,” Trump said, as per CNN.

He further described the F-47 as “the most advanced, most capable, most lethal aircraft ever built” and revealed that an experimental version of the jet had been secretly flying for almost five years.

“The F-47 will be the most advanced, most capable, most lethal aircraft ever built. An experimental version of the plane has secretly been flying for almost 5 years and we’re confident that it massively overpowers the capabilities of any other nation,” he said.

During his previous administration, the Air Force had acknowledged that it had flown a full-scale prototype of the jet.

“After a rigorous and thorough competition between some of America’s top aerospace companies, the Air Force is going to be awarding the contract for the next generation air dominance platform to Boeing,” Trump said, as per CNN.

Until now, the program had been known as Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD). But in an apparent reference to his presidency, Trump said the aircraft would be known as the F-47. Aircraft designations are normally announced by the Air Force.

“It’s something the likes of which nobody has seen before,” Trump said, “and this has been in the works for a long period.”

The Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program is intended to produce the US military’s sixth-generation fighter jet, newer and more advanced than the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, which has suffered from major cost overruns and delays.

Meanwhile, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has been critical of the F-35, advocating instead for unmanned drone swarms as a cheaper and more effective alternative.

On social media in November, Musk wrote, “Meanwhile, some idiots are still building manned fighter jets like the F-35,” CNN reported. (ANI)

Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh’s wife, Hazel Keech, has shared her views on the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) new rule that limits the time players’ families can stay with them during tours, stating that while prolonged separation can be challenging for families, restricting their presence to a certain period helps players maintain focus on the game.

According to the rule, players’ immediate families, including their partners and children, can stay with them for 14 days after the first two weeks of a tour lasting over 45 days. On shorter tours, players can be accompanied by their families for up to a week.

Speaking about the rule, Keech told ANI, “I can understand when Yuvi was playing international cricket, moving from one tournament to another, and he would be away for a long time. For families with small children, it was difficult to be apart for so long. But when I used to watch his matches, Yuvi would always be concerned about me, which affected his focus on the game. So, allowing families to join for a limited time is beneficial in both ways.”

The BCCI introduced these restrictions on players’ family time during tours following India’s 3-1 defeat to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. These guidelines were incorporated into player contracts but were temporarily relaxed during the COVID-19 pandemic when players’ families were allowed to join them in the team bubble to support their mental well-being.

Currently, the BCCI covers the accommodation costs for players’ families during tours but does not cover their travel expenses. (ANI)

A huge fire broke out in the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation area of Shiravane on Friday.

Blows of huge smoke were seen in the visuals, and fire tenders rushed to the spot and tried their best to control the fire.

Further details are awaited into the matter.

Earlier, fire broke out at an industry near Mahakali Caves in Mumbai’s Andheri area on Thursday.

Four fire tenders have been deployed to the site to contain the fire.

Further details are awaited. Earlier in the day, a fire broke out in multiple furniture shops at Azad Chowk in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Thursday morning, officials said.

The fire tenders immediately rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control. Inspector Dilip said that the fire might have started due to a short circuit.

“Fire broke out in furniture shops. The fire might have started due to a short circuit. The fire has been brought under control. The work of extinguishing the fire is going on,” Inspector Dilip said. (ANI)

The wait is finally over. The trailer of Salman Khan’s most-awaited film, Sikandar, will be unveiled on Sunday.

Salman shared the update and posted the film’s new poster, which shows her striking an adorable pose with co-star Rashmika Mandanna.

“#SikandarTrailer out on March 23rd! #Sikandar releases in theatres near you on 30th March 2025 #SajidNadiadwala’s #SikandarDirected by @a.r.murugadoss,” his caption read.

In an interview with ANI, director AR Murugadoss recently revealed the reason for the trailer’s delay

“We are working on it. The CGI work is going on. The music is going on. So, we have just now finished the shoot. So, all the departments are busy with the craft. We are working on it. We have to deliver the best,” he shared.

Last month, Salman shared an intriguing teaser for his high-octane film. The one-minute-and-21-second-long teaser introduced Salman’s character, named Sanjay, who is affectionately called Sikandar by his grandmother. Salman showcased his full, massy avatar in the teaser, packed with high-octane action sequences and punchy, ‘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.

‘Sikandar’ will be released on March 30. (ANI)

Indian Premier League 2025 will start on March 22, where defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Ahead of the IPL, former Indian player Harbhajan Singh spoke about the rivalry between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI).

“CSK vs MI is like India and Pakistan of IPL; their fans support them to the core. Many big players have played for both teams; CSK is one of the top teams in IPL, and if you beat them, your team will be in the headlines, and the same goes for Mumbai Indians. High pressure, high voltage game and full of fun.” JioStar expert Harbhajan Singh told the media.

He also praised Riyan Parag, who has been named Rajasthan Royals captain until Sanju Samson gains full fitness.

“Many young players come every season, score runs, and pick up wickets…My eyes are on Riyan Parag, he has been named Rajasthan Royals captain…We have seen what he can do and he has tremendous talent. I want to see him as a grown man who wins matches and tournaments. In bowlers I want to see all the young spinners who have been added in this edition, I want to see their mindset, ” he said.

MI and CSK have a strong fanbase. Fans have waited a whole year for MS Dhoni to return in the yellow jersey. The last time these two teams clashed, CSK got the better of MI. Chennai won the match by 20 runs, with Rohit Sharma scoring a century and Matheesha Pathirana taking four wickets and being awarded Player of the Game. MS Dhoni scored 20 runs off four balls which came to be the exact margin of victory for CSK. (ANI)

The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, is set to host the third Central Asian Youth Delegation to India from March 22 to 28, under the International Youth Exchange Programme (IYEP).

This initiative aims to promote youth collaboration and cultural exchange and strengthen diplomatic ties between India and the Central Asian nations – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, according to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

This program follows the vision set forth during the India-Central Asia Summit held in January 2022, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed an annual youth exchange initiative to enhance mutual understanding among young leaders from the region. The 100-member delegation will engage in diverse activities, exploring India’s historical, educational, and cultural landmarks while interacting with local youth leaders and key stakeholders.

The delegation will visit the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, and Goa’s heritage sites to experience India’s architectural and historical legacy.

The delegation will interact with students and faculty at IIT Delhi and visit to Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI)/ Goa Institute of Management to explore India’s advancements in technology, research, and entrepreneurship.

They will meet with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, and Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai. A roundtable and gala dinner will be organized in honour of the delegation wherein the delegates will exchange their best practices to engage with youth in their nations.

The visit will serve as a catalyst for future collaborations, promoting cross-cultural understanding, leadership development, and international cooperation in key sectors. This youth exchange program reinforces India’s commitment to regional peace, friendship, and economic partnerships with Central Asia, ensuring that the bonds of goodwill continue to flourish. (ANI)

Actor Akshay Kumar’s blockbuster film ‘Kesari’ has completed six years in the cinema horizon, and to mark the occasion, the actor has shared an exciting update with his fans about the much-awaited ‘Kesari 2’.

The 2019 film, which continues to resonate with audiences even today, is set to return with a fresh chapter, promising even more thrilling moments and captivating storytelling.

On the anniversary of the film’s release, Akshay Kumar took to social media to share a special clip from ‘Kesari’ featuring intense battle sequences of the ‘Kesari’ warriors.

The actor’s post celebrated the success of the film, writing, “Celebrating 6 years of Kesari. Celebrating the spirit of Kesari. Celebrating a new chapter that begins…soon!”

The clip left fans buzzing with anticipation, especially as it was revealed that ‘Kesari 2’ is on the way, with a fresh update expected to be shared the following day.

Celebrating 6 years of Kesari.
Celebrating the spirit of Kesari.
Celebrating a new chapter that begins…soon! pic.twitter.com/daYnd1xMNb

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) March 21, 2025

The long-awaited sequel to the historical drama is slated for release in April 2025, marking a slight shift from earlier plans to release the film during Holi.

The film is based on the life of India’s top barrister, C Sankaran Nair, who fought against the British Raj to uncover the truth about the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

Alongside Akshay Kumar, the sequel will see R Madhavan and Ananya Pandey join the ensemble cast.

Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi, ‘Kesari 2’ will bring a new storyline to the table, with the sequel focusing on a completely different plot rather than continuing directly from the events of the original film. (ANI)

The Karnataka Speaker on Friday suspended 18 BJP MLAs for six months for disrupting proceedings of the Assembly.

Dramatic scenes unfolded in the House and visuals showed House marshals picking up BJP MLAs and carrying them outside the House.

A Bill was tabled by Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil.

Ruckus erupted in the Assembly as BJP MLAs entered the Well of the House and also tore and threw papers at the Speaker UT Khader’s chair.

The Bill granting four per cent reservation to minorities including Muslims in contract work was passed by Karnataka Assembly.

Earlier today, an uproar followed in the State Assembly after Karnataka Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna’s allegation of honey trap attempt was made on him.

BJP legislators raised loud slogans “down, down” as some members held CDs in their hands claiming they had proof of the alleged honey trap. They then stormed into the well of the house even as CM Siddaramaiah was speaking.

R Ashoka, BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly said, “It is not the issue of one party, it’s a biggest conspiracy against legislators who are working for the people and some are doing this (honey trap) with clear hidden agenda.”

Speaking in the house Chief Minister Siddaramaiah defended his government and said there was no question of protecting anyone in the Honey Trap.

The BJP leaders were demanding a judicial inquiry, but CM Siddaramiah said that G Parmeshwara had already responded to the allegations made by KN Rajanna, and has set up an enquiry.

“It is the government’s responsibility to protect anyone in the case. According to the law, the guilty should be punished. The Home Minister replied that if Rajanna complained, a high-level probe would be investigated. Rajanna did not name anyone, action could be taken if he had named someone. There is no question of protecting anyone in the case,” the CM said earlier. (ANI)