Month: March 2025

The magnificent reclining statue of Lord Buddha, located in Gaya, Bihar, serves as a captivating spot for tourists who flock to admire its grandeur.

The Mahabodhi Mahavihara’s serene and spiritually charged ambience makes it the perfect setting for individuals seeking solace and introspection.

Under the sacred pipal or Bodhi tree, Gautama Buddha (Prince Siddhartha) attained enlightenment and became the Buddha. According to some Buddhist texts, the pipal is believed to be the centre of the universe and the seat of enlightenment of all past and future Buddhas.

Arya Pal Bhikshu, Founder Secretary of the Buddha International Welfare Mission, said, “India is the birthplace of Lord Buddha. It was here in Bihar, in Bodh Gaya, that he meditated under the Bodhi tree and attained enlightenment. He then spread this wisdom to the world. People from across the globe visit this sacred place to pay homage and seek inspiration. Here, we have built India’s largest Buddha statue, attracting visitors from countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, the USA, Canada, and various parts of Europe. Every morning and evening, we offer prayers for world peace. Through social media and Facebook Live, we share these prayers with the world, striving to promote peace and spiritual well-being for all.”

A Tibetan tourist, Dolma, said, “We have come to Himachal and are very satisfied. After seeing Lord Buddha, our hearts are full of contentment. We have visited Gaya twice, but this is our first time here.”

Many holy places worldwide earn a good amount of money from spiritual tourism every year. However, Bodh Gaya, a place of equal spiritual importance for Buddhists, is unable to attract as many tourists as it should.

The Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world. It is believed to be the place where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment, making it highly significant for Buddhists worldwide.

Bodh Gaya, located in the central province of Bihar State, is one of the holiest sites for Buddhists all over the world, where thousands of foreigners, mostly Buddhist devotees, throng each year. (ANI)

Janasena Party chief and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Friday criticized Tamil Nadu politicians for what he called “hypocrisy” regarding the alleged imposition of Hindi in the state.

He pointed out that while these leaders oppose Hindi, they allow Tamil movies to be dubbed in the language for financial gain.

“I do not understand why some criticize Sanskrit. Why do Tamil Nadu politicians oppose Hindi while allowing their movies to be dubbed in Hindi for financial gain? They want money from Bollywood but refuse to accept Hindi–what kind of logic is that?” Kalyan asked while addressing the party’s 12th foundation day at Pithampuram in Kakinada.

Kalyan’s comments come amid Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin accusing the Union government of ‘Hindi imposition’ and refusing to implement the three-language formula laid out in the NEP as a protest.

Emphasizing India’s linguistic diversity, Kalyan said that the country needs multiple languages, including Tamil, rather than just two dominant ones. “India needs multiple languages, including Tamil, not just two. We must embrace linguistic diversity – not only to maintain the integrity of our nation but also to foster love and unity among its people,” Kalyan said.

His remarks follow Tamil Nadu CM Stalin’s comments on March 13, in which he labelled the NEP as a “saffronized policy” designed to promote Hindi rather than develop India. He alleged that the policy threatens to destroy Tamil Nadu’s education system.

“National Education Policy is not education policy, it is saffronise policy. The policy was not created to develop India but to develop Hindi. We are opposing the Policy as that would destroy the Tamil Nadu education system completely,” Stalin said in Tiruvallur.

Stalin further accused the central government of withholding funds to pressure the state into implementing the NEP.

“We are asking for your tax share, which we paid with our efforts. What is the problem with this? Is it fair to threaten without releasing funds for the welfare of 43 lakh schools? As we didn’t accept NEP, they are refusing to release funds that belong to Tamil Nadu,” he said.

“We would have welcomed the scheme if it brought everyone into education. But is NEP like that? NEP has all the factors that remove people from education. This is how this policy is, and that’s why we are opposing it,” he added. (ANI)

SpaceX and NASA have launched a mission to bring back US astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the International Space Station (ISS), where they have been stranded for nine months.

The lift-off took place at 7:03 ET on Friday, with a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon spacecraft on the Crew-10 mission.

The mission also launched four crew members to the ISS: NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov to the International Space Station.

Crew-10 is the 10th crew rotation mission under SpaceX’s human space transportation system and the 11th flight with a crew aboard to the ISS station through NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, including the Demo-2 test flight.

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have been stranded on the ISS for nine months after reaching there in June last year. They were supposed to stay there for about a week.

Ahead of the launch, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth shared a video message expressing support for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10, Fox News reported.

In a video posted on X, Hegseth stated, “I just want to take a brief moment to say we are praying for you.” He added, “We wish you Godspeed, and we look forward to welcoming you all home soon.”

“President Trump said to Elon Musk, ‘get the astronauts home and do it now’ – and they’re responding,” Hegseth said.

“And they’re bringing NASA astronauts, [who] also happen to be retired US Navy Capt. Butch Wilmore and retired US Navy Capt. Suni Williams, home,” he added, as reported by Fox News. (ANI)

Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian national and a doctoral student at Columbia University, has voluntarily left the United States after her visa was revoked for allegedly “advocating violence and terrorism.”

In a statement on Friday (local time), US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said that Srinivasan, a student in Urban Planning at Columbia University, self-deported using the CBP Home App.

“Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced that one of the Columbia students who had her student visa revoked for advocating for violence and terrorism self-deported using the CBP Home App and ICE arrested a Palestinian student for overstaying her expired F-1 visa,” according to a release by the the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The US Department of State revoked Srinivasan’s visa on March 5, alleging her involvement in “activities supporting Hammas.”

“Ranjani Srinivasan, a citizen and national of India, entered the United States on a F-1 student visa as a doctoral student in Urban Planning at Columbia University. Srinivasan was involved in activities supporting Hammas, a terrorist organization. On March 5, 2025, the Department of State revoked her visa. The Department of Homeland Security has obtained video footage of her using the CBP Home App to self-deport on March 11,” the release stated.

Additionally, Secretary Noem said that holding a US visa is a privilege.

“It is a privilege to be granted a visa to live & study in the United States of America. When you advocate for violence and terrorism, that privilege should be revoked, and you should not be in this country. I’m glad to see one of the Columbia University terrorist sympathizers use the CBP Home app to self deport,” she wrote in a post on X.

In a related case, another student, Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian from the West Bank, was arrested by Immigration and Custom Enforcement ICE HSI Newark officers for overstaying her expired F-1 student visa. Her visa terminated on January 26, 2022, for lack of attendance, according to the release.

Previously, in April 2024, Kordia was arrested for her involvement in pro-Hamas protests at Columbia University in New York City, the release added. (ANI)

Jeeyand Baloch, Spokesperson for the Baloch Liberation Army, a Baloch rebel organisation, said in a statement that despite an ultimatum given to the Pakistani forces, they did not heed to it, resulting in the death of 214 hostages.

The Baloch rebel organisation claimed that they gave a 48-hour ultimatum to Pakistan.

“Baloch Liberation Army had given the Pakistani army a 48-hour ultimatum to exchange prisoners of war, which was the last chance for the occupying army to save the lives of its personnel. However, Pakistan displaying its traditional stubbornness and military arrogance not only avoided serious negotiations but also turned a blind eye to the ground realities. As a result of this stubbornness all 214 hostages have been executed,” the statement claimed.

The rebel organisation further claimed that they have always acted as per the international law, but the stubbornness of Pakistan forced them to act thus.

“BLA has always acted in accordance with the principles of war and international law but the Pakistani state preferred to use its personnel as fuel for war instead of saving their lives. The enemy had to pay the price for this stubbornness in the form of the execution of 214 personnel,” as per the statement.

“BLA pays tribute to the 12 freedom fighters martyred in this battle, who made an unforgettable sacrifice against the enemy. On Wednesday night, three freedom fighters were martyred while last night, four more freedom fighters were martyred in combat. Additionally, five Fidayeen of the Majeed Brigade sacrificed their lives dealing the enemy a defeat that will always be remembered in history,” the statement read.

As per the statement, the rebels killed the hostages and then themselves, while also killing Pakistani state soldiers.

“In the Operation Darra-e-Bolan battle Fidayeen trapped the enemy in a devastating ambush and delivered a decisive blow. Fidayeen locked some hostage military personnel in special bogies and took up positions while other freedom fighters managed to take the remaining hostages to a safe location. When the Zarar Company of Pakistani SSG commandos arrived to rescue the hostages locked in the bogies of the Jaffar Express Fidayeen surrounded and attacked them fiercely. In this battle which lasted for several hours, SSG commandos suffered heavy casualties while the hostages were also executed. Fidayeen fought till the last bullet, inflicting a decisive blow on the enemy and achieving martyrdom by following the philosophy of the last bullet, firing their final shot on themselves,” the statement claimed.

The rebels claimed that the state was now trying to purportedly show the bodies of the dead rebels as their success.

“Now occupying army is trying in vain to present the bodies of these Fidayeen as a “success” despite the fact that their mission was never to return alive but to fight until the last bullet. Despite all its military and intelligence superiority the army failed to rescue the hostages. Moreover, those whom the Pakistani state is portraying as “rescued” were actually released by the BLA on the first day granted safe passage under the rules of war,” as per the statement’s claims.

The rebels later said that the battle was not over, and had intensified. It said that the rebels were still targeting the state forces.

“This battle is not over yet but has intensified. Baloch freedom fighters are continuously targeting the occupying army with ambushes in different areas and the enemy is still struggling to even retrieve the bodies of its fallen personnel. With every passing moment the superiority of the BLA is becoming more and more evident,” the statement claimed.

The rebel organisation stated that they will reveal further information about their operation after it will be over.

“Baloch Liberation Army will release details about Operation Darra-e-Bolan to the media after the operation is completed. The battle is still ongoing,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, ISPR Pakistan DG Lt Gen Sharif Chaudhry said that the Jaffar Express clearance operation, launched after the train’s hijacking in Balochistan, was complete. He added that all rebels, 33 in all, at the site of the attack had been killed. (ANI)

Actor and BJP MP Hema Malini left the audience mesmerized with her Odissi and Kathak dance performances at the Vrindavan Mahotsav. The annual event, organised by renowned flute maestro Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, was held in Bhubeneshwar on Friday as part of the Holi celebration.

Puri MP and BJP National Spokesperson Sambit Patra was also present at the event. As a token of respect, Patra presented a silver filigree artwork of Lord Jagannath to Hema Malini.

Dressed in a stunning yellow costume, the Sholay actress left the attendees spellbound with her graceful expressions and elegant dance movements.

Ahead of her performance, Hema Malini, on Thursday, while speaking to ANI, shared her experience about visiting Odisha and also expressed her happiness about being part of the festival and her strong connection with the state.

“I am here on the occasion of Holi. I have a show here tomorrow at the annual function of Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia Gurukul. It is celebrated on Holi every year. They have invited me this year, so I have come to perform here. Ratikant ji (Guru Ratikant Mohapatra) has invited me to Sri Sri University,” Malini told ANI.

“He is a good friend of mine. We have known each other for years. We have had a good relationship with Kelucharan Mohapatra. I always feel good whenever I come to Odisha… There is a lot of greenery here. It is a very calm and peaceful place… The day after tomorrow, I will go to Jagannath Puri and have the darshan of Lord Jagannath before heading to Mumbai…” she added. (ANI)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah was welcomed at Jorhat Airport on Friday by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and other dignitaries.

According to an official statement, Shah will inaugurate the newly upgraded Lachit Barphukan Police Academy, Dergaon on March 15.

The Home Minister will also visit Mizoram on March 15, before returning to Assam for other events.

The Home Minister will attend the final session of the 57th Annual Conference of the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) in Kokrajhar of Assam on March 16. The Annual Conference of ABSU will be taking place from March 13 to 16 at Bodofa Fwthar area in Kokrajhar district.

“This conference is dedicated to Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma, as Dotma is his birthplace. The gathering will bring together policymakers, educators, and community leaders for discussions on education, youth development, and long-term progress,” the official statement read.

The conference aims to advance the Mission Quality Education Movement 2030 by reinforcing efforts to strengthen academic frameworks and skill-building opportunities.

The Education and Youth Conclave will focus on strategies to empower students and professionals, while experts will analyse the impact of NEP 2020 on regional learning.

Dipen Boro, President of ABSU, emphasised the importance of the event, stating, “This gathering is a step toward progress, bringing together ideas that can drive real change. Education and empowerment go hand in hand, shaping a future where opportunities are accessible to all.”

“With leaders, experts, and thinkers joining hands, meaningful discussions will lead to concrete steps forward. This is not a mere conference, it is a platform for collaboration, ensuring that the voices of students, professionals, and policymakers contribute to lasting results,” Boro added.

The four-day event will feature sports tournaments, literary contests, a cultural evening, and an exhibition-cum-book fair showcasing Bodo heritage.

While underlining the platform as an important bridge between ‘aspiration and action’, the statement added, “Beyond discussions, the conference will serve as a bridge between aspirations and action. While leaders and policymakers set the agenda, the real impact will be seen in the years ahead as ideas turn into initiatives, commitments translate into results, and a collective vision transforms into reality.” (ANI)

At least five people were injured after a clash was reported inside the Golden Temple premises in Amritsar on Friday. Doctors said that one victim was in serious condition and admitted to ICU.

An assailant attacked people with an iron rod in Shri Guru Ramdas Sarai which is a lodging facility for pilgrims.

The assailant was identified as Zulfan and was handed over to the police later.

Kotwali SHO Sarmel Singh said, “Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has handed over a person named Zulfan to the police. There was a clash inside the Golden Temple premises, and people of both sides suffered injuries. The workers of SGPC have also been injured. Action will be taken according to law.” 

The patients were admitted to Guru Ramdas Hospital in Amritsar. The hospital is run by the SGPC.

Dr Jasmeet Singh said, “As per the statements given to us by the patients, an unknown assailant assaulted the victims with a rod. Five patients were sent to us, out of which one is serious and is in the ICU. He has been given stitches. Once he becomes stable, CT Scan would be conducted. The other four are in stable condition.” (ANI)

Holi and Ramzan Friday prayers have concluded peacefully in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh with people cooperating with the administration to avoid untoward incidents, an official said.

“As per the orders, everything was followed properly and the things were managed. There was peace. Holi and Namaz both concluded properly. Force was present everywhere,” Rajendra Pensia, District Magistrate, Sambhal told ANI.

“Everyone cooperated. Friendship and amity were displayed here,” he added.

Amidst Holi celebrations in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal, Circle Officer Anuj Chowdhary led a flag march along with other police personnel to ensure the law and order situation in the district.

Circle Officer Chaudhary said that the police were monitoring the situation through foot patrolling and drone surveillance. “We are conducting foot-patrolling and drone surveillance”, he told ANI on Friday.

Other than police, paramilitary forces also conducted a flag march in Sambhal, whereas the administration is using drones for proper monitoring of the situation in the district.

Sambhal was affected by violence in November last year.

“All are happy, and they are playing Holi by applying colours to one another. We are getting cooperation from everyone,” the District Magistrate said.

Earlier, Sambhal MP Zia ur Rehman Barq urged people of all communities to maintain peace and harmony ahead of the Jumma and Holi celebrations.

He appealed to Hindus to celebrate Holi with enthusiasm while being mindful of mosques and requested Muslims to offer prayers at nearby mosques and avoid areas where the festival of colours is being celebrated if they prefer.

Posting his appeal on social media on Thursday, Rehman wrote, “I request everyone that the holy month of Ramzan Sharif is going on, and tomorrow is Friday. It is also the festival of Holi. I request the Muslim brothers to offer prayers at the nearest mosque and avoid going to a place where colours are thrown. I also request the Hindu brothers to celebrate their festival with joy and enthusiasm while taking care of our mosques and people.”

Rehman emphasised that his call for peace was not out of fear of the police but to promote communal harmony and the progress of the city.

“I appeal to both communities not to do anything that hurts anyone’s sentiments. I am saying this not out of fear of the police, administration, or government but for the sake of mutual brotherhood, peace and the progress of the city, state, and country,” he wrote. (ANI)

Shraddha Kapoor wrapped up her Holi celebrations on “meetha” note as she gorged on mouth-watering gujiyas.

Taking to Instagram Story, the ‘Aashiqui 2’ star shared a picture in which she can be seen flaunting her million-dollar smile as she could not wait to dig in the sweet.

“Aise hui happy holi,” she captioned the post.

Gujiyas, also known as Karanjis, are among the most common sweets that are prepared in every Indian household during this festival. It is stuffed with Khoya and made crispy by deep-frying it. It’s a signature Holi dish.

If you want homemade gujiyas, you can easily prepare them with coconut, sugar, or jaggery and crushed dry fruits.

Recently, Chhappan Bhog, a sweet shop in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, made history by entering into India’s Book of Records for making the world’s largest Gujiya, weighing 6 kg and measuring 25 inches.

The gujiya is named ‘Baahubali Gujiya’ by this Lucknow sweet shop in their menu. Pramil Dwivedi, the official Executor of the India Book of Records, confirmed that Chhappan Bhog has been listed in the record book for making the largest gujiya in the world. (ANI)