Month: April 2025

Golfer Pranavi Urs faltered in the second round at the weather-hot Joburg Ladies Open but made the 36-hole cut alongside Diksha Dagar, who turned in an even par round in the second round.

Diksha (71-73) and Pranavi (70-77) were positioned at T-22 and T-56th, respectively, at the Par-73 Modderfontein Golf Club on Saturday.

Things did not turn out too well for the other two Indians, Avani Prashanth (77-74) and Tvesa Malik (77-79) and they missed the cut.

After the suspension of round two, like it happened on a day ago, the Joburg Ladies Open resumed at a later start time of 10 am (local time). It was a wet week after heavy rainfall and a flooded course caused the tournament to be reduced to 54 holes.

England’s Mimi Rhodes leads the way, having completed the second round over two days. The rookie started the day five holes in, with Saturday seeing a bogey-free day, with a further four birdies rolling in, taking her round two score to 12-under par.

For Pranavi, it has been a strange week. When play was first suspended on the first day she was 5-under through 13 holes, but when play resumed the following day she added a birdie to go 6-under. Then there was a reversal of fortunes as she had three bogeys in a row and ended with a round of 70. In the second round, she had four birdies, five birdies and a triple bogey in an action-packed up-and-down round. She carded 77 but made the cut on the line.

Diksha had a bogey-free first round with 2 birdies and no bogeys. In the second round she had one birdie and two bogeys on the front nine and then eight straight pars before closing the round with a birdie on the 18th for an even par round. She was T-22.

If Mimi Rhodes wins, this will make back-to-back wins for the 23-year-old, having won her maiden LET win at the Ford Women’s NSW Open in Australia two weeks ago. This would make it a dream season start for the rookie.

Only one shot back is South Africa’s Casandra Alexander at nine under par, and she sits on T2 alongside Ireland’s Lauren Walsh.

Sitting two shots back is rookie Kajsa Arwefjall, who also had a great front nine, with five birdies, carding seven-under par.

After 36 holes of action following a week of uncertainty in Joburg, 64 players made the cut, which fell at one-over-par. (ANI)

Actress Isha Koppikar visited Mata Vaishno Devi Temple to offer her prayers to Goddess Vaishno Devi on the occasion of Ram Navami.

The ‘Don’ actress wished her fans ‘Happy Navmi’ on the occasion. She called herself fortunate to visit the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple on the auspicious last day of Navaratri.

While talking to ANI, actress Koppikar said, “We are very fortunate to come visit this place on the day of Navami during Navratri. The blessings from Vaishno Devi to all of you. Jai Mata”

For the holy visit, the actress was seen wearing a pink cloth and sunglasses. She complimented her outfit with beautiful circular earrings.

Devotees arrived in large numbers at the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple to offer prayers on the occasion of Navami, the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri.

The arrangements for the visitors were also top-notch at the Vaishno Devi Temple. The temple’s Shrine Board also introduced a smart locker system during the Navratri period, which received positive feedback.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Anshul Garg, said the board said that over 50,000 devotees benefitted from the langar services in nine days and that cleanliness was also prioritised during the festivities.

Speaking to ANI, CEO Garg said, “The board always tries to provide better facilities to the devotees. This time, we started a smart locker system, and we received good feedback…”

“Over the past nine days, more than 50,000 devotees have benefitted from the ‘langar’ services. The decorations along the pilgrimage route, combined with the cleanliness drive organised by the board, were well-received and contributed to a truly rewarding experience,” he said.

Ram Navmi is celebrated all over India every year on the last day of Chaitra Navaratri to mark the birth of Lord Rama. On this auspicious day, young girls, representing the nine forms of the goddess Durga, are offered gifts and prasad. (ANI)

On the occasion of Ram Navami on Sunday, the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya witnessed the ‘Surya Tilak’ illuminating the forehead of Ram Lalla.

The ‘Surya Tilak’ occurred exactly at noon when a beam of sunlight precisely directed on the forehead idol of Ram Lalla and formed a celestial tilak.

Visuals showed priests offering prayers to Ram Lalla during the Surya Tilak.

Earlier in the day, large crowds gathered at the temples across Uttar Pradesh in Ayodhya and Sambhal.

Authorities heightened security across different zones, with drone surveillance and zonal arrangements to manage the large influx of pilgrims.

Speaking to ANI, Ayodhya Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajkaran Nayyar said, “A large number of devotees are arriving on the occasion of Ram Navami. We have divided the areas into different zones. Drones are being used for crowd management and security purposes.

“In a recent development, additional SP Madhuban Singh said on the arrangements at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple.

“People come in large numbers to offer prayers on the occasion of Ram Navami…Police personnel have been deployed in large numbers to ensure the safety and security of devotees…Proper parking arrangements have also been made,” he said.

In Sambhal, too, security personnel were deployed in large numbers at temples and nearby areas, and officials monitored the situation closely through surveillance systems.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended the greetings of ‘Ram Navami’ and wished for fresh enthusiasm in the lives of countrymen.

Taking to X, PM Modi said, “Heartfelt greetings to all countrymen on the occasion of Ram Navami. May this holy and sacred occasion of Lord Shri Ram’s birth festival bring new consciousness and fresh enthusiasm into all your lives and continuously provide new energy to the resolve of a strong, prosperous, and capable India. Jai Shri Ram!” (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the New Pambam Bridge in Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, on Sunday.

The 2.07-kilometre-long New Pamban Bridge, spanning the Palk Strait in Tamil Nadu, stands as a testament to India’s engineering prowess and visionary infrastructure development.

PM Modi, along with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi, flagged off the first train traversing the sea bridge.

A demonstration of the bridge’s functionality showcased its capabilities, with visuals from the area capturing key moments– Indian Coast Guard (ICG) boat successfully navigated under the bridge, highlighting its clearance and waterway accessibility. Following the boat’s passage, a train traversed the bridge, demonstrating its structural integrity and rail connectivity.

Earlier today, as Union Minister Vaishnaw raised the BJP flag at the Pambam Bridge, he congratulated the party workers on the party’s foundation day.

“The resolve of Antyodaya and the spirit of ‘Nation First, Always First’.. Heartfelt congratulations to all workers on the foundation day of the Bharatiya Janata Party,” Vaishnaw’s post read.

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi also visited the Swamy temple in Rameswaram ahead of the inauguration of the bridge.

The bridge’s story traces back to 1914, when British engineers constructed the original Pamban bridge. A cantilever (a long piece of metal or wood that extends from a wall to support the end of a bridge) structure with a Scherzer Rolling Lift span to connect Rameswaram Island with mainland India. However, the new bridge, sanctioned in 2019, is 3 meters higher than the existing one, improving sea connectivity.

The bridge has served as a lifeline for pilgrims, tourists and trade. “However, the harsh marine environment and growing transportation demands necessitated a modern solution. In 2019, the Central government sanctioned the construction of a technologically advanced, future-ready replacement,” read the Ministry’s statement.

The New Pamban Bridge was constructed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Railways. RVNL has ensured the bridge met higher speed, load, and maritime requirements. This new bridge enhances connectivity while showcasing India’s infrastructure capabilities in safety, durability, and innovation.

While the new Pamban Bridge is India’s first vertical lift sea bridge, it shares similarities with other globally recognized bridges known for their technological advancements and unique designs.

The ministry said that these include the Golden Gate Bridge in the United States, Tower Bridge in London, and the Oresund Bridge in Denmark-Sweden. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to the workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the occasion of the party’s Foundation Day on Sunday.

In a post on the social media platform X, the Prime Minister wrote that the day made the party reiterate its unparalleled commitment to working towards the country’s progress.

The PM further wrote that the people of the country also saw the good governance of the party, which had been reflected in the historic mandates received in the years gone by.

“Greetings to all@BJP4IndiaKaryakartas on the Party’s Sthapana Diwas. We recall all those who devoted themselves to strengthening our Party over the last several decades. This important day makes us reiterate our unparalleled commitment to work towards India’s progress and realise the dream of a Viksit Bharat,” the post read.

Emphasising the public’s endorsement of the BJP’s governance, he wrote, “The people of India are seeing the good governance agenda of our Party, which is also reflected in the historic mandates we’ve received in the years gone by, be it in the Lok Sabha elections, Assembly elections across different states and various local body polls across the nation. Our Governments will continue serving society and ensuring all-around development. “

Terming the workers of the party as the ‘backbone’, the PM wrote in his post that he was proud in the way the Karyakartas were working around the clock in every part of the nation and serving the poor, downtrodden and marganalised people.

“My best wishes to all our hardworking Karyakartas, the backbone of our Party, as they actively work on the ground and elaborate on our good governance agenda. I am proud of the manner in which our Karyakartas are working round the clock, in every part of the nation and serving the poor, downtrodden as well as marginalised. Their energy and enthusiasm are truly motivating,’ the post further read.

The BJP was originally founded as the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951 under the leadership of Syama Prasad Mookerjee.

The party gained significant momentum under leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani, eventually rising to power in the 1990s. It has remained a dominant force in Indian politics since then. (ANI)

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) is set to challenge the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Supreme Court, with Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha and party leader Fayaz Ahmed filing a petition on behalf of the party.

The duo will approach the apex court tomorrow, Monday, to contest the bill’s provisions, which they argue could have significant implications for the management of Waqf properties.

The Waqf Amendment Bill has sparked controversy across political circles, with several opposition parties opposing it.

Earlier, the Congress Party had also initiated their legal battle against the bill in the Supreme Court, expressing concerns over its potential impact on the management and oversight of Waqf properties in India.

Congress MP Mohammad Jawed, on April 4, approached the Supreme Court challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, saying it was discriminatory towards the Muslim community and violates their fundamental rights.

The plea said the bill discriminates against the Muslim community by imposing restrictions that are not present in the governance of other religious endowments.

Javed was also a member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

The petition filed through advocate Anas Tanwir has contended that the bill violates Article 14 (right to equality), 25 (freedom to practice religion), 26 (freedom to manage religious affairs), 29 (minority rights) and 300A (right to property) of the Constitution

“The bill imposes arbitrary restrictions on Waqf properties and their management, thereby undermining the religious autonomy of the Muslim community,” it added.

According to the plea, the bill introduces restrictions on the creation of Waqf based on the duration of one’s religious practice.

On April 4, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen Chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi also approached the Supreme Court against the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday confirmed that the party will not approach the Supreme Court against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, indicating that the matter is closed as far as the party is concerned.

Speaking to the media, Raut said, “No. We have done our work. We have said what we had to say and made our decision. This file is closed for us now,” Raut said.

On Friday he strongly criticised the Waqf Amendment Bill passed by the Parliament, calling it a move akin to trade or business rather than a genuine effort to protect Muslim interests

The bill passed in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha now awaits President Droupadi Murmu’s assent to become an act.

In a post on X, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board vowed to hold protests nationwide against the Bill.

“The government’s stance regarding the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 is regrettable. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board will soon undertake nationwide protests and legal action against the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025,” the AIMPLB said.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan approached the Supreme Court (SC) on Saturday, challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025.

The Bill passed in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha now awaits President Droupadi Murmu’s assent to become an Act. After two days of heated debate in both houses of Parliament, the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 was passed.

AAP MLA Khan contends that the Bill curtails the religious and cultural autonomy of Muslims, enables arbitrary executive interference, and undermines minority rights to manage their religious and charitable institutions.

According to the petition, the amendments affect core aspects of waqf law, including the definition, creation, registration, governance, dispute resolution, and alienation of waqf properties.

The Association for Protection of Civil Rights, an NGO, has also filed a petition in the Supreme Court opposing the Bill.

President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was passed by Parliament during the budget session. The President also gave her assent to the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2025, which was also passed by Parliament.

The Law Ministry notifications, issued on Saturday, said that the President has given her assent to the two bills.

The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill on Friday with 128 votes in favour and 95 against, while the Lok Sabha cleared the bill after a lengthy debate, with 288 members voting in favour and 232 opposing it.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill of 2025 was a “watershed moment” and that this would help the marginalised, who have been “denied both voice and opportunity.”

“The passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill by both Houses of Parliament marks a watershed moment in our collective quest for socio-economic justice, transparency and inclusive growth. This will particularly help those who have long remained on the margins, thus being denied both voice and opportunity,” PM Modi said in a post on X.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was passed. It seeks to focus on improving the management of waqf properties, empowering stakeholders relevant to this, improving the efficiency of the survey, registration, and case disposal process, and developing waqf properties.

While the core purpose remains to manage waqf properties, the aim is to implement modern and scientific methods for better governance. The Mussalman Wakf Act of 1923 was also repealed.

The bill, first introduced in August last year, was revised following recommendations by a Joint Parliamentary Committee. It amends the original Waqf Act of 1995, aiming to streamline the administration of Waqf properties across India. Key features include improving the registration process and incorporating technology to enhance the efficiency of Waqf board operations.

The bill aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards, improving the registration process and increasing the role of technology in managing Waqf records. (ANI)

Scores of devotees thronged Ayodhya’s Ram Temple on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami on Sunday morning.

Before visiting the temple, devotees take a holy dip in the Saryu River in Ayodhya.

Ram Navmi is celebrated all over India every year on the last day of Chaitra Navaratri to mark the birth of Lord Rama. On this auspicious day, young girls, representing the nine forms of the goddess Durga, are offered gifts and prasad.

The Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya was adorned with vibrant flowers and dazzling lights on Ram Navami, drawing devotees from across the country to celebrate Lord Ram’s birth.

One devotee said, “…I am feeling very good after coming here…The arrangements here are very good…”

Another devotee from Varanasi said, “I have come from Varanasi to offer prayers at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple on the occasion of Ram Navami…”

Speaking on the arrangements at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, Additional SP Madhuban Singh said, “People come in large numbers to offer prayers on the occasion of Ram Navami…Police personnel have been deployed in large numbers to ensure the safety and security of devotees…Proper parking arrangements have also been made…”

Meanwhile, the Jhandewalan Temple in Delhi was illuminated and beautifully decorated on the ninth day of Chaitra.

A devotee at the Jhandewalan Temple shared their experience, saying, “I offered prayers at the Jhandewalan temple for the first time and I am feeling very good and peaceful.”

Another devotee expressed delight at the arrangements, stating, “The arrangements at the temple are very good, and Mata Rani is blessing all the devotees.”

The morning Aarti was also held at Chhatarpur’s Shri Aadya Katyayani Shaktipith Mandir in the national capital on Ram Navami. (ANI)

Comedian Samay Raina appeared before the Guwahati Crime Branch on Saturday in connection with the case filed against him for allegedly promoting obscenity and vulgar content through his YouTube show ‘India’s Got Latent. ‘

The alleged accused, Samay Raina, earlier informed the Guwahati Police that he wouldn’t be able to appear before them as he was out of India for his comedy tour.

On Saturday, Samay visited the Guwahati Crime Branch to record his statement by the investigating officer.

While talking to ANI, Ankur Jain, Joint Police Commissioner, Guwahati, said that police questioned Samay Raina and recorded his statement in connection to the case.

On February 10, Guwahati Police had registered an FIR against certain YouTubers and social Influencers, namely Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, Apoorva Makhija, Ranveer Allahbadia, Samay Raina and others for promoting obscenity and engaging in sexually explicit and vulgar discussion in a show titled “India’s Got Latent”.

Guwahati Crime Branch had registered a case vide Cyber PS case no 03/2025 under sections – 79/95/294/296 of BNS 2023 read with Sec 67 of IT Act, 2000, read with Section 4/7 of Cinematograph Act 1952 read with Section 4/6 of Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.

Earlier, Youtuber Ashish Chanchlani, who is also one of the alleged accused in the case, along with influencer Apoorva Makhija, podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, comedian Samay Raina and others, also appeared before the Guwahati Crime Branch to record his statement.

In light of the ongoing legal issues, Raina recently made a decision to reschedule his India tour. He took to Instagram to share the news, assuring fans that refunds would be provided for tickets.

“Hello guys, I am rescheduling my India tour. You all will get the refunds shortly, see you soon,” he wrote.

Joint Police Commissioner Ankur Jain confirmed that notices had been served to several individuals named in the FIR, including Raina, Chanchlani, Allahbadia, and others.

“We have served notices, but they have not complied yet. We are looking into the matter as per legal procedure and will take action accordingly,” Jain said.

Similarly, Rakesh Sawant, who also appeared on India’s Got Latent, was summoned by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell, appearing to record her statement on February 27.

The show came under intense scrutiny after controversial remarks were made by Ranveer Allahbadia during a recent episode.

Allahbadia’s comment about a contestant involving their parents quickly went viral and was met with widespread criticism on social media.

The podcaster later issued a public apology, acknowledging that his comments were not only inappropriate but lacked humour.

“My comment wasn’t just inappropriate, it wasn’t even funny. Comedy is not my forte, I am just here to say sorry,” Allahbadia said in his apology.

He also addressed concerns about his influence on younger audiences, promising to use his platform more responsibly in the future. “Family is the last thing that I would ever disrespect,” he added. (ANI)