Suniel Screams With Joy On India’s Historic Win

Team India brought smiles to the faces of cricket lovers with their historic win against England at The Oval on Monday, levelling the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy series.

Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty, who was present at the stadium on Day 5 of the match, literally screamed with joy when fast bowler Mohammed Siraj took England’s last wicket to seal a miracle win.

Taking to Instagram, Suniel and Ahan Shetty dropped several videos in which the father-son duo can be seen celebrating India’s win.

Suniel’s son-in-law, KL Rahul, delivered an amazing performance throughout the series. KL ended as the third-highest run-getter in the series, with 532 runs in 10 innings at an average of 53.20, with two centuries and two fifties. His best score was 137.

With this win, the Shubman Gill-led Team India has started the new era with immense promise, drawing the series 2-2.

After England opted to bowl first, India was skittled out for 224, with a Karun Nair fifty being a standout. Zak Crawley and Harry Brook fifties took England to 247, giving them a slender 23-run lead with four-fer each from Siraj and Krishna.

A much better batting display, with standout century from Yashasvi Jaiswal took India to 396, giving them a 373 runs lead. At one point on day four, England was 317/4 thanks to centuries from Root and Brook, but a late surge by pacers Siraj, Krishna and Akash Deep gave India one of their finest Test wins, with Siraj taking a five-wicket haul to cap off a memorable series.

The first session of day five started with England at 339/6, with Jamie Overton (0) and Jamie Smith (2) unbeaten. The day could not have started on a much worse note for India, as Prasidh Krishna conceded two boundaries in two successive balls to start off. However, the Indians got a major lift, with Jamie nicking one to Dhruv Jurel, falling to Mohammed Siraj for just two runs in 20 balls.

England was 347/7 and Siraj got his third wicket. However, England crossed the 350-run mark in 78.4 overs. Siraj produced another breakthrough, removing Overton for nine off 17 balls, trapping him leg-before-wicket. England was eight down at 354, with the pacer getting his fourth scalp. Josh Tongue survived a close lbw call on a Prasidh delivery as the ball missed the leg stump.

However, he ended up becoming Prasidh’s fourth victim after all, cleaned up for a 12-ball duck, courtesy of a superb yorker that left his stumps in a mess. England was 357/9, and a slinged-up, injured Chris Woakes came out to bat. Gus Atkinson released the pressure, with a massive six, with Akash Deep missing out on a catch.

England needed 11 runs to win. The deficit came down to eight runs, with Atkinson taking a couple. Another single reduced the target to seven and most importantly, kept an injured Woakes off strike. Siraj took the fifth and final wicket, pulling off a miraculous win for India. (ANI)

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

No Dispute Between Marathi- Non-Marathi In M’rashtra: Fadnavis

Amid tensions over the language row, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday that there is no dispute between the Marathi and Hindi-speaking communities and warned against those trying to stoke tensions.

“I would like to advise Nishikant Dubey not to get involved in this dispute because some people deliberately want to discuss this dispute, and his speech gives them the strength to dispute. There is no such dispute between Marathi and non-Marathi in Maharashtra,” said CM Fadnavis at a press conference.

He further emphasised that Mumbai has always been a melting pot of communities.

“There is no such controversy in Mumbai either. In Mumbai, Marathi and non-Marathi people live together. They have been living together for many generations. There has never been any enmity or wrangling between them,” he added, urging people to stay away from the language row, calling it “a trap.”

Fadnavis’ remarks come in the wake of comments by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who condemned incidents of violence against Hindi-speaking people in Maharashtra, and criticised the now-withdrawn three-language policy introduced by the state government.

“I am saying this again, I stand by my statements. This nation is diverse, and all its people have a strong affection for their region…If Maharashtra is part of this country, then anyone can be settled anywhere in it. But they beat up those who are Hindi language speakers…Even today, only 31-32 per cent of Marathi speakers live in Mumbai…I accept that Maharashtra has a huge contribution to the economy, I have huge respect for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” he said.

The controversy in the State began with a government resolution (GR) issued on April 16 mandating the introduction of Hindi as a third language for students from Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English medium schools. The move drew sharp criticism, with many accusing the state government of attempting to impose Hindi.

Amid mounting pressure, CM Fadnavis announced the withdrawal of the April 16 GR in early July.

The first GR had made Hindi a compulsory third language, while the second one made it optional. The policy has since been scrapped. (ANI)

MEA Slams Trump’s Tariff Threat Over Russian Oil As ‘Unjustified’

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday came out strongly in defence of the country’s decision to import oil from Russia, despite criticism from the United States and European Union.

According to the MEA, India’s imports from Russia are driven by necessity and aimed at ensuring predictable and affordable energy costs for Indian consumers.

The MEA described the criticism of India’s trade policy as “unjustified and unreasonable,” asserting that India will take necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that India’s crude imports from Russia were prompted by disruptions in traditional supply chains after the conflict in Ukraine began.

The MEA emphasised that New Delhi’s energy imports are a sovereign decision driven by national interest and market realities.

“The targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable. Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,” the MEA statement read.

“India has been targeted by the United States and the European Union for importing oil from Russia after the commencement of the Ukraine conflict. In fact, India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict. The United States at that time actively encouraged such imports by India for strengthening global energy market stability,” it added.

The MEA further noted that the European Union had a bilateral trade of EUR67.5 billion in goods and EUR17.2 billion in services with Russia in 2023, significantly more than India’s total trade with Russia. The EU’s LNG imports from Russia reached a record 16.5 million tonnes in 2024.

Moreover, the US continues to import uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its electric vehicle industry, fertilisers, and chemicals from Russia, read MEA release.

India’s energy import strategy prioritises energy security and affordability. The country has diversified its energy imports, increasing reliance on countries like Russia to meet its growing energy demands.

The MEA’s response came after President Trump, in a post on Truth Social, accused India of buying “massive amounts” of Russian oil and reselling it for profit, claiming this undermined efforts to end the Ukraine conflict and, as a result, he would “substantially raise the tariff paid by India to the USA”.

The MEA, in the statement, stressed that these imports are guided by the need to ensure predictable and affordable energy prices for its citizens, while noting that Western nations criticising India are themselves engaged in far larger trade with Russia, despite no such compelling energy insecurity.

“India’s imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. They are a necessity compelled by the global market situation. However, it is revealing that the very nations criticising India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion,” the statement read. (ANI)

Rani Kapur Seeks UK Probe Into Son Sunjay’s Death

In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing feud within the influential Sona Comstar family, the mysterious death of Sunjay Kapur has now triggered international scrutiny. Rani Kapur, Sunjay’s mother and former Chairperson of Sona Comstar, has formally approached UK authorities, seeking a comprehensive probe into the unexplained circumstances surrounding her son’s death in London.

Sources connected with the matter confirmed that an official criminal complaint has been filed with UK authorities. The complaint–lodged by Rani Kapur–calls into question the nature of Sunjay Kapur’s sudden demise, pointing to what she describes as “mysterious circumstances,” and appeals for urgent intervention by British law enforcement.

“The developments surrounding Sunjay’s death are deeply concerning,” a person close to the family said, noting that immediate and thorough action from UK authorities has been sought.

Adding an international dimension to the unfolding saga, a source confirmed that authorities in the United States are already monitoring the situation, given that Sunjay Kapur was a US national.

In a rare and emotional video interview with ANI — her first public statement since her son’s death — Rani Kapur broke her silence, expressing her anguish, unanswered questions, and growing concern over the future of the company she co-founded with her late husband. “I still don’t know what happened to my son,” she said, her voice trembling. “I’m old now. I need closure before I go.”

Reflecting on the formative years of Sona Comstar, she recalled the sacrifices and vision that built the company. “I remember the early days of Sona–built with care, sacrifice, and love,” she shared, suggesting a continuing emotional and moral stake in the company’s legacy. Her remarks also subtly counter the company’s claim that she has had no involvement in its affairs since 2019.

While Sona Comstar has asserted that Rani Kapur has neither direct nor indirect involvement in the company since that year, her statements appear to contest that narrative. “I am here to remind the world that our family’s legacy must not be lost. It must be passed on, as my husband always wanted it to be,” she stated.

Due to her advancing age and fragile health, Rani Kapur said she would refrain from further public comment. “My legal team will address everything necessary,” she said, indicating that future developments would proceed through legal channels.

The dispute escalated when Sona BLW Precision Forgings Ltd, the listed arm of the group, issued a sharp rebuttal. In a regulatory filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), the company dismissed Rani Kapur’s claims as “baseless” and “legally untenable,” reiterating that she holds no position or authority within the organization.

Before her public appearance, Rani Kapur had reportedly addressed a letter to the board, alleging that she was coerced into signing documents behind locked doors shortly after her son’s death–an episode she described as “highly suspicious.” She further claimed she was denied access to her own bank accounts and left financially dependent on a few individuals. According to her, no one was authorized to represent the Kapur family on the board. Despite her request to postpone the Annual General Meeting, the company proceeded with it as scheduled.

In response, Sona Comstar has served Rani Kapur with a legal notice, demanding she cease spreading what the company calls “false and damaging information.” The notice strongly refutes her allegations of mismanagement and coercion, calling them “malafide, false, unwarranted, and uncorroborated.” (ANI)

Banke Bihari Temple: SC Plans Panel To Manage Temple Affairs

The Supreme Court on Monday proposed the constitution of an interim committee by a former High Court judge to oversee the management of the Shri Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, Mathura.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi questioned Uttar Pradesh over its “tearing hurry” in promulgating the Shri Bankey Bihari Temple Trust Ordinance, 2025, for taking over the management of the temple.

In a dispute between the temple and a Uttar Pradesh government ordinance about the proposed redevelopment of a corridor using Rs 500 crore from temple funds, Justice Kant said, “Lord Krishna was the first mediator… please try to mediate the matter.”

Proposing that a committee can oversee the management of the temple, the bench said that first, the constitutional validity of the UP government Ordinance has to be decided by the Allahabad High Court.

The temple rituals will continue as before, said the bench. It proposed that the Collector and other authorities will also be a part of the committee, and the ASI can also be associated with the committee for a holistic development of the region.

The bench also orally proposed to recall the directions in the May 15 judgment, which allowed the government to use the temple funds for the corridor.

Hearing the petitions challenging the Ordinance, the apex court adjourned the hearing for August 5 to enable Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj to get instructions from the government on the proposals made by it.

The 2025 UP Ordinance is stated to vest the temple administration with a statutory trust. According to it, the management of the temple and the responsibility of facilities for the devotees shall be handled by the ‘Shri Banke Bihari Ji Mandir Nyas’.

As per Ordinance, 11 trustees shall be nominated, with a maximum of 7 members serving as ex-officio. Government and non-government members must adhere to Sanatan Dharma.

Earlier, the top court had slammed the Uttar Pradesh government for “hijacking” the litigation between two private parties over management of the Shri Banke Bihari temple.

The apex court was also hearing a petition filed by Devendra Nath Goswami seeking the modification of its order permitting the Uttar Pradesh government to utilise funds from the Shri Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan to purchase five acres of land around the temple for corridor development.

Goswami has said that he was a “lineal descendant” of the temple’s founder, Swami Hari Das Goswami, and his family had been managing the affairs of the sacred temple for the last 500 years.

The plea said he was actively involved in managing the temple’s daily religious and administrative affairs.

Filing the plea, he said the implementation of the proposed redevelopment project was practically unfeasible, and any attempt to redevelop the temple premises without the involvement and inputs of those who were historically and operationally associated with the temple’s functioning was likely to result in administrative chaos.

On May 15, the top court had permitted the state to use the Trust’s fund and also allowed the use of Sri Banke Bihari Temple Trust’s fixed deposits after taking into note the state government’s Rs. 500 crore development plan for the corridor.

The apex court had modified the order of the Allahabad High Court, which had prohibited the purchase of land around the temple using its funds.

The top court had taken into note the records placed by the government regarding the proposed scheme for the development of the temple.

The apex court’s approval of the state government’s development plan for the Shri Banke Bihari Temple Corridor had come particularly in light of incidents such as the 2022 stampede at the Banke Bihari Temple.

The top court had also taken note of maladministration in temples in the Braj region and emphasised that effective temple governance is not only a legal requirement but also a matter of public and spiritual welfare. (ANI)

‘Stricter Laws Needed To Regulate Online Content For Children, Underage Users’

Reena Singh, a working woman & a mother from Lucknow, welcomes the decision of ban OTT platforms streaming pornographic content and calls for stricter laws. Her views:

With so much variety and vulnerability available on the internet and social media, it is a next to impossible task to keep a check on youths especially on growing and teenage children. The government’s decision of banning these 25 OTT platforms is a welcome step but what I think that these were just like a taking out a drop of water from an enormous ocean – No doubt the government, in the recent past, has come up with some new laws and punishment for the offenders but there still remain many loopholes and such content could be easily searched and found on the internet.

The action indeed is justified as it protects a vulnerable section of the society (particularly women and children) as early exposure to such content is a distortion in the understanding of healthy relationships and sexuality. Obscenity is dangerous – it not only erodes the moral values and culture that form the foundation of our society but it is also responsible for the degradation of social norms and values particularly among impressionable youths.

The decision to block these OTT well reflects our determination to ensure that technological progress doesn’t come at the cost of social values and human dignity and it is in tune with the constitutional vision of building a society based on justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.

ALSO READ: ‘I Worry About Normalisation of Vulgarity, Its Impact On Children’

Recently, Australia announced that children below 16 will soon be banned from using social media due to its harmful effects on them – can’t we, at least, take a similar stand – by implementing a data protection law that would mandate parental consent for children under 18 when they join social media, OTT/video, and online gaming platforms?

A recent survey has also revealed that children aged between 9 to 17 years are spending between three to six hours on various social media platforms (or on the mobile at least) with many of them exceeding six hours. The survey also revealed that 66 per cent parents are in favour of a law requiring parental consent to join/view/participate in social media and other platforms on the internet and, or, implementing mandatory parental consent through Aadhar authentication.

Many parents are also in the habit of handing over a mobile phone to their children (at very young age – 3 to 4 years and above) just to prevent them from creating ruckus just to avoid any kind of disturbance to them. Is this, by any justification, fair?

It is high time that we, as parents and as a responsible society, realize the potential adverse consequences of excessive use of social media, OTT, and gaming among children and adolescents. This should be prioritized as an important public health concern with an urgent need to create awareness and invest in prevention-oriented strategies. For this, everyone, parents, governments, societies, schools, colleges, etc., need to come on board to make meaningful change.

As told to Rajat Rai

Miracle in London: Siraj, Krishna Star As India Edge England By Six Runs To Level Series

In an absolute humdinger of a contest, inspirational spells from Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna helped India draw the five-match series against England, denying the hosts a series win, beating them by six runs while defending 374 runs, in an absolute thriller at The Oval on Monday. 

With this win, the Shubman Gill-led Team India has started the new era with immense promise, drawing the series 2-2. After England opted to bowl first, India was skittled out for 224, with a Karun Nair fifty being a standout. Zak Crawley and Harry Brook fifties took England to 247, giving them a slender 23-run lead with four-fer each from Siraj and Krishna. A much better batting display, with standout century from Yashasvi Jaiswal took India to 396, giving them a 373 runs lead. At one point on day four, England was 317/4 thanks to centuries from Root and Brook, but a late surge by pacers Siraj, Krishna and Akash Deep gave India one of their finest Test wins, with Siraj taking a five-wicket haul to cap off a memorable series.

The first session of day five started with England at 339/6, with Jamie Overton (0) and Jamie Smith (2) unbeaten. The day could not have started on a much worse note for India, as Prasidh Krishna conceded two boundaries in two successive balls to start off.

However, the Indians got a major lift, with Jamie nicking one to Dhruv Jurel, falling to Mohammed Siraj for just two runs in 20 balls. England was 347/7 and Siraj got his third wicket.

However, England crossed the 350-run mark in 78.4 overs.

Siraj produced another breakthrough, removing Overton for nine off 17 balls, trapping him leg-before-wicket. England was eight down at 354, with the pacer getting his fourth scalp.

Josh Tongue survived a close lbw call on a Prasidh delivery as the ball missed the leg stump. However, he ended up becoming Prasidh’s fourth victim after all, cleaned up for a 12-ball duck, courtesy of a superb yorker that left his stumps in a mess. England was 357/9, and a slinged-up, injured Chris Woakes came out to bat.

Gus Atkinson released the pressure, with a massive six, with Akash Deep missing out on a catch. England needed 11 runs to win. The deficit came down to eight runs, with Atkinson taking a couple. Another single reduced the target to seven and most importantly, kept an injured Woakes off strike.

Siraj took the fifth and final wicket, pulling off a miraculous win for India.

Siraj (5/104) and Krishna (4/126) toil paid off, as the series was levelled.

At the end of day four’s play, England was 339/6, with Jamie Overton (0) and Jamie Smith (2) unbeaten. England still needed 35 runs to win, with uncertainty over Chris Woakes coming to bat or not after a shoulder injury. Wickets from Akash Deep and Prasidh towards the end and a relentless spell from Siraj towards the end of the session give India fans some hope that India will make the Three Lions toil really hard for these remaining runs.

England kick-started the second session at 164/3, with Joe Root (23) and Harry Brook (38) unbeaten. Brook started the session positively, getting two boundaries against Prasidh Krishna in the first over itself. Brook reached his 14th Test fifty in 39 balls, with six fours and two sixes.

England’s attacking intent continued to pay dividends as they reached the 200-run mark in 44 overs, bringing down the target to 174 runs.

Both Yorkshire lads continued batting at a good tick, reaching their 100-run stand in just 108 balls.

Frustration continued for India as Brook-Root continued to milk singles comfortably and Root reached his 67th Test fifty in 81 balls, with six fours.

Brook was scoring runs at a fine strike rate, taking England to 239/3 at drinks, with England 135 runs away from a win.

England brought up their 250-run mark in 53.5 overs as the assault continued on India. Eventually, the target got under 100 runs. Brook continued his fine Test run, racing to his 10th Test ton in 91 balls, with 12 fours and two sixes. With two crunchy boundaries on two successive balls against Akash in the 63rd over, Brook helped England to their 300-run mark.

However, Akash had the last laugh, with a catch from Siraj at mid-off, who initially dropped Brook, ending the right-hander’s knock at 111 in 98 balls, with 14 fours and two sixes. England was 301/4.

Siraj appealed for lbw against Root, but the Englishman survived and moved into his late 90s with two boundaries against him in the same over.

At 317/4, tea was taken as it was raining hard. England needed 57 runs to win.

After the play resumed, Root reached his 39th Test ton in 137 balls, with 12 fours, as the target was finally below 50 runs. The faint hope for India continued, as Prasidh cleaned up Jacob Bethell for a single-digit score. England was 332/5. Root survived some close leg-before-wicket calls, with India giving their all, especially Mohammed Siraj. The hard work paid off, with Prasidh inducing a nick, sending back Root for 105 in 152 balls, with 12 fours. England was 337/6.

The rain and bad light interrupted the action once again, causing the proceedings to be delayed till the final day.

At the stroke of Lunch on Day 4, England was 164/3 with Root and Brook unbeaten on the crease. The Three Lions needed 210 more runs, and on the other hand, India needed six wickets to win the game. Two wickets and 114 runs were scored in this session. One wicket each was scalped by Siraj (2/44 in 12 overs) and Krishna (1/74 in 13 overs) in their respective spells.

The hosts resumed the fourth day of The Oval test from 50/1 with Ben Duckett 34(48) unbeaten on the crease as they still needed 324 runs to win the match. Right-hand batter Ollie Pope joined the opener as the first session kicked off.

Siraj and Akash Deep started the proceedings for the visitors. Both of them bowled tight spells in the first hour of the session as they managed to get a lot of edges from the English batters. Duckett completed his fifty in 76 balls. He was sent back to the pavilion as Prasidh Krishna dismissed the left-hand batter 54(83), with six fours. England was 82/2. After the opener’s dismissal, Joe Root came out to bat. The hosts crossed the 100-run mark in the 27th over as Pope smashed a boundary on the bowling of Krishna. At the score of 106, England lost their third wicket as Siraj dismissed Pope 27(34), with five boundaries, in the same manner in which he did in the first innings.

Following Pope’s dismissal, Harry Brook came out to bat. Just before the end of the first session, the English team touched the 150-run mark. Brook and Root completed their 50-run partnership in the 36th over. Before going back for Lunch, both batters built an unbeaten 58-run partnership.

England ended the third day at 50/1, with Ben Duckett (34*) unbeaten.

The third day started for India at 75/2, with Yashasvi Jaiswal (51) and Akash Deep (4) unbeaten. The duo put on an entertaining partnership, with Akash (66 in 94 balls, with 12 fours) getting an entertaining half-century as a nightwatchman.

While England got back in the game with quick wickets of Akash, skipper Shubman Gill (11) and Karun Nair (17), reducing India to 229/5, Jaiswal stood tall, forming a 44-run stand with Ravindra Jadeja and ending with 118 in 164 balls, with 14 fours and two sixes before falling to Josh Tongue.

Jadeja put on a half-century stand for the seventh-wicket with Dhruv Jurel (34 in 46 balls, with four boundaries) and took India past the 300-run mark. Quick wickets of Jadeja (53 in 77 balls, with five fours) and Mohammed Siraj (0) brought England back in the game, but some incredible hitting from Washington Sundar (53 in 46 balls, with four boundaries and four sixes) took India to 396, increasing their lead to 373 runs.

Tongue (5/125) was the leading bowler for England, with Gus Atkinson getting three and Jamie Overton getting two scalps as well.

India kickstarted the day two at 204/6, with Karun Nair (52) and Washington Sundar (19) unbeaten on a half-century stand.

India could add barely 20 runs to their total as Gus Atkinson (5/33) and Josh Tongue (3/57) bowling lethal spells in tandem as India was dismissed for 224 runs.

Later on in their first innings, England had quite a strong start with Ben Duckett (five fours and two sixes) and Zak Crawley (64 on 57 balls, with 14 fours) playing at an ODI tempo. However, by the score of 142, England’s top four was inside the hut, with Ollie Pope (22) and Joe Root (29) not making much an impact. Prasidh (4/62) and Siraj (4/83) kept bowling relentlessly, bringing an end to England’s proceedings at 247 runs, with India leading by 23 runs.

India ended the day two at 75/2, with Yashasvi Jaiswal (51) and nightwatchman Akash Deep (4) unbeaten, following quick wickets of KL Rahul (7) and Sai Sudharsan (11).

England won the toss and opted to field first. On day one, they never let India settle in with a big partnership, with a 45-run stand between skipper Shubman Gill (21 in 35 balls, with four boundaries) and Sudharsan (38 in 108 balls, with six fours) being a highlight, but India was reduced to 153/6. A half-century stand between Karun and Washington pulled India to 204/6 at the end of day one.

Brief Scores: England: 247 and 367/10 (Harry Brook 111, Joe Root 105, Mohammed Siraj 5/104) lost to India: 224 and 396 (Yashasvi Jaiswal 118, Akash Deep 66, Josh Tongue 5/125). (ANI)

First Look Of Sonakshi Sinha From ‘Jatadhara’ Unveiled

Actor Sonakshi Sinha is gearing up for the release of her Telugu film ‘Jatadhara’ with Sudheer Babu.

On Monday, a film’s new poster was unveiled, giving a glimpse of Sonakshi and Sudheer Babu’s look.

The poster gives the audience their first look at the world of Jatadhara a clash between the mortal and the mythical, the cursed and the divine. A blazing trident pierces through thunderclouds as Sudheer Babu’s character prepares for battle, shadowed by a towering silhouette of Lord Shiva himself. Below, in a fiery red underworld, looms the chilling presence of the Dhanapisachini, the demon guardian of forbidden treasures, in a haunting, upside-down depiction of terror.

The film’s teaser will be out on 8th August. It is directed by Venkat Kalyan and Abhishek Jaiswal.

Shilpa Shirodkar, Ravi Prakash, Indira Krishna, Naveen Neni, Shreya Sharma, Subhalekha Sudhakar, and Rajeev Kanakala are also a part of ‘Jatadhara’. (ANI)

K’taka Minister Khandre Orders Probe Into Death Of 19 Peacocks Near Tumkur

Expressing deep grief over the death of 19 peacocks in a farmer’s land near Midigesi in Madhugiri taluk of Tumkur district, Forest, Biology and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre has ordered an investigation led by the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF).

In an instruction to the Chief Wildlife Warden, he said that one and a half months ago, our national animal, a tiger and its four cubs, died of poisoning in the Male Mahadeshwar hills, after which monkeys were killed and dumped near Bandipur.

He said that the government has taken the killing of our national bird, the peacock, seriously. It has been reported in the media that the death of the peacocks was due to pesticide consumption.

He has directed a team led by the DCF to investigate whether this pesticide was used to kill the peacocks or whether the peacocks died after eating pesticide-laden crops sprayed on the crops, and submit a report within 5 days and take action as per the rules.

He has also directed that any death of wildlife under Schedules 1 and 2 should be audited and information should be provided to the Minister’s Office immediately. (ANI)

‘Saare Jahan Se Accha’ Trailer: Pratik Gandhi’s RAW Agent Risks It All To Stop The ‘Last World War’

The official trailer for Pratik Gandhi starrer espionage thriller series ‘Saare Jahan Se Accha’ has been released.

Netflix India unveiled the trailer on Monday giving a broader glimpse into the high-octane drama and a possible nuclear conflict that unfolds between India and Pakistan.

The trailer opens to show Pratik Gandhi’s Vishnu Shankar, a RAW agent being posted to the neighbouring country to bring a stop to Pakistan’s nuclear activities.

As Vishnu enters deeper into Pakistan’s diplomatic affairs, he comes face-to-face with ISI agent Murtaza Mallik (Sunny Hinduja). With every calculated move, Vishnu Shankar’s activities also appear to be monitored by the enemies.

Besides Gandhi and Hinduja, Tillotama Shome, Kritika Kamra, Rajat Kapoor, and Anup Soni also appear in promising roles.

Created by Gaurav Shukla, the Netflix drama promises to bring the “silent wars” of the intelligence officers, the spies, aka the “unsung heroes.”

“Set in the volatile 1970s, when a single move could tip the balance of power and trigger a global nuclear war, Saare Jahan Se Accha unfolds as India’s R&AW and Pakistan’s ISI clash in a deadly game of strategy. Vishnu must outwit ISI agent Murtaza Mallik in a race against time to prevent a major catastrophe,” the official synopsis reads.

Speaking about his character, Pratik Gandhi said, “What drew me in was the intensity beneath the stillness and the emotional toll of being invisible, yet fighting for India,” in a statement.

The announcement video was released in July this year, showing Pratik Gandhi’s character secretly collecting information for the country’s safety.

For a spy, every little detail is important. The success or failure of our mission depends on it. Our target is the enemy country and the goal? To enter their backyard and stop them from becoming a nuclear power. We can’t afford to miss anything. Morse codes, numbers, phone calls, transactions, dates. This Independence Day, our mission is clear. We have to keep India one step ahead of the enemy,” he said in the video.

‘Saare Jahan Se Accha’ will be released on August 13 on Netflix. (ANI)