Month: January 2026

Widespread snowfall and rainfall across Himachal Pradesh have severely disrupted public utilities, with more than 560 roads blocked and nearly 4,800 electricity distribution transformers (DTRs) affected, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) said on Friday.

According to the Evening Public Utility Status Report issued by the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) at 6:00 pm, a total of 563 roads, including two national highways, were closed due to snow accumulation, landslides, and adverse weather conditions. The number of disrupted DTRs rose to 4,797, compared to 4,274 reported in the morning hours.

“The current spell of snowfall and rain has caused extensive damage to road connectivity and power infrastructure in several districts. Restoration work is underway on priority, subject to weather conditions,” an official of the State Disaster Management Authority said.

The worst impact was reported from Lahaul and Spiti, where 290 roads were blocked and both NH-03 (Koksar-Rohtang Pass-Darcha-Sarchu) and NH-505 (Gramphu-Batal-Lossar) remained closed due to heavy snowfall. Several internal roads, including the Tandi-Khadhu Nallah stretch, were also shut.

In the Chamba district, 105 roads were blocked and 659 DTRs disrupted across multiple subdivisions, including Pangi, Bharmour, Tissa, and Salooni. Mandi reported 64 road blockages and 901 DTR disruptions, while Solan district recorded the highest number of power disruptions, with 1,856 DTRs (Distribution Transformers of the Electricity supply) affected.

In Kullu, snowfall led to the blockage of nine roads and the disruption of 682 DTRs, mainly due to faults in high-tension power lines. Sirmaur and Una districts also reported road closures and power outages, while Bilaspur, Hamirpur, and Kangra remained largely unaffected.

The SDMA said no major disruption to water supply schemes was reported anywhere in the state. However, the District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC) in Shimla was unable to submit its detailed report due to a power outage and a generator failure caused by fuel-related issues.

Authorities have advised commuters and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel in higher reaches and follow advisories issued by district administrations. Restoration teams from the Public Works Department and power utilities have been deployed to clear roads and restore electricity as soon as weather conditions improve. (ANI)

Weeks ahead of the national elections in Bangladesh, country’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday launched a blistering attack on Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the country’s Interim Government, saying he is “a usurer, a money launderer, a plunderer, and a corrupt, power-hungry traitor, has bled our nation dry with his all-consuming paradigms, staining the soul of our motherland”.

In a speech here, Sheikh Hasina said that the entire nation must rise united and “galvanized by the spirit of our great Liberation War in this grave hour”.

She said that to overthrow “the foreign-serving puppet regime of this national enemy at any cost, the brave sons and daughters of Bangladesh must defend and restore the Constitution written in the blood of martyrs”.

The former Prime Minister said that Awami League is independent Bangladesh’s oldest and most important political party, inexplicably interwoven with the country’s culture and democracy, defender of proud traditions of political and religious pluralism.

Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh stands today “at the edge of an abyss, a nation battered and bleeding, navigating one of the most perilous chapters in its history”.

“The homeland won through the supreme Liberation War under the leadership of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is now ravaged by the monstrous onslaught of extremist communal forces and foreign perpetrators. Our once serene and fertile land has been reduced to a wounded, blood-soaked landscape. In truth, the entire country has become a vast prison, an execution ground, a valley of death,” she said.

“Everywhere one hears only the cries of people struggling to survive amid destruction. A desperate plea for life. Heart-rending screams for relief. The murderous fascist Yunus, a usurer, a money launderer, a plunderer, and a corrupt, power-hungry traitor, has bled our nation dry with his all-consuming paradigms, staining the soul of our motherland,” she added.

Bangladesh is set to undergo parliamentary elections on February 12. Bangladesh Election Commission had in May last year suspended the registration of the Awami League as a party. The Interim Government has banned all activities by the Awami League.

In her remarks, Sheikh Hasina also referred to her leaving the country in August 2024 in the wake of violent protests. She said she was “forcibly ousted” by “murderous fascist Yunus, and his anti-state militant accomplices”, noting that she is a directly elected representative of the people.

“On August 5, 2024, in a meticulously engineered conspiracy, the national enemy, the murderous fascist Yunus, and his anti-state militant accomplices forcibly ousted me, though I am the people’s representative directly elected. From that day forward, the nation has been plunged into an age of terror, merciless, relentless, and suffocating. Democracy is now in exile,” she said.

“In this grave hour, the entire nation must rise united and galvanized by the spirit of our great Liberation War. To overthrow the foreign-serving puppet regime of this national enemy at any cost, the brave sons and daughters of Bangladesh must defend and restore the Constitution written in the blood of martyrs, reclaim our independence, safeguard our sovereignty, and revive our democracy,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said that all democratic and progressive forces should take a solemn oath to build a humane and welfare-oriented democratic state.

“Let us, all democratic, progressive, and non-communal forces of the pro-Liberation camp, take a solemn oath to build a humane and welfare-oriented democratic state and to confront with early resolve the treacherous designs of the murderous fascist and his collaborators. The Awami League is independent Bangladesh’s oldest and most important political party, inexplicably interwoven with our country’s culture and democracy, defender of Bangladesh’s proud traditions of political and religious pluralism, and the committed upholder of our laws and Constitution,” she said.

“At this darkest time for our countrymen and women, we reaffirm our determination to help you restore the thriving homeland that was snatched away from you,” she added. (ANI)

Telangana Jagruthi founder K Kavitha on Friday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands be renamed as ‘Azad Hind’ to honour freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

In her letter written on the occasion of Parakram Diwas today, Kavitha recalled that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose hoisted the national flag in Port Blair on December 30, 1943, and declared the islands as the first Indian territory liberated from British rule. She noted that Netaji had named the islands Shaheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep under the Provisional Government of Azad Hind.

Kavitha said that while some islands have been renamed in recent years, the archipelago’s collective identity continues to bear the nomenclature of the British era. She asserted that the name ‘Azad Hind’ symbolises India’s first assertion of sovereignty and would permanently commemorate Netaji’s contribution to the freedom struggle.

Describing the proposed renaming as a matter of national pride, she said it would inspire future generations, reinforce cultural consciousness and align India’s geography with its freedom movement history. Kavitha urged the Union Government to initiate the necessary constitutional and administrative processes to implement the change, calling it a fitting tribute to Netaji’s courage and vision of an independent India.

Earlier, on Friday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid tribute to freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary, celebrated as Parakram Diwas across the country.

Shah had announced on September 13, 2024 that the Centre has decided to rename the capital of Andaman & Nicobar Islands Port Blair as “Sri Vijaya Puram”

The Home Minister said in a statement then that inspired by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to free the nation from the colonial imprints, “today we have decided to rename Port Blair as “Sri Vijaya Puram.””

Shah said that while the earlier name had a colonial legacy, Sri Vijaya Puram symbolises the victory achieved in our freedom struggle and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ unique role in the same. He added that Andaman & Nicobar Islands have an unparalleled place in our freedom struggle and history. The island territory that once served as the naval base of the Chola Empire is today poised to be the critical base for our strategic and development aspirations.

Amit Shah said that it is also the place that hosted the first unfurling of our Tiranga by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Ji and also the cellular jail in which Veer Savarkar Ji and other freedom fighters struggled for an independent nation.

In the year 2018, three islands of Andaman and Nicobar were renamed. The Ross Island was renamed as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, the Neil Island as Shaheed Dweep and the Havelock Island as Swaraj Dweep.

Bose who was born in Cuttack, Odisha, on 23 January 1897 to advocate Janakinath Bose went on to play a key role in the freedom movement.

He is known for establishing the Azad Hind Fauj.

January 23 is also celebrated as Parakram Diwas to commemorate the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The Central government had declared January 23 as Parakram Diwas in 2021. (ANI)

The Indian Armed Forces will showcase a tableau on Operation Sindoor with a motto of “Victory through jointness”, highlighting India’s success and the coordination of the tri-services in the military operation against Pakistan’s terror infrastructure, following the Pahalgam terror attack.

Speaking with ANI, Air Commodore Manish Sabharwal outlined the design of the tableau, portraying the destruction of Pakistan’s terror base and the weaponry used during the operation.

“We have created a border in between, and India has been depicted on the right and on the west, Pakistan has been showcased. As you are aware, on the first night itself, we had destroyed nine terrorist camps, in which the army and air force had joint operations conducted, in which seven were destroyed by the army and two by the air force, and the weapons that were used for destruction have been portrayed here,” Air Commodore Manish Sabharwal told ANI.

“For example, the howitzer gun was used, war-made kamikaze drones were used by the army and by the air force, we used weapons from Rafale and other platforms as well. So that has been showcased,” he added.

At the heart of the tableau unfolds the strike narrative, reflecting the new normal of India’s national security doctrine – rapid response, controlled escalation and uncompromising accuracy. A HAROP loitering munition eliminates the adversary’s air defence radar, showcasing India’s growing edge in unmanned precision warfare. This is followed by a Rafale aircraft, armed with SCALP missiles, executing a surgical strike on terror infrastructure. The tempo intensifies as the SU-30 MKI, launching the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, destroys hardened aircraft shelters, an unmistakable demonstration of India’s ability to strike deep, strike fast and strike flawlessly.

The operation reaches its pinnacle with the extended reach of India’s integrated air defence network. The S-400 system, executing the longest-range engagement of the operation at 350 kms, neutralises the adversary’s airborne early-warning platform, sending an unequivocal message: India detects first, decides first and destroys first.

The naval blockade at the Arabian Sea is also portrayed in the tableau, completing the motto of “Victory through jointness.”

“Not to leave Navy behind because that also is part of our tri-service component, the naval blockade at Arabian Sea proved to be very effective and that is why we call it a victory through jointness and all the three services came together and in a very short span of time, planned and executed with perfection operations in Doha,” Air Commodore Manish Sabharwal said.

Operation Sindoor was a military action aimed at destroying terrorist bases in Pakistan, launched after the Pahalgam terrorist attack in April 2025, which killed 26 people. The Indian military attacked terrorist bases in Pakistan, killing several terrorists. (ANI)

Director Aditya Dhar shared an update regarding the release of the sequel to the blockbuster film ‘Dhurandhar’ on Friday.

Taking to his Instagram handle, Aditya Dhar replied to a fan who asked him to release the film’s teaser soon. In response, the filmmaker assured him of its release in a “few days.”

He wrote, “Teaser will be out in few days,” accompanied by the folding hands emoji.

Earlier, Director Ram Gopal Varma predicted the upcoming film Dhurandhar 2 to be the biggest “multi-starrer” movie of Bollywood after the success of its first instalment.

Taking to his X handle, the director explained the reason for the upcoming film Dhurandhar 2’s success, saying that the actors in the first instalment have now become huge stars.

“Dhurandhar 2 will be the biggest multi-starrer ever, in the history of cinema, because each and every character in the 1st film has become enormously huge in the audiences mind, in terms of both their value and impact, which is what true stardom is really about. In the 1st part the characters could have been small or big, but now all of them have become giant superstars and hence Dhurandhar 2 will be the BIGGEST MULTI STARRER ever,” wrote Ram Gopal Varma.

Ranveer Singh’s ‘Dhurandhar’, has rewritten the box office books by beating ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’ to become the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time.

Directed by Aditya Dhar, ‘Dhurandhar’ features Ranveer Singh in the lead role, with a powerful ensemble cast including Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and R Madhavan in pivotal roles.

The film has been planned as a two-part franchise, with the sequel scheduled for release on March 19, 2026. (ANI)

Before the release of ‘Border 2’, actor Varun Dhawan was heavily trolled on social media, especially over his smile in the song ‘Ghar Kab Aaoge’. However, now that the film has been released, the audience seems to be all praise for Varun’s performance. .

Filmmaker Karan Johar, a close friend of Varun, took to Instagram and called out trolls.

Praising Varun’s performance, Karan wrote, “Has to be said… the reason why it’s called a virtual world! Real will always score and prove the noise on social media as defunct! You can troll an artist for his smile but then he laughs when the film releases to packed houses and he receives pure authentic audience love!”

He added, “So noisemakers and clickbait seeking content creators can do what they like … truth will always prevail!”

In another post, he gave a shout out to entire team of Border 2, saying the film has moved him to tears.

“Moved me to tears in many scenes! Patriotism with a beating heart!! Sure shot WINNER,” he added.

Recently, at an event in Mumbai, Varun made it clear that he does not let social media comments affect him.

He went on to add that he, in fact, prefers to “shut down the noise” and let his work speak for itself.

“I believe that you shut down the noise and just let your work do the talking. Yeh sab cheezein chalti rehti hain (All these things keep happening). It doesn’t really matter. Main iske liye kaam nahin karta hoon. Main jis cheez ke liye kaam karta hoon woh iss Friday ko pata chalega (I don’t work for this. What I work for, you will find out this Friday),” Varun said.

He continued, “Mujhe film pe bharosa hai. Ek achi film banana bohot zaroori hai. Obviously, numbers and all these things don’t concern me. But I believe ki humne ek achi film banayi hai (I believe in the film. It’s very important to make a good film. I’m not concerned with numbers. I believe we made a good film). That’s the most important thing.”

Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 also stars Sunny Deol, Ahan Shetty, and Diljit Dosanjh in key roles. It is produced by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series in association with JP Dutta’s JP Films. (ANI)

The Delhi High Court on Friday extended by two months the time granted to the Lokpal of India to take a decision, in accordance with law, on whether sanction should be accorded to the Central Bureau of Investigation to file a chargesheet against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra in the alleged cash-for-query case.

A Division Bench of Justices Anil Kshetarpal and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar allowed the extension while making it clear that no further request for additional time would be entertained.

The Court noted that counsel appearing for both Moitra and the CBI did not oppose the Lokpal’s request for an extension. The Lokpal had sought additional time to reconsider the issue after its earlier sanction order was set aside by the High Court.

Earlier, the High Court had quashed the Lokpal’s November 12 order granting sanction to the CBI to prosecute Moitra, holding that the decision-making process suffered from legal infirmities. The Court had directed the Lokpal to re-examine the matter afresh and pass a reasoned order within a stipulated time.

In her petition, Moitra had argued that despite being granted an opportunity to submit written replies and make oral submissions, her contentions were not properly considered. She had also contended that the Lokpal had invoked an incorrect statutory provision while granting sanction for prosecution.

The High Court, in its earlier ruling, had emphasised that the Lokpal was required to independently assess the material on record and determine whether the case warranted prosecution, closure, or any other course permissible under law.

The case stems from a complaint filed in October 2023 by advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai, following which the Lokpal referred the matter to the CBI. The agency submitted a preliminary report in February 2024 and a detailed investigation report in June 2024, culminating in the sanction order that was later set aside.

It was alleged that Moitra purportedly took bribes to ask questions in the Parliament. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had made a complaint against her to Lok Sabha Speaker, alleging that she accepted “cash and gifts” from businessman Darshan Hiranandani to “ask questions in Parliament”. Following which she was expelled from Lok Sabha in December 2023 after the House adopted the report of its ethics committee that held her guilty of allegations against her.

Moitra has denied any wrongdoing and in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, she was again elected from the Krishnanagar parliamentary constituency in West Bengal. (ANI)

One terrorist was killed in an encounter in the Billawar area of Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir, police said on Friday.

According to officials, the operation was launched following specific intelligence inputs.

The Rising Star Corps of the Indian Army, in a statement, said that a joint operation was initiated by the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police on January 23 in the general area of Parhetar in Kathua district.

“Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a joint operation was launched by the Army and Police on 23 Jan 26 in the general area Parhetar, #Kathua. The area was cordoned and contact established. In a precise strike by the joint forces, 1 foreign terrorist has been eliminated. Search operations are continuing,” the Rising Star Corps said on its X social media platform.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu, also confirmed the development, stating that the neutralised terrorist was a Pakistani national affiliated with the proscribed terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed.

“T-106. A Pakistani Jaish terrorist has been neutralised by a small JKP team in a joint operation with the Army and CRPF in the general area of Billawar, Kathua district,” the IGP Jammu posted on X.

Security forces have intensified search operations in the area to ensure there are no remaining terrorists hiding in the vicinity. (ANI)

The S-400 air defence system, which shot down multiple Pakistani aircraft, would be showcased at the Department of Military Affairs tableau during the Republic Day 2026 parade by the Department of Military Affairs for the first time, according to Air Commodore Manish Sabharwal.

The S-400 systems were successfully used to bring down multiple Pakistani fighter and spy planes during Operation Sindoor.

The Indian Air Force’s system brought down five to six Pakistani fighter aircraft and one spy plane at a distance of over 300 km deep inside Pakistan during the four-day conflict and has been termed as a game-changer by the Armed Forces.

The Department of Military Affairs this year is showcasing the “Tri-Services Tableau – Operation Sindoor”, focusing on the operational jointness and success of India’s military forces.

Meanwhile, Lt Gen Bhavnish Kumar will head the parade for the fourth time.

A total of 6050 military personnel are taking part in the parade. Moreover, Bhairav, Shaktibaan, UGV and ATAGS are to take part in the parade.

A total of 30 tableaux, including 17 from States and Union Territories (UTs) and 13 from Ministries, Departments, and Services, will roll down the Kartavya Path during the 77th Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26.

According to a Ministry of Defence release, Republic Day celebrations will feature a grand display under the themes ‘Swatantrata ka Mantra: a broad theme of ‘Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram’ and ‘Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. The tableaux will showcase a unique mix of 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram and the nation’s rapid progress on the back of the growing self-reliance across sectors, dipped in its rich and vibrant cultural diversity.

The list of the participating tableaux includes Assam – Asharikandi – Terracotta Craft Village of Assam; Chhattisgarh – The Mantra of Freedom – Vande Mataram; Gujarat – Mantra of Swadeshi – Self-Reliance – Freedom: Vande Mataram; Kerala – Water Metro & 100 per cent Digital Literacy; Maharashtra – Ganeshotsav; Manipur – Towards Prosperity; Nagaland – The Hornbill Festival – Celebrating Culture, Tourism & Self-Reliance; Tamil Nadu – Mantra of Prosperity; Ministry of Culture – Vande Mataram – The Soul Cry of a Nation; Ministry of Information & Broadcasting – Bharat Katha.

The Ministry of Defence will also be represented with its tableaux, including the veteran tableau, depicting the nation-building efforts through war, and the naval tableau, “Samudra Se Samriddhi”, which will reflect the country’s maritime strength.

The Ministry of Culture’s tableau will represent the soul of India through “Vande Mataram.” (ANI)

The hallowed portals of the Badrinath Dham will reopen to devotees on April 23, Manujendra Shah, the current titular Maharaja of Tehri Garhwal, said on Friday on the occassion of Basant Panchmi festival.

Speaking exclusively to ANI, he said, “Greetings to all the people of Uttarakhand and of the country. It’s a matter of pride to announce that this year, the gates of Badrinath Dham will reopen on April 23 at 6:15 am. The Gadu Ghada ceremony will be held on April 7.”

The opening date of Shri Badrinath Dham temple is announced annually on the auspicious day of Basant Panchami every year.

The date declaration is done from the royal court of Tehri Naresh in Narendra Nagar of Tehri Garhwal District.

This temple of Lord Vishnu has various rituals performed on the announcement day as well as the day of commencement of the temple’s pilgrimage season.

According to the Dham’s website, the announcement is followed by the Gadu Ghada ritual, the sacred sesame oil ceremony, which is specially extracted by devotees from the sesame seeds. The oil is then sent to the Badrinath temple via Rishikesh in a revered journey named “Tel Kalash yatra”.

On the day of the opening ceremony, the seat of lord Vishnu in the form of Badrinarayan is transferred from Narasimha Temple to Badrinath.

Acharya Krishnanand Nautiyal from the Narendra Nagar Royal Palace today said that the date and time have been finalised after carefully monitoring the astrological chart of Maharaj Manujendra Shah.

“Based on the astrological chart of Maharaj Manujendra Shah, the date and time decided for the opening of the portals of Badrinath Dham is April 23, 6:15 am. The gates of Lord Badrinath will be opened for general devotees. The sesame oil sent for the anointing ceremony of Lord Badri Vishal will arrive here on April 7th and will be processed under the supervision of the Maharani ji…” he said.

Earlier, after performing traditional rituals and prayers at the royal palace, the date for the opening of the portals of Badrinath Dham was formally announced.

Badarinath is one of the holy shrines for Vaishnavites among the 108 divya desams incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Badrinath town is also a part of the Panch Badri temples, including Yog Dhyan Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Adi Badri and Vriddha Badri, along with the Badrinath temple.

The temple is approximately 50 feet tall with a small cupola on top, covered with a gold gilt roof. The Badarinath temple is divided into three parts: the Garbha Griha or the sanctum sanctorum, the Darshan Mandap, where rituals are conducted and the Sabha Mandap, where pilgrims assemble.

At the Badarinath Mandir Gate, directly opposite the main Idol of Lord himself, is seated an idol of Bird Garud, the vehicle of Lord Badarinarayan. Garud is seen in a sitting position and in prayer with his hands folded. The walls and pillars of the mandapa are covered with intricate carvings.

The Garbha Griha portion has its canopy covered with a sheet of gold and houses Lord Badari Narayan, Kuber (God of wealth), Narad rishi, Udhava, Nar and Narayan. The complex has 15 idols.

Earlier, the portals of the world-famous eleventh Jyotirlinga, Kedarnath Dham, were ceremoniously closed for the winter season at 8:30 am on October 23, which coincided with Bhai Dooj (Kartik Shukla Saptami, Anuradha Nakshatra). (ANI)