Month: March 2026

President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) said that the United States would soon wrap up its military operations in Iran.

Trump made the remarks in a post on Truth Social, listing five objectives that largely include the destruction of Iranian military infrastructure and facilities, not allowing Iran to get close to nuclear capability and protecting America’s allies in West Asia, such as Israel, the UAE, Qatar, among others.

“We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran: (1) Completely degrading Iranian Missile Capability, Launchers, and everything else pertaining to them. (2) Destroying Iran’s Defense Industrial Base. (3) Eliminating their Navy and Air Force, including Anti Aircraft Weaponry. (4) Never allowing Iran to get even close to Nuclear Capability, and always being in a position where the U.S.A. can quickly and powerfully react to such a situation, should it take place. (5) Protecting, at the highest level, our Middle Eastern Allies, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and others,” Trump said.

“The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it — The United States does not! If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldn’t be necessary once Iran’s threat is eradicated. Importantly, it will be an easy Military Operation for them,” he added.

As this happened, US CENTCOM shared visuals from attacks on Iranian assets in a series of posts on X.

US strikes targeted the Esfahan Khomeynishahr Drone Production Plant, which produced Shahed one-way attack drones

As the security situation continues to escalate in West Asia and the Gulf region, the US Department of War shared an update on the developments in the past week, saying that thousands of Iranian targets were hit in Operation Epic Fury.

The US Central Command forces have damaged or sunk more than 120 Iranian naval vessels, including all 11 of their submarines.

Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson highlighted, “To the 50,000 service members supporting this mission, and their families, we are thinking about you, and we are beyond proud of your resolve and resiliency. You are the very best of our great nation.”

Earlier this week, Trump, Hegseth and Air Force Gen Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, paid tributes to the six crew members of KC-135 Stratotanker, who, along with seven other service members, lost their lives in Operation Epic Fury.

“The targets pursued under Operation Epic Fury include command and control centres; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps headquarters and intelligence sites; air defence systems; ballistic missile, anti-ship missile and surface-to-air missile sites; weapon production and storage bunkers; military infrastructure and communications capabilities; and naval ships and submarines,” the post said.

With the situation constantly evolving, Iran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles towards the joint US-UK military base at Diego Garcia in the Chagos Archipelago, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing US officials.

As per the WSJ, one missile failed during flight, while a US warship launched an SM-3 interceptor at the second missile. However, it remains unclear whether the interception was successful. The report did not specify when the missiles were fired.

The attempted strike is significant as Diego Garcia is located about 4,000 kilometres from Iran. This suggests that Iran’s missile range may be far greater than what it has publicly stated. According to the news report, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had said last month that the country had limited its missile range to 2,000 kilometres.

The base at Diego Garcia is a key strategic facility jointly operated by the United States and the United Kingdom.

Amid the ongoing conflict, Trump said Washington is not seeking a ceasefire. Speaking outside the White House, he said, “We can have dialogue, but I don’t want to do a ceasefire. You don’t do a ceasefire when you’re literally obliterating the other side. We’re not looking to do that.” (ANI)

Several devotees converged at the Jama Masjid in the national capital on Saturday morning to perform the special prayers of Eid-ul-Fitr. The atmosphere remained vibrant as families exchanged greetings, signalling the start of day-long festivities across the city.

Following the sighting of the Shawwal crescent, the mosque premises and surrounding streets of Old Delhi were filled with worshippers, marking the conclusion of the holy month of Ramzan.

A massive crowd of devotees and shoppers on Friday gathered at the Jama Masjid and its surrounding markets to make final purchases for Eid al-Fitr.

Meanwhile, on Friday night, the Delhi Police strengthened the security measures in and around Jama Masjid in view of Eid al-Fitr. People also offered ‘Alvida Namaz’ in Delhi’s Jama Masjid, ahead of Eid al-Fitr.

The market around Jama Masjid is in full fervour as people shop for clothes and food items.

Security was also heightened near the Uttam Nagar East metro station. The development comes after the Delhi High Court directed the Delhi Police to make adequate arrangements in the area in apprehension of violence during Eid.

The Delhi High Court issued a notice to the Delhi Police and sought a response. The court also directed to keep the Police arrangement till the festival of Ram Navami. The matter is listed for further hearing on April 6.

The Muslim community around the country is gearing up for the celebration of Eid al-Fitr tomorrow.

People in large numbers offered namaz on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramazan in the Jama Masjid in Johari Bazar in Jaipur.

On the other hand, President Droupadi Murmu on Friday extended heartfelt greetings to fellow citizens on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr, according to a press release.

In her message, the President has said, “On the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all fellow citizens, especially to Muslim sisters and brothers living in India and abroad. Celebrated after the end of the holy month of Ramadan, this festival gives the message of self-control, charity and compassion for the underprivileged. It also conveys the message of love, brotherhood, peace, and mutual harmony.”

Meanwhile, Ramazan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, is one of the most sacred times as it is believed that the Quran came down to the earth from heaven for the very first time.

The holy Quran is regarded as “a guidance for men and women, a declaration of direction, and a means of salvation.”For an entire month, Muslims follow a schedule of waking up early, which they call ‘Sheheri’, and by 4:45 am have food, then after fasting for the whole day, not even drinking a drop of water.

They perform Namaz five times a day. The early morning prayer is known as Fazar followed by Zohar in second, Ashar in third, Maghrib in fourth and the final one: Isha.

The day-long fast (Roza) ends after Magrit which usually falls after 6 pm or later in the evening.

At the end of Ramazan, Eid al-Fitr celebrates the breaking of the fast. Friends and families gather for festive meals and exchange gifts. Special gifts are also given to the poor. It is also believed that fasting during the month of Ramazan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. (ANI)

The Delhi police has sealed the office of news agency United News of India (UNI) at 9 Rafi Marg, citing the failure to undertake any construction for the planned composite office building for the past four decades, and thereby violating the conditional allotment of land.

The Delhi High Court on March 20, upheld the decision of the Land and Development Office (L&DO) to cancel the allotment of prime government land at 9, Rafi Marg to the United News of India (UNI), said sources.

The matter concerning the allotment of Government land at 9, Rafi Marg, New Delhi, to United News of India (UNI) for the development of a composite office complex for media institutions was adjudicated by the High Court of Delhi in W.P.(C) 5363/2023.

In its judgment dated March 20, the Court upheld the action of the Land and Development Office (L&DO), Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, in cancelling the allotment vide letter dated March 29 2026, after due process, including issuance of a Show Cause Notice dated Jan 12 2023.

The High Court of Delhi, vide judgment dated March 20, categorically directed that “the concerned officials of the respondents to immediately take possession of the property in question and ensure that the same is utilised in accordance with law.”

In compliance with the aforesaid specific direction of the Court, the physical possession of the premises at 9, Rafi Marg was carried out on Friday, thereby executing the mandate of the Court in letter and spirit.

The Court, after examining the factual and legal position spanning several decades, held the cancellation to be valid and justified on the following grounds:

According to court records, the allotment, made in 1979, was subject to the essential condition of constructing a composite office building within a stipulated timeframe. UNI failed to undertake any construction for over four decades, constituting a serious and fundamental violation.

Despite multiple extensions and modifications granted by the Government (notably in 1986, 1999, and 2000), UNI did not finalise building plans, did not execute agreements with co-allottees and took no concrete steps toward construction. This reflected continuous neglect and lack of progress.

Court records state that UNI, in 2022, admitted its financial incapacity to undertake construction. The Court held that an allottee unable to fulfil the purpose of allotment cannot retain rights over public land.

According to court documents, the allottee entity underwent Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, culminating in approval of a resolution plan by the Hon’ble National Company Law Tribunal in February 2025 in favour of The Statesman Limited.

Consequently, effective ownership, and management control of the allottee was transferred to a private commercial entity without any prior approval of the lessor.

According to court records, this development amounts, in substance, to an unauthorised transfer/change in control of the allotted premises, which is impermissible under the terms of allotment. The allotment having been made to a not-for-profit national news agency for a specific institutional purpose, the induction of a for-profit commercial organisation fundamentally alters the character, purpose, and eligibility of the allottee, thereby vitiating the very basis of the original grant.

The project envisaged joint development with stakeholders, including the Press Council of India (PCI). However, UNI failed to cooperate in development, did not vacate allocated portions and avoided coordination efforts. This frustrated the purpose of the allotment.

It is also relevant that the Court took note of the position of the Press Council of India (PCI), a co-allottee of the land and a statutory body, which had been allotted a substantial portion of the premises for the same composite development.

The court records indicate that PCI had consistently expressed concerns regarding the lack of progress in construction and the absence of coordinated action, and had sought the availability of its allotted land to proceed with development.

However, the intended project could not move forward due to continued delays and non-resolution of inter se issues, thereby affecting the rights and interests of other stakeholders as well.

According to court records, instances were noted of unauthorised/commercial usage, requests inconsistent with institutional use (e.g., leasing a substantial portion commercially). Such actions were contrary to allotment conditions.

According to court records, UNI’s reply to the Show Cause Notice was found vague and unsupported, with no substantive justification for prolonged inaction. The Court reaffirmed that the allotment was not absolute ownership, but a conditional grant, liable to cancellation upon breach of terms.

The land, situated in a prime location, was meant for institutional use. Decades of non-utilisation amounted to wastage of valuable public resources, warranting intervention.

The High Court concluded that UNI failed to fulfil the core condition of construction, demonstrated a lack of intent and capacity, did not cooperate in joint development and acted in violation of usage conditions.

Accordingly, the cancellation of allotment by L&DO was held to be lawful, justified, and in the public interest.

According to the court records, the principle was reaffirmed that public land allotted for specific purposes must be utilised within a reasonable timeframe, and strictly in accordance with allotment conditions. Failing which, the Government is duty-bound to take corrective action to ensure optimal use of public resources.

The court record states that the acquisition by the Statesman Group is for less than 100 crores, while the real worth of the subject land is more than a thousand crores.

According to court documents, land was allotted to UNI from 1979 onwards under the condition that a composite office be built within a specific time limit; however, no construction occurred for over 40 years despite the government providing multiple chances through revisions in 1986, 1999, and 2000.

The situation worsened as UNI failed to reach agreements with co-allottees, lacked coordination, and skipped meetings, eventually admitting financial inability in 2022 and refusing to participate in construction.

Court records state that UNI obstructed the Press Council by failing to vacate the land and blocking development, while also misusing the site for commercial purposes, like a canteen and requesting to lease out 70% of the space.

Further, the court documents state that following a weak and vague reply to a 2023 Show Cause Notice, the Court analysed the matter and found that fundamental conditions were violated, the long delay was unjustified, and public land was being wasted due to a lack of intent and capacity.

Consequently, the final decision declared the cancellation valid, and the L& DO, in compliance with the High Court’s judgment, took possession of 9 Rafi Marg. (ANI)

Congress legislator Anuradha Rana on Friday linked the reported LPG crisis to global geopolitical tensions, saying that 60 per cent of the gas supply comes from the Strait of Hormuz, which has been affected due to the escalating tensions in West Asia.

“We are seeing the LPG crisis in the whole country. Everyone knows the root cause of this crisis. Since the time Israel and Iran started the war, mostly the supply… 60% of the supply comes from the Strait of Hormuz, which is the sea between Iran and Oman,” she said.

“Two ships have arrived with the intervention of the Indian government, which is a relief. But if the war continues for a long time, the crisis can get worse,” she added.

Detailing the situation in Himachal Pradesh, she said, “In Shimla, we are seeing that food is being cooked on stoves. In tribal districts also, supply remains a concern, especially with snowfall affecting transportation.”

Rana further raised concerns over supply norms, saying that the 25-day to 45-day refill span for urban and rural areas is not fair, underlining that the issue has been raised in front of the central government.

“The 25-day to 45-day refill span for urban and rural areas is not fair. We have raised this issue with the central government and are in constant touch with authorities to ensure there is no disruption, especially in tribal regions.”

The concerns over a shortage of commercial LPG supply echoed in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Friday, as food for legislators, ministers, and officials during the ongoing session was reportedly prepared using traditional wood-fired ovens by the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC).

Meanwhile, another BJP legislator, Rakesh Jamwal, downplayed the issue and criticised the state government’s policies. Thanking the Prime Minister, he said the efforts are being made by the Union government, and so far, the LPG supply has not been badly affected.

“If this war continues in the future, then we will have to face a lot of problems. Our union foreign ministers are in constant contact with Iran, and because of this, two ships have already arrived. There is also information that more ships carrying oil and gas are on the way,” he said.

“I don’t think there is such a problem that gas is not available for food being prepared in the Assembly. If that were the case, households across the state would also have shifted to alternative cooking methods,” he added.

On the other hand, Himachal Pradesh Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi detailed the severity of the crisis.

“Not only in Himachal Pradesh, but in the whole country, there is a big problem of LPG. And all this has happened because of the wrong policies of the central government,” he said.

Negi added that he did not have complete information on why wood-fired cooking was being used in the Assembly, but insisted that such a severe shortage was not prevalent across Himachal Pradesh.

Meanwhile, the food for members attending the Himachal Pradesh Assembly Session is being cooked using woodfire by Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation staff and chefs due to the reported LPG shortage.

Senior Chef Dhaniram said that this is the first time that the tourism department has been facing such an issue and had to resort to the traditional method of cooking. He said that now, they have to buy wood and add its cost to the bill.

“I have worked in the tourism department for 30 years, and this is the first time we are facing the gas shortage problem. We are now cooking on a wooden stove. We have to buy wood and include it in the bill. We supply the food for the Assembly right from the start. We had to use the traditional wooden stove because of the gas shortage, which is again due to the ongoing conflict,” he said.

The development comes amid a broader supply crunch being felt across the state and other parts of the country, prompting legislators to call for urgent intervention.

The issue has taken on added urgency as snowfall and difficult terrain in tribal areas threaten to further disrupt supply chains, even as legislators continue to press for immediate corrective measures. (ANI)

Celebrity fashion designer Manish Malhotra’s mother, Garima Malhotra, passed away on March 19, leaving behind a legacy of love and cherished memories.

Several Bollywood celebrities arrived at the Santacruz Hindu Crematorium, Mumbai to pay their final respects.

Among those who attended the funeral were Karan Johar, Urmila Matondkar, Ronit Roy, Rakul Preet Singh, Jackky Bhagnani, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Saiyami Kher, Sophie Choudry, David Dhawan and his son Rohit, Karan Tacker, among others.

Earlier, several celebrities visited Malhotra’s residence late on March 19 to offer condolences. Those who paid their respects included Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha , Karisma Kapoor, Ananya Panday, Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra, Karan Johar, and actor Varun Dhawan.

The news of her demise was confirmed to ANI by a source close to the designer.

Garima Malhotra shared a very close bond with her son. Over the years, Manish Malhotra often spoke about how important she was in his life and how she stood by him during his personal and professional journey. In one of his Mother’s Day posts, he spoke about the strong role she played in shaping his life and career. Recalling her support and love, he had written that she was his “strength, inspiration and companion.” He had also shared how she encouraged his early interest in clothes and cinema.”My mother my Strength, Inspiration and My Companion as I have always lived with her with only Respect and love .. This morning having tea with her I was thanking her for always encouraging my love for clothes and movies since childhood. Happy Mothers Day,” he wrote at the time.

Following the news of her passing, members of the film and fashion industry have started arriving at Manish Malhotra’s home to offer their condolences and stand by him during this difficult time. (ANI)

Amid escalating regional tensions linked to the Iran conflict, Pakistan has intensified its crackdown in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB), drawing sharp criticism from human rights advocates and local voices.

In a video statement, Senge Sering, Human Rights Advocate and President of the Institute for Gilgit-Baltistan Studies, alleged that authorities are carrying out widespread arrests and restrictions across PoGB to suppress dissent. According to him, the developments come at a time when Pakistan is grappling with multiple internal and external challenges.

Sering highlighted that unrest is already visible across the country. In Balochistan, separatist groups have escalated attacks on Pakistani forces, while the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has reportedly intensified its operations. He further claimed that the ongoing Iran-linked tensions have led to increased scrutiny and arrests of members of the Shia community, fuelling anger and fear.

In PoGB, several political and social activists have allegedly been detained or confined to their localities. Sering named multiple local leaders who, he claimed, have been targeted under what he described as a “pre-emptive strategy” aimed at preventing public mobilisation. He argued that individuals capable of raising awareness or organising protests are being singled out to create an atmosphere of fear.

According to Sering, these measures are also linked to Pakistan’s potential involvement alongside Saudi Arabia in the evolving regional situation. He suggested that authorities are attempting to pre-empt any domestic backlash by silencing dissenting voices, particularly in strategically sensitive regions like PoGB.

He also pointed to broader geopolitical factors, including China’s stakes in the region. With key routes such as the Strait of Hormuz and certain rail links reportedly disrupted, maintaining access via the Karakoram Highway has become crucial. Sering claimed that ensuring uninterrupted connectivity is a priority, which may be influencing security actions in PoGB.

Raising concerns over civil liberties, Sering appealed to the United Nations and the international community to take cognisance of the situation. He urged global bodies to press Pakistan to halt alleged rights violations and ensure that residents of PoGB are not subjected to arbitrary arrests or harassment. (ANI)

Superstar Mahesh Babu is all praise for Aditya Dhar’s ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’, the second instalment in the film franchise. He described the movie as a “standing ovation” worthy experience while applauding the lead cast performance in the film.

Taking to his X handle, Mahesh Babu described ‘Dhurandhar The Revenge’ as a perfectly executed film and highlighted Ranveer’s performance. He also applauded Aditya Dhar’s filmmaking skills, R Madhavan’s role and Sashwat Sachdev’s music.

“Dhurandhar The Revenge is an explosion executed with perfect precision!!!! The finest version of Ranveer unleashed and how. The way Aditya Dhar has conceived and delivered this standing ovation-worthy experience is remarkable. Special mention to Maddy’s performance and Shashwat Sachdev’s music. This is a film meant to be experienced and celebrated. Congratulations to the entire team,” wrote Mahesh Babu.

Earlier, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma hailed ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ as a “cinematic disruptor,” declaring that the Aditya Dhar-directed sequel signals a decisive shift in audience taste away from formula-driven Bollywood spectacles.

Released on March 19, 2026, the spy thriller, directed by Aditya Dhar and headlined by Ranveer Singh, has opened to record-breaking numbers, reportedly crossing Rs 100 crore worldwide on its first day.

The film is a sequel to Dhar’s 2025 hit ‘Dhurandhar’, and early response suggests it has struck a chord with audiences and critics alike for its grounded storytelling and restrained action.

Along with the celebrities, several moviegoers also expressed their happiness at watching the film in the theatres.

Agrima, a viewer from Bhopal, said the film impressed her with its action and suspense.

Speaking about the performance by Ranveer Singh and the film’s strong detailing, she said, “Action and fighting scenes are really good. Ranveer Singh’s acting is fantastic… The suspense buildup is really good… Detailing in the film is really good…”

Similar enthusiasm was seen among moviegoers in Lucknow, where viewers appreciated the film’s theme and scale.

One viewer said the movie handled the subject of terrorism in a “positive” way and felt the sequel was better than the first film.

“The movie was very good on the subject of terrorism. This movie works in a positive way. This movie is better than the first part of the same film,” he told ANI.

In New Delhi, a fan who arrived wearing a Dhurandhar-printed T-shirt said he had already watched the first film several times and had high expectations from the sequel. Describing the experience as “amazing,” he said the film was worth every penny and even revealed plans to watch it again the next day.

He added that despite the nearly four-hour runtime, the film never felt slow. According to him, the story kept moving at a pace that didn’t make the duration noticeable.

“I’m a huge fan of the first part. I had already watched it six or seven times in theatres. I came in with expectations that the movie would be amazing, and Part 2 turned out to be even more spectacular. We’ve even decided that we’re going to watch it a second time tomorrow. So “amazing” basically means it was totally worth the money,” said a fan.

The movie is currently running in theatres worldwide. (ANI)

In a major announcement, acclaimed filmmaker Mani Ratnam has unveiled his next project, an untitled romantic drama starring Vijay Sethupathi and Sai Pallavi.

The film will feature music by Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman.

The announcement was made on Friday via a joint Instagram post by Mani Ratnam’s production house Madras Talkies and Lyca Productions, along with the lead actors.

The project, currently referred to as “Production No. 23,” will mark Sai Pallavi’s first collaboration with the veteran director, while Sethupathi reunites with him after their 2018 film ‘Chekka Chivantha Vaanam.’

The makers confirmed that Sony Music South has come on board as the audio partner. The announcement post described the film as “A Mani Ratnam Film” and “An AR Rahman Musical,” reinforcing the celebrated director-composer partnership that has delivered several iconic soundtracks over the years.

Further details about the plot and supporting cast of this yet-untitled film remain undisclosed.

On the work front, Vijay Sethupathi had a packed 2025 with releases like Ace and Thalaivan Thalaivii and began this year with the film Gandhi Talks. He also has a slate of upcoming films, including Train and Slum Dog: 33 Temple Road.

Sai Pallavi, who was last seen in the 2025 film Thandel, is also juggling multiple high-profile projects. She is set to make her Bollywood debut with Ek Din and will feature in Ramayana: Part 1 and 2.

Mani Ratnam’s previous directorial venture, Thug Life, starring Kamal Haasan and Silambarasan TR, released on June 5, 2025. Despite high expectations, the gangster action drama underperformed at the box office and is currently streaming on Netflix. (ANI)

AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday launched a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) help desk at party headquarters Darussalam in Hyderabad to extend assistance to voters for the electoral roll revision process, which will soon begin in Telangana, the party said in a press release.

According to the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), the initiative aims to facilitate the public in verifying, correcting, and updating their details in the Voters List.

The help desk will provide necessary guidance and support to ensure accurate mapping of voter information, enabling eligible citizens to confirm their inclusion in the electoral rolls. Trained representatives will be available to assist individuals, the press release stated.

“All voters are encouraged to make use of this facility and ensure that their details are correctly reflected, thereby safeguarding their democratic right to vote. Voters can contact Helpline Numbers: 9100043150, 9100043151, 9100043152. Time: 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM,” the party said in the release.

Chief Electoral Officer of Telangana on Tuesday conducted a training session for Electoral Officers (EROs) and District Level Master Trainers from four districts – Nizamabad, Medak, Mahabubnagar and Nalgonda, ahead of the SIR exercise in the state.

“The Chief Electoral Officer Telangana conducted a comprehensive training session at the CEO Telangana Office, Hyderabad, on 17/03/2026 for Electoral Officers (EROs) and District Level Master Trainers from four districts – Nizamabad, Medak, Mahabubnagar and Nalgonda. A total of 42 EROs and 26 DLMTs attended the training programme, which focused on Electoral Roll management, mapping of electors and the upcoming Special Intensive Revision (SIR) with emphasis on preparedness and accuracy in the electoral process. The SLMT & Toopran RDO explained the SIR process during the Training. The joint CEO M. Satyavani, Dy CEO, B. Harisingh and all Nodal Officers and staff concerned were present,” Telangana CEO wrote on X.

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise is part of the nationwide electoral roll revision being undertaken by the Election Commission of India (ECI) across the country.

Phase I of the SIR began with Bihar, while in the Phase II, the ECI conducted the exercise in nine States, namely Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal and three UTs, namely Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep and Puducherry. (ANI)