Shah Rukh, Salman Shower Love, Sending Warm Wishes To Anant Ambani On Birthday

Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan have led the early line of wishes for Executive Director of Reliance Industries Limited, Anant Ambani.

Taking to their respective social media handles, SRK and Salman shared birthday posts for Anant Ambani and sent much warmth and greetings.

In his Instagram post, Shah Rukh wrote, “Here’s wishing Anant Ambani a very happy birthday… May you continue to do all the good u do..and uphold all that is positive and right. Keep up the good work and keep bringing smiles to people thru your work. God Bless you with the best of health and happiness always.”

Likewise, Salman shared a couple of pictures, including a playful snap showing the actor hugging Anant Ambani.

“Happy birthday to the most selfless, kindest human and an inspiration to many … my younger brother Anant,” he wrote.

Notably, Shah Rukh Khan, Ranveer Singh, and many other celebrities were recently present in Jamnagar as guests of the Ambani family for a special event.

Reportedly, the celebs arrived to attend the lavish birthday party of Anant Ambani.

Meanwhile, celebrations have begun across the country to mark Anant Ambani’s 31st birthday, with a wave of festive spirit visible among the people. Well-wishers and members of various communities have come together to commemorate the occasion through charitable initiatives, social gatherings, and more.

A special event was organised at Jaipur’s Hathi Gaon (Elephant Village) to celebrate Anant Ambani’s birthday.

The celebration featured a colourful setup with pink and white balloons, a red carpet, and a long table laid with fruits, including bananas, watermelons, and papayas, which elephants enjoyed.

Anant Ambani, earlier this month, announced Rs 18 crore in contributions towards temple infrastructure and animal welfare in Kerala, including Rs 6 crore in donations to the Rajrajeshwaram and Guruvayur temples and a Rs 12 crore commitment to restore the historic East Gopuram at Rajrajeshwaram, alongside new initiatives for the care of temple elephants. (ANI)

Army Showcases ‘Tank In Air’ Apache Firepower During ‘Brahmastra’ Desert Drill

The Indian Army on Thursday demonstrated the combat strength of its latest attack helicopter, the Boeing AH-64 Apache, during a live firing exercise ‘Brahmastra’ at the Pokhran Firing Range.

The demonstration by the army underlined its growing focus on high-precision, network-centric warfare.

The Apaches carried out precision strikes using AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, rockets and onboard gun systems, hitting designated targets with accuracy in a simulated battlefield environment.

The exercise aimed to test both operational readiness and coordination between pilots and ground crews. The Boeing AH-64 Apache is among the most advanced multi-role combat helicopters in the world.

It is equipped with a 30 mm chain gun, can carry Hellfire anti-tank missiles and Hydra rockets, and features advanced targeting systems such as the Longbow radar and night-vision sensors. The Indian Army’s latest attack choppers also have the ability to operate in all-weather conditions, including at night.

Speaking to ANI, Colonel Vikrant Sharma, Commanding Officer of the Apache 451 Squadron, said the drill focused on preparing personnel for real combat situations through sustained training and system checks.

“During this firing exercise, our pilots practised simulator training, mission planning, and target engagement continuously. Our technical team checked the helicopters and weapon systems and made them available for firing. Successful firing has proved the accuracy, combat capacity, and preparation of our pilots,” he said.

He added that in modern warfare, attack helicopters play a crucial role in providing immediate fire support to ground forces, with operational control remaining firmly with land commanders. “In today’s network-centric war, attack helicopters provide immediate fire support to the land force commander, and the ownership and control of it are completely with the land forces. “In the future, drones, loitering munitions, artillery fire, and counter-UAS systems will be used by the land forces in the tactical battle space, i.e., in the air-literal, and the control of this air-literal will also be with the land forces,” the Indian Army Officer said.

Colonel Sharma noted that the induction of Apache helicopters, along with indigenous platforms such as the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand and Weapons Systrem Integrated version of the Advanced Light Helicopter Rudra, has significantly increased the Army’s combat capabilities.

“Today, with the inclusion of Apache, Prachand, and Rudra helicopters in the Indian Army, there has been a big change in our combat capabilities. Our pilots are a wonderful confluence of courage, skill, and technical efficiency, and they are always ready to help our army in every future conflict,” he said.

Col Sharma further said that the Apache’s advanced sensors and precision strike capability improve the Army’s ability to detect and neutralise threats quickly, making ground operations more coordinated and effective.

“The induction of Apache helicopters in the Indian Army has significantly strengthened the combat effectiveness. The Apache attack helicopters bring with them an overwhelming operational capability, combining precision firepower, advanced sensors, and the ability to operate effectively in complex and dynamic battlefield environments. As an integral component of our battle doctrines, the Apache significantly enhances our ability to identify, engage, and neutralise hostile targets with speed and accuracy, enabling more coordinated and coherent ground battle operations,” he added.

Calling the exercise Brahmastra a success, Colonel Sharma said it reflects the Army’s growing combat capability and technological edge in an evolving threat environment.

“In today’s evolving threat landscape, where the battlefield is increasingly contested, the Apache provides a critical edge. Its capabilities to detect and neutralise low-flying aerial threats while simultaneously delivering lethal firepower against ground targets make it a force multiplier of exceptional value. The successful conduct of today’s Apache firing practice stands as a clear testament to the Indian Army’s growing combat prowess and technological edge. It also reaffirms the professionalism, skill, and dedication of our aircrew and ground crew. Their proficiency ensures that these advanced capabilities are translated into tangible operational effectiveness on the battlefield,” Col Sharma said.

Lieutenant Colonel Kshitiz Goel, an Apache pilot, said the success of the exercise was due to close coordination between aircrew and maintenance teams, with both sides working in tandem to ensure mission readiness.

“Well, from both pilot and maintenance perspective, the preparation has been comprehensive and mission-oriented. The aircrew have undergone intensive training, planning, and rehearsal to refine target acquisition and engagement procedures. Simultaneously, maintenance teams have carried out meticulous inspections, servicing, and weapon system checks to ensure helicopters and their armament remain in optimal condition,” he said, adding that,”Continuous interaction between pilots and technicians helps address every detail, ensuring reliability.”

Further, Col. Goel mentioned that the integrated effort ensured a high level of precision and safety, with successful firing of gun ammunition, rockets and Hellfire missiles conducted during both day and night operations.

“This integrated effort has enabled us to achieve a high degree of precision and lethality during firing, reinforcing our capability to deliver accurate and effective firepower while maintaining the highest standard of safety and operational readiness. During this firing, we have been able to successfully fire gun ammunition, rockets, and Hellfire missiles both during day and night,” Col Goel noted. (ANI)

BJP Launches Statewide Protests Against Cong Govt In Himachal

The Shimla district unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday staged a protest against the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government, alleging mismanagement and poor governance.

Addressing the media, BJP Shimla district unit leader Sanjay Sood accused the state government of failing to fulfil its promises and “looting” the people. He alleged that the Congress government has been harassing citizens and providing benefits selectively to its close associates.

Sood claimed that the guarantees made to the people of Himachal Pradesh have not been delivered, and the overall condition of the state has deteriorated, causing hardship to citizens.

He further said that in response to these issues, the BJP has decided to intensify its agitation across the state. “To raise the voice of the people, the party has decided to hold protests in every Vidhan Sabha constituency,” he said.

The BJP leader added that the party will corner the government on various issues at multiple levels and continue protests in different forms to highlight what he termed as the government’s “wrong decisions” before the public.

The protest marks the beginning of a broader campaign by the BJP against the ruling Indian National Congress government in Himachal Pradesh.

Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presided over a meeting and reviewed various positive reforms being undertaken in the health sector.

During the meeting, it was stated that several qualitative improvements have been made to further strengthen the Himcare Scheme. These reforms will ensure transparency in the scheme and help curb the possibility of corruption.

Under the Himcare Scheme, government hospitals will be paid the lower amount between the actual cost of treatment (including consumables) and the fixed package rate. Hospitals must submit bills for the actual expenses along with their claims. Expenditures such as registration fees, bed charges, nursing, and boarding will not be included in such claims. (ANI)

Bangladesh Minority Group Expresses Concerns Over Rise In Communal Violence

The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) on Thursday raised alarm over a surge in communal violence across the country before and after the 13th parliamentary election that took place in February.

In a press release issued by the Acting General Secretary of BHBCUC, Monindra Kumar Nath, the Council stated that 133 incidents of communal violence were reported between January 1 and March 31, 2026.

These included 25 murders, four cases of violence against women, 35 attacks and looting of temples, and 69 other assaults, including attacks on indigenous communities.

Month-wise figures reveal that January recorded 46 incidents, including 11 murders, one rape case, and multiple cases of assault, vandalism, threats, and looting.

February saw 50 incidents, with eight murders, one rape case, and attacks on temples and minority communities, while March reported 37 incidents, including six murders, two cases of sexual violence, and continued assaults on homes, businesses, and religious sites.

The Council expressed disappointment that violence had not decreased following the formation of a new government led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). It warned that continued attacks are leaving minority communities “deeply concerned and anxious.”

The organisation demanded immediate arrest and exemplary punishment for perpetrators, compensation for victims, proper medical care for the injured, and implementation of its eight-point demand, which includes the enactment of a Minority Protection Act, establishment of a Ministry for Minority Affairs, and formation of a National Minority Commission.

In January, UK MP Bob Blackman raised concerns about Bangladesh and the murder of Hindus there, calling on the government to take appropriate action to protect the minorities and ensure free and fair elections.

“Now, at the pre-recess adjournment debates, I raised the situation of Bangladesh, and the leader quite rightly wrote to the Foreign Secretary about the disastrous situation that is there now. Hindu men are being murdered on the streets, their houses being burnt, the temples are being burnt, and other religious minorities are suffering similar fates,” he said. (ANI)

Big B fans Meet

Came Empty Handed, Shall Leave Similar, Says Big B

Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan has shared a deeply reflective note about life, existence, and the search for meaning, revealing that he recently spent an entire day in quiet contemplation.

Known for regularly connecting with fans through his blog, Bachchan offered an introspective glimpse into his thoughts, describing a day filled with self-dialogue and unanswered questions.

“A quiet contemplated day… with the self and the surroundings… seeking answers… getting some responses, but mostly almost none and vague,” he wrote.

The 83-year-old actor reflected on the universal human pursuit of understanding life’s purpose, acknowledging the lack of definitive answers despite lifelong inquiry.

He noted that while many attempt to decode the “why” and “how” of existence, clarity often remains elusive. “There shall not be a definite answer to a question… each express has multiple tributaries,” he shared, concluding with, “You came empty handed… and shall leave similar.”

The actor had earlier, on April 6, written about how a break from his daily work routine brings a sense of unease. Emphasising discipline as a cornerstone of his life, he described an unstructured day as “disturbing” and “unsettling.”

According to him, not working disrupts a long-established rhythm, making the day feel out of sync.

“A day that spelt ‘lazy’… just it seems disturbing to not be working each day,” he wrote, adding that such disruptions can lead to anxiety if not understood and managed.

With a career spanning over six decades, Bachchan remains one of Indian cinema’s most enduring figures. He recently concluded hosting the 17th season of Kaun Banega Crorepati, continuing his long association with the popular quiz show.

On the film front, he was last seen in ‘Kalki 2898 AD’, directed by Nag Ashwin and co-starring Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, and Kamal Haasan. (ANI)

Assam Crosses 75% Turnout; Kerala At 62.71%, Puducherry 72.40% By 4:30 pm

High voter turnout is being registered in Assam and West Bengal as also in Puducherry in the polling for assembly polls on Thursday with voters forming queues in several places to cast their ballot.

As per the latest data from the Election Commission, Assam has seen a voter turnout of 75.91 per cent till 4.30 pm, Keralam 62.71 per cent and Puducherry 72.40 per cent.

Most leaders from different political parties cast their ballots early in the day.

Voting is being held for 126 seats in Assam, 140 in Keralam, and 30 in Puducherry. Votes will be counted on May 4.

In Keralam, Ernakulam recorded the highest turnout at 66 per cent. Except Pathanamthitta at 59.25 per cent, all districts in the state have seen polling above 60 per cent.

In Assam, South Salmara Mankachar recorded a high polling percentage of 84.24 per cent while in Kamrup (Metro), it was lowest at 65. 30 per cent.

In Keralam, over 2.6 crore electors are eligible to decide the fate of 883 candidates across 140 constituencies. Of the 2,69,53,644 registered voters across the state, there are 1,38,27,319 women voters, and the number of male voters stands at 1,31,26,048. Officials said that there are 277 third gender voters in the state.

Nearly 4,24,518 voters fall in the 18-19 age group, while 2,04,608 voters are aged 85 years and above. To facilitate safe and secure polling, a total of 30,471 polling stations have been set up.

In Assam, more than 2.5 crore electors are eligible to exercise their franchise for the 126-member legislative assembly. There are 722 candidates in the fray. Of 2,50,54,463 electors, 1,25,31,552 are male voters and 1,25,22,593 females. There are 318 Transgender voters and 63,423 service voters.

Among the electorate, 6,42,314 voters are in the age group of 18-19 years, 2,50,006 are above 80 years of age, and 2,05,085 are persons with disabilities.

To strengthen the monitoring mechanism, webcasting facilities have been arranged in accordance with the Commission’s directions, a release said. Webcasting has been enabled in all 31,490 polling stations, including 31,486 main polling stations and four auxiliary polling stations. A total of 1,51,132 polling personnel have been deployed for the conduct of the election.

For polling purposes, 41,320 Ballot Units, 43,975 Control Units, and 43,997 VVPAT machines have been arranged, including reserves for emergency use. Additional polling personnel have also been kept in readiness, if required.

In Puducherry, 10,14,070 electors are eligible to cast their votes for 30 seats in the Legislative Assembly. The electorate includes 5,39,125 female voters, 4,74,788 male voters, and 157 voters belonging to the third gender category. A total of 24,156 voters are in the age group of 18-19 years. (ANI)

Raghav Applauds Sanjay , Says ‘Love Coming For Dhurandhar’ Is Well Deserved

As ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ continues its strong run at the box office, appreciation for its cast is pouring in from across quarters with politician Raghav Chadha adding to the chorus on Thursday by praising Sanjay Dutt for his performance in the film.

Taking to Instagram on Thursday, Chadha shared pictures from a past meeting with Dutt, revealing that he had hosted the actor at his residence. The photos show the two seated in a garden, engaged in conversation, both dressed in traditional kurtas.

In his note, Chadha described Dutt as “one of the warmest people I know” and acknowledged the widespread appreciation the actor is currently receiving for his role in the film.

He also highlighted Dutt’s lasting appeal, noting that the admiration for him has remained consistent across generations.

“Had the pleasure of hosting at my place, some time ago, one of the warmest people I know, Sanjay Dutt. So good to see all the love coming your way for ‘Dhurandhar’. The aura remains the same, and so does the admiration people have for you through every era. Couldn’t be more deserved. Always rooting for you,” he wrote in the caption.

Dutt plays SP Chaudhary Aslam in the film directed by Aditya Dhar. His performance has garnered positive responses from both audiences and critics.

Meanwhile, the Ranveer Singh-led project continues to perform strongly at the box office since its release on March 19. The sequel has maintained steady momentum, reportedly breaking multiple records and drawing large audiences to theatres.

The film features an ensemble cast that also includes Sara Arjun, R. Madhavan, Rakesh Bedi, and Arjun Rampal. (ANI)

Israeli Forces Kill Nephew Of Hezbollah Chief Naim Qassem In Beirut

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Thursday stated that they killed the nephew and personal secretary of Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem in a strike carried out in Beirut last night.

In a statement issued on Telegram, the IDF said that Ali Yusuf Harshi, identified as the personal secretary and nephew of Qassem, was eliminated during overnight operations in the Lebanese capital.

The military described Harshi as a close associate and advisor who played a key role in managing and securing the Hezbollah leader’s office.

“Yesterday (Wednesday), the IDF struck in the Beirut area and eliminated Ali Yusuf Harshi, the personal secretary and nephew of Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem. Harshi was a close associate and personal advisor to Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem and played a central role in managing and securing his office,” the statement read.

The IDF further stated that it carried out a series of strikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in and around Beirut.

According to the statement, two strategic crossings used by Hezbollah operatives for movement between the northern and southern parts of the Litani River were hit, allegedly disrupting the transfer of weapons, including rockets and launchers.

Additionally, the Israeli military said it struck around 10 sites in southern Lebanon, including weapons storage facilities, launchers, and command centres linked to Hezbollah.

In a separate update, the IDF said its 162nd Division continues to conduct targeted ground operations in southern Lebanon. Troops from the 401st Brigade reportedly discovered an underground shaft used by militants.

During the operation, a fighter emerging from the tunnel was killed in close combat, and a cache of weapons, including explosives, rockets, RPG launchers, and grenades, was recovered.

The IDF also claimed that forces from its 215th Fire Brigade killed more than 70 militants in various operations, including a group allegedly preparing to launch mortar attacks. In another incident, two militants entering a Hezbollah-linked structure were targeted in an airstrike coordinated with ground troops.

Meanwhile, troops from the Nahal Brigade reportedly located large quantities of weapons and dismantled multiple Hezbollah positions, including anti-tank launch sites and observation posts.

The developments come even as the fragile ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran hangs in the balance, with Tehran stating that the truce also includes the halt to Israeli military operations in Lebanon.

However, both Washington and Israel have maintained that the ceasefire does not extend to Hezbollah targets, a disagreement that has further complicated diplomatic efforts and heightened the risk of the truce collapsing. (ANI)

by-elections in Uttar Pradesh Kerala and Punjab

Assembly Bypoll: Nagaland Maintains Lead With 75% Voter Turnout At 3 pm

Nagaland and Tripura took a significant lead in voter participation during the assembly by-elections on Thursday, according to the data revealed by the Election Commission of India at 3 PM.

The Koridang constituency in Nagaland recorded a significant 75.06% turnout, maintaining its position as the highest among all seats. Close behind, Tripura’s Dharmanagar saw 70.09% of voters casting their ballots.

In Karnataka, polling in Bagalkot and Davanagere South remained moderate at 54.82% and 49.66%. The elections, necessitated by the vacancies following the passing of sitting legislators, saw key contests between major national and regional parties. Official results for all constituencies are expected to be announced on May 4, 2026.

As per Election Commission data at 11 AM, the Koridang constituency in Nagaland recorded a remarkable 59.52% voter turnout. Tripura’s Dharmanagar constituency also witnessed strong voter enthusiasm and crossed the 50% mark with 52.76% turnout.

Parallely, Karnataka showed significant momentum as Bagalkot has surged to 43.75% turnout while Davanagere South has also made steady gains, reaching 37.17%.

Voting for by-elections in Davanagere South and Bagalkot constituencies in Karnataka, Koridang constituency in Nagaland, and Dharmanagar constituency in Tripura began this morning at 7 AM.

In Karnataka, Congress has fielded Umesh Meti from the Bagalkot constituency and Samarth Mallikarjun as the candidate for the by-elections to the Davanagere South seat. Umesh Meti is the son of late Congress leader Meti Hullappa Yamanappa (HY Meti), who represented the Bagalkot seat, while Samarth Mallikarjun is the son of Karnataka Minister SS Mallikarjun.

The BJP has fielded Veerabhadrayya Charantimath and Srinivas T Dasakariyappa from Bagalkot and Davanagere South assembly constituencies, respectively.

The Bagalkot seat fell vacant after the death of HY Meti and Davanagere South, following the death of Shamanur Shivashankarappa.

In Nagaland, Congress’ candidate T Chalukumba AO is pitted against veteran BJP leader Imkong L Imchen’s son Daochier I Imchen for the Koridang seat bye-election.

T Chalukumba AO had contested the 2023 Nagaland Assembly elections on a Janata Dal (United) ticket. The BJP State Council Member Imchainba Jamir had withdrawn his candidature in favour of Imchen.

The Koridang (ST) seat in Nagaland became vacant after the death of veteran BJP leader Imkong L Imchen.

In Tripura, the BJP has named Jahar Chakraborti as the party’s candidate for the Dharmanagar seat, against Congress’s Chayan Bhattacharjee. Amitabha Datta of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) is also in the fray. The seat fell vacant after the demise of Tripura Speaker and four-time MLA Biswa Bandhu Sen.

The vacant assembly constituency in Goa was also scheduled to hold polling today; however, the Bombay High Court cancelled the Ponda bye-elections. The results for the bye-elections will be announced on May 4.

The ECI had earlier announced the schedule for by-elections across eight Assembly constituencies in six states. Polling for bypolls in Umreth (Gujarat), Rahuri, and Baramati (Maharashtra) will take place on April 23, with the counting of votes to take place on May 4. (ANI)

Modi To Address ‘Mahila Sammelan’ Ahead Of Special Parliament Session For Women’s Reservation Bill

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address a major Mahila Sammelan at Vigyan Bhawan on April 13, in what is being seen as a significant outreach ahead of key legislative developments concerning women’s representation.

According to sources, the Prime Minister is likely to highlight the government’s commitment to ensuring greater representation of women in legislative bodies and decision-making processes. Invitations are expected to be sent to all sitting women Members of Parliament.

A special session has been convened to deliberate on the Women’s Reservation Bill, marking a significant step towards enhancing women’s representation in legislative bodies. The move underscores the government’s intent to prioritise gender equality and ensure greater political participation of women in decision-making processes.

In a crucial follow-up, the government is preparing to introduce amendments to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in Parliament on April 16. The proposed amendments are likely to further streamline the implementation of the legislation, which aims to reserve seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.

Ahead of the parliamentary move, the Bharatiya Janata Party has intensified its nationwide outreach campaign through initiatives such as “Mahila Samvad.” The programme is designed to directly engage with women across urban and rural areas, spreading awareness about the provisions of the Act and gathering feedback from the ground.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also written on the Women’s Reservation Bill, describing it as a historic step towards strengthening women’s empowerment and ensuring greater participation of women in the country’s democratic framework.

In his remarks, the Prime Minister emphasised that the Bill reflects the government’s commitment to “Nari Shakti” and aims to provide women with a stronger voice in policymaking. He noted that increased representation of women in legislatures would lead to more inclusive and balanced governance. (ANI)