In a politically significant development ahead of the 2026 Assembly election, Rajya Sabha MP Mausam Benazir Noor on Saturday formally returned to the Congress, seven years after she quit the party to join the Trinamul Congress (TMC) in January 2019.

She completed the rejoining formalities at the Congress headquarters on Akbar Road in New Delhi, marking a reunion of the influential Gani Khan Choudhury family under the Congress banner in Malda. Senior Congress leaders, including party general secretary Jairam Ramesh, West Bengal Congress observer Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Pradesh Congress president Subhankar Sarkar and Malda North MP Isha Khan Choudhury ~ who is also Mausam’s elder brother ~ were present during the joining programme.

Addressing the media after Mausam’s return, Isha Khan Choudhury said the homecoming had healed long-standing divisions within the family. “Congress runs in her blood. When she left the party, it created a rift within our family. Today, all that has ended,” he said. Mausam, the niece of late Congress stalwart ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury, thanked the party leadership for accepting her back. “We are a Congress family. I spent a few years in the Trinamul Congress, where I was given opportunities to work. I have already sent my resignation to Mamata-di and will resign from the Rajya Sabha on Monday. We have decided as a family to work together. Whatever responsibility the party gives me, I will carry it out. Secularism, development and peace ~ these are the core principles of the Congress,” she said.

Interestingly, Mausam’s return comes just days after the TMC appointed her coordinator for four Assembly segments in Malda. Mausam was first elected to the Lok Sabha from Malda North in 2009 on a Congress ticket and retained the seat in 2014. However, her decision to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections on a TMC ticket proved costly, as Malda North slipped out of her hands in a triangular contest, with BJP candidate Khagen Murmu emerging victorious. Subsequently, the TMC nominated her to the Rajya Sabha. She was not fielded in the 2024 elections, nor was she given a ticket in the 2021 Assembly polls, despite speculation. Political observers note that the Gani Khan Choudhury legacy remains central to Malda’s politics, and Mausam’s political identity has largely been tied to the family name. With Isha Khan Choudhury currently serving as a Congress MP from Malda South, her return is seen as a strategic move to consolidate the family’s influence within the party.

Notably, Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of Opposition, had played a key role in facilitating Mausam’s entry into the TMC in 2019, when he was the party’s observer for Malda and Murshidabad and had introduced her to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. While the Congress hopes Mausam’s return will revive the party’s fortunes in Malda, opinions within the party remain divided over the actual electoral impact. The TMC, meanwhile, has downplayed her exit. BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya dismissed the development, remarking that only Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury commands respect in the Congress, and that such switches make little difference to the BJP’s politics in the state.

Television actress Rubina Dilaik has shared her personal mantra for 2026, prioritising mental health at the centre of her priorities, while also focusing on consciously detoxing from negativity and creating healthy boundaries.

A mental well-being reminder

Rubina took to Instagram, where she shared a video of herself getting a hair and scalp treatment done at a Japanese salon. She asked in the caption section: “Do you make New Year’s Resolutions?”  In the video, she added text overlays which read: “Everyone has a New Year’s resolution… But I keep small promises to myself.”

 

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Revealing her mantra, she wrote: “So my mantra for 2026 is… Detox both negative thoughts and people from my life.”

“Focus on my mental health. Work life balance. Walk the talk. Create healthy boundaries. Have faith and know when to surrender,” she said.

Early work

Rubina started her work on the small screen with “Chotti Bahu”. She then appeared in shows such as “Saas Bina Sasural”, “Punar Vivah – Ek Nayi Umeed”, “Devon Ke Dev…Mahadev”, “Jeannie Aur Juju” and “Shakti – Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki”.

Rubina had also participated in “Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 12” and “Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10”.

She made her film debut in 2022 with “Ardh” starring Rajpal Yadav and Hiten Tejwani.

Actor’s Recent work

Rubina was recently seen in the couple’s reality show “Pati Patni aur Panga”, which put the couple’s bond to the test through different themes and games . Offering audiences the view of the real life relationships of the celebrity couples, it shows interactions filled with moments of light-hearted arguments, romantic exchanges, and laughter.

She was also seen in the second season of “Laughter Chef Fun Unlimited”, where she teamed up with singer Rahul Vaidya. The two were last seen together in another reality show, “Bigg Boss 14”.

The fifth round of the Vijay Hazare Trophy concluded on Saturday, with several established and emerging stars delivering standout performances across venues. The round marked the first appearances of India regulars Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Siraj and Tilak Varma in the ongoing domestic 50-over tournament.

The most eye-catching performance came from Hardik Pandya, who smashed his maiden List A century, scoring 133 off 92 balls for Baroda against Vidarbha. Pandya produced a breathtaking assault in the 39th over, hammering 6, 6, 6, 6, 6 and 4 in six balls. His knock powered Baroda to 293 for 9, but the effort proved insufficient as Vidarbha chased down the target comfortably to win by nine wickets.

Another standout display came from Arshdeep Singh, who returned figures of 5 for 34 in 10 overs to spearhead Punjab’s 10-wicket victory over Sikkim.

Rohan Kunnummal continued his fine form for Kerala, scoring 124 off 78 balls, including 11 sixes and eight fours, against Jharkhand. He added a 101-run opening stand with Sanju Samson, who contributed 101 off 95 balls, as Kerala sealed a commanding eight-wicket win. For Jharkhand, Kumar Kushagra produced a fighting knock, remaining unbeaten on 143 off 137 balls to help his side recover from an early collapse.

Delhi skipper Rishabh Pant also made an impact, smashing an unbeaten 67 off just 37 balls to guide Delhi to a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Services. Later, Pant was also named for India’s ODI squad for the New Zealand series.

For Maharashtra, Arshin Kulkarni struck his second List A century, scoring 114 to set up a comprehensive 128-run win over Mumbai. Meanwhile, Aman Mokhade starred for Vidarbha with an unbeaten 150, as his side cruised past Baroda despite Pandya’s century.

Shreyas Iyer cleared to play in Vijay Hazare Trophy

In another key development, Shreyas Iyer, who suffered a serious injury during India’s third ODI against Australia in October, has been cleared to feature in a Vijay Hazare Trophy match on January 6. The 31-year-old will represent Mumbai against Himachal Pradesh at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Although named in India’s ODI squad for the New Zealand series, Iyer’s availability remains subject to final fitness clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence, with selectors expected to closely assess his performance and physical condition in the domestic fixture.

Vijay Hazare Trophy Round 5: Match results

• Manipur won against Meghalaya.
• Bihar won against Mizoram.
• Nagaland won against Arunachal Pradesh.
• Delhi beat Services by 8 wickets.
• Gujarat won against Andhra.
• Hyderabad won against Chandigarh.
• Maharashtra beat Mumbai by 128 runs.
• Pondicherry won against Madhya Pradesh.
• Haryana secured a four-wicket win against Odisha.
• Rajasthan claimed a thrilling win against Tamil Nadu.
• Saurashtra won against Railways.
• Uttar Pradesh beat Jammu and Kashmir by 58 runs.
• Uttarakhand won against Goa.
• Punjab crushed Sikkim by 10 wickets.
• Bengal won against Assam.
• Karnataka won against Tripura.
• Chhattisgarh won against Himachal Pradesh.
• Kerala beat Jharkhand by 8 wickets.
• Vidarbha outclassed Baroda by 9 wickets.

The prestigious Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) has reached a historic milestone, entering the 100th year of its existence.

The revered institution was founded by industrialist Sir Shri Ram in the 1920s as ‘The Commercial School’. The institution was started in 1926 to nurture indigenous business leadership in the colonial era, when the countrymen were vying to attain freedom.

A year of celebrations

The SRCC formally launched the centenary celebrations on Friday, January 2, with a curtain raiser ceremony at its North Campus.

Academic leaders, policymakers and distinguished alumni were present on the occasion to relive the legacy of the institution that has shaped commerce and economics education in India. The event also aimed to outline the college’s vision for the future as the country marches towards completing 100 years of independence.

With the SRCC set to mark its centenary next year, the college unveiled a year-long programme of academic conclaves, policy discussions, alumni interactions and global collaborations. The celebrations also aim to position the institution as a key driver of the economy and higher education in the coming decades.

At the curtain raiser ceremony attended by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Delhi, Prof Yogesh Singh, as well as Ajay S Shriram, Chairman of the SRCC Governing Body, a commemorative coffee table book chronicling the institution’s journey over the decades was released.

Entrepreneurship, innovation and excellence

Speaking at the event, Prof Yogesh Singh described SRCC as a globally recognised academic institution whose impact was not just limited to rankings. Prof Singh noted that SRCC has shaped economists, administrators, judges and business leaders who have gone on to contribute to India’s growth.

He further said institutions like SRCC have played a key role in India’s economic achievements, including becoming the world’s fourth-largest economy.

“A hundred years is long enough to build institutions, shape generations and influence the journey of a nation. SRCC has done all three,” he said, adding, “Institutions like SRCC must now prepare leaders who create enterprises, not just join them, and who see leadership as a moral responsibility.”

In today’s evolving economic and education landscape, SRCC is expected to play a key role in promoting entrepreneurship, innovation and excellence in fields like artificial intelligence and digital finance.

On his part, Ajay S Shriram recalled SRCC’s journey from its early days in Daryaganj to becoming one of the country’s foremost centres for commerce education.

SRCC Principal Prof Simrit Kaur described the nearly 100-year journey as a collective achievement shaped by generations of faculty, students, staff and alumni. She said the college remains committed to ethical education, social responsibility and national service, along with values-driven leadership.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying that the party is like a “snake” that will bite if allowed to stay.

Addressing a rally in Alipurduar during his ‘Abar Jitbe Bangla’ campaign ahead of the upcoming elections, Banerjee urged voters to stand in the queue and teach the BJP a lesson through EVMs.

“BJP is like a snake. If you keep 1 or 18 in your backyard, eventually it will bite you. This time in the upcoming elections, ensure that no snake is there in Alipurduar. I am 10 times more stubborn than the BJP, and against this behaviour, only the BJP bows down. In the upcoming polls, stand in the queue to teach them a lesson through EVM. Those who want to change the constitution will eventually be removed from power,” Banerjee said during the rally.

On Friday, the TMC MP kicked off his month-long ‘Abar Jitbe Bangla’ campaign from South 24 Parganas ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections.

The yatra focuses on highlighting the achievements of Mamata Banerjee’s tenure in Bengal while pressing the BJP on several issues. The development comes amid an escalating political confrontation between the TMC and the BJP over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the state’s electoral rolls.

Addressing a rally in South 24 Parganas, Banerjee alleged the BJP of defaming West Bengal, claiming the presence of “Bangladeshis and Rohingyas” in the state. He said that during a recent visit to New Delhi, the Chief Election Commissioner questioned him about the removal of alleged Rohingya and Bangladeshi voters from West Bengal’s electoral rolls.

“These people (BJP) defame Bengal by claiming that it is full of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis. When I asked Gyanesh Kumar how many Bangladeshis and Rohingyas were removed from the electoral rolls, he started pointing fingers at me,” the TMC leader said.

Calling the BJP “Bangla-birodhi” (anti-Bengal), Banerjee said the forthcoming elections were not only about defeating the party but also about holding it accountable for repeatedly defaming the state. He added that while he had gone to Delhi this time, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would do so next.

“I told him, ‘Put your finger down – you are nominated and I am elected.’ Here, people are dying, and Gyanesh is expecting that we would go to meet him with flowers. This is TMC. This time I went to Delhi; next time Mamata Banerjee will go. Then what will you do? This election is not just to defeat them but to teach these ‘Bangla-Birodhi’ a lesson,” he said.

Lucknow ushered in New Year 2026 on a deeply spiritual note as the SR Group of Institutions (SRGI), BKT, transformed into a vibrant hub of devotion, music, and collective consciousness.

More than 5,000 devotees assembled on the campus to participate in a grand bhajan–kirtan, creating an atmosphere charged with faith, harmony and spiritual energy.

The event, “Bhajan Jamming: Ekatva”, was organised by SRGI in collaboration with the Jalota Academy of Spiritual Music & Performing Arts and Digi Monk. Going far beyond a conventional cultural programme, the evening evolved into a profound spiritual experience, uniting people through devotion, music and a shared sense of oneness.

Resonant chants of “Jai Shri Ram,” melodious Krishna bhajans and divine musical compositions filled the campus, immersing participants in an ambience steeped in Sanatan consciousness. Students, families, spiritual seekers, and devotees came together for collective naam-smaran and bhajans, reflecting Lucknow’s enduring spiritual ethos and rich cultural legacy.

Soul-stirring devotional renditions inspired by sacred centres such as Ayodhya, Vrindavan, Kailash and Dwarka — including “Ram Ram Jai Raja Ram,” “Mangal Bhavan Mangal Haari,” “Shri Krishna Govind Hare Murari,” “Satyam Shivam Sundaram,” and “Deva Shri Ganesh Deva” — left the gathering deeply moved. The devotional fervour reached its crescendo with the collective recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa, filling the venue with an intense sense of divine energy.

The auspicious programme was graced by MLC and Chairman of SR Group of Institutions Pawan Singh Chauhan, Vice Chairman Piyush Singh Chauhan, Vice Chairperson Sushmita Singh, along with several other distinguished dignitaries, who warmly greeted the devotees and extended New Year wishes.

Addressing the gathering, Vice-Chairman Piyush Singh Chauhan underscored the significance of Ekatva (oneness) in contemporary times. He stressed the importance of reconnecting the youth with India’s spiritual and cultural roots, highlighting the responsibility of educational institutions in nurturing Sanatan values amid increasing external cultural influences.

“Bhajan Jamming: Ekatva” emerged not merely as a New Year celebration but as a powerful expression of spiritual awakening and social harmony, setting a positive, devotional and united tone for the year 2026.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launched an ambitious initiative, “Sabaka Sammaan-Jeevan Aasaan” (Respect for All-Ease of Living), on Saturday to make the lives of senior citizens more dignified and convenient.

The core objective of this initiative is to reduce the difficulties faced by senior citizens in the state. Under this programme, essential healthcare services such as pathology tests at home, blood pressure and ECG tests, physiotherapy, and appropriate medical assistance during emergencies will be ensured at their doorstep.

In a message posted on ‘X’, Nitish Kumar wrote, “For the period from 2025 to 2030, we have implemented the ‘Saat Nishchay 3’ (Seven Resolves 3) programme to include the state among the most developed states in the country. The seventh resolve of the ‘Saat Nishchay 3’ — ‘Sabaka Sammaan-Jeevan Aasaan’ — aims to reduce the hardships faced by all citizens of the state and make their lives easier.”

“Our first priority is to ensure that needy senior citizens in the state can receive essential healthcare services at their homes whenever required. These services include nursing assistance, pathology tests at home, blood pressure and ECG testing, physiotherapy services, and all types of medical assistance during emergencies,” he added.

Nitish Kumar has also issued guidelines to the Health Department for the effective implementation of this initiative.

The government has also invited citizens to share suggestions on what additional facilities could be provided to further ease the lives of senior citizens in the state.

Uttar Pradesh is rapidly emerging as one of the country’s major technology and digital hubs.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the next major milestone of the state’s visionary development model is the proposed Artificial Intelligence (AI) City in Lucknow.

The Chief Minister has already reiterated his commitment to the AI City in his letter addressed to the public. This project will not only give fresh momentum to the state’s economic growth but will also establish Uttar Pradesh as a strong presence on the global technology map.

Officials here on Saturday said the AI City will be developed in two phases. Approximately 60 percent of the total area will be developed as a core zone, housing AI innovation centres, technology parks, and advanced research facilities. The remaining 40 percent area will be developed with residential, commercial, and social infrastructure.

The UP government aims to transform Uttar Pradesh into a USD 1 trillion economy over the next five years. In this direction, the IT-ITeS and Artificial Intelligence sectors are being positioned as key growth engines. With this objective, the state government plans to develop the AI City in Lucknow under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, ensuring a balanced framework of private investment and government support.

The Lucknow AI City will be developed as a dedicated and self-reliant technology hub. It will feature state-of-the-art data centres, high-performance computing infrastructure, AI research labs, startup incubation centres, and modern workspaces for global technology companies. The objective is to provide world-class facilities to Indian and international AI companies at a single location, enabling them to develop and scale their projects at a faster pace. The project is being advanced to position Lucknow among the top 20 global AI hubs.

As the state capital, Lucknow’s academic and technological ecosystem is a significant strength. Prestigious institutions such as IIM Lucknow and IIIT Lucknow are already playing a crucial role in research, innovation, and skill development. IT experts believe that the AI City will work in close coordination with these institutions to build a strong and future-ready talent pool.

The AI City is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities. It will serve as a major platform for IT professionals, data scientists, engineers, researchers, and startup entrepreneurs. At the same time, local youth will gain access to high-quality employment opportunities within the state, reducing the need to migrate elsewhere for jobs. The AI City will be developed on a green and sustainable development model.

Nupur Sanon gets engaged to Stebin Ben, sister Kriti Sanon showers love on the happy couple. Actress and the younger sister of Bollywood beauty Kriti Sanon, Nupur Sanon, is engaged to her long-term beau, singer Stebin Ben.

Dreamy proposal that broke the internet

Sharing glimpses from the dreamy proposal on her Instagram, the primary photo from the post has Stebin down on one knee, lovingly holding Nupur’s hands. We can also see people holding the placards in the background  saying, “Will You Marry Me?”  And with the romantic tone Nupur wrote, “In a world full of maybes, I found the easiest YES I’ve ever had to say (sic)”, , followed by red heart and evil eye emojis.

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A closer look at the engagement post

Nupur flaunting her giant engagement ring wad dressed in a pretty floral dress, while Stebin wore blue formals for the special occasion. With a mesmerizing view in the backdrop the newly-engaged couple was seen in the middle of a lake, sharing the intimate moment with their parents, via video call after the proposal.

In one of the pictures, a female figure was also seen hugging the happy couple. While her face is not visible, it is most likely Kriti expressing her excitement for the couple.

A relationship that’s been going strong

Nupur and Stebin have been reportedly in a relationship since 2023. In the recent past, the couple have been spotted together on various occasions, from dates to family gatherings. The singer is often seen spending time with Nupur’s family.

Recently, Stebin was seen celebrating Christmas with Nupur and her elder sister, Kriti. The ‘Tere Ishk Mein’ actress took to her Instagram account and posted a couple of sneak peeks into her Christmas celebration.

The photos showed Kriti with her parents, sister Nupur, and Stebin. “Late Christmas Post.. was busy celebrating,” Kriti wrote in the caption.

Wedding bells soon in Udaipur?

Speculations were going around for some time that Nupur and Stebin will be tying the knot in Udaipur soon.

The 77th Republic Day of India will be celebrated this year on January 26 with a focus on two themes: the 150th anniversary of the song ‘Vande Mataram’, and the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Initiative’, as per the Central government’s plans.

According to official sources, leaders from the top European Union countries have been invited to part of the celebration. On the 150th anniversary of the release of the first two stanzas of the song during this Republic-Day event, various nationwide activities and competitions have been organised under a special theme, where patriotism and respect for the motherland will be honoured.

A summit titled ‘India Top Conference’ has been organised to finalise the long-delayed ‘Free Trade Agreement’ (FTA) with the leaders of the European Union. Various ministries have also been tasked with promoting and rebranding this initiative. Citizens are being encouraged to upload videos singing ‘Vande Mataram’ through the ‘My India’ portal and to participate in competitions involving writing or painting about ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. The 77th Republic Day will resonate with the spirit of patriotism and self-reliance, inspired by the tune and essence of ‘Vande Mataram’.

European Union (EU) leaders Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, and Antonio Costa, the President of the European Council, are expected to arrive in India a few days ahead of the Republic Day and will be present as the chief guests on the occasion. The Ministry of Defence has organised a torch relay and a special flypast based on the theme ‘Vande Mataram’. Mrs. Von der Leyen and Mr. Costa are likely to be on stage together to attend the parade alongside President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Although it is a common practice to invite the leaders of another country, there is no established tradition of inviting the leaders of a group as the chief guest. However, in 2018, the then Union government invited the leaders of 10 ASEAN countries. In January 2022, due to the rise in COVID cases, the government had to cancel its plan to invite the leaders of five Asian countries for the Republic Day celebrations.

On January 27, following the Republic Day, the President’s residence will host an ‘At Home’ event for distinguished guests, organized by the President, where leaders from the European Union are expected to be present. Additionally, they will participate in the ‘EU-India Summit’ alongside Prime Minister Modi. Subsequently, it is reported by government sources that a meeting may take place between Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, to finalize the long-stalled ‘Free Trade Agreement’ (FTA) with the leaders of the European Union. The invitation card for this event, which currently includes the terms “VIP” and “VVIP” on the pass, is planned by the ministry to feature only the logo of the initiative “150 Years of Vande Mataram”, according to government sources.

The Ministry of Culture is also planning to connect their campaign portal with the ‘My India’ portal, which has approximately twenty million users. Government officials have stated that during the Republic Day celebrations in Delhi, there will be an event themed ‘Vande Mataram’, alongside musical performances by military bands at the cantonment, as well as music presentations by various schools, college campuses, and National Cadet Corps (NCC) bands across the country. In this manner, the 150th anniversary of the song ‘Vande Mataram’ will be celebrated, which has become a rallying call in the context of the Indian independence movement.

Additionally, the authorities responsible for planning the event along the duty route have indicated that discussions are underway regarding the proposal to move the traditional ‘flypast’ or aerial display from the end of the parade to the middle of the event. This consideration has been made with the aim of enhancing “visibility and audience engagement”. The authorities have also stated that the ‘flypast’ or aerial display will be themed. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has been requested to create a 25-minute film focusing on the national anthem and its author, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.

According to government sources, under the leadership of Home Secretary Govind Mohan, plans for changes during the Democracy Day event were discussed in the meeting held on October 24. In that meeting, Culture Secretary Vivek Aggarwal presented a detailed proposal, which has received approval from the ‘National Implementation Committee’ under Home Minister Amit Shah.

It is not clear yet whether the initiative to rebrand the Republic Day celebrations with the theme ‘Vande Mataram’ will have a lasting impact on the future. However, according to government sources, in 2023, the government had a similar plan to emphasise ‘Bharat’ instead of ‘India’ but was later compelled to use the term ‘Indian Republic’ due to certain event obligations.

According to government sources, the committee has also instructed the Ministry of External Affairs to organise a cultural evening featuring the “National Anthem” at all Indian embassies and missions located abroad, as well as a “Global Music Festival”. All ambassadors and heads of missions have been ordered to write articles for local newspapers in the regions where they are stationed, and they have also been directed to arrange detailed discussion forums on this matter.

Prof Jai Prakash Saini has been appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of Lucknow University. An official order in this regard was issued from Raj Bhavan here on Saturday.

Governor and Chancellor of Lucknow University Anandiben Patel made this appointment using the powers vested in her under Section 12 of the Uttar Pradesh State Universities Act, 1973

According to the order, Prof Saini has been appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of Lucknow University for a period of three years from the date of assuming office. Currently, he is serving as the Vice-Chancellor of Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology, Gorakhpur.

It is expected that Prof Saini’s appointment will give a new direction to the academic and administrative functions of Lucknow University. People associated with the education sector believe that his experience and leadership qualities will strengthen the university’s academic standards, research work, and administrative system.

It is noteworthy that Lucknow University is one of the leading and prestigious universities in the state, where a large number of students are pursuing various courses. With the appointment of the new Vice-Chancellor, it is expected that development plans related to the university will gain momentum.

After the high-profile reunion of the Thackeray cousins, Maharashtra politics is witnessing another tactical coming together — this time within the Pawar family — signalling how dynastic parties are opting for strategic unity ahead of crucial civic elections in 2026, and at the same time also presenting a survival template for other estranged family-run affairs in India.

Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray recently announced a Shiv Sena (UBT)–Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) alliance, ending a 20-year war to consolidate the Marathi ‘manoos’ vote against the BJP–led Mahayuti. Days later, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar declared that his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction, which is part of the Mahayuti, and uncle Sharad Pawar’s NCP, would jointly contest the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and Pune civic polls.

In both cases, it was pressure from party workers and a clear threat of the BJP behemoth that seemed to drive the “family unity” push, basically for political survival.

While these tie-ups stop short of full mergers, they reflect a pattern in Indian politics where family-led parties, weakened by splits, can opt for tactical reunions to protect legacy vote banks, curb defections, and boost cadre morale amid organisational erosion and electoral setbacks.

Whether a complete merger is possible due to unresolved leadership issues remains to be seen but the limited cooperation offers a middle path in such situations, say observes

Incidentally, dynastic fissures are not unique to Maharashtra.

Several parts of the country are influenced by family-run regional parties,  including the DMK in Tamil Nadu (Karunanidhi family), Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal family) in Punjab, the Telugu Desam Party and YSR family outfits in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and JD(S)-linked lineages in Karnataka. In many of them, succession disputes, individual ambitions, and intra-family competition have triggered splits, at times also leading to formation of new parties.

Take the example of the YSR family in Andhra Pradesh and the bitter dispute between YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) supremo Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and his sister Sharmila. In 2024, Jagan lost power to the TDP-led alliance; his estranged sister Y.S. Sharmila is with the Congress and continues to be his most vocal critic.

While the Andhra sibling rift mirrors family splits, in Haryana, the Chautala family offers another textbook case.

Founded by Chaudhary Devi Lal, the INLD fractured after internal rivalries. Around 2019, Ajay Chautala’s sons, Dushyant and Digvijay, launched the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), dividing the family vote and weakening the INLD, though there have been periodic reconciliation attempts, according to those aware of family dynamics.

Punjab’s Badal family, too, followed a similar path.

Over the years, the Shiromani Akali Dal has seen multiple splits, most notably in 2011 when Manpreet Singh Badal quit to form the People’s Party of Punjab. Despite occasional factional mergers, no comprehensive family reunion has materialised, and the party remains  fragmented amid electoral decline.

No wonder therefore that Maharashtra developments are being followed closely with Pawars and Thackerays offering a solution to prevent organisational erosion, even if long-term unity may be uncertain, say observers

Putting the BJP government and the organisation on fast-track mode in the New Year, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma countered the Opposition Congress’ narrative about the governance and achievements under his regime.

Addressing an organisational workshop of the ruling party state unit in the Constitution Club here Saturday, the CM said, “During the two-year regime since December 2023, we have made rapid and untiring efforts for welfare of the people and the development of the state and committed no wrong act or action.”

The opposition Congress has been in the habit of creating confusion-misunderstanding, of making accusations and counter allegations and negative politics against us and our governance and achievements, he contended. “Contrary to the Opposition’s tirade (against the government’s working), we have been successfully accomplishing our goals,ideally as per the expectations and aspirations of the people of the state,” he said.

“I can state with full responsibility and conviction that our government has worked for development; committed no wrong (irregularity or scams)”, the chief minister asserted, adding what the previous Congress-led government achieved in the five-year term, the incumbent government has accomplished much more and far better than that (work) in just two years.

“I have been trying to make this point to all repeatedly with substantial data and details. However, the opposition is not ready to accept it,” the Chief Minister stated.

The day-long workshop also symbolises fast-track implementation of the agenda of the double engine BJP led governments at the Centre and in the state. BJP national general secretary B L Santosh, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, state president Madan Rathore, former state presidents, Satish Punia, Arun Chaturvedi and Ashok Parnami and almost the entire state leadership of the saffron party were present in the meeting.

The Sharma-led government has already been in action mode. The first day of the new year on Thursday day meant for leaders including CM Sharma to exchange the Greetings of the day and pay obeisance at shrines of their revered deities. On January 1, 2026, Sharma also went to pay obeisance at shrine of lord SrinathJi- the principal deity of his home district, and also performed “Holy Parikrama” of the sacred Outcrops of the Govardhan Mountain in the Aravalli range, alongwith wife Geeta Devi.

From the next day, the chief minister has swung into action for performing the official duty. Yesterday, he began with opening of the pre-budget dialogue with the sitting MLAs or the party candidates in assembly elections for briefing- on priorities in the next state budget (2026-27) – and also for seeking the suggestions from them.

One the first day in the dialogue, on Friday, the Chief Minister held day-long parleys with MLAs or defeated party candidates of the party, from districts/ assembly segments of the Jodhpur division. Today, on Saturday, a consultation meeting was being held with the MLAs/defeated candidates of assembly segments from Kota division and also from the assembly segments of Jaipur rural Parliamentary constituency.

This exercise will go on in the days to come until completion of discussions with MLAs or candidates from all 200 assembly segments of the state, a CMO spokesman said here on Saturday.

India have announced their ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against New Zealand, set to begin on January 11 at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara.

The second ODI will be played on January 14 at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, while the final match of the series is scheduled for January 18 at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore.

Shubman Gill is set to lead the team, while Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah have been rested, with the selectors opting to manage workloads ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Pandya has not been cleared by the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE) to bowl his full quota of 10 overs, prompting the team management to exercise caution.

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India’s squad for @IDFCFIRSTBank ODI series against New Zealand announced.

Details ▶️ https://t.co/Qpn22XBAPq#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ pic.x.com/8Qp2WXPS5P

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 3, 2026

Despite the rotation, India have tried to remain as close to full strength as possible. Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav retain their places, while the pace attack features Mohammed Siraj, along with Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna. Notably, Mohammed Shami has not been included in the squad.

Shreyas Iyer, who suffered a serious injury during India’s third ODI against Australia in October, has been cleared to feature in a Vijay Hazare Trophy match on January 6. The middle-order batter will turn out for Mumbai against Himachal Pradesh at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

However, his availability for the ODI series remains subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE). Iyer is expected to be closely monitored during the domestic fixture, with his performance and physical condition likely to play a key role in determining his readiness for a return to international cricket after a prolonged layoff.

India ODI Squad vs New Zealand:

Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Shreyas Iyer (VC)*, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal.

New Zealand ODI Squad:

Michael Bracewell (Captain), Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Devon Conway, Mitchell Hay, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Josh Clarkson, Nick Kelly, Zakary Foulkes, Jayden Lennox, Kyle Jamieson, Adithya Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Michael Rae.

As the annual religious festival of faith, Magh Mela 2026, has commenced on the banks of the Ganges in Prayagraj on Saturday a massive crowd of devotees gathered at the Sangam on the first bathing day of Paush Purnima. Despite the biting cold, devotees from far and wide are taking a dip in the holy waters and worshipping Mother Ganga with devotion. Millions of people have already taken a dip since the Brahma Muhurta (auspicious time before sunrise). The Mela administration estimates that more than 2.5 million devotees will take a dip of faith in the Sangam on Saturday.

According to Mela authorities, over a million people have taken a dip in the Sangam, confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and invisible Saraswati.

The Purnima tithi began at 3 am, after which the bathing ritual commenced on the banks of the Ganges. A rare auspicious conjunction is occurring in the Magh Mela after 75 years.

From Saturday, devotees will begin their Kalpavas, taking a vow to observe this ritual for next one month. Around 20 to 25 lakh Kalpavasis reside in the Magh Mela for a month. The Kalpavasis observe rigorous penance and spiritual practices for the entire month. Along with this, a large number of devotees also arrive for the major bathing festivals.

The Magh Mela will conclude on February 15 with the bathing of Shivratri.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has extended his heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the people of the state and devotees from across the country on the commencement of the Magh Mela and the auspicious occasion of Paush Purnima.

He warmly welcomed and greeted the revered saints, religious leaders, all the akhadas, and the Kalpavasis, who have arrived at the holy Sangam in Prayagraj to take a dip of faith.

The chief minister said that the Magh Mela is a living symbol of Sanatan culture, faith, and tradition. He prayed to Mother Ganga, Mother Yamuna, and Mother Saraswati for the fulfillment of the wishes of all the devotees and instructed the authorities to ensure the comfort, safety, and proper arrangements for the devotees during the Mela period.

The Haryana government has formally initiated comprehensive preparations for Census 2027, which will be the first fully digital census to be conducted in the state.

The first meeting of the State Level Census Coordination Committee (SLCCC) was chaired by Anurag Rastogi, Chief Secretary, Haryana, during which detailed administrative, logistical and operational arrangements were reviewed to ensure the smooth and timely conduct of this crucial national exercise.

To ensure accuracy, uniformity and credibility of data, the Chief Secretary stated that all administrative boundaries in Haryana have been frozen. No changes will be made until the completion of census operations. In line with Government of India guidelines, the House-listing and Housing Census, which constitutes Phase-I of Census 2027, will commence from May 1, 2026.

For preparedness at the district level, a one-day conference of Deputy Commissioners will be convened shortly to sensitize Principal Census Officers about timelines, responsibilities and detailed operational planning.

Emphasizing the importance of meticulous preparation, the chief secretary underlined that strong inter-departmental coordination and timely decision-making will be key to the successful execution of Census 2027 and called upon all departments to extend full cooperation.

To ensure continuity and avoid disruption, it has been decided that census functionaries will not be transferred during the census period, and necessary instructions will be issued in this regard. For close monitoring and coordination at the grassroots level, the Census 2027 will be included as a standing agenda item in monthly district-level review meetings, he added.

Director Census Lalit Jain, IAS, informed the committee that Census 2027 marks a transformational milestone, as the entire exercise will be conducted in digital mode. Demonstrating Haryana’s technological readiness, he said that a 100 per cent digital pre-test using mobile applications was successfully carried out in Panchkula, Hisar and Faridabad, covering a population of over one lakh. The State completed the pre-test within the stipulated time frame, for which it received appreciation from the Registrar General of India.

For the conduct of census operations, around 60,000 government employees, preferably teachers and other government staff, will be deployed as enumerators and supervisors during the first phase, reflecting the scale and importance of the exercise.

The meeting also took note of changes in the administrative and demographic profile of the State since the 2011 Census. For Census 2027, Haryana will have 23 districts as compared to 21 in 2011, while the number of sub-districts has increased from 75 to 94.

Statutory towns have increased from 80 to 88, whereas census towns have declined from 74 to 51. Urban agglomerations have increased significantly from 12 to 20.

The number of villages now stands at 6,523 compared to 6,841 in 2011. Houselisting Blocks, which were 45,361 in 2011, are estimated to be around 51,000 for Census 2027.

The approved honorarium structure for Census 2027 was also reviewed. Enumerators and supervisors will receive ₹9,000 for Phase-I and ₹16,000 for Phase-II, making a total honorarium of ₹25,000, payable after the successful completion of work in each phase.

Honorariums have also been approved for officers at various levels, including State, divisional, district and sub-divisional levels, to ensure accountability and motivation.

Keeping an important segment of the electorate in good humour ahead of the 2026 assembly election, Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday announced the Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme (TAPS) for government employees, providing 50% of the last drawn basic pay.

Following the new arrangement, pension will be equal to that of the last drawn pay of the government servant. Reverting to the Old Pension Scheme was a poll pledge of the ruling DMK and government servants, including teachers, have launched protests since last month to press Stalin to honour his assurance made in the 2021 election manifesto. With this announcement, Stalin has won over a vital segment, whose support is vital for the DMK’s return to power.

Following the introduction of TAPS, the state government will incur an additional expenditure of Rs 13,000 crore for the pension fund. Further, the state government will be required to contribute an additional Rs 11,000 crore annually as its contribution. TAPS has been designed to continue to provide pension as well as various other benefits which the government servants and teachers were receiving previously under the Old Pension Scheme.

Under the TAPS, employees will have to contribute 10% of their basic pay for the pension fund while the state government will bear the additional fund required for the scheme, an official release said. The chief minister further announced that pensioners will be given dearness allowance (DA) hike twice a year at par with government servants and in the event of death of a pensioner, 60 % of the pension will be paid as family pension to the nominated beneficiary.

At the time of retirement or in case of death in harness, government servants are entitled to gratuity not exceeding Rs 25 lakh on the basis of tenure of service. With the onset of the TAPS, employees retiring without completing the mandatory qualifying period of service for receiving pension will be extended with a minimum pension, the release said. A ‘Special Compassionate Pension’ will be provided to those employees who entered service under the CPS and retired in the intervening period before the implementation of TAPS, it added.

The reaction of the Unions and Associations of government servants and teachers was on predicted lines with functionaries calling on Stalin to thank him.