The Indian stock market ended the final trading session of 2025 on a strong note, with benchmark indices closing firmly in the green. The Nifty closed above the 26,100 mark, supported by broad-based buying in metal, PSU bank, and oil & gas stocks, while the IT sector lagged behind.

At the close, the Sensex rose 545.52 points, or 0.64 per cent, to settle at 85,220.60, while the Nifty gained 190.75 points, or 0.74 per cent, to end at 26,129.60.

The BSE Midcap index advanced 1 per cent, while the Smallcap index jumped 1.19 per cent. The overall market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies rose to nearly ₹476 lakh crore from ₹472 lakh crore in the previous session.

Among sectoral indices, barring Nifty IT, which slipped 0.30 per cent, all others ended in the green. Nifty Oil & Gas surged 2.66 per cent, followed by Consumer Durables, Media, Metal, PSU Bank, Auto and Private Bank indices, each gaining over 1 per cent. The Nifty Bank index rose 0.69 per cent, while the Financial Services index advanced 0.84 per cent.

On the Nifty50, as many as 44 stocks ended higher. JSW Steel (up 4.88 per cent), ONGC (2.46 per cent) and Tata Steel (2.35 per cent) emerged as the top gainers. On the losing side were TCS (down 1.13 per cent), Tech Mahindra (0.85 per cent) and Grasim Industries (0.31 per cent).

Out of 4,374 stocks traded on the BSE, 2,799 advanced, while 1,413 declined and 162 remained unchanged.

On the Nifty, around 126 stocks touched their 52-week highs, including Titan Company, Shriram Finance, Indus Towers, IDFC First Bank, Canara Bank and BPCL. Meanwhile, 145 stocks hit their 52-week lows, including Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals, Embassy Developments, Poly Medicure and Whirlpool of India.

Vodafone Idea plunged over 11.5 per cent after reports suggested that the Union Cabinet had approved an adjusted gross revenue (AGR) relief package.

For the month of December, the BSE Sensex shed 0.5 per cent, while the Nifty slipped 0.3 per cent. However, for the calendar year 2025, both benchmark indices recorded gains of around 10 per cent each.

On the eve of New Year, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma arrived in the city of Lord Krishna to express his deep devotion.

The Chief Minister, along with his family (wife and son), visited Giriraj Maharaj in Govardhan and performed the seven-kilometer circumambulation, praying for auspiciousness.

The unwavering faith of the chief minister’s family became a topic of discussion when his wife and son completed the 21-kilometer-long Dandavat circumambulation. The Dandavat circumambulation is considered the most difficult, in which devotees prostrate themselves on the ground and move forward.

Amidst tight security arrangements, the chief minister appeared like an ordinary devotee. He offered milk to the deities at the Dan Ghati temple and Mukharbind and sought blessings.

In a brief interaction with reporters, he said it is only through the grace of Giriraj Ji that he receives the strength to serve the people, and he wanted to begin the new year with the blessings of Lord Krishna.

During the circumambulation, the local administration and police force remained vigilant, but the chief minister’s simplicity and religious devotion won the hearts of the people of Braj.

While responding to the questions on the Goa nightclub fire incident, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told reporters that officials responsible for granting permission to the Luthra brothers, Gaurav and Saurav Luthra, to operate the nightclub have been issued a show-cause notice.

Speaking to ANI, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said, “The Third district has been named as ‘Kushavati’ district under which there are four talukas… Its headquarters will be located in Capie. Special bus services will be introduced from Capie taluka… Kushavati is an ancient Goa river symbol of cultural heritage, and therefore we have given this name to the district. Rock carving in Kushavati is well known. I have welcomed all the zilla panchayat members.”

“I have given instructions to all Heads of Departments that all the officials connected to giving permission to the nightclub, all of them have been given a show cause notice, and if anyone is found guilty, they will be punished,” he added.

A Goa court on Monday sent Luthra brothers – Gaurav and Saurav Luthra to judicial custody until January 9, 2026, in the Birch by Romeo Lane fire incident.

The Luthra brothers are co-owners of the ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub, in which 25 people died, and several others were injured in a fire on December 6.

Speaking to ANI, advocate Parag Rao, representing the Luthra brothers, said, “They have sought judicial custody, which apparently means that they have completed their investigation insofar as police custody is concerned. Now, judicial custody has been granted by the judicial magistrate first class till 9 January,2026…I have told my clients, and they have also been saying that they are cooperating.”

Advocate Vishnu Joshi, representing a victim’s family, said, “Luthra brothers’ police remand was ending today in the Goa fire incident case… They have been sent to jail in judicial custody… Ajay Gupta, one of the three owners of the club, is already in the custody of Mapusa police station… They have already filed for anticipatory bail… We are filing an intervention application against their bail.”

Earlier, on December 16, the Luthra brothers were brought from Delhi to Goa after being deported from Thailand.

The government initiated criminal proceedings against the club owners over alleged negligence and violation of mandatory safety norms after a fire at the Arpora nightclub on December 6 that claimed 25 lives.

According to the Goa police, the firework event was organised at the club without proper fire safety equipment and other essential safety gadgets.

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday, giving a major relief, approved a support package that freezes a large part of the debt-hit Vodafone Idea’s adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues.

Vodafone Idea’s AGR dues amounting to Rs 87,695 crore have been frozen as of December 31, according to reports.

The reports further said the frozen amount will be reassessed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) at a later stage. However, the relief does not apply to AGR liabilities related to FY18 and FY19.

These dues will not have to be paid immediately and will instead be repaid over a long period of 10 years, starting from the financial year 2031–32 (FY32) and continuing till FY41.

The frozen AGR dues will be reviewed by the telecom department based on Deduction Verification Guidelines and audit reports giving Vodafone Idea some flexibility in managing its long-term financial burden.

Recently, the Supreme Court had also allowed the government to undertake a comprehensive reassessment and reconciliation of all dues of the financially stressed telecom company, including interest and penalties, up to FY17.

Earlier in September, the company had sought a waiver of penalty and interest on an AGR demand of Rs 9,450 crore raised by the DoT, arguing that a large portion of the amount related to the pre FY17 period that had already been settled by the apex court in 2020.

The government became the largest shareholder in Vodafone Idea in March this year after converting dues worth Rs 36,950 crore into equity, taking its stake to nearly 49 per cent.

In 2023, the Centre had acquired a 33 per cent stake in the company in lieu of statutory dues exceeding Rs 16,000 crore.

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has initiated efforts to intensify its social harmony campaign in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. As part of this initiative, community feasts will be organized for people of all castes in areas where incidents of caste-based division have recently occurred.

According to VHP sources here on Wednesday, the organization has decided to hold workshops on the birth and death anniversaries of prominent Dalit leaders such as Sant Ravidas, Jyotiba Phule, and Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar to strengthen its outreach to the Dalit community. Through these events, the organization will attempt to unite Hindu society by spreading the message of ‘social harmony’.

The organization has urged its workers to include people from all castes and communities in these programs. This initiative is considered politically significant, especially in West Bengal, where assembly elections are due in the coming months, and in Uttar Pradesh, where panchayat elections and assembly elections are due in 2027.

This move comes after a high-level appeal for social harmony made by the RSS. The RSS, as part of its centenary celebrations, is emphasizing five pillars of social transformation, including social harmony, along with ‘Kutumb Prabodhan’ (family awakening), environmental awareness, emphasis on ‘self’ (identity), and civic duties.

A senior VHP official said, “Bringing figures like Sant Ravidas, Phule, and Ambedkar to the forefront is indicative of a strategy to increase dialogue with the Dalit community – a segment that has traditionally been influenced by non-saffron ideologies.”

According to experts, this VHP initiative is set against the backdrop of the political challenge posed by the Opposition’s ‘PDA’ (Backward-Dalit-Minority) strategy, which reduced the BJP’s seats in Uttar Pradesh from 62 to 33 in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. It is worth noting that the VHP had previously conducted a similar campaign in October 2024, ahead of Valmiki Jayanti.

During this four-day campaign, “community meals”, “girl child worship ceremonies”, and “harmony yagnas” were organized at 10,000 locations across the country. In Uttar Pradesh alone, the campaign reached out to the Dalit community at approximately 500 locations.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday participated in the second anniversary celebrations of the consecration ceremony of Lord Ramlala at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.

On this auspicious occasion, he first offered prayers at Hanuman Garhi and then had darshan of Lord Ramlala at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. Afterwards, amidst chanting of mantras, he installed the religious flag on the spire of the Maa Annapurna Temple located within the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi complex.

In his address, the Defence Minister mentioned Operation Sindoor and cited the example of Lord Rama’s adherence to righteousness. He said just as Lord Rama taught us all the importance of not abandoning righteousness even in war, our Army conducted a limited, controlled, and purposeful operation. “The objective of Operation Sindoor was to teach the terrorists a lesson, and we taught them that lesson by entering their stronghold,” he added.

The Defence Minister, expressing his feelings on the occasion, said, “Lord, what more could I ask for today? It feels as if I have received everything I ever wanted in life. Lord Raghuvendra himself chose me for this day, which is why I am getting this opportunity today.”

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, describing it as the most fortunate day in his life, said, “Two years ago today, when Lord Rama was re-established here, it was a historic moment of pride for all Indians. Today, Lord Rama is gracing not only India but the entire world with his glory.

He said that every street and intersection of Ayodhya has become imbued with the spirit of Rama. Kanak Bhavan, Dashrath Mahal, Hanuman Garhi, the entire Ayodhya is shining brightly in the lap of Mother Sarayu. This radiance is not limited to the Ayodhya region alone, but the entire Awadh and India are immersed in the spirit of Rama today.

He described this day as glorious and reminded everyone that this is the same land that endured unbearable sacrifices and insults for Lord Rama for years, but never allowed its faith to waver. Rajnath Singh called the consecration of Lord Rama in Ayodhya the consecration of India’s spiritual power. “We are all extremely fortunate compared to many previous generations that we witnessed that moment with our own eyes,” he said.

He described the Ram Temple movement as the world’s grandest narrative, saying this movement is unique in terms of both geography and time. From India to countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand, where people from communities other than Hindus also consider themselves connected to Lord Rama, this was a movement of all those who believe in Rama. Such a movement, sustained by a long, non-violent struggle of 500 years, is unparalleled in history.

He said not only has the Shri Ram Temple been built in Ayodhya, but with the construction of an airport, rail network, and road connectivity, Ayodhya is creating new dimensions of development in all sectors, including industry and trade. This wave of development is not limited to Ayodhya alone, but is reaching the entire Awadh province and every corner of the country. He praised and congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for their able leadership and successful efforts in this journey of development of Awadhpuri under the double-engine government.

He also mentioned that just as a magnificent temple of Lord Rama stands in Ayodhya Dham, a grand temple is also being constructed at Punauradham, the birthplace of Mother Janaki. Concluding his address, he prayed, “May this flag of Sanatan Dharma continue to fly as long as the moon and the sun exist in the sky. May Lord Rama guide us all on the path of duty.”

Begum Khaleda Zia, the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, was laid to rest beside her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka on Tuesday.

Draped in the national flag, Khaleda Zia’s body was moved to the burial ground at Zia Udyan and laid to rest near the grave of her husband Ziaur Rahman.

Earlier, Zia’s namaz-e-janaza orfuneral prayers were held at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, the National Parliament complex of Bangladesh.

A huge crowd gathered outside the Bangladeshi Parliament building to attend Zia’s funeral prayers.

Chief Adviser of the interim government Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, BNP Acting Chairman and Zia’s son Tarique Rahman, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, and senior members of the Bangladeshi interim government attended the funeral.

Union External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar also attended the funeral of the former Bangladeshi Prime Minister.

Jaishankar also met Zia’s son Tarique Rahman and handed him a message of condolence from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Conveyed deepest condolences on behalf of the Government and people of India. Expressed confidence that Begum Khaleda Zia’s vision and values will guide the development of our partnership,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.

Leaders from Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives also attended the funeral of Khaleda Zia.

Begum Khaleda Zia died on Tuesday after a prolonged illness. She was 80.

The second anniversary of the consecration of Lord Ram’s idol at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, observed as ‘Pratishtha Dwadashi’, was marked with deep devotion on Wednesday.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took part in the ceremony. On this occasion, CM Yogi also extended New Year greetings, praying for the prosperity and well-being of all.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that Ayodhya has witnessed several phases of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement since India’s independence. He noted that the very name “Ayodhya” signifies a land untouched by war, a place whose valour, glory, and strength no enemy could ever overcome. However, he said that due to selfish motives, religious extremism, and appeasement-driven politics, some forces had turned Ayodhya into a centre of unrest and conflict.

Referring to previous governments, CM Yogi said, “Despite Ayodhya being a city of peace, terror attacks occurred during their tenure. Attempts were made to spill blood in the sacred city, but such designs failed, he said, adding that Ayodhya is protected by divine grace and the presence of Lord Hanuman at Hanuman Garhi.”

He recalled the 2005 terror attack, stating that the PAC jawans acted swiftly and neutralised the attackers.

The Chief Minister said, “Ayodhya will always remember three historic milestones achieved under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi within the past 11 years. For the first time in independent India, a Prime Minister visited Ayodhya on August 5, 2020, to perform the Bhoomi Pujan of the Shri Ram Temple. On January 22, 2024 (Paush Shukla Dwadashi), the Prime Minister again visited Ayodhya Dham to complete the consecration of the grand idol of Ram Lalla. Later, on November 25, 2025, on the occasion of Vivah Panchami, he hoisted the saffron flag of Sanatan Dharma on the main spire of the Ram Temple, conveying the message that Sanatan Dharma stands above all and will always remain aloft.”

CM Yogi Adityanath also highlighted Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s direct involvement in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi movement during his tenure as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and in various organisational roles.

He said, “It was a moment of pride and emotion to witness Lord Ram Lalla enshrined at the Janmabhoomi after 500 years and to see the magnificent temple take shape.”

He recalled seeing the Defence Minister become emotional while hoisting the Sanatan Dharma flag at the Maa Annapurna Temple on Pratishtha Dwadashi.

The Chief Minister said that before 2017, Ayodhya lacked basic amenities such as electricity, water, sanitation, roads, connectivity, and security. People were once beaten or jailed for chanting “Jai Shri Ram,” he said, but today devotees from across India and the world visit Ayodhya and are inspired by its message. Visitor numbers, which once stood at just a few lakhs, have crossed 45 crore in the past five years.

He added that Ayodhya, the capital of the Suryavanshi dynasty, has now become the country’s first solar city. He said, “The city boasts an international airport, double-line railway connectivity, and vastly improved infrastructure. Roads that were once single-lane have been expanded into four-lane highways, ensuring seamless connectivity from all directions.”

Gorakshpeethadhishwar and Chief Minister Mahant Yogi Adityanath said that today, people can freely chant “Jai Shri Ram” and “Ram-Ram” across the country.

He also mentioned that a major government employment scheme has been launched under the name “Jai Shri Ram,” which he described as one of the largest employment initiatives to date. Under this scheme, unemployed individuals seeking work in their village panchayats will be assured 125 days of employment within their own villages.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the present generation is truly fortunate. Recalling five centuries of history, he noted that from 1528 to 1992 and even beyond, devotees of Lord Ram repeatedly rose every 20–25 years to reclaim the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

He added, “Despite oppression, the use of force, lathis, and bullets, they neither bowed down nor gave up. Unmoved by power or persecution, they continued their struggle with unwavering resolve. The movement gained decisive momentum under the leadership of the RSS, while Ashok Singhal played a pivotal role in uniting revered saints on a common platform. With this, the mark of slavery was erased, and the way was cleared for the construction of a grand Ram Temple.”

The Chief Minister said, “The present ceremony marks the completion of two years since the consecration.”

He emphasised that every follower of Sanatan Dharma must come forward to preserve the dignity, sanctity, and grandeur of Ayodhya for generations to come.

He described this moment not as the end of a journey, but as the beginning of a new chapter. Along with taking pride in our heritage, he said, there is a need to set new standards of development.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, CM Yogi said, “Every Indian has been called upon to contribute to building Viksit Bharat.”

As the nation approaches 100 years of independence, he urged citizens to resolve to protect the country’s heritage and excel in their respective fields. Only through collective effort, he said, can the national flag and the flag of Sanatan Dharma be raised higher, firmly establishing India as a leading global power.

Marking a key milestone in India’s missile development programme, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Wednesday successfully carried out a salvo launch of two indigenously developed Pralay missiles in quick succession from the same launcher off the coast of Odisha.

The flight tests were conducted at around 10.30 am today, from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur as part of user evaluation trials, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

According to officials, both missiles followed the intended trajectory and met all mission objectives. The performance was tracked and confirmed by sensors deployed by the Integrated Test Range, while the terminal events were validated through Telemetry systems installed onboard ship positioned near the designated impact points.

DRDO later posted a video on social media, showing the successful salvo launch of two Pralay missiles from the same launcher. The tests were witnessed by senior DRDO scientists, representatives from the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army, and industry partners.

Salvo lunch of two Pralay Missile in quick succession from same launcher were successfully conducted today from ITR, Chandipur. The flight test was conducted as part of User evaluation trials. Both the missiles followed the intended trajectory meeting all flight objectives. pic.x.com/QeJYVDhL1l

— DRDO (@DRDO_India) December 31, 2025

All about Pralay missile system

Indigenously developed, Pralay is a solid-propellant, quasi-ballistic missile equipped with advanced guidance and navigation systems to ensure high precision. It is capable of carrying multiple types of warheads and engaging a range of targets.

The missile has been developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, in collaboration with several DRDO laboratories, including the Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Advanced Systems Laboratory, Armament Research and Development Establishment, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Research & Development Establishment (Engineers), and the Integrated Test Range.

Development-cum-production partners Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), along with other Indian industries, were also involved in the programme. For the current trials, system integration was carried out by BDL and BEL.

Raksha Mantri applauds DRDO

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Indian Air Force, the Indian Army, defence public sector undertakings, and industry partners on the successful salvo launch. He said the achievement established the reliability of the Pralay missile system.

Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO, Dr Samir V Kamat, also lauded the teams involved, stating that the successful trials indicate the system’s imminent readiness for induction into the armed forces.

If you thought your daily metro ride was boring, Ektaa Kapoor clearly disagrees. Just when people were busy checking phones and missing stations, Naagin 7 decided to ‘hiss’ its way into public transport. And honestly, nobody saw this coming.

A viral video has taken over social media showing Mumbai Metro 1 (Blue Line) fully wrapped in a snake-skin design looking straight out of a supernatural universe.

Yes, a whole metro train has turned into a moving Naagin billboard, and commuters are both confused and entertained.

Also Read: Naagin 7 cast: Full star lineup from Priyanka Chahar Choudhary to Namik Paul; find out where to watch episode 1

A metro straight from Naaglok

The video, first shared by a netizen, shows the metro exterior covered in bold snake-inspired graphics, dramatic visuals, and giant Naagin 7 branding.

Soon, social media crowned it the “Naaglok Ki Train”, because honestly, what else would you call a snake-themed metro running through Mumbai?

Why the Mumbai metro?

 

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A post shared by Kuhu Traveler (@kuhu_traveler)

Mumbai Metro 1 runs between Ghatkopar and Versova connecting the city’s eastern and western suburbs. It’s one of the busiest routes in the city packed with students, office workers, and tired souls just trying to survive peak hours.

Which is exactly why this promotion worked. Thousands saw it in real life. Millions saw it online. And suddenly, everyone was talking about Naagin 7, even people who don’t watch the show.

Delhi Metro joins the drama

 

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A post shared by Tushar Gaur (@theguywith_samsung)

Just when Mumbai was done screaming, Delhi Metro entered the chat.

Another video showing a Naagin-themed metro in Delhi started doing the rounds online. And here’s the fun twist, Ektaa Kapoor herself shared the Delhi clip on her Instagram story, sending the hype into overdrive.

Once Ektaa approved it, the internet went wild.

About ‘Naagin 7’

Naagin 7 premiered on Colours TV on December 27. Produced by Balaji Telefilms, the new season promises mystery, revenge, and full-on supernatural drama.

The show stars Priyanka Chahar Chaudhary as the new Naagin, ‘Ananta’. It also features a cameo by Tejasswi Prakash, along with Namik Paul and Eisha Singh in key roles.

Indian Railways has completed the final high-speed trial of the indigenously designed and manufactured Vande Bharat Sleeper Train under the supervision of the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS).

The trial was conducted on the Kota-Nagda section, during which the train achieved a maximum speed of 180 kmph, marking a significant milestone in India’s journey towards advanced and self-reliant rail technology, the Railways Ministry said on Wednesday.

During the trial, comprehensive technical evaluations were carried out, including assessment of ride stability, oscillation, vibration behaviour, braking performance, emergency braking system, safety systems, and other critical parameters.

The train’s performance at high speed was found to be fully satisfactory, and the trial was declared successful by the CRS.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a video of the high-speed trial on social media, highlighting the successful CRS trial of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train at 180 kmph on the Kota–Nagda section.

The video also showcased a water-glass stability demonstration, in which glasses filled with water remained steady without spillage even at high speed, underscoring the advanced ride quality, superior suspension, and technological robustness of this new-generation train.

In a post on X on Tuesday, Vaishnaw said, “Vande Bharat Sleeper tested today by Commissioner Railway Safety. It ran at 180 kmph between the Kota and Nagda section. And our own water test demonstrated the technological features of this new generation train.”

The 16-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper rake used in the trial has been designed to cater to long-distance passenger travel and is equipped with state-of-the-art passenger amenities.

These include comfortable sleeper berths, advanced suspension systems, automatic doors, modern toilets, fire detection and safety monitoring systems, CCTV-based surveillance, digital passenger information systems, and energy-efficient technologies. These features are aimed at providing passengers with a safe, comfortable, and world-class travel experience.

Broad technological advancements and safety features provided in Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains include fitted with KAVACH; Crashworthy and jerk-free semi-permanent couplers and anti-climbers; Fire barrier doors at the end of each coach; Improved fire safety: Aerosol-based fire detection and suppression system in electrical cabinets and lavatories; regenerative braking system for energy efficiency; air conditioning units provided with indigenously developed UV-C lamp-based disinfection systems; and centrally controlled automatic plug doors and fully sealed wider gangways.

Other features are CCTVs in all coaches; Emergency talk-back unit for communication between the passenger and the train manager/loco pilot in case of emergency; For Divyangjan passengers a special lavatory in the driving coaches on each end; Centralized coach monitoring system for better condition monitoring of passenger amenities such as air conditioning, saloon lighting, and an ergonomically designed ladder for ease of climbing onto upper berths.

The successful completion of the CRS high-speed trial marks a major technical achievement and paves the way for the introduction of Vande Bharat Sleeper services. This development underscores Indian Railways’ commitment to innovation, safety, and the advancement of indigenous rail manufacturing under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

BRS working president KT Rama Rao has called out the Centre over the killing of Anjel Chakma, urging it enact strict and unambiguous laws to criminalise racist speech and behaviour and ensure swift arrest and punishment. While the Uttarakhand police have denied any racial motive behind the brutal murder, the family has alleged that it was a racist attack.

Calling out racism as a crime against humanity, Rao took to social media to condemn the death of the MBA student. He said the brutal killing was a painful reminder of how prejudice, power, and impunity can converge with devastating consequences. The former Telangana industry minister went on to add, “India cannot afford this poison. A nation built on the idea of unity in diversity cannot survive selective hatred. Justice must be non-negotiable, and racism, in any form, must be met with zero tolerance.”

Rao, popularly known as KTR, also called for stricter laws against the perpetrators. He warned that such incidents should not be treated as just isolated incidents and hatred should not be normalised. He called for stricter laws to ensure stern action in such situations and punishment for the guilty. “Such incidents are not isolated aberrations; they are loud, clear, and tragic warnings of what happens when hatred is normalised, and discrimination is tolerated. The Government of India has both a moral and constitutional obligation to act decisively. There must be strict, unambiguous laws that criminalise racist speech, behaviour and incitement; laws that ensure swift arrest, prosecution and punishment,” the BRS leader said.

Anjel Chakma, the son of a BSF constable hailing from Tripura, was violently assaulted and stabbed in Dehradun after he and his brother stood up to being abused with racial slurs by a group of intoxicated men. Following the wide condemnation of the incident, five men have been arrested, while one has escaped to Nepal.

Condemning the ruling DMK for not honouring the high court verdict on lighting Karthigai Deepam atop the Thiruparankundram hillock adjacent to the Sikkandar Badshah Dargha, Union Education Minister and BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday asserted that none could prevent the lighting of Deepam as Lord Shiva will take care of it.

“It is the Tamil Nadu government which is responsible for the controversy over lighting the Deepam on the hilltop. It is highly condemnable as the government’s action in not abiding by the high court verdict is politically motivated. But none can prevent the lighting of Deepam atop the hill since Lord Shiva will take care of it and ensure it is successfully carried out,” he told the media, after a darshan at the famed Meenakshi-Sundareswarar temple in Madurai.

Pradhan was in the temple city after participating in the valedictory of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam at the pilgrim centre, Rameswaram.

“Like Thirukural (Sangam era classic composed by sage-poet Thiruvalluvar), which can’t be separated from Tamil culture and society, Thiruparankundram too is integral to Tamil society. And, lighting the deepam at the ‘deepathoon’ (stone pillar) atop the hillock is a long-standing tradition. No one can prevent it. If anybody is bent upon preventing it, Lord Shiva will take care of it,” he said, adding, “The Tamil Nadu government’s handling of this spiritual issue despite the High Court’s clear ruling is politically motivated.”

With the BJP being accused of attempting to turn Thiruparankundram into an Ayodhya of the south, Pradhan is the third senior BJP leader, after Union Minister L Murugan and former Union Minister Anurag Thakur, to wade into the controversy. With assembly elections a few months away the saffron party is trying to keep the controversy alive.

Overlooking a Division Bench verdict of Madras, Justice GR Swaminathan of the Madurai Bench had granted permission to a rightwing petitioner to light the deepam at the disputed stone pillar after his earlier direction to the authorities of the Subramania Swami temple authorities, was not complied with. The authorities had lit the deepam at the usual place near the Uchipillaiyar temple, in the middle of the hillock right above the sanctum sanctorum of the famed temple at the foothills.

The dargah was built during the 17th century reign of a Pandya king for the ruler of the brief Madurai sultanate, who was defeated in war and then beheaded. The dargah is worshipped by people of all faiths.

The Tamil Nadu government had gone on appeal, challenging the single judge order and has maintained that the disputed stone pillar is not a deepathoon to light deepam. In the 1990s, the temple priests have, in an affidavit, made it clear that the deepathoon was not the place where deepam was traditionally lit. It was only at the deepa mantap close to the Uchipillaiyar temple. However, the BJP and other RSS affiliates have been trying to use this as a political plank.

AIIMS Bhubaneswar has conducted its first liver transplant procedure on a 37-year-old man recently, reaffirming its commitment to delivering advanced and life-saving medical services to the people of Odisha and neighbouring states, the hospital authorities said on Wednesday.

Earlier, to ensure excellence and sustainable capacity building, the AIIMS Bhubaneswar entered into an MoU with the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), New Delhi, the country’s premier public sector institute dedicated exclusively to liver and biliary diseases.

The Liver Transplant Programme at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, which was conceptualised in 2023, received the official licence to initiate the programme in the same year. Later, the Liver Transplant Outpatient Department (OPD) became operational on 21 February 2025. Further strengthening the transplant services, a 10-bed transplant Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has been fully operational since November 2025.

The liver transplant recipient is recovering well, and the near-related donor, the recipient’s younger brother, has also made an uneventful recovery and was discharged earlier this week. The liver transplant recipient is a 37-year-old individual from Pipili, Puri District, Odisha. The donor is a 30-year-old male, the recipient’s own brother, who voluntarily donated a portion of his liver purely out of love and affection, without any financial or material consideration. The surgery team comprised of more than 50 members, took 14 hours to complete the process, said Executive Director Dr Ashutosh Biswas.

The liver transplant surgery was performed by the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, led by Dr Brahmadatta Pattanaik, Head – GI & Liver Transplant Surgery, along with Dr Tanmay Datta and Dr Sunita Gupta, under the mentored guidance of Prof Dr Vinayendra Pamecha, Head of Liver Transplant Surgery, ILBS, New Delhi, and his expert team. Dr Subrat Kumar Sahoo, a trained paediatric liver transplant surgeon, was also a key member of the surgical team.

The programme received institutional support from Medical Superintendent Dr Dillip Kumar Parida, DDA Lt Col Abhijit Sarkar, Dr Manoj Kumar Mohanty, Head of the Department of Paediatric Surgery and OT Committee Chairman. Expert anaesthesia support was provided by Dr Satyajeet Misra, HOD of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Dr Sritam Swarup Jena and Dr Prasanta Kumar Das. Radiological support was ensured by Dr Tara Prasad Tripathy and Dr Ranjan Kumar Patel.

The patient was meticulously optimised for liver transplant surgery by the Department of Gastroenterology, led by Dr Manas Kumar Panigrahi (HOD, Department of Gastroenterology) along with Dr Hemanta Kumar Nayak. Comprehensive blood bank services were provided by Dr Somanath Mukharjee (HOD), Dr Anshuman Sahu, and their dedicated team. Nursing services played a pivotal role in the success of the transplant, under the leadership of Dr V. Mahalingam, Nursing Superintendent, supported by a committed team of nursing and critical care nursing professionals. The organ transplantation patient counselling process has been coordinated by Mr Deepak Narayan. Technical support was provided by the team headed by Prakash Kumar Swain.

The AIIMS Bhubaneswar is witnessing a steadily increasing waiting list of liver transplant patients, not only from Odisha but also from neighbouring states. The Liver Transplant OPD is held every Tuesday from 2:30 PM onwards, and over 200 patients have already availed OPD services this year.

The programme is supported by a dedicated multidisciplinary team comprising liver transplant and GI surgery specialists, gastroenterologists, paediatric surgeons, transplant coordinators, counsellors, nutritionists, anesthesiologists, radiologists, blood bank specialists, and critical care experts, underscoring AIIMS Bhubaneswar’s unwavering commitment to providing world-class, comprehensive healthcare to the region.

Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman is all ready to make his acting debut in the upcoming film ‘Moonwalk’. Directed by Manoj NS and starring Prabhudeva in the lead, ‘Moonwalk’ is already creating buzz.

A big debut film for AR Rahman

AR Rahman has done many firsts in his legendary career, but ‘Moonwalk’ adds a very special one to the list. This film marks his first ever acting role.

What makes it even more interesting is that Rahman will not play himself as music director. Instead he will appear as a fictional angry young film director.

As if acting was not enough, AR Rahman has also sung all five songs in ‘Moonwalk’.

The ‘Mayile’ song and a happy film set

Director Manoj NS shared some joyful moments from the film’s shoot, especially about the song ‘Mayile’. He described working with both Prabhudeva and AR Rahman as a dream come true.

He said Prabhudeva has delivered one of his best dance performances in the song. Choreographer Sekhar Master also received praise for making the number visually stunning. Rahman appears throughout the song, adding what the director calls a “cute charm”.

Also Read: From Dileep Kumar to AR Rahman: The composer who embraced Islam and became a proud Muslim

What started as a song appearance slowly turned into something more. When Manoj later offered Rahman an extended acting role, the composer happily agreed. The director revealed that the entire film set was filled with joy watching Rahman enjoy acting for the first time.

Prabhudeva in a fun and fresh avatar

Adding more excitement to the film is Prabhudeva, one of Indian cinema’s biggest names in dance and performance. In ‘Moonwalk’, he plays Babootty, a young film choreographer.

Comedy star Yogi Babu takes things up a notch by playing three different characters in the film. Apart from his earlier announced roles, he will also appear as a character called ‘Dubai Mathew’.

The film also features a large and lively cast including Aju Varghese, Arjun Ashokan, Redin Kingsley, Rajendran, Swaminathan, and many others.

‘Moonwalk’ release date

‘Moonwalk’ is planned as a full-length comedy entertainer and is scheduled to hit theatres in May 2026.

A 10-member delegation of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by its General Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee, on Wednesday met the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the issue of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise currently underway in the state.

Briefing media persons after the meeting, Banerjee said the delegation raised eight to ten issues but did not receive any clear answers during the discussion, which lasted two and a half hours.

“We discussed eight to ten issues. The meeting began at 12:00 pm and continued for two and a half hours. Last time, on November 28, a 10-member delegation from our party had come here as well,” he said.

Banerjee alleged that during the November 28 meeting, the ECI did not provide any concrete answers and instead selectively leaked information to certain journalists.

“That same night, the Election Commission selectively leaked information to some journalists, claiming that they had answered every question. Immediately afterwards, I tweeted that the Trinamool Congress has digital evidence to show that the Election Commission did not provide a single answer to any of our questions,” he said.

He added that this time too, barring two or three points, the delegation did not receive any clarity.

“When I ask them about the SIR, they shift the discussion to citizenship. There was no concrete answer to anything,” Banerjee said.

The TMC delegation reportedly raised several issues, including the alleged deaths of Booth Level Officers (BLOs), discrepancies in the logical error list, the role of officials managing the ECI app, and the alleged deletion of genuine voters’ names from the draft electoral rolls.

Over 58.2 lakh names were deleted from the draft electoral rolls published on December 16, following the completion of the enumeration phase of the SIR exercise.

The claims and objections period is currently underway from December 16 to January 15, 2026. The final electoral roll is scheduled to be published on February 14, 2026.

A Rajasthan Police Service (RPS) officer of the 2019 batch was arrested here on Wednesday for alleged forgery and intimidation of the complainant to extort money.

A police spokesman said that Ritesh Patel, who is suspected to have nexus with sand (gravel) mafia, was demanding Rs 1 crore from the complainant in connection with a “business transaction”. The accused officer had received Rs 25 lakh online from the victim and another payment of the equal amount in cash. Based on a complaint in this connection, he was removed from his post and kept (on) awaiting posting order(APO).

Even during the period of his APO status, the accused officer forged a fake SoG FIR and sent it to the complainant with the motive to pressurize the latter to pay the money. The authorities took exception to this daring act of the officer, and after initial probe, ordered an FIR at the Mahesh Nagar police station here Tuesday. In follow-up, the police took him into custody post midnight.

During interrogation at the police station on Wednesday, accused Patel confessed to have committed forgery and receiving the money, the spokesman said, adding, accordingly, he was formally arrested on Wednesday.