Christmas 2025 wishes: The jingle bells are ringing. Streets are sparkling with lights. Air smells like freshly baked cookies. Christmas is so here!

It’s not just about Santa, gifts, candy canes. It’s more about togetherness, laughter, sharing love. Every year homes shine bright, hearts feel warm. Everyone sends cheerful wishes to friends and family.

Christmas carries simple but beautiful message that kindness and joy can light up even the coldest of winter days. A small candle on a Christmas tree might look tiny, but its glow spreads happiness all around. That is the magic of this festival.

Also Read: How to celebrate Christmas at home: A complete guide to traditions, decorations, and festive joy

Preparations and festivities

In many homes, the fun begins weeks before. Families decorate Christmas trees with tinsel, baubles, and twinkling lights. Stockings are hung with care. People bake cookies in cheerful shapes. Secret gifts are wrapped in shiny paper.

Kids write letters to Santa. Adults hum carols. And, the spirit of giving fills the air.

On that note, here are some Christmas 2025 wishes that you can share with friends and family on WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and wherever you want to!

As you decorate, sing, bake, celebrate, and what not this Christmas, let your wishes carry some warmth and fun. May they bring you and your loved ones a sense of togetherness. Please feel free to send these wishes with a full heart and a big smile. Also, a pinch of festive mischief does no harm.

Merry Christmas 2025! May your holidays be joyful, fun, unforgettable.

After cancelling the main written exam for the posts of its assistant section officer (ASO) and conducting it afresh, the Orissa High Court has blacklisted a private agency, debarring it from participating in bidding for conducting of examination of High Court or Courts in its jurisdiction.

Silicon Texhlab Private Limited was authorised to conduct the main written examination as well as the computer application test for recruitment to the posts of assistant section officer, 2024. It has been blacklisted to participate in such affairs of this Court and all the Courts within its jurisdiction for a period of five years.

During the period, the agency is debarred from participating or bidding either directly in the name of the proprietary bidder or indirectly under a different name or title for any work to be undertaken by this Court and all Courts within its jurisdiction, a notice issued by the High Court Registrar (judicial) on Tuesday said.

It conducted the main written examination on 13 July 2025, and after submission of the evaluated answer sheets to the court, it was seen that the agency had not conducted the main written examination fairly by maintaining confidentiality, as such compromising the sanctity of the entire process.

Silicon Texhlab Private Limited has also come under the scanner for allegedly perpetrating malpractice in the police sub-inspector post recruitment. The police SI recruitment irregularities are currently being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

The government-run Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB) had awarded the conducting of the exam to ITI Limited, a central PSU, which later subcontracted the exam conduct process to Bhubaneswar-based Silicon Techlab.

Lucknow is set to gain a landmark of national importance as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the Rashtra Prerna Sthal (National Inspiration Site) on December 25, marking the 101st birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Dedicated to the trinity of nationalism—Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya and Atal Bihari Vajpayee—the complex honours their ideas, leadership and contribution to India’s nation-building journey.

The PM will reach here at around noon on Thursday and will reach the venue by a chopper from Choudhury Charan Singh International Airport.

According to BJP sources around 2 lakh people from the nearby districts have been invited to attend the PM’s programme. Defence Minister and Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh, Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and senior BJP leaders will be present at the inauguration ceremony.

Spread over 65 acres and built at an estimated cost of Rs 230 crore, the Rashtra Prerna Sthal has been developed as a permanent national memorial and inspirational complex. Along with inaugurating the site, the Prime Minister will also dedicate a state-of-the-art museum to the nation, aimed at promoting nationalism and public service among future generations.

A major highlight of the complex is the 65-foot-high bronze statues of the three national leaders, symbolising their role in shaping India’s political thought, cultural values and governance philosophy.

The lotus-shaped museum, constructed by the Lucknow Development Authority, covers an area of 98,000 square feet and is spread across two floors. It includes five galleries, five courtyards, 12 interpretation walls, and a VVIP green room.

The first gallery serves as an orientation space, presenting key moments from the lives of the leaders through audio-visual displays. The second gallery traces the formation and journey of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, while the remaining three galleries are dedicated separately to Dr Mookerjee, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. These galleries display rare photographs, newspaper clippings and silicone sculptures depicting important moments from their lives.

The courtyards add symbolic depth to the museum, featuring replicas of Bharat Mata, the Jana Sangh lamp and the Sudarshan Chakra. A 10-foot-tall statue of Bharat Mata, with “Vande Mataram” inscribed on the wall, is among the key attractions. Another courtyard displays personal items used by the late leaders. The interpretation walls depict episodes from India’s freedom struggle and national movement through murals and relief art, including verses from Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s poetry.

Ahead of the inauguration, BJP state president Pankaj Chaudhary reviewed the preparations at the site. He said Uttar Pradesh remains central to the country’s politics and stressed the need for unity within the party. As part of the Atal Birth Centenary Celebration Campaign, the BJP will mark December 25 with paying tributes across the state.

A cleanliness drive was held today at memorials of great leaders and BJP offices, followed by the lighting of lamps at places associated with Vajpayee. In Lucknow a ‘ Kavi Sammelan ‘ would be held on Thursday evening in memory of formerprime minister and poet Vajpayee.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the worsening air quality in the national capital. He said that he develops infection after staying in Delhi for just two days due to severe pollution.

Speaking at the launch of the book ‘My Idea of Nation First – Redefining Unalloyed Nationalism’ by Uday Mahurkar, Gadkari said Delhi’s air pollution has reached alarming levels. “I stay in Delhi for two days and get an infection. It is so polluted. Why is Delhi suffering so much from pollution?” he said.

Transport sector accounts for 40% of pollution: Minister

Acknowledging the role of his own ministry, Gadkari said the transport sector contributes nearly 40 per cent to pollution. “I am the Transport Minister, and 40 per cent of the pollution is caused by us,” he said.

The minister strongly pitched for self-reliance in alternative cleaner fuel solutions. He also questioned the logic of India’s heavy dependence on fossil fuel imports. “We are spending ₹22 lakh crore every year on importing fossil fuels. What kind of nationalism is this? By spending so much money, we are polluting our own country,” Gadkari said.

He added that true nationalism, in today’s context, should be about bringing down imports and elevating exports, while transitioning to cleaner energy options. “If there is any true nationalism today, it lies in reducing imports and increasing exports,” he said.

Delhi continues to choke under toxic smog

Delhi continues to reel under a thick blanket of toxic smog, with air quality remaining in the severe category in several areas. To curb pollution levels, authorities have implemented multiple anti-pollution measures across the region.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked all actions under GRAP Stage-IV across Delhi-NCR against deteriorating air quality.

The measures include strict restrictions on vehicular movement, construction activities and industrial operations as authorities attempt to bring pollution levels under control.

Enhanced stakeholder coordination, reforms in the domestic ecosystem, and legally binding commitments on professional services under various Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) will unlock global markets for Indian professional services, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said on Wednesday.

Inaugurating a Chintan Shivir on Professional Services, Agrawal emphasised that India’s demographic dividend offers immense potential to meet the rising global demand for professional services.

He stated that to realise this potential, it is critical to adopt global best practices and equip professionals with upgraded skills aligned with evolving global market needs and technological developments.

The Commerce Secretary said that greater openness in international trade in professional services would enhance competitiveness in India’s economy and encouraged professional bodies to organise and participate in international conferences to enable knowledge sharing and provide platforms for enhanced collaboration.

The Department of Commerce (DoC), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in association with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and the Services Exports Promotion Council (SEPC), organised the Chintan Shivir under the theme “Expanding Global Horizons: Opportunities for Indian Professionals”.

During the event, the Commerce Secretary further underscored the importance of services trade for India’s economic growth, noting its strong contribution to domestic value addition vis-à-vis merchandise exports.

The Chintan Shivir was organised in four sessions: Making Globally Ready Professionals; Strengthening International Mobility through MRAs and MoUs; Developing Networks—Formation and Expansion of Professional Chapters Abroad; and Leveraging FTAs for Boosting Professional Services Exports.

At the Chintan Shivir, discussions focused on making India’s sectoral regulatory frameworks more ‘recognition-ready’ for pursuing MRAs.

In the context of Global Capability Centres and the rapid scaling of digitally delivered services, the role of MRAs in India’s future professional services export strategy was also deliberated.

On leveraging FTAs, discussions focused on future-proofing the digital delivery of professional services, in addition to mobility-related provisions and horizontal domestic regulations related to qualification requirements and procedures.

Indian batter Virat Kohli is set to enter the List A cricket, needing just one more run to become the second Indian after Sachin Tendulkar to complete 16,000 runs in the format.
Kohli has so far achieved 15,999 runs from 342 List A matches at an impressive average of 57.34, including 57 centuries and 84 half-centuries.

The landmark could be achieved in Delhi’s Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, where Kohli is making a long-awaited return to India’s premier domestic 50-over competition in the 2025–26 season after nearly 15 years.
He will feature under the captaincy of Rishabh Pant, in line with the BCCI’s directive for centrally contracted players to participate in domestic tournaments during available windows.

Kohli last featured in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2010. In his previous appearances for Delhi, he played 17 matches and batted in 16 innings, amassing 910 runs with a highest score of 124 and an impressive batting average of 60.66.
The right-hander enters the tournament in strong form, having registered four consecutive fifty-plus scores in his last four ODI appearances. These include back-to-back centuries against South Africa in the first two ODIs and an unbeaten 65 in the third match, which helped India clinch the series 2–1.

Kohli also enjoyed a productive year in international cricket, scoring 651 runs in 13 innings at an average of 65.10. His tally included three centuries and four half-centuries, with a highest score of 135 and a strike rate above 96.
In the Vijay Hazare Trophy fixture, Delhi captain Rishabh Pant won the toss and elected to bowl first against Andhra Pradesh, setting the stage for Kohli’s potential milestone later in the match.

India Women registered a convincing seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka Women in the second T20I of the five-match series at the ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam. Chasing the target of 129, India sealed the win with 49 balls to spare to take a 2–0 lead in the series.

Shafali Verma was the star player with an unbeaten 69 off 37 balls, guiding India home after their bowlers had restricted Sri Lanka to 128 for 9. Her innings ensured there were no late hiccups despite the early loss of Smriti Mandhana.

Following the win, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed her satisfaction with the team’s all-round performance, reserving special praise for debutant Vaishnavi Sharma and match-winner Shafali Verma.

“I am really happy with the way we bowled today. That was the reason we wanted to bowl first,” Harmanpreet said at the post-match presentation. “The bowlers took responsibility and put us in a really strong position early on. Later, Shafali and the other batters finished things off beautifully.”

Harmanpreet also highlighted the clarity within the bowling unit. “Everyone understands their role and is stepping up. We know what Sneh brings to the team, Deepti has been doing it for a while, but overall I’m very happy with how we bowled.”

Vaishnavi Sharma, who picked up two crucial wickets, earned special mention from the skipper.
“We were all waiting for Vaishnavi’s maiden wicket. Even though there were a few missed chances in the last game, today she bowled a very important over and picked up two wickets,” Harmanpreet added.

Reflecting on the team’s approach, Harmanpreet said standards had been clearly set.
“Before coming here, we discussed certain standards as a team, and everyone is committed to that. Whoever walks out to bat knows their role and is ready to take responsibility.”

Shafali Verma was named Player of the Match for her composed half-century. Speaking after the game, she emphasised patience and self-awareness.
“I tried to play along the ground and take singles. The coach also spoke to me about how to approach these conditions,” Shafali said. “Acceptance is everything, if you accept your weaknesses, only then can you become a better cricketer.”

Shafali’s knock followed her dramatic return to the India squad earlier this year, when she was drafted in for the ODI World Cup semifinals and final after Pratika Rawal’s injury. She went on to score a match-winning half-century and also claimed two wickets in the final against South Africa.

Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu admitted her side failed to capitalise after a promising start.

“We started well in the powerplay but lost momentum in the middle overs,” Athapaththu said. “India bowled to their plans and we kept hitting straight to the fielders.”

She added that Sri Lanka need to reassess their batting benchmarks against India.
“If we are batting first against India, we need at least 150 or more. We must rotate strike better and still find boundaries regularly.”

Athapaththu also pointed to the challenges posed by dew while bowling.
“It was difficult to grip the ball, especially for the spinners. But overall, as a team, we need to improve. On wickets like this, once India get going, it becomes very hard to bowl at them.”

In the chase, India briefly stumbled with the early dismissal of Mandhana, but Shafali (69* off 37 balls, 11 fours and a six) and Jemimah Rodrigues (26 off 15 balls, four fours and a six) ensured a comfortable finish, underlining India’s growing dominance in the series

More than 20 years after they separated politically, Maharashtra’s heavyweights, the Thackeray brothers, are back together. Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray have confirmed their alliance for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, and the duo shared the stage on Wednesday at a joint press conference in Mumbai.

“We have come together to stay together,” Uddhav told the media, sharing the stage with Raj. He called on those unhappy with whatever was going on within the BJP to join hands with the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance in Maharashtra.

Uddhav, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) chief, and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) supremo Raj Thackeray earlier paid tributes to late Balasaheb Thackeray at his memorial at Shivaji Park before travelling together to the press conference venue, where the alliance for the BMC elections as well as for polls to several other civic bodies was announced.

A total of 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra are going to elections on January 15, with results due to be announced on January 16.

The reunion is being looked at by observers as a bid to consolidate the Marathi vote bank. The alliance will pose a direct threat to the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which includes the Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sena (Shinde Faction) and Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar Faction).

It may be noted that Uddhav is the son of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, who was a dominant force in Maharashtra politics till his demise in November 2012. Raj Thackeray, on the other hand, is the nephew of the late Maratha strongman.

#WATCH | Mumbai | Thackeray brothers come together for a family photograph after they announce an alliance of their parties for the upcoming Municipal Corporation Elections. pic.x.com/CD4CzI9wIx

— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2025

‘Historic moment’

As the two leaders came together, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi told the media, “It is a historic moment, and we will head towards a historic victory… This is the need of the hour.”

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut had earlier confirmed the reunion, calling it a “Manomilan” (union of hearts). He said the workers of both parties have wholeheartedly accepted the coming together of the two brothers.

“The ‘Manomilan’ happened the moment the two brothers came together against the imposition of Hindi from Grade One in schools across Maharashtra,” Raut told reporters, referring to July when the two had first come together after years of separation.

Uddhav, Raj Thackeray pay tributes to late Balasaheb as Sanjay Raut pays surprise visit

Raut said the two Thackerays had joined hands and the only discussions left were on seat sharing.

He reiterated that the alliance was effectively sealed when Uddhav and Raj Thackeray appeared together in July to oppose the state government’s decision to introduce Hindi along with Marathi and English from Grade One. “Instructions have been issued to party cadres, and there is no confusion among the workers regarding the alliance,” Raut added.

#WATCH | Mumbai | MNS Chief Raj Thackeray announces the alliance of Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS ahead of the Municipal Corporation Elections. pic.x.com/FW9wtGldzr

— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2025

‘No impact on Maharashtra politics’

Reacting to the Thackeray reunion, Maharashtra Minister Chandrashekar Bawankul said the development will have no impact on the state politics.

“Nothing will happen. When they were in power, they didn’t do any development in Mumbai. The public will vote for development. The public will vote for Devendra Fadnavis’s development plan for a developed Maharashtra. I am confident that no matter how many people come together, nothing will change the outcome… Raj and Uddhav ji parted ways. It was due to political reasons and for the same reason, they are coming together,” Bawankule told the media.

Star India batter Virat Kohli marked his return to domestic List A cricket in emphatic fashion, smashing a magnificent 131 off 101 balls to power Delhi to a commanding victory over Andhra in their Vijay Hazare Trophy Group D clash at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru, on Wednesday.

Chasing a competitive target of 299, Delhi cruised home in just 37.4 overs, with Kohli leading from the front in a dominant run chase. The former India captain struck 14 boundaries and three sixes, also reaching the milestone of 16,000 List A runs during his knock.

Kohli found strong support from the rest of the batting unit. Opener Priyansh Arya set the tone early with a blistering 74 off 44 balls, while Nitish Rana added stability in the middle order with a fluent 77 off 55 deliveries. Delhi skipper Rishabh Pant, however, endured a quiet outing, managing just five runs as part of a brief late mini-collapse that ultimately had little impact on the result.

Earlier in the day, Pant won the toss and elected to field, a decision that initially appeared risky as Andhra built a solid foundation. Ricky Bhui anchored the innings with a classy century, guiding Andhra to 298 for 8 in their 50 overs. Bhui’s knock was the backbone of Andhra’s batting effort after they were put in to bat.

Delhi’s bowlers pulled things back, with Simarjeet Singh producing a standout spell, claiming an impressive five-wicket haul to restrict Andhra to just under the 300-run mark.

During Andhra’s innings, Kohli remained sharp in the field, stationed largely at cover, while security arrangements were noticeably heightened around the venue, with fans gathering outside the compound hoping to catch a glimpse of the superstar in action.

The fixture drew significant attention following the BCCI’s directive requiring centrally contracted players to represent their state teams when not on national duty. Kohli’s appearance for Delhi, alongside Rohit Sharma’s return for Mumbai, has added renewed interest and prestige to the Vijay Hazare Trophy this season.

Andhra, led by Nitish Kumar Reddy, showed discipline and intent but were ultimately outclassed by Delhi’s star-studded line-up on a batting-friendly surface.

Delhi vs Andhra Pradesh: Playing XIs

Andhra Pradesh:
Srikar Bharat (wk), Ashwin Hebbar, Shaik Rasheed, Ricky Bhui, Nitish Kumar Reddy (c), Saurabh Kumar, Maramreddy Hemanth Reddy, K S Narasimha Raju, Tripurana Vijay, Satyanarayana Raju, SDNV Prasad

Delhi:
Arpit Rana, Priyansh Arya, Virat Kohli, Nitish Rana, Rishabh Pant (wk/c), Ayush Badoni, Simarjeet Singh, Harsh Tyagi, Ishant Sharma, Prince Yadav, Navdeep Saini

India’s Consulate in Toronto on Wednesday said it was “deeply saddened and shocked” by the murder of Himanshi Khurana, a 30-year-old Indian national, as Canadian authorities confirmed the case is being investigated as a homicide with a Canada-wide arrest warrant issued for a suspect known to the victim.

In a post on X, the Consulate extended its deepest condolences to Khurana’s family and said it has been closely following the matter over the past few days. It added that all possible assistance is being provided to the family in coordination with local authorities as investigations continue.

What the Indian Consulate said

Calling the killing shocking and tragic, the Consulate assured the bereaved family of full consular support.

“We are deeply saddened and shocked by the murder of Ms Himanshi Khurana, a young Indian national, in Toronto,” it said, adding that it remains in close touch with authorities and the family.

The statement came as further details emerged from Canadian police.

Toronto Police investigation

According to the Toronto Police Service, officers were first alerted late on Friday night after receiving a missing person report from the Strachan Avenue and Wellington Street West area.

Police said they responded to the call at around 10:41 pm on December 19, 2025. The search continued overnight, and at approximately 6:30 am on December 20, officers found the woman deceased inside a residence. The death was immediately treated as a homicide.

The victim was later identified as Himanshi Khurana, a Toronto resident.

Suspect identified, Canada-wide warrant issued

Police have identified Abdul Ghafoori (32), also a Toronto resident, as the suspect. Investigators said the victim and the accused were known to each other.

A Canada-wide arrest warrant has been issued against Ghafoori for first-degree murder, a charge that can attract a life sentence without parole if premeditation and intent are established in court.

According to CBC News, investigators believe the case appears to involve intimate partner violence, though police have not shared further details.

Canadian authorities have urged anyone with information on the suspect’s whereabouts to contact police, as the investigation remains ongoing.

Janata Dal(U) MLC Neeraj Kumar on Wednesday wrote a letter to the Bihar Director General of Police (DGP) seeking special monitoring of the activities of Ramiz Nemat Khan, a close aide of Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, and Deva Gupta, the RJD’s candidate from the Motihari Sadar Assembly constituency.

In his letter, Neeraj Kumar stated that it is suspected that Ramiz Nemat Khan and Deva Gupta are accompanying Tejashwi Yadav during a foreign trip.

Referring to media reports dated December 5, Kumar wrote that during the ongoing Bihar Legislature session, information emerged suggesting that Tejashwi Yadav had gone abroad along with history-sheeter Ramiz Nemat Khan.

Kumar noted that Ramiz Nemat Khan is a resident of the Balrampur district (now Shravasti) in Uttar Pradesh.

He further mentioned that Khan’s father-in-law, Rizwan Zaheer Khan, is a two-time MP and one-time MLA from the Samajwadi Party, who is currently lodged in jail in a murder case.

Kumar also pointed out that Ramiz Nemat Khan’s wife, Zeba Rizwan, had contested the Tulsipur Assembly election while in jail, though she lost.

The JD(U) MLC further stated that during the 2021 district panchayat elections, Ramiz Nemat Khan, his wife Zeba Rizwan, and his father-in-law Rizwan Zaheer were among five people arrested in a murder case of Firoz alias Pappu, former chairman of the Tulsipur Nagar Panchayat.

Raising further concern, Neeraj Kumar wrote that if a history-sheeter could allegedly accompany the Leader of Opposition on a foreign trip, the possibility of Deva Gupta being part of the same trip cannot be ruled out.

Deva Gupta is the son of Hari Kishore Gupta, a resident of Chhatouni Chowk, Motihari Sadar (East Champaran), and the RJD’s candidate from Motihari Sadar for the 2025 Assembly elections.

The letter also stated that Deva Gupta’s name reportedly figures in the list of 100 wanted criminals issued by the East Champaran Police.

According to the letter, 28 serious criminal cases, including murder, extortion and land grabbing, are allegedly registered against him, and a reward of Rs one lakh has been announced for his arrest.

“Considering the above facts seriously, it is requested that the police keep close surveillance on persons with criminal backgrounds who are allegedly accompanying the Leader of Opposition, Tejashwi Yadav,” Neeraj Kumar wrote in his letter to the DGP.

India’s javelin star, Neeraj Chopra turned 28 on Wednesday, having emerged as one of the figures who has reshaped Indian athletics on the global stage.

Chopra created history at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 by winning a gold medal in track and field, making him the first Indian athlete to achieve the feat. He followed it up with another gold medal at the 2023 World Athletics Championships becoming the first Indian world champion in athletics. In the following year, he won a silver medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024 adding another accolade to his list of achievements.

Hailing from Khandra village in Haryana’s Panipat district, Chopra has earned widespread recognition for his achievements and his association with the Armed Forces, bringing immense pride to the nation along with his medals.

Recording his personal best throw of 90.23 metres in 2025, Chopra marked a historic achievement for Indian athletics. Over the years, he has amassed multiple titles from Asian Games to Commonwealth Games to Diamond League events and also had the honour of opening the season at the Potch Invitational in South Africa with a victory. Later, in May, he finished second at the Doha Diamond League where he achieved his landmark 90.23m throw. Finishing as the runner-up at the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial in Poland soon after, he succeeded with winning back-to-back titles at the Paris Diamond League and the Ostrava Golden Spike.

Off the tracks, Neeraj Chopra and his wife, Himani Mor had the honour of being hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence on Tuesday 23 December 2025 where they spoke on various topics and sports as well.

He has also been conferred upon the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during a ceremony in New Delhi. The event was attended by General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of the Army Staff among other senior officials of the Indian Army. He has also been the recipient of multiple prestigious national awards including the Padma Shri, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna Award, Param Vishisht Seva Medal and the Vishisht Seva Medal.

Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital (HNRFH), Mumbai has launched Tele-Robotic Surgery Program in collaboration with the Dhirubhai Ambani Occupational Health & Community Medical Centre, Jamnagar. This initiative uses cutting-edge technology to bring highly specialised robotic surgeries to patients in remote areas.

The technology is powered by Reliance Jio’s digital connectivity. The program allows expert surgeons at HNRFH to perform and guide robotic-assisted procedures remotely. This breakthrough eliminates the need for patients to travel long distances.

Also Read: The future of food technology: Gene-edited rice

First surgery marks a milestone

The program’s first successful tele-robotic surgery was carried out at the Community Medical Centre in Jamnagar led by the hospital’s Director of Urology Oncology. The procedure involved real-time guidance and collaboration between the Mumbai-based surgical team and local medical staff.

“This is a landmark moment for Indian healthcare,” said Dr. Tarang Gianchandani, Group CEO of Healthcare Initiatives at HNRFH. “For decades, specialised surgical care has been concentrated in a few urban centres, leaving millions without timely access. Our Tele-Robotic Surgery Program changes that by delivering advanced care directly to patients, wherever they are.”

How the program works

At the core of this initiative is an indigenously developed robotic surgical system capable of real-time tele-transmission. Surgeons in Mumbai control the robot while monitoring every move on high-definition screens, supported by a secure, ultra-low-latency network provided by Reliance Jio.

The system ensures accuracy enabling complex procedures with minimal risk. Local medical teams in Jamnagar assist on-site by gaining guidance and mentorship from the remote experts.

This continuous learning model strengthens capacity of regional hospitals and empowers them to perform sophisticated surgeries independently in future.

“The combination of advanced robotics and fast digital networks is transforming how healthcare is delivered,” said Anish Shah, COO of Jio Platforms. “By connecting distant locations like Mumbai and Jamnagar, we can make world-class surgical care accessible to everyone, regardless of geography.”

Bridging the urban-rural healthcare gap

One of the key goals of the Tele-Robotic Surgery Program is to reduce inequalities in healthcare access. In India specialised surgical procedures are often limited to major cities forcing patients from smaller towns to travel hundreds of kilometres for treatment.

With tele-robotic surgery, HNRFH can now extend its expertise to under-served regions. They can offer timely interventions by potentially saving lives that might have been at risk due to a delayed care.

The program also reinforces the philosophy of Atmanirbhar Bharat by using an indigenously developed robotic system.

Technology meets compassion

Dr. Gianchandani emphasised that technology alone is not enough. “Our belief is that innovation in healthcare must be guided by compassion and responsibility. By combining robotics, digital infrastructure, and clinical expertise, we are bringing dignity, continuity, and trust to patients in remote regions. Excellence in care should not be limited by geography.”

From terror attacks that raised serious questions about the country’s internal security arrangements to the anti-terror “Operation Sindoor”, which highlighted the government’s firm stance and the security forces’ defence capabilities, the year 2025 has been one if the most turbulent and challenging years for India.

The year 2025 saw India plunging into one of its worst aviation crises, but at the same time, reforms in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) provided some much-needed relief to the “tax-terrorised” citizens of the country.

The year also exposed administrative lapses by state governments when dozens of devotees were killed in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj during Mahakumbh 2025, and young fans were crushed in Bengaluru during RCB’s IPL 2025 victory celebrations.

As the year 2025 draws to a close and the nation looks forward to the New Year 2026 with fresh expectations and renewed optimism, here are the ten major events of the year bidding farewell:

Maha Kumbh 2025

The Maha Kumbh 2025 has become one of the largest religious gatherings in history, with over 660 million (66 crore) devotees participating in the bathing rituals over its 45-day duration.

However, the stampede on January 29 (Mauni Amavasya) exposed serious administrative lapses in crowd management and event planning. Moreover, the arrangements at VVIP ghats frustrated common people, as lanes reserved for VVIPs remained largely empty, while those for the general public were severely overcrowded.

A stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru also ruined RCB’s IPL 2025 title victory celebrations. Six devotees were also killed in a crush at Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar.

Pahalgam Terror Attack

On April 22, a group of terrorists stormed Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir. The Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 people, mostly Hindu tourists from across the country. The victims also included a local guide, who was killed while protecting a Hindu tourist.

Reports claimed that the terrorists asked people about their religion and killed only Hindus, a clear attempt to incite communal violence in the country.

However, India remained united, and security forces avenged the attack by destroying terror camps deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir(PoK).

Operation Sindoor and India-Pak conflict

In response to the Pahalgam terror attack, India launched Operation Sindoor, destroying terror camps in Pakistan and PoK.

Pakistan retaliated with a large-scale drone and missile attack, targeting civilian, religious, and military sites in India. Among the targets were a temple in Jammu, a gurdwara in Poonch, and Christian convents.

In response, India inflicted significant damage on Pakistan’s military infrastructure, ravaging radar facilities in Lahore and Gurjanwala.

New Delhi also warned that its response would be even stronger if Pakistan launched another attack. The attacks and counterattacks continued for four days before US President Donald Trump suddenly announced a ceasefire.

Both India and Pakistan confirmed the development within hours. Later, India clarified that the ceasefire was directly negotiated between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two countries and that the US had no role in it.

Trump’s Imposition of Tariffs on India

After the ceasefire, while Pakistan thanked US President Trump for his role, India refused to acknowledge the US involvement.

Pakistan eventually signed a trade deal with the US, while negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement between Washington and New Delhi were halted. Later in July, Trump announced the imposition of 25 per cent tariffs on India, followed by an additional 25 per cent penalty for buying Russian Federation oil.

Modi’s China Visit

With ties with the US strained, India decided to recalibrate its bilateral relationship with China. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, his first visit in seven years. The PM met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, delivering a strong diplomatic message to the US.

Reacting to the meeting, Trump acknowledged that he may have lost New Delhi to “deepest, darkest” Beijing.

Jagdeep Dhankhar’s Resignation

Another major political event of 2025 was Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation. Dhankhar tendered his resignation after the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, citing poor health.

However, his sudden resignation prompted speculations, with the Opposition Congress claiming there is more to it than meets the eye.

Several media houses reported that Dhankhar was forced to resign as the government was miffed with his decision to accept an Opposition motion to impeach Justice Yashwant Varma. Later, BJP leader CP Radhakrishnan replaced Dhankhar.

GST Reforms

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, on September 3, announced a major rate overhaul. After the 56th GST Council meeting, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the GST slabs are being reduced to just two – 5 per cent and 18 per cent, removing the 12 per cent and 28 per cent slabs.

The government also introduced a new 40 per cent slab for luxury and sin goods. The GST rationalisation came as a much-needed relief to the “tax-terrorised” people of India.

Naxal Crackdown

Intensified Naxal crackdown was one of the major highlights of 2025. Security forces intensified operations against Left Wing Extremism in 2025, delivering major blows to Naxal groups across central India.

On 21 May, security forces neutralised Nambala Keshava Rao, also known as Basavaraju, delivering one of the most decisive blows to the Maoist insurgency.

Later in November, security forces achieved another significant breakthrough as they neutralised one of the most dreaded Maoist commanders, Madvi Hidma, also known as Hidmalu and Santosh.

The intensified operation was aimed at achieving the Union Home Minister’s goal of eliminating Naxalites from the country before March 2026.

Red Fort Bomb Blast

On November 10, a car exploded near the Red Fort in New Delhi, killing at least 15 people and injuring over 20 others. This was one of the major terrorist attacks in the heart of India since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

The blast was linked to a larger white-collar terror module, which had been busted just days earlier by Jammu and Kashmir police.

The bomber, Dr Umar Un Nabi, was part of the terror module busted at Al-Falah University in Haryana’s Faridabad. Several more doctors were arrested by the security agencies, and an investigation is currently underway.

IndiGo Meltdown

The most recent but significant event of 2025 was the IndiGo crisis. Thousands of IndiGo flights were cancelled in the first week of December, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded at airports across the country.

The crisis, one of the worst in India’s aviation sector, stemmed from IndiGo’s failure to comply with the DGCA’s new duty rules.

IndiGo said that the Flight Duty Time Limitation (FTDL) rules, along with issues such as bad weather, led to crew shortages and disruptions in its services. The airline has hired private aviation experts to conduct a root-cause analysis of the disruptions, and a final report is awaited.

As former MLA and Unnao rape case convict Kuldeep Singh Sengar secured conditional bail by the Delhi High Court, the rape survivor expressed deep anguish over the decision, saying she was unhappy with the judgment, and alleged that BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has influenced the outcome.

The survivor said she would approach the Supreme Court to challenge the High Court’s order. Former BJP MLA Sengar was convicted of kidnapping and raping the minor girl in 2017.

On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court suspended the jail sentence of Sengar.

A bench comprising Justices Subramonium Prasad and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar granted him bail, directing him to furnish a personal bond of Rs 15 lakh along with three sureties of the same amount.

Reacting strongly to the development, the survivor told IANS, “I want to say only this, that I am not happy with this High Court judgment. I felt that I could have ended my life, but then I thought about my children and my family. But then I thought that God has given me life, so I should fight for justice.”

She also pointed to what she described as a glaring injustice in the legal process, referring to her uncle, whom she said was falsely implicated in a two-decade-old case filed by Sengar’s brother, Atul Singh. According to her, despite filing multiple bail applications, her uncle has not been granted relief.

“On the other hand, the one who raped me, who got my father killed at the hands of his brother, is getting bail from the court. This means he is a powerful man with money,” she said.

Making serious allegations, the survivor claimed political backing was behind the decision.

“He has all the backing from Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. I think they have bribed the judge. That is why this decision was taken. This is an injustice. I will go to the Supreme Court,” she told IANS.

The survivor also spoke about alleged police high-handedness during a recent protest. She said she and her family members were forcibly stopped from holding a dharna near India Gate.

“When we went to India Gate, the police did not let us hold a dharna. The police belong to the BJP. They picked me up in an improper manner. I have 250 stitches all over my body, despite that I was improperly picked up and thrown into the bus,” she alleged.

She further claimed that she was taken to a police station and later released, adding that social activist Yogita Bhayana, who was accompanying her during the protest, was also treated in a similar manner.

Meanwhile, the survivor’s mother voiced grave fears about the safety of her family following Sengar’s release on bail.

“They have tried to kill us several times. We are not happy with the decision. They will find us, torture us and kill us. My husband was brutally killed, my brother-in-law is in jail, my sister-in-law and her sister were also killed; they will kill us all,” she said, adding that the authorities had withdrawn the family’s security cover.

Expressing loss of faith in the judicial process, the mother told IANS, “Now, I do not have any trust in the Delhi High Court. How can they grant bail to such a powerful man who has committed such a heinous crime?”

The Unnao rape case has been marked by a series of tragic incidents involving the survivor’s family.

In April 2018, her father was arrested under the Arms Act following a complaint allegedly filed by Sengar’s associates. Days later, he was found dead in police custody. A post-mortem examination revealed 14 injuries, including abrasions, contusions and bruises.

In another shocking incident in July 2019, a day after the survivor wrote to the Chief Justice of India detailing her ordeal, two of her aunts were killed when a truck rammed into the car in which the survivor and her lawyer were travelling to Rae Bareilly. The survivor and her counsel sustained serious injuries in the crash. The lawyer later succumbed to his injuries.

Meanwhile, the court has also imposed restrictions on Sengar, directing him not to enter within a five-kilometre radius of the victim’s residence and restraining him from threatening or contacting the survivor or her mother.

The suspension of sentence will remain in force during the pendency of his appeal against the December 2019 trial court verdict that convicted him in the rape case.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has launched an investigation after a 78-second video clip surfaced online showing England opener Ben Duckett appearing intoxicated and struggling to find his way back to the team hotel in Noosa during the side’s mid-series break.

The video emerged on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, shortly after England’s defeat in the second Test at Brisbane. The incident reportedly occurred during the team’s four-day trip to the Sunshine Coast resort town of Noosa, scheduled between the second and third Ashes Tests.

What is this behaviour from Ben Duckett. He was completely out of his mind after drinking a lot. Disappointing Attitude. We need to be serious. pic.x.com/KVsCbv73jX

— Aryan Goel (@Aryan42832Goel) December 23, 2025

England managing director Rob Key confirmed that the ECB would investigate the matter, clarifying that the trip had been organised well in advance by head coach Brendon McCullum and was intended as a mental refresh rather than a holiday. According to ESPNcricinfo, several players were given time off during the break and did not train.

Key, who did not travel with the squad to Noosa, said he trusted the players to conduct themselves professionally. However, following England’s 82-run defeat to Australia in the Adelaide Test, reports emerged likening the trip to a “stag do”, prompting further scrutiny.

Speaking at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday, Key reiterated the board’s stance and confirmed that appropriate action would be taken if necessary.

“If there are things where people are saying that our players went out and drank excessively, then of course we’ll be looking into that,” Key said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol for an international cricket team is not something that I would expect to see at any stage, and it would be a fault not to look into what happened there. But from everything that I have heard so far, they were very well behaved,” he added.

Key strongly rejected suggestions of a party-like atmosphere during the break.
“If it goes into where they are drinking lots and it is a stag do, all that type of stuff, that’s completely unacceptable. I am not a drinker. I think a drinking culture does not help anyone in any stretch whatsoever,” he said.

Defending the purpose of the trip, Key noted that he had no issues with players having limited downtime.
“I have no issue with the Noosa trip if it was to get away, throw your phone away, down tools, go on the beach. Everything that I’ve heard so far is that they sat down, had lunch, had dinner, did not go out late, had the odd drink. I do not mind that. If it goes past that, then that’s an issue,” he concluded.

Despite showing resilience in the fourth innings while chasing a daunting target of 435 at Adelaide, England were bowled out for 352, extending their wait for an Ashes series victory in Australia since 2010–11.

On Wednesday, England captain Ben Stokes came out in defence of his teammates, stressing the importance of player welfare amid the controversy.

“How I handle this moment right now is the most important thing to me. The welfare of everyone in there, and probably some certain individuals as well, is the most important thing to me right now as England captain,” Stokes said at a press conference ahead of the Boxing Day Test, as quoted by Fox Cricket.

“This is something I have first-hand experience of how it can affect people. My role as England captain is to protect my players as much as I possibly can,” he added.

Stokes also acknowledged England’s struggles on the tour while reaffirming the team’s focus.
“We have a goal still to try and achieve out here on this trip. It’s not gone anywhere near to plan whatsoever,” he said.

“I have a responsibility as captain to try and win games of cricket, but in moments like these I also have the responsibility of making sure I protect my players when I feel that is necessary,” Stokes concluded.

Filmmaker and former Left legislator PT Kunju Muhammed was taken into police custody on Tuesday in connection with a sexual assault complaint. Then they released him shortly afterward on bail following the terms of anticipatory bail granted by the court earlier this week.

Court grants bail with conditions

The Thiruvananthapuram Seventh Additional Sessions Court had issued the anticipatory bail order on December 20. The order included strict conditions including a clause that required the police to release the accused on bail immediately if an arrest deemed necessary during the investigation.

The court reached this decision after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and the defence in detail.

Complaint filed after alleged incident

The police registered the case on December 8 based on a complaint submitted to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on November 27.

The complainant alleged that Kunju Muhammed had sexually assaulted her while he was chairman of the jury for International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK).

The prosecution argued that Kunju Muhammed used his position and public influence to carry out assault. They stated that the accused allegedly called complainant to a room, forcibly restrained her and committed the sexual assault.

Police has submitted detailed investigation report and case diary to support these claims.

Also Read: Dileep film screening on KSRTC bus faces protest by passengers over 2017 assault case

Prosecution seeks strict action

The prosecution opposed bail plea highlighting severity of these allegations and social position of the accused. They maintained that his influence made the situation particularly serious and warranted careful legal action.

Also Read: Bhavana speaks out after Dileep acquittal: ‘Not a victim, not a survivor, just a simple human being; let me live’

Defence raises questions

The defence on the other hand questioned the credibility of the complaint. They noted a delay between the alleged incident said to have occurred on November 6 and filing of complaint on November 27.

The prosecution countered this argument by pointing out that the complainant had health issues. They also emphasised that delays in reporting sexual assault cases are common as survivors require time to process the trauma and that it should not affect credibility of complaint.