Deepika Padukone, the 32-year-old Bollywood actress, is without a doubt brilliant in her craft. She played the graceful yet brave ‘Mastani’, the independent ‘Piku‘ or the studious ‘Naina,’ and many more versatile roles and did justice to the characters. Deepika broadened her horizon and went on to accept an action movie, XxX: Return of Xander cage in Hollywood. The dimpled beauty made the Bollywood industry and India proud. However, what makes us take pride the most is how fierce as a woman she is. Here are the few instances which prove that she is the one who speaks her mind.

Fighting depression

Deepika was vocal and vulnerable in public when she spoke about the phase when she fought depression. The actress was brave enough to share it with the media and audience which made her an inspiration for all the others fighting with the same problem. She stood up and spoke about what is always hushed.

The ‘cleavage’ controversy

Deepika spoke against the article written by a leading newspaper that totally focused on the actress cleavage show. Thrashing the newspaper for such disrespectful act, she was unapologetic about everything she said. She voiced her opinion on twitter and taught everyone that objectifying any woman is wrong.

The not-so-secret ex

The beautiful smile on the actress’ face may seem deceptive seeing how much she has been through in her career. Deepika was not at all shy to open up about the failed relationship she experienced. In fact, she handled it with grace and dignity. You go girl.

Padmavati row

How can we forget the most recent controversy that her upcoming movie is tangled in. The film portrays Rani Padmavati who performed johar to save herself from Allauddin Khilji. The Karni Sena and Rajput community stood against the release of the movie. But the actress stood her grounds even after getting death threats. Valiant, isn’t she?

Father’s letter

She read in an award function the letter written by her father when she began her journey as an actor. The actress is not at all scared of portraying her emotional side in front of anybody and fans love her for that. She shared the letter with everyone without being pretentious.

On her birthday, we hope she keeps her spirit up and continues inspiring people. And, stay the beautiful, brave and bold woman she is.

The Jharkhand government has issued a show cause notice to Chief Secretary Rajbala Verma over the fodder scam, an official said on Friday.

“The Personal Department has issued the notice and sought a reply in 15 days. She has been asked why she did not respond despite the fact that the CBI sent more than 30 reminders since 2003,” the official said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation first sent the notice to Verma in 2003 and the last notice was sent to her in November last year. The CBI sought her view regarding fraudulent withdrawal from Chaibbasa treasury when she was Deputy Commissioner of West Singhbhum district.

Chief Minister Raghubar Das wrote to the Personal Department last week to seek clarification from the officer.

Verma is accused of not inspecting the treasury and also for not sending a report to the audit bureau regarding the withdrawal.

Former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has been convicted in two cases related to the scam.

Paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar scalped four wickets to help India bundle South Africa out for 286 shortly after tea on Day 1 of their opening cricket Test at Newlands here on Friday.

Resuming the final session at 230/7, the South African lower middle order comprising Keshav Maharaj (35) and Kagiso Rabada (26) offered stiff resistance until off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin effected the run-out of Maharaj to end his 47-ball vigil at the crease.

Ashwin then packed back Rabada whose resolute 66-ball 26 was studded with a sixer (280/9).

The Chennai tweaker struck once again to dismiss tailender Morne Morkel (2) while Dale Steyn remained unbeaten on 16 as the South African innings folded for 286.

Earlier, Bhuvneshwar (4/87) ripped through the top order, taking the vital wickets of openers Dean Elgar (0) and Aiden Markram (5), and then Hashim Amla (3). He also accounted for the wicket of dangerman Quinton de Kock (43).

For the Proteas, former captain Ab de Villiers (65) and skipper Faf du Plessis (62) got to their respective half-centuries.

Brief Scores: South Africa 286 (Ab de Villiers 65, Faf du Plessis 62, Quinton de Kock 43; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 4/87) vs India.

The Centre is conducting a survey on the condition of women inmates in 144 Central Jails in the country along with the National Commission for Women (NCW), Union minister Maneka Gandhi said on Friday.

As part of the exercise carried out by members of the NCW as well as NGOs, questionnaires have been sent to different jails. After this, NCW teams will visit these prisons and give their recommendations to state governments.

“Over the last several years, there have been several disquieting reports about the way in which women are treated in prisons.

“Therefore, NCW has prepared a proforma and sent it to various director generals (prisons) and chief secretaries, and the deadline for them to respond is February 15,” the Union minister for women and child development (WCD) said at a press conference.

NCW acting chairperson Rekha Sharma said the panel’s recommendations to state governments will have to be placed before the respective legislative assemblies.

The WCD ministry has also asked the National Law University, Delhi, to prepare a prison manual for women inmates.

In its report titled “Women in Detention and Access to Justice”, tabled before Lok Sabha last month, the Parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women highlighted issues such as overcrowding of prisons, growing number of under-trial prisoners, shortage of women officials and lack of healthcare facilities.

Defending champion Serena Williams on Friday said she will withdraw from the Australian Open, adding she was not fully prepared to keep playing after becoming a mother four months ago.

“My coach and team always said ‘only go to tournaments when you are prepared to go all the way’,” Xinhua news agency quoted Williams as saying.

“I can compete — but I don’t want to just compete, I want to do far better than that and to do so I will need a little more time,” she added.

In January last year, Serena won the Australian Open for an Open-Era record seventh time, defeating her sister Venus. This was her 23rd Grand Slam singles title, surpassing Steffi Graf’s Open Era record of 22.

“The memory of last year’s Open is one that I will carry with me, and Olympia and I look forward to coming back again. I appreciate the support and understanding of my fans and everyone at the Australian Open,” said the 36-year-old.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner played her first match since giving birth at the World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi on December 30, losing her exhibition match to reigning French Open Champion Jelena Ostapenko.

“After competing in Abu Dhabi, I realized that although I am super close, I’m not where I personally want to be. With that being said, and even though I am disappointed about it, I’ve decided not to compete in the Australian Open this year,” she said.

A giant tuna was sold on Friday for a whopping 36.45 million yen ($323,300) during this year’s first tuna auction at the world famous Tsukiji fish market here.

The bluefin tuna, weighing 405 kg and sourced from Aomori prefecture, was bought at a per kilo price of 90,000 yen by Yukitaka Yamaguchi, an intermediary for the wholesale fish merchant firm Yamayuki, reports Efe news.

At a normal daily auction at Tsukiji market, a similar tuna would sell at less than 10,000 yen per kilo but the prices jump in the first sale of the year.

The all-time record stands at 155.4 million yen ($1.37 million), paid in 2013 by Kiyoshi Kimura, owner of a well-known chain of sushi restaurants.

Kimura, who has made a habit of making the biggest bids in the New Year auction over the years, on Friday bought a bluefin tuna weighing 190 kg for 30.4 million yen, at a staggering 160,000 yen per kilo.

The auction on Friday would be the last New Year auction held on the current premises of Tsukiji market, which opened in 1935 in Chuo district on the banks of the Sumida river. It will be relocated to Toyosu, a nearby artificial island, on October 11.

The market’s transfer was approved in 2001.

She is the reigning queen of Bollywood and undoubtedly one of the most stylist B-town celebs ever to step foot in the industry. Time and again Deepika Padukone has given some serious fashion goals over the years.

From the fiery-feisty Veronica in Cocktail to Mastani Begum in Bajirao Mastani, Deepika stole million of hearts with her gorgeous and ravishing looks in her films.

Not just films, where she has to portray larger than life roles, but even in real life the actress has always raised the standards of fashion with her dressing sense and style. Be it awards shows or her arrival at Mumbai airport, she pulls off almost every look of hers to the utmost perfection.

So on the occasion of her birthday, let’s check out 10 times when the birthday girl made a statement and gave some serious fashion goals to follow:

When she launched her fashion label ‘All About You’

Introducing the ALL NEW Autumn/Winter 2017 Collection from @allaboutyoufromdeepikapadukone <link in bio> Want what I’m wearing!?…Stay Tuned!

A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) on Aug 31, 2017 at 8:43am PDT

When she featured on the cover page of Maxim

A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) on Jun 6, 2017 at 1:48am PDT

When she mesmerised everyone at the Cannes Film Festival in a bottle green gown that had a thigh high slit

Day-2 Cannes 2017 @brandonmaxwell @elizabethsaltzman @lorealmakeup @lorealhair

A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) on May 19, 2017 at 1:12pm PDT

Her off-shoulders dress game is always on point

Hola chica! @deepikapadukone slays in this flawless and mystical free-spirited look. More on her weekend diaries from #IIFA2016 coming soon! -Team DP

A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) on Jun 24, 2016 at 3:56am PDT

That’s quite a way to pull off a business suit, way to go DP!

That’s one gorgeous way to suit up! @deepikapadukone’s look for a brand event in Delhi is stunning! Don’t you agree?

A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) on Jan 20, 2016 at 4:39am PST

When she raised the temperature as Veronica in Cocktail

#Veronicadcosta #Cocktail #Deepikapadukone

A post shared by Lillian Shroff 🇮🇳 (@lillian180798) on Jul 13, 2012 at 9:55pm PDT

The elegant Mastani Begum from Bajirao Mastani

Watch how the breathtaking #Mastani conquers #Bajirao’s heart in this soothing song #MoheRangDoLaal from #BajiraoMastani. Link in bio.

A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) on Jan 6, 2016 at 2:38am PST

Her appearances on award shows are always the top pick for shutterbugs

Ravishing in red indeed! Here is @deepikapadukone’s elegant look for #FilmfareAwards tonight! Doesn’t she look stunning?

A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) on Jan 15, 2016 at 9:06am PST

Her simplicity  in ethnic outfits

Here’s a glimpse of the beautiful @deepikapadukone at the promotions of #BajiraoMastani in Jaipur today. Can’t wait to see more of her, can you?

A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) on Oct 18, 2015 at 6:35am PDT

When she made her Hollywood debut as the gun blazing Selena in xXx: Return of Xander Cage

Behind the scenes of #xXx. @deepikapadukone and @rubyrose look fierce and strong for #TheReturnOfXanderCage! Don’t you agree?

A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) on Mar 12, 2016 at 6:57am PST

Well, without any debate, Deepika’s different avatar makes her one of the most followed fashionistas of the tinsel town, who has raised the standards of fashion over the years.

We wish the gorgeous Piku actress happy birthday, as she continues to rule the hearts of millions.

After thrashing Australia and with their win over Sri Lanka, confident India led by Virat Kohli will try their hardest to dominate the three-match Test series against South Africa on their home soil. Even though 2017 was prolific for the Indian squad, yet the Test series against South Africa is considered the biggest challenge for the Men-In-Blue.

On 4 January, Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis made his stand clear when he announced that he and his teammates had a “score to settle with India.”

The South African captain, who has earned praises from across the globe for his leadership skills, said that it wasn’t sure when the next India-South Africa series would take place, but they were happy that this series was being played in South Africa. Faf du Plessis said he would ideally want a “quick wicket that nips around the wicket and eliminate spin as much as possible.”

Proteas skipper also praiseed Indian speedsters and said, “You don’t want excessive seam movement because that brings both bowling attacks into the game. We feel with our seam resources, on a wicket that has some pace and bounce, we can exploit those areas in their batting line-up.”

While talking about the pitch, du Plessis said, “The wicket looks good, like it’s going to be a good cricket wicket. Nothing extreme.”

Faf Du Plessis also revealed that the team selection for the upcoming Test series against India was “one of the hardest decisions they have to make. “There are just too many combinations.”

The South Africa captain was all praises for Proteas pacer Dele Steyn. “For me, he is the best bowler in the world. He hasn’t played for a while and he hasn’t got the overs that he would have wanted under his legs. But facing Dale in the nets, the skill feels like it hasn’t gone anywhere. He has got the same pace, and the same swing. Skill-wise it’s like he has just jumped back on that bicycle and is riding again.”

Even though his statement that he and his team had a score to settle says something entirely different, but Du Plessis was not willing to see the series as a rivalry.

“I see the series as South Africa against India. We don’t look at Virat. He doesn’t get more time than any of the other batters. He is a very good player. His stats don’t lie. I am not going to tell you what the plans are. We are hoping we can put some pressure on him. If we can keep him quiet, we have a much better chance,” he added.

While talking about South African batting legend AB de Villers and Hashim Amla, he said, “de Villiers has had a good break, looks fresh and hungry. Hashim has been among runs, that is good for us”.

Key Indian equity indices on Friday traded at record high levels during the mid-afternoon session as positive global cues and healthy buying in auto, consumer durables and banking stocks gave a boost to investors’ sentiments.

The wider Nifty50 of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) reclaimed the 10,500-level and touched a fresh intra-day high level of 10,562.80 points — surpassing its previous record of 10,552 points (December 29, 2017).

Around 12.45 p.m., the Nifty50 traded higher by 32.55 points and 0.31 per cent at 10,537.35 points.

ALSO READ: Key Indian equity market indices open higher

The barometer 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE too scaled a new intra-day high of 34,175.21 points — crossing its previous intra-day high level of 34,137.97 points (December 29).

The Sensex, which opened at 34,021.27 points, traded at 34,106.98 points (around 12.45 p.m.) — up 137.34 points or 0.40 per cent — from its previous session’s close.

The BSE market breadth was bullish as 1,794 stocks advanced as compared to 949 declines.

“Indian equities hit all time high on the last day’s trade session of the week. Sentiments were supported by positive trend seen in the Asian markets after the Dow Industrials on the Wall Street broke above the 25,000 level for the first time overnight,” Dhruv Desai, Director and Chief Operating Officer of Tradebulls, told IANS.

On Thursday, the benchmark indices closed in the green as positive global cues, along with inflow of foreign funds lifted investors’ risk-taking appetite.

The NSE Nifty50 rose by 61.60 points or 0.59 per cent to close at 10,504.80 points, while the BSE Sensex closed at 33,969.64 points — up 176.26 points or 0.52 per cent.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma inaugurated the 40 mw Umtru hydro-electric project at Dehal in Ri Bhoi district.

Inaugurating the Rs 629 crore project on Thursday, he said the state has various potential areas for power generation and called on the local indigenous people to participate in the process of state building.

“Power sector is the most important sector. It not only provides power to consumers but also helps sustain our livelihood and augment revenue of the state,” he said.

The chief minister said Meghalaya has the potential to sell electricity to other states and may be export power to neighbouring countries like Bangladesh.

Bollywood star Akshay Kumar on Friday began the shoot of “Kesari” — which he calls his “most ambitious film”.

Sharing his first look from the movie, Akshay tweeted: “Feeling nothing but immense pride and gratitude while sharing this. Beginning my 2018 with ‘Kesari’, my most ambitious film and a lot of passion. Need your best wishes as always.”

Feeling nothing but immense pride and gratitude while sharing this. Beginning my 2018 with #KESARI, my most ambitious film and a lot of passion. Need your best wishes as always 🙏🏻 @dharmamovies@iAmAzure @SinghAnurag79 pic.x.com/NOQ5x7FKRK

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) January 5, 2018

Akshay has teamed up with Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions for the movie, based on the Battle of Saragarhi. The film is directed by Anurag Singh.

In the first look, Akshay is seen sporting a saffron turban and a beard.

For Grammy Award-winning Indian percussionist T.H. Vinayakram, fondly known as Vikku Vinayakram, the audience is his award and he performs keeping its taste in mind at every concert.

“For me the award is my audience. Every concert is an award for me… and the audience reaction. Before a concert, I don’t have any plans in my mind before getting on the stage,” Vinayakram, 75, told IANS in an interview on the sidelines of the recently-concluded five-night Bengal Foundation’s Bengal Classical Music Festival.

Along with son V. Selvaganesh and grandson S. Swaminathan, a unique case of three generations performing together, the Padma Bhushan award winner took the third day of the event by storm, giving it a rock concert-like feel and producing heart-racing sounds that got every single person watching the recital on their feet and clapping hard.

Gleaming with satisfaction while mentioning the 3G connect in his family (three generations playing together), Vinayakram said the future of Indian percussion is fine as youngsters are coming back to traditional music.

“The instrument which I play and the one my son plays (kanjeera) used to be called ‘side-mans’. It means you can use it or not. The main instrument is the Mridangam. If you see a concert, you won’t see it without a Mridangam but you can see one without the ghatam.

“Now it has all changed. Because of the media, the percussion world has opened now. People have started learning this instrument now and it is getting popular. The youngsters are now Western but when it comes to playing instruments, they are still traditional. It’s like a cycle.

“Maybe in the middle, the focus was more on Western instruments, but it’s coming back now (to Indian instruments). The youngsters are taking it very seriously. They want to keep the culture (alive),” he explained.

It was Vinayakram who popularised the ghatam, so much so that tabla legend Zakir Hussain would always take him along on concerts to play the instrument.

Sitting beside him, Vinayakram’s son Selvaganesh, a former member of the original Shakti, a quintet which combined elements of traditional Indian music with elements of jazz, said he is fortunate to not play the ghatam as it allowed him to be part of the band and rub shoulders with Zakir Hussain.

The band consisted English guitarist John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain (tabla), the later U. Srinivas (mandolin), Shankar Mahadevan (vocal), and Selvaganesh (kanjeera, ghatam, mridangam).

“Me and my son play the same instrument (kanjeera) but I am lucky because, had I played the ghatam, I would not have got a chance to play with my father and Zakir (Hussain) bhai.

“For Zakir bhai, ghatam means Viku. I got an opportunity to play with Zakir bhai because I am a kanjeera player,” the 45-year old said.

On his father’s 1991 Grammy-winning feat, Selvaganesh said: “When he won the Grammy we did not realise what it was. Every year he gets an award. Since his 20s he has been getting one or the other award every year — and now he is 75. For him, an award is like the second day of the New Year.

“So when he won the Grammy, we all felt, ‘Ok, it must be one of those awards’. But later on, when we got to know what the Grammy is, we were, ‘Oh my God, my dad is a Grammy winner’.”

Divulging 3G’s future plans, Selvaganesh signed off by saying they recently did a concert in Bengalure involving 75 ghatam players.

“They had a group, split for symphony. Overall we want to do that once more and take it to different places with composed music. So that’s the future plan.”

The sun is shining brightly in Himachal Pradesh these days while a thick blanket of fog refuses to lift from most parts of the northern Indian plains.

Shimla, the Queen of Hills, is recording the “warmest” days owing to long sunny spells, while cities like Chandigarh, Amritsar, Karnal, New Delhi and Lucknow, located in the plains, are reeling under cold wave conditions with the sun fogged out.

Hill destinations have been experiencing long hours of sunny weather for over a week and the day temperatures in most places have risen. The dry weather would prevail till January 15, the Met said.

An official at the Shimla meteorological bureau told IANS that the maximum temperature in the hill state is one-two degrees above the season’s average.

But nights and mornings are intensely cold.

Data accessed from the weather bureau indicates the weather in hill destinations of Shimla, Kufri, Narkanda, Chail, Kasauli, Dharamsala, Palampur, Dalhousie and Manali is “warmer” in the day, perfect for a break from the biting chill of the plains.

“What a sun in Shimla. A perfect break from the foggy conditions in Delhi,” said tourist Sandeep Dikshit.

“We are literally enjoying balmy days here,” his wife Parul added.

Manmohan Singh, director of the meteorological department, said: “The maximum temperature in the hills is one-two degrees above average due to the long sunny days, while the minimum temperatures are one-two degrees below average due to clear skies.”

The humidity level of plus 80 per cent causes fog. In the plains it is more than 80 per cent. However, in the hills it’s around 50 per cent these days.

In Shimla, located around 7,000 feet above sea level, the minimum temperature was 2.1 degrees Celsius on Friday, whereas the maximum was 13.5 degrees on Thursday.

The night temperature in Dharamsala was 5.2 degrees Celsius, whereas popular tourist resort Manali saw a low of minus 2.6 degrees.

At minus four degrees, Kalpa, some 250 km from the state capital, saw a mild overnight snowfall.

The former Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who had led Chenni Super Kings (CSK) for so long, has once again reunited with the yellow jersey along with Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja. CSK retained Dhoni for 15 crore.

Meanwhile, Raina was retained by CSK for Rs 11 crore and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja for Rs 7 crore.

Now a video of Dhoni is getting viral on the internet in which Dhoni could be seen signing his big deal with CSK. In that video, Dhoni’s daughter Ziva could be seen sitting next to him.

CSK franchise along with Rajasthan Royals is back in the Indian Premier League after two years’ ban.

The official page of CSK on micro-blogging site Twitter has shared the video of MS Dhoni singing his deal and captioned it as, ” Thakida thakida thakida Thala @msdhoni!

#ReturnOfTheSuperKings

#SummerIsComing #WhistlePodu #goosebumps 🔥”

Thakida thakida thakida Thala @msdhoni!#ReturnOfTheSuperKings#SummerIsComing #WhistlePodu #goosebumps 🔥 pic.x.com/hnkcXN6QOv

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) January 4, 2018

The #KnowledgeableChennaiCrowd awaits you Chinna Thala @ImRaina! 💛#ReturnOfTheSuperKings #SummerIsComing #WhistlePodu pic.x.com/Ze27oU5KfN

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) January 4, 2018

To more incredible victories for the Yellow Brigade with @imjadeja! 💛#ReturnOfTheSuperKings #SummerIsComing #WhistlePodu pic.x.com/27qw0SOfIG

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) January 4, 2018

Delhi Daredevils on Thursday unveiled former Australia captain Ricky Ponting as the new coach of the Indian Premier League (IPL) outfit for the 2018 season.

Having previously coached fellow IPL franchise Mumbai Indians to the 2015 title during a two-year stint at the club, Ponting will take over at the Daredevils for the 2018 season.

“We are glad to announce our new head coach for IPL 2018 and it is none other than the legend, Ricky Ponting,” Daredevils confirmed the news on their Twitter handle.

The Daredevils were coached by Paddy Upton in the last season, and finished sixth on the table with six wins from 14 matches.

Earlier in the day, the Delhi franchise also retained the young Indian duo of Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer along with South African all-rounder Chris Morris for the 11th edition of the cash-rich league.