She walked in like a calm storm and left the room buzzing. At the NDTV Yuva 2026, Sanya Malhotra spilled a little bit of that fearless energy fans can’t get enough of. And if there’s one thing she made very clear. She is not here to play safe.

Throwback to 2016, when Sanya made her big Bollywood entry with ‘Dangal’, a debut most actors would only dream of. But ask her what advice she’d give her younger self, and she flips the script entirely.

She says she wouldn’t change a thing. In fact, she’s proud of every choice she made back then. According to her, even mistakes were necessary stepping stones. “No worries, make mistakes,” is the message she would send back in time because every wrong turn taught her something valuable.

Risk is her comfort zone

Sanya isn’t your typical Bollywood star chasing predictable scripts. From the small-town charm of ‘Badhaai Ho’ to the emotional depth of ‘Pagglait’ and the quirky storytelling of ‘Kathal’, she has built a career on variety.

And guess what? She’s not worried about failure.

Also Read: Annu Kapoor doubles down on ‘dudhiya badan’ remark for Tamannaah Bhatia, says ‘I’ll touch her feet’; internet not buying the drama

Sanya openly admitted that not everything she does will be loved, and she’s perfectly okay with that. The fear of failure doesn’t slow her down. In fact, she embraces it. Trying something new matters more to her than playing it safe for applause.

Off-screen too, she’s just as dynamic. Many fans may not know that Sanya is trained in contemporary and ballet dance.

 

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The conversation also turned a little fangirl-ish when she spoke about Diljit Dosanjh. Sanya couldn’t hide her excitement while recalling their collaboration. She shared how she has always loved his music, so much so that she makes reels on his songs whenever they drop.

Working with him, she said, felt special and almost surreal. The two teamed up for the music video ‘Charmer’, which released last October as part of his album ‘Aura’.

Five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings will aim to build on their recent momentum when they take on struggling Gujarat Titans, looking to halt their losing run, in Sunday’s afternoon match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

After a slow start to the season, CSK have found some rhythm, winning three of their last four matches. Their most recent win was a big 103-run victory over traditional rivals Mumbai Indians, with Sanju Samson scoring his second century of the season.

Under Ruturaj Gaikwad’s leadership, CSK are just outside the top four with six points. They will be keen to keep the momentum going and avoid any slip-ups as they push for a playoff spot. Several things seem to be gradually falling into place for CSK.

Samson has been in great form with the bat, and the bowling unit, led by Akeal Hosein, delivered a strong performance against Mumbai. What stands out is that CSK managed that win without key players like MS Dhoni, who is recovering from a calf injury, and Ayush Mhatre, who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury after scoring 201 runs this season.

However, there are still a few concerns. While the top order has done well, the middle order has not been consistent. They have struggled to build partnerships and finish games.

This was clear in their match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where CSK should have comfortably chased down 130 with eight wickets in hand, but a middle-order collapse cost them the game.

Gaikwad himself has not been in the best form, similar to Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag. Players like Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube and Dewald Brevis have all got starts but haven’t converted them into big scores.

For Gujarat Titans, the situation is quite different. After starting well, they have now lost their last two matches — a heavy 99-run defeat to Mumbai Indians and a five-wicket loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Even though they are level with CSK on six points, GT are placed seventh because of their poor net run rate, which has hurt their campaign. One of their main issues has been their cautious approach in a format that rewards aggressive batting. Their middle order, in particular, has failed to take advantage of good starts.

In their last match against RCB, GT looked set to post a total of over 230, but they slowed down between the 16th and 19th overs, which proved costly. Their fielding has also been below par, including an important dropped catch of Virat Kohli.

“We didn’t get as many runs as we would have liked. Those three overs were very crucial for us,” captain Shubman Gill said after the match.

GT’s bowling attack has quality, with pacers like Prasidh Krishna, Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj, along with young Ashok Sharma, who has picked up six wickets. But they have struggled with consistency, especially in the middle overs.

In the spin department, Rashid Khan has been their most reliable bowler, while Manav Suthar has played only one match and Washington Sundar has not made much of an impact.

There have been a few positives for GT. Sai Sudharsan scored an impressive century against RCB, while Gill has led from the front with 293 runs, including three fifties. Jos Buttler has also contributed with 231 runs.

Looking at their head-to-head record, CSK and GT are evenly matched, with both teams winning four games each in eight meetings. GT won their first three encounters, but CSK bounced back to win the next three, including the 2023 final. In their last meeting on May 25, 2025, CSK came out on top with a convincing 83-run victory.

Squads:

Gujarat Titans: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Shahrukh Khan, Anuj Rawat, Jos Buttler, Kumar Kushagra, Tom Banton, Glenn Phillips, Jason Holder, Nishant Sindhu, Rahul Tewatia, Washington Sundar, Sai Kishore, Jayant Yadav, Arshad Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Manav Suthar, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna.

Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), MS Dhoni (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Kartik Sharma (wk), Dewald Brevis, Sarfaraz Khan, Urvil Patel (wk), Aman Khan, Shivam Dube, Zak Foulkes, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Anshul Kamboj, Jamie Overton, Matthew Short, Prashant Veer, Rahul Chahar, Shreyas Gopal, Gurjapneet Singh, Matt Henry, Akeal Hosein, Spencer Johnson, Mukesh Choudhary, Noor Ahmad.

Delhi Capitals (DC) Director of Cricket Venugopal Rao has allayed immediate concerns around Lungi Ngidi’s head injury, calling it “not serious” after the pacer was taken to hospital following a frightening on-field incident during their IPL 2026 clash against Punjab Kings.

Ngidi was rushed to Max Hospital for precautionary tests after a heavy fall in the third over of Punjab Kings’ chase. Attempting a catch at mid-off to dismiss Priyansh Arya, the South African quick lost balance, fell backwards, and hit his head hard on the turf, prompting immediate medical attention.

Play was halted for nearly 15 minutes as team physios attended to Ngidi before he was stretchered off and taken away in an ambulance, with visible concern among players and support staff.

“Still, I think it is not serious. He is in the hospital. We will update, but nothing serious,” Rao said after the match.

In an official update earlier, the Indian Premier League confirmed that Ngidi is “stable” and expected to be discharged shortly. The league stated that the 30-year-old complained of headache and neck pain following the incident but remains under observation.

“Lungi Ngidi hit his head on the ground while attempting to take a catch… He was shifted to the hospital in an ambulance as he complained of a headache and neck pain,” the IPL said in a post on X, adding, “Ngidi is stable and is due to be discharged shortly.”

Update: Lungisani Ngidi of Delhi Capitals hit his head on the ground while attempting to take a catch during his team’s match against Punjab Kings.

He was shifted to the hospital in an ambulance as he complained of a headache and neck pain.

Ngidi is stable and is due to be… https://t.co/F6NQhDTq9F

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 25, 2026

Addressing confusion over the concussion substitute, initially listed as Dushmantha Chameera before being replaced by Vipraj Nigam, Rao clarified the decision was purely regulatory. “Only four overseas players are allowed. There is a rule. We cannot take a fifth overseas player. Simple,” he explained.

Rao reiterated that player safety remains the top priority, even as Ngidi’s absence proved costly in a high-scoring thriller. “Safety comes first. But when you see a score like that, missing his four overs makes a difference. We hope Ngidi recovers quickly and returns soon,” he added.

Also Read: IPL 2026: 264 falls short as Punjab Kings script record chase against Delhi Capitals

Punjab Kings leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal also expressed concern, highlighting the seriousness of head injuries. “It feels bad when anyone gets injured, especially with head injuries, they are always dangerous. We just hope he recovers soon and is back on the field,” he said.

Rao also confirmed that Mitchell Starc will be available for DC from May 1, following clearance from Cricket Australia.

Despite posting a daunting 264/2, powered by KL Rahul’s unbeaten 152, Delhi Capitals fell short as Punjab Kings pulled off a record chase, sealing the highest successful run chase in IPL history.

Kalvakuntla Kavitha, daughter of BRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR), launched her new political party, the Telangana Rashtra Sena (TRS), on Saturday in Hyderabad.

Addressing the gathering, K Kavitha revealed her party’s name and laid down its vision, while emphasising the imminent need for a new political force and alleging that “every single citizen of Telangana is being subjected to the brutality and negligence of those in power.”

“We fought hard and sacrificed everything we could to make Telangana a reality, but in vain. We didn’t really achieve what we intended to. Twelve years in, the dreams which were the foundation of the agitation remain unfulfilled. ‘Samajika Telangana’ continues to elude us. The ‘Telangana Chariot’ has gone off track. We all believed that getting a separate state would free us of our chains. Instead, farmers are suffering, Dalits are suffering, and even personal freedom is under constant threat; every single citizen of Telangana is being subjected to the brutality and negligence of those in power. To realise our dreams and give wings to our aspirations, political power is necessary,” she said.

Kavitha apologised to the people of Telangana for her association with the BRS, saying that she is launching the new party to make up for that.

“I feel bad for being part of it. I ask for the forgiveness of the people of Telangana. Having said that, I am proud to have contributed to the Telangana agitation, which made statehood a reality. While I accept that mistakes and crimes were committed by certain people, I believe an apology isn’t enough. To make up for it, we need to work hard once again to achieve ‘Samajika Telangana.’ I, therefore, am launching the Telangana Rashtra Sena,” she said.

In an apparent bid to strike an emotional note with her supporters, Kavitha said that she wants to establish an ‘Amma’s Rule’ in the state, saying a mother’s rule is “unconditional, considerate, and giving.”

“I seek to establish an ‘Amma’s Rule.’ A mother’s rule is unconditional, considerate, and giving. Nothing can be as unconditional as a mother. A mother doesn’t just consider problems; she looks at the child’s needs. When governance is carried out with the spirit of motherhood, the heart breaks when people suffer. I want to stand by and uplift every single person in Telangana as a mother would.”

Launches direct attack on father and BRS chief KCR

Kavitha also launched a scathing attack on her father and BRS chief KCR, saying that he is not the same person anymore and that power has “corrupted” him.

“KCR isn’t the same anymore. The KCR of the past cared about people, fought for the people, and got their problems solved. Power corrupted him. I do not say this out of pain. The KCR we knew protested when artisans died and took up every single issue. Today’s KCR is nowhere to be seen when the houses of the poor are demolished in Velugumatla. When farmers were facing enormous losses and HYDRAA unleashed brutality on the poor, among innumerable other instances, KCR was invisible. What was KCR doing when the houses of the poor were demolished overnight? What did KCR say in the past?” she said.

Kavitha said that KCR has lost control over his political statements and kicked her out for exposing the alleged corruption in the Kaleshwaram project.

“He said even if his own children resort to corruption, he would disown them. Now, he has kicked me out for calling out corruption in the Kaleshwaram project but is happily enjoying the company of the ‘pigs’ who were responsible for that corruption. KCR has lost control of his political statements. Therefore, I will fight him. I will wage war for the people of Telangana, and that is non-negotiable,” she added.

In a shocking incident from Madhya Pradesh, an operation theatre (OT) attendant allegedly performed a breast surgery on a woman without a doctor’s examination or an Outpatient Department (OPD) slip at a government civil hospital in Pipariya town of Narmadapuram district about a week ago.

Following a complaint by the woman, Narmadapuram Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr Narsingh Gehlot on Saturday suspended the OT attendant, Barsati Lal Manjhi. A detailed probe has also been ordered into the incident.

According to officials, the patient lodged a complaint with Block Medical Officer (BMO) Dr Richa Katakwar two days ago, bringing the matter to light.

As per the complaint, the OT attendant allegedly removed a breast lump of the woman, a resident of Singanama village, in the absence of a qualified surgeon at the government facility.

CMHO Dr Gehlot confirmed that the procedure had indeed been carried out around a week earlier.

Officials further stated that neither the BMO nor other authorities were aware at the time that such a procedure had been conducted by an OT attendant at the hospital.

Vidisha, the parliamentary constituency of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has recorded the highest number of stubble burning incidents in Madhya Pradesh between April 1 and 24. The state itself has reported the highest number of such cases in the country during the same period.

The figures are based on data compiled by the Consortium for Research on Agroecosystem Monitoring and Modelling from Space (CREAMS), a Union government-backed monitoring system.

According to the data, Vidisha district recorded 3,272 incidents of stubble burning, the highest in the state. On April 23 alone, the district reported a significant spike, with 545 instances of wheat stubble burning in a single day.

Overall, Madhya Pradesh reported 26,507 incidents of stubble burning between April 1 and 24, the highest among five states monitored. Uttar Pradesh followed with 11,383 cases during the same period. Haryana reported 221 incidents, while Punjab recorded 151, and Delhi reported 12 cases.

CREAMS, which tracks such incidents using satellite data, detected a total of 3,82,074 stubble burning events across these five states during the period. On April 24 alone, satellites recorded 2,225 residue burning incidents, including 34 in Punjab, 46 in Haryana, 3 in Delhi, 779 in Uttar Pradesh, and 1,363 in Madhya Pradesh.

Within Madhya Pradesh, the highest daily count was recorded on April 23, with 2,669 incidents, while the lowest was 327 on April 8.

CREAMS is an interdisciplinary research initiative of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, coordinated by its Division of Agricultural Physics. It uses remote sensing, agrometeorology, and modelling tools to assess crops and agricultural environments at both field and regional levels.

Stubble burning remains a major contributor to air pollution, particularly in South Asia, releasing harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). It is associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, while also degrading soil health and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday said that he has cancelled his representatives’ visit to Islamabad to meet with the Iranian delegation.

In a social media post on Truth Social, Trump said that too much time has been wasted travelling and claimed there is “tremendous infighting” in the Iranian leadership.

“I just cancelled the trip of my representatives going to Islamabad, Pakistan, to meet with the Iranians. Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work! Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their “leadership.” Nobody knows who is in charge, including them,” he said.

The US President also claimed Washington has “all the cards, they (Iranians) have none.” He further added that if Iran wants to talk, “all they have to do is call.”

Trump’s remarks came shortly after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Pakistan after conveying Iran’s “position” on a workable framework to permanently end the war.

Araghchi, who arrived in Islamabad earlier today, met Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Iran had said that the aim of the visit was to discuss bilateral relations, rejecting direct talks with the United States.

The Iranian minister described his Pakistan visit as “very fruitful”, saying Tehran very much values the efforts of Islamabad towards bringing back peace to the region.

He further added that Iran has conveyed its position and that the ball is now in the US court.

“Shared Iran’s position concerning a workable framework to permanently end the war on Iran. Have yet to see if the U.S. is truly serious about diplomacy,” Araghchi added.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has launched a scathing attack on the Trinamul Congress (TMC) during his visit to West Bengal on Saturday.

He bluntly stated that Mamata Didi opposed the CAA because she was worried that if Hindus increase in number, how would Iftar be held on the streets?

Blaming the TMC for the anarchy in Bengal, the CM said that this party does not believe in democracy.

“During the first phase of voting, these people attacked the BJP leaders and candidates; everyone witnessed their hooliganism. But when the results come out on 4 May, TMC goons will find no place to hide. Bengal will no longer accept anarchy. It is time to free Bengal from the stigma of plunder that Congress, the Communists, and the TMC have placed on its forehead. The people of Bengal have decided to elect a double-engine government that will work at double speed,” he said.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was addressing a public rally in support of BJP candidate Shruti Shekhar Goswami from the Nabadwip Assembly constituency on Saturday.

CM Yogi congratulated voters for the record turnout in 152 seats in the first phase.

He said that every voter felt the need to liberate Bengal from terror, mafia rule, and corruption, reinstate it as a symbol of India’s identity, and bring in the BJP’s double-engine government.

CM Yogi said that the work done by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu 500 years ago, establishing India’s eternal flag on the global stage by attracting the world with the melodious tune of “Hare Krishna, Hare Rama…,” is being done today by the monks of ISKCON.

CM Yogi said that Bengal has given everything to India, yet it has been severely defrauded. He paid tribute to saints, freedom fighters, social reformers, scientists, and other notable figures born on Bengal’s soil.

He said that once upon a time, Nabadwip and Bengal gave identity to India, but today Bengal itself faces an identity crisis.

“This crisis was created by the TMC government, which has become a symbol of terror, mafia rule, and corruption. BJP worker Sanjay Bhowmik was brutally murdered, and Trinamul goons roam freely. Land, sand, and cattle mafias dominate Bengal. TMC goons usurp money sent from Delhi, but now Bengal has awakened. The game of cut money and anarchy will end here,” he added.

Congress MP from Katihar, Tariq Anwar, on Saturday indicated that all is not well within the Bihar Congress, alleging attempts to weaken the party. Speaking to the media, he raised several questions about its internal functioning.

Addressing reporters after the resignation of Katihar Rural District Congress President Sunil Yadav, Anwar made significant remarks on organisational changes. He asserted that Katihar, once considered a stronghold of the Congress, has been weakened due to recent developments within the organisation.

Growing factionalism within the party has become apparent recently through a series of developments, including the alleged cross-voting by Manihari MLA Manohar Prasad in the Rajya Sabha elections, serious allegations levelled by former Congress Legislature Party leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan against Anwar, and the recent resignation of the Katihar district president.

Anwar said that former Congress president and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has also acknowledged the presence of “sleeper cells” within the party that are attempting to weaken it. According to him, similar elements are active in Bihar as well. He emphasised that the Congress central leadership needs to intervene at the earliest.

Anwar reiterated that, given his role in the disciplinary committee, he cannot comment extensively in public. However, he said that the issues concerning the Bihar Congress had been conveyed to the national leadership and indicated that significant changes may take place in the near future.

He added that he has informed Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in writing about the situation and has sought his intervention.

Anwar has long been critical of Bihar Congress State President Rajesh Ram.

Responding to Anwar’s remarks, senior Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan accused him of unnecessarily targeting a Dalit leader chosen by the party as the state president.

Aam Aadmi Party workers across Punjab held protests against the seven Rajya Sabha MPs, including Raghav Chadha, Harbhajan Singh, Ashok Mittal, Sandeep Pathak and others, who merged with the BJP.

Harbhajan Singh and Sandeep Pathak’s residences in Jalandhar and Ludhiana were spray-painted with “Gaddar (traitor)” graffiti by the protesting AAP workers.

Posters of Ashok Mittal outside the Lovely Professional University’s Phagwara campus were also defaced by the protesters, who also raised “Punjab de gaddar” slogans.

“The traitor Rajya Sabha members who went to BJP have betrayed the trust of Punjab’s people. Shiromani Akali Dal, Congress, and BJP are working together to break the Aam Aadmi Party. The Aam Aadmi Party is a people’s movement, which no one can withstand,” said senior AAP leader Pawan Kumar Tinu.

The protests against the seven AAP MPs came a day after they merged with the BJP in a major jolt to the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, Raghav Chadha said, “We have decided that we, the two-thirds members belonging to the AAP in Rajya Sabha, exercise the provisions of the Constitution of India and merge ourselves with the BJP.”

Chadha stated that the AAP currently has 10 MPs in the Rajya Sabha, and seven of them have supported the move. With seven deciding to merge with the BJP, their Rajya Sabha membership is also safe under the 2/3rd majority rule.

Explaining the reasons behind the split, Chadha alleged that the AAP had “moved away from its core ideology” and was now functioning for personal gains, prompting the group to take the step.

Reacting to the development, senior party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh called the merger a BJP-engineered operation, saying the central agencies were being deployed as instruments of political coercion.

“Operation Lotus is being executed on the Punjab government. ED, CBI are being used to execute this Operation Lotus,” Singh said, adding: “The people of Punjab will never forget these traitors.”

AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party alleging that the saffron party has once again “betrayed the Punjabis.”

“BJP ne fir se Punjabiyon ke sath kiya dhakka,” Kejriwal wrote on X.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday expressed deep grief over the death of a minor in a road accident in the Shalimar Bagh area, attributing the tragedy to illegal encroachments that have hindered traffic movement.

The Chief Minister said that had there been no encroachments along the roadside, traffic would have flowed more smoothly, reducing the likelihood of such accidents and the resulting loss of life and property.

According to the Chief Minister’s Office, police said that two minors riding a motorcycle were passing through an area where illegal encroachments had been made along a drain and the roadside. A tempo coming from behind allegedly hit the motorcycle, leading to the death of one minor on the spot.

Gupta conveyed her condolences to the family of the deceased, a resident of Ambedkar Nagar in Haiderpur, and stated that the accident could have been avoided in the absence of such encroachments.

She also pointed out that a similar incident had occurred around two months ago, when a five-year-old girl lost her life after being hit by a speeding dumper in the same locality, highlighting ongoing concerns over traffic management.

Referring to recent legal developments, the Chief Minister said the Delhi High Court has issued directions for the removal of illegal encroachments in the area, including more than 140 unauthorised units along Road No. 320.

Gupta stated that these encroachments were established on government land during the tenure of the previous administration and have long obstructed traffic movement, causing inconvenience to residents and commuters.

She noted that the area experiences heavy traffic due to the presence of major hospitals, educational institutions, and police establishments. While an underpass has been constructed to ease congestion—allowing traffic from Azadpur to connect directly to the Outer Ring Road near Mukarba Chowk—the benefits have been limited due to persistent encroachments.

The Chief Minister added that the Delhi government had approached the High Court on the issue, leading to the directive for removal of illegal constructions. She expressed confidence that once these encroachments are cleared, traffic flow in North Delhi will improve significantly.

Indian classical dance based on timeless mythological classics is set to take over the rhythm and form of Delhi.

From May 1-3, the Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra (SBKK) is set to present its annual Kendra Dance Festival 2026 at Kamani Auditorium.

The three-day festival will showcase a series of dance-drama productions by the Kendra Dance Repertory.

This year’s festival is about continuity and reinvention, featuring established works and reimagined productions.

The performances incorporate updated choreography, music, and stage design while preserving the essence of the original narratives.

The act on the opening day will focus on retelling the story of the Mahabharata, centred around Abhimanyu’s heroic attempt to break into the complex battle formation devised by the Kauravas, titled Chakravyuh.

Day 2 will showcase the act “Shree Durga.” The production traces the journey of Goddess Durga from her creation to destroy the demon Mahishasura to the manifestation of Kali, who finally destroys the dreaded Raktabeej. The performance highlights the dual nature of the goddess as both a nurturing and protective force.

On the last day, the concluding act, Kartikeya is a revival of the earlier production Kumar Sambhav. The act explores the birth of Kartikeya, the war god and son of Shiva, to combat the threat of Tarakasur. The story also contains episodes of Shiva, Parvati and Ganesha, giving a broader picture of the divine family.

As per organisers, this year’s productions draw upon multiple classical dance forms, including Chhau, Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kathakali, and Mayurbhanj traditions. The performances are accompanied by original musical compositions, elaborate costumes, and immersive stage design.

The festival unites the vision and expertise of Shobha Deepak Singh, Chairperson of SBKK, and Gauri S. Keeling, Vice Chairperson.

While Chakravyuh and Shri Durga are choreographed by Shashidharan Nair, Kartikeya has been choreographed by Raj Kumar Sharma. The productions reflect a collaborative effort involving senior members of the Kendra.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday stated that over 12.60 lakh passengers have returned to India from West Asia since February 28.

In light of the evolving situation in West Asia, the Government of India remains actively engaged in ensuring preparedness and continuity across key sectors through coordinated response measures.

The MEA said it continues to monitor developments in the Gulf and West Asia region, with focussed efforts on ensuring safety, security and welfare of the Indian community in the region.

The Government is according high priority to the welfare of Indian seafarers in the region.

Indian Missions are extending all assistance to the Indian crew members on vessels in the region including coordination with the local authorities and agencies, extending consular assistance and facilitating requests to return to India, the Ministry said.

“The overall flight situation continues to improve with additional flights operating from the region to various destinations in India. Since 28 February, around 12,65,000 passengers have travelled from the region to India,” the MEA informed.

“Iran airspace is partially open for cargo and chartered flights. Indian nationals are advised to avoid travelling to Iran and those already there in Iran are urged to leave via land border routes, with our Embassy’s support. So far, the Indian Embassy in Tehran has facilitated movement of 2,443 Indian nationals out of Iran through land border routes,” the Ministry said.

Israel airspace is open and limited flight operations have resumed to destinations in the region, which can be used for onward travel to India.

In the UAE, airlines continue to operate limited commercial flights between the UAE and India based on operational and safety considerations, with around 110 flights expected today between UAE and India.

Flights continue to operate from various airports in Saudi Arabia and Oman to destinations in India. With Qatar airspace partially open, Qatar Airways is operating flights to various destinations in India.

“Kuwait airspace is open. Jazeera Airways and Kuwait Airways have announced that they would be resuming limited flight operations from Kuwait to India soon. They continue to operate non-scheduled commercial flights from Dammam Airport of Saudi Arabia to various destinations in India,” the Ministry stated.

Bahrain airspace is open. Gulf Air is operating flights from Bahrain to various destinations in India.

Iraq airspace is open with limited flight operations to destinations in the region, which can be used for onward travel to India.

The survivor of the 2017 actress abduction and sexual assault case has petitioned President Droupadi Murmu and the Chief Justice of India, urging them to halt the proposed elevation of Honey M. Varghese as a judge of the Kerala High Court.

Honey M. Varghese, currently serving as Principal District and Sessions Judge in Alappuzha, had earlier presided over the trial of the actress assault case while serving in the Ernakulam District and Sessions Court. Her name is among five judicial officers recently recommended for elevation by the High Court collegium.

In her petition, the survivor has raised serious concerns regarding the conduct of the trial and objected to the elevation while related matters are still under consideration. She has alleged irregularities during the proceedings conducted under Varghese’s supervision.

The petition specifically flags concerns that a memory card containing sensitive visuals of the assault was allegedly accessed without authorisation while in judicial custody. The survivor has also expressed a lack of confidence in the trial court, alleging that the presiding judge behaved rudely towards witnesses and demonstrated bias during the proceedings.

Maintaining that she has not received full justice, the survivor further voiced concern over the reported leakage of sensitive video evidence related to the case.

On December 8, 2025, the trial court delivered its verdict, sentencing six accused—including the prime accused, Pulsar Suni—to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment. Four others, including actor Dileep, who had been named as the eighth accused, were acquitted.

Amid an intensifying debate within the Congress over who should be the next Chief Minister of Kerala, the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) on Saturday imposed a strict ban on public statements by party leaders and workers regarding their preferred candidate for the top post, in the event of a UDF victory in the Assembly elections.

KPCC president Sunny Joseph directed party members to refrain from making comments in the media or on social platforms endorsing individuals for the Chief Minister’s post. The restriction applies to print, electronic, and social media, with the leadership citing embarrassment to the party and growing discontent among United Democratic Front (UDF) supporters.

The directive, effectively a “gag order,” warns that any violation will be treated as serious indiscipline. It bars all members—from senior leaders to grassroots workers—from expressing preferences in TV debates, press conferences, or personal social media posts, in a bid to project unity ahead of the election results.

The move comes after days of public sparring within the party. The debate was triggered soon after polling when Ernakulam District Congress Committee president Muhammed Shias suggested that the Chief Minister should be from Ernakulam, raising concerns among rival factions.

Senior leaders have since taken divergent positions. Former KPCC president K. Sudhakaran initially backed Ramesh Chennithala for the Chief Minister’s post, a view earlier echoed by veteran leader P. J. Kurien. However, Sudhakaran later shifted his stance to support K. C. Venugopal.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader V. D. Satheesan has also emerged as a key contender, with supporters of all three leaders engaging in intense exchanges on social media. The situation escalated into what party insiders described as “cyber warfare,” including the circulation of a leaked WhatsApp group chat in which senior leaders were allegedly insulted.

Amid the controversy, Hibi Eden submitted a letter to the KPCC chief seeking to be relieved of his responsibilities as head of the party’s Digital Media Cell.

Senior Congress leaders such as K. Muralidharan and M. K. Raghavan have termed the ongoing debate “meaningless” and “needless,” warning that it damages the party’s image.

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key ally in the UDF, has also expressed dissatisfaction, cautioning that such “immature” discussions could demoralise party workers ahead of counting day. IUML leader P. K. Kunhalikutty stated that the Chief Minister would be from the Congress as the largest UDF constituent, and that the final decision would be taken after considering public sentiment and consulting alliance partners.

He added that the IUML is not concerned with the ongoing debate over the Chief Ministerial candidate.

Delhi Social Welfare Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh on Saturday said that the Rekha Gupta-led government is committed to improving the lives of sanitation workers, ensuring workplace safety, and providing them with dignity and respect.

Addressing a ‘Chintan Shivir’ in Chandigarh, the minister said that the experiences shared and best practices discussed during the programme, particularly on dignity in sanitation work and the prevention of sanitation-related deaths under Mission Zero, would play a key role in strengthening Delhi’s policies.

Special emphasis was laid on technology-driven initiatives at the event, including the launch of the ‘SMILE-Beggary Survey Mobile Application’, aimed at digitally enhancing the survey, rehabilitation, and monitoring of individuals engaged in begging.

Singh noted that similar digital initiatives would be implemented in Delhi to improve transparency, monitoring, and efficiency in the functioning of shelter homes, rehabilitation centres, and social security schemes.

He added that the model guidelines for beggars and shelter homes would help ensure a more humane and dignified life for vulnerable populations in the national capital.

According to the minister, the Delhi government will formulate a concrete action plan to implement these recommendations at the grassroots level, ensuring that welfare schemes reach the last mile and fulfil the objective of Antyodaya.

The sessions during the day covered a range of issues, including scholarship distribution and access to education, the Nasha Mukt Bharat ecosystem, dignity in sanitation work, prevention of sanitation-related deaths, care for senior citizens, and early intervention for children with disabilities.

Tahir Fazal Chaudhary, also known as ‘Bahadur-e-Hill Kaka’, who helped the Indian Army during Op Sarpvinash in 2003, passed away on April 22. As Kaka, 62, was laid to rest, the Indian Army paid a solemn tribute to him with full military honours, describing him as “a valiant son of the soil”.

“A Brave Heart Laid To Rest,” PRO Defence Jammu said, remembering him for standing “shoulder to shoulder with our troops during Op Sarpvinash in 2003.”

“His daring spirit, unwavering courage and strong bond with the Indian Army remain a testament to his exceptional character. His indomitable valour will forever be etched in our hearts,” the PRO Defence added in a post that accompanied pictures of Army Jawans laying wreaths to Kaka.

Who was Tahir Fazal Chaudhary aka Bahadur-e-Hill Kaka?

Tahir Fazal Chaudhary was a man who not only set an example of patriotism for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, but also struck fear into the hearts of India’s enemies.

Tahir, a resident of Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir, was working as a mason in Saudi Arabia when terrorists killed his brother, Haji Mohammad Arif. When he got to know about his brother’s killing, he returned to the country and vowed to avenge his brother.

Tahir formed the ‘Pir Panjal Scouts’ with the help of local youth with an aim to liberate his homeland from the fear of Pakistani terrorists.

He soon started working with the Indian Army’s 9 Para SF and 16 RR, with his group becoming the eyes and ears of the security forces.

When the Indian Army launched Op Sarpvinash to neutralise terrorists from the Pir Panjal mountains, Tahir actively helped the security personnel by providing the precise locations of terror hideouts, leading to the killing of dozens of terrorists.

He led Army soldiers through the mountainous terrain where terrorists used to hide and choppers could not reach.

He eventually avenged his brother by killing terrorist Kassid, who had killed his brother and reportedly kept his AK-47 (locally known as a Kalashnikov) as a souvenir.

It was his role in Op Sarpvinash that earned him the title of “Bahadur-e-Hill”.