Global music icon Taylor Swift dropped her latest album, ‘The Tortured Poets Department,’ on April 19, making headlines ever since. Recently, Indian fans of the ‘Blank Space’ and ‘Cruel Summer’ singer took to social media to share pictures of Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) buses wrapped in her latest album cover. The pictures are going viral and capturing the attention of netizens, especially the ‘Swifties.’

On X, a fan page posted a photo of a BEST bus featuring Taylor’s latest album cover on the sides and the back. The posters also have a QR code printed, which fans can scan to listen to the album while onboard. The post, shared by @TheSwiftSociety, has received over 400,000 views and amassed about 7,900 likes. This has sent waves of excitement among Indian Swifties, who are demanding Taylor’s ongoing Eras Tour come to Mumbai.

Also Read: Taylor Swift dominates billboard hot 100 with record-breaking 32 songs

| “The Tortured Poets Department” buses have been spotted in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/a6PZAajAra

— The Swift Society (@TheSwiftSociety) May 15, 2024

After announcing the latest album during her Eras Tour, Taylor released her 31-track album in two parts, and it has been breaking records since it dropped. ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ charted at the top spot on the Billboard 200, putting her in a tie with Jay-Z for the second most number-one albums, both boasting 14 albums. The album recorded a monumental debut, selling a whopping 2.6 million units in its first week alone, marking the first time in nine years that an album has reached such staggering numbers.

Keeping up the streak, the album has also made streaming history. According to Billboard, ‘Tortured Poets Department’ boasts the highest number of streams ever, with 891.37 million streams. Further, streaming giant Spotify announced that the album became the most streamed album in a single week on the platform, surpassing 1 billion global streams.

Since the album’s debut, Taylor performed the songs from her latest album live for the first time in Paris, changing the set list of the Eras Tour. With the latest development of spotting the global sensation’s album covers in the streets of Mumbai, Swifties aren’t able to keep their calm. The post and netizens’ reactions are a testament to the American singer-songwriter’s global fan base and her undefeated influence over music enthusiasts worldwide.

Veterinarians need to treat animals and birds with compassion as these creatures understand the language of love though they may not be able to express their feelings, Ms Saswati Das, Vice-President of Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) said on Friday.

“The need is to show compassion while treating these creatures which would enhance the quality of treatment,” Ms Das said while speaking as the chief guest at ‘Vetrix-2024’, the annual function of the Institute of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry (IVSAH), faculty of veterinary sciences of SOA.

Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda, the Vice Chancellor of SOA, who was the guest of honour on the occasion, said SOA had set up three medical college hospitals and a corporate hospital in the state for treating humans, but it had added another for the benefit of animals and birds.

Prof. Brahmadev Patnaik, Dean of IVSAH and Prof. Jyoti Ranjan Das, Dean (Students’ Welfare) also addressed the event.

Prof. Patnaik said the health of animals and birds was linked to the food security and health security of planet earth. About 70 per cent of the diseases afflicting humans were derived from animals, he remarked.

Prof. Susanta Kumar Das, Associate Dean of the institution, presented the annual report, while Prof. Pritisha Srivastav, Associate Professor proposed a vote of thanks. Ms. Das also distributed prizes among the students who participated in various competitions earlier.

Prime Video’s beloved comedy-drama series, ‘Panchayat’, is set to return with its highly anticipated third season, premiering on May 28. Fans worldwide have been eagerly waiting for this announcement, and it’s finally here! The series, known for its heartwarming characters and relatable storytelling, will be available not just in India, but across 240 countries and territories.

Despite some online rumors suggesting an earlier release of Panchayat Season 3, Prime Video has confirmed that there will be no change to the announced date. The buzz on social media has been intense, with fans flooding the pages of the show’s lead actors and the streaming platform, hoping for an earlier premiere. However, it’s official—Panchayat Season 3 will launch on May 28 as planned.

Also Read: Panchayat Season 3 release date announced!

This upcoming season promises to bring more laughter, warmth, and a fresh wave of entertainment as it delves into new challenges and conflicts in the charming village of Phulera. Directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra and penned by Chandan Kumar, Panchayat continues to captivate audiences with its simple yet compelling narrative.

 

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Manish Menghani, Director of Content Licensing at Prime Video India, shared his excitement about the show’s return. He emphasized the series’ unique ability to connect with viewers globally, thanks to its satirical portrayal of everyday rural life. The announcement has only heightened the anticipation, with fans marking their calendars and eagerly counting down the days.

Also Read: Panchayat 3 release awaited: Here is how Panchayat 2 ended

As we approach May 28, the excitement builds for the return of favorite characters and the chance to once again experience the picturesque beauty and charm of rural India. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions—laughs, tears, and everything in between—as Panchayat Season 3 takes all of us on another unforgettable journey.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s fairytale resurgence has surely brought them back into contention for the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) 2024 final playoffs spot. But the Faf du Plessis-led outfit will have to battle both Chennai Super Kings and the weather gods to confirm their entry in the top-4 in Bengaluru on Saturday.

Thursday’s washout in Hyderabad meant that Sunrisers Hyderabad joined Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals as the three confirmed teams for the playoffs and the race is now for only one spot with two teams in fray — CSK and RCB.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department, “heavy rain/thundershowers associated with gusty winds (40-50kph) are very likely” in some parts of Bengaluru on May 18. The city has received consistent rainfall over the last couple of weeks.

In the lead-up to the match, central Bengaluru, where the Chinnaswamy Stadium is located, witnessed overnight rain that continued into the morning on Friday. It was cloudy all morning on the eve of the match and the forecast predicted rain and thunderstorms in the evening.

The forecast for Saturday does not look promising either with accuweather.com suggesting an evening thunderstorm in parts of Bengaluru accompanied by showers. The temperature around 7.30pm, the match start time, is expected to be around 23°C with a 100% cloud cover.

A washout will end RCB’s chances of making the playoffs. Having lost seven of their first eight games, they then won five matches in a row to remain in contention. They currently have 12 points and a net run rate of 0.387, while CSK are on 14 with an NRR of 0.538.

To go past CSK’s NRR and make it to the playoffs, assuming a score of 200, RCB need to beat CSK by 18 runs or chase down the target with about 11 balls to spare. A truncated game will make their task tougher.

For CSK, the equation is simple: a win, a washout, or even a narrow defeat is enough for them to join Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the playoffs.

While the odds are stacked against the home side, they’ve staged a spectacular comeback, securing five straight wins after enduring a six-match losing streak. Orange Cap holder Virat Kohli has been in phenomenal form with three fifties in last five innings and is expected to lead from the front once again in their last-ditched effort to make the top-four.

Skipper Faf du Plessis is also due for some big runs, especially after having capped single digit scores in his last two outings. In the middle order, Rajat Patidar and Cameron Green have both showcased compelling form.

Mahipal Lomror and Dinesh Karthik would be looking to make the most out of the Chinnaswamy track, which is typically a good batting wicket. As for RCB’s bowling, Yash Dayal has been their star, bagging the most wickets this season while Mohammed Siraj will be expected to get back to his best before the T20 World Cup.

Lockie Ferguson, Green, and Swapnil Singh will also be tested against a formidable CSK batting unit, while it will also be interesting to see whether RCB uses Will Jacks as a part-time spin option against the likes of Shivam Dube.

Coming to the CSK, skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has been leading the run-chart for the team but will expect consistent support from the likes of Rachin Ravindra, who is also back among runs. Fellow New Zealander Daryl Mitchell will be expected to lift the top order. It will also be interesting to see how much Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s presence makes a difference to CSK’s performance, even as he battles some nagging injury concerns.

In bowling, pacer Simarjeet Singh and Tushar Deshpande have done a decent job after they missed their premier trio of Mustafizur Rahman, Matheesha Pathirana and Deepak Chahar.

The Bhubaneswar wing of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached immovable assets worth Rs 94.55 lakh under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with a case against Saroj Kumar Das, former Chief Mechanical Engineer of Paradip Port Trust and others, an official here on Friday said.

The immovable assets included an under-construction duplex building worth Rs 70 lakh in Odisha and a residential house worth Rs 24.55 lakh in Kerala belonging to his associate, the ED said.

The ED initiated an investigation on the basis of an FIR and the subsequent chargesheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Das and others.

According to the CBI investigation, during his tenure as the Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) at Paradip Port Trust, Das allegedly entered into a criminal conspiracy with the officials of Orissa Stevedores Ltd (OSL) and others and did not raise bills towards the damage of conveyor belts at Paradip Port done by the said company.

Das also influenced and relaxed the rules and helped OSL and others in extending the licence of Harbour Mobile Crane (HMC).

In lieu of the undue favour rendered to OSL, Das received bribe money either directly or through his associates, which he further invested in real estate.

During the course of investigations under PMLA, it was revealed that Das rendered undue favour to certain entities and repeatedly received illegal gratification against such favours.

There are instances of huge cash deposits/transactions undertaken by him directly or indirectly. Das acquired land for Rs 25 lakh, the payment for which was made in cash. He is also constructing a duplex house on the said land for which an amount of Rs 45 lakh in cash has been paid to the developer to date.

Das has laundered and transferred an amount of Rs 24.55 lakh to his associate Sree Rekha Rout from the said illegal gratification received by him, the ED added.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) observed National Dengue Day to spread awareness about the disease.

“Public Health department of Municipal Corporation of Delhi observed National Dengue Day to spread awareness about the disease and ways to prevent it,” the civic body said on Friday.

Stating that community participation is one of the guiding principles to address problems of vector borne diseases, the MCD said, “Prevention, Control and elimination of Dengue cannot be achieved without community participation.”

All 12 Zones of the Public Health department organised various events to mark the National Dengue Day, on Thursday, it said.

The MCD said its Central Zone in collaboration with Absolute Human Care Foundation (AHCF) and Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi (IIITD) organised a panel discussion on the role of community for vector control measures and briefed on national scenarios and challenges in Dengue control.

More than 150 experts attended the programme. An exhibition on live mosquito breeding and IEC activities were also displayed.

The MCD said, “In other zones, various activities have also been carried out regarding prevention and control of vector borne diseases. 708 Schools have been checked for mosquito breeding and 145 school assembly meetings and poster competitions have been carried out.”

The civic body further said, “510 RWA / NGO Meetings / Market Association meetings have been carried out in 12 Zones of MCD. 350 Hospitals / Dispensaries have been checked for mosquito breeding. 281 MCD Offices, 512 Government Offices and 147 Privates offices have been checked for mosquito breeding.”

“In total 88 breeding mosquitoes were found and destroyed on the spot. 70 Legal notices and 27 prosecutions have been launched,” it added.

The Madhya Pradesh Congress has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against Chief Minister Mohan Yadav for allegedly calling the party “haraami” while addressing a rally at Rewari in Haryana on May 15.

Madhya Pradesh Congress Chief Jitu Patwari has submitted the complaint to the ECI demanding a ban on MP CM Dr Yadav from further campaigning. The Congress leader has also demanded that an FIR be registered against the MP CM for violation of model code of conduct.

MP Congress ECI-related matters in-charge J P Dhanopia said today that Dr Mohan Yadav used the indecent word ‘haraami’ for the Congress while speaking about the Ram Temple in his public rally speech at Kausali in the Rewari district under the Gurgaon Lok Sabha constituency.

In his complaint addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner on 16 May, Dhanopia urged the ECI to book Dr Mohan Yadav for violation of model code of conduct and take strict action against the MP CM. Dhanopia also demanded that Dr Mohan Yadav be banned with immediate effect from carrying out any further campaigning in the remaining Lok Sabha polls.

The Congress leader said that Dr Mohan Yadav is on a constitutional post and using such foul language against the opposition party and demanding votes in the name of religion was a blatant violation of the model code of conduct.

According to the Congress, Dr Mohan Yadav had said in his speech at Rewari that initially the Congress was writhing in pain over the Ram Temple but when the Temple got constructed and its consecration was done, the Congress started saying that Lord Ram belonged to them too, and that was the ‘haraami pana’ of the Congress.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed allowing Indian mutual funds to invest in overseas mutual funds or unit trusts that in turn invest a portion of their funds in Indian securities.

In a consultation paper floated on Friday, the market regulator has proposed that these mutual funds be allowed to invest in such overseas funds with conditions including a 20 per cent upper limit on overseas funds’ total exposure to Indian securities.

It said though the investment framework for mutual funds does not explicitly forbid them from investing in such funds, Indian mutual funds usually avoid doing so.

As per the SEBI’s paper, this affects Indian mutual funds’ ability to diversify their portfolio. They are unable to invest in foreign funds that may allocate a portion of their funds to Indian securities considering the country’s strong economic growth.

“In order to diversify the portfolio, and as part of overseas fund of funds (‘FoFs’) schemes, the Indian Mutual Funds often invest in overseas securities including units of overseas MF/UTs, ETFs and index funds,” the SEBI paper said.

“However, ambiguity regarding investments in such overseas funds that may invest a certain portion of their funds in Indian securities deters Mutual Funds from investing in those overseas MF/UTs, ETFs, and index funds that invest in a basket of countries, which may include India,” it added.

It also suggested certain conditions to ensure that these structures are not misused and to ensure that investors get efficient cost structures. “If an overseas Fund of Funds (FoF) offered by an Indian Mutual Fund invests in overseas MF/UTs with a significant allocation to Indian securities, it may not be true to the fund’s label, and may not reflect the overall purpose of investing in such FoFs.”

It added that investing in Indian securities directly would also be more cost-effective for Indian clients than investing through such overseas fund of funds.

The stock market rose for the second consecutive session, even amid global peers eased on hints from the US Federal Reserve officials that interest rates could stay higher for longer.

Sensex opened higher at 73,711.31, and closed 253.31 points, or 0.34%, at 73,917.03. Nifty 50 opened higher at 22,415.25, and closed up 62.25 points, or 0.28%, at 22,466.10.

Among the sectors, Consumer Durables, Auto, Metal, Realty, and Oil & Gas indices were the biggest sectoral gainers for the day, while IT, Pharma, and Healthcare, were the biggest drags.

Nifty Consumer Durables led with a 2.8% increase, followed by Nifty Realty, Metal, and Auto, each up by 1.7%. However, the Nifty IT index was the top loser, dropping 0.9%.

On Sensex, TCS, HCLTech, Hindustan Unilever, Nestle India, and Wirpo, were the top drags.

The top gainers were Mahindra & Mahindra, UltraTech Cement, JSW Steel, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and Maruti Suzuki India.

On the Nifty 50, Cipla, TCS, SBI Life, HCLTech, and Britannia Industries were the top drags, while Mahindra & Mahindra, Grasim Industries, UltraTech Cement, JSW Steel, and BPCL were the top gainers.

The broader market indices had outperformed the benchmark indices, with the BSE SmallCap gaining 1.40% and the BSE MidCap index gaining 1.22%.

Some of the noteworthy shares were the GSK Pharmaceuticals which closed 12% higher after the company reported a 46% YoY surge in Q4 net profit. The company also announced a dividend of Rs 32 per share.

Further, Mahindra & Mahindra spiked over 6% after company posted 32% YoY increase in Q4 net profit. Company’s revenue from operations rose by 11.24% to Rs 25,108.97 crore.

Shares of Kaynes Technology, and Crompton Greaves both closed more than 10% higher amid impressive Q4 results.

The global stocks eased after Federal Reserve officials hinted US interest rates may not fall any time soon.

Commodities rallied on the back of optimism over a series of measures in China to stabilise its beleaguered property sector.

Oil and gold have benefited from the evidence that price pressures have not worsened, while copper is set for its best weekly performance in two months as a shortage of material for immediate delivery has sent prices soaring.

Further, the MSCI All-World index was last down 0.1%, but still near this week’s record highs.

In Europe, the STOXX 600, which also hit a record peak this week, was down 0.4%.

In the Asian market, Chinese blue-chips staged a late rally after the government unveiled a series of steps to underpin the property sector.

Shanghai’s CSI 300 ended up 1%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index hit its highest since August 2022, up 0.9%.

The Indian stock market will remain closed on Monday, May 20, due to polling in Mumbai for the ongoing 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi tried to strike an emotional chord with the voters of Rae Bareli by announcing to hand over her son Rahul Gandhi to them while addressing a joint rally of India Alliance.

In her brief address, in presence of her children Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra along with SP President Akhilesh Yadav, Sonia Gandhi said, “I received love and blessings throughout my life. Your love never let me feel alone. Everything of mine is given by you. I am handing over my son to you. Just like you treated me as your own, you have to treat Rahul as your own, he will not let you down”.

She said that ”Our relationship with Amethi-Rae Bareli started from the time of farmers’ movement 103 years ago and now I am handing over my Rahul to you”.

Ms Gandhi said,” You gave me an opportunity to serve. This is the biggest asset of my life. Rae Bareli and Amethi are my family. Our family’s roots are connected to this soil for the last 100 years. There is a relationship with the soil of Mother Ganga. Indira ji had a special place for Rae Bareli in her heart. She had immense love for you. I have given the same lessons to Rahul and Priyanka which Indira ji had given me. Respect everyone. Fight whoever you have to fight to protect injustice and for your rights. Your love never lets me feel alone.”

During the gathering, the Congress and the SP together showed their strength in the Seva Sankalp Sabha of the INDI alliance at ITI grounds. The leaders targeted the BJP on issues ranging from inflation to electoral bonds.

Priyanka said that the entire country was watching. “You people have shown the entire country that you are engaged with all your heart with us. We have worked hard in the Rae Bareli area. My family has a deep connection with Rae Bareli. Rahul Gandhi is in the field to make this relationship unbreakable,” she claimed.

She further said the poor, farmers, labourers and women have been in trouble for the past ten years.” There was a call from the people that you should be heard but no hearing took place in the Narendra Modi government,” she alleged.

“Today there is a storm in this country that the dictatorial government should be removed from power. The people of Rae Bareli had raised their voice 100 years ago. Once again, Rae Bareli is giving voice to the country for change of power,” she announced.

Addressing the gathering, Akhilesh Yadav claimed that Rahul will win from Amethi. “This crowd is deciding that Rahul Gandhi will not only win but gain a record victory. Rae Bareli’s opinion is that the BJP should leave this place.”

” BJP has failed in all four phases. They were imposing four black Farm laws on farmers. The farmers gave a fight but did not back down. The people of BJP, who imposed black farm laws on the farmers, wanted to capture the land of the farmers,” he claimed.
He alleged that the BJP deliberately leaked the papers so that jobs could not be given.

Akhilesh Yadav also spoke on increasing prices of commodities and electricity and claimed that public anger was increasing at every stage.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) organised the ‘ONDC Startup Mahotsav’ on Friday at Vanijya Bhawan here.

The event symbolized the celebration and collaboration of two of DPIIT’s flagship initiatives – the Startup India initiative and Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).

At the event, around 5,000 startups participated in hybrid mode. Over 125 ecosystem stakeholders including startups, unicorns and high growth businesses such as EaseMyTrip, OfBusiness, Winzo, Livspace, GlobalBees, Pristyn Care, Cars24, Physics Wallah, PolicyBazaar, and Zerodha, signed Letter of Intent (LoI) during the event.

These LoIs signify the potential of ONDC and the eagerness of leading startups of the country to collaborate with the platform.

Secretary, DPIIT, Rajesh Kumar Singh, underlined the Government’s unwavering commitment to nurturing and encouraging ecosystem for startup growth and innovation.

He said, “The ONDC Startup Mahotsav is an inflexion point for startups in India to leverage the opportunities unlocked by ONDC. The network has rapidly grown and matured over the past one and a half years, and today’s session reflects both the DPIIT’s and industry’s commitment to democratising digital commerce in India.”

MD & CEO, ONDC, T Koshy said, “The ONDC Startup Mahotsav marks a pivotal moment in India’s digital transformation journey. By fostering collaboration and innovation within our ecosystem, we are empowering startups to redefine the rules of the game in e-commerce”.

The ‘ONDC Startup Mahotsav’ is a unique collaboration between the ONDC and the Startup India initiative.

Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Sanjiv Singh emphasised on the vision of the Government for the continuous collaboration between the startups and the ONDC.

He said, “Startups can play a pivotal role in ONDC ecosystem by driving innovation, fostering competition and enhancing consumer choice. More than 125 startups have committed to onboard to ONDC network in today’s event reflects the excitement and momentum of the national initiative”.

As per the information shared by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, over 5 lakh sellers have been onboarded on the platform, of which more than 70% are small or medium sized sellers. In April 2024, ONDC facilitated around 7.22 million transactions.

To realise this, the ‘ONDC Startup Mahotsav’ was organized. With an effective association between the startups and the ONDC, a holistic growth of both the initiatives, the economy at large and opportunities to grow at scale are being unlocked, the ministry said in a statement.

Further at the event, panel discussions on subjects as ‘Building a collaborative future of Indian E-Commerce’, ‘ONDC – Startup Success Story’ and ‘Driving Startup Growth through ONDC’ dwelled on the areas of mutual collaboration and the immense potential for startups and emerging businesses to expand and scale-up harnessing the network of ONDC.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that the Congress and INDI alliance people are claiming that they will re-consecrate the Ram temple after assuming power. However, he asserted that such claims were merely pretexts for getting the Ram temple locked in the name of re-consecration.

“The INDIA bloc is nothing but a family alliance. Within this alliance, Lalu Prasad Yadav aims for his son to become the Chief Minister. Mamata Banerjee wants her nephew to become the Chief Minister. Sonia Gandhi wants her son to become the Prime Minister,” he alleged.

Shah was addressing a public meeting in support of BJP candidates Smriti Irani and Dinesh Pratap Singh at Daulatpur under the Jagatpur block here on Friday.

However, in a major setback for the INDI alliance in Rae Bareli-Amethi, SP MLA Manoj Kumar Pandey joined the BJP in Shah’s presence. Several pradhans and block members of other parties also joined the BJP. Pandey is a noted Brahmin leader of the region.

Shah said that these people claim Rae Bareli as their family seat. However, he asserted that there is no such concept of a seat being a family seat. He said that the Rae Bareli and Amethi seats belong to the people. They will elect whomever they deem fit to represent them in Parliament.

“This time, Smriti Zubin Irani from Amethi and Dinesh Pratap Singh from Rae Bareli will reach Parliament after winning the elections,” he claimed.

Shah said, “The Congress and its leaders like Mani Shankar Aiyar and Farooq Abdullah believe that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir belongs to Pakistan. I want to tell them that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir has been, is, and will always remain an integral part of India, and no force can take it away from us. It will soon be merged with India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi abolished Article 370 but the Congress now wants to reinstate it. I want to make it clear that no one has the guts to challenge the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who leads a population of 140 crore people”.

“I want to tell Rahul Baba that India will take back Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Narendra Modi ji has remained the Chief Minister for a long time, but no allegations were made against him. The Congress party has looted the country. Rahul Baba listen to me carefully: corrupt leaders will have to go to jail. The Modi government will not spare them at any cost.

“Uttar Pradesh witnessed significant development under the leadership of Narendra Modi. Factories and industries were established, providing employment opportunities to the people. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi is ensuring development, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is wiping out criminals. The Gandhi family considers the people here as their own. More than 20 people died in NTPC but Sonia Gandhi did not even visit them,” he said, adding that it was Smriti Irani who took the initiative to construct the collectorate office in Amethi.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday issued a showcause notice to BJP leader Abhijit Gangopadhyay over his alleged remarks on West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee.

The poll panel’s action against Gangopadhyay comes days after it received a complaint from the TMC alleging that he had passed objectionable remarks against Banerjee during a public meeting held on 15th May in West Bengal’s Haldia.

The ECI has sought a response from the BJP leader by 5 pm on 20th May.

In the complaint, the TMC quoted Ex-High Court Judge Gangopadhyay as saying, “Mamata Banerjee, how much are you being sold for? Your rate is 10 lakhs, why? Because you’re getting your makeup done by Keya Seth? Mamata Banerjee, is she even a woman? I keep wondering sometimes.” Keya Seth is a well-known Bengal-based beautician.

“Whereas, on careful examination, the comment has been found to be improper, injudicious, beyond dignity in every sense of term, in bad taste and to be prima facie violative of the aforesaid provisions of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and Commission’s advisory dated 1st March, 2024,” the ECI said.

The poll panel further said, “Now, therefore, you are hereby called upon to show cause by 5 pm of 20th May as to why appropriate action for violation of Model Code of Conduct should not be taken against you.”

“In the event of no response from your side within the stipulated time, it will be presumed that you have nothing to say in the matter and the Election Commission will take appropriate action or decision in the matter without making any further reference to you,” it added.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman maintained the need for a greater emphasis on the manufacturing sector and ramp up its capacity not only in India but also increase the country’s share in global product making.

Speaking at the CII Annual Business Summit 2024 in New Delhi, the Finance Minister highlighted the importance of manufacturing alongside services and underscored the need for increased investment and governmental backing to strengthen this sector.

She also emphasised the role of the private sector as a “partner” to develop India.

“Much against the advice given by some economists that India should no longer be looking at manufacturing or ramping up manufacturing, I would like to highlight the fact that manufacturing must increase,” Sitharaman said.

“India must also increase, with the help of policies, its share in manufacturing in global value chains,” she said.

“So, we need to have greater sophistication in our product manufacturing. We also need to see how best this can be given policy support,” the minister added.

The Finance Minister further highlighted an IMF report saying that India’s contribution to global growth would be 18 per cent over the next five years, starting in 2023. She said that the period from 2023 to 2028 would be dynamic for India’s growth.

“IMF estimated that India’s contribution to global growth for five years, beginning 2023, will be 18 per cent. So between 2023 and 2028, we are looking at an India which will be dynamic, contributing 18 per cent to the global growth,” said the minister.

Sitharaman further quoted the S&P Global Market Intelligence outlook, which projects significant growth in India’s consumer market.

“The Indian consumer market is likely to double by 2031, there is a 2.9 trillion-dollar opportunity in that. The report also suggests that consumer spending on food in India is estimated to rise to 1.4 trillion US dollars; again, a one trillion-dollar opportunity lies in waiting,” the minister added.

She also highlighted the opportunities in India’s financial market, quoting the S&P report.

“Spending on financial services will climb to 670 billion US dollars, there is a 390 billion-dollar opportunity waiting for us. These are the opportunities that are untapped till now,” she said.

Speaking on job creation and the economic impact of green energy, the Finance Minister mentioned projections from the World Economic Forum.

She said the WEF projects 50 million net economy jobs are going to be created in India from green energy and 1 trillion economic impact by 2030. Solar energy has itself shown the extent to which job creation policy exists.

She further pointed out the government’s resolution of the twin balance sheet problem, where both banks and corporates were affected by rising NPAs and non-payment of dues.

“RBI and government survey report said from those twin balance sheet problems of 2013-14, today it is twin balance sheet advantage situation. So both corporate and financial sector balance sheets have not just turned around but are in pink to help,” said Sitharaman.

“The twin balance sheet advantage is there for both the opportunity and confidence element that this situation gives us,” she said.

More than 69 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the fourth phase of voting in Lok Sabha elections, as per the final figures issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday.

“In continuation of ECI’s two press notes dated 13th May (on voting percentage), the voter turnout of 69.16 per cent recorded in fourth phase for 96 Parliamentary Constituencies (PCs) in the ongoing general elections,” the poll panel said in a communiqué.

According to the final figure of voting in the fourth phase, the male turnout was recorded at 69.58 per cent, while female at 68.73 per cent and third gender at 34.23 per cent.

As per the data, Andhra Pradesh recorded the highest turnout at 80.66 per cent, followed by West Bengal at 80.22 per cent and Odisha 754.68 per cent.

Of the 96 Lok Sabha seats in the fourth phase, for which voting took place on 13th May, 25 were from Andhra Pradesh, 17 from Telangana, 13 from Uttar Pradesh, 11 from Maharashtra, eight each from Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal, five from Bihar, four each from Jharkhand and Odisha and one from Jammu and Kashmir.

The Lok Sabha elections are being held in seven phases between 19th April and 1st June. The first phase of polling was held on 19th April, second phase on 26th April and third phase on 7th May. The first phase recorded 66.14 per cent voter turnout, second 66.71 per cent and third 65.68 per cent.

The fifth phase of elections is scheduled to take place on 20th May. Counting will take place on 4th June.

The entertainment industry constantly surprises us with fresh faces and hidden talents that suddenly capture the spotlight. From Netflix’s “Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar” to the latest hit film “Animal,” these actors have delivered performances that turned them into overnight sensations. Here’s a look at five breakout stars who are now trending thanks to their remarkable portrayals.

Taha Shah Badussha: The New Heartthrob

Taha Shah Badussha, starring in Netflix’s “Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar,” has captured hearts with his enchanting presence and poetic charm. Though not a newcomer, his role in this series skyrocketed his popularity. Known for his “green-flag” character, Taha’s performance has endeared him to fans, driving his Instagram followers from 183K to a staggering 1.5 million in just two weeks.

 

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Pratibha Ranta: A Breakout Star

Pratibha Ranta’s role in “Laapataa Ladies” marked a pivotal moment in her career. Sharing the screen with notable talents like Sparsh Shrivastav and Ravi Kishan, Pratibha stood out with her captivating performance. Her dual success in both “Laapataa Ladies” and “Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar” has solidified her status as a rising star, earning her widespread acclaim.

 

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Wamiqa Gabbi: From Regional Fame to National Stardom

Already a well-known name in Punjabi cinema, Wamiqa Gabbi’s performance in the series “Jubilee” brought her national attention. Starring alongside Aditi Rao Hydari and Aparshakti Khurana, Wamiqa’s mesmerizing portrayal has won over audiences across India. Her striking performance has not only increased her fan base but also significantly boosted her social media following.

 

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Medha Shankar: A Star in the Making

In the critically acclaimed film “12th Fail,” inspired by the life of IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma, Medha Shankar delivered a standout performance. The film’s compelling narrative and strong ensemble cast drew attention, but it was Medha’s simple yet powerful portrayal that left a lasting impact. Her role resonated deeply with viewers, making her an overnight sensation.

 

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Triptii Dimri: Stealing the Show

Triptii Dimri’s brief but powerful role in the film “Animal” has catapulted her to national fame. Sharing the screen with stars like Ranbir Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna, Triptii’s performance in just 20 minutes captivated audiences. Her portrayal was so impactful that she earned the affectionate nickname “Bhabhi 2” from fans, overshadowing her previous works.

 

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These actors have not only showcased their immense talent but have also proved that a single performance can transform their careers. With their newfound fame, we can expect to see much more from these captivating breakout stars in the future.

Also Read: Banita Sandhu debuts in ‘Bridgerton’ Season 3 as Miss Malhotra

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Friday that the strategy to construct a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya was formulated in Balrampur in 1949 giving the people of Balrampur the ‘first right’ on Lord Ram.

The chief minister credited PM Modi for ending a 500-year wait by establishing the Ram temple. He said this achievement was possible through the power of voting.

Addressing a public meeting in Utraula, Balrampur, in the Gonda Lok Sabha constituency, he said, “It is well-known that people of Congress and SP could never have done this work because they have always questioned the existence of Lord Ram. This is why the slogan ‘Abki Baar, 400 Paar’ is echoing across the country.”

Continuing his attack on the Opposition, Yogi said that Congress and the SP have a history of being against Lord Ram. He accused them of being antinational, who encourage and support terrorism and divide society along caste lines.

He called the elections a contest between Ram bhakts and Ram drohis.

Appealing for votes in favour of Gonda’s Lok Sabha candidate Kunwar Kirtivardhan Singh, the chief minister said the I.N.D.I. alliance is trying to undermine the reservations meant for the Scheduled Castes and the Backward Classes. “These are the people who insult Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar. They want to push the country towards instability and chaos through appeasement policies, but the public will not let that happen,” he asserted.

“People of I.N.D.I alliance are the same who created an identity crisis for every citizen in the country. During the Congress era, there were news reports of corruption every morning and terrorist attacks by evening,” he added.

CM Yogi recalled the food grain scam in Gonda during the SP rule. He said that SP people now talk about distributing ‘free atta and data’ while they are the ones who used to rob the poor’s ration. He urged the public not to trust such people stating that no one can now steal the rights of the poor.

Highlighting the development under his rule, the CM said PM Modi has ended ‘commission khori’ (corruption) by opening Jan Dhan accounts for every poor person. Now, money is being sent directly into accounts through DBT. For the prime minister, the public is his family. PM Modi has announced free treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh every year for every senior citizen above 70 years.

“Congress and Samajwadi Party had fired bullets at Ram devotees. The country can never forget it. Hence, use your vote to ensure these opponents of Lord Ram lose their deposits,” Yogi added.

CM Yogi remarked that in this election, ‘Ramdrohis’ are on one side, and ‘Ram Bhakts’ are on the other. He emphasised that for ‘Ram Bhakts’, serving the public is of utmost importance. In this context, the BJP will play a crucial role in building an ‘Atma Nirbhar’ and ‘Viksit Bharat’.

Attacking the Opposition, he added, “During the Congress era, when a terrorist incident occurred, they would say the terrorists were from across the border. However, in the past 10 years, there hasn’t been a single terrorist incident in the country.”

Yogi stated that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, world-class infrastructure, highways, railways, and airports are being constructed across the country. The airport in Shravasti has become operational. A new university is being established here in the name of Maa Pateshwari, and the construction work of medical colleges in Gonda, Bahraich, and Balrampur is underway.

Aiming at the Samajwadi Party, he said, “Remember the condition of the roads during the Samajwadi Party’s rule. At that time, traveling on the roads was difficult. It used to take 4 hours to travel from Gonda to Devipatan, whereas today, this distance is covered in 45 minutes. This is Modi’s guarantee.”