Directed by Santosh Davakhar, Gondhal is set in rural Maharashtra and explores a traditional ritual.
The Election Commission of India has addressed reports of internal dissent among its commissioners and clarified that all Special Intensive Revision (SIR) orders and Form 6 updates for voter enrolment received unanimous consent and were upheld by the Supreme Court. The EC also announced measures to ease the process for voters issued notices, including doorstep document collection and extended deadlines in Delhi and Maharashtra, while affirming its commitment to transparent decision-making and meticulous compliance with directives.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is poised for a significant overhaul under chairman Mohsin Naqvi, with anticipated changes to the national selection committee and the release of key personnel like Aqib Javed and Wahab Riaz. This comes amidst a losing streak and internal turmoil, prompting radical measures to improve the team's performance and administrative efficiency.
The prominence of migration highlights a longstanding problem for India's electoral system.
Organisers of the Asian Games in Nagoya are actively addressing complaints regarding athlete accommodation, including issues with bed sizes in container huts and cabin sizes on the newly docked cruise ship, Costa Serena, which will house 4,000 participants.
The Women's Golf Association of India (WGAI) is advocating for increased government support and improved grassroots infrastructure to make golf more accessible to young players in India. WGAI president Kavita Singh and Hero MotoCorp executive vice-president Sanjay Bhan challenged the perception of golf as an elitist sport, highlighting the need for public facilities and resources to foster talent and change mindsets. They stressed that government intervention is crucial for developing the sport and creating career opportunities beyond playing.
Vantara, a Reliance-backed animal rescue centre, has announced its compliance with a High-Powered Committee order for elephant Madhuri's return to Kolhapur. Despite her chronic health conditions requiring ongoing veterinary care, Vantara will continue to monitor her health and assist with necessary arrangements, ensuring her welfare remains a priority under strict conditions set by the HPC.
A dispute has emerged over the ancestral home of 20th-century Hindu saint Baba Neem Karoli Maharaj in Akbarpur village, Uttar Pradesh. Six granddaughters have filed a complaint alleging illegal occupation by a Trust headed by their aunt, prompting the district administration to form an inquiry committee. The property, also a tourist attraction, is at the centre of a family feud following a recent incident where the granddaughters were allegedly denied lodging.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) next week that seeks the suspension of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and challenges the alleged unilateral decision-making within the Election Commission without the approval of two other Election Commissioners.
The Sports Ministry has granted an exemption to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), allowing it to maintain a 16-member Executive Council. This decision aligns with the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) recommendation, overriding the National Sports Governance Act's usual limit of 15 members, to ensure compliance with international statutes ahead of upcoming IOA elections.
Sri Lanka Cricket is set to lose an estimated USD 20 million in revenue after the ICC stripped it of the hosting rights for the 2027 Women's Champions Trophy.
India's bid to host the 2038 Asian Games will not be decided before 2028, as the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has revealed that five other countries are also vying for the same edition.
India's Asian Games athletics team has been reduced from 77 to 74 members, with javelin thrower Annu Rani, long jumper Shahnavaz Khan, and sprinter Nithya Gandhe dropped due to performance and medical reasons after a confirmatory trial.
India's wholesale price-based inflation (WPI) increased to 9.92 per cent in August, up from 9.78 per cent in July, primarily due to rising prices across food, manufactured items, and fuel and power sectors.
Former Gujarat University Vice Chancellor Neerja Gupta resigned as Principal Investigator for the PMJVK scheme and returned over Rs 14 crore to the university. This comes amidst allegations of financial irregularities and a multi-crore rupee scam by the NSUI, which also led to the suspension of 10 temporary appointees made by Gupta. An audit is pending for the remaining Rs 2 crore.
Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey has denied sanctioning an emergent Executive Committee Meeting called by secretary Bhola Nath Singh, intensifying an internal power struggle. The dispute stems from a jersey colour change controversy and the secretary's attempt to address various issues, including the Hockey India League's future and upcoming elections, which Tirkey claims is beyond his authority to convene.
The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has announced its comprehensive selection policy for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The policy outlines a four-stage qualification pathway, with medallists from the 2026 Asian Games directly qualifying for the 2027 World Boxing Championships, which serves as the first Olympic qualifier.
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson acknowledges India as the benchmark in white-ball cricket but expresses confidence in his team's ability to challenge them at the Asian Games. He also defended Pakistan's T20 performance, highlighting their improved ranking and series wins, while downplaying captaincy speculation for Sahibzada Farhan.
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has dismissed concerns about organisational chaos at the Asian Games, attributing criticisms to attempts to "politicise" the event. Despite widespread issues like accommodation scarcity, lengthy check-ins, and athlete complaints, OCA officials insist challenges are normal and are being handled effectively. They also addressed a diplomatic complaint from South Korea regarding a historical figure at a welcome ceremony and defended cost-saving measures like container-style accommodation.
The Supreme Court has established a high-powered committee, chaired by Kanchan Devi, Director General of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), to independently review the Centre's report on the definition and delineation of the Aravalli hill range, aiming to resolve 'critical ambiguities' in its findings.
Pune, India, has been selected to host the UCI Road World Championships in 2032, marking the first time the prestigious cycling event will come to the country. This historic achievement is the result of a collaborative bid by the Government of Maharashtra and the Cycling Federation of India, supported by the Government of India, aiming to establish Pune as a premier global cycling destination. The decision was announced at the UCI Congress in Montreal after Pune's successful presentation, highlighting India's growing potential in the sport.
Five southern states are stepping up coordination on delimitation, tax devolution and language issues, reviving calls for a stronger collective South platform.
China's communist party has expelled two senior military officials, including General Zhang Youxia, the highest-ranking People's Liberation Army officer, for serious discipline and law violations.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) flagged the proposed screening of an uncertified documentary on jailed activist Umar Khalid at IIIT-Hyderabad, citing violations of the Cinematograph Act. IIIT-Hyderabad subsequently distanced itself from the event, stating no recognised student bodies had organised it. The screening, titled "Prisoner No. 626710 is Present," was reportedly cancelled by students, following a similar postponement at NLSIU Bengaluru due to opposition.
Manchester City has reportedly been found guilty of 114 out of 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules, a development that could have significant repercussions for English football. The club denies wrongdoing and plans to appeal, stating the process is ongoing and confidential. This ruling follows a lengthy investigation and raises questions about financial regulation and competitive integrity in the league.
The Indian Super League (ISL) has appointed Karan Yadav, former Chief Commercial Officer of JSW Sports, as its new CEO. He will lead the league under a new club-led model, focusing on strategic direction, commercial growth, and strengthening stakeholder relationships, while clubs will hold commercial rights and AIFF will maintain administrative oversight.
A government bill proposing to widen the remit of the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) is facing scrutiny from Members of Parliament. Concerns have been raised that the Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026, could reduce the premier institute's autonomy. The bill, currently under examination by a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance, aims to incorporate ISI as a 'body corporate' to strengthen governance and promote academic excellence, but critics fear increased government control.
India's Asian Games contingent faces accommodation issues at Costa Serena, as athletes report cramped rooms and long delays amid organisational chaos.
The Indian government has confirmed there will be no rollback of the 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charges on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, effective from October 15. Despite opposition, officials state the decision aims to make the UPI ecosystem self-sustainable and secure, with charges applying only to merchant payments, not person-to-person transactions.
National selectors are set to convene in New Delhi to finalise India's ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming home series against West Indies, with Rishabh Pant's potential white-ball return and Hardik Pandya's fitness being the primary discussion points.
Danish FA President Jesper Moller has renewed calls for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to step down, citing FIFA's refusal to answer 'critical questions' regarding its abandoned proposal to sell commercial stakes in tournaments.
India has announced an 18-member squad for the upcoming BWF World Junior Championships in Cairo, Egypt. The team, featuring Asian U-17 champion Tanvi Patri and other promising talents, was selected after trials in Guwahati. India, a bronze medallist in the previous edition, aims for a strong performance, with the tournament introducing new scoring systems for the Suhandinata Cup and individual events.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced the new season of the Indian Women's League (IWL) will commence in October, alongside IWL 2. The federation also revealed significant changes including higher coaching licence requirements, revised disciplinary rules, and an ambitious long-term expansion strategy aiming for 12 teams by 2032 to professionalise women's football in India.
The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) announced a major protest rally in Kargil on September 20, demanding justice for victims of police firing in Leh last year and protesting the central government's perceived lack of seriousness in talks regarding Ladakh's demands. The KDA, along with the Leh Apex Body (LAB), rejected the compensation offered by the Lieutenant Governor as inadequate and called for the withdrawal of all cases against arrested protesters. They criticised the recent talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs as "unproductive" and reiterated their demands for statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh.
South Korea's men's hockey team faced confusion when organisers mistakenly played North Korea's banned national anthem before their match, compounding earlier complaints regarding organistional issues at the Asian Games.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is poised to approve significant constitutional amendments to comply with the National Sports Governance Act 2025. These changes, already endorsed by the executive committee, will be formalised at a Special General Body Meeting. Key areas of reform include age and tenure guidelines for office bearers, which differ from the existing IOA rules, and a potential reduction in the Executive Committee's size. The General House will also discuss the upcoming December elections.
Sri Lanka's interim cricket board is committed to fundamental reforms to ensure the inaugural Women's Champions Trophy in 2027 remains in the country. This comes amidst speculation that the ICC might relocate the event due to government interference in the sport's administration, with the ICC having previously indicated a search for alternative venues.
Chinese President Xi Jinping's first visit to India in seven years for the BRICS Summit and bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address crucial aspects of India-China relations, including trade, investment, and persistent border tensions.
Organisers of the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya are preparing for potential disruptions as Tropical Storm Dujuan, with maximum sustained winds of 90 kph, heads towards central Japan, threatening events already underway.
Japan hosted a vibrant opening ceremony for the Asian Games in Nagoya, showcasing its technological advancements and cultural heritage. The event, themed 'Harmonic Heart Beat', welcomed 11,000 athletes from 45 nations, despite prior logistical challenges.
