Ahead of Ganeshotsav, which commences on September 14, Rediff's Divya Nair visits a workshop in Mumbai where young girls, most of them first-timers, are using their brushes to bring Lord Ganesha to life.
A portion of a link road connecting the Kanpur-Lucknow National Highway with the Ganga Expressway in Unnao district caved in after the first monsoon rain, raising concerns about construction quality and prompting repair work.
A senior coach from India's shooting contingent for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games has voiced disappointment over the logistical arrangements, particularly the long travel times to the training venue.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has demanded the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, holding him responsible for the deaths of four people during protests in Leh last year. Speaking on the first anniversary of the violence, Wangchuk expressed fear for his life, alleging threats, and called for the judicial inquiry report into the incident to be made public. He criticised the use of automatic weapons against protesters and questioned the branding of local youth as "anti-national," linking the violence to unfulfilled promises regarding Ladakh's constitutional safeguards.
The first phase of the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) polls recorded a 36% voter turnout, with a keen contest between ABVP, NSUI, and the AISA-SFI alliance. Student concerns like accountability, affordable accommodation, and accessible administration were prominent, influenced by past protests. The election also saw allegations between student groups and extensive security arrangements.
Zoho cofounder Sridhar Vembu dismisses exaggerated fears about AI's catastrophic potential and global development pauses. He advocates for India to adopt an independent AI strategy, fostering partnerships while avoiding entanglement in US-China tech rivalry. Vembu stresses extensive investment in foundational R&D across sectors, distinguishing it from costly frontier AI model development. He also highlights concerns about AI's impact on human judgment, skill erosion, and job disruption, particularly in software engineering, while remaining optimistic about new economic opportunities.
Delhi is experiencing heavy rainfall and strong winds, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert, which is impacting ongoing preparations for the crucial BRICS Summit.
India's women's badminton team, led by PV Sindhu, secured a dominant 3-0 victory over Kazakhstan at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. This win propels them into a challenging quarterfinal match against hosts Japan, a team boasting several top-ranked players.
India has once again raised alarms over the escalation in the security situation in the Red Sea area and strongly condemned Houthi strikes targeting Saudi Arabian territory, "including on civilians and economic assets."
A new study by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has developed an integrated land-use regression (iLUR) model to map environmental noise across Delhi. This innovative approach combines geographical and real-time traffic data, including vehicle counts, speeds, and honking, to provide a more accurate and cost-effective understanding of noise distribution in the city's complex urban landscape. The model aims to help authorities plan targeted measures for noise control.
Indian boxers, including Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain and Commonwealth Games champions, face challenging draws at the Asian Games.
Bihar Police have arrested three individuals in connection with a deeply disturbing viral video from Jamui showing the harassment of a young couple, an incident that has sparked widespread social media outrage and strong political condemnation.
Leicestershire County Cricket Club has been docked 27 points and fined 5,000 after their pitch was rated 'poor' during a match against Glamorgan, with the head groundsman attributing the conditions to a Bollywood film shoot and extreme heat.
Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah's dismissal and arrest on August 9, 1953 marked a decisive shift in the Centre-J&K power equation. Seven decades later, the erosion of the state's special constitutional position culminated in the August 5, 2019 changes, notes Mohammad Sayeed Malik, the distinguished commentator on Kashmir affairs.
Indian chess teams, both Open and Women's, face a significant challenge to defend their Chess Olympiad titles in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, after crucial losses and a historical 'winner's curse' where no Open section champion has successfully defended their title in the last five editions.
The Allahabad High Court has ordered the State Bank of India (SBI) to refund Rs 19.90 lakh debited from a widow's fixed deposit to recover her deceased husband's personal loan. The court deemed the bank's action an "abominable" breach of banking practice and also directed SBI to pay Rs 1 lakh in compensation to the woman.
Nawang Tsering of Ladakh won the Silk Route Ultra Marathon, crediting his prior experience at the challenging UTMB in France for his record-breaking performance. Despite experiencing pain and cramps during the 122km race, Tsering maintained his resolve, strategically allowing competitors to lead before overtaking them on steep elevations.
Sandeep, son of noted art director Anand Sai, has been arrested in Hyderabad following a fatal road accident on August 31. A 31-year-old pedestrian died after being hit by Sandeep's car, which also struck an MPV driver attempting to assist the initial victim. Sandeep, an architect, fled the scene but was later apprehended based on CCTV footage.
Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu argues that predictions of AI's catastrophic outcomes are overstated and a global pause in AI development is improbable. He urges India to adopt an independent AI strategy, focusing on extensive foundational R&D across sectors, while remaining wary of market monopolisation attempts by major tech players. Vembu also highlights concerns about AI's impact on human judgment, skill development, and job markets, particularly for junior professionals.
Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport experienced waterlogging at its Terminal 2 and 3 approach roads and forecourts due to heavy rainfall. While the accumulated water was cleared, the severe weather conditions led to the diversion of at least nine flights to other cities like Jaipur, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad. The India Meteorological Department had issued a red alert for intense rainfall in the national capital.
Delhi's Ridge, encompassing areas like Kamla Nehru Ridge, played a pivotal strategic role during the 1857 Revolt against British rule, with sites like the Flagstaff Tower, Hindu Rao's house, and Pir Ghaib serving as crucial military positions and silent witnesses to the intense fighting.
India's large contingent of 501 athletes is set to compete at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, aiming to showcase the nation's growing sporting depth and its ambition to become a global top-10 sporting power by 2036. Despite initial accommodation challenges, the focus is on building on the momentum from the record 2022 Hangzhou Games, with strong medal hopes in shooting, athletics, cricket, badminton, and hockey.
Police in Jamui, Bihar, have arrested two main accused in the molestation of a minor girl, bringing the total arrests to five. The arrests followed an encounter where the accused were injured. The incident, captured in a viral video, has ignited a fierce political debate between the ruling NDA and opposition parties over law and order in the state.
Ajay Devgn's lease of his Juhu bungalow to a commercial salon has ignited a dispute with his housing society, which is vehemently opposing the move citing the area's residential character and potential disruptions.
A Mumbai student activist's home was subjected to a nine-hour police search following her participation in a global kite-flying event expressing solidarity with children in Gaza.
A 65-year-old woman was found murdered with her face crushed in Ganeshpur village, Meerut. The victim, Vimla, was discovered near the Bijnor-Mawana road. Police recovered a blood-stained brick from the scene. While her family suspects robbery due to missing jewellery, police are investigating all angles and awaiting the post-mortem report.
A 17-year-old girl was allegedly raped, stabbed to death, and her body dumped in an open field in New Delhi. Four individuals, including three minors, have been apprehended in connection with the crime. The victim and accused were known to each other, and the incident reportedly occurred after they consumed alcohol together in a tempo. Police used CCTV footage to identify and trace the suspects.
The father of a Nithari case victim has questioned the death of Surendra Koli, alleging he was murdered and did not die by suicide. Koli, who was acquitted in all Nithari cases, was found hanging in Haridwar. Police are investigating, while the victim's father claims Koli was about to reveal important information and points to Moninder Singh Pandher as the main culprit.
Delhi Police faced significant challenges in investigating the alleged gang rape and murder of a teenage girl whose decomposed body was found with no missing complaint filed. A peculiar symbol on a tempo, identified through extensive CCTV footage analysis, proved crucial in tracing the suspects and apprehending four individuals, including three minors, linked to the crime.
The Election Commission has issued an interim order preventing rival factions of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), led by Mamata Banerjee and Arup Roy, from using the party name and its "Flowers and Grass" symbol during the upcoming West Bengal by-elections. Both groups have been directed to submit preferred names and symbols by Friday morning for recognition and allotment for the bypolls, as the EC undertakes a substantive determination of the party dispute.
A Haryana-based singer, Bhupendra Dhingra, has been arrested for allegedly posting a video on fake social media accounts claiming responsibility for the murder of Haryanvi YouTuber Ankit Balyan. Dhingra admitted his intention was to increase social media followers, while police had already identified the actual shooters, two of whom were killed in an encounter. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the encounter deaths.
Members of the Tibetan community in exile held a symbolic protest march in Delhi's Majnu Ka Tila ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India for the BRICS 2026 Summit, voicing opposition to Beijing's policies in Tibet.
At least four to five privately placed infrastructure investment trusts (Invits) are expected to transition to public listings by the end of the 2026-27 financial year, significantly increasing the number of publicly traded Invits to 12-14, according to N S Venkatesh, CEO of the Bharat Invits Association (BIA).
Former England winger Raheem Sterling pleaded guilty to dangerous driving after being seen inhaling 'laughing gas' before crashing his Lamborghini. The incident occurred on the M25 and M3 motorways, with witnesses reporting erratic driving. Sterling also admitted possession of nitrous oxide and failing to provide a blood specimen. The case has been adjourned for a pre-sentence report, and he has been disqualified from driving.
Indian Teqball player Quimcy Dsouza lost her Asian Games women's singles semifinal to Indonesia's Sumaya in a gruelling three-game match. Despite a strong start, Dsouza, a former state-level footballer, was overcome by Sumaya's sepak takraw background. Dsouza will now compete in the bronze medal playoff, aiming for a podium finish in Teqball's debut at the Asian Games.
The updated Maruti Suzuki Baleno redefines the premium hatchback segment in India with its aggressive new look, advanced Level 2 ADAS features, and a more fuel-efficient Z series petrol engine, catering to the evolving demands of tech-savvy car buyers.
Former Australia captain Steve Smith has revealed he felt 'thrown to the wolves' following the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, admitting he still experiences flashbacks to the media frenzy upon his return home.
Mumbai's coastal luxury residential redevelopment pipeline is valued at approximately 6,000 crore, with 75-80 projects expected to launch over the next eight to nine quarters, driven by improved infrastructure and demand for waterfront living.
Torrential rains have caused widespread devastation across several Indian states, leading to at least 11 deaths in Assam and Uttarakhand, pushing rivers above danger levels, and disrupting daily life with landslides, floods, and school closures. States like Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, West Bengal, and Jammu & Kashmir are also grappling with the monsoon fury, while Meghalaya faces an unusual rainfall deficit.
India needs to move beyond ease and cost of doing business and focus on the "speed of doing business" as the next leg of reforms to sustain economic growth and private investment, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) President R Mukundan said.
