West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that only followers of 'Sanatan Dharma' would be permitted to touch Durga idols during immersion in the Hooghly river, citing religious traditions. He also reviewed extensive security and safety arrangements for the immersion process, including NDRF involvement and precautions for spectators at Taki, following a recent stampede incident.
'Manoj Kumarji had tears in his eyes after hearing my dad sing Mera Rang De Basanti Chola. He said, 'This is my voice for my desh bhakti songs".'
A group of 124 former IAS, IFS, IPS, and allied services officers have issued an open letter defending the Election Commission (EC) and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. They argue that the electoral system cannot be deemed rigged only when a party loses, citing instances where the ruling BJP lost elections under the same EC. The officers highlight the legitimacy and necessity of the SIR for cleaning voter rolls and underscore the robust safeguards within India's electoral system.
Former IAS officer Divya Mittal has launched her new political party, Jan Neeti Bharat, with the aim of contesting the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections and redefining governance by making people central to policymaking and ensuring government accountability.
Mercedes-Benz India's Managing Director & CEO Santosh Iyer stated that demand continues to outstrip supply, particularly for the CLA electric vehicle, with over 1,000 orders and deliveries extending to March-April 2027. The company could have sold an additional 1,000 vehicles if supply had been adequate.
Rahul Gandhi led INDIA bloc leaders in a surprise dharna near Jantar Mantar, protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. For the second consecutive day, police detained Gandhi and other opposition MPs, stalling their planned demonstration. The protest saw dramatic moments, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra lying on the street, as leaders vowed to continue their fight for electoral integrity.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has mandated that service providers offer voice-and-SMS-only tariff plans, without bundled data, with a minimum validity of 30 days or less, aiming to provide more affordable and shorter-duration options for consumers who do not require data.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the board will decide on the next chairman of the selection committee after Ajit Agarkar's contract ends on October 4. Agarkar has informed the BCCI he does not wish for an extension. Saikia also expressed hope for the Indian men's team to win gold at the Asian Games, following the women's team's success.
Mirabai Chanu completed her glittering medal collection by winning Asian Games silver, adding the missing continental medal to Olympic, World, Commonwealth and Asian Championship honours.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve global conflicts, stating, "war can never be the answer to war," while addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai has strongly criticised the Delhi Police for its recent actions against members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), calling it a "real disservice." Annamalai defended CJP's democratic right to raise critical questions, particularly regarding electoral roll revisions, and warned that heavy-handed police measures would only strengthen the critics. He emphasised that the government should address the substantive public queries instead of resorting to arrests.
B B Nimbalkar is the only one in the 400-plus club never to have played Test cricket. Will Chinmay Sutar have better luck?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday (local time) reported the first documented case of human infection with the Shamonda virus in France, with the patient, who was immunocompromised, dying after the infection.
rediffGURU Ravi Mittal explains when your partner's past relationships may matter and why you should avoid judging someone solely by their romantic history.
South Africa crushed Australia by an innings and 31 runs in Gqeberha to level the series 1-1, with Bavuma's 179 and Rabada's four wickets proving decisive.
Three individuals have been arrested in connection with the death of a girl student after a lighting truss collapsed during a Dandiya event at an engineering college in Nadergul, Hyderabad. The incident on October 17 injured 22 students, with one succumbing to injuries. Preliminary investigations suggest negligence in the truss's construction.
South African pacer Kagiso Rabada has become the fourth Proteas bowler to claim 200 Test wickets on home soil, joining legends like Dale Steyn and Shaun Pollock. His achievement came during a Test match against Australia where South Africa staged a remarkable comeback, enforcing a follow-on after dismissing Australia for 99. Captain Temba Bavuma led a strong batting recovery for the Proteas.
Shreyas Iyer-led India, unbeaten in their last two T20 series in New Zealand, will rely on their formidable batting lineup to overcome the relatively inexperienced New Zealand side in the upcoming five-match T20I series, despite having minimal time to acclimatise.
rediffGURU Dr Nagarajan JSK, a career counsellor with nearly 34 years of experience in teaching, research and career guidance, explains the benefits of pursuing higher education in India.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has denied its over-50s team permission to participate in the International Masters Cricket World Cup in India next January, citing government refusal. This follows a similar decision by the Pakistan Hockey Federation, highlighting ongoing strained relations between the two nations.
Sujit Paul, group CEO at Zota Healthcare Ltd, recommends simple hacks to improve your energy and productivity levels at work.
Maharashtra BJP MLC Parinay Fuke has criticised MNS chief Raj Thackeray, alleging that Thackeray's public statements and influence are solely due to the police security provided by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Fuke claimed Thackeray would not leave his home if the security was withdrawn. The MNS, through leader Sandeep Deshpande, retorted that security decisions are institutional, not personal, and challenged the BJP to withdraw it. This exchange follows Thackeray's recent criticisms of the state government.
According to World Health Organization a total count of at least 39 million sperm per ejaculation is considered within the normal range.
A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck China's Tibet Autonomous Region on Thursday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Centre. The quake, which hit Baqen County, occurred at a depth of 10 km. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. The Tibetan Plateau is known for its seismic activity due to the collision of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates.
The Supreme Court has strongly criticised the Allahabad High Court for releasing two men, convicted in a 2003 knife and gun attack case, on probation. The apex court stated that the High Court showed "misplaced sympathy" and allowed the accused to go "scot-free" without imprisonment, despite the brutality of the crime and grievous injuries to the victim. The Supreme Court set aside the High Court's order and directed the accused to surrender within two weeks.
Little Thomas may have its heart in the right place, but its storytelling never quite catches up with its intentions, rues Mayur Sanap.
From Alia Bhatt-Ranbir Kapoor to Nazriya Nazim-Fahadh Faasil, these real-life celebrity couples have continued their romance on screen after marriage, giving us everything from crackling chemistry to intriguing cinematic collaborations.
Mizoram's Chinmay Sutar achieved a rare feat by scoring an unbeaten 400 runs in a first-class Ranji Trophy match against Nagaland, becoming only the second Indian batter to reach this milestone after Bhausahab Babasaheb Nimbalkar in 1948.
A Myanmar national was arrested in Mizoram's Champhai district on Thursday with 1.18 kg of heroin, seized during a joint operation by the Excise and Narcotics Department and Assam Rifles. The contraband was found packed in 100 soap cases, and a case has been registered under the NDPS Act.
A 26-year-old surrendered Naxalite allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself at a rehabilitation centre in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh. Police are investigating the incident, and a case of unnatural death has been registered.
A 25-year-old man, Arjun Nayak, has been arrested in Jharkhand's Seraikela-Kharswan district for allegedly killing his 58-year-old father, Ashok Nayak, following a domestic altercation on October 20. Police recovered a blood-stained knife, stone, and cloth used in the crime.
A 35-year-old man, Rahul Sharma, was shot dead during a birthday party in Ludhiana after an argument escalated into a brawl. Police have initiated an investigation into the incident.
'What is the need for collecting so much data unless they are going to be used for some other purpose?'
rediffGURU Anu Krishna, a mind coach and co-founder of Unfear Changemakers explains how to be patient while helping a friend adjust to married life without losing touch with old friends.
Police in Sonbhadra arrested a man named Vishant on Thursday for allegedly sexually exploiting his 21-year-old neighbour under the pretext of marriage. The woman filed a complaint on Wednesday, detailing incidents on October 6 and 10. Vishant was produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody, with further investigation ongoing.
In a tragic incident in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu, a man allegedly killed his wife by slitting her throat before committing suicide by hanging. Police are investigating the circumstances of the incident.
Police in Nanded, Maharashtra, have arrested a 21-year-old man for possessing a country-made pistol and a live cartridge without a valid licence. The arrest followed a tip-off, and a case has been registered under the Arms Act against the accused and his absconding friend.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticised the alleged censorship of her son Raihan Vadra's photography exhibition at Bikaner House. Raihan Vadra stated that the administration removed his pictures documenting recent Delhi protests, citing the current political climate, leading to a row over artistic freedom.
A class 9 student was fatally stabbed during a Durga idol immersion procession in Pitampura, northwest Delhi, following a dispute over a social media comment made a year ago. Four juveniles have been apprehended in connection with the murder.
Jhansi police arrested a government school's officiating headmaster, Govind Das Arya, on Thursday for allegedly tampering with a cheque to embezzle Rs 2 lakh from mid-day meal funds. The case was registered on August 9 following a complaint by the village head, Seema Singh, who accused Arya of increasing a cheque amount from Rs 15,000 to Rs 2.15 lakh and misappropriating the funds.
