Vijaya Mehta, a pioneering figure in modern Indian theatre and cinema, has passed away at the age of 91.
Vijaya Mehta's eyes were always twinkling, her smile was always warm, her sari usually a collector's piece. She put on no elder statesman airs. But when she was in director mode, she allowed her actors and technicians no slack. Deepa Gahlot doffs her hat to the undisputed doyenne of Marathi theatre and one of India's most influential directors and actors, who shaped the landscape of Indian experimental theatre.
One of the finest minds in theatre, besides being an exceptional actor and filmmaker. She showed me just how much I still had to learn and understand.'
'She never held a stick in her hand, but she would encourage us to discover the character on our own.'
'She taught us that acting wasn't something people did because they couldn't do anything else. It was a skill. A skill that needed to be constantly polished and shaped, and the respect you command with that.'
Unseeded players caused significant upsets at the Indian Junior International badminton Grand Prix, with Vijaya Lakshmi Boddu defeating top seed Lakshya Rajesh. In the boys' pre-quarterfinals, three unseeded players also advanced by overcoming higher-ranked opponents, highlighting a competitive tournament.
The Indian Coast Guard ship Varad successfully brought two Chinese survivors of a sunken Panama-flagged bulk carrier to Paradip, Odisha. The MV Ocean Winner, carrying 24 crew members, sank in the Bay of Bengal on August 22. Coordinated sea and air search operations are ongoing to locate the remaining missing crew members.
Gangster Chota Rajan has been sentenced to seven years' imprisonment by a special CBI court in Chennai for obtaining a passport using forged documents. The conviction follows a 22-year legal battle, with Rajan having assumed the identity of Vijaya Kadam.
Two government school teachers in Yadgir, Karnataka, have been suspended pending inquiry for participating in an RSS Patha Sanchalana. The Education Department cited violations of the Karnataka Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 2021, which prohibit government employees from associating with political organisations or participating in agitations. The teachers argued their participation was outside working hours and cultural, but their explanations were rejected.
The Indian Coast Guard has launched a major search and rescue operation after a Panama-flagged bulk carrier, MV Ocean Winner, carrying 24 crew members, sank in the Bay of Bengal off the Odisha coast. Two survivors have been rescued so far, with three ICG ships and the Indian Navy involved in the ongoing efforts.
The MV Ocean Winner sank within about eight minutes with 24 crew aboard; experts say excess moisture in its iron ore fines cargo may have caused liquefaction.
Indian judoka Harsh Tokas, inspired by Olympic champion Lasha Bekauri, is determined to win India's first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medal in judo at his debut in Glasgow, competing in the men's 81kg category.
These nations officially top the list when it comes to maximum number of official days off.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) rejected apologies from stand-up comedians Pranit More, Madhur Virli, and audience member Himanshu Jangra regarding alleged objectionable and misogynistic content against women. The commission emphasised that freedom of speech does not justify normalising the violation of women's bodily autonomy or trivialising heinous crimes. The controversy stemmed from a viral video where Jangra's 'Rs 370 biryani' remark, implying expected intimacy for a date, drew widespread backlash.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the brutal murder of a Delhi University professor, Devosmita Paul, found dead at her residence. The NCW has written to the Delhi Police Commissioner, demanding immediate and time-bound action, and has sought a detailed Action Taken Report within seven days, including investigation status, forensic findings, and steps to apprehend the perpetrator.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has directed Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to establish separate internal committees in all its 127 units with 10 or more employees within four weeks to strengthen compliance with the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act, following concerns raised in the TCS Nashik case.
The diagnostics sector is projected to significantly outperform other healthcare segments like pharmaceuticals and hospitals in Q4FY26, driven by increasing volumes, stable realisations, and a domestic focus that insulates it from geopolitical risks.
Maharashtra Cyber police have registered a case against stand-up comedian Pranit More, web developer Himanshu Jangra, and Dr Sejal Pawar for allegedly disseminating 'obscene and objectionable' content on social media, stemming from remarks made during a comedy show that trivialised consent and disrespected deceased persons.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has summoned comedian Pranit More and web developer Himanshu Jangra following remarks made during a Gurugram stand-up show, which the commission alleges glorified sexual coercion and non-consensual conduct towards a woman.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has issued a comprehensive advisory to all states and Union Territories, recommending mandatory annual POSH audits and other measures to strengthen the implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. The advisory aims to ensure safe, inclusive, and gender-sensitive working environments for women across all sectors, emphasising institutional accountability, proper committee constitution, and robust awareness programmes.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has proposed opening offices in India's Union territories and is awaiting approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs, according to Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of reports regarding the suspicious death of a 33-year-old Noida woman in Bhopal within five months of marriage, seeking a detailed action taken report from the Madhya Pradesh government within seven days.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of reports about the alleged sexual exploitation and rape of a woman and her minor daughter by their landlord in Gujarat's Morbi district.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of a report regarding a woman's alleged suicide in Maharashtra due to prolonged domestic violence, directing the state police chief to ensure the immediate arrest of the accused and a thorough investigation.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of reports related to the murder of a teen girl from Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, whose body was found in a train coach in Lucknow, suspecting a possible honour killing or hate crime.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of reports alleging that a married woman died by suicide in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, following dowry harassment and mental torture by her in-laws.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has formed an inquiry committee to investigate the alleged murder of a 12-year-old girl in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh district, following the discovery of her body under suspicious circumstances.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the alleged suicide of a minor girl in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, following allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation by her teacher, prompting a police investigation and calls for increased safety measures in schools.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) will soon submit recommendations to the Centre seeking a complete ban on parole for convicts in rape, aggravated sexual assault, and other serious offences against women and children.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of a report on alleged large-scale sexual exploitation of women and minor girls in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, following the arrest of a man for allegedly coercing a young woman into physical relations. The NCW has directed the Maharashtra Director General of Police to take immediate action and submit a detailed report within seven days.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Madhya Pradesh Police dismantled an interstate cannabis smuggling syndicate, arresting six individuals from Odisha, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh after a 25,000 km investigation.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson, Vijaya Rahatkar, conducted a review meeting with Rajasthan Police officials to assess the state's efforts in ensuring women's safety and addressing crimes against women.
The National Commission for Women has directed Maharashtra's DGP to conduct a time-bound probe into the alleged sexual abuse and exploitation of minor girls by a 19-year-old youth in Amravati.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the gangrape of a 15-year-old girl in Tamil Nadu, terming the incident "horrific" and raising concerns over the safety of minor girls.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has submitted a fact-finding report to the Maharashtra government, revealing pervasive sexual harassment, systemic bullying, and zero compliance with the POSH Act at the Nashik unit of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). The report details a toxic workplace environment and recommends strict action and compliance with the POSH Act.
A Pawan Hans helicopter with seven people on board crashed into the sea near Mayabunder in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. All passengers and crew members were rescued and admitted to a hospital. A technical snag is suspected to be the cause of the crash.
Veteran Indian sports journalist S Thyagarajan, renowned for his extensive coverage of hockey, has passed away at the age of 85 after battling age-related ailments. He covered six Olympics and nine Asian Games during his distinguished career.
India's R Vaishali wins the FIDE Women's Candidates 2026 in Cyprus, earning the right to challenge world champion Ju Wenjun and drawing praise for her historic achievement.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has voiced its concern over the circulation of obscene videos of young girls in Amravati, Maharashtra, and has directed authorities to remove the content from online platforms. The NCW is closely monitoring the case and has asked for regular progress reports.
Veteran Indian sports journalist S Thyagarajan, renowned for his hockey coverage, has died at the age of 85 after battling age-related ailments. He covered six Olympics and nine Asian Games during his career.
