"Most Reliable": Ex-ISRO Chief On Satellite Launch To Study Black Holes

Lauding the launch of the PSLV-C58/XPOSAT mission which is scheduled for Monday, former ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair on Sunday said that this rocket system has evolved as the most reliable and cost-effective one in the global scenario.

The mission is scheduled at 09:10 IST on Monday, the first day of the new calendar year 2024, at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

Talking to ANI, Madhavan Nair said, "The new year 2024 will be a significant one as far as ISRO programmes are concerned. The 60th launch of PSLV will take place on this day. When we look back in history, we started this journey in 1993 and since then, most of the missions have been successfully completed. This rocket system has evolved as the most reliable and cost-effective one in the global scenario."

The former ISRO Chairman also congratulated the ISRO for the achievement of the Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya L1 missions.

"On this occasion, I congratulate ISRO for the fantastic achievements it has achieved in 2023, including the significant Chandrayaan-3 mission on the South Pole of the Moon, the Aditya L1 mission and the commercial launch competing against the Space X competition," Mr Nair said.

XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite) is the first dedicated scientific satellite from ISRO to carry out research in space-based polarisation measurements of X-ray emission from celestial sources.

The objectives of this to-be-launched mission are to measure the polarisation of X-rays in the energy band 8-30 keV emanating from about 50 potential cosmic sources through Thomson Scattering by the POLIX payload; to carry out long-term spectral and temporal studies of cosmic X-ray sources in the energy band 0.8-15keV by the XSPECT payload; and to carry out polarisation and spectroscopic measurements of X-ray emissions from cosmic sources by the POLIX and XSPECT payloads, respectively, in the common energy band.

The module houses 10 identified payloads, supplied by ISRO and IN-SPACe.

The scientific goals of the mission are to study the distribution of magnetic field, geometric anisotropies, alignment with respect to the line of sight, nature of accelerators in galactic cosmic X-Ray sources by measuring the degree of polarisation and its angle, structure and geometry of magnetic field of neutron stars, mechanism of X-Ray beaming and its relation with luminosity and mass of accretion rate of powered pulsars, and detailed understanding of galactic black hole binary sources, among others.

In a stellar display of prowess, India soared to new heights in 2023 with the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the south pole of the moon and the launch of Aditya-L1, India's first solar mission.

These milestones not only secured India's standing in the global space economy but also fueled the engines for the private space sector in India.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Actor Tom Wilkinson, Known For 'The Full Monty', Dies "Suddenly". He Was 75

Two-time Oscar-nominated actor Tom Wilkinson, who starred in "The Full Monty" about a group of unemployed steel workers who launched new careers as strippers died "suddenly" on Saturday.

The British actor's death was confirmed in a statement released by his agent on behalf of his family. He was 75.

"It is with great sadness that the family of Tom Wilkinson announce that he died suddenly at home on December 30. His wife and family were with him."

Wilkinson was nominated for Academy Awards for actor in a leading role for "In The Bedroom" in 2001, and for a supporting role in "Michael Clayton" in 2007.

He most recently reunited with his Full Monty co-stars, Robert Carlyle and Mark Addy, in a Disney+ series of the same name.

The original 1997 smash hit about an unlikely group of men stripping won an Oscar for best original musical or comedy score and was nominated for three others, including best picture and best director.

Wilkinson's character played ex-foreman Gerald Cooper who was recruited to help the unemployed men dance.

The actor also took a home Best Supporting Actor Bafta for the role.

Carlyle paid tribute to his co-star calling him a "real titan of an actor, one of the greats of not only his, but of any generation".

Wilkinson won a 2009 Golden Globe and 2008 Emmy for his role as American political figure Benjamin Franklin in the HBO series John Adams, opposite Paul Giamatti.

He was also known for his roles in a BBC adaptation of Charles Dickens novel "Martin Chuzzlewit"; the 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility"; the 2014 Wes Anderson comedy drama "The Grand Budapest Hotel"; and 2011 ensemble comedy "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel".

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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151 Myanmar Soldiers Flee To Mizoram Amid Conflict With Armed Ethnic Group

At least 151 Myanmarese soldiers fled to Mizoram's Lawngtlai district after their camps in the neighbouring country were overrun by an armed ethnic group, an Assam Rifles officer said on Saturday.

The Myanmarese army personnel, also known as the 'Tatmadaw,' fled with their arms and approached the Assam Rifles at Tuisentlang in Lawngtlai district on Friday after their camps near the international border were overrun by the Arakan Army fighters, he said.

The officer said that there had been intense gunfights between the Myanmar army and the Arakan Army fighters for the past few days in areas close to the Indian border.

He said that some of the Myanmarese Army personnel, who entered Mizoram on Friday, were critically injured and first aids were administered to them by the Assam Rifles.

The Myanmar army soldiers are now in the safe custody of Assam Rifles at Parva in Lawngtlai district near the Myanmar border, he said.

The Myanmar soldiers will be sent back to their country in some days as talks are going on between the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Myanmar military government, he added.

In November, a total of 104 Myanmar soldiers fled to Mizoram after their military camps along the Myanmar-India border were overrun by pro-democracy militia - People's Defence Force (PDF).

They were airlifted by the Indian Airforce to Moreh in Manipur, from where they crossed the international border and entered Tamu, the nearest border town in Myanmar.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav Allocates Portfolios, Keeps Home

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Saturday assigned portfolios, keeping the home department with himself while giving the finance ministry to deputy CM Jagdish Devda and public health to the other deputy CM, Rajendra Shukla.

The present strength of the state cabinet, including the chief minister, is 31. The Madhya Pradesh cabinet can have a maximum of 35 ministers.

Yadav, who became chief minister by replacing Shivraj Singh Chouhan after the BJP retained power in the last month's assembly elections, will also handle the General Administration Department (GAD), Public Relations, Jails, Mining, Aviation, Industrial Policies and Investment Promotion besides all other departments not specifically assigned to any minister, said a gazette notification issued by the GAD.

Deputy CM Devda was given Commercial Tax department besides Finance. Devda was the finance minister in the Chouhan government too.

Rajendra Shukla, the other deputy CM, was allocated Public Health and Medical Education.

Former Union minister Prahlad Patel was allotted Panchayat and Rural Development while senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya was given Urban Development and Housing, and Parliamentary Affairs.

Senior MLA Vijay Shah will handle Tribal Affairs and Bhopal Gas Tragedy departments. Former MP from Jabalpur, Rakesh Singh, will handle the Public Works Department, while another former parliamentarian Rao Udai Pratap Singh was allotted Transport and School Education.

Sampatiya Uikey was allotted Public Health Engineering (PHE); Karan Singh Verma Revenue; Tulsiram Silawat Water Resources; Aidal Singh Kansana Farmers Welfare and Agricultural Development; Nirmala Bhura was given Women and Child Development; Govind Rajput Food and Civil Supplies; Vishwas Sarang Sports, Youth Affairs and Cooperatives; Narayan Singh Kushwaha Social Justice, Horticulture and Food Processing; Nagar Singh Chouhan Forest, Environment and SC Welfare; Pradyuman Singh Tomar Energy; Rakesh Shukla Renewable Energy; Chaitanya Kashyap Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Inder Singh Parmar Higher Education and Technical Education.

Among Ministers of States with independent charge, Krishna Gaur was allotted OBC and Minority Welfare; Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi Culture, Tourism and Religious Trust and Endowment; Dilip Jaiswal Cottage and Village Industries; Gautam Tetwal Skill Development and Employment; Lakhan Singh Patel Animal Husbandry and Dairy, and Narayan Singh Pawar Fishermen Welfare and Fisheries Department.

Among Ministers of States, Narendra Shivaji Patel was allotted Public Health; Pratima Bagri Urban Development and Housing; Dilip Ahirwar Forest and Environment, and Radha Singh Panchayat and Rural Development. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Google Settles $5 Billion Lawsuit Alleging 'Incognito' Mode Tracks Users

Google has agreed to settle a consumer privacy lawsuit seeking at least $5 billion in damages over allegations it tracked the data of users who thought they were browsing the internet privately.

The object of the lawsuit was the "incognito" mode on Google's Chrome browser that the plaintiffs said gave users a false sense that what they were surfing online was not being tracked by the Silicon Valley tech firm.

But internal Google emails brought forward in the lawsuit demonstrated that users using incognito mode were being followed by the search and advertising behemoth for measuring web traffic and selling ads.

In a court filing, the judge confirmed that lawyers for Google reached a preliminary agreement to settle the class action lawsuit -- originally filed in 2020 -- which claimed that "millions of individuals" had likely been affected.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs were seeking at least $5,000 for each user it said had been tracked by the firm's Google Analytics or Ad Manager services even when in private browsing mode and not logged into their Google account.

This would have amounted to at least $5 billion, though the settlement amount will likely not reach that figure, and no amount was given for the preliminary settlement between the parties.

Google and lawyers for the consumers did not respond to an AFP request for comment.

The settlement came just weeks after Google was refused a request that the case be decided by a judge. A jury trial was set to begin next year.

The lawsuit, filed in a California court, claimed Google's practices had infringed on users' privacy by "intentionally" deceiving them with the incognito option.

The original complaint alleged that Google and its employees had been given the "power to learn intimate details about individuals' lives, interests, and internet usage."

"Google has made itself an unaccountable trove of information so detailed and expansive that George Orwell could never have dreamed it," it added.

A formal settlement is expected for court approval by February 24, 2024.

Class action lawsuits have become the main venue to challenge big tech companies on data privacy matters in the United States, which lacks a comprehensive law on the handling of personal data.

In August, Google paid $23 million to settle a long-running case over giving third-parties access to user search data.

In 2022, Facebook parent company Meta settled a similar case, agreeing to pay $725 million over the handling of user data.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"I Had 2 Options - Power Or Struggle": Supriya Sule On Party Split

Nationalist Congress Party working president and Baramati Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule on Thursday said she had two choices in front of her, power and struggle, and she chose the latter.

"I had two options, power or struggle. On the side of struggle, there was my father and on the side of power was (Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader) Amit Shah. I had to choose between power and struggle. I chose struggle," she said at a public meeting in Indapur.

"Do not forget the person who has given you birth. Someone has to say the truth. If we all get scared, there will be no democracy in the country. Today, we were sabotaged. Tomorrow you will meet the same fate," she said in an apparent reference to the split in the NCP on July 2 this year.

Ajit Pawar and eight MLAs joined the Eknath Shinde government, while Ms Sule and several others chose to remain with party founder Sharad Pawar.

Ms Sule said she had informed her family that she would be staying in Baramati for the next 10 months and would not be coming to Mumbai.

Lok Sabha polls will held in the first half of 2024, while Assembly polls in Maharashtra will take place in latter part.

"I told my husband and children I will stay put in Baramati till October. I told them I would not be coming to Mumbai and asked them to manage themselves," she said.

"The coming elections will be paramount for the country and that is why the next few months will be very crucial for all of us to decide the fate of the next five years," she asserted.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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In CBSE Affiliation Fraud, Manipur Probe Team Checking Who Signed Papers

A three-member team looking into how 25 schools in violence-hit Manipur applied for CBSE affiliation without the state government's permission will give its report by January 5, people with direct knowledge of the matter said.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on December 19 cancelled the affiliation of the 25 schools in the hill districts of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi.

The CBSE action came four days after the state government in a statement said it had not issued the no-objection certificates (NOCs) that the schools had given to the central board while applying for affiliation.

The CBSE's bylaws make it a must for state board schools to bring NOCs from the state government before applying to the central board.

The three-member team is checking who are the officers who issued the NOCs to the schools illegally, and whether other people have forged the signatures on the NOC papers, sources said. The team will also suggest what action should be taken against those found guilty.

Manipur school education department director L Nandakumar Singh is leading the investigation team. The department's additional director (valley) Bisheshwar Khumukcham, and additional director (hills) Dangmei Manglem are the two other members, people familiar with the matter said.

The controversy started after local Congress worker Lamtinthang Haokip, who lost the 2022 assembly election from Saitu seat, on December 14 posted on X (formerly Twitter) that 20 schools in Churachandpur and 16 in Kangpokpi have been successfully affiliated to the CBSE.

The change of the education board from state to central in the two hill districts was seen as a soft attempt at formalising a new arrangement, since clashes between the Kuki tribes and the Meiteis began on May 3. The Kuki tribes have been demanding what they call a "separate administration" carved out of Manipur.

A day after Mr Haokip's social media post, Manipur Education Minister Th Basanta told reporters the state government has not given NOCs to any school since May 2020. Mr Basanta then met the Union Education Ministry secretary and gave a letter explaining the issue, following which the CBSE cancelled the affiliations of the 25 schools.

The CBSE SARAS 4.0 website on December 20 removed the 25 schools in Kangpokpi and Churachandpur from its list of affiliated schools. SARAS is short for 'School Affiliation Re-Engineered Automation System' that updates in real-time the affiliation status of over 28,900 schools across India.

The government has narrowed down to an education officer in Kangpokpi and a former education officer in Churachandpur for allegedly handing out NOCs without the knowledge of the state government, people familiar with the matter in the education department had told NDTV on December 20.

Eleven of the 25 schools got CBSE affiliation in the period between May 2020 and May 2023, and 14 received affiliation in the past six months.

In Churachandpur, none of the four schools that lost CBSE affiliation had working phone numbers. One had only '0000' as the contact number. Not having working phones and having inconsistent details such as the phone number or address of the principal turning out to be of a relative are violations of the CBSE's bylaws.

"The situation in Manipur after May 3 was such that functioning under the state board was becoming impossible. We have to go to Imphal for exam coordination and other state board work. How would that be possible?" the principal of a Kangpokpi school freshly affiliated with the CBSE told NDTV on December 20, requesting anonymity, before the affiliation was withdrawn.

Another school principal in Kangpokpi said they have followed due process in applying for NOC, and showed the letters they have written to the education department seeking NOC for education board switch. Though this principal could not show the education department's response, he showed the NOC they have received from the zonal education officer.

The hill district school principals cited difficulty in coordinating with the education department at a time when battle lines have been clearly drawn on the basis of ethnicity and deep mistrust. All the principals NDTV spoke to in Kangpokpi requested anonymity.

The state government, however, has indicated it would take action against more schools including withdrawing their affiliation if any of them is again found not following due process.

"The principals are not thinking right. What are they implying? Short-circuit administrative processes amid the unfortunate outbreak of violence? No one said NOC won't be given. All of us work for students. Questionable and unethical decisions by some school administrations can't be allowed to harm the future of students," a senior officer in the education department who was among a small team that looked into the initial investigation in the CBSE affiliation matter told NDTV on December 20.

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Parle-G Swaps Iconic Girl's Image With This Influencer's Face, Here's Why

Biscuit manufacturer Parle left internet users surprised after it shared a post featuring an influencer's face on its packet's cover instead of the iconic Parle-G girl. The amusing post was in response to content creator Zervaan J Bunshah's viral video where he put forth a hilarious question to his followers. "If you meet the owner of Parle, do you call him Parle sir, Mr. Parle, or Parle G?" he asked in a video. In the clip, Mr. Bunshan is seen sitting in a car with a confused look on his face while the catchy 'Ae Jee Oo Jee' track from Anil Kapoor's movie 'Ram Lakhan' plays in the background. 

The video, shared three days back, went viral eliciting rib-tickling responses from Instagram users. 

Watch the video here:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zervaan J Bunshah (@bunshah)

The video also caught the attention of Parle-G and the biscuit manufacturer joined in the fun with a witty comment. The official Parle-G account commented, "Bunshah ji, you can call us the OG." 

Later, Parle-G also featured a smiling image of Mr Bunshah on the biscuit wrapper instead of the iconic girl. "While you figure out what to call the owner of Parle-G, you can call us your favorite biscuit to enjoy with a cup of chai. What say @bunshah ji,'' read the caption.

Here's the post:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Parle-G (@officialparleg)

Elated with the gesture, Mr Bunshah responded to the post, talking about how he loved Parle-G biscuits as a child. 

“BAHAHAHAHAHA SEASONS GREETINGS INDEED. Parle G will always be my nourishment growing up, after any excursion, party, gathering, craving, fancy cake mein bhi ingredient rehta hai! I toh ate the biscuits as a kid thinking I'd become smarter. Usme toh kalti diya tum logon ne,” he wrote.

Internet users were also delighted with the heartwarming gesture and many called the content creator lucky. One user wrote, ''Wow, this is an amazing gesture.'' Another commented, ''This is hella creative no way.'' 

A third said, ''What an honour.'' A fourth added, ''Now we want @bunshah photo on every packet of our Parle G biscuit.''

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Rati Agnihotri's Son Tanuj Virwani Marries Tanya Jacob. Pics Inside

Inside Edge actor Tanuj Virwani married Taniya Jacob on Tuesday in the presence of his family and close friends. Pictures from their wedding ceremony were shared by the couple's friends and reshared by Tanuj on his Instagram stories. In the pictures, the couple can be seen twinning and winning in peach bridal outfits. The happy news was shared by Tanuj's uncle Atul Agnihotri on his Instagram feed. He captioned the post, "Dear nephew @tanujvirwani @taniyajacob1 Congratulations on your wedding. Wishing you both love, joy, and beautiful moments. May your journey together be as wonderful as the celebrations yesterday. You hosted a picture perfect wedding @ratiagnihotri10 lots of love and respect always #AgnihotriFamily."

See some pictures shared by Tanuj Virwani:

Now see what Atul Agnihotri posted:

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A post shared by Atul Agnihotri (@atulreellife)

In a recent conversation with India Today, Tanuj opened up about how his mother, veteran actress Rati Agnihotri, reacted to the news of their marriage. He said, "My mom has been breathing down my neck since I turned 30. Like any concerned parent, they wanted me to settle down. When I broke the news, she was the happiest as they get along really well. For me, it was extremely happy as we belong to small neutral families, and we are also planning to live with my parents."

Tanuj Virwani explained that he chose to keep his relationship private for an extended period because he learned from past mistakes. He noted that being too open about his personal life often shifted the focus away from his work.

Tanuj Virwani and Tanya Jacob marked their engagement with a celebration alongside family and friends on November 17 in Singapore.

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Plane Grounded In France With Several Indians Land In Mumbai: News Agency PTI

Plane grounded in France with mostly Indians lands in Mumbai: News agency PTI

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Drunk Tourists To Be Sent To Hotels, Not Jails: Himachal Chief Minister

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday urged tourists to follow rules and regulations, adding that police will not lock up drunk tourists; instead, they will take them to hotels.

He made the gesture towards them to promote tourism in the state, which is witnessing a large influx of visitors during the festive season of Christmas and New Year.

Due to the Winter Carnival, the state government has decided to keep hotels, restaurants, and dhabas open 24 hours a day for the convenience of tourists. Apart from this, the police have also been instructed not to harass the tourists.

The Chief Minister inaugurated the weeklong 'Winter Carnival' in Shimla to promote tourism in the state and said, "We want to promote tourism in the state. We have opened eating joints, Dhaba and restaurants that will function 24 hours a day, starting from December 20 to January 5. So that the tourists do not face any problems."

The Chief Minister further said, "The police will send drunken tourists back to hotels rather than jails. I urge all the tourists to follow rules and regulations."

The traditional folk dances are drawing the attention of the people here. While addressing the gathering here, the Chief Minister said that over 30,000 tourist vehicles entered the state on Monday.

"Over 30000 thousand tourist vehicles have entered the state today," he further said, adding that the tourists were taken special care of by the state government during this festive and new year's season in the state.

The Chief Minister said that the Carnival will be organised every year in Shimla. Many tourists are overwhelmed after witnessing the winter carnival.

"I have been coming to Shimla for a long time; there are a large number of people gathered here. I have never seen it this crowded here. We are enjoying the carnival and ambience here. It's nice to be here," said Ridhi, a tourist from Punjab.

"We are feeling good to be here; the traditional dances and folk in the winter carnival are fantastic, and we are enjoying them," said Manish Agarwal, another tourist.

Many folklore artists expressed their joy in performing at the winter carnival.

"It is very good to be here. We are performing here and the winter carnival is being organised here for the first time. The artists have come from different parts of the state and also from other states of the country. It is good to be a part of this carnival," said Rohit, a young traditional folk artist.

The artists are also pleased to get a platform to perform in front of tourists, both domestic and international.

"I think the winter carnival is a big initiative to give a platform to the artists here. It is a good initiative to showcase the traditional art of the region," said Joginder Singh Habbi, a folk artist.

"After Corona, the artists were not getting platforms, even though there were floods that had also hit the festivals and such performances. Now it's time for festivals and the New Year season. A large number of people have gathered here and it is good to be here," he added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Viral Pic: MS Dhoni Celebrates Christmas With Family; Pant Joins Them

Former India captain MS Dhoni celebrated the festival of Christmas with his family and friends. Noticeably, India's star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant also joined them during the celeration. The picture of the unit posing in front of a Christmas tree is going viral on social media. Rohit and Pant could be seen donning Christmas hats alongside other members present in the picture. The photo was uploaded through the Instagram account of Dhoni's daughter Ziva with a caption: "Merry Christmas!"

See it here:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ZIVA SINGH DHONI (@ziva_singh_dhoni)

Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant was part of the franchise's contingent at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 Auction in Dubai. The wicket-keeper batter, who has been missing in action for more than a year due to injury, was present at the auction and took part in a number of bids.

Later in the day, he was seen playing tennis with Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni in an indoor tennis court. Both cricketers looked focused during the game and an overhead smash from Pant even caught Dhoni by surprise. Fans were excited to see them in action and the video has gone viral on social media.

"Doing much better than what I was doing a few months ago. Still on recovery to 100 per cent, but in a few months time I will be able to do it," said Pant.

When asked about his recovery, he added: "It has been really amazing because whenever we keep playing cricket we feel no one loves us because there is so much pressure. Yes it was a hard time, but at least I got to know that people love and respect me and kind of kind of concern that they showed by heartwarming and crazy for me. It means a lot and helped a lot in recovery."

(With ANI Inputs)

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Christmas Home Decor Trends: How To Bring Tradition To Modern Styles At Home

With the following ideas, including things like furniture, scents, and decorations for your walls and doors, you can create a festive atmosphere that feels both timeless and up-to-date.

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Merry Christmas 2023: Xmas Wishes, Greetings, Quotes And Whatsapp Messages To Share

Here are best wishes, greetings, quotes and whatsapp messages you can send to your loved ones.   

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Most Indians On Flight Grounded In France To Leave Today: Report

Most of the roughly 300 Indians travelling on a plane detained near Paris over suspicions of human trafficking will be free to resume their trip Monday, French judicial sources said Sunday.

The Nicaragua-bound Airbus A340 and its 303 Indian passengers have been held at Vatry airport, 150 kilometres (95 miles) east of Paris, since arriving Thursday from Dubai for refuelling after an anonymous tip-off that it was carrying potential victims of human trafficking.

Four French judges began questioning the passengers Sunday to verify the "conditions and purposes" of their travel, and have two days to complete speaking to the passengers.

The judges have the authority to extend the detention, but Paris prosecutors told AFP they expect the plane and its passengers to be cleared for departure late Monday morning "at the latest," without naming a destination.

The passengers of the flight operated by Romanian company Legend Airlines are holed up in the airport. They include 11 unaccompanied minors, according to Paris prosecutors.

Two passengers have been detained since Friday "to verify" whether their role "may have been different than the others in this transport, and under what conditions and with what objectives."

Ten of the passengers have requested asylum, a source close to the case said.

Tarpaulin covered the entrance hall's glass exterior and nearby administrative buildings, while police and gendarmes prevented access.

Individual beds, as well as toilets and showers, have been installed, the local prefecture said.

The Indian embassy in Paris Saturday posted on X that "embassy consular staff" are on site to working with French authorities "for the welfare" of detained passengers for an "early resolution of the situation."

The 30 crew members were not detained. Some handled the Dubai-Vatry leg and others were to take over for the flight to Managua. According to Flightradar24, Legend Airlines has just four planes.

A source close to the inquiry told AFP that some of the Indian passengers were likely workers in the United Arab Emirates who may be traveling to Nicaragua as a jumping off spot for the United States or Canada.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Woman Goes To Hospital With Headache, Wakes Up With No Memory Of 30 Years

A sixty-year-old woman in the US has recalled the time when she woke up with no recollection of the last 30 years of her life after she visited the hospital because of a headache. The intriguing medical case unfolded in 2018 when the woman then 56, awoke with the belief that she was still a teenager in the 1980s, New York Post reported. Kim Denicola, a resident of Louisiana, is now cherishing this Christmas season as she reflects on the many holidays lost to her mysterious memory loss.

''I've lost a lot of Christmases, so it's a big deal,'' Mrs Denicola, now 60, told WAFB. ''It's unbelievable to me as it probably is to other people. Never in my wildest dreams did I get up and go to bible study and think I'm going to wake up in the hospital and I'm going to be 60 years old,'' she added.

According to her family, she developed a blinding headache and sudden blurry vision while at a bible study. When she woke up in the hospital emergency room, she had no recollection that she was married and had two children. The last thing Mrs Denicola remembered was her final day of school.

''I was leaving school and heading for my car. I had just taken an exam because I was graduating my senior year. 'The nurse asked me: "Do you know what year it is?" I said: "Yes, ma'am it is 1980". She asked me who the president was and I said: "Ronald Reagan''.

She was also heartbroken to learn that both her mother and father had died years earlier.

Though she was diagnosed with transient global amnesia (TGA), doctors can't tell her for sure what happened despite extensive tests and scans. Five years later in 2023, the 60-year-old grandmother has still not recovered memories.

Doctors say that if her memories haven't returned by now, they are unlikely to ever resurface.

The woman is still trying to make sense of her new life and is in the process of getting to know her family anew, including her husband, children, and four grandchildren. She has also been reading journal entries to remember her life but says it feels like reading about someone else.

''I may have lost my memories, but guess what? We can make new ones,'' she said. 

''You can't be mad and bitter because the good Lord left me here for a reason. Whatever that may be, I'm sure he'll let me know one way or another. And maybe this is it maybe it's to tell people you don't have to give up,'' she added. 

Despite the difficulties, she is now re-discovering things she loved and insists that she's moving forward. Mrs Denicola said her Christmas dream is to have her entire family back together celebrating under one roof.

According to the National Library of Medicine, TGA often occurs during periods of ''particularly strenuous activity, high-stress events, or coitus, but it can be seen with migraines.'' It mostly affects individuals middle-aged and older. 

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Toddlers, Teens Among 13 Unescorted Children On Plane Grounded In France

Thirteen unaccompanied minors are among the more than 300 Indian passengers of a Nicaragua-bound plane held in France over suspected human trafficking, authorities told AFP on Saturday.

The Airbus A340 has been held at Vatry airport, 150 kilometres (95 miles) east of Paris, since arriving from Dubai on Thursday following an anonymous tip-off that it was carrying potential victims of human trafficking.

The civilian protection unit of the Marne department said the plane was carrying 13 unaccompanied minors as well as accompanied minors, with their ages ranging from 21 months to 17 years.

The 303 passengers of the flight operated by Romanian company Legend Airlines were still in the airport's entrance hall on Saturday morning, an AFP reporter saw.

Tarpaulin covered the entrance hall's glass exterior and nearby administrative buildings, while police and gendarmes prevented access.

Two passengers were in custody on Friday as part of the investigation.

Liliana Bakayoko, a lawyer for the airline, said all crew members had been questioned and allowed to leave.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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iPhone 12 Submerged In US River 3 Months Ago Found In Working Condition

A diver cleaning a river in the United States recently found an Apple iPhone 12 all covered in algae. However, in a remarkable display of durability, the smartphone defied all expectations and emerged in perfect working condition even after spending around 3 months submerged in the Northern California Stanislaus River. According to Apple Insider, the unexpected discovery transpired when diver Lee discovered the algae-covered iPhone 12 in November. He cleaned up the phone and set it aside to dry out for a few days, following which he managed to switch on the phone after connecting a charger.

The iPhone 12 comes with an IP68 rating. According to Apple, the phone can last 30 minutes in 6-meter deep water. However, this one iPhone unit seems to be breaking the rules as it managed to remain functional even after being submerged in water for over 3 months. Speaking to Apple Insider, Lee shared his story of the discovery and revealed how he successfully managed to switch on the phone. 

Lee discovered the mobile treasure while cleaning the Stanislaus River on November 10 and after drying the phone, he switched on the device after connecting it to a charger. The diver revealed that the phone lacked a passcode or face unlock setup due to which he was able to unlock it and access its stored data. 

Lee told the outlet that the most recent item in the Photos app was a video captured on the river on September 4, suggesting that it had been submerged there for three months. He stated that he hasn't been able to get in touch with the owner of the iPhone but plans to reach out to the contacts.

Also read | This Is The Most Deleted App Of 2023. The Name Is...

Meanwhile, this is not the first time that such an incident has taken place. In 2022, a man in the United Kingdom who dropped his mobile phone in a river nearly a year ago was reunited with his device in working condition. A Facebook user Miguel Pacheco had made a post in a local group about finding an iPhone while canoeing in the Wye River. The man said that he took the phone home and dried it properly. The next day, he charged the device and was surprised to discover that it still worked. 

The internet user revealed that the screensaver on the phone was a photo of a couple and the date it showed was August 13. Mr Pacheco then set out to find the owner. He then found out the couple's address in Edinburgh, UK, and sent the phone to them. 

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Wayfair CEO Calls For Longer Work Hours: "Winning Requires Hard Work"

Niraj Shah, Indian-American Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of online furniture firm Wayfair, curated a special message for his employees after the company yielded profitable results. According to CNN, in his note to employees, Mr Shah not only encouraged employees to work hard and be ambitious but also asked them to do more work and blend "work with life". He told them to not shy away from working long hours and added that there was no historical evidence which showed laziness led to success. 

"Winning requires hard work. I believe that most of us, being ambitious individuals, find fulfilment in the joy of seeing our efforts materialize into tangible results," the CEO said in a note to employees earlier this month, as per CNN. "Working long hours, being responsive, blending work and life, is not anything to shy away from. There is not a lot of history of laziness being rewarded with success," he added. 

According to Fortune, Mr Shah also added that the idea staff should not work was "laughably false". "Hard work is essential for success, and a key part of getting things done," the CEO said, adding, "Everyone deserves to have a great personal life - everyone manages that in their own way - ambitious people find ways to blend and balance the two". 

In his letter, Mr Shah also encouraged Wayfair employees to think of the company money they spend as their own and negotiate prices. "Would you spend money on that, would you spend that much money for that thing, does that price seem reasonable, and lastly - have you negotiated the price?" he wrote. 

The Indian-American CEO told employees in his email that the company is back to being profitable. "Together we can win much faster than we are winning now if we all row in this direction together. Let's be aggressive, pragmatic, frugal, agile, customer-oriented, and smart," he said. 

Also Read | Ex CEO Of Tech Mahindra Shares Valuable Insights As He Announces Retirement From Corporate Life

Meanwhile, on the internet, users called Mr Shah's note "toxic". "He's basically saying if you don't work late then you're lazy. Long hours don't prove anything about productivity. It just means you worked long hours!" wrote one Reddit user. "I love when these CEOs talk about 'winning' as if the employees get absolutely anything out of the company's profitability," said another. 

"If you're actually being compensated for your time, sure. If you're making an average salary but dealing with corporate BS, move on," expressed a third. "I'll sacrifice the life in work-life balance when the paycheck reflects that it is worth it. I doubt it is for anyone he is giving this lecture to (that he probably thinks is SO inspirational).," added another. 

Notably, Mr Shah is not the first CEO to glamourise overworking. Earlier, Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy said that India's work culture needs to change and youngsters should be prepared to work for 70 hours a week if the country has to compete effectively on the global stage. He stated that India's work productivity is one of the lowest in the world and asked the youth the contribute towards building the culture so that India can compete effectively on the global stage. He also drew parallels with Japan and Germany, two countries that implemented extended working hours after the Second World War. 

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No Outsiders Allowed In India's Warm-up Game Before SA Tests. Reason Is...

Shubman Gill was at his silken best during Indian team's intra-squad training game at the Tuks Oval on Thursday even though there wasn't an opportunity to get a glimpse of that enchanting sight. Coming in at No. 3, Gill helped himself to a hundred on the second day of the three-day match, playing all the bowlers with consummate ease, adding a dash of confidence in him ahead of the two-match Test series against South Africa beginning on December 26.

The Tuks Oval in Pretoria has been kept out of bounds for media even as the Indian team went ahead with their match simulation ahead of the Boxing Day Test. The venue is around 45-minute drive from the Supersport Park in Centurion where the first Test will be held.

Trying to keep their cards close to the chest, head coach Rahul Dravid and team management didn't want the match to be watched by outsiders as it can give a clearer idea about their strategy to be deployed against the Proteas.

Closed door trainings are a common feature among world's football team's (club and country) where media is only allowed to watch warm-ups and then asked to leave when coaches come to tactical training. But Indian cricket team over the years, has at times, uses the 'Closed Door' policy to keep media at bay for the entire duration.

Apart from Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal also got himself a half-century before being retired out in order to give others a chance to bat.

Meanwhile, Ruturaj Gaikwad's finger injury could possibly warrant a few more days of rest and the Maharashtra right-hander might not be in contention to be selected for the first Test.

Gaikwad had hurt his ring finger during second ODI and wasn't selected for the third match against SA on Thursday.

However, Gaikwad not being considered for selection will not be a big deal as far as Test matches are concerned since all slots in batting order are filled as of now.

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Bigg Boss Winner Pallavi Prashanth Arrested For "Disturbing Peace"

Bigg Boss Telugu season-7 winner Pallavi Prashanth has been arrested by the police from Telangana's Hyderabad for allegedly disturbing peace near the Annapurna Studios after the announcement of his victory on Monday night, said the police on Wednesday.

According to the police, after the announcement of Prashanth as the winner, his fans thronged near the studio and vandalised the car of the reality show's runner-up, Amardeep Chowdhary.

"A case has been registered against Prashanth and his followers for unlawful assembly and vandalism," said Chandra Shekhar, Sub-Inspector, Jubihills Police Station.

Meanwhile, the Police have taken the accused to the Jubihills Police Station for further investigation.

More details are awaited.

On December 17, the Bigg Boss Telugu Season 7 concluded and Prashanth was declared the winner of the popular reality show.

However, the post-finale celebrations took an unexpected turn as Prashanth's fans thronged the studio and vandalised runner-up Amardeep Chowdhary's car, said the police.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Honda To Recall More Than 100,000 Hybrid Vehicles Over Fire Risk

Honda Motor Co's American unit is recalling about 106,030 CR-V hybrid vehicles due to the risk of fire or injury in a crash caused by an overheated battery cable or short circuit, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Wednesday.

To address the issue, dealers will replace the battery cable, NHTSA added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Women Not Given Enough Time To Speak In Parliament": BJP MP

(Video Credit: Sansad TV)

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25 Manipur Schools Lose CBSE Affiliation Over Alleged Paperwork Fraud

Twenty-five schools in Manipur have lost their CBSE affiliation after the state government flagged to the central board that it had not given no-objection certificates to the schools.

The Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) bylaws make it a legal requirement for state board schools to get a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the state government before applying for central board affiliation.

The CBSE SARAS 4.0 website no longer shows the 25 schools in Kangpokpi and Churachandpur as "affiliated". SARAS is short for 'School Affiliation Re-Engineered Automation System' that updates in real-time the affiliation status of over 28,900 schools across India.

"... CBSE has withdrawn affiliation which was recently granted to the schools... with immediate effect on the ground that the NOCs submitted by these schools have not been issued by the authorised functionaries of the state government..." Manipur school education joint secretary Anjali Chongtham said in a statement today.

The Manipur government in the statement also warned it will act against those responsible for violating state education and CBSE rules, or worse, for alleged fraud in submitting affiliation requests to the central board.

Education Minister Th Basanta told reporters in Imphal that the last time the Education Department gave any NOC was in May 2020.

After an initial investigation, the government has narrowed down to an education officer in Kangpokpi and a former education officer in Churachandpur for allegedly handing out NOCs without the knowledge of the state government, people familiar with the matter in the education department told NDTV today, requesting anonymity.

Eleven of the 25 schools got CBSE affiliation in the period between May 2020 and May 2023, and 14 received affiliation in the past six months. All the 25 schools are in the two hill districts Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, where violence began in May between the valley-majority Meiteis, who want the affirmative action Scheduled Tribes (ST) category, and the hill-majority Kuki tribes, who want a separate administration carved out from Manipur.

The change of the education board from state to central in the two hill districts became extremely controversial after it was seen as a soft attempt at formalising a new arrangement.

At least seven school principals in Kangpokpi district told NDTV on Monday their ZEO Lhingneikim Kipgen, who works under the education department, gave the NOCs. Calls to Ms Kipgen on Monday and Tuesday went unanswered.

The Churachandpur ZEO told NDTV on Monday his predecessor who left in June this year handled the NOC applications, while he took over in July and has no knowledge of the matter.

In Churachandpur, none of the four newly affiliated schools - before they lost affiliation today - had working phone numbers. One had only '0000' as the contact number. Not having working phones and having inconsistent details such as the phone number or address of the principal turning out to be of a relative are violations of the CBSE's bylaws for affiliation.

"The situation in Manipur after May 3 was such that functioning under the state board was becoming impossible. We have to go to Imphal for exam coordination and other state board work. How would that be possible?" the principal of a Kangpokpi school freshly affiliated with the CBSE told NDTV yesterday, requesting anonymity.

Another school principal in Kangpokpi said they have followed due process in applying for NOC, and showed the letters they have written to the education department seeking NOC for education board switch. Though this principal could not show the education department's response, he showed the NOC they have received from the zonal education officer. The principal declined to comment further when asked whether they knew it could violate rules to not have NOC from the education department under the state minister as the ZEO doesn't have the overall authority to hand out NOCs.

The Kangpokpi school principals, however, questioned what they called the authorities' "obtuse focus" on procedures when all that the students needed amid the ethnic clashes and other cataclysmic disruptions was academic continuity, whether CBSE or state board.

The hill district school principals cited difficulty in coordinating with the education department at a time when battle lines have been clearly drawn on the basis of ethnicity and deep mistrust. All the principals NDTV spoke to in Kangpokpi requested anonymity.

The state government is very clear, however, that action would be taken against schools including withdrawing their affiliation if any of them is again found not following due process.

"The principals are not thinking right. What are they implying? Short-circuit administrative processes amid the unfortunate outbreak of violence? No one said NOC won't be given. All of us work for students. Questionable and unethical decisions by some school administrations can't be allowed to harm the future of students," a senior officer in the education department who was among a small team that looked into the initial investigation in the CBSE affiliation matter told NDTV today, requesting anonymity.

Education department officials on Monday had told NDTV they would not rule out fraud and forgery since the state government had not given any NOC. They said they are constantly speaking to the zonal education officers of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, but gave not further details.

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Mahua Moitra Moves Court Against Move To Oust Her From Official Residence

Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra, who was recently expelled from the Lok Sabha, approached the Delhi High Court on Monday challenging cancellation of her government accommodation and asking her to vacate the house by January 7, 2024.

The petition, which is likely to be listed for hearing on Tuesday, urged that the Directorate of Estates' December 11 order be set aside or, in the alternative, Moitra be allowed to retain possession of the accommodation till the results of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections are declared.

Moitra was held guilty of "unethical conduct" and expelled from the Lok Sabha on December 8, 2023 for allegedly accepting gifts from businessman Darshan Hiranandani and sharing her user ID and password of the Parliament website with him.

She has already challenged her expulsion in the Supreme Court after the Lok Sabha adopted the report of its ethics committee recommending her ouster. The case is listed for hearing on January 3, 2024.

In her plea before the high court, she said the Directorate of Estates' order has been issued following her expulsion from the Lok Sabha.

"The impugned order is premature as the validity of the petitioner's expulsion is pending adjudication before the Supreme Court of India," Moitra's petition said.

"In such circumstances - where whether the petitioner is an 'unauthorised occupant' at all is under adjudication before the highest constitutional court of the land - the respondent no. 1 (Directorate of Estates), as an executing authority, cannot initiate proceedings under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act 1971 for evicting the petitioner.

"It is only once the petitioner's claim over rightfully occupying the government accommodation is duly adjudicated, does the question of the estate office's/ respondent no. 1's jurisdiction arises," the plea said.

Moitra said she was elected to the Lok Sabha for the first time from Krishnanagar constituency in West Bengal in the 2019 general elections and her party has chosen her as its candidate from there for the 2024 LS polls as well.

Since the expulsion from the Lok Sabha does not disqualify her from contesting elections, she will be running again and will need to focus her time and energies on her constituents, it said.

"Instability in accommodation, however, would pose a significant impediment to the petitioner's ability to host and engage with party members, parliamentarians, fellow politicians, visiting constituents, key stakeholders and other dignitaries, which is essential, especially in the lead up to a general election," the plea said.

She said she is living alone in Delhi and has no other place of residence or alternative accommodation here and, if evicted from her government accommodation, she will have to fulfil the duties of campaigning while also trying to find a new residence.

"This will place an onerous burden on the petitioner. Thus, in the alternative, the petitioner prays that she be allowed to continue residing in her current house till the results of the 2024 General Elections. In the event that the petitioner is so allowed, she will readily undertake to pay any charges that may be applicable for the extended period of stay," the petition said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Jacqueline Fernandez Asks Court To Drop Case Against Her By Probe Agency

Actor Jacqueline Fernandez has filed a petition in Delhi High Court, seeking that the case against her by the Enforcement Directorate be dismissed.  Ms Fernandez is accused in a Rs 200 crore money laundering case involving alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar. She was made an accused in the case in a supplementary chargesheet filed by the Central agency.

In the petition she has claimed that the money laundering allegations against her are false. Sukesh Chandrashekhar, who cheated Aditya Singh of Rs 200 crore, also trapped her, she has claimed.

Ms Fernandez has been accused of enjoying the proceeds of the alleged extortion of 200 crore from Aditi Singh, the wife of former Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Singh.

In October 2019, Shivinder Singh was arrested in a case related to alleged misappropriation of funds at Religare Finvest Ltd.

Sukesh Chandrasekhar allegedly posing as a Central government official, persuaded Aditi Singh to pay him, promising to secure his bail.
He ran the scam from jail and convinced her by repeated phone calls to transfer the money.

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Indian Migrant Workers Used As "Gold Mules" By Singapore Smugglers: Report

Smugglers in Singapore have been approaching Indian migrant workers flying home via Changi Airport to act as 'gold mules' by carrying jewellery in exchange for a fee, according to a media report on Sunday.

Travellers who show an interest in being a gold mule are directed to a quiet spot in the airport, where a deal is struck. During negotiations, the courier is assured that a syndicate runner will retrieve the gold jewellery from him when he lands in India, The Straits Times reported.

While it is not illegal in Singapore for travellers to carry precious metals, including gold, out of the country, the couriers risk breaking the law in India when they do not declare the gold they are carrying in, the report quoted Mohamed Bilal, president of the Gem Traders Association of Singapore, as saying.

Male Indian nationals are permitted to carry up to 20 gram of duty-free gold, of a maximum value of Rs 50,000 rupees (SGD 800), into India. The limit for female Indian nationals is double in terms of weight and value.

Gold jewellery carried over and above these limits will attract customs duty.

Bilal said that the practice of smuggling gold through 'mules' has been going on for decades.

Gold smuggling runners at Terminal 1 of the Changi Airport want the 'mules' to carry jewellery of between 25 gram and 30 gram of gold, which is just outside the legal limit, the report said.

Meanwhile, the report said, Indian authorities, including customs officials, are on the lookout for travellers acting as gold mules.

This comes in the wake of a spike in gold smuggling to the country, and amid reports of syndicates targeting travellers at various airports in jurisdictions in the Gulf, as well as in Asia, including Malaysia and Singapore, where gold is cheaper than in India, it said.

There is no weight limit on the amount of gold and other precious metals that can be transported out of Singapore by travellers, the report said, quoting Singapore Police Force.

In India, the world's second-biggest gold consumer, one gram of 24 karat gold costs about SGD 99 (approx Rs 6,177). It would cost about SGD 92.40 (approx Rs 5,765) in Singapore.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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On Difference Between Virat And Gambhir, Ex-India Star's 'Polite' Verdict

Former India better Parthiv Patel chose the former President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Sourav Ganguly as his captain over Mahendra Singh Dhoni and said that there will always be a soft corner for his first skipper. Parthiv made his debut for India at the age of 17 in 2002. Parthiv played 15 Test matches and 10 ODIs under Ganguly's captaincy between 2002 and 2004. Ganguly was known for backing his players. "Today I would still choose Sourav Ganguly as my captain for sure. We've had a lot of successful captains Dhoni, Virat Kohli, everyone. But I would still choose Sourav. I think he had time for everyone though. Everyone else has been great captains as well. But I would still choose him," Parthiv Patel said during the 6th Advancement In Endourology Conference At the Forum Convention Centre.

Parthiv won the IPL with CSK in 2010 before moving on to the Mumbai Indians in 2015 and 2017, where he won two more titles. Patel's quick glove work and ability as an opener made him a valuable member of both teams, contributing greatly to their successful campaigns.

"Of course, Dhoni's been great. There is no doubt about it. But when your first captain, you always have a soft corner for him. And that's exactly what I have. I've played for three years for Chennai Super Kings. I can say it, but I made my Test debut or a one-day debut before Dhoni came in. My performance went down. That's why Dhoni got picked. So I think it is a credit to him. I always said it, but there is only one opportunity you get because there are so many players around," he added.

Talking about the difference between Delhi batters Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli, Parthiv said both players are polite but the former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain's style is slightly more aggressive.

"On the ground and off the ground. Virat is very polite. Gautam is also very polite. I mean, when you are playing cricket, when you want to win games for your country, there's obviously some kind of aggression that comes in. But we all love Virat Kohli. The way he celebrates and stuff. He inspires a lot of them. I've played a lot of cricket with Gautam but I would say Virat's rather slightly more aggressive," Parthiv said.

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"Whether It Is An Officer's Son...": Minister On Woman Hit By Lover's Car

Reacting to the Thane incident, wherein a woman was allegedly run over by her boyfriend's car in the middle of a road, Maharashtra Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said that the accused in the matter will have to face the whip of law even if he is the son of an officer or a big leader.

Speaking to ANI on the incident in Chandrapur, Mungantiwar said, "Whether it is an officer's son or some big leader's son, he will have to bear the whip of the law and Constitution. No matter who it is, if they have committed this crime, then they would be punished."

Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also reacted to the case and said, "The incident not only brings goosebumps to a person but also exposes many people who are in authority. The accused, who has committed the heinous crime, is the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party Yuva Morcha and his father is a very senior bureaucrat in Thane district."

"The government talks about women's safety but it is actually the work that is done that really matters and that kind of work for women is not seen in Maharashtra," Chaturvedi added.

"This is a very unfortunate incident and I want to question the BJP about how the party could place responsibilities on such people who are so "Mahila Virodhi," asserted Chaturvedi.

"Does the Mahila Bachao-Mahila Badhao programme of the BJP give this message when there are incidents such as the women's protest or this recent Thane incident? she stated.

BJP leader Narayan Rane said, "Today the opposition is saying that law and order has deteriorated in Maharashtra. My question is that both Disha Salian and Sushant Singh were murdered during their time, was there law and order at that time?

"Today, when a woman is run over by a vehicle, then it is wrong to say that law and order are not good. They have no other topic. Our government is doing good work in Maharashtra. If a case is registered, he will be arrested. After an investigation, the police will arrest him," Rane added.

Congress leader Tariq Anwar also condemned the incident and said, "It is very sad that in our society, the way of thinking has still not changed, especially in cases like this, where love is involved. Many children commit suicide, murder, and other such crimes in matters like these. In my opinion, this is a social evil that needs to be cured."

A 26-year-old woman was severely injured when her boyfriend, who is the son of a senior bureaucrat, allegedly tried to run her over with his car in Maharashtra's Thane district.

The accused has been identified as Ashwajit Gaikwad.

Speaking to ANI on the incident, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Amar Singh Jadhav said, "The incident took place around 4 a.m. on Monday near a hotel on Ghodbunder Road, where the woman had gone to meet Ashwajit Gaikwad."

"An argument broke out between the victim, Ashwajeet Gaikwad and two other persons identified as Romil Patil and Sagar. The victim suffered injuries after the argument, and was admitted to the hospital, where the police recorded her statement. According to that, further action has been taken and a case has been registered against three accused under relevant sections," said the official.

"A case has been registered under IPC sections 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way), 338 (causing grievous hurt by an act endangering the life or personal safety of others), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) (against accused Ashwajeet Gaikwad, Romil Patil and Sagar). Further investigation is being done on the basis of the victim's statement," informed the DCP.

The victim shared details and said, "Three bones in my right leg are broken. It has been operated on. From my left shoulder to my hips, I've had deep injuries. I cannot move my body. Four days ago, I went to file an FIR--the day all this happened. But no action was taken. Today, when I posted on social media, the police supported me."

The incident took place early on Monday morning near a hotel in Thane and police have registered a case against the accused, Ashwajit Gaikwad.

Sharing her information on the matter, victim Priya Singh's lawyer, Darshana Pawar, told ANI, "I met Priya in the morning. She is stable but the injuries are quite severe."

"As per the injuries, 307 (of IPC) should have been recorded, which has not been recorded. We have been requesting the investigating officers and police officers to take 307 and 356 on record. But, to date, they have not taken it. It's been more than four days. If they don't proceed, we will have to approach the High Court," stated the lawyer for the victim.

Further details on the matter are awaited.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Video: Gas Cutter Used To Steal Entire ATM, Thieves Flee With Lakhs In SUV

In a daring heist, a gang has used gas cutters to steal an entire ATM, containing cash worth lakhs, in an Uttarakhand town. A video shows the men taking turns running from the kiosk to their SUV and placing parts of the automated teller machine inside before driving away.

"A gang of four to five people used gas cutters to steal a State Bank of India ATM in Dandhera in Haridwar district. The ATM contained cash worth lakhs of rupees but the exact amount will be known from the bank. We are checking CCTV footage. The thieves used a Scorpio to flee," said Haridwar Superintendent of Police (Rural) Swapn Kishore Singh.

CCTV footage shows three men wearing shawls and face coverings in an apparent bid to hide their identity. One man runs to the SUV with a part of the machine, and he is quickly followed by another, who ends up dropping his shawl on the footpath while running. One of his other accomplices picks up the shawl while the third man puts another part of the machine in the boot.

The first man gestures to the third, who returns to the kiosk and then all three bundle into the car, which is quickly driven away.

Mr Singh said the police are carrying out their investigation and are trying to apprehend the thieves at the earliest. 
 

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