Author: Rasmita Jena

  • Congress Blames BJP for Manipur President’s Rule: Time for Accountability!

    Congress Blames BJP for Manipur President’s Rule: Time for Accountability!

    The Congress party said that putting President’s rule in Manipur shows that the BJP government at both the national and state levels has failed. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge posted on X, saying that there is a serious problem in Manipur which led to this decision. He pointed out that the BJP has been in power for 11 years at the national level and for 8 years in Manipur. He criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying it is his party’s responsibility to keep the state safe, and now their actions show that they have failed the people of Manipur.

    Kharge mentioned that the President’s rule was not something the government wanted; it happened because no members of the BJP wanted to take responsibility for the current mess. He stated that the government is not listening to the suffering of the people in Manipur and called for Modi to visit the state and apologize.

    Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also spoke out, saying that the President’s rule is an admission that the BJP can’t govern well in Manipur. He challenged Modi to finally visit Manipur and share how he plans to bring peace back to the area.

    The President’s rule was implemented in Manipur after Chief Minister N Biren Singh stepped down, which caused chaos in the politics of the region. The state assembly, which was supposed to last until 2027, has been paused for now, as announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Singh resigned after months of ethnic clashes that have resulted in over 250 deaths.

  • Laila’ Faces Backlash: Bad Reviews and Boycott Controversy

    Laila’ Faces Backlash: Bad Reviews and Boycott Controversy

    The Telugu movie “Laila” hit theaters on Valentine’s Day 2025, along with Hindi film “Chhaava” and Marvel’s “Captain America: Brave New World.” While the other two films were enjoyed by many, “Laila” did not do well. The film, starring Vishwak Sen, is getting a lot of negative feedback on social media.

    About “Laila”
    “Laila” is an action comedy directed by Ram Narayan. In the film, Vishwak Sen plays two roles: Sonu, who wants to be a model, and the character Laila, who is a femme fatale. The cast also includes Akanksha Sharma, Vennela Kishore, Babloo Prithiveeraj, and Abhimanyu Singh. Even before it came out, the movie faced issues and people called for a boycott.

    Twitter Critiques
    Comments about “Laila” on Twitter are harsh, with many calling it a disaster. One user humorously noted, “Don’t believe the hate reviews; #LailaMovie is painful to watch from start to finish.” Another user shared a thumbs down and vomit emoji, saying, “The worst… what a mess!” Others labeled the film as having poor-quality humor and heavy body shaming. Some even suggested that Bhojpuri films had better messages than “Laila.”

    The Boycott “Laila” Drama
    Before the film’s release, actor Prudhvi Raj made political comments that upset many people. This caused a “Boycott Laila” trend on Twitter. Even though Prudhvi apologized, fans of the YSR Congress Party still pushed for the film to be boycotted.

  • Nifty IT Index Drops: HCL Tech and TCS Shine Amid Market Weakness

    Nifty IT Index Drops: HCL Tech and TCS Shine Amid Market Weakness

    NEW DELHI: The Nifty IT index was going down around 10:45 AM (IST) on Friday as the overall market was weak. HCL Technologies was up by 0.59%, and Tata Consultancy Services rose by 0.14%, making them the top winners. On the other hand, Persistent Systems fell by 2.19%, while Coforge dropped by 1.85%. MphasiS was down by 1.31%, LTIMindtree fell by 1.06%, and Infosys was down by 0.4%, making them the biggest losers in the IT sector.

    At that time, the Nifty IT index was down by 0.35%, sitting at 41,171.4. Meanwhile, the main NSE Nifty50 index dropped by 109.21 points to 22,922.2, and the BSE Sensex fell by 295.33 points to 75,843.64. Out of the 50 stocks in the Nifty, only 8 were doing well, while 42 were struggling.

    Some of the most traded shares on the NSE included Vodafone Idea, YES Bank, Tata Steel, Manappuram Finance, and SAIL. Notably, Norben Tea Exp, Aarvee Denims, and SBI Card reached new 52-week highs today. On the flip side, stocks like MITCON Const & Engg.(PP), Concord Enviro Syste, Deepak Nitrite, Veto Switchgear, and JHS Svendgaard hit fresh 52-week lows in trading.

  • Severe Storms Cause Floods and Chaos in California and Northwest

    Severe Storms Cause Floods and Chaos in California and Northwest

    A powerful storm hit Southern California on Thursday, bringing heavy rain and causing problems on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. A Los Angeles Fire Department vehicle was swept into the ocean during a debris flow, but the firefighter inside got out with only minor injuries.

    In Pacific Palisades, some roads were underwater with three feet of mud, and police helped drivers get through the slippery mess. In Altadena, a road near a place burned by fire was also flooded with mud, trees, and plants, creating a dangerous situation.

    Meanwhile, the Pacific Northwest was facing its own problems. A winter storm caused major car crashes on highways in Oregon and Washington, sending at least ten people to the hospital. Reports mentioned a pileup involving about 20 to 30 cars due to bad weather conditions.

    As the storm continued, flash flood warnings were issued for parts of Los Angeles County. Some areas could see up to six inches of rain, which raised concerns about mudslides in places that were recently burned by wildfires. Officials warned residents to stay off the roads and prepared shelters for those in need.

    In the San Francisco Bay Area, there were power outages and small landslides. Southern California still faces a severe drought, but experts warned that this downpour might be too much too fast.

    In the East, many places experienced heavy snow and ice. Schools closed due to dangerous driving conditions, and two people died in a crash in Maine. In Mississippi, two weak tornadoes were confirmed, causing some damage but thankfully no serious injuries.

  • PM Modi and Elon Musk: A Meeting of Minds and Families

    PM Modi and Elon Musk: A Meeting of Minds and Families

    During a two-day trip to the United States, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a special meeting with the world’s richest man, Elon Musk. Musk brought along his partner, Shivon Zilis, and their children. Photographs released by the Prime Minister’s office showed Shivon talking with PM Modi while taking care of their kids as Musk chatted with the Indian leader.

    Who is Shivon Zilis?

    Shivon Zilis is 39 years old and was born in Canada. She has an Indian mother named Sharda N and a Canadian father named Richard Zilis. Shivon previously worked at Tesla as a Project Director from 2017 to 2019. Now, she is the Director of Operations and Special Projects at Neuralink, a company that develops brain implants owned by Musk.

    In the past, she also worked with Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI. Shivon was one of the founding members of Bloomberg Beta, a company that invests in new ideas. She made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for her achievements in 2015 and was recognized in LinkedIn’s 35 Under 35.

    Shivon and Elon Musk welcomed two children named Azure and Strider in 2021, and both of them were with their dad during the meeting with PM Modi. Additionally, they had their third child in 2024 and have reportedly moved into a Texas house that Musk built for all his 11 children.

    Highlights of the Modi-Musk Meeting

    PM Modi met with Musk in Washington, D.C., just before having a discussion with U.S. President Joe Biden. They talked about important topics like space exploration, technology, and innovation. The two leaders also discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between India and the U.S. in areas such as artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and good governance.

    Meaningful Gifts

    After their meeting at the Blair House, PM Modi gave Musk’s children three books: “The Crescent Moon” by Rabindranath Tagore, “The Great RK Narayan Collection,” and “Panchatantra” by Pandit Vishnu Sharma.

  • Air India Expands International Flights and Upgrades Fleet for 2025

    Air India Expands International Flights and Upgrades Fleet for 2025

    Air India is set to boost its international flight options starting March 30 to make travel easier for everyone. The airline will add more flights to popular destinations, especially in the UK.

    Here’s what to expect:

    – Delhi to Heathrow: Air India will add three more flights every week, increasing the total to 24 flights from the current 21.
    – Amritsar to Birmingham: Flight frequency will rise from three to four times a week.
    – Amritsar to London Gatwick: This route will also increase from three to four flights each week.
    – Ahmedabad to Gatwick: Flights will jump from three to five times a week.
    – Delhi to Zurich: These flights will increase from four to five each week.
    – Delhi to Vienna: This will go from three to four flights a week.
    – Delhi to Seoul (Incheon): More demand means flights will go from four to five times weekly.
    – Delhi to Hong Kong: The airline will upgrade to a more spacious Boeing 787 Dreamliner, flying every day.

    In Africa, Air India will add one more flight each week between Delhi and Nairobi, bringing it to four flights weekly.

    Air India is also working on modernizing its fleet. The first Boeing 787 aircraft will get new seats and an upgraded entertainment system starting in April 2025. The revamped planes will be back in service by October 2025. They plan to upgrade all 27 older planes by bringing in two to three improved ones each month.

    However, due to this aircraft modernization, Air India will temporarily stop some flights. The Mumbai-Melbourne route will be suspended from March 30 to September 13, 2025. Similarly, the Kochi to London Gatwick flight will also be paused from March 30, 2025, until further notice.

  • Indian Teens Shrishti and Aaryan: Guinness World Record Breakers!

    Indian Teens Shrishti and Aaryan: Guinness World Record Breakers!

    Two amazing teenagers from India are making headlines around the globe with their unique talents in sports and education. Shrishti Dharmendra Sharma, 18, known as the “Super Skater,” earned a Guinness World Record for skating under poles in just 9.59 seconds! She’s been breaking records since 2015 when she was only 11 years old. Shrishti uses her achievements to promote the importance of girls, stating, “Every girl child is as important as a boy child.”

    The second teen, Aaryan Shukla, is just 14 years old and is nicknamed the “Human Calculator Kid.” He amazed everyone by mentally adding 50 five-digit numbers faster than someone using a calculator. Aaryan made six records in one day on an Italian TV show! He practices math for about five to six hours every day and uses meditation to stay calm and focused. Outside of records, he loves reading adventure books, playing video games, and playing cricket.

    Both teenagers have inspired many with their stories, and social media is buzzing with congratulations for their achievements!

  • Modi and Trump: Strengthening India-US Trade and Defense Partnerships!

    Modi and Trump: Strengthening India-US Trade and Defense Partnerships!

    On Friday, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told us about the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former President Donald Trump. They talked about important topics like trade and defense. Here are the main points they discussed:

    – They launched a new partnership called the US-India Compact for the 21st Century. This plan aims to create more opportunities for military teamwork, business, and new technology.
    – They kicked off a project named “Mission-500,” which plans to double trade between the two countries to $500 billion by 2030.
    – They plan to start talks on a big trade agreement that benefits both countries by fall 2025.
    – Both leaders agreed to a new 10-year plan for their defense partnership, covering from 2025 to 2035.
    – They will continue discussions on buying military equipment together and creating agreements to manufacture defense products together.
    – The US will look at its rules for selling arms to make things easier for defense trade and technology sharing.
    – They also started a group focused on developing new technology, especially for underwater defense systems.
    – The US-India ‘TRUST’ initiative will help bring together governments, schools, and businesses to work on cutting-edge technology, like artificial intelligence and space.
    – The agreement aims to make it easier for Indian students to study in the US, and the two leaders encouraged US schools to open campuses in India.
    – They promised to work on allowing the movement of students and professionals between the two countries, while also tackling issues like illegal immigration.
    – Lastly, both leaders agreed on the importance of keeping their countries safe from threats to their people and land.

  • Manipur’s Crisis: Leadership Changes Amidst Ethnic Violence

    Manipur’s Crisis: Leadership Changes Amidst Ethnic Violence

    Manipur has been facing serious ethnic violence for over 21 months, resulting in the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh and the need for President’s Rule in the state. Recently, several ministers and MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly) traveled to New Delhi to meet with BJP leaders to discuss the political situation.

    Among those visiting New Delhi were Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and three cabinet ministers: Th. Biswajit, Govindas Konthoujam, and L. Susindro Meitei. Other MLAs, including members of the Naga People’s Front (NPF), which is an ally of the BJP, were also present in the capital.

    The Congress party is planning to bring a No Confidence motion in the upcoming Manipur Legislative Assembly session on February 10. Former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has urged Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to ensure that the current Chief Minister does not threaten MLA members regarding their support for the motion. Ibobi Singh claimed that Biren Singh warned some MLAs not to join the motion during a recent event.

    Last November, the National People’s Party (NPP) left the government but said they would support the government again as long as N Biren Singh is replaced. The Kuki People’s Alliance (KPA), which has two MLAs in Manipur’s assembly, also withdrew support from the BJP-led government.

    In the 60-seat assembly, the BJP has 37 MLAs, JD(U) has one, and there are three independent MLAs. Five NPF MLAs support the government, while the Congress has five members. The NPP had seven MLAs, but sadly one passed away recently.

    The Kuki-Zo tribal community, which includes seven BJP MLAs, has been asking for a separate administration or even a Union Territory because of the violence. Since May 3, 2023, at least 258 people have died and over 1,000 have been injured due to tensions between the Kuki-Zo tribe and the non-tribal Meitei community. More than 60,000 individuals have been displaced, seeking shelter in relief camps for nearly 20 months.

    Nongthombam Biren Singh, now 64, started as the 12th Chief Minister of Manipur on March 15, 2017. He led the BJP to its first win in the state and kept power during the 2022 Assembly elections. But now, with the political struggle and the ongoing violence, the situation remains uncertain.

  • Elvish Yadav Summoned Over Racist Remarks About Chum Darang!

    Elvish Yadav Summoned Over Racist Remarks About Chum Darang!

    The National Commission for Women (NCW) has called YouTuber Elvish Yadav to explain some hurtful comments he made about actor Chum Darang. This happened after Elvish made fun of Chum’s name and her background during a podcast. His jokes did not sit well with many people.

    He said, “Karanveer must have had COVID if he likes Chum. Who has such bad taste? Her name is even inappropriate, and she appeared in a movie called Gangubai Kathiawadi.”

    Many were angry about his comments on social media. The Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women (APSCW) wrote to the NCW, saying that Elvish’s words were not just offensive to Chum but to all women from Northeast India. They demanded strict action against him.

    Chum responded with a strong message, stating that disrespecting someone’s identity is not funny. She highlighted that mocking someone’s hard work, especially in a film by a great director like Sanjay Leela Bhansali, is not just banter.

    When people criticized Elvish, he defended himself by saying he didn’t think he was being racist. He checked his remarks and decided to remove the part that upset people, as he doesn’t want any negativity.