Category: India

Hyderabad police have called Tollywood actor Allu Arjun for questioning on Tuesday about a sad incident at Sandhya Theatre. This comes after his lawyers visited his home in Jubilee Hills.

On December 22, a group of protesters with signs came to Allu Arjun’s house, shouting slogans. One protester even climbed the wall and threw stones. Security tried to help but ended up in a fight with the protesters, who damaged some flower pots. Six people from a group called the Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OU-JAC) were arrested for causing trouble at Allu Arjun’s house but were released on bail today.

The trouble began on December 4 when Allu Arjun attended the premiere of his movie “Pushpa 2: The Rule” at Sandhya Theatre. A huge crowd gathered to see him, which caused chaos when he waved to his fans from his car. This led to a terrible accident that killed a woman named Revathi and hurt her child.

After this incident, Allu Arjun was briefly arrested but released on bail after paying Rs 50,000. Recently, the producers of “Pushpa 2,” Naveen Yerneni and Ravi Shankar, gave a cheque for Rs 50 lakh to Revathi’s family at KIMS Hospital, where her son, Sri Tej, is being treated. They expressed sorrow over the tragedy and stated they want to support the grieving family.

The situation has become political. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy blamed Allu Arjun for the accident, stating the police had denied permission for the event at the theatre due to safety concerns. He mentioned that despite the police advice, Allu Arjun still held a roadshow, which made things worse. The police had asked him to leave due to the crowd but he wanted to stay.

Allu Arjun responded to the tragic event by saying that it was a very sad accident and he feels for the family. He has been checking on the injured child and is happy to hear that the child is improving. He also mentioned that some of the accusations against him are misleading and hurtful. Allu Arjun has been in the film industry for 20 years, and this incident has been very distressing for him. He apologized but emphasized that he did not intend for this to happen.

In an important development in the Punjab terrorist conspiracy case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a significant associate of Khalistani terrorist Lakhbir Singh, also known as Landa, and gangster Bachitar Singh, known as Pavitar Batala.

On Monday, they captured Jatinder Singh, also called Jyoti, from Mumbai. He had been hiding since the arrest of a weapons supplier named Baljit Singh, or Rana Bhai, in July 2024. The NIA used advanced technology and on-site investigations to find Jatinder.

The NIA found that Jatinder was part of a terror gang led by Landa, who is based outside of India and is associated with the banned group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). Jatinder was helping deliver weapons to Landa and Batala’s supporters in Punjab.

He was getting weapons from Baljit Singh, who is based in Madhya Pradesh and has recently faced legal action. Investigators discovered that Jatinder had brought ten pistols from Madhya Pradesh to hand over to Landa and Batala’s operatives in Punjab.

Jatinder was also planning to smuggle more weapons from Madhya Pradesh to Punjab, but the NIA stopped his plans with successful search operations throughout the months.

His arrest marks a big step forward for the NIA in fighting against the combo of terror groups and gangsters by preventing the smuggling of weapons and funding for acts of terrorism in India.

On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended Christmas celebrations organized by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India. He shared how the teachings of Jesus Christ promote love, peace, and togetherness. Modi expressed sadness over violence and divisions in society, emphasizing that India’s people-centered approach can help the world reach new heights in the 21st century.

He referred to tragic events like the Christmas market attack in Germany and the 2019 Easter bombings in Sri Lanka, highlighting the need for unity to face challenges. This was a special moment since it was the first time a Prime Minister attended a Christmas event at the Catholic Church in India.

Modi recalled a memorable mission from ten years ago when India worked to safely bring back Father Alexis Prem Kumar from war-torn Afghanistan, where he was held hostage for eight months. For Modi, these efforts go beyond politics; they show India’s commitment to protect its citizens no matter the danger.

He also reminded everyone how India helped other countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing medicines and vaccines even when many nations failed to help. Modi believes India’s youth are key to achieving a better future—a “Viksit Bharat,” or Developed India. He said he felt proud that Pope Francis made George Koovakad a Cardinal of the Catholic Church. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India has been working with Catholics across the country since 1944

Assam’s Chief Secretary, Ravi Kota, shared exciting news about how Assam is becoming an important part of India’s industry. At the 10th edition of the Sapient Finserv Conversations event in Guwahati, which had over 1,000 people attending, he talked about big projects like the Tata Semiconductor unit worth ₹27,000 crore and a program called UNNATI that are helping Assam grow in a big way.

Kota said that since Assam is like a doorway to Northeast India and Southeast Asia, it is turning into a hub for many industries, such as oil and gas, tea, tourism, and technology. The state has seen impressive growth with its economy growing by double digits for ten years.

He mentioned tourism as a key area for improving Assam’s economy. Winning tourists can create jobs, help local businesses, and show off Assam’s beautiful nature and culture. To achieve this, Assam needs to have sustainable tourism that protects its rich heritage while encouraging growth.

Kota also emphasized the importance of the youth in Assam. By investing in education and skills, like the ₹1,080 crore Assam Skill University supported by the Asian Development Bank, young people are getting the tools they need to lead the state in the future. There are also many infrastructure projects worth over ₹1 lakh crore happening, ensuring better roads, railways, airports, and waterways — making Assam more inviting for investments.

He said, “When you invest in Assam, you are not just helping its economy grow, but also opening doors to a brighter future for everyone.”

The Sapient Finserv Conversations event theme was “Dastak: Unlocking Doors to Happiness.” Ramesh Mantri, the CIO of WhiteOak AMC, spoke about how India has many opportunities, especially in the IT and pharmaceutical fields. He reminded everyone that India’s growth now is due to smart investments made in education years ago, showing how important it is to think long-term for our economy.

Shimla is getting ready for a cold day today! The weather might bring rain or snow, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The temperature will reach a maximum of 13.0°C and drop to about 4.0°C at night. Everyone is advised to wear warm clothes and keep an umbrella handy.

Today’s Highlights:
– Sunrise: 07:16 AM
– Sunset: 05:24 PM
– Moonrise: 12:13 AM
– Moonset: 12:26 PM

It’s also important to note that the air quality in Shimla is worrying today, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 122. This level is considered “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups,” which means kids, elderly people, and those with breathing or heart problems should be careful. The main problem in the air is PM2.5, tiny particles that can cause health problems.

Air Quality Advice:
Experts suggest the following:
– Stay indoors as much as you can.
– Use air purifiers at home.
– If you have to go outside, wear N95 masks.

PM2.5 can get deep into the lungs and even into the blood, causing serious health issues like asthma and heart problems. For healthy individuals, short outdoor activities are okay, but be careful—the air pollution can still affect you.

Weather and Air Quality for the Week:
Shimla is expected to stay chilly with some rain or snow coming later this week. Temperatures will range from 14.0°C to 3.0°C, and the air quality will stay in the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” range. Here’s the forecast for the coming days:

| Date | Max Temp (°C) | Min Temp (°C) | Weather | AQI (PM2.5) | AQI Category |
|————|—————-|—————-|—————-|————-|———————————-|
| 2024-12-23 | 13.0 | 4.0 | Rain or Snow | 122 | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
| 2024-12-24 | 14.0 | 4.0 | Partly Cloudy | 142 | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
| 2024-12-25 | 15.0 | 3.0 | Mainly Clear | 129 | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
| 2024-12-26 | 15.0 | 3.0 | Mainly Clear | 129 | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
| 2024-12-27 | 14.0 | 3.0 | Partly Cloudy | 118 | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
| 2024-12-28 | 14.0 | 3.0 | Rain | 118 | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |

Shimla’s weather has been changing a lot lately. Just yesterday, it was warmer at 17.4°C, with a low of 4.0°C, and humidity went from 42% in the morning to 53% in the evening. No rain was seen in the last 24 hours.

To stay safe, experts recommend:
– Keep windows closed.
– Use air purifiers if you have them.
– Avoid outdoor exercises and smoking.
– Briefly open windows when the air quality gets better, like after it rains.
– Wear an N95 mask if going out is necessary.

Get ready for a cold day in Shimla and remember to take care of your health!

Three people, believed to support the Khalistan movement, were shot dead by police in a joint operation between Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. This incident happened on Monday in Pilibhit district.

During this operation, police found two powerful AK assault rifles and two Glock handguns. Authorities suspect these individuals were involved in a grenade attack on a police post in Gurdaspur, Punjab, back on December 19.

In that December attack, someone threw grenades at the abandoned Wadala Bangar police post in Kalanaur, Gurdaspur. An unconfirmed post on social media claimed the Khalistan Zindabad Force was behind this attack. Fortunately, no one was hurt, and there was no damage to property.

This attack was the second explosion in Gurdaspur in just 48 hours, and it was the eighth similar incident in Punjab since November 24.