Times of India

Stories from India's T20 World Cup triumph earlier this year continue to entertain fans, with Axar Patel's backstage story about a funny English interview mishap involving himself and Siraj drawing laughter on a comedy show. The duo struggled while their former teammate Dinesh Karthik, who is now an expert commentator, interviewed them in English.

India secured a crucial win against Pakistan in the women's T20 World Cup on Sunday but remained at the fifth position in Group A due to their net run rate. Sanjay Manjrekar expressed disappointment over India's slow chase, while opening batter Smriti Mandhana acknowledged that they could have made a better start to their run-chase.

Indian farmers receive only about one-third of the final selling price of fruits and vegetables, with intermediaries taking the majority share, in contrast to sectors like dairy where farmers get 70%. Research by RBI suggests policymakers improve productivity, expand storage, and leverage digital platforms to stabilize prices and increase farmers' earnings.

The Union Cabinet expands India's Classical Languages list to 11, adding Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. This move is seen as both a recognition of cultural heritage and a political strategy ahead of state elections, reflecting the ongoing interplay between language and identity politics.

Four people died and over 90 were hospitalized due to fainting and dehydration at a record-breaking IAF airshow in Chennai’s Marina Beach. The event saw around 15 lakh spectators, leading to a chaotic and congested exit. Ambulances were delayed, worsening the situation, and mobile signal jammers obstructed rescue efforts.

The Indian government is reverting to recruiting railway officers through separate civil and engineering exams, abandoning the unified IRMS system. This change aims to address the need for specialized technical manpower in railways. The newly recruited engineers will fall under various IRMS categories, such as Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical, acknowledging the distinct functional requirements.

India's National Space Commission has cleared its fifth lunar mission, Lupex, marking a collaboration with Japan's space agency, Jaxa. Aimed at exploring the Moon's resources and developing landing expertise, Lupex follows Chandrayaan-2 and requires cabinet approval. Isro chairman S Somanath indicated this series will build towards future human lunar missions.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar calls the UN outdated and ineffective, citing its failures in managing global crises like Covid-19 and conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia. He highlights new international groups like the Quad and International Solar Alliance as more effective alternatives.

The Indian Air Force has been practicing shooting high-altitude targets mimicking Chinese spy balloons, with a Rafale jet successfully using an air-to-air missile in the eastern sector. This comes after a Chinese balloon flew over the US in early 2023, prompting contingency preparations.

Fecal coliform levels in the Yamuna river reached a peak of 4,900,000 MPN/100 ml in September, far exceeding the standard limits. Despite improvements in dissolved oxygen and biochemical oxygen demand due to heavy rains, untreated sewage pollution remains severe, particularly at the city's exit points.

With exit polls indicating a hung assembly in Jammu and Kashmir, attention is on the nomination of five members by the lieutenant governor, which could influence the balance of power. The National Conference and Congress challenge this, claiming it undermines democratic principles.

AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal criticized the BJP's 'double-engine' government, claiming it leads to inflation, corruption, and unemployment. He promised full statehood for Delhi if elected and accused the BJP of plans to privatize essential services. Kejriwal also highlighted various benefits provided by his government and challenged the BJP to offer similar provisions in other states.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel's military actions have significantly changed the dynamics since the Hamas attack last year. Praising the army's efforts on the Lebanon border, he affirmed Israel's commitment to defeating enemies in Gaza and Lebanon, and preparing to target Iran. "Together, we will fight, and together we will win -- with God's help," he said.

India secured a seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the first T20I in Gwalior, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. Captain Suryakumar Yadav praised the team's execution and debut performances from Nitish Kumar Reddy and Mayank Yadav, while Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy excelled in dismantling Bangladesh's batting lineup.

India secured a commanding seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the first T20I match, highlighted by strong bowling performances from debutant Mayank Yadav and returning Varun Chakaravarthy. Key contributions from Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya ensured a swift chase of Bangladesh's modest total of 127.

An Indian Air Force air show at Chennai's Marina Beach caused major disruptions and overcrowding, leaving many stranded and resulting in three deaths due to dehydration and other issues. Poor traffic coordination was criticized, and inquiries continue to ascertain the exact causes of the fatalities. Trains were running at increased frequencies to manage the crowd.

Bigg Boss Marathi 5 has concluded, with Suraj Chavan being crowned the season's ultimate entertainer, securing his rightful place as the winner. Along with the coveted trophy, he also won an EV bike and a Rs 24.60 Lakh prize money. He is a well-known social media influencer and digital content creator celebrated for his relatable and engaging personality, particularly in Marathi content. His journey to fame is characterized by hard work and creativity, inspiring many of his followers.

Bigg Boss Marathi 5 Winner Suraj: After impressing fans with their twists and games, Bigg Boss Marathi season 5 winner has been declared. Suraj Chavan, who got popular for his performance in the season, lifted the trophy, while Abhijeet Sawant bagged second position, whereas Nikki Tamboli, Dhananjay Powar and Ankita Walawalkar secured third, fourth and fifth positions respectively.

Young pace sensation Mayank Yadav, becoming only the third Indian seamer after Ajit Agarkar and Arshdeep Singh, bowled a maiden in his debut T20I over against Bangladesh. Mayank's impressive performance continued as he dismissed Mahmudullah an over later for his first international wicket, showcasing his pace and precision, following his attention-grabbing stint in the 2024 IPL.