Royal Challengers Bangalore mentor Dinesh Karthik has expressed strong support for Devdutt Padikkal, highlighting the left-handed batsman’s impressive form as he pushes for a place in the Indian T20I squad. Karthik praised Padikkal’s composure and consistent performances under pressure, which shows that it will be difficult for the selectors to ignore him in an already talent-laden squad.

Padikkal has started IPL 2026 season with back-to-back fifties for RCB. Against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday, he recovered from a slow start to score a half-century in 29 balls, which helped RCB made a record score of 250 runs in 20 oversHis highest against the five-time champions. In the opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, he played a more aggressive innings, scoring 61 runs off 21 balls, which included four sixes.

“In our view he is not off the radar,” Karthik told GeoHotstar after RCB’s 43-run win over CSK on Sunday.

“First and foremost is his determination. He is very determined in what he wants to do. On a pitch like this, when a batsman doesn’t get going – especially after playing an innings as he did in the first game – it is very easy to look for a big shot and bowl it away. You think you are batting well and just need to add one, but that often leads to something unnecessary. The courage he showed when the going was difficult at the start was really commendable. Once he hits his first boundary, he flips the switch.”

“He is batting in such a way that I am not sure you can keep him out of the Indian team for very long. He is playing proper cricket shots and hitting the ball from a distance. He is a proper Test player and has scored more than 2,000 runs this season,” he said.

Asked where Padikkal could fit into the senior national team – given the depth of the team that won the T20 World Cup last month – Karthik described it as a “good headache” for the selectors. He said that when the team is selected after IPL 2026, Karnataka’s batsmen will definitely be a part of the conversation.

Karthik also emphasized that Padikkal’s contribution goes beyond his batting. The 25-year-old, who captained Karnataka in the last domestic season, is emerging as a strong voice within the leadership group.

“That’s the challenge where to fit him in. But he has to be a part of the conversation. He is as good as any other player. It’s a big stage and he is coming forward to do whatever the team needs. He is the leader of the Karnataka team and that is evident in the dressing room as well. He is open, shares his thoughts and as a support staff, we have enjoyed having him as a leader within the group,” Karthik said.

a roller coaster ride

At the age of 25, Padikkal has already experienced significant ups and downs in his career. Even his stellar performance with RCB in IPL 2025—247 runs in 10 matches—was cut short due to injury.

This brilliant left-handed player had a brilliant performance Nearly derailed due to debilitating chronic intestinal condition and frequent stomach infections, which seriously affected his health between 2021 and 2023. At the peak of his illness – which was compounded by COVID-19 – Padikkal lost almost 10 kilograms in weight and suffered such extreme fatigue that he often struggled to get off the field after batting. This period of physical weakness led to a sharp decline in both his IPL and domestic performances, raising doubts whether his early promise would be fulfilled. However, through a rigorous recovery process that included strict changes in diet and a tailored fitness regime, he made a remarkable comeback by the end of 2023 and made his Test debut in 2024.

In the last two years, Padikkal has been performing brilliantly in domestic 50-over cricket. In the 2025–26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, he scored 725 runs in 10 matches at an average of 90. This was followed by an impressive performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he scored 309 runs in six matches at an average of over 60 and a strike rate close to 180.

His red-ball form – 543 runs at an average of 61 in six Ranji Trophy matches – is likely to bring him back to the Test list. However, a strong IPL season is crucial if he is to stake his claim for selection in India’s T20I squad.

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PM Modi speaking during a public event in Barpeta, Assam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Congress during election rallies in Assam, accusing the opposition party of associating itself with the Pakistan narrative, indulging in corruption and failing to fulfill development promises.Addressing a rally in Barpeta district, PM Modi said while his government launched “Operation Sindoor” on terror camps in Pakistan, the Congress continued to “sing in the tune” of the neighboring country.He further alleged that the Congress had reiterated Pakistan’s stand during the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2025 “Operation Sindoor”.He said, “This Pakistan connection always has a heavy share on the country (‘always has a heavy share on the country’), and we can never allow this.”The Prime Minister also accused the Congress of adopting a short-term approach to governance.PM Modi said, “The party has always taken short-term steps so that they can indulge in corruption. But the BJP looks far ahead in taking decisions for the all-round development of all sections of the society.”He criticized the opposition for not implementing the One Rank, One Pension (OROP) scheme for decades. “We have so far distributed Rs 1.24 lakh crore in the bank accounts of ex-army personnel,” he said.PM Modi also targeted the Congress leadership, accusing it of corruption and dynasty politics. “The first family of the Congress is the most corrupt in the country, involved in large-scale scams and currently out on bail,” he said.Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi’s “mohabbat ki dukaan” comment, the PM said Congress represents “mithya ki dukaan” (shop of lies) and “apmaan” (insult).He also raised questions on the governance record of the Congress in the states where it is in power, adding, “Development has happened due to peace and stability in the state under the BJP rule and for that to continue, it is necessary to keep the Congress out (from power).”The Prime Minister further said that the minimum support price of paddy has increased from Rs 1,300 per quintal in 2013 to Rs 2,370 currently, and highlighted the direct benefit transfer to farmers.He also informed that ‘Joha’ rice of Assam is now being exported to European countries.Meanwhile, at another rally in Hojai, the Prime Minister focused on global growth and the impact of fuel prices, and cautioned voters against Congress.The Prime Minister said, “Despite such a big global crisis, the prices of petrol and diesel were not allowed to increase in the country. But in Himachal, the Congress government increased the prices of petrol and diesel. This means that before the elections, this royal family talks about giving relief to the people, but after the elections, they put the people in trouble. Therefore, every family of Assam will have to be very careful of them.”Referring to the situation in West Asia, he said that the government is working to protect the citizens from its influence.He said, “There are problems all over the world due to the Middle East crisis. But even during this global crisis, the BJP government is working in the interest of the citizens. Our priority has been that the burden of the global crisis does not fall on the poor, middle class and farmers and this remains our priority even today.”PM Modi also raised the issue of infiltration and linked it to identity and security. “The problem of infiltration is linked to livelihood, identity and security. BJP-NDA is trying to save Assam from population imbalance. Every vote given to BJP will help in keeping out infiltrators and protecting the identity of Assam,” he said.Voting for all 126 assembly seats in Assam will be held in a single phase on April 9 and counting of votes will take place on May 4.

इस मौके पर विधायक बेहड़ ने क्षेत्र में कराए गए विकास कार्यों का जिक्र करते हुए कहा कि अटरिया नगला मार्ग काफी समय से अटका हुआ था, जिसे उन्होंने लोक निर्माण विभाग से मंजूरी दिलाकर चालू कराने का प्रयास किया। उन्होंने कहा कि विकास कार्यों में किसी भी तरह की राजनीति नहीं होनी चाहिए और उन्होंने हमेशा क्षेत्र के विकास को प्राथमिकता दी है. उन्होंने यह भी दोहराया कि यदि वर्ष 2027 में कांग्रेस की सरकार बनी तो विधानसभा की सभी सड़कें हॉटमिक्स से बनाई जाएंगी। इस दौरान पूर्व प्रमुख जितेंद्र पांडे, जनार्दन सिंह, राजकुमार पांडे, अरुण कुमार शुक्ला, गुलशन सिंधी, राजेश प्रताप सिंह, जिला पंचायत सदस्य प्रेम आर्य, गुरुदास कालरा, अशोक चुघ, रामकुमार सिंह, अनुज कुमार पांडे, श्रवण भगत, बिशन सिंह कोरंगा, प्रताप सिंह, भोलू शाही, मेजर सिंह आदि मौजूद रहे।

किच्छा के पूर्व विधायक राजेश शुक्ला ने विधायक तिलक राज बेहड़ पर अटरिया मार्ग के निर्माण का झूठा श्रेय लेने का आरोप लगाया है। प्रेस को जारी बयान में उन्होंने कहा है कि विधायक का स्वयं प्रायोजित स्वागत करना राजनीतिक बेशर्मी का उदाहरण है जबकि पूरा क्षेत्र जानता है कि 13 अक्टूबर 2024 को किच्छा के इंदिरा गांधी खेल मैदान में आयोजित जनसभा में मुख्यमंत्री पुष्कर सिंह धामी ने मेरे (शुक्ला) अनुरोध पर सड़क निर्माण की घोषणा की थी. शासनादेश जारी कर निर्माण का मार्ग प्रशस्त कर दिया गया। 22 करोड़ रुपये स्वीकृत होने पर आनंदपुर राघव नगर और उससे जुड़े गांवों के लोगों ने मुख्यमंत्री के प्रति आभार व्यक्त किया. मेरे नागरिक ने मुझे बधाई दी थी.

शुक्ला ने कहा कि उत्तराखंड शहरी क्षेत्र विकास एजेंसी जल जीवन मिशन और अन्य योजनाओं के माध्यम से पानी की पाइपलाइन बिछाकर कटी हुई सड़कों का नवीनीकरण करने के लिए 498 करोड़ रुपये की लागत से किच्छा और सिरौली कलां नगर पालिकाओं की सड़कों का निर्माण कर रही है। विधायक बेहड़ इसका भी झूठा श्रेय ले रहे हैं। कहा कि हर दिन एक नया झूठ बोलना और अपने विरोधियों के खिलाफ दुष्प्रचार करना उनका शगल है. उन्होंने कहा कि अपने मंत्री और विधायक कार्यकाल के दौरान किच्छा क्षेत्र की लगातार उपेक्षा करने वाले बेहड़ कभी भी किच्छा का भला नहीं कर सकते।

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court heard on monday CBIPetition challenging the release of former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal And others in the alleged excise policy matter. The case has now been listed for April 13.Kejriwal appeared in the court along with his wife and informed the bench that he wanted to personally argue the application for recusal from his case. The bench of Justice Swarnakanta Sharma heard the case.During the proceedings, the bench clarified that a petitioner can argue in person only after the leave of his counsel. The bench asked Kejriwal, “Will you argue your case yourself?” He confirmed, “I will argue the case myself.” I will take advantage of my legal rights. Till now I have not issued my Vakalatnama to anyone.“I have filed an application to recuse myself. Please take it on record,” Kejriwal told the court. Explaining the procedural hurdles, he said that as a petitioner representing himself, he cannot e-file the application and requested the court to accept the hard copy, as per Bar and Bench. “I will argue the application myself and then exercise my legal rights,” he said.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the CBI, objected to Kejriwal arguing in person without appointing his lawyer.Mehta said, “I have no objection to him appearing in person, but he has already appointed a lawyer. Unless he acquits his lawyer, he cannot argue himself – if he wants to appear, only he should represent the case. This platform is not for theatrics.”He also expressed concern about the many separate applications and repeated allegations against the judiciary.“Some people make careers out of making allegations. These are not just personal claims; they target an institution. This is a very serious thing that has happened in the capital of this nation,” he said, referring to multiple rejection applications filed in the case.Kejriwal insisted that he was following the High Court procedure. “I have filed a withdrawal application as per the High Court procedure. A petitioner appearing in person cannot e-file, so your Excellency please take it on record,” he said.The court has issued a notice to CBI on Kejriwal’s plea to recuse Justice Swarnkant Sharma from the case. The bench clarified that if any other party wants to file an application to withdraw from the case, it can do so.

Excise Policy Case Background

The excise policy issue revolves around allegations of irregularities in Delhi’s liquor licensing process during Kejriwal’s tenure as chief minister. Several former officers, including Kejriwal, were initially acquitted by the lower court, a decision which was challenged by the CBI.On March 11, Kejriwal and other former accused made a representation seeking transfer of the case to another judge, citing “serious, bona fide and reasonable apprehensions” that the trial would not be fair.Earlier, the high court had given Kejriwal and others a last chance to file their stand on the Enforcement Directorate (ED) plea seeking deletion of ‘inappropriate observations’ made against him by the trial court while acquitting the accused in the case.

Since ancient times, space exploration has been synonymous with great fascination and has attracted many humans. But living in space is nothing glamour. With NASA’s Artemis program, astronauts flew to the Moon orion spacecraft It was specifically designed for the space to function as both a home and a workplace. Unlike what is usually seen in movies, the crew of Orion has a limited living space designed to ensure efficient survival in the extreme conditions of deep space. Within this module, astronauts spend their time eating, sleeping, working, and performing various mission-related tasks, traveling millions of kilometers from Earth.

Inside Artemis II’s Orion Crew Module: astronaut living spaces

A comprehensive overview of the interiors of the Orion spacecraft by Agence Spatial Canadienne Turns out that the most critical component within the Orion spacecraft is the crew module, which is the only compartment occupied by the crew during the entire mission. According to NASA, it is “the pressurized portion of the Orion spacecraft…where the crew will live and work on the trip to the Moon and return.”The Orion capsule itself is small and has an interior volume of 330 cubic feet, which is equivalent to the space provided by two minivans. However, it is simply designed to carry four crew members for extended periods of up to 21 days.The interior of the Orion crew module allows astronauts to sit in specially designed seats during launch and landing. Once they reach orbit, some of these seats can be moved out of the way to provide additional space in the cabin.

Living conditions in Orion: sleeping, eating and working

Space life on Orion can be described as space camping. There is no special cabin here, just a single place where astronauts spend their time for everything from sleeping to working.The bedrooms are also quite ancient. Astronauts sleep in sleeping bags attached to walls or some other surface to remain in place during their sleep. Even details such as sleeping bags and window shades for the sleeping area were developed by experts according to the engineers’ requirements NASA.The food is packed into packages and heated before being eaten by the crew. There is even a sanitation block on board special toilet. Additionally, there is exercise equipment to stay fit in a microgravity environment.All work in this capsule is done with the help of the most advanced digital interfaces. There are screens all around showing information about everything and providing the opportunity to conduct work efficiently.

Life support and safety aspects in deep space

However, one feature that stands out in importance when considering the experience of being inside Orion is the life-support systems on board the spacecraft. Air pressure, humidity, oxygen, temperature, and carbon dioxide are all carefully controlled in the spacecraft.Furthermore, in addition to making conditions inside the spacecraft as comfortable as possible, safety concerns were also paramount. The capsule was designed to provide adequate protection against both micrometeoroids and radiation hazards inherent in outer space. If needed, astronauts can also hide themselves inside onboard storage facilities in the event of a solar storm.Finally, all of the essentials needed to survive and operate on Orion, such as water, electricity, and oxygen, come directly from the European Service Module that is attached to the bottom of the Crew Module.

दिल्ली में आयोजित अयोध्या महोत्सव के दौरान अयोध्या की व्यवस्था और हालात को लेकर एक बड़ा बयान सामने आया है. अयोध्या हनुमत निवास के अध्यक्ष आदिश्वर संत मिथिलेश नंदिनी शरण ने मंच से अयोध्या के वर्तमान स्वरूप पर सवाल उठाए. यह कार्यक्रम इंदिरा गांधी राष्ट्रीय कला केंद्र में आयोजित किया गया था, जहां कई प्रमुख लोग मौजूद थे। अपने संबोधन में संत ने अयोध्या में हो रहे बदलावों पर चिंता जताते हुए इसे ‘सांस्कृतिक विनाश’ बताया. उनके इस बयान ने कार्यक्रम में मौजूद लोगों का ध्यान खींचा.

‘विकास या बदलती पहचान?’
संत मिथिलेश नंदिनी शरण ने कहा कि आज अयोध्या में ऐसे बदलाव देखने को मिल रहे हैं, जो इसकी मूल पहचान से अलग हैं. उन्होंने सवाल उठाते हुए कहा कि लोग अब हनीमून के लिए गोवा की जगह अयोध्या आने लगे हैं, क्या यही विकास है? उनके मुताबिक, अयोध्या की धार्मिक और सांस्कृतिक पहचान धीरे-धीरे बदल रही है, जो चिंता का विषय है।

प्रशासन पर भी उठे सवाल
अपने भाषण में उन्होंने अयोध्या के प्रशासनिक रवैये पर भी सवाल उठाए. उन्होंने कहा कि अगर किसी व्यक्ति के प्रशासन से अच्छे संबंध नहीं हैं तो उसका अयोध्या में रहना मुश्किल हो जाता है. उन्होंने यह भी कहा कि अगर किसी की मौत भी हो जाती है तो भी प्रशासनिक बाधाएं दूर नहीं होती हैं, जो व्यवस्था पर गंभीर सवाल खड़ा करता है.

संत परंपरा को लेकर चिंता व्यक्त की
संत ने कहा कि अयोध्या में संत परंपरा की परिभाषा भी बदलती दिख रही है. उनके मुताबिक, प्रशासन के लिए अब संत परंपरा का मतलब सिर्फ संतों को सुरक्षा मुहैया कराना रह गया है, जबकि उनकी सामाजिक और धार्मिक भूमिका को नजरअंदाज किया जा रहा है. उन्होंने इस बदलाव को चिंताजनक भी बताया.

कार्यक्रम में कई प्रमुख लोग मौजूद थे
इस दौरान कार्यक्रम में राम मंदिर ट्रस्ट के महासचिव चंपत राय और पूर्व सांसद लल्लू सिंह भी मौजूद रहे. संत मिथिलेश नंदिनी शरण राम मंदिर पुजारी चयन एवं प्रशिक्षण समिति के भी अहम सदस्य रहे हैं, इसलिए उनके बयान को खास अहमियत दी जा रही है.

‘अयोध्या अजेय है’-संत का संदेश
अपने संबोधन के अंत में संत ने कहा कि अयोध्या अजेय है और इसे कोई जीत नहीं सकता. उन्होंने यह भी कहा कि समय आने पर अयोध्या अपने साथ होने वाले हर अन्याय का जवाब जरूर देती है. यह कार्यक्रम हर साल दिल्ली में पूर्व सांसद लल्लू सिंह द्वारा आयोजित किया जाता है, जिसमें अयोध्या से जुड़े मुद्दों पर चर्चा की जाती है.

(रिपोर्ट:अनूप कुमार अयोध्या)

इस साल यह प्रक्रिया ऑनलाइन शुरू हो गई है. अभी तक लक्ष्य के अनुरूप कम बच्चों के आवेदन आये हैं. इस वर्ष भी शिक्षा का अधिकार अधिनियम के तहत बच्चों को प्रवेश दिया जाना है। इसके लिए बच्चों के आवेदन के साथ संलग्न प्रपत्रों की जांच बीआरसी में की जा रही है. फॉर्म सही पाए जाने पर बच्चे को प्राइवेट स्कूल में एडमिशन दिया जाता है. इस वर्ष अब तक शिक्षा का अधिकार अधिनियम के तहत प्रवेश के लिए मात्र 847 आवेदन ही शिक्षा विभाग के पास पहुंचे हैं। जिनके प्रपत्रों की जांच बीआरसी स्तर पर की जा रही है। फॉर्म सही पाए जाने पर पात्र बच्चों को निजी स्कूल में प्रवेश दिया जाएगा।

पचास प्रतिशत लड़कियों को प्रवेश मिलता है

शिक्षा का अधिकार कानून के तहत निजी स्कूलों में 25 फीसदी गरीब परिवारों के बच्चों को प्रवेश दिया जाता है. इसमें से भी 50 फीसदी तक लड़कियों को प्रवेश देना जरूरी है.

शिक्षा के अधिकार के तहत कक्षा एक में बच्चों के प्रवेश के लिए ऑनलाइन प्रक्रिया शुरू हो गई है। अब तक 847 आवेदन प्राप्त हो चुके हैं। जांच के बाद बच्चों को बीआरसी में प्रवेश दिया जा रहा है।-हरक राम कोहली मुख्य शिक्षा अधिकारी अल्मोडा