New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday downplayed the energy crisis arising in the country due to the ongoing conflict between the joint forces of the United States and Israel with Iran. Addressing the NXT summit, the Prime Minister indirectly hit out at those who are “trying to create panic” and claimed that, by doing so, they are exposing themselves to the public.PM Modi said, “We have to make collective efforts while keeping the national interest paramount and fulfilling our duties. Nowadays there is a lot of discussion about LPG. There are some people who are trying to create panic. They want to push their agenda.” He said, “At this time I do not want to make political comments on them. But I must say that by doing this they are not only exposing themselves to the public but are also causing great harm to the country.”The Prime Minister said the government has given priority to self-reliance in the energy sector to ensure that the country does not have to depend solely on foreign sources for energy.PM Modi said, “To ensure that we do not have to depend solely on foreign sources for energy, emphasis was laid on self-reliance in the energy sector. Till 2014, there were only 14 crore LPG connections in the country. Today, there are more than double that i.e. 33 crore domestic LPG connections. In 2014, there were only 4 LNG terminals in the country.”He said, “Today their number has also doubled. No country is untouched by the impact of this global crisis. Everyone is a victim of this crisis to a greater or lesser extent. India is also leaving no stone unturned to deal with this crisis.”The Prime Minister also said that the government is making every effort to ensure that the burden of conditions arising from war does not fall on the citizens of India.He said, “The Government of India has always made every possible effort to ensure that the burden of conditions arising from war does not fall on the citizens of India.”He said, “This time too we will make every possible effort to ensure that the war has minimal impact on the lives of the country’s farmers and citizens of the country.”Fears of LPG shortage began to spread across the country as the global energy supply chain was disrupted due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.The closure of the Strait of Hormuz following Iranian retaliation against the US-Israeli strikes has triggered panic buying, led to long queues at LPG agencies and petrol pumps and forced restaurants and small businesses to switch to alternative cooking methods.Sujata Sharma, joint secretary in the oil ministry, said some measures have helped in increasing domestic LPG production by 28 per cent and with some alternative sources being used abroad, the government has decided to allow some sales of commercial LPG to meet one-fifth of the demand.“State governments will have to identify the beneficiaries,” he said.As panic buying continues to rise, the government has extended the LPG refill ordering window for rural users to 45 days, up from 25 days set for all users last week, replacing the previous 21-day limit. He said the move is aimed at managing demand and ensuring equitable distribution amid the ongoing energy supply disruptions due to the West Asia crisis.The increase in the monthly quota of kerosene released to states is the first in more than a decade and temporarily reverses the government’s stated objective of phasing out the fuel, which was also used for adulteration of petrol, apart from being heavily subsidized.

धार्मिक नगरी अयोध्या इन दिनों गैस सिलेंडर की कमी को लेकर चर्चा में है. शहर में गैस सप्लाई को लेकर अलग-अलग दावे सामने आ रहे हैं. एक तरफ नगर विधायक वेद प्रकाश गुप्ता का कहना है कि शहर में गैस की पर्याप्त आपूर्ति है और कोई दिक्कत नहीं है. उधर, रामनगरी के व्यापारी इस दावे को पूरी तरह गलत बता रहे हैं। उनका कहना है कि गैस सिलेंडर की कमी के कारण कारोबार पर प्रतिकूल असर पड़ रहा है और कई दुकानदारों को समय पर सिलेंडर नहीं मिल पा रहा है.

व्यापारियों ने नाराजगी जताई
शहर के व्यापारियों और व्यापार संघ के पदाधिकारियों का कहना है कि गैस सिलेंडर की आपूर्ति बाधित होने से उनके दैनिक कामकाज प्रभावित हो रहे हैं. दुकानदारों के मुताबिक कई बार उन्हें गैस सिलेंडर के लिए काफी देर तक इंतजार करना पड़ता है। इसका सीधा असर होटल, ढाबों और खान-पान से जुड़े कारोबार पर पड़ रहा है. व्यापारियों का कहना है कि यह समस्या अब सिर्फ व्यापार तक ही सीमित नहीं रह गई है, बल्कि धार्मिक गतिविधियों तक भी पहुंच गई है।

हनुमानगढ़ी प्रसाद पर भी असर
व्यापारियों का दावा है कि गैस की कमी के कारण हनुमानगढ़ी मंदिर में चढ़ाए जाने वाले लड्डू प्रसाद के उत्पादन में दिक्कत आ रही है. प्रसाद बनाने के लिए बड़ी मात्रा में गैस की जरूरत होती है, लेकिन सिलेंडर की कमी के कारण काम प्रभावित हो रहा है. स्थानीय लोगों का कहना है कि अगर हालात ऐसे ही रहे तो मंदिरों में बनने वाले प्रसाद और भोग की व्यवस्था भी प्रभावित हो सकती है.

श्रद्धालुओं की व्यवस्था पर भी असर पड़ रहा है.
प्रतिदिन हजारों की संख्या में श्रद्धालु दर्शन के लिए अयोध्या पहुंचते हैं। इनमें से लगभग 50 प्रतिशत श्रद्धालु शहर के होटलों, रेस्तरांओं और दुकानों पर भोजन करते हैं। ऐसे में गैस आपूर्ति बाधित होने से श्रद्धालुओं की भोजन व्यवस्था पर भी असर पड़ रहा है. कई दुकानदारों का कहना है कि गैस की कमी के कारण खाना बनाने में परेशानी हो रही है.

विधायक और व्यापारियों के दावों में अंतर
नगर विधायक वेद प्रकाश गुप्ता का कहना है कि जिले में गैस आपूर्ति सामान्य है और कोई कमी नहीं है। उनके मुताबिक घरेलू गैस की सप्लाई लगातार जारी है और लोगों को कोई परेशानी नहीं होनी चाहिए. हालांकि स्थानीय लोगों और व्यापारियों का कहना है कि घरेलू गैस की स्थिति भले ही ठीक हो, लेकिन व्यावसायिक गैस की आपूर्ति लगभग ठप हो गयी है. इसका सीधा असर कारोबार और श्रद्धालुओं की सुविधाओं पर पड़ रहा है।

Additionally, supply chain disruptions from West Asia have led to delays in supplies of materials such as chemicals, synthetic rubber, aluminum scrap and petrochemical-based inputs such as polypropylene.

New Delhi: Rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia have raised alarm bells in India’s automotive industry, with auto component makers warning that disruption in the supply of industrial gases and key imported raw materials could hit production if the conflict between Iran and the US-Israel drags on for a longer period.

“There are concerns related to the availability of gas, especially LPG and PNG, which are widely used in manufacturing processes,” said Vini Mehta, director general of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA). ETAAuto.

auto component manufacturer Those involved in coatings and surface treatments are heavily dependent on such gases and require large quantities of them for production processes, making disruption in the value chain a major concern.

According to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, India depends heavily on West Asia for its LPG needs – about 60 per cent, of which about 90 per cent comes through the Strait of Hormuz.

Additionally, supply chain disruptions from West Asia have led to delays in supplies of materials such as chemicals, synthetic rubber, aluminum scrap and petrochemical-based inputs such as polypropylene. This may slow down the production of both auto component manufacturer And original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), are impacting the industry on both the import and export fronts.

Sensing the worrying situation, auto industry bodies Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) on March 9 wrote to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, demanding adequate supply of industrial gases.

“At least one OEM has spoken to us directly on this issue. Our concerns are largely similar as we are part of the same value chain,” Mehta said.

The government has formed a three-member committee after the industry demanded restoration of adequate supply of LPG, propane and PNG to manufacturing units, according to people familiar with the matter.

“It is requested that the Ministry may restore the allocation of LPG/PNG/Propane to the extent feasible and provide visibility on the availability of LPG/PNG/Propane supply to industrial consumers in the automobile sector,” SIAM said in a letter to the government. ETAAuto.

“Initially companies can manage using existing inventories of these gases, but once those inventories are exhausted, production lines may face challenges,” Mehta said.

India’s automotive industry, which contributes about 2.3 per cent to the country’s GDP and directly employs over 1.5 million people, could see a wide-ranging impact if the disruption continues.

“In many cases, workers depend on these facilities for their daily meals. If operations slow down or activity in factories reduces, it also impacts workers and their welfare, which becomes an additional concern for companies,” Mehta said.

supply routes strained

Industry stakeholders have also flagged rising freight and logistics costs, longer transit times and shipment delays, which could impact both production and exports.

On the financial front, the industry has raised concerns related to industrial energy support loans and liquidity support to overcome raw material supply constraints and maintain export competitiveness.

The Gulf region is an important market for India’s automotive sector, with the region accounting for about 25 per cent of India’s $8.8 billion vehicle exports in 2025, mainly to Saudi Arabia, UAE and other Gulf countries.

According to reports, many Indian OEMs have delayed shipments to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) as the blockade of key sea routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, has increased freight costs.

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Sometimes things become strange when we look at something for a long time and it suddenly disappears. Eventually, the same thing happened with the land bridge connecting Britain and Europe. Thousands of years ago, Britain and Europe were connected by a bridge, Doggerland. A variety of different natural environments existed across this large area; Many animals and plants can be found in abundance. Humans were present in this area for thousands of years; They hunted animals and built shelters in locations that would prove to be the most successful in the British Isles.According to reports, this ‘lost world’ began to disappear around 8,200 years ago, at the conclusion of the last ice age, as melting ice caused sea levels to rise upward, resulting in vast areas of marshy land drowning the forest. About 8,200 years ago, an exceptionally large submarine landslide occurred off the northern coast of Europe, resulting in a massive tsunami that affected many parts of the region, flooding all but a few areas that were still above water.

Why is Doggerland a climate warning for our future?

Understanding the extinction history of Doggerland is an important aspect of the potential adaptation of modern coastal communities to the effects of global warming in the present day. As noted in Smithsonian Magazine, it is estimated that sea levels rose about 6 feet every 100 years following the warming period at the end of the last ice age. according to University of SheffieldThe early Doggerlanders moved to the altitude without difficulty; The population density and developed infrastructure of our current coastal populations today would severely limit their migration potential. As scientists study submerged peat and sediment layers in the North Sea, new models are being created to determine how rapidly our own coastlines could change. This ‘lost world’ shows that when the climate changes dramatically, the entire map of the world can be completely changed in just a few generations.

can this happen today

The answer is yes. by current climate models ipcc There are suggestions that sea levels could potentially rise by several meters by 2300, echoing the same pattern that submerged Doggerland several years earlier.

Can anyone go to Doggerland?

Although it is not possible to walk on Doggerland, the remains of Doggerland can be examined through artifacts and other remains of this lost land that are located around the world. Doggerland consists of land that lies 15-40 meters below the North Sea and is surrounded by the dangerous and dirty waters of this sea. National Museum of AntiquitiesWhich is located in the Netherlands, contains an extensive collection of artifacts, such as mammoth teeth, flint tools, and other unique objects that were recovered from the seabed in the North Sea.Additionally, people can visit Doggerland in digital format University of Bradford is creating a series of 3D reconstructions that accurately depict the ancient hills, rivers and other parts of Doggerland that have been submerged beneath the sea for thousands of years.

New Delhi: The Center has proposed amendments to drug rules to stop repeated virus testing on drugs made from human plasma, mandating that the raw plasma used to produce these products is tested for infections like HIV and hepatitis even before manufacturing begins.These medications include albumin, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and clotting factors such as Factor VIII and Factor IX, which are used to treat immune disorders, serious infections, and bleeding conditions such as hemophilia.Officials said the move is aimed at bringing India’s drug regulations in line with international pharmacopoeia standards. Global guidelines require plasma collected to be tested for hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C virus RNA and HIV antibodies before being used for fractionation, and only plasma that tests negative is approved for the manufacture of plasma-derived drugs.Currently, plasma collected to manufacture these medicines is first collected and tested for viruses including HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. However, once medicines are made from this screened plasma, the finished products are again tested for the same viral markers under existing regulations. The government now proposes to remove this second round of testing.The Health Ministry has issued a draft notification seeking public comments on amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945, which govern testing of blood-derived products. Dr Asim Kumar Tiwari, senior director, department of transfusion medicine, Medanta, Gurugram, said the surplus plasma collected from blood donors can be used by plasma fractionators to manufacture many life-saving medicines.“Plasma-derived medicinal products (PDMPs) such as albumin, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and clotting factors such as Factor VIII and Factor IX are widely used to treat immune disorders, serious infections, and bleeding conditions such as hemophilia,” he said.He said blood centers often generate surplus plasma after meeting a patient’s needs, which can be supplied to specialized fractionation facilities where different proteins are separated to manufacture these drugs.Dr. Tiwari said that PDMPs undergo several security checks before reaching the patients. “Donated plasma is screened for infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, malaria and syphilis and the manufacturing process includes viral inactivation steps to ensure safety,” he said.“Globally, these medicines, known as plasma-derived medicinal products, have not been linked to infection transmission due to stringent testing and viral inactivation during manufacturing,” he said.Officials say repeating the same viral tests at the finished product stage does not require duplication under global practices. The proposed amendment aims to rationalize testing requirements while maintaining strict safety checks at the plasma screening stage.The draft rules were issued after consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board, and stakeholders have been given 30 days to submit comments before the amendments are finalised.

मुजफ्फरनगर मतदाता सूची पुनरीक्षण इसको लेकर जिला प्रशासन ने अहम कदम उठाया है. योग्यता तिथि 01 जनवरी 2026 विधानसभा निर्वाचन क्षेत्रों के आधार पर मतदाता सूची का विशेष गहन पुनरीक्षण जिलाधिकारी एवं जिला निर्वाचन अधिकारी के संबंध में उमेश मिश्रा जिले के सभी मान्यता प्राप्त राजनीतिक दलों के प्रतिनिधियों के साथ विस्तृत बैठक की.

इस बैठक में मतदाता सूची पुनरीक्षण से संबंधित प्रगति, लंबित मामलों और आगे की कार्ययोजना पर चर्चा की गई. प्रशासन का उद्देश्य यह सुनिश्चित करना है कि जिले के प्रत्येक पात्र नागरिक का नाम मतदाता सूची में शामिल हो और किसी भी अपात्र व्यक्ति का नाम सूची में दर्ज न हो।

राजनीतिक दलों से हुई चर्चा

मुजफ्फरनगर मतदाता सूची पुनरीक्षण समीक्षा से संबंधित इस बैठक में जिलाधिकारी उमेश मिश्र ने राजनीतिक दलों के अध्यक्षों, सचिवों एवं उनके प्रतिनिधियों से बातचीत की और समीक्षा प्रक्रिया की वर्तमान स्थिति की जानकारी दी.

उन्होंने कहा कि चुनाव आयोग के निर्देशानुसार जिले में मतदाता सूची की शुचिता सुनिश्चित करने के लिए बड़े पैमाने पर काम किया जा रहा है. इसके तहत विभिन्न प्रकार की त्रुटियों एवं विसंगतियों को दूर करने के लिए लगातार समीक्षा की जा रही है।

जिलाधिकारी ने राजनीतिक दलों से भी इस प्रक्रिया में सक्रिय सहयोग देने की अपील की.

नोटिस पर हुई बड़ी कार्रवाई

बैठक में जिलाधिकारी ने बताया कि जिले में कोई तार्किक विसंगति का मानचित्रण नहीं कुल के अंतर्गत 4,46,318 नोटिस जारी किये गये।

यहाँ इन 4,12,420 नोटिस (लगभग 92.40 प्रतिशत) लेकिन सुनवाई की प्रक्रिया पूरी हो चुकी है. बाकी नोटिसों पर सुनवाई की कार्यवाही अभी भी जारी है.

उन्होंने कहा कि इन नोटिसों के माध्यम से मतदाता सूची में मौजूद संभावित त्रुटियों और विसंगतियों को दूर करने का प्रयास किया जा रहा है ताकि अंतिम सूची अधिक सटीक और पारदर्शी हो सके.

नये मतदाताओं का पंजीकरण प्रपत्र-6 के माध्यम से

मुजफ्फरनगर मतदाता सूची पुनरीक्षण इसके तहत जिले में नये मतदाताओं के भी बड़ी संख्या में आवेदन प्राप्त हुए हैं.

जिले में समीक्षा के क्रम में जिलाधिकारी ने कहा कि फॉर्म-6 के कुल 1,25,054 आवेदन प्राप्त हो गया है. इन सभी आवेदनों पर नियमानुसार कार्रवाई की जा रही है.

फॉर्म-6 का उपयोग उन नागरिकों द्वारा किया जाता है जो पहली बार मतदाता सूची में अपना नाम दर्ज कराना चाहते हैं या किसी अन्य स्थान से स्थानांतरित होने के बाद किसी नए क्षेत्र में पंजीकरण कराना चाहते हैं।

चुनाव आयोग का उद्देश्य

बैठक में जिलाधिकारी उमेश मिश्र ने स्पष्ट किया कि भारत का चुनाव आयोग का मुख्य उद्देश्य यह सुनिश्चित करना है कि प्रत्येक पात्र नागरिक का नाम मतदाता सूची में शामिल हो।

साथ ही यह भी सुनिश्चित किया जा रहा है कि किसी भी अपात्र व्यक्ति का नाम सूची में दर्ज न हो।

उन्होंने कहा कि मतदाता सूची लोकतांत्रिक प्रक्रिया की आधारशिला है, इसलिए इसकी शुचिता एवं पारदर्शिता बनाए रखना बेहद जरूरी है।

राजनीतिक दलों से सहयोग की अपील

बैठक के दौरान जिलाधिकारी ने सभी राजनीतिक दलों के प्रतिनिधियों से अपने स्तर से भी इस प्रक्रिया में सहयोग करने की अपील की.

उन्होंने कहा कि यदि किसी क्षेत्र में पात्र नागरिकों का नाम मतदाता सूची में दर्ज नहीं है तो उन्हें फार्म भरवाकर अपना नाम दर्ज कराने के लिए प्रेरित किया जाए।

साथ ही किसी भी प्रकार की समस्या या त्रुटि सामने आने पर तुरंत प्रशासन को सूचित किया जाए ताकि उसका समाधान किया जा सके.

बैठक में वरिष्ठ अधिकारी मौजूद थे

मुजफ्फरनगर मतदाता सूची पुनरीक्षण इस बैठक में संबंधित कई वरिष्ठ अधिकारी और विभिन्न राजनीतिक दलों के प्रतिनिधि मौजूद थे.

इस दौरान अपर जिलाधिकारी (प्रशासन) एवं उप जिला निर्वाचन पदाधिकारी संजय कुमार सिंह भी मौजूद थे.

इसके अलावा बैठक में विभिन्न राजनीतिक दलों के प्रतिनिधियों ने भाग लिया

• भारतीय जनता पार्टी से ओम प्रकाश उपाध्याय

• बहुजन समाज पार्टी से इंतज़ार अली

• समाजवादी पार्टी से साजिद हसन और सोमपाल सिंह

• भारतीय कम्युनिस्ट पार्टी से -सुभाष उपाध्याय

• आम आदमी पार्टी से अजय चौधरी

• जिला कांग्रेस पार्टी से ममनून खान (वकील) शामिल रहें.

बैठक में सभी दलों के प्रतिनिधियों ने पुनरीक्षण प्रक्रिया को लेकर अपने सुझाव भी साझा किये.

लोकतांत्रिक प्रक्रिया के लिए महत्वपूर्ण कदम

मतदाता सूची की विशेष बारीकी से जांच करना चुनावी प्रक्रिया का एक महत्वपूर्ण हिस्सा माना जाता है। इससे यह सुनिश्चित होता है कि केवल योग्य नागरिक ही चुनाव में मतदान कर सकते हैं और सूची पूरी तरह से अद्यतन रहती है।

जिले में चल रही यह प्रक्रिया आगामी चुनाव के लिए भी अहम मानी जा रही है, क्योंकि सटीक मतदाता सूची ही निष्पक्ष चुनाव की बुनियाद है.

मुजफ्फरनगर में मतदाता सूची के विशेष सघन पुनरीक्षण को लेकर प्रशासन लगातार सक्रिय है। जिलाधिकारी उमेश मिश्र के नेतृत्व में अधिकारियों एवं राजनीतिक दलों के सहयोग से इस प्रक्रिया को पारदर्शी एवं प्रभावी बनाने का प्रयास किया जा रहा है. प्रशासन का उद्देश्य है कि जिले का कोई भी पात्र नागरिक मतदाता सूची से वंचित न रहे और लोकतांत्रिक व्यवस्था को मजबूत करने में सभी की भागीदारी सुनिश्चित हो सके।

प्रतापगढ़ जिले के लीलापुर थाना क्षेत्र के तेजगढ़ गांव में अवसान माता पूजा महोत्सव का भव्य आयोजन किया गया. इस धार्मिक कार्यक्रम में बड़ी संख्या में महिलाओं ने भाग लिया और पूरे विधि-विधान से देवी मां की पूजा-अर्चना की. कार्यक्रम के दौरान दुरदुरिया अनुष्ठान का भी आयोजन किया गया, जिसमें कुल 5001 महिलाओं ने भाग लिया और परिवार की सुख-समृद्धि एवं विश्व शांति के लिए देवी मां से प्रार्थना की. धार्मिक माहौल के बीच गांव व आसपास की महिलाएं पारंपरिक वेशभूषा में कार्यक्रम स्थल पर पहुंचीं. पूरे आयोजन के दौरान माहौल पूरी तरह से भक्तिमय बना रहा और श्रद्धालु देवी मां की भक्ति में लीन दिखे.

दुरदुरिया कार्यक्रम में 5001 महिलाओं ने भाग लिया
महोत्सव के दौरान आयोजित दुरदुरिया कार्यक्रम में 5001 महिलाओं ने एक साथ बैठकर विधि विधान से अवसान माता की पूजा की. महिलाओं ने अपने परिवार की खुशहाली, समाज में शांति और विश्व में शांति के लिए प्रार्थना की। इस दौरान धार्मिक गीत और भजन भी गाए गए, जिससे कार्यक्रम का माहौल और भी भक्तिमय हो गया. बड़ी संख्या में महिलाएं पारंपरिक वेशभूषा पहनकर पहुंचीं, जिससे कार्यक्रम की भव्यता और बढ़ गई.

जन प्रतिनिधियों ने भी देवी मां के दरबार में मत्था टेका
कार्यक्रम में कई जन प्रतिनिधि और नेता भी शामिल हुए. इस मौके पर बीजेपी विधायक राजेंद्र मौर्य, बीजेपी जिला अध्यक्ष हरिओम श्रीवास्तव समेत कई बीजेपी नेता और क्षेत्रीय जन प्रतिनिधि मौजूद रहे. सभी ने देवी मां के समक्ष नतमस्तक होकर क्षेत्र की खुशहाली, समाज की उन्नति और देश की उन्नति की प्रार्थना की। कार्यक्रम में मौजूद लोगों ने भी इस धार्मिक आयोजन की सराहना की.

यह आयोजन सात वर्षों से लगातार हो रहा है
इस आयोजन की जानकारी देते हुए भाजपा नेत्री तिरूपति प्रतिभा सिंह ने बताया कि तेजगढ़ गांव में पिछले सात वर्षों से लगातार अवसान माता पूजा एवं दुरदुरिया कार्यक्रम का आयोजन किया जा रहा है. हर साल इस कार्यक्रम में बड़ी संख्या में महिलाएं शामिल होती हैं और पूरी श्रद्धा के साथ देवी मां की पूजा करती हैं. उन्होंने कहा कि यह आयोजन क्षेत्र में धार्मिक आस्था और सामाजिक एकता को मजबूत करने का माध्यम बन गया है.

विश्व शांति एवं विकसित भारत के लिए प्रार्थना
तिरूपति प्रतिभा सिंह ने कहा कि इस वक्त दुनिया के कई हिस्सों में अशांति का माहौल है. ऐसे समय में इस धार्मिक आयोजन के जरिये विश्व में शांति, भाईचारा और सद्भाव की कामना की गयी. महिलाओं ने देवी मां से वर्ष 2047 तक भारत को एक विकसित एवं मजबूत राष्ट्र बनाने की प्रार्थना भी की। कार्यक्रम शांतिपूर्ण एवं सम्मानजनक माहौल में सफलतापूर्वक संपन्न हुआ।

Sunrisers Leeds bought Abrar Ahmed in the Hundred 2026 auction on Thursday, March 12. The Sunrisers franchise owned by Sun Group – an Indian conglomerate led by Kalanithi Maran – went all out for the Pakistan spinner, eventually acquiring him for £190,000 (approximately Rs 2.34 crore). Kavya Maran, who is a key figure of the franchise and serves as the CEO, was present at the auction table.

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Kavya, along with head coach Daniel Vettori, were at the auction table at London’s Piccadilly Lights on Thursday when Sunrisers Leeds pipped Trent Rockets to acquire Abrar Ahmed. Sunrisers Leeds will be led by England T20I captain Harry Brook.

This was the first time in many years that an Indian Premier League (IPL)-owned team had signed a Pakistani cricketer.

Four of The Hundred’s eight franchises – Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds – are now at least partly owned by the companies that control IPL teams.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan’s Usman Tariq, the Mystery spinner with one pose who created a stir in T20 World Cup 2026Was purchased by Birmingham Phoenix for £140,000.

After making his debut for Pakistan in 2022, Abrar Ahmed was initially labeled a Test specialist. However, since making his T20I debut in 2024, Abrar has taken 52 wickets in 38 matches, with a sensational average of 17.36 and an excellent economy rate of 6.67. He also took six wickets in four matches during Pakistan’s disappointing campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup last month.

How many Pakistani players in the Hundred auction?

14 players from Pakistan were shortlisted for the Hundred 2026 auction. ODI captain Shaheen Afridi withdrew his name on the eve of the auction, but 13 players were sure to go under the hammer.

Big Bash League star Haris Rauf, who was not selected for the T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, remained unsold along with all-rounder Sam Ayub.

Are Indian owners not buying Pakistani players?

The Hundred faced a decisive test of its integrity after a massive change in ownership. For the first time, the competition entered the “private era” when the ECB sold stakes in its franchises last year – primarily to the owners of the Indian Premier League (IPL) – leading to widespread fears that Pakistan’s top cricketers would be systematically forced out of the league.

The dispute stems from the sale of four major franchises to Indian groups in 2025: Sunrisers Leeds (Sunrisers Hyderabad), MI London (Mumbai Indians), Manchester Super Giants (Lucknow Super Giants), and Southern Brave (GMR/Delhi Capitals).

The concern among players and fans was rooted in a consistent global pattern. Since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Pakistanis have been banned from the IPL. As the same owners expanded into South Africa’s SA20 and UAE’s ILT20, the unwritten rule was followed; Not a single Pakistani player has been contracted by the IPL-owned franchises in those leagues.

Before the 2026 auction, BBC reports suggest a similar shadow ban was imminent in EnglandA senior official reportedly warned the agents that interest in the Pakistanis would be limited to four non-IPL affiliated teams. After this the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had to intervene immediately. who issued a formal warning to all ownersCiting the UK’s strict anti-discrimination laws, selection must be based solely on merit.

In a significant move to silence the critics, Sunrisers Leeds backed these words with action by signing Abrar Ahmed. The signing is being seen as a historic moment, potentially breaking the IPL blockade that has dictated global franchise politics for years.

While world No. 1 bowler Sadia Iqbal remained unsold in the women’s auction earlier this week – raising fresh questions – the men’s draft suggests the ECB’s firm stance may have successfully preserved the tournament’s diversity in its first year of private ownership.

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Overseas Friends of BJP UK has written to the High Commissioner of India in London expressing serious concern over the disturbances during the Holi/Holika Dahan celebrations in Harrow on 3 March 2026. In Harrow, a brawl broke out between Muslim youths and Hindus during a Holika bonfire ceremony when three teenagers forcibly turned off the music at the event.

Addressing that incident, OFBJPUK requested a thorough investigation, accountability for those responsible and appropriate diplomatic engagement to ensure robust security for cultural and religious gatherings of the Indian diaspora in the UK. “We also request that the broader issue of security of Hindu temples, religious gatherings and community institutions in the United Kingdom be discussed with the UK Government. Although security assistance has been provided to some religious institutions, Hindu community members believe that comparable protection and funding for Hindu temples and community organizations facing hate incidents is limited. The issue has become particularly sensitive following earlier tensions affecting Hindu communities in the Midlands and parts of Leicester.” “It would also be valuable if the High Commission could engage with local Indian residents, businesses and community organizations in Harrow to help restore trust. Overseas Friends of BJP stands ready to work with the UK High Commission and diaspora organizations to facilitate peace meetings, dialogue and constructive community engagement to ensure lasting security and harmony for the Indian diaspora in the United Kingdom. Our collective objective is to ensure that cultural festivals like Holi continue to be celebrated peacefully and the Indian diaspora remains safe, respected and confident.”

What happened that day?

A Holika event organized by the International Siddharshrama Shakti Center at the Harrow Civic Center car park turned tense when a group of youths allegedly disrupted the celebrations. The Holika Dahan Sabha, which was attended by about 1,000 people including the local mayor and councilors, began around 7 pm with prayers and the ceremonial lighting of the Holika fire.According to the centre’s founder Shri Rajarajeshwar Guruji, three teenagers came at around 8.30 pm and uprooted the wires of the sound system, causing damage to the speakers. A few minutes later, they reportedly returned with 15–20 other men, some of whom were wearing balaclavas and one was carrying a sword. They allegedly threw beer cans and glass bottles into the fire and clashed with security personnel before fleeing when police sirens sounded.The violence led to the arrest of a 14-year-old boy.

Hardeep Singh Puri speaks in the Lok Sabha during the budget session of Parliament

Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri Telling the Lok Sabha on Thursday that India is well prepared to manage the disruption in global energy supplies caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia, he assured MPs that domestic fuel availability and power generation is completely secure, while also urging them to avoid rumours.Addressing the House amid protests by opposition members, Puri said the government has ensured adequate production and alternative supply arrangements to maintain energy needs even as the conflict continues. “India has adequate gas production and supply system to sustain this situation even in the event of a prolonged conflict. Power generation for every household and industry is completely safe,” Puri said.The Union minister said the hostilities have effectively shut down commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route that typically transports about 20 percent of the world’s crude oil, natural gas and LPG. Despite the disruption, as about 45 percent of India’s crude oil imports previously went through this route, the country has managed to stabilize supplies by increasing alternative sourcing. He noted that “Non-Hormuz sourcing has increased to approximately 70 percent of crude oil imports, up from 55 percent before the conflict began.”Puri attributed the resilience partly to long-term diversification of crude oil suppliers, noting that India now imports oil from 40 countries, whereas in 2006-07 it imported from 27 countries. He assured the House that “there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, kerosene, ATF or fuel oil. The availability of petrol, diesel, aviation turbine fuel, kerosene and fuel oil is completely assured,” adding that domestic refineries are operating at high capacity utilisation, in some cases “more than 100 per cent”.He urged public and political stakeholders to avoid spreading misinformation during the ongoing energy crisis caused by the Middle East conflict, and stressed that the government’s preparedness and response mechanisms are working effectively. “This is not the time for rumor mongering or fake narratives. India is facing the most severe global energy disruption in recorded history. Fuel supplies are flowing, gas has been prioritized for homes and farms, and LPG production has increased by 28%. Consumer prices are being held well below those otherwise set by market trends and regional competitors. Schools are open and petrol is available at fuel stations… India must unite behind energy workers, behind the institutions managing the crisis, and behind the national interest. The record of preparation and the record of response speaks for itself,” he said.On natural gas supply, the minister said the government has introduced a priority allocation system under the Natural Gas Control Order issued on March 9. While a major facility in Qatar has declared force majeure on 30 MMSCMD gas imports, domestic production is stable at 90 MMSCMD.“Domestic piped gas for homes and CNG for vehicles receive 100 per cent supply without any cut. Industrial and manufacturing consumers will receive up to 80 per cent of their last six month average. Fertilizer plants will receive up to 70 per cent, thereby protecting the agricultural input chain ahead of the sowing season. Refineries and petrochemical units absorb the managed reductions, with that gas redirected to higher-priority sectors. I am happy to tell the House that the shortfall has been compensated to a large extent through alternative procurement,” Puri said.The government has also taken steps to secure LPG availability for approximately 33 crore families. According to the minister, domestic LPG production has increased by 28 percent in the last five days following the refinery instructions. To curb hoarding and control demand, authorities have introduced a minimum gap of 25 days between LPG cylinder bookings in urban areas and expanded the delivery authentication code system to cover 90 per cent of consumers.Puri also clarified that the distribution cycle of domestic LPG will remain unaffected. “Domestic supply is completely secure, and the delivery cycle is unchanged. The standard time from booking to delivery for domestic LPG cylinders is 2.5 days, unchanged from pre-crisis norms,” ​​he said.To further reduce pressure on gas supplies, the government has activated alternative fuel options. Kerosene is being made available through Public Distribution System channels, while the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has “advised State Pollution Control Boards to allow the use of biomass, RDF pellets and kerosene/coal as alternative fuels for the hospitality and restaurant segment for 1 month, for the duration of this crisis, which will enable a wide range of establishments to switch to LPG and free up space for priority consumers.”