Kolkata: Bengal opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari had indicated his intention to challenge TMC chief Mamata Banerjee in the CM’s home turf Bhabanipur, which has sent him to the Assembly thrice since 2011. On Monday, the BJP fielded him from both Bhawanipur and Nandigram, where he defeated Banerjee by 1,956 votes in 2021 – a result that was challenged in the Calcutta HC. 41 sitting MLAs have been retained in BJP’s first list of 144. BJP’s Bengal co-in-charge Amit Malviya wrote on Twitter, “This will be a fight till the end.” Veteran Dilip Ghosh in BJP’s list, 41 MLAs also get tickets Adhikari had switched from TMC to BJP in 2020, barely three months before elections next year. Among the new faces is Soumitra Chattopadhyay, a seventh-generation descendant of Vande Mataram author Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. Chattopadhyay will contest from Naihati, a town on the Hooghly river north of Kolkata, which is also the birthplace of Bankim Chandra. Veteran party leader Dilip Ghosh returned to his familiar turf in Kharagpur Sadar, a railway town about 120 km west of Kolkata in West Midnapore district. Ghosh had represented the constituency from 2016 to 2019 as a first-time candidate, defeating 10-time MLA Gyan Singh Sohanpal. Journalist-turned-politician Padma Bhushan awardee and former Rajya Sabha member Swapan Dasgupta will contest from Rashbehari in South Kolkata. Kolkata Municipal Corporation councilor Sajal Ghosh has been fielded from Baranagar, an industrial suburb north of Kolkata, while actor Rudranil Ghosh will contest from Shibpur in Howrah district. The list retains 41 sitting MLAs, including assembly chief whip Shankar Ghosh, who will contest re-election from Siliguri in North Bengal. Three former MLAs – Jitendra Tiwari from Pandabeswar in West Bardhaman district, Samarendranath Ghosh from Karimpur in Nadia district, and Saikat Panja from Manteshwar in East Bardhaman district – are also in the list. The list includes 11 women, among them Agnimitra Paul from Asansol South in West Bardhaman district, Malti Rava Roy from Tufanganj in Cooch Behar district and Chandana Bauri from Saltora in Bankura district. The professionally diverse slate includes 23 teachers, six lawyers, five doctors and three retired servicemen. The list also includes three spiritual figures – Utpal Maharaj, Swami Mangalanand Puri, and Nikhil Banerjee. Former state president of the Kurmi community Rajesh Mahato, who joined the BJP a few weeks ago, will contest from Gopiballavpur, a tribal-dominated constituency in Jhargram district. Mahato has long campaigned for Scheduled Tribe status for the Kurmi community and inclusion of the Kurmali language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

सोमवार सुबह राजधानी के पास हल्के भूकंप के झटके महसूस किए गए। जानकारी के मुताबिक, दिल्ली से कुछ ही दूरी पर स्थित रेवाड़ी में सुबह 7.01 बजे भूकंप आया. भूकंप का केंद्र रेवाडी में जमीन से करीब 5 किलोमीटर नीचे बताया जा रहा है. भूकंप की तीव्रता रिक्टर स्केल पर 2.8 दर्ज की गई. ये झटके हल्के थे, इसलिए किसी बड़े नुकसान या जानमाल के नुकसान की खबर नहीं है। हालांकि, सुबह-सुबह अचानक महसूस किये गये भूकंप के झटके से कुछ देर के लिए लोगों में दहशत देखी गयी. स्थानीय लोग अपने घरों से बाहर निकले और कुछ देर बाद स्थिति सामान्य हो गयी.

भूकंप क्यों आते हैं?
हाल के दिनों में देश और दुनिया के कई हिस्सों में भूकंप की घटनाएं बढ़ रही हैं। वैज्ञानिकों के अनुसार पृथ्वी के अंदर सात प्रमुख टेक्टोनिक प्लेटें हैं। ये प्लेटें लगातार अपनी जगह बदलती रहती हैं और धीरे-धीरे घूमती हैं। जब इन प्लेटों के बीच टकराव या घर्षण होता है, तो भूमिगत ऊर्जा निकलती है, जिससे भूकंप आता है। कभी-कभी ये झटके हल्के होते हैं, लेकिन कभी-कभी बड़े भूकंप भी आ जाते हैं। एक बड़े भूकंप के कारण इमारतें ढह सकती हैं और सामान्य जीवन को भारी नुकसान हो सकता है।

भारत में भूकंप क्षेत्र
भूवैज्ञानिकों के अनुसार भारत की लगभग 59 प्रतिशत भूमि भूकंप के प्रति संवेदनशील मानी जाती है। वैज्ञानिकों ने देश को चार भूकंपीय क्षेत्रों में बांटा है। इन्हें जोन-2, जोन-3, जोन-4 और जोन-5 कहा जाता है. इनमें जोन-5 सबसे संवेदनशील इलाका माना जाता है, जबकि जोन-2 सबसे कम संवेदनशील है. भारत की राजधानी दिल्ली जोन-4 में आती है. इस इलाके में 7 तीव्रता से ज्यादा का भूकंप आने की भी आशंका है, जो बड़ी तबाही मचा सकता है. भारत में खासकर हिमालय क्षेत्र, कच्छ और उत्तर-पूर्वी भारत में भूकंप का खतरा ज्यादा रहता है क्योंकि यहां इंडियन प्लेट यूरेशियन प्लेट से टकरा रही है।

रिक्टर स्केल पर भूकंप की तीव्रता का असर
भूकंप की तीव्रता मापने के लिए रिक्टर पैमाने का उपयोग किया जाता है। इस पैमाने पर 4 से 4.9 तीव्रता का भूकंप आने पर घर में रखा सामान अपनी जगह से गिर सकता है. 5 से 5.9 तीव्रता के भूकंप में भारी सामान और फर्नीचर भी हिल सकता है. 6 से 6.9 की तीव्रता पर इमारतों की नींव में दरार आ सकती है। वहीं, 7 से 7.9 तीव्रता वाले भूकंप में इमारतों के गिरने का खतरा बढ़ जाता है। 8 से 8.9 तीव्रता का भूकंप सुनामी का खतरा भी पैदा कर सकता है और भारी तबाही मचा सकता है. अगर भूकंप की तीव्रता 9 या उससे अधिक है तो यह सबसे खतरनाक माना जाता है और बड़े पैमाने पर नुकसान पहुंचा सकता है।

Shock in UAE: Missile falls on car in Abu Dhabi, one killed, officials issue urgent warning amid Iran vs US-Israel war

Working middle east The conflict has cast a long shadow over the Gulf, with the UAE facing one of the most serious security incidents linked to the regional crisis. Authorities in the emirate of Abu Dhabi confirmed that a missile struck a civilian vehicle in the Al Bayah district, killing one person and triggering a rapid emergency response from local security and civil protection teams. The victim was identified as a Palestinian civilian, one of the few fatalities reported inside the UAE since tensions escalated in the region.The incident occurred in the Al Baiyah area on the outskirts of the capital, where emergency authorities responded immediately to reports of a missile hitting a civilian car. Officials confirmed that one person died as a result of the attack, while response teams secured the site and began investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack.

A rare but serious incident in the UAE iran vs US-Israel war

While the UAE has largely succeeded in curbing threats during the current conflict, the attack in Al Bayyah highlights how regional hostilities can still spill over into civilian areas. According to official statements, the missile directly hit a civilian vehicle, resulting in the death of one occupant of the vehicle before emergency services could intervene. Officials did not immediately reveal the exact origin of the missile, but the incident came amid broader hostilities linked to the war involving Iran, the United States and Israel. The UAE has significantly strengthened its air defense systems in recent years and many missile and drone attacks have been intercepted before they can reach populated areas. Government figures indicate that since the conflict escalated, air defense systems have fired hundreds of incoming projectiles, including ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones, at targets across the country.Despite those defensive successes, officials acknowledged that sporadic incidents could still occur, particularly when debris or projectiles fall after interception attempts. The Al Bayhiyah attack is therefore a reminder of the unpredictable nature of modern warfare and how even highly defended countries can face sudden security risks during regional conflicts.

UAE officials urge caution and information discipline amid Iran vs US-Israel war

Following the incident, officials stressed the need for calm and responsible communication among residents. Officials urged the public to rely only on verified government channels for updates and warned against spreading rumors or unconfirmed reports on social media. The advisory stressed that disseminating misleading or unverified information during security incidents could hinder emergency response operations and cause unnecessary panic among the population. Officials also reiterated that authorities are closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates through official platforms. In recent weeks, the UAE has taken a tough stance against misinformation related to the conflict, warning that spreading misinformation online could lead to legal consequences. Officials say such measures are necessary to maintain public safety and ensure accurate communications during a crisis.

Iran vs US-Israel war tensions spill over into Gulf

The missile incident in Abu Dhabi comes as the broader Middle East experiences an increase in military activity linked to the escalating confrontation between Iran and the US-Israel alliance. The conflict has already resulted in missile and drone attacks in several parts of the Gulf region, including incidents affecting airports, energy infrastructure and shipping routes. These developments have made the Gulf countries extremely alert. Governments across the region have strengthened air defense systems and increased surveillance to prevent attacks on civilian and economic infrastructure.The strategic importance of the Gulf to global energy and aviation networks means that even isolated incidents can have cascading effects. Oil shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, aviation corridors across the region, and major commercial centers such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi all play important roles in international trade and travel. As a result, security threats associated with the conflict are being closely monitored not only by regional governments but also by global markets and international organizations.

Impact of the Iran vs. US–Israel war on UAE residents and daily life

Despite the seriousness of the incident, officials have assured residents that security forces are fully prepared to deal with the emerging threats. Emergency services responded rapidly to the Al Bahya attack, securing the area and coordinating with law-enforcement agencies to investigate the incident. Residents have been urged to remain calm and continue to follow the official guidelines issued by government officials. Public security agencies also reiterated that the UAE maintains one of the most advanced security and civil defense infrastructures in the region, enabling rapid response to emergencies. Nevertheless, this deadly attack is a sobering reminder of the human cost of regional conflict. The death of the Palestinian civilian highlights how geopolitical tensions can sometimes spill over into civilian life, even in countries far from the primary battlefield. The attack also reflects the growing complexity of the conflict unfolding across the Middle East. As hostilities escalate, missile and drone warfare has become a common tactic, allowing conflict to extend far beyond traditional front lines.Maintaining stability amid regional unrest has become a major priority for Gulf countries like the UAE. Governments are balancing strong defensive measures with diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions and regional security cooperation. Currently, the investigation into the incident in Al Bayhiyah remains ongoing, with officials continuing to assess the circumstances surrounding the missile attack. Officials have reiterated that public safety remains their top priority and updates will be provided through official channels as more information becomes available.

उत्तर प्रदेश समाचार: उत्तर प्रदेश के बरेली जिले में नशे के खिलाफ अभियान में एंटी नारकोटिक्स टास्क फोर्स (एएनटीएफ) को बड़ी सफलता मिली है. टीम ने बदायूँ से एक स्मैक तस्कर को गिरफ्तार कर उसके पास से ढाई किलो से अधिक स्मैक पाउडर बरामद किया है. पुलिस के मुताबिक आरोपी लंबे समय से मादक पदार्थों की तस्करी में लिप्त था. इस कार्रवाई से इलाके में हड़कंप मच गया है. पुलिस ने आरोपी के खिलाफ मामला दर्ज कर आगे की कानूनी कार्रवाई शुरू कर दी है. बताया जा रहा है कि आरोपी अपने एक रिश्तेदार के साथ स्मैक लेकर जा रहा था, लेकिन पुलिस कार्रवाई के दौरान उसका साथी मौके से भाग गया.

गुप्त सूचना के आधार पर की गयी कार्रवाई
एएनटीएफ टीम प्रभारी विकास यादव ने बताया कि पुलिस को गुप्त सूचना मिली थी कि बदायूं जिले के मूसाझाग थाना क्षेत्र के सैंजनी गांव निवासी शोभित गुप्ता बड़ी मात्रा में स्मैक लेकर बरेली की ओर आ रहा है. सूचना मिलते ही एएनटीएफ टीम सक्रिय हो गई और बरेली-बदायूं हाईवे पर निगरानी शुरू कर दी। पुलिस ने रोंधी गांव की ओर जाने वाले रास्ते की घेराबंदी कर संदिग्ध लोगों पर नजर रखनी शुरू कर दी।

तलाशी में 2.645 किलोग्राम स्मैक मिली
कुछ देर बाद एक संदिग्ध युवक वहां पहुंचा तो पुलिस टीम ने उसे रोककर तलाशी ली। तलाशी के दौरान उसके पास से 2.645 किलोग्राम स्मैक पाउडर बरामद हुआ। इतनी बड़ी मात्रा में स्मैक मिलने के बाद पुलिस ने तुरंत आरोपी को गिरफ्तार कर लिया. पुलिस के मुताबिक आरोपी के पास से एक मोबाइल फोन और 560 रुपये नकद भी बरामद किये गये हैं. बरामद स्मैक की अंतरराष्ट्रीय बाजार में कीमत काफी ज्यादा बताई जा रही है. पुलिस का कहना है कि इतनी बड़ी खेप की बरामदगी से नशे के नेटवर्क को बड़ा झटका लगा है.

पंजाब तक स्मैक सप्लाई करते थे
गिरफ्तार आरोपियों से पूछताछ में कई अहम जानकारियां सामने आई हैं. पुलिस के मुताबिक शोभित गुप्ता काफी समय से स्मैक की तस्करी कर रहा था. वह बदायूँ और बरेली के रास्ते पंजाब और आसपास के इलाकों में स्मैक सप्लाई करता था। आरोपी ने बताया कि इस कारोबार में उसे अच्छा मुनाफा होता था, इसलिए वह लगातार इस काम में लगा हुआ था. पुलिस अब यह पता लगाने की कोशिश कर रही है कि उसके पास स्मैक कहां से आई और वह किसके संपर्क में था।

फरार रिश्तेदार की तलाश जारी है
कार्रवाई के दौरान आरोपी का एक रिश्तेदार भी उसके साथ मौजूद था, लेकिन पुलिस को देखकर वह मौके से भाग गया। पुलिस ने उसकी पहचान कर ली है और उसकी गिरफ्तारी के प्रयास किये जा रहे हैं. सुभाषनगर थाना प्रभारी जितेंद्र सिंह ने बताया कि आरोपी के खिलाफ मामला दर्ज कर लिया गया है और उसे कोर्ट में पेश करने की तैयारी की जा रही है. साथ ही फरार आरोपियों और इस तस्करी से जुड़े अन्य लोगों की तलाश भी जारी है. पुलिस अधिकारियों का कहना है कि जिले में नशे के खिलाफ लगातार अभियान चलाया जा रहा है. जो भी व्यक्ति मादक पदार्थों की तस्करी में संलिप्त पाया जाएगा उसके खिलाफ सख्त कार्रवाई की जाएगी। इतनी बड़ी मात्रा में स्मैक बरामद करने के बाद पुलिस अब पूरे नेटवर्क की जांच में जुट गई है.

New Delhi/Kolkata: A day after replacing the Bengal Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Home) of its choice, the Election Commission on Monday also replaced the DGP and Kolkata Police Commissioner, among others. Hours after announcing the assembly election schedule for Bengal along with three other states and one Union territory, the Election Commission late on Sunday removed Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty and replaced her with 1993-batch IAS officer Dushyant Nariyala. Principal Secretary (Home) Jagdish Prasad Meena was replaced by 1997 batch IAS officer Sanghamitra Ghosh. Chakraborty took over as Chief Secretary on January 1 and was the first woman to be appointed to the post in West Bengal. She was also the first woman Home Secretary of the state. This is the first time that the top bureaucrat of West Bengal has been changed before the elections. On Monday, the Election Commission ordered another reshuffle, removing DGP Piyush Pandey and replacing him with 1992 batch IPS officer Siddh Nath Gupta. 1996 batch IPS officer Ajay Kumar Nand has been appointed in place of Kolkata Police Commissioner Supratim Sarkar. The Election Commission’s overriding powers to transfer officials directly engaged in the conduct of elections come from Article 324 of the Constitution, which places the entire election machinery in the election-holding State or Union Territory under its “superintendence, direction and control”. The 2021 Assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Bengal also saw transfers of DGPs and senior officials identified as “too close to the party in office”.

“CEC Gyanesh Kumar had assured at the Election Commission’s press conference on Sunday that the elections in Bengal will be violence-free and peaceful. In pursuit of this objective, the Election Commission has appointed/transferred senior police officers, including the DGP and the Kolkata Police Commissioner,” an Election Commission official told TOI. Sources have indicated that more transfers will be made at the district level in the coming days in consultation with Bengal’s special observer NK Mishra.Also making changes to the crucial post of ADG and IGP (Law and Order) – with a direct role in preventing political clashes and violence as well as ensuring judicious deployment of security forces for election security – the Election Commission has appointed 1995-batch IPS officer Ajay Mukund Ranade in place of Vineet Goyal. Natarajan Ramesh Babu, a 1991 batch IPS officer, was ordered to be posted as DG Correctional Services. In its order, EC made it clear that these officials have been barred from all work related to Bengal elections. Changes in policing during election season are not unprecedented. Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Commission had appointed Rajesh Kumar as Kolkata Police Commissioner, replacing Anuj Sharma. Since the 2016 assembly elections, Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has brought back the transferred officers to their previous posts after the elections are over.

Singer and streamer d4vd is once again in the spotlight after his former friend Neo Langston’s new online post adds another twist to the ongoing investigation involving Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The case has received widespread public attention since authorities began investigating the 14-year-old girl’s death. Now, Neo’s recent activity on social media has drawn renewed attention to the situation and raised new questions about what may have happened.D4vd, who is 20, has not been arrested or charged in the case. However, reports state that he is considered a “Target” In investigation. The situation began to become a matter of serious concern in September 2025 when the remains of Celeste Rivas Hernandez were found in the trunk of a Tesla belonging to the singer. The vehicle was parked at a Hollywood tow yard. Since then, investigators have continued to review evidence and speak to people connected to the case.

Former friend Neo’s online posts draw new attention to investigation involving D4vd

Recently, Neo Langston, who was once known to be a close friend of D4vd and is also a streamer, shared a series of posts on Instagram. In the post, Neo used harsh language while talking about the singer and the ongoing investigation. The messages spread quickly online and brought new attention to the case.Neo had already appeared before a California grand jury during the investigation. Reports also said he was arrested last month for failing to appear before a jury at one point in the process. In the new post, Neo suggested that he is legally protected and hinted that there may be more details about the situation than what has been publicly disclosed so far.The matter itself remains disturbing and complicated. According to reports, Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s remains were found in two bags inside the Tesla. The discovery was made after a strong odor came from a vehicle at a tow yard. Authorities have not publicly confirmed how long the remains had been there, although earlier reports suggested the girl had been missing for several weeks.Some reports also mention a possible trip between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara in 2025 involving people connected to the case. However, Neo’s lawyer has denied that he had any role in the crime.At present the investigation is going on. Authorities have not announced any charges against D4vd, and the legal process is still developing. As the case continues, Neo’s new posts have increased public interest in what investigators may uncover next.

उत्तर प्रदेश समाचार: उत्तर प्रदेश के कानपुर से एक दिल दहला देने वाली घटना सामने आई है, जहां एक मंदिर के महंत को लोगों ने बीच सड़क पर जमकर पीटा। बताया जा रहा है कि महंत पर सनातन धर्म का अपमान करने का आरोप लगाया गया है. दरअसल, कुछ दिन पहले उनका एक वीडियो और फोटो सोशल मीडिया पर वायरल हुआ था, जिसमें वह एक मीट शॉप पर मीट खाते नजर आ रहे थे. जैसे ही ये वीडियो और तस्वीरें वायरल हुईं तो लोगों में नाराजगी बढ़ने लगी. मामला इतना बढ़ गया कि जब महंत सड़क पर दिखे तो गुस्साए लोगों ने उन्हें घेर लिया और पीटना शुरू कर दिया. मौके पर पहुंची पुलिस ने किसी तरह उन्हें भीड़ से बचाया.

वायरल वीडियो के बाद लोगों का गुस्सा बढ़ गया
बताया जा रहा है कि यह मामला कानपुर के इंदिरा नगर थाना कल्याणपुर क्षेत्र का है. कुछ दिन पहले इलाके की एक मशहूर मीट की दुकान में महंत के मीट खाते हुए फोटो और वीडियो सोशल मीडिया पर वायरल हो गए थे. यह खबर फैलते ही कानपुर के रावतपुर इलाके में स्थित भूतेश्वर मंदिर के भक्तों में नाराजगी बढ़ गई. इस घटना को लेकर सोशल मीडिया पर कई लोगों ने सवाल भी उठाए थे.

आरोपी भूतेश्वर मंदिर का महंत बताया जा रहा है
वायरल वीडियो में दिख रहा शख्स कानपुर के भूतेश्वर मंदिर का महंत बताया जा रहा है. उनका नाम श्री प्रशांत गिरी जी महाराज उर्फ ​​गोलू महाराज बताया जाता है, जो मंदिर की आरती समिति के अध्यक्ष भी बताये जाते हैं. बताया जा रहा है कि जब से उनका वीडियो वायरल हुआ है तब से कई लोग उन्हें सर्च कर रहे हैं. जैसे ही वह सड़क पर आया लोगों ने उसे पकड़ लिया और पीटना शुरू कर दिया.

पुलिस ने उन्हें भीड़ से निकालकर जान बचाई
घटना के दौरान स्थिति काफी तनावपूर्ण हो गयी थी. आक्रोशित भीड़ लगातार महंत की पिटाई कर रही थी. इसी बीच रावतपुर थाना पुलिस मौके पर पहुंची और महंत को भीड़ से निकालकर उनकी जान बचाई. इस पूरी घटना का वीडियो भी सोशल मीडिया पर तेजी से वायरल हो रहा है.

पुलिस शिकायत का इंतजार कर रही है
फिलहाल रावतपुर थाना पुलिस इस मामले में आगे की कार्रवाई के लिए महंत की शिकायत का इंतजार कर रही है. उधर, महंत की इस हरकत को लेकर भूतेश्वर मंदिर के भक्तों में काफी नाराजगी और गुस्सा देखा जा रहा है. पुलिस का कहना है कि शिकायत मिलने के बाद मामले की जांच कर आगे की कार्रवाई की जाएगी.

Pratika Rawal has expressed her deep connection with Test cricket, calling it a format that truly defines the character and resilience of a cricketer. She made her debut in the day-night Perth Test against Australia along with Sayali Satghare, Kranti Gaur and Kashvi Gautam.

After being dismissed by Annabel Sutherland for 18 runs in the first innings, Pratika bounced back to score her maiden Test half-century in the second innings, scoring 63 runs with the help of eight fours. Although India lost this match by 10 wickets.

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He credited his father and coaches for emphasizing the importance of excelling in Test cricket from an early age and said that watching legends such as Viv Richards, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting inspired him in this approach.

“Test cricket is one of the most beautiful formats of the game, and I have said it a million times – and I will say it again. As a child, my father and my coaches always told me that this is the format I have to do well in. When you are prepared like this, you naturally start feeling that this is your format and you should be successful in it,” Pratika told PTI.

“I have grown up watching batting videos of legends like Viv Richards, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting and I admire the way they have batted in Test cricket. It is a format that really tests your patience, character, determination and focus.

“It’s a true measure of who you are as a cricketer and whether you have the fighting spirit to survive in a Test match. I can honestly go on and on about this format,” Pratika said.

Pratika demands more tests

Pratika also emphasized that playing more Test cricket benefits the players a lot. The Perth Test was India’s first Test since the home Test against South Africa at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai in July 2024. India are also scheduled to face England in a one-off Test at Lord’s this July.

Pratika highlighted that the experience gained from Test matches not only improves a player’s skills but also their character. He believes that playing more Tests will greatly help in the development and strengthen the overall performance of the team.

“Of course, it goes without saying – the more you play Test cricket, the better you get. The kind of experience you get from playing Test matches makes you a lot better not only as a player but also as a person. So, the more matches we play in this format, the more it will do wonders for us,” said Pratika.

Pratika has mainly made her mark in ODIs for India, scoring 1,189 runs in 89 matches at an average of 47.56, including two centuries and eight half-centuries. She also played a key role in India women’s title-winning campaign by scoring a century against New Zealand in the Women’s World Cup.

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The Center has eased localization requirements under its electric vehicle manufacturing programme, providing relief to manufacturers of electric buses and trucks facing component supply challenges. As per PTI report, the move comes under the government’s Rs 10,900 crore PM e-Drive scheme, which aims to boost domestic EV production while strengthening the supply chain for key components. In a notification issued on March 13, the Ministry of Heavy Industries allowed manufacturers to continue importing traction motors using rare-earth magnets for electric trucks and buses until August 31. This discount applies to vehicles in the N2 and N3 categories of electric trucks and M2 and M3 categories of electric buses. The decision is expected to help manufacturers continue building local production capacities as well as manage ongoing component shortages. This is the second time the government has extended the deadline for localization of traction motors. In September last year, the Center had already extended the deadline till March 2026. With the latest notification, the requirement to completely localize the manufacturing of traction motors will now come into effect from September 1, 2026. Under the Phased Manufacturing Program (PMP) linked to PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicles Promotion Scheme, companies are required to complete key phases of traction motor production within India. These processes include magnet fitment, rotor assembly installation, stator assembly integration, shaft and bearing fitment, enclosure installation, as well as connectors and cable integration. These requirements aim to gradually increase domestic value addition in the EV supply chain. However, sourcing rare-earth magnets remains a major challenge globally. These magnets are a key component in traction motors used in electric vehicles, and are also widely used in sectors such as electronics, aerospace, and renewable energy. India, like many other countries, currently depends heavily on imports for these materials, with China being one of the major suppliers to the global market. To reduce this dependency, the government is also working on strengthening domestic manufacturing of rare-earth components. As part of this effort, the Center has launched a scheme to promote manufacturing of sintered rare earth permanent magnets with a financial outlay of Rs 7,280 crore. The initiative aims to support local production of these critical materials and secure the supply chain for India’s growing EV and technology industries. The latest decision to temporarily relax localization norms is expected to give manufacturers additional time to stabilize production while the country gradually builds the required capacity to manufacture key EV components domestically. Input from PTI.