Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay

New Delhi: Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay on Saturday criticized both the BJP and the Congress for failing to grant statehood to Puducherry despite ruling it at the Center for years. “Neither the Congress nor the BJP could grant statehood to Puducherry despite being in power at the Centre. The TVK government will make 100% efforts to achieve full statehood legally, free from the interference of the Lieutenant Governor,” Vijay said at an election rally in the Union Territory.Puducherry, a former French colony, officially merged with India in 1962 and was granted union territory status the following year. It is administered by a Lieutenant Governor appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Centre, while the elected regional government has limited powers – giving rise to a long-standing demand for full statehood.Meanwhile, the actor-politician also urged voters to support TVK’s “whistle” symbol to start a “one-finger revolution”, an apparent reference to a dialogue from one of his films.Vijay took a dig at both the major alliances in the region. The Tamil superstar, popularly known as “Thalapathy” (leader), said, “The ruling All India NR Congress (AINRC)-BJP alliance is a tired alliance. Like Tamil Nadu, the opposition DMK-Congress alliance in Puducherry is a confused alliance.”He also introduced TVK’s candidates and described them as leaders who “stand with the people” and outlined a series of welfare promises. These include:

The Puducherry Legislative Assembly has 33 members, of whom 30 are elected and three are nominated by the Central Government. Voting for the 30 seats will take place on April 9, with over 9.4 lakh voters deciding the fate of 294 candidates. Counting of votes is scheduled to take place on May 4 along with assembly election results in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, with voting taking place around the same period as Puducherry.

Haj 2026 preparations ramp up with early visas, strict deadlines and Nusuk booking as registrations exceed 1.2 million globally / Image: File

saudi arabia Preparations for Hajj 2026 (1447 AH) have been accelerated, with earlier visa processing, strict timelines and a fully digital system introduced to manage millions of pilgrims.According to the official timeline, the Hajj is expected to take place between May 24 and May 29, 2026, with international arrivals scheduled from April 18 to May 21.In a major change, the Haj and Umrah ministry started issuing visas from February 8, 2026, a few months before the pilgrimage. This initial rollout is intended to improve coordination and avoid last-minute travel chaos.Saudi authorities have also imposed strict booking deadlines, instructing governments and private operators globally to finalize arrangements well in advance to secure accommodation and transportation.

Nusuk registration, and new Saudi rules

For Hajj 2026, Saudi Arabia has made the Nussuq platform the central system for the entire pilgrimage process. This integrated digital platform now handles everything from visa applications to on-ground services, eliminating the need for multiple intermediaries.Through Nusuk, pilgrims can not only register but also book and manage key components of their journey. These include accommodation and guided service packages in Mecca and Medina intercity transportation. One of the most sought-after features is the ability to book Rawdah (Riyaz ul Jannat) travel permits to the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, which are issued in limited slots and must be reserved in advance.The platform also allows pilgrims to:

Officials say the system improves transparency and prevents fraud, especially after taking action against about 1,800 foreign travel agencies for service violations.As per the latest available updates, more than 1.2 million pilgrims globally have already registered or started applying, indicating strong demand. Final participation is expected to surpass 2 million, similar to pre-pandemic levels.Pilgrims can access Nusuk through its official website (nusuk.sa) or mobile app, and are advised to rely only on authorized channels for booking.

strict deadlines

Saudi Arabia has tightened rules for the transition from Umrah to Hajj in an effort to better manage crowds and prevent unauthorized migration. The government has clearly defined cut-off dates for Umrah pilgrims, ensuring that only registered Hajj participants remain in the country during peak days.Authorities stressed that these measures are necessary to maintain security in Mecca and Medina, where millions of people gather within a short period of time. The focus this year is on strict enforcement, with officials closely monitoring entry, exit and accommodation records through an integrated digital system.Broader regulatory efforts also include improved licensing rules for hotels and transportation providers, ensuring that only approved operators serve pilgrims during the season.

Travel, Flights and Hotels

From a travel perspective, Hajj 2026 is expected to be better organised, but slightly more complicated due to tighter controls and global uncertainties. Airlines in the Gulf and South Asia have already begun adjusting schedules to accommodate the initial travel window, with additional Hajj flights likely to begin operating closer to the departure dates.However, ongoing tensions in the region, particularly between the United States and Iran, have led to some airspace adjustments. Aviation experts say flights are unlikely to be cancelled, but there could be route changes and minor delays, especially on routes crossing sensitive areas.Hotel accommodation in Mecca and Medina is also undergoing strict regulation this year. Saudi authorities have introduced a seasonal licensing system to ensure quality standards, which may lead to limited availability and slightly higher prices in prime areas near the Grand Mosque.Pilgrims are advised to finalize bookings early, stick to authorized platforms and be flexible in travel plans. Those traveling from Gulf countries such as the UAE, Qatar and Oman are expected to benefit from reduced travel times, but will still have to follow the same strict documentation and scheduling requirements.

What does it mean?

For Gulf-based pilgrims, the 2026 Hajj season offers better planning tools but demands tighter discipline. Early visa rollouts and digital systems make the process more efficient, but missing deadlines or failing to meet the requirements may result in disqualification.Saudi Arabia’s approach reflects a broader shift toward a technology-driven, tightly regulated pilgrimage system aimed at improving safety and managing record participation levels. Additionally, changing geopolitical circumstances mean travelers should remain mindful of advisories and plan with extra caution.

उत्तर प्रदेश के फतेहपुर जिले से एक बेहद संवेदनशील और चिंताजनक मामला सामने आया है, जिसने सभी को हैरान कर दिया है. मामला सामने आया है कि एक निजी स्कूल में कक्षा एक की पांच साल की बच्ची के साथ छेड़छाड़ की जा रही थी. यह घटना उस जगह हुई जहां बच्चों को शिक्षा और सुरक्षा मिलनी चाहिए. इस मामले ने न सिर्फ परिवार बल्कि पूरे समाज को चिंता में डाल दिया है. पुलिस मामले की जांच कर रही है और आरोपी की तलाश की जा रही है.

स्कूल में हुआ हादसा, बच्ची की हालत बिगड़ी
जानकारी के मुताबिक, यह घटना राधानगर थाना क्षेत्र के एक निजी स्कूल की है. बच्ची रोजाना की तरह स्कूल गई थी, लेकिन बाद में उसकी तबीयत बिगड़ गई. जब परिवार ने उनकी हालत गंभीर देखी तो उन्हें तुरंत अस्पताल ले जाया गया। जांच के बाद डॉक्टरों ने बताया कि बच्ची के साथ कुछ गलत काम होने की आशंका है, जिसके बाद परिवार ने पुलिस को सूचना दी.

पुलिस की जांच और बयान
इस मामले में पुलिस अधीक्षक अभिमन्यु मांगलिक ने बताया कि बच्ची के शरीर से खून निकलने की जानकारी मिलने पर परिजन उसे अस्पताल ले गये. डॉक्टरों की प्रारंभिक जांच के बाद घटना की पुष्टि हुई। पुलिस तुरंत मौके पर पहुंची और जांच शुरू की गई. हालांकि, बच्ची अभी तक आरोपी की पहचान नहीं कर पाई है.

आरोपियों की तलाश जारी है
पुलिस का कहना है कि इस घटना में 11-12 साल के एक छात्र के शामिल होने की आशंका है, लेकिन अभी तक उसकी पहचान नहीं हो पाई है. फिलहाल आरोपी लापता बताया जा रहा है. पुलिस आसपास के लोगों और स्कूल से जुड़े लोगों से पूछताछ कर रही है।

कानूनी कार्यवाही एवं आगे की प्रक्रिया
पुलिस ने इस मामले में POCSO एक्ट के तहत मामला दर्ज कर लिया है और आगे की कानूनी कार्रवाई की जा रही है. लड़की को मेडिकल जांच के लिए भेजा गया है और डॉक्टर उसकी देखभाल कर रहे हैं। प्रशासन का कहना है कि जल्द ही दोषी को पकड़ लिया जाएगा और कड़ी कार्रवाई की जाएगी.

(रिपोर्ट:देवेंद्र सिंह,फतेहपुर)

Inspired by her father’s teachings on the importance of feeding the hungry, actress Miranlini Ravi recently served food to 1,000 people in Tiruvannamalai. This act of compassion deeply rooted in family values ​​has earned him widespread praise from his fans, who praise his dedication to social service along with his growing film career.

Actress Mirnalini Ravi has once again shown her caring nature through a meaningful social service activity. The star of this film industry, despite being busy with his film work, is always ready to try his best for charity. And most recently, he performed Annadhanam in Tiruvannamalai, where he served food to a crowd of 1,000 people. The scheme involves giving assistance and feeding the unfortunate and poor persons in the temple town. Local people voluntarily helped by providing assistance and support in various ways. Fans on social media platforms acknowledged the actress for not only helping the needy but also for her sensitivity in bringing change by using her short-lived fame.

Actress says family values ​​inspired her to feed the hungry

When reporters asked the reason behind this service, Mirnalini Ravi shared an emotional explanation. According to The Indian Express, she said that her father instilled in her the habit of helping people with food. According to him, he always believed that feeding the hungry is one of the greatest donations. His father Ravi was born in Kurinjipadi near Vadalur, a place associated with the teachings of Vallalar, who emphasized compassion and kindness. Mirnalini said that these values ​​deeply influenced her while growing up. He also mentioned that his parents, who are from Puducherry, keep guiding and encouraging him to help others whenever possible.

Mirnalini Ravi’s charity work gets praise from fans

Mirnalini Ravi, who often participates in this type of activity, has done similar work before. The famous actress, as part of her charity initiative to help the underprivileged, participated in a food program within her means. Mirnalini Ravi demonstrated her unwavering sense of social responsibility through her food program for 1,000 people in Tiruvannamalai. Many attendees of the event were very grateful for the assistance given. Furthermore, many fans were inspired by her initiative, as they felt it was really commendable for a young actress to participate in charitable events while trying to pursue a career in the film industry.

Mirnalini Ravi balances social work with her film career

Moreover, apart from her charity work, Mirnalini Ravi is also focusing on her prosperous career in Tamil and Telugu cinema. She initially gained recognition through social media reels, which she later used as a platform to enter the film industry. The actress made her debut in Vijay Sethupathi’s film ‘Super Deluxe’ and later appeared in several films including ‘Enemy’, ‘Cobra’ and ‘Romeo’. Before acting, he studied engineering and worked at IBM. Furthermore, Mirnalini revealed that her new series, ‘Free Love’ is coming soon, and she is eagerly selecting the scripts for her next films.