Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar’s daughter Anaya Bangar has revealed that she has successfully undergone gender-affirmation surgery in Thailand, marking an important step in her personal journey. Sharing the update on social media, Anaya reflected on the emotional process and the support system that helped her through it.

The post, which also included a photo from the hospital, showed Anaya with her father after surgery, a moment she described as very meaningful. He spoke about how challenging this journey was not only for him but for his entire family, as acceptance and understanding developed over time.

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Anaya wrote in the caption, “This journey was not easy not only for me, but also for my family. It took time to understand, accept and stand with me. It was not instant. There were confusion, questions and moments of growth for all of us. But today, standing here, I am filled with nothing but gratitude.”

He also highlighted his father’s role during this phase.

She added, “Having my dad by my side during one of the most important moments of my life means everything. His support didn’t come overnight, but when it came, it was real, unconditional, and strong. This surgery was a big step for me, but having him by my side made it possible. Growth takes time. Love takes time. But when it comes, it’s worth everything. Grateful. Always.”

Anaya Bangar’s transformation journey

Anaya’s journey has taken shape over the years as she has gradually identified herself as a transgender woman. Male at birth and previously known as Aryan, he had previously taken up cricket, following in his father’s footsteps, and featured in age-group setups including the Mumbai Under-16, Pondicherry Under-19 trials and Mumbai Under-23 trials.

His transition becomes more public in 2023 When she started hormone replacement therapy (HRT), she shared parts of the process on social media. Although this brought a sense of personal clarity, it also brought challenges, especially in cricket, where physical changes affected his ability to compete at the same level.

In a recent conversation with India Today partner Manch Lallantop, Anaya spoke openly about the journey, Both the support they received and the difficult moments they faced, including incidents of harassment in the field of sport, were highlighted.

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Two foreign nationals were arrested after reportedly attempting to enter a high-security British naval base that houses Britain’s nuclear-armed submarines, raising fresh security concerns amid rising tensions in the Middle East.Police detained a 34-year-old Iranian man and a 31-year-old Romanian woman near HM Naval Base Clyde, commonly known as Faslane, on Thursday evening. The base, located near Helensburgh in Scotland, is home to the United Kingdom’s fleet of nuclear submarines, including submarines armed with Trident missiles.Officials said the couple approached the site and asked for entry but were denied entry. They reportedly remained nearby before being arrested on suspicion of suspicious activity. Officials confirmed that they had not breached the security perimeter of the base.

Allegations unclear, investigation ongoing

Police Scotland said both men are due to appear at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Monday. The exact nature of the allegations have not yet been disclosed, with officials citing an ongoing investigation.Security agencies have not confirmed any links to espionage or terrorism, but sources acknowledged increased vigilance in relation to the current geopolitical environment, particularly Iran.A Royal Navy spokesman said the matter was under investigation and declined to comment further.

Strategic importance of Faslane base

Faslane is one of Britain’s most sensitive military installations. It hosts the country’s Vanguard-class submarines, which carry Trident nuclear missiles and form the backbone of Britain’s nuclear deterrent. The base also supports the Astute class attack submarines.Nearby, the Royal Naval Armaments Depot at Coalport stores the UK’s nuclear weapons. The country has maintained a continuous maritime nuclear deterrent since 1969.The base has also been a focal point of anti-nuclear activism for decades. A peace camp, established in the early 1980s, continues to operate out of the facility, holding protests against nuclear weapons and military policy.

is increasing middle east tensions

The incident comes at a time when global tensions have risen following recent US and Israeli attacks on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation against friendly countries in the region.In a related development, reports have emerged that Iran fired ballistic missiles towards a joint US-UK military base in the Indian Ocean, although no damage was caused. Meanwhile, citing collective self-defence, the UK has expanded its support for US operations aimed at securing key shipping routes near the Strait of Hormuz.Although investigators have not linked the Faslane incident to the wider conflict, the timing has intensified scrutiny of potential foreign threats on British soil.

Defense Minister -Rajnath Singh Praised the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand on Saturday -Pushkar Singh DhamiBecause of his leadership abilities he is called “Dhurandhar Dhami”.Addressing a public meeting here on the completion of four years of the Uttarakhand government, the Defense Minister expressed pride and confidence in the CM Dhami-led government and credited him for the development of the state. He said, “This meeting has been organized on the occasion of completion of four-year tenure of Pushkar Dhami. During the elections, I had told him that under his leadership BJP would win and BJP won a clear majority. I had once said in a meeting, ‘Our Dhami is not ordinary, he is Dhakad Dhami… Now, he should be called Dhurandhar Dhami. Uttarakhand has achieved leading position in the country in many fields.’ Singh also recalled his tenure as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, during which the state of Uttarakhand was formed. The Defense Minister said, “The land of Uttarakhand is the land of gods (Devbhoomi). I have also served as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand for 10-12 days. It was during my tenure as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh that Uttarakhand was created. Uttarakhand is the land of faith, spirituality, culture and sages; it is revered as a place of penance.” Furthermore, the Defense Minister reflected on the ongoing tensions in West Asia and said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government aims to resolve it through “dialogue and diplomacy”.“Today the entire world is going through a crisis. This is a matter of concern not only for India but for the entire world. Even today our Prime Minister has said that the solution to the war will not come through war, but through dialogue and diplomacy.” This global problem must be resolved through dialogue and diplomatic efforts.” He praised the Prime Minister’s efforts in dealing with a possible energy or fertilizer crisis, which he said could emerge due to the conflict. “Given the present global crisisIt is possible that like other countries, we too may have to face an energy or fertilizer crisis. However, our Prime Minister, through his charismatic intelligence and foresight, has so far prevented India from getting trapped in this crisis. Uttarakhand should also support the efforts being made by our Prime Minister to resolve this crisis at the global level.”He said, “Our Prime Minister has charismatically raised India’s head in the world. Today, when India speaks on international platforms, the world listens attentively.”

लखनऊ में इस बार ईद-उल-फितर का त्योहार शांति और सौहार्द के साथ मनाया गया. शहर के ऐशबाग ईदगाह में सुबह 10 बजे ईद की नमाज शुरू हुई, जिसमें 50 हजार से ज्यादा लोग शामिल हुए. नमाज के दौरान ईदगाह पूरी तरह भर गया और आसपास के गलियारों में भी लोगों की भीड़ देखी गयी. नमाज के बाद लोगों ने एक दूसरे के गले मिलकर ईद की मुबारकबाद दी और भाईचारे का संदेश दिया.

सुरक्षा के पुख्ता इंतजाम, प्रशासन हाई अलर्ट पर
ईद के मौके पर शहर में सुरक्षा के कड़े इंतजाम किये गये थे. पूरे इलाके में पुलिस का सख्त पहरा था और सड़कों पर भी जवान तैनात थे. प्रशासन ने लखनऊ में हाई अलर्ट घोषित कर दिया था, ताकि किसी तरह की कोई अव्यवस्था न हो. नमाज के दौरान और उसके बाद पुलिस पूरी तरह अलर्ट दिखी।

बड़े नेताओं की मौजूदगी रही खास
इस मौके पर कई बड़े नेता भी ऐशबाग ईदगाह पहुंचे. नमाज के दौरान समाजवादी पार्टी नेता अखिलेश यादव, बीजेपी के राज्यसभा सांसद और पूर्व डिप्टी सीएम दिनेश शर्मा, कांग्रेस प्रदेश अध्यक्ष अजय राय और वरिष्ठ बीजेपी नेता रीता बहुगुणा जोशी भी मौजूद रहीं. सभी नेताओं ने लोगों को ईद की बधाई दी.

नेताओं ने एकता और शांति का संदेश दिया
अखिलेश यादव ने कहा कि कुछ दिन पहले हमने होली पर गले मिलकर त्योहार मनाया था और अब ईद पर भी हम उसी तरह मिल रहे हैं. उन्होंने कहा कि ये हमारी हिंदुस्तानियत है. उन्होंने दुनिया में शांति और चल रहे युद्ध जैसे हालात के खत्म होने की भी कामना की. वहीं, अजय राय और दिनेश शर्मा ने भी एक-दूसरे का नाम लेकर लोगों को ईद की बधाई दी और भाईचारे का संदेश दिया. दिनेश शर्मा ने ऐशबाग ईदगाह और ऐशबाग रामलीला मैदान के बारे में भी जानकारी साझा की.

नमाज के बाद भाईचारे का संदेश गूंजा
नमाज के बाद ईदगाह में खुशी का माहौल देखा गया. लोगों ने एक-दूसरे को गले लगाया और मिठाइयां खिलाकर त्योहार की खुशियां बांटीं। पूरे शहर में शांति और प्रेम का संदेश फैलता नजर आया.

प्रशासन की विशेष व्यवस्था सफल
ईद के मौके पर प्रशासन की ओर से किये गये विशेष इंतजाम सफल रहे. भारी भीड़ के बावजूद कार्यक्रम शांतिपूर्वक संपन्न हुआ और लोगों ने मिलकर त्योहार का लुत्फ उठाया.

Prasad Sanya, group business head of TOI, Indiatimes and WhatsApp

Lucknow: The eighth edition of The Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2025 began on a grand note in Lucknow on Saturday, celebrating the tireless spirit and excellence of India’s finest athletes. Amidst a gathering of sports stalwarts, Olympic heroes and rising stars, Prasad Sanyal, Group Business Head, TOI, Indiatimes and WhatsApp, delivered an inspiring inaugural address that outlined the evolution of the awards from an event to a national movement.Welcoming the distinguished audience to the heart of Uttar Pradesh, Sanyal highlighted that TOISA has become the cornerstone of the Indian sporting calendar. “Years ago when we first conceptualized the Times of India Sports Awards, we had a simple yet powerful vision – to create a platform that truly celebrates the spirit of Indian sports,” Sanyal said. “Not just wins, not just medals, but the journey, the struggle, the sweat and the unwavering determination that defines every athlete’s story.”This year’s theme, “More Sweat More Glory” was the focal point of the evening. Sanyal emphasized that the accolades presented on stage were merely the tip of the iceberg, representing years of invisible sacrifice.“Glory doesn’t come easily. It comes from countless hours spent in the gym when no one is watching. It comes from early morning training sessions when the world is still asleep. It comes from getting up after every fall, every defeat, every setback and saying ‘one more time.’ That’s what our athletes do. day to day. year after year. And tonight, we honor that sentiment,” he said. Celebrating the awards in Lucknow for the third consecutive year, Sanyal lauded the growing role of the host state as a nursery for champions. On this occasion, he said that the change in the sports landscape of Uttar Pradesh before the arrival of Honorable Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has been “remarkable”.Acknowledging the distinguished jury comprising stalwarts like Leander Paes, Mithali Raj, Abhinav Bindra, Devendra Jhajharia, Sharath Kamal and PR Sreejesh, Sanyal remarked that their presence bridges the gap between past glory and future potential.In a poignant moment of his address, Sanyal paid special tribute to the para-athletes present. “To our para-athletes, you are champions of the human spirit. Your courage and resilience teach us what true strength really means,” he said, reiterating TOI’s commitment to sports as a source of national inspiration rather than mere entertainment.Concluding his address with a call to light the fire in the next generation, Sanyal kicked off the festivities: “Let’s make this evening unforgettable. Let’s cheer for our champions. Let’s celebrate their sweat, their glory and their incredible journey! Thank you, and let’s have a wonderful evening! Jai Hind!”

The search for Gautam Rajinikanth, the 17-year-old Indian-origin student who went missing in Pittsburgh earlier this week, has come to a tragic end. His heartbroken parents have now confirmed that he passed away just days after he was reported missing. In an emotional message shared through the GoFundMe campaign, Gautham’s parents, Rajinikanth Jayaseelan and Gayatri Krishnamurthy, urged the community to come together to honor their son’s memory.“In lieu of flowers or gifts, we are asking for donations to support causes that are close to Gautam’s and our hearts as well as making a meaningful difference to others.”They further said that they hope to “transform grief into action” by supporting initiatives that help those in need.

Who was Gautam Rajinikanth??

Gautam Rajinikanth was a 11th grade student at South Fayette High School and a well-liked member of his community. Described by his family as “kind and caring”, he had a close relationship with his younger brother and maintained a relatively private but meaningful social life among friends and neighbours.A talented musician, Gautam excelled in multiple instruments. He played violin with the Three Rivers Young People’s Orchestra and Sahana Band, while also playing clarinet in his school’s wind group, trumpet in the pep band, and piano for years.Beyond education and music, he was deeply committed to martial arts. Having trained in karate since the age of seven, he earned a second degree black belt in Tang Soo Do and is working toward his third degree certification.From building Legos to exploring outdoor activities, he also loved animals, nature and simple joys.

Fundraising surpasses initial goal

The family started a fundraising event organized by Nivedha Suresh to support local causes. The initial goal of US$75,000 was reached within two days, leading to a temporary halt in donations. Contributions began to flow again soon thereafter, bringing the total to over US$83,000 from more than a thousand donors.The funds raised will be distributed:

Mystery over disappearance and death

Gautam was reported missing earlier in the week, following which South Fayette Township Police began searching for him. Authorities later called off the search without providing clear details, leading to widespread speculation and concern within the Indian-American community.Authorities have not yet confirmed the circumstances or events that led to his death.

last farewell

A memorial service for Gautam was held on March 19 at the Beinhauer Funeral Home in Pennsylvania, where friends and family gathered to celebrate his life.He is survived by his parents, his younger brother Ashwin and an extended family of grandparents, relatives and friends, all of whom remember him as a thoughtful, talented young man whose life left a lasting impact.

Now with the announcement of the Assam Assembly elections schedule, several key issues like eviction, infiltration and development projects are expected to dominate the campaign rhetoric of political parties ahead of the elections.BJP currently has 64 MLAs in the 126-member Assam Assembly. Among its allies, there are nine MLAs from Assam Gana Parishad (AGP), seven from United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) and three from Bodoland People’s Front (BPF).