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East AIADMK Chief V.K. Sasikala Recently announced the name of its new political party- All India Puratchi Thalaivar Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. The move signals a new phase in his political journey. Outlining her political plans, Sasikala said, “I will work to the best of my ability and use my 39 years of political experience to remove the DMK government.”

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His entry into the state assembly elections comes at a time when the elections are expected to see a high-stakes contest between Edappadi K Palaniswami-led All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), Chief Minister MK Stalin and the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) led by his son. Udayanidhi StalinApart from new entrants like actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK).Sasikala, once a close aide of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, has had a political journey spanning decades, marked by loyalty to the AIADMK leadership as well as controversies, legal battles and changes in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape following Jayalalithaa’s death in 2016.

From confidant to political contender: Who is VK Sasikala?

VK Sasikala is known for her long association with Jayalalitha and the AIADMK. For decades, she remained one of Jayalalitha’s closest aides and confidants, a relationship that gradually brought her to the center of Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.Born in Mannargudi in Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu and a high school dropout, Sasikala’s early life was very different and simple. This association strengthened over the years, with Sasikala emerging as one of the most trusted figures in Jayalalitha’s inner circle and often acting as a mediator between the AIADMK leadership and party workers.

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Following Jayalalitha’s death, the AIADMK General Council unanimously appointed Sasikala as the party’s General Secretary, placing her at the helm of the party founded by MG Ramachandran.Taking over as general secretary, Sasikala said, “Amma (Jayalalitha) is no longer with us but our party will rule here for the next 100 years.” His promotion came amid a leadership vacuum within the party and for some time established him as the central figure in the political future of the AIADMK.

However, Sasikala’s political career has also been full of controversies and legal battles. He was earlier sent to 30 days judicial custody in connection with the color TV scam and later convicted in the disproportionate assets case linked to the Jayalalithaa government of the 1990s. In February 2017, the Supreme Court upheld his conviction and sentenced him to four years in prison, bringing an abrupt end to his bid to assume the post of Chief Minister in Tamil Nadu.

He surrendered before a special court at Parappana Agrahara Central Jail in Bengaluru to serve his sentence.The same year, allegations also surfaced when a senior Karnataka prison official claimed that Sasikala had bribed prison officials for preferential treatment while in custody. His claim has been refuted. He was later released after four years in 2021. Meanwhile, political developments within the AIADMK continued to reshape his role in the party. Nearly nine months after he was appointed interim general secretary following Jayalalitha’s death, the AIADMK General Council passed a resolution in September 2017 removing him from the post and abolishing the post altogether.

A bond between ‘Amma’ and ‘Chinamma’

Sasikala’s political rise is closely linked to the career of Jayalalitha, who is popularly known as “Amma” (Mother) among her supporters. For decades, Sasikala remained one of Jayalalitha’s closest confidants, and earned her the nickname “Chinnamma” (little mother) among a section of party workers who considered her part of the late leader’s inner circle.Sasikala’s association with Jayalalitha began in 1982 when her husband M Natarajan, then a government public relations officer, introduced her to the AIADMK leader. What began as a personal acquaintance soon grew into a close relationship, and Sasikala gradually became a frequent presence at Jayalalithaa’s residence. By 1988, she moved to the late leader’s Poes Garden home in Chennai.

Over the years, Sasikala’s closeness to the AIADMK leader wielded considerable influence within the party. Since Jayalalitha maintained a tightly controlled political circle and remained largely inaccessible to many party officials, Sasikala often acted as an intermediary between the leadership and the cadre. Sasikala often traveled with Jayalalitha and was seen as one of the few people with direct access to the powerful chief minister.Party leaders and candidates seeking posts or election tickets often sent their requests through him, gradually cementing his reputation as a powerful figure behind the scenes within the AIADMK. His influence within the party increased during the years when the AIADMK was in power in Tamil Nadu.

Many leaders who later rose in the party are believed to have benefited from Sasikala’s support. These included O Panneerselvam, who later became the state CM and a central figure in the party’s internal power struggle following Jayalalithaa’s death.Despite wielding influence within the party structure, Sasikala rarely held formal political office during Jayalalitha’s lifetime. Jayalalitha never formally introduced Sasikala as her political successor. His role remained largely informal.However, relations between the two were not without turmoil. In 1996 and again in 2012, Jayalalitha briefly distanced herself from Sasikala, expelling her and several members of her extended family from the Poes Garden residence and accusing them of anti-party activities. When Jayalalitha was hospitalized in 2016, Sasikala stayed with her. After the Chief Minister’s death later that year, she returned to Poe’s Garden.By then, Sasikala had become a deeply embedded figure in the party’s ecosystem – a confidant who had spent more than three decades with one of Tamil Nadu’s most influential political leaders.

Behind bars: Sasikala’s jail saga

In September 2014, a special court sentenced Sasikala and her co-accused to four years in jail along with a fine of Rs 10 crore after finding them guilty of amassing assets disproportionate to known sources of income during their close relationship with Jayalalithaa.After the conviction was upheld by the Supreme Court in February 2017, Sasikala surrendered before the special court at Parappana Agrahara Central Jail in Bengaluru on February 14, 2017. AIADMK aide, her sister-in-law J Ilavarasi and Jayalalitha’s foster son VN Sudhakaran were immediately taken into custody. Before surrendering she paid homage at Jayalalithaa’s memorial and visited MG Ramachandran’s residence. During her four-year jail term, allegations of preferential treatment emerged, with police officer D Roopa claiming that Sasikala had bribed jail officials for special facilities, including a private kitchen.

Despite these claims, his prison sentence prevented him from contesting elections, halting his immediate ambitions to become Chief Minister.After serving her sentence, Sasikala was finally released in January 2021. His formal release took place at Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru, where he was undergoing treatment for Covid-19. Following protocol, she remained in the hospital for some time before re-entering the political arena. A crowd of supporters gathered outside the hospital, raising slogans and distributing sweets to celebrate his return.

Sasikala’s political equation with AIADMK

Soon after Jayalalitha’s death, the AIADMK General Council unanimously appointed Sasikala as the party’s interim general secretary, marking the first time that she formally assumed a leadership role within the organization. At that time, O Panneerselvam, a long-time Jayalalitha loyalist, was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.However, within a few weeks tensions began to surface. In February 2017, Panneerselvam launched an attack against Sasikala, claiming that she was forced to resign as Chief Minister and accusing her camp of attempting to consolidate control over both the party and the government.

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Amidst the increasing power struggle, AIADMK chose Sasikala as its leader and she staked claim to form the government. However, his bid to become Chief Minister failed when the Supreme Court upheld his conviction and forced him to surrender and serve his jail sentence. Before being jailed, Sasikala appointed Edappadi K Palaniswami as the AIADMK legislature party leader, paving the way for her to take over as chief minister.This deepened the divisions within the party. While Palaniswami emerged as the head of the government, Panneerselvam continued his rebellion, eventually leading to talks that resulted in the merger of factions within the AIADMK in 2017.

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As part of the restructuring, the party briefly abolished the post of General Secretary in 2017 which was later revived in 2022.Speaking at Jayalalithaa’s memorial in Chennai, Panneerselvam claimed that he was pressured to step down from the post of CM. He said, “I am placing these facts before you to make things clear to the public. I will continue to fight. If the people, the MLAs want, I will withdraw my resignation.” In the years that followed, relations between Sasikala and the AIADMK leadership remained tense. Both Palaniswami and Panneerselvam had publicly distanced themselves from him and said that the party would work independently of his influence.

Why is Sasikala forming a new party now?

After years of being sidelined from the AIADMK, Sasikala looks to be paving an independent political path as Tamil Nadu approaches the next assembly elections. Furthermore, the abolition of the general secretary post and consolidation of the leadership effectively closed the doors to Sasikala’s return to the party’s organizational structure.

Against this backdrop, the new organization represents an attempt to re-establish its political presence in a state where the legacy of Jayalalithaa and the AIADMK still holds electoral significance. Outlining her plans for the future, Sasikala said that her political experience will guide her next steps in Tamil Nadu politics.The party’s new flag consisted of black, white and red horizontal stripes bearing the photographs of Dravidian icons CN Annadurai, MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalitha.The party’s symbol depicts ‘Thenthoppu’ (coconut grove), indicating “unity” and that the party will function like a “joint family”.Sasikala also launched a scathing attack on Palaniswami for allegedly betraying her after appointing him as the Chief Minister in 2017. Launching the party, she said, “I remained silent for so many years in the hope of unity, but the present circumstances have forced me to take this decision. To remain inactive now would be a betrayal of the party workers and the people of Tamil Nadu.”

Sasikala’s next political test!

For decades, Sasikala worked behind the scenes as she remained closely associated with Jayalalitha and the political legacy of the AIADMK. However, today she appears ready to take the next step by expanding her political sphere.There is going to be a massive face-off between all the competing parties in Tamil Nadu on 23rd April. With the launch of Sasikala’s new political party, she is once again coming into the limelight, this time as the face of her political movement.

उत्तर प्रदेश समाचार: उत्तर प्रदेश के चित्रकूट जिले से शिक्षा व्यवस्था को शर्मसार कर देने वाला एक मामला सामने आया है। यहां के एक प्राइमरी स्कूल का वीडियो सोशल मीडिया पर वायरल हो रहा है, जिसमें स्कूल की प्रधानाध्यापिका क्लासरूम के अंदर एक छात्र से पैरों की मालिश कराती नजर आ रही हैं. बताया जा रहा है कि यह वीडियो करीब 21 सेकेंड का है और इसे देखकर शिक्षा विभाग के अधिकारी भी हैरान रह गए. मामला सामने आने के बाद विभाग ने तुरंत जांच की और जांच में वीडियो सही पाए जाने पर महिला प्रधानाध्यापिका को तत्काल प्रभाव से निलंबित कर दिया गया. इस घटना के बाद पूरे इलाके में चर्चा शुरू हो गई है.

क्लास में चटाई पर लेटे दिखे प्रिंसिपल
जानकारी के मुताबिक, यह वीडियो चित्रकूट जिले के नया बाजार इलाके में स्थित एक प्राथमिक विद्यालय का बताया जा रहा है. वायरल वीडियो में प्रिंसिपल मधु राय कक्षा के अंदर फर्श पर बिछी चटाई पर लेटी हुई नजर आ रही हैं. इसी बीच एक छात्र अपने पैरों की मालिश करता नजर आ रहा है. वीडियो में यह भी देखा गया कि मसाज कराते वक्त वह अपने मोबाइल फोन का इस्तेमाल कर रही थीं. पढ़ाई के समय इस तरह की हरकत सामने आने के बाद शिक्षा विभाग में हड़कंप मच गया।

जांच के बाद विभाग ने कार्रवाई की
मामले की गंभीरता को देखते हुए बेसिक शिक्षा अधिकारी बीके शर्मा ने तत्काल नगर शिक्षा अधिकारी अतुलदत्त तिवारी को जांच की जिम्मेदारी सौंपी। जांच के दौरान शिक्षा अधिकारी ने स्कूल का दौरा कर वहां पढ़ने वाली छात्राओं से बात की और उनके बयान दर्ज किये. इसके बाद पूरी जांच रिपोर्ट बीएसए को सौंपी गई। जांच में वीडियो की सच्चाई सामने आने के बाद विभाग ने प्रिंसिपल मधु राय को तत्काल प्रभाव से निलंबित कर दिया.

ग्रामीणों ने लगाए गंभीर आरोप
घटना के बाद गांव के लोगों ने कई आरोप भी लगाए हैं. ग्रामीणों का कहना है कि यह पहली बार नहीं है कि छात्राओं से मसाज की गई हो, बल्कि काफी समय से ऐसा किया जा रहा था. उनका आरोप है कि स्कूल में पढ़ाई के बजाय बच्चों से दूसरे काम करवाए जाते थे, जिससे उनकी पढ़ाई प्रभावित हो रही थी.

सभी शिक्षकों को दिये गये सख्त निर्देश
इस घटना के सामने आने के बाद शिक्षा विभाग ने अन्य शिक्षकों को भी सतर्क रहने का निर्देश दिया है. अधिकारियों का कहना है कि स्कूलों में इस तरह की लापरवाही बिल्कुल बर्दाश्त नहीं की जाएगी. मामले में आगे की कार्रवाई पर भी विचार किया जा रहा है.

“The tea is 15 rupees,” said the tea stall vendor outside Noida Sector 16A metro station, apologetically handing over a cup of tea that had suddenly become more expensive.When asked why the price had increased, the vendor offered a brief explanation with tired eyes, the “cylinder has gone very costly.” Even the samosas and pakoras at nearby stalls were being served cold. Cooking gas had become scarce, forcing many vendors to cut back on preparation. The scene reflects a broader reality unfolding across India as the ongoing Middle East conflict begins to affect everyday life thousands of kilometres away.Disruptions in energy shipments and rising global oil prices are now spilling into Indian households, factories, hostels and restaurants. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), a key fuel for cooking and several industries, has become increasingly difficult to obtain in many places, triggering panic bookings, long queues outside gas agencies and reports of black marketing.While the government maintains that supplies remain adequate, the situation on the ground tells a more complex story!

People wait in a long queue to refill their LPG in UP (Photo: ANI)

How global tensions triggered the LPG disruption

The current crisis has been linked to the widening conflict in the Middle East involving Iran, the United States and Israel. The situation has disrupted vessel movement through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime energy routes.The narrow waterway carries roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies and a large portion of the world’s LPG shipments. Any instability in the region sends shockwaves through global energy markets.The resulting volatility has quickly translated into higher LPG costs and supply uncertainties in India, which depends heavily on imports for its cooking gas needs.

As per reports, India imports nearly 60% of its LPG requirement, and about 90% of those shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz. This concentration of supply routes means geopolitical disruptions in the Gulf region can directly affect LPG availability in any country.

How India became highly dependent on LPG imports

India’s dependence on LPG imports has grown sharply over the years, mainly due to rising domestic demand that has outpaced production.LPG is produced as a byproduct during crude oil refining or natural gas processing. While India has increased imports of both crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), LPG imports have risen even more dramatically.Between 2011–12 and 2024–25, crude oil imports increased by about 40% in volume, while LNG imports doubled during the same period.

However, direct LPG imports have seen the steepest rise. They surged from just 1,722 thousand metric tonnes (TMT) in 1998–99 to 20,667 TMT in 2024–25, marking a nearly 12-fold increase over 27 years.This trend highlights a key shift in India’s energy basket. In 1998–99, LPG made up only 7.2% of total petroleum product imports. By 2024–25, LPG’s share had jumped to around 40%, making it the largest imported petroleum product by volume.But why? The gap between domestic production and consumption further explains this dependence. In FY24, India consumed 29.7 million tonnes of LPG, while domestic production stood at just 12.8 million tonnes, with the rest met through imports. In FY25, consumption rose to 31.3 million tonnes, while production remained unchanged at 12.8 million tonnes. Early estimates for FY26 show consumption at around 28 million tonnes, with production at about 10.7 million tonnes, again indicating heavy reliance on imports.Overall, India’s growing demand for cooking gas driven by rising household usage and policy push for cleaner fuels has made LPG one of the most import-dependent energy products in the country.

Rising prices add pressure on households

As of March 16, 2026, the price of a domestic 14.2 kg LPG cylinder in New Delhi is Rs 913. This has recently been hiked from Rs 853 earlier. Prices vary across major cities in India, reflecting regional transportation costs and local taxes. The rate currently stands at Rs 939 per cylinder in Kolkata, Rs 912.50 in Mumbai, and Rs 928.50 in Chennai. In Bengaluru, the price is Rs 915.50, while Bhubaneswar records a rate of Rs 939 per cylinder. The cost is relatively lower in Chandigarh at Rs 862.50, whereas consumers in Gurgaon pay Rs 921.50. The highest among these major cities is in Hyderabad, where the price has reached Rs 965 per cylinder.These rates apply to domestic cylinders used for household cooking. However, consumers say the bigger problem is availability. In several places, commercial LPG cylinders are reportedly being sold on the black market for nearly double the normal price. Cylinders that typically cost around Rs 1,400 are being sold for as much as Rs 3,000.The scarcity has pushed many small businesses to the brink.

Restaurants shut, street vendors struggle

Hotels, restaurants and food stalls that rely heavily on commercial LPG have been among the hardest hit.Several eateries have either reduced operations or temporarily shut down due to the shortage. For smaller vendors such as tea stalls and snack shops, cooking gas shortages mean cutting back on production or raising prices.This has had a negative impact on livelihoods. Workers in the hospitality sector face reduced wages or job losses as businesses struggle to stay open.Manufacturers are also beginning to feel the strain. Industrial facilities that use LPG for certain processes and for staff canteens report growing difficulty maintaining operations.

Factories revive firewood stoves

In several industrial areas, companies are experimenting with alternative cooking arrangements for workers. Factory canteens have begun reviving firewood stoves, a practice largely abandoned years ago.Some companies are switching to electric cooking devices such as induction cooktops, electric rice cookers and electric roti makers.Menus have also been simplified. Meals requiring significant gas consumption have been removed, while packaged foods, sandwiches and ready-to-eat items are being served instead.In some facilities, even tea supplies have been cut back to conserve fuel.The shortage is also beginning to affect labour mobility. The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India warned that the situation could push migrant workers to return to their hometowns if cooking facilities remain unavailable.“Workers shifted to small gas-enabled burners for cooking purposes as usage of wood was discouraged due to air pollution. Now, with LPG cylinder shortage, they are finding it difficult to cook at home, and also some of the factory canteens are shut, forcing them to leave for their native places,” said Vinnie Mehta, Director General of the association.“Currently, the situation is not like the COVID pandemic, but the situation can escalate if not resolved,” Mehta added.

Panic bookings overwhelm LPG systems

The shortage has also triggered panic buying across several cities. Consumers have rushed to book cylinders through mobile apps, websites and IVRS numbers, overwhelming booking systems and causing technical failures.Many people reported that online platforms crashed or displayed “server down” messages. As a result, thousands of customers have been forced to visit gas agency offices in person.Outside LPG outlets in cities such as Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow and Chennai, long queues have become a common sight.Women carrying empty cylinders, elderly residents and office workers who had taken time off from work have been waiting for hours outside distribution centres.Shashi Kant Sharma, vice-president of Federation of LPG Distributors of India, said the system was not built to handle such heavy traffic.“Bookings have risen tenfold, so the system has slowed. We are working on it at the backend,” he said. Even those who successfully placed orders have reported cancellation alerts or delays in delivery.The shortage is affecting vulnerable households most severely.Radha Rani, a 60-year-old resident of Delhi’s Ajmeri Gate area, was seen standing in a queue outside a gas agency with her grandson in her arms.“My three sons work. My daughter-in-law had a baby 15 days ago, and I have been coming here three days in a row,” she told TOI.According to her, the agency claims the supply runs out before her turn arrives. Others complain that phone calls to gas agencies go unanswered.A tea vendor in Noida said, “I tried calling the agency a lot many times but they didn’t pick or return my calls.”At some locations, police personnel have been deployed outside gas agencies to manage crowds.

Hostels and PG residents hit hard

The LPG shortage is also affecting students and working professionals living in paying guest hostels across the country.Hostel operators say they are struggling to maintain food services due to the scarcity of cylinders. Residents report that food quality has declined and meal options have been reduced.Many said the same breakfast dishes are repeated every day, while food cooked in the morning is sometimes reheated and served again for dinner.PG hostel owner in Vijayawada, K Deva Rani said operators were facing immense pressure. “Gas cylinders are not easily available, and in some cases we must arrange alternative cooking methods. Costs increased sharply, and we request students to cooperate until normal supplies are restored,” she told TOI.

Ready-to-cook foods trend back

As cooking gas becomes scarce, many households are turning to ready-to-cook or ready-to-eat food products. Retailers report that sales of frozen snacks, instant noodles and packaged meals have surged by nearly 20% month-on-month.“Categories such as ready meals, frozen snacks, instant noodles and ready-to-cook products have seen strong traction, leading to about a 10-12% rise in this segment. While the surge appears temporary, we are proactively stocking these categories to ensure adequate availability,” said Karan Ahuja, spokesperson at premium grocery retailer Le Marche.Food delivery companies and retailers have also begun promoting induction-friendly cookware and electric cooking appliances.Analysts say the shift toward convenience foods, which surged during the Covid-19 lockdowns, may once again become a lasting trend.

Black marketing and ghost deliveries surge

Alongside shortages, reports of black marketing and fraudulent deliveries have surfaced in several cities. In various cities, residents have complained that LPG cylinders are being marked as delivered in official records without actually reaching consumers.Abdus Salam, a resident of Patna’s Bhagwanpur, said his mother’s LPG account showed a refill delivered even though no cylinder had been received.“The gas agency sent a message showing a refill delivered on Feb 24, with the next booking allowed only on April 11, 2026. We did not take any cylinders in the last one year. We didn’t even book the gas, someone took it away. This is black-marketing by the gas agency. I’m really troubled by this,” he wrote on social media.Another resident said he paid for a refill but never received the cylinder. These complaints have raised concerns that some cylinders may be diverted to the black market while digital records are manipulated to show deliveries.

Government says supplies remain adequate

Despite the widespread concerns, government officials say there is no major shortage of fuel in the country. Sujata Sharma, joint secretary at the ministry of petroleum and natural gas, said crude oil inventories remain sufficient and refineries are operating at full capacity.During an inter-ministerial briefing on Tuesday, Sujata Sharma advised judicious consumption of LPG and also advised using alternate sources for cooking.“I would like to reiterate that the situation still remains a matter of concern. However, no LPG distributor is facing a dry-out situation at present. In addition, LPG supplies and cylinder deliveries for all domestic consumers are continuing as usual,” she said.“With regard to online booking, I would like to inform you that there has been significant improvement, and as of today, nearly 94% of cylinder bookings are being made online. There has also been improvement in the delivery authentication code system, which has now reached 76%. As far as commercial LPG supplies are concerned, these were initially completely halted but were later partially restored,” she added.The government has also said that supplies of PNG and CNG for transport and domestic use are being maintained fully.Authorities say domestic LPG supply is being prioritised, even as commercial LPG availability remains restricted. State governments have begun conducting raids to prevent hoarding and black marketing of cylinders.

Alternative fuels and policy measures

To ease pressure on LPG supplies, authorities have activated alternative fuels such as kerosene and coal for certain sectors including restaurants and hospitality businesses.Commercial LPG sales, which had earlier been curtailed, have now been partially restored.Consumers in cities with piped natural gas infrastructure are being encouraged to shift to PNG connections. Gas distribution companies have begun offering incentives to promote the transition.Financial analysts warn that if the Middle East conflict continues, the consequences could extend beyond LPG shortages.A report by Morgan Stanley said supply disruptions from the region could affect several industries across Asia, including manufacturing, agriculture and transport.“The rise in oil prices, if sustained, will take Asia’s oil burden to above its 10-year average. But beyond the rise in oil prices, we are more concerned about potential disruption risks to supply in the case of LNG,” the report said.Countries such as India, Thailand, South Korea and Taiwan are considered particularly exposed to such risks. The Middle East is also a major supplier of industrial materials such as fertilisers, sulphur, aluminium, helium and petrochemicals, which are critical inputs for several sectors.

Shipping routes remain under watch

In a small relief for India, two LPG carriers have recently crossed the Strait of Hormuz safely, with more to be back hopefully.Reports indicate that Iran allowed Indian-flagged LPG tankers to transit the region despite rising tensions. Currently, around 28 Indian vessels are operating in the Persian Gulf, with authorities closely monitoring their movement to ensure safety.For now, the effects of the Middle East conflict continue to ripple through India’s kitchens, factories and markets.What began as a geopolitical confrontation thousands of kilometres away has quickly turned into an everyday struggle for millions of people trying to cook meals, run businesses or keep factories running.Until energy shipments stabilise and supply chains return to normal, the humble LPG cylinder has become one of the most visible reminders of how global conflicts can reshape daily life at worst.(With inputs from Khushi Bhuta, Venu Lanka)

The security of the President of the country is a serious matter and the government administration is always alert about it. But just imagine, what if the President is in danger not from a human but from a monkey? Yes, these days a news is going viral on social media in which it is being said that in view of the President’s visit to Vrindavan on March 19, the administration has installed cutouts of monkeys in the streets of Vrindavan, so that the President along with his spectacles can also remain safe from monkeys.

Cutouts for President’s glasses installed in Vrindavan

In fact, the biggest thing that came before the administration before the visit of Draupadi Murmu on March 19 are the famous ‘Chashma Chor’ monkeys made here. These monkeys are very smart in snatching people’s glasses and in return of returning them they replace them with fake ones or make new ones like food and drink, some mini barter system is going on! Now that the President’s program has been decided, which includes the important places of Vrindavan, Oriya Baba Ashram, Ramakrishna Mission Hospital and Govardhan Jwalamukhi, the administration does not want this ‘Natkhat Gang’ to create any kind of disturbance.

President visits Mathura-Vrindavan on March 19

The administration is preparing to install cutouts of monkeys to get rid of the ‘Chashma Chor’ monkeys of Mathura-Vrinda. tell you that the President Draupadi Murmu Monkeys have become a bigger challenge for the administration on the 3-day tour proposed on March 19. To deal with this problem, the administration has planned a new solution. Now this matter is becoming increasingly viral on social media and consumers are also having fun with it.

Also read: This is love…Demand for medical bill for sick wife, 78 year old man becomes 78 year old man, story goes viral

User made funny comments

As soon as this matter went viral on social media, a fun discussion started among the consumers about it. Another celebrity wrote… When he has been cut out, then what is the role of Aadarsh. Another passenger wrote… Do anything, if the monkeys come to know that the President is there again, then theft of glasses and decorations will also be big. So another demon wrote… Kadar is a demon.

Also read: Nepal also has its own UPI… Indian tourist shared the video, it went viral

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heyOn February 28, the revised voter list of West Bengal was published after four grueling months of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise of the Election Commission of India (ECI). Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal pegged the number of voters after the SIR at 70.46 million, after 6.18 million deletions (see The Great Purge), which is 8.06 per cent less than 76.64 million before the exercise began. But the real headline was the asterisk: another 6 million voters were listed as ‘pending’, with their voting rights put on hold until judicial officials could decide their fate.

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TeaDuring the winter of 2025, all the news coming from the Bharatiya Janata Party organization was about the long-delayed election of a new party president. That season ended in the last week of December, when the BJP leadership announced that Bihar minister and five-time MLA Nitin Nabin would replace JP Nadda. As per party bylaws, 50 per cent quorum is required from the 36 state units (including Union Territories) to elect the national president. The party had a quorum: 31 state units had already been elected. This problem still persists in the remaining five states.

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UltraViolet, an innovator in sustainable mobility, has received investment from Qualcomm Ventures and Lingotto to expand its Series D round.

New Delhi : Ultraviolette Automotive Pvt. Ltd. will launch it electric two wheeler Ultraviolet F77 on 24 November. The company started its pre-orders on October 23 and the product will be introduced in a phased manner, with the first batch of motorcycles being delivered in Bengaluru. The company said in a media release that the IDC range of the F77 is 307 km on a single charge.

Ultraviolette, an innovator in sustainable mobility, has received investment From Qualcomm Ventures And Lingotto To expand Series D round. in investment From Qualcomm Ventures And Lingotto Will be deployed later to expand company’s presence in India Expansion in international markets, and strengthening the brand’s technical capabilities and skills. The release said.

Qualcomm Ventures invests in companies focused on 5G, Artificial Intelligence, Automotive, IoT, Enterprise & Cloud, and XR/Metaverse. Qualcomm Ventures has more than 150 companies in its portfolio and manages over US$2 billion of assets in the US, China, India, Israel, Europe, Latin America and Korea.

Lingotto (formerly Exor Capital) is a wholly owned subsidiary of EXOR NV, with the largest or controlling stake in the companies. sports car manufacturer ferrari (RACE.MI), Stellantis (STLA.MI) CNH Industrial (CNHI.MI), Iveco Group (IVG.MI), The Economist Group, Via, and soccer team Juventus (JUVE.MI).

Narayan Subramaniam, Co-Founder and CEO, UltraViolet, said, “As we count down to the commercial launch of the F77 in India, this investment is testament to the fact that we have been able to create a distinct identity for UltraViolet and the F77 and create aspiration for the product among a global audience. We look forward to the support of Qualcomm Ventures and Lingotto in our vision to redefine the future of electric mobility and take the F77 global.” Thrilled.” Event.”

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “Qualcomm Ventures is proud to support Ultraviolette, which is committed to raising the performance and safety standards of electric two-wheelers with best-in-class technologies, design and engineering,” said Quinn Lee, senior vice president and global head of Qualcomm Ventures.

“We look forward to enabling companies like UltraViolet to accelerate the transformation already underway in the automotive industry, providing not only access to capital, but also the opportunity to potentially leverage Qualcomm’s world-class technology innovations,” he said.

Nikhil Bava Srinivasan, Managing Partner of Lingotto, said, “Our continued support for UltraViolet is based on what it hopes to be a market-defining product.”

“While we are focused on the commercial availability of the F77 in India, we are also actively building a roadmap for our next generation,” said Neeraj Rajmohan, Co-Founder and CTO, Ultraviolette. Expansion in international markets, and this capital investment will be integral in expanding our efforts in some of these markets.

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The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) said the number of new vehicles registered in the EU, Britain and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) rose 14.1% to 910,753 units.

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US President Donald Trump said on Monday he was “shocked” by Iran’s decision to attack US allies in the Gulf region, while US officials and intelligence sources indicated that such retaliation was expected before the conflict began, according to Reuters. The comments come as the US-Israeli war over Iran enters its third week, with hostilities expanding beyond the initial target to engulf major parts of the Middle East. Iranian drone and missile attacks have increasingly targeted US military bases and allied infrastructure across the Gulf, raising concerns of escalating broader regional tensions.

“They (Iran) should not have gone after all these countries in the Middle East,” Trump said. “Nobody expected this. We were surprised.” He later repeated the claim, saying: “No one, no one, no, no, no. The biggest experts, no one thought they were going to be hit.” His comments come amid growing scrutiny over whether Washington adequately assessed the risks of retaliation before Israel launched the strikes on Iran on February 28. The growing scope of attacks, including civilian and energy infrastructure, has raised questions over the trajectory of the conflict and its global impacts.

Intelligence had flagged the risk of widespread retaliation

However, a US official and multiple sources familiar with the intelligence assessment told Reuters that an Iranian response, including attacks on countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait, was considered a likely outcome.Pre-war assessments did not say retaliation was certain, but it was “on the list of possible outcomes”, one source said. Officials also said Trump was told that attacking Iran could trigger a broader regional conflict, especially if Tehran perceives Gulf states as supporting US operations.He further indicated that Washington had been warned that Iran might attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz. Rockets and at least five drones targeted the US embassy in Baghdad early Tuesday in what Iraqi sources described as the most intense attack since the war began. No injuries were reported by US officials.Iran also launched missile attacks on Israel overnight, while the Israeli military said it was targeting “Iranian regime infrastructure” in Tehran and Hezbollah-linked sites in Beirut.

disruption in the strait of hormuz impact on global markets

The conflict has severely disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. Iran has effectively blocked most traffic through the route using drones and naval mines. Oil prices rose more than 5% on Tuesday amid supply concerns, with the market reacting to prolonged disruptions and rising geopolitical risks. Analysts warned of potential inflationary pressures and slower global growth.

Debate on the propriety of war

The intelligence revelations have also raised questions about the propriety of US involvement in Israel’s military operation against Iran on February 28. Some Democratic lawmakers said the briefing provided no evidence of an imminent threat that would require immediate military action.The White House and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not immediately comment on the intelligence assessment, Reuters reported.

war toll grows

According to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragachi, at least 2,000 people have been killed across the region in the conflict, including more than 200 Iranian children.