Why Diljit Dosanjh Is In Border 2 Despite Film Body Ban

Diljit Dosanjh was at the receiving end of a social media backlash after the trailer of his recently released Punjabi film Sardaar Ji 3, also featuring Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, dropped online. The film released overseas on June 27, 2025.

Following the controversy, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) had expressed disappointment and concern about the casting of actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh in the upcoming film Border 2.

Latest update from India Today suggests that Diljit Dosanjh will continue to be a part of Border 2. The development comes after film's producer Bhushan Kumar made a special request to the film body to make an exception as the movie is nearing the completion of its shooting.

What's Happening

• Amid the Hania Aamir-Sardaar Ji 3 row, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) appealed to Border 2 makers to oust Diljit Dosanjh from the upcoming film.
• The FWICE had sent a letter to Border 2 producers Bhushan Kumar, Chairman & Managing Director, T-Series, JP Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta Producers, JP Films, and director Anurag Singh.
• BN Tiwari, President of FWICE, told India Today why they allowed Diljit Dosanjh to be a part of Border 2 despite the ban.
• He said, "We met Bhushan Kumar a couple of times, and he shared with us how they had almost completed the shoot of the film. Only a small portion of the song remained to be shot at the NDA (National Defence Academy). He requested that it would cause a lot of difficulties for the production if they had to replace Diljit now. This is why we decided to revoke the ban on Border 2."
• Tiwari added, "Bhushan ji and his team were quite keen on taking a decision which is pro-country, but he also explained to us that the film is nearly 80-85 per cent complete. Most of the work with Diljit is over. So, he requested the federation to allow him to complete this film, and in the future, he will never cast him. That was the request he made, and he will be issuing a letter to us on the same." 
• The film body then came to the conclusion that they could not let producers incur financial losses.
• Tiwari said, "The federation will not bow down and hence will not be responsible for the heavy losses which will be suffered by the producers who decide to work with it in the future. As of now, we have taken a call to support our producer in this situation."
• Speaking for the remaining cast of Border 2, they said, "There's Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, and Ahan Shetty in the film, whom we have always supported. They also have a bigger role in the film. We have had a cordial relationship with the production house, and hence decided to let it go. Also, this film doesn't have any Pakistani actors, and talks about national integrity and our army. These were the reasons we considered their request and allowed the team to continue with Diljit."
• Earlier this week, Diljit Dosanjh put all rumours about his exit from Border 2 to rest after he shared a BTS video from the sets of the film.

FWICE's Letter To Team Border 2

On June 23, Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) expressed strongest condemnation and outrage against actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh, Gunbir Singh Sidhu, Manmord Sidhu and director Amar Hundal for casting Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in their upcoming film Sardaar Ji 3.

Following which they sent a letter to Bhushan Kumar, Chairman & Managing Director, T-Series, JP Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta Producers, JP Films, and director Anurag Singh, to remove Diljit Dosanjh from Border 2.

The letter read, "The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), representing the core workforce of the Indian film and television industry, is deeply disappointed and concerned by the casting of actor-singer Mr Diljit Dosanjh in your upcoming film Border 2 produced under the banner of JP Films in collaboration with T-Series and directed by Mr Anurag Singh."

Calling the casting decision "a blatant violation" of FWICE's official directive to boycott Mr Diljit Dosanjh, which was issued after his unpatriotic act of working with a Pakistani actress, Ms Hania Aamir, in the film Sardaar Ji 3.

The letter added, "By choosing to collaborate with an artist who has so brazenly ignored the ongoing tensions and national sentiment, your production has directly undermined the stand taken by the Indian film industry in solidarity with the nation."

Asserting how "disturbing" it is that a film like Border 2, which is supposed to honour the valour and sacrifice of Indian soldiers, has engaged an individual who has recently chosen to prioritise personal gain over national respect by associating with talent from a hostile nation. This not only defeats the spirit of the film but also sends a disheartening message to every Indian."

In A Nutshell

After Bhushan Kumar, producer of Border 2, requested FWICE for a special permission, they lifted the ban on Diljit Dosanjh for Border 2. However, they will continue to boycott him and not let filmmakers collaborate with him in the future.

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Man Made To Pay 10% Interest Per Month For 3.8 Lakhs Loan, Dies By Suicide

In a case of alleged usury and harassment, a 33-year-old small entrepreneur, Vikram, died by suicide in Puducherry, after he was unable to cope with relentless pressure from private moneylenders charging exorbitant interest. Vikram, who also worked at a chicken shop to support his family, had become immobile after an accident-leaving him unable to repay loans.

According to police sources, Vikram left a suicide note naming several moneylenders who, he said, drove him to take the extreme step. The letter mentions shocking instances of harassment and alleged exploitation, including a deeply offensive demand by one moneylender, who allegedly told Vikram to send his wife and daughter to his house until the dues were cleared.

In the note, Vikram reportedly wrote that for a loan of Rs 3.8 lakh, he was paying Rs 38,000 per month as interest, a staggering 10% monthly interest rate. Another moneylender, he alleged, demanded Rs 6,000 in interest every month for a Rs 30,000 loan.

The harassment reportedly intensified after Vikram became bedridden following the accident, pushing him and his family into a spiral of debt, fear, and desperation.

Vikram was a local functionary of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the political outfit recently launched by actor Vijay. In his note, he made a heart-wrenching appeal to the actor to look after his wife and daughter, underscoring the depth of his helplessness.

Police have launched an investigation into the allegations and are verifying the identities and activities of the named moneylenders. No arrests have been made so far.

The case has reignited concerns over unchecked usury in parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, where informal lending networks often operate beyond legal limits, especially targeting small entrepreneurs and vulnerable families.

Authorities have promised a thorough probe, and Vikram's death has triggered widespread outrage on social media, with many calling for immediate action to curb illegal moneylending and provide justice to the victim's family.

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3 Indians Kidnapped Amid Attacks By Al Qaeda-Linked Terror Group In Mali

India on Wednesday expressed deep concern over abduction of three Indian nationals in Mali amid a series of terrorist attacks in various parts of the West African country.

A day after the Indians were abducted, New Delhi on Wednesday called upon the Mali government to take all necessary measures to secure their "safe and expeditious" release.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed its "deep concern" regarding the abduction of Indians, employed at the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes.

"The incident occurred on July 1, when a group of armed assailants carried out a coordinated attack at the factory premises and forcibly took three Indian nationals as hostages," the MEA said.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the kidnappings.

Al-Qaeda affiliate Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has claimed responsibility for coordinated attacks across Mali on Tuesday.

The MEA said the Indian embassy in Bamako is in "close and constant" communication with the relevant authorities, local law enforcement agencies as well as the management of Diamond Cement Factory.

It said the mission is also in touch with the family members of the abducted Indian nationals.

"The government of India unequivocally condemns this deplorable act of violence and calls upon the government of the Republic of Mali to take all necessary measures to secure the safe and expeditious release of the abducted Indian nationals," the MEA said in a statement.

"Senior officials of the ministry are closely monitoring the evolving situation and remain engaged at various levels to facilitate safe and early release of Indian nationals," it said.

The MEA also advised all Indians currently residing in Mali to exercise utmost caution, remain vigilant and stay in close contact with the embassy in Bamako for regular updates and necessary assistance.

The ministry said it will extend all possible support to Indians and "remains committed to ensuring the safe return of the abducted Indian nationals at the earliest". PTI MPB KVK KVK

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"This Amount Is Nothing...": Hasin Jahan's Big Comment On Shami's Alimony

Cricketer Mohammed Shami's estranged wife, Hasin Jahan, has said that Calcutta High Court directions to the Indian pacer to pay her and daughter a monthly alimony of Rs 4 lakh as maintenance is a "victory" for her after "a long battle". Calcutta High Court has directed Indian pacer Mohammed Shami to pay his estranged wife, Hasin Jahan, and daughter a monthly alimony of Rs 4 lakh as maintenance. Jahan will have to be paid Rs 1.50 lakh per month, while the daughter will get Rs 2.50 lakh per month. Jahan, a former model, married Mohammed Shami in 2014.

The couple had a daughter in 2015. Mohammed Shami and Hasin Jahan separated in 2018 after she accused him of domestic violence. They have been in the midst of a divorce case since and legal battle regarding alimony.

"I am thankful to God that I finally got victory after fighting such a long battle... Now I will be able to give my daughter a good education and maintain her life easily... If you see the life Shami leads, the status he maintains, his earnings, this amount is nothing in comparison to that... We had demanded Rs 10 lakhs from the court around seven years ago. Since then, Shami's income and inflation have both increased," Hasin Jahan said.

"The status with which he leads his life, my daughter and I also have the right to maintain the same status," she added.

Jahan's advocate Imtiaz Ahmed confirmed on Wednesday that Shami will be required to pay a monthly alimony of Rs 4 lakh as maintenance to Jahan and said there is a high chance the maintenance might be upgraded to Rs 6 lakh.

Imtiaz Ahmed said it was "the best moment" for Hasin Jahan.

"From 2018 to 2024, she had been running from pillar to post. Ultimately, it was pronounced in open court yesterday that Rs 1.5 lakh would be provided for Hasin Jahan, Rs 2.5 lakh for the daughter (both to be paid monthly), and that any time the daughter requires assistance, it would be provided by Mohammed Shami," he said.

"The High Court has directed the trial court to dispose of the main application of the interim order within six months. There is a high chance that when they return to the trial court to conclude the hearing on maintenance, it might be upgraded to Rs 6 lakh because the claim of Hasin Jahan in her maintenance application was for Rs 7 lakh and Rs 3 lakh," he added.

Earlier, in 2018, Hasin Jahan had accused the cricketer of domestic violence. She had filed a petition in the Alipore court, accusing Shami and his family of harassing her. Jahan had demanded Rs 7 lakh per month from the pacer to maintain the family.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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BCCI Shoots Off Stern Letter To RCB Over Bengaluru Stampede

IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru have landed in further trouble after BCCI Ombudsman-cum-Ethics Officer Justice (Retd) Arun Mishra directed the franchise, along with the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), to file written submissions over gross negligence during the team's victory celebrations in Bengaluru, which led to the death of 11 people. The Ombudsman has granted RCB and KSCA four weeks to respond, following an official complaint filed by IPS officer Vikas Kumar. PTI is in possession of a copy of the Ombudsman's directive.

The complainant has also urged the Ombudsman to bar the current owners from selling the franchise until the investigation into the tragedy is complete.

"Looking at the gravity of the incident, it is considered appropriate that the Karnataka (State) Cricket Association, as well as the concerned franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore be asked to submit their written replied to the complaint," Justice Mishra wrote in his directive.

"This complaint has been filed in relation to the unfortunate stampede at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on 04.06.2025. Complaint alleges gross negligence and violation of safety norms by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) franchise. Complainant submits that accountability must be fixed. Prayer has been made for the suspension of the RCB franchise and for invalidating ongoing sale negotiations." Justice (Retired) Mishra in his directive also mentioned that complainant Kumar would get 10 days time to give a rejoinder to the respondents.

"Let the KSCA and RCB file their respective written replies to the complaint within four weeks, with copy to the complainant as well. Showing cause why the reliefs prayed for and specified in rules be not granted. Rejoinder if any may be filed within 10 days thereafter with copy to the respondents." One of the possible reasons for seeking a written explanation from Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) could be the growing speculation within IPL circles that the franchise is considering a sale, with the current owners allegedly attempting to distance themselves from the recent tragedy.

"Apprehension has been expressed that the franchise may be attempting to distance itself from accountability and possibly offload ownership to avoid potential consequences. In the meantime, status quo be maintained," it stated.

Recently the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) also deemed RCB responsible for the massive crowd gathering that led to the death of 11 fans including women and children.

The Tribunal had also quashed the Karnataka government's suspension order against senior IPS officer Kumar, who faced the action in the wake of a fatal stampede. Kumar had subsequently challenged the decision of the Karnataka State government.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"I'm Transport Minister": How Illegal Bike Taxi Op Was Exposed In Mumbai

Illegal bike taxis are not functional in Mumbai, Transport Minister of Maharashtra Pratap Sarnaik was told by a senior official. However, rather than taking this at face value, he decided to test the claim. How? He booked a ride himself from Mantralaya to Dadar using the Rapido app, using a different name.

In the next ten minutes, the bike reached his location to pick him up. He offered Rs 500 as fare to the driver of that bike while telling him that bike taxis were illegal in Mumbai. "I am the Transport Minister. These rules are for your benefit," the minister was heard saying to the visibly surprised rider.

"You came here, for that I am giving you Rs 500," he said. However, the rider refused to accept the money.

मंत्रालय येथूनचं ट्रॅप ऑपरेशन - अनधिकृत रॅपिडो बाईक टॅक्सी सेवांवर थेट कारवाई...#PratapSarnaik #TransportMinister#MaharashtraTransport #ActionAgainstIllegalBikeTaxi@rapidobikeapp pic.twitter.com/K81GiHydIb

— Pratap Baburao Sarnaik (@PratapSarnaik) July 2, 2025

No action was taken against the rider. "We will not gain anything by filing a case against a poor person like you. But the people behind the illegal operation should be punished. That is our intention," the minister said.

The state government is yet to grant official permission to any app-based bike aggregator to operate in Maharashtra.

As per the recently announced e-bike policy, only companies that comply with specific norms to operate services in cities with a population of more than 1 lakh are allowed. The government has yet to notify the rules, which makes such services illegal.

However, when the minister asked the official to cross-check whether the illegal bike taxi application and services were operational, the official assured that the app and service were not operational. He said, in an "official" answer, that there were no unauthorised bike taxi apps in Mumbai or other cities.

Last month, the Maharashtra Transport Commissioner's office lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against Rapido and Uber companies at Azad Maidan police station for allegedly operating bike taxis illegally.

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India-US Trade Talks In Advanced Stage, Farm Products A Hurdle: Official

The India-US trade negotiations are at an advanced stage and a consensus on an interim deal is within reach, a key official told NDTV on Tuesday, adding that Washington's demands on agricultural products are proving to be a hurdle. 

Indo-American Chamber of Commerce Executive Council Member Sunil Jain spoke to the channel on Tuesday, a day after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was reported as having said that agriculture and dairy are "big red lines" for India in the trade talks.

"The deal has progressed a lot and the chief negotiators of India are extending their stay in the US and trying to complete the deal. I think the two areas where the deal is getting stuck are related to agricultural products. Agriculture is the lifeline of the Indian GDP and Indian people. It is very difficult for us to import agricultural products. There are many difficulties and sensitivities involved," Mr Jain said in Hindi. 

"The second thing is that the products the US sells to us are genetically modified products, which are banned in India. Till date, no law has been enacted in India to allow these products. So, it is very difficult for us to import maize, cotton, soya, almonds, apples, etc. The US is telling us to make a deal on these products," he added.

The negotiations between India and the US entered the sixth day in Washington on Tuesday. The Indian team, headed by Rajesh Agrawal, special secretary in the Department of Commerce,  was initially scheduled to stay for two days.

The extension is important because US President Donald Trump's 26% reciprocal tariffs had been suspended for 90 days till July 9. The baseline tariffs of 10%, though, are still in place. 

"I think both countries can keep this obstacle aside and move forward with other products. For the US, exports of auto components, aluminium and steel from India are a problem. I think we should make a deal and keep some products out of it... We can debate and come to an agreement on these products after three to four months," he said. 

If this can be worked out, the executive council member said, a large part of India's exports to the US will be saved from the reciprocal tariffs, but the base tariff of 10% is likely to remain. 

"The zero tariff trade will be settled only after September-October. But, even if we work with 10% as the base tariff, it is fine for the country... If there is any bilateral trade agreement, it will have to involve give and take. So, we will move forward and America will move forward. Both are the largest democracies in the world and they will have to move together," Mr Jain said.

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Tortured For "300 Gold Sovereigns", Newlywed Woman Dies By Suicide

A 27-year-old woman, who was married only about two and a half months ago, has died by suicide after holding her husband and in-laws responsible for her decision to end her life, police said on Monday.

Just before she ended her life by consuming pesticide, the woman, Rithanya, in an audio message to her father, alleged that her husband, Kavinkumar, tortured her physically. She alleged that her father-in-law Easwaramurthy and mother-in-law Chitradevi caused her mental torture.

The victim's father alleged that her husband and in-laws demanded dowry, and problems began just about 15 days following the wedding. He told reporters that her daughter had to endure "physical, mental and monetary torture." Her in-laws harassed her, stating that her father assured "300-500 sovereigns gold" but she had brought less to her matrimonial home.

On such allegations of dowry harassment, a police officer said the accused would be charged with that offence only if the inquiry by the RDO recommends such an action.

On June 28, the woman parked her car on the roadside at Chettipudur near Sevur, about 12 kms from Avinashi in Tiruppur, and consumed poison. Local people alerted police after finding the car parked for a long time, police said.

Further, in that message, she allegedly said that her marriage to Kavin was actually a "plan." It was hatched by her husband and his family.

"It is very much a torture daily, daily; they are assaulting me mentally. Physically, he (Kavinkumar) is torturing me," she said, weeping in her message.

She said she did not think that it was possible to continue with such a life. "You (father) and mom are my world," the young woman is heard saying in the audio, adding her parents' dreams for her did not realize.

Finally, before ending her life, she sought forgiveness from her parents.

The woman's husband and his parents were arrested subsequently, and the Revenue Divisional Officer initiatedan inquiry into the death. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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'Anti-Ageing Regime Is Fine, But Know Where To Stop': Khushbu Sundar

Actor Khushbu Sundar has pointed at 'fear of missing out' or FOMO as one of the key contributing factors that adds immense strain on the lives of young people and those in the entertainment industry to stay in top shape externally, and in the process fall prey to anxiety, panic attack, depression and a host of other serious health issues.

She said there are two kinds of pressures that people in the entertainment industry face - from within, and from outside.

When people expect you to look a certain way, present yourself in a certain way, whether it's your makeup or clothes, when they expect you to have a designer, a stylist, etc that's what can be called pressures from within the industry, Mr Sundar told NDTV.

"But more than that, I think the pressures are more from the outside world. In today's times, when we talk about social media, this is where the pressure comes from," she said. "... If you're not properly dressed, if one hair is out of place, if your mascara is running down, if you're not wearing your lipstick, then I think the pressure builds up that you don't know how to handle yourself."

"All these are on social media. People in the entertainment industry read the comments and that is where the pressure mounts. So more than the pressure from within the industry, I think the pressure from outside the industry, from the so-called social media platforms, are what amount to anxiety and panic attacks, and depression, and the new term they have got called FOMO, fear of missing out," Ms Sundar, who saw early success as a child artist in Bollywood, told NDTV.

Her comments come amid the discussions on the death of model-actor Shefali Jariwala. While the exact cause of death is yet to be confirmed, findings from the initial medical examination suggested that self-medication and unsupervised anti-ageing treatments, specifically glutathione and vitamin C, may have triggered the cardiac arrest.

Ms Sundar said there was no social media and hence, no pressures of the kind that comes from outside when she was in the industry doing lead roles, and real fans would accept actors as they were.

"... We would just wear a salwar or jeans and a kurta and walk out. Nobody would even bother. And the real fans would be there accepting us as we are. But I have seen these pressures on social platforms about body shaming, about the way they looked at my girls when they were growing up," Ms Sundar said, referring to her two daughters and her parenting experience in the age of social media.

"I saw the kind of pressure, comments and the way people reacted, so I came out of Facebook and told my girls that they were never going back to Facebook. Neither they nor I have been on Facebook since then. But on Instagram... I saw how my girls were ridiculed when they were growing up. They were big girls, taller than their age, tallest in their class... And probably to me, being a mother, it didn't bother me. But then I have seen the kind of pressure my girls went through," Ms Sundar said.

"It was very difficult to make a child understand in their growing up times. But fortunately for me, I was able to handle that and make my children understand that the people who comment, who have these, you know, ideas of being judgmental about the way they look, they're nobody to you. They're absolute strangers. They don't have a face. They don't have a name. You don't know them and you don't have to worry about them. And I was able to put that in my kids' minds. And they're absolutely fine today. They understand how to take the pressure.

"I still don't have a designer. I still don't have a makeup artist. I still don't have somebody who is going to style me when I'm walking into an event or a wedding. I do it by myself and I'm very, very comfortable by myself. I think when you start feeling that I'm going to lose out in this so-called societal pressure or the way I have to present myself, when you're not ready to accept the realities of life, I think this is where the problem starts," Ms Sundar told NDTV.

She respectfully refrained from commenting on the death of model-actor Shefali Jariwala, and also did acknowledge that people taking an anti-ageing regimen is absolutely fine.

"If somebody is happy doing that, there's nothing wrong with it. You know where to stop. That's one thing which you have to learn. You should know where to stop. There are certain things which you start once and it never ends. And that is the fear which I always have. People keep telling me that, oh, you need to get this done. You need to do that. Get that done. I'm saying, let me age gracefully. I have my laugh lines. I have my jowls. I have my crow feet. I'm fine. But if I have to, if I want my skin to glow, if I'm going through a facial, there's nothing wrong with it.

"I go to my skin clinic very regularly, get my regular facials done to see if there are any large pores which need to be treated because all this happens with age. But you should know where to stop. You cannot be totally into that and say that I need a magic wand in my hand and I want to be like a 20 year old at this age. No, you can't be. You have to accept it. You have to learn to accept it," Ms Sundar said.

She suggested going for a regular master health checkup, especially women, and not to focus only on the external but internal too. "This is what most girls miss because they think only appearance is what counts. What is within does not."

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India Nears Starlink Rollout as SpaceX Clears Regulatory Hurdles

India is on the cusp of a major leap in digital connectivity as SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service inches closer to operational status in the country. 

In an exclusive conversation, Dr Pawan Goenka, Chairman of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe), which is India's space regulator, confirmed that most of the regulatory and licensing requirements for Starlink have been addressed. 

The final approvals are expected to be wrapped up in the coming days.

The meeting between Dr Goenka and Gwynne Shotwell, who is President & COO of SpaceX, held during the latter's recent visit to India, focused on resolving outstanding issues related to authorisations. 

While the groundwork is nearly complete, Dr Goenka emphasised that several technical and procedural steps remain before the service can be launched. "Even after authorisation, it will take a few months for the service to become operational," he noted.

Starlink is one of three major players preparing to offer satellite-based broadband services in India. Alongside OneWeb and SES, Starlink aims to bridge the digital divide by delivering high-speed internet to underserved and remote regions, including rural villages and mountainous terrain. 

Dr Goenka expressed optimism that the combined efforts of these providers will significantly enhance internet accessibility across the country.

The potential impact of satellite internet in India is substantial. With traditional broadband infrastructure often struggling to reach remote areas, satellite connectivity offers a scalable and efficient alternative. The government's push for digital inclusion aligns with these developments, and IN-SPACe is playing a pivotal role in facilitating private sector participation in the space ecosystem.

This development also comes at a time when India's space sector is witnessing rapid growth and international collaboration. The entry of global players like SpaceX into the Indian market underscores the country's strategic importance in the global space economy.

While the rollout of Starlink in India is not immediate, the regulatory progress marks a significant milestone. As the final steps unfold, the promise of satellite-based internet bringing connectivity to the farthest corners of India appears closer than ever. 

Dr Goenka's remarks reflect a broader vision of inclusive digital growth, powered by space-based technologies and international cooperation.

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BJP Gets New State Chiefs, Moves Closer To Elect New National President

The BJP on Monday moved towards rolling out the exercise to have a new national president as the party elected chiefs in some states and is set to announce more on Tuesday that will put the requisite number of state heads at the helm for it to pick the replacement of J P Nadda.

The BJP's constitution requires the election of its presidents in at least 19 out of its 37 organisational states before the process to elect its national president begins, and the ruling party is set to cross the threshold on Tuesday.

V P Ramalingam and K Beichhua were elected BJP presidents of Puducherry and Mizoram respectively on Monday, while single nomination for the post was filed in states like Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, making their election a mere formality on Tuesday.

The BJP has now new state presidents, including some who were reelected, in 16 states, a figure that will rise on Tuesday. Some big states like Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh may also follow in the next few days.

The BJP has picked seasoned organisational men but with low public profile in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in Ramchander Rao and P V N Madhav respectively.

Maharashtra BJP working president and four-term MLA Ravindra Chavan is set to be elected president in place of Chandrashekhar Bawankule, a Cabinet minister in the BJP-led government in the state, while incumbent Uttarakhand president and Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt is set to begin a new term.

The development has brightened the prospect for the BJP to elect its new national president to replace Mr Nadda, a Cabinet minister in the Modi government, in July.

Rao's choice, however, triggered a furious reaction from fiery Hindutva leader and MLA T Raja Singh, who resigned from the BJP. The elevation of Rao, a relatively low profile in the Telangana organisation riven with factionalism, is being seen as a balancing act and also a reward to old organisation hands.

The BJP's decision to replace its Lok Sabha MP Daggubati Purandeswari as its Andhra president with a seasoned organisation man is driven by its leadership's wish to build the organisation in a state where it is an ally of the ruling TDP but remains a minor electoral player.

Purandeswari, the daughter of towering Andhra leader N T Rama Rao and sister-in-law of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, enjoys a certain stature due to her family background and long stint in politics during which she served as a Union minister in the UPA government when she was in the Congress.

However, BJP sources said a thorough organisation leader like Madhav can be more helpful in building its organisation.

While Rao is a Brahmin, Madhav is from the Backward Classes, giving the party a toe hold in a community outside the ones that form the bulwark of all major political players in the state.

In Uttarakhand, the party, having made a Thakur leader in Pushkar Singh Dhami as the chief minister, has opted for a Brahmin face in Bhatt as its president. Chavan is a Maratha, a powerful community in Maharashtra.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Doctors Reveal Why 8-Year-Old In China Vomited Live Worms For A Month

Doctors in China treated an eight-year-old girl from Yangzhou City in Jiangsu province, who had been throwing up live worms for around a month, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported. The doctors found that the cause of her illness was linked to something so common in a household - drain flies, also known as moth flies.

The girl's symptoms included vomiting live larvae, approximately 1 centimetre long, indicating a severe infestation. Her family members were fine, suggesting the infection was not contagious.

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She saw many doctors, but initially, they were unable to identify the cause. A doctor at the Children's Hospital of Soochow University in Jiangsu suggested sending the samples to the local Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, where a staff member recognised the worm.

The moth flies are small insects with distinctive heart-shaped wings. They thrive in environments rich in organic matter, such as clogged drains.

As quoted in the report, Xu Yuhui, who is a department chief at the Yangzhou Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, explained that the drain flies' larvae had contaminated the running underground water.

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"When the child brushes her teeth or flushes the toilet, the worms might enter her system through splashes of water," Xu said.

The report mentioned that the flies do not send diseases via the blood, but they can still cause problems. If left untreated, parasitic infections can lead to more severe health issues, including intestinal blockages, anaemia and malnutrition. Such infestations can be tackled through a combination of good hygiene practices.

Preventing such infestations involves maintaining good hygiene practices, such as proper drainage, regular cleaning and good hygiene.

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"Break Their Legs": Odisha Cop's Order Viral. "Out Of Context," He Says

A senior police officer's very specific instruction to police personnel guarding a barbed wire barricade outside Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi's house during a protest by Congress party workers has gone viral on social media.

The Congress workers came to protest against what they called crowd mismanagement and negligence after three people were killed and 50 were injured in a stampede in Puri on Sunday.

The incident happened near Puri's Shree Gundicha temple during a ceremony linked to the ongoing Rath Yatra festival.

A large police force was posted outside the chief minister's house in anticipation of the protest by the Congress workers.

One of the officers who oversaw the deployment was Bhubaneswar Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP) Narasingha Bhol.

In the video that went viral, Mr Bhol walked to the last barricade among a row of barricades and gave instructions to police personnel standing there.

His index finger pointing towards a circular barbed wire that went in a loop around the barricade, the ACP said, "If anybody reaches here, break their leg. Don't catch them, just break their legs. We are standing there [some distance away] to catch them. Whoever breaks a leg, come to me and take a reward."

"Yes, sir, yes, sir," the policemen behind the last barricade responded to the instruction given by the Indian Police Service (IPS) officer.

After the video went viral on social media, Mr Bhol told NDTV on phone that his comment was taken out of context.

"There is a place, time and context in everything. Where was it happening, when was it happening... If you see the video, I told the personnel that 'we are there to arrest them'," Mr Bhol said, referring to a spot some distance away from the barricade. "Before reaching the spot where I was standing, there were two barricades. The order was to detain unruly protesters at the first barricade itself. However, if somebody breached the two barricades and went beyond them, then that person has already broken the law. He is part of an unlawful assembly."

The police officer added, "We are free to apply maximum force to stop unlawful assembly."

The Odisha government has launched an administrative investigation into the Puri stampede. State Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said Development Commissioner Anu Garg will submit a report to the chief minister within 30 days.

"The state government will take stern action against those responsible for the tragic incident," the law minister said.

Puri's Chief District Medical Officer Kishore Satapathy told news agency PTI that all injured people were discharged from a government health facility by 8 pm on Sunday.

With inputs from Dev Kumar

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