Maharashtra's 'Car In Sea': A Rolls Royce Boat Turning Heads At Juhu Beach

Maharashtra's coastline has a new attraction making waves, quite literally. A Rolls Royce-shaped vessel cruising through the Arabian Sea is drawing crowds at Juhu beach, rapidly becoming one of the beach's most talked-about tourism innovations.

The unique watercraft, popularly dubbed the "car in the sea," offers locals and tourists a luxury-themed marine experience that would otherwise require travel abroad. And behind this spectacle is Pramod Pawar, who turned an idea he once saw on a Dubai beach into a homegrown adventure for Maharashtra.

A Dubai Dream Recreated At Home

Pawar says the concept struck him during a beach trip in Dubai, where similar luxury-themed boats are a staple. With a renewed vision, Pawar returned with sketches, observations, and a resolve to build something suited to local waters.

Inside Maharashtra's viral ‘Car In The Sea' ride. @AnujRayate speaks to Pramod Pawar, the man who designed and built the unique “car-boat” after spotting a similar concept in Dubai. pic.twitter.com/NhUkZc8Kfi

— NDTV (@ndtv) December 2, 2025

The team then modified the vessel extensively to withstand the specific conditions of Maharashtra's coastline, from tidal behaviour to safety norms. The result is a premium-looking boat that seats five people and travels up to 1.8 nautical miles into the sea.

The boat comes equipped with onboard music, plush interiors, and even a shower facility for visitors returning from the salty spray.

A Push Toward 'International-Level' Tourism

Maharashtra already hosts most of the water sports available internationally, from jet skiing to parasailing. But with attractions like the "car boat," officials and operators say the goal is to scale up to 100% international standards.

The team behind the Rolls Royce vessel plans to expand further with new offerings, including flyboarding and Ferrari and Lamborghini-inspired boat variants.

"We want people to feel like they're getting a true international experience right here," said Vijay, the manager.

More Than A Gimmick, A Sign Of What's Coming

Pawar was very clear in his resolve that this is not a one off, but a start to a newer trend. "We do not wish to stop here, we want to bring as many newer sports to our waters as possible," he said.

He also stressed on the need for the government to encourage such experiments at home and make it hassle free.

"I was able to bring it home because I happened to be in Dubai and saw it, but not every one of us can do that, hence their chances of expanding become limited. The government should encourage more of such sports for greater footfalls."

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/eFN1HcJ
via IFTTT

Revanth Reddy's Remarks On Hindu Gods Spark Political Row

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's lighthearted remarks about 3 crore Hindu deities, a God for every occasion, have sparked a political row.

The controversial comments made during a party executive meeting have drawn immediate and sharp condemnation from the opposition BJP and BRS, who accused him of insulting Hindu sentiments.

While addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Reddy introduced a seemingly conversational point about the nature of Hindu worship, which he framed as an observation delivered "in a lighter vein".

The Chief Minister's quote, which quickly went viral after internal accounts surfaced, was: "How many deities are there in Hinduism? How many deities? Three crores? Why? For those who are unmarried, there is god hanuman. For those who are married twice, there is another god. For those who drink, there is another god. Yellamma, Pochamma, Maisamma. For those who demand chicken, there is a god. And for those who eat dal-rice, there is another god, right? There are all kinds of deities."

The opposition quickly seized upon the remarks, interpreting them as a mockery of the fundamental tenets of Hindu faith and customs.

Attacking the Chief Minister, Union minister and former Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar issued a strongly worded statement on social media, accusing the Congress party of holding deep-rooted hatred towards Hindus.

"I strongly condemn the comments made by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy insulting Hindus and Hindu deities. The Congress has always been a party that bends before the AIMIM. Revanth Reddy himself said Congress is a Muslim party. That statement alone exposes their mindset. Congress carries deep-rooted hatred towards Hindus," Bandi Sanjay said.

"This is exactly why we warned during the Jubilee Hills by-election that if Congress or BRS accidentally won, Hindus would not be able to step out with dignity. The Chief Minister's latest comments prove BJP was right," he added.

Bandi Sanjay urged the Hindu community to unite: "The hatred Congress holds towards Hindus and Hindu gods now stands exposed. It is time for the Hindu community to think seriously. Will you stay divided and continue to endure humiliation, or will you unite and assert your strength?"

The backlash was quickly formalised into action, with the BJP state chief, G Ramchandra Rao, calling for statewide protests and agitations against the Chief Minister and the Congress government, demanding an unconditional apology.

The protests are expected to escalate across Telangana in the coming days.

The BRS also joined the condemnation, with several leaders demanding that the Chief Minister immediately retract the statement and apologise for hurting the sentiments of crores of Hindus across the state.
 

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/kGP8QE9
via IFTTT

Abandoned In Cold, Newborn Finds Unlikely Protectors In Pack Of Stray Dogs

In the hours before dawn, when most of this river town in West Bengal's Nadia district lies silent under a winter sky, a newborn baby was left alone on the cold ground outside a bathroom in a railway workers' colony.

The infant was only a few hours old, still marked with blood from birth, with no blanket, no note, and no one nearby. But the baby was not entirely alone.

What followed is now whispered with the disbelief reserved for miracles-a pack of strays, the very dogs people chase away daily, had formed a perfect ring around the newborn, not barking or moving, simply standing guard through the night.

Residents say the dogs did not allow anyone or anything to come near through the night, except the morning light itself.

"Waking up, we saw something that still gives us goosebumps," said Sukla Mondal, a resident who was among the first to spot the baby. "The dogs were not aggressive. They looked... alert. As if they understood the child was fighting to live," she said.

Another resident, Subhash Pal, recalled hearing the short, sharp cry around dawn.

"I thought the family had a sick baby. Never imagined a newborn was lying outside, with dogs watching over. They behaved like sentries," he said.

It was only when Sukla finally approached, whispering, that the dogs eased open their circle.

She wrapped the baby in her dupatta and called neighbours for help.

The infant was rushed first to Maheshganj Hospital and then referred to Krishnanagar Sadar Hospital.

Doctors later said there were no injuries, and the blood on the head was likely from a birthmark that the abandonment happened minutes, not hours, after delivery.

Police suspect someone from the locality may have left the child there under the cover of night.

Nabadwip police and Child Help authorities have begun inquiries and initiated procedures for the baby's long-term care.

Yet, even as officials get to work, the town cannot shake off the image of the dogs-silent, untrained, and yet uncannily protective.

"These are the same dogs we complain about," said a railway worker. "But they showed more humanity than whoever abandoned that child," he said.

Old-timers in Nabadwip say the place has always been touched by an inexplicable compassion, tracing it back to the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a 15th-century saint, who was born in this river town and whose message of empathy still echoes through its ghats and temples.

"Maybe that spirit worked through those animals," an elder remarked.

As evening fell, children in the Rail Colony were seen offering biscuits to the very dogs that held vigil the night before.

One teenager, stroking a brown stray, said, "They saved the baby".

In a community used to daily struggles, residents say this night will stay with them - a reminder that sometimes protection comes from the most unexpected places, and that humanity, too often missing, can arrive on four legs.

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

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/U0Lo4nf
via IFTTT

Extreme Rain Alert For Chennai, School Shut Tomorrow

Although Cyclone Dithwa fizzled out without causing major damage along the Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh coasts, the deep depression it weakened into is now expected to unleash isolated extremely heavy rains over parts of the Chennai, Tiruvallur, and Ranipet districts, the meteorological department has warned.

With the system moving parallel to the Tamil Nadu coast, around 50 km from the shoreline, and heading towards south Andhra Pradesh, Chennai's Nungambakkam recorded 9 cm of rain in just 11 hours, signalling the start of what could be another challenging spell for the city.

Civic Body Claims Full Preparedness

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has asserted that the city is "fully prepared" to handle another prolonged rain spell. 

Officials say 215 relief centres have been readied across Chennai, each equipped with food, essential supplies, and basic medical support. Alongside these, 111 community kitchens have been activated to serve hot meals if residents need to be moved to shelters. 

The Corporation has also deployed more than 700 pumps, including large-capacity 100 HP motors and portable units, across known flood-prone locations to minimise water stagnation.

Additionally, teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) - over 350 personnel in total - have been stationed across vulnerable zones for emergency response. 

The civic body has mobilised nearly 480 vehicles, including tree-cutting units, mechanised saws, rescue boats and power-saw-equipped rapid response units, to attend to complaints related to fallen trees, flooding and disruptions. Zonal teams and field volunteers, GCC says, are operating round the clock to handle distress calls and drainage issues.

Rain Holiday for Schools, Colleges

As a precaution, district administrations declared a rain holiday tomorrow for schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu, citing the extremely heavy rainfall alert.

City Still Struggles With Waterlogging

Despite the corporation's preparedness claims, several low-lying pockets in Chennai remained waterlogged after today's rains, raising fresh questions over the efficiency of the stormwater drains built over the last four years, a major DMK government project since 2021. The extreme rains could put this larger system to the test.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/Pk7DQGX
via IFTTT

Hyderabad Man Falls To Online Fraud, Threats, Loses More Than Rs 1 Lakh

A sophisticated "honeytrap" operating on the Telegram messaging platform has led a 20-year-old Hyderabad resident to lose over Rs 1 lakh before the fraud turned into extortion. The victim, lured by a convincing fake profile, transferred Rs 1,02,093 to the fraudsters before realising the deception.

The incident in Yakutpura, now being investigated by the cybercrime cell, again highlighted the growing threat of scams targeting vulnerable users on social media.

According to the complaint, someone posing as a woman had contacted the victim and offered paid companionship services. The fraudster went to great lengths to establish credibility, using stolen photographs, fake testimonials, and manipulated feedback.

Once trust was established, the scammer initiated a sequence of rapid demands for payments under deceptive pretexts, creating a financial sinkhole for the unsuspecting victim.

The victim paid Advance Booking Fees, Service Security Deposits, Room Reservation Charges and "Refundable" Manager Fees.

After promises of refunds, the young man made multiple UPI and bank transfers, ending up transferring Rs 1,02,093 to various bank accounts provided by the fraudster.

The trap finally became apparent when the victim was told to arrive at a hotel in Abids locality for the supposed meeting. On reaching the location, the victim found no one. 

When he attempted to contact the individual, the fraudster dropped the pretence and immediately pivoted to aggressive extortion, demanding an additional Rs 10,000 and issued threats.

Recognising the attempt to blackmail him, the victim immediately approached the police cybercrime cell to lodge a formal complaint.

Cybercrime officials consistently warn that these rackets thrive on stolen media and the victim's fear of social embarrassment. The key elements of the scam, fake profiles and repeated demands for fees, are standard modus operandi.

The Hyderabad cybercrime wing has issued a stern advisory urging the public to exercise extreme caution, advising them never to trust unsolicited messages or profiles on platforms like Telegram or WhatsApp offering paid companionship or high-value services.

They say that no legitimate service will demand repeated payments for "security", "managers" or "refundable deposits" before a service is rendered.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/F8juSPM
via IFTTT

KKR Owner Shah Rukh Khan's Priceless Reaction To Russell's IPL Retirement

Bollywood superstar and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) co-owner Shah Rukh Khan shared a heartfelt post for Andre Russell after the latter announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Sunday. After 12 seasons as a player in 'purple and gold', Russell confirmed that he will join KKR's support staff as the franchise's new "Power Coach" for the 2026 season. He will also continue playing in T20 leagues around the world and will remain part of the other Knight Riders teams globally.

Taking to social media after Russell's announcement, Shah Rukh Khan hailed the franchise legend for his contributions to KKR, adding that 'any other jersey would indeed look weird on him'.

"Thank you for the wonderful memories, Andre. Our Knight in shining armour!!! Your contribution to @KKRiders is one for the books... and here's to another chapter in your fantastic journey as a sportsman... The power coach - passing down the wisdom, the muscle and of course the power down to our boys in purple and gold... And yes, any other jersey would indeed look weird on you my man... Muscle Russell for life! Love u... on behalf of the team and everyone who loves the sport!!" the KKR co-owner posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Thank you for the wonderful memories, Andre. Our Knight in shining armour!!! Your contribution to @KKRiders is one for the books... and here's to another chapter in your fantastic journey as a sportsman... The power coach - passing down the wisdom, the muscle and of course the... https://t.co/P9l6gBwoXR

— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) November 30, 2025

Russell, who has not missed a season of the IPL since 2012, represented erstwhile Delhi Daredevils in his first two editions.

An all-rounder known for his brute force with the bat and a knack of taking wickets at key junctures, Russell played a total of 140 matches in the IPL and scored 2,651 runs at a strike rate of 174.18 with 12 fifties.

He also took 123 wickets at an economy rate of 9.51 with one five-wicket haul in his name.

Russell called time on his IPL playing career a day after Faf du Plessis, 41, announced that he would not take part in this year's edition as he will play in another league.

He was not retained by KKR ahead of the IPL 2026 mini auction.

(With PTI Inputs)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/ngY6jTL
via IFTTT

Pak Stars Mockingly Appeal After Controversial Call From Umpire vs SL - Watch

The T20I tri-series final between Pakistan and Sri Lanka witnessed a massive controversy over a catch by Fakhar Zaman on Saturday. During the 19th over of the Sri Lanka innings, Dasun Shanaka was foxed by a slower delivery by Shaheen Afridi and Zaman timed his jump perfectly to complete the catch. However, the third umpire decided that the ball was in touch with the ground when the Pakistan cricketer finished the catch. The Pakistan cricket team players were visibly stunned with Fakhar expressing his displeasure. Just one ball later, Afridi clean bowled Shanaka and both the bowler as well as Zaman mockingly appealed towards the third umpire before resuming their celebration.

Shaheen says fakhar Bhai no issue Bhai karly ga na yara pic.twitter.com/dtbb0EqPUU

— Shoaib Sadiq Waran (@Shoaibsadiq3424) November 29, 2025

Coming to the match, Pakistan won the toss and opted to field. 

Angry Fakhar Zaman pic.twitter.com/sETjUARyzs https://t.co/viW4d7x7jf

— FAKHARAMIRIMAD (@hahs4221522_) November 29, 2025

Kamil Mishara was the top scorer with 59 as Sri Lanka were bundled out for 114. Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz took three wickets each while Abrar Ahmed contributed with two dismissals.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/Gtuxpie
via IFTTT