Ustad Zakir Hussain, the legendary tabla maestro, passed away on December 16 at 73. His last public appearance was at Pankaj Udhas's funeral in February. Renowned globally, Hussain won four Grammy Awards, including three at the 66th Grammys, and received India's highest honours: the Padma Shri (1988), Padma Bhushan (2002), and Padma Vibhushan (2023). His death has sparked tributes from fans and figures worldwide, including Bollywood stars like Kareena Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, and A. R. Rahman, celebrating his unparalleled artistry and legacy.
16 December,2024 05:46 PM IST
Renowned tabla master Ustad Zakir Hussain passed away on December 16 at the age of 73 after battling serious health issues. He died in a hospital in San Francisco due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Zakir Hussain, the son of legendary tabla player Ustad Allarakha, was considered one of the greatest tabla players of his time. His exceptional talent and mastery over the instrument made him famous worldwide. He collaborated with musicians from various genres and was admired for his creativity and precision. Hussain’s passing leaves a huge void in the world of music, but his remarkable legacy will continue to inspire music lovers around the world for generations to come.
16 December,2024 12:32 PM IST
At the India-Japan Forum Inaugural Session Conversation in New Delhi, EAM Jaishankar explained three challenges in the India-Japan relationship. EAM Dr S Jaishankar said, “We've never had problems between India and Japan but not having problems doesn't mean everything works well. I would say how do you take good sentiment and make it into a practical plan. When I look today at the kind of spike in Indian tourists...our passport issuer is going up actually at the rate of almost 10 to 15% a year. We are issuing between about 13 million to 15 million passports every year and these are 10-year validities. In this country, foreign travel is growing and interest in foreign tourism is growing but we haven't yet seen any of this directed at Japan. If you look at Southeast Asia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Gulf, Europe, Indian tourists are really going there in very large numbers.”
06 December,2024 01:52 PM IST
The much-awaited film of the year, 'Pushpa 2: The Rule,' has finally hit theatres today, garnering mixed reactions from audiences. Icon star Allu Arjun’s intense performance as Pushpa steals the show, with fans praising his action and iconic dialogues. Rashmika Mandanna shines as Srivalli, though some feel her role could have been larger. Fahadh Faasil impresses as the antagonist, leaving a strong impact despite limited screen time. While the pacing and action at times overshadow character development, the film’s stunning visuals, gripping score, and Allu Arjun’s presence keep the excitement high. Pushpa 2 is a hit for the superstar's die-hard fans, though others hope for a more balanced narrative in future sequels.
05 December,2024 04:04 PM IST
As January 20 approaches, President-elect Donald Trump is ramping up his cabinet selections ahead of his inauguration. On December 1, he confirmed several high-profile appointments, including the long-anticipated announcement of Kash Patel as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In a social media post, Trump praised Patel as a “brilliant lawyer and investigator” with an impressive track record in various government roles. Following the announcement, an old video of Patel surfaced online, in which he expressed concerns about the unconstitutional weaponization of justice and the existence of a two-tiered system of justice in the U.S. Trump's cabinet also features notable figures like Tulsi Gabbard as intelligence chief, and Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk as heads of the Department of Global Economic Affairs (DOGE).
01 December,2024 04:30 PM IST
Former Attorney General and Senior Counsel Mukul Rohatgi addressed U.S. allegations during a press conference on November 27. He criticized the charge sheet, stating that it lacks specific details. Rohatgi pointed out that the document does not name individuals or explain who was bribed or how the bribery occurred. He also highlighted that the charge sheet fails to identify which department the alleged officials belong to. According to Rohatgi, without clear information, it is difficult to respond to such vague charges. He expressed confidence that Adani, the individual implicated, would seek legal advice to deal with the matter.
27 November,2024 12:50 PM IST
BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde has responded to accusations of attempting to buy votes in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. The controversy began when Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) supporters, led by Hitendra Thakur, accused Tawde of distributing ₹5 crore to bribe voters for BVA candidate Rajan Naik. This altercation took place more than 17 hours after the election campaign ended, when BVA activists stormed a hotel and threw cash at Tawde, disrupting a meeting with BJP candidate Naik. Despite claims from BVA, including allegations found in a diary by MLA Kshitij Thakur, no evidence of money distribution was found in Tawde's vehicle. Tawde has now called NCP leader Supriya Sule a liar regarding the allegations.
20 November,2024 11:46 AM IST
A day before Maharashtra goes to the polls, BJP leader Vinod Tawde was accused of distributing cash to party workers. Accusing BJP of distributing money ahead of Assembly polls tomorrow, Bahujan Vikas Aghadi leader Hitendra Thakur claimed that the election commissioner has recovered a bag filled with money and diaries. Workers of Bahujan Vikas Aghadi created a ruckus outside a hotel in Nalasopara Assembly constituency of Palghar today while a meeting of BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde was underway inside.
19 November,2024 05:03 PM IST
In a heartbreaking incident from a remote tribal village in Pen, Maharashtra, a woman lost her life due to the absence of accessible roads. Despite a ₹60 lakh road construction tender issued in April 2023 and a ₹7 crore work order granted in January 2024, no progress has been made. The village, cut off from main roads, lacked any transport facilities. Villagers were forced to carry the woman in a makeshift cloth cradle for 10 kilometers to the nearest hospital, where she tragically passed away. Her body was then brought back the same way. This tragedy underscores the critical need for infrastructure development and accountability.
16 November,2024 01:18 PM IST
The situation in the Middle East is tense as Iran has issued threats of retaliation against Israel for recent military strikes. On November 1, the U.S. announced the deployment of B-52 bombers to the region to deter further conflict. This move comes after Iran's Supreme Leader warned of a "crushing response" to any attacks from Israel or the U.S. The warning followed an Israeli strike on Iranian military sites in Tehran. The U.S. has cautioned Iran to avoid further actions that could escalate the situation, stating that any attacks would lead to severe retaliation. The tension has been rising since Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, prompting a series of military responses in the region.
03 November,2024 05:13 PM ISTADVERTISEMENT
