New Delhi, Aug 15 (IANS) The government on Friday introduced FASTag-based annual toll pass for private vehicles on the occasion of the 79th Independence Day. The annual pass is priced at Rs 3,000.Cars, jeeps, and vans can use this facility at toll plazas run by the National Highways Authority of India and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.The pass is valid for one year from activation or for 200 toll trips, whichever occurs first. When the limit is reached, the FASTag automatically swi…

New Delhi, Aug 15 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets at the Red Fort on Friday as part of the 79th Independence Day celebrations. The young cadets, brimming with enthusiasm and pride, described the interaction as a “historic and proud moment” and said they felt privileged to meet the Prime Minister in person. Speaking to IANS, several cadets shared their experiences, expressing joy and inspiration from both the event and PM Modi’s speech.One cadet …

Vijayawada, Aug 15 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu defended the Godavari-Banakacherla project, saying it will not harm the water interests of any state. Referring to Telangana’s opposition to the project, he said that no one needs to worry.He was speaking after hoisting the national flag at the 79th Independence Day celebrations at the Indira Gandhi Stadium here.”We have decided to divert Godavari waste water from Polavaram to Banakacherla to transform Rayalaseema into …

New Delhi, Aug 15 (IANS) Despite sustained criticism from Opposition parties over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has reported that it has not received a single formal complaint from any political party regarding claims and objections to the draft rolls.In contrast, the ECI said, individual voters have submitted 28,370 applications for inclusion or exclusion.According to the ECI’s daily bulletin on August 15 — co…

Cincinnati, Aug 15 (IANS) World No. 1 Jannik Sinner earned a a dominant 6-0, 6-2 victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime to reach the semifinals at the Cincinnati Open.Auger-Aliassime struggled to hang with Sinner in the opening set, committing 13 unforced errors. The 23rd seed did lead 2-0 at the start of the second but quickly faded. He struck eight double faults and could not find his rhythm from the baseline, with the 23-year-old too consistent to storm to victory, ATP reports.With his triumph, S…

Cincinnati, Aug 15 (IANS) Ben Shelton continued his red-hot streak at the Cincinnati Open, where he ousted Czech Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals.The 22-year-old became the first American man to reach the last eight in Canada and Cincinnati in the same season since Mardy Fish in 2012.In a warm conditions in Cincy, Shelton’s booming serve raced through the court. The lefty dropped just six points behind his first delivery, including a 141 mph ace when serving out the match. He c…

Mumbai, Aug 15 (IANS) Bollywood star Akshay Kumar met a group of people cleaning up a beach while he was playing volleyball and is calling them “everyday heroes” for their efforts. Akshay took to Instagram, where he shared a picture of himself posing with people who keep the beaches clean and wished them on Independence Day.He wrote: “Freedom feels brighter when we care for the ground beneath our feet. Was enjoying beachside volleyball when I met these real-life heroes keeping our beaches clea…

Mumbai, Aug 15 (IANS) On the occasion of 79th Independence Day on Friday, actor Suniel Shetty saluted the bravehearts who keep the country safe and said that there’s “no pride like being an Indian.” Suniel took to Instagram, where he shared a reel video, which begins with him waving the Indian flag, saluting the soldiers and also posing with the jawans.Heaping praise on India’s Armed Forces, he wrote: “No force like our Armed Forces.”The actor added: “No pride like being Indian. Sa…

Mumbai, Aug 15 (IANS) Megastar Amitabh Bachchan shared that it is difficult for him to face the emotional pain of contestants who lose in his quiz-based show “Kaun Banega Crorepati.” “We sit on the hot seat and meet and confront the contestants that have ambitious hopes of winning during the week of their stay on the floor .. and when they cannot make it , it’s the hardest to control the frustration of defeat and lost opportunity for them, yes. (sic.)”“But for me as well .. it is emoti…

Mumbai, Aug 15 (IANS) Producer-actor-director Sachin Pilgaonkar, who essayed the role of Rahim chacha’s son in the iconic film ‘Sholay’, has spoken up about an important sequence in the film, which director Ramesh Sippy left out in the lock edit. Sachin spoke with IANS recently, as he celebrated 50 years of ‘Sholay’, and said that although director Ramesh Sippy had edited out the part, there were multiple reasons that led to the decision.He told IANS, “The scene of killing me, which wa…