India's defence production surges to all-time high of Rs 1.51 lakh crore in FY25: Rajnath Singh

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New Delhi, Aug 9 (IANS) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said the annual defence production has soared to an all-time high of Rs 1,50,590 crore in FY 2024-25. The milestone represents a robust 18 per cent growth over the previous fiscal’s output of Rs 1.27 lakh crore, and a staggering 90 per cent increase since FY 2019-20, when the figure was Rs 79,071 crore, the minister informed.Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and other PSUs accounted for nearly 77 per cent of total produc…

Stung by goof-ups, Kerala govt unlikely to proceed against whistleblower doctor

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Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 9 (IANS) With support pouring in from all quarters for Thiruvananthapuram Medical College whistleblower Dr Harris Chirackal — who alleged he was being “harassed” for exposing corruption and systemic failures in Kerala’s healthcare sector — the state government appears poised to quietly end its investigation against him.The widely respected doctor, who admitted he had to seek psychiatric help due to stress, said State Health Minister Veena George personally visited…

Champion dreams of India’s youth: LoP Rahul Gandhi greets IYC on foundation day

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New Delhi, Aug 9 (IANS) Marking the Foundation Day of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), senior Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi extended warm wishes to the youth wing of the party, praising its historic role in upholding democratic values and voicing the aspirations of young Indians. In a post on X, LoP Rahul Gandhi wrote: “Best wishes to all members of the Indian Youth Congress on IYC’s Foundation Day. IYC has provided a powerful platform for young …

Kuruvai paddy cultivation jumps 56 per cent in delta districts of TN

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Chennai, Aug 9 (IANS) Kuruvai paddy cultivation in Tamil Nadu’s delta region has recorded a substantial increase this year, with the crop being raised over 2,33,163 hectares across five districts, a 56 per cent jump from last year’s coverage of 1,49,184 hectares. Officials credit the impressive rise to the timely release of water from the Mettur reservoir and the early onset of the southwest monsoon.According to figures from the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, the increase spans the…

Stefano Vukov cleared to receive WTA credentials again after suspension lifted

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London, Aug 9 (IANS) Stefano Vukov, former coach of Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, is once again eligible to receive credentials at WTA tournaments following the lifting of his provisional suspension by the women’s tennis governing body.The WTA had provisionally suspended Vukov in January this year for a potential breach of its code of conduct, pending the outcome of an investigation. The specifics of the case have remained confidential, and the organisation has not revealed who lodged the…

Scientists find antibodies that can protect children from deadly Strep A infection

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New Delhi, Aug 9 (IANS) UK scientists have discovered how some children develop natural immunity to Strep A, a common bacterial infection — a vital breakthrough which could help develop vaccines to save up to half a million lives globally each year.While Strep A often causes a mild sore throat or skin infections, it sometimes be life-threatening.In low and middle-income countries hundreds of thousands of people die each year after contracting the infection. This increased risk is often linked t…

Pratik on ‘Gandhi’, ‘Saare Jahan Se Accha’: Both ideologies are trying to keep the country safe

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Mumbai, Aug 9 (IANS) Actor Pratik Gandhi has talked about the interesting parallels between his two roles from the series “Gandhi” and “Saare Jahan Se Accha”. He noted that while their ideologies appear opposite, both characters strive for a safe and peaceful country. Talking about how his characters of Mahatma Gandhi from the upcoming series “Gandhi” and Vishnu in “Saare Jahan Se Accha” represent a complete dichotomy of ideologies, Pratik told IANS: “Both the ideologies are op…

You are the pride of Telugu cinema, says Chiranjeevi to Mahesh Babu in b'day greeting

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Hyderabad, Aug 9 (IANS) Greeting actor Mahesh Babu who celebrated his 50th birthday on Saturday, Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi said the stylish actor was “the pride of Telugu cinema” and that he was “destined to conquer the beyond”. Taking to his X timeline to pen a heartfelt birthday greeting to Mahesh Babu, Megastar Chiranjeevi wrote, “Happy Happy 50th, my dear SSMB @urstrulyMahesh! You are the pride of Telugu Cinema, destined to conquer the beyond! You seem to grow younger with every passing y…

Sunny Hinduja on playing a Pakistani agent: It's very difficult to get a good role

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Mumbai, Aug 9 (IANS) Actor Sunny Hinduja, who is playing an ISI agent in the upcoming series “Saare Jahan Se Accha”, has talked about how he wasn’t apprehensive on taking on the role and said that he doesn’t focus on the character’s nationality or background, but rather on the quality of the role itself. Sunny emphasised the scarcity of good roles and the importance of taking on compelling characters, even if they are antagonists, to effectively tell a story.Talking about being apprehensiv…

Bina Kak will miss Salman Khan on ‘Rakhi day’ as she’s recovering from ‘broken ankle’

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Mumbai, Aug 9 (IANS) Veteran actress-turned-politician Bina Kak is missing her ‘brother like son’ Salman Khan on Rakshabandhan as she revealed she is recovering from a “broken ankle.” Bina, who is known for working in films such as “Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?” “God Tussi Great Ho,” “Nanhe Jaisalmer,” “Dulha Mil Gaya,” and “Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute To Love”, took to Instagram, where she shared a motley of pictures featuring her and Salman.“Since I am recovering from brok…