Rajkot, Aug 14 (IANS) Rajkot witnessed a large public turnout on Thursday as the Rajkot Municipal Corporation organised a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ as part of Independence Day celebrations, with citizens from different sections of society joining the procession carrying the national flag.

The yatra began at 9 a.m. and was flagged off by Rajkot Municipal Corporation Mayor Dr Nehal Shukla and other officials.

It proceeded along Chaudhary High School Road before concluding at Jubilee Garden, where floral tributes were paid to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi.

The event began at the stage near the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at Bahumali Bhavan Chowk, Race Course.

MLAs Bhanu Babariya, Uday Kangad, Dr Darshita Shah and Ramesh Tilala, city BJP president Dr Madhav Dave, Deputy Mayor Daksha Vasani, Standing Committee chairman Paresh Pipaliya, ruling party leader Dr Hiren Khimani, Municipal Commissioner Tushar Sumera, District Collector Dr Om Prakash, Rajkot City Police Commissioner Brajesh Kumar Jha and other officials and public representatives attended the programme.

Representatives of business and industrial associations, religious organisations, NGOs, sports bodies, NSS, NCC, IMA, chemists and druggists’ associations, hotels, restaurants and food vendors also participated.

Students from municipal schools, RMC-run high schools, universities, private schools and trust-run institutions joined the procession along with a large number of residents.

The civic body had arranged the Tricolour on buildings along the Race Course Ring Road and the route between Bahumali Bhavan Chowk and Jubilee Garden.

Cultural performance stages, flag distribution counters, drinking water and medical teams were also arranged along the route. Police personnel, a band and fire brigade teams were deployed for the procession.

Addressing the gathering, Mayor Dr Nehal Shukla said the yatra had been organised in continuation of an initiative launched across the country five years ago by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strengthen national sentiment among citizens.

“On this grand occasion, the people of Rajkot have attended in large numbers and brought pride to Rajkot city,” he said.

The Mayor said patriotic programmes could help the younger generation remain connected with India’s historical heritage and strengthen their sense of national pride.

Referring to the ‘Viksit Bharat’ campaign, he said: "The responsibility of making India a developed nation rested not only with the Prime Minister and Chief Minister but with all citizens."

Dr Shukla also urged residents not to throw waste in public places, saying collective adherence to cleanliness would help keep Rajkot a beautiful city.

Quoting the line, “Ye aasman ka ishara hai, kal ka ugnewala suraj hamara hai”, he said that with determined and sincere participation by citizens, the goal of a developed India set for 2047 could potentially be achieved earlier.

Before the procession, cultural groups presented raas-garba and tribal dance performances.

Standing Committee chairman Paresh Pipaliya welcomed the gathering, while Social Welfare Committee chairman Manish Bhatt conducted the programme.

The procession concluded at Jubilee Garden after officials and participants paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

--IANS

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Kolkata, Aug 13 (IANS) An engineering student died in an unusual incident at IIT Kharagpur in West Midnapore district on Thursday after reportedly falling from the fourth floor of a campus building.

According to the police, the student was taken to the campus hospital in a serious condition, but doctors declared him brought dead. There is mystery surrounding how the student fell from the fourth floor, and police have begun investigating the matter.

The deceased has been identified as Ankit Sharma, a resident of Rajasthan. He was admitted to IIT Kharagpur in July last year and was a second‑year student of the Mechanical Engineering department.

It is learnt that Ankit somehow fell from the fourth floor of the Nalanda building on the campus around 3 p.m. on Thursday. His body was covered in blood. Security guards saw him and rushed him to B.C. Roy Hospital in an injured condition, but he could not be saved.

On receiving the information, officers from the Hijli outpost of Kharagpur Town police station reached the spot. According to sources, Ankit had a class in the Nalanda building. Police are investigating whether he fell inadvertently or jumped.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Kharagpur) Bushara Bano visited the spot and said, “There has been an unusual death of a student. He fell from the fourth floor. What exactly happened is being investigated.”

The IIT authorities have not commented on the matter so far.

Last month, the hanging body of Deepak Reddy Pullaguram, an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering, was found on the campus. Deepak, a resident of Hyderabad, was found dead in his quarters.

In April this year, a student named Jaiveer Singh Dodia committed suicide by jumping from the eighth floor of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hall on the campus. In 2025, seven students of IIT Kharagpur died under mysterious circumstances, five of them found hanging.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 13 (IANS) Music composer Amaal Mallik, who has composed the song ‘Yeh Awarapan’ from the upcoming Emraan Hashmi-starrer ‘Awarapan 2’, has called himself an anomaly in the music industry.

The composer spoke with IANS during the promotions of the film in the BKC area of Mumbai, and said that he has always made it a point to stick to making good music, and not worry about the peripherals.

He told IANS, “I want to stand with the music. If you want to do good music, stand with me. If your film's budget is 5 rupees, it’s fine, I am not looking for a movie with a budget of 500 rupees. I am not saying that if I get a chance in ‘Ramayana’, only then I will do something. I am an anomaly. 80% of my catalog of super hit music is from super flop films”.

“I don't have only hit films. Later in life, ‘Airlift’, ‘Kapoor and Sons’, ‘MS Dhoni’, ‘Golmaal’, ‘Badrinath’ and others hit films came up. I have only 5-6 films. Actually, my songs didn't even work on superstars. Every film has a learning lesson and a learning curve. I get stuck where I feel there is no growth. What will I do from here? I have made ‘Main Rahun Ya Na Rahun, and I did ‘Bol Do Na Zara’ but this time, I wanted to push the envelope with Emraan Hashmi in ‘Awarapan 2’”, he added.

Earlier, the composer had shared how he makes peace with some of his songs not clicking at the time of their release but becoming huge hits years later.

He earlier told IANS, “I have many such songs. I believe that there is a timeline for every song. There is also fate. It also depends on the mood, energy, and with whom you make it. Everyone has good energy, so the songs become great. Sometimes you make a very good song, but it also depends on the film, who is the hero. In our country, there is a visual medium of music. People first watch the songs, then listen to them. So it matters, on which face it comes. And how much marketing it gets”.

“So today is not a time that you make a very good song, and it will be seen. So it will be seen slowly, but if you have instant gratification, tomorrow it will be 100 million, 500,000 reels, this cannot happen with every song. Some songs go on reels, some songs go on streaming, some go against everyone's rules. But they have to give a positioning to the song”, he added.

--IANS

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Hyderabad, Aug 13 (IANS) Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday appealed to the people to ensure their votes are not deleted in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

The Chief Minister warned that some political forces were conspiring to delete votes in Telangana, as in West Bengal, which witnessed the removal of lakhs of votes before the Assembly elections.

Participating in the “Minorities Excellence Summit” here, he said some forces were attempting to have votes deleted in the SIR. “After winning West Bengal, these political forces said their next target is Telangana,” he remarked, but made it clear that Congress would not let the deletion of votes happen in the state.

He urged the Congress cadre to visit every household and check everyone’s vote, ensuring that not a single eligible person loses their right to vote. He said every Congress worker should become Revanth Reddy to safeguard the right to vote.

Stating that Hindus and Muslims are two eyes for him, the Chief Minister claimed that the credit for implementing four per cent reservation for minorities goes to the Congress party.

He said though some forces tried to scrap the Muslim quota, they did not succeed. “Our government implemented the four per cent reservation effectively, and the youth have secured jobs in Group‑1 and Group‑2 services. We ensured minorities were given their due place under our government. Even though some forces tried to stall the recruitment process by approaching the Supreme Court, we pursued the matter seriously and completed the appointments,” he said.

He pointed out that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had stated the four per cent reservation for minorities would be removed if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in Telangana. “We already challenged Amit Shah to first remove the Muslim quota in Gujarat,” he added.

The Chief Minister thanked the Muslims for their cooperation in helping him reach the position of Chief Minister of Telangana.

Listing out welfare and development programmes meant for the minority community, he said a member from the minority community was appointed to the Telangana Public Service Commission. Former Indian cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin was inducted into the State Cabinet. The government provided a Group‑1 level job to world boxing champion Nikhat Zareen with a cash prize of Rs 3 crore and also appointed cricketer Mohammed Sirajuddin as a DSP, he said.

CM Revanth Reddy advised minority youth to acquire skills alongside their education to grab numerous job opportunities in Germany and Japan. He said the State government has already established a Skills University to enhance students' skills.

--IANS

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Patna, August 13 (IANS) Security has been intensified along the India‑Nepal border in Bihar ahead of Independence Day on August 15.

The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has placed its personnel on high alert and increased surveillance across sensitive areas.

Personnel from the 47th and 44th SSB Battalions, deployed in the Mainatanr block area, have stepped up security measures along the border.

Special surveillance is being maintained at several border locations, including Inarwa, Basantpur, Bhedihari, Bhangha, Pachrauta, Siswa and Nagardehi blocks in East and West Champaran.

Security personnel are conducting thorough checks of people travelling between India and Nepal. Travellers’ identity documents are being verified, while luggage is also being searched. Particular attention is being given to suspicious individuals, vehicles and activities.

The SSB has also increased foot patrols and intensified its presence in villages near the international border. Continuous monitoring is being carried out at sensitive locations to prevent any untoward incident around Independence Day.

Security personnel are simultaneously maintaining vigilance against illegal activities along the border. The SSB has appealed to residents to immediately inform security forces about any suspicious person, vehicle or activity.

Ankit Kumar, Assistant Commandant at the 47th Battalion’s Inarwa camp, said a high alert had been issued in view of Independence Day. He stated that security arrangements had been strengthened, with heightened surveillance of suspicious activity and thorough checks of people travelling through the border area.

The heightened deployment and surveillance will remain particularly important around August 15, when security agencies traditionally maintain enhanced vigilance at sensitive locations.

Bihar shares an international border with Nepal across six districts—West Champaran, East Champaran, Sheohar, Madhubani, Araria and Kishanganj. In view of heightened security concerns, security arrangements have been strengthened across all these border districts.

The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) is coordinating closely with the police and local administration in the respective districts to maintain strict surveillance along the border and closely monitor suspicious activities and potential troublemakers.

--IANS

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Chandigarh, Aug 13 (IANS) Roundglass Golf Academy (RGGA) athlete Sohraab Singh Talwar delivered a masterclass in precision and composure to secure his maiden career title, capturing the Boys Category C crown at the highly competitive IGU Northern India Junior Boys Golf Championship, held at the Chandigarh Golf Club.

Showcasing remarkable control across all three days of the tournament, Sohraab registered a hard-fought 3-shot victory over his closest competitor. He opened his championship campaign with a solid round of 74, keeping him right in the mix at the top of the leaderboard.

He then caught fire, finishing the tournament with spectacular back-to-back under-par rounds of 71 on the second and third days.

This phenomenal performance earned him a winning total of 216 (Level Par overall), putting him in a league of his own.

The young RGGA prospect finished ahead of Delhi's Shan Alvi, who secured the runner-up spot with a total score of 219 (72-72-75), and Uttar Pradesh's Kabir Goyal, who claimed third place with a score of 221 (71-74-76).

Adding to the academy's strong showing at the tournament, fellow Roundglass Golf Academy athlete Rudraj Diwan also delivered a commendable performance, finishing in 16th place with a total score of 250 (79-86-85).

Based at the Chandigarh Golf Club, the Roundglass Golf Academy continues to establish itself as a premier destination for elite Indian golfers, offering a world-class training environment mentored by India's No. 1 professional golfer and Brand Ambassador, Shubhankar Sharma.

The IGU Northern India Junior Boys Golf Championship is a highly anticipated event on the Indian junior golf circuit. Hosted at the prestigious Chandigarh Golf Club, this tournament brings together the best young male golfers from across Northern India to compete for top honours. Over the course of five days, participants demonstrate their skills, discipline, and sportsmanship. This event serves as a vital platform for young athletes aiming to advance their competitive golf careers.

--IANS

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Amaravati, Aug 13 (IANS) A delegation of YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leaders met Union Education Minister Prahlad Joshi in New Delhi on Thursday and urged the Centre to exempt senior in‑service teachers from the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) and take necessary steps, including amending the Right to Education Act.

The delegation, comprising MPs Golla Baburao, P.V. Midhun Reddy, Y.S. Avinash Reddy and Maddila Gurumoorthy, and MLCs M.V. Ramachandra Reddy, Parvatha Reddy Chandrasekhar Reddy and Kalpalatha Reddy, requested the Centre to review the Supreme Court judgment making TET qualification mandatory.

They said teachers who joined service before 2011 and completed 20 to 30 years of service should not be forced to qualify in TET at the age of 50 and above.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, the YSRCP leaders said around one lakh teachers in Andhra Pradesh and lakhs across the country were affected.

They questioned why the State government had not filed a review petition in the Supreme Court and why the NDA government had not amended Section 23 of the Right to Education Act.

The leaders said asking senior teachers to write an online examination covering all subjects was unfair and violated their basic rights. They suggested that if an examination was unavoidable, it should be conducted offline and only in the subject taught by the teacher.

They said teachers had time until August 31, 2028, to qualify, but were being unnecessarily worried about jobs and promotions. They demanded that the State Assembly pass a resolution seeking exemption.

YSRCP said it would raise the issue in Parliament, introduce a Private Member’s Bill if necessary and continue its legal and legislative fight for in‑service teachers.

Last month, former Chief Minister and YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy urged Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to pressure the Centre to exempt teachers appointed before 2011 from the compulsory TET rule.

The YSRCP chief highlighted the hardships faced by teachers due to the rule requiring them to clear TET. Jagan told Naidu that it was unfair for his government to ignore the hardships teachers face due to the TET rule.

--IANS

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Bhubaneswar, Aug 13 (IANS) Odisha Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo came down heavily on officials during the State‑Level Horticulture Officers’ Conference, warning them against failing to follow government guidelines and submit mandatory tour reports.

According to an official statement, the key objectives of the conference were to advance agricultural development, boost farmers’ earnings and strengthen nutritional security across the state.

The programme was conducted under the guidance of Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Commissioner‑cum‑Secretary Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, Director of Horticulture Kalunge Gorakh Waman and other senior departmental officials.

During the event, Singh Deo instructed officers to visit the field regularly, engage directly with farmers, understand their genuine challenges and offer tangible solutions.

He emphasised the need to monitor whether government schemes are reaching the ground as intended.

He advised officials to apply the knowledge gained from government training sessions directly to field operations.

He issued strict orders requiring all officials, including the Director, to submit monthly field visit reports to the office.

Speaking to media persons later, Singh Deo said that for two years officials had been given a long rope. He asked, “When we are sending farmers at government expense to other states to learn about the best farming practices and potential that can be implemented here, when they come back from the tour, are they not supposed to submit a tour report to the government?”

He added that if they failed to submit reports, the government would take action against them.

“They need to submit their tour report through the Secretary to the Government within seven days, failing which all tours outside the state or outside the country will be stopped,” he warned.

The conference addressed several priorities, including expanding oil palm cultivation to reduce the shortage of edible oil, improving crop quality to target international export markets and encouraging the cultivation of high‑value crops alongside commercial floriculture to maximise return on land.

Technical sessions covered modern farming practices, the adoption of advanced technology, effective scheme implementation, post‑harvest handling, and the facilitation of direct sales from farmers to consumers.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Feb 13 (IANS) Maharashtra NCP(SP) President Shashikant Shinde has written a commemorative editorial in the party’s magazine, shedding light on the hidden dynamics of the split and the alleged merger plans between the two NCP factions.

Shinde claimed that late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was forced to exit the original NCP due to threats and conspiracies orchestrated by "invisible powers."

He further said that a final decision to merge the two parties was reached in the presence of Maratha strongman Sharad Pawar and was to be announced on February 12.

In a massive revelation, Shinde asserted that Sharad Pawar and other senior leaders had agreed to hand over the entire command of the unified party to Ajit Pawar following the merger.

“Fulfilling this merger and rebuilding the party with strength would be the only true tribute to Ajit Dada," Shinde wrote.

Shinde clarified, "It was our decision to hand over all party responsibilities to Ajit Dada once the merger process was complete. However, fate had other plans. We were all mentally prepared to accept Ajit Dada’s leadership.”

Shinde appealed to the party faithful, asserting that a merger is the only true tribute to the late leader. He noted, “Ajit Pawar’s dream remains unfulfilled, and it is now the party's responsibility to complete it. Unity: Reuniting and strengthening the NCP is the ultimate goal. Leaders and workers must set aside their differences and broaden their perspective to achieve this unity.”

Following the publication of the article, senior NCP(SP) leader and former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh remarked, "I am unaware of what our State President has said. Since he wrote the article, he likely has more information than I do. I personally have no knowledge of this matter."

While Sharad Pawar has avoided commenting publicly on the matter, Shinde’s article has brought these behind-the-scenes developments to light. However, Shinde’s revelations have sparked a new controversy and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) has reacted with sharp skepticism.

Party spokesperson Suraj Chavan questioned the timing of these claims. Chavan alleged that discussing a merger while the leader’s mortal remains were still at Vidya Pratishthan suggests a "lust for power" rather than genuine respect. He clarified that Sunetra Pawar is now the ultimate authority of their party and any dialogue must happen through her.

Further, the party legislator Amol Mitkari stated that no such merger discussions have occurred within their internal party meetings, attributing the rumours to the rival camp's leaders.

While the Pawar family continues to demonstrate a unique balance of political rivalry and familial bond — recently seen at family weddings — the political future remains clouded.

All eyes are now on Sunetra Pawar. Whether she will pursue the "unfulfilled dream" of a unified NCP or maintain a separate identity, remains a question that will define the next chapter of Maharashtra politics.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) India’s share in global electronics demand has expanded at a rapid compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.2 per cent, significantly outpacing global growth of 4.4 per cent between 2015 and 2024, driven primarily by the sharp rise in mobile phone exports, according to NITI Aayog's Trade Watch Quarterly report for July-September 2025-26, launched on Friday.

Between 2016 and 2024, electronics exports increased nearly five-fold, reaching USD 42.1 billion. With global electronics trade valued at USD 4.6 trillion, the sector represents one of the largest and fastest-evolving segments of the world economy. India has demonstrated particular strength in products such as mobile phones, consumer electronics, and communication equipment, with exports increasingly directed towards major final-consumption markets including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the UAE, the report states.

Electronics, the thematic focus of this quarter's edition, has emerged as a cornerstone of India's manufacturing and export transformation. Now the second-largest item in India's export basket, the sector is both technology-led and deeply interconnected with industries such as automotive, renewable energy, telecom, defence, and digital services, making it a powerful multiplier for industrial growth.

The report states that having established a strong foothold in assembly and system integration, India is now entering the next phase of its electronics journey, moving decisively toward component manufacturing and higher value addition. This transition is supported by targeted policy measures, including the Union Budget's Rs 40,000 crore allocation under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme, aimed at strengthening domestic capabilities.

The analysis underscores that sustained competitiveness will be driven by deeper integration into global electronics value chains, encompassing printed circuit board design, semiconductor assembly and testing, power electronics, and embedded systems. Complemented by continued improvements in logistics efficiency, tariff rationalisation, and industry-aligned skill development, these shifts position electronics as a key engine of India's export growth and technological advancement in the coming decade.

NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Suman Bery said, "Electronics, as the organising core of modern manufacturing value chains, with semiconductors and components, plays a key role in determining trade balances and technological sovereignty. While India has achieved scale in final assembly, sustained competitiveness will depend on correcting structural cost disabilities, deepening domestic component ecosystems, and leveraging anchor investments in components to embed Indian firms more firmly within global production networks."

The publication also provides a comprehensive assessment of global and domestic trade trends at a time when global trade growth has moderated but remains positive, with services continuing to outperform goods and developing regions emerging as key drivers.

The analysis highlights that India's trade performance in Q2 FY26 was driven by export-led momentum sustaining the overall trade expansion amid heightened global uncertainty. Services and merchandise exports recorded robust growth of around 8.5 per cent, outpacing import growth in both merchandise and services.

At a structural level, the edition underscores the deepening of trade among developing economies, which has expanded nearly four-fold since 2005 and now accounts for a rising share of global exports, with India’s trade trajectory increasingly aligned with this Global South rebalancing through regional value chains and new trade corridors.

Further, this edition highlights the growing role of e-commerce as a key enabler of future export growth. India is now among the world’s top six e-commerce markets, with electronics accounting for nearly half of online retail.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) In a farmer-centric step to stabilise domestic markets and ensure remunerative returns to producers, the Centre on Friday approved the export of 25 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of wheat, along with an additional 5 LMT of wheat products.

According to a Consumer Affairs Ministry statement, wheat stock availability with private entities during 2025–26 stands at approximately 75 LMT, which is nearly 32 LMT higher compared to the corresponding period last year.

"This substantial year-on-year increase indicates a comfortable supply position in the country. Furthermore, as on April 1, 2026, total wheat availability in the central pool with FCI is projected at around 182 LMT, thus ensuring that export permissions will not impact domestic food security requirements," it said.

Moreover, wheat acreage in Rabi 2026 has also increased to about 334.17 lakh hectares compared to 328.04 lakh hectares last year.

This reflects strong farmer confidence in wheat cultivation supported by assured MSP and procurement mechanisms, and signals the likelihood of another robust harvest, the official statement further added.

The decision to permit export of 25 LMT of wheat and 5 LMT wheat products will help stabilise domestic prices, improve market liquidity, ensure efficient stock rotation, and further strengthen farmers’ income while ensuring national food security.

Meanwhile, to facilitate sugar exports, the government decided to allow export of an additional 5 LMT of sugar to willing sugar mills during the current Sugar Season 2025–26.

Earlier, the government had permitted the export of 15 LMT of sugar during the current Sugar Season 2025–26. This decision is expected to facilitate higher sugar exports and help in managing surplus sugar availability in the country.

As per data, only about 1.97 LMT of sugar has been exported up to January 31, 2026.

In addition, approximately 2.72 LMT of sugar has been contracted for export by sugar mills to date.

The ministry said that the additional export quantity of 5 LMT shall be made available to willing sugar mills, subject to the condition that at least 70 per cent of their allocated quantity is exported by June 30, 2026.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 13 (IANS) Actor and content creator Elvish Yadav, who can be seen in the 5th season of the streaming reality show ‘Playground’, has said that in entertainment business, art is of prime value.

Elvish spoke with IANS along with Tejasswi Prakash, and Aarush Bhola during the promotions of the show at a 5-star property in the city.

He told IANS, “See, the art is everything in this business. Like I’m doing a movie, the makers must have seen something in me. Apart from my social media following, they must have seen some art. So art is very important. The producer invests huge amount of money, there is a director that hs to be paid for his work. The director must have also seen something in me”.

“So, I do feel that your art is more important. If your art has value then you will get the right thing. Whatever you wish for. Let's improve our art. So that the work becomes good”, he added.

Earlier, Elvish had shared what has led to the shift in the people’s perception about him. He said that people earlier had misconceptions about his personality. He shared that a chain of misunderstandings led to the creation of a certain bad boy image of him in people’s minds. However, he is glad that it is now behind him.

Talking about ‘Playground’, the show blends gaming, entertainment, competition and influencer culture into a single format. It is designed around a virtual playground, and brings together young creators, gamers and internet personalities who compete in a variety of challenges while navigating rivalries, friendships and team dynamics.

‘Playground’ season 5 is available to stream on Amazon MX Player.

--IANS

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Los Angeles, Aug 13 (IANS) Rapper Megan Thee Stallion has made some big promises with regards to her upcoming album ACT III, as she has planned major surprises on her.

She told her fans that the record will deliver collaborations they’ve been waiting years to hear. She recently appeared on the IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson podcast, and said, “I have so many collaborations that I feel like the Hotties have been asking me for, from niche collaborations to just personal interest amongst me and the Hotties”.

She added that the album will include songs that are “overdue, collaborations that [will] shock the people, like really gag (them)”.

The rapper also shared that she will be reintroducing her alter ego Tina Snow.

She shared, “I think giving her a proper rollout, a proper title, (and) a reintroduction to Hotties that may not have been with me since 2017, 2018. I think that this is gonna be a new experience for them. Tina is grown now, babe. She has been through lots of life since y’all heard from her last”.

“ACT III is going to be one of my favourite projects I ever put out because I definitely took my time with this one. I feel like there was a portion of life where I was so super busy. I was in a rush to everything. I was like, ‘Dang, I gotta hurry up and record these songs’. For ACT III, I went home, and I was like, ‘Nobody bother me. I gotta finish my album’. So, this has been the most organised and the most calm I’ve been making music in a while”, she added.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 13 (IANS) Actress Rashmika Mandanna is presently recovering from a hip bone injury, spending all her time at home in forever.

In her recent post on social media, the 'Animal' actress admitted that previously, when she was hustling at the time, ‘slowing down’ looked scary to her, but now that her injury has forced her to slow down, she has started finding hustling extremely scary.

She also uploaded a couple of pictures, giving an insight into what her day at home with her loved ones looks like.

Rashmika's Insta post read, "My days always look like this if ever I am just home for this long..It’s amazing how when you are hustling your days away the other side which is ‘slowing down’ seems scary but when you are pushed into ‘slowing down’ - the hustling like a crazy person now seems scary.. maybe that’s what is life..(sic)."

The 'Pushpa' actress concluded the post on a thankful note, saying, "Being engulfed in so much love and surrounded with so much positivity prayers and gratitude."

Before this, Rashmika shared with her Insta Family her recovery routine that included sleeping, eating, and playing with her fur baby Aura.

'The Girlfriend' actress had penned, "My days are going well.. with a lot of sleeping and recovery, puzzles and some reading and watching some shows doing some very much needed hair care and skin care.. and meetings and spending time with family!!"

"Going through the wedding photos and videos cz I hadn’t gotten the proper time till now.. My routine is pretty much *wake up, and no more to alarms (yaaay) just wake up when my body tells me to.. *eat 2 meals a day to really really try and not go overboard with the eating *meetings *puzzles or reading with Aura when she’s able to..*watch a show *and then go to bed.. It’s actually not all that bad to slow down once in a while is it!," added Rashmika.

--IANS

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Los Angeles, Aug 13 (IANS) Hollywood actress Drew Barrymore recently had an emotional reunion on the sets of her chat show.

The recent episode of ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’, saw the show host reunited with an audience member, a flight attendant, whom she had first met four years ago.

The flight attendant showed her a picture on her cell phone of their meeting, as she told the actress, “When I met you, you were crying in my galley. And we sat in my galley, and you cried and cried because you were going through so much. You were just bawling, and I just was holding you”.

The actress then joined the woman in the studio audience, giving her a tearful hug and sitting next to her before recounting the story of their initial meeting.

“That was a really, really hard year; it was actually the year I stopped drinking”, Drew Barrymore recalled, wiping away her tears with a tissue.

“When you stop drinking, it’s not like all your problems go away; there’s still a ton of work to be done”, the actress shared.

Standing up and addressing the audience, the actress said, “I knew for me that was my number one problem in life. Alcohol was a poison for me, and I turned to it because I didn’t want to feel. I felt better when I drank, so I would turn to it”.

The actress then sat next to her old flight attendant as she continued to reflect on her journey to sobriety, laughing, “I’m gonna need your phone number”.

“There was a reason we met that day, thank you for letting me be so honest and transparent with you then, and thank you for being that with me now. I love you, and I’m so glad we’re here today talking about this”, she added.

--IANS

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