India

Ranchi, Oct 8 (IANS) What began as a playful childhood pastime four or five years ago has taken 11-year-old Aashvi Vashishtha of Ranchi into the Guinness World Records.

The Class 6 student of DAV Kapildev School has achieved a Guinness World Record by completing 80 hula-hoop rotations around her nose in just one minute.

The achievement became an especially memorable moment for her family when the record certificate and medal arrived at her home on Thursday.

Aashvi accomplished the feat on May 3 this year with her record attempt filmed on the school premises.

Maintaining the hula hoop's speed and rhythm while keeping it balanced around the nose makes the feat particularly challenging.

Speaking to IANS, Aashvi said she started practising with a hula hoop about four or five years ago. Initially, it was simply something she enjoyed doing, and people at home and in her neighbourhood would often appreciate her speed and rhythm.

Gradually, however, the pastime turned into dedicated practice.

Around six months ago, Aashvi began thinking about attempting a hula-hoop record. Once she set the goal, she started training with greater focus, turning years of casual practice into preparation for a world-record attempt.

And the Guinness achievement is not her only record.

Aashvi has also found a place in the Asia Book of Records after completing 397 anti-clockwise hula-hoop rotations around her nose in 6 minutes and 40 seconds while wearing inline skates.

She also holds an India Book of Records feat for completing 226 hula-hoop rotations in 3 minutes and 46 seconds while balancing on skates.

Born on September 23, 2015, Aashvi is the daughter of Rahul Vashishtha and Kavita Vashishtha, residents of Ranchi's Upper Bazaar area. She credits her family for encouraging her throughout her journey and said her grandfather Ashok Sharma has always motivated her.

For Aashvi, the record is more than a personal milestone. She has dedicated her Guinness World Record to her grandfather, mother, and father.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Oct 8 (IANS) Emphasising a swift transition from announcements to ground execution, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday made a major pitch to corporate leaders and startups at the "Interactive Session on Investment Opportunities in Madhya Pradesh" in Mumbai.

Pledging rapid implementation and zero-delay governance, the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister urged business leaders to participate in the state's ongoing transformation trajectory.

"Our (BJP) government believes not just in announcements, but in development and execution. What we promise today, we will deliver. For the industrial world, 'MP' has shifted its meaning to 'More Profit' and 'Mega Projects'."

The high-profile investor interaction yielded immediate dividends, securing Rs 90,000 crore in fresh investment proposals across key growth sectors, including renewable energy, manufacturing, and textiles.

The projects are projected to generate around 15,000 direct and indirect jobs across the state.

Looking ahead, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced that Madhya Pradesh will host its flagship Global Investors Summit in January 2027, building upon the momentum of last year's summit, which netted investment commitments worth Rs 10 lakh crore.

Highlighting the Madhya Pradesh's industrial sprint over the past 10 months, Chief Minister Yadav noted that manufacturing corridors across the state are actively rallying around the "Make in MP" and "Faith in MP" banners.

"Recent additions to the state's industrial footprint cover a wide range of advanced industries, including infrastructure and energy, mobility and heavy industry and healthcare and essentials," the Chief Minister said.

To further accelerate industrial output, construction of dedicated economic and logistics corridors is progressing rapidly, strengthening opportunities in high-growth sectors such as IT, mining, pharma, tourism, green energy, and automobiles.

Reaffirming the administration's focus on investor convenience, CM Yadav noted that the Madhya Pradesh government treats the investor as being as vital as the capital itself, ensuring streamlined approvals and end-to-end execution support.

He said that geographic location is Madhya Pradesh's strength and the state serves as a natural economic gateway for reaching all regions from North to South and East to West.

"For setting up industries, Madhya Pradesh faces no shortage of land, electricity, or water. We maintain an industrial land bank of 1.25 lakh acres, surplus electricity, and dedicated water reserves for industries. The state possesses a workforce of skilled and trained youth. Road, rail, and air networks in Madhya Pradesh are expanding continuously," he added.

"Our (BJP) government is not just about "announcements"; it is a government of "development" and "implementation". The promises made today will be honoured, and together we will build a new India," CM Yadav said.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) Flyers will have to shell out more for plane tickets as Air India and Air India Express have announced an increase in fuel surcharges on domestic and select international routes due to the rise in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices amid the continuing Middle East conflict.

The Tata Group airlines have followed leading domestic carrier IndiGo in increasing the fuel surcharge.

"ATF prices have remained volatile in recent months amid geopolitical developments and sustained pressure on global energy markets. The latest increase has pushed up airline operating costs, with fuel accounting for a substantial share of overall expenditure," the Tata Group airlines said.

For Air India Express, the revised surcharge will apply to new bookings made from 0000 hours IST on October 9, while for Air India, it will apply to bookings made from 1100 hours IST on October 9. The surcharge will vary depending on the sector and route category, an Air India statement said.

Air India and Air India Express have revised their one-way domestic fuel surcharge, with the levy ranging from Rs 400 to Rs 1,200 depending on the flight distance.

The revised surcharge will be Rs 400 for flights up to 500 km, while journeys between 501 and 1,000 km will attract a Rs 600 surcharge.

For flights covering 1,001-1,500 km, the surcharge will be Rs 850. Flights between 1,501 and 2,000 km, as well as those above 2,000 km, will carry a Rs 1,200 surcharge.

Air India and Air India Express have also revised the fuel surcharge on select international routes, with the surcharge set at $215 for North America, $210 for Australia, $135 for Europe including the UK, and $ 55 for West Asia and the Middle East, the airlines said.

Earlier, IndiGo revised its fuel charges for all new bookings made from 0001 hours on October 6, due to the sharp rise in the cost of ATF.

"The continuous rise in the fuel prices, with the latest month-on-month increase exceeding 14 per cent, has taken ATF costs to levels that are amongst the highest in the last decade," IndiGo said in a statement.

Under the revised charges, passengers travelling up to 500 km on domestic routes will pay a fuel charge of Rs 375.

For domestic flights covering 501-1,000 km, the charge will be Rs 600, while flights covering 1,001-1,500 km will attract a charge of Rs 900.

For journeys between 1,501 and 2,000 km, passengers will pay Rs 1,150. Flights covering more than 2,000 km will carry a fuel charge of Rs 1,300.

IndiGo has also revised fuel charges for international flights based on the distance and route.

For flights within the SAARC region, routes up to 500 km will attract a charge of Rs 1,000, while routes covering 501 km and above will carry a charge of Rs 3,000.

Flights to Southeast Asia, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Middle East, and North and East Asia will attract a fuel charge of Rs 5,500.

The charge for flights to Africa has been fixed at Rs 6,000, while passengers travelling to Europe will pay Rs 10,000.

IndiGo said the revised charges were kept lower than the increase in its actual fuel costs to limit the impact on passengers.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Nabin, taking a derisive taunt at the Congress and INDIA bloc allies over Election Commission (EC) protests in the national capital, said on Thursday that their demonstration remains 'timed' with the elections and with an intent to earn electoral dividend from it.

He asserted that the BJP and its workers remain in mission mode, 24x7 and every single day comes with new set of responsibilities while describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's conviction and commitment towards public welfare as the key inspiration behind it.

Taking direct potshots at Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and the Opposition INDIA bloc, Nabin said that they possess an "anarchist mindset" and only know how to "inject poison into society" while criticising their protest against the EC, based on 'unfounded and baseless' allegations of vote theft.

Questioning the rationale behind Opposition's protests, the BJP Chief said that this is the same Election Commission which conducted the elections in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, where they are in power.

"If their allegations were true, it was this very Election Commission that conducted the elections in Kerala. In Tamil Nadu, where they came into power through the backdoor, the elections were also conducted by this very Election Commission," Nabin added.

He said that the nation was watching the "game they (Opposition) were playing" and demanded that Rahul Gandhi resigns, if he has the courage.

Addressing the gathering in Varanasi, the BJP President also added that today's generation represents change public representatives running governments must understand their aspirations.

"The new generation wants to express its views, and we need to listen to them. The youth gave overwhelming support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014," Nabin said.

Outlining party's objectives, going forward, the BJP President added that the party's effort is to ensure that party leadership engages directly with young people and works towards finding solutions to their problems.

"We have not achieved everything yet, but we are certainly moving in the right direction," he asserted.

--IANS

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Ayodhya, Oct 8 (IANS) Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, during his visit to the holy city on Thursday, issued a direct challenge to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to contest the upcoming UP Assembly elections from Ayodhya.

Akhilesh Yadav’s dare to the Chief Minister ignites public interest because the BJP, having championed the cause of the Ram Mandir movement, was vanquished by the SP candidate in the previous elections.

The SP chief, who refrained from visiting the Ram Temple despite his third trip to the holy city since its inauguration in 2024, said that the BJP was struggling to find a candidate in Ayodhya and its "internal surveys are hinting at another rout".

"If the Chief Minister who makes tall claims and remains so confident, he should contest the election from Ayodhya," the SP leader mockingly said, eliciting cheers from the supporters.

"Ever since we announced our candidate for Ayodhya, the BJP has been conducting survey after survey. In every single survey, it is falling behind. There is growing buzz that the party is unable to even find a suitable candidate for Ayodhya," he further said, adding that their ‘false prestige’ will be stripped away.

Reiterating the party’s poll pledge, Akhilesh Yadav said that womenfolk in the state, including mothers and sisters, will be provided with Rs 40,000 monetary assistance every year, and this will bring "real change" in their lives.

Outlining the party’s plans for reviving Ayodhya’s glory and identity, he said that when the socialist government is formed in the state, it will work to accelerate development, bringing international recognition to the city, the birthplace of Lord Ram.

"In the coming times, when a socialist government will be in power, there will be no discrimination against you, nor will your shop or house be demolished," he said, in a direct reference to the “bulldozer justice” under the incumbent Yogi Adityanath government.

Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state, is bracing for high-stakes Assembly elections early next year, and the ruling as well as the Opposition parties have already started outreach and mass mobilisation programs to woo the electorate.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) Congress-led Opposition continued its protest against alleged discrepancies in the Election Commission's (EC) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise for the third day on Thursday as the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, party President Mallikarjun Kharge led the march to Rajghat.

Hundreds of leaders, along with party workers reached Rajghat on Thursday evening, to turn on the heat on the Union government and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and also to chalk out their next course of action.

Prior to this, senior leaders of Congress and INDIA bloc assembled in the Connaught Place for a luncheon, where they discussed ways to escalate their stir against alleged 'vote chori'.

The Opposition has been gunning for CEC Gyanesh Kumar, demanding his resignation over alleged irregularities in the SIR of electoral rolls.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, speaking to press at the Rajghat, reiterated demand for CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation and also make an appeal to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to listen to people's voice.

Earlier, speaking to scribes after the lunch meet, Kharge said the Opposition wanted to highlight that the freedom secured by India's freedom fighters was being "snatched" by the poll panel and that the people's "right to vote is being taken away".

Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and scores of Congress leaders have been on the streets in the national capital, for past two days, against alleged 'vote chori' by the EC and have been pressing for his resignation.

They claim that the poll panel has conspired with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Union government to hijack the country's democracy and stealing people's votes through 'criminal conspiracy'. They have accused the poll panel of undermining and weakening the constitutional bodies.

Meanwhile, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a fledgling outfit comprising students and activists, has also announced a mega demonstration at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on October 10, raising concerns over "vote theft" and alleged electoral malpractices.

--IANS

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Kanpur, Oct 8 (IANS) A woman in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur has accused her husband of giving her triple talaq and said on Thursday that she was ousted from their family home after 16 years of marriage and two children. The victim has alleged that her husband was having an affair with a woman living in the same area.

The woman named Afreen has claimed that she caught her husband red-handed cheating on her on July 7 with another woman.

"It has happened multiple times. I have tried to explain and communicate many times; he didn't agree. Even when I caught him that day, we got into a huge fight. All the relatives were called. When confronted, he said that 'she is everything to me; I will divorce you. I will stay with her; I will marry her,'" she said, quoting her husband.

The woman also alleged that she was physically abused.

"He used to torment the children and me. He used to beat me up and did not provide for me. I was physically abused, but I persevered through it, thinking that it should not affect my family, my children."

She said that she was married for 16 years and has two teenage children.

"I have been married for 16 years, and I have two sons. One is 13; the other is 15. His husband's family did not take any action and just asked me to wait and have patience. I did too, thinking my family would be torn apart," Afreen added.

According to the woman, at around 9:30 p.m. on August 12, her husband pronounced triple talaq in front of their two sons and threw her out of the house. She subsequently lodged a complaint at Chaman Ganj police station.

Police have registered an FIR under provisions related to dowry harassment, assault, an illicit relationship, and the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act.

Speaking on the matter, Kanpur Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) (Central), Atul Srivastava, said, "An FIR has been registered in the Chamanganj police station against the accused. Investigations are ongoing in the matter."

Incidentally, the woman complained that her initial complaints were not being registered by the police, and the FIR was only filed recently in October.

However, when asked, the DCP said mediation was initially being attempted in the matter. After the issue of triple talaq came to light, an FIR was registered immediately.

The woman demanded that her husband should be arrested as soon as possible.

--IANS

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Ramgarh (Jharkhand), Oct 8 (IANS) Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday performed the final rites of his mother and wife of Dishom Guru Shibu Soren, Rupi Soren, on Thursday at his native village Nemra in Ramgarh district.

The Chief Minister lit his mother’s funeral pyre.

The last rites were performed according to traditional customs at Dhekanala Ghat in Nemra, under Gola block of the district.

Rupi Soren’s mortal remains reached Nemra from Ranchi at around 2 p.m. on Thursday. A large number of villagers, supporters and well-wishers gathered to pay their last respects.

A funeral procession was also taken out, with mourners walking with the mortal remains to Dhekanala Ghat.

A sombre atmosphere prevailed in Nemra and surrounding areas as family members, close associates and villagers gathered to bid her a final farewell. Dhekanala Ghat is the same place where Dishom Guru Shibu Soren was also cremated some time ago.

Rupi Soren, 80, passed away on Wednesday while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Ranchi. She had been suffering from heart disease and several other ailments. She had returned after undergoing treatment in Hyderabad about a month ago.

The administration made elaborate security arrangements for the funeral in view of the anticipated gathering. Officials from the Ramgarh and Hazaribagh district administrations were present in Nemra since morning to oversee the arrangements.

Police personnel and magistrates were deployed, while special arrangements were put in place on roads leading to the village and the cremation site to regulate crowds and maintain smooth traffic movement.

The administration continued to monitor security during the funeral procession and the last rites.

Following Rupi Soren’s demise, people from Jharkhand’s political and social circles expressed their condolences. A large number of villagers and supporters were present in Nemra for her final journey.

Family members and others present at the cremation site were visibly emotional as the rituals were completed in accordance with traditional customs.

--IANS

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Paradip, Oct 8 (IANS) Maritime and aeronautical agencies on Thursday came together to operational readiness, interoperability and coordinated response to mass rescue operations at sea during an exercise conducted by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) off Paradip in Odisha, an official said.

The 12th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX-2026) was conducted under the aegis of the National Maritime Search and Rescue Board (NMSARB), the official said in a statement.

Themed "Leveraging Technology to Strengthen SAR Preparedness and Maritime Safety", the exercise brought together maritime and aeronautical agencies to demonstrate operational readiness, the statement said, adding that SAREX-2026 was reviewed by ICG Director General Paramesh Sivamani.

The exercise saw the participation from Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, Shipping Corporation of India, Directorate General of Shipping, Fisheries, Customs, Marine Police, Paradip Port Authority, and Odisha administration.

As many as 32 observers from 30 countries participated in the exercise, marking a significant step towards strengthening international cooperation in maritime search and rescue, the statement said.

Their participation facilitated exchange of best practices, enhanced global interoperability and reaffirmed India's role as a dependable maritime search and rescue partner in the region, it added.

The assets deployed included 15 Coast Guard ships, three Dornier aircraft, three Advance Light Helicopters, one Chetak helicopter, IAF C-130J and Mi-17 aircraft, two Indian Navy ships, along with civil and state resources and shore-based support units.

The sea drill simulated a mass rescue operation following a concurrent aeronautical and maritime distress emergency, the statement said.

As part of the scenario, a passenger aircraft carrying 228 persons ditched at sea near Paradip Port, with the fuselage impacting the container vessel MV Zumba, resulting in structural damage and fire, it added.

The exercise involved activation of the Incident Command Post, firefighting operations, helicopter evacuations, deployment of life rafts and air-droppable life rafts, Jason Cradle and Gemini recovery, rescue basket operations and scramble net procedures.

The exercise also included a demonstration of Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) capability.

--IANS

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Gandhinagar, Oct 8 (IANS) The Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) has permanently cancelled the drug sale licences of four firms in Vadodara and Surat following inspections that uncovered the alleged illegal storage and sale of medicines, including codeine-based cough syrup, Tramadol and Sildenafil.

The action was taken on the instructions of Health Minister Praful Pansheriya and under the supervision of the FDCA Commissioner as part of the state’s drive against the misuse and illegal trade of medicines.

In Karjan of Vadodara district, FDCA officials conducted a joint raid at Chamunda Pharma based on specific information provided by the Maharashtra Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).

The authorities seized 13,938 bottles of Anrex (Codeine) cough syrup, valued at an estimated Rs 27.8 lakh, and 12,240 Tramadol tablets estimated to be worth Rs 50,000.

The firm was sealed following the violations, while its sale licences under Forms 20B and 21B of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act were permanently cancelled with effect from October 1, 2026.

Authorities also inspected Majisa Medical Stores in Karjan, which is associated with Chamunda Pharma. A stock of Lomotil tablets containing an NDPS component was found during the inspection.

Officials also found that a registered pharmacist was absent and that the refrigerator required for maintaining the prescribed temperature was switched off.

Following the violations, a show-cause notice was issued and the firm’s licences for retail sale of medicines were permanently cancelled with effect from October 5, 2026.

The action extended to online drug sales in Surat. On October 1, officials raided Dermatics India in Varachha and found that the firm was selling medicines through its website without a valid drug licence.

A stock of Sildenafil, Minoxidil and Ketoconazole valued at more than Rs 11.26 lakh was seized. Samples have been sent to the government’s FDL laboratory in Vadodara for analysis, with further court proceedings to follow after the laboratory report is received.

Another inspection at Kyara International in Mota Varachha on October 3 found digital evidence indicating that the firm had allegedly sold allopathic medicines worth around Rs 3.60 lakh through online platforms, including Meesho, in the preceding month.

The medicines were allegedly marketed under the name 'Sildenafil Ayurvedic'. Officials said action to cancel the licence of the same person had previously been initiated for storing medicines without a licence.

The latest case is being treated as a repeat offence and legal action is being taken under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

Pansheriya said, “Selling allopathic medicines such as Sildenafil in the name of ‘Ayurvedic’ or medicines without a doctor’s prescription through online platforms such as Meesho or through private websites is a very serious offence.”

He said a joint team of the Cyber Cell and FDCA would undertake continuous digital monitoring of e-commerce websites to identify such illegal sales.

The minister also called for micro-level planning by the concerned authorities to prevent the misuse of codeine-based cough syrups and other medicines as intoxicants among young people.

"The government would continue strict checking and legal action against illegal medicine sales through both online platforms and physical stores," he added.

--IANS

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