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New Delhi, Nov 9 (Ians) In a sort of drama on Twitter, Elon Musk on Wednesday killed the gray “official” verification badge after rolling it out for some users, including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other government handles, saying that the Blue check will be the great leveller on the platform.

Twitter earlier started giving gray badges to government officials and public figures globally, including in India, but later reversed the change.

“I just killed it,” Musk tweeted to a user.

“Blue check will be the great leveller,” he added.

Musk said that Twitter will do lots of dumb things in coming months.

“We will keep what works & change what doesn’t,” the new Twitter CEO posted.

A user who got the ‘Official’ badge posted: “Update: It’s now gone”.

Earlier, Twitter started labelling Indian government handles and Indian media as “official” ahead of the roll-out of blue badge subscriptions across the country.

New Delhi, Oct 9 (Ians) Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang Punia and former international powerlifting champion Gaurav Sharma on Sunday distributed food packets and water bottles to the needy people in the Capital.

Bajrang said it feels great to help needy people and everybody must come forward and do the needful.

“Gaurav has been doing it since the pandemic hit the nation. I joined him earlier also and today we did what we could do. It feels really great. Humanity is above everything,” the Indian wrestler said.

Meanwhile, Gaurav said he decided to serve the people in Delhi after the lockdown was imposed.

“I want to thank Bajrang Punia for his support. It means a lot to me. Well, actually I started distributing food packets when the first lockdown was imposed in Delhi. Since then I haven doing it for the people in need. Support from India’s number one wrestler Bajrang is beyond words.

New Delhi, Oct 1 (Ians) Olympic and World Wrestling Championships bronze medallist Bajrang Punia called on Home Minister Amit Shah at his residence on Saturday.

Amit Shah met him for the first time after he won the World Wrestling Championships Bronze in Belgrade in Serbia.

Speaking with Ians, Bajrang said the Home Minister discussed sports and future tournaments.

“It was great meeting Amit Shah sir. He has always supported the athletes. He congratulated me on the record World Championships bronze medal. He is very supportive and assured all help for future tournaments,” said Bajrang.

Earlier, this week, Bajrang along with World Powerlifting champion Gaurav Sharma met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Bajrang claimed the bronze medal in the men’s 65kg on the final day of the World Wrestling Championships 2022, on September 18. The Haryana grappler – who was wrestling with a bandage on his head due to the injury he sustained during his...

New Delhi, Sep 26 (Ians) Olympic bronze medallist Bajrang Punia and World Powerlifting champion Gaurav Sharma called on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at his residence on Monday.

After the meeting, Bajrang told Ians that he was congratulated by the Minister for his record fourth World Championships medal.

“I am feeling very happy and Rajnath Sir has always supported us (athletes). I feel motivated,” he said.

Bajrang claimed the bronze medal in the men’s 65kg on the final day of the World Wrestling Championships 2022, on September 18. The Haryana grappler — who was wrestling with a bandage on his head due to the injury he sustained during his pre-quarterfinal — produced a spirited fightback against Puerto Rico’s Sebastian Rivera, after being 6-0 down early in the bout.

The 28-year-old eventually cut the lead and was trailing 8-9 heading into the last minute of the second period. The Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist then pulled off...

Bhubaneswar, Sep 8 (Ians) The Defence Research and Development Organisation (Drdo) and Indian Army have successfully completed six flight-tests of the Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (Qrsam) system from Integrated Test Range (Itr), Chandipur off the Odisha coast.

The flight tests were conducted as part of evaluation trials by the Indian Army, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Thursday.

The flight-tests were carried out against high-speed aerial targets mimicking various types of threats to evaluate the capability of the weapon systems under different scenarios, including long range medium altitude, short range, high altitude manoeuvring target, low radar signature with receding & crossing target and salvo launch with two missiles fired in quick succession, it said.

The ministry said that the system performance was also evaluated under day and night operation scenarios. During these tests, all the mission objectives were met establishing pin-point accuracy of the weapon system with...

Shekhar Suman, who is now judging the reality show ‘India’s Laughter Champion’, which launched the career of Raju Srivastava, has tweeted that the condition of the comedian, who was admitted to Aiims, New Delhi, after suffering a heart attack while working out at a gym, was stable.

It was possible, as a result, for Srivastava to undergo an Mri, Suman announced in his tweet.

Suman also expressed his gratitude for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for inquiring about Srivastava’s health and treatment.

He wrote: “Though still on the ventilator Raju is stable enough to be moved for a probable Mri. Thank you @narendramodi ji @rajnathsingh ji @myogiadityanath ji for enquiring about his health and arranging for the best doctors but above all it’s Your prayers that have given him a new life.”

Hours back, popular singer Kailash Kher...

Stand-up comedian Raju Srivastava’s health is deteriorating even two days after he suffered heart-attack, sources in Aiims, Delhi said on Friday.

A source in the hospital told Ians that Raju Srivastava is in serious condition in Intensive care unit.

The source said that the comedian’s condition is not stable and he is being kept under strict observation of doctors.

Raju Srivastava has not regained consciousness for the last 46 hours and doctors said that he has suffered brain damage, according to family sources.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday, telephoned Raju Srivastava’s wife Shikha to enquire about his health and offered support, the family sources added.

Besides, Prime Minister Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have spoken to the family of Raju Srivastava to enquire about his condition.

Srivastava, 59, was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Science Delhi on Wednesday...

Comedian Raju Srivastava continues to be critical even two days after he suffered a heart attack.

According to family sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday, telephoned Raju Srivastava’s wife Shikha to enquire about his health and offered support.

The comedian is still on a ventilator and his condition has not yet improved. He is being treated under the supervision of senior doctors of Aiims, Delhi.

Raju Srivastava has not regained consciousness for the last 46 hours and doctors said that he has suffered brain damage.

The 58-year-old stand-up comedian was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday where he underwent angioplasty.

Raju Srivastava was exercising on the treadmill at the Cult gym in Delhi’s South Extension when he suffered a heart attack.

Besides, Prime Minister Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have spoken to the family of Raju Srivastava to enquire about his condition.

Indian film megastar Akshay Kumar is known for his patriotism not only on screen but off, as he regularly lends his voice in support of martyred soldiers and their families, contributing towards their family’s financial aid.

In a unique and pioneering step, Akshay Kumar along with Hon’ble Union Minister of India Rajnath Singh launched an app and website ‘Bharat Ke Veer’, which enables people to contribute financially towards the families of martyrs.

After initially appealing to the public on the eve of Republic Day 2017 in India, the actor had proposed an app to enable people who wanted to support the families of martyred jawans (soldiers) financially. He had posted a video where he requested his fans to support the cause, with permissions from the Indian Army and support from the Government of India. He tweeted the video on 24th January 2017 with the message, “Here I am standing up...

The ceaselessly forthright and politically unaffiliated Shabana Azmi is shocked and disappointed by the deal that Karan Johar seems to have struck with Raj Thackeray a smooth release of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (Adhm). Says Shabana, “Adhm has been passed by the Censor Board. Home Minister Rajnath Singh promised safe passage for the film’s release. The matter should have ended there.” Shabana wonders what was theRead More

The post “Is Raj Thackeray going to decide whether I am patriotic or not” – Shabana Azmi appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.

The controversy around Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil is just refusing to dry out. The movie has faced strong opposition from Raj Thackeray led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (Mns) who have threatened to damage the theatres if the cinema owners screen the movie which features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. Due to which the makers of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil knocked on police doors and also went to meet and discuss the issue with the Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday in Delhi. And finally the top authority has assured filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt that the theatres across the country will be provided protection against those who are planning to damage the property. But the political ban of Pakistani artistes is still a raging topic across the country where every person is having a different perspective and opinion towards the issue. While the Mumbai Film Festival kicked started at the Opera House in Mumbai on Thursday,...

Last month, an Indian army base was attacked by militants who are potentially from Pakistan, and as a result, Indian-Pakistan relations have been especially strained over the past month. This has affected many aspects of each country’s cultural infrastructure, especially the Bollywood film industry in India.

Read More: ‘Akira’ Review: Female-Centric Bollywood Action Drama Suffers From Lazy Filmmaking

On September 28, the India Motion Picture Producers’ Association announced a ban on employing Pakistanis in Bollywood, which sparked waves of proclamations and threats on both sides. Now this week, according to the New York Times, one of India’s biggest cinema groups, the Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association of India, has promised not to screen any films featuring Pakistani actors or technicians. This action threatens the upcoming release of Karan Johar’s new film, “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil,” starring famous Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

Johar recently released a video promising to...

By now, all of us are aware of the ongoing controversy between Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Mns, which is getting stronger by every passing minute. Recently, after Karan Johar’s video went viral about his decision of not working with Pakistani actors henceforth, the Mns rubbished the same, stating that ‘Karan Johar hadRead More

The post Adhm update: Mukesh Bhatt, Apoorva Mehta and Babul Supriyo meet Rajnath Singh appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.

Earlier this year, we had reported that yesteryears actress Mamta Kulkarni had been implicated in a massive drug bust in the city. Well, now we hear that Kulkarni has hired international legal counsel to help clear her name in the case. Despite being the prime accused in a multi-crore drug racket linked to her drug baron-husband Vicky Goswami, the one-time actress seemed pretty calm. However, with efforts on to get her extradited from Kenya, where she currently resides, Kulkarni has hired 3 super-successful lawyers from as many continents -- Daniel Arshack from New York, Cliff Ombeta from Kenya and Majeed Memon from Mumbai to get her out of the legal tangle. While Daniel and Cliff are already in Mumbai, they will accompany Majeed to meet Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi tomorrow. Commenting on the same, Majeed stated that the trio would be meeting the Union Home Minister tomorrow at 2 pm and later,...

Acclaimed filmmaker Prakash Jha, who is going to address the dilemma of female cops with his next Jai Gangaajal, was recently invited to address female police officers from across the country at the 7th National Conference Of Women In Police, which was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, at the Central Reserve Police Force Academy, Gurgaon.

The National Award-winning filmmaker was invited to give his opinion on ‘Women in Police, Different Perspective and New Roles’ and his words made a huge impact on everyone, who attended the conference. Professor Amita Singh, Professor and Chairperson at the Centre for Study of Law and Governance, Jnu, New Delhi and Ms. Megha Prasad, Bureau Chief, Mumbai Times Now were his co-panelists at the conference.

Priyanka Chopra is playing the role of Ips officer Abha Mathur in Jai Gangaajal and Jha screened the trailer of his much-anticipated film for the female cops at the event.

The legendary Bollywood thespian Dilip Kumar, who celebrates his 93rd birthday today, will not be having a low-key affair in lieu of the Chennai floods. This year, Dilip Kumar saab will be honoured with the prestigious 'Padma Vibhushan' award, which happens to be the country's second highest civilian award. Even though the award was conferred on him earlier this year, he was not able to attend the award ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in April due to his ill health. That's why he will be conferred the said award at his home on December 13. Speaking about the award, his wife Saira Bano said that they got a call from Raj Bhavan informing that Maharashtra's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will be honouring Dilip Sahab at home two days after his birthday. Bollywood Hungama wishes the legendary actor not just a happy birthday but also heartiest...

They say that when two legends come together, the resultant is sheer magic. But, things turned otherwise when the legendary Iranian film director Majid Majidi and our very own music maestro A.R. Rahman came together for an Iranian film Muhammad: Messenger of God. The Mumbai based 'Raza Academy' has now issued a fatwa against everyone who are involved in the project. This also includes the famous Iranian director Majid Majidi and the music composer A.R. Rahman. Speaking to Bollywood Hungama, Saeed Noorie (Chief of Raza Academy) said, "There is a film that has been made in Iran which has been titled Muhammad: Messenger of God. Whenever a cinegoer watches any film, if the film is good, then, he/ she names the film and says that the film is good. In case the film turns out to be bad/ not suiting to his/her expectations, the very cinegoer will name the...

New Delhi, March 19: Congress leader Jagadambika Pal and stand up comedian Raju Srivastava Wednesday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (Bjp).

Pal, formerly a Congress MP and the Uttar Pradesh Congress chief, had earlier resigned from the Lok Sabha as well as the party.

Pal, 63, has been a three-time legislator and minister in Uttar Pradesh.

Srivastava was earlier offered a ticket by the Samajwadi Party to contest the Kanpur Lok Sabha seat but he opted to join the Bjp.

Bjp president Rajnath Singh welcomed both to the party.

Ians...

Washington, Feb. 06: Indian celebrities and politicians attended the grand wedding reception of Bollywood couple Hema Malini and Dharmendra's younger daughter Ahana Deol in Gurgaon on Thursday.

Politicians including Chief of Baharatiya Janata Party, Rajnath Singh along with Sushma Swaraj, Shahnawaz Hussain and Lal Krishna Advani graced the occasion.

The bride's elder sister Esha blessed Ahana and Vaibhav Vohra on twitter and requested everyone present during the occasion to take good care of her, who will be settling in Delhi.

Meanwhile, chief of India's regional Shiv Sena, Uddhav Thackeray and lawmaker Amar Singh made an appearance in a reception held in western Mumbai, where celebs from the tinsel town, including.

The wedding reception of politician Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi’s son Arshad Naqvi with Sumana at the Convention Hall in Hotel Ashoka saw a royal gathering of political bigwigs. The traditional decor added to the charm of the evening. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh dropped by for a while to bless the newly weds. Among other noted dignitaries who made the occasion memorable for the couple were, Vice President M. Hamid Ansari, Congress MP Rajiv Shukla, former Delhi Cm Madan Lal Khurana, former Bjp chief Rajnath Singh, Union Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology, Sachin Pilot, and senior politicians Arun Jaitley ...