Railway Announces Bharat Gaurav Yatra to honour Shivaji Maharaj
Union Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced a Special Bharat Gaurav Circuit Yatra in honour of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Replying to questions raised during the Lok Sabha session of Parliament in connection with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Vaishnaw, with great pride said, “Work is already in progress on plans to link the important historical places connected with the life & times of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and these places will be linked together by a Bharat Gaurav Circuit Yatra”.
Special Bharat Gaurav Circuit Yatra
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj laid the foundation of Hindavi Swaraj. The Maharashtra / Karnataka landscape is full of several important historical places like forts, palaces, battle field sites etc. associated with the life & times of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The Special Bharat Gaurav Circuit Yatra will provide passengers, especially the youth a chance to connect with the history of the land and will provide an opportunity to visit and explore these places which are a part of the rich Maratha history.
Demand for Trains to Pune
Speaking on demand for trains to Pune, Vaishnaw said, “Pune is an important educational & technological hub and an important railway junction connecting Maharashtra with the rest of the country. It is no wonder that requests for trains to Pune are pouring in from all corners of the country. Major work of development of Pune station and its surrounding places is being carried out at a fast pace”.
Stations under Development
In addition Uruli station, which is at a short distance from Pune is being developed as terminus where maintenance of Pune bound trains can be done after de-boarding of passengers at Pune, easing the burden of trains and passenger crowd on Pune station. Similarly stations like Hadapsar and Shivaji Nagar are also being developed as satellite Terminus stations. This will increase the capacity of Pune station enabling increasing trains from / to Pune.
Indian Railway: यात्रियों की आवाजाही को सुचारू बनाने के लिए स्टेशनों पर व्यापक सुरक्षा व्यवस्था
रेल मंत्री अश्विनी वैष्णव ने लोकसभा में प्रश्नकाल के दौरान एक सदस्य के प्रश्न का जवाब देते हुए बताया कि त्योहारों के दौरान यात्रियों की अलग-अलग आवाजाही पैटर्न के कारण प्रत्येक रेलवे स्टेशन पर विशिष्ट परिचालनिक चुनौतियां होती हैं। सुरक्षा व्यवस्था और यात्रियों की आवाजाही को व्यवस्थित करने के लिए, सभी हितधारकों को शामिल करके स्टेशन विशेष योजनाएं बनाई जाती हैं, जिनमें जीआरपी स्थानीय पुलिस और स्थानीय नागरिक प्रशासन शामिल होते हैं और तदनुसार यात्रियों के अंतः प्रवाह का प्रबंधन करने के लिए कार्रवाई की जाती है। (Indian Railway News) Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
सुरक्षा सुनिश्चित करने के लिए आरपीएफ, जीआरपी और पैरा मिलिट्री फोर्सेस के 15,000 अतिरिक्त कर्मियों की तैनाती थी
प्रयागराज में महाकुंभ 2025 के दौरान यात्रियों की भीड़ को संभालने के लिए की गई व्यवस्था की जानकारी देते हुए उन्होंने कहा कि नई अवसंरचना का निर्माण किया गया, जिसमें सात अतिरिक्त प्लेटफार्मों का निर्माण शामिल रहा जिससे प्रयागराज क्षेत्र में 9 स्टेशनों में कुल प्लेटफॉर्म 48 हो गए हैं। इन स्टेशनों के लिए पहुंच मागों को चौड़ा भी किया गया ताकि तीर्थयात्रियों की सुगम आवाजाही सुनिश्चित हो। कुल मिलाकर, 17 नए स्थायी यात्री आश्रयों का निर्माण किया गया, जिससे इन आश्रयों की क्षमता 21,000 से बढ़कर 1,10,000 से अधिक हो गई। इसके अतिरिक्त, 21 नए उपरि सड़क पुलों और निचले सड़क पुलों का निर्माण किया गया, जिससे क्षेत्र में सभी समपारों को समाप्त हो गए हैं। Special Trains for Festivals
Indian Railway: की सुरक्षा के लिए रियल टाइम मॉनिटरिंग पर जोर दिया गया
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw ने कहा कि महाकुंभ के दौरान सुचारू परिवहन सुनिश्चित करने के लिए एक अच्छी तरह से समन्वित गाड़ी परिचालन योजना लागू की गई। प्रत्येक स्टेशन पर स्वयं का नियंत्रण कक्ष था, जबकि प्रयागराज जंक्शन पर एक केंद्रीय मास्टर नियंत्रण कक्ष था। गाड़ी परिचालन और स्टेशनों पर भीड़ प्रबंधन के लिए मानक संचालन पद्धतियां विकसित की गई थी। यात्रियों की भीड़-भाड़ को सुचारू बनाने के लिए व्यापक उपाय किए गए हैं, जिसमें प्रमुख स्नान दिनों पर स्टेशनों पर एक तरफ से प्रवेश और निकासी प्वाइंट तथा प्लेटफार्मों, पैदल पार पुलों और रैंप पर एकतरफा आवागमन शामिल है। उन्होंने बताया कि रेलवे ने महाकुंभ-2025 के लिए व्यापक सुरक्षा व्यवस्था उपलब्ध कराई जिसमें निगरानी और रियल टाइम मॉनिटरिंग पर जोर दिया गया था। रेल पथों और स्टेशनों के पहुंच मार्गो पर भीड़ प्रबंधन के लिए लगभग 1200 सीसीटीवी कैमरे, जिनमें 116 फेस रिकग्निशन सिस्टम कैमरे और ड्रोन कैमरे शामिल थे, तैनात किए गए थे।
Suryakumar Yadav to lead Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025
Indian international cricketer Suryakumar Yadav will lead Mumbai Indians in their first match of IPL 2025 against the Chennai Super Kings.The match will be held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on March 23 (Sunday).
Meanwhile Hardik Pandya will miss Mumbai Indians season opener as he was banned for one match for his repeated over-rate offences last year. MI were deemed short of the required over rate in their last match in IPL 2024 against the Lucknow SuperGiants at the Wankhede Stadium. Captain Hardik was also slapped with a 30% fine on his match fee, as it was his third offence last year.
Mumbai Indians Leadership Depth
However, despite Pandya’s absence, Mumbai Indians boast a wealth of leadership experience. This includes Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah available as pro cricketers. Meanwhile, Bumrah will miss the early games due to a back injury. Pandya praised the squad’s leadership depth, noting the advantage of having multiple former Indian captains.
A Fierce Rivalry
The season opener between Mumbai and Chennai is set to be a highly anticipated clash, as both teams are five-time IPL champions. Mumbai’s head coach, Mahela Jayawardene, emphasised the importance of squad balance and experience in their quest for another title. He acknowledged the challenges of winning an IPL trophy and highlighted the strategic squad-building approach Mumbai had adopted.
Mahela said, “We have to wait and see what NCA’s feedback on him (Bumrah) is. He is still there and in good spirits, hopefully he can join the team sooner,” said the coach. “Not having him is a challenge…it’s also an opportunity for someone else to step up and show what they are capable of.”
Suryakumar Takes Charge
Suryakumar Yadav, India’s T20 captain, has been in good form recently. He led India to a 4-1 series win over England. Despite a quieter batting series for himself, scoring only 38 runs in five matches, he remains an ideal choice for the Mumbai captaincy. Pandya expressed confidence in Suryakumar’s leadership ability in his absence.
What did Hardik say?
Hardik during MI’s pre-season press conference in Mumbai on Wednesday said, “Surya leads India as well. When I am not there, he is the ideal choice in this format and an exciting one as well.”
Hardik also said, “That is out of my control. Last year what occurred was part of the sport; we were one and a half or two minutes late in the last over. I didn’t know the consequences at that time. It’s unfortunate, but rules say this. So I have to go with the rules. Next year (whether) they will continue with this rule or not, that is up to the higher authorities.”
Cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal to Pay 4.75 Crore Alimony to Dhanashree Verma: Report
The Bombay High Court has intervened in the ongoing divorce case of Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal and his estranged wife, Dhanashree Verma, directing the Bandra Family Court to fast-track their divorce proceedings. The court has given a deadline of Thursday, March 20, to resolve the matter due to Chahal’s imminent participation in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL), where he is set to play for Punjab Kings.
Chahal to Pay Rs 4.75 Crore Alimony
The couple, who married in December 2020, has been living separately since June 2022. They filed for divorce by mutual consent in February 2025. However, complications arose when the family court, on February 20, refused to waive the mandatory six-month cooling-off period that allows couples to reconsider reconciliation. The court cited non-compliance with their settlement terms, particularly in regard to alimony payment. Chahal had agreed to pay Rs 4.75 crore to Verma, but had only transferred Rs 2.37 crore at the time of the hearing.
In response, the couple appealed to the Bombay High Court, which acknowledged their separation for over two years and ruled in favour of waiving the cooling-off period. The High Court emphasised that the remaining amount of alimony could be paid once the divorce is finalised, as per the terms of their mediation agreement. The court has ordered the family court to decide the divorce petition by March 20, aligning with Chahal’s IPL commitments.
Family Denies Rs 60 Crore Alimony Rumours
Speculation surrounding the couple’s divorce had sparked rumors, especially about the alimony amount. Social media had falsely circulated claims that Verma demanded Rs 60 crore as alimony. Her family released a statement vehemently denying these allegations, calling the rumours baseless and stressing the importance of accurate reporting. They urged the media to respect the privacy of the parties involved.
Despite the challenges, the couple’s efforts to resolve their divorce are progressing swiftly, with the High Court taking steps to ensure the matter is settled before Chahal’s IPL season begins. The final resolution of the case is expected to bring closure to the couple’s marital issues.
Nagpur violence: Aurangzeb not relevant today says RSS leader Sunil Ambekar
The RSS has opened up amid the ongoing tensions at Maharashtra’s Nagpur over Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb. Over 30 people including police personnel were injured in the clashes that broke out between two communities after right-wing outfits held a protest demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khultabad on Monday.
Opening up on the issue, senior RSS leader Sunil Ambekar said Mughal emperor Aurangzeb is not even relevant in the present day and any type of violence is not healthy for society. “The question is if Aurangzeb is relevant today, should the tomb be removed? The answer is that he is not relevant. Any type of violence is not good for the health of society,” the veteran RSS leader said.
Uddhav Thackeray’s sarcastic jibe: Call Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar
Meanwhile, opening up on Nagpur violence, former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray took a jibe at the ruling BJP on Tuesday and said, “I am not the Chief Minister, nor am I the Home Minister, ask the Chief Minister who is behind this (violence). Because the RSS headquarters is there. There is a double-engine government here; if the double-engine government has failed, then they should resign…If you want, you can remove his (Aurangzeb’s) grave, but call Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar during that time…”
#WATCH | Mumbai: On Nagpur violence, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray says, “I am not the Chief Minister, nor am I the Home Minister, ask the Chief Minister who is behind this (violence). Because the RSS headquarters is there. There is a double-engine government here; if… pic.twitter.com/VUTg58l7E9
— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2025
The reference to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, both of whom are key allies of ruling BJP- is likely made in the light of the Muslim population in each state, and the importance of their votes to the TDP and JDU, particularly with elections next year in the latter state.
Nagpur violence – Stone-pelting, arson and vandalism in Mahal and Hansapuri
Clashes broke out in Nagpur on Monday following the release of Bollywood’s historical drama ‘Chhaava’, which showcases how Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was tortured by Aurangzeb. The protests began when rumours surfaced that during the protest a sacred religious text was intentionally harmed which led the Muslim community to become enraged. Several police officers and common people were injured during the violence which involved stone-pelting, arson and widespread vandalism especially in Mahal and Hansapuri. Authorities implemented an area-wide curfew in Nagpur to prevent additional unrest from occurring.

The situation started intensifying when members from both Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) conducted a protest near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj monument in the Mahal region. Protesters set fire to both an effigy representing Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and a symbolic grave covered in green cloth while demonstrating to eliminate Aurangzeb’s tomb. The growing tension received additional fuel through social media videos which intensified the situation.
On Wednesday, Fahim Shamim Khan, a prominent local leader from the Minorities Democratic Party (MDP), was arrested by Nagpur Police for his involvement in the communal violence that broke out on March 17. Khan, identified as the alleged mastermind behind the riots, had earlier been named in an FIR lodged at Ganeshpeth Police Station. His arrest followed the release of a video that showed him giving an inflammatory speech moments before the violence began.
7-Year-Old Samyuktha Narayanan Breaks Record as Youngest Taekwondo Instructor
Samyuktha Narayanan, a seven-year-old from Madurai, Tamil Nadu, has made history. At a very young age she earned the title of the “youngest Taekwondo instructor ever.” Samyuktha’s remarkable achievement has not only garnered attention from India but has also captivated the world. At just seven years and 270 days old, Samyuktha earned the Guinness World Records (GWR) title, inspiring young dreamers globally.
Legacy in Martial Arts
Her parents, Shruthy and Narayanan, run the Madurai Taekwondo Academy. The academy has a legacy of martial arts excellence and training. Samyuktha’s mother Shruthy holds the record for the most full-contact elbow strikes in one minute with 211 strikes.

Her Father Narayanan boasts multiple records, including breaking the most flaming concrete blocks in 30 seconds (29) and smashing seven marble slabs with a single kick. Her parents in 2020, set the record for the most martial arts kicks by a pair in one minute (154, mixed).
