Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday launched several development projects and schemes worth around Rs 538 crore in Saran district during his 'Samridhi Yatra'. The CM also reviewed ongoing schemes and development projects during the yatra. According to a statement by the CMO, "Kumar laid the foundation stone for 45 schemes worth Rs 451 crore and inaugurated 24 schemes worth Rs 87 crore in Saran district. He inspected the newly constructed building of the government ITI and reviewed classrooms, mechanical diesel workshop, electrical workshop, and other facilities, and interacted with the students". Kumar also inaugurated 'Didi Ka Silai Ghar', a training-cum-manufacturing centre being operated by the Radhe Krishna Jeevika Women Cluster Federation. Kumar was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Labour Resources Minister Sanjay Singh Tiger, Chief Secretary Pratyay Amrit and senior officials of various departments. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
21 January,2026 09:38 PM IST | Patna | PTITwo young men from Maharashtra’s Beed district were killed after their two-wheeler fell off a bridge following an accident in neighbouring Ahilyanagar district, news agency PTI reported, quoting the police on Wednesday. The accident occurred on the night of January 18 while the victims, Shrikant Nanasaheb Khambkar (20) and Mahesh Appasaheb Khambkar (22), were returning home after attending an agricultural exhibition in Baramati, Pune district, the police added. Police said an unidentified vehicle brushed past the motorcycle carrying the two on a bridge near Mirajgaon on the Jamkhed-Shrigonda Road in Ahilyanagar district. The two-wheeler fell off the overpass, killing Shrikant at the scene, reported PTI. Mahesh, who sustained critical injuries, succumbed during treatment the same night, an officer said. The victims, residents of Wanvewadi (Matawali) in Ashti tehsil in Beed district, had been to the exhibition to gather information on modern farming practices, particularly banana cultivation, as they were planning to diversify their traditional crops, the officer added. A case has been registered, and police are trying to trace the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run, the officer added. Akshay Kumar takes responsibility, looks after injured auto driver’s treatment An autorickshaw driver was seriously injured after a car belonging to actor Akshay Kumar rammed into his vehicle at Juhu on Monday night. The impact left the autorickshaw badly damaged and the driver with a fractured jaw, police said. The injured driver, identified as Vashid Khan, 22, a resident of Andheri, was rushed to CritiCare Hospital in Andheri, where he is currently undergoing treatment. Doctors confirmed that Khan has suffered a jaw fracture and will undergo surgery. Police said the accident occurred around 8.30 pm on Monday on Gandhi Gram Road near the ISKCON temple in Juhu. According to the victim’s family, Khan has been driving an autorickshaw for the past two years. The vehicle, which he operates on rent, was completely crushed in the collision. Speaking to mid-day, Khan’s brother Jiyav Mustafa said, “My brother left home in the morning to operate his auto in the Juhu area. After dropping a passenger, he was driving when a high-end car hit the auto from behind at high speed. The entire vehicle was crushed.” He added, “Locals rushed my brother to the hospital. He suffered serious injuries to his jaw, which is fractured. Doctors have said surgery is required. He lives with our parents.” The family also said that Akshay Kumar’s team has been assisting them with medical expenses and has been regularly following up on Khan’s health condition. Senior Inspector Sunil Jadhav of Juhu police station said an FIR has been registered against the car driver for alleged negligent driving. “The driver stated that while applying the brake, the automatic transmission vehicle went out of control and rammed into the autorickshaw. Actor Akshay Kumar was not present in the car at the time of the accident,” Jadhav said. (With PTI inputs)
21 January,2026 09:20 PM IST | Beed | mid-day online correspondentThe Gujarat police on Wednesday arrested eight people for opening 82 bank accounts in the name of fake companies in connection with a Rs 826-crore scam, police said, PTI reported. The accused after opening fake bank accounts further provided them to cybercriminals for committing frauds. The arrests were made in connection with a probe into a nationwide cyber fraud involving more than Rs 826 crore, the officials said, according to the PTI. Superintendent of Police Rajdeepsinh Zala, while briefing about the case, asserted, "Under Operation Mule Hunt in Gujarat, the Cyber Centre of Excellence arrested eight individuals from Surat who were allegedly involved in 1,229 cybercrime cases across India, with offences amounting to Rs 826 crores," as per PTI. Fraudsters opened 82 fake bank accounts A total of 82 bank accounts were allegedly opened by the accused in the name of nine fake firms to conceal their identities. The accused who are now in custody then allegedly shared the details of the bank accounts with the cybercriminals, who targeted citizens. The police officials further highlighted that the cybercriminals used SMS, WhatsApp, and Telegram to create fake identities and cheated the public by offering them plans to make "more" money, which was transferred to these fake bank accounts. The arrested persons have been identified as Abdulrab Abdul Qadir Chambadiya, Faizan Hanif Jusani, Sheikh Mohammed Zuber Mehboob, Mohammad Noor Ahmad Merchant, Yasin Noor Ahmed Merchant, Sarfaraz Mohammed Rafiq Juneja, Sheikh Sajid Mayuddin, and Memon Abdul Razak Ahmed; all of them hail from Surat. Officials, while briefing more about the operation, said that the accused earned commissions of varying amounts per account. Besides transferring money through these accounts to cyber gangs, the accused also withdrew cash and routed it through hawala. Mumbai businessman loses Rs 9.71 lakh after opening APK file In a different scenario, a 53-year-old businessman from Mumbai's Goregaon lost Rs 9.71 lakh after falling victim to a cyber fraud linked to a fake e-challan message received on WhatsApp. According to the police complaint, the fraud came to light when the businessman checked his bank statement and noticed three unauthorised IMPS debit transactions totalling Rs 9,71,380. The debits included amounts of Rs 500, Rs 4.80 lakh and Rs 4.90 lakh, all carried out without his knowledge or consent. (With inputs from PTI)
21 January,2026 09:00 PM IST | Surat | mid-day online correspondentUnion Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday, in his address at the World Economic Forum, stressed that India is poised to become the world's third-largest economy in the next few years, driven by a decade of "well thought-through" structural changes and focused execution, news agency ANI reported. Vaishnaw highlighted a trajectory where the nation is expected to maintain a real growth rate of 6 to 8 per cent. He attributed this momentum to four strategic pillars: massive public investment in physical, digital, and social infrastructure; inclusive growth ensuring the "entire society grows along with the growth of the country"; a push for manufacturing and innovation; and a rigorous drive toward simplification, ANI reported. The Union Railway Minister further highlighted, "All this, combined with the base of technology that we have put in, we can very clearly say that India is going to grow with a 95 per cent confidence interval in the next five years,” while adding that security of the poorest comes as a priority. Supporting Vaishnaw’s view, economist Gita Gopinath pointed out that based on current math relative to other major economies, "India gets there by 2028," and potentially sooner depending on upcoming GDP rebasing, ANI reported. The economist further emphasised that the true challenge is not just the aggregate size of the economy but also raising per capita incomes to higher levels to meet the 2047 goal of a developed India. While she lauded the "impressive" infrastructure build-out and GST reforms, Gopinath also cautioned that sustaining this momentum requires addressing deep-seated bottlenecks in land, labour, and the judicial system. Vaishnaw on 'Mountains of debt' A significant concern raised during the discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos was the impact of global instability on India's domestic success. Vaishnaw flagged the "mountains of debt" in the rich world as a primary external threat. "What's really a matter of concern on our mind is the global debt, which is there in the rich world, and how that debt will unravel," he said. Vaishnaw also warned that if such fiscal instability occurs on a larger scale, the ripple effects on India's growth journey would be a serious matter of concern, despite the country's strong domestic fundamentals and moderate inflation. (With inputs from ANI)
21 January,2026 08:58 PM IST | Davos | mid-day online correspondentAssam Rifles on Wednesday seized a large consignment of illegal betel nuts during an operation conducted along State Highway MN-06 in the Noney district of Manipur, news agency ANI reported. Acting on specific intelligence regarding the illegal movement of betel nuts, Assam Rifles launched an operation on Tuesday. During the search, troops recovered and seized 560 bags of betel nuts, each weighing 100 kg. The total quantity seized was 56,000 kg (56 metric tonnes), with an estimated market value of approximately Rs 1.7 crore, reported ANI, quoting officers. The seized contraband has been handed over to the divisional forest officer (DFO), Noney, for further legal action in accordance with existing procedures. Assam Rifles said that the operation reflects its continued commitment to curbing illegal activities and maintaining law and order in the region and that it is working closely with civil authorities to ensure peace and stability in Manipur. Earlier, Assam Rifles, in a joint operation with the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), seized Yaba tablets worth Rs 39 crore in the Cachar district of Assam, ANI reported. Based on specific information on drug trafficking, Assam Rifles and DRI launched an operation in the district. During the operation, three individuals, residents of Tripura, were apprehended late at night on November 20, 2025, while transporting 1.30 lakh Yaba tablets via NH-306. Officers said that two trucks and two mobile phones in their possession were also recovered. While the operation continues to strike illegal trafficking of contraband, the officers said that further investigation into the matter is underway. Assam Rifles tracks down illegal drug trafficking In another development, Assam Rifles also apprehended an individual for his involvement in the illegal transportation of foreign currency and the smuggling of tobacco and foreign cigarettes earlier on Tuesday. According to the official statement from Assam Rifles, “Based on specific intelligence received from its own sources regarding trafficking, Assam Rifles launched an operation and established a Mobile Vehicle Check Post in the general area of Tuipang, Siaha district, to intercept the consignment.” At 3.35 am, the Assam Rifles team intercepted a tipper. During the search of the vehicle, foreign currency amounting to 17,500,000 Burmese kyat (Myanmar currency) was recovered, along with two cases of smuggled tobacco worth Rs 50,000 and one case of foreign cigarettes worth Rs 1.30 lakh. The official statement added that the apprehended individual is a resident of Rakhine State, Myanmar. The recovered contraband and the apprehended individual were handed over to Police Station Tuipang, Siaha district, for further legal proceedings, the release added. (With inputs from ANI)
21 January,2026 08:58 PM IST | Imphal | mid-day online correspondentEternal, the parent entity of Blinkit and Zomato, on Wednesday said Deepinder Goyal will step down as its Group CEO and Managing Director with Blinkit CEO Albinder Dhindsa set to succeed him as Group CEO from February 1. Goyal, in a letter to shareholders said he is stepping down from his current position to pursue new ideas that involve a "significantly higher-risk exploration" and will transition to the role of Vice Chairman. Eternal informed exchanges that the appointment of Goyal as Vice Chairman & Director on the board will be effective upon shareholders' approval for a five-year term. In the letter Goyal explained the reason behind his resignation saying of late he found himself "drawn to a set of new ideas that involve significantly higher-risk exploration and experimentation". "These are the kinds of ideas that are better pursued outside a public company like Eternal. If these ideas belonged inside Eternal's strategic scope, I would have pursued them within the company. They do not," he said. Goyal has been branching out and investing in other areas unrelated to the core business of Eternal, which owns Zomato and Blinkit. Last year, he announced that he would invest USD 25 million to expand his venture 'Continue Research' that aims to support research in health and longevity. He had also invested USD 20 million in LAT Aerospace, a startup cofounded by ex-Zomato COO Surobhi Das. Eternal deserves to remain focused, and disciplined, while exploring new areas of growth that are relevant to its current line of business, Goyal said. He added that while he believes he has the bandwidth to continue what he is doing at Eternal, and also explore new ideas outside of it, the expectations, legal and otherwise, of a public company CEO in India demand singular focus. "This transition allows Eternal to remain sharply focused, while giving me the space to explore ideas that do not fit Eternal's risk profile," he further stated. Goyal shared that as the new Group CEO of Eternal, the centre of gravity for operating decisions moves to Albinder Dhindsa. "As Group CEO, he (Albinder) will own day-to-day execution, operating priorities, and business decisions," Goyal said, adding that Blinkit remains Eternal's "largest growth opportunity". Goyal informed shareholders that his financial future remains meaningfully tied to Eternal, and incentives remain aligned with long-term shareholder value creation. "As part of this transition, all of my unvested ESOPs will revert to the ESOP pool. This ensures that Eternal continues to have meaningful wealth-creation opportunities for its next generation of leaders, while strengthening long-term retention without incremental shareholder dilution," he stated. Sharing his vision for Eternal, Goyal stated, "I want Eternal to become India's most valuable company. I want us to serve a billion customers. I want us to create the most positive impact on society. I want us to be the source of livelihoods for millions of Indians. None of that changes". The parent entity of Zomato and Blinkit, among other businesses, was re-branded as Eternal last year. It was co-founded by Goyal in 2008, initially as a restaurant discovery platform called Foodiebay in Delhi, providing menus and reviews, before rebranding to Zomato in 2010. Zomato listed on the stock exchanges in 2021, re-branded to Eternal last year to reflect its expansion beyond the food delivery business to quick commerce (Blinkit); Hyperpure (B2B supplies); District (ticketing, dining out, etc.), among others. "Eighteen years ago, the idea that a menu scanning company could be worth tens of billions of dollars, provide livelihoods to hundreds of thousands of people, and serve millions of families daily would have seemed absurd. We helped prove it was possible. And there's a lot in store for Eternal to do over the next few decades," Goyal said in the shareholders' letter. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
21 January,2026 08:36 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIA Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator has sparked controversy after allegedly threatening to break the backbone of a senior Election Commission (EC) official. The threat reportedly came if any genuine voter is removed from the electoral rolls during the ongoing Special Summary Revision (SIR) exercise, PTI reported. A video of the speech has gone viral on social media, but PTI could not independently verify its authenticity. In the viral video, Farakka MLA Manirul Islam can be seen addressing a rally and allegedly warning the EC not to test the patience of the TMC. He said that if the poll panel wants to “play with fire”, the TMC can do the same. He added that he would not remain silent if the EC “plays with the lives of common people”. The remarks came days after a violent protest during an SIR hearing in Farakka, where a group of people allegedly damaged the Block Development Office (BDO) office. The protest was said to have taken place in the presence of the MLA, according to the PTI. At the rally, Islam said, “I will break the backbone if there is a mistake on its part in including names of every genuine voter.” He did not name any specific EC official, as per the PTI. He also warned officials not to hide, saying he would drag them out if needed. BJP condemns threats According to the PTI, BJP leader Sajal Ghosh condemned the MLA’s comments, saying they reflected a “goonda culture” introduced by the TMC in West Bengal. He accused the ruling party of allowing violent threats against democratic and constitutional bodies like the Election Commission. “Leaders like Islam are getting increasingly desperate due to fear of electoral outcomes,” Ghosh said, as per the PTI. The TMC has not yet officially responded to the MLA’s remarks. Protests continue across state Protests have been held across several districts of West Bengal in recent days over alleged harassment of citizens during the SIR hearing process. The SIR exercise involves the revision of electoral rolls, including the addition or removal of names, the news agency reported. (with PTI inputs)
21 January,2026 08:29 PM IST | Kolkata | mid-day online correspondentAs preparations for the Nashik Kumbh Mela 2027 enter a crucial phase, the Nashik Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority (NTKMA) has formed a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for city beautification. The committee has been set up to ensure that all urban design and beautification works in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar are planned in a structured, sensitive and expert-led manner, ahead of the large influx of pilgrims expected during the Kumbh Mela. The Technical Advisory Committee will act as an advisory and mentorship body to the NTKMA and its consultants. It will provide technical guidance and review at all stages of the project, including planning, design, tendering and implementation of beautification works. Specialists from multiple fields The committee includes experts from environmental landscape planning, urban design, conservation architecture, cultural and heritage studies, and public art. Officials said this will help ensure that development respects Nashik’s ecology, cultural identity and historical importance. The committee’s work will focus on key public areas linked to the Kumbh Mela. These include the strengthening and beautification of ghats and riverfront stretches along the Godavari river, improvement of major approach roads from railway stations and bus terminals, and the development of major junctions as urban landmarks. It will also advise on the aesthetic improvement of flyovers and bridges across the city. Wayfinding, lighting and sadhugram development The TAC will guide the planning of city-wide wayfinding systems, multilingual signage and lighting of public spaces and heritage buildings. Special attention will be given to the beautification of Sadhugram areas to provide dignified and functional spaces for sadhus and akharas. The committee will also advise on thematic murals, facade treatments and public art to create a festive yet culturally rooted visual identity for the city. Plans will include expanding urban green spaces and shaded resting areas for pilgrims. In addition, heritage structures within the core Kumbh Mela zone and up to a 50-kilometre radius will be conserved to improve the overall pilgrim experience. Preserving intangible heritage Special emphasis will be placed on documenting and promoting Nashik’s intangible cultural heritage, including rituals, crafts, music and oral traditions linked to the Kumbh Mela. Official Statement NTKMA Commissioner Shekhar Singh said the Simhastha Kumbh Mela is a religious gathering of global importance. “It offers a unique opportunity to develop Nashik and Trimbakeshwar as cities of cultural, historical and international significance. Through the Technical Advisory Committee, beautification works will be carried out with respect for local context, environmental sustainability and long-term use, ensuring a safe and memorable experience for devotees and citizens,” he said.
21 January,2026 08:02 PM IST | Nashik | Archana DahiwalA day after taking over new responsibilities, BJP national president Nitin Nabin on Wednesday held his first strategy meeting with office bearers of the party and reviewed preparations for the upcoming assembly elections in five states, including West Bengal. At the day-long meeting, Nabin also asked the party functionaries to further strengthen the organisation at the grassroots level and instructed them to counter the Congress "negative campaign" against the VB-G Ram G Bill by intensifying efforts to apprise the people about the benefits of the new rural employment guarantee scheme, sources said. The party is already running a campaign across the country to counter the Congress' attempts to build a narrative against the scheme that replaced the UPA-initiated MGNREGA. At the meeting, Nabin discussed with party functionaries how the campaign is being run across the country and made necessary suggestions to strengthen it further, the sources said. In the meeting, which discussed a host of other issues, former BJP president J P Nadda was present along with senior leaders, including the party's national office bearers and state unit functionaries. "Nadda also addressed the delegates and gave his guidance and suggestions on various issues discussed at the meeting," a leader said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
21 January,2026 07:50 PM IST | New Delhi | PTITelangana Police have registered a case against the Gram Panchayat governing body of Yacharam village in Rangareddy district, alleging the village panchayat authorities' involvement in the alleged killing of about 100 stray dogs. The case was registered following a complaint filed by members of the Stay Animal Foundation. Based on the complaint, police have booked the village sarpanch, ward members, and the panchayat secretary. An investigation has been initiated into the matter. Further inquiry is underway to ascertain the facts behind the allegations. Earlier this month, in a similar case, an FIR was registered by the Shayampet Police Station against nine people, including the Shayampet sarpanch, for allegedly killing 300 stray dogs in Shayampet and Arepally villages. According to the FIR, the Shayampet sarpanch staff allegedly hired two people to kill the dogs by using a poisonous injection. Police had registered a case under Section 11(1)(a)(l) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960, as per the law and BNS 325 (Mischief by killing or maiming an animal). P Ranjith Rao, Circle Inspector (CI), Shayampet Police Station, told ANI, "On January 9, we received a petition from Adulapuram Gautam, Cruelty Prevention Officer at the 'Stray Animal Foundation of India'. In his complaint, he stated that nearly 300 dogs were killed by and with the cooperation of the Sarpanch, Vice-Sarpanch and with the help of Panchayat secretaries and two others. Based on the complaint, we registered a case under 325 BNS and Section 11 of the Cruelty Prevention of Animal Act." The Circle Inspector during the investigation of both the villages claimed that nearly 1/10th of the dogs were killed. For the post-mortem, the deceased dog's bodies were sent to the RFSL (Regional Forensic Science Laboratory). He also said that during the investigation, many residents reported dog bites and skin infections. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
21 January,2026 07:42 PM IST | Rangareddy (Telangana) | PTIDays after the conclusion of Maharashtra local body elections, Parbhani Lok Sabha MP Sanjay Jadhav has said that the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and the faction headed by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde should come together, just like Ajit and Sharad Pawar, reported the PTI. Jadhav stated that the two Shiv Sena factions must take inspiration from the recent reconciliation between members of the Pawar family and the two NCP factions coming together. Speaking in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Tuesday, Jadhav said that unity between the two Shiv Sena factions was necessary to protect the party’s original identity. Sanjay Jadhav referred to the alliance between Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and his uncle, Nationalist Congress Party (SP) president Sharad Pawar, during the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal elections. He said the Pawars’ decision to join hands showed political maturity and should serve as a lesson for the divided Shiv Sena. Warning over BJP’s role The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader alleged that the BJP was attempting to politically weaken Eknath Shinde. “The BJP is trying to swallow Shinde,” Jadhav claimed, adding that reunification of the two Sena factions would prevent such a situation, according to the PTI. Referring to the recently held Parbhani Municipal Corporation elections, Jadhav pointed out that Shiv Sena (UBT) won 25 of the 65 wards. In contrast, the BJP secured 12 seats, while the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde failed to win a single seat in the recently held Maharashtra local body elections. Allegations over 2022 split Sanjay Jadhav also spoke about the 2022 split in the Shiv Sena, founded by Bal Thackeray. He alleged that Eknath Shinde’s rise was supported by money power. “Money does not last forever. One day it will run out, and then the BJP will swallow Shinde,” he claimed, as per the PTI. Call to protect Shiv Sena’s identity Urging Eknath Shinde to take a lesson from the Pawars, Jadhav said that the two Shiv Sena factions must come together to show that the original Sena remains united. He also alleged that earlier, the BJP had plotted to politically finish Uddhav Thackeray. (with PTI inputs)
21 January,2026 07:01 PM IST | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Maharashtra) | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
