The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that Class XII Hindi Core (302)/Hindi Elective (002) board exams will be conducted on March 15, 2025, despite the possibility of Holi celebrations extending to that day in some regions. While the exam will proceed as scheduled, students who face difficulties appearing on the given date will be allowed to take the test later, similar to provisions made for students participating in national and international sports events. CBSE emphasised its commitment to academic integrity and student welfare while ensuring smooth examination conduct. In a press release dated March 13, CBSC said, "CBSE has made a significant move by announcing the Date Sheet for Board Examinations three months in advance. This decision was aimed at providing students with ample time to plan their study schedule effectively. This proactive step helped students to manage their time better and approach their studies in a more organised and efficient manner. As part of the schedule, CBSE examination for Hindi Core (302)/Hindi Elective (002) for Class XII is scheduled to be held on 15th March, 2025." It has been informed to CBSE that, though the festival of Holi would be celebrated on March 14, 2025, in most parts of the country, in few places, either the celebrations would take place on March 15, 2025, or celebrations would spill over to March 15, the press release said. "Accordingly, in view of the constraints that some students may face, it has been decided that, while the examination would be held on March 15, those students who find it difficult to appear in the same may decide not to appear on that day. It has, further, been decided that such students would be given an opportunity to appear along with those students for whom a special examination is conducted as per the policy of the Board, whereby a special examination is conducted for students participating in National or International level sports events," the press release added. The festival of Holi is celebrated across the country, with people coming together with colours, music, and traditional festivities. From temples to streets, vibrant hues and joyous gatherings mark the onset of the festival, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. In several states, celebrations started with Holika Dahan, a ritual bonfire that symbolises the victory of devotion and righteousness. In Mathura and Vrindavan, famous for their grand Holi celebrations, devotees began the traditional rituals, including the famous Lathmar Holi. Cities like Varanasi, Jaipur, and Delhi witnessed enthusiastic crowds smearing each other with colours and enjoying festive treats like gujiya and thandai. Authorities have deployed security personnel in major cities to ensure peaceful celebrations. Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his greetings on the occasion and expressed hope that the festival would bring new enthusiasm and energy into people's lives while strengthening national unity. PM Modi took to X to extend his heartfelt wishes to citizens, emphasising the festival's role in bringing people together and strengthening bonds of harmony. "I wish you all a very Happy Holi. This festival filled with joy and happiness will infuse new enthusiasm and energy in everyone's life and will also deepen the colours of unity among the countrymen," he wrote in Hindi. 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
13 March,2025 11:41 PM IST | India | ANIDMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai on Thursday, speaking on the Tamil Nadu government replacing the Rupee symbol with the Tamil 'Ru' symbol for the state Budget, said that the aim behind the usage of 'Ru' was to signify the protest of the state against the policies of the Union government. Speaking to ANI, the DMK spokesperson said "The usage of 'Ru' is to signify the protest of the state against the policies of the government." Further, he stated that everyone across the country was aware of the nefarious designs of the BJP government. "The people of the state are aware of what the BJP is trying to do here. Everybody across the country is aware of the nefarious designs of the BJP government," he further stated. Meanwhile, Karnataka Minister Eshwar Khandre said that it was the duty of the Indian government to take along all states further stating that if the government failed in discharging their duties, all such things would happen. Speaking to ANI, Khandre said, "It is the duty of the Indian Government to take along all the states. So if they fail in discharging their duties properly, all such kinds of things will happen. This is a warning to the Central Government. They should think about all these things." Tamil Nadu BJP Vice President Narayanan Thirupathy hit out at the Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin for the act and called it a "childish, foolish, and nonsense act." The BJP Vice President further stated that it was a sad situation when the Rupee note itself was designed by a Tamil DMK MLA, which was well honoured and praised by late M Karunanidhi (MK Stalin's father) and yet has been replaced by his son. Speaking to ANI, Thirupathy said, "This is a childish act by MK Stalin; it is foolish and nonsense. The Rupee note was designed by a Tamilian who was a DMK MLA and it was praised and well honoured by the late M Karunaidhi, and now his son suddenly comes and says that they will not accept it." 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
13 March,2025 11:24 PM IST | Tamil Nadu | ANIA seven-year-old boy was rescued by the Punjab Police within 24-hours of his abduction for a Rs 1-crore ransom, with the main accused being killed in a gunfight with cops, an official said on Thursday, reported the PTI. In the gunfight with the accused, as many as three police officials were injured, the official stated. The Punjab Police chief announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh for the police team for successfully rescuing the child. Bhavkirat Singh was kidnapped by two motorcycle-borne kidnappers while he was playing outside his house in Seehan Daud village in Khanna at around 6 pm on Wednesday, an official informed, reported PTI. According to PTI, the victim's grandfather who is a farmer and a commission agent, informed the police about the kidnapping. As per PTI, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Patiala Range) Mandeep Singh Sidhu said as soon as police received information about the kidnapping, different teams were formed to trace the abductors and rescue the child. Sidhu informed that the kidnappers were seen in Malerkotla after the kidnapping. Further investigation in the matter led to the arrest of two people, and their questioning led to vital clues in the case, Sidhu stated. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav were personally monitoring the case. As per PTI, the kidnappers had demanded a Rs 1 crore ransom from the boy's family. The main accused, who was in a Fortuner car, was tracked down near Mandour village in Patiala's Nabha, the DIG said. The accused opened fire at the chasing police team, leading to injuries to three cops, Sidhu informed. In retaliatory fire, the main accused, identified as Jasprit Singh, sustained serious injuries and later succumbed. The police team found the boy while searching the SUV Jasprit also hails from Seehan Daud village, from where the boy was kidnapped, an official informed, reported PTI. The two other accused, identified as Harpreet Singh and Ravi Bhinder, belonged to the Amargarh area. They had planned to kidnap the boy for ransom, Sidhu said.A.32-bore pistol and the motorcycle used in the crime have been recovered, according to the police. As per PTI, Sidhu said DGP Yadav has announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh for the police team, which comprised members of Khanna Police, Patiala Police, and Malerkotla Police.
13 March,2025 11:22 PM IST | punjab | mid-day online correspondentUttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday participated in the Holi Milan ceremony organised at RSS headquarters on Tilak Road, Dehradun. He extended Holi wishes to all RSS volunteers. On the eve of the occasion, Prant Pracharak Shailendra, Sanjay, Satendra, BJP General Secretary Organisation Ajay Kumar, and others were present. Earlier in the day, Dhami visited the residence of senior Congress leader and former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat. Taking to X, Dhami wrote in a post, "On the auspicious occasion of Holi, I met the former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, respected Harish Rawat, at his residence and wished him for the festival of colours. I pray to God for his good health and long life." The CM participated in Holi celebrations at his residence and extended his greetings. The CM also highlighted the state's commitment to passing traditions to future generations. "We continue to take forward our culture and heritage and hand it over to our next generation. I congratulate and greet everyone on the occasion of Holi," said CM Dhami. Visuals showed CM Dhami and his wife, Geeta Dhami, dancing with the people of the 'Tharu' tribe at the Holi Milan. The Chief Minister also played the dholak and the manjeera while shaking a leg with the group of dancers at the event. Dhami also attended the Holi Milan Samaroh in New Delhi, hosted by MoS Almora-Pithoragarh MP Ajay Tamta. CM Dhami joined in the festive spirit, participating in cultural programmes and celebrating Holi with fellow BJP leaders, making the most of the vibrant occasion. BJP National Secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautam accompanied Dhami. "The great enthusiasm with which Holi is being celebrated - not only Uttarakhand but everyone is celebrating Holi. There is also the joy of winning Delhi. Delhi is filled with new colours," Dushyant Kumar Gautam told ANI on Wednesday. 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
13 March,2025 11:21 PM IST | India | ANIThe collaboration between the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) of Mauritius will "bolster" financial enforcement capabilities and will also contribute to broader economic and security cooperation between the two nations, the federal probe agency said in a statement. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was exchanged in the presence of Modi and Prime Minister of Mauritius Navinchandra Ramgoolam. During the discussions leading to the MoU, the ED and the FCC explored the possibilities of "joint operations" to detect, investigate, and prosecute cross-border money laundering offences, according to the ED. They also underlined the significance of exchange programs, experience sharing, training, and skill building of the officers of both the organisations, it said. "Discussions were held on how ED can assist FCC by providing technological assistance and sharing of their digital forensic tools and best practices, towards ensuring better data seizing and extraction, and more productive data analysis," the statement said. It said ED Director Rahul Navin highlighted the agency's expertise in financial crime investigations, its "high" conviction rate in money laundering trials, and its "successful" track record in asset tracing, confiscation, and recovery. The ED Director also underscored the legal mechanisms available under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to safeguard the interests of victims by enabling asset restitution even during the pendency of trials. "He (Navin) highlighted how ED has successfully restituted assets to the tune of INR 2.6 billion (Rs 226 crore) to the victims," it said. The collaboration between ED and FCC will not only bolster financial enforcement capabilities but will also contribute to broader economic and security cooperation between India and Mauritius, the statement 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
13 March,2025 10:02 PM IST | India | PTIThe police has booked four officials in connection with the January 24 Bhandara ordnance factory blast in Maharashtra, the officials said on Thursday, reported the PTI. The blast in the ordnance factory in Maharashtra's Bhandara district had claimed nine lives was the result of alleged negligence in repairing machines and instruments, an official said on Thursday, according to the PTI. Four officials from the defence production unit, where trainees were allegedly made to work in highly sensitive areas, have been named in the FIR (First Information Report) registered on March 8 by the Jawahar Nagar police, as per the PTI. The police action is based on the findings of a probe committee formed after the accident that also left four injured, the official said. The FIR has named Devendra Meena, divisional officer of the safety section, Aadil Farooqui, junior works manager of the maintenance department, section administration officer Anandrao Faye, and Sanjay Dhapade from the general administration department. A few other unnamed officials have also been booked, the news agency reported. According to the police, an inquiry found that the condition of the 'Extrumix machine and other instruments in the LTPE (Low Temperature Plastic Explosives) section of the RX department in building number 23' had deteriorated but their repairs were neglected, which eventually resulted in the blast. Also, trainees were assigned to work in highly sensitive sections of the unit. The case has been registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 106 (1) concerning causing death by negligence and 125 (b) which pertains to 'act endangering life or personal safety of others'. Eight workers were killed on the spot and five others injured after a massive blast tore through the LTPE building number 23 in the HEX (High Energy Explosives) sub-division at the Ordnance Factory Bhandara located in Jawahar Nagar area of the district on the morning of January 24. Another person succumbed to his injuries later, taking the death toll to nine. Following the incident, the Ordnance Factory in Bhandara had also issued a statement and had also launched an investigation to determine the cause of the explosion. (with PTI inputs)
13 March,2025 09:47 PM IST | Bhandara (Maharashtra) | mid-day online correspondentThe police have registered an FIR against JD(U) MLA Narendra Kumar Niraj alias Gopal Mandal for allegedly singing Bhojpuri songs with a double meaning at a programme in Bihar's Bhagalpur district, officials said on Thursday. In a purported video which has gone viral, Mandal was seen belting out Bhojpuri numbers with double entendre at the function organised ahead of the Holi celebration. The multiple-term JD(U) legislator from the Gopalpur assembly seat was also seen pasting a currency note on the cheek of a dancer at the event on March 10.PTI, however, could not independently verify the authenticity of the video. The Naugachia Police under Bhagalpur division registered a case on March 12 based on a report submitted by Surendra Singh, sub-inspector of the police station concerned, officials said. Despite repeated attempts, neither Superintendent of Police of Naugachia police district nor the MLA was available for comments on the FIR. Mandal was in the news a few years ago when he moved around in his undergarments on board a Rajdhani Express. The Bihar police recently ordered a crackdown on bawdy Bhojpuri songs, calling these a "burning social problem" that "imperilled women's security" besides having a "pervasive effect on the psyche of children". A March 7 circular issued by Police Headquarters, called upon officials across the state that those playing ribald numbers at "public functions" and in "buses, trucks and auto rickshaws" would be booked under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Samhita. The circular was marked to all Inspector Generals, Deputy Inspector Generals and railway police in the state. 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
13 March,2025 09:28 PM IST | Bhagalpur (Bihar) | PTIThe Nashik cops in Maharashtra reportedly conducted extensive search operations after a city-based lawyer claimed that he spotted Krishna Andhale, an accused wanted in the Beed sarpanch muder case but found the information to be false, an official said, reported the PTI. The police official said that the police carried out an extensive search operations in Nashik, only to conclude that the tip-off was false. The police swung into action after lawyer Gitesh Bankar claimed that he spotted Andhale near a temple in Sahdev Nagar on Gangapur Road on Wednesday morning. The Nashik Police had launched a manhunt for Krishna Andhale while acting upon the information on Wednesday. Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed district, was abducted and tortured to death on December 9 last year. The police have so far arrested seven persons in the case, while Andhale is yet to be nabbed, according to the PTI. Bankar claimed that he had spotted Andhale around 9.15 am on Wednesday. "I saw two people standing near a tree. One of them sported a tilak on his forehead and wore a mask. When he lowered the mask for a moment, I noticed he was Krishna Andhale. He immediately left the place on a bike," Bankar told a news channel on Wednesday, as per the PTI. He immediately informed the police about it, following which their team reached the spot and launched a search operation. The police examined the CCTV footage in the area. Later, the crime branch also swung into action, but in vain, the official said, as per the PTI. "The crime branch conducted an inquiry into the matter, but no evidence or trace of any accused was found. When reports in social media and other media platforms were cross-checked, we found that there was no truth in it. It proved to be a rumour only," Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Prashant Bachhav said, the news agency reported on Thursday. Unconfirmed reports of Andhale's spotting in Nashik had surfaced last month too, sources said on Thursday. (with PTI inputs)
13 March,2025 08:53 PM IST | Nashik (Maharashtra) | mid-day online correspondentThe Akola Police in Maharashtra handed over 200 stolen or lost mobile phones worth Rs 41 lakh to their rightful owners on Thursday, an official said, reported the PTI. According to the Akola Police, a special event was organised by the police's cyber cell department where the mobile phones were returned to their owners. The cyber cell traced these 200 devices using Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal, which has proven to be a game-changer in tracing and recovering lost or stolen mobile phones, said Superintendent of Police Bachchan Singh, according to the PTI. Since March 2023, more than 754 mobile phones have been traced through coordinated efforts of cyber cell and different police stations, he informed. This demonstrates techno-savvy and trained policing and how technology is transforming service delivery to citizens, stated the IPS officer. The SP urged citizens to be vigilant and report loss/theft of mobile phones promptly on CEIR portal, enabling the cyber cell to trace the devices whenever a new SIM is inserted. Meanwhile, in a similar event in 2023, Mumbai Police had stated that it traced around 80 mobile phones worth Rs 11.80 lakh in different states and returned them to their owners in the city, an official said on Saturday, the PTI had reported. The mobile phones were misplaced between 2022 and November this year, an Andheri police station official had earlier said. "These mobile phones were traced to different cities in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Karnataka in the last few months. After verifying the missing complaints, owners of these phones were contacted and the phones were handed over to them on Saturday," the official added, as per the PTI. Meanwhile, Mumbai Police recently conducted a special 'All Out Operation' in the city and nabbed as many as eight wanted accused, the police said on Saturday. During the operation, a significant combing effort was carried out, resulting in the examination of 1995 individuals with prior criminal records. Of these, 281 individuals were found to be involved in various crimes, leading to preventive actions being taken against them, the police said. Action was taken against 87 people against whom non-bailable warrants were issued, the police said. (with PTI inputs)
13 March,2025 08:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe DMK government in Tamil Nadu on Thursday released the logo for its budget for the year 2025-26, which interestingly replaced the Indian Rupee symbol with a Tamil letter. The move saw the state BJP hit out at the MK Stalin-led party. TN Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu is scheduled to table the budget for the 2025-26 on Friday. The logo carried 'ru', the first letter of the Tamil word 'Rubaai' which denoted the Indian currency in the vernacular language. The logo also had the caption "everything for all," indicating at what the ruling DMK claims is its inclusive model of governance. The move was slammed by BJP TN chief K Annamalai. "The DMK Government's State Budget for 2025-26 replaces the Rupee Symbol designed by a Tamilian, which was adopted by the whole of Bharat and incorporated into our Currency." "Thiru Udhay Kumar, who designed the symbol, is the son of a former DMK MLA. How stupid can you become, Thiru @mkstalin?," he said in a social media post. He also shared the logo of the 2024-25 TN budget that had the Indian rupee symbol. The development comes amidst the language row between the Centre and Tamil Nadu, with the latter alleging Hindi imposition by the Union government, a charge denied by the latter. 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
13 March,2025 03:41 PM IST | Chennai | PTIChhappan Bhog, a well-known sweet shop in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, has created history by entering the India Book of Records for preparing the world’s largest gujiya. According to ANI reports, the colossal gujiya weighs an impressive 6 kilograms and measures 25 inches in length. The remarkable achievement was made ahead of the Holi festivities on Tuesday. The record-breaking gujiya, named ‘Baahubali Gujiya’, was crafted at an event held at Phoenix Palassio Mall in Lucknow. Chhappan Bhog has now been officially recognised by the India Book of Records for this culinary feat. Pramil Dwivedi, the official Executor of the India Book of Records, confirmed the entry and stated that such a large gujiya had never been made before. While speaking to ANI, Dwivedi remarked, "This gujiya has been made by Chhappan Bhog, and it has broken the existing record. It weighs 6 kilograms and measures 25 inches in length. After they claimed to have produced such a massive gujiya, we conducted research and found that no such gujiya of this size had been made previously. Therefore, this achievement has been recorded in the India Book of Records.” #WATCH | A sweet shop in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh prepared India's largest Gujiya (25 inches, weighing 6 kg) on the occasion of #Holi and entered its name in the India Book of Records (12/03) pic.twitter.com/bhG2IUeK8I — ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2025 The Baahubali Gujiya reflects not only culinary excellence but also deep cultural significance. Kshitij Gupta, the Marketing Head of Chhappan Bhog, shared the inspiration behind creating the giant gujiya. Speaking to ANI, Gupta highlighted how the gujiya symbolises the essence of Indian culture and the spirit of unity. "Gujiya is a symbol of the culture of Vasudev Kutumbakam, which means ‘the world is one family.’ The Baahubali Gujiya reflects our culture, bringing together all the colours of the world. We wanted to create a new trend by preparing this special gujiya, representing the spirit of Holi, India’s recent victory in cricket, and the ongoing festival of Ramzan. It demonstrates how we Indians celebrate diversity and unity,” Gupta said. Gupta also disclosed the details of the Baahubali Gujiya’s ingredients and pricing. According to ANI, the gujiya is priced between ₹20,000 to ₹25,000 due to the premium ingredients used. "It contains saffron, almonds, khoya, raisins, and other dried fruits, which reflect the richness of Indian flavours and tradition,” Gupta added. (With inputs from ANI)
13 March,2025 02:21 PM IST | Lucknow | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
