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All India Imam Organisation chief appeals to mosque imams to promote awareness, advises families against sending children to demonstrations and warns against sharing inflammatory social media content New Delhi | SDNAAhead of a proposed protest scheduled for October 10, Dr. Umar Ahmed Ilyasi, chief of the All India Imam Organisation, has appealed to members of the Muslim community to exercise restraint and reconsider participating in the demonstration. Emphasising peace, social harmony and responsible decision-making, he urged religious leaders to raise awareness and discourage activities that could potentially aggravate tensions. His appeal centres on encouraging people to assess the circumstances carefully rather than making decisions under emotional or political pressure. 📢 Join SD News ...

Election outcome in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district raises questions about voter priorities, local development and the impact of political support; analysts caution against drawing conclusions without detailed voting data Special Political Report | Kolkata | SDNAThe Bharatiya Janata Party’s reported victory in the Rejinagar Assembly constituency of West Bengal has triggered fresh political debate, particularly because the Murshidabad district seat has a substantial Muslim population. The result has prompted discussions about changing electoral dynamics, local leadership, development concerns and the strategies adopted by competing political parties. Former India cricketer and Baharampur MP Yusuf Pathan has also become part of the discussion, with questions emerging about his political i...

Hasirani Rath and Shakharav Sarkar secure BJP victories in West Bengal, while P. Sathyabama and K. Maragatham Kumaravel deliver two wins for Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam Special Political Analysis | SDNAIndia’s political landscape has witnessed two significant developments following the October 9, 2026, Assembly by-election results in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured victories in Nandigram and Rejinagar in West Bengal, while actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) won the Dharapuram and Madurantakam seats in Tamil Nadu. The results have brought both parties into the spotlight and renewed debate over voter preferences, regional political dynamics and the challenges ahead. BJP’s Double Victory Strengthens Its Position in West ...

Special campaign from October 11–20, 2026, to help women establish e-commerce businesses, build their own online platforms and explore selling opportunities on Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, AJIO and Myntra Indore | SDNAWomen aspiring to become entrepreneurs could find new opportunities in the rapidly expanding digital marketplace, with LVGC announcing a special e-commerce initiative under its ‘Nari Shakti’ programme. Scheduled to run from October 11 to 20, 2026, the campaign aims to help women transform their skills, home-based products and business ideas into commercial ventures with access to online markets. The initiative is designed to support women who wish to start their own businesses but face barriers such as limited capital, the cost of renting commercial premises, difficulties reachi...

Higher Russian crude prices, stronger Chinese demand and competitive Middle Eastern supplies reshape India’s import strategy New Delhi (SDNA): India’s long-running appetite for discounted Russian crude appears to be losing some momentum as changing market conditions make supplies from Moscow less financially attractive.Indian refiners have reportedly reduced their purchases of Russian crude for November delivery, but the shift should not necessarily be interpreted as a direct response to pressure from Washington or warnings over tariffs. Industry sources indicate that the more immediate factor is economics: the discount that once made Russian barrels highly attractive has narrowed substantially, while alternative supplies from the Middle East have become increasingly competitive. The Disco...

From their final conversation to memories of cooking together, Smriti Irani recalls the personal moments she shared with the late actor New Delhi. (SDNA) The passing of veteran actor Nana Patekar has left his admirers, colleagues and close associates mourning. Former Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani also paid an emotional tribute to the actor, sharing deeply personal memories of their relationship on social media.Irani said she affectionately called Nana Patekar ‘Dada’, a name that reflected the warmth and familiarity of their bond. ‘For Me, He Was Always Dada’ In her tribute, Smriti Irani recalled that while the world knew him as Nana Patekar, he was simply ‘Dada’ to her. His phone calls, she said, were spontaneous and informal, often beginning with a familiar question: “Where a...

From theatre to Bollywood and Marathi cinema, the legendary actor built a five-decade legacy defined by intensity, honesty and unforgettable characters Mumbai/Pune (SDNA): Indian cinema has lost one of its most distinctive and powerful performers. Veteran actor, filmmaker and theatre artiste Nana Patekar died on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the age of 75 following a cardiac arrest in Goa.Patekar was found unresponsive at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa, in the early hours of Thursday and was taken to Manipal Hospital, where doctors attempted to revive him. He was declared dead at around 5:20 am. His death brings an end to a remarkable career spanning nearly five decades, during which he moved effortlessly between Hindi and Marathi cinema, theatre and filmmaking. Maharashtra has announced...

SP chief questions alleged irregularities in 1,276-post recruitment; says a thorough probe could uncover links “far and wide” Lucknow (SDNA): Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav has stepped up his attack on the BJP government over alleged irregularities in the 2023 nursing recruitment at King George’s Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow.Reacting to reports surrounding the recruitment process, Yadav questioned the manner in which the selections were made and suggested that a detailed investigation could reveal connections extending well beyond the immediate case. According to media reports, more than 500 candidates selected for the 1,276 nursing posts had reportedly undergone coaching at the same coaching institute in Jaipur. The unusual concentration of selections has prompted s...

Chandrabhaga Warkant Cleanliness Drive Concludes with Enthusiasm 18 tonnes of waste collected during the cleanliness campaign; participation from various social, educational, religious organisations and municipal employees Message of Cleanliness is the True Service to Lord Vitthal resonates through the campaign Pandharpur ‌‌ : A special cleanliness campaign was organised at the Chandrabhaga Warkant area in Pandharpur with the objective of keeping the riverbank clean, beautiful and pristine. The campaign, initiated by the Pandharpur Municipal Council, witnessed enthusiastic participation from various social, religious and educational organisations. As many as 18 tonnes of waste were collected during the drive, informed Municipal Chief Officer Mahesh Rokade. Lorem Ipsum has b...

Indore: Young people aspiring to build careers in journalism and digital media now have an opportunity to gain formal training without the burden of course fees. Nivraha Foundation and SDPE have launched a new educational initiative under which aspiring students can appear for a free online IQ-based entrance examination and compete for admission to a six-month Journalism Certificate Programme at no cost.Under the initiative, 50 students will be selected every month from across India. Those selected will be able to pursue the programme online, allowing students from different states and regions to access the course without having to relocate. Beyond News Writing: Focus on Law and Practical Journalism According to Nivraha Foundation founder Dr. Vinayaka Luniya, the nature of journalism has c...