May 3, 2026

NEW DELHI: Indian Railways’ first dedicated high-speed test track is expected to be complete by March 2026. The 64-km track, on which trains will be tested at a speed of 220 kmph, is being developed in Jodhpur division in Rajasthan with an investment of Rs 967 crore.Railway officials said the stretch is being built in two phases between Gudha and Thathana Mithri, around 70 km from Jaipur. They added that approximately 58 km of the track has been completed.“With the construction of this track, India will be the first country to have comprehensive testing facilities for rolling stock, meeting international standards as per UIC-518/EN-14363 (key railway standards defining methods for testing and approval of rolling stock dynamics). This track will be a unique one globally, as most test tracks currently available elsewhere are shorter than its length,” said an official.The track will provide testing facilities for high-speed rolling stock manufactured worldwide. Comprehensive testing facilities for high-speed rolling stock and components, including speed testing, stability, safety parameters, crash resistance and rolling stock quality, are being developed under this project, as per officials.The dedicated test track will also ensure the testing of track materials, bridges, traction distribution equipment, signalling gear and geotechnical studies.The dedicated test track has seven major bridges, 129 minor bridges and four stations. With its operationalisation, trials can be conducted for a high-speed train passing curved sections without slowing down. Of these curves, some are made for lower speed and some for high speed.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi HC Grants Bail To Kuldeep Sengar; Victim’s Sister Says ‘Put Us In Jail To Keep Us Safe’India Summons Bangladesh High Commissioner Over Violence Against Hindus, Protests Continue”No Cases Filed”: Prachy Accuses Yunus Administration Of Protecting Convicted TerroristsExperts Warn India As Yunus Loses Control In Bangladesh After Hadi Killing Sparks Unrest NationwidePAN-Aadhaar Deadline Nears: How To Link Before December 31 Or Risk Inoperative PAN From Next Year“Neither Janmat Nor Janpath”: Bjp Alleges Growing Rebellion Against Rahul Gandhi Within CongressPak PM Sharif’s Party Leader Threatens India, Warns Missiles Will Respond If Bangladesh Is TargetedIndia’s BrahMos Missile Goes Global As India Closes $450m Defence Pacts With Vietnam And Indonesia’Make Her PM & See…’: Congress MP Endorses Priyanka Gandhi; BJP Takes ‘No Faith In Rahul’ DigHanuman Chalisa Verse Echoes In Delhi As Hindu Lynching In Bangladesh Triggers High Voltage Protests123PhotostoriesNew seasons releasing on OTT in 2026: From ‘Bridgerton 4’ to ‘Euphoria 3’From Rajat Bedi to Akshaye Khanna: Best Bollywood comebacks of 202510 local Indian Christmas delicacies that are a must try5 latest bridal nath designs to elevate your traditional Indian wedding lookCosmic Fungi explained: The strange radiation-eating organisms found at Chernobyl8 classic Chicken Soups to keep you warm this winterMerry Christmas 2025: 10 famous classic Christmas dishes from around the worldAryan Khan with ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’; Tisca Chopra with ‘Saali Mohabbat’: Meet the debut directors of 2025From taking her first steps post delivery to updating fans on Kaju’s health and Laughter Chefs shoot, Bharti Singh shares an emotional hospital vlog7 common healthy-looking foods that are secretly causing inflammation123Hot PicksUAE WeatherPAN-Aadhaar linkingGold price predictionGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays DecemberBank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingDwyane Wade WifeKai Cenat Mental HealthGeorge Kittle InjuryGiannis AntetokounmpoJack EichelCraig BerubePaul Heyman and Marla Heyman Net WorthDK MetcalfJade Cargill and Brandon Net WorthMax Holloway Net Worth

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NEW DELHI: Indian Railways’ first dedicated high-speed test track is expected to be complete by March 2026. The 64-km track, on which trains will be tested at a speed of 220 kmph, is being developed in Jodhpur division in Rajasthan with an investment of Rs 967 crore.Railway officials said the stretch is being built in two phases between Gudha and Thathana Mithri, around 70 km from Jaipur. They added that approximately 58 km of the track has been completed.“With the construction of this track, India will be the first country to have comprehensive testing facilities for rolling stock, meeting international standards as per UIC-518/EN-14363 (key railway standards defining methods for testing and approval of rolling stock dynamics). This track will be a unique one globally, as most test tracks currently available elsewhere are shorter than its length,” said an official.The track will provide testing facilities for high-speed rolling stock manufactured worldwide. Comprehensive testing facilities for high-speed rolling stock and components, including speed testing, stability, safety parameters, crash resistance and rolling stock quality, are being developed under this project, as per officials.The dedicated test track will also ensure the testing of track materials, bridges, traction distribution equipment, signalling gear and geotechnical studies.The dedicated test track has seven major bridges, 129 minor bridges and four stations. With its operationalisation, trials can be conducted for a high-speed train passing curved sections without slowing down. Of these curves, some are made for lower speed and some for high speed.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi HC Grants Bail To Kuldeep Sengar; Victim’s Sister Says ‘Put Us In Jail To Keep Us Safe’India Summons Bangladesh High Commissioner Over Violence Against Hindus, Protests Continue”No Cases Filed”: Prachy Accuses Yunus Administration Of Protecting Convicted TerroristsExperts Warn India As Yunus Loses Control In Bangladesh After Hadi Killing Sparks Unrest NationwidePAN-Aadhaar Deadline Nears: How To Link Before December 31 Or Risk Inoperative PAN From Next Year“Neither Janmat Nor Janpath”: Bjp Alleges Growing Rebellion Against Rahul Gandhi Within CongressPak PM Sharif’s Party Leader Threatens India, Warns Missiles Will Respond If Bangladesh Is TargetedIndia’s BrahMos Missile Goes Global As India Closes 0m Defence Pacts With Vietnam And Indonesia’Make Her PM & See…’: Congress MP Endorses Priyanka Gandhi; BJP Takes ‘No Faith In Rahul’ DigHanuman Chalisa Verse Echoes In Delhi As Hindu Lynching In Bangladesh Triggers High Voltage Protests123PhotostoriesNew seasons releasing on OTT in 2026: From ‘Bridgerton 4’ to ‘Euphoria 3’From Rajat Bedi to Akshaye Khanna: Best Bollywood comebacks of 202510 local Indian Christmas delicacies that are a must try5 latest bridal nath designs to elevate your traditional Indian wedding lookCosmic Fungi explained: The strange radiation-eating organisms found at Chernobyl8 classic Chicken Soups to keep you warm this winterMerry Christmas 2025: 10 famous classic Christmas dishes from around the worldAryan Khan with ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’; Tisca Chopra with ‘Saali Mohabbat’: Meet the debut directors of 2025From taking her first steps post delivery to updating fans on Kaju’s health and Laughter Chefs shoot, Bharti Singh shares an emotional hospital vlog7 common healthy-looking foods that are secretly causing inflammation123Hot PicksUAE WeatherPAN-Aadhaar linkingGold price predictionGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays DecemberBank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingDwyane Wade WifeKai Cenat Mental HealthGeorge Kittle InjuryGiannis AntetokounmpoJack EichelCraig BerubePaul Heyman and Marla Heyman Net WorthDK MetcalfJade Cargill and Brandon Net WorthMax Holloway Net Worth


Railways’ dedicated high-speed test track to be ready by early 2026

NEW DELHI: Indian Railways’ first dedicated high-speed test track is expected to be complete by March 2026. The 64-km track, on which trains will be tested at a speed of 220 kmph, is being developed in Jodhpur division in Rajasthan with an investment of Rs 967 crore.Railway officials said the stretch is being built in two phases between Gudha and Thathana Mithri, around 70 km from Jaipur. They added that approximately 58 km of the track has been completed.

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“With the construction of this track, India will be the first country to have comprehensive testing facilities for rolling stock, meeting international standards as per UIC-518/EN-14363 (key railway standards defining methods for testing and approval of rolling stock dynamics). This track will be a unique one globally, as most test tracks currently available elsewhere are shorter than its length,” said an official.The track will provide testing facilities for high-speed rolling stock manufactured worldwide. Comprehensive testing facilities for high-speed rolling stock and components, including speed testing, stability, safety parameters, crash resistance and rolling stock quality, are being developed under this project, as per officials.The dedicated test track will also ensure the testing of track materials, bridges, traction distribution equipment, signalling gear and geotechnical studies.The dedicated test track has seven major bridges, 129 minor bridges and four stations. With its operationalisation, trials can be conducted for a high-speed train passing curved sections without slowing down. Of these curves, some are made for lower speed and some for high speed.



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File photo NEW DELHI: In a reaction to Congress LOP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s opposition to the Greater Nicobar project , former IAF chief Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria (retd) has said that the project is “important for India’s military footprint” in the area.Several defence veterans who have also voiced their support in favour of the island project.ACM Bhadauria (retd) has dismissed Congress’s criticism as misplaced and highlighted that the project is critically important for India’s national security, economic growth and military foothold. He emphasised its strategic location for monitoring the Malacca Strait, another chokepoint after Hormuz, in order to keep a check on China. Roughly, 80% of China’s oil imports and a significant portion of its overall cargo pass through this narrow waterway (Malacca Strait).With China’s increasing naval presence in the Indian Ocean Region, India needs to have a strong economic and military base in the Great Nicobar island.The Rs 92,000-crore Great Nicobar mega-infrastructure project comprises key infrastructure development such as a transshipment terminal, greenfield international airport, township, and power facilities, with limited forest diversion, compensatory afforestation, and no proposed displacement of indigenous communities.Bhadauria’s remarks came a day after Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Great Nicobar project at Campbell Bay was “one of the biggest scams and gravest crimes against the natural and tribal heritage of the country”.A bench of the National Green Tribunal on Feb 16 this year had cleared the way for the Great Nicobar project, noting that “considering the strategic importance” of it and “other relevant considerations”, “we do not find any good ground to interfere”. It had disposed of applications related to the environment clearance (EC) for the project, with a direction to authorities “to ensure full and strict compliance of EC conditions”.Reacting to the opposition to the project, ACM Bhadauria (retd) said, “It is crucial to understand this from a strategic perspective, specially in light of recent events, such as the ongoing conflict (in West Asia) and developments in the Strait of Hormuz.Strategically, it is crucial to understand that this project will provide us with the capability to position ourselves just 150 km away from the Strait of Malacca. Our overall domain awareness, both in the air and maritime spheres, will receive a significant boost.”Giving an example of the Gulf crisis, Major General (Retd.) G S Rawat recently said, “We need to look at this (project) from an operational and strategic perspective, including its geographic alignment and maritime positioning. Recent global developments have shown how tactical choke points can be exploited, as seen around the Strait of Hormuz.Similarly, the Strait of Malacca holds even greater significance in terms of global trade and maritime movement… From an operational standpoint, controlling or having a strong presence near such routes enhances strategic leverage, surveillance capability and maritime security. This is where the importance of the Great Nicobar Project lies, as it strengthens India’s position in monitoring and responding to developments across these critical sea lanes.”Air Vice Marshal P K Srivastava (Retd) said, “Whenever the govt of India undertakes a project, it consults a wide range of expert advisors from different fields. Every project is prepared after taking opinions from specialists and conducting proper on-ground surveys of the area.Such projects are not designed sitting in Delhi alone—teams visit the site and assess all aspects.Any potential concerns or issues related to the Great Nicobar Island project would have already been carefully considered during the planning process.”Calling the project a major strategic and economic win for the country, Maj Gen Sinha (Retd) said, “In the maritime domain, the Great Nicobar project has created a stir in the country. Some people do not want the country to emerge in the world.”Cautioning about China’s moves, Lt Gen (Retd.) Rajeev Chaudhry, former DG of the Border Roads Organisation said, “If opposition leads to delays in the project—especially through international pressure citing environmental concerns—it can benefit China. Beijing is wary of such a project at Great Nicobar Island because it would enhance India’s surveillance over maritime trade and military movements in the region…China’s ‘String of Pearls’ strategy—through ports like Gwadar Port, Hambantota Port and Kyaukpyu Port—would be countered by a strong strategic and economic hub at Campbell Bay and Galathea Bay… Such opposition or negative narratives can inadvertently align with Chinese interests. This is an essential project that ideally should have been implemented much earlier.”End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Reminder To Those Who Misuse State Power’: Pawan Khera Jabs Assam CM After SC Anticipatory BailUS Retains India on Special 301 Priority Watch List, Flags Patent Regime, Enforcement GapsCourt Rejects Nida Khan’s Anticipatory Bail in TCS Nashik Harassment and Conversion CaseCensus 2027 To Begin In UP From May 2026 With 5 Lakh Personnel, & Caste Data InclusionHome Minister Amit Shah Meets Sonam Wangchuk & Other Leaders in Leh Ahead Of TalksChhattisgarh IED Blast Kills 4 DRG Personnel During Defusal Operation Near Kanker-Narayanpur BorderIndia-Bound LPG Tanker Sarv Shakti On The Move Across Strait Of Hormuz: Why It Matters?Rae Bareli’s MCF Unveils First Vande Bharat Trainset, Boosting India’s Production CapacityDelhi Police Bust Inter-State Auto Theft Racket Spanning 5 States; 10 Arrested,31 Vehicles RecoveredIndia Tests Disaster Information System, Citizens Get ‘Extremely Severe Alert’ On Phones123PhotostoriesFrom Samay Raina roasting Sunil Pal and Navjot Singh Sidhu to Kapil Sharma pulling Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay’s leg over the India’s Got Latent controversy—highlights from The Great Indian Kapil ShowBTS: Top 7 romantic songs to add to your playlistWest Bengal elections 2026: Key candidates and their declared assets ahead of resultsStop stretching like this: Common morning routine mistakes hurting your spineWhy curd turns sour faster in summer and how to control fermentation at homeYour feet may be revealing health problems you’re missingPink Guava vs white Guava: Which one is healthier and why it matters5 budget international trips under ₹50,000 from India this summer (with flights)Think you’re healthy? 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File photo NEW DELHI: In a reaction to Congress LOP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s opposition to the Greater Nicobar project , former IAF chief Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria (retd) has said that the project is “important for India’s military footprint” in the area.Several defence veterans who have also voiced their support in favour of the island project.ACM Bhadauria (retd) has dismissed Congress’s criticism as misplaced and highlighted that the project is critically important for India’s national security, economic growth and military foothold. He emphasised its strategic location for monitoring the Malacca Strait, another chokepoint after Hormuz, in order to keep a check on China. Roughly, 80% of China’s oil imports and a significant portion of its overall cargo pass through this narrow waterway (Malacca Strait).With China’s increasing naval presence in the Indian Ocean Region, India needs to have a strong economic and military base in the Great Nicobar island.The Rs 92,000-crore Great Nicobar mega-infrastructure project comprises key infrastructure development such as a transshipment terminal, greenfield international airport, township, and power facilities, with limited forest diversion, compensatory afforestation, and no proposed displacement of indigenous communities.Bhadauria’s remarks came a day after Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Great Nicobar project at Campbell Bay was “one of the biggest scams and gravest crimes against the natural and tribal heritage of the country”.A bench of the National Green Tribunal on Feb 16 this year had cleared the way for the Great Nicobar project, noting that “considering the strategic importance” of it and “other relevant considerations”, “we do not find any good ground to interfere”. It had disposed of applications related to the environment clearance (EC) for the project, with a direction to authorities “to ensure full and strict compliance of EC conditions”.Reacting to the opposition to the project, ACM Bhadauria (retd) said, “It is crucial to understand this from a strategic perspective, specially in light of recent events, such as the ongoing conflict (in West Asia) and developments in the Strait of Hormuz.Strategically, it is crucial to understand that this project will provide us with the capability to position ourselves just 150 km away from the Strait of Malacca. Our overall domain awareness, both in the air and maritime spheres, will receive a significant boost.”Giving an example of the Gulf crisis, Major General (Retd.) G S Rawat recently said, “We need to look at this (project) from an operational and strategic perspective, including its geographic alignment and maritime positioning. Recent global developments have shown how tactical choke points can be exploited, as seen around the Strait of Hormuz.Similarly, the Strait of Malacca holds even greater significance in terms of global trade and maritime movement… From an operational standpoint, controlling or having a strong presence near such routes enhances strategic leverage, surveillance capability and maritime security. This is where the importance of the Great Nicobar Project lies, as it strengthens India’s position in monitoring and responding to developments across these critical sea lanes.”Air Vice Marshal P K Srivastava (Retd) said, “Whenever the govt of India undertakes a project, it consults a wide range of expert advisors from different fields. Every project is prepared after taking opinions from specialists and conducting proper on-ground surveys of the area.Such projects are not designed sitting in Delhi alone—teams visit the site and assess all aspects.Any potential concerns or issues related to the Great Nicobar Island project would have already been carefully considered during the planning process.”Calling the project a major strategic and economic win for the country, Maj Gen Sinha (Retd) said, “In the maritime domain, the Great Nicobar project has created a stir in the country. Some people do not want the country to emerge in the world.”Cautioning about China’s moves, Lt Gen (Retd.) Rajeev Chaudhry, former DG of the Border Roads Organisation said, “If opposition leads to delays in the project—especially through international pressure citing environmental concerns—it can benefit China. Beijing is wary of such a project at Great Nicobar Island because it would enhance India’s surveillance over maritime trade and military movements in the region…China’s ‘String of Pearls’ strategy—through ports like Gwadar Port, Hambantota Port and Kyaukpyu Port—would be countered by a strong strategic and economic hub at Campbell Bay and Galathea Bay… Such opposition or negative narratives can inadvertently align with Chinese interests. This is an essential project that ideally should have been implemented much earlier.”End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Reminder To Those Who Misuse State Power’: Pawan Khera Jabs Assam CM After SC Anticipatory BailUS Retains India on Special 301 Priority Watch List, Flags Patent Regime, Enforcement GapsCourt Rejects Nida Khan’s Anticipatory Bail in TCS Nashik Harassment and Conversion CaseCensus 2027 To Begin In UP From May 2026 With 5 Lakh Personnel, & Caste Data InclusionHome Minister Amit Shah Meets Sonam Wangchuk & Other Leaders in Leh Ahead Of TalksChhattisgarh IED Blast Kills 4 DRG Personnel During Defusal Operation Near Kanker-Narayanpur BorderIndia-Bound LPG Tanker Sarv Shakti On The Move Across Strait Of Hormuz: Why It Matters?Rae Bareli’s MCF Unveils First Vande Bharat Trainset, Boosting India’s Production CapacityDelhi Police Bust Inter-State Auto Theft Racket Spanning 5 States; 10 Arrested,31 Vehicles RecoveredIndia Tests Disaster Information System, Citizens Get ‘Extremely Severe Alert’ On Phones123PhotostoriesFrom Samay Raina roasting Sunil Pal and Navjot Singh Sidhu to Kapil Sharma pulling Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay’s leg over the India’s Got Latent controversy—highlights from The Great Indian Kapil ShowBTS: Top 7 romantic songs to add to your playlistWest Bengal elections 2026: Key candidates and their declared assets ahead of resultsStop stretching like this: Common morning routine mistakes hurting your spineWhy curd turns sour faster in summer and how to control fermentation at homeYour feet may be revealing health problems you’re missingPink Guava vs white Guava: Which one is healthier and why it matters5 budget international trips under ₹50,000 from India this summer (with flights)Think you’re healthy? Hidden fatty liver disease is rising without symptomsHow to make Dhaba style Butter Chicken at home123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingUS Germany relationsBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap

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File photo NEW DELHI: Indian Railways on Saturday rolled out from Modern Coach Factory (MCF) at Raebareli the 100th Vande Bharat train, marking a major milestone in the journey that started in 2018 with only two such trains.Prior to induction of this 16-coach chair-car trainset into regular passenger service, the train will undergo oscillation trials to validate ride quality, safety parameters and dynamic performance.The production of these trains started at Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai and has now been extended to Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala and MCF in Raebareli.In an official release, the national transporter said the MCF-manufactured trainset incorporates notable engineering and performance enhancements aimed at improving reliability and safety. End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Reminder To Those Who Misuse State Power’: Pawan Khera Jabs Assam CM After SC Anticipatory BailUS Retains India on Special 301 Priority Watch List, Flags Patent Regime, Enforcement GapsCourt Rejects Nida Khan’s Anticipatory Bail in TCS Nashik Harassment and Conversion CaseCensus 2027 To Begin In UP From May 2026 With 5 Lakh Personnel, & Caste Data InclusionHome Minister Amit Shah Meets Sonam Wangchuk & Other Leaders in Leh Ahead Of TalksChhattisgarh IED Blast Kills 4 DRG Personnel During Defusal Operation Near Kanker-Narayanpur BorderIndia-Bound LPG Tanker Sarv Shakti On The Move Across Strait Of Hormuz: Why It Matters?Rae Bareli’s MCF Unveils First Vande Bharat Trainset, Boosting India’s Production CapacityDelhi Police Bust Inter-State Auto Theft Racket Spanning 5 States; 10 Arrested,31 Vehicles RecoveredIndia Tests Disaster Information System, Citizens Get ‘Extremely Severe Alert’ On Phones123PhotostoriesFrom Samay Raina roasting Sunil Pal and Navjot Singh Sidhu to Kapil Sharma pulling Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay’s leg over the India’s Got Latent controversy—highlights from The Great Indian Kapil ShowBTS: Top 7 romantic songs to add to your playlistWest Bengal elections 2026: Key candidates and their declared assets ahead of resultsStop stretching like this: Common morning routine mistakes hurting your spineWhy curd turns sour faster in summer and how to control fermentation at homeYour feet may be revealing health problems you’re missingPink Guava vs white Guava: Which one is healthier and why it matters5 budget international trips under ₹50,000 from India this summer (with flights)Think you’re healthy? Hidden fatty liver disease is rising without symptomsHow to make Dhaba style Butter Chicken at home123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingUS Germany relationsBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap

File photo NEW DELHI: Indian Railways on Saturday rolled out from Modern Coach Factory (MCF) at Raebareli the 100th Vande Bharat train, marking a major milestone in the journey that started in 2018 with only two such trains.Prior to induction of this 16-coach chair-car trainset into regular passenger service, the train will undergo oscillation trials to validate ride quality, safety parameters and dynamic performance.The production of these trains started at Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai and has now been extended to Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala and MCF in Raebareli.In an official release, the national transporter said the MCF-manufactured trainset incorporates notable engineering and performance enhancements aimed at improving reliability and safety. End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Reminder To Those Who Misuse State Power’: Pawan Khera Jabs Assam CM After SC Anticipatory BailUS Retains India on Special 301 Priority Watch List, Flags Patent Regime, Enforcement GapsCourt Rejects Nida Khan’s Anticipatory Bail in TCS Nashik Harassment and Conversion CaseCensus 2027 To Begin In UP From May 2026 With 5 Lakh Personnel, & Caste Data InclusionHome Minister Amit Shah Meets Sonam Wangchuk & Other Leaders in Leh Ahead Of TalksChhattisgarh IED Blast Kills 4 DRG Personnel During Defusal Operation Near Kanker-Narayanpur BorderIndia-Bound LPG Tanker Sarv Shakti On The Move Across Strait Of Hormuz: Why It Matters?Rae Bareli’s MCF Unveils First Vande Bharat Trainset, Boosting India’s Production CapacityDelhi Police Bust Inter-State Auto Theft Racket Spanning 5 States; 10 Arrested,31 Vehicles RecoveredIndia Tests Disaster Information System, Citizens Get ‘Extremely Severe Alert’ On Phones123PhotostoriesFrom Samay Raina roasting Sunil Pal and Navjot Singh Sidhu to Kapil Sharma pulling Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay’s leg over the India’s Got Latent controversy—highlights from The Great Indian Kapil ShowBTS: Top 7 romantic songs to add to your playlistWest Bengal elections 2026: Key candidates and their declared assets ahead of resultsStop stretching like this: Common morning routine mistakes hurting your spineWhy curd turns sour faster in summer and how to control fermentation at homeYour feet may be revealing health problems you’re missingPink Guava vs white Guava: Which one is healthier and why it matters5 budget international trips under ₹50,000 from India this summer (with flights)Think you’re healthy? Hidden fatty liver disease is rising without symptomsHow to make Dhaba style Butter Chicken at home123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingUS Germany relationsBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap

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File photo Sudesh Kumar, who played the protagonist of the tragic love story, ‘Saranga’ (1961), still remembered for its melancholic title track, who became a familiar face as supporting lead in money-spinning Southern productions like ‘Chhoti Bahen’ (1959), ‘Bharosa’ (1963) and ‘Khandan’ (1965), and who went on to produce absorbing thrillers like Uljhan (1975), passed away at his residence in Mumbai on Friday. He was 95.The actor was admitted to Breach Candy hospital following breathing issues on Monday. “At his request, we brought him back home on Thursday where we had set up a makeshift medical unit. But he breathed his last the next morning,” his wife Jaya Dhawan told TOI over phone.Born in 1931 in pre-independence India in frontier town Peshawar — also the birthplace of Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor and where Shah Rukh Khan gets his ancestry from — Sudesh’s family shifted to Bombay when he was young. “He graduated in science from Elphinstone College. His father wanted him to be a doctor,” Jaya said.But Kumar joined Prithviraj Kapoor’s theatre group. “They were also distant relatives,” she recalled. Among his early films was Prithviraj-directed, ‘Paisa’ (1957).His real name was Sudesh Dhawan. But the actor’s screen name kept changing. He was Sudesh in some, Soodesh Kumar in others and Sudesh Kumar in most. The actor initially got parts in low-budget costume dramas and devotionals before catching mainstream attention in the cameo of a doctor in Prasad Production’s superhit family drama, ‘Chhoti Bahen’ (1959). He was paired opposite Nanda playing the protagonist.In the Sixties, Sudesh found his feet becoming a regular in southern socials working with premium directors such as K Shankar (‘Bharosa’, 1963), Vasu Menon (‘Grahasti’, 1963), A Bhimsingh (‘Khandan’, 1965 and ‘Gopi’, 1970) and CV Sridhar (‘Dharti’, 1970). Old-timers would remember him twisting and turning with a step-perfect Mumtaz for the rock and roll track, “Aa dance karein, thoda romance karein.” “Khandan was one of his favourite films,” said Jaya.A more interesting role came in producer-director Vasant Joglekar’s critical and commercial success, ‘Aaj aur Kal’ (1963), set in princely state, pre-independence India. Sudesh enacted the role of a youthful Congress leader, also a humble coachman’s son, who seeks to draw people into the national movement and to whom the king’s younger daughter (Tanuja) is attracted to.He is remembered more for producer-director Dhirubhai Desai’s ‘Saranga’ (1961), where a prince falls in love with a commoner to a tragic outcome. Two of the film’s tracks, ‘Saranga teri yaad mein’ (singer: Mukesh, lyrics: Bharat Vyas, music: Sardar Malik) and ‘Haan deewana hoon main’ (same trio) became chartbusters finishing at No 9 and No 20 in the popular countdown show, Binaca Geetmala’s annual list. The title song has a combined view of over 2.5 million on YouTube underlining its timeless appeal. A heart-broken Sudesh walking through a leafless grove while lip syncing the number is part of old Bollywood’s unforgettable images.With dwindling meaningful screen presence, Sudesh adroitly shifted to producing movies in the 1970s. But before that he assisted Raj Khosla in ‘Do Badan (1966). As producer, his first venture was Man Mandir (1970), which had the unlikely pair of Sanjeev Kumar and Waheeda Rehman.Sudesh formed a fruitful director-producer combo with Raghunath Jhalani delivering two smart and modestly successful off-beat thrillers, Uljhan (again with Sanjeev Kumar) and Badalte Rishtey (with Jeetendra, Reena Roy and Rishi Kapoor) and box-office turkey, Jaan Hatheli Pe (1987).In 1982, he was married to Mumbai-bred Jaya Naik nee Dhawan, who had modelled for Vicco, Complan and Farex, among other products. They were neighbours who had first met outside the residence of popular lyricist Rajendra Krishan, a close friend of Sudesh.“He was full of life and energy even a year ago,” recalled Rajesh Duggal, the lyricist’s son. Jaya said that they had visited Southern temples in February. “Despite his age, he was remarkably fit. He never used a walking stick,” she said.The funeral was held at Shivaji Park crematorium on Friday.About the AuthorAvijit GhoshAvijit Ghosh is an associate editor with The Times of India. He is addicted to films, music, cricket and football—and not necessarily in that order. He is the author of Bandicoots in the Moonlight, Cinema Bhojpuri, 40 Retakes, and now, Up Campus, Down Campus, a novel set in 1980s JNU. He tweets from the handle @cinemawaleghoshRead MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Reminder To Those Who Misuse State Power’: Pawan Khera Jabs Assam CM After SC Anticipatory BailUS Retains India on Special 301 Priority Watch List, Flags Patent Regime, Enforcement GapsCourt Rejects Nida Khan’s Anticipatory Bail in TCS Nashik Harassment and Conversion CaseCensus 2027 To Begin In UP From May 2026 With 5 Lakh Personnel, & Caste Data InclusionHome Minister Amit Shah Meets Sonam Wangchuk & Other Leaders in Leh Ahead Of TalksChhattisgarh IED Blast Kills 4 DRG Personnel During Defusal Operation Near Kanker-Narayanpur BorderIndia-Bound LPG Tanker Sarv Shakti On The Move Across Strait Of Hormuz: Why It Matters?Rae Bareli’s MCF Unveils First Vande Bharat Trainset, Boosting India’s Production CapacityDelhi Police Bust Inter-State Auto Theft Racket Spanning 5 States; 10 Arrested,31 Vehicles RecoveredIndia Tests Disaster Information System, Citizens Get ‘Extremely Severe Alert’ On Phones123PhotostoriesFrom Samay Raina roasting Sunil Pal and Navjot Singh Sidhu to Kapil Sharma pulling Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay’s leg over the India’s Got Latent controversy—highlights from The Great Indian Kapil Show5 things to think about before breaking upBTS: Top 7 romantic songs to add to your playlistWest Bengal elections 2026: Key candidates and their declared assets ahead of resultsStop stretching like this: Common morning routine mistakes hurting your spineWhy curd turns sour faster in summer and how to control fermentation at homeYour feet may be revealing health problems you’re missingPink Guava vs white Guava: Which one is healthier and why it matters5 budget international trips under ₹50,000 from India this summer (with flights)Think you’re healthy? Hidden fatty liver disease is rising without symptoms123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingUS Germany relationsBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap

File photo Sudesh Kumar, who played the protagonist of the tragic love story, ‘Saranga’ (1961), still remembered for its melancholic title track, who became a familiar face as supporting lead in money-spinning Southern productions like ‘Chhoti Bahen’ (1959), ‘Bharosa’ (1963) and ‘Khandan’ (1965), and who went on to produce absorbing thrillers like Uljhan (1975), passed away at his residence in Mumbai on Friday. He was 95.The actor was admitted to Breach Candy hospital following breathing issues on Monday. “At his request, we brought him back home on Thursday where we had set up a makeshift medical unit. But he breathed his last the next morning,” his wife Jaya Dhawan told TOI over phone.Born in 1931 in pre-independence India in frontier town Peshawar — also the birthplace of Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor and where Shah Rukh Khan gets his ancestry from — Sudesh’s family shifted to Bombay when he was young. “He graduated in science from Elphinstone College. His father wanted him to be a doctor,” Jaya said.But Kumar joined Prithviraj Kapoor’s theatre group. “They were also distant relatives,” she recalled. Among his early films was Prithviraj-directed, ‘Paisa’ (1957).His real name was Sudesh Dhawan. But the actor’s screen name kept changing. He was Sudesh in some, Soodesh Kumar in others and Sudesh Kumar in most. The actor initially got parts in low-budget costume dramas and devotionals before catching mainstream attention in the cameo of a doctor in Prasad Production’s superhit family drama, ‘Chhoti Bahen’ (1959). He was paired opposite Nanda playing the protagonist.In the Sixties, Sudesh found his feet becoming a regular in southern socials working with premium directors such as K Shankar (‘Bharosa’, 1963), Vasu Menon (‘Grahasti’, 1963), A Bhimsingh (‘Khandan’, 1965 and ‘Gopi’, 1970) and CV Sridhar (‘Dharti’, 1970). Old-timers would remember him twisting and turning with a step-perfect Mumtaz for the rock and roll track, “Aa dance karein, thoda romance karein.” “Khandan was one of his favourite films,” said Jaya.A more interesting role came in producer-director Vasant Joglekar’s critical and commercial success, ‘Aaj aur Kal’ (1963), set in princely state, pre-independence India. Sudesh enacted the role of a youthful Congress leader, also a humble coachman’s son, who seeks to draw people into the national movement and to whom the king’s younger daughter (Tanuja) is attracted to.He is remembered more for producer-director Dhirubhai Desai’s ‘Saranga’ (1961), where a prince falls in love with a commoner to a tragic outcome. Two of the film’s tracks, ‘Saranga teri yaad mein’ (singer: Mukesh, lyrics: Bharat Vyas, music: Sardar Malik) and ‘Haan deewana hoon main’ (same trio) became chartbusters finishing at No 9 and No 20 in the popular countdown show, Binaca Geetmala’s annual list. The title song has a combined view of over 2.5 million on YouTube underlining its timeless appeal. A heart-broken Sudesh walking through a leafless grove while lip syncing the number is part of old Bollywood’s unforgettable images.With dwindling meaningful screen presence, Sudesh adroitly shifted to producing movies in the 1970s. But before that he assisted Raj Khosla in ‘Do Badan (1966). As producer, his first venture was Man Mandir (1970), which had the unlikely pair of Sanjeev Kumar and Waheeda Rehman.Sudesh formed a fruitful director-producer combo with Raghunath Jhalani delivering two smart and modestly successful off-beat thrillers, Uljhan (again with Sanjeev Kumar) and Badalte Rishtey (with Jeetendra, Reena Roy and Rishi Kapoor) and box-office turkey, Jaan Hatheli Pe (1987).In 1982, he was married to Mumbai-bred Jaya Naik nee Dhawan, who had modelled for Vicco, Complan and Farex, among other products. They were neighbours who had first met outside the residence of popular lyricist Rajendra Krishan, a close friend of Sudesh.“He was full of life and energy even a year ago,” recalled Rajesh Duggal, the lyricist’s son. Jaya said that they had visited Southern temples in February. “Despite his age, he was remarkably fit. He never used a walking stick,” she said.The funeral was held at Shivaji Park crematorium on Friday.About the AuthorAvijit GhoshAvijit Ghosh is an associate editor with The Times of India. He is addicted to films, music, cricket and football—and not necessarily in that order. He is the author of Bandicoots in the Moonlight, Cinema Bhojpuri, 40 Retakes, and now, Up Campus, Down Campus, a novel set in 1980s JNU. He tweets from the handle @cinemawaleghoshRead MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Reminder To Those Who Misuse State Power’: Pawan Khera Jabs Assam CM After SC Anticipatory BailUS Retains India on Special 301 Priority Watch List, Flags Patent Regime, Enforcement GapsCourt Rejects Nida Khan’s Anticipatory Bail in TCS Nashik Harassment and Conversion CaseCensus 2027 To Begin In UP From May 2026 With 5 Lakh Personnel, & Caste Data InclusionHome Minister Amit Shah Meets Sonam Wangchuk & Other Leaders in Leh Ahead Of TalksChhattisgarh IED Blast Kills 4 DRG Personnel During Defusal Operation Near Kanker-Narayanpur BorderIndia-Bound LPG Tanker Sarv Shakti On The Move Across Strait Of Hormuz: Why It Matters?Rae Bareli’s MCF Unveils First Vande Bharat Trainset, Boosting India’s Production CapacityDelhi Police Bust Inter-State Auto Theft Racket Spanning 5 States; 10 Arrested,31 Vehicles RecoveredIndia Tests Disaster Information System, Citizens Get ‘Extremely Severe Alert’ On Phones123PhotostoriesFrom Samay Raina roasting Sunil Pal and Navjot Singh Sidhu to Kapil Sharma pulling Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay’s leg over the India’s Got Latent controversy—highlights from The Great Indian Kapil Show5 things to think about before breaking upBTS: Top 7 romantic songs to add to your playlistWest Bengal elections 2026: Key candidates and their declared assets ahead of resultsStop stretching like this: Common morning routine mistakes hurting your spineWhy curd turns sour faster in summer and how to control fermentation at homeYour feet may be revealing health problems you’re missingPink Guava vs white Guava: Which one is healthier and why it matters5 budget international trips under ₹50,000 from India this summer (with flights)Think you’re healthy? Hidden fatty liver disease is rising without symptoms123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingUS Germany relationsBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap

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File photo KOLKATA: Ahead of the May 4 counting of votes for the assembly elections, Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Saturday trashed exit poll results, saying they were conducted to “manipulate the stock market,” and told party colleagues in a virtual address that Trinamool “is winning and winning by 200-plus seats.”Banerjee urged counting agents not to leave their tables even for a minute without a replacement and advised them not to be anxious if postal ballot results initially go against the party.She and Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee alleged that “BJP was using the Election Commission” and that party workers and supporters were being selectively targeted. The CM said she would reward workers who had “withstood these attacks fearlessly and fought back”.Trinamool Congress also released a list of party seniors deputed to coordinate with ground workers on the counting day. Abhishek will oversee South 24 Parganas.Meanwhile, Bengal’s leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari called on all political parties to maintain peace ahead of the counting, urging them to accept the people’s mandate and avoid a repeat of the post-poll violence that followed the 2021 elections.“Let there be peace in Bengal. The election is over and every political party should take part in the counting. Whatever rivalry existed during the polls should end now,” Adhikari said on Friday evening as he emerged from an EVM strongroom after a visit.Invoking the 2021 violence, in which BJP claims 300 of its workers were killed, he said: “No neta is hurt in violence — I have CRPF security, Mamata ji has police protection and a bulletproof car. It is the common man and ordinary worker who suffers. We should now cooperate with EC, central forces and state police.”BJP spokesperson Debjit Sarkar alleged that “outsiders” had been brought into the city and were staying at hotels ahead of counting.About the AuthorRohit KhannaRohit Khanna covers sectors like government finance, economy, industry and issues related to financial crime.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Reminder To Those Who Misuse State Power’: Pawan Khera Jabs Assam CM After SC Anticipatory BailUS Retains India on Special 301 Priority Watch List, Flags Patent Regime, Enforcement GapsCourt Rejects Nida Khan’s Anticipatory Bail in TCS Nashik Harassment and Conversion CaseCensus 2027 To Begin In UP From May 2026 With 5 Lakh Personnel, & Caste Data InclusionHome Minister Amit Shah Meets Sonam Wangchuk & Other Leaders in Leh Ahead Of TalksChhattisgarh IED Blast Kills 4 DRG Personnel During Defusal Operation Near Kanker-Narayanpur BorderIndia-Bound LPG Tanker Sarv Shakti On The Move Across Strait Of Hormuz: Why It Matters?Rae Bareli’s MCF Unveils First Vande Bharat Trainset, Boosting India’s Production CapacityDelhi Police Bust Inter-State Auto Theft Racket Spanning 5 States; 10 Arrested,31 Vehicles RecoveredIndia Tests Disaster Information System, Citizens Get ‘Extremely Severe Alert’ On Phones123PhotostoriesFrom Samay Raina roasting Sunil Pal and Navjot Singh Sidhu to Kapil Sharma pulling Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay’s leg over the India’s Got Latent controversy—highlights from The Great Indian Kapil ShowBTS: Top 7 romantic songs to add to your playlistWest Bengal elections 2026: Key candidates and their declared assets ahead of resultsStop stretching like this: Common morning routine mistakes hurting your spineWhy curd turns sour faster in summer and how to control fermentation at homeYour feet may be revealing health problems you’re missingPink Guava vs white Guava: Which one is healthier and why it matters5 budget international trips under ₹50,000 from India this summer (with flights)Think you’re healthy? Hidden fatty liver disease is rising without symptomsHow to make Dhaba style Butter Chicken at home123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingUS Germany relationsBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap

File photo KOLKATA: Ahead of the May 4 counting of votes for the assembly elections, Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Saturday trashed exit poll results, saying they were conducted to “manipulate the stock market,” and told party colleagues in a virtual address that Trinamool “is winning and winning by 200-plus seats.”Banerjee urged counting agents not to leave their tables even for a minute without a replacement and advised them not to be anxious if postal ballot results initially go against the party.She and Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee alleged that “BJP was using the Election Commission” and that party workers and supporters were being selectively targeted. The CM said she would reward workers who had “withstood these attacks fearlessly and fought back”.Trinamool Congress also released a list of party seniors deputed to coordinate with ground workers on the counting day. Abhishek will oversee South 24 Parganas.Meanwhile, Bengal’s leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari called on all political parties to maintain peace ahead of the counting, urging them to accept the people’s mandate and avoid a repeat of the post-poll violence that followed the 2021 elections.“Let there be peace in Bengal. The election is over and every political party should take part in the counting. Whatever rivalry existed during the polls should end now,” Adhikari said on Friday evening as he emerged from an EVM strongroom after a visit.Invoking the 2021 violence, in which BJP claims 300 of its workers were killed, he said: “No neta is hurt in violence — I have CRPF security, Mamata ji has police protection and a bulletproof car. It is the common man and ordinary worker who suffers. We should now cooperate with EC, central forces and state police.”BJP spokesperson Debjit Sarkar alleged that “outsiders” had been brought into the city and were staying at hotels ahead of counting.About the AuthorRohit KhannaRohit Khanna covers sectors like government finance, economy, industry and issues related to financial crime.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Reminder To Those Who Misuse State Power’: Pawan Khera Jabs Assam CM After SC Anticipatory BailUS Retains India on Special 301 Priority Watch List, Flags Patent Regime, Enforcement GapsCourt Rejects Nida Khan’s Anticipatory Bail in TCS Nashik Harassment and Conversion CaseCensus 2027 To Begin In UP From May 2026 With 5 Lakh Personnel, & Caste Data InclusionHome Minister Amit Shah Meets Sonam Wangchuk & Other Leaders in Leh Ahead Of TalksChhattisgarh IED Blast Kills 4 DRG Personnel During Defusal Operation Near Kanker-Narayanpur BorderIndia-Bound LPG Tanker Sarv Shakti On The Move Across Strait Of Hormuz: Why It Matters?Rae Bareli’s MCF Unveils First Vande Bharat Trainset, Boosting India’s Production CapacityDelhi Police Bust Inter-State Auto Theft Racket Spanning 5 States; 10 Arrested,31 Vehicles RecoveredIndia Tests Disaster Information System, Citizens Get ‘Extremely Severe Alert’ On Phones123PhotostoriesFrom Samay Raina roasting Sunil Pal and Navjot Singh Sidhu to Kapil Sharma pulling Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay’s leg over the India’s Got Latent controversy—highlights from The Great Indian Kapil ShowBTS: Top 7 romantic songs to add to your playlistWest Bengal elections 2026: Key candidates and their declared assets ahead of resultsStop stretching like this: Common morning routine mistakes hurting your spineWhy curd turns sour faster in summer and how to control fermentation at homeYour feet may be revealing health problems you’re missingPink Guava vs white Guava: Which one is healthier and why it matters5 budget international trips under ₹50,000 from India this summer (with flights)Think you’re healthy? Hidden fatty liver disease is rising without symptomsHow to make Dhaba style Butter Chicken at home123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingUS Germany relationsBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap

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