July 17, 2026
From Zingaat to Chandra: Marathi songs that get everyone moving and why their hook steps stuck

From Zingaat to Chandra: Marathi songs that get everyone moving and why their hook steps stuck

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

Marathi cinema has given the world not just memorable stories but irresistible songs that define celebrations, weddings and viral hook steps. From energetic beats that make every shoulder shimmy to graceful lavani sequences, these tracks are etched in pop culture and on dance floors everywhere. Zingaat (from Sairat) There’s hardly a Marathi party without Zingaat….

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Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo combined net worth in 2026: Exploring the power couple’s earnings, endorsements and investments

Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo combined net worth in 2026: Exploring the power couple’s earnings, endorsements and investments

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Lionel Messi and Antonella Roccuzzo (Image Source: Getty) Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo have become one of the most powerful celebrity couples in world sport and entertainment. The Argentine football legend and his wife continue to see a massive hike in their fortune. They earn through football salaries, endorsements, businesses, and long-term investments. Their combined…

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‘Kalamkaval’ trailer: Mammootty’s darkest avatar yet; mystery deepens around Kottayikonam case

‘Kalamkaval’ trailer: Mammootty’s darkest avatar yet; mystery deepens around Kottayikonam case

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

The highly anticipated trailer for Mammootty’s ‘Kalamkaval’ has just dropped, teasing a gripping mystery woven into the fabric of Kottayikonam. As tensions flare and communities clash, a police investigation unravels deeply buried secrets. With Mammootty’s character presenting a chilling dilemma about the nature of violence, this thriller promises to keep audiences on the edge of…

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Sidharth Malhotra reveals he was not supposed to debut with Karan Johar’s ‘Student Of The Year’; here’s what happened to his first film

Sidharth Malhotra reveals he was not supposed to debut with Karan Johar’s ‘Student Of The Year’; here’s what happened to his first film

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Sidharth Malhotra’s journey to stardom took an unexpected detour when he admitted that ‘Student Of The Year’ was not his acting debut. Instead, at age 21, he had committed to a film project that ultimately fell through, casting a shadow over his dreams in Mumbai. Read on to know more. Sidharth Malhotra marked his debut…

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Setback for Indian mango exports! Why Japan has stopped imports of Kesar, Alphonso, Langra & other varieties from India

Setback for Indian mango exports! Why Japan has stopped imports of Kesar, Alphonso, Langra & other varieties from India

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Exports of mangoes to Japan require a phytosanitary certificate issued by the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage in Faridabad. (AI image) In a big setback for Indian mango exports, Japan has reportedly stopped importing fresh mangoes from India for the current season. The move has effectively disrupted shipments of Indian mango varieties widely…

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Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler scores legal WIN in sexual assault of minor lawsuit; court DISMISSES 99 per cent claims |

Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler scores legal WIN in sexual assault of minor lawsuit; court DISMISSES 99 per cent claims |

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Steven Tyler has scored a major victory in his ongoing lawsuit alleging sexual assault of a minor, after a California judge dismissed the majority of claims brought against him.In the lawsuit, Julia Holcomb alleges that she was involved in a years-long relationship with the Aerosmith frontman, beginning when she was just 16. Holcomb filed her…

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How a tiny potato beetle became a Cold War weapon: The bizarre story behind East Germany’s ‘American insect’ campaign

How a tiny potato beetle became a Cold War weapon: The bizarre story behind East Germany’s ‘American insect’ campaign

Vamsikrishna06 mins mins

In the summer of 1950, farmers across East Germany began finding their potato crops stripped bare. The culprit was the Colorado potato beetle, a small, striped insect native to North America that had been spreading steadily across Europe for decades. What happened next had nothing to do with agriculture and everything to do with politics….

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The ‘Jurassic Park’ family bids adieu to Sam Neill: Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum and more remember the star

The ‘Jurassic Park’ family bids adieu to Sam Neill: Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum and more remember the star

Vamsikrishna07 mins mins

‘Jurassic Park’ cast remembers Sam Neill Hollwood star Sam Neill’s demise has sent shockwaves across the entertainment industry. With many people remembering the actor and paying their respects, his ‘Jurassic Park family also reached out to remember their old and good times together. ‘Jurassic Park’ franchise cast says goodbye to Sam Neill Jeff Goldblum, who…

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Optical illusion personality test: Wolf’s head or leg? What you see first reveals if you are head-strong or avoid confrontations |

Optical illusion personality test: Wolf’s head or leg? What you see first reveals if you are head-strong or avoid confrontations |

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Photo: dasha.takisho/ Instagram Personality tests are a fun way to check what sort of person you truly are, rather than the person you may project into the world. Looking at an image, what you see first in it could determine whether you’re a natural-born leader, a little shy, and so many other personality traits. In…

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Vivek Oberoi, Ritiesh Shivdasani and Aftab Shivdasani’s ‘Mastiii 4’ registers second-biggest opening weekend of the Masti franchise

Vivek Oberoi, Ritiesh Shivdasani and Aftab Shivdasani’s ‘Mastiii 4’ registers second-biggest opening weekend of the Masti franchise

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Mastiii 4 has achieved the second-biggest opening weekend in the Masti franchise history, raking in Rs 8.50 crore. This performance surpasses previous installments like Great Grand Masti and the original Masti, though it falls short of the record-breaking Grand Masti. The film’s consistent weekend collections highlight its strong appeal within the adult comedy genre. The…

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Babban Khan enacting the play In August 1965, when India and Pakistan were engaged in a desperate war on the northern borders, a 22-year-old penniless young man wrote a play in a little over three hours under the street-lights of the old city of Hyderabad. By the time its final curtain came down more than three and a half decades later in 2001, “Adrak Ke Panje’ had been performed more than 10,000 times – often to houseful boards, and occasionally requiring a lathi charge to control crowds – in over 60 countries and in dozens of languages.Babban Khan, who wrote, produced, directed and enacted the central role of a bank clerk in that iconic and blockbuster comedy, passed away after a brief illness at a Hyderabad hospital on Friday night. He was 83.In the 1960s and ‘70s, family planning was the focus of the government’s health policy. The sarkari slogan, “Do ya teen bacche…bas,” was common on billboards and a frequent subject of radio jingles. Later, the catchphrase became a sterner “Ek ya do”. “Adrak Ke Panje” (literally, The Claws of Ginger), addressed the problematic and provocative issue of family planning but in a witty and messy way. Which perhaps was a reason why the play – the title is a metaphor for uncontrolled birth — found the public’s pulse and tickled its funny bone.The protagonist clerk (Ramtoo) has eight kids and a bunch of debtors; from milkman to school master. Yet he never loses his sense of snappy humour and a carefree zest for life. The play’s set was basic. Production cost was minimal. But like a hit Hindi film, ‘Adrak Ke Panje’ would draw huge advance bookings. The actor was even invited to Radio Ceylon’s popular programme, “S Kumar’s ka filmi muqaddama”, generally reserved for Hindi film personalities. In time, the play would also find a place in Guinness Book of Records, and be seen, among others, by film director Francis Ford Coppola, actor Rex Harrison and thriller writer Frederick Forsythe.“Johnny Walker, the film comedian, said that for 15 years he had been making film audiences laugh, but here was a play that made him laugh!,” said a 1970 article in ‘The Illustrated Weekly of India.’Babban was untrained in theatre and had dropped out of college. ‘Adrak Ke Panje’ was born out of real-life experience and characters. His father, who worked in the fire department, died when he was six. “All my siblings died young…I somehow survived to tell the tale,” the playwright told TOI in 2001.Talking to TOI in 1995, the playwright revealed that he had sold his mother’s lone piece of wedding jewelry for Rs 275 to finance the play. “I paid Rs 200 as theatre rent, Rs 30 for printing tickets, Rs 2.50 for an umbrella and Rs 18 on the material for a sherwani, which the tailor stitched in return for a pass to the show,” he said. The first show staged in September 1965 was a flop. But the second wasn’t; it never was thereafter.Analysing the play Bilkiz Alladin wrote in the Weekly, “In the strict sense of the word ‘Adrak Ke Panje’ can hardly be called a play. It has no plot, no tense dramatic situations, and no conflict. It is a string of jokes from beginning to end. Yet one sits through it. Laughing, and one wonders that the end, which is really two hours away, has come so soon. It is very Hyderabadi in essence and flavour, in location, in thought and manner, and in its every little joke. To lovers of old Hyderabad and its Urdu dialects, the play brings a glimpse of the now disappearing, picturesque style of speech.”The play’s super success made Babban a lakhpati in the days when beggars would be happy with a five paisa donation. In a 1979 interview to TOI, Babban Khan admitted to owning three homes in Hyderabad’s swank Banjara Hills, selling off his Mercedes to buy a Volkswagen and decorating his house with Persian carpets, chandeliers and marble statues. By then, he had written another play “Gumbad Ke Kabutar” (Pigeons Of The Dome) which dealt with corruption.In later years, Babban’s home in Shantinagar served as a training centre for upcoming drama artistes and film actors. He personally trained the students. Hundreds of stage lovers and admirers turned up for the funeral on Saturday. Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle wrote on X, “When we were kids growing up in Hyderabad, Babban Khan’s Adrak ke Panje was a big hit. Sadly, never got to see it and was reminded of it when I read the news of Babban Khan’s death. It ran for over 30 years and I wish now I could catch glimpses of it to celebrate the humour that came naturally to people who speak Dakhni.”(With inputs from Syed Akbar in Hyderabad)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 MediaVideosNo Fuel Shortage: Govt Assures 100% Domestic Gas Supply As India’s LPG Demand Falls 13% In MarchPM Modi Takes ‘Jhalmuri’ Break, Interacts With Locals In West Bengal’s Jhargram Amid Poll CampaignIndia Warns Iran Of Consequences After Attack On Two Tankers In Strait Of HormuzIndia Expands Export Relief After Hormuz Tensions Adds Egypt & Jordan To Shield Trade RoutesCongress Holds Protest After PM Modi’s Address To The Nation On Women’s Reservation Bill SetbackIndia’s Naval Push In Indo-Pacific: IOS Sagar Departs Phuket After Successful Thailand Port CallManipur Streets Erupt As Security Forces Fire Tear Gas On Protesters | WatchManipur Horror: Retired Soldier Among Two Shot Dead In Ukhrul Highway AttackWhat We Know About Indian Ships Hit In Hormuz Strait By Iran Gunboats And Unknown ProjectilePakistan Clears Bn UAE Debt As Saudi Extends Bn Deposit Term123Photostories5 style lessons from Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic wardrobeWhy you forget names instantly: It’s not your memory, it’s your attention, and here’s how to fix it5 Horror movies based on real-life events: ‘The Conjuring’, ‘The Exorcist,’ and moreTop 5 sneaker releases of 2026 you shouldn’t missBeautiful Indo-Arabic and Persian baby names quietly used in Indian familiesHe never drank alcohol, yet was diagnosed with severe fatty liver: What this says about modern diets and silent lifestyle risksHow to stop rice flour roti from cracking: 5 proven home tips to make soft and puffed rotiAs Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh announce second pregnancy, a look at Bollywood’s cutest pregnancy announcementsInside Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez’s parenting style: How they’re raising grounded, disciplined teen sons7 factors driving property price growth in Indian metro cities123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayPM Modi LiveWorld Largest EconomySue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event

Babban Khan enacting the play In August 1965, when India and Pakistan were engaged in a desperate war on the northern borders, a 22-year-old penniless young man wrote a play in a little over three hours under the street-lights of the old city of Hyderabad. By the time its final curtain came down more than three and a half decades later in 2001, “Adrak Ke Panje’ had been performed more than 10,000 times – often to houseful boards, and occasionally requiring a lathi charge to control crowds – in over 60 countries and in dozens of languages.Babban Khan, who wrote, produced, directed and enacted the central role of a bank clerk in that iconic and blockbuster comedy, passed away after a brief illness at a Hyderabad hospital on Friday night. He was 83.In the 1960s and ‘70s, family planning was the focus of the government’s health policy. The sarkari slogan, “Do ya teen bacche…bas,” was common on billboards and a frequent subject of radio jingles. Later, the catchphrase became a sterner “Ek ya do”. “Adrak Ke Panje” (literally, The Claws of Ginger), addressed the problematic and provocative issue of family planning but in a witty and messy way. Which perhaps was a reason why the play – the title is a metaphor for uncontrolled birth — found the public’s pulse and tickled its funny bone.The protagonist clerk (Ramtoo) has eight kids and a bunch of debtors; from milkman to school master. Yet he never loses his sense of snappy humour and a carefree zest for life. The play’s set was basic. Production cost was minimal. But like a hit Hindi film, ‘Adrak Ke Panje’ would draw huge advance bookings. The actor was even invited to Radio Ceylon’s popular programme, “S Kumar’s ka filmi muqaddama”, generally reserved for Hindi film personalities. In time, the play would also find a place in Guinness Book of Records, and be seen, among others, by film director Francis Ford Coppola, actor Rex Harrison and thriller writer Frederick Forsythe.“Johnny Walker, the film comedian, said that for 15 years he had been making film audiences laugh, but here was a play that made him laugh!,” said a 1970 article in ‘The Illustrated Weekly of India.’Babban was untrained in theatre and had dropped out of college. ‘Adrak Ke Panje’ was born out of real-life experience and characters. His father, who worked in the fire department, died when he was six. “All my siblings died young…I somehow survived to tell the tale,” the playwright told TOI in 2001.Talking to TOI in 1995, the playwright revealed that he had sold his mother’s lone piece of wedding jewelry for Rs 275 to finance the play. “I paid Rs 200 as theatre rent, Rs 30 for printing tickets, Rs 2.50 for an umbrella and Rs 18 on the material for a sherwani, which the tailor stitched in return for a pass to the show,” he said. The first show staged in September 1965 was a flop. But the second wasn’t; it never was thereafter.Analysing the play Bilkiz Alladin wrote in the Weekly, “In the strict sense of the word ‘Adrak Ke Panje’ can hardly be called a play. It has no plot, no tense dramatic situations, and no conflict. It is a string of jokes from beginning to end. Yet one sits through it. Laughing, and one wonders that the end, which is really two hours away, has come so soon. It is very Hyderabadi in essence and flavour, in location, in thought and manner, and in its every little joke. To lovers of old Hyderabad and its Urdu dialects, the play brings a glimpse of the now disappearing, picturesque style of speech.”The play’s super success made Babban a lakhpati in the days when beggars would be happy with a five paisa donation. In a 1979 interview to TOI, Babban Khan admitted to owning three homes in Hyderabad’s swank Banjara Hills, selling off his Mercedes to buy a Volkswagen and decorating his house with Persian carpets, chandeliers and marble statues. By then, he had written another play “Gumbad Ke Kabutar” (Pigeons Of The Dome) which dealt with corruption.In later years, Babban’s home in Shantinagar served as a training centre for upcoming drama artistes and film actors. He personally trained the students. Hundreds of stage lovers and admirers turned up for the funeral on Saturday. Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle wrote on X, “When we were kids growing up in Hyderabad, Babban Khan’s Adrak ke Panje was a big hit. Sadly, never got to see it and was reminded of it when I read the news of Babban Khan’s death. It ran for over 30 years and I wish now I could catch glimpses of it to celebrate the humour that came naturally to people who speak Dakhni.”(With inputs from Syed Akbar in Hyderabad)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 MediaVideosNo Fuel Shortage: Govt Assures 100% Domestic Gas Supply As India’s LPG Demand Falls 13% In MarchPM Modi Takes ‘Jhalmuri’ Break, Interacts With Locals In West Bengal’s Jhargram Amid Poll CampaignIndia Warns Iran Of Consequences After Attack On Two Tankers In Strait Of HormuzIndia Expands Export Relief After Hormuz Tensions Adds Egypt & Jordan To Shield Trade RoutesCongress Holds Protest After PM Modi’s Address To The Nation On Women’s Reservation Bill SetbackIndia’s Naval Push In Indo-Pacific: IOS Sagar Departs Phuket After Successful Thailand Port CallManipur Streets Erupt As Security Forces Fire Tear Gas On Protesters | WatchManipur Horror: Retired Soldier Among Two Shot Dead In Ukhrul Highway AttackWhat We Know About Indian Ships Hit In Hormuz Strait By Iran Gunboats And Unknown ProjectilePakistan Clears $2Bn UAE Debt As Saudi Extends $3Bn Deposit Term123Photostories5 style lessons from Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic wardrobeWhy you forget names instantly: It’s not your memory, it’s your attention, and here’s how to fix it5 Horror movies based on real-life events: ‘The Conjuring’, ‘The Exorcist,’ and moreTop 5 sneaker releases of 2026 you shouldn’t missBeautiful Indo-Arabic and Persian baby names quietly used in Indian familiesHe never drank alcohol, yet was diagnosed with severe fatty liver: What this says about modern diets and silent lifestyle risksHow to stop rice flour roti from cracking: 5 proven home tips to make soft and puffed rotiAs Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh announce second pregnancy, a look at Bollywood’s cutest pregnancy announcementsInside Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez’s parenting style: How they’re raising grounded, disciplined teen sons7 factors driving property price growth in Indian metro cities123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayPM Modi LiveWorld Largest EconomySue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event

Vamsikrishna05 mins mins

Babban Khan enacting the play In August 1965, when India and Pakistan were engaged in a desperate war on the northern borders, a 22-year-old penniless young man wrote a play in a little over three hours under the street-lights of the old city of Hyderabad. By the time its final curtain came down more than…

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‘Iran can’t have nuclear weapons’: Netanyahu on Israel’s Operation Lion’s Roar

‘Iran can’t have nuclear weapons’: Netanyahu on Israel’s Operation Lion’s Roar

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Benjamin Netanyahu (File photo) Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday hailed the joint Israel–US offensive in Iran, dubbed “Operation Lion’s Roar,” saying Iran’s “murderous terrorist regime” can’t be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons.Click here for live updates“Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime…

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A tragic bus accident in Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitharama Raju district claimed nine lives and injured twenty. Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences to the affected families. An ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh was announced for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed condolences to the victims of the tragic Andhra gorge accident that killed nine and left 20 others injured. He also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s national relief fund.In a post on X, the PMO extended condolences for the lives lost and the people injured, “Pained by the loss of lives due to a bus mishap in the Alluri Sitharama Raju district of Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.”Further, announcing the ex gratia for the affected, the PM said, “An ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.”A private bus plunged into a valley in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, at 4.30 am. The accident occurred at Rajugarimetta on the Chintoor-Maredumilli ghat road in Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district.The police said the bus, which was headed to neighbouring Telangana from Chittoor, was carrying 37 people, including the driver and the cleaner. Six of them are safe.According to Superintendent of Police Amit Bardar, it is likely that the bus driver did not see a curve at the accident site, which falls in the Mothugudem police station area, due to heavy fog.Bardar said the bus passengers were going to the Sri Rama temple in Telangana’s Bhadrachalam from Chittoor. About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosJinnah To Nehru: Top Moments From Heated Vande Mataram Debate In Parliament Winter Session22 Feared Dead As Truck Falls Into Gorge In Arunachal Pradesh’Warm And Engaging’: PM Modi Holds Phone Call With Trump Amid Trade Talks, US-India Ties Discussed’If They’re Happy, They Should Sign’: Goyal Responds To USTR’s ‘Best Offer Ever From India’ RemarkHow Bangladesh’s Feb 12 Vote Could Reshape India’s Northeast Access And Regional Power BalanceBJP Charges TMC MP of Smoking Inside Parliament After Giriraj-Sougata Face-off Over E-CigaretteExplained: Did Mexico Follow Trump’s Footsteps To Slap Tariff on India? Impact on Indian TradersKharge Hits Back As JP Nadda Slams Nehru, Congress Over Vande Mataram In Rajya SabhaSouth Asian Bloc Minus India? Why Pak’s Fresh Regional Pitch Fails On Economics, Politics, Geography‘Hands Were Trembling’: Rahul Gandhi Takes Sharp Dig At Amit Shah Over Ls Address123Photostories12 protein-rich egg dishes from around the world to try5 surprising desi desserts you didn’t know you could make with beetrootFlower That Resonates With Your Birth DateNine Forms of Maa Durga According To Your Birth Date7 easy tips for crafting a Japanese-inspired minimalist living spaceFrom ‘Dharmathin Thalaivan’ to ‘Enthiran’: Films where Rajinikanth was not the first choice‘Paheli’, ‘Mohenjo Daro’, ‘Karan Arjun’: Bollywood’s boldest takes on myth, folklore, and fantasy worldsNature’s cannibals: 5 shocking animals that secretly eat their own kindPersimmon: 10 health benefits of Ramphal nobody told youBollywood is banking on the nostalgia factor for big-screen magic and box office success123Hot PicksUS Pakistan DealTrump Gold CardSpiceJet FlightGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingSherrone MooreIsaiah RiderStephen CurryNBA InjuryLebron JamesOlivia DunneTroy AikmanBengaluru CrimePaige Shiver Net WorthJeff Shiver

A tragic bus accident in Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitharama Raju district claimed nine lives and injured twenty. Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences to the affected families. An ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh was announced for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed condolences to the victims of the tragic Andhra gorge accident that killed nine and left 20 others injured. He also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s national relief fund.In a post on X, the PMO extended condolences for the lives lost and the people injured, “Pained by the loss of lives due to a bus mishap in the Alluri Sitharama Raju district of Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.”Further, announcing the ex gratia for the affected, the PM said, “An ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.”A private bus plunged into a valley in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, at 4.30 am. The accident occurred at Rajugarimetta on the Chintoor-Maredumilli ghat road in Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district.The police said the bus, which was headed to neighbouring Telangana from Chittoor, was carrying 37 people, including the driver and the cleaner. Six of them are safe.According to Superintendent of Police Amit Bardar, it is likely that the bus driver did not see a curve at the accident site, which falls in the Mothugudem police station area, due to heavy fog.Bardar said the bus passengers were going to the Sri Rama temple in Telangana’s Bhadrachalam from Chittoor. About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosJinnah To Nehru: Top Moments From Heated Vande Mataram Debate In Parliament Winter Session22 Feared Dead As Truck Falls Into Gorge In Arunachal Pradesh’Warm And Engaging’: PM Modi Holds Phone Call With Trump Amid Trade Talks, US-India Ties Discussed’If They’re Happy, They Should Sign’: Goyal Responds To USTR’s ‘Best Offer Ever From India’ RemarkHow Bangladesh’s Feb 12 Vote Could Reshape India’s Northeast Access And Regional Power BalanceBJP Charges TMC MP of Smoking Inside Parliament After Giriraj-Sougata Face-off Over E-CigaretteExplained: Did Mexico Follow Trump’s Footsteps To Slap Tariff on India? Impact on Indian TradersKharge Hits Back As JP Nadda Slams Nehru, Congress Over Vande Mataram In Rajya SabhaSouth Asian Bloc Minus India? Why Pak’s Fresh Regional Pitch Fails On Economics, Politics, Geography‘Hands Were Trembling’: Rahul Gandhi Takes Sharp Dig At Amit Shah Over Ls Address123Photostories12 protein-rich egg dishes from around the world to try5 surprising desi desserts you didn’t know you could make with beetrootFlower That Resonates With Your Birth DateNine Forms of Maa Durga According To Your Birth Date7 easy tips for crafting a Japanese-inspired minimalist living spaceFrom ‘Dharmathin Thalaivan’ to ‘Enthiran’: Films where Rajinikanth was not the first choice‘Paheli’, ‘Mohenjo Daro’, ‘Karan Arjun’: Bollywood’s boldest takes on myth, folklore, and fantasy worldsNature’s cannibals: 5 shocking animals that secretly eat their own kindPersimmon: 10 health benefits of Ramphal nobody told youBollywood is banking on the nostalgia factor for big-screen magic and box office success123Hot PicksUS Pakistan DealTrump Gold CardSpiceJet FlightGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingSherrone MooreIsaiah RiderStephen CurryNBA InjuryLebron JamesOlivia DunneTroy AikmanBengaluru CrimePaige Shiver Net WorthJeff Shiver

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed condolences to the victims of the tragic Andhra gorge accident that killed nine and left 20 others injured. He also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s…

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Who is James Hundley? Virginia prosecutor fired after being appointed interim US Attorney to replace Trump loyalist

Who is James Hundley? Virginia prosecutor fired after being appointed interim US Attorney to replace Trump loyalist

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

The US Department of Justice has fired veteran lawyer James W Hundley just hours after a panel of federal judges unanimously appointed him as interim US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, marking the latest clash between the judiciary and the Trump administration over prosecutorial appointments.Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the dismissal shortly…

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Gemini Horoscope Today, April 10, 2026: Keep it honest, not dramatic

Gemini Horoscope Today, April 10, 2026: Keep it honest, not dramatic

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

On April 10, 2026, Geminis should brace themselves for a whirlwind of conversations and significant connections. This day could bring unexpected marriage proposals or pleasant reunions with old friends. Professionally, the stars align for exciting new ventures and positive developments in legal matters. Financially, there’s likely to be assistance coming your way, but remember to…

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Daily Career Horoscope, December 3, 2025: Sudden job shifts are coming, these zodiac signs should stay ready

Daily Career Horoscope, December 3, 2025: Sudden job shifts are coming, these zodiac signs should stay ready

Vamsikrishna06 mins mins

Get the stars to power your career development and financial growth daily. Pick up personalised clues to pump up your productivity, play it smarter with finance, and take opportunities as they come. Step up by following spot-on horoscope advice tailored to your working and wealth-building journey. Aries Career Horoscope Today, 3 December 2025 You give…

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