VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Madras High Court upholds rejection of Tamannaah Bhatia’s Rs 1 crore compensation plea Affirmations for the April 17, 2026 New Moon based on your zodiac sign Vancouver Canucks depend on Elias Pettersson amid NHL offseason uncertainty and trade rumor The ruins of Honiak Music Academy after the strike. NEW DELHI: In the shattered remains of his 15-year-old music school, Iranian musician Hamidreza Afarideh sat on a debris-laden floor, drew his bow and played with a kamancheh, what he called “the last sound” of a life’s work reduced to dust.Weeks after a strike destroyed Honiak Music Academy, Afarideh walked back into the hazardous ruins on April 7, 2026, and recorded a haunting video that quickly travelled far beyond Tehran, capturing his moments of deep grief after an airstrike on March 23 left the academy razed and severely damaged. Once a classroom, Honiak Music Academy is now a field of rubble.“Today was the last day to say goodbye to my school. I wanted the last sound that remains in this place to be the sound of music…not explosions and missiles,” Afarideh wrote the same day, in a now viral post. Within days, his images and clips had racked up millions of views across Instagram, X , Youtube and TikTok, prompting a flood of multilingual reactions online, with many seeing it as a stark reminder of the human cost beyond military headlines, triggering widespread calls to “stop war.” Honiak Music Academy before the strike.Speaking to TOI from Tehran, Afarideh recalled the day of the attack. “I felt that a very important part of our memories, and sounds that could have continued in that space—sounds that many artists could hear, see, and live with for years—were suddenly destroyed by a missile and a drone.” The academy, built over a decade and a half by Afarideh and his wife, Sheida Ebadatdoust, was what he calls “their shared life project.”“We worked with very limited resources, relying only on our dreams and dedication to build this academy. Losing it suddenly is extremely hard. All our hard work, efforts, continuous actions to bring people closer to music and instruments was lost in a single night. It is very difficult to accept. Everything we built over so many years… This loss will take years to process.” Once a classroom, Honiak Music Academy is now a field of rubble.Despite the risk of collapse, he returned to the damaged building. “I knew it was very dangerous… but I felt that if I didn’t record this sound, it would stay in my heart forever. I might not stay (alive) afterwards… I felt I had to go there and make this the last image and the last sound remaining from the safe space we had created.”For years, the academy buzzed with the laughter of children, warm chatters of parents, and the layered sounds of Persian classical music. Since the attack, says the teacher, “That sound disappeared.” For Afarideh, the viral moment has brought global attention—but also underscored, he says, “the reality of war and destruction” faced by his 250 students—ranging from toddlers to the elderly—and 22 teachers. His video has become a global plea for recognition of the cost of war not just in bodies and infrastructure, but in art, memory, and the fragile ecosystems of creativity that take decades to build and minutes to erase.Shaped over a decade, he calls the place a “second home” where students came not just to learn music but to feel seen and held—for them, too, the loss has been personal. “Students, who were to return someday, are now scattered, shell‑shocked, and struggling to process what happened. One child crossed the building with his mother and didn’t speak for hours afterwards. All students are going through similar feelings.”Yet even in devastation, Afarideh insists on the universal power of art. “Music… is a symbol of freedom,” he said. “In times of war, it can heal—even if only a little—the pain of those who have lost everything.”About the AuthorIsmat AraAt The Times of India, Ismat Ara covers politics, people, and societies, with a focus on accountability, justice, and lived experience. Shaped by years of rigorous reporting across cities, small towns, and remote villages, she is drawn to the human stories tucked beneath policy and paperwork.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’If Chanakya Were Alive…’: Priyanka Gandhi’s Swipe At Amit Shah Over Delimitation, Women QuotaNo More Russian Oil Waiver: What The US Decision Means For India’s Energy Needs Amid West Asia CrisisAustria’s Chancellor Calls India Key Partner, Pushes India-EU Trade Deal Amid Global TurmoilLok Sabha Erupts As Sawant Names Sengar, Brij Bhushan; Dubey Hits Back With Aaditya Thackeray Claim‘Not A Backdoor Exercise’: Tejasvi Surya Counters Opposition On Delimitation, Flags Representation Risks’Will Pay A Price For A Long Time’: PM Modi Warns Oppn In Lok Sabha Over Women Quota BillNaari Vs Naara: Akhilesh Yadav Questions Women’s Bill Timing, Flags OBC Quota, Census Concerns’Women’s Reservation Or Delimitation?’ Gaurav Gogoi Slams Govt Over ‘850 Seat’ Lok Sabha PlanIndia-Austria Partnership Enters New Era As PM Modi Pitches Speed And Scale Strategy GloballyCongress Slams Delimitation Bill As “Attack On Federalism” | Venugopal Targets Centre123Photostories8 most unusual monkeys in the world: From capuchins to mandrillsStep inside Chris Gayle’s ₹20 crore lavish Jamaica mansion with private nightclub, infinity pools and unbelievable ocean views!‘Are we eating all our mangoes’: Why despite being the largest producer of mangoes, India is able to export just 1 percentGold vs lab-grown diamonds: What should you really buy this Akshaya Tritiya?Top 5 posh residential areas in Gurugram for premium living7 local and comforting dishes to try in MangaloreWeekend binge list on OTT: From ‘Euphoria Season 3’ to ‘Do Deewane Seher Mein’Tamannaah Bhatia to Malaika Arora: 5 best celebrity looks of the week you might have missedSenior Cardiologist explains why your daily walk isn’t enough, and the one heart metric you should track insteadThis Sanjeev Kapoor-style Matthe Wale Aloo is all you need for dinner during summer123Hot PicksIran warDisney layoffsPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingTCS NashikPune Harassment NewsVaranasi Woman DeathLucknow Vikas Nagar Fire IncidentAmir HamzaUP Beggar MurderBengaluru Businessman NewsGurgaon Student SuicideGunika KhuranaJaisalmer Murder Kangana Ranaut says Dhurandhar revived Bollywood, lauds R Madhavan’s performance: ‘Very close to Ajit Doval’ Why do pilots wash aeroplane windows with soda? 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The South after delimitation: What the maths shows from Tamil Nadu to Andhra China’s mega hydropower project: The $165 billion dam that could reshape energy and Earth’s dynamics | World News ‘Political demonetisation’: Tharoor slams Centre for linking women’s reservation with delimitation | India News Stock market today (April 16, 2026): Which are the top gainers and losers in Nifty50 and BSE Sensex today? Check list BPSC 71st Mains admit card 2026 to be released tomorrow: Check steps to download hall ticket here ‘If it was romance, we would have had children’: Kangana Ranaut firmly denies dating rumors with Chirag Paswan Optical illusion personality test: Birds or man? What you see first reveals whether your mind is restless or guarded behind a calm exterior | Meet Yasuyuki Aono: Japanese scientist who kept a 1,200-year cherry blossom record alive until his death ‘Choose poorly and face blockade, bombs’: Pete Hegseth warns Iran over Hormuz crisis Trump increased H-2B visa quota for his own businesses after ‘secret meeting with lobbyists’ Himanta Biswa Sarma (left), Mamata Banerjee NEW DELHI: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said it is important to fence West Bengal’s border with Bangladesh, alleging that “infiltrators” from the neighbouring country are entering the state under Mamata Banerjee’s watch.Campaigning in the poll-bound state days after elections were held in Assam, which borders West Bengal, the BJP leader expressed confidence that the party would emerge victorious in both.“Our only concern is why Bangladeshis should be allowed to enter our country. Mamata Banerjee does not allow us to stop them from entering. It is very important to fence the border, especially in West Bengal,” Sarma told reporters after addressing a public rally.“We will get 100 seats in Assam and 200 in West Bengal,” he added.Sarma also criticised Banerjee over alleged cow smuggling in West Bengal, asserting that the BJP would curb it if voted to power. He further maintained that meat has never been banned in BJP-ruled states.“Every day, an animal sacrifice ritual is performed at Maa Kamakhya (temple in Guwahati), but meat has not been banned in Assam. Mamata ji fears that when the BJP comes to power, meat will be banned. There are BJP governments in Assam and Bihar, but meat is not banned. She fears that with the BJP coming to power, cow smuggling in her state will stop,” he said.Polling in West Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29. In the first phase, 152 of the 294 assembly constituencies will go to the polls, with the remaining seats voting in the second phase.Counting of votes will take place on May 4 for both Assam and West Bengal, along with Kerala, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu.The BJP has been in power in Assam since 2016 and is aiming for a hat-trick. It is the principal opposition party in West Bengal, where Banerjee’s All India Trinamool Congress, in power since 2011, is seeking a fourth consecutive term.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 MediaVideosNo More Russian Oil Waiver: What The US Decision Means For India’s Energy Needs Amid West Asia CrisisAustria’s Chancellor Calls India Key Partner, Pushes India-EU Trade Deal Amid Global TurmoilLok Sabha Erupts As Sawant Names Sengar, Brij Bhushan; Dubey Hits Back With Aaditya Thackeray Claim‘Not A Backdoor Exercise’: Tejasvi Surya Counters Opposition On Delimitation, Flags Representation Risks’Will Pay A Price For A Long Time’: PM Modi Warns Oppn In Lok Sabha Over Women Quota BillNaari Vs Naara: Akhilesh Yadav Questions Women’s Bill Timing, Flags OBC Quota, Census Concerns’Women’s Reservation Or Delimitation?’ Gaurav Gogoi Slams Govt Over ‘850 Seat’ Lok Sabha PlanIndia-Austria Partnership Enters New Era As PM Modi Pitches Speed And Scale Strategy GloballyCongress Slams Delimitation Bill As “Attack On Federalism” | Venugopal Targets CentreWomen’s Reservation Bill: Amit Shah, Akhilesh Yadav Face Off Over Demands For Quota Within Bill123PhotostoriesStep inside Chris Gayle’s ₹20 crore lavish Jamaica mansion with private nightclub, infinity pools and unbelievable ocean views!Gold vs lab-grown diamonds: What should you really buy this Akshaya Tritiya?Top 5 posh residential areas in Gurugram for premium living7 local and comforting dishes to try in MangaloreWeekend binge list on OTT: From ‘Euphoria Season 3’ to ‘Do Deewane Seher Mein’Tamannaah Bhatia to Malaika Arora: 5 best celebrity looks of the week you might have missedSenior Cardiologist explains why your daily walk isn’t enough, and the one heart metric you should track insteadThis Sanjeev Kapoor-style Matthe Wale Aloo is all you need for dinner during summerPlanning a visit to Mookambika Temple? Know these 5 facts about the sacred shrineNew Moon in Aries 2026: What’s in store for you based on your zodiac sign123Hot PicksIran warDisney layoffsPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingTCS NashikPune Harassment NewsVaranasi Woman DeathLucknow Vikas Nagar Fire IncidentAmir HamzaUP Beggar MurderBengaluru Businessman NewsGurgaon Student SuicideGunika KhuranaJaisalmer Murder NEET UG 2026: NTA opens portal for PwBD candidates to submit scribe details; check deadline here Vijay’s ‘Jana Nayagan’ leak case: Main accused editor arrested by TN Cyber Crime Wing – Report Bananas are berries, but strawberries are not: Here’s why | India’s big nuclear leap: How Stage 2 criticality at Kalpakkam will power the road to energy security 10,000 years carved in stone: Egypt’s 100-meter rock reveals a lost human timeline | World News Delhi government to launch high-tech labs in four ITIs soon: CM Rekha Gupta | India News ‘Vaibhav Sooryavanshi future face of Indian cricket’: Lalit Modi’s bold prediction for boy wonder | Cricket News IPL: Arshdeep Singh scripts history, becomes first Punjab Kings bowler to… US stock market today (April 16, 2026): Wall Street holds near record highs; oil surge, Iran war keep investors cautious Kerala cancels SSLC, plus two exams for its students in Gulf: Minister Sivankutty ‘Bhoot Bangla’ preview: What to expect from Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan’s horror-comedy ahead of April 17 release ‘Smells of politics’: Priyanka Gandhi targets PM Modi over women’s quota bill, says delimitation plan ‘attack on democracy’ | India News Horrific murder-suicide: Virginia Ex-Lt Gov Justin Fairfax guns down wife, shoots self over complicated divorce GRAP stage-1 curbs imposed in Delhi-NCR after air quality turns ‘poor’ NEW DELHI: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Thursday imposed Stage-I measures across Delhi-NCR under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) after air quality slipped into the “poor” category.“The AQI of Delhi has been showing an increasing trend owing to unfavourable meteorological conditions and was recorded at 226 (‘poor’ category) today. Forecasts by the India Meteorological Department and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology indicate that it is likely to remain in the ‘poor’ category over the next two days,” a senior official told PTI.The CAQM sub-committee subsequently decided to enforce all actions under Stage-I of GRAP across the NCR with immediate effect, the official added.What’s allowed and what’s notUnder GRAP stage-I curbs, the burning of waste in the open is strictly prohibited. The use of coal or wood as fuel in roadside eateries and commercial kitchens is banned, with hotels, restaurants and open dining areas required to switch to electricity, gas or other cleaner fuels.Additionally, diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years are barred from operating on the roads of Delhi.Dust suppression measures, including the deployment of anti-smog guns, will be enforced at all construction and demolition sites. Projects exceeding 500 square metres must adhere to approved dust control plans.The use of diesel generators is permitted only for essential or emergency purposes. Polluting vehicles may face penalties or be impounded. Traffic management measures include deploying police personnel at key intersections and advising motorists in Delhi NCR to switch off engines at red lights.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 MediaVideosNo More Russian Oil Waiver: What The US Decision Means For India’s Energy Needs Amid West Asia CrisisAustria’s Chancellor Calls India Key Partner, Pushes India-EU Trade Deal Amid Global TurmoilLok Sabha Erupts As Sawant Names Sengar, Brij Bhushan; Dubey Hits Back With Aaditya Thackeray Claim‘Not A Backdoor Exercise’: Tejasvi Surya Counters Opposition On Delimitation, Flags Representation Risks’Will Pay A Price For A Long Time’: PM Modi Warns Oppn In Lok Sabha Over Women Quota BillNaari Vs Naara: Akhilesh Yadav Questions Women’s Bill Timing, Flags OBC Quota, Census Concerns’Women’s Reservation Or Delimitation?’ Gaurav Gogoi Slams Govt Over ‘850 Seat’ Lok Sabha PlanIndia-Austria Partnership Enters New Era As PM Modi Pitches Speed And Scale Strategy GloballyCongress Slams Delimitation Bill As “Attack On Federalism” | Venugopal Targets CentreWomen’s Reservation Bill: Amit Shah, Akhilesh Yadav Face Off Over Demands For Quota Within Bill123PhotostoriesTop 5 posh residential areas in Gurugram for premium living7 local and comforting dishes to try in MangaloreWeekend binge list on OTT: From ‘Euphoria Season 3’ to ‘Do Deewane Seher Mein’Tamannaah Bhatia to Malaika Arora: 5 best celebrity looks of the week you might have missedSenior Cardiologist explains why your daily walk isn’t enough, and the one heart metric you should track insteadThis Sanjeev Kapoor-style Matthe Wale Aloo is all you need for dinner during summerPlanning a visit to Mookambika Temple? 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NEW DELHI: Supreme Court advocate Ashwini Upadhyay on Thursday filed a plea seeking to declare forced religious conversions a “terrorist act.”The plea came in the backdrop of allegations of religious conversion and sexual harassment at Tata Consultancy Services’ (TCS) office in Maharashtra’s Nashik.Also Read | TCS Nashik case snowballs: Accused acted like organised gang to target female colleagues, say copsUpadhyay contended that “deceitful religious conversion” is “not only a serious threat to sovereignty, secularism, democracy and liberty but also a menace to fraternity, dignity, unity and national integration.”“The organised religious conversion in Nashik has shaken the conscience of citizens across the country. Therefore, the petitioner is filing this application seeking directions and declarations to curb deceitful religious conversion,” the plea said.“Forceful or deceitful religious conversion is not an isolated religious act but a systematic conspiracy, often funded by foreign entities to alter the demographic balance and thereby threaten the unity, integrity and security of India. As such, it falls within the ambit of a terrorist act as defined under Section 15 of the UAPA,” it added.Also Read: TCS Nashik office employees told to work from home amid religious conversion, harassment claimsUpadhyay also sought directions to the Centre and state governments to establish special courts to deal with cases related to religious conversion.The plea noted that Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to profess, practise and propagate religion, but is subject to public order, health and morality.It argued that while all persons have the right to profess, practise and propagate religion, the freedom is not absolute and remains subject to constitutional conditions, including public order, morality and health.Also Read: Infosys issues statement on Pune harassment allegations; scrutiny grows after Nashik TCS caseThe petition emphasised that freedom to act upon one’s religion does not grant unrestricted authority to act in its name, but is instead subject to reasonable limitations.Filed as part of Upadhyay’s pending petition seeking stricter measures against fraudulent religious conversions, the application reiterates the need for stronger legal safeguards.Observing that religious conversion is a serious issue that should not be politicised, the Supreme Court of India in 2023 had sought assistance from Attorney General R Venkataramani, the Centre’s chief legal adivsor, on the matter.(With PTI inputs)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 MediaVideosLok Sabha Erupts As Sawant Names Sengar, Brij Bhushan; Dubey Hits Back With Aaditya Thackeray Claim‘Not A Backdoor Exercise’: Tejasvi Surya Counters Opposition On Delimitation, Flags Representation Risks’Will Pay A Price For A Long Time’: PM Modi Warns Oppn In Lok Sabha Over Women Quota BillNaari Vs Naara: Akhilesh Yadav Questions Women’s Bill Timing, Flags OBC Quota, Census Concerns’Women’s Reservation Or Delimitation?’ Gaurav Gogoi Slams Govt Over ‘850 Seat’ Lok Sabha PlanIndia-Austria Partnership Enters New Era As PM Modi Pitches Speed And Scale Strategy GloballyCongress Slams Delimitation Bill As “Attack On Federalism” | Venugopal Targets CentreWomen’s Reservation Bill: Amit Shah, Akhilesh Yadav Face Off Over Demands For Quota Within BillOpposition vs Centre Over Delimitation: Fears of Imbalance, Govt Rejects ClaimsTCS Nashik BPO Shut Amid Shocking Sexual Abuse Storm, Staff Shifted To Work From Home123PhotostoriesTop 5 posh residential areas in Gurugram for premium living7 local and comforting dishes to try in MangaloreWeekend binge list on OTT: From ‘Euphoria Season 3’ to ‘Do Deewane Seher Mein’Tamannaah Bhatia to Malaika Arora: 5 best celebrity looks of the week you might have missedSenior Cardiologist explains why your daily walk isn’t enough, and the one heart metric you should track insteadThis Sanjeev Kapoor-style Matthe Wale Aloo is all you need for dinner during summerPlanning a visit to Mookambika Temple? 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