PM Modi hails role of spirituality, social participation at Art of Living event in Bengaluru

Bengaluru, May 10, 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday participated in the 45th anniversary celebrations of The Art of Living Foundation in Bengaluru, where he inaugurated the newly-built Dhyan Mandir and launched several other initiatives in the presence of spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

Addressing a large gathering at the event, the Prime Minister spoke about spirituality, public participation in nation-building, environmental protection and the role of youth in shaping a developed India.

Referring to the remarks made earlier by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, PM Modi said, “Just now, Gurudev has said many things. You must be thinking that he was praising me, but I was thinking that he was giving me work to do. He has rightly said that no one can thank me. I am yours, I have come here among you all, and for you all and where I am today is also because of you.”

Speaking about the inauguration of the Dhyan Mandir, the Prime Minister said the initiative reflected the spirit of service and collective welfare.

“Today, the grand and divine ‘Dhyan Mandir’ has been inaugurated. When intentions are clear, and work is done with a spirit of service, every effort yields positive results. Whatever else may happen or not, we are all under the umbrella of the lotus. With the blessings of Gurudev, this lotus will take the country to new heights,” PM Modi said.

Highlighting Bengaluru’s contribution to both technology and spirituality, the Prime Minister said the city had played an important role in strengthening India’s cultural and spiritual identity globally.

“The atmosphere of Bengaluru is something truly special. This city is known for software and services. But it has also given new heights to India’s cultural identity, spirituality, and spiritual consciousness. Yoga, meditation, and Pranayama have been integral parts of India’s cultural heritage. Today, people from across the world are inspired by this spiritual heritage. With this inspiration, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar had laid a seed of The Art of Living. Today, it has grown into a tree, which is motivating people across the world,” he added.

Emphasising India’s diversity and cultural unity, the Prime Minister said the essence that binds the country together is the spirit of living for others.

“So many languages, so many traditions, different customs, and different ways of worship. When we look at all this, a natural question arises: What is the core element that connects all this beautiful diversity? The answer is: living not for oneself, but for others,” PM Modi said.

“Many spiritual movements have ultimately expressed themselves through the service of humanity. I am happy that in every effort of the Art of Living, this spirit of service is clearly reflected,” he added.

The Prime Minister also stressed that public participation is essential for the success of any campaign or mission undertaken for national development.

“I have always believed that society is more powerful than politics and even governments. And any government can succeed only when society itself actively participates in nation-building,” he said.

Praising the various welfare and development activities undertaken by The Art of Living Foundation, PM Modi said the organisation had adopted a holistic approach in several sectors.

“You all have given great importance to a holistic approach in development-related programs. Whether it is the tree plantation campaign, rural smart village centres, programs to empower women and tribal communities, or initiatives to improve the mental well-being of prisoners, all these efforts contribute significantly to the country’s and society’s development journey,” he said.

The Prime Minister also lauded the contribution of India’s youth in driving innovation and economic growth, while linking it to the importance of spiritual and mental well-being.

“Today, every day witnesses significant changes; innovations and new opportunities. India is not only a partner in this process but also a leader in several sectors,” he said, praising India’s strides in digital, infrastructure, space and startup sectors.

“Viksit Bharat will be built by such youth who are mentally calm, socially responsible, and sensitive towards society. For this, spiritual well-being, mental health, yoga, and meditation, your important activities and other organisations working in this field all play a very important role,” he added.

Urging social and spiritual organisations to take a larger role in nation-building, the Prime Minister said collective efforts were needed for the country’s holistic development.

“You are all fulfilling your duties towards the nation and society very well. But whenever I come among you, I cannot stop myself from making some request… For the holistic development of India, collective efforts are required at multiple levels. Organisations like The Art of Living can play an even more important role and, with greater strength, become guardians of this transformation,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister also stressed the need for environmental conservation and expressed hope that The Art of Living can take initiatives like ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ to a wider level by giving it strength.

Concluding his address, PM Modi expressed confidence that the organisation would continue expanding its outreach and social initiatives in the years ahead.

“I believe that in the coming days, all of you will continue to do what you have always been doing. You have expanded and developed various aspects of the Art of Living. You will give greater priority to connecting a larger section of society,” he added.(Agency)

Himanta Sarma stakes claim to form next Assam govt, oath ceremony on May 12

Guwahati, May 10, 2026
Chief Minister-designate Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday met Assam Governor Laxman Prasad Acharya to formally stake claim to form the new BJP-led NDA government in the state after being elected leader of the alliance legislature party.

Sarma was accompanied by Union Minister J.P. Nadda and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who were appointed as central observers by the BJP leadership for the election of the NDA legislature party leader in Assam.

Earlier in the day, Nadda formally announced Sarma’s name as the BJP Legislature Party leader and NDA leader during a meeting held at the BJP state headquarters in Guwahati. With this, Sarma is set to become the Chief Minister of Assam for the second consecutive term, while the BJP-led NDA will form the government in the northeastern state for the third straight term.

During the visit to Raj Bhavan, Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia, senior BJP leaders, including Finance Minister Ajanta Neog, and other party functionaries accompanied Sarma.

President of the Asom Gana Parishad and Assam minister Atul Bora, whose party is a key ally in the NDA coalition in Assam, was also present during the meeting with the Governor.

The swearing-in ceremony of the new Assam government is scheduled to take place on May 12 at the Khanapara Veterinary College playground in Guwahati.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Ministers from BJP-ruled states across the country are expected to attend the grand ceremony.

Senior NDA leaders and party workers from different parts of Assam are also likely to participate in the event, which the BJP is projecting as a major political show of strength in the Northeast.

Earlier in the day, Himanta Biswa Sarma was unanimously chosen as the leader of the BJP legislature party in Assam in the presence of the party’s central observers J.P. Nadda and Nayab Saini.(Agency)

‘Shubman Gill is one of the most pleasing batters to watch’: Anil Kumble

New Delhi, May 10, 2026
Former India spinner Anil Kumble praised skipper Shubman Gill and Rashid Khan for their match-winning performances in Gujarat Titans’ commanding 77-run victory over Rajasthan Royals on Saturday describing Gill as one of the most elegant batters in modern cricket and highlighting Rashid’s return to bowling with greater pace.

Gill once again led Gujarat’s batting effort with a composed 84 as the visitors posted a massive 229/4 at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Rashid then dismantled Rajasthan’s chase with a superb spell of 4-33 as the hosts were bowled out for 152 in 16.3 overs.

Speaking after the match, Kumble hailed Gill’s ability to combine control with consistency at the top of the order.

“Shubman Gill is one of the most pleasing batters to watch in modern cricket. There is nothing overly flashy about his game. He relies on playing each ball on its merit. Even when he goes for big shots, he remains in complete cpntrol. That is what separates him from many power hitters,” Kumble told Jio Hotstar.

Kumble added that Gill’s greatest strength lies in his ability to convert starts into substantial innings, something that allows Gujarat to consistently post imposing totals.

“The best part of his batting is his ability to bat deep. Once he is set, he takes the game deep and converts starts into long, impactful innings. When your top-order batter does that, it puts the team in a very strong position. It becomes much easier to push the total past 200. That is exactly what we saw from Shubman Gill against Rajasthan Royals,” he added.

Kumble also analysed Rashid’s bowling performance in detail, saying the Afghanistan spinner looked far more threatening because of his increased pace through the air.

“Rashid Khan attacked the stumps relentlessly and executed his plans to perfection. He’s a bowler who loves bowling quicker through the air but last season and even in the first half of this IPL season, he had reduced his pace, and that affected his effectiveness. Against RR, however, his pace was spot on,” Kumble said.

According to Kumble, Rashid’s quicker, skidding deliveries remain his biggest weapon in T20 cricket because they rush batters into errors rather than relying solely on spin or flight.

“He beat most of the batters with pure speed rather than relying on flight or turn. Most spinners deceive batters by looping the ball in the air. Rashid does it by rushing them with extra pace. That has always been his strength. When he bowls those quicker, skidding deliveries that go away from the batter, it creates confusion and often leads to mistakes,” he added.(Agency)

Vivek Oberoi celebrates the women who build generations this Mother’s Day

Mumbai, May 10, 2026
Actor Vivek Oberoi decided to celebrate the women who build generations this Mother’s Day.

The ‘Masti’ actor pointed out that a mother is responsible for shaping an entire generation.

Expressing his gratitude to his mother for always being his strength, Vivek penned on social media, “Mothers don’t just raise us; they build the generations that come after us. My mother is the strength that shaped my sister and me. She held us through many storms, teaching us that goodness is the only thing that truly lasts. She gave our hearts a permanent home and our hands the fortitude we carry wherever we go (sic).”

The ‘Saathiya’ actor further praised his wife for being an anchor in the lives of his kids.

“My wife Priyanka is that anchor for our children Vivaan and Ameyaa. It is the same beautiful cycle being repeated in front of me, and this time I get to experience it from the other side. In the way she listens to our children and the kindness she has planted in their hearts, Priyanka is building their future with the love and patience only a mother can,” he went on to add.

Vivek also did not forget to mention his sister, Meghna, appreciating her for doing a great job with her kids.

He shared, “Then there is my sister, Meghna, who carries our mother’s light, raising her children Arjun and Shivaan with the same quiet strength and grace so they grow up to be just as kind and strong as she is.”

“To the woman who made me who I am, and the women shaping the next generation, thank you for everything. Happy Mother’s Day to my world,” Vivek concluded the post.

Work-wise, Vivek will be seen as the antagonist in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s “Spirit”, co-starring Prabhas and Triptii Dimri.(Agency)

Ranchi police bust high-tech SSC GD exam racket, six held

Ranchi, May 10, 2026
A major scam has come to light in the Staff Selection Commission’s (SSC) General Duty online examination in Jharkhand’s capital, Ranchi, where answers were allegedly being solved automatically through remote access, officials said on Sunday.

Ranchi police have arrested six people following a raid at an online examination centre in the Pandara police outpost area.

The raid was conducted at the Futuristic Online Examination Centre near Piska More after Senior Superintendent of Police Rakesh Ranjan received specific inputs about large-scale irregularities during the examination, which took place on Saturday.

Acting on his directions, a special team was formed under the leadership of City SP Paras Rana.

According to police, during the first shift of the examination, invigilators noticed suspicious behaviour by some of the candidates. They observed that while the candidates continued to stare at their computer screens, the answers to the questions were being filled in automatically, raising suspicions of technical manipulation or external interference.

Following the alert, the matter was immediately reported to the police, who launched the investigation.

Examination officials also lodged a complaint regarding the irregularities. Police teams rushed to the centre and inspected the computer systems, network setup and other electronic equipment.

During the verification, six persons were detained for their alleged involvement in the malpractice. Those arrested include individuals associated with the operation or technical management of the examination centre, apart from candidates.

Several computers and electronic devices have been seized from the site and are being prepared to be sent for forensic examination to determine the exact method used to manipulate the exam.

Police said a detailed investigation is underway to find out whether the racket has links to other states or examination centres alone.

Officials said the entire network involved in the alleged scam will be exposed soon as the probe progresses.

Police authorities will hold a press conference later in the day at 4 p.m. to reveal more details about the scam.(Agency)

SC office condemns fake social media quotes attributed to CJI Surya Kant

New Delhi, May 10, 2026
The Supreme Court has strongly condemned the circulation of fabricated social media posts falsely attributing remarks to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, terming the act as “malicious”, “mischievous”, and an attack on public trust in the judiciary.

In a press statement, the Office of the CJI said that certain posts currently being circulated on social media platforms had falsely attributed statements to the CJI.

“Specifically, the account @UnreservedMERIT on X (formerly Twitter) has circulated a fabricated graphic falsely attributing” a statement to the CJI, the release said.

The falsely attributed quote, in Hindi, read: “Agar ek samaj khud ko IAS, IPS, CJI, President, PM bankar bhi khud ko shoshit hi rakhna chata hai, to isme ghalti Brahmino ki nahi balki uski apni mansikta ki hai (If a society, even after producing IAS, IPS, CJI, President, and PM from its ranks, still chooses to remain exploited, then the fault lies not with the Brahmins but with its own mentality).”

The Office of the CJI clarified that the attributed remarks were “wholly baseless, malicious, and demonstrably false”.

“The Office of Hon’ble the Chief Justice of India condemns in the strongest possible terms this vile, brazen, and mischievous concoction,” the press release said.

“To manufacture a fictitious quote, and to attribute it to the highest judicial office of the land is an act of rank dishonesty, deliberate social incitement, and contempt for constitutional values,” it added.

The statement further said that such conduct undermines public confidence in the justice delivery system.

“Such reckless conduct strikes at the very foundation of public trust in the judiciary and the rule of law,” the Office of the CJI said.

Calling for restraint, the Office of the CJI urged citizens, media organisations and social media platforms not to amplify unverified and misleading content. “The Office of Hon’ble the Chief Justice of India calls upon all responsible citizens, media organisations, and social media platforms to refrain from amplifying false and contrived content,” the release added.(Agency)

Market valuation of 4 of top 10 firms falls over Rs 1 lakh crore last week

Mumbai, May 10, 2026
Amid a range-bound trend in equities, the combined market valuation of four of the top-10 most valued firms eroded by more than Rs 1 lakh crore last week, with State Bank of India emerging as the biggest laggard.

During the week, the benchmark Sensex gained 414.69 points or 0.53 per cent, while the Nifty advanced 178.6 points or 0.74 per cent.

Among the top-10 valued companies, Bharti Airtel, State Bank of India (SBI), Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) witnessed a decline in their market capitalisation. In contrast, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Bajaj Finance, Hindustan Unilever and Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) posted gains in valuation.

SBI suffered the steepest erosion in market value, with its valuation falling by Rs 44,722.34 crore to Rs 9,41,107.62 crore. Bharti Airtel’s market capitalisation declined by Rs 31,167.1 crore to Rs 11,18,055.03 crore.

The valuation of TCS dropped by Rs 28,456.26 crore to Rs 8,66,477.69 crore, while Larsen & Toubro saw its market capitalisation slip by Rs 5,371.84 crore to Rs 5,46,621.21 crore.

On the gaining side, HDFC Bank added Rs 15,425.09 crore, taking its valuation to Rs 12,02,699.26 crore. Bajaj Finance saw its market capitalisation rise by Rs 11,486.89 crore to Rs 5,94,610.02 crore.

Hindustan Unilever gained Rs 8,763.97 crore in valuation to reach Rs 5,37,562.98 crore, while LIC added Rs 2,751.37 crore to take its market capitalisation to Rs 5,07,549.44 crore. ICICI Bank also registered an increase of Rs 1,694.61 crore, pushing its valuation to Rs 9,06,675.39 crore.

HDFC Bank remained the second most valued firm during the week, followed by Bharti Airtel, SBI, ICICI Bank, TCS, Bajaj Finance, Larsen & Toubro, Hindustan Unilever and LIC.

Meanwhile, commenting on Nifty’s technical outlook, experts said that on the upside, resistance levels are placed at 24,500 and 24,600.

“On the downside, support is seen at 24,000 and 23,800. A breakdown below 23,800 could result in increased selling pressure,” an analyst stated.(Agency)

Sanjay Dutt says ‘wish you were here with me’ as he remembers mother Nargis Dutt this Mother’s Day

Mumbai, May 10, 2026
Actor Sanjay Dutt remembered his late mother Nargis Dutt, this Mother’s Day, with a heartfelt post on social media.

The ‘Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.’ actor took to his official Instagram handle and treated the users with some rare black and white pictures with his mom from his childhood.

“Mumma, I miss you. I wish you were here with me. Your love and blessings are always with me. Love you mom (sic),” Sanjay wrote.

In one of the stills, Sanjay’s sisters Priya Dutt and Namrata Dutt also accompanied him as the three gathered around their mother Nargis Dutt in an adorable capture.

Nargis passed away in 1981 after suffering from pancreatic cancer, only three days before Sanjay made his Bollywood debut with “Rocky”.

Recently, on her death anniversary, Sanjay’s sister Priya penned an emotional note on social media for her ‘biggest inspiration’, her mother.

Taking to her official X (Formerly known as Twitter) handle, Priya revealed that she has learned several crucial life values from her mother, like compassion, courage, and selflessness.

Priya further shared that it was her mother who showed her what it is like to lead with the heart.

She stated that her mother acted as the guiding force in her life.

Her post on the micro-blogging site read, “Remembering my mother who taught me life’s most important values. Her compassion, courage and selflessness weren’t just qualities, they were a way of life she passed on to us. Mum showed me what it means to lead with heartand live with dignity.”

“Forty-five years have passed since she left us, but her light has always been the loving force guiding my way. My greatest inspiration, always,” added Priya.

Both Sanjay and Priya keep on remembering their mother with such nostalgic social media posts, expressing their longing for her.(Agency)

Anil Kapoor recalls getting pics of his ‘Jakaas’ poster placed in the auto rickshaws

Mumbai, May 10, 2026
Veteran actor Anil Kapoor is known for his iconic dialogue ‘Jakaas’. During his appearance on “The Kapil Sharma Show”, with daughter Sonam Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao, Anil revealed that a lot of people send him photos of auto rickshaws with his posters on it that have his signature ‘Jakaas’ written on it.

Pitching it, Rajkummar also shared a personal incident involving Anil’s picture on auto rickshaws.

He said, “When we were younger. There used to be pictures of Anil Kapoor, Govinda, and others below the seats of auto rickshaws. So we used to fight over who would sit on the seat with Anil Kapoor’s picture, as whoever would sit there would be considered Anil Kapoor.”

Anil, Sonam, and Rajkummar had visited “The Kapil Sharma Show” for the promotion of their movie, “Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga”.

The 2019 coming-of-age romantic comedy-drama has been made under the direction of Shelly Chopra Dhar, who has also written the screenplay, along with Gazal Dhaliwal.

The story of the romantic entertainer has been inspired by the 1919 novel “A Damsel in Distress” by P. G. Wodehouse.

With Anil, Sonam, and Rajkummar as the lead, the primary cast of “Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga” further includes Juhi Chawla, Regina Cassandra, Abhishek Duhan, Madhumalti Kapoor, Seema Pahwa, Brijendra Kala, Alka Kaushal, and Kanwaljit Singh in supporting roles. We also see Akshay Oberoi making a special appearance in the movie.

The project shares the tale of Sweety Chaudhary, a closeted lesbian, who is constantly trying to come out to her conservative and traditional Punjabi family.

The title of the film, “Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga”, has been named after a song from the 1994 film “1942: A Love Story”, which also starred Anil.

The movie further marks the primary on-screen collaboration between real-life father and daughter duo, Anil and Sonam, who played father and daughter in the film as well.(Agency)

Congress failed due to arrogance, backstabbed DMK: PM Modi

Bengaluru, May 10, 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday took a sharp dig at the Congress, accusing it of blaming “the entire world” for its electoral defeats due to arrogance and alleging that the party had backstabbed its ally, the DMK, in Tamil Nadu.

Addressing a huge gathering near the HAL Airport in Bengaluru, PM Modi said that while the BJP was achieving electoral victories, the Congress, which had more than 400 seats around 40 years ago, had failed to even get the 100-seat mark in the last three Lok Sabha elections.

“But the arrogance of the Congress and its supporters is such that they blame the entire world for their defeats,” he said.

“They blame the Constitution, democracy, constitutional institutions, and the courts. In my political career, I have never seen any mainstream political party behave like this. They are so deeply sunk in defeat that they are left with no option but to use foul language,” he slammed.

“For BJP governments, the welfare of the people is everything. Twenty-five crore people have come out of poverty. Our motto is welfare for all, and our model is one of good governance. That is why people are allowing the BJP to serve them for a second and third term,” he stressed.

“But Congress governments in states do not return to power for a second term. Within a year of coming to power, anti-incumbency begins. This is because the Congress knows only betrayal. Their guarantees are also false. There is no chapter on governance in the Congress party’s book,” he stated.

“In Karnataka as well, we have been witnessing this for the past three years. Instead of resolving people’s problems, much of this government’s time has been spent resolving internal infighting. No one can say how long the Chief Minister will remain in power, or whether another leader will get a chance. Their fate remains uncertain,” he mocked.

“Not only this, I observed that during the election process in Tamil Nadu, their ecosystem sitting in Delhi was trying to mislead the country. After the results on May 4, the government had still not been formed in Kerala. Let the Congress first form a government there, where it has secured a full majority,” he mocked.

“This ecosystem remains silent in the case of Kerala. They themselves do not know whether they will have two Chief Ministers for five years or five Chief Ministers for one year each. They are unable to come to a conclusion,” PM Modi remarked.

“They (Congress) make promises to their own leaders and then backstab them. They did it in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. In Karnataka, the same game is going on, and in Kerala, too, they are doing the same thing. In Himachal Pradesh, you would be shocked to know what is happening there. They are not allowing such matters to come out in the media. They are even unable to pay salaries to their employees,” he said.

“In Telangana too, the situation is such that farmers are being forced to commit suicide. Wherever the Congress is in power, either the treasury is looted for appeasement politics, or there is infighting over the looted money. The identity of the Congress has become that of a party of betrayal, and that is why, whenever it gets an opportunity, it betrays its own leaders,” PM Modi stated.

“That is why it is said that there is no one who has not been cheated by Congress. In Tamil Nadu, the Congress had a strong relationship with the DMK for 30 years. The alliance with the DMK helped the Congress remain in power.

The Congress-led government at the Centre survived with the support of the DMK. But what happened? Despite the long-standing relationship and despite the DMK always acting in the interest of the Congress party, the moment the balance of power shifted, the Congress used the first opportunity to stab the DMK in the back,” PM Modi stated.(Agency)

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