BHUBNESWAR: A small aircraft made an emergency crash landing around nine kilometres from the Rourkela airstrip on Saturday after a technical fault was detected mid-flight, officials said. Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), which confirmed the crash landing, said the pilot, upon noticing a technical snag in the system, attempted a belly landing on a grassland, saving all the passengers, although he himself sustained injuries. The severity of his injuries is not yet known.

“The pilot went for a crash landing in a plain field 10 km before the runway. All six people, including four passengers on board, are safe. The pilot and co-pilot are alive. One of the pilots is injured. The plane slightly nosedived. There is minor damage to the fuselage, but the wings are intact. An investigation will be carried out soon,” said Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena.

The plane, which operates under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), is a nine-seater, and including the pilot, seven people were on board. “The reason for the technical snag is yet to be ascertained,” said BPIA Director Prasanna Pradhan.

In a statement, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, said, “IndiaOne Air is a Scheduled Commuter Operator with a fleet of three Cessna Grand C208B aircraft. Based in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, It is providing regional connectivity since the year 2022, within Odisha and to other tier3 cities in the neighbouring states with VGF (viability gap funding) support from Government of Odisha. On 10.01.2026 INDIAONE AIR Cessna Grand C208B aircraft VT-KSS departed Bhubaneshwar at approximately 12:25 hrs. IST while operating flight IOA102 (Bhubaneshwar-Rourkela).”“At 13:14 hrs IST crew declared “MAY Day” to Rourkela ATC and made a forced landing at 13:20 hrs IST in an open area near Kansor. The forced landing site is around 15 to 20 km short of theRourkela airport. There were four passengers and two crew members on board the aircraft. All are safe and have been taken to a hospital. AAIB will carry out further investigation,” the statement read further.Reacting to the incident, CM Mohan Charan Majhi in a post on ‘X’ said, “I am deeply saddened to learn about the plane crash that occurred in Rourkela. The news that all passengers are safe by the grace of Lord Jagannath is reassuring. I have directed that immediate best medical services be provided to those injured in this incident. I am personally monitoring the situation. I am praying at the feet of Lord Sri Jagannath for the swift recovery of all.“

NEW DELHI: Union minister for finance and corporate affairs Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday chaired the meeting on Pre-Budget Consultation with States and Union Territories (with Legislature) for the forthcoming Union Budget 2026-27 in New Delhi.Along with Union Minister for State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, the meeting was also attended by Governor of Manipur; Chief Ministers of Delhi, Goa, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Meghalaya, and Sikkim; Deputy Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Telangana; the Finance Ministers of States/UTs, besides Secretaries of Departments of Economic Affairs, Expenditure, and Revenue, and senior officials of the Ministry of Finance.While speaking with the reporters after the meeting, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said, “We specifically demanded that the central schemes currently running for Goa be continued. As a tourism state, we have particularly requested assistance for the tourism sector. We also demanded funds for the health sector. Funds for the infrastructure development of Kushavati, which we have newly created as a district, were also discussed.” Goa Chief Minister further said, “We have also laid down special demands for the Renewable Energy sector, and for the Railway sector, we raised demands for the redevelopment of the Konkan Railways among others.” He highlighted that the 15th Finance Commission recommended Rs 700 crore in state-specific funds for the state. “We seek more funds in the 16th Finance Commission,” he said. Notably, the 15th Finance Commission recommended specific grants for Goa, including Rs 500 crore for climate change and Rs 200 crore for tourism, totalling Rs 700 crore in state-specific funds, while also providing grants for rural bodies and projecting GST compensation.Recently. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had chaired a pre-Budget meeting with leading economists.At the meeting, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery and other eminent economists were present. Discussions focused on key priorities and inputs for the upcoming Union Budget.Earlier, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman held 10 rounds of Pre-Budget Consultations as part of the preparations for the forthcoming Union Budget 2026-27.The meetings brought together representatives and experts from key sectors of the economy, including agriculture and MSMEs, capital markets, manufacturing, services, and technology.The series began with consultations with leading economists, followed by representatives from farmer associations and agricultural economists. Subsequent sessions engaged stakeholders from MSMEs, capital markets, startups, manufacturing, BFSI (Banking, Financial Services and Insurance), information technology, tourism and hospitality, and finally trade unions and labour organisations.During these meetings, sector experts and stakeholders presented their recommendations, challenges, and expectations for the upcoming Budget. The discussions focused on economic growth, employment generation, investment climate, technological advancement, industrial competitiveness, financial sector stability, labour welfare, and sustainable development.The Union Budget is typically presented on February 1 of each year. This year too, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is likely to present the Union Budget for 2026-27 in Parliament on February 1.

Not the first time that India’s team selections have left out several in-form players, but this time it’s not due to injuries or propaganda or any conflict with the Men’s selection committee, but because of the increasing depth of the Indian team.

Such players include Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Rinku Singh, who have some numbers in domestic cricket. India would also be eyeing preparing a core team for the next year’s World Cup in South Africa, and hence, some experiments need to be made.

While there are several good players in the Indian team, and players who have impressed with magnificent performances, some players have been ignored from time to time despite their dominating show. Aakash Chopra has hence dropped a crazy suggestion to such players.

“Had these three players played for a different country, they would have been the permanent part of their ODI team-” – Aakash Chopra

Former Indian batter Aakash Chopra named three Indian players who come under the category of real-time Indian stars who have constantly been overlooked by the BCCI selectors as well as the Indian team management.

Ruturaj Gaikwad is among the three names mentioned. It is known that Gaikwad is a splendid batter and has some remarkable numbers in List A cricket, where he averages 58.83, the highest by any Indian in List A cricket with 5000+ runs. He also scored a century for India in the previous series against South Africa.

“Had these three players played for a different country, they would have been the permanent part of their ODI team,” said Aakash Chopra on his YouTube channel.

“Firstly, there is Ruturaj Gaikwad. If you see his List A numbers, it will leave you shocked. He has the best List A average till date, aggregating over 5000 runs in 99 games, out of which 20 are centuries. Gaikwad has played a handful of ODIs too and made a century in the previous series. But he is still struggling to find a place in the Indian team. That’s the kind of depth we have. Gaikwad is unstoppable,” he added.

Devdutt Padikkal averages over 80 in List A cricket

The next name on the list is the star of this year’s Vijay Hazare Trophy, Devdutt Padikkal, the Karnataka batter who has been unstoppable this season, and he has credited his coaches in the RCB for his transformation into a smashing strokemaker.

“The second player in this list has a List A average of 82. At an average of 82, Padikkal has scored and made over 3000 runs in only 39 games. While Gaikwad has at least played, Padikkal is not even part of the conversation. He is brilliant, but there is no place for Padikkal yet,” said Aakash Chopra through the aforementioned source.

Devdutt Padikkal managed to score 640 runs in just 7 innings this season and averages 91.42 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and is currently the highest run scorer in the domestic contest.

“Rinku is not even part of the conversation” – Aakash Chopra

The last name suggested was of UP middle-order batsman Rinku Singh, who averages 53.44 in List A cricket. Though Rinku, unlike Gaikwad and Devdutt Padikkal, does not have several centuries, as many say, he bats at one of the most crucial and tough spots in the XI.

“The third is Rinku Singh. He has played nearly 70 List A games and averages over 50. Rinku often doesn’t make hundreds because he plays in the middle order. But Rinku’s numbers are still mind-blowing. Like Padikkal, Rinku is not even part of the conversation. That tells you about India’s depth of talent, and it’s unbelievable,” Aakash Chopra reasoned.

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Mumbai: Better social standing, access to power and political ambition motivated Mumbaikars to enter the BMC poll fray, according to a 158-page academic study by the University of Mumbai.Published on the State Election Commission website, the study examined the 2012 and 2017 BMC elections to understand why candidates entered the fray and the strategies they deployed to win a seat in the country’s richest civic corporation. The study, titled ‘Contesting Municipal Elections: Motivations and Strategies (A Study of BMC Elections 2012 and 2017)’, was conducted by Sanjay Patil, research coordinator from the department of civics and politics of University of Mumbai, under the guidance of his professor Surendra Jondhale.The study, which began in Feb 2017 before the civic polls and was released by the commission in Nov 2017, identified six primary factors: political ambition, political legacy and patronage networks, pressure or encouragement from supporters and local volunteers, the strength or weakness of the opposition, perceived chances of winning, and the opportunities and benefits that come with holding office.Dynastic politics remains central, the study noted, a pattern visible again with MLAs seeking tickets for relatives. Colaba MLA Rahul Narwekar and Malad MLA Aslam Shaikh have three family members each in the upcoming civic elections. According to Jondhale, in such cases, there’s a clear message that leaders want to continue to be in power mostly by fielding their family, be it wives or children. The report says motivations often overlap. A major pull is the ability to advance business interests by gaining access to officials and speeding up clearances. It also flags the lure of money, often tied to real estate, illegal constructions, hawking networks and civic contracts. Other motivations include prestige, improving infrastructure and amenities in a ward, and expanding community work.The study noted some candidates are socially motivated by the opportunity to engage directly in policy-making, offer alternative models of governance, or take on corruption within the BMC. Others enter the race to champion specific local causes, including slum redevelopment and housing issues. The study also highlighted a tactical advantage in reservations: an OBC woman is seen as the best suited partner for most flexible candidates for many aspiring corporators as she can contest across General, OBC, Women and OBC-Women categories.“While the study is around eight years old, the situation hasn’t changed much. The role of informality and patronage networks in civic politics has only grown over the years and one can still see how it determines political interests,” said Patil. He said politicians, who were earlier seen to have a nexus with business interests and informal actors, have now themselves become political entrepreneurs. “It is, however, important to note that women candidates have come a long way. Instead of merely being shadows or proxies of their male counterparts, exposure to the system has made a lot of them assert their agency in some ways and become stakeholders rather than mere signatories.”Patil also said male politicians strategically positioned their children in public life in the run-up to elections. “One former corporator had his daughter, a doctor, sit at the Aapla Dawakhana for two hours every day. This helped her understand the voters, even as residents got familiar with her,” he said, adding that she got a ticket to contest.A senior politician said an elected corporator’s lifestyle changes. “They move from a small car to a fancy one. The affidavits they file during the nomination process are also a giveaway as their total assets show a spike when compared to the previous election.” Many corporators, though, begged to differ with the study’s observations. Advocate Tulip Miranda, Congress nominee from Kalina, said, “The euphoric feeling I get at being able to serve those who are struggling with basic necessities is something no other job could give me.” Independent candidate Nehal Shah from Matunga and a former BJP corporator said the corporator’s role isn’t about entitlement but service. “If I run an NGO, I can help a limited group of people. But, as a corporator, one can impact thousands of lives at once.”

Mumbai: At 76, Krishna Mhadgut is the oldest candidate in the BMC election this year—and he bristles gently at the idea that age should even enter the conversation.“What has age got to do with contesting an election?” he said. “If I don’t get calls late at night asking me to come the next morning for some road work or a drain that hasn’t been cleaned, I cannot sleep.“Mhadgut, though, is part of a tiny cohort. Of the 1,721 candidates in the fray this year, the largest group is in their 40s and 50s—538 candidates in their 40s and 432 in 50s. Another 405 are in their 30s, and 189 are in their 20s. By contrast, only 133 candidates are in their 60s, and just 24 are aged 70 or above, shows data extracted from affidavits by Excelsoft Technologies Ltd.Mhadgut, a retired cable company employee from Borivli, is an SSC-pass who later became a real estate agent. Contesting from Kalina, this is his second attempt at the corporator’s election. The first time, he says, he was asked to contest from a ward where he had never worked. “So, I tell people this is the first time I am seriously standing for elections,” he told TOI. Dr Narendrakumar Sharma (73) is a first-time candidate and a cardiologist with declared assets of Rs 5.25 crore. He says he has worked for years in Borivli East, organising free medical camps for the poor, getting streetlights installed and beautified, and pushing for wider water pipelines. When his home area was reserved for women and the Congress asked him to contest from Dahisar instead, he agreed. Why now? “I am still lean and fit. I run marathons. My hospital is being renovated,” he said. “I realised this is the perfect time to immerse myself in social work.”At the other end of the age spectrum is Sumit Sahil (21), one of the four youngest candidates, for whom entering politics was a decision born not of ambition, but frustration. Standing from Jharimari in Saki Naka, Sumit says the local corporator’s office is right outside his house. “Every day I see a long queue of people coming to get their problems resolved,” he said. “These are not big problems: someone’s garbage is not picked, someone has a clogged drain outside his house. But no one is really interested in solving their issues.” This daily procession of unsolved grievances pushed him into the race. “That is why I decided not to take up a job, but to enter the fray.” Then there is Vinayak Suryavanshi, 70—a retired BEST driver who grew up in Latur but travelled often with his father to Mumbai for farmers’ protests and to demand wages for unpaid road construction workers. “I am standing for the poor,” he said. “For the voiceless—for people like me.”

The deep emerald-green court jacket, embroidered with gold floral motifs; the crimson, lopsided pagri crowned by a jewelled feather; hands resting on the hilt of a ceremonial sword; and an unwavering gaze — Jaswatsingji Fatesingji Thakor Saheb, the English-speaking ruler of Limri (Limbdi), radiates quiet authority in this 1892 portrait. Executed by artist Frank Brooks — who famously trained Raja Ravi Varma’s brother in the art of figure painting — the commissioned work offers an intricate glimpse into a time when the city was a Presidency shared by maharajas and fakirs.Presented by DAG for Mumbai Gallery Weekend 2026, Face to Face: A Portrait of a City — on view until Jan 11, 2026, at DAG, The Taj Mahal Palace — brings together 30 portraits tracing Bombay’s evolving social fabric from the 19th to the 20th century.Spanning Parsi philanthropists and political icons, rendered by Indian masters and Western artists such as Brooks and Cecil Burns, the faces reveal a city shaped by empire, trade, migration and modernity.“Portraiture, quite literally, puts one face-to-face with people as its subject…,” says Ashish Anand, CEO and managing director of DAG. “And these people’s lives are inextricably linked not just with the city, but with the Presidency.”Organised across sections devoted to princely representation, influential figures, the Parsi community, artists’ self-portraits and everyday Maharashtrians, the exhibition charts how Bombay learned to see itself between 1892 and 1992.Brooks’ series itself emerged from imperial ceremony, Anand points out. Commissioned by the political agent of the Kathiawar Agency — a union of 193 princely states — his portraits were created for the Memorial Institute in Rajkot to mark the golden jubilee of Queen Victoria. As the exhibition moves into the 20th century, the tone shifts. In VB Pathare’s portrait of Dr BR Ambedkar, the architect of India’s constitution sits formally in a dark suit and tie, posture erect, expression contemplative. The image anchors Ambedkar within Bombay’s intellectual and political life: his years at Elphinstone College, his professorship at Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics, his election to the Bombay Provincial Legislative Assembly, and his Marathi roots.“As a pioneering advocate for social justice and the eradication of caste discrimination, Ambedkar’s presence in the exhibition underscores Bombay’s importance as a site of reform and public leadership,” says Anand.Nearby, MV Dhurandhar’s portrait of Bal Gandharva glows with theatrical presence. The legendary actor is shown in elaborate costume, the contours of his expression soft yet commanding. The image captures the magnetism that made Narayan Shripad Rajhans a cultural icon. His stage name — Bal Gandharva — Anand notes, was given by Lokmanya Tilak, whose own likeness appears in MK Parandekar’s portrait.The exhibition’s mood evolves again in the self-portraits and artist portraits by MV Dhurandhar, Pestonji Bomanji, SL Haldankar, Baburao Sadwelkar and MF Husain. Faces emerge from quiet studio light: Haldankar’s refined realism, Sadwelkar’s softened lines, Husain’s bold modernist treatment — each revealing how Bombay’s artists gradually broke away from strict academic convention towards individual, intuitive expression.The Parsi presence appears with equal force. In the portrait of Sir Jamsetji Jeejeebhoy, he is shown in traditional Parsi attire, the iconic black pagdi framing a dignified face. Beside him, MF Pithawalla’s portrait of a Parsi woman radiates confidence and modernity, projecting the new position Parsi women were claiming in public, cultural and philanthropic spheres.Works by Abalal Rahiman broaden the panorama: regional rulers, local communities, varying occupations and social positions, all rendered with careful attention to costume, posture and expression. A special pleasure of the show lies in the faces of the faceless: a weathered fakir wrapped in layers of ochre and ash; an elderly gentleman in a dark coat and cap; an old man with a snow-white beard spilling across his chest.The final chapter unfolds with the modernists. In the post-Independence works of the Progressive Artists’ Group — including MF Husain — portraiture abandons the certainties of realism for abstraction, psychology and experimentation, marking a new understanding of identity in a newly independent nation.

Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra on Saturday announced that he has parted ways with Czech javelin great Jan Zelezny after one season, bringing to an end a coaching partnership that saw the Indian breach the 90-metre mark for the first time. Chopra said the association was defined by “progress, respect, and a shared love for the sport.” Chopra did not explain the reason for the split with Zelezny, the world record holder and former Olympic champion, under whose guidance the Indian crossed the 90-metre mark for the first time last year.

Looking back at the stint, Chopra said working with someone he had admired since childhood was a special experience and helped him gain a new understanding of the event, including a wider range of training methods and technical inputs. “Working with Jan opened my eyes to so many new ideas. The way he thinks about technique, rhythm, and movement is incredible, and I learned a lot from every single session we had together,” Chopra said. “What I’m most proud about is the friendship I’ve built with someone who has been my idol all my life. Jan is not only the best javelin thrower of all time, but also one of the best human beings I have ever met,” he added. Zelezny also spoke about the time spent working with Chopra and the progress achieved. “Working with an athlete like Neeraj was a great experience. I’m glad we met and were able to work together, that I got him to break the 90-metre barrier for the first time. Apart from the World Championships, he finished at worst second and that is not a bad record. Unfortunately, the back injury 12 days before Tokyo significantly affected his chances,” Zelezny said in a press release. The 59-year-old said Chopra has strong prospects going forward. “Our relationship is very positive also on the human side and we will continue to stay in touch, we will definitely meet at some training camp or, for example, on vacation with our families in Europe or India,” Zelezny said. Chopra said he now plans to take greater control of his training plans as he looks ahead to the coming seasons. “I’m looking forward to what 2026 has in store. I started my preparation in early November. As always, the goal is to stay healthy, and I am already excited to be competing again soon,” Chopra said. “At the same time, I’m especially looking ahead to the year with the World Championships in 2027, and the big goal beyond that is the Olympic Games in 2028,” he added. Chopra finished eighth at the World Championships after recording his 90-metre throw at the Doha Diamond League last year.

Filmmaker Aditya Dhar, along with the ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Rakesh Bedi, and others, gave 2025 oneof its biggest hits – ‘Dhurandhar.’ For the entire month of December, the spy thriller enjoyed its reign as the undefeated king of the box office. However, now, after more than a month, it appears ‘Dhurandhar’ finally met its match. With 2026’s highly anticipated release, ‘The Raja Saab,’ led by Prabhas, the box office dynamics have changed. The Aditya Dhar film minted close to Rs 6 crore in India on Saturday, while the Prabhas starrer collected over Rs 25 crore across languages in the domestic market.Read on to know more about the performance of ‘Dhurandhar’ amid the wave of ‘The Raja Saab’.

‘Dhurandhar’ box office collections Day 37

According to the early estimates shared by Sacnilk, Ranveer Singh starrer ‘Dhurandhar’ collected Rs 5.75 crore on its 6th Saturday. These numbers came after the movie opened its 6th week with Rs 3.5 crore on Friday. With this, the action-packed drama ‘Dhurandhar’ stood at Rs. 799.5 crore net in India. It missed the Rs 800 core mark by a whisker.

‘Dhurandhar’ week-wise box office performance

Week 1: Rs 207.25 croreWeek 2: Rs 253.25 croreWeek 3: Rs 172 croreWeek 4: Rs 106.5 croreWeek 5: Rs 51.25 crore6th Friday: Rs 3.5 crore6th Saturday: Rs 5.75 croreTotal: Rs 799.5 crore

‘Dhurandhar’ global box office

The worldwide collection of the Ranveer Singh, Sara Arjun, Akhshaye Khanna starrer stands at Rs 1245.75 crore. In this, India’s gross collection is Rs 959.25 crore, while the business from overseas accounts for Rs 286.5 crores.

‘Dhurandhar’ vs ‘The Raja Saab’

On the other hand, ‘The Raja Saab’, which made it to the screens on Thursday, opened with Rs 9.15 crore. Then on Friday, it soared to 53.75 crore. Saturday saw a huge drop in numbers, with the movie collecting Rs. 27.83 crore across languages. The tally as of now stands at Rs 90.73 crore.DISCLAIMER: The box office numbers in this article are compiled from our proprietary sources and diverse public data. We strive for accuracy, and all figures are approximate unless explicitly mentioned. We offer a fair representation of the project’s box office performance. We are open to feedback and suggestions on toientertainment@timesinternet.in

LONDON: UK shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel has called on the British government to intervene in the “increase in violence” in Bangladesh that has involved murders of Hindus and use its influence to bring about stability in the country. The British Indian Opposition Conservative MP posted her letter to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on social media on Friday, which also calls upon the Labour Party government to make a statement on the issue in the House of Commons. “The situation in Bangladesh is very concerning. Religious freedoms should be protected and the murders of Hindus and persecution taking place are wrong and must stop,” said Patel. “The UK government must use its influence and convening powers to work to bring about stability in Bangladesh and a future where religious freedoms are protected and Hindus as safe,” she said. In her letter to Cooper, the shadow minister points to reports of at least six Hindus being killed within an 18-day period in recent weeks. “This level of persecution and violence is unacceptable… Given the increase in violence, can you advise what steps have been taken over the last year to monitor and make representations? “Given the wider political situation in Bangladesh, what work is underway with partners in the region to use our diplomatic influence and convening powers to bring about stability in Bangladesh and respect and protections for minorities,” she questions in her letter. Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has condemned a “disturbing pattern” of recurring attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. “We continue to witness a disturbing pattern of recurring attacks on minorities as well as their homes and businesses by extremists. Such communal incidents need to be dealt with swiftly and firmly,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. “We have observed a troubling tendency to attribute such incidents to personal rivalries, political differences, or extraneous reasons. Such disregard only emboldens the perpetrators, and deepens the sense of fear and insecurity among minorities,” he said. British Hindu groups led by the Bengali Hindu Adarsha Sangha (BHAS) UK have been coordinating protests in London against the attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. “The minority communities of Bangladesh are facing long-standing concerns over discrimination, violence, murder and demographic decline,” BHAS UK said at a protest recently. The protesters condemned the “unethical arrest of interfaith voice Chinmaya Prabhu and public lynching of Dipu Das by Islamic extremists”. Chinmoy Krishna Das is a Hindu monk who was arrested in Bangladesh in 2024 on sedition charges. Das, a 25-year-old garment factory worker, was lynched to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy in Mymensingh city on December 18 last year. His body was then set on fire.