Doordarshan icon Sarla Maheshwari passes away at 71 (File photo)

NEW DELHI: Veteran Doordarshan newsreader Sarla Maheshwari, a household name on Indian television through the 1980s and 1990s, died in Delhi on Thursday at the age of 71, family friend and broadcaster Shammi Narang said.Maheshwari was part of Doordarshan from 1976 to 2005 and belonged to the pioneering generation of television newsreaders in India, when daily broadcasts were limited and the medium was still in its early years. Narang, who co-anchored news bulletins with her, announced her demise on X and Instagram. “I feel utmost grief in announcing the sad demise of my ex co-News anchor at Doordarshan, Sarala Maheshwari,” Narang said. Remembering her contribution and personality, he added, “I feel utmost grief in announcing the sad demise of my ex co-News anchor at Doordarshan, Sarala Maheshwari…Beautiful not just in appearance but even more so at heart, she had a remarkable command over language and was a reservoir of knowledge. Her presence on the Doordarshan screen had a unique aura. She respected everyone and uplifted every space she was part of.” Her last rites will be held at Nigam Bodh Ghat at 4pm. According to reports, Maheshwari joined the public broadcaster after completing her PhD from Delhi University. Over her nearly three-decade-long career, she witnessed the transformation of television news from black-and-white broadcasts to the colour era. Doordarshan National also paid tribute on X, recalling her legacy. “A heartfelt tribute from the Doordarshan family to Smt. Sarla Maheshwari. She was a respected and esteemed newsreader of Doordarshan, who carved out a special place in the Indian news world with her gentle voice, precise pronunciation, and dignified presentation. Her simplicity, restraint, and personality established deep trust in the hearts of viewers.”

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NEW DELHI: Sarla Maheshwari, one of the most recognisable faces of Doordarshan’s retro era, passed away on Thursday. She was 71.Her death was confirmed by Doordarshan National through a post on social media, where the broadcaster remembered her as a cherished and distinguished newsreader whose voice and presence left a lasting mark on Indian television journalism.“A heartfelt tribute from the Doordarshan family to Smt. Sarla Maheshwari. She was a respected and esteemed newsreader of Doordarshan, who carved out a special place in the Indian news world with her gentle voice, precise pronunciation, and dignified presentation. Her simplicity, restraint, and personality established deep trust in the hearts of viewers,” Doordarshan National wrote on X.The public broadcaster wrote that her understated style and composed demeanour earned the confidence and affection of audiences across the country.Veteran news anchor Shammi Narang, who worked alongside Maheshwari, also paid tribute.“I feel utmost grief in announcing the sad demise of my ex co-News anchor at Doordarshan, Sarala Maheshwari. She was the embodiment of grace and courtesy. Beautiful not just in appearance but even more so at heart, she had a remarkable command over language and was a reservoir of knowledge. Her presence on the Doordarshan screen had a unique aura. She respected everyone and uplifted every space she was part of. I pray that God grants her soul eternal peace and gives strength to the Maheshwari family. Om Shanti,” Narang wrote in a post on X.Maheshwari became a household name during the 1980s and 1990s, when Doordarshan dominated the television news space in India. For nearly three decades, from 1976 until 2005, she delivered Hindi news bulletins with composure and clarity, earning admiration for her measured tone and flawless diction.Her journey in broadcasting began while she was pursuing a PhD at Delhi University. After successfully auditioning as an announcer, she gradually moved into news reading and remained a steady presence as Indian television transitioned from the black-and-white era to colour broadcasting.With her calm authority and polished presentation, Sarla Maheshwari represented a generation of news anchors who defined credibility on screen.

Nepal: Rohit Paudel (c), Aarif Sheikh, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Dipendra Singh Airee, Basir Ahamad, Kushal Bhurtel, Sundeep Jora, Lokesh Bam, Gulsan Jha, Karan KC, Sompal Kami, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sher Malla, Lalit Rajbanshi, Nandan Yadav.

Italy: Wayne Madsen (c), Marcus Campopiano, Gian-Piero Meade (wk), Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, Syed Naqvi, Harry Manenti, JJ Smuts, Grant Stewart, Ali Hasan, Thomas Draca, Jaspreet Singh, Crishan Kalugamage, Ben Manenti, Zain Ali.

Piyush Goyal has now clarified that Indian exports would also get the same benefit.

India-US trade deal: Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said that Indian apparel exports to the US will enjoy zero tariff access, if the raw material is procured from America. Goyal’s comments assume significance after the recently announced US-Bangladesh trade deal with a clause of zero tariffs for textile exports had raised concerns amongst Indian exporters.As part of the arrangement, the US has lowered tariffs on Bangladeshi products to 19%, slightly above the 18% duty applied to Indian goods during the Donald Trump administration.However, a provision included in the joint statement is expected to significantly support Bangladesh’s textile shipments to the US, raising concerns that it could potentially reduce the competitive edge that India had anticipated gaining in the market.The joint statement reads: “The United States commits to establish a mechanism that will allow for certain textile and apparel goods from Bangladesh to receive a zero reciprocal tariff rate. This mechanism will provide that a to-be-specified volume of apparel and textile imports from Bangladesh can enter the United States at this reduced tariff rate, but this volume shall be determined in relation to the quantity of exports of textiles, e.g. US produced cotton and man-made fiber textile inputs, from the United States.”

Zero Tariff Clause For Indian Textile Exports Too

Piyush Goyal has now clarified that Indian exports would also get the same benefit. “”… He (Rahul Gandhi) spread another lie in the Parliament that Bangladesh has got more benefits from the trade than India. Just as Bangladesh has a facility that if raw material is purchased from America, then if you process it and make cloth and export it, then it will be available at zero reciprocal tariff. India also has the same facility and India will also get it. Right now, our framework agreement is being made. When the interim agreement is finalised, then you will get to see this in the fine print,” Goyal said according to ANI.

Goyal also stressed that the India-US trade deal, which reduces tariffs on Indian exports to 18%, does not touch sensitive agriculture and dairy sectors. On Saturday, India and the US had released a joint statement on the trade agreement.“ I want to clarify that India’s interests and the interests of Indian farmers have been fully protected in the US-India trade deal. Most of the products of Indian farmers, our dairy, poultry, rice, wheat, soybean, and maize, banana, strawberry, cherry, orange, vegetables, ethanol, tobacco, meat, pulses, millets, bajra, ragi- almost 90-95% of the produce of farmers is outside the US trade deal,” Goyal said. “…which is the need of India, which we import even today, which will not cause any harm to the farmers in our country – we have opened such commodities to America in a calibrated manner as per a well-thought-out strategy. In a way, a very good US trade deal is made in the interests of farmers,” he said.

With actor Rajpal Yadav now lodged in Tihar Jail after surrendering on February 5, 2026, his long-pending legal troubles have once again come into sharp focus. The Delhi High Court dismissed his last-minute plea seeking more time in a cheque bounce and loan default case that has been dragging on since 2010. Observing repeated non-compliance with its directives, the court ordered him to undergo a six-month sentence. The matter reportedly involves unpaid dues that ballooned to nearly Rs 9 crore after the collapse of his production venture ‘Ata Pata Laapata’, turning what began as a financial setback into a prolonged courtroom battle.Amid these developments, several of Rajpal’s older interviews have resurfaced online. In one such earlier conversation, the actor, known for films like ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’, ‘Dhol’ and ‘Chup Chup Ke’, had spoken candidly about the debate around nepotism in Bollywood. At the time, he firmly asserted that longevity in the film industry cannot be guaranteed by family backing alone. While he admitted that having connections might open doors initially, he maintained that survival ultimately depends on talent and the audience’s acceptance.

Rajpal Yadav on nepotism

In an interview with ANI, Rajpal had said, “There is no nepotism.” Emphasising his point, he added, “There is no nepotism. I want to speak very honestly. Nepotism agar hota to Shah Rukh Khan sahab kaise hote, Rajpal Yadav kaise hote, Paresh Rawal kaise hote, Anupam Kher sahab kaise hote, Akshay Kumar sahab kaise hote, Johny Lever sahab kaise hote, Sanjeev Kumar sahab kaise hote, Rajesh Khanna sahab kaise hote, Dharmendra sahab kaise hote? (If there was nepotism, how would there be Shah Rukh Khan, Rajpal Yadav, Paresh Rawal, Anupam Kher, Akshay Kumar, Johny Lever, Sanjeev Kumar, Rajesh Khanna and Dharmendra?)”See More: ‘Family is hopeful’: Rajpal Yadav’s BAIL hearing tomorrow; manager reveals Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn and others lend supportBy naming several prominent actors across generations, Rajpal suggested that many of the industry’s biggest names carved their own paths without film family backing. According to him, credibility in cinema is earned through consistent work rather than lineage. His argument centred on merit and public approval as the true deciding factors.Reflecting on his own journey, the ‘Bhagam Bhag’ actor shared that entering theatre and films was entirely his personal choice. He revealed that no one from his family pushed him towards acting. Speaking about advice he gave his children, Rajpal said, “I told my kids also…ki koi bhi khel mein aur cinema mein koi kisi ka jeewan nahi bana sakta (In film and sports, nobody can make your life).”He further added, “Fir aap karo nahi to mai dhakka de sakta hu par dhakke ke baad jo patkhani khaoge usko mai bhi nahi bacha sakta..(I can give a push, but the reversal you will face later, I can’t prevent that).” Through this analogy, he underlined that while someone may offer a helping hand, sustaining success ultimately depends on individual ability.

Rajpal Yadav believes success lies with the audience

Rajpal had also explained that children of actors or sportspersons may naturally receive early exposure due to their environment. However, he maintained that exposure does not guarantee achievement. In his view, both cinema and sports function on performance, where the audience and as he mentioned, the almighty determine who continues to succeed.

The historic first-ever Pakistan Super League (PSL) auction has officially concluded in Lahore on February 11, marking a seismic shift in the T20 franchise landscape. While the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi left several world-class stars out in the cold, the PSL franchises, bolstered by two new expansion teams, wasted no time in securing that elite talent. From marquee veterans to high-velocity pace bowlers, the ‘unsold’ list of the IPL has effectively become the ‘superstar’ list for the upcoming Pakistan Super League season.

List of players unsold in IPL 2026 but selected in the PSL Auction

The expansion of the PSL to eight teams (including the new Sialkot Stallionz and Hyderabad Kingsmen) created a massive vacuum for international quality, which was filled by players who surprisingly found no takers in the IPL. While the IPL franchises prioritized domestic Indian uncapped talent and specific role-players, the PSL teams leaned into proven international experience. The following table highlights the key players who went unsold in the IPL 2026 auction but were successfully picked up, often for massive sums, in the PSL 2026 auction and direct signing window:

Player IPL 2026 and PSL 2026 Status

Also READ: Multan Sultans’ PSL exit: New owner and record sale price unveiled after rebranding to Rawalpindi

‘New Era’ of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 

The PSL 2026 season has officially rewritten the history books. Not only did it successfully bridge the gap for international stars who missed out on the IPL, but it also transformed the league’s fundamental structure to compete on a global scale. The 2026 season marks the most significant evolution in the league’s decade-long history, headlined by the expansion from six to eight franchises.

The addition of the Sialkot Stallionz and Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen (along with the transition of the Multan Sultans into Team Rawalpindi) has injected fresh capital and strategic depth into the competition. For the first time, the league ditched its traditional draft system in favor of a live player auction, allowing teams to engage in high-stakes bidding wars.

This shift saw domestic records shattered, with Naseem Shah becoming the most expensive local player at PKR 8.65 crore, while the new franchises were given a “Direct Overseas Signing” wildcard to secure global icons like Steve Smith (Sialkot) and Marnus Labuschagne (Hyderabad) before the bidding even began. With more matches, new venues like Sialkot’s historic grounds and Hyderabad’s Niaz Stadium, and a salary cap that has nearly doubled to accommodate world-class talent, PSL 2026 has positioned itself as the definitive alternative to the IPL for the world’s elite cricketers.

*Note*: While 79 players went unsold in the IPL, 56 of them were Indian players (like Deepak Hooda, Prithvi Shaw and Mahipal Lomror). Because of BCCI regulations, Indian players do not participate in the PSL. This is why you only see the overseas players from your list making the move.

Also READ: Shubman Gill’s close friend Agni Chopra responds to PSL registration rumours

NEW DELHI: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Thursday said he has moved a substantive motion in the Lok Sabha against the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of misleading the country with the help of “anti-India forces.”Dubey said he is seeking the termination of Gandhi’s parliamentary membership and a lifetime ban on him from contesting elections.“I have moved a motion in Lok Sabha today against Rahul Gandhi on how he is misleading the nation with the help of forces like (George) Soros, who want to harm the nation. In the motion I have moved, I have requested that Rahul Gandhi’s membership should be terminated and he should be barred for life from contesting elections,” Dubey was quoted as saying by ANI. When asked about the motion brought against him, Rahul responded, “do they give you some keywords?”The motion comes a day after Gandhi’s speech in the Lok Sabha in which he accused the Centre of compromising national interests.In his address, Gandhi said the government had acknowledged a global shift marked by the end of a single superpower era, rising geopolitical conflicts, and the weaponisation of energy and finance. Despite this, he alleged, the government had allowed the United States to weaponise energy and financial systems in ways that affect India.“You yourself admit that we are facing a global storm that the era of one superpower is over, that geopolitical conflicts are intensifying, and that energy and finance are being weaponised. Yet, despite acknowledging this reality, you have allowed the United States to weaponise energy and financial systems in ways that impact us. When America says we cannot buy oil from a particular country, it effectively means our energy security is being dictated externally that energy itself is being weaponised against us. Are you not ashamed of this? I am saying you have compromised India’s interests,” Rahul had said.

Priyanka Gandhi hits out at Centre

Meanwhile, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi slammed BJP for moving a motion against the LoP and said that “Rahul Gandhi won’t be affected by all these.”“What all they will do – privilege notice, FIR, case – let them do whatever they want. Rahul Gandhi won’t be affected by all these.”“Whatever they are doing is completely wrong. They are betraying the farmers. The kind of trade deal they have signed will result is sufferings for farmers. We are supporting the labour unions in their strike today,” she added.