NEW DELHI: Kerosene oil, which has made a comeback for household use across several states and UTs, will be primarily made available through ration shops and, in some cases, from retail outlets of public sector oil marketing companies for cooking and lighting purposes. The Centre on Thursday allocated 48,000 kilolitres (kl) of additional kerosene to states on top of the regular quota of 1 lakh kl for use as cooking fuel.Most of the states have phased out kerosene use in the last 10 years, and consumers will have to either dig out their old stoves or hunt for new ones.

Similarly, several eateries that have moved from coal-fired tandoors to gas-based ovens will now have to go back to the old fuel and fix the tandoors.Officials said the provision of increased allocation has been made considering that it’s relatively simple to manufacture the fuel on an industrial scale by refining crude oil and can be used for cooking.“It was found to be an easy additional source for fuel for cooking purposes when we looked at alternative options in the light of reduced availability of LNG due to the conflict in West Asia. There have been demands from some of the coastal states to increase the allocation since a lot of kerosene is used by fishing boats,” said an official.A petroleum ministry circular said that the scale and criteria for distribution of kerosene will be decided by state and UT govts. They will also ensure that the kerosene allocated for PDS isn’t diverted for adulteration of petrol, diesel or for any other “unintended use”. They will also consider prioritising allocation of the fuel to rural households.It added that states and UTs may lift the entire allocation of kerosene within 45 days, and no carry-forward would be allowed for unlifted quantity. The ministry said that in kerosene-free districts, the food and civil supply department can identify 1-2 rural locations in every district for delivery and distribution of PDS kerosene.There are about five lakh ration shops across India. “We are fully prepared to take up this task and had made the request to govt early this week. This will bring some relief to the poor and rural population. The oil marketing companies will provide kerosene to states, and it will then be delivered to ration shops for sale. In most cases, around half a litre per capita per month would be distributed,” said Biswambhar Basu, national general secretary of All India Fair Price Shop Dealers’ Association.

AGRA: A wedding in Muzaffarnagar’s Khatauli area was halted on Tuesday after two grooms arrived with separate baraats at the bride’s house, each claiming he was supposed to marry her. The situation escalated after a villager alerted Child Helpline alleging that the girl was a minor, prompting officials and police to intervene.Police said the dispute began when both grooms — who had travelled from Shamli and Meerut — reached the village with their wedding processions and claimed the marriage had been fixed with them. Arguments broke out between the families and villagers as each side insisted the ceremony was meant for them. “Both sides were claiming that the wedding had been finalised with them and the situation became tense,” a police officer present at the spot said.District Child Helpline coordinator Sachin Kumar said his team reached the village along with supervisor Bhubaneswar after receiving the alert about a possible child marriage. “The family members could not produce any document verifying the girl’s age,” Kumar said. “We took the girl to the one-stop centre and she will be produced before the Child Welfare Committee for further assistance.” Officials added that her age would be determined through a medical examination.

The bride’s father told police that his daughter’s marriage had originally been fixed six months ago with Pradeep Kumar, 20, a resident of Babri village in Shamli district. However, Kumar’s brother died on Monday, a day before the scheduled ceremony, and the groom’s family said they would inform the bride’s side whether the wedding would go ahead. “They told us they would confirm whether the ceremony would take place, but we did not receive any final message,” the father said.

Image Credit: TOI

With preparations already under way, the family fixed another match on Monday evening with Akash, a resident of Diggi village under Medical police station limits in Meerut. On Tuesday, both men arrived with their baraats, leading to arguments between the families and confusion in the village.SHO Dinesh Chand of Khatauli police station said police reached the spot after receiving information about the commotion. “Our team assisted the Child Helpline officials and the girl was sent to the one-stop centre,” he said, adding that further action would follow as per legal procedures.

Following India’s historic title defense at the T20 World Cup 2026, star spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Washington Sundar have traded their cricket spikes for walking shoes. On Wednesday, the Tamil Nadu duo was spotted at the sacred town of Tiruvannamalai, fulfilling a deeply personal spiritual vow (prarthana) by completing the 14 km Girivalam around the holy Arunachala Hill.

The Men in Blue, under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav, recently secured a thumping 96-run victory over New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. While the nation erupted in celebration, Chakravarthy and Sundar headed south to offer gratitude for the triumph. The Girivalam is a centuries-old tradition where devotees walk clockwise around the hill, which is considered a manifestation of Lord Shiva.

Varun Chakravarthy and Washington Sundar undertake 14 km Girivalam pilgrimage after T20 World Cup win

For the two cricketers, this wasn’t just a casual visit but the fulfillment of a promise made before the tournament began. In videos circulating on social media, the athletes were seen blending in with thousands of pilgrims, dressed in simple attire as they navigated the 14 km perimeter of the hill.

The Arunachaleswarar Temple, one of the largest and most significant Shiva temples in India, serves as the spiritual epicenter of this journey. Performing the Girivalam, especially after a career-defining achievement like a World Cup win, is a practice rooted in the Bhakti tradition of Tamil Nadu. Fans and locals who recognized the stars were moved by their humility, noting that despite the glitz of international cricket, the players remained connected to their cultural roots.

After completing the trek in the evening, the duo entered the inner sanctum of the temple to seek the blessings of the deity. The timing of their visit is significant, as India’s victory on March 8 has cemented a new era of dominance in the shortest format of the game, and for Chakravarthy, it marked a personal redemption on the world stage.

Here’s the video:

Indian team cricketers Varun Chakravarthy & Washington Sunder fulfilled their vow of doing Girivalam in Thiruvannamalai

Girivalam is a sacred 14-kilometre circumambulation (walking around) of the Arunachala Hill in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu.The hill itself is considered a… pic.twitter.com/rtEFP9Mnnr

— Sheetal Chopra 🇮🇳 (@SheetalPronamo) March 12, 2026

Also READ: Irfan Pathan explains why MI vs RCB would be the biggest clash of IPL 2026

From World Cup glory to IPL 2026: What lies ahead for the spin duo?

Chakravarthy’s performance in the 2026 edition was nothing short of sensational. Finishing as the joint-highest wicket-taker with 14 scalps, his mystery spin proved to be the undoing of many top-tier batting lineups. Although his wicket-taking slowed down during the high-pressure Super 8s, his foundational work in the group stages was instrumental in India’s unbeaten run.

Sundar, while playing a more supporting role in this specific campaign with appearances against the Netherlands and South Africa, remains a vital cog in India’s white-ball setup due to his all-round capabilities.

As the celebrations wind down, the focus shifts immediately to the domestic circuit. Both players are set to join their respective franchises for IPL 2026. Chakravarthy returns to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where he remains a cornerstone of their bowling attack after being retained for INR 12 crore. Meanwhile, Washington Sundar will head to the Gujarat Titans (GT) camp, looking to justify his INR 3.2 crore retention with a standout season. Carrying the Prasadam and the momentum of a World Cup win, the duo looks ready to dominate the upcoming T20 summer.

Also READ: Faf du Plessis picks a player who will be ‘under most pressure’ in IPL 2026

Sumit Antil in Paris Paralympics 2024. (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: India enjoyed a dominant day at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix, with Paralympic champion Sumit Antil leading the charge by winning gold in the men’s javelin throw (F43/F44/F64). The double Paralympic gold medallist produced a powerful throw of 69.25 metres to secure the top spot. Fellow Indians Pushpendra Singh and Poonam Ram completed the podium with silver and bronze respectively.Antil admitted that his winning throw was better than he had expected. “This time we have multiple tournaments lined up. I will try to perform well in the upcoming competitions. It is an off-season loading phase for me. I was not expecting such a throw; I expected around 67-68m, but the throw was good today at 69.25m. So I am happy, and my team is happy as well,” he said.The 27-year-old from Sonipat, Haryana, added that he is focusing on improving gradually rather than changing his technique. “I am not changing my technique because we know we are moving in the right direction in our training. Right now, we just need the right conditions where the throw falls perfectly in place. That is why I am participating in tournaments so I can find those conditions somewhere,” he added.Looking ahead, Antil has already set a major target for the season. “I am targeting the Asian Games, and the goal is 75m. I haven’t achieved it yet in practice, and no athlete has done it yet, but I am working on whatever improvements are possible in technique or strength to reach that mark.”India’s success was not limited to javelin, as several athletes delivered medal-winning performances across track and field events. The country dominated multiple races and throwing events, including the 400m races, shot put, long jump, discus throw, and javelin, with Indian athletes frequently sweeping the podium.Overall, it was another impressive outing for India’s para-athletics contingent, showcasing strong depth and momentum ahead of upcoming international competitions.

NEW DELHI: In an unusual development, Trinamool Congress MPs had sought an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu to apprise her about the welfare initiatives taken by the West Bengal government. However, the Rashtrapati Bhavan turned down their request, citing “paucity of time”, as per sources.This comes after a political row erupted over allegations of protocol lapses during Murmu’s visit on March 7 to West Bengal. The President had on Saturday expressed displeasure over the change of venue of the Santal conference, which she attended in the state, and the absence of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and her ministers during her visit.According to a source, a senior TMC leader wrote to President Murmu on March 9 submitting that a delegation of AITC comprising members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and the ministers of West Bengal want to meet her at a time convenient to her to share with her the many initiatives by the state govt for the inclusive development of all sections of society and special measures taken for upliftment and improvement of quality of like of SC, ST and OBC communities.In the letter, the TMC leader, as per sources, had requested that the President give an appointment for this week itself for a 12-15-member delegation to meet her.However, Rashtrapati Bhavan sent a communication informing the TMC that its request was considered but could not be acceded to due to “paucity of time”, the source claimed and added that the TMC has yet again written to the President’s office, requesting time next week.Besides this, TMC chief whip MP Nadimul Haque has written to Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan seeking expunction of what he has alleged to be “factually incorrect details” raised during zero hour on Wednesday by BJP MP Baburam Nishad on concern over alleged protocol violation during the visit of the President to West Bengal.The TMC MP has cited the rule book on the conduct of business to highlight certain rules applicable to members while speaking in the House. For instance, he has cited Rule 238 (v), which states that a member, while speaking, shall not reflect upon the conduct of persons in high authority unless the discussion is based on a substantive motion drawn in proper terms.Haque also referred to Rule 238 (vi), which states that members shall not use the President’s name for the purpose of influencing the debate.He also added that “making a misleading statement deliberately may be treated as a breach of privilege and contempt of the House”.

Mumbai: In a development that could ease immediate concerns over energy shipments, at least one India-bound crude tanker has safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz, offering tentative relief to the shipping and energy trade amid escalating tensions in West Asia.Sources said two Indian tankers, ‘Pushpak’ and ‘Parimal’, were allowed to pass after diplomatic talks over safe passage for energy cargo. It may be mentioned that an India-bound crude tanker, Shenlong Suezmax, that crossed the war-hit strait has already reached Mumbai at MbPA’s Jawahar Dweep. It is captained by an Indian national.Shenlong Suezmax, carrying approximately 135,335 metric tonnes (or roughly 1 million barrels) of crude oil, had departed from the Saudi port on March 1 and reached Mumbai, becoming the first India-destined vessel to safely navigate the strategic waterway to reach the Indian shores amid the intense fighting in the Gulf.Though there is no official confirmation that the Indian captain activated the “dark mode” and navigated the ship towards Mumbai from the “blocked” Strait of Hormuz by switching off automatic identification system tracking (a radio-based system used by the maritime industry to monitor and track vessel movements in real time), a source told TOI, “GPS signals are pretty erratic in the Strait. In a war-like situation, the AIS tracking system is switched off.”The source also informed that “another ship is also on its way to Mumbai”. As per some reports, the second oil vessel may land in Mumbai on Saturday.As far as the latest attacks on ships are concerned, though sources have confirmed that a Thai cargo vessel was hit by projectiles with crew missing, it is not confirmed that one of the ships hit was Indian-flagged. Sources said insurance and war-risk premiums for ships have surged due to attacks and mines in the strait putting burden on pricing. Reports say dozens of Indian oil and LPG tankers are waiting near Hormuz amid the conflict.Industry sources said the latest vessel’s passage through the Strait of Hormuz indicates that maritime movement through the strategic waterway may not be completely halted, though the situation remains volatile. The Strait of Hormuz, which handles nearly a fifth of global oil trade, has seen heightened security risks following missile and drone attacks on merchant ships in the region.Shipping officials said several vessels have come under attack in recent days, with Indian crew members among the casualties on merchant ships operating near Gulf shipping lanes. Sources said dozens of oil and LPG tankers linked to Indian trade are waiting near Gulf waters amid uncertainty over safe passage.The tensions have also driven global crude prices above $100 per barrel amid fears of prolonged disruption to one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. For India, which imports most of its crude and a substantial portion of LPG from West Asia, any sustained disruption could affect shipping schedules, freight costs and fuel availability.The uncertainty follows earlier disruptions across the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which forced several container lines to divert vessels through the longer Cape of Good Hope route.Sunil Vaswani, executive director of the Container Shipping Lines Association (India), said two Indian ships are currently on their way and the industry hopes they reach safely. Shipping lines have handled similar crises before, he said, though rerouting adds 10–15 days to voyage time and increases operational costs.Exporters say the disruption is already causing congestion at Indian ports as containers pile up amid cancelled sailings, though ports are managing refrigerated cargo to prevent spoilage.Meanwhile, Union petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri told Parliament that India has diversified energy sourcing and is importing gas from countries such as the US and Canada, insisting there is no need for panic over LPG availability.However, LPG dealers have questioned the claim. Kerosene dealer Kedar Chandak said shipments from North America take about 45 days to reach India compared with 10–12 days from West Asia. With India producing only around 40% of its gas needs, he warned that delays could worsen if tensions continue.Shipping and energy officials said the tanker’s safe passage offers some hope, but the coming days will determine whether Gulf trade stabilises or faces prolonged disruption.(Inputs by Surendra Singh)