As tensions escalate in the boiling Middle Eastern region, residents and travellers are scrambling to catch the first outbound flights. Yet, many Indian blue-collar workers remain behind, choosing to stay for their jobs and to support their families rather than return home. While salaries continue to be paid on schedule, recruiters caution that a prolonged conflict could eventually trigger layoffs.“Indian workers in the Gulf earn between Rs 30,000 and Rs 1,00,000 per month, nearly double what they would at home,” Kartik Narayan, CEO of Apna.co told ET. He added that roughly 65-70% of the nine million Indians in the region are employed in construction, oil, services, and other labour-intensive sectors.Farhan Azmi, founder of Futurz Staffing Solutions, which places Indian workers in the Gulf, noted that many have been asked to take mandatory leave as tensions rise. The US-Israel conflict with Iran, which has triggered retaliatory strikes on US allies in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, entered its 18th day on Tuesday.Prashant Pachisia, founder and director of 2COMS Group, which recently began sending workers to the Gulf, said that demand for labour has declined since the conflict started. “Yet workers are not returning as of now; only those in corporate roles are considering returning until normalcy resumes,” he added.Aditya Mishra, chief executive of CIEL HR, explained that sectors such as construction, logistics, shipping, and hospitality could face temporary workforce adjustments if the conflict slows infrastructure projects or disrupts trade and energy flows.Suchita Dutta, executive director of the Indian Staffing Federation, echoed these concerns, adding that worsening conditions could reduce the Indian workforce in Gulf sectors that rely heavily on foreign labour, potentially affecting job security.Experts also anticipate a possible surge in hiring once the conflict ends, as many projects are currently on hold.Manmeet Singh, CEO of FirstMeridian Global & InnovSource, said that the UAE and Saudi Arabia host the largest number of Indian workers, followed by Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain. “Many support four to five family members back home, so they are continuing in their roles while monitoring the situation,” he told ET.Employers are proceeding cautiously due to rising insurance costs, disrupted logistics, and project uncertainty, which has also slowed domestic blue-collar hiring. Singh added, “Export-oriented units focused on the Middle East and Europe, which once ran three shifts, are now operating one or two shifts.”

Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal tied the knot in December 2021 and since then they’ve been serving couple goals. Infact, the internet is in love with Vicky as a husband and calls him a green flag with just the way he talks about his wife and looks at her. Which is why, netizens are shocked to see this viral video of the actor. In this video, shared on Reddit and several other platforms, Vicky can be seen attending a wedding celebration. Vicky stepped on stage and addressed the groom. Referencing his famous line from Uri: The Surgical Strike directed by Aditya Dhar, he said, “Sir, mujhe aap se ek hi sawal poochna hai. How’s the josh?” The audience erupted in cheers as the actor recreated the dialogue that became iconic after the film’s release.Encouraged by the crowd’s reaction, Vicky continued with a light-hearted remark about married life. Turning to the audience, he added, “Dekha? Humesha maine yeh dekha hai bachelors ka josh humesha high rehta hai. Hum shaadhishuda waalo ke toh thode se josh (made a hand gesture like a crashing plane) saal bhar saal… Actually Akash ko tension lene ki zarurat nahi hai, 4 din mein josh kum nahi hota. Haina? But ek baar main chahta hun aap room se pooche ‘how’s the josh’, and we all know what to say: ‘high sir’. Correct?”

The comment quickly made its way to social media, where several users criticised the joke. Some netizens argued that if other married actors had made a similar remark, the reaction would have been far harsher. The reactions also referenced actors Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh. One user wrote, “If ranbir had said this, there would have been numerous reels, podcasts, posts on x , reddit and Instagram telling us all how he is the worst husband ever,” while another echoed the sentiment, “I am no Ranbir fan but I agree…If Ranbir or even Ranveer had said this, there would’ve been arrest warrant out on them by now….Somehow nobody cares what anyone else says, not just Vicky….”

Other comments also called the joke outdated. One read, “we’re seriously STILL making misogynistic “marriage” jokes in 2026? should’ve left these on comedy nights with kapil in 2016,” while another netizen remarked, “If Ranbir or Ranveer had said this, by now IG and X would be on fire. Vicky somehow always gets away.” Vicky and Katrina entered a new phase in their personal lives after welcoming their first child last year. The actor recently just showered love on Katrina as he spoke about how strong she’s been through her pregnancy and now while being a mother. At an event by The Hollywood Reporter India, when he was on stage, Neha Dhupia asked him, “How is it being a brand new dad?” Responding to it, Vicky said, “He is three months old right now, there’s very little a dad has to do when the baby is three months old, I’m just trying to be a cheerleader and I’m waiting for him to grow up so I can contribute more. Right now, the mother is being the superhero and she’s been a warrior through her pregnancy and she’s been a warrior as a mother as well. I’m so incredibly proud of her and I love her so much.”

The cricketing world and the political corridors of Uttar Pradesh converged in a spectacular display of celebration as India’s star spinner, Kuldeep Yadav, hosted his wedding reception in Lucknow. Fresh off the historic high of India’s back-to-back T20 World Cup triumphs, the chinaman bowler traded his blue jersey for a dapper black suit to celebrate his union with childhood sweetheart, Vanshika Singh. The event, held on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at the luxurious Centrum Hotel, was nothing short of a royal affair, marked by the presence of the state’s highest dignitaries and the glitterati of Indian cricket.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath blesses the newlyweds in Lucknow

The highlight of the evening was the arrival of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who took time out of his schedule to personally congratulate the couple. In a heartwarming moment that quickly went viral, Kuldeep was seen seeking the Chief Minister’s blessings by touching his feet, a gesture of traditional respect that resonated deeply with fans online. CM Yogi later took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a photograph from the venue, offering his best wishes:

“Today, in Lucknow, I participated in the post-wedding reception ceremony of Indian cricketer Shri Kuldeep Yadav Ji, and offered blessings to the newlyweds.”

आज लखनऊ में भारतीय क्रिकेटर श्री कुलदीप यादव जी के शुभ विवाह उपरांत आयोजित प्रीतिभोज समारोह में सम्मिलित होकर नव दंपति को आशीर्वाद प्रदान किया।@imkuldeep18 pic.twitter.com/owe86uHpT2

— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) March 17, 2026

The reception followed an intimate wedding ceremony held on March 14 at the historic Welcomhotel The Savoy in Mussoorie. While the wedding was a private affair against the Himalayan backdrop, the Lucknow reception was a star-studded gala. The guest list featured a “who’s who” of Indian cricket, including India head coach Gautam Gambhir, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Longtime teammates and close friends like Yuzvendra Chahal, Suresh Raina, and Rinku Singh were also seen enjoying the festivities, which featured a grand entrance by the couple in a vintage Rolls-Royce.

Here’s the video:

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath attends the wedding reception of Indian cricket team’s World Cup-winning star spinner Kuldeep Yadav and Vanshika in Lucknow. pic.twitter.com/CINl4hAEyG

— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2026

Also WATCH: Telangana CM Revanth Reddy honours T20 World Champion Tilak Varma on his Hyderabad arrival

BCCI VP Rajeev Shukla hails Kuldeep Yadav’s contribution to Indian cricket

Beyond the glamour, the evening served as a tribute to Kuldeep’s pivotal role in India’s recent sporting dominance. Speaking to reporters at the venue, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla was full of praise for the spinner, acknowledging his journey from the streets of Kanpur to becoming a world champion.

“He has contributed a lot to Indian cricket. Today, his wedding reception is taking place here. We have all come here to give him blessings. He is a very capable player,” Shukla remarked. He also took the opportunity to look ahead, noting that while the players are currently in a celebratory mood, the cricketing calendar remains packed with the IPL 2026 set to kick off on March 28.

The timing of the wedding adds a poetic layer to Kuldeep’s career. Having recently secured a second consecutive T20 World Cup title after a dominant final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad, the bowler described this period as the most important phase of his life. For Kuldeep and Vanshika, who have been together since his Under-12 days, this celebration in the heart of Uttar Pradesh was the perfect “homecoming” after a gruelling and successful international season.

Also READ: IPL 2026: Dwayne Bravo, Matthew Hayden and others to participate in CSK reunion at Chepauk

Shubman Gill (Pic credit: Gill’s X post)

NEW DELHI: India captain Shubman Gill delivered a powerful message after being named the winner of the prestigious Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Men) for 2025, underlining the weight of expectations that come with representing one of the world’s top sides.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Speaking after receiving the honour at the BCCI’s Naman Awards, Gill highlighted the collective effort behind India’s rise as a dominant force, while stressing that their reputation as favourites has been hard-earned.“It’s efforts by everyone — whether it’s Gauti bhai, the batting coach, bowling coach, fielding coach; they all work tirelessly to make this group what it is today. That’s why we are recognised as one of the most fearless teams in the world, and wherever we go, we are looked upon as favourites. That tag doesn’t come easy,” Gill said.

The 26-year-old also reflected on the significance of joining an elite list of past winners, calling the recognition deeply special.“Obviously, it feels quite amazing to be recognised among cricketers, among the legends and idols that have won this award before me. It’s truly a great honour every time you step on the field to represent your country… and to do well in that sport and be recognised by the BCCI is an immense honour,” he added.Shubman Gill credits Gambhir and support staffGill credited head coach Gautam Gambhir and the wider support staff, including the Centre of Excellence, for shaping the team’s fearless approach.Reflecting on the past year, Gill termed it an “amazing journey,” pointing to India’s resilience during the England series. “Going into the England series and coming back to draw the series from where we were after the first Test match… it’s been a truly great year,” he said, also referencing strong outings in the West Indies and the Asia Cup.Looking ahead, Gill acknowledged the importance of the upcoming Test calendar, with crucial series against Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Australia set to define India’s World Test Championship hopes.“We’ve got some really crucial Test series coming up. Hopefully we are able to win most of our matches and qualify for the finals,” he said.Despite the accolades, Gill downplayed discussions around legacy, focusing instead on team identity. “We want to be looked upon… as a team that doesn’t give up easily. We want to instil that kind of character,” he noted.