‘Hanuman Chalisa gave him confidence’: Dhirendra Shastri praises Captain Smit Machchhar’s courage

IANS | October 4, 2026 12:15 PM

New Delhi, Oct 4 (IANS) Spiritual leader Dhirendra Shastri, popularly known as Bageshwar Maharaj, on Sunday recalled the account of Captain Smit Machchhar’s fight to save passengers during the attack aboard a Dubai-Tel Aviv flydubai flight, saying the pilot’s faith in Lord Hanuman and recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa gave him the confidence to confront the crisis.

Kerala govt orders fresh vigilance probe into 2006 case linked to CEC Gyanesh Kumar

IANS | October 4, 2026 10:00 AM

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 4 (IANS) Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Sunday ordered a fresh Vigilance inquiry into allegations involving Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar during his tenure as the state’s Public Works Department Secretary, following a petition submitted by Congress leader Malayinkeezhu Venugopal.