Sudarshan Patnaik creates sand art on PM Modi’s birthday, praises his unwavering support to artists

IANS | September 17, 2026 2:28 PM

Bhubaneswar, September 17 (IANS) Padma Shri and award-winning sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik has created an enticing sand art, with thousands of diyas, on the coastal beaches of Odisha, to greet the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 76th birthday. Extending birthday wishes, he said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India is rapidly progressing in the areas of infrastructure, technology, economy and culture.

PM Modi urges young talent to actively participate in developing advanced tech

IANS | September 17, 2026 2:25 PM

New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) Highlighting the strategic advantage of India's demographic dividend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hailed the vast pool of engineering talent and the extensive skilling initiatives specifically tailored for chip designing.

Catherine Zeta-Jones pens b’day note for dad on 80th b’day: I'm the luckiest girl in the world

IANS | September 17, 2026 2:25 PM

Mumbai, Sep 17 (IANS) On her father’s 80th birthday, Oscar-winning star Catherine Zeta-Jones penned a birthday note and called herself the “luckiest girl in the world” to have a dad like him.

Richie Mehta says he intended to strip away mythology and reveal human in Phoolan Devi with his biopic

IANS | September 17, 2026 2:23 PM

Mumbai, Sep 17 (IANS) Filmmaker Richie Mehta, whose biopic ‘Phoolan’ received a standing ovation at the 51st Toronto International Film Festival, has said that the outlaw, on whom the film is based, was a “misunderstood legend”. For him, it was imperative to strip away the mythology and reveal the human underneath.

Birthday wishes pour in from across the world for PM Modi

IANS | September 17, 2026 2:21 PM

Roseau, Sep 17 (IANS) As greetings continue to pour in for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday, Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit on Thursday extended heartfelt wishes to the Indian leader, wishing him good health and strength in his service to the nation.

UPI MDR changes must balance security and rising costs: CII President

IANS | September 17, 2026 2:13 PM

New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) The recent changes related to the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions need to balance the objective of maintaining secure digital payments with the increased capital expenditure required to support the system, CII President R Mukundan said on Thursday.

Amol Parashar on most valuable birthday gift: Somebody’s time and attention is more valuable

IANS | September 17, 2026 2:03 PM

Mumbai, Sep 17 (IANS) Actor Amol Parashar, who is celebrating his 40th birthday on Thursday, has spoken about what he values the most as a gesture from someone.

Haris Rauf 'trying to put' name forward for SL Tests after domestic five-for

IANS | September 17, 2026 1:59 PM

New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf is looking to make his Test cricket return as he wants to put his name forward for the red-ball series against Sri Lanka, which will take place in November this year.

Changed economic equation calls for redistribution of power in multilateral systems: UN chief

Arul Louis | September 17, 2026 1:56 PM

United Nations, Sept 17 (IANS) The changed global economic equation with the rise of developed countries calls for redistribution of power through the reform of international financial institutions and the Security Council, according to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

'Something special in Gujarat soil’: Titans recalls Vadnagar visit on PM Modi’s birthday

IANS | September 17, 2026 1:55 PM

New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) Gujarat Titans on Thursday marked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday by sharing a video from the IPL franchise’s visit to Vadnagar last year, taking a look back at a trip that connected the team with the town where the Prime Minister was born.