Uttam Mohanty, Veteran Odia Actor in the Odia film industry, died on Thursday night at the age of 66 while being treated at a private hospital in Delhi. Mohanty, known for his unparalleled contributions to Odia film, died, leaving a loss in the hearts of admirers and the Odisha art community.

The actor, who had been suffering from significant liver problems, was evacuated to Delhi from Bhubaneswar on February 8 when his health worsened. Despite intense medical care, he succumbed to his health concerns, leaving a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations. According to his medical staff, he was admitted to the hospital in critical condition four days ago and was on ventilator support.

He married Aparajita Mohanty, another well-known name in Odia cinema, and their son, Babushaan, has carried on the family history as a significant figure in the business.

Mohanty’s career spanned four decades, beginning in 1977 with the film Abhimaan. He went on to appear in more than 135 films, including classics like Nijhum Ratira Sathi (1979), Phula Chandana (1982), Jhiati Sita Pari (1983), and Danda Balunga (1984). His diverse performance earned him numerous awards, including the prestigious Jayadeb Puraskar in 1999 and the Odisha Living Legend Award in 2012. He also dabbled in Bengali cinema and TV serials, leaving a lasting impression on regional entertainment.

The Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, expressed his deep sadness following Mohanty’s death, stating on Twitter: “I am deeply saddened to learn about the demise of Odisha’s famous and popular actor, Sikkli Mohanty.” His departure has left an enormous vacuum in the Odia art scene. His legacy in the Odia art field will live on in the audience’s hearts. I pray for eternal peace for his soul and extend my heartfelt condolences to the grieving family.”

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also expressed his sympathies in a tweet, writing, “I am saddened and shocked to hear the news of the demise of Odisha’s prominent actor and the evergreen hero of the Odia film world, Bikli Mohanty.” He was more than just an artist; he felt like a member of my family. His long-term contribution to the Odia film industry was unrivaled. His most notable accomplishments were the movie Ramayana, Phulachandan, Sita Pari Nanditi, and others. His immaculate and vibrant performance made him renowned with the Odia audience. His death has left a vacuum in Odisha’s artistic community. Odisha lost a yoga janma. He will rule over the hearts of the Odia people for a long time. Wishing the eternal soul peace and expressing condolences to the bereaved family.”

Uttam Mohanty’s death signals the end of an era in Odia cinema, but his memory will live on in the hearts of his followers and in the film business. With his demise, the Ollywood Industry has lost one of its most revered icons, and the people of Odisha will always remember his achievements.

Technical talents, such as software development and artificial intelligence knowledge, are in high demand, as are soft skills like communication and problem-solving. According to a LinkedIn research, more than 60% of HR professionals in the country believe AI-powered technologies may help streamline and accelerate the hiring process.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has progressed from a buzzword to a critical business strategy, with 98% of Indian company leaders emphasizing AI implementation for 2025, according to a new survey issued on Thursday.

The demand for technical skills such as software development and AI knowledge is increasing, as are vital soft skills like as communication and problem-solving. According to a LinkedIn research, more than 60% of HR professionals in the country feel AI-powered technologies may help streamline and expedite the hiring process.

“AI is reshaping how we hire and develop talent, but the real unlock isn’t just adopting AI—it’s making it work for the business,” said Ruchee Anand, LinkedIn’s India Country Head for Talent and Learning Solutions.

She stated that firms invest in AI tools without the necessary talent to fully realize their promise, resulting in a squandered opportunity. Around 84% see skill development as a major concern for 2025.

As AI becomes more integrated into the workplace, businesses prioritise staff training. They are particularly interested in AI training and crucial soft skills like as collaboration and communication.

Furthermore, all polled learning and development (L&D) experts in India feel that soft skills are becoming equally important as technical expertise. Despite the fast adoption of AI, obtaining trained talent remains a big barrier, according to the research.

According to the report, recruiters in India are having difficulty finding individuals with the perfect combination of AI and human abilities. Approximately 54% of HR experts believe that just half or fewer of job applicants meet the essential qualifications.

Many recruiters claim they receive an overwhelming number of applications from people that are unsuitable for the positions.

“To break this cycle, businesses need to approach hiring with a skills-first mindset — because while AI will be the tool that unlocks innovation, it’s human skills like creativity, communication, and collaboration that will help companies truly stay ahead of change,” Anand told me.

More than half of HR professionals in India now prefer to hire individuals who meet at least 80% of the job requirements. According to the research, this shift implies a hiring strategy that prioritizes quality above quantity.

Maha Shivratri is a prominent Hindu festival commemorating Shiva and Parvati’s marriage, as well as the performance of Shiva’s cosmic dance, the Tandava. It is also a chance to reflect on conquering ignorance and darkness.

Maha Shivratri is a significant day for Hindus because it is a time to connect with the divine, Lord Shiva, and recognize our oneness with the universe. To receive Lord Shiva’s blessings, devotees observe Maha Shivaratri as a day of fasting, prayer, and meditation. It is lucky for spiritual pursuits such as visiting Shiva temples, offering prayers, and doing rituals.

Maha Shivratri is popularly regarded as the holy marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. However, scholars argue that this incident is not mentioned in ancient books, such as the Shiva Purana.

According to the Shiva Purana, the Shivling appeared for the first time on the fourteenth day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Falgun, also known as Chaturdashi Tithi. Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma worshipped the Shivling on this day, which became known as Shivratri, a sacred occasion.

The President Droupadi Murmu wrote on X, “I extend my heartfelt greetings to all my countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri. I pray that the blessings of the Supreme God Mahadev remain on all of us and that our country continues to move ahead on the path of progress.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the nation on the auspicious festival of Maha Shivratri, wishing them pleasure, prosperity, and a stronger resolve to establish a ‘Viksit Bharat.’

Sharing a video on X, PM Modi wrote, “I wish all my countrymen a very happy Mahashivratri, a festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. May this divine occasion bring happiness, prosperity, and good health to all of you and also strengthen the resolve for a Viksit Bharat. Har Har Mahadev!”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also sent his Maha Shivratri greetings, emphasizing the festival’s profound spiritual and introspective significance and posted on X, “Heartiest greetings to all countrymen on the holy festival of Mahashivratri. This festival of the union of Shiva and Shakti is a great festival of spirituality, introspection, and faith. I pray to Devadhidev Mahadev for the welfare of all“.

People around the country are celebrating Maha Shivratri with tremendous devotion and excitement, visiting Lord Shiva temples and offering prayers.

On Monday, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra and Infosys co-founder and Chairman Nandan Nilekani stated that in order to establish a strong economy and achieve the ‘Viksit Bharat‘ vision, the country also requires a healthy population.

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi selected ten people to spearhead the fight against obesity, the ace industry executives on the list replied on social networking platform X, suggesting more famous pals to spread the word.

“To fulfill the aim of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047, we would require not just a robust economy but also a healthy populace. Making little improvements, such as using 10% less cooking oil, can add up to significant contributions, whether to your well-being, your budget, or a better world,” wrote Anand Mahindra, congratulating PM Modi for the campaign.

Nilekani expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for establishing the crucial #FightObesity campaign.

“Apart from a range of health-related benefits, reduced usage of edible oil will also strengthen the nation’s economy by reducing dependence on imports and saving valuable resources,” he told me.

Sudha Murty, a Rajya Sabha MP and member of PM Modi‘s nomination list, chose Biocon CEO Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and Indian Olympic Association President P.T. Usha to lead the fight against obesity.

The national obesity campaign aims to raise awareness about healthy food intake and is consistent with Prime Minister Modi’s Fit India vision.

The Prime Minister has advised residents to adopt healthy eating habits, notably by decreasing excessive oil intake. He emphasized that adopting informed nutritional choices is not just a personal option, but also a collective obligation to family and society.

For nearly two decades, Virat Kohli has been India’s most inventive batsman under duress. Virat Kohli’s superb undefeated century against Pakistan in the 2025 Champions Trophy stunned cricket fans, and social media exploded in delight of yet another clutch effort by the Indian batting ace at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.

With this triumph, India became the first team to advance to the 2025 Champions Trophy semi-finals.

Chasing 242 for victory, Shreyas Iyer scored a calm but authoritative 56, creating a crucial partnership with Virat Kohli to lead India home in 42.3 overs. With two successive losses, Pakistan is on the verge of elimination from the tournament. A victory for New Zealand over Bangladesh on Monday would formally terminate Pakistan’s campaign.

In the first innings, Kuldeep Yadav bowled wonderfully, taking 3-40, while Hardik Pandya took 2-31. An outstanding all-round bowling performance enabled India defeat Pakistan for 241 in 49.4 overs.

Pakistan’s hitters got off to a poor start after deciding to bat first, but unable to score immediately. The only significant partnership was a 104-run stand between Saud Shakeel (62) and Mohammad Rizwan (46), which moved at a slow pace. Pakistan fell from a comfortable 151-2 to 241 all out, wasting an opportunity to score a higher total.

Aside from Kuldeep and Hardik, Harshit Rana, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel all grabbed one wicket as India picked up wickets consistently, particularly in the middle overs, for the first time in the competition, despite allowing 17 extras.

Hardik made India’s first breakthrough by pulling back his length and delivering outside the off-stump, causing Babar Azam to nick behind to KL Rahul, who reacted quickly to his right to grab a low catch.

Imam-ul-Haq struggled to establish rhythm in his first ODI since the 2023 World Cup and was dismissed for 10 runs off 26 balls. Despite a desperate dive, Axar Patel’s hard hit from mid-field fell well short of the crease.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami returned to the attack looking much sharper as India tightened its hold on Pakistan, surrendering only one boundary between the 11th and 20th overs and limiting them to just 27 runs. With the pitch providing some grip, India successfully put Rizwan and Shakeel under pressure.

However, around the midway point, Pakistan began to accelerate. Rizwan swept Jadeja for four via square leg, while Shakeel collected boundaries against Kuldeep with the reverse sweep and conventional sweep. Shakeel scored his fourth ODI fifty in 69 balls, and both hitters hit the fence against Jadeja once more.

As Pakistan upped its scoring rate, India’s attempt to break the partnership resulted in some wasted opportunities. Shakeel avoided a missed straight shot, and Rana dropped a difficult running ball at midwicket, giving Rizwan a reprieve at 44. However, Axar Patel made sure Rizwan didn’t take advantage, dismissing him for 46 after clean-bowling him.

India could have dismissed Shakeel in the same over, but Kuldeep lost a catch at wide long on. Hardik quickly dismissed Shakeel by fooling him with a slower short ball that he pulled straight to deep mid-wicket.

Pakistan’s problems worsened when Jadeja bowled Tayyab Tahir, resulting in three wickets for 11 runs between the 34th and 37th overs.

The decline continued as Kuldeep Yadav took over, removing Salman Ali Agha at cover point, trapping Shaheen Shah Afridi lbw with a googly, and catching Naseem Shah at far on. Khushdil Shah and Haris Rauf each blasted sixes off Shami, but their efforts were short-lived, as both fell swiftly, leaving Pakistan with a disappointing total of 241 on a field that was predicted to slow down as the match went.

India cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar wrote, “A perfect ending to the most awaited match. A real knockout! Team India Superb knocks by @imVkohli, @ShreyasIyer15, and @ShubmanGill, and wonderful bowling by our bowlers especially @imkuldeep18 and @hardikpandya7!”

“Come the hour come the man ! King kohli at his best @imVkohli #goat great well played @ShreyasIyer15 @ShubmanGill looked like a one sided game for well bowled bowling unit specially @hardikpandya7 @imkuldeep18 #IndiaVsPak #ChampionsTrophy2025,” post by Yuvraj Singh on X.

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif wrote, “On a tough pitch Virat kohli does it again.. loves batting against Pakistan.. great player, great ambassador. #INDvsPAK.”

“Predicted Virat will score 100 Today and India will Win @imVkohli. Hindustan Zindabaad,” posted Harbhajan Singh on X.

Former India cricketerr Wasim Jaffer wrote, “Cometh the hour cometh the King! Well played @imVkohli #INDvPAK #ChampionsTrophy.”

Brief Scores: Pakistan 241 all out in 49.4 overs (Saud Shakeel 62, Mohammad Rizwan 46; Kuldeep Yadav 3-40, Hardik Pandya 2-31)
India 244/4 in 42.3 overs (Virat Kohli 100 not out, Shreyas Iyer 56; Shaheen Afridi 2-74, Abrar Ahmed 1-28 ) won by six wickets.

In the midst of a spike in digital payments, with over four out of every five payments in the country done via the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in FY24, UPI has emerged as the dominating force driving financial inclusion, merchant adoption, and cross-border transactions.

According to a new industry report, UPI now accounts for 84 percent of all digital transactions in India.

According to a report by fintech consulting and advising firm The Digital Fifth, UPI is more than simply a payment system; it is a whole financial ecosystem that is transforming India’s digital economy.

“With UPI handling 16 billion transactions per month and expected to triple by the end of 2030, the role of robust, high-resilience switching infrastructure becomes paramount,” says Sameer Singh Jaini, Founder and CEO of The Digital Fifth.

Real-time fraud detection, cloud-native architecture, and scalable, dual-core switches are no longer options; they are required to ensure seamless, safe, and fail-proof digital payments as India progresses toward a completely cashless, globally linked economy, he stated.

Between 2021 and 2024, UPI transactions increased fourfold, reaching 172 billion per year. It now dominates digital payments, outperforming card-based and wallet transactions.

With over 30 million merchants onboarded on UPI, the merchant-to-consumer (P2M) segment is increasing at a 67% annual rate, exceeding peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions and signaling UPI’s transition into the primary retail payment system, the report stated.

According to the RBI, digital payments in India grew by 11.1% year on year (YoY) in September 2024.According to the analysis, the UPI’s share of the country’s digital payments has increased from 34% in 2019 to an outstanding 83% in 2024, with a spectacular CAGR (cumulative average growth rate) of 74% over the last five years.

At the macro level, the volume of UPI transactions grew from 375 crore in 2018 to 17,221 crore in 2024, while the total value of transactions went from Rs 5.86 lakh crore in 2018 to Rs 246.83 lakh crore in 2024.

On February 21, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will open the highly anticipated first edition of the SOUL (School of Ultimate Leadership) Leadership Conclave at the Bharat Mandapam in the national capital. On this occasion, PM Modi will also address the audience, sharing insights on the importance of leadership in today’s world.

The two-day conclave, which begins on February 21, will provide a prime forum for leaders from a variety of fields, including politics, sports, arts and media, the spiritual realm, public policy, business, and the social sector. These notable individuals will share their remarkable life stories and highlight key areas of leadership in order to motivate young audiences.

The conclave aims to create an ecology of collaboration and thought leadership. The program will teach the next generation of leaders significant lessons from both mistakes and accomplishments. Attendees will benefit from the different experiences and expertise of the speakers.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay will make the keynote address and serve as the conclave’s Guest of Honor. His address will emphasize the role of leadership in promoting societal change and growth.

Earlier, PM Modi used social media platform X to express his excitement over the approaching event. He thanked the School of Ultimate Leadership for holding the conclave, highlighting its significance in bringing together professionals from many areas to debate leadership. PM Modi stated that the event’s speakers would provide valuable insights on key leadership challenges, particularly for young audiences.

The School of Ultimate Leadership (SOUL) is an innovative leadership institute situated in Gujarat. Its purpose is to help people become authentic leaders who work to advance the public good. SOUL aspires to improve India’s political leadership landscape by training individuals who ascend based on merit, commitment, and passion for public service, rather than political lineage.

With its emphasis on delivering the requisite skills, insights, and expertise, SOUL is preparing leaders to handle the difficult challenges of leadership in today’s quickly changing world.