Actress and politician Hema Malini celebrated the beginning of Navratri with a performance of her popular dance ballet ‘Durga’ at a special event in Telangana.

The veteran actress shared her experience on Instagram after performing at the ‘Agra Dandiya Navratri Celebration’ at the Classic Convention Centre on October 11. The event also marked Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti.

Expressing her happiness, Hema Malini wrote, “It was a joy and pleasure to perform my most popular ballet Durga at the first day of Navratri at the Classic Convention Centre for the Agarwal Samaj, Telangana’s ‘Agra Dandiya Navratri Celebration,’ it also marked the Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti on 11.10.2026.”

She also extended her wishes to followers, wishing everyone a happy Navratri and Durga Puja.

Hema Malini shared a video of her performance, offering a glimpse of her portrayal of Parvati Mata in the dance ballet. Dressed as the Hindu goddess, the veteran actress brought the mythological character to life through graceful movements and expressive classical dance. Her traditional attire and devotional presentation captured the spiritual essence of the performance and celebrated the divine feminine.

Hema Malini Celebrates the Power of Goddess Durga Through Dance

The dance ballet ‘Durga’ pays tribute to Goddess Durga and the power of the divine feminine. Through classical dance and stories rooted in Hindu mythology, the production conveys the message of good triumphing over evil.

Beyond her successful film career, Hema Malini has established herself as a prominent figure in Indian classical dance. Through her stage productions, she brings mythological stories and India’s rich cultural heritage to audiences.

The veteran performer has previously described dance as a deeply spiritual experience that allows her to express devotion and remain connected to tradition.

She has also spoken about the special experience of performing ‘Parampara’ alongside her daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol. The production gave the family an opportunity to share their artistic heritage and carry India’s classical dance traditions forward.

Hema Malini’s latest performance in Telangana reflects her continued commitment to classical dance and devotional storytelling. Her portrayal of the divine feminine added a cultural and spiritual dimension to the Navratri celebrations, a festival that honours Goddess Durga and celebrates the triumph of good over evil.

India is breaking down barriers to economic growth and emerging as a major pole in an increasingly multipolar world as global capital flows shift, trade divisions deepen and artificial intelligence reshapes industries, according to a Bloomberg Economics report released on Monday.

The report highlights how changing investment patterns, geopolitical tensions and rapid advances in AI are creating new opportunities and challenges for India and the global economy.

The AI revolution continues to gather pace, a growing number of free-trade agreements are opening new export opportunities, and urbanisation is accelerating across India. Against this backdrop, India is strengthening its position in the global economic landscape, said Tom Orlik, chief economist at Bloomberg Economics.

The report estimates that India’s expanding network of free-trade agreements could add $140 billion to $170 billion to its gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035.

Domestic reforms aimed at reducing manufacturing costs and shifting agricultural labour towards more productive sectors could further increase the economic benefits of these trade agreements, the report added.

Global capital flows are also becoming more concentrated and increasingly influenced by geopolitical considerations. According to the report, investment flows between rival nations have fallen around 40 per cent below those between allied countries. Investors are also directing more capital towards artificial intelligence and semiconductor industries.

For India, sustaining economic momentum will require the country to compete with the United States for global investment, particularly as strong demand from the US technology sector and tariff incentives attract capital.

Artificial intelligence could increase India’s annual GDP growth by up to 0.9 percentage points, providing additional momentum towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal of transforming India into a developed economy by 2047, the report said.

However, infrastructure limitations could prevent the country from fully realising these gains. India’s information technology services industry faces both significant opportunities and potential disruption as AI adoption expands.

While AI could help Indian IT companies move up the value chain by offering more advanced and specialised services, automation could also weaken the cost advantages that have traditionally supported the sector’s growth.

The report also highlighted the economic potential of India’s rapidly expanding urban population. It estimates that 820 million Indians live in urban areas, making urban development a critical factor in the country’s future productivity growth.

Strengthening municipal governance, improving infrastructure and adopting more effective land-use planning could help India convert its growing urban population into a powerful driver of economic expansion, the report noted.

India’s ability to capitalise on these opportunities will depend on how effectively it combines trade expansion, domestic reforms, technological adoption and infrastructure development amid a changing global economic environment.

India’s leading e-commerce marketplaces recorded an estimated Rs 24,000 crore in sales during the first two days of the festive shopping season as consumers increased their spending on smartphones, electronics, appliances and fashion, according to a report by Redseer Strategy Consultants.

Online platforms, including Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho and Ajio, generated a combined gross merchandise value (GMV) of more than $2.5 billion, or approximately Rs 24,200 crore, during the opening two days of festive sales, the consultancy estimated.

Redseer reported that shoppers across the country placed around 8-9 crore orders, while approximately 6-6.5 crore consumers participated in the shopping event.

The festive sales value reached nearly six times the average daily business-as-usual run rate, highlighting strong consumer demand during the opening days of the shopping season.

Smartphones led sales across categories, contributing 38-40 per cent of total GMV. The segment generated an estimated Rs 9,100-9,600 crore during the first two days.

Consumer electronics ranked second, accounting for around 25-27 per cent of total sales, or approximately Rs 6,000-6,500 crore.

Fashion products contributed 15-18 per cent of overall GMV, generating an estimated Rs 3,630-4,350 crore during the period, the report noted.

Large appliances and electronics also attracted strong demand. Televisions, refrigerators and air conditioners together accounted for more than two-thirds of large-appliance sales.

In the television segment, 55-inch models from brands such as TCL, LG, Samsung and Xiaomi dominated consumer demand. These models represented more than three-fourths of the top-selling stock-keeping units (SKUs), according to Redseer.

The consultancy noted that electronics sales had already grown by more than 20 per cent in the first half of 2026 as consumers brought forward purchases amid expectations of higher prices later in the year.

During the first two days of festive sales, electronics orders climbed to nearly 14 times their normal daily levels. Strong demand for laptops and internet-connected devices helped drive the surge.

Fashion also emerged as a major contributor to festive shopping growth. The segment recorded a 22-25 per cent year-on-year increase in GMV, while sales reached three to five times average daily levels.

Affordable festive apparel attracted particularly strong demand in Tier 2 cities and smaller towns, further supporting the fashion category’s performance.

The strong opening reflects the growing importance of festive sales for India’s e-commerce industry, as online marketplaces attract millions of shoppers with discounts, product launches and promotional offers across major consumer categories.

Delhi Police has withdrawn Jantar Mantar’s status as a designated protest site and named three alternative venues for demonstrations in the national capital.

The police announced the decision on Monday under new guidelines issued through Delhi Police Standing Order No. L&O/48/2026.

According to the Delhi Police, the decision follows recommendations from a committee constituted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to identify suitable alternative venues for public protests and demonstrations.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, had constituted a Committee to examine alternative proper venues for citizens’ right for organising protest/demonstrations in place of the existing ‘designated site’,” the official statement said.

The police added that the committee’s recommendations prompted the authorities to withdraw Jantar Mantar’s status as a designated protest venue.

The revised guidelines identify three locations for future protests: Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi.

The Delhi Police said it would issue a detailed, revised standard operating procedure (SOP) for organising protests and demonstrations at these three venues separately. The new order partially modifies Standing Order No. L&O/48/22, dated April 28, 2022.

The announcement comes amid political tensions in the national capital over the Election Commission of India (ECI). The Congress-led INDIA bloc had planned a march towards the Supreme Court to protest against the poll body and demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police continued security arrangements around Jantar Mantar. Police personnel remained stationed at key intersections, while barricades blocked access roads to the area on Sunday to regulate movement and prevent unauthorised gatherings.

The Delhi Traffic Police also warned commuters about possible disruptions across New Delhi and central Delhi on Monday as authorities prepared for the Opposition’s planned demonstration.

According to the traffic advisory, the police may impose restrictions or divert traffic at around 30 locations to maintain security and manage congestion during the protest.

Several major roads and intersections could experience delays, including the Dhaula Kuan flyover, Jhandewalan, Patel Chowk, Panchkuian, Connaught Place, Mandi House, Lodhi Road flyover, Bhikaji Cama Place and Moti Bagh flyover.

Commuters may also encounter restrictions or delays along Jantar Mantar Road, Ashoka Road, Sansad Marg and Tolstoy Marg.

The Delhi Police has advised commuters to account for possible traffic disruptions and plan their journeys accordingly as security arrangements and traffic management measures continue across the capital.

Abhishek Sharma smashed 69 off 30 balls, and India’s bowlers defended a total of 223 to beat West Indies by 14 runs in the third T20I at Holkar Stadium on Sunday. The victory gave India a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

Arshdeep Singh claimed 3-44, while Naman Dhir picked up two wickets. Arshdeep dismissed the in-form Shai Hope, and India’s other bowlers contained the West Indies big-hitters to prevent them from completing another successful chase.

Shamar Springer’s explosive 11-ball 35 not out gave the visitors a late surge, but India held their nerve as West Indies finished at 209/7. The victory also marked the first win for a team batting first in the white-ball series. India had threatened to approach 250 after Abhishek’s 30-ball 69, but soft dismissals and running errors during the second half of their innings limited them to 223.

India began their defence with Mayank Yadav conceding just one run in the opening over. Arshdeep struck in the next over when Hope attempted an ambitious slog and lost his off stump for one.

Shimron Hetmyer then launched a counterattack. After a quiet start, he struck a boundary off Mayank in the third over. Abhishek subsequently dropped a straightforward catch at short third man when Hetmyer had five runs, giving the batter another opportunity to accelerate.

Hetmyer capitalised on the reprieve by smashing Arshdeep for a six and two fours in the fourth over, which yielded 19 runs. Mayank and Prince also conceded boundaries as West Indies reached 54/1 at the end of the Powerplay, trailing India’s 87/1 at the same stage by 33 runs.

Hetmyer continued his assault against Dhir, hitting the off-spinner for a four and a six. However, Dhir dismissed him for 43 with a slower delivery that skidded off the surface and beat his defence.

Kamil Pooran struggled to find his timing, and the mounting pressure forced Rovman Powell into an attacking shot against Axar Patel. Powell attempted to loft a quicker delivery without reaching the pitch of the ball, allowing the deep-cover fielder to take the catch for five.

Pooran later shifted gears against Dhir, smashing three sixes over cow corner, wide long-off and square leg. Dhir ended the assault when Pooran attempted another pick-up shot but failed to get underneath the ball and holed out in the deep for 42.

Sherfane Rutherford and Quention Sampson tried to revive the innings with a series of powerful boundaries. However, Nitish Kumar Reddy ended their stand when Sampson miscued a shot to the long-off fielder.

Arshdeep then delivered a decisive blow in the 18th over, dismissing Keemo Paul and Rutherford within four balls. His double strike left West Indies with little chance of winning, despite Springer’s late fireworks. Springer smashed three sixes and a four off Axar in the final over, but the late assault could not change the outcome.

Earlier, Abhishek’s blistering half-century and an aggressive 108-run partnership with Ishan Kishan put India on course for a total close to 250. Abhishek struck six fours and five sixes, while Kishan supported him with attacking strokeplay. However, regular wickets, soft dismissals and costly mix-ups allowed West Indies to regain control and restrict India to 223.

India, batting first, managed just 11 runs in the opening two overs. Roston Chase conceded four runs in the first over before Shamar Joseph dismissed Sanju Samson in the second. Samson mistimed a flick off a 150.8 kmph delivery and sent the ball to mid-wicket, where the fielder completed the catch for three.

Abhishek transformed the innings in the third over against Chase. He opened with an inside-out drive through cover-point for four, followed it with another inside-out shot over cover for six and finished the over with a second six over point.

Kishan then attacked Paul with three fours, before he and Abhishek took apart Springer in the fifth over. Kishan chipped a delivery over point for four, while Abhishek struck two consecutive fours over cover before smashing a length ball over the same region for six. India collected 21 runs from the over.

Joseph suffered a similar punishment in his next over, conceding another 21 runs. Kishan began with a boundary through the off side, and Abhishek followed with a six over cover and a four over mid-wicket. He then pulled the ball towards deep mid-wicket for two runs to complete his 14th T20I half-century in just 18 balls.

Abhishek continued to attack by backing away and squeezing a four past point. India finished the Powerplay at 87/1, firmly in control of the innings.

During his explosive knock, Abhishek also became the fastest batter to reach 2,000 T20I runs in terms of balls faced, achieving the milestone in 1,024 deliveries. He and Kishan continued to find boundaries until Chase turned the game around.

Chase broke their 108-run second-wicket partnership in the ninth over. He cramped Kishan for room with an incoming delivery as the batter stepped out, and Hope completed the stumping. Chase then trapped India captain Shreyas Iyer lbw for one in the same over.

Abhishek departed for 69 after top-edging a pull shot to Springer, who completed the catch. Gudakesh Motie then claimed his 50th T20I wicket when Dhir holed out to long-off.

With India losing momentum, Tilak Varma and Reddy attempted to rebuild the innings. Both batters struck two fours off Joseph in the 13th over, but Paul dismissed Reddy for 21 with a catch behind the stumps.

India then suffered two costly run-outs following communication errors. Axar flicked a delivery from Motie towards deep square leg and initially appeared to have found the boundary. Believing the ball had reached the ropes, he bumped fists with Varma while attempting a second run.

However, Pooran kept the ball in play, and Hope’s throw to Motie caught Varma short of his crease. The dismissal ended Varma’s innings at 28.

Axar also fell victim to a run-out. He pushed a Springer delivery towards point but initially showed no interest in taking a run, unaware that Arshdeep had already moved halfway down the pitch. Axar eventually set off, but Paul and Springer combined to complete the run-out, dismissing him for 20.

Springer trapped Arshdeep lbw, further slowing India’s progress. Prince then added valuable runs by heaving, scooping and edging Joseph for three boundaries. Joseph finally ended the innings by bowling Mayank with a sharp yorker.

Despite India’s late collapse, Abhishek’s explosive innings and Arshdeep’s decisive bowling helped the hosts secure a 14-run victory and move ahead 2-1 in the five-match T20I series.

Brief Scores:
India 223 all out in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 69, Ishan Kishan 37; Roston Chase 2-38, Shamar Springer 2-50)
West Indies 209/7 in 20 overs (Shimron Hetmyer 43, Kamil Pooran 42; Arshdeep Singh 3-44, Naman Dhir 2-39)

Gujarati singer Ishani Dave is set to bring the spirit of Navratri alive with her Garba track ‘Ghor Andhari’, which celebrates the divine presence of Ambe Maa.

The song blends the richness of Gujarati folk traditions with devotional fervour and festive energy. It aims to connect with Garba enthusiasts while preserving the cultural essence of the festival.

Speaking about the song, Ishani Dave said, “Navratri is not just a festival for me. It is a part of my roots, my faith, and my upbringing. ‘Ghor Andhari’ is my humble offering to Ambe Maa, born from the devotion, traditions, and Garba that have passed down through generations.”

“With this song, we wanted to bring those timeless roots into a joyful, fresh sound that speaks to today’s generation while keeping the soul of our traditional Garba intact. I hope listeners feel the devotion to Maa, the joy of Garba, and that beautiful connection to our roots every time they hear ‘Ghor Andhari’,” she added.

Composer Maulik Mehta said the team aimed to capture Garba’s spiritual power while giving the track a fresh and uplifting sound.

“Working on ‘Ghor Andhari’ was about channelling the spiritual power of Garba while keeping the sound fresh and uplifting. Ishani’s voice brings authenticity and emotional depth to the song, and together we wanted to create something that resonates deeply with both traditional and modern audiences,” Mehta said.

Sujal Parekh, Chief Business Officer at Zee Music Company, highlighted Garba’s cultural significance during Navratri and the song’s appeal to Gujarati audiences worldwide.

“Navratri is an emotion for every Gujarati, and Garba is at the heart of that celebration. With ‘Ghor Andhari’, we wanted to bring together devotion, tradition, and the energy of Garba in a song that people can enjoy and sing along to during Navratri. Ishani’s voice adds a beautiful touch to the song, and we hope ‘Ghor Andhari’ becomes a part of celebrations across Gujarat and wherever Gujaratis celebrate around the world,” Parekh said.

Composed by Maulik Mehta and penned by lyricist Pratik Ahir, ‘Ghor Andhari’ features Ishani Dave’s powerful vocals and combines traditional Gujarati folk influences with vibrant Garba rhythms. The devotional single captures Navratri’s spiritual essence while retaining the festive energy that makes Garba an integral part of the celebrations.

Zee Music Gujarati has released ‘Ghor Andhari’ for listeners to enjoy during the Navratri season.

West Indies captain Shai Hope credited strong partnerships and Sherfane Rutherford’s explosive batting for his team’s six-wicket victory over India in the second T20I at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on Friday, as the visitors chased a daunting target of 250 runs.

Hope smashed a blistering 45-ball century, while Rutherford hammered 84 off just 37 deliveries to help the West Indies complete the second-highest successful run chase in men’s T20I cricket. The visitors reached 252/4 with two overs to spare.

Reflecting on the early setbacks that reduced the West Indies to 5/2, Hope admitted that the chase looked challenging. However, he said teams always believed they could reach big totals when playing in India.

“It was always going to be a tough chase. But when you chase here in India, you always give yourself a chance. You always think you’re in the game, regardless of what score is on the board. But five for two was always going to be challenging,” Hope said after winning the Player of the Match award.

Hope said his partnership with Rovman Powell helped the West Indies regain momentum before Rutherford’s counter-attacking knock gave the visitors the decisive push.

“When we got that partnership going, Rovman and I gave the innings some impetus. Then Sherfane came in and did what he did. He played really well with the bat and gave us the spark we needed to get over the line,” Hope said.

He also stressed the importance of building partnerships, saying batters sometimes needed to trust their partners rather than take unnecessary risks.

“I really believe we need to bat a lot better in partnerships. It’s something we tend to lack every now and again. But sometimes you just have to sit back and watch your partner play shots. In that situation, as long as we kept up with the required rate, I didn’t need to take unnecessary risks. I thought we were going really nicely, so it was about calculating the chase as best we could,” he said.

Hope also praised his SS bats and said he focused on backing himself and choosing the best scoring option whenever the ball entered his hitting zone.

“All those SS bats I have are pretty good. The ball seemed to travel quite a bit here. The boundaries were a little bigger, but you just have to back yourself. Once the ball is in your zone, you look for the best option to find the boundary, and it worked well today. As I said before, I needed some luck to go my way, and today was one of those days,” he added.

The West Indies captain attributed his recent run of form to thorough preparation and efforts to stay mentally fresh rather than any special comfort playing in India.

“When you’re scoring runs, you’re just happy. Maybe I could say I’m enjoying a good run of form right now, but I think the way I’m preparing and trying to stay mentally fresh and ready is giving me the best chance to perform. I just hope it continues for as long as possible,” he said.

Despite his remarkable century, Hope said he would not allow the success to affect his mindset.

Meanwhile, India captain Shreyas Iyer said the dew factor made it difficult to determine a par score after the West Indies chased down India’s imposing total of 249/5.

“Honestly speaking, you cannot put a number to it because when the dew factor comes in, it plays a massive role. Even 249 was chased with two overs to spare. So you cannot give a number or anticipate that this is the total we should aim for,” Iyer said after the match.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir urged his team to address its bowling shortcomings and called for a more competitive contest between bat and ball after the West Indies pulled off the record chase.

“You don’t shrug off any defeat. If you want to keep improving, you don’t want to put anything under the carpet. We are a world-champion team, so we want to keep improving,” Gambhir said at the post-match press conference.

He acknowledged the difficulty of bowling on flat pitches with dew but said India needed to find solutions, especially after the West Indies lost two wickets in the opening over and three during the powerplay.

“These are obviously tough conditions to bowl in. We know flat wickets with dew make it difficult, but we need to figure things out and find a way. Especially when the opposition had lost two wickets in the first over and then lost three wickets in the powerplay,” he said.

Gambhir also praised Hope and Rutherford for their performances, describing them as world-class batters in the T20 format.

“It was tough on us, but we’re going to keep improving,” he added.

The victory gave the West Indies a 1-0 lead in the series. The visitors staged a remarkable recovery after Mayank Yadav’s three-wicket burst initially put India in control of the chase.

Actress Madhuri Dixit Nene paid tribute to veteran actor Nana Patekar, who was scheduled to appear in the grand premiere episode of the Marathi game show ‘Kon Honar Crorepati’ over the weekend. Madhuri hosts the show, which will premiere on October 12.

Madhuri, who shared screen space with Nana in the 1998 film ‘Wajood’, remembered him as a great artist with a powerful personality. She said his passing marked the loss of a treasured and legendary actor for the film industry.

Actress Sonali Bendre and Nana Patekar were scheduled to appear as the show’s first celebrity guests. The makers also expect several prominent Maharashtrian celebrities to join the show in the coming months.

Sharing her condolences on Instagram, Madhuri wrote, “A great artist, a powerful personality and an unforgettable voice… With Nana Patekar’s passing, the film industry has lost a treasured and legendary actor. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. A heartfelt tribute.”

Reports of Nana Patekar’s sudden demise emerged on October 8. He was 75.

According to a statement attributed to Manipal Hospital in Goa, the veteran actor was found unconscious at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa, and was rushed to the hospital. Doctors declared him brought dead.

Nana and Madhuri worked together in ‘Wajood’, an action film that N. Chandra directed and produced in 1998. The film follows Malhar, who falls in love with Apoorva and believes that her engagement to Nihal has taken place against her wishes. Malhar protests against the engagement, but the police arrest him, eventually pushing him towards a life of crime.

‘Kon Honar Crorepati’ will premiere on October 12 on Sony Marathi and Sony LIV. The show promises to celebrate knowledge, ambition and inspiring personal journeys, highlighting how the pursuit of knowledge can open doors to new opportunities.

The Marathi programme follows the format of the popular Hindi quiz show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’, which Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan hosts.

Madhuri has previously appeared as a judge and special guest on several television reality shows. Hosting ‘Kon Honar Crorepati’ marks a new chapter in her television career.

Veteran actor Sachin Khedekar has hosted ‘Kon Honar Crorepati’ for several previous seasons.

Sonali Bendre, who is also scheduled to appear in the premiere episode, has expressed her admiration for Madhuri. Her appearance, along with Nana Patekar’s planned participation, had added to the anticipation surrounding the new season.

The Indian rupee appreciated by 23 paise to 96.65 against the US dollar in early trade on Friday, supported by a slight weakening of the US dollar and suspected intervention by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

The rupee opened on a positive note as the dollar index slipped towards 102 and Brent crude prices fell to around $103 per barrel. US President Donald Trump said the US would not attack Iran before the midterm elections, easing some concerns in the market.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 96.74 before strengthening to 96.65, gaining 23 paise over its previous close.

Market experts said the US dollar index extended its losses towards 102 as US Treasury yields declined following a well-received 30-year bond auction. The auction indicated continued investor demand for long-term government debt.

They added that lower crude oil prices eased inflation concerns after Trump cited productive discussions between the US and Iran and ruled out an attack before the midterm elections.

Markets assigned an 82 per cent probability to the Federal Reserve keeping interest rates unchanged this month, while the probability of a rate hike in December stood near 81 per cent, according to the experts.

Meanwhile, Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said further rate increases would likely be necessary to bring inflation back to the central bank’s 2 per cent target. However, he emphasised that policymakers retained flexibility over the pace of monetary tightening.

On Thursday, the rupee had depreciated by 13 paise to close at 96.88 against the US dollar.

Indian equity markets also opened higher on Friday, supported by buying in information technology stocks.

The Sensex rose 183.43 points, or 0.26 per cent, at the opening, while the Nifty started the session at 22,314.95, up 83.15 points, or 0.37 per cent.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold equities worth Rs 12,943 crore on Thursday, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth Rs 10,703 crore.

FIIs have sold equities worth Rs 36,210 crore through exchanges so far in October.