Latest news with #Bhojpuri
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
55,000km of rural roads built in Bihar in 10 years, says PM
Patna: Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Friday said around 55,000km of rural roads have been constructed in Bihar over the last 10 years. Addressing a public rally at Jasoli in Siwan, where he launched development projects worth over Rs 9,000 crore, Modi greeted the crowd in Bhojpuri and highlighted the state's infrastructural progress under his govt. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He said more than 1.5 crore households in Bihar have been connected to electricity and water supply in the past decade and over 45,000 common service centres have been established. "Despite overnight rain, a large number of people came to bless me. I promise a new beginning in Bihar," he said. The PM laid the foundation stone for a 500MW-hour battery energy storage system project, aimed at strengthening the state's power infrastructure and supporting renewable energy. The Centre has approved Rs 135 crore as viability gap funding, calculated at Rs 27 lakh per MWh or 30% of the capital cost, whichever is lower. Batteries ranging from 5MW to 20MW will be installed at substations in Muzaffarpur, Motihari, Bettiah, Bhagalpur, Sitamarhi, Fatuha, Mushahari, Jamui, Kishanganj and Siwan. He also flagged off the Patliputra Junction-Gorakhpur Vande Bharat Express and the first consignment of diesel locomotives manufactured at the Marhaura plant in Saran, which is being exported to the Republic of Guinea. "They used to call Saran backward, but now engines made here are being sent to Africa. Bihar will be hailed in Africa too," he said, taking a dig at the opposition RJD-Congress alliance. Modi inaugurated the new Vaishali-Deoria railway line worth over Rs 400 crore and launched a new train service on the route. He also opened six sewage treatment plants under the Namami Gange project worth over Rs 1,800 crore and laid the foundation for water supply, sanitation and STP projects valued at more than Rs 3,000 crore in various towns of Bihar. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Projects launched include sewerage and water supply works in Patna, Mokama, Fatuha, Begusarai, Bakhtiyarpur, Motihari, Raxaul, Buxar, Ara, Bettiah, Siwan, Sasaram and Chhapra. He said the new Vande Bharat train would boost tourism and industry by connecting Baba Hariharnath in Sonepur and Baba Gorakhnath in Uttar Pradesh. "It will also create job opportunities for youth," he added. Modi said more than four crore poor people have received pucca houses under PMAY, including 57 lakh in Bihar and 1.10 lakh in Siwan alone. "Three crore more houses will be built. I will not sleep peacefully. I will keep working day and night because you are my family. All our schemes prioritise the poor," he said. "What pleases me most is that many of these houses are registered in the names of women who never had property before," the PM added. Over the past few years, tap water has reached more than 12 crore households across the country, including 4.5 lakh families in Siwan, he said, adding that pipelines and STPs have now been approved for dozens of additional cities in Bihar. Goods like makhana, fruits and vegetables from Bihar will also reach international markets, he said.
News18
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Political Churn In Bihar? Pawan Singh And Manish Kashyap's Lucknow Meet Sparks Buzz
Last Updated: Ahead of Bihar Elections 2025, Pawan Singh and Manish Kashyap's meeting in Lucknow has sparked speculation about a new political alliance in the state A high-profile meeting between film star Pawan Singh and YouTuber-turned-political commentator Manish Kashyap in Lucknow has stirred the political pot in Bihar, setting off a fresh round of speculation about an emerging alliance or new political front. The encounter, which took place recently, is being widely discussed not only in the entertainment industry but also in the corridors of Bihar politics. What's fuelling the buzz is not just the meeting itself, but the context in which it occurred. Both Singh and Kashyap have been at the centre of recent controversies and are currently seen as disenchanted with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). A photograph from the meeting, showing Pawan Singh's mother placing her hand on the heads of both men in a symbolic gesture of blessing, has gone viral, further intensifying public curiousity. Pawan Singh, often called Bhojpuri cinema's 'power star", had contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Karakat seat. However, the BJP-led NDA had officially backed former Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha on the same seat. Both candidates ended up losing, and Singh has since maintained a conspicuous distance from the BJP, prompting speculation about his future political path. Manish Kashyap, on the other hand, has been openly critical of the BJP in recent months. A vocal online personality with a strong grassroots following, Kashyap exited the party after an alleged assault incident at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), where he claimed he was targeted due to political pressure. Since then, he has levelled several serious accusations against BJP leadership, accusing the party of abandoning core issues and suppressing dissent. Now, their Lucknow meeting is being interpreted as more than just a casual get-together. Political observers see it as a potential realignment, possibly the early signs of a new political formation aimed at challenging existing players in Bihar's volatile electoral landscape. The timing of the meeting is particularly significant. With the dust barely settling on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, political players across Bihar are already shifting focus to the 2025 Assembly elections. The state has a history of political upheavals and surprise alliances, and the emergence of a fresh face or front is never off the table. While there is no official word from either Singh or Kashyap about the purpose of their meeting, insiders suggest discussions may have included future political collaboration, particularly around youth-centric and regional issues. Supporters of Manish Kashyap see this as the beginning of his political reinvention, an attempt to pivot from digital activism to electoral politics. Meanwhile, fans of Pawan Singh are interpreting the development as an effort to build a broader social and political base beyond cinema. The presence of Pawan Singh's mother in the meeting photo adds a layer of symbolism that hasn't gone unnoticed. In a political culture where family blessings and social optics hold weight, the image is being seen as a public endorsement of unity and shared purpose. It's also being interpreted as a subtle signal that something more concrete may be in the works, perhaps an announcement down the line, closer to the Bihar elections. In a state where celebrity appeal and caste equations both play major roles in election outcomes, a coalition or partnership between Singh and Kashyap, backed by their significant social media reach, could emerge as a wildcard. First Published: June 17, 2025, 14:04 IST
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Physis Capital raises ₹200 crore, eyes 15+ startup deals by mid-2025
Growth-stage venture fund Physis Capital on Wednesday announced that it has raised over ₹200 crore for its maiden fund. The fund, established by Vinay Bansal, Ankur Mittal, and Mitesh Shah of Inflection Point Ventures, plans to raise the remaining capital over the next six to nine months. The fund has attracted investors including SUD Life — a joint venture between Bank of India, Union Bank of India, and Japan's Dai-ichi Life Holdings. Other notable backers include Narayana Nethralaya, a NABH-accredited eye care institution in Bengaluru, and family offices such as Haldiram's and Lotus Holdings. Physis Capital plans to build a portfolio of over 15 companies by the first half of next year and aims to invest in high-impact, tech-driven startups in the pre-Series A to Series B stages. So far, the firm has eight deals in the pipeline and is preparing to issue term sheets for at least four of them in the coming months. These investments are expected to close within the next two quarters. The pipeline spans diverse sectors, including health-tech, fintech, consumer brands, and quick commerce, the company said in a statement. The cheque sizes for these companies will range between $1 million and $1.5 million, with a potential top-up of up to $4 million in high-performing portfolio startups. The firm has invested in three companies to date — Ben & Gaws, CTPL, and STAGE. Its most recent investment was in STAGE, a hyperlocal OTT platform creating content in Indian dialects such as Haryanvi, Rajasthani, and Bhojpuri. Vinay Bansal, general partner at the firm, said: 'With strong support from marquee investors and a clear focus on founder-first investing, Physis Capital is well-positioned to back the next wave of high-impact startups in India — partnering with bold, ambitious teams to drive long-term, sustainable growth. We are on track to build a portfolio of 15+ companies by the first half of next year.'
India.com
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Not just Rekha, these 5 actresses also wear sindoor without being married because..., their names are...
Rekha is one of the iconic actresses Indian cinema has. In a career spanning over 50 years, Rekha has delivered several hit films and has worked with many actors. Her rumoured affair with Amitabh Bachchan often made headlines. However, the two never opened up about it. With time, both moved on — while Amitabh married Jaya, Rekha tied the knot with Delhi businessman Mukesh Aggarwal. Several months after the wedding, Rekha's husband died by suicide. Despite that, audiences have witnessed Rekha wearing sindoor, making them curious. It is not just Rekha, but there are other celebs who also wear sindoor, mangalsutra, and more without being married. Let's take a look at five such actresses and a singer who wear sindoor: 1. Geeta Kapoor According to a report by News18 Hindi, dance choreographer Geeta is not married but often wears sindoor. In an interview given to E-Times, Geeta also reacted to applying sindoor without marriage. She had said, 'I have applied sindoor many times before. Ever since I became a Shiva devotee, I apply sindoor after every Monday puja.' 2. Lata Mangeshkar Late singer Lata Mangeshkar also used to apply sindoor. As per media reports, in an interview, Lata opened up about wearing sindoor and said that it was her dedication towards her music that made her wear it. 3. Amrapali Dubey Bhojpuri actress Amrapali Dubey has also been seen wearing sindoor and mangalsutra many times. She has been seen doing this often during shoots. 4. Jasleen Matharu Model Jasleen also wears sindoor without tying the knot. When she was asked about the reason for applying sindoor, she said that it was occasional when she applied it. 5. Pavitra Punia Pavitra Punia, who was once in a relationship with Eijaz Khan, has also been seen wearing sindoor. Pavitra is not married, and she had also reacted to applying sindoor when she was single. Pavitra said that she applies sindoor whenever she fasts or is immersed in devotion.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shyam Lal praises regional cinema's unique identity, expresses openness to new roles
Shyam Lal, known for 'Dabangg', praised Bhojpuri cinema's unique identity and loyal audience. He expressed openness to new roles if offered a strong script. Shyam also mourned the Ahmedabad plane crash victims. Recently, he appeared in the OTT film Karmasutra, marking his latest work in the industry. Shyam Lal, who has been part of several famous Bollywood movies, recently shared his thoughts on Bhojpuri cinema. He is mainly known for his role in the Salman Khan starrer 'Dabangg'. Thoughts on Bhojpuri Cinema Recently, at an event, Shyam talked about the Bhojpuri cinema and said, "The Bhojpuri film industry holds a special place with many talented artists who have their own unique identity. A large and dedicated audience loves Bhojpuri cinema, providing a loyal fan base. This strong support is why Bhojpuri films often become hits. They has its own distinct place with many talented artists who have a unique identity. A large and dedicated audience loves Bhojpuri cinema, and this fixed fan base is why Bhojpuri films often become hits." Openness to New Roles The actor further added, "So far, I haven't received any offers. But if there's a good script and a strong character, I would definitely consider it. I haven't done any work yet, but I would love to be part of a good film." Reaction to Ahmedabad Plane Crash He expressed his sorrow over the Ahmedabad plane crash, sharing his heartfelt reaction, "It is very sad news. I was deeply shocked upon hearing it. May God grant peace to the departed soul and give strength to the family to bear this loss." Recent Work On the work front, Shyam Lal was recently seen in an OTT film 'Karmasutra'.
