India news updates: Indian tabla maestro Zakir Hussain passes away at 73, according to reports

India News Live: World has lost a true musical genius, says Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

India News Live: UP CM Yogi Adityanath expresses deep sorrow over Zakir Hussain's passing

Legendary tabla maestro Zakir Hussain passed away at the age of 73 due to heart-related issues. On December 15, he was admitted to the ICU of a San Francisco hospital, where his condition worsened. His close friend, flautist Rakesh Chaurasia, confirmed the news. Hussain’s manager, Nirmala Bachani, stated that he had been struggling with blood pressure-related problems. Further details about his passing are awaited.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis informed reporters that the allocation of portfolios to the newly appointed ministers will take place within the next two days. This announcement follows the swearing-in of 39 ministers at Raj Bhavan in Nagpur on Sunday. In the cabinet expansion, the BJP received 19 ministerial positions, Shiv Sena under Eknath Shinde got 11, and Ajit Pawar's NCP secured 9. Of the 39 ministers, 33 were sworn in as cabinet ministers, while six took the oath as ministers of state.

President Droupadi Murmu attended an 'At-Home' reception at Army House on the eve of Vijay Diwas. The event was also attended by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan, and Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi. The President interacted with the guests during the occasion, as shared on the official X account of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher has appealed to the people of Punjab to join the 'Rail Roko' protest on December 18. He urged residents of all 13,000 villages in Punjab, particularly those living near railway tracks, to block nearby railway crossings and stations from 12 to 3 pm.

ISKCON Kolkata vice-president Radharaman Das rejected the claims made by some political leaders in Bangladesh, labeling them as "a pack of lies" and "alarming," after they called the global Vaishnavite organization "fundamentalist." Highlighting that ISKCON advocates for peace, unity, and brotherhood across communities and provides support to those in need worldwide, Das asserted that such comments from student leaders, BNP politicians, and "religious fanatics" in Bangladesh will not stop the organization from continuing its efforts in the country.

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, 73, has been admitted to the ICU of a San Francisco hospital due to heart-related issues, according to his friend and flautist Rakesh Chaurasia. Hussain, who has been dealing with blood pressure problems, has been unwell for the past week, and Chaurasia expressed concern over his condition.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar mentioned that the ruling Mahayuti government will offer opportunities to other legislators not currently in the ministry during this tenure. "We will provide a chance to others over the next two-and-a-half years," said NCP leader Pawar while addressing his party workers in Nagpur ahead of the cabinet expansion.

After taking the oath as a Maharashtra Minister, Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant said, "Under the leadership of CM Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, we will continue to focus on development in the state."

On the Maharashtra government's oath ceremony, CM Devendra Fadnavis expressed, "It is a moment of great joy."

The swearing-in of 39 ministers at Raj Bhavan in Nagpur on Sunday marked the first such event in 33 years in Maharashtra's second capital. The last cabinet expansion in Nagpur took place in 1991 during Sudhakarrao Naik's tenure, when he added Shiv Sena rebels Chhagan Bhujbal and Rajendra Gole, who had joined the ruling Congress, along with Congress' Beed legislator Jaidutt Kshirsagar.

After taking the oath as a cabinet minister in the state government, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat expressed, "It feels great. It seems like today we are reaping the rewards of 40 years of hard work. We have been given the chance to work across various departments in Maharashtra, and we will make the most of this opportunity. Eknath Shinde mentioned that the ministerial post is for 2.5 years, but if the performance is good, the position can be changed even earlier. This is an excellent approach—those who perform will move forward."

BJP-led Mahayuti alliance government in Maharashtra, just 10 days old, expanded its cabinet in Nagpur with 39 ministers sworn in, bringing the total number of ministers to 42. In the cabinet expansion, the BJP secured 19 ministerial positions, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena received 11, and Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) was allotted 9. Of those sworn in, 33 were appointed as cabinet ministers, while six took the oath as ministers of state.

Union Minister and Republican Party of India (Athawale) president Ramdas Athawale has called for a ministerial position for his party in the Maharashtra Cabinet. He stated, "I spoke with Amit Shah ji, and I plan to meet him again. I will be going to Delhi. We had expected our name to be included in the Maharashtra Cabinet expansion, and Devendra Fadnavis had assured us of this. However, it hasn't been implemented yet. I will try to meet Amit Shah ji and JP Nadda ji, and request that the RPI be given a ministerial post."

Delhi Minister and AAP leader Mukesh Ahlawat expressed his gratitude, saying, "I am deeply thankful to Arvind Ji for the tremendous respect he has shown me. When I joined AAP, I won the election immediately. Now, once again, he has placed his trust in me by giving me a ticket. I sincerely thank him."

NCP's Aditi Tatkare, Manikrao Kokate, Narhari Zirwal, BJP's Shivendrasinh Bhosale, Jaykumar Gore take oath as Maharashtra ministers

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat and BJP leader Nitesh Rane take oath as Cabinet Minister in the state government, at Raj Bhavan in Nagpur.

Shiv Sena leader Shambhuraj Desai, BJP leader Ashish Shelar, and NCP leader Aditi Tatkare were sworn in as Cabinet Ministers in the Maharashtra government at Raj Bhavan in Nagpur.

Shiv Sena's Dada Bhuse, Sanjay Rathod, and NCP's Dhananjay Munde were sworn in as ministers in the Maharashtra government during a ceremony in Nagpur.

BJP leaders Mangal Prabhat Lodha and Pankaja Munde, along with Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant, were sworn in as Cabinet Ministers in the state government at Raj Bhavan in Nagpur.

BJP's Girish Mahajan, Ganesh Naik, and Shiv Sena's Gulabrao Patil were sworn in as ministers in the Maharashtra government during a ceremony in Nagpur.

BJP leaders Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Chandrakant Patil were sworn in as Cabinet Ministers in the state government at Raj Bhavan in Nagpur.

Chandrashekhar Bawankule, the Maharashtra BJP chief, has been sworn in as a Cabinet Minister in the state government at Raj Bhavan in Nagpur.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, along with Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new ministers of the Maharashtra Government at Raj Bhavan in Nagpur.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri tweeted, "It would be helpful if they clarified their stance on the scams that led to their imprisonment, the Sheesh Mahal issue, their refusal to contribute the state share for RRTS and Phase-4 of Delhi Metro, which stalled these projects, and the delays caused to the PM-UDAY Scheme until we took the initiative ourselves to grant ownership rights to residents of previously unauthorized colonies in Delhi."

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri tweeted, "The Aam Aadmi Party persists with its tactics of diversion, spreading false narratives, and half-truths. The facts and the actual situation regarding illegal Rohingya migrants were clarified in a tweet on the same day, which they selectively ignored and continue to do so. No Rohingya migrant has been provided a government house in Delhi. In fact, contrary to the claims made by AAP, they are the ones hosting illegal Rohingyas in large numbers, providing them with electricity and water, and even paying them ₹10,000."

Karnataka BJP President B Y Vijayendra on Sunday vehemently denied the accusations made by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Congress leaders, claiming that he tried to bribe former state Minority Commission Chairperson Anwar Manippady to cover up his report on Waqf encroachments. On Saturday, Siddaramaiah had stated that Manippady publicly claimed Vijayendra had visited his house during Yediyurappa's tenure as CM and offered Rs 150 crore to remain silent about the Waqf property encroachment report.

AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami dismissed the DMK leadership's claim that their alliance would win 200 constituencies in the 2026 Assembly elections, calling it a daydream. Speaking at the party's general council and executive committee meeting in Chennai, Palaniswami accused the DMK government of widespread corruption and said it was facing protests from various groups, including government employees and transport workers

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that the BJP-led Centre had settled "a large number of illegal Rohingyas" across different areas of the city. The AAP, in turn, criticized Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri over his tweets, claiming that the settlement of these refugees was a "deliberate decision" by the BJP-led NDA government. Puri, however, accused AAP of indulging in "politics of diversion, false narratives, and half-truths."

In response to J&K CM Omar Abdullah's statement on 'One Nation, One Election,' State Congress Committee chief Tariq Hameed Karra remarked, "... I don't want to make any judgments before reading the final bill. But generally speaking, for them (the central government), any bill takes just 2-2.5 hours. They raise slogans, make accusations, and invoke Jawahar Lal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. They blame everything on Jawahar Lal Nehru. The passing of the 'One Nation, One Election' bill will follow the same pattern."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his death anniversary Sunday, praising him as "an inspiration for the country"

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated, "Today, a state-level conference of the Non-Gazetted Forest Officer Association of Odisha was held here. Odisha's forest and plantation coverage stands at approximately 36%. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has initiated Mission LiFE and also launched the 'Ek Ped Maa ke Naam' campaign. The core focus of Odisha's economic policy revolves around the state's forests, and discussions today centered on advancing the forest-based economy, boosting tourism, creating employment, and promoting sustainability."

Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC stated, "Today, history will be made as leaders from Shiv Sena, NCP, and BJP will take oath as ministers in Nagpur and work towards the progress of Maharashtra."

Maharashtra Cabinet Expansion News Live: Maharashtra DCM Eknath Shinde arrives in Nagpur

The district administration conducts an anti-encroachment drive to remove illegal occupations on public spaces in Sambhal.

Ahead of the state cabinet expansion, Shiv Sena leader Shambhuraj Desai stated, "We will be meeting Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde at his residence, and we will adhere to any instructions he provides."

Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated projects worth Rs 149 crore in Bhavnagar, stating, "Bhavnagar is being developed into India's largest container manufacturing hub. Currently, 95% of containers are produced in China, but in Bhavnagar, three companies have already begun container production. Both the state and central governments are working together to establish Bhavnagar as the center for container manufacturing."

Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai praised the Chhattisgarh Police for their remarkable success in anti-Naxal operations over the past year under the leadership of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He highlighted that despite facing significant challenges, the police showed immense courage and determination. Thanks to the effective actions of the security forces, many Naxalites have chosen to surrender and reintegrate into society. A year ago, it seemed unimaginable that Naxalism could be eradicated from Chhattisgarh, but the efforts of the double-engine government have made this a reality. The CM also shared his experience spending the night with the soldiers, noting their high spirits and enthusiasm.

Anurag Thakur, BJP MP and captain of the Lok Sabha Speaker XI, stated, "In the future, we will organize similar matches across various states, where MPs will compete with MLAs, to raise awareness among all public representatives. Our goal is to create awareness about making India tuberculosis (TB)-free, in line with Prime Minister Modi's vision. I thank all the players for their performance. Whether or not someone scores a century is secondary; what matters is the sportsmanship behind the game and our collective pledge to make India TB-free."

BJP leader Pankaja Munde expressed her gratitude today, stating, “I have once again got the chance to work in CM Devendra Fadnavis’ team. I would like to thank PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda ji, and Maharashtra BJP President Bawankule ji.”

In the ongoing investigation into the suicide of Atul Subhash, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Whitefield, Shiv Kumar, provided updates on the arrests of the key accused.

Kumar stated that Nikita Singhania, Subhash's estranged wife, was arrested near the Blossom Stayz PG in Gurugram, while Nisha Singhania and Anurag Singhania, Nikita's mother and brother respectively, were nabbed near Hotel Rameshwaram in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

The accused were brought to Bengaluru, produced before the judge, and remanded to judicial custody.

DCP Shiv Kumar also mentioned that multiple teams had been dispatched to different locations to facilitate the arrests.

The father of Atul Subhash, the Bengaluru techie who allegedly took his own life, has made an emotional plea for the custody of his four-year-old grandson. Pawan Kumar Modi, Subhash’s father, has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and other authorities to ensure that his grandson is placed in his care.

While expressing gratitude towards the police for arresting Nikita Singhania, Atul's estranged wife, and her family members on charges of abetting the suicide, Pawan Kumar Modi voiced frustration, claiming that he still has not received justice. He revealed that a new case has been filed against him in the name of his grandson, demanding maintenance.

The family is seeking not only legal justice but also the safe custody of the child.

A fire broke out at a seven-storey commercial building in the Worli area of south Mumbai on Sunday morning, with the blaze starting at 11:39 am on the second floor of Poonam Chambers on Annie Besant Road.

According to a fire official, the fire was classified as level-2 (major), and it was confined to an office on the second floor. Fortunately, there have been no reports of casualties so far.

A significant emergency response was launched, with eight fire engines, seven water tankers, along with local police, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials, and other staff rushing to the scene. The firefighting operations are currently underway.

The BJP government in Rajasthan, led by CM Bhajanlal Sharma, marked its first year in office today, hlighting achievements such as creating over 1.24 lakh jobs, tackling the paper-leak mafia, and signing a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP).

In its initial year, the government hosted the Rising Rajasthan Investment Summit, signing MoUs worth Rs 34 lakh crore to boost the state's economy to $350 billion. This was accompanied by a 65 percent increase in capital expenditure in the state budget.

The BJP also claimed five of seven seats in the recent Assembly bypolls, which bolstered Sharma's leadership credentials.

India is set to host its inaugural World Athletics Continental Tour event, a bronze-level global meet, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on August 10, 2025.

Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated the government's resolve to eradicate Naxalism from India by March 31, 2026.

Speaking at the President's Police Colour Award function in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, Shah commended the security forces for their role in combating Naxal violence and reaffirmed the Centre's commitment to ensuring peace and security in affected regions.

“We are determined to completely eliminate Naxalism by March 2026. Our efforts are focused on development, welfare of affected communities, and strengthening law enforcement in vulnerable areas,” Shah stated during the event.

The Congress today launched a sharp counterattack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of defaming India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and governing with minimal regard for democratic principles. The remarks came a day after Modi criticized the Congress during a debate on the 'Glorious 75-Year Journey of India's Constitution.'

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh alleged that Modi has an "obsession" with Nehru, frequently invoking him to divert attention from the government’s own shortcomings and pressing national challenges. Ramesh stated that the prime minister remains silent on key issues while using Nehru as a rhetorical tool.

A motorcyclist was fatally run over by an electric bus of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) in the Govandi area late on Saturday night, just days after a similar incident involving a BEST bus in Kurla claimed seven lives.

The accident occurred at the Shivaji Nagar junction when the victim, identified as Dikshit Vinod Rajput, came in contact with one of the rear tyres of the bus heading towards the Kurla depot from Shivaji Nagar, according to a police official.

Rajput sustained a severe head injury and was immediately rushed to Rajawadi Hospital, where doctors declared him dead before admission.

The bus driver, Vinod Aabaji Rankhambe (39), has been arrested under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) Act. Police have initiated an investigation into the incident.

In a statement ahead of the state cabinet expansion in Maharashtra, BJP leader Madhuri Misal shared, "I just got to know that my name is also on the list of cabinet ministers in the newly formed Mahayuti government. The swearing-in ceremony will take place at 4 pm. Our government has always respected women, and whatever responsibility the party gives me, I will fulfil it."

In a statement ahead of the state cabinet expansion in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena MLA Bharatshet Gogawale announced, "The oath ceremony will take place at 4 pm today. We have all come to Nagpur. Seven new individuals will take the oath as ministers, and five are being reappointed."

Delhi's minimum temperature on Sunday settled at 4.9 degrees Celsius, three notches below the season's average, according to the India Meteorological Department. This comes after the city recorded the lowest temperature of the winter season so far on Thursday, with the mercury dipping to 4.5 degrees Celsius.

The maximum temperature for Sunday is expected to hover around 23 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the 'poor' category, with a reading of 257 at 9 a.m. AQI levels are categorized as follows: 0-50 (good), 51-100 (satisfactory), 101-200 (moderate), 201-300 (poor), 301-400 (very poor), and 401-500 (severe).

South Korea's opposition leader has urged the Constitutional Court to expedite its decision on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. The call comes a day after parliament voted to impeach Yoon over his controversial attempt to impose martial law.

President Yoon’s powers have been suspended pending the court’s ruling. The Constitutional Court has a maximum of 180 days to decide whether to remove him from office or reinstate his presidential powers. If Yoon is dismissed, South Korea will be required to hold a national election to elect his successor within 60 days.

In the interim, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who was appointed by Yoon, has assumed presidential powers. The transition comes amid ongoing challenges for Yoon's administration, including legislative gridlock in a parliament dominated by the opposition.

The BJP-led Maharashtra government will expand its cabinet today, with new ministers set to take the oath in Nagpur, according to official sources. This comes a day before the week-long winter session of the state legislature, which begins on Monday in Nagpur.

A senior BJP leader stated that 30-32 ministers are expected to be sworn in. The council of ministers, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, can have a maximum of 43 members.

Hectic deliberations have been ongoing, with BJP state chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule meeting Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar to finalize the cabinet lineup. Ajit Pawar also held discussions with NCP leaders at his Deogiri bungalow in Mumbai.

Sources suggest the BJP will claim 20-21 ministerial berths, while Shiv Sena and NCP are likely to get 11-12 and 9-10 berths, respectively. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena has repeatedly expressed interest in the home portfolio, though the BJP is expected to retain it.

The Delhi government has forwarded 14 long-pending Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports to the Lieutenant Governor (LG) for approval to table them in the assembly, Raj Niwas announced on Saturday.

This comes after over 18 months of delay, following mounting pressure, including a petition in the Delhi High Court.

A batch of 77 Indian nationals evacuated from war-torn Syria arrived in New Delhi on Saturday, recounting harrowing experiences of panic, violence, and looting, but expressing gratitude to the Indian Embassy for its prompt and continuous support during the crisis.

Speaking to reporters at the Delhi airport, returnees described the dire situation in Syria following the collapse of President Bashar Assad's government and the rebel forces' capture of Damascus and other key cities.

The Indian Embassy in Syria continues to function amidst the unrest, and India has called for a peaceful, inclusive, and Syrian-led political process to restore stability in the region.

In preparation for the Maha Kumbh 2025, the Uttar Pradesh government has deployed a robust anti-drone system to ensure the safety of an estimated 45 crore devotees expected to attend the global religious gathering.

The system, activated on Friday, successfully intercepted and deactivated two unauthorized drones on its first day of operation. Notices were issued to the operators, officials said.

Experts are monitoring drone activity from a central location, with the capability to neutralize any suspicious unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) mid-flight, according to a government statement.

Sources suggest the BJP will claim 20-21 ministerial berths, while Shiv Sena and NCP are likely to get 11-12 and 9-10 berths, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena has repeatedly expressed interest in the home portfolio, though the BJP is expected to retain it.