Latest news with #AajTak
India Today
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Smriti Irani on her comeback to TV, political future and more
In an exclusive interview with Aaj Tak's Managing Editor, Anjana Om Kashyap, actor-politician Smriti Irani talked about her comeback to TV with Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, her political future and a slew of issues. She confirms that this is not a retirement from public life, stating, "Politics will always be in my veins." The interview covers her journey from being a TV actor to a Union Minister, her electoral battle in Amethi, including the 2019 victory over Rahul Gandhi, and her tenure handling ministries like HRD and Women & Child Development. Irani also addresses controversies surrounding the revision of NCERT history textbooks and accusations of bias against the Election Commission.
India Today
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Is there more acting in politics or more politics in acting? Smriti Irani answers
Smriti Irani, in an exclusive interview with Aaj Tak's Managing Editor Anjana Om Kashyap, said that if a person is not humane and sympathetic to people's needs and woes, then they have no business being in former Union Minister, who announced her return to the small screen with the same show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, which shot her into the spotlight 25 years ago, was asked whether there is more acting in politics or more politics in response, Irani said that the struggle is real for someone like her who stepped into politics without any backing."When you're asking whether there's politics in acting or not, you're diluting that struggle," she told Aaj Tak."We have to understand seriously that without a godfather or the backing of a political family—where the father or mother paves the way for their children—it is not easy," she said that if one is not humane, then there can be no politics. She asked if one lacks compassion, then people would not come to them. "You can't act in politics. Because people are hoping that you will give them solutions."advertisementShe said that a politician is not what people typically think — someone who gives speeches, stands in a crowd, or shouts in the Opposition or from a position of power. "A real politician is one who takes the first step when trouble arises, with the crowd behind them," she said."Why would someone take time out of their day to approach a politician? Only for their needs. Their children are sick, they need school admissions...," she further told Aaj who a true politician is, Smriti Irani said they are meant to be a solution for the people and an instrument to address their woes. "If you're not, then you have no business being in politics," she said.- EndsTrending Reel
India Today
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
None of us owned a house or car: Smriti Irani on how Kyunki built lives
Actor-politician Smriti Irani is ecstatic about the return of her iconic show 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.' In an exclusive conversation with India Today's sister channel Aaj Tak, Irani spoke to Managing Editor and anchor Anjana Om Kashyap about the show's massive cultural impact and the turning point it created in Indian television the interview, she reflected on how the team behind the daily soap not only redefined prime-time viewing but also helped build the foundation of many livelihoods, including her 2000 to 2008, our team redefined television in a completely new way. Back then, no one used to watch TV at 10:30 p.m. Women producing television series wasn't common, and it was also rare for female actors to be the central narrators and the core focus of any show. Establishing all these things was a landmark in itself, a unique chapter of our lives," she said. Irani continued, "I still remember when we first started working on the show; we were about 120–150 people. None of us owned a house or a car. We all laid the financial foundation of our lives through 'Kyunki'. People may watch us on screen, but many don't realise how many households keep their stoves burning simply because someone switches on the television."Irani went on to talk about how television has evolved over the years."Television has changed tremendously over the past 25 years. When I look back on my journey as Tulsi, I can't help but draw a parallel with Aaj Tak. I portrayed Tulsi on television for eight continuous years, and during that same period, the Aaj Tak team and I consistently received awards for excellence across major platforms. But often, once you reach one peak, you begin searching for the next," she her conversation, the 49-year-old even touched upon her political career, navigating a career without a godfather, as well as her views on topics like the participation of Pakistani actors in Indian aired in 2000, 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' became a household name, celebrated for its engaging storylines and unforgettable characters. The reboot aims to retain the soul of the original while introducing fresh elements to engage both loyal fans and new just days to go for its premiere, 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' is already generating buzz - promising to revisit timeless themes of family, identity, and resilience, while reimagining Tulsi's world for a new generation.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Smriti Irani
India Today
10-07-2025
- India Today
Why is Baba Barfani melting so fast this year? Pilgrims share alarming observations
This year's Amarnath Yatra, which began on July 3 under tight security arrangements, has left many devotees in emotional distress, not due to the treacherous path or biting cold, but because of what they saw (or didn't see) inside the holy naturally formed ice Shivling of Baba Barfani, an iconic symbol of Lord Shiva appears to be melting faster than ever before. Aaj Tak reporter Jitendra Bahadur Singh, who undertook the yatra with the first batch of pilgrims, reported a stark contrast compared to previous visits in 2018 and 2022. Back then, the Shivling stood tall at nearly 12–15 feet. But this year, only a 1.5 to 2-foot formation was visible and it had already started melting away. Tent facilities around the shrine. advertisementDUST, HEAT, AND MELTING GLACIERSCamera visuals captured en route from Baltal to the Amarnath shrine show the path blanketed in dust. The once-glacier-laden routes are now dry and muddy. Devotees walking, riding mules, or being carried on palanquins have stirred up heavy dust clouds. The intense heat in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly around Srinagar, appears to be worsening the melting of snow and ice. According to weather experts and local officials, rising temperatures and a lack of snowfall in recent years have significantly reduced ice retention across the FROM THE YATRASanjeev Saurabh from Patna, a pilgrim who has taken the Amarnath Yatra annually for the past 15 years, was deeply moved.'In the early years, Baba's ice form stood 12 to 15 feet high majestic and spiritually overwhelming. But this time, I barely saw a few feet of ice. It feels like Lord Shiva is withdrawing. People say it's global warming. I feel it's a result of declining human values across the globe,' he said, holding back tears.'Once we needed woolens to even enter the shrine; now we can walk in wearing a thin shirt. I did the abhishek (ritual bathing) of my lord with tears.'Vishal Jain, a businessman from Delhi, echoed similar concerns.'This year, I didn't feel the chill I used to. The entire trail was dusty due to the mules. The snow, which used to cover the entire route, is mostly gone. I reached the shrine in just a thin tracksuit and was covered in dust. I saw barely any Shivling, just a fading patch of ice.' Pictures of route while going to the shrine. FORMER IPS OFFICER SHARED GROUND REALITYRaja Babu Singh, former IG of BSF (Kashmir) who supervised the security arrangements along both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes in 2022, shared his observations.'There has been a visible reduction in snowfall in recent years. Earlier, the entire route was untouched, natural terrain. Today, due to heavy troop deployment, helicopter traffic, and lakhs of pilgrims, the environment is under severe stress. Climate change has only worsened the situation.'THREE DECADES OF WITNESS: VETERAN PILGRIM SPEAKSadvertisementRavindra Kumar Sharma, chief patron of Shiv Bhakti Seva Trust in Rohini, Delhi, has been visiting Amarnath since 1996 and has had 40 darshans of Baba Barfani. He notes drastic changes over the years.'In the late '90s and early 2000s, the Shivling would remain for 35–40 days and stand as tall as 16 feet. Today, it melts within a week. Earlier, only a few hundred pilgrims would visit. Now, the number has swelled to over 7.5 lakh annually. Helicopter traffic has also increased. While the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board has made the journey easier with improved infrastructure, it has also accelerated environmental degradation.'This year, extreme heat and lack of rain further worsened conditions. Dust storms plagued the trail, and even in Srinagar, pilgrims noted summer-like heat, forcing them to wear half-sleeve shirts instead of woolens. Image of the exit route after the darshan. IS THIS NATURE WARNING?The rapid disappearance of the holy Shivling has left devotees with a deep sense of loss and fear. Whether it's the result of climate change, over-tourism, or a deeper spiritual disconnect, the signs are unmistakable: Baba Barfani is melting faster than ever pilgrim Sanjeev Saurabh warns, 'It feels like Mahadev is about to open his third eye. It's time we correct our ways before it's too late.'- Ends
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Time of India
Kanwar Yatra 2025 news: What is open & what is closed? Full guide for devotees and travellers
Kanwar Yatra 2025 news: The Kanwar Yatra is one of the largest annual Hindu pilgrimages in India. In 2025, it will be held from 11th July to 23rd July, drawing millions of Kanwariyas (devotees of Lord Shiva) from across the country. With such a massive crowd expected, authorities have issued new rules, road closures, and facility updates to ensure smooth and safe passage. Here's everything you need to know about what's open and closed, traffic updates, and government arrangements for Kanwar Yatra 2025. What Is Kanwar Yatra, and When Will It Happen in 2025? The Kanwar Yatra 2025 will take place from 11th July to 23rd July, coinciding with the holy month of Sawan (Shravan). During this time, devotees collect sacred water from rivers like the Ganga in Haridwar, Gaumukh, and Gangotri. They carry it on foot and offer it at their local Shiva temples, particularly on Shivratri, the final day of the yatra. What's Closed During Kanwar Yatra 2025? To handle the huge influx of pilgrims and avoid chaos, several places and services will remain closed: All government and private schools, higher education institutions, technical colleges, and Anganwadi centres in Haridwar will be closed from 14th to 23rd July, reported in Aaj Tak. However, online classes will continue during this period. Meat shops along the Kanwar Yatra routes in Delhi will be closed as per the joint decision of the Delhi Government and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). According to Delhi's Culture and Tourism Minister, Kapil Mishra, most of these shops are illegal and will not be allowed to operate, as reported in NDTV. What Will Remain Open? 43 special medical camps will be set up in Muzaffarnagar, and 100 hospital beds have been reserved for emergencies, reported in Aaj Tak. Kanwar camps will be operational with 1,200 units of free electricity provided to each. Uttar Pradesh Roadways will run 60 special buses to support the movement of devotees. Essential services like police, ambulance, and emergency responders will remain on high alert. Traffic Restrictions During Kanwar Yatra To manage traffic and ensure safety: From 11th July, heavy vehicles will be banned on the Delhi-Dehradun National Highway and Ganga Canal Road. From 18th July, all vehicles will be restricted on major yatra routes. A part of the highway will be reserved exclusively for Kanwariyas. Sanjay Kumar, SSP of Muzaffarnagar, stated that these steps are crucial to avoid congestion and accidents. Government Preparations and Security Measures Given the expected 5 crore (50 million) devotees, massive arrangements are underway: The region has been divided into 18 zones and 88 sectors for better crowd management. 1,543 CCTV cameras have been installed along the Kanwar Yatra route for 24x7 surveillance. Kanwar camp organisers must install CCTV cameras and ensure that all volunteers have valid ID cards. Police divers will be stationed at major bathing spots on the Ganga, Yamuna, and Ganga Canal to prevent drowning incidents. A single-window system has been launched to help Kanwar Samitis get approvals and organise facilities. Crowd Control and Flower Showers for Devotees Delhi officials estimate that 2.5 to 3 crore Kanwariyas will pass through the city this year. To welcome them: Decorated entry gates will be installed at key points. Flower petals will be showered on devotees as a gesture of respect and devotion. Camps offering rest, water, and medical help will be set up along the route. Important Temples and Routes From Haridwar, many Kanwariyas travel to the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple near Rishikesh. Others head towards Pura Mahadev Temple in Baghpat, causing traffic congestion on the connecting roads. Routes are being monitored and controlled to make movement smoother for both devotees and local travellers. Travel Advisory for Citizens With lakhs of pilgrims on the roads, authorities are urging locals and travellers to: Avoid non-essential travel on key yatra routes between 11th–23rd July. Follow traffic diversions and cooperate with law enforcement. Stay updated via local news and announcements for changes during the Kanwar Yatra 2025. The Kanwar Yatra 2025 is expected to be grand and heavily attended. While certain services and routes will be closed or diverted, essential facilities like healthcare, security, and special transportation will remain open. Whether you're a devotee or a local resident, staying informed about what's open and what's closed during the Kanwar Yatra 2025 will ensure your safety and smooth travel. For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.
