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At least eight FIITJEE coaching centres across North India, including Noida, Ghaziabad, Bhopal, Varanasi, Delhi, and Patna, have suddenly shut down over the past week, leaving hundreds of students and parents in distress as board and entrance examinations approach. The closures followed mass resignations by teachers over unpaid salaries, according to officials. The latest closure occurred in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, where attempts to replace teachers from other centres proved unsustainable. Parents have been left frustrated, alleging that the institute failed to provide prior notice or refunds. Many have filed police complaints and protested outside the now-closed branches. “I invested Rs 6 lakh, and they assured us classes would continue even after earlier closures. But now, with no teachers or classes, the situation is devastating,” said a parent from Meerut. Another parent, who recently paid Rs 4 lakh in fees, shared that teachers cited unpaid salaries as the reason for leaving. FIITJEE’s ongoing financial troubles, compounded by administrative and civic actions over licensing and fire safety violations, appear to have triggered the crisis. The situation has intensified just as students prepare for the JEE Mains Session-1 exams scheduled for January 22, 23, and 24, leaving their academic future in jeopardy. Parents are demanding immediate solutions, citing the negative impact on students’ morale and preparation. The institute has yet to issue an official statement addressing the closures.

Bhopal: The Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) is intensifying efforts to claim the top spot in the Swachh Survekshan 2024 rankings. With new central government guidelines emphasizing service-level progress and ward-level performance, the competition promises to be tougher than ever. The upcoming cleanliness survey, scheduled from mid-February to the end of March, will assess cities based on progress in cleanliness services and ward-level inspections. Cities have been grouped into five population-based categories for evaluation. This year’s survey revolves around the theme “RRR” – Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle – aiming to promote sustainable urban development. BMC is determined to set a benchmark by focusing on five key parameters: visible cleanliness, door-to-door waste collection, waste segregation, waste processing, and sustainability. BMC Commissioner Harendra Narayan expressed confidence in Bhopal’s prospects, stating, “Last year, we ranked 5th due to a few missed points. This time, we aim to secure the top spot.” Currently, BMC processes 400 tonnes of wet waste into Bio-CNG daily and plans to start converting dry waste into charcoal within six months, further enhancing sustainability. While Indore continues to dominate as a “super league city,” BMC’s initiatives aim to make Bhopal a leading contender in the prestigious cleanliness rankings.

Bhandara, Maharashtra: A devastating explosion occurred at the ordnance factory in the Jawahar Nagar area of Bhandara district on Friday morning, claiming the lives of at least eight people and leaving seven others injured. The blast caused the factory roof to collapse, prompting the deployment of rescue teams, including firefighters, ambulances, and earthmovers, to clear debris and search for survivors. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, expressing grief, called the incident “unfortunate” and confirmed the casualties during an event in Nagpur. He urged a minute of silence to honor the victims. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed his condolences, stating, “Deeply saddened to know about the blast at Ordnance Factory in Bhandara. My condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. Rescue teams are deployed, and all efforts are being made to assist those affected.” Maharashtra Congress Chief Nana Patole criticized the central government, calling the incident a “failure of the Modi government.” Investigations into the cause of the explosion are ongoing as authorities work to provide aid and ensure safety.

Mumbai Police Enhance Security for Bollywood Celebrities Following Disturbing Death Threats from Pakistan In the wake of alarming death threats directed at Kapil Sharma, Rajpal Yadav, Remo D’Souza, and Sugandha Mishra, the Mumbai police have ramped up security measures for these high-profile stars. The threats, issued via emails under the alias ‘Bishnu,’ primarily targeted Sharma, attributed to his association with the popular Comedy Nights with Kapil show and its sponsorship by Salman Khan. The initial report came from Rajpal Yadav, who alerted authorities to an email warning of potential harm. His wife, Radha Rajpal Yadav, subsequently lodged a complaint at Amboli Police Station, leading to an official case registered under Section 351(3) of the Indian Penal Code, concerning threats of harm. As the investigation unfolded, police traced the threatening IP address to Pakistan and have sought assistance from the Indian government to engage with Pakistani authorities. In response to the serious nature of these threats, the police have implemented increased personal security for Kapil Sharma and his team, including patrols near their homes and workplaces. This action underscores the growing concern within the entertainment industry regarding online threats and cybercrime, particularly given the cross-border origins of this incident. Fans and the public are rallying behind the celebrities, hoping for a swift resolution and enhanced safety.

In a significant step toward making Bhopal a rabies-free city by 2030, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed establishing six new Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres. This initiative seeks to address the rapidly growing stray dog population, which currently exceeds 1.2 lakh. Currently, Bhopal operates three ABC centres, sterilising approximately 500 stray dogs weekly, or 24,000 annually. However, BMC officials have expressed concerns that this capacity falls short of what is required to control the surge in stray dog numbers, which could double within a year given the high reproduction rate. BMC Chairman Kishan Suryavanshi emphasised the importance of expanding the city’s capacity, saying, “The current three ABC centres are inadequate to meet the needs of the city. To achieve our vision of making Bhopal the first rabies-free city in the state, we need additional centres.” Addressing the Rabies Threat The city is home to around 32,000 female stray dogs, each capable of giving birth to 8–10 puppies twice a year. Even if only half survive, the population continues to rise exponentially, posing public safety concerns and increasing the risk of rabies. Proposal Submitted to Union Government Ranveer Singh, Additional Commissioner of BMC, revealed that a proposal for six new ABC centres has been submitted to the Union government. Once approved, Bhopal will have a total of nine operational centres, significantly boosting sterilisation capacity. “Without the new centres, controlling the stray dog population and achieving the city’s rabies-free target by 2030 would be nearly impossible,” Singh said. This proposal reflects BMC’s dual focus on public health and animal welfare, setting a strong foundation for Bhopal’s transformation into a safer, rabies-free city.

What’s Good:Sky Force showcases strong performances, particularly from Akshay Kumar and Veer Pahariya, whose on-screen camaraderie is well-etched. The film’s second half builds up engagingly, with several combat sequences captured skillfully, paying a heartfelt tribute to real-life officers towards the end. What’s Bad:Despite its strengths, the film stumbles with overly preachy dialogues and emotional scenes that fail to resonate with audiences. Sara Ali Khan feels underutilized, and the chemistry among the IAF officers could have been better developed. Additionally, the songs fall flat, lacking the emotional connect typical of patriotic cinema. Loo Break:Be prepared for a jarring dance number that appears unexpectedly in the first half, making it an ideal moment for a bathroom break. Watch or Not?While Akshay Kumar’s fans may find value in watching this film, it feels more suited for an OTT release than the big screen. Although the air combat sequences and background score are commendable, the repetitive soundtrack does little to elevate the overall experience, feeling like echoes of previous patriotic songs in Kumar’s career. Sky Force: The Last WordSky Force possesses the potential to deliver a powerful narrative but ultimately falls short. Nevertheless, Veer Pahariya stands out with one of the year’s most promising debut performances, providing a glimmer of hope for future projects.

In a significant legal development, director Ram Gopal Varma has been sentenced to three months of simple imprisonment by a local court in Mumbai due to a cheque bounce case. The magistrate court in Andheri delivered the verdict on Tuesday, also ordering Varma to pay a compensation of Rs. 3.72 lakh to the complainant, a firm named Shree represented by Maheshchandra Mishra, within three months. Should Varma fail to pay the fine, he will face an additional three months in jail. Notably, Varma was not present in court during the delivery of the judgment, leading the court to issue a non-bailable warrant against him. In response to the court ruling, Varma took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to clarify the situation, stating, “With regard to the news about me and Andheri court, I want to clarify that it is to do with a 7-year-old case of Rs 2 lakh 38 thousand amount, relating to my ex-employee. My advocates are attending to it, and since the matter is in court, I cannot say anything further.” The cheque bounce case falls under the provisions of the Negotiable Instruments Act, which addresses disputes arising from dishonored cheques due to insufficient funds or similar issues. Further details regarding the court’s order are expected to be released soon.

In an effort to create a conducive environment for students appearing for their 10th and 12th board exams, the Bhopal administration has imposed strict measures to curb noise pollution. Bhopal Collector Kiranloke Vikram Singh has issued an order banning the use of loudspeakers and DJs after 10 pm in the city. This rule will remain in effect from January 24 to March 31, ensuring a peaceful atmosphere for students during their exam preparations. Immediate Action Against Violations Authorities, including Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) and police officers, have been instructed to take immediate action against individuals or groups violating this directive. DJs Banned for Weddings and Events The order also prohibits the use of DJs and loudspeakers at weddings or any other events after 10 pm. Violators will face strict legal consequences. Collector Kiranloke Vikram Singh urged the public to cooperate and support students during this critical time. “It is the shared responsibility of society and the administration to ensure a peaceful environment for students, helping them excel in their exams,” he stated. This proactive step reflects the administration’s commitment to prioritizing the needs of students and fostering an environment conducive to academic success.

At least 13 people lost their lives and 10 were injured in a tragic accident involving the Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express near Pachora town in North Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district. The incident occurred when someone pulled the alarm chain around 4:45 pm, causing the train to stop abruptly. Railway officials confirmed that the train driver followed protocol, activating the flasher light and applying brakes. The curvature of the track, nearly two degrees, obstructed visibility and reduced braking distance, complicating efforts to avoid the accident. Central PRO Swapnil Nila stated, “The driver of the Karnataka Express noticed the flasher light and applied brakes, but the curvature made it difficult to see the stopped train. Despite this, the pilots’ quick response prevented an even greater tragedy. A train running at full speed requires at least 650 meters to stop.” Trains in this section of the trunk route typically run at speeds exceeding 100 kmph, adding to the challenges in averting such incidents. Ex-Gratia Relief Distributed On January 23, 2025, an ex-gratia amount of ₹2,70,000 was distributed to the injured passengers. Hasan Ali, Vijay Kumar, Uttam Harjan, Dharma Sawant, and Abu Mohammad, who suffered grievous injuries, received ₹50,000 each. Meanwhile, Moharam, Hakeem Ansari, Deepak Thapa, and Hujala Sawant, who sustained minor injuries, were given ₹5,000 each. The accident underscores the need for enhanced safety measures on trunk routes to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Bhajan Singh Rana, the auto-rickshaw driver who rushed actor Saif Ali Khan to Lilavati Hospital after a knife attack at the actor’s home, has garnered widespread praise for his selfless act. Despite growing calls for Rana to be rewarded, he humbly stated he does not seek any monetary compensation. Speaking to Instant Bollywood, Rana expressed his gratitude and clarified, “I’m not asking for anything, but if he chooses to gift me something, I would gladly accept. I never claimed that I deserve a reward or am doing this out of greed.” Khan, who spent five days in the hospital recovering from spinal injuries, personally thanked Rana for his timely help. While Khan offered financial support, Rana chose to keep the details private, stating, “Whatever it is, it’s between him and me.” Before Khan’s discharge, Rana also met Khan’s mother, veteran actor Sharmila Tagore. Rana paid his respects by touching her feet and shared that the family treated him with kindness. “He introduced me to his mother, and I touched her feet. He gave me money as per his wish and assured me that he would be there for me whenever I needed help,” Rana shared. Rana’s humility and dedication have won him admiration, and his heroic actions continue to inspire many.