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Madhya Pradesh is poised to transform its tourism sector, with the state’s tourism department actively seeking investments in hospitality projects. The initiative involves developing tourism infrastructure on approximately 700 hectares of land across the state, with opportunities for creating resorts, wayside amenities, recreational facilities, and wellness centers. The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) has identified prime land parcels near renowned tourist destinations such as Ujjain, Mandu, Omkareshwar, Dewas, Orchha, Khandwa, Burhanpur, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Chhatarpur, and Raisen. These strategically located sites will be offered to investors on long-term leases, aiming to bolster religious and adventure tourism. An MPTB official stated: “We are committed to enhancing tourism infrastructure in the state. By inviting investments in these strategically located land parcels, we hope to boost local economies and create a diverse range of amenities for both domestic and international tourists.” The projects emphasize sustainable tourism while safeguarding the region’s cultural heritage, aligning with Madhya Pradesh’s natural and historical richness. The initiative is expected to attract local, national, and international investors. Tourism will also be a major highlight of the upcoming Investors’ Summit, with a dedicated session outlining the opportunities in the sector. MPTB has over 1,000 hectares of land available for tourism development, making it an appealing prospect for entrepreneurs and stakeholders seeking to capitalize on the state’s diverse offerings.

The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, showcasing India’s deep connection with its diaspora and rich cultural heritage. Welcoming delegates from around the globe, Shri Modi expressed pride in the inauguration song performed by Grammy-winning artist Ricky Kej and his team, suggesting it would resonate in future diaspora events worldwide. The Prime Minister acknowledged the heartfelt words of the Chief Guest, H.E. Christine Carla Kangaloo, President of Trinidad & Tobago, who lauded India’s progress. Highlighting the festive atmosphere in India, Shri Modi mentioned upcoming celebrations like Maha Kumbh, Makar Sankranti, Lohri, Pongal, and Maag Bihu. Reflecting on history, he noted Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India on this day in 1915 and commemorated the birth centenary of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, whose vision established Pravasi Bharatiya Divas as a bridge between India and its diaspora. Shri Modi emphasized Odisha’s historical significance, describing its rich heritage through landmarks like Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves, the Sun Temple at Konark, and ancient ports such as Tamralipti and Manikpatna. He highlighted the Bali Yatra festival, commemorating Odisha’s maritime legacy, and Dhauli, symbolizing peace and Ashoka’s transformation. The Prime Minister urged the world to embrace peace, inspired by India’s Buddhist traditions, and expressed pride in hosting the convention in Odisha, a land embodying India’s vibrant heritage.

The 1993 Japanese-Indian animated film Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama is set to release in Indian cinemas on January 24, 2025. The movie, a collaborative masterpiece directed by Yugo Sako, Ram Mohan, and Koichi Sasaki, will be presented in a remastered 4K format with new dubs in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, alongside its original English version. Key Highlights: Legacy and Voice Cast: Historical Context: With its re-release, Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama aims to captivate both nostalgic fans and a new generation, blending timeless Indian storytelling with Japanese anime artistry.

DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has revealed that he has considered the possibility of integrating Robert Pattinson’s Batman into the broader DC Universe (DCU). However, Gunn clarified that no definitive decisions have been made regarding this move. Key Highlights: Insights from Matt Reeves: Looking Ahead: While fans speculate about the potential integration of Pattinson’s Batman into the DCU, the focus for now remains on the standalone The Batman franchise. With The Batman Part II on the horizon, it appears that the Caped Crusader’s current trajectory will continue to unfold under the Elseworlds banner, maintaining its creative independence while leaving the door open for future possibilities.

Akshay Kumar and director Priyadarshan are reuniting 18 years after their cult hit Bhool Bhulaiyaa for another horror-comedy, Bhooth Bangla. The film, which also stars Wamiqa Gabbi, Tabu, Paresh Rawal, Asrani, and Rajpal Yadav, began filming on January 6, 2025, at the iconic Chomu Palace in Jaipur—the same location where Bhool Bhulaiyaa was shot. Key Highlights: Filming Details: Plot Overview: Ensemble Cast: The film brings together a stellar cast, including veterans like Tabu and Paresh Rawal, alongside comedy specialists Rajpal Yadav and Asrani. Wamiqa Gabbi adds fresh energy to the lineup. VFX-Heavy Production: The movie employs extensive visual effects, with a focus on creating a unique blend of horror and humor, setting it apart in the genre. Release Date: Akshay Kumar’s Upcoming Projects: Before Bhooth Bangla, Akshay will appear in several highly anticipated films: This lineup marks Akshay Kumar’s full-fledged return to the comedy genre, solidifying his place as one of the OGs of humor in Hindi cinema.

Acclaimed filmmaker Blessy is thrilled after receiving news that his ambitious project, The Goat Life — the country’s largest-ever desert film — has made it to the final shortlist for nominations at the 97th Academy Awards. The film is competing in the Best Film category, aiming to secure a spot among the top 10 finalists to proceed to the final round of nominations. Blessy shared his excitement. He said, “This is incredible news for all of us who worked on this project. Even making it onto this shortlist is an achievement in itself. We began screening the film for Academy members in the US and Europe back in November. In Los Angeles alone, we held 15 screenings.” Blessy added, “The positive reviews we received during the screenings were heartening. Voting begins tomorrow and will continue for a week. Regardless of the outcome, being recognized at this level is a tremendous honour for everyone involved.” The Goat Life has already made waves by breaking records, grossing Rs 100 crore within just nine days of its release. The film premiered on 1,720 screens globally last year. Blessy revealed that the story of the film had been with him for 17 years. However, production faced delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Produced by Visual Romance, The Goat Life boasts a star-studded cast including Prithviraj, Hollywood actor Jimmy Jean-Louis, Indian stars Amala Paul and K.R. Gokul, and celebrated Arab actors Talib al Balushi and Rik Aby. The film’s music and sound design have been crafted by Academy Award winners A.R. Rahman and Resul Pookutty, further enhancing its global appeal. The film is about an Indian man who goes to Saudi Arabia seeking work only to find himself forced to labour without pay as a goat herder in the remote desert.

Salman Khan has significantly upgraded the security at his Mumbai residence, Galaxy Apartments, in light of ongoing death threats, particularly from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Security Enhancements: Threat History: Upcoming Projects: On the professional front, Salman Khan is gearing up for his next big release, Sikandar, directed by Sajid Nadiadwala and AR Murugadoss. Salman Khan’s focus on both personal safety and professional commitments underscores the balance he maintains amid challenging circumstances. Fans eagerly await his next cinematic venture while expressing concern for his well-being.

Two directors and three senior executives of a private company based in Dadar have been booked in connection with an alleged Ponzi scheme, which reportedly defrauded at least seven investors of ₹13.48 crore. The Shivaji Park police registered a case against the executives of Platinum Hern Pvt Ltd, which operates Torres store. Key Individuals Accused The accused include: Scheme Details The fraudulent scheme was uncovered following a complaint from a 31-year-old vegetable vendor, Pradipkumar Vaishya, who had invested in the scheme. Police Action As aggrieved investors gathered outside the Torres store on JK Sawant Road in Dadar (West), police intervened to manage the situation. The case was filed under sections 318(4), 316(5), and 61 of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), along with sections 3 and 4 of the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors (MPID) Act. Investigation Progress Statement from Authorities DCP Zone 5 Ganesh Gawde confirmed the ongoing investigation, stating that the case highlights the importance of public awareness regarding fraudulent schemes promising unrealistic returns. The authorities have urged potential victims to report their losses as the investigation widens.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari held a meeting with transport ministers from 27 states on Tuesday to address 17 critical issues aimed at transforming India’s transportation sector. Key areas of focus included road safety, cashless treatment for accident victims, and establishing driving training centres. Road Safety: A Top Priority Gadkari emphasized that road safety remains the government’s highest priority, citing alarming statistics. India recorded 1.8 lakh road accident fatalities last year, with 66% of the victims aged between 18-34 years. Cashless Treatment Scheme The government plans to roll out a nationwide cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims, building on a successful pilot in select states. Driving Training Centres To address a critical shortage of skilled drivers, Gadkari announced plans to establish 1,250 driving and fitness training centres in partnership with states. Gadkari concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to safer roads, better infrastructure, and sustainable transportation solutions, emphasizing the collective responsibility of citizens and the administration in achieving these goals.

The Madhya Pradesh government is set to finalize its state budget for the financial year 2025-26 through an intensive four-day session from January 8 to January 11. The process involves discussions with 54 departments, with a total of 15 hours and 30 minutes allocated for the meetings. Departments will be allotted time ranging from 5 to 30 minutes, based on their size and significance. Smaller departments like Happiness, Overseas Indian Affairs, Public Asset Management, and Aviation will receive 5 minutes each, while major departments such as Urban Development and Housing, School Education, Health, Agriculture, and Public Works will have 30 minutes. The remaining departments will get between 10 and 25 minutes to present their budget proposals. The discussions will feature deputy secretary-level officials from the finance department meeting with department heads, including additional chief secretaries and secretaries. The focus will be on refining the budget blueprint by evaluating both new and ongoing schemes, addressing unutilized funds, and justifying each expense under the zero-based budgeting (ZBB) technique. Key highlights of the exercise: After discussions with individual departments, the budget proposals will be presented to the finance minister and subsequently to the chief minister for approval. Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda, who holds the finance portfolio, highlighted the significance of this exercise. Earlier in 2024, the government presented a vote on account due to general elections, deferring the full budget to this year. The budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year was set at ₹3,65,067 crore. By adopting ZBB, Madhya Pradesh aims to set a precedent in financial management, ensuring efficient allocation and utilization of public funds.