THE CLIFF NEWS

Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena reportedly told outgoing Chief Minister Atishi that AAP’s defeat in the recent elections was due to the “curse of Yamuna Maa.” The remark came when Atishi visited Raj Bhawan on Sunday to submit her resignation. The roots of the “curse” go back to 2023 when the National Green Tribunal (NGT) formed a high-level committee under Saxena to oversee the Yamuna rejuvenation project. While CM Arvind Kejriwal initially supported the initiative, his government later challenged the order in the Supreme Court, arguing that a domain expert should lead the panel. The SC stayed the committee’s work, and the issue remained unresolved for over two years. Yamuna Pollution Becomes a Key Election Issue Political Reactions The Yamuna pollution issue thus emerged as a symbol of AAP’s failed promises, shaping the election narrative and voter sentiment.

President Droupadi Murmu, clad in a white saree, took a holy dip at the Sangam—the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati—during her visit to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. After the dip, she performed Ganga Aarti and pooja, marking a significant spiritual moment at the world’s largest religious gathering. Accompanying the President were Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who later joined her at Akshayavat and Hanuman Mandir. The President also visited the Digital Kumbh Anubhav Centre, an initiative to provide an immersive experience of the festival’s significance. The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, which began on January 13, has witnessed an overwhelming 40 crore devotees so far. The largest turnout was on January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), with eight crore pilgrims taking the Amrit Snan. The festival will conclude on February 26, coinciding with Mahashivratri. Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took a dip in the Sangam, chanting mantras while holding rudraksha beads. “I got immense peace and satisfaction from the blessings of Maa Ganga,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Several prominent leaders and celebrities have also participated in the holy dip, including Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murthy, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, choreographer Remo D’Souza, actors Hema Malini and Anupam Kher, and Olympic medalist Saina Nehwal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit France on a three-day tour starting Monday, where he will co-chair the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. The visit aims to strengthen strategic ties, bolster defence cooperation, and expand trade partnerships. Key Highlights of the Visit Additionally, 2026 will be declared the “India-France Innovation Year,” with an official logo launch. After his France visit, PM Modi will travel to the US for further engagements.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has resigned from his post, handing over his resignation letter to state governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan. Singh, who was accompanied by state BJP president A. Sharda, BJP’s North East Manipur in-charge Sambit Patra, and at least 19 MLAs, stated, “It has been an honour to serve the people of Manipur so far.” In his resignation letter, Singh expressed gratitude to the central government for its interventions and developmental efforts in the state. His resignation comes just a day after he reiterated his government’s commitment to restoring peace in the violence-hit state. Since ethnic clashes erupted in May 2023, over 250 people have lost their lives, and thousands have been displaced. On the day of Singh’s resignation, unidentified gunmen looted arms from an India Reserve Battalion (IRB) outpost in Thoubal district. The assailants, arriving in multiple vehicles, took at least six SLRs and three AK rifles from security personnel. Earlier, on December 31, Singh had publicly apologized for the prolonged violence, acknowledging the loss and suffering of the people. He expressed hope that recent efforts would bring peace and normalcy to Manipur by 2025.

A woman takes one of the biggest steps in her life when she transitions from ‘Miss’ to ‘Mrs’. And the one holding her hand through this change is the ‘Mr’ in the relationship. But what if the man never truly understands her? What if the house she dreams of turning into a home never really feels like her own? What if marriage comes at the cost of leaving all her aspirations behind? These are not hypothetical questions; they are the stark reality for countless women. ZEE5’s latest film Mrs, starring Sanya Malhotra, delves into this very narrative. A Hindi adaptation of the highly acclaimed The Great Indian Kitchen, Mrs may not capture the raw intensity of the original, but it still leaves you deeply unsettled. The premise of Mrs is universal, bound to leave many women feeling triggered, enraged, or heartbroken. Sanya Malhotra delivers an outstanding performance, effortlessly portraying Richa’s transformation from a lively, young girl wanting to be a dancer to someone worn down by relentless humiliation. It’s heartbreaking to see her frustration and pain as she jokes about being a maid and cook for her husband while drinking with friends. Nishant Dahiya is infuriatingly convincing as the outwardly respectable doctor who masks his rigid, regressive mindset. The scene where he gaslights his wife after she opens up about her desires and need for love serves as a stark reality check on the misogynistic treatment many women endure behind closed doors. Kanwaljit Singh, too, is exceptional, making you squirm as he slowly erodes Richa’s confidence with his obsessive compulsions and cold demeanor. Mrs is an unsettling reflection of a reality many women silently endure, making it an important watch. While it may not fully capture the unfiltered rawness of The Great Indian Kitchen, it still delivers a gut-wrenching portrayal of systemic patriarchy. With its powerful performances and poignant storytelling, Mrs compels audiences to confront uncomfortable truths—urging not just empathy, but introspection and change. ⭐ 3.5 out of 5 stars ⭐

Hollywood shone bright at the Critics Choice Awards 2025, celebrating a mix of blockbuster hits and indie gems. Leading the nominations were Conclave and Wicked with 11 nods each, while Anora took home the coveted Best Picture award. Demi Moore and Adrien Brody won big in the acting categories, making the night one to remember. FILM WINNERS Best Picture Best Actor Best Actress Best Supporting Actor Best Supporting Actress Best Young Actor/Actress Best Acting Ensemble Best Director Best Animated Feature Best Comedy Best Foreign Language Film TELEVISION WINNERS Best Drama Series Best Actor in a Drama Series Best Actress in a Drama Series Best Comedy Series Best Actor in a Comedy Series Best Actress in a Comedy Series Best Limited Series Best Foreign Language Series Best Animated Series This year’s Critics Choice Awards highlighted some of the most compelling performances and productions in film and television, setting the stage for an exciting awards season ahead!

The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation and restructuring of the Skill India Programme (SIP) till 2026, with an outlay of ₹8,800 crore for the period 2022-23 to 2025-26. This move reinforces the government’s commitment to creating a skilled and future-ready workforce by integrating demand-driven, technology-enabled, and industry-aligned training across India. Key Highlights of the Skill India Programme Restructuring: New Railway Division at Rayagada Approved As part of the South Coast Railway Zone, the Cabinet has approved the creation of a new railway division at Rayagada under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act. Additionally, the colonial-era name Waltair will be changed to Vishakhapatnam Railway Division. National Commission for Safai Karmacharis Extended The tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karmacharis has been extended for three more years from April 2025 to March 2028 with an allocation of ₹50.91 crore. The commission will include a chairperson, vice-chairperson, five members, secretary, and joint secretary, focusing on the welfare and rights of sanitation workers. The approvals reflect the government’s emphasis on skilling initiatives, railway expansion, and social welfare programs, ensuring inclusive growth across multiple sectors.

Actors Sobhita Dhulipala and Naga Chaitanya, along with their families, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Parliament House, sharing a moment of pride and gratitude. Sobhita presented PM Modi with Kondapalli Bommalu (dancing dolls)—a cherished handicraft from Andhra Pradesh, recalling her childhood memories in Tenali. Expressing her emotions on Instagram, Sobhita wrote, “Profoundly thankful to Hon’ble Prime Minister @narendramodi ji for today’s meeting… So happy to be able to gift him one and to find that he knows all about this old handicraft and its nativity to Andhra Pradesh.” During the meeting, the Akkineni family also presented “Akkineni Ka Virat Vyaktitva”, a book by Padma Bhushan awardee Dr. Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad, celebrating the cinematic legacy of legendary actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR). Actor Nagarjuna also shared a heartfelt note, highlighting PM Modi’s recognition of ANR’s philanthropic legacy, as well as his praise for Annapurna Studios and Annapurna College of Film and Media, calling them pivotal institutions for aspiring filmmakers. PM Modi had earlier acknowledged Akkineni Nageswara Rao’s contributions to Indian cinema in his Mann Ki Baat address, stating that ANR took Telugu cinema to new heights, showcasing Indian traditions and values through his films.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials have confirmed a rising number of suspected Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases in Maharashtra, with the total reaching 180 as of Friday, February 7, 2025. This marks an increase from 173 cases reported the previous day. Among these cases, 146 patients have been confirmed to have GBS, while six deaths have been reported, with one confirmed as due to the syndrome. Currently, 58 patients are in the ICU, 22 are on ventilators, and 79 have been discharged. According to the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme by the Public Health Department, the affected areas include: Health officials have been investigating a possible link between the outbreak and water contamination. Since January 9, a total of 4,282 water samples have been collected for testing. On Friday, 16 new water sources were found to be contaminated, bringing the total number of contaminated sources to 53. Authorities continue to monitor the situation, urging residents to take precautions and ensure access to safe drinking water.

Billionaire Gautam Adani’s younger son, Jeet Adani, tied the knot with Diva Shah on Friday in a small and intimate wedding ceremony attended by close family and friends. The ceremony, conducted as per Jain traditions, took place at Shantigram, Ahmedabad. Keeping the wedding simple, the Adani family refrained from inviting celebrities, politicians, or business leaders. Instead, Gautam Adani pledged a ₹10,000 crore donation towards healthcare, education, and skill development initiatives. The funds will contribute to building a network of world-class hospitals, medical colleges, K-12 schools, and skill academies with assured employability. Sharing pictures from the wedding, Adani expressed gratitude and sought blessings for the newlyweds. “It was a small and extremely private function, so we could not invite all well-wishers even if we wanted to, for which I apologise,” he wrote on X. A reception for employees is scheduled for Saturday. Jeet Adani, an engineering graduate from the University of Pennsylvania, is a director at Adani Airports and began his career in 2019 at the CFO office of the Adani Group. His bride, Diva Shah, is the daughter of diamond merchant Jaimin Shah, co-owner of C Dinesh & Co Pvt Ltd. True to his earlier statement at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Gautam Adani ensured the wedding remained a simple and traditional affair, without the usual grandeur associated with high-profile weddings.