New Delhi, Nov 24: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah has condoled the demise of famous film actor Dharmendra.

In a post on X platform, Amit Shah said that the passing of Dharmendra ji, who touched the heart of every citizen of the country for six decades with his brilliant acting, is an irreparable loss to the Indian film industry.

He said that coming from a humble background, Dharmendra Ji made an indelible mark in the film industry.

He said that Dharmendra ji was one of those few actors who brought every character he touched to life, and through his art, he won the hearts of millions of viewers across all age groups.

Shah said that Dharmendra ji will forever remain with us through his acting. May God give his family and fans the strength to bear this grief. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.

Mumbai, Nov 24: Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Monday said the strength of armed forces lies in synergy and Operation Sindoor is an apt example of this.

He was speaking during the commissioning of INS Mahe, the first of the Mahe-class anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft, in Mumbai.

“The strength of our armed forces lies in synergy,” General Dwivedi said.

The sea, land, skies form the single continuum of national security and together the Army, Navy and the Air Force form the trinity of India’s strategic strength. In the age of multi-domain operations, the country’s ability to act in concert from the depths of the ocean to the highest frontier will determine the security influence of the Indian republic, he said.

The Indian armed forces, he further said, are in operation in every domain, from Ladakh to the Indian Ocean, from information warfare to joint logistics.

“Op (Operation) Sindoor was an apt example of this (the synergy of the armed forces),” the Army chief said.

India carried out military action under Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack in April, which claimed the lives of 26 persons.

The Indian Army has launched a series of initiatives under an overall umbrella of transformation in which jointness and integration are important pillars, recognising that modern conflicts will be multi-domain, hybrid and require united national strength, Gen Dwivedi said.

An official said this was also the first time that an Army chief was present at the commissioning of a naval ship.

Following the commissioning of INS Mahe, Gen Dwivedi also awarded Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Commendation to the Navy personnel who played a key role in the commissioning of the ship, a rarity which will become more frequent in days to come as the level of synergy among the three forces increases, the official added.

The Indian Navy plays an important role in the neighbourhood as well as in the global environment in far-off lands where the Army’s efforts can play both a supplementary and a complementary role in soft and hard diplomacy, Gen Dwivedi said and referred to it as smart diplomacy.

The Indian Army and Indian Navy have always stood shoulder to shoulder for HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) missions across the globe or even the amphibious operations, he added.

Mumbai, Nov 24: Veteran Bollywood star Dharmendra, aged 89, has passed away, sources close to IANS confirmed the news.

The octogenarian on November 12 had got discharged from Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai and was said to be in a stable condition and recovering well at home.

At that time Dr. Rajiv Sharma from the hospital told IANS that the legendary star has gone home “fully satisfied” after receiving the required treatment.

Sharing an update on the actor’s health, he stated, “Dharmendra ji has gone from the hospital with full satisfaction. His family has taken him home. Everything has been arranged for him.”

“He is in a stable condition. I request the public not to spread the false news but instead pray for his recovery so that he can celebrate his next birthday with pride.”

The star was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai and sources close to IANS on November 10 had said that Dharmendra is critical and on life support.

On October 31, the actor, as per sources close to IANS, was kept under strict medical observation by top doctors at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai.

The superstar would have turned 90 on December 8.

On the professional front, Dharmendra was last seen in the movie Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya in 2024. The movie starred actors Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon. The actor is set to star next in the movie ‘Ikkis’, directed by ace director Sriram Raghavan.

The movie stars Agastya Nanda and Simar Bhatia. The movie is a war drama based on the life of Arun Khetarpal, the youngest Param Vir Chakra recipient.

The film also features Jaideep Ahlawat and Sikandar Kher in important roles and is slated to release in December.

Dharmendra, who is widely considered one of the greatest, most handsome, and most commercially successful film stars in the history of Indian cinema, had a cinematic career spanning over six decades; he has worked in more than 300 films.

Dharmendra holds the record for starring in the highest number of hit films in Hindi cinema. He was honored with the Padma Bhushan in 2012.

Dharmendra made his debut in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere.

He first gained popularity in the mid-1960s for films such as Ayee Milan Ki Bela, Phool Aur Patthar, and Aaye Din Bahar Ke.

He starred in several successful Hindi films from the late-1960s to the 1980s, such as Ankhen, Shikar, Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke, Jeevan Mrityu, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Seeta Aur Geeta, Raja Jani, Jugnu, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Dost, Sholay, Pratiggya, Charas, Dharam Veer, Chacha Bhatija, Ghulami, Hukumat, Aag Hi Aag, Elaan-E-Jung, Tahalka, Anpadh, Bandini, Haqeeqat, Anupama, Mamta, Majhli Didi, Satyakam, Naya Zamana, Samadhi, Resham Ki Dori, Chupke Chupke, Dillagi, The Burning Train, Ghazab, Do Dishayen and Hathyar.

In the late 1990s, he appeared in character roles in several successful and acclaimed films, such as Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, Life in a… Metro, Apne, Johnny Gaddaar, Yamla Pagla Deewana, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya.

New Delhi, Nov 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, on November 25, marking a historic moment in the country’s socio-cultural and spiritual journey.

The visit will begin at around 10 AM, when the Prime Minister will offer prayers at the Saptmandir complex, which includes temples dedicated to Maharshi Vashishtha, Maharshi Vishwamitra, Maharshi Agastya, Maharshi Valmiki, Devi Ahilya, Nishadraj Guha and Mata Shabari. He will then proceed to the Sheshavtar Mandir. Around 11 AM, he will visit Mata Annapurna Mandir, followed by Darshan and Pooja at the Ram Darbar Garbh Grah and Ram Lalla Garbha Grah.

At noon, Prime Minister Modi will ceremonially hoist a saffron flag atop the Shikhar of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple, symbolising the completion of its construction and heralding a new era of cultural resurgence and national unity. He will also address the gathering on this landmark occasion.

The programme coincides with the auspicious Panchami of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Margashirsha, aligning with the Abhijit Muhurat of Shri Ram and Maa Sita’s Vivah Panchami — a day representing divine union. It also marks the martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the ninth Sikh Guru, who meditated in Ayodhya for 48 hours in the 17th century, lending further spiritual significance to the occasion.

The right-angled triangular saffron flag — ten feet high and twenty feet long — will feature the radiant Sun symbolizing the courage and brilliance of Bhagwan Shri Ram, an ‘Om’ inscription, and the image of the Kovidara tree. Designed to reflect the ideals of Ram Rajya, it represents dignity, unity, and cultural continuity. The flag will be hoisted on a Shikhar built in the traditional North Indian Nagara architectural style. Surrounding it is an 800-metre Parkota, a circumambulatory enclosure, designed in the South Indian architectural tradition, showcasing the temple’s fusion of diverse cultural influences.

The temple complex also features 87 intricately carved stone depictions from the life of Bhagwan Shri Ram, based on the Valmiki Ramayana, on the outer walls of the main temple. Additionally, 79 bronze-cast episodes from Indian culture have been placed along the enclosure walls. Together, these elements offer visitors a profound and educational experience, embodying India’s spiritual legacy and the enduring narrative of Shri Ram.

New Delhi, Nov 24: Justice Surya Kant, who has been part of several landmark verdicts, including on abrogation of Article 370 removing Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, took oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India on Monday.

He succeeds Justice B R Gavai.

President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath to Justice Kant at a brief ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

He took the oath in Hindi in the name of God.

Justice Kant was appointed as the next CJI on October 30 and will remain in the post for nearly 15 months. He will demit office on February 9, 2027 on attaining the age of 65 years.

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among the senior leaders who attended the ceremony.