Singers Lady Gaga and Doechii have released a new single, "Runway", which will feature in "The Devil Wears Prada 2". Gaga and Doechii shared the news with a collaborative post on their respective Instagram handles on Friday. It featured the poster with the title of the track. "Runway w/ @doechii @ladygaga Out Now | 'The Devil Wears Prada 2'," read the caption. The track is co-produced by Andrew Watt alongside Bruno Mars, Cirkut, and Dernst "D'Mile" Emile II. Watt also co-wrote the song with Gaga, Mars, Doechii, Cirkut, D'Mile, and Jayda Love. "The Devil Wears Prada 2" is directed by David Frankel and written by Aline Brosh McKenna. The film is set to release on May 1 and features Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt. It is a sequel to the 2006 film with the same title, which went on to earn over USD 300 million at the global box office. The first film revolved around Andy Sachs (Hathaway), a smart but fashion-clueless journalism graduate who moves to New York City with dreams of becoming a serious writer. Desperate for work, she lands a job as a junior personal assistant to Miranda Priestly, the cold and tyrannical editor-in-chief of the elite fashion magazine Runway. The second film will follow Streep's character, Priestly, navigating the decline of traditional print media, forced to face off against her former assistant, Emily Charlton (Blunt), who is now a high-powered luxury group executive controlling vital advertising funds. Lady Gaga will also have a cameo in the film. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
10 April,2026 01:16 PM IST | Los Angeles | PTIEnglish virtual band Gorillaz, created by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett — singer 2D, bassist Murdoc Niccals, guitarist Noodle and drummer Russel Hobbs — will perform live in India for the very first time. The Brit and Grammy Award-winning British band’s debut India tour is set to visit Bengaluru and Mumbai in early 2027. 'The Mountain Tour' follows the release of the band’s India-inspired critically-acclaimed ninth studio album 'The Mountain', which features collaborations with Indian artists including Asha Bhosle, Anoushka Shankar, Ajay Prasanna, Asha Puthli, Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash. The announcement follows a triumphant 13-date run of shows across the UK and Ireland and marks a monumental moment for Indian music fans as Gorillaz co-creators Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett bring their groundbreaking virtual band to life on Indian soil, with Albarn joined onstage by the full Gorillaz live band and special guest performers, including many of Gorillaz’ Indian collaborators, for what promises to be two very special shows. “It has been and remains a dream of mine to bring Gorillaz in all its technicolour glory to India,” says Damon Albarn. “It’s just the beginning and I truly look forward to the experience.” Jamie Hewlett adds, “Our dream has always been to do a tour of India. We’re very excited about returning to play shows in Mumbai and Bengaluru.” The Mountain Tour India Schedule 2027 will see Gorillaz perform on Sunday, January 23 in 2027 at the District Arena at Terraform in Bengaluru, and on Wednesday, January 27 in 2027 at the Jio World Garden in Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai. Released on February 27 in 2026 via the band’s independent label KONG, Gorillaz’s ninth studio album 'The Mountain' includes the joyously received singles The Happy Dictator (featuring Sparks), The Manifesto (ft. Trueno and Proof), The God of Lying (featuring IDLES), Damascus (ft. Omar Souleyman and Yasiin Bey) and Orange County (ft. Bizarrap, Kara Jackson & Anoushka Shankar)/The Hardest Thing (ft. Tony Allen). Featuring collaborations with artists from India and across the globe, The Mountain continues Gorillaz' tradition of boundary-pushing collaboration and sonic exploration, marking the latest installment in the incomparable Gorillaz discography. As the producers and exclusive ticketing partners of The Mountain Tour, Rahul Ganjoo, CEO, District by Zomato said, “Gorillaz coming to India for the first time in their 25-year history is momentous, and what makes it even more special is that their latest album was born here. India is woven into the very DNA of The Mountain, and there's something remarkable about bringing that music back to the country that inspired it. For Indian audiences, this will be a truly novel experience: witnessing a genre-defying band that has seamlessly integrated the textures and rhythms of Indian music into their work, performing it live for the very first time on home soil. ” The Gorillaz live experience draws on a quarter century of genre-bending, paradigm-shifting, consistently innovative musical brilliance. Since the band’s creation more than 25 years ago, Gorillaz has amassed an unparalleled arsenal of classic tunes including “Feel Good Inc.", “Clint Eastwood", “On Melancholy Hill", “DARE", “Dirty Harry", “Stylo", “Kids with Guns", “Tomorrow Comes Today", “Rhinestone Eyes” and dozens more. Gorillaz is a truly global phenomenon, achieving success in entirely unique and groundbreaking ways, touring the world from San Diego to Syria, Montevideo to Manchester and winning numerous awards including the coveted Jim Henson Creativity Honor. Opening in Manchester, England on March 20, 'The Mountain Tour' continues across major international markets this year, including the UK, Europe and North America. Exclusive pre-sale tickets for certain cardholders will be live exclusively on the District app from 1 pm, on April 13 in 2026, until 1 pm on April 18 in 2026. Following this, general tickets for The Mountain Tour will be available for purchase starting go live exclusively on the District app at 2:00 PM IST on April 18, 2026. Attendees can also opt to book through the Reserve Now, Pay Later method on the District app. Witness Gorillaz live by paying 25 per cent at the time of booking, with the remaining balance due by 6 pm on June 2 in 2026. The option is available for bookings made on the app before 6 pm on May 20 in 2026.
09 April,2026 06:29 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSunil Jaglan, who launched the "Selfie with Daughter" campaign years ago to combat female foeticide and promote gender equality, has now unveiled the "AI Selfie with Daughter" initiative. A former Sarpanch of Bibipur village in Jind, he said the idea is to use Artificial Intelligence to evoke the deep, unconditional bond between parents and daughters. "AI Selfie with Daughter will not only create an emotional bond with daughters but will also generate positive feelings towards girl child education, health, safety and rights," he said. Jaglan (43), a father of two daughters, Nandini (14) and Yachika (12), said the "Selfie with Daughter" campaign traces its roots to 2015 when he clicked a selfie with his daughter Nandini in Bibipur village in Haryana and shared it online to raise awareness against female foeticide. He said he never imagined it would become a worldwide movement. The initiative soon grew into a global movement and received praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including mentions in the 'Mann Ki Baat' programme. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the campaign and mentioned it in his Mann Ki Baat programme. The Prime Minister's mention helped popularise the campaign globally for daughters," said Jaglan. Building on that success, Jaglan said the new AI-driven campaign allows parents, especially those without daughters, to create a virtual image of a daughter using AI tools and pose for a "selfie" with her. "This is not just technology, but emotion meeting innovation," he said. "Using any AI image generator, parents who do not have a daughter can now bring their dream daughter to life...," said Jaglan. He said the campaign could also encourage social change by inspiring people to value daughters, support their education and well-being, and reconsider harmful practices like female foeticide. Participants can upload their AI-generated selfies on the campaign website, selfiewithdaughter.org, name their virtual daughter, and share messages as #AISelfieWithDaughter, #AISWD, #AIDaughter, along with reels. Jaglan said the best entries will be recognised on June 9, along with a panchayat where every household participates. He urged parents to join the campaign and celebrate the idea that "a daughter lives not just in our homes, but in our hearts." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
09 April,2026 01:42 PM IST | Chandigarh | PTIAs sponsors pull out from London's Wireless Festival over headliner Ye, its organiser is standing by the rapper formerly known as Kanye West. Melvin Benn, the managing director at Festival Republic, shared a statement on Monday backing his company's decision to book Ye. "Forgiveness and giving people a second chance are becoming a lost virtue in this ever-increasing divisive world," he wrote. "I would ask people to reflect on their instant comments of disgust at the likelihood of him performing (as was mine) and offer some forgiveness and hope to him as I have decided to do." Ye, who changed his name in 2021, is booked to perform in front of around 150,000 revellers over the course of the festival's three nights, July 10 - 12. The rapper has drawn widespread condemnation in recent years for antisemitic remarks and voicing admiration for Adolf Hitler. Last year, he released a song called "Heil Hitler" and advertised a Hakenkreuz T-shirt for sale on his website. The 48-year-old apologised this past January for his antisemitic remarks in a letter, published as a full-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal. He said his bipolar disorder led him to fall into "a four-month long, manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behaviour that destroyed my life". Wireless sponsors Pepsi, Rockstar Energy and Diageo have pulled out of the festival since Ye was announced as the headliner, although lead sponsor Pepsi didn't offer a reason. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the booking "deeply concerning". "Ye's music is played on commercial radio stations in this country. It is available via live streams and downloads in this country without comment or vitriol from anyone and he has a legal right to come into the country and to perform in this country," Benn's statement said. "We are not giving him a platform to extol opinion of whatever nature, only to perform the songs that are currently played on the radio stations in our country and the streaming platforms in our country and listened to and enjoyed by millions," the statement continued. Last week, Kanye West, popularly known as Ye now, held two concerts at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, marking his first major US performances in nearly five years. There, fans appeared to separate his personal beliefs and public statements from his music - and were ready to forgive after his January apology letter. "I don't really bring into politics or the way someone's personal opinion are. I'm into the music artistry," said Yovani Contreras, one fan in attendance. "Like, I just, to me, Ye is always gonna be Ye. Kanye is always gonna be Kanye." A representative for Ye didn't immediately reply to a request for comment Monday. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
07 April,2026 04:57 PM IST | London | APLouvre Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, April 7, called for proposals for the 6th edition of its contemporary art initiative 'Art Here', which will be curated by the Museum of Art & Photography's (MAP) founding director Kamini Sawhney. It is also the first time the exhibition has invited participation from Indian artists along with those from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. "'Art Here' 2026 will be conceptualised by guest curator Kamini Sawhney, a distinguished museum leader, known for shaping accessible, audience centered cultural institutions in India. Artists from GCC (nationals and residents) and India (nationals) are invited to submit proposals," it said in a statement. The art exhibition will be held at Louvre Abu Dhabi from November 11 in 2026 to February 28, 2027. The annual event will be centred around the theme "Confluences", which explores how the contemporary world is shaped by overlapping histories, cultures and ecologies, and how encounters can emerge as sites of exchange, friction, hybridity and transformation. "I am honoured to curate this year's edition of Art Here that turns its focus on India and provides an opportunity for artists from the country and the diaspora to engage with audiences in the Gulf region, through work that explores our shared historical and cultural connections dating back to the third millennium BC. "Over the centuries from ancient to more contemporary times it is these maritime routes that have been at the heart of the relationship between India and the GCC," Sawhney told PTI. She added that the theme "Confluences" uses the ocean as a metaphor "to explore the complex nature of this relationship which was regulated by the rhythm of the sea; winds that carried traders, scholars and migrants to distant shores and then home again". "The ocean determines arrivals and departures, family festivities and reunions, times of togetherness and separation. Confluences invites artists to examine this shared history of movement and encounter, reflecting on how these journeys have created a cultural landscape that is fluid, diverse, and profoundly connected," Sawhney said. As part of this edition, artists will need to create proposals for site specific monumental artworks that engage with the outdoor spaces beneath Louvre Abu Dhabi's iconic dome, beginning around the Damascene fountain and continuing through a passageway towards a contemplative shallow pool and Jenny Holzer's public art wall installation. The call for proposals will remain open till May 31, and artists can submit their proposals via Louvre Abu Dhabi's website. One of the shortlisted artists will also receive the Richard Mille Art Prize worth USD 60,000. The prize aims "to support and showcase contemporary artists, in line with the museum's mission to connect cultures and spotlight regional talent". The winner of the Richard Mille Art Prize will be announced in December. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
07 April,2026 04:18 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIWest Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday, April 7, paid tribute to legendary sitarist Pandit Ravi Shankar on his birth anniversary, calling him one of the foremost cultural torchbearers of Bengal's Renaissance and a pride of Bengal and Bengalis. In a post on X, CM Banerjee highlighted that the rapturous melodies of Pandit Ravi Shankar's music have introduced Indian classical music to a new global recognition. "On the birth anniversary of the world-renowned sitarist, one of the foremost cultural torchbearers of Bengal's Renaissance, and the pride of Bengal and Bengalis -- Pandit Ravi Shankar -- I offer him my deepest reverence and heartfelt respect. The rapturous melodies of his music have introduced Indian classical music to a new global recognition," Banerjee posted on X. Pandit Ravi Shankar (1920-2012) was much more than a sitar virtuoso; he was a global cultural bridge who virtually single-handedly introduced the complexities of Indian classical music to the Western world. Born in Varanasi, he spent his youth dancing in his brother Uday Shankar's troupe before dedicating himself to the sitar under the rigorous tutelage of Ustad Allauddin Khan. He is credited with the "sitar explosion" of the 1960s. His performance at the Monterey Pop Festival (1967) and Woodstock (1969) brought Indian ragas to the hippie counterculture, though he famously insisted that audiences "don't come high" so they could truly appreciate the discipline of the music. He was a mentor and "guru" to George Harrison (The Beatles). This relationship didn't just add an exotic sound to pop music; it fundamentally changed how Western musicians thought about drone, structure, and spirituality. Together with Harrison, he organised the first-ever major benefit concert of its kind, setting the blueprint for future global humanitarian efforts like Live Aid. He composed the hauntingly beautiful scores for Satyajit Ray's Apu Trilogy and Richard Attenborough's Gandhi, for which he received an Academy Award nomination. Ravi Shankar's trophy cabinet was one of the most distinguished in musical history: Bharat Ratna (1999), India's highest civilian honour. He won five Grammys, including a Lifetime Achievement Award. He served in the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of India's Parliament) from 1986 to 1992. His legacy continues through his daughters, Anoushka Shankar, a world-renowned sitarist who carries on the classical and crossover tradition and Norah Jones, a multi-Grammy-winning singer-songwriter (his daughter with Sue Jones). This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
07 April,2026 04:03 PM IST | Kolkata | ANIMarking World Health Day, renowned sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik on Tuesday, April 7, created a striking sand sculpture at Puri Beach in Odisha, saluting frontline workers and spreading the message, “Together for Health, Stand with Science”. The elaborate sculpture, standing approximately six feet tall, was crafted using several tonnes of sand and showcased Pattnaik’s signature style of blending art with social messaging. Assisted by students from his sand art institute, the installation depicted human figures symbolising unity, compassion, and the crucial role of science in safeguarding global health. Observed annually on April 7, World Health Day aims to draw attention to pressing global health issues and inspire collective action toward improving public well-being. Pattnaik’s artwork served as a visual reminder of the importance of solidarity, scientific awareness, and shared responsibility in building a healthier and safer world. Speaking on the occasion, Pattnaik emphasised the need to support science and strengthen healthcare systems in an ever-evolving global landscape. He urged people to adopt healthier lifestyles and contribute to the well-being of society. Through his sand art, he paid tribute to healthcare workers and others who serve tirelessly day and night for the betterment of humanity. On this World Health Day, I created a sand sculpture at Puri Beach with the message: “Together for Health, Stand with Science.” Let’s unite for a healthier future and trust the power of science. #WorldHealthDay #StandWithScience pic.twitter.com/Ph9DH1FJpX — Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) April 7, 2026 A globally acclaimed sand artist, Pattnaik has represented India in over 65 international sand sculpture championships and festivals, earning numerous accolades. He is widely recognised for using his art as a medium to raise awareness on critical social and environmental issues, including HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, global warming, terrorism, plastic pollution, and environmental conservation. The theme for World Health Day 2026, “Together for Health, Stand with Science”, has been launched by the World Health Organisation as part of a year-long campaign celebrating the power of scientific collaboration. The initiative highlights key objectives such as the “One Health” approach, which recognises the interconnected health of humans, animals, and the environment, combating misinformation, and promoting scientific multilateralism through global cooperation. World Health Day commemorates the establishment of the World Health Organisation in 1948. The WHO Constitution was signed in 1946 by 61 nations and came into force on April 7, 1948. Although the first observance took place in 1949, it was officially shifted to April 7 from 1950 onwards to align with the organisation’s founding anniversary. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
07 April,2026 10:45 AM IST | Puri (Odisha) | IANSThere is a real upside to loss, says celebrated author Kiran Desai who knows only too well what a win can take out of a person and would like to focus on her mother, the renowned Anita Desai. Kiran Desai was only 35 when she won the Booker for her 2006 novel "The Inheritance of Loss", the youngest woman author to do so at the time. She came close to it again last November when "The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny" was shortlisted for the coveted prize. That second Booker didn't happen. But there are no regrets. "I've learned over time that, of course, it's an honour to win, but there is a real upside to loss. I remember telling my mother, 'I don't want to win' because I knew how much it takes out of you to have everyone's eyes on you. My mother, she's 88, 89 now, I want to focus on her. She's my priority," Desai told PTI during her recent visit to India. "And also, when there are no eyes on you, as I was telling my editor, you can go back to scratching in the dirt like a chicken in the yard, which is what writing is all about. You're alone, you're not self-conscious, and you're really free to work. So yes, there's an upside to loss," she added. Desai recalls how overwhelming the first Booker win was. The New York-based author, now 54, chuckles at the memory, noting that she barely grew outside the world of her book then. Her mother Anita Desai, who has been shortlisted three times for the Booker Prize -- for "Clear Light of Day" (1980), "In Custody" (1984), and "Fasting, Feasting" (1999) -- knows too well about the weight of recognition. Her words of wisdom after the close-call this time -- Kiran Desai lost out to Hungarian-British author David Szalay who won the Booker 2025 for his book "Flesh" -- landed perfectly for the daughter. "She told me, 'Now you're free to experiment with your life and your work'," Desai recalled. "That's exactly what I felt -- it gave me freedom." Her latest work, at nearly 700 pages, spans India, Mexico and the United States, tracing the intertwined lives of Sonia, a literature student wrestling with heartbreak and creative longing, and Sunny, a young journalist navigating cultural expectations and loneliness. Their paths eventually cross in India, sparking a deep, complex connection that unfolds against themes of family, identity and the global ache for connection and meaning. Desai, who like her mother writes daily and finds any interruption in her routine "upsetting", said she felt an enormous sense of relief after finally finishing "The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny" which took nearly two decades to complete. "The sigh of relief was immense because, of course, after 20 years, it is far too long. If I had waited another 20 years, I would be 74. And if I want to write a few more books, there's an urgency to finish them now," she said. Notwithstanding the anxiety over the passage of time, the joy of creation remained the heart of the process, Desai said. "I was very happy working on this book. And I still think all the time, I could have done this differently, that could have been better. But that's part of writing," she added. After living with these characters for so long, the questions linger: do they ever truly recede, or do they quietly accompany her as she turns to new stories? As Desai sees it, the characters never fully disappear. Her first novel, "Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard", was published in 1998. "They have a space for themselves. They kind of change you -- you become the characters you write. So in a way they stay with you, because you feel like after all of this time that they have kind of shaped you as well as a writer. Like so much exploring of these different people, that they become you," she explained. Based in New York for over two decades, Desai left India with her mother at 14. She is conscious that "The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny" may be her "last in-depth" engagement with a country she has visited less often since her father's death in 2008. "During the process of writing this book, my father was still alive. I was keeping notes. I was going home (India). And I knew I would lose the ability to write about India. So I wanted to write one last book in this way," she said. The Delhi-born author often returns to the question of identity that also runs through the novel. She points to the protagonist, Sunny, who returns to India and wonders "if India is more familiar to him than he is to himself". It's a sentiment Kiran recognises, too: in the pull of a place the "body remembers", even as time and distance render her a stranger. "I sometimes feel that way. I come back and I am in the landscape I grew up in, so somehow my body remembers, even though I am a stranger now... there is something still profoundly familiar," Desai said. The sense of being "insider-outsider" persists in India as much as in the US, where the current political dispensation has unsettled the "little bit" sense of belonging she had of the place. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
06 April,2026 02:55 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIThe magnificent abode of goddess Saraswati in South India and popular centre for "Aksharabhyasam", Basara Gnana Saraswati Temple is set to get a big facelift. Established by the sage Veda Vyasa, the famous temple in Telangana dedicated to the "three Goddesses" will captivate the hearts of devotees even more deeply with the addition of a towering "Rajagopuram "(main tower), a sacred pond, an enhanced Northern Gateway, and meditation halls. All these new structures are being designed in strict adherence to traditional rituals. According to Telangana CMO, the state government has already allocated Rs225 Crores for the reconstruction of the Basara Gnana Saraswati Temple. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy will perform Bhoomi Puja (groundbreaking ceremony) for the reconstruction works on Monday. The temple is situated on the banks of the sacred river Godavari, which is also revered as the "Dakshina Ganga" (Southern Ganges). Following the Kurukshetra War, Veda Vyasa sought tranquillity and came to reside on the banks of the Godavari at Basara. During his stay. Vyasa personally sculpted and consecrated the idols of Goddesses, Gnana Saraswati, Mahalakshmi and Mahakali by using the locally available sand of the river Godavari. From then, Basara gained popularity as a holy site with the enshrine of "Trimataas". The abode of Goddess Gnana Saraswati is witnessing an influx of visitors every year. The devotees come to perform Aksharabhyasam (the traditional initiation ceremony into formal education for their children) for their children. The temple bustles with religious activity with Aksharabhyasam during the auspicious occasion of Vasantha Panchami and other festive days every year. However, the increasing number of visitors has been facing hardships due to a lack of adequate facilities in the temple. The authorities consulted with the spiritual heads of the Sringeri Peethadhipatis before formulating the Master Plan and obtained their approval for the construction of the Sanctum Sanctorum (Garbhalayam), Artha Mandapam, Raja Gopuram (main tower), other towers, Mada Veedhulu (processional streets), temple tank (Koneru) and the Northern Gateway. In view of the growing number of devotees and future requirements, the Sanctum Sanctorum and Artha Mandapam, currently spanning 2,000 square feet, are being expanded to cover 5,000 square feet. The plans included the construction of a nine-storey Raja Gopuram on the northern side, seven-storey towers in the remaining three directions, Mada Veedhulu (processional streets) 33 feet in width encircling the temple on all four sides and a northern Gateway. In total, the temple's built-up area is being expanded from 20,000 square feet to 62,000 square feet. Stone is only being used for the entire construction and development of the temple. The construction works will commence at several facilities, queue complexes spanning 70,000 square feet and equipped with all amenities (including feeding rooms, food stalls, restrooms, etc.) to accommodate 6,000 devotees. A meditation hall was designed to allow 200 people to meditate simultaneously. Kitchen, dining halls, and a prasadam distribution centre covering an area of 20,000 square feet will be part of the master plan. A sacred pond (Koneru) situated in the northeast corner, magnificent ornamental arches, designed to radiate a spiritual aura, will also be erected on the eastern side, alongside an information centre. Road development works will be undertaken to the north and east of the temple. An underpass will be constructed to facilitate movement from the temple premises to the opposite side. A vehicle parking facility with a solar rooftop will be established on the other side. A flower garden with pleasant greenery will also be developed in the temple premises. A health centre will be established outside the temple complex. Saplings will be planted behind the temple to ensure that the area eventually flourishes with big trees. Godavari Pushkaralu will start in June next year. In view of the visit of lakhs of devotees to Basara to perform a holy bath in the river Godavari, all necessary amenities required for the devotees will be developed. CM Revanth Reddy ordered the officials to develop facilities in accordance with temple traditions and the beliefs of devotees. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
06 April,2026 02:39 PM IST | Hyderabad (Telangana) | ANIIt was not how the Rev Maroun Ghafari had envisioned this Holy Week - for years, he had held Easter sermons in his predominantly Christian village of Alma al-Shaab in southern Lebanon, near the border with Israel. This year, he is preaching from a Beirut suburb, beside a cardboard cutout depicting his church in Alma al-Shaab, now caught in the crossfire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters. Since hostilities erupted last month between Israel and Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group, in the shadow of the wider US-Israeli war on Iran, over 1,400 people have been killed in Lebanon, and more than 1 million have been forced to flee their homes. Among those displaced from the war-torn south are thousands of Christians. They now find themselves far from their ancestral churches in Lebanon, where Christians have maintained a strong presence through centuries of Byzantine, Arab and Ottoman conquest and plenty of modern-day crises. Christians are estimated to make up around a third of Lebanon's population of roughly 5.5 million people. With 12 Christian sects, the country is home to the largest proportion of Christians of any nation in the Arab world. Despite being far from the strikes in and around their villages in southern Lebanon, they were reminded of the war by the deep rumbling of Israeli jets and the sounds of deadly airstrikes over Beirut's southern suburbs. Huddling in a church, hoping for protection Christian villagers who stayed behind in southern Lebanon, ignoring Israel's blanket evacuation warnings for the area, have increasingly hardened into enclaves surrounded by fierce clashes. And though villagers in Alma al-Shaab had been uprooted before, in the 2024 Israel-Hezbollah war, this time around, they were adamant they wouldn't leave, even as airstrikes came closer and closer. The villagers huddled in their church for protection as Israeli warplanes pounded large swaths of southern and eastern Lebanon while Israeli troops stepped up a ground invasion and Hezbollah kept firing rockets at Israel. In his annual Easter homily, Patriarch Beshara al-Rai of Lebanon's Maronite Church blamed both Hezbollah and Israel for the suffering wrought by the war. "The country is going through a critical situation due to Iranian interference through Hezbollah and Israeli aggression," he said. "Our hearts bleed for the victims of the conflict imposed on Lebanon." Ghafari's brother, 70-year-old Sami Ghafari, was among the villagers who sought refuge at the church in Alma al-Shaab. But he dashed out briefly on March 8 to tend to his garden, and was killed by an Israeli drone strike. His killing prompted the remaining villagers - including his brother - to pack up their belongings. The UN peacekeepers in the area - a force known as UNIFIL that has monitored the region for nearly five decades - evacuated them to the northern suburbs of Beirut. "We wanted to stay, but it was always possible that one of us could be targeted or killed at any moment," the Rev Maroun Ghafari told The Associated Press from St Anthony Church in the northern Beirut suburb of Jdeideh, where the displaced from Alma al-Shaab came to worship on Saturday. "Everyone is tired, and we see that war brings nothing but destruction, death and displacement." Missing the 'smell of home' For many Lebanese Christians, it's a tradition on Holy Saturday - the day between Good Friday, which commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus, and Easter Sunday, which marks his resurrection according to the Gospels - to visit the graves of their loved ones. This year, displaced Christians could only reflect from afar. Nabila Farah, dressed in black for the Saturday service at St Anthony Church, was among the last to leave Alma al-Shaab. She still feels heartbroken, a month later. "You miss the smell of home, the lovely traditions and customs, the sounds of the bells of three churches ringing," she said, reminiscing about her village. "As much as we experience the Easter atmosphere here, it will never be as it is over there." Those who remain face other challenges. Marius Khairallah, a priest in the southern Lebanese city of Tyre, where much of the Christian community has hunkered down, says that he and his congregants are staying put "not out of stubbornness, but out of a sense of mission, to remain alongside their fellow faithful, as witnesses." "A significant number of parishioners have been displaced or are absent," he said. "Yet churches still open their doors. Prayers are still raised - even with fewer voices." Worries are mounting among Christians in the area as the Lebanese army - which seeks to stay neutral in the Israel-Hezbollah war - pulls out from parts of southern Lebanon, leaving them exposed to Israeli forces pushing deeper into the territory. St Antony's main priest, the Rev Dori Fayyad, used his Good Friday sermon to take solemn note of the war's widening toll on the southern Lebanese Christians, as the faithful recited prayers in Arabic and Syriac, a dialect of the Aramaic language spoken by Jesus. "Today, you understand what the cross means, not as an idea, not as a concept, but because you are going through it," he told the fully packed pews, the crowd so thick that dozens had to stand or crouch on the back stairs. Some wiped away tears as Fayyad named one by one the southern churches, illustrated in the cardboard cutouts next to the pulpit. "These churches in these villages are not only places of worship," he said. "They are silent witnesses to suffering and to faith." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
06 April,2026 01:54 PM IST | Jdeideh (Lebanon) | APSpecial worship services, community feasts and distribution of Easter eggs marked Easter Sunday as Christian-majority Mizoram celebrated the day with religious solemnity. The state-wide festivities commemorated the resurrection of Jesus Christ following his crucifixion, bringing together thousands in a display of faith and traditional gaiety. Christian devotees across various denominations congregated at their local churches for special services during which biblical sermons on the resurrection were delivered, and prayers were held. Local choirs also performed, and church members sang hymns during such worship services. The sounds of the famous hymn "He Is Arisen" echoed through towns and villages as band parties of Salvation Army church took to the streets in the morning. Various local churches also held "sunrise services," a staple of the local observance where church members gathered at daybreak to offer special prayers. The Easter Sunday celebration began on Saturday evening with special worship services by different churches and Catholic communities holding the Easter vigil. On Sunday, most churches served high tea with Easter Eggs after worship services, while some churches, particularly United Pentecostal Church and Roman Catholic Church, held community feasts in the afternoon to celebrate the occasion. Catholic communities also organised mass on Sunday, and they will also hold Easter procession or candlelight procession in the evening. Easter is an important Christian festival or religious observance commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It is celebrated on the third day (first Sunday) after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ (Good Friday). This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
06 April,2026 12:57 PM IST | Aizawl | PTIADVERTISEMENT
