Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, celebrated for directing films like Jodhaa Akbar, Lagaan, and Swades, shared a heartfelt message for Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. In recognition of SRK’s National Award win, Gowariker, who served as a jury member at the 71st National Film Awards, dedicated a special post to the actor.
“What a journey we have had… each forging our own path, and today, to come together on this prestigious dais—the highest honour of our country—to celebrate your extraordinary craft! Congratulations, Shah.” The filmmaker also shared a picture with the Jawan star from the ceremony. Gowariker had previously directed Shah Rukh Khan in the acclaimed 2004 film Swades, regarded as one of SRK’s finest performances. The film itself won two National Awards for Best Male Playback Singer and Best Cinematography.
At the 71st National Film Awards held at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi, Shah Rukh was presented the Rajat Kamal by President Droupadi Murmu. He shared the Best Actor Award with Vikrant Massey, who was honoured for 12th Fail. SRK’s close friends, Karan Johar and Rani Mukerji, were also recognised with National Awards on the same day.
Shah Rukh had been announced as Best Actor for Jawan back in August. Following the announcement, he posted an emotional video expressing gratitude to his fans, team, family, and colleagues, saying, “Thank you for honouring me with the National Award. Thanks to the jury, the I&B ministry. Iss samman ke liye Bharat Sarkar ka dhanyawaad. Overwhelmed with the love showered upon me. Half a hug to everyone today…” Since then, SRK has received an outpouring of congratulatory messages and greetings from fans and peers alike.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Insta/@ashutoshgowariker.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during his two-day visit to Kolkata on Friday (September 26, 2025), inaugurated the Durga Puja pandal at Santosh Mitra Square and offered prayers for the formation of a new government in West Bengal after the 2026 Assembly elections—one that would revive the state’s lost “Sonar Bangla” glory.
Mr. Shah said Bengal must once again become safe, prosperous, and peaceful, echoing the vision of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. “I prayed to Maa Durga that a government is formed after the polls which can build a golden Bengal—safe, abundant and peaceful—just as Tagore had dreamed,” he said, while extending festive greetings to the people of Bengal and the country.
Expressing sorrow over recent rain-related tragedies that claimed more than 10 lives, the Home Minister offered condolences to the bereaved families. At least 11 people were killed after heavy rainfall lashed Kolkata and nearby areas on September 23. Calling Bengal’s Durga Puja a cultural treasure cherished worldwide, Mr. Shah said, “This nine-day Navratri celebration is not just famous in Bengal or India, but across the globe. For these nine days, the entire state devotes itself to the worship of Shakti.” He added that the festival should inspire Bengal to reach new heights of progress, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India.
During his visit, Mr. Shah also inaugurated the pandal of the BJP-backed Paschim Banga Sanskriti Mancha at the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre in Salt Lake. He paid tribute to reformer and educationist Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar on his birth anniversary, recalling his contributions to education, women’s empowerment, and Bengali culture during colonial times. Later in the day, Mr. Shah visited the Kalighat Temple, where he spent about 15 minutes offering prayers. He was greeted by party leaders and supporters outside the shrine, with security tightened in the area for his visit.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from The Hindu.
Japanese farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi, a leading candidate to become the next prime minister, sought on Friday (Sept 26) to downplay criticism over his ministry’s handling of a licensing agreement for a prized grape variety, which had prompted an official protest from local producers. The day before, the governor of Yamanashi prefecture—a major producer of Shine Muscat grapes—criticized the ministry for negotiating with New Zealand on cultivating the grapes without consulting local producers. Governor Kotaro Nagasaki, joined by a representative of the regional agricultural cooperative, met with Koizumi to lodge the complaint and urged efforts to expand exports rather than issue licenses for overseas cultivation.
Koizumi, who faces an important vote within the Liberal Democratic Party next week to succeed Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba as party leader, assured that the ministry had no intention of granting cultivation licenses without producer consent. “Governor Nagasaki has requested expanding the number of countries Japan exports Shine Muscat grapes to, and I fully agree,” Koizumi said. “We would not proceed with licensing without the approval of producing regions and governors.” He added that licensing is part of a broader policy approach approved by the cabinet earlier this year for select products.
Developed over roughly 30 years starting in the late 1980s by national agricultural bodies, the Shine Muscat grape is considered a promising export product. Its seedlings, however, were initially unprotected abroad and spread to China and South Korea, which now export them to Southeast Asia. In 2021, Japan passed legislation to limit the overseas sale of Shine Muscat seedlings.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Former Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud clarified that the Ayodhya case was decided on legal principles and evidence, not faith. Speaking at the India Today Conclave on Thursday, Chandrachud addressed remarks he had made to a media portal about the "erection of the Babri Masjid being a fundamental act of desecration," stating they were taken out of context and misrepresented his views on the Ram Temple-Babri Masjid dispute. He criticized social media for combining parts of statements while removing context, leading to widespread misinterpretation.
Highlighting the Supreme Court’s judgment in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, Chandrachud noted that many online commentators had not read the full 1,045-page verdict, which was based on a case record exceeding 30,000 pages. He emphasized that forming opinions without reviewing the complete judgment is easy but misleading.
On the question of personal faith in the context of judicial neutrality, he explained that judges often face conflicts and that his daily prayers or meditation help him maintain peace and balance. He stressed that personal belief does not interfere with the ability to remain impartial, and quiet reflection supports fair decision-making.
The Ayodhya dispute was resolved on November 9, 2019, when a five-judge Supreme Court bench, headed by former Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and including Justices Chandrachud, S.A. Bobde, Ashok Bhushan, and S. Abdul Nazeer, issued a unanimous verdict. The court directed that Hindus could build a Ram temple on the disputed site while Muslims were allotted five acres to construct a mosque. The bench also instructed the Central Government to form a trust within three months to regulate the construction and administration of the temple.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.
The Indian delegation, led by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, held “constructive” talks with U.S. officials in New York, discussing a potential Bilateral Trade Agreement. No date for formal negotiations has been announced. The visit took place from September 22-24, with Goyal returning to India soon after.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from The Hindu.
In ‘Made in SG’, Melanie Oliveiro interviews Angela Phua, the founder of A.muse Projects, a Singapore-based artisanal tea brand. Phua shares the story of building her specialty tea business from the ground up and discusses the initial tea blends she created, some of which remain bestsellers today. A passionate lifelong learner, she explains how completing a Japanese Tea Master course in Kyoto and earning a Master’s in Food Science helped her blend artistry with scientific precision in her teas. She also reflects on the insights and experience gained from showcasing A.muse Projects at major events such as Speciality Food & Drinks Asia and Speciality Coffee & Tea Asia.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
The U.S. government’s recent adjustments to H-1B visas — including stricter eligibility criteria and increased wage thresholds — are impacting sectors such as technology, healthcare, and finance. Andrea Heng and Syahida Othman discuss with Alex Capri, Senior Lecturer at NUS Business School and author of Technonationalism: How It’s Reshaping Trade, Geopolitics, and Society, how these changes influence skilled foreign workers, corporate hiring strategies, and the wider economy.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA
The Albanese government has defined its climate goal: reducing emissions by 62–70% from 2005 levels. This announcement follows the national climate risk assessment, which painted a grim picture of Australia’s future in a warming world. In this bonus episode of the Australian Politics podcast, climate and environment editor Adam Morton talks with Matt Kean, chair of the Climate Change Authority, about the guidance that shaped the government’s much-anticipated 2035 emissions reduction target.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.
This year’s FutureChina Global Forum gathered delegates to explore China’s rise as a leading global economy. Why is it significant that Singapore is hosting the event? Daniel Martin discusses this with James Chin, Professor of Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
