Bijaya Dashami, marking the end of Durga Puja, was celebrated across West Bengal on Thursday with rituals of ‘ghot visarjan’ and ‘sindoor khela’. In Kolkata, women in red-bordered sarees played with vermillion at Bagbazar and Kumartuli Sarbojonin, joined by state minister Sashi Panja. Idol immersions began in Sobhabazar Rajbari, Kasimbazar Rajbari, and Belur Math, as crowds gathered along rivers. At Taki, idols were immersed in the Ichamati river, watched by thousands from India and Bangladesh. Rain, caused by a Bay of Bengal depression, disrupted celebrations. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari greeted citizens, calling for peace and harmony. (PC: X)

Three people, including the attacker, died in a car ramming and stabbing attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester, UK, on Thursday morning. The attack took place during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Police declared a major incident within minutes and shot the suspect after he ignored warnings. A security guard and another person were killed, while three others remain in serious condition. Bomb disposal units checked the suspect’s body for suspicious items. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the attack “horrific” and promised tighter synagogue security. King Charles said he was “deeply shocked.” (PC: BBC)

Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly has been placed on high alert during Dussehra. The state government suspended internet, broadband, and SMS services for 48 hours from October 2 to October 4 to prevent misuse of social media. Security has been tightened across Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Pilibhit, and Budaun, with drones, police, PAC, and RAF deployed. The move follows the September 26 violence in Kotwali during protests over the “I Love Muhammad” poster, where 22 policemen were injured. Over 80 arrests have been made, and 10 FIRs registered, including against Maulana Tauqeer Raza. Officials said the measures aim to ensure peace and safety. (PC: HT)

Delhi’s Bengali community celebrated the farewell of Goddess Durga with the traditional ritual of ‘Sindoor Khela’ at Chittaranjan Park. Married women offered vermilion to Maa Durga and then lovingly applied it to each other, marking blessings, unity, and sisterhood. Devotees said the ritual symbolises love, prosperity, and the goddess’s presence before departure. Thousands gathered to seek blessings, enjoy cultural programmes, music, dance, and share prasad. Many said the celebrations bring them closer to their roots in Bengal. For devotees, Durga Puja is not just a religious festival but also an experience of culture, faith, and community togetherness. (PC: Instagram)

A video of Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, the Chief of the Indian Air Force, has gone viral on social media, showcasing his energetic dance moves. The clip has been widely circulated, with netizens praising his charisma and seeing the performance as a refreshing glimpse into the lighter side of military leadership. Many described the moment as “iconic” and lauded Singh for his spirited personality, which resonated strongly with the public. The video has quickly gained traction, highlighting how leaders can connect with people beyond their professional roles.

Dr. Gitanjali J Angmo, wife of Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk, has written to President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking her husband's immediate release. Wangchuk was arrested under the National Security Act (NSA) on September 26, 2025, following violent protests in Leh demanding statehood for Ladakh. Authorities accused him of inciting the protests and alleged links with a Pakistan-based intelligence officer. He was transferred to Jodhpur Central Jail without being allowed to collect his belongings. Angmo expressed concern over his health, especially after his recent 15-day hunger strike, and criticized the lack of communication and support. She condemned the detention as unjust and urged the government to reconsider the action. (PC: India Today)

Raghavachari Govindarajan, a veteran intelligence officer and father of former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, passed away at 94 in Chennai. A 1953 Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, he began his career in the Intelligence Bureau before joining the founding team of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), serving as a trusted aide to its first chief, RN Kao. Over a 36-year career, he rose to become Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee. Survived by his wife Mythili and four children, a Rhodes Scholarship in his memory has been established to honor his legacy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a commemorative ₹100 coin and postage stamp during the centenary celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The coin features the national emblem on one side and, for the first time in Indian currency history, Bharat Mata in Varada Mudra with a lion and bowing swayamsevaks on the other. It also bears the RSS motto: “Rashtriya Swaha, Idam Rashtraya, Idam Na Mama.” The stamp commemorates RSS participation in the 1963 Republic Day Parade. The event, organized by the Ministry of Culture, was attended by RSS leaders, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. Modi hailed it as a proud tribute to Bharat Mata and RSS’s century of service.

A week after violent protests in Ladakh over demands for statehood and constitutional safeguards, the government released 26 detained protesters in a goodwill gesture. Welcomed with ceremonial khatas, their release followed threats by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) to withdraw from talks over the arrest of activist Sonam Wangchuk, held under the National Security Act. The September 24 unrest, sparked by hospitalized hunger strikers and stalled negotiations, left four dead including Kargil War veteran Tsewang Tharchin and dozens injured. LAB and Kargil Democratic Alliance demand a judicial probe. Despite prior support for UT status, Ladakhis now cite political vacuum and rejected demands as reasons for growing unrest and unity across religious lines.

An extraordinary video shared by Indian Forest Service officer Parveen Kaswan has gone viral, showing a lioness calmly sitting outside a temple in Gujarat, the only natural habitat of Asiatic lions. The 27-second clip, posted on X during Navratri, has already crossed 55,000 views, sparking fascination and debate. Many viewers described the lioness as “guarding the temple,” linking the scene to spirituality and divine protection, while others questioned its authenticity, suspecting AI editing. Experts confirmed the sighting as genuine, highlighting India’s unique coexistence of wildlife and culture. The video underscores Gujarat’s growing pride in its rich natural heritage.