TOP NEWSMAKERS OF APRIL 2025

Myanmar Earthquake of 7.7 - 7.9 - While the earthquake happened on 28Mar, the world remained rattled throughout April with horrific images of the aftermatth flooding the entire internet. Water falling down like cascading waterfall from tall skyscraper's rooftop swimming pools was a stark image along with collapsing buildings that trapped thousands within. The earthquake affected neighbouring country of Thailand as well, and its ripples were felt as far as Delhi and entire north east India. Thousands have died and many more injured - those who were unfortunate enough to be around the epicenter. A strong earthquake is always anticipated around the entire himalayan belt - the myanmar earthquake reinforcing that probability ever more evidently. Hundreds of strong after shocks has been going on, untill, the next big one - where exactly ~ would be the moot question. Assam lies not far from Myanmar, and is awaiting a strong one for quite some time now. Will it be the next? :o

Demise of Bharat Kumar - aka Manoj Kumar. He was really handsome as an actor and I think I had a crush on him especially after watching his desh bhakt ( patriotic ) movies that was his USP and set him apart from the rest. In those times there was no cosmetic procedure or botox/fillers etc to hide age and wrinkles as he grew old; so, being conscious, he used his hand to cover his face to hide them altogether esp during interviews. This was made fun of by the likes of Sajid Khan who roasted the actor in his early TV shows, and even a Shah Rukh Khan mimicked the same in the movie Om Shanti Om, much to the chagnin of the actor and that eventually even invited couple of law suits and apologies. When the veteran actor passed away at age of 87, in April 4th this year condolences poured in from the world over. All in all he led a life well lived and his movies will forever remain etched in every India's heart. Mere desh ki dharti sona ugle, ugle heere moti, mere desh ki dharti...immortalised!

Mouni Roy ki Korchi Tumi? - The Bong beauty has again gone under the knife and by mistake seems to have left something behind in her forhead as well this time. Its very prominent and the actress too seemed uncomfortable in the pictures and has been trying to hide in other pictures that followed either by a wig with bangs or a huge mang tikka pendant. Its not a new thing for bollywood actors and actresses to do cosmetic procedures. While some ( including Mouni ) had enhanced their appearances in the past, it seems like many others she has now experienced the downside of it too - a cosmetic surgery gone wrong? Personally, I don't understand why people do all these procedures. Just for money and fame? They are not grateful for what God has naturally given them. Well...its my personal opinion and I don't wanna judge anyone - cos' they gonna do what they gonna do! But, they should be open to criticism as well if they have made their lives public, and not get offended when scrutinised.

Anant Ambani Padyatra - The Ambanis makes it a point to display all their personal life, their lifestyles, their outings, their functions and celebrations and wealth in the media and out in the open; so, when their youngest son decided to go on a 170km padyatra from Jamnagar to the Dwarkadhish Temple in Gujarat, the media had to be there to cover it as that'd coincide with his birthday when he'd turn 30. He walked about 20 kms per day, accompanied by his security guards and other people ( even Bageshwar dham ji gave him company for some time ). and finally was joined by his mother Nita Ambani and wife Radhika Merchant at the temple. The ambanis wear their religion in their sleeves so a deeply personal event just had to be a much publicised one too, eh? I hope this young man contributes something 'real' to the country other than being India's richest man's son.

The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 - regulating waqf properties in India which was much needed. The Waqf is said to be third largest land ownner in India after Indian Railways and the Indian Armed Forces. Earlier it was said only muslims could donate or pledge their assets or properties to Waqf. But soon, they said anybody could pledge it. And once donated in Waqf - it all belongs to Allah and it couldnot be reversed. - even if done only orally. Like What? Very tricky situation and attracting lots of descrepancies and controversies since a long time. Even Ambani's Antilia is claimed to be a Waqf property and many more such. Its weird in muslim countries there's no Waqf, but in a traditionally hindu country like ours, there's one - that too land grabbed by the muslim invaders of the past.

Bangladesh India Standoff - For minimal charges, Bangladesh was enjoying seamless logistical expertise from India in despatching its goods to rest of the world. India, very obligingly, while risking or delaying its own goods movement, as a friendly gesture to the Bangladeshis helped them out as a big brother. Everything was going good, until its president Md. Yunnus decided to open his mouth and invite China to take full advantage of the strategic opportunity his country offered and invest in it; as north-east India, he said, was land locked. Did he mean China could make its presence in Bangladesh and eventually could take over NE via the pitched air base and choke the chicken neck or siliguri corridor? Well, whatever he meant, Delhi immediately decided to halt its services ( except the Nepal and Bhutan routes ) which no doubt puts Bangladesh in a fix as to how to export its goods without any hindrance now, like it had done so far via the Kolkata, Delhi and Bombay transit hubs. India has also decided to halt some rail and road connectivity between the two countries, to punish it further. Hopefully, Bangladesh learn its lesson not to bite the hand that feeds.

Pahalgam Terrorist Attack - Immitating the Israel attack of 7th Oct'23 by the Hamas on jewish civilians celebrating shabbath, pakistan sponsored terrorists attacked the otherwise so far peaceful tourist location of Pahalgam, in Jammu and Kashmir. From the nearby pine forests, clad in army clamoufaged outfits, six heavily armed terrorists came inside the resort of mini switzerland or baisaran meadows, segregated the tourists on basis of their religion after checking their identities or asking to recite the 'kalma' and killed the males if they were hindus by firing close range - 26 of them. They let go of the wives and children so that they i.e the latter could deliver the message of horror to rest of India and the Govt. This dastardly attack coincided with US Vice president JD Vance's India visit. This attack has no doubt shocked one and all. However, it boils every Indian's blood when rest of the world tells India to retrain itself and not react impulsively. Well...for how long? Is war an option? We fought so many wars with Pakistan, to what avail? Their nuisance doesn't stop. I hope the govt takes strong action in bringing those terrorists to book and catch hold of the locals who faciliated this blood-bath.

( Images - Google )