Travel

IndiGo Flight 6E1025 Returns to Gate After AC Snag, Passengers Allege Poor Communication


Passengers aboard IndiGo flight 6E1025 experienced significant delays after the aircraft returned to the gate shortly following pushback due to unusually high cabin temperatures.

According to airline sources, the issue stemmed from a minor technical snag, likely related to the aircraft’s air-conditioning system. While described as non-critical, the malfunction resulted in uncomfortable conditions inside the cabin, particularly affecting infants and elderly passengers.

Videos circulating online showed tense exchanges between passengers and airline staff, with travellers demanding clearer updates, improved ventilation, and immediate action. Several passengers claimed the air conditioning was intermittently functioning, contributing to rising discomfort inside the aircraft.

Compounding the delay, the operating crew reportedly approached flight duty time limitations around 11 a.m., requiring replacements before the aircraft could depart. This further extended waiting times.

In its response, IndiGo emphasised that safety protocols were followed and that the aircraft was brought back to the gate as a precautionary measure. The airline stated that refreshments were provided and periodic updates were shared with passengers.

However, some travellers disputed the clarity and frequency of communication from the airline during the delay.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has reportedly forwarded passenger complaints for follow-up review. The incident has also reignited discussions around clearer tarmac delay regulations and passenger rights during extended ground delays.

While no injuries were reported, the episode highlights ongoing concerns regarding passenger comfort, communication transparency, and operational contingencies in Indian aviation.

Entertainment

Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda Tie the Knot in Traditional Andhra Ceremony


Actors Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda are officially husband and wife.

The couple got married in a traditional Andhra ceremony at around 8 am on Thursday, February 26. The intimate wedding was attended by family members, close friends, and a few members of the Telugu film industry.

After dating for nearly seven years, Rashmika and Vijay have taken the next step in their relationship. Throughout their courtship, the duo remained guarded about their personal lives, even as speculation about their relationship frequently made headlines.

The pre-wedding festivities began on February 24 with what was playfully called the “Virosh Premiere League,” a friendly sports event involving family and friends. Reports suggest Vijay’s team won the match, while Rashmika’s team claimed victory in a lively musical chairs round. The celebrations continued with a colourful sangeet evening, featuring performances by the bride and groom. A special highlight was a surprise performance by Vijay’s mother, Madhavi, who reportedly gifted Rashmika heirloom bangles as a symbolic gesture of acceptance.

On February 25, the couple celebrated their haldi and mehndi ceremonies in the presence of loved ones. Rashmika and Vijay shared vibrant glimpses from these ceremonies, delighting fans who had long awaited confirmation of their union.

While the morning ceremony followed Andhra traditions, the couple is expected to hold another ceremony later in the day honouring Rashmika’s Kodava heritage — blending both cultural backgrounds into their wedding celebrations.

With this union, one of Telugu cinema’s most talked-about couples begins a new chapter, cheered on by fans across the country.

Sports

Uttar Pradesh Signs MoU with AVW Global to Bring MotoGP Back to India


In a major boost to Indian motorsport, the Government of Uttar Pradesh has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AVW Global to facilitate the return of MotoGP to India.

The agreement is expected to revive international racing at the iconic Buddh International Circuit, a track that has previously hosted high-profile global motorsport events.

The Buddh International Circuit, located in Greater Noida, was once India’s premier motorsport destination, attracting international attention and thousands of racing fans. However, global racing events at the venue had slowed in recent years.

With this new partnership, the state government aims to reposition Uttar Pradesh as a global sporting destination. Officials believe the revival of MotoGP will not only enhance India’s presence in international motorsport but also generate tourism, investment, and employment opportunities in the region.

MotoGP is regarded as one of the most prestigious motorcycle racing championships in the world, drawing elite riders, global sponsors, and massive television audiences.

Industry observers note that the success of the revival will depend on seamless coordination between event organisers, international governing bodies, and state authorities.

If executed effectively, the return of MotoGP could mark a turning point for India’s motorsport ecosystem — reigniting enthusiasm among fans and reinforcing the country’s capability to host world-class sporting events.

National

Mumbai to Install Floating Barriers to Prevent Plastic Waste from Reaching the Sea


In a significant move to combat marine pollution, Mumbai authorities are preparing to install floating barriers across key waterways to stop plastic waste from entering the Arabian Sea.

The initiative, led by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), aims to intercept plastic debris and other floating waste materials before they drift into open waters.

Mumbai’s network of rivers, nullahs, and stormwater drains often carries large quantities of plastic waste — especially during the monsoon season — directly into the sea. Environmental experts have long warned that unchecked plastic flow contributes to marine ecosystem damage, coastal pollution, and flooding caused by clogged drainage systems.

The floating barriers, often referred to as trash booms, are designed to trap debris while allowing water to pass through. Collected waste will then be removed regularly by civic teams and processed through proper waste management channels.

Officials say the project is part of a broader push toward urban sustainability and improved solid waste management practices. If successful, the model could be expanded to additional waterways across the city.

Marine conservationists have welcomed the move, noting that preventive measures at the source are far more effective than attempting large-scale ocean clean-ups later.

As cities worldwide grapple with plastic pollution, Mumbai’s initiative signals a shift toward proactive environmental governance — targeting waste before it reaches fragile marine ecosystems.

National

2,000-Year-Old Tamil-Brahmi Inscriptions Discovered in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, Rewriting Ancient Maritime History


A groundbreaking discovery may reshape our understanding of ancient maritime trade routes. Researchers have identified 2,000-year-old Tamil-Brahmi, Prakrit, and Sanskrit inscriptions within the high-security royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings in Egypt — a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its Pharaonic burials.

The findings offer compelling new evidence of maritime trade connections between ancient Tamilakam (present-day Tamil Nadu and surrounding regions) and Egypt, dating back nearly two millennia. The inscriptions are believed to belong to the period between the 1st and 3rd centuries CE — a time corresponding to the height of Indo-Roman trade.

According to reports, 30 inscriptions in Tamil-Brahmi, Prakrit, and Sanskrit were identified across six tombs in the Theban Necropolis. The site, located within ancient Thebes, is globally known for housing royal tombs including that of Tutankhamun.

The study was conducted during 2024 and 2025 by Professor Charlotte Schmid of the French School of Asian Studies (EFEO) and Professor Ingo Strauch of the University of Lausanne. The team documented inscriptions across multiple tombs, building upon the early 20th-century work of French scholar Jule Baillet, who surveyed the Valley of the Kings in 1926 and catalogued more than 2,000 Greek graffiti marks.

Commenting on the discovery, author and historian TS Krishnan noted that Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions found in Egypt are “not entirely unexpected.” He pointed to well-established maritime trade networks between ancient Tamilakam and the Mediterranean world, particularly Egypt, during the Sangam age.

Krishnan also referenced earlier discoveries, including a broken pottery shard bearing Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions found in Egypt, read as “Paanai Uri,” interpreted as “a pot hung by rope” or “suspended vessel.” The artefact is generally dated to around the 1st century CE.

The presence of Indian inscriptions inside royal Egyptian tomb complexes suggests that Indian merchants may have travelled deep into Egyptian territory, leaving behind tangible traces of cross-cultural contact.

If further authenticated and studied, this discovery could significantly expand the historical narrative of Indo-Egyptian relations and reinforce evidence of India’s extensive maritime networks during antiquity.