Anaya Sharma from Hyderabad has emerged as the Under-8 champion at the Commonwealth Chess Championships held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Draped in the national flag, the young chess prodigy proudly posed with her trophy alongside the Indian contingent’s Head of Delegation, K. S. Prasad.
A fourth-grade student of Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet, Anaya delivered an exceptional performance, maintaining a clean sheet through all eight rounds of the competition to secure the coveted title.
The stage was set, the fans were buzzing, and when the moment finally came, it was nothing short of cinematic thunder. The highly-anticipated event for Sony/Sri Durga Arts’ upcoming magnum opus — formerly referred to as SSMB29 or GlobeTrotter — finally made its big reveal: the official title is Varanasi. The event, held at the sprawling Ramoji Film City on 15 November 2025, marked a milestone in Indian cinema’s grand-scale storytelling.
The Event & Unveiling
From the outset, the organisers under director S. S. Rajamouli spared no effort. In fact, the entry pass was replaced with a passport-style booklet, embracing the “GlobeTrotter” theme.
Over 50,000 fans reportedly gathered at Ramoji to witness the spectacle live, while the title reveal and first look were streamed online for the rest of the world
The big moment: the screen lit up, the title Varanasi emerged in all its glory, and then a striking motion poster appeared — featuring lead actor Mahesh Babu riding a powerful bull, trident in hand, muscles taut, backdrop of myth and mystery swirling.
Character & Concept Glimpse
Rajamouli wasn’t just unveiling a title — he teased an entire world. Mahesh Babu was introduced as Rudhra, a rugged explorer-hero unlike anything the actor has played before.
The film also brings onboard global icon Priyanka Chopra Jonas (as Mandakini) and Malayalam superstar Prithviraj Sukumaran (as Kumbha), setting up a mass-pan-Indian collaboration.
In his speech, Rajamouli revealed that a pivotal sequence elevates the story to mythic proportions — Mahesh Babu’s avatar draws on the charm of Krishna and the calm of Rama, suggesting that the film may reinterpret epic motifs for a modern audience.
Visuals & Ambition
The teaser/glimpse played at the event spanned time and space: from the ancient city of Varanasi to jungle terrains in Africa, from 512 CE to 2027 CE, even Antarctica making a dramatic appearance.The set design is reported to include a full recreation of Varanasi within Ramoji, and the film is being shot for IMAX in the truest sense.
Director Rajamouli also addressed a hiccup — a technical glitch delayed the full screening of the teaser, and he lamented footage leaked by a drone during testing, pointing to the immense stakes and scale of the project.
Reactions & Highlights
Social media exploded. One fan cried out in Telugu:
“Arey asalem jaruguthundi ra akkada. What the frame. MB on nandi (impressed).”
From the stage, Mahesh Babu pledged:
“I’ll make everyone proud! Most importantly, I’ll make my director proud. After Varanasi is released, the whole of India will be proud.”
Priyanka Chopra Jonas reflected:
“The energy tonight is electrifying… I am so glad to be back making this movie in my beloved India. The best and only way to join Telugu cinema is to do it with such greats.”
Prithviraj, moved by Rajamouli’s narration, said he was “mind-blown” within the first five minutes of the script – calling the scale and ambition “the best filmmaker in India again pushing his limits.
What This Means
With Varanasi, Rajamouli is signalling something beyond just another big film — it appears to be an action-mythology-adventure designed for global impact. The choice of title, blending the sacred Indian city Varanasi with a story that spans continents and epochs, hints at a bridging of local ethos and universal spectacle.
For Mahesh Babu, this marks his first collaboration with Rajamouli and perhaps a reinvention of his screen persona. For Indian cinema — particularly Telugu cinema — the barrage is clear: think big, think global, and tell stories that resonate mythically and theatrically.
What’s Next?The film is slated for a January 2027 release, according to the event introduction.More details are expected soon: full trailer drop, teaser roll-outs, international market strategies, and more glimpses of the cast and crew in action.
A government schoolteacher from Bhadradri Kothagudem district is earning wide recognition for his remarkable community service—saving lives through a sustained blood donation movement that has grown across the country.
J Balu, an SGT at MPPS Penagadapa in Chunchupally mandal, is the founder and president of the *Young Indian Blood Donors Club*. His journey toward this mission began 15 years ago when his parents required blood transfusions. With his mother’s rare O-negative blood group, the family struggled to find a donor—an experience that profoundly changed his outlook on voluntary blood donation.
Moved by the need to help others, Balu began donating blood and coordinating donors informally in 2012. His efforts took organized shape on February 18, 2016, with the establishment of the Young Indian Blood Donors Club. Since then, the network has facilitated more than **43,000 units of blood**, supporting patients across Telangana and multiple other states.
Inspired by the social messages conveyed in films, Balu encourages people to adopt blood donation as a lifelong habit. Whenever he receives information about a patient in need, he mobilizes donors through WhatsApp groups, coordinating with volunteers, NGOs, and hospitals. The club also maintains a directory of blood donors and organizations to ensure timely assistance.
Balu acknowledges the encouragement he receives from senior police officers and local leaders, which has strengthened the club’s growing network. Beyond blood donation, the organization also conducts plasma drives, supports patients undergoing transplant procedures, helps schools with amenities, and distributes essentials to the underprivileged.
Recognizing his contributions, several NGOs have honored him with awards for humanitarian service. With the support of his associates, Balu continues to organize free blood-group testing camps and expand donor awareness across the state.
His tireless effort stands as an inspiring example of how individual commitment can transform into a nationwide movement dedicated to saving lives.
Hyderabad: Raj Bhavan has invited nominations for the Governor’s Awards for Excellence – 2025, aimed at honouring exemplary contributions made between 2020 and 2025 in key sectors of public welfare and development.
The awards will recognise outstanding work in four categories Women Empowerment , Tribal Development, Rural Health and Medical Philanthropy, and Corporate Volunteering. Each category features two segments: one for individuals and another for institutions, organisations, societies, or trusts.
According to the announcement, the last date to submit nominations is December 5, 2025, by 5 PM. The awards will be conferred on January 26, 2026, during Republic Day celebrations, by the Hon’ble Governor of Telangana.
Applicants can download the nomination form from the official Raj Bhavan website and submit the completed forms offline to the Principal Secretary, Raj Bhavan, Hyderabad – 500041.
HYDERABAD: Telangana DGP B. Shivadhar Reddy on Friday said that road accidents have impacted almost every family in the state, either through relatives or close acquaintances who have become victims. He made these remarks while launching the *Arrive Alive* road safety initiative at LB Stadium, alongside Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar.
Expressing concern over the alarming rise in accident-related deaths, the DGP said that while around 800 people are killed in murder cases every year in Telangana, nearly 8,000 lose their lives in road accidents. Most of the victims, he noted, are pedestrians and two-wheeler riders.
Shivadhar emphasised the need for drivers to remain alert and exercise basic “common sense” on the roads. Pointing out common mistakes, he said many riders wear helmets without fastening them, rendering them ineffective. “If it’s not buckled, what is the use of wearing it?” he asked.
He stressed that road accidents are a serious concern that require urgent attention. The *Arrive Alive* programme, he said, will soon be expanded across Telangana as part of a large-scale public awareness campaign. Defensive driving and being conscious of others on the road are key to preventing accidents, he added.
Hyderabad CP Sajjanar said the city records around 3,000 road accidents each year, resulting in nearly 300 deaths. Despite continuous awareness efforts, many people still violate traffic rules, he said. To curb this, the police will soon implement stricter enforcement measures, including the formation of special teams.
Hyderabad, November 14, 2025: Congress candidate Naveen Yadav registered a resounding victory in the Jubilee Hills Assembly byelection, winning by a margin of 24,729 votes over his nearest rival, BRS candidate Maganti Sunitha.
The byelection, held on November 11, 2025, saw a voter turnout of 1,94,631. Naveen Yadav secured 98,988 votes, while Maganti Sunitha received 74,259 votes. BJP candidate Lankala Deepak Reddy finished third with 17,061 votes, and NOTA accounted for 924 votes.
Final Vote Tally
Party / Candidate
Votes Polled
Congress – Naveen Yadav
98,988
BRS – Maganti Sunitha
74,259
BJP – Lankala Deepak Reddy
17,061
NOTA
924
The BJP and BRS candidates left the counting centre before the formal announcement of the results.
Round-Wise Lead Progression
Congress maintained the lead from the first round, steadily widening the margin throughout all 10 rounds of counting.
Round
Lead (Votes)
Leading Party
1
47
Congress
2
2,995
Congress
3
6,012
Congress
4
9,559
Congress
5
12,859
Congress
6
15,797
Congress
7
19,797
Congress
8
21,672
Congress
9
23,921
Congress
10
24,729
Congress
Postal Ballot Results (Total: 96)
Candidate
Postal Votes
Naveen Yadav (Congress)
43
Maganti Sunitha (BRS)
25
Lankala Deepak Reddy (BJP)
20
Tight Security and Crowds at Counting Centre
The Kotla Vijay Bhaskar Reddy Stadium in Yousufguda witnessed heavy crowds as security was intensified for the counting process. Entry was restricted only to personnel with valid passes. A total of 42 counting tables were deployed inside the designated hall, with senior officials overseeing the entire operation to ensure smooth and transparent proceedings.
Congress cadres celebrated the party’s commanding lead at Gandhi Bhavan, Hyderabad.
Hyderabad: The city is all set to host ‘Hyplex-2025’, a grand exhibition featuring postal stamps, coins, paper currency, and antiques, organized by the Philatelic and Hobbies Society. The three-day event will take place from November 14 to 16 at the Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI), Red Hills.
Addressing a press meet at Hyderguda on Wednesday, Society Secretary Sagi Srinivas Raju announced that around 60 stalls from across India will be part of the exhibition. The event will be inaugurated by Veena Kumari, Chief Postmaster of Hyderabad GPO, who will attend as the chief guest.
The exhibition aims to encourage interest in philately and numismatics through exhibitions, seminars, and workshops conducted in schools and other institutions. Raju also warned the public against fraudulent social media claims related to buying old coins and notes, emphasizing that the Society has no connection with such scams.
The event will also see participation from Society Joint Secretary S. Srikanth, and Managing Committee members Santosh Reddy, Radhakrishna, and Deepak Kumar Sethia.
At the ARISE Thought Leadership Day held on November 11, the second session brought together school leaders and principals for an in-depth discussion on the future of schooling and the leadership skills needed to navigate rapid change.
The session, *“Leading Schools Through Change: Leadership Mindsets, School Culture, and Teacher Transformation in Times of Rapid Change,”* was led by Manit Jain, Co-founder of ARISE, I Am A Teacher, and Eduxa Ai. A Harvard alumnus and a noted advocate of progressive education in India, Jain guided participants through a reflective dialogue on how school leaders can respond to uncertainty with clarity and purpose.
He emphasised the importance of building resilient school cultures and empowering teachers to adapt and thrive amid evolving educational demands. Through open conversations and shared reflections, attendees examined how schools can create learning environments that remain flexible, innovative, and strongly student-centred.
The session highlighted the growing need for future-ready leadership as educational institutions prepare for continued transformation.
🌿 Mulam Santha – A Celebration of Sustainability and Tradition
Hyderabad, November 8, 2025: The 17th Mulam Santha, jointly organized by the CSR Memorial Foundation and Grama Bharathi, was successfully held at Marri Krishna Hall, Tarnaka, celebrating sustainability, traditional living, and rural empowerment.
The eco-market brought together farmers, artisans, khadi workers, and millet producers from across three states, featuring over 100 stalls and 500 varieties of natural and eco-friendly products. Visitors explored seeds, saplings, bio-enzymes, herbal powders, clay crafts, khadi garments, and millet-based foods — directly supporting rural livelihoods and sustainable practices.
A special Gomatha Puja added a spiritual touch to the event, symbolizing reverence for nature and traditional wisdom.
Mulam Santha served as a meaningful bridge between rural producers and conscious consumers, promoting organic farming, local production, and self-reliant communities. The event attracted hundreds of Hyderabadis, reinforcing the city’s growing commitment to eco-friendly living.
Organizers thanked volunteers, participants, and visitors for making the fair a grand success. Each edition of Mulam Santha continues to inspire people to embrace traditional values and sustainable lifestyles, taking Hyderabad one step closer to a greener tomorrow.
Mulam Santha: Celebrating Sustainable Living and Local Traditions
Hyderabad: Every second Saturday, Hyderabad comes alive with Mulam Santha — a monthly community market promoting sustainability and traditional lifestyles. Organized by the CSR Memorial Foundation and Gram Bharati at Marri Krishna Hall, Tarnaka (10 a.m. – 7 p.m.), the fair brings together farmers, artisans, khadi weavers, and eco-entrepreneurs from across Telangana.
Rooted in the idea of conscious consumption, Mulam Santha connects rural producers directly with urban consumers, offering organic produce, handmade crafts, millet foods, khadi garments, and eco-friendly products. It’s not just a market — it’s a platform that empowers self-help groups, women entrepreneurs, and youth-led ventures.
Visitors can also enjoy workshops on natural farming, composting, and traditional crafts, along with organic food stalls serving millet snacks and herbal drinks. The fair’s earthy charm and community spirit make it a refreshing escape from city life.
Now a key part of Hyderabad’s green movement, Mulam Santha continues to grow each month — inspiring people to live sustainably and support local traditions. Entry is free; visitors are encouraged to carry reusable bags and choose eco-friendly products
