Actress Amala Paul is overjoyed as her family prepares to welcome a new member. She recently took to social media to share the happy news with her fans that her brother, Abhijith Paul, and his wife, Alca Kurian, are expecting a baby.
Sharing a beautiful pregnancy shoot video of her brother and sister-in-law on Instagram, Amala expressed her boundless excitement. “Another little heartbeat joining our home. Ilai is waiting to meet his partner in crime. Wishing the new parents the most joyous journey,” the actress wrote alongside the video.
Abhijith Paul and Alca Kurian tied the knot in 2021. Amala Paul and her husband, Jagat Desai, welcomed their own baby boy, named Ilai, on June 11, 2024. The actress and her family are thrilled that her young son will soon have a new playmate.
On the work front, Amala Paul was last seen on the big screen in the movie Level Cross, where she starred alongside Asif Ali.
KANNUR: A state-wide hartal has been called in Kerala tomorrow, Tuesday, April 28, demanding immediate action and justice regarding the tragic death of Nithin Raj, a BDS student at Anjarakandy Dental College in Kannur.
The strike was announced by the ‘Justice for Nithin Raj’ Action Council, alongside various Dalit and Adivasi organizations, who are pressing for the immediate arrest of those responsible for the student’s death.
Here is everything you need to know about the Kerala hartal tomorrow, including timings, exemptions, and the core demands of the protestors.
Kerala Hartal Timings and Guidelines
The dawn-to-dusk hartal will be observed for 12 hours across the state.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on April 28.
Unlike traditional strikes, the organizers have stated that this will be a peaceful protest. The Action Council has confirmed that they will not block private or public vehicles, nor will they forcefully shut down shops and commercial establishments. Public transport, including bus services, is expected to operate normally.
What is Exempted from the Hartal?
To ensure the public is not severely inconvenienced, several essential services have been explicitly exempted from the strike. These include:
Hospitals, clinics, and medical stores
Milk and newspaper distribution
Pre-planned weddings and religious ceremonies
Emergency services and ambulances
Why is the Hartal Being Conducted?
The hartal is a culmination of growing outrage over the death of Nithin Raj. Preliminary reports and allegations suggest that the student faced severe caste-based discrimination from college authorities and teachers, coupled with threats from online loan apps, which tragically led to his death.
Protestors allege that there are deliberate attempts by the police to sabotage the ongoing investigation and protect the accused faculty members.
Key Demands of the Action Council
The ‘Justice for Nithin Raj’ Action Council has put forward four primary demands to the state government:
Immediate Arrest: File murder charges and immediately arrest the teachers and college authorities allegedly responsible for the harassment.
Financial Compensation: Provide a compensation of ₹10 Crore to the grieving family of Nithin Raj.
Rohit Vemula Act: Enact and strictly implement the ‘Rohit Vemula Act’ across educational institutions in Kerala to prevent caste-based discrimination and safeguard marginalized students.
Judicial Probe: Initiate a comprehensive judicial investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death, removing the current police investigative team.
The organizers have urged the general public to cooperate with the strike to stand in solidarity with Nithin Raj’s family and to ensure educational spaces remain free from systemic discrimination.
Thiruvananthapuram: Amidst soaring temperatures and a record surge in electricity consumption, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has announced scheduled power regulations across the state. Under the new “Peak Load Management” plan, power supply may be disrupted for 15 to 30 minutes in various regions.
Key Highlights:
Duration: Power outages will last between 15 and 30 minutes.
Peak Hours: Regulations are primarily expected between 6:00 PM and 11:00 PM.
Notification: KSEB aims to notify consumers via SMS wherever possible.
Reason: Heavy load on the power grid due to extreme summer heat.
Rising Demand Forces Regulations
The decision comes as Kerala grapples with an intense heatwave, leading to an unprecedented spike in the use of air conditioners and cooling appliances. KSEB officials stated that without these minor regulations, maintaining the stability of the entire power grid would be challenging.
While several areas had already been experiencing unannounced power cuts—leading to public dissatisfaction—the Board has now moved to formalize these disruptions as part of a strategic load-shedding measure.
Localized Management
The outages will not be uniform across the state. Instead, they will be implemented locally based on the real-time load recorded at specific substations. “Peak Load Management is essential to prevent a total grid failure. We request the public to cooperate by reducing the use of non-essential electrical equipment during peak hours,” a KSEB representative stated.
The Board has also urged consumers to limit the use of heavy appliances like washing machines, pumps, and water heaters during the 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM window to help stabilize the supply.
The beautiful pictures of Kiara (affectionately known as Kanmani), daughter of actress Muktha and Rinku Tomy (singer Rimi Tomy’s brother), are currently winning hearts across social media.
The actress shared these precious moments from her daughter’s First Holy Communion, describing it as a divine moment of welcoming Jesus into her heart. Dressed in a pristine white outfit, Kanmani looks like a little angel in the ceremony photos.
Fans and celebrities alike have flooded the post with blessings and love for the young star, making the images an instant viral hit among the Malayali audience.
The team behind the massive Malayalam hit ‘Vaazha 2: Biopic of a Billion Bros’ recently had a fanboy moment with none other than Ram Charan!
The cast and crew, including Hashir and his team, visited the Mega Power Star on the sets of his upcoming film ‘Peddi’ in Hyderabad. The meeting comes as part of the excitement surrounding the Telugu release of ‘Vaazha 2’, which is being presented by Shine Screens.
From ruling social media to conquering the box office and now receiving a warm welcome from the Global Star himself—Hashir and the gang are truly living the dream! With the Malayalam version already crossing major milestones, all eyes are now on its Telugu debut.
MUMBAI, April 25, 2026 – Following the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) formal cancellation of the Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL) license on April 24, users are seeking urgent clarity on their digital assets. In a regulatory filing, One97 Communications (Paytm) has confirmed that Paytm Gold, along with UPI and merchant services, remains completely unaffected and fully operational.
Is My Paytm Gold Safe?
One of the top trending concerns among users is the safety of their digital gold. Paytm has clarified that Paytm Gold is offered in association with regulated partners (such as MMTC-PAMP) and is not a product of the Payments Bank.
Buying/Selling: You can continue to buy, sell, or request physical delivery of your gold as usual through the Paytm App.
Asset Safety: Your digital gold holdings are backed by physical gold stored in secure, 100% insured vaults and are not impacted by the banking license revocation.
RBI Action Summary: The Final Shutdown
The RBI officially revoked PPBL’s banking license effective from the close of business on April 24, 2026. The central bank cited “persistent non-compliance” and “material supervisory concerns” as the reasons for the final shutdown. The RBI is now moving to the High Court to appoint a liquidator to wind up the bank’s affairs.
“The RBI’s action is strictly limited to the banking entity (PPBL). Paytm’s core ecosystem—including the app, gold investments, and credit services—operates independently and will continue without interruption,” said the company in a statement to the stock exchanges.
Service Status at a Glance (April 2026)
Feature
Status
Impact on Users
Paytm Gold
SAFE ✅
No action needed. Buy, sell, or store as usual.
Paytm UPI
ACTIVE ✅
Works seamlessly via the Multi-Bank model (Yes, Axis, etc.).
Paytm Money
ACTIVE ✅
Stock and Mutual Fund investments remain operational.
QR Codes & Soundbox
ACTIVE ✅
Business as usual for all merchants and shops.
PPBL Bank Account
CLOSED ❌
Only withdrawals allowed. No new deposits accepted.
Paytm Wallet
RESTRICTED ⚠️
Use existing balance only; no new top-ups permitted.
The Multi-Bank Transition
To ensure zero disruption for the public, Paytm had already transitioned its core payment services to a “Third-Party Application Provider” (TPAP) model in early 2024. Your @paytm UPI handle is now supported by partner banks rather than the banking arm, ensuring that daily transactions for groceries, bills, and recharges remain smooth.
Depositor Safety Reassurance
The RBI has specifically noted that Paytm Payments Bank has sufficient liquidity to pay back all its depositors. While the bank is closing, your money is safe and can be withdrawn or transferred to any other bank account through the app until the balance is exhausted
Bollywood actress Kajol has opened up about the intense disagreements and a three-year-long period of estrangement she experienced with her teenage daughter, Nysa Devgan. In a candid interview with popular YouTuber Lilly Singh, the actress shed light on the challenges she faced as a mother and how they eventually mended their turbulent relationship.
According to Kajol, the friction began when Nysa was 12 years old, triggered by hormonal and behavioral changes. The differences escalated to the point where the mother-daughter duo barely spoke to each other for nearly three years. In a surprising revelation, Kajol admitted that at one point, she lost her temper and smashed Nysa’s brand-new phone. However, she clarified that it was not merely an outburst of anger, but rather an act of “tough love” meant to correct her daughter.
The turning point in their relationship came when Kajol consciously decided to alter her own parenting approach. Instead of constantly lecturing or issuing instructions, she began to patiently listen to what her daughter had to say. “Listening to your children is the biggest lesson I’ve learned in raising them,” the actress emphasized, noting that this shift was instrumental in breaking the ice between them.
During the conversation, Kajol also highlighted the immense mental pressure children face growing up in the age of social media. She observed that the lives of teenage girls are often fraught with more complexities compared to boys.
Married to actor Ajay Devgn, the couple shares two children—Nysa and their son, Yug. Kajol’s honest reflections serve as a valuable reminder for parents on the importance of building a compassionate, empathetic, and communicative bond with teenage children.
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala is celebrating his 40th wedding anniversary today. Marking the special occasion, the veteran politician took to social media to share a deeply emotional note, expressing his profound gratitude and love for his wife, Anitha, who stood as the backbone of their family amidst his demanding political career.
Reflecting on their four-decade-long journey, Chennithala wrote that his own life has taught him how two individuals can perfectly complement each other. “Wherever I faltered, she was there. She was the head of our family. She was both father and mother to my children,” read his touching tribute. He beautifully noted that they flowed together like the pitch and rhythm in a symphony, which made their forty years together so sweet.
The leader openly acknowledged the sacrifices Anitha made over the years. He admitted that his political commitments meant they missed out on many ordinary joys and moments a young bride naturally expects when stepping into married life. However, it was her understanding, patience, and courage that steered their life forward. “One person’s sacrifices become another’s spring. One person’s pure love becomes the deep roots for the other,” he wrote.
Amidst the joy, Chennithala also shared his deep sorrow over the absence of his late mother. He expressed that the pain of her not being present on this beautiful day pierces his heart, but he finds solace in the belief that she is rejoicing from another world alongside his father. He added that it is their blessings that sweeten their path ahead.
He concluded the touching note by thanking Anitha for her unwavering support: “Thanks a lot, Anitha… for the understanding, for being my pillar of support, for walking with me, for holding my hand, and for being my spring and my music! Happy Wedding Anniversary to dear Anitha.”
The heartfelt post has quickly gained attention on social media, with party workers, fellow politicians, and the public showering the couple with warm wishes.
South Indian Lady Superstar Nayanthara has found herself at the center of a social media storm after a recent airport video went viral. While fans usually love spotting the actress, this particular clip has triggered severe backlash from a section of netizens.
In the video, Nayanthara is seen walking alongside her son. However, viewers were quick to point out that she seemed entirely engrossed in her mobile phone, allegedly ignoring the little boy who was trying to hold her hand.
One comment that has gained significant traction reads: “So much invested on her phone…least bothered about the kid. That poor kid is lending his hand and she shoos his hand.”
The comment section of the viral reel is now flooded with mixed reactions. While many users have slammed the actress and questioned her parenting in that brief moment, her loyal fans have quickly jumped to her defense. Supporters argue that it is completely unfair to judge a celebrity’s relationship with their child based on a few seconds of a paparazzi clip.
The internet is completely divided over this airport sighting. What are your thoughts on the video? Do you think the criticism is justified, or is the internet overreacting?
Malayalam cinema’s evergreen icon, Shobhana, has just delighted her fans by sharing a beautiful vintage photograph from the 90s. Captioned heartwarmingly as “Beauty and the beast From the 90s… with Amma,” the picture captures a tender moment between the legendary actress and her mother.
Fans are already flooding the comments section with love, praising her timeless grace and the nostalgic vibe of the era. Some things truly never change!
