Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

15 Nov

Centre Enforces DPDP Rules 2025, Fully Activating India’s New Digital Data Protection System

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaData Protection Board, Digital Data Protection, DPDP Rules 2025, India privacy law

New Delhi, November 14, 2025: The Central Government has officially brought the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025 into effect, completing India’s transition to a modern, rights-centric data protection framework under the DPDP Act, 2023.With the notification of these rules, India’s digital privacy law becomes fully operational, defining clear duties for companies that collect or process personal data and granting stronger protections to citizens.The government has outlined a phased implementation timeline of 12 to 18 months to help organisations adjust to the new compliance standards. During this period, industries, government departments, and digital platforms will align their systems with…

15 Nov

Rohini Acharya Quits Politics, Disowns Family After RJD’s Poor Showing in Bihar

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPoliticsBihar election defeat, Lalu Yadav daughter quits, RJD family crisis, Rohini Acharya

Patna, November 15, 2025: Rohini Acharya, daughter of former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav, announced on Saturday that she is leaving politics and disowning her family, following the Rashtriya Janata Dal’s (RJD) disastrous performance in the Bihar Assembly elections. The party secured just 25 out of 243 seats.In an emotional message, Rohini blamed her decision on RJD MP Sanjay Yadav and Rameez, saying, “This is what Sanjay Yadav had asked me to do… I’m quitting politics and disowning my family.” Her statement has reignited fault lines within the Yadav family.Earlier this year, Rohini’s brother, Tej Pratap Yadav, was expelled from…

15 Nov

SBI to End mCASH Service from December 1; Customers Urged to Move to Other Payment Options

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaOnlineSBI YONO Lite, SBI digital banking update, SBI mCASH discontinuation

New Delhi, November 15, 2025: India’s largest bank, State Bank of India (SBI), announced that it will discontinue its mCASH service—used for transferring money using just a mobile number or email without prior beneficiary registration—effective December 1, 2025. The service will remain available only until November 30 on the bank’s OnlineSBI and YONO Lite platforms.The bank said the move is part of a digital upgrade, given that the mCASH feature is built on older infrastructure. After the shutdown date, users will no longer be able to send or receive funds via the mCASH link and passcode method.SBI has urged customers…

15 Nov

Pierre Poilievre Delivers Campaign-Style Address at Calgary Business Event

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingCanada, Pierre Poilievre

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Pierre Poilievre, the Federal Conservative Leader, delivered an election-style speech to employees at a northeast Calgary building supply company, focusing on key themes central to his recent messaging. Poilievre stressed housing affordability, advocating for policies designed to expedite home construction and reduce costs for prospective buyers. He reiterated his party's calls for a more robust justice system, arguing that stricter measures are necessary to address crime and enhance public safety. Energy policy was also a prominent feature, with Poilievre promoting expanded oil and gas development as a means to strengthen the economy and provide high-paying job opportunities.…

15 Nov

Growing Alarm in B.C. as Punjabi Community Caught in Expanding Extortion Network; Calls Intensify for Terrorism Designation

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingBritish Columbia, Canada

British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): A surge in violent extortion schemes across the province has prompted renewed demands for Ottawa to classify such offences as acts of terrorism, as police, lawmakers, and community leaders warn the crisis is spiralling beyond traditional organized crime. The latest flashpoint came after the Law Society of British Columbia alerted its members on November 14 to a string of threats directed at practising lawyers. The notice described phone calls and messages demanding significant sums of money, including explicit warnings of harm should victims refuse to comply — a development that has rattled the legal sector. Conservative…

14 Nov

Calgary Mayor Proposes Ban on Foreign National Flags at City Hall

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Mayor Jeromy Farkas intends to introduce an urgent motion to amend the city's flag-raising policy, restricting the display of national flags to that of Canada at City Hall. Farkas stated that this decision is in response to concerns from various communities that flag-raising events, despite their good intentions, "can unintentionally heighten tensions" and risk becoming "flashpoints for conflict." He clarified that the Palestinian flag-raising scheduled for Nov. 15 will proceed under the current policy, but argued that future national flag-raisings should be discontinued. The proposal has drawn criticism, particularly from the Calgary Jewish Federation, which expressed concerns…

14 Nov

Veteran Actress Kamini Kaushal Passes Away at 98, Closing a 76-Year Film Legacy

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaHindi cinema legend, Kamini Kaushal, Neecha Nagar, veteran actress death

Mumbai, November 14, 2025: Renowned veteran actress Kamini Kaushal died at her Mumbai residence on Friday night at the age of 98, a close family friend confirmed. Born as Uma Kashyap on February 24, 1927, in Lahore, she made her debut in the landmark film Neecha Nagar (1946), which won the top award at the Cannes Film Festival. Kaushal went on to star opposite legends such as Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor in numerous acclaimed films before transitioning to character roles in later decades. Her final screen appearance came in Laal Singh Chaddha (2022), demonstrating her presence across…

14 Nov

NDA Sweeps Bihar, Crosses 200-Seat Mark as Opposition Suffers Major Setback

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBihar Election Results, Bihar politics, BJP JD(U), Mahagathbandhan, NDA Victory

Patna, November 14, 2025:The National Democratic Alliance is heading for a decisive victory in the Bihar Assembly elections, with counting trends showing the coalition comfortably moving beyond the 200-seat mark in the 243-member House. Early figures from the Election Commission indicate a commanding lead for both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Janata Dal (United), positioning the NDA for one of its strongest performances in the state.According to the latest trends, the BJP is ahead in nearly 90 seats, while JD(U) is tracking close behind with over 80 seats. Together, the partners appear poised to form the next government with…

14 Nov

Punjab Ranks Number One in Industrial Development – State Declared ‘Top Achiever’ in the Country in Business Reform Plan

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPunjab

Chandigarh, November 14: Recognizing the pro-industry policies of the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Government of India today honored Punjab with the "Top Achiever" award under the Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP) 2024.Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal presented this prestigious award to the Punjab Government during a ceremony held in the national capital, New Delhi.It is noteworthy that Punjab has excelled in five key reform areas in India—business start-up, construction permits, investment attraction, sector-specific healthcare services, and service management.The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India, has declared…

14 Nov

Nitish Kumar’s Supporters Celebrate as NDA Makes Strong Showing in Bihar

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Politics, TrendingBihar, Nitish Kumar

Patna (Rajeev Sharma): Streets outside the JD(U) headquarters erupted in celebrations on Friday as early election trends showed the NDA surging ahead in Bihar, leading in 186 of the state’s 243 assembly seats. Supporters greeted the news with firecrackers, drumbeats, and clouds of green ‘gulaal’, creating a carnival-like atmosphere. What began as a small gathering of anxious party workers quickly transformed into a large, jubilant crowd as the Election Commission updates indicated a commanding NDA lead. Party workers hoisted a giant poster of Nitish Kumar, waved flags, and chanted slogans expressing confidence in the veteran leader’s return to power. Longtime…