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Air India unveils revamp plan, looks forward to additional Rs. 1,000 crore revenue

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“Muslim” Meal On Air India To Protect Hindus From “Halal”

Air India unveiled the revamped first class and business class in its fleet of Boeing aircraft flying to international destinations to woo high-end travelers and increase the occupancy from 60 per cent to over 80 per cent.

The revamped premium class has been named as “Maharaja Direct” and the airline is expecting to boost its revenue to Rs 6.5 crore per day from the existing Rs 4 crore it nets from these premium classes, PTI Reported.

Air India also unveiled a new food menu and amenities for passengers. In its quest to embrace a new and refreshing look, the airline also unveiled new uniforms for its airline staff.

Union Minister for Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu and Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha unveiled the new look ‘Maharaja Direct’ at New Delhi’s luxury hotel, Ashoka on 22 June.

Air India unveils revamp plan, looks forward to additional Rs. 1,000 crore revenue

Air India, known for its Maharaja mascot, is saddled with about $7 billion of debt and its sale was expected to cement Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s credentials as a reformer willing to step away from running money-losing businesses, Reuters reported.

The government’s plans to privatise the national carrier received a severe jolt last month when no initial bids were received for the proposed strategic stake sale of the debt laden airlines by the end of the auction deadline on 31 May 31.

On Wednesday the government shelved its plan to sell a 76 percent stake in the debt-laden carrier due to lack of interest from bidders.

The airline now plans to focus on finding ways to remain competitive and win market share.

These changes, expected to be introduced over the next two months, could earn the airline an additional 10 billion rupees ($147 million) a year in revenue, Air India’s chairman and managing director Pradeep Singh Kharola told reporters.

The government is committed to supporting the airline and to making it competitive, junior civil aviation Minister Jayant Sinha said, adding Air India was also looking at flying to new destinations in Africa, Australia, and North America.

Air India unveils revamp plan, looks forward to additional Rs. 1,000 crore revenue

According to reports, Air India has been losing domestic market share to rapidly expanding lower-cost operators such as InterGlobe Aviation Ltd’s (INGL.NS) IndiGo and SpiceJet Ltd (SPJT.BO) that are now looking to expand their international routes as well.

While Minister Suresh Prabhu told media on Tuesday that stake sale of the airline would have to be put on the back-burner for the time being given the poor response, Minister of State Jayant Sinha said on Wednesday at a press conference, there wasn’t any Plan B on the table. “We are committed to the strategic disinvestment of Air India,” declared Sinha, while flanked by Prabhu on one side.

Air India says there won’t be a premium attached to the business and first class ticket prices as a result of this look overhaul. Instead, it says, funds will be dug into from the annual installment of the Rs 30,000 crore bailout package announced for the cash-strapped airline in 2012.

Air India’s chairman and managing director Pradeep Singh Kharolais looking forward to raising the “passenger load factor” of business and first class seats to 80 per cent in the coming time. This is likely to bring in additional revenue of Rs.1,000 crore per annum, said Kharola, reported Reuters.

The Minister of state for civil aviation Jayant Sinha said that Air India is looking at flying to new destinations in Australia, Africa and North America.

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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