In a tragic turn of events, the family of India’s celebrated shooter Manu Bhaker is grieving after the untimely loss of her maternal uncle and grandmother. This sorrowful news comes just two days after Manu received the esteemed Khel Ratna Award from the President of India.

The fatal accident occurred on the Mahendergarh Bypass Road when Yudhveer Singh, Manu’s uncle, and his grandmother, Savitri Devi, were riding a scooter. Reports indicate that their scooter was struck by a speeding Brezza car that was travelling on the wrong side of the road. The collision was so severe that both victims were thrown to the ground and died on impact.

Yudhveer Singh, employed as a driver with the state roadways, was on his way to work at the time of the incident. Savitri Devi was accompanying him to visit her younger son in Loharu Chowk. As they approached the Kalyana Mod area, the Brezza, which was speeding and out of control, crashed into their scooter, resulting in a tragic collision that also caused the car to overturn.

In the aftermath of the accident, the driver of the Brezza fled the scene. Local police quickly arrived to recover the victims’ bodies, which were subsequently sent to the Civil Hospital for post-mortem examinations. Authorities have initiated a manhunt to locate the driver responsible for this hit-and-run.

The local community is in shock, with condolences flooding in for Manu Bhaker and her family during this incredibly difficult time. The tragedy strikes just as the young athlete is celebrating her national recognition.

The police investigation into the incident is ongoing, with efforts focused on tracking down the driver. Just days before this incident, Bhaker, a double Olympic medallist, had been honoured with the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award by President Draupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

At the summer 2024 Paris Games, the 22-year-old shooter made history as independent India’s first athlete to win two medals in a single Olympic edition. She opened India’s medal tally at the Olympics by securing third place in the women’s individual 10m air pistol event, becoming the country’s first female shooter to win an Olympic medal.

She later teamed up with Sarabjot Singh to clinch a bronze medal in the 10m air pistol (mixed team) event, marking India’s first-ever shooting team medal.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar sparked controversy during a state event on Saturday by asserting that women’s fashion in Bihar has notably improved since he took office two decades ago. This statement elicited a strong backlash from RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who criticised Kumar, stating that he was not a “fashion designer” and that the comments revealed a “warped mentality.”

In a video shared by Yadav on X, Kumar can be heard commenting, “Girls have become so confident. They speak so well and dress up so well. Did we see them wearing such fine clothes earlier?” The remarks were made while he was in Begusarai district as part of his statewide ‘Pragati Yatra.’

In response, Yadav contended that the women of Bihar have always dressed with self-respect and self-reliance, emphasizing, “Don’t try to be a fashion designer for women. Your thinking is warped and your statement is a direct insult to half of the population.”

Yadav has been positioning himself to attract women voters ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, proposing a monthly stipend should his party gain power.

During Kumar’s remarks, both Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary of the BJP and JD(U) Cabinet Minister Vijay Chaudhary appeared uneasy and urged him to change the subject.

Kumar’s comments are not unprecedented; he faced criticism in 2023 for remarks made about women’s education and its link to population control, which led to an apology the following day amid demands for his resignation from the opposition.

Additionally, during the last Lok Sabha election campaign, Kumar had criticized RJD chief Lalu Prasad, claiming he had failed to accomplish anything substantial during his tenure, suggesting that he “only produced children.”

Delhi Airport operator DIAL announced that flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) will be suspended for arrivals and departures between 10:20 AM and 12:45 PM from January 19 to January 26, 2025, due to activities related to Republic Day celebrations. IGIA, the busiest airport in India, facilitates approximately 1,300 flight movements daily.

However, the exact effects of these operational restrictions on scheduled flights for different airlines remain unclear.

According to the NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued for the week of Republic Day, no flights will operate from Delhi Airport during the specified times. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates regarding flight schedules.

Daily Flight Disruption Details:

• January 19 (Sunday): 85 departures and 85 arrivals impacted.
• January 20 (Monday): 85 departures and 84 arrivals affected.
• January 21 (Tuesday): 79 departures and 81 arrivals, marking the least disrupted day of the week.
• Remaining Days: Daily disruptions will vary from 81 to 84 departures and 82 to 87 arrivals.

Additionally, the airspace closures will disrupt international flights to major cities including Toronto, Washington, Tashkent, Kathmandu, and Colombo. These measures are crucial to ensure the safety and security of dignitaries and aircraft involved in the Republic Day flypast. Notably, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is confirmed to be the chief guest for India’s Republic Day celebrations on January 26.