Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of the late Apple founder Steve Jobs, is currently in India to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. A notable development from her highly publicized spiritual journey to Uttar Pradesh has emerged: Kailashanand Giri Maharaj announced that the Akhara has given her a Hindu name, ‘Kamala’. He described Powell Jobs as like a daughter to the Akhara and mentioned plans to integrate her into the Akhara Peshawai.

In an interview with news agency ANI, Kailashanand Giri Maharaj stated, “I had my ‘Peshwai’ at Kumbh yesterday. Today, we have come to Kashi to pray to Mahadev for an unobstructed Kumbh… I am here to invite Mahadev… Our disciple Maharshi Vyasanand is with us from America.” He further shared, “Tomorrow he will be honoured as a Mahamandaleshwar in my Akhara. Laurene Jobs has also joined us… According to our Indian tradition, in Kashi Vishwanath, no other Hindu can touch the Shivling. Therefore, she viewed the Shivling from the outside… She will stay at the Kumbh and take a dip in the Ganga…”

Laurene Powell Jobs’s visit is part of her 17-day stay in India, during which she aims to deepen her understanding of Hinduism and Sanatana Dharma. To gain further insights, she plans to participate in ‘katha’, ‘pravachans’, and engage in ‘bhajans’ and ‘kirtans’ while residing with her guru.

Reports suggest that Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, was not a believer in a traditional God but did believe in a higher power he referred to as consciousness.

The highly anticipated Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 13, 2025, and run until Wednesday, February 26, 2025. When asked earlier about potentially including Powell Jobs in Akhara’s Peshawai, Maharaj stated, “We will try to include her in the Peshwai. Ultimately, it will be her decision. She will experience this Kumbh and interact with the seers here. It will be a fulfilling experience for her, and we welcome those who are eager to learn about our traditions.”

“This is a religious festival; people from around the world and across India come to Maha Kumbh to seek blessings,” remarked Swami Kailashnand Ji Maharaj.

Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak announced that all arrangements for the Mela have been finalized. “We have completed all preparations for the Maha Kumbh… We are meeting with the saints and sages who have gathered in Prayagraj for the Mela, seeking their blessings and thanking them for their presence. It’s our duty to ensure that the saints have a smooth experience here. Everyone is welcome, and all arrangements are in place,” he stated.

Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya assured devotees that this Kumbh would be a divine and grand event. “We have made extensive preparations for a holy and magnificent Kumbh in Prayagraj… We are eagerly awaiting January 13. Complete measures have been taken to ensure everyone’s safety during the ritual baths… I have witnessed the Kumbh of 2013 with its challenges and the well-managed Ardh Kumbh of 2019,” he noted.

Additionally, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath praised Prasar Bharati for launching a special radio channel, ‘Kumbhvani,’ in celebration of the Maha Kumbh, which begins on January 13. He stated that the channel would enable people in remote areas of the country, where connectivity remains a challenge, to access the Kumbh Mela.

In a significant relief for actor Allu Arjun, a court has relaxed the bail conditions in the ‘Pushpa 2’ stampede case, freeing him from the requirement to report to the investigating officer every Sunday. The court has also allowed him to travel to specific countries, provided he informs the Station House Officer (SHO) of the Chikkadpally police station as needed.

Allu Arjun is required to notify the SHO of his travel plans for each trip and to give details of his accommodation in the destination country until the charge sheet is filed. The court clarified that the remaining bail conditions will remain the same, as stated in its order dated January 10.

This decision came in response to a petition filed by the actor requesting a modification of the bail terms. Initially, when he was granted regular bail on January 3, the court mandated that he appear before the investigating officer every Sunday between 10 AM and 1 PM for two months or until the charge sheet was filed, whichever came first. He was also prohibited from leaving the country without prior approval from the court. Additionally, the court instructed him to cooperate with the investigation and not to interfere or influence witnesses.

Allu Arjun was arrested on December 13 related to the stampede case, but he was released the following day after the Telangana High Court granted him a four-week interim bail, which concluded on January 10. He is recognized as Accused No. 11 in the case and subsequently filed a petition for regular bail.

The incident that led to these developments occurred on December 4, when a stampede at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad resulted in the tragic death of a 35-year-old woman and injuries to her eight-year-old son, as fans crowded to see Allu Arjun during the premiere of ‘Pushpa 2’. Following this incident, the city police filed a case against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), based on a complaint from the victim’s family.

The popular reality show “MTV Roadies” returns with its landmark 20th season on January 11. Titled “MTV Roadies Double Cross,” this season will be broadcast on MTV and will stream on JioCinema every Saturday and Sunday following its premiere, as announced in a press release.

Rannvijay Singha, the winner of the show’s inaugural season in 2003, will reprise his role as host for this edition, which is being promoted as the “boldest and most unpredictable season” yet. “MTV Roadies has always felt like home to me, and being part of this milestone season is truly special. With the Double Cross theme, fans are in for the most intense and unpredictable journey in the show’s history,” Singha expressed.

Alongside him are gang leaders Prince Narula, Neha Dhupia, Elvish Yadav, and Rhea Chakraborty. Dhupia remarked, “The overwhelming love from fans brought me back to fulfill their wish. MTV Roadies has always been about strength and power, and as a woman, I aim to lead with courage and inspire my gang to break boundaries and shine. This journey has empowered me to speak my mind and stand firm in my beliefs—a lesson I’ll carry forward for my gang as we aim for excellence.”

Elvish Yadav is the newest addition to the team. Excited about joining, the YouTuber stated, “I’m here to bring the energy and shake things up! MTV Roadies Double Cross is truly the right place for the bold, and I’m ready to lead my gang with full force. Prepare for fierce competition and genuine sportsmanship!”

Reflecting on the upcoming season, Prince Narula said, “After a decade with MTV Roadies, it still gives me goosebumps. Double Cross will challenge everyone, and I’m prepared to guide my gang through every twist and turn.”

Rhea Chakraborty, the winner of the previous season, added, “Winning last season was thrilling, but this time, I’m ready to defend my crown with double the determination. The Double Cross theme resonates perfectly with the fierce competition that MTV Roadies embodies, and I can’t wait to experience it.”