Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiran Rijiju on Friday shared an old video of stand-up comedian Varun Grover in which he roasted the Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal and his relationship with the Congress party over a period of time.

In a social media post on X, the senior BJP leader shared the video clip and wrote: “I like this guy! He may be satirical but brutally veracious! You are absolutely right!”

A social media influencer named Garima reacted to the Union Minister’s post with another video of Grover, the multi-talented person, roasting the BJP for losing the Ayodhya seat in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections even after constructing Ram Mandir.

Sharing the video, Garima wrote: “We like this guy too for the same reason you mentioned- “You are absolutely right.”

As the Assembly elections in the capital approach, AAP and Congress are engaged in a war of words, criticising each other on various fronts.

On December 26, the Aam Aadmi Party announced a significant ultimatum: it would demand the removal of Congress from the INDIA alliance if Congress leader Ajay Maken did not face consequences within 24 hours.

During a press conference, senior AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh accused the Congress of colluding with the BJP, alleging that their actions were designed to benefit the BJP in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.

He pointed out that Congress had filed a first information report (FIR) against Kejriwal, despite the fact that Kejriwal had campaigned for Congress candidates in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and even traveled to Chandigarh to support them.

On January 4, Kejriwal taunted that Congress and BJP should openly declare their alliance, as both parties intensified their attacks on the former chief minister in the lead-up to the Assembly polls.

Kejriwal slammed Congress, claiming that aside from a few media representatives, the public had begun to disregard the party. He also alleged a “covert, behind-the-scenes” collaboration between Congress and BJP targeting the Assembly elections.

Relations between AAP and Congress, both members of the Opposition INDIA bloc, have deteriorated following their inability to form an alliance for the Haryana elections.

AAP is also calling for action against senior Congress leader Maken for labeling Kejriwal as “anti-national,” warning that it will consult other INDIA bloc parties about removing Congress from the coalition.

Meanwhile, the BJP today released its first candidate list for the elections, which names nominees for 29 of the 70 seats in the national capital, while AAP has already announced its complete lineup of candidates.

Dr. Jeewan Singh Titiyal, a distinguished ophthalmologist and Padma Shri awardee, retired from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, after an extraordinary 46-year career. His emotional farewell, marked by heartfelt tributes from colleagues, encapsulated his immense contributions to Indian medicine, particularly in the field of ophthalmology.

The farewell ceremony, a poignant moment, captured widespread attention on social media. A video showcasing Dr. Titiyal’s final walk through the hospital’s corridors revealed his deep connection with his peers. Wearing his scrubs, he paused frequently to embrace colleagues amid resounding applause. Tears streamed down his face as he bid goodbye to the institution where he had dedicated nearly half a century of his life. Fellow doctors were also seen overcome with emotion, reflecting the profound camaraderie and respect he inspired.

Reflecting on his journey, Dr. Titiyal shared, “The operation theatre has been my second home, and leaving this institute is incredibly emotional for me.”

A legacy built over decades

Dr. Titiyal’s association with AIIMS began in 1978 as an MBBS student. Rising through the ranks, he eventually led the Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, leaving an indelible mark as a pioneer in eye care. Recognized for his expertise in cataract surgery and corneal diseases, he trained over 1,000 medical students, fostering excellence in clinical care and education.

Throughout his career, Dr. Titiyal achieved numerous milestones. In 1991, he joined AIIMS as a faculty member and became a professor in 2005. His leadership of the Cornea, Cataract, and Refractive Surgery Services saw significant advancements, and his tenure as Chief of the RP Centre from 2021 brought further innovation.

Among his trailblazing achievements, Dr. Titiyal became the first in India to perform INTACS, a specialized procedure for correcting complex corneal issues like myopia. He was instrumental in establishing the National Ophthalmic Surgical Skill Development Centre (NOSSDC), which transformed surgical training for residents across India.

Tributes pour in

Dr. Namrata Sharma, a professor at the RP Centre, praised Dr. Titiyal’s unmatched dedication, saying, “His contributions to patient care, teaching, and research have left a lasting legacy. His leadership was truly exemplary.”

Under his stewardship, the RP Centre witnessed advancements in technology and infrastructure, cementing its reputation as a leader in ophthalmic care.

As Dr. Titiyal steps away from his illustrious career, his legacy of compassion, innovation, and excellence continues to inspire a new generation of medical professionals. For many, his journey is a testament to the profound impact of dedication and vision in transforming lives.

Senior Indian batter Rohit Sharma dismissed retirement rumors on Saturday, stating he is not going anywhere, and explaining that his recent poor form led him to “stand down” from the ongoing Sydney Test against Australia.

Struggling with consistency, Rohit decided to rest for the Sydney match and passed the leadership responsibilities to Jasprit Bumrah, which sparked speculation about his cricketing future. “I have not retired. I stood down, and that’s how I see it. The conversation I had with the coach and the selectors was straightforward. My runs haven’t been coming, and with the importance of this match, we need players who are in form,” Rohit shared with Star Sports.

He added, “Our batting lineup has been struggling, and we can’t afford to have too many players out of form. This was a key consideration for me. I’m not going anywhere.” The 37-year-old indicated that the team management and selectors supported his decision.

“I wanted to express my thoughts to the coach and selectors, and they backed my choice. They acknowledged that I’ve been playing for many years and understand my situation,” he noted. “Making this decision was challenging, but when I laid everything out clearly, it seemed the right thing to do. I won’t dwell on it too much.”

In Rohit’s absence, Shubman Gill was added to the Indian XI for the critical fifth match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with India currently trailing 1-2 in the series. Rohit struggled in Test cricket during 2024, managing only 619 runs in 26 innings over 14 matches, with a low average of 24.76. Before stepping down, he had scored just 31 runs in five innings in this series after rejoining the team following the Perth Test.

Rohit’s proactive decision raised speculations that he might consider retiring from Test cricket after this series. However, he clarified, “This is not a retirement decision. I am not leaving the game; there’s no such choice. I’m sidelined right now because my bat isn’t performing. But that doesn’t guarantee it won’t work again in two months or six months.”

He expressed hope for a revival of his form soon, stating, “In cricket, everything can change in an instant or over time. I have faith that things will improve. However, I also need to be realistic. Ultimately, those outside the game don’t dictate when I should play or when I should leave.”

When asked if his decision followed the Melbourne Test defeat, Rohit explained, “I made this decision after arriving in Sydney. With only two days between matches, one of which was New Year’s Eve, I didn’t want to discuss it then. But I was aware that my attempts weren’t yielding results, and I needed to accept that stepping aside was necessary.”

He emphasized the importance of focusing on the immediate future: “When I captain, I prioritize the here and now rather than what may happen in five or six months. Our focus was on winning these five matches to retain the trophy. Decisions like this are made with the team’s best interests in mind.”

Rohit also commended Bumrah for his leadership, stating, “Bumrah sets high standards with his bowling; he’s truly exceptional. Since I saw him for the first time in 2013, he’s consistently improved and strengthened his game.”