A devastating road accident claimed nine lives in Panchola, Rajasthan, as a van collided with a truck. The victims, aged 18 to 30, were returning from a wedding procession. Two died instantly, while seven succumbed to injuries at a nearby hospital. One person remains critically injured. Jhalawar Superintendent of Police, Richa Tomar, stated that the accused has been apprehended, and the bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination. The collision occurred at 2:45 am near Eklera village. Investigations into the tragic incident are ongoing.

Doordarshan anchor Lopamudra Sinha collapsed live on air during a live broadcast on scorching heatwave in West Bengal. Sinha, based in Kolkata, shared her story on Facebook, revealing her blood pressure dropped drastically during the broadcast. Despite feeling unwell beforehand, she soldiered on, hoping a glass of water would help. However, due to the demanding nature of the broadcast, she couldn't hydrate in time, leading to her worsening condition during the heatwave segment. Sinha described losing vision and slurring her speech before blacking out. The incident underscores the challenges faced by broadcasters and the need for better support during extreme weather conditions.

TISS Mumbai suspends PhD student Ramadas Prinisivanandan (30) for 2 years, alleging involvement in activities "not in the interest of the nation." He's pursuing Development Studies. The institute bars him from campuses in Mumbai, Tuljapur, Hyderabad, and Guwahati. The suspension follows his role in screening 'Ram ke Naam,' a documentary critical of Ram Mandir idol consecration in Ayodhya, on Jan 26. A notice dated March 7 accuses him of misusing the institute's name during a protest in Delhi organized by PSF-TISS, a Left-leaning student organization.

Delhi police found two minor children dead and their mother unconscious inside a locked house in Pandav Nagar. The incident unfolded after a call reporting a missing person, identified as Shyam Ji, whose house had been locked since Friday. Upon arrival, police found the children's bodies in one room, while their mother was found unconscious. The father remains missing. The mother was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Investigations are underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.

Two days after unveiling its new saffron-colored logo, DD News, Doordarshan's flagship channel, faces criticism from opposition parties for alleged "saffronisation" ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. While the broadcaster downplays it as a visual change, opposition leaders question its timing. The shift in color from ruby red to saffron sparks controversy, with critics accusing Doordarshan of aligning with a political agenda. DD News faces scrutiny over the timing and motive behind the logo change, highlighting tensions between the government and opposition as elections approach.

Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, postpones his visit to India, where he was set to meet PM Modi and possibly announce a $2-3 billion investment for a factory. The delay, not yet confirmed by either Tesla or Modi's office, leaves speculation unanswered. Musk's keenness on India was apparent since his meeting with Modi in the US last year. His recent tweet confirmed the upcoming visit. The trip was eagerly awaited for its potential boost to India's economy and Tesla's entry into the Indian market.

In a political rally in Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath invoked Pakistan, contrasting its hunger crisis with India's free ration promise to over 80 crore people. He emphasized the BJP's "Phir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar" slogan and its pledge in the manifesto to provide free ration for the next five years. Adityanath's remarks came ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at the rally in support of BJP candidate Kanwar Singh Tanwar. Pakistan's population of 23-24 crore, formed after partition, was highlighted as suffering from hunger, contrasting with India's welfare measures.

In the first phase of the 18th Lok Sabha election, India witnessed a 64% voter turnout across 21 states and Union Territories. Occasional violence erupted in Manipur and Bengal, with clashes between Trinamool Congress and BJP workers in Cooch Behar and reports of gunfire in Manipur. Despite occasional incidents, Election Commission assures a transparent process. Key states like Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan saw moderate turnouts. BJP eyes gains in the south, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Bengal, while Congress projects confidence of a comeback in northern states.

The Supreme Court requests updates on criminal cases against Baba Ramdev in Bihar and Chhattisgarh since 2021, related to his remarks on allopathic Covid-19 treatment. Ramdev seeks to merge cases for a Delhi trial. The Indian Medical Association opposes, citing Ramdev's alleged contempt for court orders and unethical conduct during the pandemic. Ramdev's lawyer objects, and the Union government expresses reservations over IMA's involvement. Ramdev faces charges including intentional insult and spreading infection. 

A significant fire engulfed Phoenix Mall in Pune's Viman Nagar area on Friday afternoon, prompting the dispatch of six fire engines by the Pune Fire Department. The blaze, which started around 3:15 PM, drew immediate response from fire officials after receiving the distress call at 3:25 PM. Visuals from the scene depict a massive column of smoke rising from the mall premises. The cause of the fire and extent of damage are yet to be determined as authorities work to contain the situation.