Mumbai: Veteran Bollywood legend Dharmendra, fondly known as the “He-Man” of Indian cinema, passed away today at his residence in Mumbai at the age of 89. His departure marks the end of an era in Hindi film history, leaving behind millions of grieving fans and admirers.

Dharmendra had been unwell for the past several days. He faced respiratory complications and other age-related health issues, for which he was hospitalized briefly before being shifted back home. Earlier today, a sense of concern arose as activity increased outside his residence, and soon after, the heartbreaking news of his demise was confirmed.

With a career spanning more than six decades, Dharmendra made his debut in the early 1960s and went on to become one of the most admired and celebrated actors of Indian cinema. From romance to comedy, drama to action, he mastered every genre and delivered countless memorable performances. His screen presence, charm, and natural acting style earned him a permanent place in the hearts of audiences.

The film industry is in deep mourning. Actors, filmmakers, and fans across the country are paying tribute, remembering him as a powerhouse performer and a humble human being. Many are calling his passing “the end of an era,” acknowledging that his contribution to cinema is both historic and irreplaceable.

Beyond films, Dharmendra was a devoted family man—deeply connected with his children, grandchildren, and loved ones. His simplicity, warmth, and affectionate nature made him beloved not just onscreen but also in his personal life.

His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Yet, his legacy will continue to shine through his timeless films, unforgettable characters, and the memories he gifted to generations of viewers.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and pray that his soul rests in peace.

Mumbai: In the Kalyan student suicide case, the Thane police have intensified the probe and questioned about 10 commuters who were in the same coach of the Mumbai local train; however, no leads have been currently found in the case. The 19-year-old, Arnav Khaire, was allegedly assaulted and threatened by fellow passengers on a Mumbai local train following a Hindi-Marathi language-based argument. Arnav went into severe mental stress, emotional breakdown and later died by suicide at his residence.

When the police questioned the commuters of the same coach of the CSMT-Ambernath train, many claimed that they did not come across any conflict or assault, ‘citing peak-hour crowding.’ In addition to this, the police sources told Media that the CCTV footage was also examined with the help of Kalyan Government Railway Police (GRP) to trace multiple passengers who boarded the local train from Ambernath to Thane. Senior inspector Hemant Gurav of Kolsewadi police station told the daily, “We are still trying to identify other passengers in the coach.”

Apart from speaking to commuters, the report added that the police also sent the victim’s mobile phone to forensic lab to retrieve messages, voice recordings, videos, or calls he made before his death.

Earlier on November 22, the Kolsewadi Police registered a case of abetment to suicide against the unknown individuals who assaulted Arnav inside a local train. The FIR clearly stated that the attack played a crucial role in pushing Arnav towards suicide.

On November 22, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde spoke with Arnav’s family and assured the family of full government support, immediate investigation, and justice.  In addition to this, the Deputy CM assured that until the linguistic extremists responsible for Arnav’s suicide are punished, “we will not remain silent.”

Mumbai: A major boost to India’s coastal defence capability came on Monday as the Indian Navy commissioned INS Mahe, the first vessel in the Mahe-class series of Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC). The ceremony, held at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, was hosted by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command and presided over by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi.

The commissioning marks the arrival of a new generation of indigenous shallow-water combatants, compact, highly manoeuvrable and designed specifically for India’s littoral warfare requirements. Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), INS Mahe reflects the strength of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, with over 80 per cent indigenous content in its design, construction and integration. Navy officials described the vessel as ‘sleek, swift and resolutely Indian.’

INS Mahe’s primary role is anti-submarine warfare in shallow waters, an area where conventional deep-water ships face limitations. With a blend of stealth, firepower and agility, the ship will undertake submarine hunting, coastal patrol and surveillance duties, strengthening security along critical maritime approaches.

Its name pays tribute to Mahe, the historic coastal enclave on India’s Malabar Coast. The ship’s crest features the Urumi, the flexible sword of Kalaripayattu, symbolising agility, precision and lethal grace, qualities reflected in the vessel’s mission profile.

Navy officials emphasised that INS Mahe is a multi-purpose warship, capable of being deployed across a wide spectrum of operations:

Anti-submarine warfare

Coastal defence and maritime security

Underwater surveillance

Search and rescue

Mine-laying

High-precision missions in shallow waters

Its compact 78-metre frame, 2.7-metre draft, 896–1,100-ton displacement and robust water-jet propulsion enable rapid manoeuvring even in tight maritime zones, an increasingly crucial requirement in modern coastal defence.

INS Mahe is powered by a modern diesel-engine and water-jet propulsion system, allowing a top speed of 25 knots and a range of 1,800 nautical miles at cruising speed. It carries 57 crew members including seven officers and is equipped with two RHIBs for rapid response.

With an extremely low acoustic signature, the vessel is engineered to remain undetected while tracking enemy submarines. This stealth advantage is reinforced by advanced sonar systems, making it highly effective in both shallow and variable-depth waters.

The ship’s surveillance backbone is built around two state-of-the-art sonar systems:

1. DRDO Abhay Hull-Mounted Sonar

Continuously monitors underwater surroundings

Detects submarine signatures, mines and artificial objects

Optimised for shallow-water operations

2. Low Frequency Variable Depth Sonar (LFVDS)

Deployed through a cable for deep-water detection

Effective in areas where hull-mounted sonar faces limitations

Long-range, low-frequency scanning for high accuracy

Together, the systems offer round-the-clock underwater surveillance and precise target identification.

INS Mahe is armed with a range of modern weapons, making it a formidable platform for anti-submarine warfare:

12-barrel IRL Anti-Submarine Rocket Launcher

30 mm Naval Surface Gun for defence against small craft and aerial threats

Two triple lightweight torpedo launchers (six ALWT torpedoes)

Anti-submarine mines deployable via mine-laying rails

Two 12.7 mm Stabilised Remote-Controlled Guns for coastal and anti-piracy operations

The combination enables detection, tracking and elimination of hostile submarines and maritime threats across a variety of operational scenarios.

With INS Mahe joining the fleet, the Indian Navy majorly enhances its littoral warfare capability. The vessel will play a vital role in protecting India’s coastal zones, monitoring suspicious submarine activity and contributing to mission-critical operations on the Western Seaboard.

INS Mahe stands as both a strategic asset and a milestone in India’s indigenous defence manufacturing journey, further strengthening maritime security and pushing India closer to naval self-reliance.