News Broadcasting
Smriti Iraani enters politics
MUMBAI: Smriti Z Iraani Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’s self-righteous bahu Tulsi, has a new role to play now. Smriti has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a party worker.
Confirming the news to indiantelevision.com, Smriti says, “Yes I have joined politics. But I cannot comment on whether I’ll be standing for the elections or not. For that, you will have to check with the BJP office.”
BJP member of Parliament Kirit Somaya endorses the news and says, “It’s still early days for us to take a call on whether Smriti will be a contestant for the elections or not. The Assembly elections are scheduled in October 2004. However, hard-working and sincere people like her are always welcome in our party.”
Smriti, who was the anchor of Kuch Diiil Se , a woman-centric interactive talk show on Sab TV till recently, says that social concerns were always of prime importance to her. “For long, I have had this urge to do something for the welfare of our society, rather than being a mute spectator. While doing Kuch Diiil Se, I realised that our society is plagued by much more problems than I had imagined. I decided to be a part of the system and attempt to change certain practices.”
This was when BJP general secretary Pramod Mahajan asked Smriti if she would like to do some real work for BJP. Smriti says, “Later on, BJP state president Gopinath Munde also spoke to me. And instead of asking myself ‘Why?’, I asked, ‘Why not?” Smriti says, what drew her towards BJP was its policy. “The BJP believes primarily in suraksha (security), surajya(good governance) and vikaas (development).”
So, the coming months are certainly going to be busy for Smriti, what with her having to juggle her television shoots, politics and family, especially with two kids. However, Smriti puts a rather confident front and says, “But I am sure that everything will fall in place. The producers of the shows I am doing and the party heads of the BJP have been kind enough to mutually agree that my work schedules in either case will not be hampered.”
It is a common belief that political parties rope in film and TV stars for extra news coverage, however, Smriti is not game for any such gimmick. “I am not going to be a figure-head,” she announces firmly, “else I would have never taken this step.” Smriti promises that her aim would solely be to do everything possible to make our environment a better place to live in.
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
