Selfie frenzy with PM Modi cutout marks Passenger Service Day at Kolkata airport
Hundreds of passengers at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport jostled for space Wednesday to snap selfies with a life-size cutout of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an attraction coinciding with the prime minister’s 75th birthday. The rush was so overwhelming that airport authorities created three dedicated selfie zones across the terminal — at domestic arrivals, international arrivals and the security hold area. By noon, more than 500 passengers had posed with the cutouts, airport officials said. The celebration was part of Yatri Seva Diwas, or Passenger Service Day, observed across airports run by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The annual event focuses on improving passenger experience with a range of complimentary services. “This year’s participation was remarkable,” said P. R. Beuria, director of NSCBI Airport. “Passengers availed themselves of free health check-ups, including blood pressure, blood sugar, ECG and eye tests. More than 200 people underwent free eye examinations alone.” Children traveling with families were not left out. Drawing contests and extempore speech competitions were held inside the terminal, with prizes distributed to all participants. “We are overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response,” Beuria said. In another initiative, elderly travelers and members of India’s Milly Tree Plantation group joined hands to plant saplings in the airport’s arrival garden, adding a green touch to the occasion. Senior AAI officials, including Chairman Capt. S. K. Mallick and the Executive Director (Security), reviewed the day’s proceedings alongside Beuria. Mallick said Yatri Seva Diwas offered an opportunity to reinforce AAI’s commitment to passenger-centric services. “It is a moment to showcase our efforts in delivering safe, secure and world-class services,” he told the gathering. For many passengers, however, the highlight remained the chance to take home a photo beside Modi’s smiling image. The selfie zones stayed crowded through the day, symbolizing both celebration and spectacle. Meanwhile, NSCBI Airport is preparing for another milestone on Thursday. Star Airlines will launch its maiden service between Kolkata and Purnia, with the inaugural flight scheduled to take off at 8:45 a.m. The aircraft will first land at Purnia before proceeding to Ahmedabad. Beuria will formally inaugurate the route, which officials expect will boost connectivity between eastern and western India.
Gunmen Attack Bollywood Actress Disha Patani’s Family Home; Gangster Claims Role
Bollywood actress Disha Patani’s family escaped unhurt after unidentified gunmen opened fire at their Civil Lines residence in Bareilly early Thursday, police said. Patani’s father, retired deputy superintendent of police Jagdish Singh Patani, her mother, and her sister were inside the house when the shots rang out around 3 a.m. No injuries were reported, but the attack triggered panic in the neighborhood. Hours later, Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar claimed responsibility in an online post, alleging the assault was linked to comments Patani and her sister had made against certain religious figures. Brar also issued fresh threats, intensifying security concerns. Taking the claim seriously, a joint team of the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force and Delhi Police traced two suspects to Ghaziabad on Friday. Police said the men opened fire when officers attempted to arrest them, sparking a gun battle. Both suspects were injured, and one later died at a hospital. Authorities recovered a cache of weapons from the site, including foreign-made pistols and dozens of live cartridges. Investigators said preliminary findings suggest the attack was orchestrated by an international crime syndicate with direct ties to Brar’s gang. Brar, a key associate of slain gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, has been linked to several high-profile crimes in India and abroad. Officials believe his network has expanded its operations across northern India, raising concerns about gang influence on public figures. Senior police officers said additional security has been provided to Patani’s family while forensic experts examine ballistic evidence from the shooting. “We are investigating all angles, including who ordered the attack and whether more operatives are at large,” a senior STF officer said. The case has now entered a high-stakes phase, with investigators working to dismantle the network believed to be targeting prominent personalities in India.
