Metro fare hike: Congress government adding to public burden, says R. Ashoka
Bengaluru: At a time when people in the state are already struggling due to rising prices of petrol, diesel, milk, and bus fares, the Congress government has now imposed an additional burden by abruptly increasing Bengaluru Metro fares by 50%, said Opposition Leader R. Ashoka, launching an attack on the state government.
Sharing a post on social media platform X, he addressed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, stating that the 50% metro fare hike has made metro travel unaffordable for many ordinary citizens. He added that commuting by a personal scooter or bike now seems more economical than using the metro.
Ashoka criticised the government for discouraging public transport instead of promoting it as a solution to Bengaluru’s traffic congestion and environmental pollution. He demanded the immediate rollback of the metro fare hike.
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Actor Pravina Deshpande dies
Mumbai (PTI): Actor Pravina Deshpande, known for playing supporting characters in films such as “Ready”, “Gabbar is Back” and “D Day”, has died.
The actor's family shared the news in a post on her Instagram page, saying that Despande breathed her last on Tuesday.
“It is with great sadness that we inform you that Mrs Pravina Deshpande has left for her heavenly abode on 17th February 2026,” the note read.
According to media reports, Deshpande died after a prolonged battle with blood cancer at the age of 60. She is survived by her husband and two children.
Desphande worked extensively in Marathi theatre, shows and films. She gained wider recognition for her work in Hindi cinema.
Some of her popular shows and films were “Pariniti”, “Avagat”, “Ghar Ek Mandir”, “Kumkum - Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan”, “Ek Villian”, “Parmanu” The story of Pokhran”, among others.
She was last seen in the Netflix series, “Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web”.
The Cine and TV Artistes' Association (CINTAA), a trade union body of actors, wrote on X, “CINTAA expresses its condolences on the demise of Pravina Deshpande ji (member since 2008).”
Deshpande’s colleagues from the film industry also took to social media to express grief.
“Beautiful person. She’d met me in 2017 to audition for our film. It was a very pleasant experience," filmmaker Aditya Kriplani said on X.
Actor Vaishnavi Dhanraj said, “May her soul rest in peace.”
Her last rites were held on Tuesday afternoon at the Hindu crematorium, Chakala Parsiwada, in suburban Andheri.
