Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha had a beautiful wedding in Udaipur on September 24. The two had been friends for a long time before they decided to take it to the next step and got married.While pictures and snippets from their special day have been making the rounds online ever since their wedding, an extended wedding video has now surfaced online that is all heart. 

From haldi to sangeet to the wedding day and various other Punjabi wedding rituals, it looks right out of a fairytale.The video has several candid moments between the bride and the groom that have been beautifully captured for the camera. They look blissful and ready to start their new journey as partners. 

Amid growing tensions between India and the Maldives following a controversial tweet by a Maldives minister regarding the Lakshadweep Islands, prominent Indian celebrities have taken to social media to express their solidarity with the archipelago and encourage fellow citizens to explore the beauty of the islands. 

The diplomatic row ignited when a Maldives minister accused India of targeting the nation and claimed that India faced challenges in competing with the Maldives in beach tourism. In response, Indian celebrities have come forward to champion the cause of Lakshadweep and showcase the diverse and enchanting beauty of the Indian islands.

Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar took to X to express his astonishment at the derogatory comments from some Maldives public figures. 

“Came across comments from prominent public figures from Maldives passing hateful and racist comments on Indians. Surprised that they are doing this to a country that sends them the maximum number of tourists.  We are good to our neighbors but why should we tolerate such unprovoked hate? I’ve visited the Maldives many times and always praised it, but dignity first. Let us decide to #ExploreIndianIslands and support our own tourism,” Mr Kumar posted on X.

Came across comments from prominent public figures from Maldives passing hateful and racist comments on Indians. Surprised that they are doing this to a country that sends them the maximum number of tourists.
We are good to our neighbors but
why should we tolerate such… pic.twitter.com/DXRqkQFguN

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) January 7, 2024

John Abraham, another popular actor, praised the hospitality and marine life in Lakshadweep. 

“With the amazing Indian hospitality, the idea of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ and a vast marine life to explore. Lakshwadeep is the place to go,” he wrote. 

With the amazing Indian hospitality, the idea of “Atithi Devo Bhava” and a vast marine life to explore. Lakshwadeep is the place to go.#exploreindianislands pic.twitter.com/CA1d9r0QZ5

— John Abraham (@TheJohnAbraham) January 7, 2024

Actress Shraddha Kapoor joined the chorus, expressing her desire to explore Lakshadweep’s pristine beaches and coastlines. 

“All these images and memes making me super FOMO now. Lakshadweep has such pristine beaches and coastlines, thriving local culture, I’m on the verge of booking an impulse chhutti 
This year, why not #ExploreIndianIslands,” she posted on X. 

All these images and memes making me super FOMO now 😍
Lakshadweep has such pristine beaches and coastlines, thriving local culture, I’m on the verge of booking an impulse chhutti ❤️
This year, why not #ExploreIndianIslands pic.twitter.com/fTWmZTycpO

— Shraddha (@ShraddhaKapoor) January 7, 2024

Actor Salman Khan praised the beautiful and clean beaches of Lakshadweep. 

“It is so cool to see our Hon PM Narendrabhai Modi at the beautiful clean n stunning beaches of Lakshadweep, and the best part is that yeh hamare India mein hain,” he wrote. 

It is so cool to see our Hon PM Narendrabhai Modi at the beautiful clean n stunning beaches of Lakshadweep, and the best part is that yeh hamare India mein hain.

— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) January 7, 2024

Cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar also joined the campaign, reminiscing about his experience in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg recently.

“250+ days since we rang in my 50th birthday in Sindhudurg! The coastal town offered everything we wanted, and more. Gorgeous locations combined with wonderful hospitality left us with a treasure trove of memories. India is blessed with beautiful coastlines and pristine islands. With our ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ philosophy, we have so much to explore, so many memories waiting to be created,” Mr Tendulkar wrote.

250+ days since we rang in my 50th birthday in Sindhudurg!

The coastal town offered everything we wanted, and more. Gorgeous locations combined with wonderful hospitality left us with a treasure trove of memories.

India is blessed with beautiful coastlines and pristine… pic.twitter.com/DUCM0NmNCz

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 7, 2024

The diplomatic tension between India and the Maldives has spiked in recent months, particularly after President Mohamed Muizzu assumed office in November last year. The new president has indicated a shift in foreign policy, signaling closer ties with China and a departure from the previous “India first” approach.

The Maldivian government today suspended ministers whose social media posts against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi sparked a massive firestorm with several Indians even claiming to have cancelled their scheduled trip to the nation made up of more than a hundred islands dotted with luxury resorts. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today issued a statement on the stand of the Government of India in relation to some posts on social media that are insulting to neighboring India,” the Maldives goverment said in a statement.

“Those who made such posts on social media while in government positions have now been suspended from their jobs,” the statement said without revealing the names of those who have been suspended.

As per local media, ministers Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha and Hassan Zihan have been suspended.

It all began when these ministers and some other leaders in the Maldives posted derogatory remarks against PM Modi after he posted several photos and video from his recent visit to Lakshadweep. His posts where he was seen snorkelling went viral, prompting social media users to suggest India’s smallest Union Territory as an alternate tourist destination to the Maldives.

The Maldivian government, earlier in the day, distanced itself from these remarks and said the opinions were  “personal and do not represent the views of the Government” after several opposition leaders in the country slammed the “appalling language”.

 The freedom of expression should be exercised in a democratic and responsible manner, and in ways that do not spread hatred, and negativity, and hinder close relationships between the Maldives and its international partners, it said.

This comes as a big reassurance to India amid the diplomatic tussle with the island nation. 

The geography of both these destinations is very similar as both these places have low lying islands, reefs and pristine beaches. Lakshadweep and Maldives are separated by the Eight Degree Channel.