India News & Trends


The Revanth government awarded Allu Arjun the Gaddar award months after he was arrested in the Pushpa 2 stampede case.
In relation to a case involving the death of a lady in a stampede at Hyderabad's Sandhya theater during the premiere of his film Pushpa 2, Arjun was taken into custody last December.Arjun will formally receive the first "Best Leading Actor" award at a later time for his role in the highly successful sequel Pushpa 2: The Rule, which brought in an estimated Rs 1,800 crore at the box office worldwide.Arjun's prize comes months after he was temporarily detained and arrested by Telangana police, who blamed him and others for the stampede that occurred on December 4 at the film's premiere at the Sandhya theater in this city. In the midst of controversy surrounding the death of 39-year-old M. Revathi in the stampede and the severe injuries sustained by her 9-year-old son, the arrest was announced on December 13. On the eve of the release, Arjun went to the renowned Sandhya theater to support his admirers, and Revathi's family of four attended to see the Pushpa-2 premiere event. As the opposition BRS and BJP denounced "the arrest of a national award winner," particularly the way it was executed, the police action took a political turn. In an X post at the time, Telangana BJP politician and Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay wrote, "...lifting national award-winning actor Allu Arjun straight out of his bedroom without even giving him time to change is a disgraceful act of mismanagement and disrespect."The police action took a political turn when the opposition BRS and BJP condemned "the arrest of a national award winner," especially the manner in which it was carried out. Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs and Telangana BJP politician Bandi Sanjay remarked in an X post at the time, "...lifting national award-winning actor Allu Arjun straight out of his bedroom without even giving him time to change is a disgraceful act of mismanagement and disrespect."
Published 31 May 2025 08:00 PM


In a High Court case, Adman Sandeep Goyal wants the government to control surrogate advertisements.
In order to stop surrogate advertising, Sandeep Goyal has petitioned the Punjab and Haryana High Court for a government-led oversight agency. He contends that deceptive advertising of things that are prohibited, such as alcohol and tobacco, cannot be addressed by the self-regulation that is in place at the moment. By acknowledging the issue and sending letters to the appropriate authorities, the court has signaled the start of an important legal discussion over advertising control.The nation is experiencing a health catastrophe as a result of young people developing early alcohol and tobacco addictions. According to the petition, "it is argued that the commercials, which feature well-known celebrities to promote their product, not only encourage the use of alcohol and tobacco but also validate their use through the glamorous representation of these products. "The petition highlights how ineffectual the present self-regulatory frameworks—such as the Advertising Standards Council of India's (ASCI)—are at preventing deceptive advertising. Goyal demands a stronger regulatory framework run by the government to monitor advertising material.Goyal argues that current redressal procedures are not quick to offset the immediate effects of these advertisements, which continue to reach sizable audiences before any kind of regulation is implemented. Additionally, he cites Supreme Court and high court rulings advocating for more stringent regulatory monitoring in the advertising industry.
Published 31 May 2025 07:43 PM


Neelam Kothari Soni, Masaba Gupta, Ratna Pathak Shah, and Rohan Joshi are also featured in the movie.
Neelam Kothari Soni, Masaba Gupta, Ratna Pathak Shah, and Rohan Joshi are also featured in the movie. For the impending End of Reason Sale (EORS), Myntra has released their newest ad, which features a gorgeous cast and a humorous twist.The story, which is set in a stylized living room, centers on a fictitious intervention that Johar's friends conduct, during which they first chastise him for using coupons to purchase. As each of them is ultimately influenced by the sale's offerings, the scenario swiftly becomes comical. With EORS scheduled to begin on May 31, the movie centers on Myntra's claims of the "Lowest Price Guaranteed" and cashback incentives."With each edition of EORS, our goal is not just to deliver unmatched value but to redefine how India experiences fashion," stated Kejal Parekh, Associate Director, Marketing, Myntra, while describing the intentions of the campaign. By bringing together well-known individuals in an entertaining and unusual atmosphere that reflects how our customers interact with fashion today, we wanted to achieve something genuinely novel for the 22nd edition.
Published 27 May 2025 08:55 PM


Day 3 of Goafest 2025 ignites discussions on bravery, inventiveness, and the storytelling potential of AI.
As the curtains opened on Day 3 of Goafest 2025, the atmosphere was electric, promising another day of creativity, innovation, inspiration, and information exchange. Under the theme IGNITE HUNGAMA, Mahindra Auto & Mahindra Electric Origin SUVs, in collaboration with Bingo!, kicked off the day with an incredible performance by Indian playback artist Javed Ali.Youri Guerassimov, Chief Creative Officer and CEO of Marcel France, gave a keynote talk on "Creativity That Dares to Disrupt" to the audience following the riveting performance. YouTube used the theme IGNITE BRAVERY to deliver the keynote.Using daring initiatives such as Volvo's safety innovation and Nike's Colin Kaepernick ad, he demonstrated how businesses stand out when they exhibit boldness, whether it be strategic, activist, or designers. Real effect frequently comes from simplicity and intent, as demonstrated by Marcel's "Inglorious Fruits and Vegetables," which turned an in-store concept into a movement, and McDonald's simple billboard. Guerassimov came to the conclusion that bravery is an attitude rather than a financial plan. "Being a little uncomfortable" in advertising is frequently a sign that you are headed in the correct direction. He asserted that remorse endures much longer than fear.
Published 23 May 2025 08:10 PM


N Venu is appointed Managing Director of Hitachi India.
According to Hitachi India, N Venu will take over as the company's new Managing Director (MD) on June 2, 2025. This significant change in leadership comes when Bharat Kaushal was promoted to Executive Chairman of Hitachi India, effective April 1, 2025.According to Hitachi India, N Venu will take over as the company's new Managing Director (MD) on June 2, 2025. This significant change in leadership comes when Bharat Kaushal was promoted to Executive Chairman of Hitachi India, effective April 1, 2025.The advancement of Bharat Kaushal Hitachi India's first Indian MD was Bharat Kaushal. He has now been elevated to Hitachi India's Executive Chairman position. He works for Hitachi Ltd. as a corporate officer as well. His guidance has been crucial to Hitachi's expansion in India. N Venu's Present Positions N Venu currently occupies significant positions inside the organization. He serves as both the region head for Hitachi Energy in South Asia and the managing director and CEO of Hitachi Energy India. He will assume the additional duty of serving as MD of Hitachi India starting in June 2025.Put Growth and Innovation First In his capacity as MD, N Venu will support Hitachi's growth in India. His objective is to back Hitachi's new management strategy, "Inspire 2027," which emphasizes innovation and growth via digital technology. In order to increase value for customers, he would also try to unite the approximately 28 Hitachi group entities in India. The Vision of Hitachi for India India is a crucial business destination for Hitachi. The business is expanding in sectors like energy, digital services, railroads, financial inclusion, healthcare, and education. Venu's hiring demonstrates Hitachi's strong commitment to making India a significant component of its worldwide business, according to Bharat Kaushal.Venu's History and Accomplishments N Venu has worked for nearly 40 years. Since 2019, he has served as Hitachi Energy's leader in India, accelerating the company's expansion. In 2024–2025, he also held the position of Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Karnataka Chapter. Venu attended NIT Warangal to study electrical engineering. He also attended the Indian School of Business (ISB) in Hyderabad, IIM Ahmedabad, and IMD in Switzerland to study management.
Published 31 May 2025 08:01 PM


Karnataka Soaps & Detergents Limited (KSDL) has named Tamannaah Bhatia as a brand ambassador.
Actress Tamannaah Bhatia has been appointed as the brand ambassador for Karnataka Soaps & Detergents Limited (KSDL), a well-known state-owned enterprise, for a two-year term. The goal of this program is to increase KSDL's market reach in India and abroad while also increasing its visibility among younger consumers.Renowned actress Tamannaah Bhatia has been named the two-year brand ambassador for Karnataka Soaps & Detergents Limited (KSDL), a century-old state-owned company. This calculated action seeks to increase KSDL's appeal and exposure among younger consumers while broadening its national and international reach. On May 22, 2025, Karnataka's Large and Medium Industries Minister M.B. Patil made the news, emphasizing Tamannaah's widespread appeal and robust online presence throughout India. As KSDL starts a strategic transition to increase brand value, penetrate new markets, and connect with a younger, wider audience, this appointment comes at a critical juncture. With more than 28 million followers on social media and widespread popularity throughout India, Tamannaah is a perfect fit to embody KSDL's fusion of tradition and modern appeal. The action demonstrates KSDL's intention to use celebrity endorsements as a component of its larger marketing and growth plan.
Published 27 May 2025 09:05 PM


The Manipur High Court's Chief Justice is Justice K. Somashekar.
The President of India has chosen Justice K. Somashekar, a former member of the Karnataka High Court, as the Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court. This ruling reflects the Supreme Court collegium's recommendation and comes after Justice D. Krishnakumar's planned retirement.The appointment of Justice Kempaiah Somashekar, a Karnataka High Court judge, as the new Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court is a noteworthy legal move. Chief Justice D. Krishnakumar will retire on May 21, 2025, and this appointment comes after his retirement. More than thirty years of judicial experience and legal service throughout Karnataka are brought to the table by Justice Somashekar. Only a few days after a Supreme Court collegium headed by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai endorsed his name, Justice K. Somashekar's promotion to Chief Justice of Manipur High Court was formally announced on May 20, 2025. The appointment and recommendation cover the void left by Chief Justice D. Krishnakumar's retirement.He added, "The President of India, after consulting with the Chief Justice of India, is pleased to appoint Justice Kempaiah Somashekar, Judge of the Karnataka High Court, as Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court in exercise of the power conferred by the Constitution of India." The appointment was made a few days after a three-member collegium led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai recommended it due to incumbent Chief Justice D. Krishnakumar's May 21 retirement. In December of last year, Justice Krishnakumar was named chief justice of the High Court.
Published 22 May 2025 04:29 PM

In a bureaucratic reorganization, Sanjeev Ranjan was appointed road transport secretary.
New Delhi: According to a personnel ministry order, senior IAS official Sanjeev Ranjan has been appointed secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), as part of a top-level bureaucratic reorganization carried out by the federal government. Ranjan is currently the chairman of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and was a Tripura-bred IAS officer in 1985. He has been designated as a MoRTH officer on special duty.According to the decision, Yudhvir Singh Malik will be superannuated by the end of this month, and Ranjan will assume the position of MoRTH secretary on April 1, 2019. Ranjan will be replaced as the new head of the NHAI by Nagendra Nath Sinha. The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation's managing director is N.N. Sinha. He will also continue to be in charge of this position.Rakesh Srivastava, who is scheduled to superannuate on March 31, will be replaced as secretary of the Ministry of Women and Child Development by Rabindra Panwar. Until Srivastava retires, Panwar, a special secretary and financial adviser in the Ministry of Home Affairs, will serve as OSD in the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Panwar will be replaced at the Home Ministry as special secretary and financial adviser by Bhupendra Singh, chairman of the National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention.Anant Kumar Singh, who retires at the end of this month, will be replaced as secretary of the Department of Land Resources by senior bureaucrat Ruolkhumlein Buhril. Buhril is the secretary of the Home Ministry's Inter State Council Secretariat. He will assume the position of OSD at the Ministry of Rural Development's Department of Land Resources.The National Archives of India's director general will be P. Venkata Ramesh Babu, a senior IAS officer. Babu now serves as Rural Electrification Corporation Ltd.'s chairman and managing director. Rajni Sekhri Sibal, who is now an additional secretary in the Home Ministry, will serve as the secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare's Department of Fisheries. The Medical Council of India has nominated Rakesh Kumar Vats as its secretary general. He currently serves as the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's supplementary secretary and financial adviser.Vats will be replaced by Dharmendra S. Gangwar as the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's additional secretary and financial adviser. Gangwar holds the same position in the Ministry of Culture. Braj Raj Sharma, a Jammu and Kashmir cadre IAS official, will serve as secretary of the Home Ministry's Department of Border Management. He works in the same department as the special secretary.
Published 21 May 2025 05:32 PM


“Software Was Faulty”: Baba Ramdev’s Take on Shefali Jariwala's Death Upsets Fans
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev has drawn criticism online following his remarks on the sudden death of actress Shefali Jariwala. In a recent interview, he said, "The hardware was fine, but the software was faulty," referring to her internal health. His comment, made during a discussion on lifestyle and health, was seen by many as insensitive, especially so soon after the news of her passing. Shefali Jariwala, known for her role in the music video "Kaanta Laga," reportedly died of a sudden cardiac arrest at her Mumbai home. While investigations are ongoing, it has been reported that she was undergoing anti-aging IV treatments and had recently started fasting for religious reasons. Her unexpected death has sparked conversations about wellness practices and their long-term effects. Following Ramdev’s comments, many users on social media reacted strongly. Some accused him of using the moment to promote his views on natural living, while others asked him to show more compassion. Phrases like "Stop this nonsense" and "Let her rest in peace" were commonly echoed in the responses. Ramdev later clarified that he was trying to highlight the dangers of modern health trends that focus on external appearance rather than overall well-being. He suggested that people are increasingly overloading their bodies with supplements and treatments without understanding the consequences. His point was that even people who appear healthy can have underlying issues if their lifestyle isn't balanced.
Published 04 Jul 2025 03:03 PM


Ramayana Teaser: Ranbir is Ram, Yash is Ravan
The first teaser for Ramayana, Nitesh Tiwari’s much-anticipated retelling of the classic epic, is out now. It offers a brief look at Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Yash as Ravan—each bringing very different energy to their roles. Ranbir appears composed and steady, while Yash, as the fierce Ravan, makes a powerful impression. The teaser doesn’t reveal much of the story, but its dramatic visuals and grand scale suggest something big is on the way. What’s catching viewers' attention, beyond the cast, is the look and feel of the teaser. With moody lighting, stark battle sequences, and a weighty tone, many are drawing comparisons to Game of Thrones. Even the way the credits roll seems inspired by the fantasy series. With Sai Pallavi reportedly playing Sita, and a strong supporting cast expected, Ramayana aims to blend tradition with a modern cinematic approach. The teaser has already sparked a wave of curiosity—and some debate—on how this retelling will balance faith, fiction, and visual storytelling.
Published 04 Jul 2025 01:08 PM


Box Office Early Update: Housefull 5 Nears ₹175 Crore Mark, Set to Overtake Raid 2
Akshay Kumar's Housefull 5 continues its steady performance at the box office. On its second Tuesday, the film benefited from discounted ticket prices — a strategy repeated by the makers to draw weekday audiences — resulting in a moderate increase in collections. According to early estimates, the film earned between ₹4 crore and ₹4.5 crore on day 12, marking a growth of 5–18% from Monday’s ₹3.8 crore. With these numbers, the film's total domestic collection is now expected to be in the range of ₹170.49 crore to ₹170.99 crore. At this pace, Housefull 5 is likely to surpass the lifetime earnings of Raid 2 (₹177.83 crore) within the next two days, positioning it as the second highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2025. Housefull5 Directed by Tarun Mansukhani, the film has shown consistent performance since its release, and all eyes are now on whether it can maintain momentum heading into its third week.
Published 18 Jun 2025 07:48 AM


The Revanth government awarded Allu Arjun the Gaddar award months after he was arrested in the Pushpa 2 stampede case.
In relation to a case involving the death of a lady in a stampede at Hyderabad's Sandhya theater during the premiere of his film Pushpa 2, Arjun was taken into custody last December.Arjun will formally receive the first "Best Leading Actor" award at a later time for his role in the highly successful sequel Pushpa 2: The Rule, which brought in an estimated Rs 1,800 crore at the box office worldwide.Arjun's prize comes months after he was temporarily detained and arrested by Telangana police, who blamed him and others for the stampede that occurred on December 4 at the film's premiere at the Sandhya theater in this city. In the midst of controversy surrounding the death of 39-year-old M. Revathi in the stampede and the severe injuries sustained by her 9-year-old son, the arrest was announced on December 13. On the eve of the release, Arjun went to the renowned Sandhya theater to support his admirers, and Revathi's family of four attended to see the Pushpa-2 premiere event. As the opposition BRS and BJP denounced "the arrest of a national award winner," particularly the way it was executed, the police action took a political turn. In an X post at the time, Telangana BJP politician and Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay wrote, "...lifting national award-winning actor Allu Arjun straight out of his bedroom without even giving him time to change is a disgraceful act of mismanagement and disrespect."The police action took a political turn when the opposition BRS and BJP condemned "the arrest of a national award winner," especially the manner in which it was carried out. Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs and Telangana BJP politician Bandi Sanjay remarked in an X post at the time, "...lifting national award-winning actor Allu Arjun straight out of his bedroom without even giving him time to change is a disgraceful act of mismanagement and disrespect."
Published 31 May 2025 08:00 PM


The NIFTY50 hovers above 22,800, the SENSEX jumps 1,131 points, and the whole market shines as well.
The NIFTY50 and SENSEX both ended the day at their one-month high. For the first time since February 21, 2025, the 50-share NIFTY 50 index surpassed the 22,800 level. Additionally, the BSE SENSEX leveled off above 75,000.Tuesday, March 18, saw a 1.5% increase in the Indian stock market due to strong buying in the financial and metals sectors and outperformance by the overall market. The encouraging global cues also improved market sentiment. The NIFTY50 and SENSEX both ended the day at their one-month high. For the first time since February 21, 2025, the 50-share NIFTY 50 index surpassed the 22,800 level. Additionally, the BSE SENSEX leveled off above 75,000. The NSE's NIFTY50 index closed 325.55 points, or 1.45%, higher at the 22,834.30 level, while the S&P BSE SENSEX closed at 75,301.26, up 1,131.31 points, or 1.53%. Out of the 3,016 equities that were traded on the NSE, 2,288 scrips rose, indicating that the market attitude continued in favor of bulls. At the end of the day, the smallcap and midcap indices both saw gains of nearly 2.8%. On Tuesday, all sectoral measures ended the day higher.Investors are also anticipating updates about tariffs and the US Fed's interest rate decision.
Published 18 Mar 2025 06:09 PM


How have portfolio managers performed in terms of returns when comparing mutual funds and PMS?
Current Market News Live Updates for Today: Watch the market wrap-up for today! Follow the fluctuations of the Sensex and Nifty 50, as well as the top winners and losers. See which sectors drove the growth (or drop) and how the US and Asian markets performed. Summary: For up-to-date information on your favorite businesses, follow Mint's market blog. This blog provides you with up-to-date information about global markets and Dalal Street.Late September 2024 saw the top of the Indian equity market, with many large-, mid-, and small-cap companies reaching all-time highs. But ever since, the market has been in a gloomy mood as investor morale has been affected by headwinds including high valuations, a slowdown in profitability, uncertainties around international trade, etc. As of February 21, 2025, the BSE Sensex has down 12.2%, the BSE Midcap has fallen 18.6%, and the BSE Smallcap index has fallen 20.5% from its peak.Based on 5-month returns, NAV decreases of 4–26% have been recorded for equity mutual funds across all categories as a result of the market's severe downturn.
Published 01 Mar 2025 07:41 PM


Highlights of the Budget and Economic Survey: As the budget session starts, FM Nirmala Sitharaman presents the Indian economy report.
Highlights of the Budget and Economic Survey: On January 31, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will deliver the Economic Survey, which examines the Indian economy, governmental policies, and prospects for the future. It discusses socioeconomic problems including poverty and education as well as macroeconomic performance.Highlights of the Budget and Economic Survey: On January 31, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will deliver the Economic Survey to Parliament, which will include a thorough examination of the Indian economy with an emphasis on a few important areas. Economic Survey: What Is It? The Indian economy's performance, governmental policies, and prospects for the next fiscal year are all summarized in the Economic Survey. It is separated into two sections: Part A examines economic performance, focusing on fiscal trends and macroeconomic statistics, while Part B discusses socioeconomic concerns like poverty, education, climate change, and the prospects for GDP growth, inflation, and trade.The Economic Survey is created by whom? The Department of Economic Affairs' economic section, led by Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) V Anantha Nageswaran, prepares the Economic Survey. The Economic Survey will be presented by whom? One day prior to the budget speech, on January 31, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will deliver the Economic Survey to the Parliament.
Published 31 Jan 2025 10:22 PM

Highlights of the Manappuram Finance share price: Manappuram Finance closed at ₹193.8 today, up 5.64% from ₹183.45 yesterday.
Highlights of the Manappuram Finance Share Price: Manappuram Finance opened at ₹180.75 on the most recent trading day and ended the day marginally lower at ₹179.85. During the session, the stock hit a high of 186.25 and a low of 180.75. At a 52-week high of ₹230.25 and a low of ₹138.40, the firm has a market capitalization of ₹15,505.84 crore. 175,677 shares were traded on the BSE during the day.Lower open interest in Manappuram Finance and a higher futures price indicate that the current positive trend is waning and that the stock may top out here or begin a reversal in the days ahead. Live Updates for Manappuram Finance Share Price: The share price of Manappuram Finance ended the day at ₹193.8, which was 5.64% higher than its previous closing price. Important resistances to keep an eye on for the upcoming trading session are 198.03, 202.56, and 210.12. Key support levels, however, were located at 185.94, 178.38, and 173.85.Manappuram Finance Live Updates: The share price of Manappuram Finance is currently moving between the important support and resistance levels of ₹185.94 and ₹198.03 on a daily basis, with a current price of ₹193.8. We might anticipate another bearish action if it breaks over the ₹185.94 support level. However, there will be a bullish reaction if the price crosses 198.03.
Published 17 Jan 2025 05:01 PM


Indian Railways Launches 'RailOne': A One-Stop App for All Train Travelers
Indian Railways has launched RailOne, a new all-in-one mobile app designed to make train travel easier, faster, and more convenient for passengers across the country. Instead of juggling multiple apps for booking tickets, tracking trains, ordering food, or filing complaints, travelers can now do it all in one place. Available for free on Android and iOS, the app has been developed by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and brings together key services previously spread across different platforms like IRCTC, UTS, Rail Madad, and NTES. RailOne allows users to book both reserved and unreserved tickets, buy platform tickets and monthly passes, check PNR status, track live train movement, find coach positions, and order food directly to their seat. It also offers a journey planner, digital wallet (R-Wallet) for payments, and a built-in complaint and refund system. What makes the app especially user-friendly is the option to log in with your IRCTC or UTS credentials—or simply use an OTP as a guest, which is ideal for occasional travelers or those unfamiliar with railway apps. One of the app's biggest strengths is its clean and intuitive interface. Whether you're a daily commuter or someone planning a long-distance journey, you can find everything in one place without needing tech expertise. A standout feature is the new R-Wallet, a digital wallet built into the app that lets you pay securely and even gives a small discount on certain bookings. RailOne also supports multiple Indian languages and has a clean, user-friendly design, making it accessible for a wide range of users, regardless of their familiarity with technology. Overall, RailOne feels like a much-needed upgrade in how we interact with Indian Railways. It’s convenient, comprehensive, and built with real-world travel needs in mind. Whether you're planning a long journey or just heading to work, this app is a simple way to stay connected to everything you need—without the clutter. While the app is still fresh and may face a few technical hiccups, Indian Railways is actively working to smooth out the experience. They’re also rolling out a powerful new backend system that can handle heavy booking traffic, set to be fully in place by the end of 2025. This means faster response times and fewer delays when booking tickets or checking train status. The RailOne app marks a big step forward in simplifying train travel in India, offering passengers a smoother, smarter, and more connected experience. If you travel by train often—or even just once in a while—RailOne is worth checking out. From booking tickets and tracking your train to grabbing a meal en route or filing a complaint, this app is built to save time and reduce hassle, all from your phone.
Published 02 Jul 2025 06:02 PM


To accelerate development, PM Modi calls on states to cooperate with the center.
Punjab laments "step motherly treatment," T.N. demands a larger portion of Central tax income, and the PM encourages States to create world-class tourism destinations and incorporate women into the workforce at the Niti Aayog Governing Council meeting.Some States, including Tamil Nadu and Punjab, complained to the Center while others offered proposals to accelerate their growth, despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for the States to unite with the Center to accelerate national development.Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong case for cooperative federalism on Saturday, emphasizing the value of coordinated action between the federal government and the states. He said that no goal is impossible when India works as "Team India." The Prime Minister, who chaired the 10th meeting of Niti Aayog's Governing Council, emphasized the importance of accelerating development efforts in order to achieve a "Viksit Bharat" by 2047. The purpose of the gathering, which had as its topic "Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047," was to synchronize national and state developmental goals. "Every Indian aspires to Viksit Bharat. Bharat will be Viksit once all the states are Viksit. Prime Minister Modi stated, "This is what its 140 crore citizens want."The chief ministers of every state, lieutenant governors of Union Territories, and a number of Union ministers make up the Governing Council, the highest authority within Niti Aayog. The Prime Minister promoted a bottom-up approach to development while serving as the council's head. "Our goal should be to make every state, city, Nagar Palika, and hamlet viksit. We won't have to wait till 2047 to achieve Viksit Bharat if we continue along these lines," he continued.He suggested that every state choose and create at least one internationally renowned tourism destination with all the amenities and infrastructure of today. "One State: One Worldwide Location." The Prime Minister pointed out that it will also result in the growth of nearby cities as tourism destinations.He called for an emphasis on creating "future-ready cities" with development driven by growth, innovation, and sustainability, acknowledging the rapid rate of urbanization in India. In addition, the Prime Minister emphasized the significance of boosting women's employment. He stated that in order for them to be politely included into the labor, rules and procedures must be created.
Published 28 May 2025 07:55 PM


Why the Madhya Pradesh Congress has targeted Shivraj Chouhan's stronghold in order to implement changes
Beginning with the district of Vidisha, the Madhya Pradesh Congress has begun what it describes as its most comprehensive organizational reorganization exercise in decades. In order to restore the party's grassroots presence following a string of election setbacks in the state, the plan creates a new level of panchayat and ward-level committees.This new organizational model has chosen Vidisha as a test project, and if it works, it will be used in all 52 Madhya Pradesh districts. This is part of the state Congress's larger proposal to declare 2025 a year of "organizational renaissance."One and a half years have passed after the Congress' disastrous performance in the 2023 state Assembly elections, in which it only managed to get 66 of 230 seats. With 163 seats, the BJP won a resounding majority and was able to hold onto power for another term. Following this, the Congress was overwhelmingly defeated in the state's 2024 Lok Sabha elections, losing 29 seats—including the Vidisha seat—at the hands of the BJP.
Published 27 May 2025 09:06 PM


Lower bond purchase amounts are accepted by RBI in the first FY26 OMO auction.
Mumbai: Despite market participants' attempts to sell assets worth twice the publicized offer on the table, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) accepted a lower-than-notified sum to buy bonds during its open market operations on Monday. This most likely means that the central bank is content with the liquidity as it stands right now.At this OMO, the RBI received bids totaling ₹19,203 crore, which was less than the ₹25,000 crore notified amount. Bids of ₹50,369 crore were received by RBI. The RBI has accepted a smaller amount in this first FY26 OMO auction. The actions taken by the RBI have improved system liquidity. The auction on Monday included government notes with maturities in 2029, 2032, 2033, 2034, and 2036. On Monday, the 10-year benchmark yield ended the day at 6.24%. "For the semi-liquid 20, the auction cut-off prices were nearly in line with market levels."It seems that the majority of HTM stock that might be sold in OMOs has either hit or is close to a limit. "Most banks are selective and don't have excess," stated Ritesh Bhusari, joint general manager of South Indian Bank.
Published 20 May 2025 05:10 PM


Is the 'Caveman Skincare Routine' a hoax in terms of hygiene?
I'm a regular TikTok scroller (the four hours of screen time a day speaks for itself), and I've seen a ton of beauty films, from popular trends to amazing hacks that would put a Victorian kid in a coma. The caveman skincare method, however, may just take the biscuit—or perhaps I should say water—as the most talked-about topic on SkinTok lately.The 'Caveman Skincare Method' is the skincare regimen that TikTok creator Tia Zakher has lately described in a number of videos on the platform. "After 8 years of picking and over-exfoliating, I'm healing my skin barrier by doing the one thing I never tried before... absolutely nothing," Tia explains in a video that has received 9.7 million views. In other words, she has stopped using water in addition to all skincare products (I'm referring about moisturizer, exfoliant, and cleanser). Tia responded to Cosmopolitan UK's inquiry on why she chose to utilize the caveman skincare method by saying, "I decided to do it because I wanted to try a different approach and I do think it's working for me."
Published 28 May 2025 07:49 PM


Doctors express an urgent warning that reels are now causing eye issues after "brain rot."
All age groups, but mainly children and young adults, are experiencing an increase in eye diseases as a result of excessive screen use, especially binge-watching reels on social media sites.Following worries about the effect of short-form films on mental health, medical professionals are now sounding the alarm about a brand-new, rapidly developing issue: "reel-induced eye damage."Across all age groups, excessive screen time—especially binge-watching reels on social media sites like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok—is contributing to an increase in eye diseases, particularly in children and young adults. Leading ophthalmologists discussed this at the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology and All India Ophthalmological Society's ongoing Joint Meeting, which took place Tuesday at the Yashobhoomi-India International Convention and Expo Centre.Dr. Lalit Verma, president of the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) 2025 Congress, spoke sternly about the "silent epidemic of digital eye strain" brought on by prolonged screen time. "We are seeing a sharp increase in cases of dry eye syndrome, myopia progression, eye strain, and even early-onset squinting, especially in children who spend hours watching reels," he stated. "We recently had a student who came in complaining of blurred vision and ongoing eye irritation. Upon inspection, we discovered that his eyes were not shedding enough tears as a result of spending too much time at home viewing reels on a screen. He was given eye drops right away, and the doctor told him to observe the 20-20-20 rule, which calls for looking at anything 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.The president of the All India Ophthalmological Society and chairman of the organizing committee, Dr. Harbansh Lal, described the gravity of the situation.
Published 17 Apr 2025 08:59 PM


According to Instagram, rubbing raw ginger can help clear up acne. Are dermatologists in agreement?
Another day, another Instagram beauty tip that has gone viral. You surely have a feed full of skincare tips on how to treat acne if you have it, like I do. Social media is using natural components from your kitchen, such as flax seeds for "botox" and raw garlic. This time, raw ginger is the focus, as influencers assert that applying it topically can help eradicate acne. It seems like a simple solution to acne, doesn't it?Innumerable videos of Indian skinfluencers with radiant skin can be found online these days, stating that the key isn't pricey facials but rather applying raw ginger directly to acne outbreaks to treat them right away. But is this spicy suggestion really supported by any science?To find out if this pattern is reliable, let's take a closer look and get some professional guidance.What are the opinions of experts? First, let's get this out of the way. Anything is not necessarily beneficial to your skin just because it is natural. particularly when used undiluted and raw. Senior consultant dermatologist Dr. Gulhima Arora of Mehektagul Dermaclinic states that ginger has only been indirectly shown to be effective in treating acne in scientific studies. It shouldn't be regarded as the primary or first line of treatment. She emphasizes that acne is a complex condition and that not all of its triggers can be addressed by a single spice.Dermatologist and Kaya Limited medical advisor Dr. Saranya B concurs, saying that using raw ginger to the face is not a clinically validated method of treating acne. Despite its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities, direct application may irritate skin. According to Skin Smart Solutions' founder and principal dermatologist, Dr. Bindu Sthalekar, "there is no scientific proof that applying raw ginger topically treats acne." Theoretically, it might be beneficial, but only if taken in conjunction with other drugs and with good tolerance.
Published 17 Apr 2025 08:57 PM


Doctors express an urgent warning that reels are now causing eye issues after "brain rot."
All age groups, but mainly children and young adults, are experiencing an increase in eye diseases as a result of excessive screen use, especially binge-watching reels on social media sites.Following worries about the effect of short-form films on mental health, medical professionals are now sounding the alarm about a brand-new, rapidly developing issue: "reel-induced eye damage."Across all age groups, excessive screen time—especially binge-watching reels on social media sites like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok—is contributing to an increase in eye diseases, particularly in children and young adults. Leading ophthalmologists discussed this at the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology and All India Ophthalmological Society's ongoing Joint Meeting, which took place Tuesday at the Yashobhoomi-India International Convention and Expo Centre.Dr. Lalit Verma, president of the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) 2025 Congress, spoke sternly about the "silent epidemic of digital eye strain" brought on by prolonged screen time. "We are seeing a sharp increase in cases of dry eye syndrome, myopia progression, eye strain, and even early-onset squinting, especially in children who spend hours watching reels," he stated. "We recently had a student who came in complaining of blurred vision and ongoing eye irritation. Upon inspection, we discovered that his eyes were not shedding enough tears as a result of spending too much time at home viewing reels on a screen. He was given eye drops right away, and the doctor told him to observe the 20-20-20 rule, which calls for looking at anything 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.The president of the All India Ophthalmological Society and chairman of the organizing committee, Dr. Harbansh Lal, described the gravity of the situation.
Published 01 Apr 2025 09:40 PM


Axar Patel leads DC to a decisive victory over Rishabh Pant's LSG on a night that contrasts for the captains.
Returning to Lucknow for the first time since his unsatisfactory dismissal from the team, KL Rahul ended the game with a spectacular six to go undefeated in a run-chase with a 42-ball 57.On a night full of stories at Lucknow's Ekana Stadium, the Delhi Capitals won by 8 wickets in a 160-run chase, solidifying their status as this season's title contenders. KL Rahul, who is making his first appearance in Lucknow after his unsatisfactory dismissal from the team, ended the game with a spectacular six to go undefeated in a run chase with a 42-ball 57. In the twelfth over of their respective innings, LSG and DC both lost their second wicket. Axar Patel entered when a composed Abishek Porel collapsed. At this point, DC was only under a little pressure to take a few wickets, but it might have grown complicated because new batters take time to get comfortable. With two sixes over the midwicket zone, his favorite hit against spin, Axar took out Ravi Bishnoi in the very next over after Avesh Khan had dismissed him after four dot balls.In the following over, facing Avesh once more after being outscored by a few deliveries, he decided to take a chance and hit a four to try to clear the fielder at mid-off. The most impressive stroke came from Shardul Thakur, who took up a not-so-short ball with the weight still on his backfoot and sent it over long on for a six.
Published 23 Apr 2025 08:56 PM


Nitish Rana on RR not selecting him for Super Over against DC despite 51 off 28: "One person never takes the call."
Despite hitting 51 off 28 balls against the Delhi Capitals, Nitish Rana was left out of the Super Over lineup as the Rajasthan Royals entered with Hetmyer and Riyan Parag.Nitish Rana remained in the middle until the 18th over of the chase after smashing 51 off 28 balls. At the Arun Jaitely Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday, the Rajasthan Royals sent neither batsman to bat despite Yashasvi Jaiswal's 51 off 37 balls in the Super Over against the Delhi Capitals. Eyes were rolling when Shimron Hetmyer and Riyan Parag came out to bat in the Super Over. Rana wasn't even on the list of the three batters for the Super Over, but Jaiswal was chosen to bat following a wicket fall.RR's choice proved to be a poor one as Mitchell Starc of DC cramped the Hetmyer for space with yorkers and the reverse swing, allowing him to begin the Super Over with a dot ball. The Australian bowler was hit for four after missing his mark on the next delivery, but he recovered with another low full toss in the third ball. A single was taken by Hetmyer.Starc's low full toss was hit by Riyan Parag over third man for a boundary, sometimes known as a no-ball. After it appeared that RR would easily reach 15 with three balls left, the game took yet another sharp turn. RR was bowled out for just 11 as Parag and Jaiswal were ran out in the following ball.KL Rahul and Tristian Stubbs smash two sixes in the first three balls of Sandeep Sharma's Super Over to give DC a historic victory, so the total was insufficient. Following the game, Nitish Rana stated that the decision to send Riyan Parag and Shimron Hetmyer instead of him for the Super Over was made by the RR management. Rana said he didn't have an alternative response, adding that if Hetmyer had hit a couple of sixes in the Super Over, the questions would have been different."The call is answered by management, not a single individual. Along with two other senior players and coaches, the captain is present. You wouldn't be asking this question if Shimron Hetmyer had hit two sixes. I'll respond with the same response. I have no other response. Every choice we made was the right one. Everyone knows that Hetmyer is our finisher. During the press conference, Rana stated, "He has previously delivered."
Published 17 Apr 2025 09:05 PM


Who Won CSK vs. RR, Match 11 in Yesterday's IPL 2025 Match?
The outcome of yesterday's IPL 2024 match between CSK and RR: Watch the most recent IPL action as CSK and RR square off in the 2025 season's first game. Get all the match information and updates here, along with the results of the encounter.The highly anticipated Match 11 between the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season was played at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lost against Rajasthan Royals (RR) by a margin of six runs. First to bowl, RR amassed 182 runs. Despite pursuing the objective, CSK ended up at 176 for 6 in 20 overs. The Rajasthan Royals (RR) defeated the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 6 runs in the March 30 IPL 2025 match. After two losses earlier in the season, this victory was RR's first. In contrast, CSK lost this game for the second time in a row.Highlights of the IPL 2025 match between the Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings: Wanindu Hasaranga takes four wickets to help the Royals overcome the Super Kings by six runs.
Published 31 Mar 2025 08:23 PM

India's bold strategy aids in a quick T20 reconstruction
The world champions are creating an environment where players perform well without worrying about keeping their spots in the squad or taking wickets.Kolkata: Although it's early, the process and outcomes give hope that India would successfully defend the T20 World Cup at home the following year. Despite the pessimism caused by the Test and ODI transition issues, India's T20 trajectory stands out thanks to series victories against South Africa, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and now England. Even more so when one considers that Kuldeep Yadav, Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, and Yashasvi Jaiswal have not been parachuted in.This is most likely a greater accomplishment. However, they have approached it virtually undetected. No culture of stars. Verify. No set order for batting. Verify. Just a group of young, talented, and incredibly self-assured cricket players going about their business without worrying about career curves. By the way, all IPL linchpins.Captain Suryakumar Yadav acknowledges his lack of quality as he is left off the Champions Trophy roster. Abhishek Sharma thinks a ball is there to be struck, hence he doesn't count returns. As long as Tilak Varma is at the crease, the second Twenty20 match in Chennai demonstrated that no equation is too difficult. And the fact that India lost to 12/3 and then 79/5 at Pune on Friday, yet still managed to score 181, demonstrated that the previous game's disaster chasing in Rajkot was really a fluke. The realization that not everything can be managed lies at the core of this long-term upsurge. Earlier this week, Sitanshu Kotak, India's new batting coach, said it. "To achieve a score of 200 or 225, and if you are
Published 04 Feb 2025 04:28 PM


Bengal Migrant Workers Detained in Odisha Without Cause, Says Trinamool
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has alleged that several migrant workers from West Bengal have been illegally detained in Odisha, raising serious concerns about the treatment of laborers working outside their home state. According to the TMC, a group of workers from East Midnapore had travelled to Odisha for construction jobs. Party leaders claim the workers were detained without formal charges and have been missing for several days. “These are poor laborers who went to earn a living. We are deeply concerned for their safety,” said TMC MP Saugata Roy at a press conference in Kolkata. “We urge the West Bengal government to step in and ensure their safe return.” Relatives of the missing workers say they have not heard from their loved ones since early last week. Rina Das, the mother of one of the workers, said, “My son went there to work, not to disappear. We just want to know where he is.” The Trinamool Congress announced it will send a team to Odisha to gather information and assist the families. The party has also written to state authorities demanding an explanation. As of now, Odisha police have not issued an official statement. Sources suggest the matter is being reviewed. This incident has raised fresh concerns about the safety and legal rights of interstate migrant workers in India.
Published 10 Jul 2025 05:57 PM


PM Modi to Visit 5 Countries in 8 Days, Attend BRICS Summit in Brazil
The PM’s eight-day tour from July 2 to July 9 would cover two continents and include visits to Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to begin his longest international trip in ten years, starting Wednesday, July 2. The eight-day journey will cover five countries—Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia—and conclude on July 9. Modi’s visit is expected to boost India’s ties with emerging economies across Africa and Latin America. The tour will begin in Ghana, where discussions will likely center around trade, development, and cultural exchange. In Trinidad and Tobago, Modi will connect with the Indian diaspora and explore bilateral cooperation. The Prime Minister will then head to Argentina to focus on areas such as agriculture, energy, and digital innovation. A key part of the trip will be his participation in the BRICS Summit in Brazil, where leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa will meet to discuss global economic challenges and cooperation among developing nations. Modi will wrap up the tour with a historic visit to Namibia—the first by an Indian Prime Minister. Talks there are expected to explore opportunities in sectors like mining, green energy, and education. This trip reflects India’s growing diplomatic outreach to the Global South, aiming to strengthen strategic, economic, and people-to-people partnerships.
Published 01 Jul 2025 08:30 AM


Muslim leaders in the Karnataka Congress resign as rage over the Dakshina Kannada killings intensifies
In further trouble for the beleaguered Karnataka Congress, a number of Muslim leaders resigned from their positions on Thursday, including KPCC general secretary M S Mohammed and minority wing president K K Shahul Hameed of Dakshina Kannada district. This was due to an increase in communal violence in Dakshina Kannada.In the most recent incidence, a friend and coworker were gravely hurt when Abdul Rahim was hacked to death in broad daylight on Tuesday in Bantwal, close to Mangalaru. The Home Ministry, led by G Parameshwara, has been accused by the Congress employees who resigned of not doing enough to stop intercommunal violence in the area.In protest of the government's alleged inability to stop the string of "communal murders" in the district and its marginalization of community leaders, a number of Muslim Congress leaders in Dakshina Kannada, ranging from booth-level to state-level, announced their resignations from their party positions on Thursday. Under the direction of M.S. Mohammed, general secretary of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, the statement was made at an emergency gathering of party workers held at Shadi Mahal in Bolara here. The leaders were compelled to announce their resignations by irate employees as they debated waiting a few more days for the government's response.Shahul Hameed, the president of the Congress's District Minority branch, informed party members that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had contacted him to caution local leaders against making any snap choices. According to Mr. Hameed, the CM urged him to wait a little while longer and informed him that the matter had also reached the party high command.
Published 31 May 2025 08:03 PM


To accelerate development, PM Modi calls on states to cooperate with the center.
Punjab laments "step motherly treatment," T.N. demands a larger portion of Central tax income, and the PM encourages States to create world-class tourism destinations and incorporate women into the workforce at the Niti Aayog Governing Council meeting.Some States, including Tamil Nadu and Punjab, complained to the Center while others offered proposals to accelerate their growth, despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for the States to unite with the Center to accelerate national development.Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong case for cooperative federalism on Saturday, emphasizing the value of coordinated action between the federal government and the states. He said that no goal is impossible when India works as "Team India." The Prime Minister, who chaired the 10th meeting of Niti Aayog's Governing Council, emphasized the importance of accelerating development efforts in order to achieve a "Viksit Bharat" by 2047. The purpose of the gathering, which had as its topic "Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047," was to synchronize national and state developmental goals. "Every Indian aspires to Viksit Bharat. Bharat will be Viksit once all the states are Viksit. Prime Minister Modi stated, "This is what its 140 crore citizens want."The chief ministers of every state, lieutenant governors of Union Territories, and a number of Union ministers make up the Governing Council, the highest authority within Niti Aayog. The Prime Minister promoted a bottom-up approach to development while serving as the council's head. "Our goal should be to make every state, city, Nagar Palika, and hamlet viksit. We won't have to wait till 2047 to achieve Viksit Bharat if we continue along these lines," he continued.He suggested that every state choose and create at least one internationally renowned tourism destination with all the amenities and infrastructure of today. "One State: One Worldwide Location." The Prime Minister pointed out that it will also result in the growth of nearby cities as tourism destinations.He called for an emphasis on creating "future-ready cities" with development driven by growth, innovation, and sustainability, acknowledging the rapid rate of urbanization in India. In addition, the Prime Minister emphasized the significance of boosting women's employment. He stated that in order for them to be politely included into the labor, rules and procedures must be created.
Published 28 May 2025 07:55 PM
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"Assured Us, But...": Tunnel Rescue Heros SOS After House Demolished
One of the houses that was razed in the Delhi Development Authority's (DDA) recent demolition drive belonged to Vakeel Hasan, a rat-hole miner who played a key role in the Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation last year. The DDA said that the demolition on Wednesday was part of a broader effort to clear illegal encroachments in the Khajuri Khas area of northeast Delhi.However, Hasan and other residents argue that they were not given any prior notice. Hasan expressed his dismay, stating, "I am Vakeel Hasan. The reward we got for saving 41 from Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel was that our house had been demolished. I need help. They have caught me, and my children, and are keeping us in a police station. They have also beaten some of us." Munna Qureshi, another miner involved in the rescue operation, echoed Hasan's sentiments, saying, "The government had assured us that they would give us the privilege of sitting at home, but they have snatched our team member's home." The DDA countered these claims, asserting that prior information had been given to all the residents. Officials also said that the land was designated for planned development. The Silkyara-Barkot tunnel rescue operation gained widespread recognition for its use of rat-hole mining, a practice banned for safety reasons. The miners, including Vakeel Khan and Munna Qureshi, stepped in when high-tech, imported machines failed during the operation in November 2023. Mr Khan, a rat-hole miner employed by a Delhi engineering services company, vividly described the moment of the successful rescue. "They hugged me, cheered in applause, and thanked me profusely," he had said after the trapped workers who spent 17 days in the tunnel were successfully brought out.
Published 01 Mar 2024 09:50 PM


"Assured Us, But...": Tunnel Rescue Heros SOS After House Demolished
One of the houses that was razed in the Delhi Development Authority's (DDA) recent demolition drive belonged to Vakeel Hasan, a rat-hole miner who played a key role in the Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation last year. The DDA said that the demolition on Wednesday was part of a broader effort to clear illegal encroachments in the Khajuri Khas area of northeast Delhi. However, Hasan and other residents argue that they were not given any prior notice. Hasan expressed his dismay, stating, "I am Vakeel Hasan. The reward we got for saving 41 from Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel was that our house had been demolished. I need help. They have caught me, and my children, and are keeping us in a police station. They have also beaten some of us." Munna Qureshi, another miner involved in the rescue operation, echoed Hasan's sentiments, saying, "The government had assured us that they would give us the privilege of sitting at home, but they have snatched our team member's home." The DDA countered these claims, asserting that prior information had been given to all the residents. Officials also said that the land was designated for planned development. The Silkyara-Barkot tunnel rescue operation gained widespread recognition for its use of rat-hole mining, a practice banned for safety reasons. The miners, including Vakeel Khan and Munna Qureshi, stepped in when high-tech, imported machines failed during the operation in November 2023. Mr Khan, a rat-hole miner employed by a Delhi engineering services company, vividly described the moment of the successful rescue. "They hugged me, cheered in applause, and thanked me profusely," he had said after the trapped workers who spent 17 days in the tunnel were successfully brought out.
Published 01 Mar 2024 09:49 PM


CM Sukhwinder Sukhu will continue for 5 years, says Shivakumar; can say, replies Congress HP chief Pratibha Singh
Amid the ongoing political crisis in Himachal Pradesh, state Congress president Pratibha Singh on Friday undermined party observer DK Shivakumar's statement about Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, stating that “it is the people of the state who will decide the fate of the government".Congress leader and Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar has said the Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu-led Himachal Pradesh state government will stay and all the MLAs want the Congress government for five years. However, Pratibha Singh's comment has revealed that the party's state unit and its observers are not on the same page on the issue. Reacting to Shivakumar's statement, Pratibha Singh was quoted by ANI as saying, “Observer ke bolne se kya hota hai', it is the people who will decide what will happen in the future." Mentioning her loyalty to the Congress party, Pratibha Singh noted, “I have spent my entire life in the Congress party. We started from the Congress party." "We affiliate with the Congress ideology. I can't say what can happen tomorrow," she added, hinting at another trouble for the party after the resignation of Vikramaditya Singh from the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu cabinet. Interestingly, Pratibha Singh recently applauded the activities of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and said the Congress was on a weak footing. She also called out the Himachal CM for not listening to her advice to organise the party to regain strength in the state. "From day 1, I had been telling the CM that we would be able to face the upcoming elections only if he strengthens the organisation. This is a very tough situation for us. We can see a lot of difficulties on the ground. As per the directions of PM Narendra Modi, the BJP is going to do a lot of things...We are on weak footing there. I urged him (CM) again and again that we need to strengthen and the party needs to be organised...I can say that it is a difficult time. Still, we have to contest elections and win," she told ANI. The Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government suffered a major setback after losing the Rajya Sabha elections because of cross-voting to the BJP. The grand old party lost the lone seat of the state in the Upper House of Parliament after its six MLAs cross-voted for the BJP. Moreover, Congress senior leader and minister Vikramaditya Singh announced his resignation from the cabinet. The development prompted the Congress party to send former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar to the hill state to resolve the crisis. With the disqualification of the six Congress rebel MLAs, the strength of the House has reduced from 68 to 62. The halfway mark is now 32. The Congress now has 34 MLAs and the BJP has a total of 28 MLAs, including independents. The fortunes of the grand old party rely on its ability to keep the rest of its party MLAs together.
Published 01 Mar 2024 09:48 PM


Himachal Pradesh Political Crisis: Six rebel Congress MLAs disqualified. What lies ahead for the hill state?
Himachal Pradesh Assembly speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania on February 29 disqualified the six rebel Congress MLAs who cross-voted during the Rajya Sabha elections. With this, the six MLAs cease to be members of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly.After the disqualification, the Congress government has, for now, survived in Himachal Pradesh after a two-day scare over its future due to cross-voting by six of its MLAs in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate in the Rajya Sabha election on February 27. The strength of the house after the disqualification, pending judicial scrutiny, comes down to 62. The Congress now has 34 MLAs in the house, with 32 being the majority mark. Three independent MLAs who supported the Congress also cross-voted for the BJP in the Rajya Sabha election. The BJP had demanded a trust vote soon after the Congress lost the Rajya Sabha polls due to defections. Former Chief Minister, Jairam Thakur, and other leaders claimed that the Congress party had lost the majority in the house. However, the Congress government passed the budget on Wednesday, February 28, while 25 BJP MLAs were not present in the house after 15 of them were suspended. Also, the disqualification of six rebel MLAs has changed the dynamics. "Our experts will analyse the situation, and after looking at their judgments, we will take a decision. It is too early to say anything. Congress was totally exposed in the Rajya Sabha elections. Congress has lost its opportunity. Morally, they have no right to stay in power and the emotions of the people of Himachal Pradesh are clear from this," Rajeev Bindal, Himachal Pradesh BJP president, told news agency ANI. This disqualification order is subject to judicial scrutiny and will attain finality after judicial scrutiny, Pathania said. Also, it remains to be seen if these six MLAs approach the court against the disqualification. The six legislators had cross-voted, along with three independents, during Rajya Sabha polls. However, they have not been disqualified for cross-voting, but for violating the whip and skipping the budget session of the Himachal Pradesh assembly. Pathania said he wanted to prevent 'the aya Ram gaya Ram' politics. This phrase is used to refer to politicians switching party allegiances frequently. The Congress government's survival will also depend on whether the party can ensure that there are no more defections among the 34 MLAs. The Congress government's survival will also depend on whether the party can ensure that there are no more defections among the 34 MLAs.
Published 01 Mar 2024 09:46 PM


BJP, Congress, other national parties declare 2022-23 income. Who earned the most?
Six national parties, including the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) and Congress, have declared a total income of nearly ₹3,077 crore in the 2022-23 fiscal, the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) said on Wednesday. According to the ADR report, the BJP has the maximum share in the declared total income of the parties.With around ₹2,361 crore, the report said that the ruling BJP’s income constitutes 76.73 per cent of the total income of the six national parties during FY 2022-23. Congress declared the second-highest income of ₹452.375 crore, forming 14.70 per cent of the total income of the six national parties. Other than the BJP and Congress, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and National People’s Party (NPP) have declared their income.The BJP, Congress and AAP collected 49.09 per cent or ₹1,510.61 crore of the national parties’ total income from donations through electoral bonds for FY 2022-23. Through electoral bonds, BJP received ₹1,294.15 crore, Congress ₹171.02 crore, and AAP ₹45.45 crore. The ADR report, citing data shared by the SBI in response to its RTI, said electoral bonds worth ₹2,797.356 crore were redeemed by parties in FY 2022-23. 54 per cent or ₹1,510.62 crore of this has been redeemed by national parties. Between 2021-22 and 2022-23, the BJP’s income increased by 23.15 per cent or ₹443.724 crore from ₹1,917.12 crore to ₹2,360.84. During the same time, AAP’s income increased by 91.23 per cent ( ₹40.631 crore) from ₹44.539 crore to ₹85.17 crore.The only party from the northeast to have the national party status, the income of the National People’s Party (NPP) increased from ₹47.20 lakh during FY 2021-22 to ₹7.562 crore during FY 2022-23, a rise of 1,502.12 per cent or ₹7.09 crore. Citing the national parties’ records submitted to the Election Commission, the ADR report said that between 2021-22 fiscal and 2022-23 fiscal, the income of the Congress, CPI(M) and BSP decreased by 16.42 per cent ( ₹88.90 crore), 12.68 per cent ( ₹20.57 crore) and 33.14 per cent ( ₹14.50 crore), respectively. BJP, the report said, declared a total income of ₹2,360.844 crore during FY 2022-23, but spent only 57.68 per cent, which comes to ₹1,361.684 crore of the total income. While Congress’ total income was ₹452.375 crore, it spent ₹467.135 crore, with its expenditure for that year exceeding its total income by 3.26 per cent.The CPI(M)’s total income was ₹141.661 crore while it spent ₹106.067 crore (74.87 per cent of its income), and AAP’s total income was ₹85.17 crore while it spent ₹102.051 crore, its expenditure for that year exceeding its total income by 19.82 per cent.
Published 01 Mar 2024 09:45 PM


SEA urges Centre to not extend ban on export of de-oiled ricebran
The Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) has asked the Indian Government to not extend the ban on the export of de-oiled rice bran beyond March 31.In a letter to Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; and Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying; the President of SEA, Ajay Jhunjhunwala, said the total export of de-oiled rice bran constitutes only around 6 per cent of the production. The restriction has adversely affected processors and exporters along with paddy farmers, hindering them from realising better returns on their produce, he said. The government banned the export of de-oiled rice bran in a notification dated July 28, 2023, effective until November 30, 2023. This was further extended till March 31, 2024 in a notification dated December 8, 2023. Stating that processing of ricebran has picked up with the commencement of new season in November, he said availability of de-oiled ricebran has improved. This is evident from the reduction of price from ₹18,000 a tonne on July 28 2023 (the date of issuing notification) to ₹12,500 a tonne at present. Mentioning that the industry benefits from the export of de-oiled rice bran, he said easy clearance of meal leads to sustained processing, leading to better capacity utilisation, continuous oil availability, increased employment, and significant value addition along with valuable foreign exchange. India, which has successfully developed export market for de-oiled rice bran over the last 30 years, primarily serves Vietnam, Thailand, Bangladesh and other Asian countries. “An abrupt change in export policy has given opportunity to our competing countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh to capture Vietnam market for de-oiled ricebran and the market will be lost in no time,” he said. Eastern States, including West Bengal, are a significant producer of de-oiled ricebran. Since the cattle feed industry remains underdeveloped in this part of the country, there is limited demand for de-oiled ricebran in eastern India, he said. “The exorbitant local freight charges to move de-oiled ricebran from eastern India to south or west India makes export the principal means of disposal for de-oiled ricebran in the region. Since export is banned, ricebran processors in Eastern India are facing the prospect of shutting down their operations, adversely impacting the rice milling industry and reducing ricebran oil production,” Jhunjhunwala said. Though export restriction on de-oiled ricebran was imposed in July 2023 to ease milk prices, there is almost no reduction in milk prices across the country since this ban, he said. This is because the cost component of de-oiled ricebran in milk price is very nominal. “We are still of the view that continuing this ban will not support reduction in milk prices but will continue to negatively impact the ricebran processors and de-oiled ricebran exporters,” he said, and requested the government not to extend the ban beyond March 31.
Published 01 Mar 2024 09:45 PM


Government Employees Platform Plans Strike From May 1 Over OPS Demand
A group of Union and state government employees announced they will go on indefinite strike starting on Labour Day (May 1) this year to demand the restoration of the old pension scheme (OPS), The Hindu reported.The Joint Forum For Restoration of Old Pension Scheme (JFROPS), which was described as a platform of trade unions and associations working among Union and state government employees, said it had decided to serve strike notices starting March 19. Under the OPS, which was retired in 2004, retired government employees received half their last-drawn salary every month as a pension. The government concerned would foot the entire amount. The National Pension Scheme (NPS) replaced the OPS and involves the employee contributing 10% of their basic salary and the government contributing 14% into a corpus, which can be invested into different types of funds. How much an employee would receive upon retirement depends on the market return on these investments. Shiv Gopal Mishra, who is convenor of the JFROPS and is among the leaders of a railway workers’ union, told The Hindu that the decision to go on strike was taken after talks with the Union government had broken down. “We held several protests demanding restoration of OPS. We wrote letters to prime minister and finance minister urging them to restore the OPS. We have also been raising this issue in the JCM [joint consultative machinery] meetings, but the government ignored our demands and we are now forced to go on an indefinite strike,” Mishra was quoted as saying.The Hindu also cited government employees’ unions as claiming that ahead of the call for a strike, ballots conducted in various government departments suggested that nearly 100% of employees supported a strike.They have also argued that pensioners were worse off under the NPS because it does not hike pensions on a regular basis in order to correct for inflation. Some state governments have decided to restore the OPS for their employees. But the Reserve Bank of India has said that going back to the OPS would increase governments’ liabilities and put their financial security at risk. The Union government said in parliament in December that it does not plan on restoring the OPS. It has also warned its employees from going on strike before and argued that their right to form associations did not include a guaranteed right to go on strike. When Mishra was asked by The Hindu how the model code of conduct for the general elections would affect their planned strike, he said they wanted the issue to be discussed by the people. “This is an issue that involves lives of crores of people. Let the people discuss and decide on our demands. Even if the model code of conduct comes in picture, the Cabinet will be there, the Cabinet secretary will be there and they can take a decision on our demand,” he told the newspaper. Another employees’ union leader was cited as saying that ‘all unions’ except the pro-government Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh would take part in their planned strike.
Published 01 Mar 2024 09:44 PM


In Uttar Pradesh, Journalist Booked For Defamation For Posting Wrong Images on X
As Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath inaugurated a building in Ghaziabad on Wednesday, February 28, police booked a journalist for defamation after he allegedly posted wrong information on social media related to the construction of the premises, Times of India reported. According to the report, Adityanath inaugurated a building meant to house police personnel on the premises of Khora police station around noon. Meanwhile, Lokesh Rai, a Ghaziabad-based journalist working with a news channel, posted a a video of the inauguration along with photos that showed an under-construction building on social media platform X (previously called Twitter). Implying that the images were of the same building that was being inaugurated, Rai alleged that it was not ready yet. Subsequently, around 15 minutes later, a video of another building was posted from the official account of the Ghaziabad Police on X which they claimed that the chief minister was inaugurating. Rai deleted his post by 1pm. Speaking to Times of India, the journalist said that it was a “small mistake” and his post was “not intentionally” wrong. “Before registering an FIR, senior police officers called me and asked to delete the post because the information was wrong. A few minutes ago, I learnt that an FIR was registered in the matter. I am looking into it,” Rai informed the daily.“The accused had not checked the information and posted on X by tagging UP Police, DGP and other officials,” the DCP was quoted by Times of India. The police alleged that the post was an attempt to defame the Adityanath government and Ghaziabad police, as per the report. An FIR was registered against the journalist by Khora police station sub-inspector Lokesh Kumar under sections 500 (punishment for defamation), 501 (printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory) of the IPC and relevant provisions of the IT Act. In 2023, India has slipped to the 161st rank in terms of press freedom out of 180 countries ranked, according to the World Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
Published 01 Mar 2024 09:44 PM


At MWC 2024, brands show the future of connected cars and aerial mobility
While Wireless and Mobile technologies took centerstage at the just concluded Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, there was also some spotlight at the connected cars and aerial mobility at arguably the world’s most important consumer tech show. The Smart Mobility Summit at MWC brought together industry leaders from both established automotive and drone companies, along with tech pioneers. The transportation and travel sectors face a dual challenge — increasing capacity and reducing emissions. Embracing digital transformation is crucial to overcoming these hurdles, paving the way for substantial growth in both connected cars and aerial mobility. And this transformation was the key topic of discussion among the industry executives who gathered at the summit. The aerial mobility market is expected to reach $68.1 billion by 2032, growing at 35.2 per cent annually. Connected car drivers in the US alone are projected to increase by 15.5 per cent by 2027, reaching 174.8 million. Mobile network technologies like 5G and network slicing enable new features like autonomous driving, piloting, and C-V2X communication. Additionally, the growing availability of technologies like 4G and LPWA lays the foundation for reliable, always-on connectivity for transportation networks. The discussions were also important because deploying connected transportation solutions varies by region and requires a deep understanding of available networks and technologies. Given that the MWC saw attendance of industry veterans from different parts of the world, they could share knowledge and discuss smart solutions relevant to them. Led by industry leaders and experts, the summit covered topics such as enhancing cars with new connected features, recent advancements and challenges in smart drones, and mid-to-long-term transformation, including the role of new network technologies, electrification, and the use of teleoperation and digital twins. The Smart Mobility Summit also presented a unique opportunity to industry veterans to connect with key players who are shaping the future of mobility.
Published 01 Mar 2024 09:43 PM


Realme 12 5G, Realme 12+ 5G pre-orders begin in India. Launch date, pre-order benefits and more
Realme has confirmed that its Realme 12 5G smartphone will also make its debut in India alongside Realme 12+ 5G on March 6. The Chinese smartphone maker has also opened pre-orders for the Realme 12 series from today with a promise of availing limited time benefits of up to ₹ 3,000. The Realme 12 5G and Realme 12+ 5G can be pre-ordered by going to Amazon, Realme's official website and mainline stores. The two devices will be availabe to pre-order from 2pm onwards on February 29 and will go on till March 5. Meanwhile, the Realme 12 5G series will go on sale from 3:00 pm from March 6th onwards and will be available with limited offers till March 10th. Customers pre-ordering the Realme 12+ 5G are eligible for a ₹1,000 bank offer and ₹1,000 price offer on the 8GB RAM/128GB storage variant and ₹1,000 bank offer on the 8GB RAM/256 GB storage variant. Furthermore, customers will also be entitled to 1 year of complete mobile protection on Flipkart and 1 year of screen damage protection on the Realme website. Meanwhile, customers pre-ordering the 6GB RAM/128GB storage variant of the Realme 12 5G are eligible for a coupon of ₹2,000 coupon and customers pre-ordering the 8GB RAM/128GB storage variant are entitled to a ₹1,000 coupon. Apart from this, Realme is also offering the same 1 year of mobile protection and 1 year of screen damage protection as the Realme 12+ 5G. Realme had earlier also confirmed that the upcoming Realme 12+ 5G will be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chipset and will sport a 50MP Sony LYT 600 primary sensor with support for optical image stabilization and up to 2x in sensor zoom. Realme 12+ 5G is also confirmed to come with a 120Hz AMOLED panel which will come with the latest Rainwater Smart Touch feature which will help users take advantage of their smartphone even with wet or dry hands.
Published 01 Mar 2024 09:42 PM


OnePlus 12R Genshin Impact edition launched in India: Price, specs, launch offers and everything you should know
OnePlus has launched a Genshin Impact Edition of the OnePlus 12R, which brings a host of design and UI changes to the smartphone based on the popular mobile game from miHoYo. The smartphone was unveiled at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain and will be available in India and other global markets from next month. The latest OnePlus 12R Genshin Impact edition is priced at ₹49,999 for the 16GB RAM/256GB storage variant. In contrast, the standard OnePlus 12R is priced at ₹45,999 for the same RAM and storage configurations, while the 8GB RAM/128GB storage variant is priced at ₹39,999. The latest OnePlus smartphone will go on sale from March 19 and will be available on Amazon, OnePlus.in and select OnePlus Experience Stores from March 19. The OnePlus 12R Genshin Impact Edition can be purchased at a discount of ₹1,000 using the OneCard, while an exchange bonus of ₹3,000 is also available on the purchase of the new smartphone. The OnePlus 12R Genshin Impact Edition comes with numerous design changes inspired by the character of Keqing and is available in the only 'Electro Violet' colour variant with the word Keqing inscribed on the bottom of the smartphone. The smartphone comes in a collectible gift box with a special Keqing themed case, a customised charging cable and adapter, and a distinctive Lighting Stiletto design on the SIM tray. OnePlus is also bringing many UI changes with the OnePlus 12R Genshin Impact Edition, including a special charging animation, live wallpaper and Always On Display elements. The phone's hardware remains the same as the usual OnePlus 12R, including a 6.78-inch AMOLED ProXDR display with support for LTPO4.0 and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset underneath. The smartphone is paired with the Adreno 740 GPU to handle any graphics-intensive tasks, and comes with a massive 5,500mAh battery that can be fast-charged via the 100W SUPERVOOC charger provided inside the box. In terms of optics, the phone houses a 50MP Sony IMX890 primary sensor with support for OIS and EIS, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens and a 2MP macro lens. There is also a 16MP front-facing camera on the smartphone to meet all the selfie and video calling needs. The camera app on the OnePlus 12R comes with a host of features including Interval Shooting, Nightscape, Hi-Res Mode, Pro Mode, Movie Mode, Ultra Steady Mode, Dual View Video, Portrait Mode, Video Portrait, Pano, Macro, Slo-mo, Time Lapse, Long Exposure, Text Scanner and more.
Published 01 Mar 2024 09:42 PM


Hyundai eyeing monthly Creta sales of 16,000 units with introduction of N Line version
Hyundai Motor India is aiming to sell almost 16,000 units of the Creta every month with the introduction of the N Line version, according to a senior company official.Already the mid-size SUV segment leader, the Creta clocked wholesales of 13,212 units in January and 15,276 units in February, the best-ever monthly sales recorded by the vehicle since its inception in India in 2015. "With N Line, the Creta volume is going to be around 15,000-16,000 units," Hyundai's Chief Operating Officer Tarun Garg said during the February 2024 sales call. "We feel that the Creta N Line will be a very strong product for us, considering the profile of young Indian customers. It will have a dynamic driving experience. It will also be unique in terms of people wanting a customised car. The Creta N Line will provide that kind of feeling," he added. Regarding the response to the Creta, Garg said it has already garnered 75,000 bookings with the petrol variants receiving 57% of bookings and 43% going for the diesel. Depending on the variant, the waiting period on the Creta is from 8-24 weeks. It is slightly higher for the diesel automatic variants.Garg also pointed out that the demand continued to be robust for top variants of the Creta with the entry-level variants witnessing less than 10% of the bookings. Overall, Hyundai has 97,000 pending bookings with almost 50% in favour of Creta. Apart from the Creta, Hyundai sells SUVs like the Exter, Venue, Venue N Line, Alcazar, Tucson, Kona Electric and Ioniq 5. "This year, we are looking at a 65% contribution to our domestic volume from SUVs. We have started on a very strong note and are already close to 67% during the first two months. For the industry, the SUV share was 52% for January and February combined," Garg said. Hyundai recorded its highest-ever annual volume in the domestic market in 2023 at 602,111 units with the SUV segment contributing 60%.In February, the company sold 50,201 units in the domestic market with the rural areas making up over 20% of the volume for the first time. "The rural penetration crossed 20% for the first time in the history of Hyundai in February. Before that, we were hovering around 17-18-19%. The rural market is slowly becoming a very strong contributor to the company's volume," Garg observed. Terming the company's current inventory level as 'optimum', he said: "We are on an inventory of three weeks. Our inventory is around 40,500 units."
Published 01 Mar 2024 09:40 PM