India News & Trends
How CTV can prevent repeating the ad errors of linear TV for living room monetization
Connected TV live sports are about to enter a crucial period of recalibration. The medium is plagued by an old broadcast reflex: more advertisements equal more money, despite its promises of scale, accuracy, and living-room supremacy. A fundamental concern for the ecosystem is raised by the growing need to profit from every stop as live matches draw enormous concurrent audiences. To what extent can ad loads be increased before fandom becomes transactional and viewer immersion breaks down? Tolerance is a delicate currency in an environment where control and choice are paramount. This unique research explores what sustainability actually means during live sports by bringing together voices from the CTV, ad-tech, platform, and agency sectors. Beyond simple inventory counts, topics like experience design, temporal intelligence, creative ecosystems, and attention economics are covered. The emphasis is on creating a model where monetization does not come at the expense of loyalty, taking into account factors like the unpredictable nature of live broadcasts and the potential to increase interaction after the final whistle. The fundamental conflict is obvious: how well the ecosystem learns to use the screen, rather than how much advertising it can accommodate, will determine the direction of CTV sports in the future.
Published 24 Feb 2026 05:42 PM
Instamart's viral water gun stunt transforms a Mumbai pani puri booth into a Holi playground.
After a vendor was caught on camera filling puris with a water cannon as part of a festive promotion by quick-commerce company Instamart ahead of Holi, a pani puri stand in Mumbai became the newest social media star. The vendor is shown firing paani directly into the crisp puris in a video that has gone viral on LinkedIn and Instagram, replacing the typical steel matka with colorful water blasters. A large number of office workers, students, and bystanders were drawn to the unique scene, and many of them took out their phones to capture the action. In order to highlight its selection of water weapons on the platform in advance of the festival, Instamart planned the stunt. Videos of the "Holi practice" went viral online, evoking a range of responses from amusing arguments about wet puris to amusement and admiration for the vendor's goal. There are two types of Holi individuals, according to a social media user: The ones that say, "I'll sit inside." And the ones that say, "Give me the biggest water gun." This was obviously designed by Instamart for the second category. "This felt more like a deleted Holi scene from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani than a brand activation," another user commented.Water guns have evolved from toys for kids to expensive adult purchases over the Holi season, with many consumers shelling out hefty sums of money for high-performance blasters. This change is reflected in Instamart's Holi collection, which features high-end water pistols with precision and power, such as SPYRA, a German-engineered weapon that has drawn interest from senior citizens worldwide. Other comparable products are Toyshine and NERF water guns, which are currently sold on Instamart.already though the celebration is still a few weeks away, the widely shared scene in Mumbai indicates that Holi purchasing has already started and that this year's puris are already getting practice shots.
Published 23 Feb 2026 05:56 PM
Invideo expands AI-driven filmmaking by acquiring GoBo Labs.
GoBo Labs, an award-winning Indian creative AI company created by Hridaye Ashish Nagpal, Vishal Balsara, and Nishant Tahilramani, has been acquired by Invideo, one of the most significant AI video creation platforms in the world.This acquisition is a strategic move to develop the next generation of Invideo's creative platform with the knowledge of Ailmmakers, who have led the way in AI-Airst storytelling, rather than a foray into agency or production work.GoBo Labs, one of India's first and most inventive AI-powered creative studios, unveiled the nation's first AI-Airst Ailmmaking workAlow, which skilfully combined storytelling, VFX, and animatics with cutting-edge production tools. Their efforts have fuelled notable advertising campaigns for Lux, Vaseline, Gulf Oil, Fabelle, Mahindra, Hindustan Times, and more, solidifying GoBo's position as a pioneer at the nexus of creativity and cutting-edge technology.GoBo's addition to Invideo gives the platform access to a creative force that continuously pushes the boundaries of what is achievable when innovative tools and artistic vision collide.According to Sanket Shah, co-founder and CEO of Invideo, "GoBo has broadened the scope of what creators can accomplish with AI." "When combined with our technology, their creative intuition opens the door to a future where all creators worldwide can access faster, richer, and more accessible storytelling."
Published 20 Feb 2026 12:20 PM
Together, limitless is the audacious new corporate brand identity that Tata Communications has unveiled.
Together, limitless embodies the company's conviction that the most significant advancements are made when knowledge, networks, and collaborations unite to produce results that transcend conventional limits."Together, limitless" embodies the company's conviction that the most significant advancements are made when knowledge, networks, and collaborations unite to produce results that transcend conventional limits.A.S. Lakshminarayanan, MD & CEO, Tata Communications, stated, "Our customers trust us because of the deep expertise we bring and the commitment with which our people deliver every day." "We are defined by that desire. We are currently developing into a more cohesive, forward-thinking business. "Together, limitless" embodies the new Tata Communications, which is based on trust, transformation-driven, and committed to helping our clients do more than they have in the past. The new positioning coincides with businesses rethinking their operations in increasingly intricate, interconnected ecosystems and managing growing demands for responsibility, speed, resilience, and security. This reflects Tata Communications' own change, which includes a greater emphasis on long-term value development, closer customer partnerships, and an expanding worldwide presence."As customers' aspirations have evolved over time, so too has our relevance to them," Lakshminarayanan stated. We have now moved into a new stage of change, enhancing our capacities in operations, sales and marketing, and goods. Organizations are using our Digital Fabric to streamline complexity and spur innovation. Our goal to become more involved in our clients' growth journeys is reflected in our new brand promise.Fundamentally, "Together, limitless" characterizes Tata Communications' interactions with clients, partners, and investors. Today's businesses work in a more complicated environment with larger technology stacks, quicker innovation cycles, and increased demands for speed, security, and resilience. Tata Communications discovered a defining tension through in-depth customer listening: an excessive amount of noise in the technology ecosystem and an increasing demand for integration, clarity, and reliable partnerships.
Published 16 Feb 2026 05:41 PM
According to FT, Meta reduces stock rewards for the majority of employees by 5%.
As CEO Mark Zuckerberg invests billions of dollars in its artificial intelligence goals, Meta cut the annual payout of stock options for the majority of its employees by roughly 5%, according to a Financial Times report on Thursday.In the fierce AI race in Silicon Valley, Meta and other Big Tech companies are vying with one another to outbuild one another with enormous data centers. In January, the social media corporation stated that it anticipated spending between $115 billion and $135 billion on capital projects in 2026.According to the report, which cited people familiar with the situation, Meta has reduced equity-based incentives for the majority of its employees for the second consecutive year. According to the FT story, the corporation stunned some employees by reducing the stock reward by about 10% last year.The entity incorporates Meta's ambitious "metaverse" wager, which has resulted in losses of about $70 billion since 2021. According to President Donald Trump, Meta is investing $50 billion to develop a number of gigawatt-scale data centers across the United States, including one in rural Louisiana.
Published 20 Feb 2026 01:03 PM
A former secretary of consumer affairs has been appointed to a key USISPF position.
The appointment of former Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh as Chair of the Global Value Chains Committee of the US–India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) on February 9, 2026, marked a major step forward for India-US economic interaction. The action underscores the increased focus on reliable supply chains and reliable alliances.Selection of the Chair of USISPF's Global Value Chains Committee Rohit Kumar Singh, a former secretary of consumer affairs, has been named chair of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum's Global Value Chains Committee. Singh, who has extensive administrative experience and a history of change, puts Indian policy knowledge at the center of debates about the global value chain in his new position. Rohit Kumar Singh's Identity A 1989-batch IAS officer from the Rajasthan cadre, Rohit Kumar Singh has a wealth of knowledge in economic governance. He was instrumental in reforming India's consumer protection laws while serving as Secretary of Consumer Affairs. His leadership earned praise for enhancing responsiveness and openness by fusing technology-driven governance with regulatory reform. In his new worldwide job, he is well-positioned to combine policy, industry, and international cooperation thanks to his administrative background.Why USISPF Is Important and What It Is Through cooperation between governments, corporations, and thought leaders, the US–India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) is a premier forum that enhances strategic and economic connections between the US and India. It operates in a variety of industries, including supply chains, trade, technology, energy, and defense. At a time when global trade is fragmented and under geopolitical stress, USISPF is essential in facilitating conversation and coordinating policy agendas.
Published 10 Feb 2026 05:46 PM
Venugopal Jeyandran Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd.'s President and CEO was appointed.
Jeyandran Venugopal, a senior executive from Flipkart, has been named President and CEO of Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd. (RRVL) by Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL). In an effort to further accelerate growth in the fiercely competitive retail industry, India's largest retail conglomerate made the statement on December 3, 2025. This is a brand-new role that highlights RRVL's goal to implement an ambitious retail and omni-channel strategy and increase leadership depth.Background: Jeyandran Venugopal: Who Is He? In the Indian e-commerce industry, Jeyandran Venugopal is a well-known figure. He played a key role in growing the platform's operations and digital infrastructure while holding senior positions at Flipkart that were centred on technology, innovation, and customer experience. His move to Reliance Retail coincides with the company's rapid e-commerce expansion through JioMart, all the while preserving a robust offline retail presence in industries like fashion, electronics, luxury products, and grocery.Strategic Position in the Vision of RRVL Venugopal will collaborate closely with Isha Ambani, who leads RRVL's retail sector, in his capacity as President and CEO. Among his responsibilities will include Overseeing omni-channel integration and digital transformation Promoting innovation in consumer interactions and the supply chain Improving offline and online operations through data-driven decision-making increasing urban penetration and extending RRVL's reach throughout tier 2 and tier 3 cities His appointment demonstrates Reliance's desire to directly compete with Amazon, Walmart-Flipkart, and Tata Neu by utilising cutting-edge technology and customer data intelligence in addition to size.Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd. (RRVL), the retail holding company of Reliance Industries, is the biggest retail player in India. Its varied portfolio includes Trends, JioMart, Ajio, Reliance Fresh, and Hamleys Strategic alliances with international companies such as Burberry, Jimmy Choo, and Tiffany Recent acquisitions in fashion, food retail, and e-commerce that demonstrate a hyper-growth approach RRVL continued to dominate the market in terms of both revenue and physical store network in FY2024–2025, reporting record revenues.
Published 04 Dec 2025 06:11 PM
The first female vice-chancellor of Nagpur University in a century is Manali Kshirsagar.
With the appointment of Manali Makarand Kshirsagar as its first female vice-chancellor since its founding in 1923, Nagpur University has ushered in a new era. Her appointment is a significant advancement in inclusive leadership and contemporary scholarship. In the upcoming years, she is expected to steer the century-old university towards better research, digital learning, and transparent governance thanks to her solid credentials and administrative experience.Acharya Devvrat, the University Chancellor and Governor of Maharashtra, made the announcement. At 54 years old, Kshirsagar is about to begin her five-year term, bringing a new vision to the university’s administration. As an alumnus of the institution, she is expected to steer the university with deeper understanding and dedication. Kshirsagar’s selection is essential not just for the university but for the entire region. It stands for: Gender equality in leadership A shift to contemporary scholarly methods More transparency in administration Focus on digital and research-driven education This decision is considered as a long-needed reform for a university that is more than 102 years old.With her in charge, educators and students anticipate: Improved academic quality Better administrative systems Stronger industry partnerships More student-friendly initiatives A greater emphasis on modern governance and innovation Under her direction, the university will probably be able to adjust to the evolving demands of higher education and move towards a more forward-thinking and effective future.
Published 03 Dec 2025 10:51 PM
Lekin, I never believed in oiling before.Behind her shiny hair, Chitrangada Singh reveals a secret combination.
On the podcast Let's Talk for Namitaa, Chitrangada Singh recently talked about her hair care regimen and credited oiling for improving the quality of her hair. "I never used to believe in oiling, lekin bahut farak padta, oiling is very, very important," she said. The quality of your hair has improved since I started using rosemary, pepper mint, almond oil, and teen cheezon ko mix karke mujhe diya hai kisni.IndianExpress.com contacted Dr. Bhawuk Dhir, Consultant Dermatology, PSRI Hospital, to verify the actor's claim. He concurred that oiling has advantages, "but with realistic expectations."According to Dr. Dhir, "regular hair oiling can be scientifically effective, but its impact varies from person to person." He explains that oils don't directly promote the growth of new hair by activating biological growth pathways. The main functions of oils are as protecting and emollients. They protect the hair shaft from friction and environmental harm, prevent breakage, lessen dryness, and seal in moisture," he says. During oil application, a light scalp massage may also promote improved blood circulation. Dr. Dhir continues, "The evidence is stronger for improved texture and reduced damage rather than dramatic hair growth, even though this creates a healthier scalp environment."
Published 24 Feb 2026 05:56 PM
Kerala HC wants to see The Kerala Story 2 after discovering that the teaser and trailer misrepresent the state.
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (February 24, 2026) requested that the movie be shown to it on Wednesday, claiming that the teaser and trailer for The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond "wrongly portrays" the people of Kerala. Since Kerala is mentioned in the title by the filmmakers, who claim that the film tells a pan-Indian story, the concerns of the people of the State cannot be disregarded. Tensions within the community could result from this," it stated."You don't think the Court ought to see the film. "You want the question of whether this petition is a private or public litigation to be resolved," the court said. The Court made the observation during the hearing of three petitions from people who wanted to prevent the film's release and have the Central Board of Film Certification's (CBFC) certificate revoked because they believed the movie stigmatized and misrepresented Kerala, which could cause tensions and discord among communities. The Court noted that the petitioners' concerns seemed prima facie justified because the movie was being projected as "inspired by true events" and prominently carried the name of the state in its title, even though the sequels' plot had no real connection to Kerala. The Court then expressed its inclination to watch the film during the morning hearing. Therefore, it requested that the producer and the CBFC's legal representatives obtain guidance regarding the best time to screen the film for the Court. Additionally, the movie producers' attorney stated that the screening may go.
Published 03 Mar 2026 09:20 AM
The price of lodging at ITC Mementos, the location of Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda's wedding
NDTV has revealed that Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda have selected ITC Mementos as the location for their wedding, which is scheduled for February 26, 2026. The home is tucked away in the Aravalli highlands, 25 kilometers from Udaipur. Mementos by ITC Hotels Ekaaya is a perfect destination wedding location since it provides an opulent getaway from the congested lakes and forts of Udaipur. This is where a fairytale becomes a reality, with verdant hills in the background, blue skies overhead, and a festive atmosphere.In order to give fans a preview of the festivities, paparazzi accounts started sharing the first images of the wedding location on Instagram after the announcement. The couple has selected the lavish Mementos by ITC Hotels, Ekaaya Udaipur, as the setting for their private celebrations, according to those reports.For their wedding, Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda have selected a gorgeous boutique home nestled in the Aravalli hills, away from the bustle of Udaipur. The tranquil retreat, which is surrounded by expansive nature, provides visitors with a variety of tastefully furnished rooms and apartments.
Published 23 Feb 2026 06:00 PM
Review of the Assi film: Taapsee Pannu and Kani Kusruti feature in an urgent, necessary call to arms that is a must-see
No. This isn't possible. Not in Delhi, where it is dangerous to be out after sunset. Not in India, where even infants and elderly women are not spared by predators. When schoolteacher Parima (Kani Kusruti) is dragged into a car and brutally attacked by a group of men, Anubhav Sinha's Assi, which alludes to the number of rapes that occur in a minute, doesn't waste any time in dragging us into the depths of darkness. The hours of a night that turns into a nightmare begin when she returns to her modest middle-class home from a function at a colleague's residence, where her husband Vinay (played by Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub) and young son (Advik Jaiswal) are waiting.As a telling aside, the principal of Parima's school (Seema Pahwa, in a cameo) is reluctant to allow her to return to work because, in her own words, neither she nor the students are ready. The teenage boys in Parima's math class, who post offensive remarks on their WhatsApp groups, are just as complicit in the continuation of rape culture as the loud-mouthed supporters of the status quo who let monsters run amok. Even while the frequent use of the red screen verges dangerously close to being gimmicky, the entire movie is completely and purposefully in your face, with the directors obviously expecting that you would never be able to get it out of your head and heart. It serves as a mirror to people who refuse to recognise how difficult it is for women to be out on their own, whether they are in playgrounds, on public transportation, crossing streets, or even in their own homes. No location is secure.The verbal altercations between the rapists' lawyer (Satyajit Sharma), who is overseen by an experienced judge (Revathi), and the feisty Raavi (Taapsee Pannu, who rejoins Sinha after "Mulk" and "Thappad"), who defends Parima's case, may bring to mind Sinha's earlier films, which used the courtroom as a battlefield to stake out the ethical and moral ground that was quickly slipping from under our feet.
Published 20 Feb 2026 12:40 PM
What becomes more expensive and less expensive following Budget 2026. Check entire list
With the release of the Union Budget 2026, Indian consumers are anticipated to pay more for some items and less for others. As finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman delivered the budget in Parliament today, she spoke about specific commodities on which the government is planning to lower customs duty.She added that the government was thinking about decreasing taxes on a few imports from other nations, which would result in lower prices for Indian customers. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated during the Budget's presentation in Parliament on Sunday that the Union Budget 2026–27's changes to customs duties will reduce the cost of a number of necessities, such as 17 cancer medications and medications and specialized nutrition used to treat seven uncommon diseases. Duties have also been lowered on microwave oven components, lowering production expenses. The Budget proposed a range of tariff cuts and tax rationalisations targeted at alleviating costs for consumers, exporters and critical sectors. TCS reduced the price of overseas tour packages from 5–20% to 2% with no minimum. Foreign remittances for education and medical care under LRS: TCS cut to 2% from 5% Microwave ovens: Customs duty exemption on selected manufacturing parts Imports for personal use by foreign visitors: Customs duty was reduced from 20% to 10%.Imports for personal use by foreign visitors: Customs duty was reduced from 20% to 10%. Textile and leather exporters: Export realisation time extended to one year, alleviating working capital constraint Cancer and critical disease medicines: Basic customs duty totally waived on 17 pharmaceuticals Foods, medications, and drugs for specific medical needs pertaining to seven uncommon disorders Imported medications and drugs for individual use Essential Parts of Microwave Ovens Components or parts, including engines of aircraftSolar glass ingredients Goods purchased for nuclear power projects Capital products for essential minerals
Published 02 Feb 2026 06:03 PM
GST reform: starting Monday, these goods will be subject to the highest tax. View the complete list
September 22 GST changes: Under the new tax structure, which goes into effect on Monday, items falling within these categories will be subject to the newly revised highest tax rate of 40% GST. View the items' list here.After its 56th meeting on September 3, 2025, the GST Council, which is led by the Indian federal government, voted to streamline the indirect tax system in India by redesigning the current goods and service tax (GST) slab structure into a "two-tier" system.Indian customers will benefit from a revamped "two-tier" tax structure that goes into effect on Monday, September 22, 2025. Depending on the type of commodity sold in the country, it will be subject to either the 5% or 18% tax band. In India, GST is now imposed in four slabs: 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%. However, the government has since modified these slabs. Many products sold in the Indian economy will see price reductions as a result of the federal government's action; nevertheless, starting Monday, a wide range of products will also be subject to higher consumer taxes. 1. Sin Goods: Generally speaking, sin goods are things that are detrimental to society and health, such as cigarettes and pan masala. Cigarettes, pan masala, beedi, and other tobacco goods including chewing tobacco and gutka, as well as online gaming and gambling, would all be subject to a 40% GST tax starting on Monday, September 22, 2025. 2. Luxury cars: Four-wheelers with an internal combustion engine (ICE) capacity greater than 1,200cc and a length greater than four meters were also placed in a 40% tax level by the GST Council. In the past, the ex-showroom pricing of SUVs and MPVs, which are included in this group, was increased by 28% GST and 22% Cess. 3. Over 350cc two-wheelers: The GST Council raised the tax rate for two-wheelers with engines larger than 350cc from 28% GST and 3% Cess to 40%. Despite the removal of the Cess levy, two-wheelers with engines larger than 350cc will now be subject to a higher tax rate. 4. Soft drinks: The central government raised the GST rate from 28% to 40%, which will result in a price increase for soft drinks and other non-alcoholic beverages like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Fanta, and flavor-infused waters. 5. Items that cost more when you're in the 18% tax bracket: Items that will be subject to GST at the higher 18% slab starting on Monday, September 22, 2025, include dining at restaurants, particularly those with air conditioning and premium outlets; consumer durables like refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners; beauty and grooming services at salons and spas; and high-end smartphones and imported devices.
Published 23 Sep 2025 01:19 PM
Live Updates on New GST Rates: When GST 2.0 goes into effect, food, cars, and televisions all get cheaper.
GST Reforms 2025 List: Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms have become effective today, September 22, marking a historical shift in the country’s indirect taxation by merging four slabs into two (5% and 18%) and a special tax slab of 40% for “sin goods".The GST council, led by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, early in September announced a major overhaul in the indirect taxation system, aimed at simplifying the slabs, boosting the consumption and rationalizing the rates. Under the new plan, the government is set to merge the four slabs into two main categories with an additional “sin tax" bracket: 5% slab — for essential goods. 18% slab – for most other goods and services. 40% slab – for luxury and sin goods such as tobacco, alcohol, betting, and online gaming. This consolidation is expected to make tax compliance easier and also reduce prices on many items currently taxed at 12% or 28%.This consolidation is expected to make tax compliance easier and also reduce prices on many items currently taxed at 12% or 28%.Consumers will see essential items becoming cheaper from September 22, as several sectors from FMCG to Auto have announced earlier to pass on the benefits of lower GST to them.
Published 22 Sep 2025 05:13 PM
Live updates for the ITR due date: Will there be another extension of the income tax return deadline?
Date of ITR due REAL-time updates: The deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) for the assessment year 2025–2026 is now. Over 6.69 crore returns have already been received by the Income Tax Department, of which over 6.03 crore have been validated and 4 crore have been processed.Taxpayers who miss today's deadline risk interest on unpaid taxes, delayed refunds, and late fines of up to ₹5,000 (limited at ₹1,000 for individuals with incomes up to ₹5 lakh). Therefore, it is essential to file and confirm returns on time in order to prevent fines and guarantee prompt refund processing.The deadline is applicable to non-audit instances, such as the majority of salaried individuals, small enterprises or professions under the presumptive taxation plan, and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs). It is recommended that taxpayers refrain from spreading false information about extensions and instead rely solely on official updates from Income Tax India.In order to assist last-minute filers in appropriately completing submissions, the department's helpdesk is open around-the-clock and provides assistance via phone, live chat, WebEx sessions, and social media.The department's help line is open around-the-clock, providing assistance via phone, live chat, WebEx sessions, and social media to help filers who are submitting at the last minute appropriately.
Published 15 Sep 2025 05:53 PM
Unauthorized reviews, dubious log-ins, and fuzzy documents: TMC MP to Supreme Court on SIR
TMC MP Dola Sen told the Supreme Court that Election Commission-appointed micro-observers were allegedly overriding decisions made by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), the statutory authority for including and deleting electors, raising concerns that eligible voters could be removed from the final electoral roll during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal.In two applications filed on February 16 and 18, Sen, a petitioner before the Supreme Court contesting the SIR, also claimed that documents uploaded to the system were becoming "blurry" after submission and that officials were allegedly logging into the ECINET portal from locations other than where they were deputed. On February 28, West Bengal's final electoral roll is expected to be released. The Indian Express asked the EC for comment on Sen's claims, but the EC did not reply.The EC only deployed micro-observers in West Bengal, which was a first, despite announcing the SIR in nine states and three Union Territories on October 27 of last year. The EC informed the Supreme Court on February 4 that the purpose of the 8,100 micro-observers, who work for the Central Government, was to support EROs and Assistant EROs (AEROs). The EC had stated, "It is false to suggest that statutory powers have been vested in the micro-observers."
Published 25 Feb 2026 05:54 PM
Don't you feel guilty about selling Bharat Mata Rahul Gandhi criticizes the US accord and the Center
Speaking in the Lok Sabha following days of deadlock, Rahul Gandhi criticized the Central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the recently concluded trade agreement with the United States, saying the administration should be embarrassed of it. In a vicious attack, Gandhi said that the Center "sold India" and that the government was endangering farmers' livelihoods by permitting US goods to enter."India is no longer yours. Do you not feel guilty for selling India? In reference to the trade deal, he declared, "You have sold our mother, Bharat Mata." He added that it was a "wholesale surrender" in which the interests of farmers were jeopardized and India's energy security was given to America. Gandhi went on to say that Donald Trump would have been advised to treat India equally if an INDIA Bloc administration had negotiated the trade deal with the US."This is total capitulation. The fact that it is a capitulation by more than simply the prime minister makes it tragic. He has given up the 1.5 billion Indians' future. Gandhi claimed that he had given up the future in order to save the BJP's financial structure, which is the subject of a case in the US.Gandhi claimed that the farmers' interests had been compromised and that they were facing a "storm" as American agricultural products flooded Indian markets. Additionally, he claimed that the Indian textile sector is "finished."We are about to enter a period of unrest, and the country has been sold. The country is sold out. "Its farmers and data have been sold," Gandhi reaffirmed as he wrapped up his remarks.Following Rahul Gandhi's address, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju declared that no one could sell India and charged that the Congress party was undermining the nation. "Congress is sad because India is progressing," he stated, asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is India's strongest PM. He claimed that before leaving Parliament, the Congress MP gave speeches full of falsehoods and unfounded accusations. Rijiju remarked, "He never stays back to hear the minister's response."It is regrettable that we lack a serious personality or a person with a serious character that would be appropriate for the role of opposition leader. Rahul Gandhi's lies will be refuted by our party both within and outside the House.
Published 11 Feb 2026 11:10 PM
Updates for the 10th day of the Parliament Budget Session The Government-Opposition deadlock ends, and both Houses begin discussing the budget
The Lok Sabha began discussing the Union Budget on Tuesday, February 10, 2025, in the afternoon, signaling the end of the impasse between the opposition and treasury benches. The discussion had been delayed for days due to the opposition's insistence that LoP Rahul Gandhi be given the opportunity to speak on a number of topics. Following two adjournments, the House reconvened at 2 p.m., and the Speaker, Krishna Prasad Tenneti, invited Congressman Shashi Tharoor to commence the debate. The Thiruvananthapuram MP then began discussing the matter. Soon after opposition parties filed a notice to introduce a motion to oust Om Birla as Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the thaw occurred. Sukhendu Sekhar Roy of the Trinamool Congress emphasized that rising inequality could cause a "social upheaval," akin to what was seen in neighboring countries, as opposition parties criticized the government for failing to address issues like unemployment and inflation in the Union Budget during the budget discussion."If the situation is not brought under control, I fear that the country will soon experience social unrest similar to what has recently occurred in some of our neighboring countries. We have never witnessed such skyrocketing inequality between the rich, super rich, upper middle class, middle class, and the poor," Mr. Roy stated.
Published 11 Feb 2026 11:06 PM
India displays its entire armed might on the 77th Republic Day, with Operation Sindoor taking front stage on the Kartavya Path.
Top national leaders and prominent foreign visitors joined the festivities, which had as their subject 150 years of "Vande Mataram." About 10,000 distinguished guests saw the parade, which combined military might with cultural cohesion.At its 77th Republic Day parade on Monday, January 26, 2026, India put military might front and centre. Kartavya Path was transformed into a sweeping display of missiles, armour, mechanised columns, and combat aircraft, with a keen focus on weapon systems related to Operation Sindoor, the high-intensity military operation carried out in May of last year.The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, Akash air defence system, Suryastra rocket launcher, and Arjun Main Battle Tank were among the major armament systems on exhibit at the start of the military demonstration, which emphasised India's focus on battlefield readiness and domestic defence manufacturing. A large portion of the equipment on exhibit was either used in Operation Sindoor, the confrontation with Pakistan that took place from May 7–10, or it was directly inspired by lessons learnt.A tri-services tableau featuring replicas of key weapon systems used during the operation was a big draw. A glass-cased integrated operational command centre served as its focal point, providing a visual representation of Operation Sindoor's execution through the coordinated use of systems including the S-400 air defence system and BrahMos. Akash and S-400 systems were depicted as offering a protective air-defense shield during the fight, while BrahMos missiles were predicted to perform decisive offensive attacks.Lt. General Bhavnish Kumar, a second-generation officer and General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, led the procession. The Indian Army demonstrated a phased "Battle Array Format," including its airborne component, for the first time. The reconnaissance element included high-mobility reconnaissance vehicles after the historic 61 Cavalry in active battle uniform. Flying in Prahar formation, the domestic Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter and its armed counterpart Rudra displayed aerial battlefield shaping.
Published 27 Jan 2026 09:07 PM
Can face acupuncture provide a more natural lift than botox and fillers?
There has been a subtle change in the beauty industry during the past year. The popularity of dermal fillers and botox appeared to be waning. It appears that beauty enthusiasts are giving the needles a breather, as seen by celebrities discontinuing their procedures in favor of a more natural appearance and the growing popularity of products like face rollers and gua sha for a naturally elevated appearance.Instead of employing toxins or fillers to freeze or plump the skin, face acupuncture increases collagen and elastin through micro-trauma, providing a more natural, holistic lift than Botox and fillers. It improves skin texture and gives a subtle, refreshed appearance, but it takes several sessions to see noticeable changes. In contrast, Botox produces quicker, more noticeable, but transient, effects. Facial Acupuncture for Natural Lift: Mechanism: Increases circulation and collagen synthesis by stimulating the body's natural healing mechanisms with several small needles. Results: Enhances rather than changes face structure, giving the appearance of a subtle, renewed, and "lifted" appearance without the "frozen" or "pillowy" aspect. Benefits: Provides improved skin tone and texture by addressing the underlying causes of aging, including tension, stress, and hormonal imbalance. Longevity: Because they support the body's natural healing processes, benefits may be longer-lasting even though they are not instantaneous. Side effects: There is little chance of minor redness or bruises, and there is no recovery period.
Published 25 Feb 2026 05:50 PM
When you chew a piece of ginger every day for sixty days, your body experiences this.
Strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can be found in ginger. However, what would happen if a person chewed a piece of ginger every day for sixty days? When we asked Dr. Amreen Sheikh, chief nutritionist at KIMS Hospitals, Thane, about it, he replied that it increases circulation, relaxes the airways, and progressively lessens throat inflammation. Many patients report decreased bloating, improved digestion, and fewer coughs after six to eight weeks. Ginger can ease the inner lining of the airways and provide general lung comfort for people who are susceptible to seasonal respiratory symptoms, according to Sheikh.Yes, but with reasonable expectations, Sheikh argued. Unlike medication, ginger does not "open the lungs." Rather, it operates subtly. It can aid those who frequently experience irritation from pollutants, relieve moderate wheezing from cold weather, and clear congestion in the throat. Additionally, by loosening mucus, its warming impact facilitates its expulsion during an illness. Ginger can help with long-term lung conditions like COPD or asthma, but it should never take the place of prescription medication, Sheikh said.While using ginger on a daily basis is generally safe, Sheikh pointed out that excessive use can cause oral irritation, cause acidity in those who are sensitive, or slightly thin the blood. Before developing a habit, people who take blood thinners or have gastritis or acid reflux should speak with a doctor. A tiny portion is more than sufficient; moderation is crucial," Sheikh stated.
Published 23 Dec 2025 11:46 PM
Cough syrup deaths: TNFDA probe reveals Coldrif manufacturer's shortcomings
According to CDSCO sources, the investigation into the Kanchipuram-based Coldrif cough syrup producer, which was connected to child fatalities in Madhya Pradesh, has shown shortcomings in the Tamil Nadu Food and Drug Administration's enforcement of fundamental regulatory standards.They said that Sresan Pharma, which was granted a license by the Tamil Nadu Food and Drug Administration (TNFDA) in 2011, carried on operating undetected for more than ten years in spite of its inadequate infrastructure and many infractions of national drug safety regulations.According to the sources, a recent examination by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) revealed the unit's terrible conditions and complete disregard for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). "The CDSCO has not participated in any of Sresan Pharma's audits. This company was not included in any of the CDSCO databases since the CDSCO was not involved and the state FDA did not provide the CDSCO with any information on it, according to a source.Rule 84AB of the D and C Rules mandates that manufacturers update all of their certified items on the "Sugam" site, according to another source at the CDSCO.In order to facilitate improved monitoring, the regulation was notified to create a national database of all the authorized items in the nation. "The business failed to list its goods in the database. It did not follow this guideline as a result. According to the source, the state regulator is in charge of ensuring that the regulation is followed in the state.
Published 15 Oct 2025 04:59 PM
Why the most popular (and dubious) fad right now is North West's finger piercing
The Kardashian-Jenner family is known for starting trends, some of which are lighthearted, some of which are outrageous, and others of which are downright dubious. When Kim Kardashian and her 12-year-old daughter North West were spotted in Rome recently, everyone's attention was drawn to North's middle finger dermal piercing.Their excursion has generated a lot of controversy, with Kim facing backlash for permitting her preteen child receive the piercing. However, finger piercings have also gained popularity, and many people are now interested in learning more about them, their process, and their safety.A dermal piercing, also known as a micro dermal or single-point piercing, is a way to change your body where a piece of jewelry is inserted under the skin so that only the pretty top is visible, says Sahil Bali, an artist at Devil'z Tattooz in Delhi. Bali continues by explaining that dermal piercings are single-entry piercings, as opposed to conventional piercings, which enter one side of the skin and exit the other. "They are performed by using a needle or dermal punch to make a tiny pocket in the skin, after which an anchor base is inserted beneath the skin. After that, a decorative stud or gem is put onto the anchor," he explains, adding that these piercings may be done practically anywhere on the body, including the fingers, lower back, cheekbone, and chest, but they take longer to heal than conventional piercings."Dermal piercings need careful cleaning and protection, as they can get easily irritated or caught on things, making them slightly higher maintenance than normal piercings," says Dr. Shireen Furtado, senior consultant, medical and cosmetic dermatology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru.
Published 07 Oct 2025 09:43 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
Unauthorized reviews, dubious log-ins, and fuzzy documents: TMC MP to Supreme Court on SIR
TMC MP Dola Sen told the Supreme Court that Election Commission-appointed micro-observers were allegedly overriding decisions made by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), the statutory authority for including and deleting electors, raising concerns that eligible voters could be removed from the final electoral roll during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal.In two applications filed on February 16 and 18, Sen, a petitioner before the Supreme Court contesting the SIR, also claimed that documents uploaded to the system were becoming "blurry" after submission and that officials were allegedly logging into the ECINET portal from locations other than where they were deputed. On February 28, West Bengal's final electoral roll is expected to be released. The Indian Express asked the EC for comment on Sen's claims, but the EC did not reply.The EC only deployed micro-observers in West Bengal, which was a first, despite announcing the SIR in nine states and three Union Territories on October 27 of last year. The EC informed the Supreme Court on February 4 that the purpose of the 8,100 micro-observers, who work for the Central Government, was to support EROs and Assistant EROs (AEROs). The EC had stated, "It is false to suggest that statutory powers have been vested in the micro-observers."
Published 25 Feb 2026 05:54 PM
A new system is implemented by Priyanka Gandhi to choose Congress candidates for the Assam elections.
Senior state leaders are typically summoned to the nation's capital for the screening committee's meeting with the state election committee (SEC) in Delhi. The three committee members have been given five districts each by Priyanka ji, who has instructed them to visit these areas in order to get input from stakeholders and local leaders. The three leaders are currently visiting local media, civil society activists, and cadres in the three areas. All of these sessions are private, and the results will be presented to the screening committee at its next meeting," the source stated. If Vadra's trial is successful and the system functions effectively, the AICC may think about adopting it for next state elections, a senior AICC leader told The Indian Express. According to the leader, "this system could be emulated in other upcoming elections, regardless of how we do in the Assam polls in terms of winning seats."The rest of the state would be discussed later, but the exercise is currently taking on in Upper Assam. Additionally, the split was made using the districts' social engineering. Since Ulaka is a tribal leader himself, he has been allocated several districts with a sizable population of tribal communities, whereas Masood has been allotted districts with a sizable Muslim population, the source said.
Published 18 Feb 2026 05:52 PM
Updates for the 10th day of the Parliament Budget Session The Government-Opposition deadlock ends, and both Houses begin discussing the budget
The Lok Sabha began discussing the Union Budget on Tuesday, February 10, 2025, in the afternoon, signaling the end of the impasse between the opposition and treasury benches. The discussion had been delayed for days due to the opposition's insistence that LoP Rahul Gandhi be given the opportunity to speak on a number of topics. Following two adjournments, the House reconvened at 2 p.m., and the Speaker, Krishna Prasad Tenneti, invited Congressman Shashi Tharoor to commence the debate. The Thiruvananthapuram MP then began discussing the matter. Soon after opposition parties filed a notice to introduce a motion to oust Om Birla as Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the thaw occurred. Sukhendu Sekhar Roy of the Trinamool Congress emphasized that rising inequality could cause a "social upheaval," akin to what was seen in neighboring countries, as opposition parties criticized the government for failing to address issues like unemployment and inflation in the Union Budget during the budget discussion."If the situation is not brought under control, I fear that the country will soon experience social unrest similar to what has recently occurred in some of our neighboring countries. We have never witnessed such skyrocketing inequality between the rich, super rich, upper middle class, middle class, and the poor," Mr. Roy stated.
Published 11 Feb 2026 11:06 PM
Revanth Reddy at a Christmas event Will bring law to punish those who insult other religions
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced on Saturday that his government would enact a new rule to punish individuals who disparage religions while taking part in the Christmas festivities of all Christian denominations in the state. A bill on this will be introduced in the Assembly shortly, according to the CM."To punish people who disparage other religions, we will introduce a law in the Assembly. At an annual pre-Christmas celebration held at Hyderabad's L B Stadium, which is attended by the state's chief minister, Reddy declared, "We will also amend the existing Acts to punish those who abuse other faiths."The CM stated that everyone should respect religions other than their own and that the new law would seek to "stamp out religious hatred and punish those who insult other religions." Reddy added that the government had already "dealt with those who spread religious hatred and attacks" and that the current laws would be changed to guarantee severe punishment for anyone who mistreat other religions.
Published 21 Dec 2025 11:15 PM
Entertainment
- Kerala HC wants to see The Kerala Story 2 after discovering that the teaser and trailer misrepresent the state.
- The price of lodging at ITC Mementos, the location of Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda's wedding
- Review of the Assi film: Taapsee Pannu and Kani Kusruti feature in an urgent, necessary call to arms that is a must-see
- The reception invitation for Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda's February 26 wedding has surfaced.
- The producer of the Vijay-starrer is allowed to drop their writ petition in the Jana Nayagan censorship dispute by the Madras High Court.
- Rajesh Khanna accused Salman Khan of betraying him by offering to labour for free in order to purchase his mansion, saying, "Mujhe sadak par lana chata hai."
- The Bollywood movie Battle of Galwan has caused controversy due to its factual distortion experts claim that a country's holy area cannot be impacted by over-the-top drama.
- Actor Sivaji apologises "sincerely" for remarks made on the attire of actresses.
- Day 17 box office receipts for Dhurandhar (LIVE) The Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna film hits Rs 550 crore, grows on its third Sunday, and is unaffected by Avatar Fire and Ash.
- Following Raj Nidimoru's marriage to Samantha Ruth Prabhu, his ex-wife Shhyamali De writes a long letter:
Sports Trend
Australia Women vs. India Women LIVE Score Updates, First ODI: Australia wins easily thanks to Beth Mooney's elegant 76
Published 24 Feb 2026 05:48 PM
Suryakumar believes India will win the T20 World Cup.
Published 23 Feb 2026 05:58 PM
T20 World Cup, India vs. Pakistan: Salman Agha considers the "big picture" following defeat, while Suryakumar dedicates victory to India
Published 16 Feb 2026 05:43 PM
Pakistan Minister Establishes 'Suryakumar Yadav Condition' for Asia Cup Trophy Transfer to India
Published 01 Oct 2025 04:04 PM
Political Trends
- A new system is implemented by Priyanka Gandhi to choose Congress candidates for the Assam elections.
- Updates for the 10th day of the Parliament Budget Session The Government-Opposition deadlock ends, and both Houses begin discussing the budget
- Revanth Reddy at a Christmas event Will bring law to punish those who insult other religions
- About 50 out of 71 candidates on the BJP's initial list for Bihar were repeat candidates; senior ministers and deputy chief ministers
- In the push for OBC quota, BJP MP government aligns its argument with Congress's 'jitni abaadi, utna haq' pitch
Events
Karur stampede: Actor Vijay’s TVK has approached the Supreme Court to request an independent investigation into the tragedy that occurred on September 27
On Friday, the Supreme Court is expected to consider a request from Tamil actor Joseph Vijay’s political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), challenging the Madras High Court’s order to establish a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the Karur stampede on September 27 that resulted in 41 fatalities.The plea argued that the high court, despite making an observation that raised doubts about the independence of the police investigation, ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team consisting exclusively of three senior officers from the Tamil Nadu Police. It noted that the order appointing a Special Investigation Team (SIT) consisting exclusively of state police officers prejudices the petitioner-party and its leader, even though the high court has voiced dissatisfaction with the independence and actions of the state police.G.S. Mani, a Tamil Nadu BJP leader and vice president of the state legal cell, has submitted a petition to the Supreme Court requesting a CBI investigation into the stampede in Karur during a rally organized by actor Vijay's political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), on September 27, which resulted in 41 fatalities. He has requested an inquiry to be conducted by either the CBI or an independent Special Investigation Team led by a retired or current Supreme Court judge.Mani, a practising advocate, has contested the Madras High Court's October 3 ruling that dismissed several PILs demanding a CBI investigation. This includes his own writ petition requesting the transfer of the investigation from State police to the CBI and seeking adequate compensation.
Events
‘EC-BJP gathbandhan’: Congress targets poll body following Bihar election date announcement
After the Election Commission declared the dates for the Bihar Assembly elections, Congress accused the poll body of being in an "alliance" with the BJP and claimed it did not answer the questions posed by Rahul Gandhi.After the poll panel’s ‘failure’ to answer questions posed by Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, Congress alleged on Monday that the Election Commission of India operated in an ‘alliance’ with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). On the day that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar declared November 6 and 11 as the dates for two phases of voting in the 2025 Bihar assembly elections, the Congress charge was made. According to the poll body's schedule, votes will be counted on November 14. Following the announcement of poll dates, Pawan Khera, head of Congress' media and publicity department, stated to news agency PTI, "We don't receive answers to our questions. The Election Commission faces daily scrutiny. They established a political climate populated by illegal migrants; where are these illegal migrants? They provided no answer.The 2025 Bihar election is anticipated to be a competition between the ruling coalition of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal United (JDU) and the Mahagathbandhan, spearheaded by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress party. Prashant Kishor, who transitioned from election strategist to politician, is competing with his Jan Suraaj Party. During an interview with PTI Videos, Khera stated, "The questions posed by Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA bloc remain unanswered." He claimed that the announcement made on Monday provided the ruling coalition with an opportunity to provide financial resources to citizens.
Events
YouTuber Felix Gerald apprehended for purportedly disseminating false information regarding the Karur stampede
Felix Gerald, a YouTuber from Tamil Nadu who operates the RedPix channel, was detained by Cyber Crime Police on suspicion of posting false information related to the Karur stampede at Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam rally.Felix Gerald, a YouTuber from Tamil Nadu, has been detained by the Cyber Crime Police on suspicion of disseminating false information related to the Karur stampede that resulted in 41 fatalities during the campaign of actor-politician Vijay, leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Gerald, the operator of the RedPix YouTube channel, was arrested after police alleged that he had uploaded fabricated content related to the incident.On Monday, the Chennai Police filed cases against 25 individuals for allegedly sharing inflammatory content on social media regarding the Karur stampede that resulted in 41 fatalities during the campaign of actor-turned-politician Vijay, leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The individuals are anticipated to be detained in relation to the posts.The FIR did not name Vijay, the TVK chief, but it did identify three party office-bearers: Mathiyalagan (Karur district secretary), Bussy N Anand (state general secretary), and CTR Nirmal Kumar (state joint secretary). It also stated that Vijay held unauthorised roadshows before reaching Velusamypuram, where his vehicle halted in the midst of a large crowd. A police official stated that the three party leaders have been charged under sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 125 (endangering life), and 223 (disobedience to order) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with section 3 of the Tamil Nadu Public Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act, 1992.
Events
Mumbai is on rain alert, and schools in Palghar are closed today | Weather updates
As Maharashtra endured relentless rains for the third day in a row, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued red and orange alerts for heavy downpours in multiple districts, including Mumbai.As of 6:32 AM on September 29, Nashik, Palghar, Thane, Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban, Raigad, and Pune were placed under red alert due to predictions of overcast conditions and very heavy rain along with thunderstorms and strong winds.Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Bhandara, Ratnagiri, Satara, and Sindhudurg were under an orange alert due to forecasts of torrential rain, lightning, and squalls all day.The remaining districts — Gondia, Gadchiroli, Nagpur, Chandrapur, Wardha, Yavatmal, Amravati, Akola, Buldhana, Jalna, Aurangabad, Ahmednagar, Nanded, Hingoli, Parbhani, Beed, Latur, Osmanabad, Solapur, Sangli and Kolhapur — were placed under a yellow alert by the IMD. This is the second level in their four-tier warning system.Since Saturday night, Mumbai has experienced intense rainfall. The city and its suburbs were hit by sporadic downpours on Sunday, with some regions logging over 50 mm of rain between 8 am and 1 pm, according to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).From 8 am to 1 pm, the island city experienced an average precipitation of 47.47 mm, whereas the western and eastern suburbs recorded rain amounts of 53.61 mm and 37.92 mm, respectively. The Thane and Palghar districts, located close to Mumbai, experienced significant rainfall in the past 24 hours. Officials reported that 262 individuals from 71 families were rescued in the Bhiwandi taluka of Thane.Palghar district is under a red alert from IMD, indicating that heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in multiple areas on September 29, with the chance of extremely heavy rain in specific spots. As worries grow about flooding and waterlogging in different areas of the district, the alert—issued after the IMD’s forecast—was released.Considering the warning, district collector Manik Gursal declared a holiday for all government and private schools in Palghar on Monday, including Anganwadis, Zilla Parishad schools, municipal schools, and aided institutions. The directive was issued to guarantee the safety of students and staff as the region prepares for heavy rain.
Events
India coming to the table is Navarro's most recent comment as trade talks with the US resume.
"India is coming to the table. Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent out a very conciliatory, nice, constructive tweet, and President Trump responded to that. We will see how this works," Peter Navarro told CNBC in an interview on Sunday (local time)."India will be joining the table.They have extremely high tariffs on the trading side. Their non-tariff obstacles are extremely high. As with any other nation that engages in such behavior, we had to deal with that," Navarro added."There's also this issue of India buying Russian oil, which it never did," he continued. You know this. It didn't do that prior to 2022.Trump's advisor asserted, "They exploit us through unfair trade, and many workers suffer." "The Russians use that money to purchase weapons, and they use that money to purchase Russian oil."Trump's advisor asserted, "They exploit us through unfair trade, and many workers suffer." "The Russians use that money to purchase weapons, and they use that money to purchase Russian oil."The comments are made as US lead negotiator Brendan Lynch prepares to travel to India late Monday evening for a full day of talks on Tuesday, September 16, to talk about the proposed bilateral trade agreement between the US and India.Navarro had previously stated that trade talks with the US "won't end well" for Delhi until India "comes around" at some time.Howard Lutnick, the secretary of commerce, claimed on Sunday that despite boasting of 1.4 billion people, India will not purchase a single grain of American corn. Additionally, Lutnick cautioned that New Delhi will have a "tough time" doing business with the US until it lowers its tariffs.
Events
As Modi Meets Putin, U.S. Reaffirms Strong Ties with India
Just moments before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, the United States issued a pointed message reaffirming its commitment to its relationship with India. The U.S. Embassy described the India-U.S. partnership as one of the most significant of the 21st century, underscoring Washington’s ongoing effort to keep its ties with New Delhi close amid shifting global alignments. The timing of the message drew attention, coming as Modi held talks not only with Putin but also with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The rare interaction between the leaders of India, Russia, and China was widely viewed as a moment of diplomatic engagement in a complex geopolitical environment. During the meeting, Modi and Putin reaffirmed their long-standing cooperation, particularly in the energy sector. Meanwhile, India continues to navigate international pressure over its oil trade with Russia. Washington recently raised tariffs on certain Indian exports in response to India’s growing energy imports from Moscow. Despite this, New Delhi has maintained its position, balancing its global partnerships while pursuing its national interests. The SCO summit has highlighted the fine line India walks between major global powers. While ties with Russia and China remain rooted in regional and historical contexts, the United States’ message served as a clear reminder that it values its strategic partnership with India—especially during moments when global alliances appear to be evolving.
Events
Rare glimpse of Survival Video: Survivor Walks Out Of Air India Crash Site, Plane Burns Behind Him
A new video from the Air India crash shows a heartbreaking but powerful moment: the only known survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, walking away from the wreckage while the plane burns behind him. In the video, some bystanders are seen shouting as smoke billows in the background. Suddenly, Ramesh emerges from the burning wreckage and is spotted by one of the bystanders. The flight had just taken off from Ahmedabad for London when it crashed into a residential area, killing 241 people on board and dozens more on the ground. Somehow, Ramesh—who was sitting near an emergency exit—was thrown clear when part of the plane broke off. Injured and dazed, he managed to walk to help. The video of him walking out of the flames has struck a deep chord with people around the world. It’s a rare glimpse of survival in the middle of so much loss. While investigators try to understand what went wrong—whether it was mechanical failure, pilot error, or something else—this single moment of survival has become a symbol of both the horror and the human strength in the face of tragedy.
Events
Air India Turns Back or Reroutes 16 Flights After Trouble Breaks Out Between Israel and Iran
Due to rising tensions after Israel’s recent strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities and Iran's decision to close its airspace, 16 Air India flights had to either turn back or take a different route on Friday, June 13. These changes mostly impacted flights heading toward Europe and the US, as they usually pass through that region. Air India shared a message saying they’re sorry for the disruption and are doing their best to help affected passengers. This includes offering hotel stays, full refunds for cancellations, or free rescheduling for those who need it. The airline also mentioned they’re working on other travel arrangements to get passengers to their destinations as smoothly as possible. Travelers are advised to check their flight status regularly as the situation is still developing. What About Other Airlines? It’s not just Air India feeling the pressure. Other big airlines like Lufthansa, Emirates, and British Airways have also changed their routes or canceled flights through the region. This part of the Middle East is really important for flights going between Asia, Europe, and America, so this situation could affect a lot of global travel for a while. What Should You Do? If you have a flight coming up, it’s a good idea to double-check the status before heading to the airport. Air India has said they’ll refund tickets or help rebook flights if plans were thrown off by all this.
EventsGadgets Trend
Activist Jarange: Give Marathas reservation within the legal framework by Aug. 26 or face agitation."
Manoj Jarange, an activist, stated on Monday that if the government does not declare Maratha reservation "within the legal framework" by Tuesday, he will go on to Mumbai to start an agitation.He stated that he has no interest in traveling to Mumbai for a "indefinite hunger strike," which he said would be a nonviolent protest, if the demand is met by Tuesday.Jarange has called for a protest to begin on August 29 in Mumbai's Azad Maidan, calling for the Maratha community to be given preference in government employment and education under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.He has been leading the push to recognize all Marathas as Kunbis, an agrarian caste that falls under the OBC category, so that they can be given preference in government employment and education.In order to demonstrate the Marathas' Kunbi identity, the activist has emphasized the community's need for the application of historical records, such as the Bombay, Satara, and Hyderabad gazettes."Give us reservation that fits in the legal framework," Jarange stated during a press conference held in the Jalna district's Antarwali Sarati hamlet, from which he intends to depart for the agitation on August 27. He claimed that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is purposefully adopting a "stubborn stand". 29 castes were been added to the OBC category by the government. According to the activist, this is akin to inciting the Maratha community. "Today and tomorrow belong to the government. Give us our reservation; we don't want to travel to Mumbai," he remarked.Jarange has been demanding the quota under the OBC category, despite the state government's announcement last year of a 10% reservation for the Maratha community under a different category. "A quota ought to be granted to the Maratha group since they have records of Kunbis. We don't want the 10% reservation to be canceled at any time," he stated. He stated, "We will also stand with him if reservation is given," if the chief minister believes that the OBC community supports the BJP.
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OnePlus 15 to Launch with 165Hz Display and Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Elite Chip
OnePlus has officially confirmed that its upcoming flagship, the OnePlus 15, will debut with a super-smooth 165Hz display — the highest refresh rate ever seen on a OnePlus device. Designed for an ultra-responsive experience, this upgrade is expected to benefit gamers and everyday users alike, making scrolling, animations, and gameplay feel faster and more fluid than ever. Under the hood, the OnePlus 15 will be powered by Qualcomm’s next-gen Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Elite chipset, promising significant boosts in performance, AI processing, and power efficiency. While full specs are still under wraps, this combination of display and silicon signals OnePlus’s continued push to stay at the forefront of premium Android smartphones. With an official launch expected in the coming months, the OnePlus 15 is shaping up to be a major contender in the flagship space. More details — including camera upgrades and software features — are likely to surface soon.
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In response to growing user safety concerns, OpenAI will introduce "teen-friendly" ChatGPT.
In light of the ongoing discussion and controversy about the impact of AI chatbots on youth mental health, OpenAI has announced that it is developing a "different ChatGPT experience" tailored to teens that will be released later this year.OpenAI has said that it is developing a "different ChatGPT experience" tailored for teens that will be released later this year, amid ongoing discussions and debates over the impact of AI chatbots on youth mental health.A number of important policy changes have been published by OpenAI, the company that created the popular ChatGPT, with the goal of improving user safety for its youngest users. The action was taken in the midst of growing criticism and a lawsuit brought by the family of a 16-year-old who committed suicide, claiming the AI chatbot was responsible for his demise. Under the new precautions, users under the age of eighteen will automatically activate a "teen-friendly" version of ChatGPT. Stricter content filters will be included in this version to block sensitive subjects including self-harm conversations and explicit sexual material. "Safety ahead of privacy and freedom for teens," according to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, is a significant philosophical shift in the company's approach to AI ethics.Highlights of the New Teen Safety Plan: Age Forecast Technology: Based on a user's interaction patterns, OpenAI is creating a system to determine the user's age. The safer, under-18 experience will be used by default if the system is unsure.
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Activist Jarange: "Give Marathas reservation within the legal framework by Aug. 26 or face agitation."
Manoj Jarange, an activist, stated on Monday that if the government does not declare Maratha reservation "within the legal framework" by Tuesday, he will go on to Mumbai to start an agitation.He stated that he has no interest in traveling to Mumbai for a "indefinite hunger strike," which he said would be a nonviolent protest, if the demand is met by Tuesday.Jarange has called for a protest to begin on August 29 in Mumbai's Azad Maidan, calling for the Maratha community to be given preference in government employment and education under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. He has been leading the push to recognize all Marathas as Kunbis, an agrarian caste that falls under the OBC category, so that they can be given preference in government employment and education.In order to demonstrate the Marathas' Kunbi identity, the activist has emphasized the community's need for the application of historical records, such as the Bombay, Satara, and Hyderabad gazettes."Give us reservation that fits in the legal framework," Jarange stated during a press conference held in the Jalna district's Antarwali Sarati hamlet, from which he intends to depart for the agitation on August 27. He claimed that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is purposefully adopting a "stubborn stand". 29 castes were been added to the OBC category by the government. According to the activist, this is akin to inciting the Maratha community. "Today and tomorrow belong to the government. Give us our reservation; we don't want to travel to Mumbai," he remarked.Jarange has been demanding the quota under the OBC category, despite the state government's announcement last year of a 10% reservation for the Maratha community under a different category. "A quota ought to be granted to the Maratha group since they have records of Kunbis. We don't want the 10% reservation to be canceled at any time," he stated. He stated, "We will also stand with him if reservation is given," if the chief minister believes that the OBC community supports the BJP.
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Google Rolls Out Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Prioritizing Practical Design
Google has introduced its latest foldable phone, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, offering a refined design and performance upgrades. The device features a large 8-inch main display and a 6.4-inch cover screen, both designed to deliver a smooth user experience whether folded or open. Powered by Google's new Tensor G5 chip and 16 GB of RAM, the phone supports multitasking and demanding apps with ease. It includes a triple rear camera system—featuring wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses—along with dual front cameras tailored for both folded and unfolded use. Google has also brought in subtle AI features across the phone, including smarter camera tools and on-device assistance, aiming to make everyday tasks feel more fluid without overcomplicating the experience. With a starting price of ₹1,72,999 in India, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold targets users who want a flexible form factor without sacrificing power or reliability. It marks Google's most polished attempt yet in the foldable space.
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Nothing Phone 3 Review: Premium Design, Higher Price – Is It Worth It?
The Nothing Phone 3 has officially arrived, positioning itself as a serious competitor in the premium smartphone market. It is easily the brand’s most advanced smartphone to date. Launched on July 1, 2025, the Phone 3 brings smarter software, stronger hardware, and a higher price tag—all wrapped in the same transparent design language that made the brand stand out in the first place. Based on Counterpoint's April report, Nothing shined as the fastest-growing brand in India during that quarter. It saw an impressive 156% increase compared to the previous year, mainly thanks to the launch of the 3a series. The research firm highlighted that this was the fifth straight quarter where Nothing held the top spot for growth in India. The entry into the premium segment might be a sign of the brand's hopeful outlook in the market. With this new chapter in its smartphone journey, Nothing is poised to be compared with the top brands in the premium smartphone range. Nothing has refined its signature look with cleaner lines, a sturdier build, and now IP68 water and dust resistance. It still looks like a Nothing phone, but it now feels more like a proper flagship. The new Glyph Matrix on the back is a major update—489 small LEDs form a circle that lights up for notifications, calls, time display, and even games. It’s unique, fun, and functional. Up front, the Nothing Phone 3 has a bright 6.67-inch LTPO AMOLED display, with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of nearly 4,500 nits. This makes it easy to see outdoors, whether you're watching videos or reading in direct sunlight. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor, paired with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, so everyday performance is fast, responsive, and future-proof. For the first time, Nothing delivers a well-rounded camera setup. The triple 50MP rear camera system includes a main lens, an ultra-wide, and a 3x periscope zoom lens. You get sharper details, better low-light photos, and smoother 4K video at 60fps. There’s also a 50MP selfie camera, making it great for both content creators and casual users who want solid results without much effort. The battery size has increased to 5,150mAh globally (and 5,500mAh in India), offering a full day of use with ease. It supports 65W fast charging, 15W wireless charging, and even reverse wireless charging, so you can top up accessories or other phones on the go. Running on Nothing OS 3.5 (based on Android 15), the software stays minimal and clean, but adds useful features like Essential Space, Essential Search, and Flip to Record for fast video capture. Nothing promises 5 years of Android updates and 7 years of security patches, which puts it on par with leading Android flagships in terms of long-term value. The Nothing Phone 3 is no longer just about looking different—it’s about offering a complete experience. With stronger cameras, better performance, smarter software, and longer support, it feels like a proper flagship. However, with the price now in premium territory, it’s a choice for those who want a phone that’s both stylish and capable. The Nothing Phone 3 is stylish, fast, and well-built. But with a higher price, it’s no longer just about being different—it’s about proving it can compete. If you value design and are ready to spend more, it could be a smart upgrade. Otherwise, earlier models might still offer better value. If you're upgrading from an older model or switching from another brand, the Nothing Phone 3 is worth considering, especially if you want to stand out without compromising on function.
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In accordance with the Inter-Services Organizations Act, the center notifies
Greater unity and command efficiency in the armed forces are made possible by the Center's notified regulations, which were developed under the Inter-Services Organizations Act.In accordance with the Inter-Services Organizations Act, the Center has issued regulations that improve military unity and command effectiveness. This measure avoids duplication of proceedings, speeds up disciplinary actions, and gives heads of ISOs more authority.The official notification states that personnel from any of the three services posted or attached to Inter-Services Organizations (ISOs) will now be subject to full disciplinary and administrative authority from the Commander-in-Chief of a Joint Services Command, the Officer-in-Command of an inter-services establishment, and the Commanding Officer of an inter-services unit.By facilitating quicker decision-making and effective treatment of disciplinary problems, the implementation of these rules completely operationalizes the Act and is anticipated to improve ISO effectiveness. Given the upcoming theater command structures, this development takes place against the backdrop of continuous efforts to encourage greater unity among India's military services. The action is regarded as a crucial reform in India's defense management system and enhances the power of ISO chiefs. Center Notifies Rules for Unified Command Under Inter-Services Act 1881764 https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/
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India announces a port limitation measure for shipments from Bangladesh.
New Delhi: The Indian Gazette has announced a port restriction on the import of specific commodities from Bangladesh into India. Monday was the official date of the gazette notification, which was published today.Following contentious comments made by Bangladesh's interim chief advisor Muhammad Yunus regarding the northeastern region of India during his visit to China, India has placed restrictions on the entry of Bangladeshi ready-made garments (RMG) and other products through its northeastern land ports, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, as well as Fulbari and Changrabandha in West Bengal.In a lecture in China, Yunus, the chief adviser for Bangladesh, referred to the northeastern provinces of India as a "landlocked region with no access to the ocean." Since Indian officials see this remark as undercutting the region's status and connectivity, it has caused diplomatic tension. Bangladesh was forced to reroute exports, including ready-made garments (RMG), plastics, melamine, furniture, juices, carbonated drinks, bakery goods, confectionery, and processed foods, through Kolkata port in West Bengal or Nhava Sheva port in Maharashtra due to the new restrictions, which were imposed on May 17 and went into effect immediately. This resulted in a significant increase in logistics costs.Previously, 93% of Bangladesh's exports to India went via these land routes, so the impact on the country's ready-made clothing industry, which sends around USD 740 million worth of clothing to India each year, might be significant. It is anticipated that the action will upend Bangladesh's apparel sector, increasing prices and restricting access to markets while opening up new prospects for Indian producers.
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Paul Pogba vows to appeal against doping ban in CAS Sad, shocked and heartbroken
"Shortly after testing positive for doping, Paul Pogba, a football player, was banned by Italy's NADA for four years. France's FIFA World Cup victor has sworn to take the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, or CAS. To put it briefly, Paul Pogba has been suspended from football due to drug violations. Paul Pogba has promised to challenge the ruling before CAS. Pogba is thirty years old right now. Legendary French football player Paul Pogba received a four-year suspension after testing positive for doping in 2023. The Italian Anti-Doping Tribunal (NADO Italia) suspended Pogba on Thursday, February 29, after he tested positive for a chemical that was prohibited and used back in 2023. Pogba is the FIFA World Cup winner. Pogba has pledged to challenge the ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), emphasizing his innocence and the fact that he had never used any drug that would be considered doping with knowledge. Hours after being banned by the authorities, Pogba uploaded a post to Instagram in which he claimed that all he had worked so hard to achieve during his football career was being taken away from him. ""I am of the opinion that the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping rendered an improper ruling, having learned of it today. Pogba posted on his Instagram account, ""I am sad, shocked, and heartbroken that everything I have built in my professional playing career has been taken away from me."" The Italian national anti-doping tribunal (NADO Italia) first suspended Pogba in September 2023 after he tested positive for the drug testosterone, which is prohibited. The test was conducted following Juve's 3-0 victory at Udinese in the Serie A season opener on August 20. Test results revealed the presence of testosterone, a hormone that boosts endurance in athletes. In that match, the 30-year-old was not utilized as a replacement. In October, a counter-analysis conducted on a second sample verified Pogba's adverse drug test results. ""The complete picture will become evident once I am no longer subject to legal constraints, but I have never purposefully or intentionally used any substances that are against anti-doping laws. ""As a professional athlete, I have never used prohibited substances to improve my performance and have never shown disrespect or deceit towards fellow athletes or the supporters of the teams I have played for or against,"" emphasized the football player. ""As a consequence of the decision announced today I will appeal this before the Court of Arbitration for Sport,"" he said."
Published 08 Mar 2024 05:44 PM
Shubman Gill meets Ranchi airport standing guard, GT teammate Robin Minzs father
"IPL 2024: On Wednesday, while the 48-year-old former Army officer was on duty as a security guard at the Ranchi airport, Shubman Gill met and greeted Robin Minz's father, Francis Xavier. Robin will play for Gujarat Titans in his first IPL season. In summary, the first tribal cricket player to be purchased at an IPL auction was Robin Minz. In 2024, Robin will compete for the Gujarat Titans, captained by Shubman Gill. Robin's father used to be in the Army and now works at the Ranchi airport as a security guard. Shubman Gill caught Francis, the father of new recruit Robin Minz of the Gujarat Titans, off guard on Wednesday at Ranchi's Bisra Munda Airport. The legendary batter took a moment to talk to the former Army veteran who has been working at the airport as a security guard. when he was leaving the city following the England Test match. Shubman Gill, who will captain the Gujarat Titans for the first time in the 2024 Indian Premier League, acknowledged Francis Xavier Minz's efforts to support his son Robin's goals on social media by posting a picture of their meeting. After a bidding war, Robin, who was acquired by Gujarat Titans for Rs 3.60 crore, will make Indian Premier League history as the first tribal guy to play for a team (IPL). ""I'm honored to have met Robin Minz's dad. Your path and diligence have been motivational. ""Excited to see you during the Indian Premier League,"" Shubman Gill posted on his Instagram story. Shubman Gill was observed on Wednesday at the Ranchi airport spending a good deal of time with Francis Xavier, who was working. The 21-year-old Robin is eager to take advantage of his opportunity with Gujarat Titans, a team that is recognized for supporting up-and-coming players during their first season in the league. Robin's journey into cricket started in an unusual way when his father made him a wooden bat after observing that his son enjoyed striking pebbles with sticks. Francis made sure Robin had the tools he needed to follow his love despite his financial struggles, even if it meant taking out loans or forgoing necessities. The family's sacrifices were rewarded when Robin, who the cricket world lovingly referred to as ""Ranchi ka Gayle"" due to his aggressive batting style, gained prominence."
Published 08 Mar 2024 05:42 PM
OYO To Launch 13 Self-Operated Hotels Under Premium Brand ‘Palette’ This Year
"SUMMARY Using a format akin to OYO Rooms, the business plans to open Gujarat's Morbi as the first independently run location under the ""Palette"" brand. Last year, Oravel Stays introduced ten hotels under the Palette brand as part of a test program in cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Jaipur. OYO CEO Ritesh Aggarwal said last month that the company has doubled its PAT to INR 30 Cr in Q3 FY24, marking the second consecutive profitable quarter for the firm. By the end of this year, parent company Oravel Stays, a prominent player in the hospitality industry, plans to launch 13 independently run hotels under the upscale ""Palette"" brand. The business said in a statement on Thursday (March 7) that it will launch the concept by building a Palette hotel in Morbi, Gujarat, replicating an OYO Rooms model. By the end of this year, Oravel Stays, the parent company of Oyo, a significant player in the hospitality industry, wants to open 13 upscale hotels under the Palette brand. The business established ten Palette resorts in Jaipur, Hyderabad, Digha, Mumbai, Chennai, Manesar, and Bengaluru as part of a pilot program last year. With this, there will be 23 hotels operating under the Palette brand overall. Similar to Oyo's hotels, the Palette hotels will run on a ""self-operated"" model. As a result, the corporation won't need to invest much capital in this move. This will be the company's reintroduction of its self-operated concept, which it abandoned in 2020. The company added that it will assume direct operational control of a few Palette hotels in high-growth and potential regions in order to guarantee improved guest experience and service delivery. Morbi, dubbed the city of ceramics in India, is a major economic center in Gujarat, according to Oravel Stays. Ninety percent of India's tile output is produced in the district, which is home to around 800 tile factories with an annual revenue of roughly Rs 50,000 crore. We can't wait to open our first independently run Palette hotel in Gujarat, and Morbi is the ideal place to do it. Morbi is a significant market for us because of its thriving economy and expanding commercial prospects, according to Aditya Sharma, commercial Head, Oravel Stays."
Published 08 Mar 2024 05:37 PM
Accenture to acquire edtech Udacity to accelerate capabilities of Accenture LearnVantage
"Accenture, a technology corporation, recently revealed that it will invest $1 billion over the course of the following three years in Accenture LearnVantage, a new initiative. The goal of the development is to meet the pressing demand for data, AI, and technological capabilities across businesses. The company plans to acquire Udacity, an educational platform, in order to improve its capacity to provide customized, industry-specific training on a large scale.Reducing the skills gap with individualized education LearnVantage is intended to assist businesses in promptly recognizing and closing the skills gap caused by the swift growth of technology. The platform offers a variety of tailored learning experiences and serves a broad clientele, including company executives and board members who want to learn about generative AI and IT workers who require specific training in AI, data science, cloud, and cybersecurity. The tactical purchase of Udacity Accenture made a calculated strategic move when it acquired Udacity, an edtech platform with its headquarters in California that is well-known for its certified job-ready skills. With Udacity's experience with scalable learning technologies, professional services, and exclusive content, the agreement is anticipated to greatly enhance Accenture's learning and training offerings. Accenture will benefit from the addition of over 230 Udacity professionals, expanding its talent pool and capabilities. Putting money into labor forces. Accenture has always been committed to upskilling; the company provides about 40 million training hours annually and spends more than $1 billion on learning and training for its employees. Accenture hopes to further this commitment to its clients by assisting them in becoming independent ""talent creators"" through LearnVantage. It is anticipated that the development will enable clients to fully utilize the opportunities presented by technological transformation, spurring creativity and corporate expansion. Establishing a cooperative learning environment Accenture LearnVantage is going to work with top technology ecosystem partners like Microsoft, Google Cloud, and Amazon Web Services to deliver industry-relevant technology training along with state-of-the-art generative AI material. Additionally, the platform will provide certification services and nanodegrees, guaranteeing that students obtain practical experience and acquire abilities that are immediately useful in the field. "
Published 08 Mar 2024 05:36 PM
Shaadi.coms Anupam Mittal pleads with FM Sitharaman to ease KYC paperwork.
"Anupam Mittal, the creator of Shaadi.com, requested the Finance Ministry's help in streamlining the know-your-customer (KYC) documentation process for startups and angel investors, citing his concerns about the drawn-out and tiresome procedure. The Shark Tank India judge emphasized the importance of enacting laws that create an atmosphere that is favorable for Indian companies in his most recent article on X. The Income Tax Department responded to Anupam Mittal's post on X by asking him to send a letter containing a specific concern or question to the department so that the relevant personnel might ""get in touch"" with him. Even as we speak of being a startup nation, we require policymaking that is progressive. Every year, instead of concentrating on creating amazing businesses, the team spends an excessive amount of time providing KYC information to startups, who then work with several angel investors to get the paperwork submitted with @IncomeTaxIndia. ""Why is this harassment happening?,"" Anupam Mittal posted on X, tagging Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the Income Tax Department. Additionally, Mittal emphasized that extensive documentation is not necessary because the Income Tax department already has all the information on the majority of registered investors. Mittal commented, ""Madamji dekhiye pls, it's an unnecessary waste of time that sucks up countless unproductive hours of our time,"" tagging Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's official X accounts. brightest in the nation at @PMOIndia. "Please write to us with your specific issue/query (along with PAN & your mobile number) via email at orm@cpc.incometax.gov.in so that our team can get in touch with you,"" the IT department said in response to the founder of Shaadi.com's post. Fintech and startups facing KYC issues In response to the I-T department's statement, Mittal stated that his primary concern was the cumbersome process of completing KYC documentation with the I-T department, without highlighting a single problem. The founder of Shaadi.com made these remarks about onerous KYC paperwork at a time when Paytm Payments Bank is being investigated by the Reserve Bank of India for a number of reasons, including complaints about procedural errors in its KYC system. Recently, Nirmala Sitharaman chaired a meeting with start-up and fintech ecosystem organizations to address the digitization and simplification of KYC across all fintech segments. The cost of lending for important locations, ownership and control changes for fintech companies that are listed to help them comply with regulations, and cybercrime concerns were among the other topics covered in the conference."
Published 08 Mar 2024 05:32 PM
Shadowfax raises $100 million Series E round led by TPG New Quest
"Mumbai: Shadowfax, a modern logistics services provider, announced on Tuesday that it has raised $100 million for its Series E round, which is being led by TPG NewQuest, through a combination of primary and secondary funding. Those with knowledge of the situation claimed the deal values the nine-year-old company at $500-550 million, though specifics of the valuation were not made public.According to a press statement from Shadowfax, the round also included participation from current investors Mirae Asset Venture Investments (India), Flipkart, International Finance Corporation, Nokia Growth Partners, Qualcomm, and Trifecta Capital. The news of NewQuest's interest in the business was initially reported by Mint. To date, the company has raised close to $120 million from investors, including Flipkart, Qualcomm Ventures, Eight Roads Ventures, and US investment firm NGP Capital. Eight Roads Ventures, an early investor in the business that has supported it since its Series A in 2015, made a partial exit through this round, according to ShadowFax. In an interview with Mint, cofounder and CEO of Shadowfax Abhishek Bansal stated that the company has been growing profitably over the last four quarters, with an annualized revenue run rate of ₹2,400 crore for FY24. By March 31, 2024, it hopes to have closed its first year with a positive Ebitda. Bansal stated, ""We will be actively looking for more inorganic opportunities, given that we are already profitable."" The company also intends to list on Indian bourses over the next 24 months. Shadowfax intends to use the additional funding over the course of the next 18 months to expand last-mile delivery over all 20,000 Indian pin codes and increase its middle-mile network. A portion of the money generated will be put toward expanding Shadowfax's express delivery network and creating services for direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands. Due to the rapid growth of trade in the nation, logistics companies now need to operate quickly. We intend to enhance our technology capabilities and develop middle-mile delivery in order to establish ourselves as a fully-fledged courier within the 3PL space,"" Bansal said. The company, which was founded in 2015 by Bansal, Vaibhav Khandelwal, Gaurav Jaithliya, and Praharsh Chandra, provides services to online-first brands that range from pharmacy and food delivery services to larger e-commerce logistics. 30-minute deliveries are available for speedy commerce. ""Shadowfax is transforming India's e-commerce logistics industry. Their developed technology stack has impressed us. According to Amit Gupta, partner and head of TPG NewQuest's India and Southeast Asia, ""this helps with the delivery of superior service metrics and allows them to quickly adapt their services to client's changing needs at the lowest price."" "
Published 08 Mar 2024 05:30 PM
Luminous Power Technologies puts the spotlight on #WomenInEnergy
In honor of International Women's Day, Luminous Power Technologies today released a digital short as part of their motivational campaign, #WomenInEnergy. The video, which is told from the perspective of a kid, masterfully depicts the prejudices and stereotypes that are pervasive in society regarding women in particular domestic contexts, such as a home terrace. Now in its second year, Luminous' #WomenInEnergy campaign seeks to inspire a better future for future generations while challenging gender preconceptions and biases that currently exist in the energy sector. The video, which was conceived by Autumn Grey, focuses on the routine domestic tasks that get accepted because they are only performed by female family members. With a small child watching his mother go about her daily business on the patio, In the film, those being taken up by other family members are beautifully shown, and the mother's role as a solar technician under the Luminous training program is shown. In this story, a boy challenges the idea of bias by judging his mother's worth by the labor she does on their terrace. Recognized for its creative energy solutions, the brand breaks beyond apparent bias to deliver a unique message. The idea of the IWD video was discussed by Neelima Burra, Chief Strategy Transformation and Marketing Officer of Luminous Power Technologies. She stated, "Although society has made significant progress and moved the needle for women in certain professions, there is still a lot to be addressed." Our movie emphasizes the need to change people's perspectives to embrace gender-neutral roles and provide everyone the same opportunity. Even if women have all the qualifications needed to work in the energy sector, they are nevertheless perceived as having a disproportionate number of men in technician positions. This movie will encourage viewers to reflect and alter their viewpoints. To hasten the nation's energy transition and promote the installation of solar PV rooftops, we must capitalize on the talent of women. The goal of our campaign, #WomenInEnergy, is to change people's perceptions and make careers for women in fields like solar technician practical and appealing. Luminous Power Technologies' chief human resource officer, Shikha Gupta, "The purpose of this film is to inspire viewers to think of traditionally male-dominated professions as safe and growth-oriented environments for women as well, such as solar technician." This movie offers a comprehensive message about the value of family support, which is the cornerstone for empowering women in non-traditional roles. When attitudes shift and everyone in the family assumes more responsibility for the home, closing the current gender gap will actually happen.
Published 08 Mar 2024 05:27 PM
Shoppers Stop empowers women to embrace their choices fearlessly with #Don’tStop campaign
"Shoppers Stop launched the #Don'tStop campaign, which was created by Makani Creatives, in honor of Women's Day. The initiative aims to eliminate the biases and social pressures that women experience in the fields of fashion and beauty. Because of the unattainable standards that society has established, women—who are frequently the targets of unrelenting scrutiny and judgment—find themselves doubting their decisions and lacking confidence. The #Don'tStop campaign exhorts women to not hold back and to bravely embrace their choices. In the video, a girl receives criticism for being judged as ""Too Flashy,"" ""Too Bold,"" ""Too Revealing,"" ""Too Tight,"" ""Too Wild,"" and ""Too Fake,"" which is a reflection of the judgment many women face in all spheres of life. This realization served as the basis for Shoppers Stop's campaign, which encourages women to live freely and openly, without fear of repercussion. Women are frequently told what to dress, how to look, and how to portray themselves in society. #DontStop encourages women to reject these expectations and embrace their individuality. As longtime creative partners of Shoppers Stop, Sameer Makani, co-founder of Makani Creatives, commented on the campaign, saying, ""We wanted this topical campaign to authentically reflect the brand's ethos."" Our inspiration came from fashion, which is one of the most potent mediums for expressing oneself. The campaign is a powerful reminder to ignore unfavorable remarks and make decisions that suit one's comfort level and own preferences. ""We were struck by the power of simplicity in the storytelling and yet the impact it had on every woman in the room when team Makani presented the idea,"" Shwetal Basu, chief marketing and communication officer at Shoppers Stop and customer service associate, continued. It strikingly conveys the idea that, as a company, we are ardent supporters of self-assurance, tenacity, and inclusivity, opening doors for each and every woman to embrace her personal style."" The goal of the campaign film is to support women's uniqueness and give them the freedom to live boldly without fear of criticism or judgment."
Published 08 Mar 2024 05:25 PM
ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund launches ‘Sapno ki Kishte’ campaign for Womens Day
"The commercial draws attention to the financial difficulties that women encounter and stresses the significance of using SIP to secure one's future. In honor of International Women's Day, ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund is launching Sapno ki Kishte, a new campaign that follows a mother and her son on their journey. The ad portrays the woman's unwavering will to fulfill her son's ambition of getting a car despite her daily obstacles with a moving story. The ad emphasizes the significance of women being financially literate and safeguarding their futures by using the Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) path. The campaign highlights women's tenacity and daily sacrifices while highlighting their critical role in influencing their families' goals and objectives. Viewers see a woman's everlasting fortitude and perseverance as the story progresses. Abhijit Shah, ICICI Prudential AMC's head of marketing for digital and client experience, emphasized the significance of the campaign in honoring and appreciating the accomplishments made by women. He said, ""We at ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund think that everyone should be able to reach their financial objectives, no matter what their situation. We hope to celebrate women's unwavering spirit and the way Mutual Funds provides a means for them to safeguard their families' futures through this campaign. The ad emphasizes the advantages of using mutual funds as an investment vehicle to achieve long-term objectives and provide financial security. ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund is still dedicated to helping people achieve financial independence. The company's many digital outlets, including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, will be used to reach a large audience for the campaign. The campaign highlights women's tenacity and daily sacrifices while highlighting their critical role in influencing their families' goals and objectives. Viewers see a woman's everlasting fortitude and perseverance as the story progresses. The ad emphasizes the advantages of using mutual funds as an investment vehicle to achieve long-term objectives and provide financial security. In order to support people on their path to financial independence, ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund continues to provide a broad choice of investment solutions that are geared towards meeting various needs."
Published 08 Mar 2024 05:23 PM
TATA IPL on digital streaming is set to reinvent the stage for advertisers
"TATA IPL 2024 is more than just a massive cricket match. For advertisers wishing to maximize their effect and reach, it's the ideal venue. The competition, which has the potential to reach 650 million viewers, will present unmatched chances to engage and interact with a wide range of Indian audiences, regardless of whether they are viewing the match on 4G feature phones or 5G-enabled 4K devices. With its extensive IPL ad suite this year, JioCinema is going all out to make it simpler than ever for companies to engage with viewers. The possibilities are genuinely unlimited with live streaming available across 19 channels, exclusive IPL content available in different Indian languages, and more than 100 cohorts to target. Marketers now have a rare chance to enthrall consumers and strengthen their brand's visibility. The IPL will be viewed on CTV devices by more than 200 million cricket enthusiasts. Of these, at least 25% will watch the event on state-of-the-art 4K devices and support their favorite team. From investing, dining out, entertainment, consumer durables, travel, and beauty and personal care, these ultra-premium viewers enjoy the best. Throughout the IPL, they are every marketer's dream due to their tremendous spending power and passion for exclusive cricket events! The fact that fans may view the matches for free on any devices—even 4G feature phones—makes TATA IPL 2024 even more special. It will make the IPL more accessible to a wider audience and enable marketers to engage with untapped markets that were previously only accessible through audio advertisements. Jio 4G feature phones will be used by 35–40 million consumers to view the Indian Premier League, offering sponsors chances to reach these genuinely incremental audiences with creative multimedia ad placements like pre-roll roadblocks, personalized communication, and coverage ownership. During TATA IPL 2024, advertisers can target specific audiences with over 100 audience groups using a variety of ad innovations. The strategy will be incredibly focused and granular, with an unprecedented scope and reach due to the highest number of cohorts available on LIVE sports. These cohorts will open up IPL advertising to companies of all sizes. Additionally, it lessens the likelihood of waste of advertising budget, addressing a major issue for marketers. JioCinema is expanding IPL affiliations to small companies and local stores in order to further improve accessibility, providing effective solutions that are priced affordably. This effort ensures that any brand, regardless of size, can take use of this unmatched platform to maximize reach and engagement. It also expands the horizons for these businesses and magnifies the impact of IPL advertising. The 'IPL brand' has tremendous potential that a small firm planning an expansion might use to attract new customers while staying inside a certain budget. This is a calculated action that strengthens the credibility of the advertising message, fosters brand trust, and makes it easier to enter undiscovered areas."
Published 08 Mar 2024 05:20 PM
Canara HSBC Life Insurance launches iSelect Guaranteed Future Plus digital campaign
"As part of their most recent digital promotion, Canara HSBC Life Insurance has released three distinct films on their own social media channels, each of which highlights a key element of their most recent digital product, ""iSelect Guaranteed Future Plus."" The non-linked non-participating individual savings life insurance plan, created to meet a range of financial needs, guarantees a stable future for loved ones, and the campaign presents poignant tales via various life circumstances. Essential life insurance and guaranteed benefits are provided by iSelect Guaranteed Future Plus to safeguard customers' financial security throughout their entire lives. The program is made to adjust to your evolving milestones, so it will make sure your financial objectives are met on schedule. It offers peace of mind with customized alternatives that offer essential coverage and assured advantages, like as returns on your investment. The future is safe whether you go for stability, daily expense coverage with a complete premium refund, or quick cash assistance. The plan is designed to meet policyholders' financial goals and milestones, reflecting Canara HSBC Life Insurance's commitment to ensuring their customers' financial well-being throughout life's many stages. ""Through our new digital campaign, We aim to portray various life scenarios, illustrating the importance of building a financial plan to fulfil one's bigger promises and aspirations,"" says Canara HSBC Life Insurance Chief Strategy Officer and Distribution Officer Rishi Mathur. Our newest, top-notch product, iSelect Guaranteed Future Plus, offers excellent guaranteed returns and a thoughtful financial tool that ensures income and returns while preserving our clients' financial security. The most important takeaway from this is that you need a plan to assist you get ready to fulfill the larger promises made keeping your word to your loved ones and overcoming obstacles in life. ""As part of their most recent digital promotion, Canara HSBC Life Insurance has released three distinct films on their own social media channels, each of which highlights a key element of their most recent digital product, ""iSelect Guaranteed Future Plus."" The non-linked non-participating individual savings life insurance plan, created to meet a range of financial needs, guarantees a stable future for loved ones, and the campaign presents poignant tales via various life circumstances. Essential life insurance and guaranteed benefits are provided by iSelect Guaranteed Future Plus to safeguard customers' financial security throughout their entire lives. The program is made to adjust to your evolving milestones, so it will make sure your financial objectives are met on schedule. It offers peace of mind with customized alternatives that offer essential coverage and assured advantages, like as returns on your investment. The future is safe whether you go for stability, daily expense coverage with a complete premium refund, or quick cash assistance. The plan is designed to meet policyholders' financial goals and milestones, reflecting Canara HSBC Life Insurance's commitment to ensuring their customers' financial well-being throughout life's many stages. "Through our new digital campaign, We aim to portray various life scenarios, illustrating the importance of building a financial plan to fulfil one's bigger promises and aspirations,"" says Canara HSBC Life Insurance Chief Strategy Officer and Distribution Officer Rishi Mathur. Our newest, top-notch product, iSelect Guaranteed Future Plus, offers excellent guaranteed returns and a thoughtful financial tool that ensures income and returns while preserving our clients' financial security. The most important takeaway from this is that you need a plan to assist you get ready to fulfill the larger promises made keeping your word to your loved ones and overcoming obstacles in life. "
Published 08 Mar 2024 05:19 PM
India roils market with new crackdowns on booming IPO financing, gold
It’s been another heart-stopping week for financial firms caught up in India’s widening crackdown on the sector.Regulators are imposing new restrictions that may curb lending and put a damper on the booming market for initial public offerings, in order to keep risks in check. Shadow banks have become the latest target, after the Reserve Bank of India this week limited lending by firms including JM Financial Products Ltd. The measures come after the banking regulator barred an affiliate of fintech giant Paytm from accepting fresh deposits, while the capital markets watchdog urged mutual fund sellers to safeguard investors against excessive froth in small-cap stocks. More such moves may be on the cards as the RBI completes inspections of some major non-banks engaged in equity markets financing, according to people familiar with the regulator’s thinking. The central bank had set up a separate team of professionals for bank supervision, which has become more detailed and comprehensive, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private matters. “We expect more such steps in other parts of the credit funnel,” said Pranav Bhavsar of India Independent Insight, who publishes on Smartkarma. He said the recent crackdown and hit to some shadow bank stocks “is here to stay and possibly intensify.”More such moves may be on the cards as the RBI completes inspections of some major non-banks engaged in equity markets financing, according to people familiar with the regulator’s thinking. The central bank had set up a separate team of professionals for bank supervision, which has become more detailed and comprehensive, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private matters. “We expect more such steps in other parts of the credit funnel,” said Pranav Bhavsar of India Independent Insight, who publishes on Smartkarma. He said the recent crackdown and hit to some shadow bank stocks “is here to stay and possibly intensify.”In January, the Securities and Exchange Board of India Chairwoman Madhabi Puri Buch spoke about her concerns. “We are unhappy about some of the malpractices that we see,” she said, referring to mule accounts and inflation of IPO application numbers. “We now have the data and we will act.” Banks, shadow lenders and fintech players are all feeling the heat. JM Financial’s shares tumbled as much as 20% on Wednesday — the limit imposed by the exchange — and the biggest intraday slide in four years, dragging down other financial stocks. Shares in IIFL Finance Ltd., another shadow lender facing RBI scrutiny, plunged by the 20% limit in each of the last two sessions. Both stocks have since recovered some losses. Paytm is still down more than 40% since its banking affiliate was barred from adding deposits after people familiar with the matter said it failed to properly vet hundreds of thousands of clients.“More instances of such actions could create an overhang” on shadow bank stocks, Morgan Stanley analysts wrote in a report.
Published 07 Mar 2024 08:49 PM
