For You News in English

Financial Express

Dec 21, 2025, 05:18 PM

Swiggy's Instamart Tests Experiential Stores with Fresh Produce Focus

Swiggy’s quick commerce vertical Instamart has initiated a pilot experiment with Instamart-branded experiential stores operated by sellers on its platform, with the first such outlet now operational in Gurugram’s M3M 65th Avenue. The stores, positioned near residential societies, are seller-owned and operated under Instamart branding, with a focus on fresh produce categories where touch-and-feel inspection tend to influence purchase decisions, sources said. The pilot represents a limited consumer experiment rather than a strategic pivot towards omnichannel retail , according to sources familiar with the matter. The initiative remains exploratory, with no immediate plans disclosed for broader rollout across Instamart’s multi-city footprint. Unlike Instamart’s core dark store network that stocks thousands of SKUs for rapid home delivery, these experiential formats carry a curated selection of a few hundred stock keeping units, sources added. The product mix is concentrated in fresh fruits and vegetables, pulses, new product launches, and select direct-to-consumer brands—categories where consumers typically prefer physical verification before buying. “It’ll have some new age brands also for consumers to experience,” according to a person aware of the developments. Sale proceeds at these outlets will flow directly to sellers rather than being routed through Swiggy’s payment infrastructure, sources added. Typically, for it’s dark stores, commissions are deducted before payouts are made to sellers. Swiggy did not respond to queries at the time of going to the press.

7 shares

😐

Indian Education Diary

Dec 21, 2025, 05:16 PM

ZEISS India Announces Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives for 2024-25

Bengaluru :ZEISS India, a pioneer of science in optics today announced the key outcomes of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives for 2024–25, reaffirming its commitment to its global CSR pillars of Education, Healthcare, and Environment & Sustainability. With a strong focus on community-led development, ZEISS India continues to leverage its technological expertise and strategic partnerships to address critical societal needs and create long-standing impact. In the last one-year ZEISS India’s CSR efforts have touched upon over 1.2 million lives across Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan states. These initiatives aimed to create a nationwide impact to empower students, teachers, researchers, patients, and underserved communities. Aligned with global CSR pillars, ZEISS India’s initiatives are thoughtfully designed to address critical areas of education, healthcare, and environment & sustainability. Nearly 20+ transformative projects were successfully executed, reflecting the company’s commitment to driving change and fostering sustainability. Dhaval Radia, CFO, ZEISS India said,“At ZEISS India, we are committed to creating meaningful, lasting change by deeply engaging with communities and addressing their needs. Through empathetic listening and co-creating solutions, we design initiatives that empower individuals and prioritize sustainability. By collaborating with the government, NGOs, and trusted partners, we scale interventions to maximize impact, while robust governance ensures accountability and measurable outcomes. We remain committed to this continuous journey fueled by empathy, collaboration, and the unwavering pursuit of long-term transformation.” Looking ahead, ZEISS India is committed to strengthen its partnerships in education, healthcare, and environment & sustainability to broaden its reach and impact across more communities. By emphasizing holistic learning, digital inclusion, and empowerment, the company strives to create opportunities that enable underserved communities to thrive. Details of some of the CSR Initiatives Undertaken by ZEISS India: Pillar I: Environment and Sustainability In partnership with the Enviro Creators Foundation, ZEISS India undertook a large-scale afforestation project in Pali, Rajasthan, planting 32,223 saplings across 42 native species using the Miyawaki method. This scientifically proven technique accelerates forest growth and biodiversity restoration. The project is transforming into a self-sustaining biodiversity zone, improving soil health, enhancing carbon sequestration, and encouraging the return of native wildlife. This initiative reflects ZEISS India’s commitment to ecosystem regeneration and addressing climate change. ZEISS India also prioritized resource efficiency by repurposing waste wooden crates received during equipment imports. These crates were transformed into 500 community school benches, which were distributed to schools in Chandapura, Bengaluru. This initiative not only reduced waste but also supported underserved schools by providing essential infrastructure, ensuring students have access to better learning environments. Pillar II: Education Education remained a cornerstone of ZEISS India’s CSR strategy, with initiatives designed to bridge skill gaps, enhance digital access, and empower educators to deliver high-quality learning experiences. In December 2024, ZEISS India signed an MoU to establish a state-of-the-art Core Imaging Facility at Ashoka University, Sonipat, Haryana. This initiative marked a significant milestone in ZEISS India’s CSR efforts, enabling advanced research and education in imaging technologies and scientific exploration. Followed by to meet India’s growing demand for trained microscopy professionals, ZEISS India also launched the Advanced Microscopy Training Program (AMTP) in partnership with Ashoka University. ZEISS India addressed the growing challenge of e-waste through its ZEISS POWER ON initiative. By refurbishing 40 laptops previously used by ZEISS India employees, the company transformed these pre-owned devices into valuable educational tools, preventing them from contributing to electronic waste. The laptops were distributed to students who scored above 80% in their Grade X board examinations from underserved communities in Bengaluru. ZEISS India partnered with Vidya Prasarak Mandal (VPM) in Thane to transform education quality and outcomes for thousands of students. The multi-phase program introduced six smart boards to digitize classrooms, trained 170 teachers in communication, mindfulness, and stress management, and sponsored continuous skill development programs for teaching and non-teaching staff. These efforts resulted in a 90% improvement in teaching quality and well-being, significantly enhancing learning outcomes. Pillar III: Healthcare At Sri Sathya Sai Sarla Memorial Hospital in Chikkaballapur, Karnataka ZEISS India supported the upgradation of neonatal and pediatric care facilities, benefiting over 400 newborns. In partnership with the Government of Karnataka, ZEISS India launched the “Vidya Drishti” program driven by Aloka Vision Programme. This 2-year-long initiative aims to screen approximately 532,000 school children aged 5 to 16 in the Kalaburagi district using the ZEISS Aloka Van – a mobile eye screening unit. underserved populations. ZEISS India supported the Agarwal Eye Research Centre by providing a Phaco Emulsifier machine to enhance cataract surgery capabilities. This initiative enabled high-quality cataract surgeries for underserved communities, restoring vision and improving the quality of life for countless individuals.

68 shares

😐

Financial Express

Dec 21, 2025, 05:13 PM

Maharashtra Local Body Election Results 2025: BJP Emerges as Largest Party

Maharashtra Local Body Election Results 2025 LIVE: The BJP has emerged as the largest party in the Maharashtra municipal council and nagar panchayat elections, opening a wide lead over its Mahayuti allies, the Shiv Sena and the NCP, as well as the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi. According to early results, the BJP was ahead in 127 seats, while the Shiv Sena led in 53 and the NCP in 32. Collectively, the ruling Mahayuti alliance secured leads in more than 200 seats across the state. The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi recorded a comparatively weaker showing, leading in 53 municipal councils and nagar panchayats. Within the alliance, the Congress was ahead in 36 seats, the Shiv Sena (UBT) in nine and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) in eight, highlighting the opposition’s struggles in the civic polls. The polling was held in two phases on December 2 and December 20. You can visit the official website of Maharashtra State Election Commission for real time updates on voter trends – https://mahasec.maharashtra.gov.in/ and mahaseclec.in. The trends will keep getting updated after each round of voting is completed. To track the results across Maharashtra , you can also follow our live coverage here at Financial Express. Leaders of the Mahayuti alliance, including Devendra Fadnavis , Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar , have been actively campaigning across Maharashtra. However, from the Opposition, only the Congress has been seen campaigning on a large scale. Within the Mahayuti, the BJP and the Shiv Sena have put up rival candidates in several districts such as Sindhudurg, Satara, Dharashiv, Palghar and Thane. In contrast, the two rival NCP groups led by Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar have come together in Kolhapur. In Vidarbha, which is Fadnavis’s strong region, the BJP and Congress are mainly fighting each other. The BJP is contesting all 27 cities there, while Congress is contesting 22, leading to direct contests in 18 cities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday thanked the people of Maharashtra for backing the BJP and the Mahayuti alliance in the local body elections, saying the results reflected public confidence in people-centric development. In a post on X, Modi said Maharashtra had “stood firmly with development” by supporting the BJP and the Mahayuti in the municipal council and nagar panchayat polls. He said the mandate demonstrated trust in the alliance’s vision and pledged continued efforts to meet the aspirations of citizens across the state. The prime minister also congratulated BJP and Mahayuti office bearers, crediting their grassroots efforts for the electoral performance. With the State Election Commission yet to issue an official announcement, the ruling Mahayuti alliance on Sunday claimed a clear lead, saying early trends indicated a strong mandate in its favour across municipal councils and local bodies. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday hailed the performance of the ruling Mahayuti alliance in the local body elections, saying the results indicated continued public support for the alliance in upcoming municipal polls. Speaking to reporters after the declaration of results, Shinde congratulated voters and party workers, noting that the Mahayuti had earlier succeeded in the Lok Sabha, Legislative Assembly and municipal corporation elections. “There are clear indications that the Mahayuti alliance will also be successful in the forthcoming municipal elections,” he said. Shinde said the Bharatiya Janata Party had secured a “century” of wins, while the Shiv Sena had achieved a “half-century” in the local polls. He rejected claims that the Shiv Sena’s influence was limited to Thane, saying the party’s presence had expanded across Maharashtra, “from Chandrapur to Bandra”. He thanked elected representatives, ministers, MLAs and party workers for their efforts and congratulated Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on the BJP’s performance. Shinde said the Shiv Sena had emerged as the second-largest party in the state and claimed the alliance’s strike rate matched that seen in recent assembly and parliamentary elections. Maharashtra minister Shivendrasinh Bhosale on Sunday said BJP candidate Amol Mohite was elected municipal president in Satara district by a margin of 42,000 votes. Bhosale said this lead exceeded margins usually recorded in assembly elections. As counting continues in the Maharashtra local body elections, the ruling Mahayuti alliance has crossed the 200-seat mark, according to the latest trends. The Nationalist Congress Party secured 16 of the 27 seats in Lonavala, strengthening its position in the region. Manisha Gore was elected mayor of Chakan. In Rohiya, NCP candidate Vanashree Sameer Shegde won by a margin of 4,500 votes, while senior party leader Dhananjay Munde registered a victory in Parli. Reacting to the results, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the Mahayuti’s success in the municipal council and nagar panchayat polls reflected a coordinated effort by the Bharatiya Janata Party organisation and the state government. The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday won the president’s post in four of the five local bodies in Latur district, as results of the municipal council and nagar panchayat elections were declared. According to officials quoted by PTI, the BJP secured the president’s posts in Udgir, Ahmedpur, Nilanga and Renapur. The remaining post in Ausa was won by the party’s Mahayuti ally, the Nationalist Congress Party, led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. A video shows BJP workers celebrating after Mahayuti's performance in the Maharashtra local body elections. #watch | Mumbai, Maharashtra | BJP workers celebrate after Mahayuti's performance in the Maharashtra local body elections. pic.twitter.com/JPiIPIU02q NCP Ajit Pawar faction's Durgadevi Indrajit Jagdale won the mayoral election in the Daund Municipal Council. Jagdale defeated Monali Veer by a margin of 4,891 votes. “This victory belongs to the people who voted for me and gave me the opportunity to serve them. I will try my best to live up to their expectations and fulfil the promises made,” Jagdale said on her victory. Union minister Nitin Gadkari congratulated the Bharatiya Janta Party for their victory in the local body elections. “This victory belongs to the party workers. A heartfelt thank you to the people for reposing their faith in the BJP and its development-oriented functioning,” he posted on X. तुमची आमची, भाजपा सर्वांची! 🪷 राज्यातील नगरपरिषद व नगरपंचायत निवडणुकांमध्ये भारतीय जनता पक्षाला मिळालेल्या घवघवीत यशाबद्दल प्रदेशाध्यक्ष श्री @RaviDadaChavan जी, मुख्यमंत्री श्री @Dev_Fadnavis जी तसेच समस्त कार्यकर्त्यांचे मन:पूर्वक अभिनंदन!💐🪷 हा कार्यकर्त्यांचा विजय आहे.… Aboli Dhore from the Ajit Pawar–led Nationalist Congress Party was elected mayor of the Vadgaon Maval Nagar Panchayat. In the corporator elections, the Ajit Pawar NCP won nine seats, the BJP secured six seats, and two seats went to Independent candidates. The council has a total of 17 corporators, along with one mayor. Rajendra Sonawane from the Ajit Pawar–led NCP was elected Mayor of the Lonavala Municipal Council. In the corporator elections, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP won 16 seats. The BJP secured four seats, Independents won three seats, the Uvaat Party took one seat, and the Congress won three seats. The council consists of 27 corporators, along with one mayor. BJP's 11 candidates who have won so far, namely: Swapna Gaikwad, Meena Valekar, Ranjana Kotekar, Manish Gunjal, Abhijeet Karanjule, Jayshree Thirty, Anita Bhoir, Sujata Bhoir, Sachin Gunjal, Supriya Atish Patil Shiv Sena wins 22: Vijiya Shinde, Reshma Gudekar, Rahul Someshwar, Nikhil Chaudhary, Jyotsna Bhoir, Kunal Bhoir, Aparna Bhoir, Pallavi Lakde, Vikas Someshwar, Swapnil Bagul, Purushottam Arose, Sandeep Bharade, Kalpana Gore, Rohini Bhoir, Sandeep Telange, Ajay Mohirikar, Sachin Manchekar, Reshma Surve, Sunita Bagul, Ravindra Karanjule, Deepak Gaikwad, Ravi Patil Ajit Pawar led-NCP faction winners: Sadashiv Patil, Meera Shelar, Sachin Patil, Sunita Patil In Tuljapur , BJP’s Vinod Gangane was elected council president. The BJP won 18 of the 23 seats, while other parties shared the remaining five. In Naldurg , BJP leader Basavaraj Dharne became council president. The BJP secured 10 seats, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena won one seat, and other groups won nine seats out of a total of 20. In Umarga , Kiran Gaikwad from the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena was elected president. His group won 12 seats, the BJP got five, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP won two, and other parties took six seats, making up a 25-member council. In Murum , BJP’s Bapurao Patil was elected president after the party won 19 of the 20 seats. In Kalamb , Sunanda Kapse from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena was chosen as president. In the 20-seat council, the Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena won nine seats, the BJP six, the Shinde faction four, and others one seat. In Bhum , local alliances took charge of the council. The Alam Prabhu Bhum City Development Alliance won six seats, while the Janshakti City Development Alliance secured 14 seats in the 20-member council. In Paranda , Zakir Saudagar from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena was elected president. His faction won eight seats, while other parties together won 12 seats in the 20-seat council. Ajit Pawar’s NCP registered a strong victory in the Roha Municipal Council in Raigad district by winning 18 of the 20 seats, giving the party clear control of the municipality. #watch | Raigadh, Maharashtra: Ajit Pawar's NCP secured a big win in Roha Municipality, claiming 18 out of 20 seats. pic.twitter.com/RNSy26TzHD Durgadevi Indrajit Jagdale from Ajit Pawar’s NCP won the mayoral election in the Daund Municipal Council by a margin of 4,891 votes, defeating Monali Veer. After her victory, she thanked voters for placing their trust in her and giving her the chance to serve the town. She said she would work hard to meet public expectations and remain committed to fulfilling t...

81 shares

😐

Financial Express

Dec 21, 2025, 05:12 PM

Trump Signs Executive Order Designating Christmas Eve and Day After Christmas as Federal Holidays

In a notable holiday season development, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order designating Christmas Eve (December 24) and the day after Christmas (December 26) as federal holidays for this year. Under the executive order, all executive departments and agencies of the US federal government will be closed and their employees excused from duty on December 24 and December 26 unless necessary to remain open for “national security, defence, or other public need.” While Christmas Day is already a standard federal holiday, the new order effectively creates a five-day break for many federal workers when combined with the weekend. The expanded holiday period is intended to give federal employees additional paid time off without requiring them to use annual or other leave balances. According to reporting on the executive order, eligible employees who are excused from duty on those days will continue to receive their regular pay as though they were working. The primary beneficiaries of the new holiday designation are executive branch federal workers. This includes staff at most federal agencies who are covered by the holiday and premium pay provisions outlined in federal law, according to the US Office of Personnel Management. Essential Workers: Some employees, such as those in national security, law enforcement, or essential public safety roles, may still be required to work on those days and are entitled to premium pay if they do so. The holiday designation does not automatically apply to private-sector employees, state or local government workers, or contract workers. Employers outside the federal government may choose to recognize the dates as paid holidays at their discretion, Fox News reported. Major US financial markets, including the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, will remain open on December 26 despite the federal holiday designation, as the executive order does not extend to private sector or independent entities, Reuters reported. It’s important to note that while the executive order officially treats December 24 and December 26 as federal holidays for 2025, such one-time holiday designations do not automatically become permanent federal holidays under American law. Only Congress can establish permanent federal holidays through legislation.

76 shares

😢

Financial Express

Dec 21, 2025, 05:07 PM

Odd Pricing on Biscuits Continues Despite GST Reforms

Odd pricing on small packs of biscuits, which kicked in following implementation of the GST 2.0 reforms in September, continues to be visible on shop shelves. This is even as other categories such as snacks and shampoos, which also push low-unit packs (LUPs), have moved back to Rs 2, Rs 5 and Rs 10 price points by increasing grammage. For instance, a Rs 5 pack of Parle-G biscuits is available for Rs 4.5 in stores, and a Rs 10 pack of the same brand is available for Rs 8.9. Similarly, Rs 10-packs of Britannia’s Nice Time coconut biscuits, are available for Rs 9 in stores, following GST-led price cuts. LUPs constitute over 50% of sales for a number of FMCG categories from personal care to food & beverages. Executives at Britannia were not immediately available for comment. But Mayank Shah, vice-president, Parle Products, the maker of Parle-G and other biscuit brands, confirmed that odd pricing on its small packs would continue at least for the next one to two months. “We are rolling out the new packs with increased grammage into stores at the moment. This will take a couple of months. Till then, consumers will continue to see packs with odd pricing in stores,” he said. While some experts and FMCG executives say that odd pricing does not matter since most consumers now use united payments interface (UPI) or digital applications to make payments, some say that coinage is still an issue, especially in rural areas. “While UPI is widely used by many consumers due to its convenience and ease of payment, but in many areas, especially, rural, coinage matters,” Mohit Malhotra, CEO, Dabur India, said. Industry sources say that it is not uncommon for trade to pocket the extra Rs 1 in the case of odd pricing, arguing with consumers over the lack of availability of change. Restoring regular price points quickly, therefore, becomes critical, they said. Shah also indicated that FMCG companies were given a labelling relief in September which permitted them to exhaust existing inventory till March 31, 2026 instead of December 31, 2025. Prior to this, FMCG companies were asked to exhaust existing inventory by the calendar year-end to avoid confusion in terms of pricing among trade and consumers. Conversations with dealers and distributors reveal that most companies are moving quickly to introduce new stock post the GST 2.0 reforms. “The new stock has landed in stores. Larger packs above Rs 20 are seeing price cuts, while those up to Rs 20 are seeing grammage increase,” Dhairyashil Patil, national president, All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF), an apex body of distributors, said. Shah says that the company is adding extra biscuits into its small packs to increase grammage. For instance, a Rs 5 pack which had nine biscuits earlier, now has 10 biscuits. While a Rs 10 pack, which had 18 biscuits earlier, now has two more to make it 20 biscuits in all, he said.

73 shares

😢

Deccan Herald

Dec 21, 2025, 05:00 PM

India crush Sri Lanka by eight wickets in first T20 International

Visakhapatnam: Jemimah Rodrigues executed her shots with great skill and style en route to a scintillating, unbeaten 44-ball 69 as India crushed Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the first Women's T20 International here on Sunday. Opting to field, India restricted Sri Lanka to a modest 121 for six after the visiting batters struggled to put away the loose balls, even as dew made its presence felt earlier than expected. India completed the chase of 122 with as many as 32 balls to spare, as Rodrigues added 54 runs with Smriti Mandhana (25 off 25 balls) and 55 with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (15 not out off 16 balls) to help the home side take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. While she played some delectable strokes during her stay in the middle, the highlight of Rodrigues' innings was the four boundaries she struck in a single over bowled by left-arm wrist spinner Shashini Gimhani. Earlier, the swashbuckling Shafali Verma launched the India innings with three boundaries in the first over, but could not sustain that for long as Gimhani took a neat catch after the batter flicked Kawya Kavindi in the air. Mandhana was lucky as she got a boundary off a thick inside-edge off Kawya, and then, Rodrigues played a late cut off Malki Madara to find the fence. With India reaching 30 for one in four overs, Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu brought herself in, and Mandhana rocked back to work the ball through backward point for a boundary before getting another four with a lofted shot over extra-cover to bring up her 4000 runs in the T20I format. Inoka Ranaweera cut short Mandhana's knock but Rodrigues and Harmanpreet got the job done for India without any further setback. Earlier, opener Vishmi Gunaratne top-scored for the visitors with a 43-ball 39, while Hasini Perera and Harshitha Samarawickrama chipped in with 20 and 21 respectively. Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu got into the act straightaway, clipping an innocuous Kranti Gaud delivery off her pads for a four. Player of the Series in India's triumphant campaign in the recent ODI World Cup, Deepti Sharma (1/20 in 4 overs) dived to keep what looked like a certain boundary to just one run in the next over, before Athapaththu got two fours in three balls off Gaud. The left-handed Athapaththu's aggressive approach forced Gaud to go around the wicket and the young seamer struck with a change in angle, the ball going through the gap between bat and pad to disturb the Sri Lankan captain's stumps and give India their first breakthrough. Hasini found a boundary when she worked a Gaud delivery towards the deep fine leg region before Harmanpreet introduced Deepti inside the powerplay. Hasini missed out on a couple of loose balls to help Deepti start with a maiden, which saw the Islanders remain at 31 for one at the end of powerplay. Bowling a lot slower than her other left-arm spin colleague Shree Charani, debutant Vaishnavi Sharma (0/16 in 4 overs) began her journey in international cricket with a tidy spell. The 20-year-old conceded just three runs in her first over. Hasini played a premeditated reverse sweep to collect a four off Shree Charani, who spilled a relatively straightforward chance at short fine leg in the next over to give the Lankan batter a reprieve. Had Charani held on to that ball, it would have given Vaishnavi his maiden wicket. Desperately looking for quick runs, Hasini, however, fell in the next over when she played the ball to Gaud at short third after attempting a reverse sweep against Deepti. Dew was already setting in and even though the India bowlers were struggling to grip the ball, they did exceedingly well to keep Sri Lanka at 55 for two in the first 10 overs. Having a bad day on the field, Charani then dropped Harshitha Madavi off Arundhati Reddy.

36 shares

😢

Deccan Herald

Dec 21, 2025, 04:58 PM

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Calls for Hindu Unity and International Support

Kolkata: If all Hindus stand together, it will not take time to change the situation in West Bengal, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat said in Kolkata on Sunday, but quickly added that his organisation focuses on social, not political, change. He said that attempts to understand the RSS through the lens of the Bharatiya Janata Party were a huge mistake. The RSS chief also said that the Hindus around the world, including the ones in India, would have to help the community in Bangladesh save themselves from persecution. He was speaking at an event held in Kolkata on the occasion of the RSS’s 100thanniversary. “It is for the government to decide who they will allow to cross over to India from Bangladesh. There has to be a control on who will be allowed to come,” Bhagwat said, in response to a query from Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal assembly and a state BJP heavyweight, on the links between illegal migration from across India’s border with Bangladesh and the rising radicalism in West Bengal. The RSS chief also commented on the atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh. “They are a minority there, and the situation is quite difficult. Even though it's difficult, for maximum protection, the Hindus there will have to stay united. And Hindus all over the world must help them. We must help them as much as we can, within our limits. We have to do everything we can, and we are doing it,” he said. India’s protest against the persecution of Hindus and other minority communities in Bangladesh after the change of government in the neighbouring country added to strains in ties between New Delhi and the interim government in Dhaka. Bhagwat said that the only country for Hindus was India. “The Government of India will have to take cognisance of this. They will have to do something. They might already be doing something. Some things are disclosed, some cannot be. Sometimes there are results, sometimes there aren't. But something has to be done.” With the assembly elections in West Bengal likely to take place in April-May next year, the RSS chief said that if the Hindu society stood united, it would not take long to change the situation in West Bengal. “Now, regarding my thoughts on political change, I want to tell you that thinking about political change is not my job. We are working for social change through the Sangh.”

25 shares

😢

Financial Express

Dec 21, 2025, 04:56 PM

Indian Students Prioritize Affordability and Career Outcomes in Study Abroad Choices

A transformative ChatGPT effect is reshaping the landscape of international education, with 75% of Indian students now using artificial intelligence to research and apply for study abroad programmes. According to the Beyond Borders report by Leap Scholar, which analysed 3 million student interactions, interest in AI-specific programmes has surged by 186% year-on-year. The report highlights a significant departure from traditional high-cost hubs. Students are increasingly prioritising return on investment (ROI) over university prestige. Notably, Germany recorded a 377% increase in interest, driven by its 18-month post-study work visa. The UAE: Saw a staggering growth in interest due to lower costs and proximity to India. New Zealand: Experienced a rise in demand thanks to its ‘Green List’ for critical skills and affordable tuition ($20,000-30,000). While undergraduate students make up nearly 43% of applicants, the report notes that 36% of AI programme aspirants are working professionals looking to ‘future-proof’ their careers. “ Students are asking a fundamentally different question now,” said Arnav Kumar, co-founder of Leap Scholar. “It’s no longer just about the university name; they are making calculated decisions based on career outcomes and upskilling potential.” For the first time, university rankings did not make the top five priorities for students. Instead, 75% of respondents ranked program affordability as their primary concern, followed by scholarship availability (70%) and career advancement (58%). The gender gap is also narrowing in the tech space, with women representing 42% of applicants, particularly in STEM and data science fields. As global policies shift, Indian students are proving to be strategic actors, pivoting towards markets that offer a clear path to employment and financial stability.

92 shares

😐

Indian Education Diary

Dec 21, 2025, 04:52 PM

E-Summit 2025: A Dynamic Meeting Ground for Ideas, Ambition, and Innovation

Mumbai :The 21st edition of E-Summit 2025, hosted by the Entrepreneurship Cell of IIT Bombay, unfolded as a dynamic meeting ground for ideas, ambition, and innovation. Held in 2ndweek of December, the summit brought together students, founders, investors, and industry leaders from across the country, reaffirming its position as one of Asia’s largest entrepreneurship conclaves. The conclave hosted Ten Minute Million- an on-the-spot funding platform where startup founders can pitch to 16 investors in 10 minutes before an audience to compete for Rs 3.5 million. Additionally, the Startup Expo will also give founders the opportunity to showcase and market their products to more than 50,000 attendees. Louis Stitch partnered with E-Summit 2025 as the Lifestyle Partner, aligning with the summit’s spirit of originality, craftsmanship, and long-term value creation. The association reflects the brand’s vision of supporting platforms that nurture ambition, creativity, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship. By engaging with a young, driven audience at the cusp of building ideas and businesses, Louis Stitch aimed to contribute to an ecosystem that values thoughtful growth, resilience, and contemporary Indian craftsmanship. The two-day summit featured insightful conversations from leaders across business, governance, media, and the creator economy.Benedetto Vigna, CEO of Ferrari, spoke on leading legacy brands through innovation, whileAman Gupta, Co-founder of boAt, andKunal Bahl, Co-founder of AceVector and Titan Capital, shared practical insights on building and backing modern businesses.Smriti Irani, Former Union Minister, andAnil Agarwal, Founder of Vedanta Resources, reflected on leadership and scale, while Ankur Warikoo, Founder of WebVeda, connected with students on personal growth and clarity. Media and digital perspectives were brought in byRubika Liyaquat, Consulting Editor at News18, andNaman Mathur(Mortal), Content Creator and CMO at 8Bit Creatives, adding depth to discussions around communication and the creator economy. Speaking about the association,Amol Goel, Founder & CEO, Louis Stitch, said:“E-Summit is a reminder of the energy and intent that drive India’s startup ecosystem. Being part of a platform where students and founders are openly exchanging ideas, questioning norms, and learning from diverse experiences is truly inspiring. For us, it was meaningful to engage with a community that values originality, craftsmanship, and long-term thinking.” Reflecting on the interaction with the audience,Anurag Mehta, Marketing Head, Louis Stitch,added: “What made the experience special was the honesty of conversations across the campus. Whether it was about building brands, navigating failures, or finding purpose, there was a strong sense of curiosity and openness. It felt less like a conventional event and more like a shared learning space for everyone involved.” E-Summit 2025 once again reaffirmed IIT Bombay’s role as a catalyst for entrepreneurship, bringing together people, perspectives, and possibilities. The summit created an environment that was both meaningful and memorable, with partners such asLouis Stitchcontributing to the overall success of the event by supporting innovation-led conversations and enhancing the on-ground experience for attendees.

26 shares

😐

Financial Express

Dec 21, 2025, 04:52 PM

South Africa Reclaims its Place as Africa's Premier Wealth Hub

For years, South Africa was considered as a cautionary case, an economy that was known for its high unemployment, power shortages and fading investor confidence. Today, the narrative is slowly changing. Against expectations, the country has re-emerged as Africa’s largest concentration of wealth and also considered as the continent’s richest economic hub. Recent data on GDP, wealth accumulation and financial sector strength show South Africa pulling ahead of its regional peers, even as it continues to wrestle with deep structural challenges, as reported by The Daily Express. According to Statista’s GDP comparison for 2025, South Africa now leads the continent with an estimated GDP of $410 billion, placing it ahead of Egypt ($347 billion), Algeria ($268 billion), Nigeria ($188 billion) and Morocco ($165 billion). This economic scale is translating into private wealth. Henley & Partners’ Africa Wealth Report estimates that South Africa is home to around 41,100 millionaires, eight billionaires and 112 centi-millionaires, defined in the report as individuals worth over $100 billion. No other African country comes close to this concentration of high-net-worth individuals. Wealth experts attribute this dominance to South Africa’s long industrial history, a diversified economic base and one of the continent’s most developed financial services sectors. After years of challenges, official data explains economic confidence is returning. The South African Government News Agency says sentiment has improved, supported by falling unemployment and more stable public finances. The unemployment rate declined to 31.9% in the third quarter of 2025, down 1.3 percentage points from the previous quarter. Government officials point to a series of economic reforms underpinning the improvement, particularly in logistics and energy, two long-standing bottlenecks for growth. Progress has been reported in transport restructuring, including new access rules for freight rail and major upgrades at Durban port, a critical gateway for trade. Equally significant has been the turnaround in the energy sector. Load shedding, once a defining feature of daily life and business risk, has not occurred for more than five months. Authorities credit increased energy capacity and improved management across the power system. These developments have helped restore confidence among both domestic firms and international investors. International institutions have taken note of South Africa’s reform momentum. The World Bank Group approved a $925 million programme in 2025 to support the country’s eight largest metro areas, forming part of a broader $3 billion government reform package. The Bank says the initiative is designed to improve local service delivery, upgrade infrastructure and strengthen accountability in cities that drive national economic output. In November 2025, the World Bank formally announced a $925 million loan under a program-for-results framework, targeting eight major municipalities including Johannesburg, Tshwane and Cape Town. Together, these cities are home to more than a third of South Africa’s population and generate about 85% of national GDP. South Africa’s financial sector remains one of the strongest in Africa. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange continues to be the continent’s largest, and Cape Town has emerged as a major technology hub. The country has also become one of the world’s top destinations for international offshoring services in 2025, telling us the depth of skills, strong financial infrastructure and global connectivity that it carries. Regardless of the economy “not performing to its fullest potential,” Deloitte notes that weaker demand has produced a low-inflation environment that is benefiting households. As reported by Deloitte in its South Africa Economic Outlook 2025, “With the South African economy not performing to its fullest potential, largely due to long-standing structural constraints as well as external and domestic uncertainties, lower demand has also driven a low-inflation environment, improving consumer purchasing power amid a cumulative 150-basis-point cut in the repo rate since September 2024.” Inflation remains near the lower end of the South African Reserve Bank’s target band. Consumer price inflation stood at 3.4% in September and 3.6% in October 2025, with inflation averaging 3.1% from January to September and expected to settle around 3.3% for the year. This has led SARB to show a preference for moving from a range-based inflation target to a point target of 3%, with a 1% tolerance band. According to Deloitte’s report, regardless of economic gains, serious challenges persist. Corruption and crime remain major concerns, with high-profile cases continuing to undermine public trust and deter investment. Strengthening governance, especially at the municipal level, has become a central focus of Operation Vulindlela Phase 2. Many of South Africa’s 257 municipalities remain in a state of disrepair, raising concerns ahead of local government elections scheduled for late 2026. Restoring accountability is seen as essential to ensuring reliable delivery of basic services such as water, electricity and waste management. Furthermore, on the international front, South Africa faces renewed trade uncertainty. While global tariff pressures have eased overall, the country has yet to secure improved US market access following the end of preferential treatment. South Africa has not negotiated a replacement agreement after the introduction of the 30% “reciprocal tariff” on August 8, 2025, following the sunset of the African Growth and Opportunity Act. Recent quarters have seen modest growth in household and government consumption, supported by stronger tax collections and commodity prices. Expansion has been led by sectors such as finance, real estate and electricity, with the latter growing 1.6%. Reforms under the Government of National Unity, particularly in energy transition and infrastructure, have helped lift investor sentiment. The JSE Top 40 index has surged 58% since mid-2024, this explains renewed confidence in Africa’s most sophisticated economy. Once defined by crisis, South Africa is now reclaiming its place as the continent’s premier wealth hub.

94 shares

😐

Indian Education Diary

Dec 21, 2025, 04:51 PM

UN Declares International Day of Mediterranean Diet to Promote Sustainable Eating Habits

Rome– The United Nations General Assembly’s decision to make 16 November the annual International Day of the Mediterranean Diet is a welcome initiative to help foster awareness and appreciation of the importance of healthy diets, sustainability and territorial traditions in achieving food security and better nutrition, the core mandate of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO). FAO will have the lead role in supporting efforts to celebrate the International Day, which was considered by the General Assembly after the approval of the proposal at the 44th session of the FAO Conference earlier this year. The General Assembly’s resolution was presented by Italy on behalf of a core group of Mediterranean countries that were the main sponsors of the resolution (Armenia, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Montenegro, Morocco, Portugal, San Marino, Spain and Tunisia) and crafted to contribute to theSustainable Development Goals(SDGs). For FAO, the recognition is an opportunity to emphasize how territorial diets – rooted in history, local economies and long-term climate and environmental resources and limits – can potentially offer benefits for human health and sustainability, as well as opportunities to tackle challenges such as excess food loss and waste and the growing problem of obesity. Aligned with FAO’s mandate, actions and plans for the International Day of the Mediterranean Diet will celebrate the diversity of healthy dietary patterns globally, rooted in local traditions. The maintenance of such diets is supported by FAO’s work with countries, providing technical assistance, promoting international cooperation and raising awareness about the importance of diversified food production – from plants to livestock and fisheries – to enable access to and consumption of healthy diets for all. FAO has a long-term collaboration with its host countryItalyto preserve and protect the Mediterranean diet around its native region. What it is, why it matters, and threats to its existence The protective health benefits of the Mediterranean diet have been well-known for decades following the ground-breaking research of Ancel Keys in the 1960s, when he documented its protective effects against coronary heart disease. It is also correlated with lower incidence of diabetes, certain cancers and depression. More than a decade ago, UNESCO recognized the Mediterranean diet as an intangible cultural heritage, underscoring its cultural, nutritional, and social importance. While the Mediterranean diet has many regional variations, the core principles are the same: it emphasizes use of fresh fruits and vegetables prioritizes whole grains, nuts, legumes and olive oil; includes moderate consumption of seafood, poultry, dairy, meat and eggs, and limits sweets. FAO is developingSABIR, a knowledge hub to gather key resources on the Mediterranean dietary patterns and the benefits of following the principles of such dietary patterns for nutrition, health and the environment. Ample evidence shows that this heritage is eroding, due to globalization, urbanization and new consumption patterns and lifestyles. Today, many of the countries in the Mediterranean region are also facing higher-than-average rates of child and adult overweight and obesity. At the heart of the Mediterranean diet – and many other territorial diets – is a social institution, involving a set of skills, knowledge, rituals, symbols and traditions related to growing and harvesting crops, fishing, animal husbandry, conservation, processing, cooking and in particular the convivial sharing and consumption of food. It is supported by a holistic sociology in which hospitality, intercultural dialogue and ways of life are guided by respect for diversity. The strong role of fresh ingredients requires more frequent and small-scale interactions, both informal and market-based, which bind the institution to shorter supply chains. Through the creation of the International Day – FAO hopes to raise greater awareness, investment, and action to conserve healthy dietary patterns and the social and production-level traditions that enable and underpin them all.

33 shares

😐

Deccan Herald

Dec 21, 2025, 04:51 PM

Avatar: Fire and Ash Racks Up $345 Million in Opening Weekend Box Office Sales

Director James Cameron's ‌third "Avatar" ⁠movie ‌adventure racked up roughly $345 million in global box ‌office ‌sales over ⁠its opening weekend, distributor Walt ⁠Disney ⁠said ‌on ‌Sunday. The estimated ‍sales for "Avatar: Fire and Ash" landed in line ‌with pre-weekend forecasts.

1 shares

😐

Indian Education Diary

Dec 21, 2025, 04:49 PM

India to Establish City-Level Convention Promotion Bureaus to Boost MICE Tourism

Union Ministry of Tourism to establish city-level convention promotion bureaus as independent bodies critical to boost Meetings, Incentives Conventions & Exhibitions (MICE) tourism in the country Digital innovations and adoption by high-value Meetings, MICE sector will be proactive step to position India as future ready exhibition and event provider – Suman Billa, Additional Secretary and Director General, Ministry of Tourism New Delhi : Union Ministry of Tourism in a bid to position India as a global leader in the tourism and Meetings, Incentives Conventions & Exhibitions (MICE) ecosystem will be establishing city-level convention bureaus in league with stakeholders as independent bodies in the coming year 2026. “ Various states across India are unlocking tourism opportunities in their unique ways-now, it’s time to place India prominently on the global MICE map. With iconic venues like Bharat Mandapam, Yashobhoomi, and Jio World Centre, and MICE being prioritised under the Incredible India campaign, our goal is to elevate several small Indian cities across the country into global MICE destinations.” Said Mr Suman Billa, Additional Secretary and Director General, Ministry of Tourism, while inaugurating an EvenTech & MarTech summit2025 organised by the Indian Exhibition Industry Association (IEIA) with an aim to foster advance technologies in the event and exhibition industry in the country . “The establishment of professional City MICE Bureaus is the cornerstone of our national strategy. These bureaus will provide the coordinated, world-class support that global events demand, acting as a single facilitator for permissions and local partner networking. By moving to this autonomous institutional framework, we aim to double India’s share of the global MICE business within the next five years.” Said Mr Billa. “The MICE sector in the country needs to adopt advanced computing , Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies and digital transformation solutions in a bid to redefine how large-scale national and international events are planned managed and delivered. By integrating smart technologies into our national event venues, providing predictive insights and accelerating digital adoption across the eco system, we will be all set to redefine how India plans, manages large scale evets” he added. “The Indian Exhibition Industry Association (IEIA) is focusing on a transformative roadmap to propel India into the top Five global exhibition markets. India’s MICE market, valued atUSD 49.4 billion in 2024, is projected to surge toUSD 103.7 billion by 2030. Central to capturing this growth is the national strategy to establish professionalCity MICE Bureaus. These bureaus, built on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, designed to act as a “single window” for event organizers, dramatically enhancing the ease of doing business and resolving historical ecosystem fragmentation.” Said Mr Sorraj Dhawan, President, Indian Exhibition In dustry Association (IEIA) while speaking on thje occasion. “City MICE Bureaus will be the engine of our transformation. By providing a ‘Single Window’ and a network of verified local partners, we are significantly de-risking market entry for international players. This professionalism, combined with the adoption of BIS standards for exhibition organization, ensures that India offers the consistent quality required to host mega-scale international shows.” Mr Dhawan said. The major highlight of the event was a round table summit titled Indian MICE Industry road mp for next five years and official launch of the IEIA Strategic Report, “India MICE Opportunities Overview (2025-2030)”, which provides a blueprint for leveraging institutional support and technology to lead the global MICE sector. The Indian Exhibition Industry Association (IEIA) is the national apex body representing organizers, venue owners, and service providers. It serves as the “Gateway to Indian Trade Shows,” driving the industry as a critical engine for economic progress.

57 shares

😐

Deccan Herald

Dec 21, 2025, 04:48 PM

San Francisco Power Outage Affects Tens of Thousands, Causes Chaos

San Francisco - Power was restored for tens of thousands of electricity customers in San Francisco late Saturday, after an hourslong outage affecting nearly a third of the city left many neighborhoods in darkness by nightfall. About 24,000 of the city’s 4,14,000 customers were without power as of 1:30 am. Sunday, down from about 1,24,000 early Saturday evening, according to the site PowerOutage.com. Pacific Gas & Electric, the utility serving the city, said on social media that its crews were working through the night. When night fell, the outage was affecting many neighborhoods in the northern half of the city, including the Richmond and Sunset districts, and stretching through Haight Ashbury into downtown. Much of the west side near Golden Gate Park and north toward the Presidio were dark. So was City Hall’s dome. Pedestrians used their phone flashlights to cross streets as some restaurants served meals by candlelight. The outage forced stores and mass-transit stations to close, and led Waymo to temporarily suspend its driverless car services. The San Francisco Ballet canceled a performance of “The Nutcracker”. The cause of the outage was not immediately clear. A fire at a five-story Pacific Gas & Electric substation in the South Market neighborhood Saturday was a contributing factor, said Lt. Mariano Elías, a spokesperson for the San Francisco Fire Department. Power had been out in parts of the city before the fire started Saturday afternoon, according to a map of outages maintained by Pacific Gas & Electric. The number of outages expanded by tens of thousands of customers around the same time as the fire. But Elías said he could not say whether the fire was the sole cause. The fire had been extinguished by Saturday night. The outage proved frustrating to people attending gatherings and shopping on the last weekend before the Christmas holiday. Stores and restaurants were also struggling to conduct transactions without their electronic payment systems in the tech-driven city. Cellphone service was initially intact, but some towers went dark and data speeds were slower than usual — when available — because residents no longer had Wi-Fi. Many of the businesses, restaurants, bars and grocery stores on Divisadero Street near Alamo Square closed until their power was restored. The Bay Area Rapid Transit system closed its Powell Street and Civic Center stations in downtown San Francisco because of the power outage. The city’s Muni light-rail system also had to curtail service because the outage impacted the computer system controlling its trains. But there were mixed indications of how well Waymo’s driverless taxis were functioning at such intersections, with social media users reporting that some were stuck and clogging roads. The company temporarily suspended services Saturday night because of the power outage and was still working to bring the taxis back into service as of Sunday morning, according to Suzanne Philion, a company spokesperson. Some drivers looking to escape the city were stuck at a gas station, waiting to pump gas after the power went out at 2:30 p.m. Pacific time. The pumps rely on electricity. “No power, no business,” said Kevin Lee, a gas station attendant. At one neighborhood watering hole, Fool’s Errand, the power outage attracted a crowd looking for something to do. The business was taking cash payments, and beer and wine were flowing. Some customers who sat down before the power went out were unable to pay, but a surprising number of them still carried cash, said Denise Yuki, 37, who runs the bar with her fiance. “We got these lights from our neighbor,” she said, pointing to some battery-operated lamps that had been placed on tables. She added that some neighbors had been so grateful the bar was still open that they began trying to acquire candles for the business. When the lights started to flicker back on shortly after 9 p.m., Jacob Oakman, 27, and his partner, Tokay Alberts, 25, were taking in the view of the darkened city from Alamo Square Park. Oakman, a software engineer, said he was slightly disappointed to get power back. “It’s nice to see it, but it’s a bit bittersweet,” he said. Alberts, a master’s student at San Francisco State University, had a similar reaction. “I wanted to do a puzzle by candlelight,” he said.

72 shares

😢

Financial Express

Dec 21, 2025, 04:47 PM

India's Renewable Energy Sector Sees Significant Progress, Challenges Ahead

India made further headway in the renewable energy (RE) sector in the past year, with total RE capacity reaching 262.7 gigawatt (GW) as of November in the current fiscal year 2025-26. That is more than half of the total installed electricity generation capacity. During the April-November period, the country added 34.6 GW of non-fossil fuels energy . However, key challenges including delay in signing of power purchase agreements (PPA) have resulted in up to 40 GW of stranded RE capacity. To achieve the target of 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity, the government has adopted a multifaceted strategy. Apart from rapid RE capacity addition, it includes streamlining the supply chain, bringing in hybrid and storage solutions, and strengthening the domestic production of raw materials. However, even as meeting peak demand looks a lot easier now than a couple of years earlier, grid integration of RE remains a critical challenge, necessitating sophisticated grid management systems and enhanced forecasting capabilities. “This year has demonstrated encouraging momentum for India’s clean-energy shift, but the sector now needs a few practical policy steps to turn this momentum into bankable, on-ground projects. Long-term demand visibility, smoother financing and greater clarity on storage economics remain critical gaps for developers,” said Raaja Kanwar, Chairman & Managing Director, Apollo International Group. Major capacity additions were bolstered by solar power projects which stood at 132.85 GW as of November, data from the ministry of new and renewable energy showed. “2025 has been a defining year for India’s solar journey, one that reflects both remarkable progress and important inflection points. The country’s rapid strides in clean energy adoption, rooftop solar penetration, and storage-linked projects have strengthened its position as a global renewable powerhouse. At the same time, the year reminded us that ambitious capacity expansion must be balanced with calibrated demand, robust export opportunities and long-term policy continuity,” said Prashant Mathur, CEO, Saatvik Green Energy Ltd. The government is actively exploring mechanisms to optimise transmission capacity and improve the contracting framework for renewable energy (RE) projects with stakeholders, to enable efficient addition of RE capacity to the grid. The ministry will now review the feasibility of signing power purchase agreements (PPAs) and power sale agreements (PSAs) for certain awarded capacities. However, the imposition of US tariffs has resulted in an expected overcapacity of modules in the domestic market which is likely to result in a consolidation of the smaller or pureplay module players. The US tariffs have adversely impacted the export volumes, posing new challenges for the industry as the modules have been redirected from the export market to the domestic market. “The emergence of overcapacity in modules and cells, shifting trade barriers and pricing pressures have tested the resilience of manufacturers. But this phase is also accelerating healthy structural shifts, consolidation, stronger backward integration, higher technological efficiency, and a sharper focus on quality and reliability,” Mathur said. KL Bansal, chairman & managing director, DEE Development Engineers noted that the year has been a strong period for India’s manufacturing ecosystem, with steady momentum across power generation, oil and gas, and industrial engineering. This growth has been supported by consistent capital spending, a clear policy push towards capacity creation, and rising global confidence in Indian engineering quality and delivery, Bansal said. Looking ahead, Kanwar expects rational GST and tax treatment for battery storage, along with meaningful incentives for domestic manufacturing across solar, power equipment and emerging clean-tech, for significantly improving project viability. “One area that also deserves attention is connectivity/transmission readiness, for keeping pace with capacity addition targets, availability and readiness of connectivity infrastructure has started becoming a bottleneck, this is important to maintain faster implementation and fund flow rotation. If the upcoming Budget can address these friction points while supporting a deeper local supply chain, it will provide the stability and confidence needed to accelerate truly round-the-clock, future-ready renewable power in India,” Kanwar said. To support India’s RE growth, the industry expects the upcoming Budget to support scale through customs duty exemptions on clean-tech manufacturing capital equipment, easing land-acquisition thresholds under project financing norms, waiver of refinancing prepayment penalties, and actionable mandates to stimulate demand for green fuels across refining, fertilizers, shipping, and mobility. “Our foremost expectation is rationalisation of indirect taxes—resolving the inverted GST structure on solar manufacturing by aligning BoM and input materials with the 5% rate on modules, adopting a uniform 5% GST across EPC projects, reducing GST on BESS and pumped storage charges to NIL, and removing GST burdens on land leasing and notional corporate guarantee commissions that add avoidable costs without any economic value,” said Vineet Mittal, Chairman, Avaada Group. On direct taxes, Mittal strongly advocates zero taxation on dividend distribution from RE special purpose vehicles to holding companies to enable efficient capital recycling and reduce the cost of equity. Additionally, targeted tax incentives, including 100% income-tax deduction and a 15% corporate tax rate for green hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol producers, are essential to accelerate domestic demand creation, Mittal said. Collectively, these measures will strengthen India’s manufacturing competitiveness, unlock affordable capital, and establish a robust domestic market for green fuels—positioning India not merely as an energy producer, but as a global clean-technology leader, the industry believes. Icra expects the share of power generation from renewable energy (RE) capacities, including large hydro, to cross 35% by FY30 from 22.1% in FY25, with expected incremental capacity addition of 200 GW between FY25 till FY30. This in turn also hinges on the extent of implementation of the ongoing project pipeline where the projects are bid out and the power purchase agreements are signed, the development of adequate transmission connectivity infrastructure as well as timely bidding for new RE projects, along with the PPAs signing by central nodal agencies, it had said.

71 shares

😐

Indian Education Diary

Dec 21, 2025, 04:46 PM

Bank of Baroda's 'Baroda Kisan Pakhwada' Initiative Empowers Farmers Through Financial Awareness and Inclusion

Mumbai:Bank of Baroda (Bank), one of India’s leading public sector banks, announced that the Bank’s Mumbai Zone along with Navi Mumbai Regional Office organised the 8th edition of its flagship farmer outreach initiative – ‘Baroda Kisan Pakhwada’, under the theme “Towards Atmanirbharta”. The initiative focuses on empowering farmers and rural communities through financial awareness, inclusion and innovation. This year’s theme, “Towards Atmanirbharta”, focused on expanding financial inclusion and strengthening support for India’s farming community. The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 700 farmers across Raigad District. The programme was inaugurated by Shri Kishan Narayanrao Jawale, IAS, Collector, Raigad District, in the august presence of Shri Lal Singh, Executive Director, Bank of Baroda; Shri Rajesh Malhotra, Chief General Manager – Rural & Agri Banking, RRBs & RSETIs; Shri Sunil Kumar Sharma, General Manager & Zonal Head, Mumbai Zone and Shri Manish Kumar Sinha, Regional Manager, Navi Mumbai Region. Executives from Zonal Office, Mumbai and Regional Office, Navi Mumbai participated actively. The event was further graced by Shri G. S. Harallya, General Manager, District Industries Centre (DIC); Smt. Priyadarshini More, Project Director, MSRLM, Raigad; and Shri Pandurang A. Bamane, Assistant Manager, APEDA, highlighting strong coordination between banking and government agencies for rural development. Speaking on the successful completion of the programme, Shri Lal Singh, Executive Director, Bank of Baroda, said, “The 8th edition of Baroda Kisan Pakhwada reflects our continued commitment to serve India’s farmers with solutions that are accessible, reliable, and increasingly digital. Through our Digital BKCC, Digital Gold Loan and our on-ground outreach programmes, the aim is to strengthen our engagement & support by making credit simpler and more empowering for every farmer we reach. We remain deeply committed in supporting the agricultural community and in contributing to their progress and self-reliance.” Kisan Pakhwada, a flagship outreach initiative of Bank of Baroda, aims to directly engage with farmers, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and agri-entrepreneurs by creating awareness about institutional credit, government-backed schemes, digital banking solutions, and risk-mitigation tools. The initiative plays a vital role in promoting financial inclusion, formal credit penetration, women empowerment, and sustainable agricultural growth. The initiative spotlighted the Bank’s key digital offerings, including the Digital Baroda Kisan Credit Card (integrated with RBIH for digital land records) and the Digital Gold Loan on the Bank’s digital lending platform. These solutions are designed to make credit access faster, simpler and more convenient for farmers, further strengthening the Baroda Kisan Pakhwada’s overall impact. A Nukkad Natak was organised to spread awareness on Digital Banking and Cyber Fraud Prevention, reinforcing the Bank’s focus on safe adoption of digital financial services in rural areas. Bank of Baroda is confident that such initiatives will deepen engagement with the farming community and contribute to inclusive growth and agricultural prosperity. Bank of Baroda’s lending to the agriculture sector stands at ₹1,69,703 crore as of 30th September 2025, recording a year-on-year growth of 17.4%. With a strong rural footprint and a comprehensive suite of agri and digital banking solutions, the Bank continues to play a key role in supporting farmers and strengthening India’s agricultural ecosystem.

4 shares

😐

Indian Education Diary

Dec 21, 2025, 04:44 PM

Ashoka University's ResComm 2025 Conclave Advances Interdisciplinary Research Communication

New Delhi: Ashoka University, India’s premier institution for interdisciplinary higher education and research,hosted thethree-day ResComm 2025 Conclaveat its campus, with a focus on strengthening interdisciplinary research communication across the sciences and humanities. The conclave opened with a high-profile inaugural day that brought together leading academics, policy advisors, researchers, and communication specialists to engage with the evolving demands of research dissemination, integrity, and public engagement. The first day saw participation from seniorgovernment, policy, and research stakeholders, includingProf. (Dr) Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, Executive Committee of NAAC; and Chairman, National Educational Technology Forum (NETF) and National Board of Accreditation (NBA);Dr Rajnikant Srivastava, Chair (Disease Elimination), ICMR; andProf. (Dr) K. Vijay Raghavan, Chair, Science Advisory Council, Ashoka University, among others. The conclave commenced with an opening address from Professor Gautam Menon, Dean, Research and featured key sessions on research communication and public engagement, including aplenary chaired by Dr Rajnikant Srivastava, Chair (Disease Elimination), ICMR, examining the challenges and opportunities in communicating health and biomedical research. In a talk focused on healthcare communication,Dr Anurag Agrawal, Dean of BioSciences and Health Research at Trivedi School of Biosciences and Head of the Koita Center for Digital Health, Ashoka Universityemphasised upon the importance of learning to communicate research effectively to diverse audiences and said,“In healthcare, the public in particular is not just looking for information but also for solutions, and effective healthcare research and communication can help bridge that gap.” Delivering the Distinguished Lecture,Prof. (Dr)Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, Executive Committee, NAAC, spoke about India’s rapid rise in research output and the need to now focus on quality and impact.“Over the last 10 years, India has come a long way. In terms of the number of research publications, we are already number three in the world,”he said. Prof. Sahasrabudhe underlined that the country has moved from seventh or eighth place to third in research quantity, but he cautioned that quality remains a concern.“Quantity-wise, we have leapfrogged, but in terms of quality, we have a long way to go,”he said, calling for greater emphasis on high-impact research. He also noted that while India’s patent ecosystem has grown rapidly, much of the work remains at early technology readiness levels. To convert research into usable technologies, he emphasised closer collaboration between universities and industry. Professor Somak Raychaudhury, Vice-Chancellor, Ashoka University, reaffirmed the University’s commitment to nurturing a culture of rigorous research and accessible communication. He shared anecdotes from his on-ground experience of grassroot level communication. He said,“Our ambition at Ashoka is not just to be a leading Research University but to actually contribute actively to the world through global communication, partnering and collaboration.” Prof. K. Vijay Raghavan, Chair, Science Advisory Council, Ashoka Universityremarked “We should invest in research that is curiosity-driven, sparks excitement, and challenges the human mind ensuring that the outcomes of such work are accessible to everyone.” There were sessions on the role of AI and innovation in translating research for policy and public audiences, interactive workshops on Grant Writing, Research Integrity, and Enhancing Research Communication through visuals. The conclave also witnessed the launch ofProductive Failure, authored byProf. (Dr) Manu Kapur, Professor of Learning Sciences and Higher Education at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, and published by Wiley International. The proceedings were led by Dr Shantanu Ganguly, Director of Library at Ashoka University. The book explores learning through struggle and reflection, aligning closely with the conclave’s emphasis on experimentation and effective communication. The conclave concluded successfully, advancing the vision of ethical, interdisciplinary, and impactful research communication.

64 shares

😐

Deccan Herald

Dec 21, 2025, 04:37 PM

India Condemns Violence Against Minorities in Bangladesh

New Delhi: India is keeping watch on the situation in Bangladesh and has called for the punishment of the perpetrators of the barbaric killing of a youth in the neighbouring country for making an "insulting" comment about Islam, although the allegation was proved to be false in the subsequent investigation by the law-enforcement agency. New Delhi on Sunday also suspended the operations of a visa application receiving and processing facility in Chittagong in Bangladesh, in view of the recent violent protest near the Assistant High Commission of India in the port city of the country over the murder of radical leader Sharif Osman Hadi. As Hadi’s death prompted the radical organisations in Bangladesh to intensify the campaign against the country’s former prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, and her Awami League party, as well as India, New Delhi, over the past few days, temporarily suspended operations of some of its visa application and processing facilities in Dhaka, Khulna and Rajshahi. The facility in the country’s capital, however, reopened later. After Hadi, the spokesperson of the Inquilab Manch, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital in Singapore on December 18, violent protests erupted across Bangladesh. While angry mobs set some newspaper offices ablaze and vandalised cultural institutions, a gang of radical Islamists killed Dipu Chandra Das of the minority Hindu community at Bhaluka in Mymensingh Division of the country. Das, 25, was working at a garment factory and was accused of making a blasphemous comment about Islam. He was hanged upside down from a tree and burned alive. The video of his brutal killing had gone viral on social media. “India continues to keep a close watch on the evolving situation in Bangladesh,” Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, stated in New Delhi on Sunday. “Our officials remain in touch with the authorities in Bangladesh and have conveyed to them our strong concerns about the attacks on minorities. We have also urged that the perpetrators of the barbaric killing of (Dipu Chandra) Das be brought to justice”. A group of 20-25 people protested in front of the High Commission of Bangladesh in New Delhi over the atrocities on the minority Hindus in the neighbouring country – an issue the Government of India has been flagging in its engagements with the interim government in Dhaka since the collapse of the Awami League government led by Hasina in August 2024. “There was no attempt to breach the fence or create a security situation at any time. The police stationed at the spot dispersed the group after a few minutes. Visual evidence of these events is available publicly for all to see,” Jaiswal said, dismissing misleading reports about the incidents in some media portals of Bangladesh. India is committed to ensuring the safety of foreign missions in its territory in accordance with the Vienna Convention, added the MEA spokesperson. A radical organisation, “July Oikya Mancha”, staged a protest march near New Delhi’s diplomatic mission in Dhaka on December 17, demanding that India hand over to Bangladesh the country’s deposed former prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, and the former interior minister of the erstwhile Awami League government of the state, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, at the earliest. A court in Dhaka on November 17 last awarded the death sentence to Hasina and Kamal for the “crimes against humanity” committed during the police crackdown on the students and youths, who had protested against reservations in government jobs in July-August 2024, leading to the fall of the Awami League government. Riaz Hamidullah, the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India, was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs headquarters, where senior officials conveyed to him New Delhi’s “strong concerns” over the deteriorating security environment in Bangladesh After the attack on Hadi, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Muhammad Yunus’s interim government in Bangladesh accused Sheikh Hasina and other Awami League leaders of organising terrorist attacks in the country from India. Dhaka alleged that India’s territory was being used for activities detrimental to the interests of Bangladesh. Pranay Verma, India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the neighbouring country’s government on December 14. Dhaka conveyed to New Delhi its “serious concern” over Sheikh Hasina’s continued public statements, which allegedly encouraged her supporters to resort to violence to disrupt the upcoming parliamentary elections in Bangladesh in February 2026.

9 shares

😢

Financial Express

Dec 21, 2025, 04:36 PM

Bangladesh Rejects Indian Statement on Protests Outside High Commission

Bangladesh ‘rejected’ a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs on Sunday — insisting that India had “oversimplified” the matter. The remarks came mere hours after the MEA issued a clarification following protests outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal indicated that media reports in the neighbouring country were carrying “misleading propaganda” about the incident. “Regarding the Indian press note, we completely reject it, entirely reject it. The issue has been presented as if it were very simple, whereas in reality it is not…We completely reject the press note. Why can they come this far? They have said many things. We have heard that he (HC) has been threatened to kill, but we don’t have evidence,” local media reports quoted foreign affairs adviser M Touhid Hossain as saying. The MEA had said about 20 to 25 people had gathered outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Saturday — raising slogans to protest the “horrendous killing” of Dipu Chandra Das. The 25-year-old was lynched by an angry mob earlier this week over alleged blasphemy. Jaiswal said the protesters had also called for the protection of all minorities in Bangladesh. India on Sunday trashed as “misleading propaganda” media reports in Bangladesh that a demonstration outside Bangladesh’s mission in New Delhi against the killing of a Hindu man in that country attempted to create a security situation. New Delhi also urged the interim government in Dhaka to bring to justice the perpetrators of the “barbaric killing” of Das. Certain reports in Bangladeshi media claimed that the youths protesting outside the Bangladesh high commission tried to breach the security of the premises. India clarified that there had been “no attempt to breach the fence or create a security situation at any time” — adding the police dispersed the group after a few minutes. The MEA noted that visual evidence of these events were publicly available. Hossain also called the MEA statement “oversimplified” saying “they (India) say it may have been 20–25 people, but that is not the point.” He also said the protesters also did not merely raise slogans over the killing of a Bangladeshi Hindu citizen but made “other statements as well,” and claimed that reports published in Bangladeshi newspapers were largely accurate and not misleading. He questioned how a group of 25 to 30 people, “described as belonging to a Hindu extremist organisation, could reach such a sensitive zone,” adding under normal circumstances this should not have been possible “unless they were allowed the access.” Asked if he had any concrete proof about death threats to the Bangladesh envoy in Delhi as speculated, the adviser said no. Hossain said Bangladesh was “compelled” to respond openly following the Indian press note but added that both sides remain in contact through diplomatic channels and convey their positions accordingly. He added that Dhaka still trusted India to take appropriate security measures, but would consider scaling back its presence if the situation deteriorates.

83 shares

😢

The Free Press Journal

Dec 21, 2025, 04:29 PM

PM Modi Lays Foundation Stone for Ammonia-Urea Fertiliser Project in Namrup, Assam

Namrup:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday laid the foundation stone of the ammonia-urea fertiliser project of Assam Valley Fertiliser and Chemical Company Limited at Namrup in Dibrugarh district, calling it a historic step that places farmers’ welfare at the heart of national development and signals a new phase of industrial revival in Assam and the Northeast. Addressing a large gathering, the Prime Minister said the project reflects the government’s commitment to “keeping the interests of farmers and annadatas at the centre of all policies.” He described the day as historic for Assam, noting that the long-cherished aspiration of Namrup and Dibrugarh for a modern fertiliser unit was finally being realised. Let us know! 👂What type of content would you like to see from us this year? Modi began by paying tribute to Assam’s legacy of valour and sacrifice, recalling iconic figures such as Chaolung Sukapha, Lachit Borphukan, Kushal Konwar, Bhimbar Deuri and Sati Sadhani. Bowing to the “sacred soil of Ujani Assam”, he said the strength and pride of the region would once again play a decisive role in India’s growth story. He also acknowledged the warmth of the crowd, particularly women who had gathered in large numbers. Referring to the “fragrance of Assam’s tea gardens”, the Prime Minister said it symbolised his deep emotional bond with the state. Calling the foundation stone-laying a turning point, Modi said the new brownfield ammonia-urea plant, to be set up within the existing premises of Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited (BVFCL), would restore Namrup’s historic role as a backbone of fertiliser supply in the Northeast. Let us know! 👂What type of content would you like to see from us this year? He recalled that Namrup was once a beacon of hope for farmers across the region, even when fertiliser shortages plagued other parts of the country. However, outdated technology and neglect by previous governments had led to the shutdown of several units, hurting farmers and local livelihoods. “Today, we are correcting those mistakes,” he said. The project involves an investment of over ₹10,600 crore and will produce more than 12 lakh metric tonnes of fertiliser annually. Modi said local production would ensure faster supply, lower logistics costs and greater price stability for farmers in Assam and neighbouring states. He added that the project would generate thousands of employment and self-employment opportunities, including permanent jobs and indirect work in repair, supply chains and ancillary services, offering fresh hope to local youth. Highlighting the broader national context, the Prime Minister said India is steadily moving towards self-reliance in urea production. He noted that urea output has risen from 225 lakh metric tonnes in 2014 to nearly 306 lakh metric tonnes today, with new plants commissioned in Gorakhpur, Sindri, Barauni and Ramagundam. Despite high global prices, Modi said farmers are shielded from cost burdens through subsidies. “A bag of urea costs farmers around ₹300, while the government pays nearly ₹3,000 for the same bag internationally,” he said, urging farmers to use fertilisers judiciously to protect soil health. The Prime Minister reiterated that the government stands with farmers from seed to market, citing initiatives such as PM-Kisan, under which nearly ₹4 lakh crore has been directly transferred to farmers’ accounts, crop insurance schemes, improved procurement systems and expanded access to Kisan Credit Cards, including for livestock and fish farmers. He also highlighted the promotion of natural farming, formation of 10,000 Farmer-Producer Organisations, and special focus on the Northeast through initiatives like the oil palm mission, aimed at raising farm incomes and reducing import dependence. Modi said Assam is witnessing rapid progress across sectors—from modern infrastructure and airports to industry, agriculture, tourism and technology. He underlined that the new Namrup plant will not only serve Assam but also supply fertiliser to Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and eastern Uttar Pradesh, strengthening the Northeast’s contribution to national food security. “In a developed India, Eastern India and the Northeast will be the growth engines,” the Prime Minister said, describing the Namrup project as a symbol of that transformation and of the Northeast’s emergence as “Asthalakshmi in the true sense.” Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and other senior leaders were present at the ceremony. The Namrup fertiliser project is expected to act as a cornerstone of industrial revival, farmer welfare and regional economic growth, reaffirming Assam’s central place in India’s journey towards a self-reliant and developed future. Before proceeding for Namrup PM Modi interacted with 25 children 'Parikhya Pe Charcha' this morning in the vessel Charaideo on the river Brahmaputra this morning. After this PM went to Swahid Smarak Kshetra at Boragaon in Guwahati and paid to martyrs of Assam Movement.

56 shares

😢

Financial Express

Dec 21, 2025, 04:24 PM

India's Exports to US See Unexpected Rise in November, But Uncertainty Remains

Exports to the US declined sharply between May-September as buyers delayed new orders in the face of the imminent tariff escalation, but November saw an unexpected 22% rise in shipments to the world’s largest economy . Has the adverse impact of the additional 50% tariffs been quickly nullified by India’s exporters? Were exporters in some sectors conventionally enjoying very high margins, so that even such hefty duties could not completely erode their pricing power? A review of key export sectors reveals that the rise in last month’s shipments to the US may be a result of a combination of factors: a quick clearing of backlogs, a tweaking of the product mix to less-affected or hard-to-substitute products, and a strategy to hold on to long-time customers even while facing squeezed margins, or minor losses. Analysts and sources from the trading community say exporters might have pinned their hopes on the chances of the resolution of the tariff issue in a month or two, as they chose to sell products at wafer thin margins. However, November performance may not be sustainable, unless the tariffs are brought down under the proposed bilateral trade agreement with the US quickly enough. A heightened effort by the exports to accelerate shipments of products that are exempt from the extra US tariffs like electronics and petroleum products also boosted the headline export figures. The falling rupee has helped exporters to stay afloat, and withstand the depletion of margins to an extent. Exporters of a few products including marine items, plastics and gems & jewellery have also been remarkably agile in diversifying into new markets to compensate for loss of the US market share. “Current exports to the US are largely survival-driven. US shipments are mostly at zero profit or losses, with exporters absorbing deep discounts to retain buyers,” convenor of the Coimbatore-based Indian Texpreneurs Federation (ITF) Prabhu D said. According to Director General of Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) Ajay Sahai, the growth in exports to the US witnessed in November was partly due to a sharp jump in smartphone exports and petroleum products. “Other key sectors remain impacted by the high tariffs,” he said. Mobile phone exports to the US bounced to $ 1.8 billion in November from $ 1.5 billion in October. “The impact of the depreciations would have offered relief of 3-5% on margins,” Sahai said. The country’s overall textiles and apparel exports saw a 9.4% year-on-year growth in November to $ 2,856 million. Exporters from the Tirupur textile hub caution against “over-reading the monthly export figure” for November. The bump could largely be due to a backlog of US orders and is unlikely to sustain beyond the next month, they said, while the US export figures are still being computed. As for seafood items, deliveries under earlier orders from the US are still being executed, incurring losses. There was a rise in demand due to the Christmas season. However, the order pipeline for the period after January 15 from the US buyers has completely dried up, and this would hit marine exporters hard. “There are no fresh orders from the US coming in while there has been some diversion of exports to the European Union and Russia,” KN Raghavan, secretary general, Seafood Exporters Association of India, said. Among other important sectors, plastics had seen a 33% drop in exports to the US in October after contracting 23% in September, the first month where full 50% tariff ws in force. However, in November, plastics exports were up 9.6% on year to $ 1.5 billion, Executive Director at Plastics Export Promotion Council Sribash Dasmohapatra said. Exports of gems and jewellery in November present a mixed bag. While the overall exports stood at $2,511 million, up 19.6% on year, exports from April to November remained rather flat on year at $18,867 million. Novemer data for cut-and-polished diamonds (CPD), along with lab-grown diamonds (LGD), marked increases of 38% and 10.65%, respectively. However, April to November data reveal a year-on-year decrease in exports, with CPD exports dropping 8.76% and LGD exports decreasing by 11.05% from the previous period. A prominent player in the industry who wished to remain anonymous attributed the sudden spike in November exports to the festive season. “Diwali was celebrated in mid-October this year, compared to last year’s celebration, which occurred in November. This is why many shipments were held until November, resulting in the sharp export increase.” While diamond margins remain squeezed at 3.5-4% in the US from FY23’s peak of 5.5%, studded gold jewellery has emerged as a popular option amongst exporters. Vipul Shah, managing director at Asian Star Jewellery, said: “Many exporters are turning towards studded jewellery to remain afloat in the US market. Gold is imported from the US itself, and we carry out value addition, such as finishing and setting stones.” Margins for studded jewellery products are in the range of 6-8%, according to several exporters. Shah also highlighted how LGDs have disrupted the CPD market, although both export categories noted healthy growth in November. Alkesh Shah of Goldstar Jewellery said LGDs have grown to constitute about 30-35% of overall exports. “The demand for LGDs in countries like the US has grown significantly and eaten into the share of CPD. Gold and studded jewellery has also picked up pace among exporters.” Four months after the US imposed a steep 50% tariff, Tiruppur, India’s largest knitwear export hub, is still reeling under mounting financial stress, with exporters hit by falling volumes, squeezed margins. This is even as the country’s overall textiles and apparel exports saw a 9.4% year-on-year growth in November to US$ 2,855.8 million. Prabhu said exports to the US are under tariff-led stress, despite the headline numbers. September–October data shows a 20% plus contraction in knitted apparel and home textiles, with declining volumes and market share, indicating structural damage, he pointed out. Kumar Duraiswamy, Joint Secretary, Tiruppur Exporters Association says it is not easy to shift to alternative markets. “The demand bowl is the same, but there are more hands.”Duraiswamy’s Eastern Global Clothing exports knitted garments including baby and infant wear, women’s clothing, joggers and licensed apparel for major brands like Disney with the US accounting for 30% of his business, with the rest in Europe and the Gulf. Siva Subramaniam, Founder and Chairman of Raft Garments has not seen a business impact of this scale in his company’s 50-year history. The innerwear exporter derives about 50% of revenue from the US market. The company had received an order for two million units to be supplied by February and had shipped about half a million units before Diwali. “When the first 25% tariff was announced, buyers asked us to absorb 16%, which we managed. But when the tariff was raised to 50%, they wanted us to take 25%. That was simply not possible,” said Subramaniam. “Even European buyers are squeezing margins due to the current situation in the US,” Duraiswamy said. (Tomorrow: Quick market diversification by exporters in many sectors)

84 shares

😢

Times of India

Dec 21, 2025, 04:24 PM

'Dhurandhar' Breaks Records as It Completes Third Week at the Box Office

'Dhurandhar' has now successfully entered its third week and broken several records. TheRanveer Singh,Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal starrer has remained unaffected by the release of 'Avatar Fire And Ash' as it walked into its third week.One had expected this Hollywood biggie to give competition to 'Dhurandhar' but this Aditya Dhar directorial continued to rule at the box office and infact, also saw some growth on third Saturday after it had begun to slow down last week.Dhurandhar Movie ReviewIt collected Rs 253 crore in the second week, which is more than the first week collection. This happens so rarely. It had made Rs 207.25 crore in week one. After completing week 2, the film has begun on a slow note on third Friday and now may gradually begin to see a dip.On day 15, which is Friday, it made Rs 22.5 crore. On third Saturday, it saw growth of around 52 percent and made Rs 34.25 crore. And now it has started day 17, Sunday also on a decent note.It may end up making the same number as Saturday if not more. Till evening, the film's collection is Rs 36.47 crore. The total collection now stands at Rs553.72crore.Meanwhile, 'Avatar Fire And Ash' has made Rs 22.82crore so far on its day 3 which is Sunday.by Taboolaby TaboolaSponsored LinksSponsored LinksPromoted LinksPromoted LinksYou May LikeNita Ambani unveils an innovative treehouse at Nita Mukesh...Assam sends 19 illegal migrants to B’deshThe Times of India'Dhurandhar': The Film That Forced Indian Cinema To ChangeWith this, 'Dhurandhar' has also broken the record of Sunny Deol's 'Gadar 2' which had a lifetime collection of Rs 525.7 crore.Day wise collection of 'Dhurandhar'Day 1 [1st Friday] ₹ 28 Cr -Day 2 [1st Saturday] ₹ 32 CrDay 3 [1st Sunday] ₹ 43 CrDay 4 [1st Monday] ₹ 23.25 CrDay 5 [1st Tuesday] ₹ 27 CrDay 6 [1st Wednesday] ₹ 27 CrDay 7 [1st Thursday] ₹ 27 CrWeek 1 Collection ₹ 207.25 Cr -Day 8 [2nd Friday] ₹ 32.5 CrDay 9 [2nd Saturday] ₹ 53 CrDay 10 [2nd Sunday] ₹ 58 CrDay 11 [2nd Monday] ₹ 30.5 CrDay 12 [2nd Tuesday] ₹ 30.5 CrDay 13 [2nd Wednesday] ₹ 25.5 CrDay 14 [2nd Thursday] ₹ 23.25 CrWeek 2 Collection ₹ 253.25 CrDay 15 [3rd Friday] ₹ 22.5 CrDay 16 [3rd Saturday] ₹ 34.25 CrDay 17 [3rd Sunday] ₹ 36.47 Cr **Total ₹ 553.72 CrGet an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here

27 shares

😐

Newsbytes✓

Dec 21, 2025, 04:23 PM

Rohit Sharma Opens Up About Emotional Toll of India's ODI World Cup Final Loss

Former Indian cricket team captainRohit Sharmahas opened up about the emotional toll of the2023 ICC ODI World Cupfinal loss.The tournament saw India's dream run, with Rohit leading from the front. India won 10 back-to-back matches before losing the final to Australia.Rohit led India's charge with 597 runs at 54.27 in the tournament at home.

88 shares

😐

Latestly

Dec 21, 2025, 04:15 PM

Aston Villa vs Manchester United: Premier League 2025-26 Match Details and Broadcast Rights

Aiming for their sixth win in a row, third-place Aston Villa will take on Manchester United at home in the Premier League 2025-26 match on December 21. The Aston Villa vs Manchester United Premier League 2025-26 match will be played at Villa Park in Birmingham and commences at 10:00 PM IST (Indian Standard Time). Star Sports Network holds the broadcast rights of Premier League 2025-26 in India, and fans can watch the Aston Villa vs Manchester United live telecast on its Select TV channels. Those looking for an online viewing option can watch the Aston Villa vs Man United EPL live streaming on the JioHotstar app and website, but after purchasing a subscription.Premier League 2025-26: Arsenal On Top of Points Tally Heading into Christmas; Liverpool, Manchester City Secure Big Victories. On the road for our next#PLtest 🟣pic.twitter.com/86I9ymyRwk — Manchester United (@ManUtd)December 21, 2025 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, fact checks and information from social media world, including Twitter (X), Instagram and Youtube. The above post contains publicly available embedded media, directly from the user's social media account and the views appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY.)

36 shares

😐

Financial Express

Dec 21, 2025, 04:12 PM

Meesho's Strong Debut Highlights Value-Commerce Strategy

Meesho’s stock market debut has put a public-market stamp of approval on a business model that has long run counter to the dominant playbook of Indian e-commerce. After listing on December 10 at an issue price of Rs 111, the stock climbed to a peak of Rs 235 within two weeks, more than doubling and marking one of the strongest debuts in recent years. The rally has drawn attention to Meesho’s value-commerce strategy, which prioritises low prices and cost efficiency over speed and premiumisation. Brokerages have likened the model to platforms such as China’s Pinduoduo and Southeast Asia’s Shopee, which focus on price-sensitive consumers and operate asset-light marketplaces. Meesho does not charge seller commissions, instead monetising through advertising, logistics, working capital financing and other value-added services. Founded in 2015, Meesho began as a Shopify-style storefront aimed at small sellers in the unbranded products market. It soon found traction among resellers, particularly homemakers and small entrepreneurs, who used platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook to sell products without holding inventory. Founders Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Kumar built tools that lowered entry barriers and minimised capital requirements, an approach that later shaped the company’s cost structure. Zero commission emerged early as a core idea, though Meesho moved away from it for a period as scale and market conditions were not conducive. Once the business reached a level where it could sustain the model, the company reverted to zero commissions and has retained it since. According to its largest investor, Elevation Capital, this was central to building an efficient platform capable of serving value-conscious consumers at scale. The approach helped Meesho onboard millions of small and micro sellers, many operating from their homes, creating a decentralised supply base that kept prices competitive. Monetisation was layered on gradually through advertising and services, without materially altering seller economics. A major shift came in late 2020, when the pandemic accelerated e-commerce adoption in smaller towns. As first-time shoppers began buying directly from the platform, Meesho decided to pivot from a reseller-led model to a consumer-first marketplace. Elevation Capital’s Mukul Arora recalled that Aatrey viewed the move as “existential”, arguing that only a decisive shift would allow the company to serve hundreds of millions of consumers. That pivot has since underpinned Meesho’s financial trajectory. By the end of FY24, the company said it became the first horizontal e-commerce player in India to turn free cash flow positive, reporting FCF of Rs 197 crore. Including interest income, Meesho reported Rs 1,032 crore in the last twelve months free cash flow in FY25. UBS, in its post-IPO note, highlighted Meesho’s asset-light and negative working capital structure as key drivers of positive cash flows. Logistics has been central to this effort. To profitably deliver low-value items such as a Rs 200 kurta across 19,000 pin codes, Meesho built Valmo in 2022 as a technology layer that connects multiple third-party logistics partners. Rather than owning delivery infrastructure, Valmo orchestrates first-, mid- and last-mile operations, helping cut costs, particularly in non-metro regions. Valmo now handles a majority of Meesho’s shipments. Meesho is currently the country’s third-largest online retail platform by gross merchandise value, with a FY25 GMV run rate of $6.2 billion. CLSA expects its market share to rise from 8.5% to 10% over the next six years, even as larger rivals see marginal declines. The company is also experimenting with financial services and local logistics. UBS noted that while platforms such as Shopee have built sizeable and profitable loan books, the regulatory environment is tighter and Meesho’s lending efforts are still nascent. “That said, India’s regulatory environment is stricter, and Meesho is in the early stages of building a lending product,” the brokerage said, choosing not to factor fintech upside into its base case. With 286 million monthly active users, the highest among Indian e-commerce peers, Meesho has built scale by focusing on tier-2, tier-3 and rural markets. What was once seen as a constraint is now viewed as a strategic edge. Analysts said that the challenge ahead will be to deepen monetisation while preserving the affordability that underpins its appeal.

97 shares

😐

Wisden News✓

Dec 21, 2025, 04:12 PM

Sameer Minhas Sets New Record with 172 Runs in U19 Asia Cup Final

Against India in the 2025 U19 Asia Cup final in Dubai,Sameer Minhassmashed 172 off only 113 balls. Earlier in the tournament,Sameer Minhas had hit 177 not out against Malaysia on his debut for Pakistan U19 in 50-over cricket. There has been some confusion over the Youth ODI status of the that game, for the Malaysian senior team does not have ODI status. However, there is no doubt that the Youth ODI status of India-Pakistan final of the 2025 Asia Cup. There, Sameer (brother of international cricketer Arafat) smashed 172 in 113 balls with 17 fours and nine sixes as Pakistan U19 amassed 347-8 after Ayush Mhatre won the toss and opted to field. Sameer now holds the highest score for Pakistan in Youth ODIsirrespective of the status of the Malaysia match. He also went pastVaibhav Suryavanshi’s 171 against the UAE, the highest score in this edition in a game withconfirmedYouth ODI status. The highest score in the history of the U19 Asia Cup, however, is Soumya Sarkar’s 209 against Qatar in the 2012 edition. In response, Suryavanshi (26 in 10 balls) came out all guns blazing, but India collapsed from 49-1 to 59-4, and never recovered. Pakistan U19s went on to win by 191 runs after India U19 were bowled out for 156 in 26.2 overs. - The Youth ODI status of the PAK U19 v MAL U19 match remains unconfirmed.

84 shares

😢

Economic Times

Dec 21, 2025, 04:11 PM

AI Companions: A Mental Health Crisis in the Making?

SynopsisAs emotionally responsive AI companions enter everyday life, a new study in the New England Journal of Medicine raises urgent concerns about their impact on mental health. Researchers warn that market-driven incentives behind relational AI may encourage emotional dependency, addictive behaviour and psychological harm, often unintentionally. Triggered by reactions to major AI updates, the paper calls for external regulation, deeper research and public awareness before digital companionship becomes a widespread mental health crisis.

52 shares

😢

Wisden News✓

Dec 21, 2025, 04:10 PM

England Equal Record for Losing Ashes Series in Shortest Time Possible

England have conceded the Ashes urn in just 11 days in Australia, equalling their quickest defeat in a post-war away Ashes series. Despite going into the series billed as the England side most likely to challenge Australia on home turf since 2011, England have slumped toone of their most dispiriting Ashes defeats of all time. Having lost the first Test in just two days, they slumped to a four-day defeat in Brisbane before the series result was sealed before Tea on day five in Adelaide. That brings the total days needed for the destination of the Ashes urn to be decided to 11, spread across a month Down Under. England have suffered many-a embarrassing loss in Australia, but this one feels the most demoralising. They went into the series with their fastest bowling attack for an away Ashes series in living memory, a batting order set to take on Australia's uncompromising quicks and an approach hell-bent on not taking a backward step. Equally, Australia were battling significant injuries and form concerns going into the opening Test. Instead of capitalising, England were undone in record-equalling time. ALSO READ: With or without Bazball, Australia are just better than England As a result, England's record of only five away Ashes wins since the Second World War still stands. More depressingly from England's point of view, the number of Ashes series in Australia they have lost in fewer than 15 days now exceeds their tally of series wins. Given the place 2013/14 occupies in England fans' memories, it's surprising it comes in so low on this list. It took 14 days for England to lose the urn, which they'd held for three consecutive series beforehand. We all remember how it went –Mitchell Johnson tore in from the first Test, which England lost in the final session of day four, careers were ended and England's world-beaters disintegrated. Although 14 days is the official figure for this one, there were some rain interruptions during the first and second Tests, so you could make an argument for England's hopes in this series lasting less than 14 days technically. Although the 3-0 scoreline was only decided in the final Test in 1990/91, with draws in the third and fourth, the urn's destination was sealed from Test number three. Australia won the first two Tests in three and five days respectively, with Terry Alderman proving too much for the tourists in the first and Bruce Reid taking 13 wickets in the second. It wasn't all doom and gloom for England, David Gower scored a century in the second Test in Melbourne with Angus Fraser taking six-for in the same game. Gower racked up another century in the third Test, which thanks to an enterprising declaration from Graham Gooch was alive until the final session of day five, but it ultimately ended in a draw. Given Australia held the urn going into the series, that result put paid to England's hopes of wrestling it back. ALSO READ: Ranking England’s last 15 Ashes Tests in Australia from least to most devastating The second of the four 21st century entries on this list, the 2021/22 series only narrowly lasted longer than the current edition. The series was dogged by Covid-19 protocols, players and staff entering self-isolation, and Australia's superiority. The first day of the series was cut short by rain but it was still enough for England to be routed for 147. Australia completed a nine-wicket win after Lunch on day four, but had to wait for victory in the second Test until late on day five. The third Test was an infamous England loss at the MCG, whereScott Boland took six second innings wickets to bowl them out for 68and seal the series on day three of the Boxing Day Test. Twelve days of pain, and the urn was gone. That the 1950/51 series makes this list is remarkable, given that the Test matches in the series were six-day games with eight-ball overs, and each day consisted of only five hours of play. Few gave England a prayer before the series, despiteDon Bradman's retirement, and they were proved right. The first Test was a feverish scramble. Australia were bowled out for 228 on day one and rain washed out day two and delayed play until the afternoon of day three. The downpour had turned the pitch into a 'gluepot' and, struggling to cope with the surface, England's captain Freddie Brown declared when his side were 68-7 and still 160 behind to force Australia to bat on it. Australia then promptly declared when they were reduced to 32-7, and England were bowled out for 122 before the close. After the first Test was decided on day three, but technically after two days play, the second was a thriller which Australia won by 28 runs on day four. It took them another four days to complete an innings victory in the third, meaning they retained the urn after 11 official days. The toss on day one of the 2002/03 series set the tone. Nasser Hussain's notorious decision to bowl first set the course for one of England's darkest days at the Gabba. Dropped catches andSimon Jones' blood curdling knee injuryleft England's hopes in tatters. Matthew Hayden's twin centuries and Glenn McGrath's eight wickets secured Australia a 384-run win on day four. Their margin of victory in the next Test was even bigger, with an innings and 51-run win being reached on day four. The urn's home was officially Australia for the next two years at least when England capitulated inside three days at the WACA, 11 days after Hussain chose to bowl at The Gabba. And this is where we've ended up. The rest of the series still promises some intrigue – Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon are both doubts for the rest of it, and England were closer in Adelaide. Nevertheless, nothing will change the fact that the side who were billed as the strongest to tour Australia for over a decade have equalled their record for losing a series in the shortest time possible. Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, includinglive scores, match stats,quizzesand more. Stay up to date with thelatest cricket news, player updates, team standings,match highlights,video analysisandlive match odds.

21 shares

😢

Latestly

Dec 21, 2025, 04:10 PM

India Women Dominate Sri Lanka in T20I Series Opener

Out!Inoka Ranaweera strikes and scalps the big wicket of Smriti Mandhana. Gives the ball some air, Smriti dances down to take it on over the covers, but the fielder was accurately positioned there to gulp down the catch. Top planning and execution from Sri Lanka although they are fighting a losing battle here.Smriti c Nilakshi de Silva b Inoka Ranaweera 25(25). Despite losing Shafali Verma early, scoring rate has not been a problem for India. The conditions have been good for batting with dew coming in and India have imposed themselves with Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues out on the crease. They have given India solid start. Out!Sri Lanka get the wicket they wanted. Good start for them. Kawya Kavindi bowls full on middle, Shafali Verma gets forward to flick and the ball ends up going to the backward square leg fielder who takes a good catch in the end. Soft dismissal but Sri Lanka will grab it by both hands.Shafali Verma c Shashini Gimhani b Kawya Kavindi 9(5). Out!Veteran Deepti Sharma shined with the ball in hand once again, as she kept things tight in the death overs and barely gave anything for visitors to open their arms. The tight death bowling from India resulted in three run-outs. Nilakshi de Silva, Vishmi Gunaratne and Kavisha Dilhari, all were dismissed by run-out, trying to steal and extra run. India will be happy and will back themselves to chase down the target.Vishmi Gunaratne run out (Kranti Gaud/Richa Ghosh) 39(43), Nilakshi de Silva run out (Amanjot Kaur/Richa Ghosh) 8(8) and Kavisha Dilhari run out (Shree Charani/Richa Ghosh) 6(5). Out!Harshitha Samarawickrama departs after a laborious knock. Had to go for the big shots and she tried to get a reverse sweep. The ball from Sree Charani drifts in and straightens to beat a lunging Harshitha and crashes into the stumps. India are controlling proceedings here.Harshitha Madavi b Shree Charani 21(23). Harshitha Samarawickrama and Vishmi Gunaratne have been out on the crease and although they have not lost their wickets, they have not been able to score at a healthy rate. India has failed to grab a few chances as well which has worked in advantage to the visitors as well. Sri Lanka will have to press the accelerator soon. Out!Hasini Perera departs and India doesn't let the catch drop in the last over hunt them for long. Perera was getting desperate to break free and went for an wild reverse sweep. Deepti Sharma's ball got a top edge and gently lobbed to the third man fielder. India strike once again.Hasini Perera c Kranti Gaud b Deepti Sharma 20(23). Good start from debutant Vaishnavi Sharma. She came to bowl the seventh over of the innings and kept things on length and also didn't provide room to the batters. They had to block or maneuver her without trying for big shots as they seemed risky. Out!Big breakthrough for India and it is Kranti Goud who delivers. She was trying short balls to push Chamari Athapaththu behind, but the latter was dealing with it well. This time it was a scrambled seam delivery from wide of the crease, which pitched and jagged back. Chamari was already opened for a shot and got cleaned up.Chamari Athapaththu b Kranti Gaud 15(12). Sri Lanka Women (Playing XI):Vishmi Gunaratne, Chamari Athapaththu(c), Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshi de Silva, Kaushani Nuthyangana(w), Kavisha Dilhari, Malki Madara, Inoka Ranaweera, Kawya Kavindi, Shashini Gimhani. India National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Live Score Updates Online:India Women will be returning in action as they will take on Sri Lanka Women in a five-match T20I series starting from December 21, Sunday. The first of the five T20Is will be played at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam and has a scheduled start time of 7:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST). India are coming out of a historic victory in the ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025. You can check theIndia Women's National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka Women's National Cricket Team match scorecard here.They are looking to hold on to the success formula as they start preparations for the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. They Sri Lanka series is a good opportunity for them to assess their positions, specially with Women's Premier League (WPL) only being a short distance away.Smriti Mandhana Body Shamed For Wearing 'Elegant' White Floor-Length Gown; Fans Issue 'Befitting Reply'. Sri Lanka Women, meanwhile, are coming out of a long gap where they have played no T20Is. Their last T20I series was against New Zealand where they won one game and tied one. They will look to eye better preparations this time after an underwhelming performance at home in the ODI World Cup. They have included some new faces in the squad including ambidextrous spinner Shashini Gimhani. Although their eyes will be on the youngsters Vishmi Gunaratne, Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari. For Sri Lanka to do well in the future, they will have to deliver collectively. India meanwhile, are entering the series with a settled squad. The likes of Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues have already scored runs and they will be hungry for more before taking up more difficult roles in the WPL. Two youngsters, Vaishnavi Sharma and G Kamalini has been included in the squad as well as the Team India management look to get more variety in the squad. A settled combo, well ahead of the T20 World Cup can give the Women in Blue an early headstart. India Women Squad:Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh(w), Sneh Rana, Amanjot Kaur, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh Thakur, Shree Charani, Arundhati Reddy, Vaishnavi Sharma, G Kamalini.T20 World Cup-Winning Indian Blind Women's Cricket Team Visits BCCI Headquarters. Sri Lanka Women Squad:Vishmi Gunaratne, Chamari Athapaththu(c), Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Kaushani Nuthyangana(w), Rashmika Sewwandi, Imesha Dulani, Kawya Kavindi, Nimesha Madushani, Malki Madara, Inoka Ranaweera, Malsha Shehani, Shashini Gimhani

10 shares

😢

Latestly

Dec 21, 2025, 04:08 PM

Mahayuti Alliance Sweeps Maharashtra Local Body Polls: Amit Shah Congratulates Winners

New Delhi, December 21:Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday congratulated the leaders of the Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra for sweeping the state's local body polls, as the Bharatiya Janata Party claimed it won more than 150 seats across the state, and had 3,300 corporators get elected. Union Minister Shah also thanked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and all the workers of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). "Thanks to the people of the state for giving overwhelming support to the Mahayuti in the Maharashtra Nagar Panchayat and Nagar Parishad elections. This victory is the people's blessings on the vision of the welfare of every section under the central and state governments of the NDA led by Modi ji. On this victory, I extend my best wishes to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar, and all the workers of the NDA," Shah wrote on X.Maharashtra Local Body Elections Results 2025: People Voted for Development Agenda, Rejecting Fake Narrative, Says BJP. He also congratulated the BJP state president and state party workers on ensuring the party won such a large number of seats. "At the same time, congratulations to state president Ravindra Chavan, and all the workers of BJP Maharashtra for the BJP winning the maximum number of seats!" he said. Vote counting for 286 Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats began at 10 AM today. The elections were conducted in two phases with some councils going to polls on December 2, and others conducting polls on December 20. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claimed earlier today that around 129 municipal council chairpersons have been elected from the BJP. "Together, all three alliance parties (Shiv Sena, BJP, and NCP (Ajit Pawar) account for 75% of the city council chairpersons. In terms of corporators, over 3300 candidates of the BJP have been elected," he said. In Pune district, 17 local bodies went to polls, and the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance was not able to open its account.Maharashtra Local Body Elections Results 2025: CM Devendra Fadnavis Credits ‘Positive Campaign’ for BJP's Landslide Victory, Calls It Historic. The local body elections is also a run-up to the much awaited political contest set to happen in January 15, when multiple Municipal Corporations, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Pune Municipal Corporation and more than 20 others will go to polls. Voting for BMC and other bodies is scheduled for January 15, with counting on January 16. (The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY) TruLY Score 4 – Reliable | On a Trust Scale of 0-5 this article has scored 4 on LatestLY. The information comes from reputable news agencies like (ANI). While not an official source, it meets professional journalism standards and can be confidently shared with your friends and family, though some updates may follow.

55 shares

😐

The Free Press Journal

Dec 21, 2025, 04:08 PM

Mahayuti Wins Big in Maharashtra Municipal Elections

Mumbai:Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday described the Mahayuti’s strong performance in the municipal council and nagar panchayat elections as a collective victory of the BJP organisation and the state government, asserting that the ruling alliance would perform even better in the upcoming civic corporation elections. Elections Fought on Positive Development Agenda, Says CM Addressing the media after initial trends showed the Mahayuti ahead comfortably, Fadnavis said the elections were fought entirely on a positive development agenda. “It is a team effort — the organisation and the government together. We fought these elections on the plank of development. I led the campaign with a positive agenda and did not criticise any political leader or party even once,” he said. The Chief Minister said he sought votes on the basis of development work done so far and the roadmap for the future. “For the first time, I asked for 100 per cent positive votes, and the people responded with 100 per cent positive votes,” he said. तुमची आमची, भाजपा सर्वांची!(नागपूर। 21-12-2025)#Maharashtra#BJPNo1#NagarParishad2025#Niti_Gati_Pragatipic.twitter.com/9tujyKxaDa Counting of votes for the posts of presidents and members in 288 municipal councils and nagar panchayats across Maharashtra began at 10 am on Sunday. Initial trends indicated that the Mahayuti — comprising the BJP, Ajit Pawar-led NCP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena — was leading by a comfortable margin. BJP Emerges as Single-Largest Party Fadnavis said the BJP had once again emerged as the single-largest party. “I am delighted that the people of Maharashtra have placed their trust in the BJP and the Mahayuti. Forty-eight per cent of the elected members have won on the BJP symbol. A total of 129 BJP candidates have been elected as municipal presidents, while Mahayuti candidates have secured the presidents’ posts in nearly 75 per cent of local bodies,” he said. He further said that nearly 3,300 BJP councillors had been elected, calling it a record performance for the party in local body elections. According to Fadnavis, the development-oriented governance under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has created a positive environment across the country, which has directly benefited the BJP. The Chief Minister credited BJP state president Ravindra Chavan, former state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule and the entire party machinery for the success. He added that the Mahayuti partners fought the elections in a “friendly manner,” contesting together wherever alliances were possible and engaging in friendly contests where tie-ups could not be finalised. “I especially thank the people of Maharashtra for repeating the same mandate they gave us during the Assembly elections a year ago. The BJP will achieve even greater success in the upcoming civic corporation elections,” Fadnavis said. Bawankule Says Opposition Rejected by Voters Meanwhile, Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule also hailed the Mahayuti’s performance, claiming that the ruling alliance had taken a decisive lead while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) had been rejected by voters. Speaking to reporters, Bawankule said, “The Mahayuti has taken a very strong lead across Maharashtra, and the people have rejected the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP). Today is a day of celebration. Only governments led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis can truly develop Maharashtra.” Victory Dedicated to Party Workers Bawankule claimed that the BJP was leading on 22 out of 27 seats in Nagpur district. “The Mahayuti is on course to win nearly two-thirds of the seats. The BJP alone will win more than 135 seats. This is the biggest success the BJP has ever achieved in nagar palika elections,” he said, congratulating voters, party workers, Chief Minister Fadnavis and state BJP president Ravindra Chavan. He also said the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) would need to introspect following the results. Earlier in the day, BJP Maharashtra president Ravindra Chavan said the verdict in the municipal council and nagar panchayat elections was a clear mandate in favour of “development, service and good governance” under the leadership of Chief Minister Fadnavis. Addressing party workers during victory celebrations at the BJP state office, Chavan said the BJP had won more than 125 seats and elected over 1,100 councillors. “The people of Maharashtra have shown immense trust in the BJP. I thank the voters for this mandate. This victory is dedicated to our hardworking party workers who toiled day and night for these elections,” he said as celebrations marked by drumbeats, colours and distribution of sweets took place. Chavan said the credit for the victory belonged to ministers, office-bearers, booth-level workers and voters. He assured that the BJP-led Mahayuti would live up to the expectations placed on it by the people under the leadership of Chief Minister Fadnavis. Highlighting development initiatives, Chavan said Fadnavis was the only leader capable of steering Maharashtra towards a trillion-dollar economy. He cited projects such as the Marathwada water grid, efforts to bridge the development backlog in Vidarbha and accelerated growth in Konkan as reasons behind the people’s support for the Mahayuti. Confidence High Ahead of Civic Corporation Polls Taking a swipe at the opposition, Chavan said that despite negative campaigning and “fake narratives,” voters stood firmly with the BJP. He claimed that the Shiv Sena (UBT) failed to even reach double-digit figures, adding that people had recognised the opposition’s lack of vision. Chavan expressed confidence that the Mahayuti would also register a major victory in the forthcoming civic corporation elections, stating that ongoing infrastructure development in major cities would once again become the decisive factor. “The voters have endorsed development in these elections, and they will do so again in the municipal corporation polls,” he said. To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit:https://budgetproperties.in/

57 shares

😐

Latestly

Dec 21, 2025, 04:07 PM

YouTuber Dhruv Rathee Slams 'Dhurandhar' as Propaganda Film, Sparks Controversy

Aditya Dhar's latest release,Dhurandhar, is one of the most talked-about films currently. The spy action thriller starring Ranveer Singh, which hit the big screens on December 5, 2025, is creating havoc at the box officeYouTuber and social commentator Dhruv Rathee has released a video on YouTube calling Dhurandhar a propaganda film which blends facts with fiction.‘Dhurandhar’ Movie Review: Ranveer Singh Explodes in Spurts in Aditya Dhar’s Exhaustingly Violent and Politically Questionable Thriller (LatestLY Exclusive). Speaking on his YouTube channel on December 20, 2025, Dhruv Rathee released a video titled “Reality of Dhurandhar Film.” The video opened with the YouTuber taking viewers through his fictional film Bhawandar. Using visuals, he narrated the story, which was essentially a dig atDhurandhar. Rathee claimed that the narrative mirrored the 2019 Pulwama attack incident and showed the Prime Minister’s involvement in the attack. Maine kaha tha na, proper MELTDOWN hoga. And it’s even worse than I expected. Pure Godi ecosystem mein aag lag gayi hai 🔥 — Dhruv Rathee (@dhruv_rathee)December 21, 2025 He then said that many reacting to his fictional film’s story would come forward to defend the anti-BJP angle in the film. Rathee explained that his entire purpose behind presenting it was to show that Aditya Dhar had done something similar inDhurandharthrough what he described as “jhuta and wahiyat” propaganda. He cited Hrithik Roshan’s review ofDhurandharas an example and claimed that a “well-made propaganda film” is more dangerous. He went on to compare Dhurandhar withThe Taj StoryandThe Bengal Files, stating that those two films did not turn out to be dangerous because they were poorly made. Calling Dhurandhar “engaging,” Rathee slammed Aditya Dhar for depicting the use of a criminal to carry out spy operations for the country in neighbouring nations. He also vented his anger over the frequent use of real-life footage in the film, which he found highly problematic. Rathee argued that promoting the film as being based on real-life events made it more believable than other spy thrillers likeEk Tha TigerandPathaan." Dhruv Rtahee had restricted his video's comment section only to his members. After a thorough analysis of the comment section, we saw many who strongly disagreed with what the YouTuber thought about the film. Many attacked the YouTuber for maintaining his silence on other issues related to Hindu minorities in the neighbouring Bangladesh. A user wrote, "Make a video on 'Reality of Myself'." Another user commented, "Hindustaan ka sabse bada dushman Hindustaani hai, Pakistan to dusre number pe aata hai." Another user wrote, "Bangladesh par ek video banao jo recently viral ho raha hai."Bangladesh Violence: Activist Taslima Nasreen Flags ‘Jihadist Festival’ After Hindu Youth Dipu Chandra Das Lynched to Death in Mymensingh Over Blasphemy Claim. Written and directed by Aditya Dhar,Dhurandharalso stars Akshaye Khanna, Sara Arjun, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan and Arjun Rampal in pivotal roles. The film is based on the underworld saga about a criminal network operating in Karachi's Lyari, intersecting it with espionage. TruLY Score 5 – Trustworthy | On a Trust Scale of 0-5 this article has scored 5 on LatestLY. It is verified through official sources (YouTube channel of Dhruv Rathee). The information is thoroughly cross-checked and confirmed. You can confidently share this article with your friends and family, knowing it is trustworthy and reliable. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 21, 2025 09:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our websitelatestly.com).

81 shares

😢

Deccan Herald

Dec 21, 2025, 04:06 PM

Kerala High Court Quashes Sabarimala Airport Land Acquisition Over Excessive Land Grab

Thiruvananthapuram: In a setback to the Sabarimala greenfield airport project, the Kerala High Court has quashed the land acquisition measures citing that land in excess was being acquired. Considering a petition of Ayana Charitable Trust, formerly known as Gospel for Asia, a single bench of Justice C Jayachandran ordered on December 19 that a fresh social impact assessment (SIA) should be carried out as the initial SIA violated the norms that only bare minimum land required for a project should be acquired. The Kerala government was going ahead with acquisition of 2,570 acres of land, which comprised 2,263 acres of Cheruvally estate which was in the possession of the Ayana Charitable Trust and 307 acres from adjacent areas. The HC order is a political setback for the CPM government in Kerala as it has been highlighting the work of Sabarimala airport as one of the major infrastructure projects. The land acquisition of the project was earlier caught up in legal issues as the state government had raised objections against the sale of the Cheruvally estate by Harrison Malayalam Plantation to the Gospel for Asia founded by K P Yohannan. The proposed site is 50 kilometres from Sabarimala Ayyappa temple. Apart from catering to the pilgrims, the airport project was also projected to cater to the considerable NRI population from Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts as well as tourists to the nearby popular destinations like Munnar in Idukki. The HC pointed out that as per the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 only absolute bare- minimum extent of land required for a project should be acquired. The court pointed out that even for operating the highest type of aircraft the land required for an airport is 1200 acres. Hence the additional land required for the proposed Sabarimala airport needs to be explained. The court also suggested that technical experts having know-how on airport projects should be including the SIA team.

15 shares

😐

Deccan Herald

Dec 21, 2025, 04:06 PM

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's Security Breached for Second Time in a Month

Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh: In a second security scare within a month, a cow strayed towards Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's car moments after he alighted from it, causing anxious moments to his security detail. The incident occurred on Friday evening when Adityanath arrived to inaugurate the Gorakhnath overbridge. After a video of it surfaced on Sunday, authorities ordered a probe and a municipal corporation supervisor was suspended. The video showed MP Ravi Kishan stepping out of the vehicle first. When the chief minister followed, a cow was seen approaching and came close to the car, prompting the alert security personnel to form a cordon. The personnel scurried to block the bovine and drive it away, preventing any harm. Later, Municipal Commissioner Gaurav Singh Sograwal ordered an internal probe into how the animal breached the security perimeter despite standard checks. A preliminary inquiry found negligence on part of a municipal corporation supervisor, Arvind Kumar, who has now been suspended. Kumar was responsible for monitoring civic arrangements in the area. Sograwal said any lapse in VVIP security will not be tolerated and arrangements will be reviewed and tightened to prevent recurrence. The issue of stray cattle in Uttar Pradesh has often been raised by opposition leaders, including Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav. On December 2, a visibly drunk man had broken through Adityanath's security cordon and advanced towards the stage during the Kashi Tamil Sangam 4.0 event at Namo Ghat in Varanasi. The man, who was mentally ill, was caught by commandos from the chief minister's security detail. "The young man has been identified as Joginder Gupta, who sells water at the city station. He is a heavy drinker and reached the venue inebriated. Joginder is also suffering from mental stress and is undergoing treatment," Additional Commissioner of Police Vidush Saxena had said following the incident.

4 shares

😢

Times of India

Dec 21, 2025, 04:06 PM

East Champaran Police Release List of 100 Absconding Accused Involved in Serious Crimes

Motihari:East Champaran police on Sunday released a list of 100 absconding accused involved in serious criminal cases, including murder, robbery, dacoity, extortion, liquor smuggling and illegal land grabbing.The police also announced cash rewards ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 1 lakh on these absconders with the total reward amount fixed at Rs 8 lakh.The move comes in the wake of a recent spike in crime in the district. Over the past six months, 15 murder cases have been registered, most of them linked to gang rivalry, power struggles, love affairs and liquor smuggling. SP Swarn Prabhat appealed to the public to share information about the wanted criminals, assuring that the identity of informants would be kept confidential.Patna Headlines Today — The Biggest Updates You Need to Know.According to police records, Deva Gupta tops the list of absconders. He is the husband of Priti Gupta, mayor of Motihari Municipal Corporation. Deva had unsuccessfully contested the recent assembly election on an RJD ticket and is accused in 28 criminal cases. He is currently wanted in two murder cases and the police have announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his arrest.DIG of Champaran police range, Har Kishor Rai, while approving the list of absconding criminals, issued a stern warning, saying that those who fail to surrender before the court will face confiscation of their illegally acquired properties.He made it clear that surrender was the only option left for the absconders.The SP also warned all wanted criminals to surrender in court within 10 days, failing which the process of attachment of their properties would begin after the deadline. He said the entire action would be carried out strictly in accordance with legal procedures.An analysis of the list shows that the highest number of absconders are accused in murder and liquor-related cases. The list also includes accused involved in robbery, dacoity, drug trafficking, crimes against women and “rangdari”.Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here

42 shares

😢

Newsbytes✓

Dec 21, 2025, 04:03 PM

Pakistan Wins 2025 Under-19 Asia Cup Final Against India

Indialost the 2025 Under-19Asia Cupfinal to Pakistan, held at ICC Academy Ground in Dubai.The Indian team was bowled out for 156 while chasing a target of 348, losing the match by a whopping margin of 191 runs.Mohsin Naqvi, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman was present at the event but did not present India the runners-up medal.

44 shares

😐

Economic Times

Dec 21, 2025, 04:03 PM

Boost Fitness with Short Bursts of Speed: A Guide to Improving Running Performance

SynopsisAdding small doses of speed work to regular runs can improve fitness, make easy paces feel smoother, and support healthy aging without requiring all-out sprinting. Short bursts of faster running activate fast-twitch muscles that are hard to maintain through everyday movement, while also boosting aerobic capacity and confidence, experts say. Options like strides, fartleks, intervals, tempo runs, and progression runs offer varying levels of intensity and structure, making them accessible for both new and experienced runners.

76 shares

😊

NorthEast Now

Dec 21, 2025, 04:02 PM

India's Rural Employment Safety Net Overhauled with Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act

Guwahati:PresidentDroupadi Murmuhas approved the Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, bringing into force a sweeping overhaul of India’s rural employment safety net and clearing the path for a new statutory regime.With the President’s assent, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, in operation for nearly twenty years, stands formally repealed. The new law replaces it with a framework aligned to the Union government’s Viksit Bharat 2047 roadmap, signalling a decisive shift in the design and objectives of rural employment policy.At the core of the legislation is an expansion of the legal employment guarantee. The entitlement for rural households has been raised from 100 to 125 days in a financial year. The government has maintained that this change strengthens workers’ rights, arguing that the earlier 100-day limit often operated as a ceiling rather than a true minimum guarantee.The Act also redraws the programme’s financial structure. Moving away from MGNREGA’s model—under which the Centre bore the full wage cost—the new framework introduces shared fiscal responsibility between the Centre and states. Funding will now follow a uniform 60:40 Centre–State ratio nationwide. This replaces the earlier differentiated formulas, including the 90:10 pattern for northeastern and Himalayan states and the 75:25 split elsewhere. According to the government, a common funding ratio will promote cooperative federalism and push states to take greater ownership of implementation and outcomes.Another key provision allows authorities to pause employment generation for up to 60 days during peak agricultural sowing and harvesting periods. The government has said this flexibility addresses long-standing complaints from farmers about labour shortages at critical stages of the farming cycle, while still preserving the overall employment guarantee.The VB-G RAM G Act tightens the scope of permissible work and confines employment to four defined sectors: water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-oriented assets, and climate resilience.Officials have stated that concentrating resources in these areas will improve asset quality, durability, and long-term economic value.Taken together, the enactment of the VB-G RAM G Act represents one of the most consequential changes to India’s social welfare legislation in recent years, with far-reaching implications for rural livelihoods, state finances, and Centre–State relations.Related

89 shares

😐

Latestly

Dec 21, 2025, 04:01 PM

Kolkata Police Arrest School Owner Accused of Harassing Bengali Singer Lagnajita Chakraborty

Kolkata, December 21:The police on Sunday arrested the school owner who is accused of harassing Bengali singer Lagnajita Chakraborty. The district's acting Superintendent of Police, Mitun Kumar Dey, also ordered a departmental inquiry against Shahanshah Haque, the officer-in-charge of Bhagwanpur police station in East Midnapore district, in connection with the incident. He informed that an officer of the SDPO level is investigating the matter. It was learnt that popular singer Lagnajita had gone to perform at an event of South Point Public School in the Bhagwanpur police station area on Saturday. The singer alleged that she was harassed during her performance. Lagnajita claimed that she sang the song 'Jago Ma' from the film 'Devi Chaudhurani'. Shortly afterwards, a man from the audience came onto the stage and attempted to assault her. However, others intervened and removed the man before the situation escalated. She did not sing any further after that incident.British Travel Influencer Alleges Harassment at Post Malone’s Guwahati Concert, Says ‘Concerts in India Aren’t Safe for Women’; Police Launch Inquiry (Watch Video). Lagnajita alleged that the school owner, Mehboob Mallick, behaved rudely towards her and subjected her to verbal abuse after she refused to perform at the event anymore. Within 24 hours of the incident, police arrested the main accused, Mehboob, based on her complaint. The arrested man is a resident of Beludia village in the Bhagwanpur area. Following the incident on Saturday night, Lagnajita went to the Bhagwanpur police station. She recounted the details of the incident to the officer in charge. The singer stated that they asked her to file a general diary entry, which she did.‘I’ll Kill You, Your Teeth Are Bad’: Newlywed in Uttar Pradesh’s Banda Files Case Against Husband, In-Laws for Dowry Harassment. However, questions are being raised as to why the police did not file an FIR after such an incident. The acting SP has stated that all allegations will be thoroughly investigated. "We also want to ensure that such incidents do not happen again," said the senior police officer. Following this, the district police ordered a departmental inquiry against the officer-in-charge of the Bhagwanpur police station in connection with this incident. TruLY Score 4 – Reliable | On a Trust Scale of 0-5 this article has scored 4 on LatestLY. The information comes from reputable news agencies like (IANS). While not an official source, it meets professional journalism standards and can be confidently shared with your friends and family, though some updates may follow. Childline India – 1098; Missing Child and Women – 1094; Women’s Helpline – 181; National Commission for Women Helpline – 112; National Commission for Women Helpline Against Violence – 7827170170; Police Women and Senior Citizen Helpline – 1091/1291. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 21, 2025 09:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our websitelatestly.com).

62 shares

😢

Deccan Herald

Dec 21, 2025, 04:01 PM

Bangladesh Rejects Indian Claims on Hindu Extremist Protest Outside High Commission

Dhaka: Bangladesh on Sunday “entirely” rejected India’s comments over “Hindu extremists” demonstration in front of its high commission in New Delhi, questioning how the protesters were allowed to come so close to the installation in a secured diplomatic enclave. Interim government’s foreign affairs adviser M Touhid Hossain's comments came hours after India trashed as “misleading propaganda” reports in Bangladesh media that a demonstration outside its mission in New Delhi against the killing of a Hindu man in Mymensingh attempted to create a security situation. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said about 20-25 youths gathered in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Saturday, raised slogans protesting the “horrendous killing” of Dipu Chandra Das, 25, who was lynched to death by a mob in Mymensingh on Thursday. The protesters also called for the protection of all minorities in Bangladesh, the MEA said. “Regarding the Indian press note, we completely reject it, entirely reject it. The issue has been presented as if it were very simple, whereas in reality it is not,” state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) quoted Hossain as saying at the media briefing. He questioned how a group of 25 to 30 people, “described as belonging to a Hindu extremist organisation, could reach such a sensitive zone,” adding under normal circumstances this should not have been possible “unless they were allowed the access.” Hossain also called the MEA statement “oversimplified” saying “they (India) say it may have been 20–25 people, but that is not the point.” He also said the protesters also did not merely raise slogans over the killing of a Bangladeshi Hindu citizen but made “other statements as well,” and claimed that reports published in Bangladeshi newspapers were largely accurate and not misleading. Asked if he had any concrete proof about death threats to the Bangladesh envoy in Delhi as speculated, the adviser said no. Hossain said Bangladesh was “compelled” to respond openly following the Indian press note but added that both sides remain in contact through diplomatic channels and convey their positions accordingly. Dhaka still trusted India to take appropriate security measures, but would consider scaling back its presence if the situation deteriorates, he added.

41 shares

😢

Financial Express

Dec 21, 2025, 03:59 PM

FBI Unveils AI National Security Project to Enhance Threat Response

FBI Director Kash Patel has publicly disclosed that the agency is actively developing an artificial intelligence (AI) project designed to enhance the agency’s national security work and help it respond to evolving threats. Patel shared details of the initiative, the ‘AI National Security Project’, in a post on X, emphasising the strategic importance of AI in modern law enforcement and intelligence operations. December 20: Updating @FBI technology using AI FBI has been working on key technology advances to keep us ahead of the game and respond to an always changing threat environment both domestically and on the world stage. Artificial Intelligence is a key component of this. We’ve… In his post, Patel described AI technology as a central element of the FBI’s approach to staying ahead of adversaries both domestically and globally. He wrote that the bureau has been working on “key technology advances” to ensure its personnel and systems are equipped to analyse complex data, anticipate emerging threats, and support investigators and analysts in the national security space. “Artificial Intelligence is a key component of this,” Patel wrote on X. “We’ve been working on an AI project to assist our investigators and analysts in the national security space, staying ahead of bad actors and adversaries who seek to do us harm,” he added. According to Newsweek’s report, the specifics of the AI project, such as precise capabilities, timelines, or operational deployments, have not been publicly disclosed. In his announcement, Patel framed the AI effort as a long‑term investment in national security, writing that these efforts “will pay dividends for America’s national and global security for decades to come.” Patel’s remarks come amid broader federal initiatives to integrate AI into government operations. Earlier in 2025, the presidential administration issued directives focused on advancing AI research and applications, including a presidential executive order and federal partnerships with private sector AI developers, according to Wiley. The FBI has confirmed on its official website that it uses AI to aid its tools and capabilities like vehicle recognition, triage of voice samples for language identification, and generation of text from speech samples. However, the full scope and potential implications of the bureau’s AI project remain to be seen as details are still emerging.

87 shares

😐

Financial Express

Dec 21, 2025, 03:58 PM

Indian Vehicle Loans See Rise in Delinquencies Amid Supply Chain Stress

Despite rising credit demand for vehicle loans post the goods and services tax reforms, banks and non-bank finance companies are seeing an uptick in delinquencies. The commercial vehicle (CV) segment, which is integral to supply chain activity, has emerged as a key area of pressure as volatile utilisation levels, fluctuating freight rates, longer receivable cycles, and higher fuel and maintenance costs have strained cash flows for transport operators. Analysts believe that the stress in the CV segment reflect broader supply chain inefficiencies and demand volatility, which has translated into higher delinquencies despite stable disbursement trends. Within vehicle-linked retail lending auto loans remain resilient, with 90+ days past due (DPD) stable at 0.6% and no year-on-year deterioration. In contrast, two-wheeler loans have seen rising stress, with 90+ DPD increasing 22 basis points year-on-year to 2.2% by September, data from TransUnion CIBIL showed. “We do see some stress when we are looking at two-wheeler loans and commercial vehicle segments, but we want to see how the festive season growth has helped in terms of overall portfolio dynamics. We are closely monitoring this segment,” Bhavesh Jain, MD and CEO TransUnion CIBIL said. AM Karthik, Sr Vice President & Co-Group Head, Financial Sector Ratings at ICRA, said that they are seeing a measured approach by banks giving out commercial vehicle loans. For non-banking financial companies, he added that the 90+ DPD has gone up by 30-40 basis points during H1FY2026 for most of the players, indicating rising stress in this segment. Analysts said that while credit growth is robust, sustaining asset quality would require disciplined underwriting and cautious expansion. According to recent sectoral deployment data, the growth in bank credit to vehicles rose by 12.5% on year in October from 7.3% a month ago. The year-on-year growth was at 12% in October 2024. “While CV segment has seen some rise in delinquencies, this cannot be construed as structural weakness in the sector. Further, the benefit and improved load availability due to rise in the manufacturing activity post GST reduction will reflect with a lag, sometime in fourth quarter of the year,” Prakash Agarwal, Partner – Gefion Capital said.

67 shares

😐

News18✓

Dec 21, 2025, 03:58 PM

Modi Thanks Maharashtra for Backing BJP-Led Mahayuti in Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat Elections

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday thanked the people of Maharashtra for backing the BJP-led Mahayuti in the recently concluded Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat elections, calling the verdict a strong endorsement of development-focused governance. In a post on X, Modi said the outcome reflected public trust in the alliance’s vision. “Maharashtra stands firmly with development! Grateful to the people of Maharashtra for blessing the Bharatiya Janata Party and Mahayuti in the Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat elections. This reflects trust in our vision of people-centric development," he wrote. “We remain committed to working with renewed energy to fulfil the aspirations of every citizen across the state," the prime minister added, lauding the BJP and Mahayuti workers for their grassroots efforts. The BJP-led Mahayuti delivered a decisive performance, winning or securing control in over 200 of the 288 Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats where elections were held. The BJP emerged as the single largest party, winning well over 120 urban local bodies, while its allies, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, together added several dozen councils and panchayats to the alliance’s tally. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the Congress, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction, was limited to fewer than 80 local bodies, retaining strength only in select pockets. The civic elections, spread across urban and semi-urban Maharashtra, are seen as a key test of organisational strength at the grassroots and a curtain-raiser to bigger contests such as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Political observers say the results consolidate the Mahayuti’s dominance in urban Maharashtra and are likely to shape momentum ahead of future civic and state-level polls, a message the prime minister underscored in his post.

94 shares

😐

Economic Times

Dec 21, 2025, 03:58 PM

Delhi Grapples with Severe Smog Crisis: Urgent Action Needed

SynopsisDelhi is grappling with a severe smog crisis as toxic air quality persists, placing it in the 'very poor' and 'severe' categories. Doctors report a significant surge in pollution-related respiratory illnesses, with vulnerable groups facing heightened risks. Experts urge immediate, collective action from citizens and authorities to combat the worsening air pollution.

94 shares

😢

Economic Times

Dec 21, 2025, 03:58 PM

Destin Daniel Cretton to Direct Spider-Man: Brand New Day

SynopsisSpider-Man: Brand New Day is being directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, best known for helming Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

8 shares

😐

News18✓

Dec 21, 2025, 03:57 PM

India's Poor Fielding Costs Them Four Catches in T20I Against Sri Lanka

India dropped four catches in the first T20I of the five-match series against Sri Lanka at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Sunday, equalling the highest record. India had dropped four catches against Pakistan during the 2018 T20 World Cup in Providence, then against Sri Lanka at the 2020 T20 World Cup in Melbourne. These are India’s poorest fielding performances in T20Is, based on the available fielding data. India Vs Sri Lanka: 1st T20I – Live Score India restricted Sri Lanka to a modest 121 /6, as the visiting batters struggled to capitalise on loose deliveries, with dew playing a role early on. Opener Vishmi Gunaratne top-scored for the visitors with a 43-ball 39, while Hasini Perera and Harshitha Samarawickrama contributed 20 and 21 runs respectively. Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu began aggressively, hitting an innocuous delivery from Kranti Gaud for a four. Deepti Sharma, the Player of the Series in India’s recent ODI World Cup victory, showcased her fielding skills by restricting what seemed a certain boundary to just one run. Athapaththu then hit two fours in three balls off Gaud. Athapaththu’s attacking approach forced Gaud to switch to around the wicket, which proved successful as the young seamer bowled the Sri Lankan captain, disturbing the stumps and giving India their first breakthrough. Hasini Perera found a boundary off Gaud towards deep fine leg before Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur introduced Deepti Sharma into the attack during the powerplay. Hasini missed out on a couple of loose balls, allowing Deepti to bowl a maiden over, resulting in Sri Lanka being 31 for one at the end of the powerplay. Vaishnavi Sharma, slower than her left-arm spin colleague Shree Charani, had a tidy spell on her international debut, conceding just three runs in her first over. Hasini played a reverse sweep to collect a four off Charani, who then dropped a straightforward catch at short fine leg, giving the Lankan batter a reprieve. Had Charani held on to that catch, it would have given Vaishnavi her maiden wicket. Desperately searching for quick runs, Hasini fell in the next over, playing the ball to Gaud at short third after attempting another reverse sweep against Deepti. Despite the dew making it difficult for the Indian bowlers to grip the ball, they managed to restrict Sri Lanka to 55 for two in the first 10 overs. Charani, having a tough day in the field, then dropped Harshitha Madavi off Arundhati Reddy’s bowling. (With inputs from Agencies)

27 shares

😢

Latestly

Dec 21, 2025, 03:56 PM

Zomato Cake Delivery Goes Wrong: Birthday Girl Gets 'Leave At Security' Message Instead Of Birthday Wishes

A woman’s birthday celebration took a hilarious turn after a Zomato cake delivery went wrong, leaving social media users in splits. An Instagram viral video shows a birthday cake carrying the unusual message “leave at security”, after the restaurant allegedly mistook the delivery instruction for the message to be written on the cake. The video was shared on Instagram by Nakshatra, who explained that her friend had ordered the cake via Zomato and mentioned “leave at security” in the delivery instructions. However, the instruction was mistakenly written on the cake instead of a birthday message.Greater Noida: Man Receives Chicken Instead of Mushroom Rice From Zomato, Says Religious Sentiments Hurt; Video Surfaces. In the clip, Nakshatra is seen holding the cake with a confused expression as her friends laugh uncontrollably. The camera zooms in to reveal the unexpected text neatly written on top of the cake, turning the moment into instant comedy.Video of Zomato Delivery Boy Eating Food From Delivery Boxes Goes Viral, Check What Zomato Replied. A post shared by Nakshatra (@nakshatra_4844) The video quickly gained traction on social media, with users sharing similar food delivery blunders and reacting with humour. “Zomato never fails to surprise,” one user commented, while another recalled a similar incident where an instruction was written word-for-word on a cake. Many users said the mix-up transformed a simple mistake into a memorable and funny birthday moment, proving once again that delivery mishaps often make the best viral stories online. TruLY Score 3 – Believable; Needs Further Research | On a Trust Scale of 0-5 this article has scored 3 on LatestLY, this article appears believable but may need additional verification. It is based on reporting from news websites or verified journalists (India Today), but lacks supporting official confirmation. Readers are advised to treat the information as credible but continue to follow up for updates or confirmations (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 21, 2025 09:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our websitelatestly.com).

24 shares

😐

The Free Press Journal

Dec 21, 2025, 03:54 PM

Bigg Boss Telugu 9: Thanuja Declared Winner as Kalyan Finishes Runner-Up

The Bigg Boss Telugu 9 finale battle is all set to begin. According to reports, Sanjjanaa Galrani finished in fifth place, while Emmanuel secured the fourth position. Both have been eliminated, leaving Kalyan Padala, Thanuja Puttaswamy, and Demon Pavan as the top three finalists. As per Track Tollywood, Demon Pavan has reportedly self-eliminated from the show, choosing to go home with Rs. 15 lakh. This move could be strategic, as there were buzz about Thanuja and Kalyan advancing to the finale. With Pavan taking Rs. 15 lakh, the amount will be deducted from the winner’s Rs. 50 lakh prize money. Bigg Boss Telugu 9: Who Will Win, Kalyan Or Thanuja? There is tough competition between Thanuja and Kalyan. Many speculate that Kalyan might be declared the winner of the season and Thanuja turn out to be the runner-up. However, as per Dishadaily, Thaunja was reportedly declared the winner in now-updated Wikipedia page. Let us further wait for the official announcement today to know who the winner of Bigg Boss Telugu 9 is. As per the reports, Kalyan has been announced as the winner of the season. Thaunja, on the other hand, finishes as the runner-up of the season. The 2nd runner-up position is taken by Demon Pavan. In the grand finale, host Nagarjuna gave the finalists a special task to express their gratitude to fellow inmates. Thanuja picked a yellow bracelet and placed it on Kalyan, saying, “Among everyone in the house, Kalyan was the one who truly understood me and stood by me like family.”

27 shares

😐

The Free Press Journal

Dec 21, 2025, 03:54 PM

Unlocking Spiritual Significance: The Power of 21.12

December 21, written numerically as 21.12, is believed to hold strong spiritual importance due to the convergence of numerology, cosmic timing, and seasonal transition. Rather than being just another date, many spiritual traditions view it as an energetic turning point, one that supports reflection, closure, and conscious manifestation. Its proximity to the Winter Solstice further amplifies its symbolic power, making it a moment of inner reset and renewal. From a spiritual numerology perspective, the numbers themselves carry meaning. The number 21 represents completion, emotional maturity, and growth that comes through lived experience. It is often associated with success achieved through inner wisdom rather than external validation. Let us know! 👂What type of content would you like to see from us this year? Meanwhile, 12 symbolises universal order and spiritual awareness. It reflects alignment between the physical and spiritual realms. When these numbers combine as 21.12, they are believed to create a gateway energy one that encourages letting go of outdated patterns while trusting the next phase of life to unfold with purpose. Adding to this energetic depth is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year. Spiritually, this moment has long represented the end of an old cycle and the subtle return of light. Rather than dramatic change, the solstice reminds us that transformation begins quietly. It is a time for introspection, rest, and conscious intention-setting rather than action driven by pressure or fear. Let us know! 👂What type of content would you like to see from us this year? Manifestation on 21.12 is thought to work best when approached with calm awareness. Grounding yourself through silence, breathwork, or meditation helps align your energy with clarity. Visualisation is most effective when you imagine your desires as already fulfilled, focusing on the emotions and sense of peace they bring. Affirmations also play a powerful role on this day, as repeated, intentional thoughts help shape belief systems and future actions. Let us know! 👂What type of content would you like to see from us this year? Because emotions may feel heightened, it is recommended to avoid impulsive decisions, unnecessary conflict, or negative self-talk. How you speak to yourself on this day can set the tone for the cycle ahead. Ultimately, 21.12 is less about instant manifestation and more about intentional closure, emotional alignment, and trusting the gradual return of light, both within and around you.

18 shares

😐

The Free Press Journal

Dec 21, 2025, 03:52 PM

Mumbai: State Committee Inspects Kanjurmarg Dumping Ground Amidst Pollution Concerns

Mumbai:The high level state committee, headed by chief secretary Rajesh Agrawal and consisting BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani and senior officials from state urban development department visited on Sunday, December 21 at the BMC-owned Kanjurmarg dumping ground in the eastern suburbs, taking stock of situation firsthand and remedial measures to contain pollution emanating from the dumping ground. The inspection was following the HC directions earlier this month, when the court noted that the BMC has "drastically failed to contain pollution" to visit the site and prepare a blueprint of immediate, short-term measures to curb the worsening air quality in the area. Introduction of International Technology to Treat Odour The blueprint will be submitted to the court on December 22 during the case hearing. The HC is hearing a batch of petitions, including a PIL filed by NGO Vanashakti and a residents’ association, challenging the environmental clearance granted for using the Kanjurmarg site for dumping activities, and serious concerns regarding odour, smoke, pollution and severe health hazards emanating from the dumping activities. Sanjay Yelve "The officials informed the committee of some technology used in Singapore and Australia which will be introduced at the site to treat odour. However, we demanded results, and asked for a written promise that any measures taken will eradicate the toxic smell and air pollution. The committee should speak with residents to understand the inconvenience and sufferings caused due foul smell due to the dumping ground," said Sanjay Yelve, President of Vikhrolikar Vikas Manch and one of the petitioner who was present during the visit. "The committee is under Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, who heads the urban development department. He was expected to be present for the visit. However, the chief secretary and BMC commissioner were there along with other senior Mantralaya officers. The residents need permanant solution and not only site visits," Yelve added. Sanjay Yelve HC Expresses Frustration Over Delays In the last hearing, the HC had expressed strong displeasure that despite a detailed order passed in July, directing the state to shift the dumping ground outside city limits, the government had taken several months merely to constitute the committee. Government Steps: Committee Formation and Odour Audit Following HC order, the state government passed a GR on December 8 constituting a high level committee which will study the 'Robust Blueprint' submitted by the BMC Commissioner and submit it to the HC. The committee will function under guidance and control of Deputy Chief Minister (urban development), it said. The BMC had also floated tender recently to conduct an odour audit of the Kanjurmarg dumping ground and nearby 26 locations, following repeated complaints from the residents of pungent smell due to dumping ground. The petitioners have been highlighting the severe respiratory illnesses among residents and alleged that pollution is affecting areas “not just in Kanjurmarg but up to Bhandup and Vikhroli”. To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit:https://budgetproperties.in/

72 shares

😢