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Times of India

Nov 1, 2025, 06:31 AM

India's Women's Cricket Team Scripts Stunning Turnaround to Reach ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 Final

Jemimah Rodrigues and Amanjot Kaur of India celebrate with team mates (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)India’s women’s cricket team has scripted a stunning turnaround to book their place in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 final, where they will take on South Africa on November 2 at the Dr.DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. Their campaign has been a rollercoaster ride — marked by a dominant start, a turbulent mid-phase with three successive defeats, and a breathtaking semifinal victory against Australia that underlined their grit and belief.Jemimah Rodriguesemerged as the hero of the semifinal, playing the innings of her life to carry India to a record-breaking chase against the mighty Australians. Her unbeaten 127, supported byHarmanpreet Kaur’s 89, powered India to 341/5 while chasing 338 — the highest successful chase in the history of the Women’s World Cup knockouts.Greenstone Lobo predicts why India will win the 2025 Women's World CupIndia’s journey to the final has been a testament to their resilience. After suffering three consecutive defeats in the middle stage of the tournament, the team regrouped to deliver back-to-back must-win performances against New Zealand and Australia.Match-by-match journey:Match 1: India vs Sri Lanka – Won by 59 runs (DLS method)India kicked off their campaign confidently in Mumbai. Batting first, they posted 269/8 in 50 overs, thanks to half-centuries from Deepti Sharma (67) and Amanjot Kaur (58).The pair’s 97-run stand stabilised India after a shaky start. In reply, Sri Lanka threatened briefly through Chamari Athapaththu’s 65, but Deepti’s all-round brilliance shone through as she claimed 3/54, helping India bowl out Sri Lanka for 211 in 45.4 overs.Match 2: India vs Pakistan – Won by 88 runsThe much-anticipated clash saw India dominate from start to finish. Batting first, Harleen Deol’s composed 46 guided India to 247 all out on a sluggish pitch.In the bowling department, Kranti Gaud (3/20) and Deepti Sharma (3/45) tore through Pakistan’s lineup, reducing them to 98/6 at one stage. A late resistance from Aliya Riaz wasn’t enough, as Pakistan were bowled out for 159. This victory made it two wins in two matches for India.Match 3: India vs South Africa – Lost by 3 wicketsIndia suffered their first setback in a tense thriller in Pune. After posting 281/7, courtesy of Richa Ghosh’s elegant 94 and useful contributions from Mandhana (45), the bowlers had South Africa reeling at 81/5.However, Marizanne Kapp (78*) and Nadine de Klerk (42*) stitched an unbeaten partnership to pull off a dramatic chase with seven balls to spare. It was a tough loss that exposed India’s death-bowling vulnerabilities.Match 4: India vs Australia – Lost by 3 wicketsIn a high-scoring contest in Bengaluru, India put up 330 on the board, powered by Smriti Mandhana’s fluent 80 and youngster Pratika Rawal’s composed 75. Yet, their joy was short-lived as Australia, led by Alyssa Healy’s breathtaking 142 off 107 balls, chased down the target with seven wickets down and four balls remaining.India’s spinners were ineffective under pressure, allowing Australia to seal a classic run-chase.Match 5: India vs England – Lost by 4 runsThis was perhaps the most heartbreaking defeat of India’s campaign. England posted 288/8, anchored by Heather Knight’s captain’s knock of 109. In reply, India were cruising at 210/2, with Mandhana (88) and Harmanpreet (70) in control. However, a middle-order collapse turned the game on its head.Despite Deepti Sharma’s late fifty, India fell agonisingly short, needing 22 from the final 12 balls.Match 6: India vs New Zealand – Won by 53 runs (DLS method)Needing a win to stay alive in the tournament, India produced one of their most commanding batting performances. Smriti Mandhana (102) and Pratika Rawal (104) combined for a 198-run partnership — India’s highest opening stand in World Cup history. Jemimah Rodrigues added an unbeaten 76 to take the total to 340/3.Rain interrupted the Kiwi chase at 212/6, and India won by 53 runs under the DLS method, sealing their semifinal berth.Match 7: India vs Bangladesh – No result (rain)India dominated the curtailed game before rain intervened. Radha Yadav’s disciplined spell of 3/30 helped restrict Bangladesh to 119/9 in 27 overs. India’s openers, Mandhana (29*) and Shafali Verma (24*), started briskly, racing to 57/0 in 8.4 overs before the downpour forced an early end.The shared points were enough to confirm India’s place in the knockouts.Now, with one step left between them and eternal glory, India stand poised to create history. A win in the final against South Africa would deliver the nation its first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup crown, completing a campaign that has been nothing short of cinematic — from heartbreak to heroism.Catch Lovlina Borgohain's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 5. Watch Here

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Times of India

Nov 1, 2025, 06:30 AM

From Silicon to Mycelium: The Evolution of Neuromorphic Computing

As global computing demands surge, scientists are searching for new materials that can deliver energy-efficient processing without relying on rare-earth minerals or complex semiconductor manufacturing.Neuromorphic computing, designed to mimic the neural architecture of the human brain, has emerged as one of the most promising frontiers in artificial intelligence and low-power data processing. However, the materials currently used to build neuromorphic hardware are resource-intensive and environmentally costly. In response, researchers are exploring unconventional biological systems that exhibit neuron-like electrical behaviour.Among these, fungi are gaining attention for their adaptive electrical signalling and remarkable resilience, particularly species such as Lentinula edodes, commonly known as shiitake mushrooms.Arecent study published in PLOS Onedemonstrated that shiitake mushrooms could act as sustainable memristors, tiny components that replicate the memory and learning functions of neural synapses. By cultivating shiitake mycelium and interfacing it with electrodes, scientists observed repeatable electrical responses similar to those seen in biological neurons.The findings suggest that fungal-based bioelectronics may one day serve as low-cost, biodegradable alternatives to traditional computing materials, offering a path toward scalable and environmentally friendly artificial intelligence systems.From silicon to mycelium: The evolution of neuromorphic computingNeuromorphic computing aims to replicate how the human brain processes and stores information using minimal energy. Traditional semiconductors, while efficient, struggle to achieve the adaptability and self-learning behaviour of neural networks.Memristors, electronic components capable of retaining memory through changes in electrical resistance, address this gap by emulating synaptic function. Yet, manufacturing these devices conventionally requires rare metals and high-energy fabrication techniques.The PLOS One research highlights that fungi may provide a sustainable alternative. The mycelial network of shiitake mushrooms exhibits natural electrical activity, with signals propagating through its hyphae in ways comparable to neuronal firing.When grown under controlled conditions, this living material forms conductive pathways that respond dynamically to electrical input. The resulting fungal memristors achieved accuracies of up to 90 per cent at frequencies as high as 5.85 kHz, demonstrating reliable signal retention and adaptability.This biological mechanism, once optimised, could reduce the environmental footprint associated with semiconductor-based neuromorphic devices while maintaining comparable functionality.Electrical intelligence in nature: How fungi process informationFungi have long been recognised for their complex underground networks that allow colonies to share nutrients and respond to environmental stimuli. These same networks also exhibit electrical potential fluctuations that resemble neuron-like activity. Shiitake mycelium, in particular, produces measurable voltage changes that can be trained and reprogrammed in response to electrical input. This process effectively mirrors how synapses strengthen or weaken with repeated stimulation, a core principle of learning in neural systems.In laboratory tests, dehydrated shiitake samples preserved their memristive behaviour, maintaining electrical memory after rehydration. This durability distinguishes fungal materials from delicate neural organoids, which require costly and unstable bioreactors. The biological composition of fungi allows them to operate across variable environmental conditions while consuming minimal energy. Such characteristics open possibilities for lightweight, self-sustaining bioelectronic systems that could adapt to new data in real time.As a result, fungal computing represents not just a novelty but a potential paradigm shift in how data processing materials are designed and maintained.Resilient design: Radiation resistance and potential for space technologyBeyond their electrical capabilities, fungi possess an extraordinary ability to withstand radiation and harsh environments. Shiitake mushrooms, in particular, contain compounds such as lentinan, a polysaccharide that enhances structural integrity and provides antioxidant protection against oxidative stress.This biochemical resilience enables the fungi to survive exposure to ionising radiation, making them strong candidates for aerospace electronics, where traditional materials often degrade.Experiments with fungal species in space have shown that certain mycelial structures adapt morphologically under radiation, potentially through the production of melanin and other protective compounds. The PLOS One study extends this understanding by demonstrating that shiitake-based memristors remain functional even after dehydration and environmental stress, suggesting they could retain computational properties in extreme conditions.In theory, these biological systems could be cultivated directly in extraterrestrial habitats, reducing the need to transport fragile semiconductor materials from Earth. For long-duration missions, such as self-repairing, biodegradable computing systems could serve as sustainable components for embedded sensors and autonomous robotics.Sustainable technology: The promise of biodegradable electronicsThe environmental cost of conventional computing is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.Semiconductor fabrication requires significant energy, chemical solvents, and non-renewable minerals, all contributing to pollution and electronic waste. In contrast, fungal electronics are derived from renewable biomass, can be grown using low-cost nutrient media, and naturally degrade after use. The cultivation process described in the PLOS One research relied on organic materials such as farro seed and wheat germ, supporting the notion that complex computing components can be produced without industrial facilities or toxic by-products.Moreover, fungal-based materials align with the broader movement toward green electronics. Their lightweight, flexible, and energy-efficient properties offer advantages not only in computing but also in wearable technology, environmental sensing, and medical implants. Because fungal systems operate through bioelectrical signalling rather than conventional circuitry, they may integrate more seamlessly with living tissues, paving the way for hybrid biological–digital interfaces.As neuromorphic engineering evolves, such biologically inspired designs could help close the gap between artificial and organic intelligence.The next frontier for intelligent machinesAlthough fungal computing remains in its experimental stages, its potential implications are substantial. The PLOS One study marks one of the first demonstrations that edible mushrooms can perform neuromorphic functions with measurable precision. By bridging biology and electronics, the research points toward a future where data processing devices can grow, adapt, and even repair themselves using natural processes.Continued refinement of cultivation techniques, preservation methods, and miniaturisation could make fungal memristors viable for large-scale integration into computing systems.The idea that intelligence can emerge from organic matter is no longer confined to science fiction. With each new study, the possibility of building living, energy-efficient computers becomes more tangible. Shiitake mushrooms, once valued primarily for their nutritional properties, may soon find themselves at the core of a new era in sustainable and adaptive technology.Also Read |Scientists make eggs from skin cells, making a step ahead in reproductive medicine

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Financial Express

Nov 1, 2025, 05:25 AM

Delhi's Air Pollution Crisis: A Public Health Emergency

It’s been almost a decade since Delhi started turning into a gas chamber after Diwali. Air pollution continues to be the national capital’s biggest health threat, responsible for nearly 15 per cent of all deaths in 2023, according to an analysis of the latest Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data. The findings, based on data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), reveal that around 17,188 deaths in Delhi last year were linked to exposure to fine particulate matter in the air. In other words, one out of every seven deaths in the city was caused by polluted air, as reported by PTI. Despite this alarming number, the central government maintains that there is no conclusive evidence directly linking deaths to air pollution. In a statement earlier this year, Union Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh told the Rajya Sabha that air pollution is “one of many contributing factors” affecting respiratory and related illnesses, adding that health outcomes are also influenced by food habits, socio-economic conditions, genetics, and lifestyle. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study is one of the world’s most comprehensive research projects, tracking causes of death and disease across age groups and countries. According to the new analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), air pollution was the main reason for deaths in Delhi in 2023. It was followed by high blood pressure, which caused 14,874 deaths (12.5 per cent), high blood sugar or diabetes, responsible for 10,653 deaths (9 per cent), high cholesterol, which led to 7,267 deaths (6 per cent), and high body mass index or obesity, linked to 6,698 deaths (5.6 per cent). CREA researchers said that even though the exact numbers fluctuate each year, deaths linked to air pollution have remained consistently high, often exceeding those caused by hypertension or diabetes. ‘A public health crisis, not just an environmental issue’ “Air pollution is not just an environmental issue; it is a public health crisis that demands science-based action across all polluting sectors,” said Manoj Kumar, an analyst at CREA. “Unless Delhi’s air quality improves substantially, the health burden from pollution-related diseases, especially respiratory illnesses, heart disease, stroke and lung cancer, will continue to rise,” he added. Worrying upward trend over the years The data also shows a steady rise in deaths linked to pollution. Deaths due to air pollution increased from 15,786 in 2018 to 17,188 in 2023. In the same period, deaths linked to high blood pressure rose from 13,604 to 14,874, and those linked to diabetes from 8,938 to 10,653. According to CREA, there is an urgent need for stronger, sustained efforts to clean up the air in Delhi. “Effective air pollution control remains one of the most powerful public health interventions, it can reduce disease burden, improve quality of life, and add years to life expectancy for millions,” the organisation said. The warning as winter returns As winter sets in and pollution levels spike once again, experts warn that these numbers shows that without stronger policies and coordinated action, Delhi’s air could keep cutting lives short year after year.

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Economic Times

Nov 1, 2025, 04:49 AM

SynopsisETMutualFunds' Best Mutual Fund SIP Portfolios for Conservative, Moderate, and Aggressive Investors

SynopsisETMutualFunds' best mutual fund SIP portfolios are meant for three different individual risk profiles: conservative, moderate and aggressive. We have also considered three SIP baskets – between Rs 2,000-5,000, between Rs 5,000-10,000 and above Rs 10,000 – while creating these portfolios. Take a look at our recommended portfolios.

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Economic Times

Nov 1, 2025, 04:40 AM

US Remains Committed to Global Climate Efforts Amidst Leader Absences

SynopsisWhile other world leaders are also skipping summit events, the US remains a party to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

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Economic Times

Nov 1, 2025, 04:34 AM

Coinbase's Dominance Challenged by Rising Competition in Crypto Market

SynopsisCoinbase's strong earnings are being overshadowed by increasing competition as regulatory clarity boosts the crypto market. New players like Gemini and Bullish have gone public, while Kraken prepares to list. Despite its first-mover advantage and institutional trust, Coinbase faces pressure on its premium pricing and retail outlook. The company is actively acquiring to maintain its edge.

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Times of India

Nov 1, 2025, 03:54 AM

Jemimah Rodrigues' Emotional Journey: From Anxiety to World Cup Semifinal Hero

Jemimah Rodrigues reacts after winning the ICC Women's World Cup semifinal. (PTI Photo)NAVI MUMBAI: Soon after she played the innings of her life — a brilliant unbeaten 127 off 134 balls — to script India’s five-wicket win over giants Australia in the semifinals of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup at the DY Patil Stadium on Thursday night,Jemimah Rodrigues, overwhelmed by emotion, broke down several times during the post-match press conference.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.SUBSCRIBE NOW!The 25-year-old Bandra girl opened up on the mental battle she had faced over the past month, revealing she had been suffering from severe anxiety leading up to her maiden World Cup century. She said people who suffer from severe anxiety issues should not be afraid to ask for help.Describing a period in her life that left her “numb” and often in tears, Jemimah said she hoped her story will help others with similar struggles."I’ll be very vulnerable here because if someone watching this is going through the same thing, that’s my whole purpose of saying it. Nobody likes to talk about their weakness. I was going through a lot of anxiety at the start of the tournament,” she said, pausing repeatedly as tears welled up.PollHow important do you think mental health support is in sports?Extremely importantVery importantSomewhat importantShe thanked a few of her teammates for standing by her during that phase. “It (anxiety) was a lot. Before a few games, I used to call my mom and cry the whole time, just to let it out.When you’re going through anxiety, you just feel numb. You don’t know what to do, you’re just trying to be yourself. My mum and dad supported me a lot. And there was Arundhati (Reddy) — I think I’ve cried in front of her almost every day. Later, I joked, ‘Don’t come near me or I’ll start crying!’ But she checked on me every single day.”“Smriti (Mandhana) helped me too. She knew what I was going through. A few net sessions, she would just stand there.Even yesterday, she came and just stood there because she knew her presence meant a lot to me. Then there’s Radha (Yadav), who’s always been there taking care of me. I’m so blessed to have friends I can call family. It’s okay to ask for help.”Jemimah Rodrigues, right, celebrates after winning the World Cup semifinal against Australia. (AP Photo)Playing her first ODI World Cup, Jemimah began the tournament with modest scores of 0, 32, 0 and 33. Things worsened when she was dropped for the match against England in Indore, as India opted for an extra bowler.“That really hit me. When you’re dropped, you have a lot of doubts. I always want to contribute to the team, but that day I couldn’t do much sitting out. When I came back, the pressure was even greater,” she said.Returning to the XI for the crucial league match against New Zealand at DY Patil, Jemimah struck an unbeaten 76 off 55 balls to guide India to victory — and rediscovered her rhythm.“My family went through a lot, but they stood by me and believed in me when I couldn’t.Sometimes all you need to do is hang in there and things fall into place. I’m very grateful to those who believed in me and understood me, because I couldn’t have done this alone.”During her century in the semifinal, Jemimah was often seen dropping to her knees — moments she said were silent prayers.“I was praying. I was talking to myself because I’d lost a lot of energy and was feeling very tired. Because of that, I played a few loose shots — it was a tricky phase.I was wondering, ‘Should I go for it now? Or take it deep?’ The learning was to stay there. Towards the end, we could always take it deep,” she said.“I was talking to God because I feel I have a personal relationship with Him. When I can’t carry myself, He always carries me.”Jemimah was dropped twice — on 82 and 106 — but never lost focus, anchoring India’s record chase of 339. Batting at No.3, she came in after just nine balls and stayed till the end.“How do I rate this innings? Honestly, I haven’t let it sink in. I didn’t play for my hundred, or to prove a point at No.3. I just played to make sure India won. That was my only motivation. When you play for the team, not yourself, I think God also favours you,” she said, smiling through tears.Rodrigues revealed that during the team meeting on the eve of the semifinal, she had declared her goal — to finish the game.“We were discussing what we could do better, and I said, ‘I want to be there till the end and finish the game.’Whether batting first or chasing, I knew if I stayed, we’d get those extra 20–30 runs because I run well and find unusual gaps. If we were chasing, I wanted to make sure I took the team through. The last month wasn’t easy, but it just felt like everything was a setup for this moment.”Even after India lost both openers early, Jemimah revived the chase with a 167-run stand withHarmanpreet Kaur(89). When Harman fell in the 36th over, the pressure intensified.“I was telling Harry di (Harmanpreet) that we both had to finish it. When she got out, it was almost a blessing in disguise — I was losing focus from tiredness, but her dismissal added responsibility. I told myself, ‘Okay, she’s out, I’ll score for her.’ That got me back into the right zone,” she said. Jemimah said India were not daunted by the mammoth target. “We knew we’d done it against this team before. I felt with the way Australia started, they were 30 runs short.DY Patil is such a pitch — any score is chaseable. My thought process was simple: I just had to be there.”Catch Lovlina Borgohain's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 5. Watch Here

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AIR News✓

Nov 1, 2025, 03:33 AM

India Meteorological Department Issues Weather Forecast for Heavy Rainfall and Thunderstorms

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya and Bihar today. Heavy rainfall is also likely to prevail over Gujarat, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim and West Madhya Pradesh.The Met Department predicted thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds over Gangetic West Bengal and Odisha. Meanwhile, squally weather conditions are expected today over the north Konkan coasts, parts of east central, northeast Arabian Sea and over the Andaman Sea. In Delhi-NCR, smog or shallow fog is expected today.According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the air quality in Delhi-NCR is currently in the poor category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 233 recorded at 7 this morning. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, and 301 and 400 very poor. An AQI between 401 and 450 is considered severe.

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Times of India

Nov 1, 2025, 03:31 AM

Jemimah Rodrigues: A Cricketing Gem Emerges from Mumbai

Jemimah Rodrigues plays a shot. (ANI Photo)Her hockey roots giving her flexibility, Jemimah was the lone girl in MIG’s boys nets and faced the same bowlers as Prithvi Shaw and Arjun Tendulkar...NAVI MUMBAI: The hero of India’s sensational win over Australia,Jemimah Rodriguesis the latest gem to emerge from Mumbai cricket. Sometime in 2007-08, a nine-year-old Bandra girl — a devout Christian who loved the guitar — walked into the MIG Cricket Club with her fatherIvan Rodrigues, a mechanical engineer cum cricket coach.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.SUBSCRIBE NOW!Recalling that day, Jemimah’s childhood coach Prashant Shetty told TOI, “Her elder brother Ellie was already at our academy, and her parents asked if I could see their daughter too. I wondered how a nine-year-old girl would face our bowlers, but the very first ball she played — a perfect cover drive — stunned us. I immediately knew she had real talent.”Jemimah Rodrigues after India reach Women's World Cup final: 'Was going through a lot of anxiety'Seventeen years later, Shetty watched proudly from the stands as Jemimah crafted a magnificent 127 not out off 134 balls.“The beauty of that knock was that she batted for 48 overs after fielding for almost 50. She was on the ground for nearly 100 overs — a huge test of fitness and focus. She didn’t celebrate her fifty or hundred, she just wanted India to reach the final,” Shetty said.When Jemimah joined MIG, there was no girls’ academy. “I convinced the officials to make an exception. Allowing her to train with the boys would help her, even if it didn’t help the club directly,” Shetty recalled.As the first girl to train there, Jemimah practiced alongside Prithvi Shaw, Arjun Tendulkar and other future Mumbai players. “Many times she and Prithvi batted in adjacent nets. She faced our bowlers comfortably — that’s when I knew she was special,” Shetty said.PollHow do you view Jemimah Rodrigues' impact on women's cricket in India?Inspiring future generationsRaising the standard of playBreaking gender barriersAll of the aboveHer parents’ support and faith, he added, have shaped her personality. “They’re spiritual and grounded people. Jemimah remains humble, with no airs about being an India cricketer.When she visits my academy now, she mingles with youngsters and always thanks the bowlers, coaches and even the maalis (groundsmen),” he said.During school, Jemimah also played sub-junior hockey for Maharashtra — a background Shetty believes gives her a technical edge. “Her scoops and lap shots come from hockey. She’s super fit and flexible, which lets her get low and play those strokes easily,” he said.After her semifinal hundred, Jemimah revealed she had battled severe anxiety in the past month.Her coach said the pressure of expectation had weighed heavily. “She desperately wanted India to win the World Cup. She couldn’t sleep for nights, and when she was dropped against England, it hit her hard,” Shetty said. He worked to rebuild her confidence. “I told her, ‘Keep your emotions aside and stay ready. You could still play again.’ Before she returned against New Zealand, I gave her a simple plan — play the first 8–10 balls solidly, even for a few runs, but stay compact.Don’t let your body language show doubt,” he said.Jemimah followed the plan, hitting an unbeaten 76 off 55 balls to lead India past New Zealand. “She told me she stuck to that gameplan — starting with singles and avoiding risks. Giving her clarity helped her block out negative thoughts,” Shetty said.Inconsistent early in her career and once criticised for her social media presence, Jemimah faced a setback when she was left out of the 2022 Women’s ODI World Cup.“That was her wake-up call — like Rohit Sharma missing the 2011 World Cup. She took it positively, worked hard, and earned her way back,” Shetty said.Her match-winning century against Australia has now strengthened her claim to the No. 3 slot in India’s lineup. “She’s proved she can bat in the second over or the 33rd. It’s time she gets a fixed position instead of being shuffled,” her coach said.Catch Lovlina Borgohain's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 5. Watch Here

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Times of India

Nov 1, 2025, 03:30 AM

Rising Temperatures Threaten Ancient Snapping Turtles' Survival

The snapping turtle, famous for its powerful jaws and prehistoric look, is a true living fossil that has inhabited North America for over 90 million years. While often feared, these turtles are crucial to wetland ecosystems, acting as scavengers and helping regulate populations of smaller aquatic creatures.Their biology is equally fascinating, particularly their method of determining gender, which depends on environmental factors during egg development. Rising global temperatures, however, are beginning to disrupt this delicate balance, threatening population stability. As climate change alters sex ratios, the survival of these ancient reptiles may be at risk, highlighting the intricate connection between evolution, ecology, and modern environmental challenges.How nest temperature decides a snapping turtle’s genderUnlike mammals, snapping turtles do not have a fixed sex at birth. When they hatch from their eggs, they are not inherently male or female. Instead, the environment, specifically the temperature of the soil surrounding the nest, determines their sex. This phenomenon, known as temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD), is well-documented in herpetology studies and wildlife encyclopaedias.For the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), TSD works as follows:Cooler nest temperatures around 22°C (71.6°F) generally produce male hatchlings.Warmer nest temperatures above 28°C (82.4°F) lead to female hatchlings.Intermediate temperatures may produce a mix of both sexes or a skewed ratio, influenced by subtle environmental factors.This means that even a minor shift in temperature during incubation can influence the gender balance of an entire turtle generation.Warmer nests put snapping turtles’ survival at riskWhile this may sound like a remarkable biology fact, it carries serious ecological implications. Rising global temperatures are altering soil conditions in turtle nesting areas. Warmer nesting grounds can result in predominantly female hatchlings, creating a gender imbalance in wild populations. In some regions, scientists are already observing nearly all-female clutches.This imbalance threatens the long-term survival of snapping turtles.Fewer males in a population mean fewer mating opportunities, potentially reducing reproductive success over generations. For an animal that has survived since the age of dinosaurs, a few degrees of temperature change may have profound consequences.Impact of climate change on snapping turtlesThe phenomenon of TSD highlights the subtle yet critical ways climate change affects wildlife. Unlike immediate threats such as habitat destruction or pollution, temperature-driven sex determination shows how even minor environmental changes can ripple through an ecosystem.In wetlands where soil temperatures are steadily rising, populations of snapping turtles could experience skewed sex ratios, undermining natural breeding cycles and population stability.Without intervention, this could jeopardise the survival of a species that has persisted for millions of years.Practical steps to protect snapping turtlesFortunately, there are practical steps that can support snapping turtle populations:Protect nesting areas: Avoid disturbing known turtle nesting sites, particularly during spring and summer.Provide shade near wetlands: Planting trees can help regulate soil temperatures, reducing the risk of nests overheating.Support conservation efforts: Many organisations monitor turtle nests and relocate eggs when necessary to ensure a balanced sex ratio.Understanding the connection between temperature and turtle gender emphasises the importance of climate action and habitat protection. Small interventions in local environments can make a measurable difference in preserving these ancient reptiles for future generations.Also Read |King cobra might be the smartest snake in the world: Know more about its behaviour and hunting startegies

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Times of India

Nov 1, 2025, 03:19 AM

Jemimah Rodrigues' Historic Innings: A Testament to Mental Toughness and Self-Empowerment

Jemimah RodriguesIn the 33rd over of the chase,Jemimah Rodrigueshad run out of gas. Batting on 82, having been on the field 50 overs before that, Jemimah slog swept Alana King – a shot born of weary limbs, a mind under pressure, emotions pressure-cooked – straight up in the air.Alyssa Healy ran across and failed to hold on.Jemimah took a moment, and scripture came to her: Stand still and God will fight for me. This was not a desperate cry for help, although that would have been perfectly justified in a moment when body, mind and soul have been stretched to the limit. It was Jemimah recognising a moment, placing herself in the larger scheme of things and becoming the vehicle that would deliver.Jemimah stood tall, for three hours and 13 minutes, facing 134 balls to score an unbeaten 127 in a World Cup semifinal against the best team of all time.She celebrated neither her 50 nor her 100, because by now Jemimah was in the zone. This was no longer about her; it was about doing what was needed for team and country.In cricketing terms, statistically, Jemimah’s innings is right up there with the best played when you consider the match situation, the context, the conditions, the opposition and the occasion. In historical terms, it is a companion piece to the greatest knock played in an ICC knock-out match: Aravinda de Silva’s counterattacking 66 against India in the semifinal of the 1996 World Cup.Jemimah’s presence at the crease – busy, purposeful, defiant, dogged, calm, charged up – as Harmanpreet Kaur fell, opening up the wounds of India’s perennial weakness, lacking the mental toughness to win the key moments against strong opposition, did more than seal one end up.Her single-minded focus on hunting down the target set up Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh playing blinders. Each batter could be their best self, play precisely the knocks the team needed in the moment.And their doing so unlocked a second wind in Jemimah, allowing her to tap into reserves she may not have known existed in her.Jemimah willed herself to go on, what would traditionally be called putting mind over matter, the mental toughness that male athletes typically talk about. This was more: it was not overcoming through sheer will alone; it was self-empowerment through surrender to the strength of the collective.She did not deny her mental state or overcome it; she channelled it into an innings for the history books that created a truly transformative moment. Jemimah powered her team’s greatest victory in the sport, but that paled in comparison to what history will look back at as the moment that changed the arc of Indian women’s cricket.This was no less than Kapil Dev’s India of 1983, or Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman in 2001 against Australia.And it had been birthed by a 25-year-old guitar-strumming, highachieving, big-dreaming individual who had been dropped from the team in the same tournament.By someone who was a teenager standing at the airport in Mumbai, waiting for the Indian women’s team to return after their loss in the 2017 World Cup final in England.When victory was sealed and the cup of joy had run over, Jemimah extracted herself from the safe embrace of her teammates to face the bright lights of the world.“I want to thank Jesus, I could not have done this on my own,” she said.She did not express gratitude to an ephemeral higher power or reference the almighty: Jemimah was her 100% authentic self and connected with the God of her choosing, of her imagination.Jemimah thanked her parents, present at the ground, and blew kisses to them. Only last year, Jemimah had her honorary membership to Khar Gymkhana revoked because rumours spread that her father, Ivan, was using the club’s facilities for ‘religious activities’.The baseless allegation that he was using club premises to ‘convert’ the ‘vulnerable’ was enough for swift action to be taken, and the persecution she was subjected to online, including rape and death threats, from extremist elements was enough to break someone.And yet, she endured and reached a place from which she could thank her parents in front of the entire world, in the greatest moment of her life. The tears of relief streaming down Jemimah’s face in the moment did not blind her to the struggles she faced.“I have cried almostevery day through this tour,”Jemimah conceded. “I was notdoing well mentally.”In the post-match press conference, she went further. “I’ll be very vulnerable here,” Jemimah began. “Someone who is watching this might be going through the same thing. Nobody likes to talk about their weakness. I used to call my mum and cry, letting it all out. When you’re going through anxiety, you feel numb. You don’t know what to do.You’re trying to be yourself.”Jemimah thanked her teammates for checking on her, for standing silently at her net sessions, for believing in her when she couldn’t.No male cricketer has displayed this level of strength through vulnerability in the public glare, and Jemimah has set down the marker. On the field and off it, she lifted everyone around her, with her fierce strength and gentle wisdom. Jemimah touched the world and changed the universe, all by her tiny self; she’s just too humble to realise it now.Select The Times of India as your preferred source on Google Search

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Economic Times

Nov 1, 2025, 03:14 AM

Himachal Pradesh Records Wettest October in Two Decades Amid Heavy Rainfall

SynopsisHimachal Pradesh recorded its wettest October in two decades, with rainfall 173% above normal. Sirmaur, Kangra, and Solan districts received the highest precipitation, while Naina Devi and Solan experienced extremely heavy rainfall. The state anticipates light rain or snow on November 4 and 5, with dry weather expected for the remainder of the week.

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Business Standard

Nov 1, 2025, 03:03 AM

Indian Banks and Companies Set to Announce Quarterly Earnings

JK Cement, Tata Chemicals, SBFC Finance, Urban Company, Netweb Technologies, Orient Cement, Triveni Glass and Azad Engineering are scheduled to announce their earnings report for the second quarter (Q2) of the financial year 2025-26 (FY26).Some other companies that are expected to declare their Q2 results today include GHCL Textiles, Transcorp International, Josts Engineering Company, Incap, Indraprastha Medical, and Andhra Petrochemicals.Bank of Baroda Q2 highlights: Profit dips 8.2% to ₹4,809 croreBank of Baroda (BoB) reported an 8.2 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) decline in net profit to ₹4,809 crore for the July–September quarter (Q2FY26), mainly due to lower non-interest income after a one-off recovery last year.Also ReadBoB Q2 profit dips 8% to ₹4,809 cr as non-interest income declinesGAIL Q2 results: PAT falls 18% to ₹2,823 cr on weak petrochemical marginsTax reversal, strong volumes power ACC's 460% profit jump in Q2FY16Vedanta's consolidated net profit plunges 59% to ₹1,798 crore in Q2FY26ITC's healthy core business signals rerating scope amid weak Q2 agri showpremiumThe results were announced post market hours on Thursday, with the bank’s stock closing 2.05 per cent higher at ₹278.30 on the BSE.ALSO READ:BoB Q2 profit dips 8% to ₹4,809 cr as non-interest income declinesNet interest income (NII) rose 2.7 per cent to ₹11,954 crore, while the net interest margin (NIM) eased to 2.96 per cent from 3.11 per cent a year earlier. However, NIM improved sequentially from 2.91 per cent in Q1FY26.Vedanta Q2 profit falls 59% on exceptional lossesMining and metals major Vedanta Ltd reported a sharp 58.69 per cent Y-o-Y drop in consolidated net profit to ₹1,798 crore for Q2FY26, weighed down by exceptional losses.ALSO READ:Vedanta's consolidated net profit plunges 59% to ₹1,798 crore in Q2FY26The company had posted an exceptional gain of ₹1,160 crore in the same quarter last year. The latest quarter included a ₹1,407 crore write-off at its Talwandi Sabo Power (TSPL) unit following a Supreme Court order dated August 19. Though a review petition is pending, the company has treated the amount as non-recoverable.It also incurred a ₹660 crore settlement cost with SEPCO Electric Power Construction Corporation.Revenue for the quarter rose 5.94 per cent to ₹39,868 crore, supported by improved commodity realisations.Market highlights from October 31Indian equity benchmarks ended lower on Friday amid broad-based selling. The Sensex fell 466.75 points (0.55 per cent) to 83,938.71, while the Nifty50 dropped 155.75 points (0.60 per cent) to 25,722.10.Except BEL, L&T, TCS, ITC, and SBI, most index heavyweights ended in the red. NTPC, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Bajaj Finserv, ICICI Bank, and HDFC Bank were among the major laggards.The Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 also declined 0.45 per cent and 0.48 per cent, respectively.ALSO READ:BS BFSI Summit: Stock-picking, patience key as market turns bottom-upOn the sectoral front, only Nifty PSU Bank and Nifty Oil & Gas gained, while Nifty Metal and Nifty Media slumped over 1 per cent each.Market breadth was weak, with 1,806 stocks declining and 1,266 advancing on the NSE.Globally, equities remained firm, marking a third consecutive weekly gain and a seventh monthly advance, supported by post-earnings strength in Amazon. The dollar strengthened after hawkish comments from the US Federal Reserve.In the US, the Dow Jones rose 40.75 points, the S&P 500 gained 17.86 points, and the Nasdaq added 143.81 points.List of firms releasing Q2 FY26 results on November 1Affle 3I LtdAMJ Land Holdings LtdAndhra Petrochemicals LtdAzad Engineering LtdBLB LtdDolphin Offshore Enterprises (India) LtdGHCL LtdGHCL Textiles LtdG N A Axles LtdIncap LtdIndraprastha Medical Corporation LtdJK Cement LtdJosts Engineering Company LtdNetweb Technologies India LtdOrient Cement LtdSalzer Electronics LtdSanghi Industries LtdSBFC Finance LtdShree Pacetronix LtdSuvidha Infraestate Corporation LtdSKM Egg Products Export (India) LtdSKP Securities LtdTaj Gvk Hotels & Resorts LtdTata Chemicals LtdTranscorp International LtdTriveni Glass LtdUrban Company Ltd

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Financial Express

Nov 1, 2025, 02:48 AM

Hindu American Foundation Criticizes Vice President JD Vance for Lack of Curiosity towards Hinduism

The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) has taken strong exception toUS Vice President JD Vance’s recent remarks about his wife, Usha Vance, her Hindu background, and the possibility of her converting to Christianity. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the group asked Vance why, if his wife had inspired him to reconnect with his Christian faith, he hadn’t shown the same curiosity toward Hinduism. This comes after Vance clarified that his words were being misinterpreted and that he wasn’t imposing anything on his wife, who has no plans to convert. “With respect, @JDVance, if your wife encouraged you to re-engage with your faith, why not reciprocate that and engage with Hinduism too?” the foundation wrote in a post on X, explaining that Hinduism, unlike many other faiths, does not seek to convert others. “Hinduism is inherently inclusive and pluralistic in this way,” the post added. “We embrace the idea that there are multiple ways of conceiving the Divine.” The HAF post also criticised “a compulsion from some religious communities to convert us to another way of thinking,” saying such behaviour goes beyond respectful dialogue. The group cited a long history of denigrating Hindu beliefs and attempting conversions “through sometimes unethical means.” “In recent months, we’ve seen an outpouring of anti-Hindu sentiment online, often coming from explicitly Christian sources,” HAF wrote. The organisation said such attitudes show “a belief that there is only one true path to salvation — a concept that Hinduism simply doesn’t have.” The foundation concluded its message by urging Vance to acknowledge Hinduism’s positive role and the rights of Hindus to freely practice their faith in the United States. “You are the Vice President,” the post read. “It’s more than reasonable (and well within precedent) for a Christian public figure such as yourself to acknowledge the positive impact of Hinduism on Hindus and the rights of Hindus to practice.” With respect@JDVance, if your wife encouraged you to re-engage with your faith, why not reciprocate that and engage with Hinduism too?If you did you may well learn that Hinduism doesn’t share the need to wish your spouse comes around to see things as you do in terms of… https://t.co/fkQQgclNDl The post came after JD Vance’s appearance at aTurning Point USA event, where he was questioned about his interfaith marriage and views on immigration. Responding, Vance said that his wife grew up in a Hindu family “but not a particularly religious one.” He said that when they first met, both he and Usha were either agnostic or atheist. He explained that after rediscovering his Christian faith, the couple agreed to raise their three children in that faith and send them to a Christian school. “As I’ve told her, I’ve said publicly, and I’ll say now… do I hope, eventually, that she is somehow moved by the same thing that I was moved in by church? Yeah, I honestly do wish that because I believe in the Christian gospel, and I hope eventually, my wife comes to see it the same way,” he said. On Sunday, Vance took to X to clarify his earlier remarks, saying his words had been misinterpreted and said the backlash he received was “anti-Christian bigotry.” “Yes, Christians have beliefs,” he wrote. “And yes, one of those beliefs is that we want to share them with others. That’s a completely normal thing.” “What a disgusting comment, and it’s hardly been the only one along these lines,” he wrote, responding to the online outrage. “First off, the question was from a person seemingly to my left, about my interfaith marriage. I’m a public figure, and people are curious, and I wasn’t going to avoid the question.” Vance said he was simply expressing his faith, not imposing it. “My wife is the most amazing blessing I have in my life,” he said, adding that she had played a key role in helping him rediscover his faith. He continued, “She herself encouraged me to re-engage with my faith many years ago. She is not a Christian and has no plans to convert, but like many people in an interfaith marriage, I hope she may one day see things as I do.”

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Times of India

Nov 1, 2025, 01:40 AM

Princeton University: A Hub of Excellence and Accessibility

For students across the world, Princeton University represents the uppermost tier of American higher education, a name associated with excellence, tradition, and near-impossible odds.With an acceptance rate of just 5 percent, it is one of the most selective universities in the United States, admitting only a fraction of its highly qualified applicants each year.Founded in 1746, Princeton is among the oldest institutions in the Ivy League, and in the 2026 edition of the US News & World Report’s Best Colleges, it holds the No. 1 ranking in National Universities as well as No. 1 in Best Value Schools. The university’s standing reflects not only its academic strength but also its financial accessibility, an increasingly rare balance in elite higher education.The data has been acquired from the US News and World report.A snapshot of the institutionLocated in the quiet suburban town of Princeton, New Jersey, the university spans a 3,500-acre campus marked by its Gothic architecture and expansive green spaces. As of Fall 2024, Princeton enrolled 5,813 undergraduates and 3,324 graduate students, maintaining a total student body of 9,137. The academic calendar follows the semester system, and with a 5:1 student-faculty ratio, the environment remains notably intimate for an institution of its stature.Academics and programmesPrinceton offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across a range of disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. Its most popular fields of study include Social Sciences (20%), Engineering (17%), Computer and Information Sciences (16%), Biological and Biomedical Sciences (10%), and Public Administration and Social Service Professions (10%).While its engineering programme is ranked No. 11 nationally among doctorate-granting institutions, the broader academic experience is characterised by small class sizes, 76 percent of classes have fewer than 20 students, and a heavy emphasis on independent research and writing.The road to admissionGetting into Princeton remains one of the most competitive processes in American higher education. For the Class of 2029, the acceptance rate stood at 5 percent. Most admitted students reported SAT scores between 1510 and 1580 or ACT scores between 34 and 35, alongside an average high school GPA of around 3.9.The university accepts the Common Application and maintains a test-optional admissions policy, a practice extended from pandemic-era flexibility.The application deadline is January 1, and each application is evaluated through what the university describes as a “holistic review” process, one that considers essays, recommendations, and personal background alongside academic records.Cost, aid, and valueTuition and fees for the 2025–26 academic year amount to $65,210, with food and housing adding another $21,170. However, Princeton’s long-standing financial aid policy ensures that the actual cost of attendance is far lower for most students.According to university data, 67 percent of first-year students receive need-based aid, with an average package of $71,237. For federal loan recipients, the average net price is $8,143, reflecting Princeton’s commitment to affordability despite its elite status.This policy underpins the university’s continued recognition by the US News & World Report as the top Best Value School, balancing quality of education with accessibility.Student body and campus lifeThe student demographic reflects both national diversity and international reach. The undergraduate population is 50.2 percent female and 49.8 percent male, with a racial and ethnic composition of 34 percent White, 23 percent Asian, 13 percent international, 10 percent Hispanic, 9 percent Black, and 7 percent identifying as two or more races.Life on campus combines academic intensity with an active extracurricular culture.Students participate in public service, performing arts, athletics, and policy research. The setting—suburban yet closely linked to major cities like New York and Philadelphia—adds to Princeton’s appeal as a self-contained but well-connected academic hub.Outcomes after graduationPrinceton’s outcomes remain among the strongest in the country. The four-year graduation rate is 75 percent, and six years after graduation, alumni report a median salary of $87,815.Graduates in engineering and finance frequently command far higher starting figures, though many also pursue public service, academia, and research roles.Only 9 percent of graduates leave with any form of student debt, and the average debt at graduation is $18,146, reflecting the university’s strong aid system.The verdictAdmission to Princeton University is an uphill climb by any standard. The selectivity is fierce, the expectations are exacting, and the competition is global.Yet the data suggests that for those who secure a place, the investment yields exceptional returns, academic, professional, and personal.Princeton’s enduring position at the top of national rankings is not merely a reflection of prestige but of consistency: A sustained commitment to teaching quality, financial support, and long-term student outcomes. Getting in may be tough, but by most measures, it remains one of the few institutions where the challenge truly matches the reward.Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!

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Times of India

Nov 1, 2025, 12:25 AM

VIP Visits Cause Chaos at Pune's AeroMall

Pune: Flyers and AeroMall authorities alike have raised serious concerns over frequent VIP and VVIP visits to the facility, resulting in both exit gates being blocked often for over half an hour, resulting in chaos.AeroMall vice-president YS Rajput told TOI that exit flow is frequently disrupted and they plan to meet senior police officers on the matter soon for a solution."There are two exits from the AeroMall for private vehicles, cabs and autorickshaws. The first goes towards Airport Road (Symbiosis College) and the second towards Vishrantwadi via Weikfield Chowk. Whenever there is VIP movement at the airport, both exits are blocked until the VIP is out of the area.As a result, other vehicles cannot get outside, resulting in a traffic problem," said Rajput.You Can Also Check:Pune AQI|Weather in Pune|Gold Rate Today in Pune|Silver Rate Today in Pune"Passengers keep arriving as flights land and they go to the cab pickup point. The exits rapidly get choked. When the blocks are lifted, all vehicles try to get out in one go, and for at least an hour, all roads around are completely jammed," added Rajput, further saying, "VIP movements mostly take place via the New Airport Road (Weikfield Chowk stretch).If the police and the administration can work out something and get the other exit towards Airport Road (Symbiosis College Road) open for traffic, the problem could be resolved somewhat."Flyers are also seeking improvements to the situation. Shailesh Kumawat, who came to Pune from Bengaluru earlier this month, said he spent almost 45 minutes at the AeroMall cab pickup point. "The situation was scary, with so much honking and noise.Upon asking, I was told that roads were blocked due to VIP movement. There need to be more roads to get in and out of Pune airport. It cannot be such a pain," he said.Adreesh Kumar, who lives in Delhi and often comes to Pune for business, agreed. "Airports like Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Kolkata have a simple entry and exit process. Roads leading to these airports are also very good. Only Pune has this issue. Last year, a friend of mine walked from Weikfield Chowk to the airport with his luggage as the roundabout was congested.People are always at risk of missing flights," he said.In Oct, minister of state for civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol had said the defence authorities have given permission to Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to broaden two roads leading to the airport. "The civic body can now work towards widening these routes, thereby easing the traffic situation," Mohol had said.At the time, PMC road department head Aniruddha Pawaskar had said, "Defence authorities have told us this orally many times before.It has to be official and in writing. Whether work permission has been given or not needs to be checked."Calls by TOI to get an updated comment from PMC were unanswered on Friday.Auto drivers create complicationRajput also said unauthorised autorickshaw drivers on airport premises are creating problems. "They park their vehicles anywhere and walk to the arrival area, cajoling arriving flyers to come with them rather than moving to the AeroMall. They spread misinformation that getting transportation from the AeroMall is very difficult and threaten our staff when they try to stop them. Something needs to be done jointly.The airport cannot be allowed to turn into a bus stand," he said.

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Deccan Herald

Nov 1, 2025, 12:07 AM

Global Snapshots: Nature, Culture, and Human Connection

A woman lights earthen lamps at Mauj Giri ghat along the banks of Yamuna river as part of 'Kalindi Mahotsav' celebrations, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh Credit: PTI Photo Rowers practice at Sukhna Lake during sunrise, in Chandigarh Credit: PTI Photo A camel performs at the annual Pushkar Camel Fair 2025, in Ajmer district, Rajasthan Credit: PTI Photo Leopords rest inside an enclosure at Sarthana Nature Park, in Surat Credit: PTI Photo A drone view shows Araguaian river dolphins swimming in the Tocantins river near Pedral do Lourenco, a natural rocky formation on the Tocantins River that may be blown up to build the Araguaia-Tocantins riverway, in Itupiranga, Para State, Brazil Credit: Reuters Photos A family travels by boat to join clean-up efforts against water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes), an invasive plant species that impedes navigation and fishing, in El Cerron Grande reservoir, in El Paraiso, El Salvador Credit: Reuters Photo

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Times of India

Nov 1, 2025, 12:06 AM

IMD Predicts Pleasant Weather for Most of India in November

NEW DELHI: Nights in November are likely to be less cold than usual across most of the country, except in parts of northwest India, while day temps are expected to remain "normal to below normal", making the month pleasant over large parts of India, according to IMD's monthly forecast released on Friday.Data shows that October was cooler than normal in many regions due to two cyclones, timely onset of northeast monsoon over southern peninsula, and four Western Disturbances over north India.Quantitatively, rainfall in October was the second highest since 2001 and 16th highest since 1901, with the country receiving over 112 mm of rain - about 49% above normal.The Met department also noted that 2025 is only the 12th year since 1891 when no cyclone formed between Jan and Sept.The earlier 11 instances occurred in 1938, 1949, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1993, 1995, 2011 and 2012.Releasing the Nov forecast, IMD director general Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said, "Monthly rainfall in Nov over south peninsular India is most likely to be normal, while 'normal to above-normal' rainfall is likely over most parts of the country, except in some areas of northwest India."On temperatures, he said "normal to below-normal" max (day) temperatures are likely over most parts of country, except over most of northeast India, some parts of northwest and southern peninsular India, and the Himalayan foothills, where above-normal maximum temperatures are expected."Above-normal minimum (night) temperatures are likely over most parts of country, except in some areas of northwest India where normal to below-normal minimum temperatures are likely," Mohapatra added.La Nina conditions, typically linked to colder winters in northern India, are currently weak but expected to persist through December to February. IMD will release its detailed winter outlook on November 30.

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Times of India

Nov 1, 2025, 12:04 AM

Political Murder in Mokama Reignites Old Rivalries

Patna: Guns had fallen silent in Mokama, notorious for poll violence from late 1980s to 2005, for last 20 years. But the first political murder on Thursday has opened old wounds in this assembly constituency of the poll-bound state.Dularchand Yadav (76), a local strongman, was gunned down during a clash between two groups in Mokama "taal (riverine)" area. He was taking part in a poll campaign led by Jan Suraaj candidate Piyush Priyadarshi when the clash broke out.The Yadav chieftain's grandson has blamed JD(U) Mokama candidate and strongmanAnant Singh, his two nephews Ranvir and Karmveer and dozen unnamed persons for the killing.Dularchand ruled over a large tract of the taal (riverine) area during the 80s and 90s.He was named in several cases of kidnapping, murder and extortion. Out on bail, he had fought assembly polls in 1990 on Lokdal ticket, but was defeated by another don Dilip Singh by a small margin. Dilip Singh, called "Sarkar" by his supporters, was elder brother of Anant Singh. Anant is known as "Chhote Sarkar" in the area.The rivalry between Dularchand and the Singh brothers dates back to the 80s. Dularchand, a Yadav, had been a threat to the political clout wielded by Singh brothers, Bhumihars by caste.The entry of Surajbhan Singh, another dreaded don from Sankarwar Tola in Mokama town, has threatened to divide the Bhumihar votes. Surajbhan had defeated Dilip Singh by a huge margin in 2000 assembly polls. He later became Balia LJP MP in 2009.He had several criminal cases lodged against him and was convicted in 2014 and later acquitted in Brij Bihari murder case.While Dularchand's family members and supporters have blamed Anant for the killing, Anant has blamed Surajbhan for the murder.Surajbhan's wife Veena Devi is fighting polls on RJD ticket against Anant Singh in Mokama seat.Surajbhan, on the other hand, has refuted Anant's charges and has demanded probe by a retired judge into the incident. Surajbhan's wife later rushed to the hospital where Dularchand's autopsy was to be done.Jan Suraaj's Priyadarshi, however, denied Surajbhan's hand in the killing. "Anant was present on the spot. He is responsible for the killing.He should be hanged after speedy trial of the case," he said, adding the killing was orchestrated by Anant to give a warning to the backward castes.Dularchand was once a close aide of RJD chief Lalu Prasad. INDIA bloc CM face Tejashwi Prasad Yadav has condemned the incident and has blamed the Nitish govt for "total failure of law and order in state".Priyadarshi, a Dhanuk, fought polls as Independent in 2020 assembly polls.This time, Dularchand was lobbying for an RJD ticket for Priyadarshi, but he was denied ticket at the last moment and Veena Devi was declared RJD candidate. Mokama seat has substantial Dhanuk voters (around 45,000). Combined with Yadavs (40,000) votes, Priyadarshi has emerged as a force to reckon with. Dhanuks have made their presence felt in this constituency earlier also.Bishun Dhari Lal, a Dhanuk, had won Mokama seat in 1967 on a Republican Party ticket.Mrityunjay Kumar, a native of Maranchi village, said, "Dularchand was unhappy because Priyadarshi was not given RJD tickets. If Yadavs of the constituency vote for Jan Suraaj candidate, the RJD candidate will be in trouble." Kumar, however, wondered why Jan Suraaj chief Prashant Kishor opted for an "RJD discard" candidate. "Kishor didn't properly search for a suitable candidate and lapped up the RJD discard," he added.Meanwhile, JD(U) has kept itself away from the broad daylight murder. In a strongly-worded statement issued to the media, party spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said, "We strongly condemn the incident. Goondas involved in the incident should be punished at any cost. Police probe is on and the FSL team has reached the spot."Bhumihars are largest in number (around 65,000) in this constituency. Rajputs (10,000) and Paswans (10,000) are other numerically strong caste groups there.Dularchand's killing has put the Mokama don on the backfoot. With no visible support from his party, a hostile crowd of the Yadav-Dhanuk combine and likely dent in the Bhumihar vote bank by Surajbhan's wife Veena Devi, Chhote Sarkar is on a sticky wicket.Anant's fortune can smile only if Bhumihars, sensing victory of the Jan Suraaj candidate and treating Veena Devi as a "vote katua", rally around him.

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Financial Express

Nov 1, 2025, 12:00 AM

The Great Generational Gamble: India's New Investors Caught Between Stability and FOMO

It’s 11 PM on a Tuesday. My cousin, a 25-year-old Marketing manager from Navi Mumbai unlocks his phone. On one app, hismutual fund SIP, which he has been building up for over 3 years is up a respectable 10%. At the same time, on another app, a cryptocurrency he has never even heard of is up 400%…justtoday. His friend’s Instagram story is a screenshot of his 5x gains on a “penny stock” he was recommended by a “Finfluencer”. And that right there is the perfect introduction to the high anxiety afflicted, conflict defining India’s new generation of investors. Constantly at war with themselves when it comes to finances. A psychological war waged daily on their smartphones between the proven, patient power of Stability versus the electric, adrenaline-fueled thrill of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). For decades, the Indian financial dream was simple… You get a job, start saving in FDs andPPF, then buy a house,pay your EMIsand finally retire. But for the ~400 million Indians in the 20-30 age bracket, that dream feels slow, outdated, and pointless in the face of inflation. In short, it feels insufficient. They are the first generation to be digitally native in their financial lives, and they are facing a numbing choice: Whether to follow the “boomer” advice of their parents or chase the “degen” riches of their contemporaries. Unfortunately, the data shows they are, confusingly, doing both. And the side of FOMO is becoming heavier at a scary pace. Let us be honest to ourselves. The “quick gain” economy is no longer a fringe movement. It is a mainstream phenomenon. The primary driver being an effective cocktail of accessibility, social proof, and wild volatility. Here is some hard data to ponder upon, from a recent October 2025 report by thecryptoexchange CoinSwitch. For the first time, Gen Z (investors aged 18-25) has officially beaten the Millennials to become the single largestcrypto-investingdemographic in India, making up a staggering 38% of all investors. If you think this is just casual interest, think again. This is a full-blown generational takeover if you will. And just last week, theMadras High Court in a landmark ruling on October 27, 2025, declared that cryptocurrency qualifies as “property” under Indian law. This judgment gives a massive wave of legal and psychological validity to an asset class that was, until recently, dismissed as a fad. Butwhatare they buying? The CoinSwitch report reveals the psychology. WhileBitcoinholds the position of top holding, the next in line is the 2ndmost popular coin for this demographic –Dogecoin! Mind you, this is a currency that started off as a literal joke. Yes, as a joke. Next up is Ethereum that sees high trading activity, but the real buzz is in volatile “altcoins” and penny stocks, where 10x gains (and 99% losses) are a daily possibility. But why is the Gen Z investing in these risky bets then? Probably because a 12% annual gain on aNIFTY 50 index fund, however smart it may look, doesn’t make for a good Instagram story. But a 500% gain on a meme coin definitely does. This is investing as entertainment, as social status, which is driven by what a 2024 academic study from IJSAT. The report identified in Gen Z investors a powerful “herd mentality” and a clear preference for “short-term gains”. They are not just investing they are gambling with a better user interface. But here is the paradox. While one half of their brain is on a crypto exchange, the other half is deeply anxious about the future. This same generation is not, as many believe, financially reckless. A 2024 Fin One survey revealed that 93% of young Indians identify as “consistent savers.” Furthermore, a global EY survey confirmed that “financial independence” is a near-universal goal for 87% of this demographic. They are worried. The rising cost of living is their top concern, according to GWI reports. They are very much aware that a 5% return on aFixed Depositis anet lossagainst real-world inflation. And so, they are also pouring money into the most “boring” and stable investment vehicle available to mankind, the Systematic Investment Plan (SIP). Data from theAssociation of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI)shows an unrelenting, record-breaking trend. SIP inflows have been consistently growing, with millions of new accounts being added. High-volume Google searches in India aren’t just for “best crypto”; they are for for practical tools like “SIP calculator,” “NPS scheme,” and “how to save tax.” This is the “Stability” side of the conflict. This is the part of them that is planning for a wedding, a down payment on a home, and a retirement their parents could be proud of. This is the “get rich slow” engine theyknowthey need. The result of these two powerful, opposing forces is not a balanced portfolio. It’s more of a financial whiplash. The young investor is caught between two worlds, and it’s creating a state of “analysis paralysis.” And the real danger isn’t in choosing one or the other; it’s in the destructive behaviour this conflict creates. It leads to “panic selling” stable SIPs to fund a crypto gamble. It leads to “revenge trading” after a big loss. And the losses are real. A SEBI study was brutally blunt when it pointed out that 9 out of 10 individual traders in the equity futures and options segment lose money.The “quick gain” is almost always a “quick loss.” The danger is that this generation, run by the volatility of FOMO, will wrongly conclude that “investing” itself is a scam and pull out of their stable SIPs, securing a future of financial anxiety. So, what is the solution? It is not to lecture Gen Z to stop buying crypto. Trust me, they won’t stop. And why should they. Crypto is not all bad. It is just that like any other asset class, you must understand it before investing in it. You see, the data is clear… They are already the #1 demographic doing it. The solution is to reframe the entire strategy. Instead of “FOMOvs.Stability,” the answer is “FOMOandStability.” This is known as the“Barbell Strategy,”a concept popularized by authorNassim Taleb. It’s an investment portfolio designed to manage precisely this kind of volatility. It has two ends, like a barbell, and nothing in the middle. This is your non-negotiable, “get rich slow” core which could act as your wealth engine in the long run. Something the kids will thank you for later. Broad-market index funds (e.g., NIFTY 50, NIFTY Next 50), Mutual Fund SIPs, Public Provident Fund (PPF), and theNational Pension System (NPS). The Goal here is to capture the market’s long-term, compounded growth. This is the money for your retirement, your home, and your financial freedom. Younevertouch this for speculative bets. It is sacred. Just invest, sit back andlet compounding work its magic. This is your “moonshot” basket or what you can call your “get rich quick” lottery ticket. Cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin,Ethereum), individual stocks, penny stocks, or any other high-risk asset you believe in. The Goal is to satisfy your FOMO and give you exposure to an asymmetric upside (where you can gain 10x or 20x). This must be money you are 100% willing to lose. Let us call it “Play Money.” If it goes to zero, your financial plan (the “Stability” end) is completely unaffected. This hybrid approach is a possible sane path forward. It honours the anxiety about the future with a rock-solid, stable core. And it honours the desire for excitement with a small, ring-fenced “casino” fund. The path to your first crore will not be a single 100x trade. Far from it! In fact, it will be the result of a thousand small, “boring” decisions like funding your SIP every month, increasing it by 10% every year, and letting it compound for decades. This generation is the most financially savvy in India’s history with access to more information and more tools than any that came before. The challenge is not a lack of options but an excess of it. Too much information is also not good. The “Great Generational Gamble” isn’t about choosing cryptoorSIPs. It’s about having the discipline to separate them and win in both. Build your wealth with stability and use your FOMO fund to buy your lottery tickets. That is how you win the game. All the best! The purpose of this article is only to share interesting charts, data points, and thought-provoking opinions. It is NOT a recommendation. If you wish to consider an investment, you are strongly advised to consult your advisor. This article is strictly for educative purposes only. Suhel Khan has been a passionate follower of the markets for over a decade. During this period, he was an integral part of a leading Equity Research organisation based in Mumbai as the Head of Sales & Marketing. Presently, he is spending most of his time dissecting the investments and strategies of the Super Investors of India. Disclosure: The writer and his dependents do not hold the stocks discussed in this article. The website managers, its employee(s), and contributors/writers/authors of articles have or may have an outstanding buy or sell position or holding in the securities, options on securities or other related investments of issuers and/or companies discussed therein. The content of the articles and the interpretation of data are solely the personal views of the contributors/ writers/authors. Investors must make their own investment decisions based on their specific objectives, resources and only after consulting such independent advisors as may be necessary.

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Economic Times

Nov 1, 2025, 12:00 AM

India's Largest Greenfield Steel Plant Set to Launch in Andhra Pradesh

SynopsisIndia's largest greenfield steel plant is set to be built in Anakapalli, Andhra Pradesh. AM/NS India secured environmental approval and land for an 8.2 million tonnes per annum facility. The project involves an initial investment of Rs 80,000 crore. Work is expected to begin within the calendar year. The plant's capacity may later expand to 24 MTPA.

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Times of India

Oct 31, 2025, 11:57 PM

Delhi's Air Quality Index Surges Unexpectedly, Drops 155 Points Without Rain

New Delhi: The city's air quality index (AQI), which Thursday had plunged to its worst Oct level in three years at 373, unexpectedly improved Friday to 218 — a drop of 155 points.While experts said the reason behind the sharp improvement without rain was unknown, Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa attributed it to the deployment of over 1,200 enforcement teams, 390 anti-smog guns, 280 sprinklers and 3,000 km of daily mechanical road sweeping."Winds were almost calm on Friday but light winds of 5-7 kmph prevailed for a few hours. Unlike Thursday, humidity levels were less. Moisture traps pollutants while a reduction in humidity levels aids dispersion," a Met official said, adding some parts of Delhi-NCR received light rainfall on Thursday, but no rain occurred on Friday.You Can Also Check:Delhi AQI|Weather in Delhi|Gold Rate Today in Delhi|Silver Rate Today in DelhiSunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst of think tank EnviroCatalysts, said, "Slightly better dispersion and changed wind direction can explain a little drop in pollution levels.Contribution from stubble burning might have also come down compared to Thursday. However, such a high and sudden drop without rain is a bit complex to understand. We will need a bit more research to be able to fully explain the fluctuations in air quality over the past few days."CPCB data shows Wazirpur was the lone station on Friday with an AQI in the ‘very poor' category. All other stations were either in ‘poor' or ‘moderate' category.On Thursday, Burari Crossing recorded an AQI of 399 in the extreme end of ‘very poor', which improved to 183 in the ‘moderate' category on Friday. Similarly, Anand Vihar saw a dip in AQI from a ‘severe' 410 to a ‘poor' 249 within 24 hours.The Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, which functions under the Union ministry of earth sciences, had on Thursday predicted Friday's AQI would likely stay ‘very poor'. Later, on Friday, it stated, "The air quality is likely to remain in the ‘very poor' category from Nov 1 to 3 and six days thereafter."Sirsa, who chaired a review meeting with all departments Friday, said, "Our entire govt machinery, including MCD, DDA, NDMC and DSIDC, has been working in complete coordination. As a result, Delhi's AQI stands at 218, compared to 357 on the same day last year. This reflects science-driven action and enforcement are delivering measurable results."He said 443 teams (1,200 personnel) are actively monitoring and curbing open waste-burning while 378 teams (1,000 personnel) and 578 teams (1,500 personnel) are in place to check dust and vehicular pollution control, respectively.These teams are patrolling day and night across ward and industrial areas to ensure strict prevention of open burning incidents, said Sirsa."Let me clarify — Delhi's 40 automatic air monitoring stations are tamper-proof and fully automatic. Data cannot be altered by anyone. Monitoring is done by DPCC, CPCB and IMD, and results are simultaneously published on multiple platforms. Prediction-based reporting around data manipulation is irresponsible and factually incorrect," the minister said.Sirsa also took stock of repairs of unpaved road coverings and potholes, directing that action should be initiated immediately wherever pending. Dust suppression along road networks is critical for sustained air quality improvement, he stressed.Residents, meanwhile, remain wary of toxic air. "On Thursday, as I landed in Delhi and drove out in a cab, I saw the grey sky and loudly thought I was going to rain. The driver said laconically, ‘Pradooshan, saab' (it's pollution, sir). I sensed the helplessness of Delhiites in his voice. The entire city wears its deathly grey parlour with a weary resignation of a patient on his deathbed. This is a city that is dying. Those about to meet their maker reminisce about the mistakes they made in their lives, and regret them.This city cannot even do that. It is comatose."

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Financial Express

Oct 31, 2025, 11:50 PM

India's Electronics Manufacturing Industry: A Decisive Decade Ahead

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Times of India

Oct 31, 2025, 11:40 PM

Parvez Rasool: The First Cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to Represent India

Parvez Rasool has explained why he retired despite being J&K’s highest wicket-taker last seasonKashmir willow bats have long travelled across India and overseas. What never travelled was Jammu & Kashmir cricket or its players. ThenParvez Rasoolshowed up. He made his Ranji Trophy debut in 2008 and built a career that spanned 95 First-Class matches, 352 wickets and 5,648 runs.But numbers tell only part of the story. Rasool became the first player from J&K to earn an IPL contract, the first to play for India, and the first to make people look at J&K cricket as more than just a supplier of bats.From Bijbehara’s bus rides to the India cap, his story is about a door that finally opened — and others who walked through because he did.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.SUBSCRIBE NOW!In an exclusive conversation with TimesofIndia.com, Rasool explains why he retired despite being J&K’s highest wicket-taker last season, why domestic performers from smaller states still struggle for recognition and opportunities, and how IPL performances overshadow domestic ones. Edited excerpts:Now that you've retired from cricket, many people believe that, since you were one of the top performers from Jammu and Kashmir, you could have played more. Did you take retirement a bit early?No, I feel this was the right time to say thank you and work with the younger boys and junior cricketers at grassroots levels.We're happy that Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) cricket, which was little known earlier, has now been recognized. Players from J&K are now being recognized, and people have now started taking our cricket seriously. That's the very positive thing, and what makes me very happy is that I also contributed a bit, served J&K cricket a bit, I was captain for 6 years, and in between, I got the Lala Amarnath award twice (2013-14 and 2017-18).So, I thank god that I played with good performances by my side, played with respect, knowing when to leave. Even in the last Ranji [Trophy] season, I was the highest wicket-taker from J&K. But sometimes you feel that things aren't the same as they used to. So, when the time comes, one should say thank you meaningfully. I felt it's part of life, everyone has to say thank you, and I felt this was the right time for me.You're from a very small Bijbehara town in Anantnag, and you became the first cricketer to represent India from Jammu and Kashmir. How difficult was it for you to make it to the top level?Difficult, definitely. Now in my area, we're contributing a bit to facilities for younger lads.I connect with my people because I know how much we've struggled. When we were young, we used to travel by bus, and as you know, I'm not from Srinagar, so we had to travel 50 km, carrying kit bags.Parvez Rasool is the first cricketer to represent India from Jammu and KashmirSometimes, bus drivers wouldn't even let us board because the kit bag was big, it was difficult for other people too.All this travel to reach your academy?No, for trials. There was no academy in our area, and even now there isn't any. There was only 1 ground, in Srinagar, where there was a turf wicket.When trials happened, we would travel to Srinagar for 1 month, because in our area, all cricket happened on mat.Your father and brother also played cricket. Did it help?There was a lot of support for me at home, and because of them, it became a bit easier. For other youngsters, it's not so easy to convince parents to play cricket in Kashmir, and especially for children from villages, because there's no opportunity, no facility and no one to look up to. We in J&K didn't have any role model in cricket, looking up to whom children could aspire.My parents, especially my father, always supported me. I always say that I was very lucky, because in villages, children don't get much encouragement to pursue cricket due to a lack of infrastructure or other facilities.Thereafter, I played Under-14, Under-19, and Under-23 for J&K, and thank God I performed at every level. Due to my performance in Under-23, I got included in the Jammu Kashmir Ranji Trophy team. I played my first game against Himachal, our team got all out around 110, in which I scored 40.When I was at my peak, I even got offers from big teams to play for them, but I always wanted our (J&K) cricket to rise, so I stayed here.You are being credited for making cricket a household name in Kashmir and making youngsters dare to dream and believe that if they put in the hard yards, they can also make it big. We've seen that so many cricketers like Abdul Samad, Aqib Nabi, Umran Malik, and many more are now coming from J&K and making an impact. How do you look at it?It gives me immense happiness. Earlier, no one cared for our (J&K) cricket, but now, looking at all those cricketers coming from J&K makes me very happy.So do you see any cultural change, as in now parents encourage their children to pursue cricket, compared to when you started playing?Yes, a lot. There's a lot of cricket in the valley; you'll see so much cricket.I don't think in any part of India there's so much local cricket as there is here in Kashmir. In local cricket, there's so much passion, people have so much interest, they come in thousands to watch the game.Earlier, the path wasn't visible to youngsters. But when someone opens the doors, then a path is made. People feel like if they work hard, there's a chance they can play at a higher level.You've traveled all over India, all over the world. How is the ecosystem in Kashmir for coaching, scouting, basic infrastructure different from the rest of the country, even now, with so much improvement and interest?The structure doesn't exist at all. The infrastructure is the same as it was when I was playing or even before that.There's the same one ground, the Sher-e-Kashmir stadium in Srinagar; no ground has been built apart from it. There's one ground in Jammu. Apart from these 2 grounds, there's no other place.However, the Jammu Kashmir Sports Council (government body) has made some grounds. Some nets have been prepared, but they also need improvement. But Cricket association (JKCA) has the same 2 grounds. How will you make players without facilities?My belief is. Although you can defer. My belief is that players are made when you provide them with good facilities and infrastructure.Coaching is secondary. If you keep coaching, and won't give facilities to players, then things won't work out.Abdul Samad was once projected as the next big thing in Indian cricket. However, he couldn't live up to the hype that was created around him 3-4 years ago. Do you talk to him? What didn't work in his favour?I think Abdul Samad played well last year. Not just IPL but overal. He's a talented boy and right now performing too; last year also he scored 2 hundreds in the Ranji Trophy. Unfortunately, he was dropped in the quarter-final, I don't know why, what was the reason. It is understandable if you drop a player who has not performed but Samad had scored 2 hundreds in the Ranji Trophy and was dropped.When such things happen, the player also gets demotivated.But he has talent, I believe that in the coming time he'll do better.How real is the fear among domestic players that no matter how well they perform, the system won’t notice unless they’re from a strong board or big team?Yes, it's very important to have people speaking for you. Very important to back our players who are performing.Nowadays, our boy Aqib Nabi is performing exceptionally. Recently, in the Duleep Trophy, he bagged a five-wicket haul, which included four wickets in four balls. In the last Ranji Trophy match against Rajasthan, he took 7-wicket haul.But he is nowhere to be seen, not even included in the India A team. In small states, this problem remains; your performance doesn't get as much recognition as it deserves.Can you tell us one thing about domestic cricket that you feel outsiders, especially common people, don't understand? Something in domestic cricket that common people don't know about, no one talks about?Since IPL came, people have started taking domestic cricket very lightly. In entire [domestic] season if one player scores 600 runs or takes 30-40 wickets, but another player performs even once in IPL, then that player gets fast-tracked into the team.Feels a bit bad to think that some players work hard all year, for two seasons, but players who only perform in IPL get fast-tracked after one performance. So yeah, IPL overshadows domestic cricket performances a bit.BCCI is the richest cricketing board. But still, domestic matches aren't telecast or live-streamed, so common people don't have exposure to domestic cricket. Do you feel BCCI should live-stream all the matches?Absolutely, to telecast all the matches is difficult, but they could be streamed on YouTube. People's perception will change a bit towards domestic cricket too if they get to see the matches. Because matches are very interesting.You played for so many IPL teams, played for India, but didn't get a long run anywhere. Do you think about it, or do you have any regret? Do you think it was unfair?I believe that I didn't get as many opportunities as I should have. When I got into Pune Warriors [in 2013], that year I was the top all-rounder in the domestic season, after that I went to Pune. I thought I'd get to play, but I didn't. When they were out of the tournament then I got a match, and in the first game, I got Jack Kallis bowled for 23-24 runs; I took 2 wickets. In the second game, I bowled one over and gave 5 runs, after that I didn't get any match.Parvez Rasool in action in the IPLThe way I was performing in first class, I also thought I would get a chance in Test cricket. The kind of wickets we made in India would have suited me as well.I debuted for India in Bangladesh and got two wickets on a very flat wicket, but I was dropped after one match. Then in 2017, I made my T20 debut in Kanpur against England but was again dropped after one game. I don't think that...

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Times of India

Oct 31, 2025, 11:27 PM

NBA Cup Trophy: A Masterpiece of Artistry and Innovation

NBA Cup Trophy (Image via Getty)TheNBA Cup trophy, awarded to the champions of the league’s in-season tournament, stands as a remarkable fusion of art and tradition. Introduced as part of the NBA’s effort to inject excitement into the midseason schedule, the trophy quickly became a symbol of excellence for teams aiming to make history beyond the regular championship.Much like the Larry O’Brien Trophy, the NBA Cup embodies the league’s commitment to innovation while preserving the artistry and prestige associated with basketball glory.Beyond its role as a mere prize, the NBA Cup trophy signifies the evolution of basketball as both a sport and a cultural phenomenon. The in-season tournament itself has become a global event, blending competition, creativity, and commerce. Its trophy reflects this ethos, representing not just victory but the beauty of teamwork, resilience, and the ever-growing reach of the NBA around the world.Who Designed the NBA Cup Trophy?The NBA Cup trophy is a distinguished creation by luxury jeweler Tiffany & Co. in collaboration with acclaimed artist Victor Solomon. Standing 23 inches tall and weighing 35 pounds, the trophy is constructed from sterling silver and black ceramic, adorned with a 24-karat gold finish. Every element of its design captures the spirit of competition and the unity of the league. The eight golden prongs at the top symbolize the eight teams that advance to the knockout rounds, while 30 net-like openings at the base represent all 30 NBA franchises.Giannis and Lillard with the NBA Cup Trophy (Image via Getty)The height of 23 inches pays tribute to 2023 - the year the tournament was inaugurated - while its substantial weight underscores the intensity of the multi-stage competition. The three-tiered base further mirrors the format of advancing through stages to claim the ultimate prize. The overall look draws inspiration from the iconic Larry O’Brien Trophy, maintaining visual harmony between the league’s two most prestigious awards.Estimated Worth of the NBA Cup TrophyWhile the NBA has not publicly disclosed the trophy’s official cost, experts estimate its production value to be around $50,000 or more. This valuation takes into account the use of premium materials and the exceptional craftsmanship that Tiffany & Co. is renowned for. However, the trophy’s true worth extends beyond its physical composition. Winning it brings prestige, legacy, and substantial financial incentives.For the 2025 edition of the tournament, each player on the championship team receives an impressive $530,933 in prize money - a figure that has risen in line with league revenues under the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. This financial reward, coupled with the honor of securing the NBA Cup, has made the in-season tournament one of the most anticipated events of the year.Victor Solomon’s Vision for the NBA Cup TrophyVictor Solomon’s collaboration with Tiffany & Co. brought a modern artistic touch to the NBA Cup’s design.Known for blending basketball culture with fine art, Solomon also creates the NBA Cup courts each year, ensuring a cohesive visual identity between the game environment and the trophy itself. His creative direction integrates symbolism, geometry, and contemporary aesthetics, reflecting the evolving narrative of the NBA’s in-season competition.Key Facts About the NBA Cup TrophyAspectDetailsHeight23 inches (symbolizing the year 2023, the tournament’s inception)Weight35 poundsMaterialsSterling silver, black ceramic, 24-karat gold finishDesignerTiffany & Co. in collaboration with artist Victor SolomonSymbolism8 golden prongs (knockout teams), 30 net openings (NBA teams), 3-tier base (wins to claim title)Estimated ValueAround $50,000 (production cost estimate)Player Prize Money (2025)Approximately $530,933 per player on the winning teamHow the NBA Cup Resembles a Modern Symbol of Basketball ExcellenceKyle Terada with the NBA Cup Trophy (Image via USA TODAY Sports)The NBA Cup trophy stands as more than an object of victory - it’s a work of art that encapsulates ambition, craftsmanship, and innovation. With its elegant form, symbolic design, and connection to the league’s heritage, it has already earned its place alongside basketball’s most prestigious awards. The trophy’s creation signifies a new era in the NBA, where artistry meets athleticism to celebrate the enduring spirit of the game.Catch Lovlina Borgohain's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 5. Watch Here

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Times of India

Oct 31, 2025, 11:21 PM

Agra-Lucknow Expressway Sees High Rate of Accidents Due to Fatigue, Overspeeding, and Other Factors

12Agra: As many as 7,024 road accidents were reported on the Agra–Lucknow Expressway between Jan 2021 and Sept 2025, claiming over 500 lives, according to data shared during the Supreme CourtRoad SafetyCommittee meeting held on Oct 24. The details were released on Thursday by Agra-based lawyer K C Jain, who participated in the meeting.Of these, 3,843 accidents (54.7%) were caused by drivers falling asleep behind the wheel, making fatigue the single biggest cause of crashes on the 300-km expressway. Other major factors included overspeeding — 690 accidents (9.8%), tyre bursts — 626 accidents (8.9%), and animal crossings — 249 accidents (3.5%). Another 1,616 accidents (23%) were attributed to miscellaneous causes, including 24 vehicle fires.Traffic volume has also surged sharply on the expressway. Data from the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) shows that daily vehicle movement has doubled since 2020, rising from 5,45,764 in Jan 2020 to 11,16,390 in Jan 2025—an average of over 36,000 vehicles a day.Cars make up the majority of vehicles on the expressway, accounting for 64.3% of total traffic. Between 2021 and Sept this year, there were 3,881 car-related accidents, resulting in 4,264 injuries and 369 deaths.Two-wheeler traffic also rose by 30% during the same period, from 31,361 in Jan 2020 to 40,667 in Jan 2025. Officials noted that violations such as triple riding and riding without helmets were common. Between 2021 and Sept 2025, 769 two-wheeler accidents left 1,053 injured and 133 dead.The report also flagged inadequate public facilities on the expressway. At present, there are only two rest stops on each side — at 105 km and 227 km (Agra–Lucknow direction) and 217 km and 101 km (Lucknow–Agra direction).As per Indian Roads Congress (IRC) norms, such amenities should be available every 40–60 km, and according to the revised 2025 draft, every 30–40 km.UPEIDA has now proposed additional sites at 160 km and 165 km milestones.Speaking to TOI, K C Jain said, "When the expressway's speed limit is 120 km/h, should two-wheelers be allowed at all? The ministry of road transport & highways bars two- and three-wheelers, bicycles, and animal carts on access-controlled expressways.At least five rest areas in each direction are essential for safety."He added, "Roads are symbols of development, not paths to death. The data shows this is not mere negligence—it's a human tragedy. The Supreme Court Committee must act urgently and create a national framework for expressway safety."The 302.2-km six-lane Agra–Lucknow Expressway, expandable to eight lanes, begins at the Agra inner ring road and passes through Firozabad, Mainpuri, Etawah, Auraiya, Kannauj, Kanpur Nagar, Hardoi, and Unnao, ending near Lucknow.GFXHead: PATH OF PERIL?Drivers dozing off: 3,843 accidents (Jan 2021–Sept 2025)Sudden animal crossings: 249 accidents (Jan 2021–Sept 2025)Tyre bursts: 626 accidents (Jan 2021–Sept 2025)Speeding: 690 accidents (Jan 2021–Sept 2025)Other causes, including vehicle fires: 1,616 accidents (Jan 2021–Sept 2025)(Highlight the points below separately)Traffic volume doubled between 2020 and 2025 — from 5.4 lakh to 11.1 lakh vehicles per monthFrom 2021 to 2025, as many as 3,881 car-related accidents resulted in 369 deaths, while 133 lives were lost in two-wheeler incidents

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The Free Press Journal

Oct 31, 2025, 10:59 PM

Farmer's Despair: Crop Loss and Financial Stress Drive Jhansi Farmer to Suicide Amid Unseasonal Rains

Jhansi:A 48-year-old farmer from Jhansi took his own life after unseasonal rains destroyed his paddy crop spread over 15 bighas. The farmer, Kamlesh Yadav, a resident of Kumharar village under Moth tehsil, was found hanging in his room on Friday morning. His family said the rains caused flooding in his fields, ruining the ready-to-harvest crop and leaving him in severe distress. Family Says Crop Loss And Financial Stress Drove Him To Despair According to his son, the family owned 5 bighas and cultivated another 10 on lease. After days of continuous rain, all crops were lost. Kamlesh had been depressed and reportedly worried about his daughter’s upcoming engagement. Police have taken the body for post-mortem and begun an inquiry. Rain Batters Over 20 Districts; Crops Submerged Across Eastern UP Meanwhile, heavy rain continues to batter over 20 districts including Varanasi, Ballia, Mau, and Fatehpur. In Kaushambi, nearly 1,000 quintals of paddy stored in local markets were drenched. Fields in low-lying areas remain flooded, while farmers struggle to save what remains of their produce. IMD Issues Fresh Alert; CM Orders Relief And Compensation For Affected Farmers The IMD has warned of more rainfall and gusty winds until November 1. The CM has directed officials to survey affected areas and ensure timely compensation to impacted farmers. Continuous Rain Turns Farmland Into Water Bodies Continuous rain for the third straight day has turned vast stretches of farmland into water bodies across eastern Uttar Pradesh. In Mau, nearly 70% of crops have been damaged, while farmers in Ballia and Gonda report similar distress. Paddy left to dry in open fields is now soaked, raising fears of fungal spoilage. Varanasi recorded its coldest October in eight years as temperatures dipped due to the cyclonic system. Experts say the weakened Montha system has now turned into a low-pressure zone, but its aftereffects will continue to disrupt weather and farming across the state till Saturday. Also Watch: Cyclone Montha ravages UP Cyclone Montha has battered Uttar Pradesh, causing severe crop damage in Raebareli and Mirzapur. Thousands of acres of paddy and rabi crops are submerged, leaving farmers in crisis. Protests erupted over delayed relief, while officials estimate a 10–12% production loss. Heavy rains also triggered a fatal house collapse in Farrukhabad. Need help, contact AASRA

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Times of India

Oct 31, 2025, 10:57 PM

Solo Dining: A Growing Trend in the Restaurant Industry

12Pune: When Abhijeet Gandhi entered a restaurant in 2023, and asked for a ‘table for one', he was greeted by awkward stares and then given the corner-most table at the restaurant. "It was a table with no view, which no one would voluntarily choose.I took it anyway. I could see families of four, six, and eight on other tables, hear their whispers, and awkwardly smiled back. I quickly placed my order, gobbled up my food, and left," he said.The industry as well as diners seem to be more accepting of solo dining now. Delhi resident Ekta Ramchandani said, "Going alone for a meal has now become normalised. I'm a foodie and love to try out new places, so I often eat out alone.Servers are welcoming, and so are other diners. Portion sizes are also relatively smaller, so it's fun to be able to try out more dishes."This shift is also reflected in restaurant offerings, with many places now catering specifically to solo diners through smaller tables, special seating arrangements, and personalised services.You Can Also Check:Pune AQI|Weather in Pune|Gold Rate Today in Pune|Silver Rate Today in Pune"We have seen this trend of solo dining increasing. The changing lifestyle of people and the unavailability of friends/partners have led to more single diners.We are seeing more women solo diners. To cater to such clients, we have one-person combos and reduced portion sizes," said Saili Jahagirdar, who runs Zillionth Bistro in Kothrud.Designing a menu for a single diner has been challenging for the industry as it requires micro-planning at the kitchen level, and the economics may not always work out for restaurants. Solo diners tend to be engaged in work and are usually longer diners, said Kavitha Mantha, the owner and chief curator of Sage Farm cafe in Hyderabad."Turnaround of the table is typically slower as they are usually working. It can be challenging during busy times.We have broken up seating into two-seaters so that bigger tables are not occupied. While we don't have a specific solo diner menu, we usually see them ordering seasonal specials, which are typically smaller portions," she said.Karan Kriplani, who runs Hippie at Heart in the city, said menu engineering plays a big role in managing meal quantities and portion sizes."We serve a lot of Italian and continental food, and portion sizes are typically suited for a single person. They are pre-plated, unlike perhaps an Indian meal. Many of our couple tables are offered to single diners."For chefs, curating a single-person meal can take a lot of effort, especially since the quantity served is less and the variety is more. "We get a lot of business travellers who usually come in alone for meals.An à la carte portion doesn't make sense for a single diner because quantities are much bigger. We are seeing that people are concerned about food wastage. We have curated a special single diner menu option at all restaurants at ITC to encourage single diners to dine with us," said Paul Noronha, executive chef at ITC Maratha in Mumbai.Single diners often find themselves limited to just one dish given the generous portion sizes at most restaurants. "To cater to single diners, we have curated an Amadeo lunch experience menu featuring multiple courses of individually portioned dishes. The lunch experience menu is available for Japanese, Chinese, Indian, and Italian cuisines. In addition, our small plates allow guests the flexibility to enjoy a variety of flavours in a single sitting," said Swanand Thipsay, executive chef at Amadeo by Oberoi in Mumbai.

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Times of India

Oct 31, 2025, 10:33 PM

Andhra Pradesh Records One of Its Wettest Octobers in Recent History

Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh recorded one of its wettest Octobers in recent history, with the state receiving 294.1 mm of rainfall as against the normal rainfall 161.5 mm as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD).This represents an 82% surplus over the state's average normal rainfall.The weathermen said the post-monsoon surge this year has been unusually strong, driven by a low-pressure-system and severe cyclonic storm Montha which triggered heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of the coastal Andhra Pradesh (CAP) as well as Rayalaseema districts in the state.The southwest monsoon withdrew from Andhra Pradesh on October 16 this year and at the same time the northeast monsoon has set in over Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra Pradesh.Moisture convergence and the slow movement of systems kept many parts of the state under continuous rainfall bands in the month of October.Coastal Andhra Pradesh (CAP) and Yanam sub-division in the state which comprises 18 districts and Yanam of Puducherry recorded 351.9 mm of rainfall as against the 182.2 mm of rainfall in the month of October-2025, which translated to around 93 per cent surplus rainfall. Similarly, the Rayalaseema region, which comprises eight districts, registered 227.1 mm of rainfall as against the 132.1 mm of rainfall in October 2025, which translated to around 72 per cent surplus rainfall.Among all the 26 districts in the state, Prakasam district registered the highest rainfall in the state at 140 per cent in October-2025, followed by 131 per cent surplus rain in Nellore, 124 per cent surplus in Vizianagaram, 119 per cent in Palnadu and 109 per cent surplus in Guntur district. Only two districts_ East Godavari and Kurnool in the state recorded deficit rainfall of 52 and 7 per cent respectively.The October rains accompanied by strong gales caused extensive damage to standing crops (paddy, maize, horticulture) and led to damage to roads and infrastructure in parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh. The weathermen forecast that light to moderate rainfall likely in parts of the coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema regions for the next three to four days.

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Economic Times

Oct 31, 2025, 10:19 PM

India's Largest Greenfield Steel Plant Cleared for Construction in Andhra Pradesh

SynopsisThe decks have been cleared for India’s largest greenfield steel plant in Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh with a project proposal by AM/NS India getting environment nod and 2,200 acres of land to set up an 8.2 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) capacity blast furnace facility with an initial investment of ₹80,000 crore.

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Times of India

Oct 31, 2025, 09:22 PM

NGT Directs Bhopal Municipal Corporation to Remove Encroachments Along Upper Lake

Bhopal: The central bench ofNational Green Tribunal(NGT), on Friday, expressed its displeasure over the failure of Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) to submit a reply on compliance with its order over the removal of encroachments in the ‘no construction zone' on the banks of Upper Lake, directing the civic body to take necessary action to remove unauthorised structures along the banks, enforcing the Wetland Rules in letter and spirit.The green tribunal also sought an action taken report (ATR) within two weeks thereafter.The order came in response to a petition in the Rashid Noor Khan Vs Collector in Bhopal on Friday. The NGT, in its brief order, stated, "Counsel for the BMC has submitted that notices have been issued to the person against whom the allegations of encroachment have been levelled and the BMC is under process to dispose it, according to rules, providing an opportunity for hearing.The tribunal shows its displeasure against Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) for not submitting the replies in time in spite of clear cut directions during the last hearing on this matter." Advocate Harshwardhan Tiwari, the counsel for the petitioner, submitted that in compliance with the previous order of the central bench on Oct 7, 2025, the encroachment which had been enumerated in the para 18 had not been specifically addressed by the BMC.To this, the counsel for ministry of environment & forest, Sapna Aggarwal, submitted that in accordance with provisions contained in Wetland Rules prohibited activities, restricted activities and regulated activities are to be complied with by the local administration and in case of any violation, the state Pollution Control Board (PCB) has to take necessary action.After hearing arguments on both sides, the bench comprising judicial member Sheo Kumar Singh and expert member Sudhir Kumar Chaturvedi pronounced the order, stating, "(The) BMC is directed to act in accordance with the previous order, remove the encroachments and enforce the Wetland Rules strictly in letter and spirit.The action taken report should be filed within two weeks." The bench set the next hearing in the matter on Nov 12.Expressing disappointment with the regulatory authorities and local administration, including the municipal corporation, over their failure to remove encroachments within 50 metres of the Upper Lake's full tank level (FTL), demolish the existing ones and check discharge of untreated sewage and garbage in the lake, which is also a major source of drinking water for Bhopal residents, the tribunal stated that a private individual is not expected to have resources, access to records and other logistic requirements to identify the encroachments on his own, which is why he sought to get it done by moving the green bench.The bench asked the MP Pollution Control Board to forward the list to the collector and BMC commissioner for examination and action on any violations of the Wetland Rules, 2017, and to submit a report within two weeks. "There will not be discharge of any untreated water into the water bodies, and right, title and interest of any person or any property in case of any grievance or dispute may be raised before a competent forum, revenue court or civil court," bench said.

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Times of India

Oct 31, 2025, 09:10 PM

Uttarakhand High Court Slams State Government for Failure to Control Forest Fires

12Nainital: Uttarakhand high court (HC) on Friday came down heavily on the state govt for its repeated failure to controlforest fires, remarking that such blazes have now turned into "a festival-like annual event" in the state.A division bench of Chief Justice G Narendar and Justice Subhash Upadhyay, while hearing multiple public interest litigations (PILs) concerning forest fires and environmental degradation, expressed strong displeasure over the govt's "continued inaction" despite consistent directions issued by the court since 2017 to adopt preventive and mitigation measures.The bench observed that "no concrete steps have been taken" to implement earlier court orders, and directed the state govt to file a detailed compliance report by Monday, outlining progress made so far.The matter will be taken up again on the same day.Expressing alarm over the ecological consequences of recurring fires, the court said "frequent blazes are causing extensive ecological loss, destroying wildlife habitats, endangering lives and contributing to rising temperatures in the Himalayan region." The judges also linked the rise in landslides and cloudbursts to environmental imbalances aggravated by unchecked forest fires.Court-appointed amicus curiae Dushyant Mainali and other experts proposed several measures to the bench. The court suggested that the state explore the creation of "khaals" — traditional water reservoirs — across higher altitudes and interlink them to form natural fire lines. This, the bench noted, could serve as an effective and sustainable mechanism to contain forest fires during the dry season.The amicus curiae informed the court that since 2021, the govt has "done little beyond giving assurances to the court".The court recalled its 2016 and 2017 orders, which had directed the formation of village-level fire management committees, public awareness drives and long-term forest protection strategies. "Most of these directives remain unfulfilled," the court noted.The high court had earlier taken suo motu cognisance of news reports highlighting large-scale forest fires in 2021, following which the State Legal Services Authority had also written to the Chief Justice, urging urgent judicial intervention to protect forests and wildlife.Despite these interventions, the bench said the "state has not demonstrated tangible results on the ground." It added that the govt's reliance on helicopters to douse fires was "not only expensive but largely ineffective," and stressed the need for community-based, ground-level participation in fire prevention and control.The bench warned that continued non-compliance with its directions "will not be tolerated", reaffirming that the court would ensure strict accountability and environmental protection in Uttarakhand.

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Times of India

Oct 31, 2025, 08:44 PM

Nikola Jokic Set to Suit Up for Denver Nuggets Against Portland Trail Blazers

Nikola Jokic of Nuggets vs Warriors (Image via AP Photo)TheDenver Nuggetsreceived positive news ahead of their NBA Cup clash against the Portland Trail Blazers, as superstar centerNikola Jokicis expected to suit up tonight. The reigning Finals MVP has been instrumental in Denver’s impressive start to the 2025-26 NBA season, leading the team with his trademark dominance on both ends of the floor.His continued brilliance has fueled Denver’s position as one of the most efficient offensive units in the league.Nikola Jokic’s availability tonight givesthe Nuggetsa major boost as they look to maintain momentum in the early stages of the NBA Cup. Fans have grown accustomed to the Serbian star’s consistency - his combination of elite scoring, rebounding, and passing has been unmatched, with triple-doubles becoming a regular feature of his performances.His leadership and on-court chemistry with Jamal Murray remain the key drivers behind Denver’s success.Nikola Jokic’s Current Injury Status vs Portland Trail Blazers (October 31, 2025)According to the latest reports as of October 31, 2025,Nikola Jokicis fully cleared to play and has not been listed on the Nuggets’ injury report. There are no indications of any current setbacks or health issues that might affect his participation. Earlier in the preseason, Jokic dealt with minor ankle, back, and calf concerns, but those issues have since been managed effectively.His name has consistently appeared under “probable” or “day-to-day” in previous listings, yet he has not missed significant time.For tonight’s matchup, Jokic’s absence from both the “doubtful” and “out” lists confirms his readiness. The team expects him to lead from the front as Denver aims to continue their dominant run.Nikola Jokic’s Impact on the Denver Nuggets’ SeasonNikola Jokic has been in phenomenal form, averaging consistent triple-doubles since the season tipped off.In his most recent outing against the New Orleans Pelicans, he posted 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists while shooting an efficient 10-for-15 from the floor. He accomplished all that in just 28 minutes before sitting out the fourth quarter in a comfortable victory.His ability to control the game’s tempo and create plays for his teammates keeps Denver’s offense flowing seamlessly. The Nuggets currently boast one of the top offensive ratings in the league, and Jokic’s all-around performance is a major reason behind that success.Game Context: Nuggets vs. Trail Blazers (October 31, 2025)Nikola Jokic vs Clippers (Image via Imagn)Tonight’s NBA Cup contest sees the Denver Nuggets (3-1) taking on the Portland Trail Blazers (3-2). Despite Portland undergoing early-season coaching changes, the team has remained competitive. However, Denver enters the matchup as the clear favorite, powered by Jokic’s presence and their superior offensive rhythm.Jamal Murray’s status remains uncertain as he deals with left calf tightness, leaving Jokic expected to shoulder an even greater share of the offensive load.Should Murray be limited or unavailable, Jokic’s playmaking will be more crucial than ever.Also read:Why is Jayson Tatum not playing tonight vs the Philadelphia 76ers? Latest update on the Boston Celtics star’s injury report (October 31, 2025)Fans can breathe easy - Nikola Jokic is ready to take the floor tonight for the Denver Nuggets. With no new injury concerns reported, the two-time MVP remains the focal point of Denver’s lineup as they face a determined Portland side in NBA Cup action. As the Nuggets continue to chase another championship, Jokic’s leadership and consistency will once again be the key to their success in what promises to be an entertaining and high-intensity showdown.Catch Lovlina Borgohain's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 5. Watch Here

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Deccan Herald

Oct 31, 2025, 07:41 PM

Delhi Minister Assures Tamper-Proof Pollution Stations Amid AQI Decline

New Delhi: Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Friday said the substantial decline in the Air Quality Index (AQI) has been due to the government's efforts and asserted that the pollution stations are "tamper-proof" amid allegations of fudged data. Earlier in the day, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had also said that pollution data cannot be manipulated or tampered with. The Aam Aadmi Party has criticised the government's cloud seeding trials and accused the BJP government in Delhi of shutting down pollution monitoring stations and manipulating the AQI data on Diwali night to conceal the grim situation. Addressing a press conference, Sirsa said, "I want to clarify that all monitoring stations are tamper-free and they are monitored by CPCB and CAQM," he said. Delhi's 24-hour AQI was recorded at 218 (poor) at 4 pm on Friday, a substantial decline from the previous day's 373. The AQI stood at 279 on Wednesday. "The Delhi government, MCD, DDA, DSIIDC, Irrigation and Flood Control department have been working day and night, and the results are visible. Today the AQI is 218, which is the lowest in years for this month," he said. Sirsa said there are 378 teams to monitor dust pollution, 443 teams to check open burning of garbage and over 500 teams to monitor vehicular pollution. Almost 300 kilometres of roads are being swept using mechanical road sweepers, and there are 390 anti-smog guns, the minister said, adding that a total of 91 anti-smog guns have been installed atop high-rise buildings, and 280 water sprinklers have been put in place.

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Financial Express

Oct 31, 2025, 07:19 PM

Rodrigues' Historic Knock Gives India a Shot at World Cup Glory

ByVinayakk Mohanarangan The importance of Jemimah Rodrigues’ match-winning innings of 127* againstAustraliain theICC Women’sWorld Cup semifinal in Navi Mumbai on Thursday can be broken into three parts. First, the context. The Australian women’s cricket team simply doesn’t lose often in One Day Internationals. Since losing to India at the 2017 World Cup semifinal in Derby, England – that day due to another incredible unbeaten 171* by Harmanpreet Kaur – Australia have lost just six ODIs in eight years. They won the 2022 World Cup without losing a match; they were unbeaten in this edition too. They are the seven-time champions of this tournament. So by sheer weight of their achievements, it was no mean feat for India to get past them in such a high-stakes clash. On the contrary, the Indian women’s cricket team has often been guilty of collapsing under the weight of high-pressure matches in the recent past. They snatched defeats from the jaws of victory at Lord’s in the 2017 final against England, and against Australia too, have faltered from good positions in the T20 format since. But, if any one team has consistently challenged the mighty Australians, it has been India. Next, the occasion. Chasing a target of 339 had never been achieved in the history of women’s ODIs. In fact, such a high total hasn’t been achieved ever at World Cups, irrespective of gender. So when India walked out to bat, they knew they had to go where no one had gone before in such a high-stakes situation. Then they ended up losing Shafali Verma in the second over, and the world No. 1 batter, Smriti Mandhana, in the 10th. The improbable was starting to verge towards the impossible. And finally, the protagonist. That it was Jemimah Rodrigues who took India past the finish line from that point is special in many ways. In front of more than 33,000 fans who had turned up, it was one of their own who was playing an innings that will be remembered for ages. The Mumbaikar, who also grew up playing hockey, is the product of the city’s rich cricketing culture. Having made headlines as a teenage prodigy with a tendency to score big, it took a while for Rodrigues to crack international cricket in the 50-over format. She was controversially left out of the squad for the last edition in 2022, when India couldn’t even qualify for the semifinals. This time, after a less-than-ideal start to the tournament, Rodrigues found herself watching on from the sidelines in one of the most important matches of the tournament. Against England in Indore, in a quest to add a bowling option to the playing XI, India left Rodrigues out. The hosts ended up losing in a run chase that they had under control for a long time. All these factors combined, Rodrigues’ knock against Australia at the DY Patil Stadium will go down in Indian cricket history as one of the greatest ever. The batter spoke after the match, with tears flowing down along with beads of sweat, about battling anxiety over the past few weeks. She revealed she had been crying almost every day because things were not working out for her as she had hoped. She also spoke of her faith in Jesus and how reciting a line from the bible carried her through. “I kept quoting a kept scripture. Just stand still and God will fight for you.” With a slice of luck going her way too, Rodrigues did exactly that as she stood defiant against the odds and carried her team past the mammoth record. It was vindication for her, after the trials and tribulations she has had to deal with in her young career already, that she belonged at this level. For Harmanpreet Kaur’s side, it is a result that gives them a shot at winning that elusive silverware. For Indian women’s cricket, it is a result that is bound to have a significant impact at the grassroots level. As Rodrigues said in an interview with Sky Sports earlier this year, 2017 created a boom for the game as suddenly more girls started taking up the sport at the school level. That impact is bound to get multiplied now as this win came at the most significant centre for women’s cricket in India at the moment.

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Economic Times

Oct 31, 2025, 07:09 PM

India's Gold Loan Market Surges as Renewable Energy Financing Reaches New Heights

SynopsisGold loans and renewable energy sector financing have surged, more than doubling to Rs 3.16 lakh crore and Rs 14,842 crore respectively. This contrasts with decelerated growth in bank credit to NBFCs and HFCs, which saw modest increases of 3.9% and 0.2% respectively. Consumer durable and personal loans also experienced slower growth.

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Times of India

Oct 31, 2025, 06:48 PM

Delhi's Air Pollution Crisis: A Silent Enemy Threatens Health

Delhi’s air has turned into a silent enemy. FormerAIIMSDirector Dr Randeep Guleria has warned that the current levels of pollution are not just aggravating asthma and COPD but are also beginning to trouble people who have never faced breathing problems before.The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has dipped deep into the poor and very poor zones, making every breath a burden.Healthy people are reporting chest tightness, sore throat, nasal irritation, and coughing. Doctors explain that inhaling polluted air leads to inflammation and narrowing of the airways, which limits oxygen intake even in normal lungs. This means the body has to work harder to breathe, a strain that the lungs are not designed to handle daily.The heart feels it tooPolluted air doesn’t stop at the lungs. Fine particles, called PM2.5, are small enough to travel from the lungs into the bloodstream. Once there, they can trigger inflammation in blood vessels, raising the risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks, and irregular heartbeat.For people with pre-existing heart conditions, this can be dangerous. Even a few days of exposure to very poor AQI can cause increased heart rate, chest discomfort, and shortness of breath.Over time, chronic exposure can weaken the heart’s ability to pump efficiently.Why even ‘green crackers’ aren’t green enoughDespite restrictions, the use of firecrackers during festive days has worsened Delhi’s pollution. Dr Guleria told ANI that even so-called ‘green crackers’ release fine dust and toxic gases like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which linger in the air. These gases mix with moisture to form smog, reducing visibility and further straining the lungs.Experts believe the combination ofstubble burning, vehicle emissions, and festival smoke turns Delhi’s air into a chemical cocktail that damages the respiratory lining with every breath.The toll on children and the elderlyChildren breathe faster than adults, which means they inhale more pollutants per minute. Their developing lungs are more sensitive, and long exposure can slow lung growth and increase the risk of asthma later in life.The elderly, especially those with heart disease, diabetes, or lung conditions, are also more likely to face breathing distress, fatigue, and coughing spells. Dr Guleria advised that outdoor activities for children should be limited to the afternoon, when pollution levels are relatively lower.How to breathe a little saferPreventing exposure entirely isn’t possible, but reducing it helps.Wearing N95 masks when stepping outside.Avoiding early morning and late evening walks, when pollution levels peak.Staying hydrated and eating foods rich in antioxidants like fresh fruits and vegetables.Usingair purifiersindoors and keeping windows shut during high-smog hours.Even these simple steps can cut daily exposure significantly and protect the lungs from long-term damage.Disclaimer: This article is based on statements made by Former AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria, as reported by ANI. It is intended for informational purposes only and should not replace medical advice. Individuals experiencing breathing difficulty, chest pain, or persistent cough should seek professional medical evaluation.

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Business Standard

Oct 31, 2025, 06:45 PM

AI's Influence on Investing: A Balance Between Data-Driven Decisions and Human Judgment

Artificial intelligence, or AI, has had an influence in the way we invest in stocks. While it helps you narrow the list of opportunities, it has not reached a point where it can replace wealth managers, points outShankar Sharma, founder, GQuants, in a fireside chat withA K Bhattacharya.To what extent is your investment philosophy data- and AI-driven?My needle of investing has moved from being very traditional to becoming 80-90 per cent data- and AI- driven. That has been my transformation as an investor.So, I was an early adopter of AI and quant-driven thinking. And again, to clarify, it’s not that I use only AI but where it comes into play. It is giving me a breadth and scale of opportunity seeking, which I would not be able to do humanly, or even with a team.So, in a sea of 10,000 companies, for example, how do you find five, 10, 15, or 20 good ones? AI is giving me that today. Now, after that, the human part of me kicks in to further refine it down to the best five, or the best eight, or the best 10. But getting to that, it was a needle in a haystack. Now, the haystack has become much easier for me to understand. That's how I am using AI. Thus, my investment philosophy is simply that instead of taking a small number of large bets, as I would when I was a human being, because of AI, I can take a large number of small bets and a small number of large bets simultaneously.Also ReadBS BFSI Summit: GIFT City achieving key milestones, gaining global tractionBuilding foresight capability to anticipate risks a priority: Sebi ChairmanBS BFSI Insight Summit: Broking industry sees high growth on digital pushEquities less than 12 months? Good luck, says Morgan Stanley's Ridham DesaiInvestor awareness becomes more important than ever: Ananth Narayan GWill AI replace humans in investing or in financial services?I think it will not happen because we human beings will prevent AI from becoming that important because it will take away our jobs. For example, if a mutual fund chief investment officer gets too much AI into his firm, tomorrow his job is in danger.AI will have a natural check because of our vested interests and balance embedded in it. It will have a role, but to expect that everything will go from human beings and go to AI … I don't think that will happen.You are perceived as a contrarian. Will that change with the advent of AI?I don’t think AI will change who you intrinsically are. But here is where the danger lies and I am mindful of that. And I try to limit the use of AI in my day-to-day life.After using AI tools in the past one or two years, I have realised that for getting perspectives or getting data, I find you can but it (AI) will learn what you want the answer to be. So, on a topic it will start giving you answers that it senses you want.It reads your mind on that topic and then starts feeding you answers that support your thesis. This is exactly what you don't want when you are trying to think differently and be a contrarian.We have not been able to get that right mix of AI and our intelligence to help navigate this difficult, complex world. How should the financial sector use AI?AI is too new for us to form conclusions on whether it will reshape financial services in a big way. I mean, computers came and they reshaped it. AI will also reshape it. How much we have no idea, nobody can tell.What I do know is that AI is reshaping itself. Even AI doesn’t know where it will go five years from now. There are many flaws in it. It gives you wrong information and sometimes fabricates it. This destroys confidence.Why were we looking at AI? Because it is better than a human in giving me correct data. But I find it gives me rubbish most of the time. So, now the process I follow is I check the same information on four different platforms.I think it is imperfect right now. In fact, vastly imperfect. In some cases, dangerously imperfect.In addition to how one should deal with AI, what are the other things investors should bear in mind?Returns in global markets this year have been off the charts. It’s been one of the best years of my life as an investor because I invest globally. And I have been spoilt for choice this year, which is, on a policy basis, supposedly the most tumultuous year. So, clearly there is something markets are reading and I think markets are reading it right.Earlier, in investing, America was the only game in town. If you missed the American bull market, you were pretty much dead. Today, that’s not the case.I am happy that America is slowing a bit because of its policies. The rest of the world is restructuring, reshaping. It is opening up more opportunities for me as an investor.I do not see that as a negative at all. If anything, it is better from a portfolio management standpoint to have 15-20 good markets rather than have just one.Any other learning from this world of uncertainty?I think the biggest uncertainty for an investor today should be the fact that if you (the investor) are exposed only to a single market and that market for whatever reason might have a very uncertain situation, you then have a genuine problem. Therefore, diversify your investment beyond just the comfort zone. Fortunately, tools, including AI, are available to help you do that.The Indian economy is still predominantly dependent on oil import. What’s your view on how oil will impact the Indian financial sector, Indian stocks, and Indian markets?Exploration can reshape our oil and gas situation over the long term. In the interim, I don't think it’s in anybody’s interests, not even producers’, to have high oil prices. I think there is a consensus in the producing world that this is a good, happy price that generally keeps the world satisfied. We love bull markets in equities, gold, silver, and real estate. What is the bull market we hate? A bull market in oil. Only seven or 10 countries love it. But even at $60, I think they are pretty well prepared.What are the reasons for the bull market in gold and silver and your advice for investors?We can attribute and ascribe reasons to the bull market in gold. But as regards silver, I don’t think there are good reasons. Now people say that it is for industrial use. But that has always been the case. Gold is in a good place right now. But I am not saying the reason for that is people are de-dollarising and moving away. I think the opposite is true.As gold is going up, people are moving from the dollar to gold. It’s not the other way around. That’s my view.Other than oil, I am generally bullish on commodities. And I think there are plenty of reasons. But the reasons will change at some point in time. So, I am not a big believer in making long-term forecasts on commodities.

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Times of India

Oct 31, 2025, 05:32 PM

Ranchi's Weather Improves as Cyclone Montha Weakens

Ranchi recorded rain till Friday morningRanchi:The Ranchi Met office on Friday predicted a dip in night-time mercury in the coming days as the weather in the state capital improved after days of rain due to the weakening of cyclone Montha.Weather scientists said the cloud cover, which brought rain until Friday morning, is expected to clear out in the next couple of days. “Cyclone Montha is weakening, and skies will be partly cloudy due to that. In the next four to five days, on average, there will be a fall in minimum temperature ranging from 3 to 5 degrees C,” Abhishek Anand, senior scientist at IMD Ranchi, said.In its weather bulletin, IMD Ranchi said the well-marked low-pressure area, a remnant of Montha, moved north-northeastwards from central Chhattisgarh and its adjoining areas and lay over northeast Jharkhand on Friday.It is likely to move north-northeastwards across Bihar and weaken into a low-pressure area during the next 12 hours, the Met office said.While fog and mist are likely to be experienced in Ranchi and its adjoining areas on Saturday, the region is likely to experience partly cloudy skies during the day. During the next 48 hours, there would be shallow to moderate fog during the early morning hours with clear skies during the day.Nighttime mercury is expected to dip to 17 degrees Celsius early next week.The Met Office also said light rain or thunder showers are likely to occur at a few places in the eastern and adjoining central parts of Jharkhand, while dry weather is most likely in the rest of the state. The weather office also reported that light to moderate rainfall was observed at most places in the state, while heavy to very heavy rainfall was recorded at isolated places over the state in the last 24 hours till Friday morning.It stated that the highest rainfall of 119.6 mm was recorded at Dhanbad. The highest maximum temperature of 33.5 degrees C was recorded at Seraikela, while the lowest minimum temperature of 19.9 degrees C was recorded at Latehar.

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Times of India

Oct 31, 2025, 05:12 PM

Mumbai Rickshaw Driver Killed in Hit-And-Run Incident

Mumbai: A 26-year-old rickshaw driver, identified as Saib Ali Pathan, was killed in a hit-and-run incident near Baiganwadi Signal in Govandi early Thursday morning.According to the complaint lodged by his sister Afsana Gulsar Ali Syed, the accident occurred around 1.53 am when Saib Ali and his friend Suraj Kale were crossing the road near Aksa Hotel on the Mankhurd-bound stretch.An unidentified motorcyclist, riding recklessly, hit Saib Ali and fled.Kale, along with a local resident, rushed the injured victim to Shatabdi Hospital, Govandi, where doctors declared him dead. The deceased was a resident of Baiganwadi.You Can Also Check:Mumbai AQI|Weather in Mumbai|Gold Rate Today in Mumbai|Silver Rate Today in Mumbai

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Times of India

Oct 31, 2025, 04:42 PM

Kolkata BLOs Confused Over Missing EPIC Numbers on 2002 Voters' List

Kolkata: As the training process of the booth level officers (BLO) starts in Kolkata, the BLOs are confused over the missing EPIC numbers in the 2002 voters' list.While mapping the voters' list, a number of BLOs came across names without any EPIC number accompanying them.These names have a serial number, gender of the voter, and the voter's father or mother's name.The column with the EPIC number is blank, which raises confusion among the BLOs. The BLOs, who mapped the 2002 voters' list, filled the form "Annexure I" after the mapping process was complete."When we asked the ECI about the missing EPIC numbers, they first asked us to match the details with the latest electoral roll. In case the name and other details of the voter matched on both lists, we were asked to keep the space for the EPIC number blank in the Annexure I," said a BLO in south Kolkata.You Can Also Check:Kolkata AQI|Weather in Kolkata|Gold Rate Today in Kolkata|Silver Rate Today in Kolkata

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Wisden News✓

Oct 31, 2025, 04:10 PM

India A vs South Africa A: Unofficial Test Match in Bengaluru

India A take on South Africa A in the first unofficial Test at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru – follow the match here, including live score and updates from the match. Date:October 30 to November 2, 2025 Time:9.30am Venue:BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru Captains:Rishabh Pant,Marques Ackerman Find out where to watch the action live right here. India A squad for the first unofficial Test:Rishabh Pant (C) (WK), Ayush Mhatre, Narayan Jagdeesan (WK), Sai Sudharsan (VC), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Khaleel Ahmed, Gurnoor Brar, Anshul Kamboj, Yash Thakur, Ayush Badoni, Saransh Jain South Africa A squad for the unofficial Test:Marques Ackerman (C), Okuhle Cele, Zubayr Hamza, Jordan Hermann, Rubin Hermann (WK), Rivaldo Moonsamy, Tshepo Moreki, Mihlali Mpongwana, Lesego Senokwane, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Simmonds, Tsepo Ndwandwa, Jason Smith, Tiaan van Vuuren, Codi Yusuf The second unofficial Test will be played at the same venue from November 6 to 9. vs The visitors are 30-0 at the end of day two, a lead of 105 runs. South Africa A309 & 30-0 in 12 oversvs India A234. South Africa A lead by 105 runs. The off-spinner has Khaleel Ahmed caught, to finish with 5-61. India A are bowled out, with a 75-run deficit. India A234 in 58 overs. Anshul Kamboj, and then Ayush Badoni are removed by Lutho Sipamla to leave India A nine down. India A229-9 in 56.3 overs. India A seven down now, as Manav Suthar top-edges a short ball from Tiaan van Vuuren to the keeper. India A188-7 in 49 overs. Tanush Kotian tries to fend this off the pads, but hits it straight to forward short leg! India A183-6 in 47.4 overs. A dramatic end to the second session on day two, as India lose Rishabh Pant and Rajat Patidar in the space of six balls! India A163-5 in 42 overs. Rishabh Pant has walked into the middle The RCB captain has been in great form in red-ball cricket of late. His last five scores read: 205*, 66, 10, 101, 13 An uncharacteristic dismissal, trying to take on the spinner, but only holing out to mid-off They have tackled the South Africa bowlers comfortably so far. Rajat Patidar, Rishabh Pant, Ayush Badoni, Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian He's reached 23 off 69 so far Devdutt Padikkal has walked in He has raced to 57 off 55 at lunch The left-arm quick gets his first wicket of the day, trapping Lutho Sipamla lbw. Stumps are called immediately afterwards. South Africa A299-9 in 85.2 overs. The spin twins are running through the lower order! The set Tiaan van Vuuren top-edges a sweep shot, and is caught by a diving Devdutt Padikkal for 46. South Africa A289-8 in 79.2 overs. The off-spinner gets rid of Rubin Hermann and Prenalen Subrayen in quick succession. In the third over after tea, the left-arm spinner has Rivaldo Moonsamy caught at slip for 5. South Africa A197-5 in 53.3 overs. South Africa A were 106-1 at lunch, but the second session has seen them add 87 runs for the loss of three wickets. Just about belonging to the hosts, you'd have to say. The match overall remains evenly poised. South Africa A193-4 in 51 overs. The off-spinner comes round the wicket, and gets one to straighten and trap the set Jordan Hermann lbw for 71. South Africa A187-4 in 49.1 overs. The first one to spin in this game as Marques Ackerman tries to whip this through the leg side, but hits it straight to a catching midwicket. That will bring Rubin Hermann to join brother Jordan at the crease. South Africa A170-3 in 43.1 overs. A massive wicket for India A as the big quick gets one to rise on Zubayr Hamza – it takes the edge through to Rishabh Pant, and he has to go for 66. South Africa A136-2 in 35 overs. After that early blow, it's firmly been the visitors' session. After 27 overs, it's 108-1. South Africa A108-1 in 27 overs(Jordan Hermann 42*, Zubayr Hamza 56*). A well-made knock from the senior pro, who gets to the mark off 73 balls. There was an early wicket for India A, but the visitors have done well to see off the new ball so far. Still work to be done, though. South Africa A37-1 in 12 overs. Capped in Test cricket, Hamza has over 7,000 first-class runs to his name, with 19 centuries. An early blow as a full outswinger from Anshul Kamboj induces the drive from Lesego Senokwane. The outside edge is snapped up by Ayush Mhatre at first slip, and the opener goes for a duck. South Africa A6-1 in 3.1 overs. Home skipper Rishabh Pant elects to put the visitors in, at Bengaluru. Only three of the 13-player squad were in action for the latest round. BCCI have announced the India A squad that will face South Africa A for two unofficial Tests starting October 30. Rishabh Pant has been named captain. Read here to find out more. After suffering a gruesome foot injury in England, Pant is back to make a mark. It's India A vs South Africa A in Bengaluru

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Oct 31, 2025, 03:54 PM

Russian Exiles Turn to Entrepreneurship Amid War

Hundreds of thousands of Russians have fled their home country since the start of the Ukraine war. Some have launched new businesses abroad, but the journey has been anything but smooth. Bogdan Leonov, a Russian national, is building a chain of power-bank rental stations in Cyprus and Greece, and setting up a franchise in Portugal. His WE53 startup, launched in 2023, has already seen annual revenues rise to about €600,000 ($693,000)and it now employs dozens of people. The network currently boasts almost 3,000 stations. His previous brainchild provided the same service inRussia. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser thatsupports HTML5 video But setting up a business abroad was particularly challenging as he had to learn all operational activities by himself, from scratch. Even "repeating" one's own success in a new environment was far from easy. "You can't copy-paste barely anything. Infrastructure, labor law, cultural behavior — everything is different. The biggest pain for me is banking. I sometimes have to work as a compliance officer myself," he told DW. Maksim Satanovsky, another Russian national now based in the German city of Dresden, launched a dumpling business, delivering homemade dumplings to customers. He also thought of opening a restaurant serving Russian cuisine, but instead set up a factory — named Dawaj-Dawaj — that produces dumplings and other frozen food. Hundreds of thousands of Russians have fled their home country sinceMoscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. They have migrated to places like Israel, Armenia, Georgia and other European countries to try to build new lives. Some have turned to entrepreneurship setting up new businesses andstartupsabroad — in a wide array of sectors ranging from IT and media to bookstores and dumpling factories. These new firms have faced challenges involving funding and compliance, but many have successfully established their operations. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser thatsupports HTML5 video Dutch firm Nebius, for example, which provides graphics processing units (GPUs) fortraining AI models, emerged last year after it was spun out from Russian internet giant Yandex. Yandex was nicknamed "Russia's Google"for uniting its own search engine with a raft of digital services like email and maps. The company's global expansion plans took a hit in the wake of the Ukraine war. Facing EU sanctions, its founder and CEO Arkady Volozh left Russia and denounced the conflict. The company then sold its Russian assets in July 2024 at a hefty discount. The $5.4 billion (€4.67 billion) cash and shares deal marked the largest corporate exit from Russia since February 2022. After its rebranding as Nebius, the firm's shares resumed trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange in New York under the new identity. Even some Russian civil society actors who have fled the country in recent years are setting up organizations abroad to continue their work. Babel Books, for instance, is a Russian-language bookstore in Berlin founded by Natalya Smirnova. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, one of her friends set up a bookstore for the Russian diaspora in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv. Smirnova was inspired by the move and opened a similar store in Berlin in September 2023. The bookstore has since turned into an intellectual hub for Russian speakers in the German capital. Intimate and cozy, the bookstore feels more like a private apartment with plenty of bookshelves. It focuses on contemporary literature, nonfiction and art, and hosts frequent events like lectures and book presentations. Smirnova managed to squeeze nearly 5,000 printed titles into the 42 square meters (452 square feet) of space on the ground floor of a building right where theBerlin Wallonce stood. Freedom Letters, the biggest and fastest-developing Russian publishing houses in exile, is one of the suppliers for Babel Books. The company's motto is: "Books that are no longer possible in Russia." To survive, such businesses need to be extremely cautious and inventive, says Freedom Letters' founder Georgy Urushadze, adding that they rely heavily on volunteers. "We have layout and two of six permanent printing facilities in Latvia, most of the authors in Germany and Ukraine, cover artists in Spain, Georgia, Austria and elsewhere," he told DW. In addition, proofreaders are in Israel, Spain and France while 14 editors work from multiple countries, Urushadze said, highlighting the complex cross-border arrangement in a bid to evade the long arm of the Kremlin. The examples of Babel Books and Freedom Letters show how exiled Russian intellectuals are creating entire business ecosystems. Entrepreneurs and tech talent leaving Russia is not new but the trend has accelerated since the start of the Ukraine war. Those who leave are mostly young, educated people coming primarily from large, digitalized urban areas, with developed infrastructure and a highly competitive business environment. Research by the Warsaw, Poland-based Center for Analysis and Strategies in Europe (CASE) has shown that 60% of them are reporting income of over $3,500 per month — well above the EU average. Prominent businesses set up abroad by Russian tech specialists over the past two decades include Revolut, a successful UK-based fintech app, and themessaging service Telegram. Revolut's founder Nikolai Storonsky even renounced his Russian citizenship. As the war drags on, the odds of these businesspeople returning to Russia grow increasingly slim. At the same time, other countries stand to gain as Russian talent abroad launches new ventures — some of which could become thenext Telegramor Revolut. Edited by: Uwe Hessler

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Times of India

Oct 31, 2025, 03:36 PM

Veteran Actor Satish Shah's Passing Leaves Industry in Shock: Friends Visit His Wife Amidst Heartfelt Tributes

Satish Shah’s demise left the Indian film and television industry in deep shock. The veteran actor, best remembered for his impeccable comic timing and charming screen presence, passed away recently, leaving behind countless memories and a grieving circle of friends, colleagues and admirers.Since his passing, heartfelt tributes have poured in from all corners, reflecting how loved and respected he was.In a touching gesture, filmmaker Ashoke Pandit and actorAnupam Kherrecently visited Satish’s wife, Madhu Shah, who is battling Alzheimer’s disease.Ashoke Pandit and Anupam Kher visit Madhu Shah during emotional timeAshoke Pandit later shared a heartwarming video from their visit. In the clip, Anupam Kher can be seen singing tunes with Madhu, who struggles to recall the lyrics but joins in with a smile and folded hands of gratitude.The caption of the video reads, “What a moment of hope and positivity while remembering our dear friend Satish Shah at his home with Madhu, when Anupam Kher and I spent some time with her singing, along with her sister, Arvind ji, and Ramesh ji.”Pandit also wrote, “Keep sending positive energies and blessings to Madhu so that she gets back to her original form with her vibrant smiles and laughter. Positive thoughts can do miracles.”Anupam Kher shares his nervous feelings before meetingAnupam Kher also took to Instagram to share a video in which he opened up about his meeting with Madhu and reflected on the moments that left him heartbroken.In the caption, written in Hindi, Anupam confessed that he felt nervous before meeting Madhu. He shared that while he knew she was in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, he was unsure of what she remembered and what she didn’t, or whether he should even mention Satish during their conversation.He revealed that before leaving, he promised Madhu he would continue visiting her.Madhu Shah’s memories come and go in phasesIn the video, Kher said, “Madhu first recognised me and said ‘thank you for coming’. And then she lost her memories.. Woh phases mein aata hai (it comes in phases). And then she said how are you because I didn’t want to talk about the death of Satish. Mujhe samjh nahi aa raha tha ke main us topic pe baat karun toh kaise karun (I didn’t know how to bring that up).I didn’t know whether it would trigger her memory and then she will feel sad, bad, and miserable.” Anupam shared that Madhu also asked him about his wifeKirron Kher, and then the memory of Satish’s demise came back to her.Madhu Shah recalls Satish Shah’s passing briefly“For a flicker of a second, she said chala gaya (he has gone). At that moment she said she had tears in her eyes and then again she lost that memory and then she said lots of things… I have videos with her which I made with permission of her sister.We sang songs together because she is fond of singing, and then she asked me to come over again to eat food made by her,” Anupam revealed.Anupam Kher struggles to hold back tears“Jab main jaane laga toh woh mujhse boli ke aap aana agli baar khana khaane, but but he may not be there (When I was about to leave, she said I should come again to eat the food made by her)... I somehow held my tears but when I came out of the house I couldn’t control,” Anupam said.He added a heartfelt reminder for everyone, saying that people should take care of their “parents, siblings and friends”.He ended his message with a simple truth: “Life is fragile… Don’t have regrets later on.”About Satish Shah’s demiseSatish Shah passed away on October 25 after collapsing at his Mumbai residence during lunch. He was immediately taken to hospital, where doctors could not revive him. His funeral was held in Mumbai on Sunday. On Monday, friends and family gathered to pay their last respects to the late actor Satish Shah at a prayer meet.

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Deccan Herald

Oct 31, 2025, 03:36 PM

Sudan's Darfur Region Sees Mass Killings and Ethnic Cleansing After City Capture

Fighters riding camels rounded up a couple of hundred men near the Sudanese city of al-Fashir at the weekend and brought them to a reservoir, shouting racial slurs before starting to shoot, according to a man who said he was among them. One of the captors recognized him from his school days and let him flee, the man, Alkheir Ismail, said in a video interview conducted by a local journalist known to Reuters in the nearby town of Tawila in the country's western Darfur region. "He told them, 'Don't kill him,'" Ismail said. "Even after they killed everyone else – my friends and everyone else." He said he had been bringing food to relatives still in the city when it was captured by the Rapid Support Forces on Sunday - and, like the other detainees, was unarmed. Reuters could not immediately verify his account due to the conflict but has verified earlier material obtained from the journalist. Ismail was one of four such witnesses and six aid workers interviewed by Reuters who also said people fleeing al-Fashir had been gathered in nearby villages and men separated from women and removed. In an earlier account, one of the witnesses said gunshots then rang out. Activists and analysts have long warned of revenge killings based on ethnicity by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) if they seized al-Fashir - the last stronghold of the Sudanese military in Darfur. The U.N. human rights office shared other accounts on Friday, estimating hundreds of civilians and unarmed fighters may have been executed. Such killings are considered war crimes. The RSF, whose victory in al-Fashir marks a milestone in Sudan's two-and-a-half-year civil war, has denied such abuses - saying the accounts have been manufactured by its enemies and making counter-accusations against them. RSF says men removed for interrogation Reuters has verified at least three videos posted on social media showing men in RSF uniforms shooting unarmed captives and a dozen more showing clusters of bodies after apparent shootings. A high-level RSF commander called the accounts "media exaggeration" by the army and its allied fighters "to cover up for their defeat and loss of al-Fashir." The RSF's leadership had ordered investigations into any violations by RSF individuals and several had been arrested, he said, adding that the RSF had helped people leave the city and called on aid organisations to assist those who remained. He said soldiers and fighters pretending to be civilians had been taken away for interrogation. "There were no killings as has been claimed," the commander told Reuters in response to a request for comment. The RSF's capture of al-Fashir entrenches the geographical division of a country already reduced by the independence of South Sudan in 2011 after decades of civil war. In a speech on Wednesday night, RSF head Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo called on his fighters to protect civilians and said violations will be prosecuted. He appeared to acknowledge reports of detentions by ordering the release of detainees. Most of the fighters holding back the RSF advance in al-Fashir came from the Zaghawa ethnic group whose enmity with the largely Arab RSF fighters dates from the early 2000s, when, as the Janjaweed militias, they were accused of atrocities in Darfur. Alex de Waal, a genocide expert and specialist on Darfur, said the reported RSF acts in al-Fashir looked "very similar to what they did in Geneina and elsewhere," referring to another Darfur city the RSF took during the latest war's early stages as well as the early 2000s conflict. The U.S. said the RSF had committed genocide in Geneina and the attack is under investigation by the International Criminal Court. The Sudanese army and others accuse the United Arab Emirates of supporting the RSF, charges the Gulf state denies. 'We can't say they are alive' Mary Brace, a protection adviser at Nonviolent Peaceforce, an NGO working in Tawila, said those arriving "are women, children, and older men generally," adding that trucks organised by the RSF have taken some people from Garney to Tawila while others have been taken elsewhere. The RSF on Thursday posted a video it said showed the provision of food and medical aid to people displaced in Garney. Aid workers said the force may also be trying to keep people in towns it controls to attract foreign aid. Some 260,000 people were still in al-Fashir around the time of the attack, but only 62,000 have been counted elsewhere, and only several thousand of them in Tawila, which is controlled by a neutral force. In another of the testimonies obtained and verified by Reuters, Tahani Hassan, a former hospital cleaner, said she fled to Tawila early on Sunday after her brother-in-law and uncle were killed by stray bullets. On the way, she and her family were apprehended by three men in RSF uniforms who searched them, beat them and insulted them, she said. "They hit us hard. They threw our clothes on the ground. Even I, as a woman, was searched," she said, adding that their food and water was also spilled on the ground. They eventually made it to Garney where the fighters separated women and children from the men, most of whom they did not see again, including her brother and a second brother-in-law. "We can't say they are alive, because of how they treated us," Hassan said. "If they don't kill you, the hunger will kill you, the thirst will kill you."

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Financial Express

Oct 31, 2025, 03:15 PM

Lenskart Solutions IPO Opens for Subscription: Key Highlights and Subscription Status

Lenskart Solutions IPO GMP, Subscription Status Live Updates:Lenskart Solutions IPO opened for subscription today (October 31). The investors can bid for the IPO in a range of Rs 382 to Rs 402 per equity share. The company will mop up a sum of Rs 7,278.02 crore from the primary markets. The issue is a combination of 5.35 crore fresh shares amounting to Rs 2,150 crore and an offer for sale of 12.76 crore shares aggregating to Rs 5,128.02 crore. Lenskart Solutions will close the IPO subscription on November 04. The allotment for the Lenskart Solutions IPO is expected to be finalised on November 06. The issue is estimated to be listed on BSE and NSE on November 10, as per the tentative schedule. Kotak Mahindra Capital Company, Morgan Stanley India Company, Avendus Capital, Citigroup Global Markets India, Axis Capital, and Intensive Fiscal Services are the book-running lead managers for the IPO, and MUFG Intime India is working as the registrar of the issue. Lenskart Solutions is a technology-focused eyewear company involved in the design, manufacturing, branding, and retail of prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, contact lenses, and accessories. Operating under a direct-to-consumer model, the company offers a broad range of eyewear under its own brands and sub-brands, catering to all age groups and price segments. In FY25, 105 new collections were launched, including collaborations with well-known brands and personalities. As of March 2025, Lenskart operated 2,723 stores globally—2,067 in India and 656 overseas—with 1,757 owned and 310 franchised stores in India. The anchor list features major domestic mutual funds like SBI Mutual Fund, HDFC Mutual Fund, and ICICI Prudential, along with global giants such as GIC, BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, and T Rowe Price. The IPO is being managed by major investment banks such as Kotak Mahindra Capital, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, Avendus Capital, and Axis Capital MUFG Intime India is the registrar for the issue. The stock will list on both the NSE and BSE on November 10. The company operates 2,806 stores across India and overseas, serving nearly 12 million customers. Out of this, 2,137 stores are in India, while the rest are spread across Southeast Asia, Japan, and the Middle East. Lenskart Solutions Limited’s IPO saw full subscription on the very first day, with total bids reaching 1.13x as of 5:00 PM on October 31, 2025. The Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIB) category led with 1.42x subscription, while Retail investors followed closely at 1.31x. The Non-Institutional Investor (NII) segment stood at 0.41x—with sub-categories at 0.30x (₹10L+) and 0.63x (₹2L–₹10L). The Employee portion was subscribed 1.10x. Lenskart Solutions Ltd, the tech-driven eyewear brand led by Peyush Bansal, has opened its Rs 7,000-crore IPO for subscription from October 31 to November 4. The issue includes a fresh issue worth Rs 2,150 crore and an offer for sale of up to Rs 5,128 crore. Choice Broking has rated the IPO as “Subscribe for Long Term,” citing the company’s strong growth trajectory, expanding omnichannel network, and leadership in a largely unorganised eyewear market. LSL was awarded “India’s Most Trusted Eyewear Brand of 2025” by TRA Research in FY25. The company’s centralized prescription eyeglasses supply chain and manufacturing allows to manage the supply chain operations and address customer demand for each store location. This drives the core proposition of providing better accessibility to quality eyewear products at affordable prices to a large number of customers, by enabling faster delivery for a large selection of SKUs and thereby eyewear as a ‘fast fashion’ category. They operate a direct-to-consumer model that eliminates multiple layers of intermediaries in the traditional prescription eyeglasses supply chain, enabling to deliver products to customers at an affordable cost and with next day delivery. The company will continue to expand and diversify the brand portfolio and product offerings to address evolving customer needs and enhance customer engagement. Lenskart Solutions IPO has been fully subscribed on Day 1. The total subscription so far is 1.04x. The QIB portion has been subscribed 1.39x NIIs have been subscribed 0.29x The subscription in the retail category has also exceeded 1x at 1.10 times and the subscription in employee category is at 0.94x The IPO is being managed by major investment banks such as Kotak Mahindra Capital, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, Avendus Capital, and Axis Capital. MUFG Intime India is the registrar for the issue. The stock will list on both the NSE and BSE on November 10. As of 2:00 PM, the Lenskart IPO saw an overall subscription of 0.62 times on the first day of bidding. The retail investor portion was fully subscribed within just a few hours of opening. The qualified institutional buyers (QIB) segment was subscribed 0.68 times, while the non-institutional investor (NII) portion stood at 0.25 times, with the sub-category of bids above Rs 10 lakh at 0.17 times and those between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 10 lakh at 0.43 times. Meanwhile, the employee category saw a subscription of 0.86 times. Lenskart currently operates 2,806 stores across India and overseas, serving nearly 12 million customers. Out of this, 2,137 stores are in India, while the rest are spread across Southeast Asia, Japan, and the Middle East. Interestingly, international operations contribute about 40% of total revenue, and those markets have higher margins (75%) compared to 63% in India, mainly due to premium pricing and higher spending per customer. The funds raised from the fresh issue will be directed toward several business needs, including: - Expanding company-owned retail stores (CoCo). - Meeting lease and rental costs of retail outlets. - Investing in technology and cloud upgrades. - Spending on brand marketing and visibility. - Supporting strategic acquisitions and general corporate purposes. For FY25, Lenskart reported a revenue of Rs 7,009 crore and an EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation) of Rs 971 crore, giving it a margin of around 14%. The company’s profit after tax (PAT) stood at Rs 297 crore, marking a turnaround from losses in earlier years. Its net worth as of March 31, 2025, stood at Rs 6,176 crore, while total borrowings fell to Rs 335 crore. However, a part of the profit came from a one-time accounting gain of about Rs 167 crore related to the Owndays (Japan) acquisition. Excluding this, the company’s pre-tax margins fall below 1.5%. The Lenskart IPO, which opened for subscription at 10 AM today, saw a slow start in early trade. After two hours into bidding on Day 1 so far, the issue was subscribed 0.18 times overall. The retail investor portion was subscribed 0.72 times, while bids from non-institutional investors (NIIs) stood at 0.16 times, as of now. The qualified institutional buyers (QIB) category has not received any bids yet. Before the IPO opened to the public, Lenskart raised Rs 3,268 crore from 147 anchor investors. The anchor list features major domestic mutual funds like SBI Mutual Fund, HDFC Mutual Fund, and ICICI Prudential, along with global giants such as GIC, BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, and T Rowe Price. Several private equity and strategic investors are using the IPO to partially exit their holdings. The list includes global investors such as SoftBank, Kedaara Capital, Temasek, TPG, KKR, Premji Invest, and ChrysCapital. Meanwhile, founders Peyush Bansal, Neha Bansal, Sumeet Kapahi, and Amit Chaudhary will continue to hold a significant stake in the company after the listing. The company has set a price band of Rs 382–Rs 402 per share, with a face value of Rs 2. Investors can apply for a minimum of 37 shares (one lot), which would require about Rs 14,874 at the upper price limit. With a total issue size of nearly Rs 7,278 crore, this is among the largest IPOs of the year. The Lenskart IPO comprises two parts - a fresh issue of Rs 2,150 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) worth Rs 5,128 crore by existing shareholders and promoters. The basis of allotment is likely to be finalised on November 6, while listing on the NSE and BSE is expected on November 10. Also Read:Lenskart IPO opens today: From GMP, valuation to issue details, check 6 critical factors before you subscribe Lenskart sources part of its raw materials and eyewear frames from China, where it also runs a manufacturing joint venture - Boafeng Framekart Technology - in which it holds a 51% stake. Formed in 2018, this JV produces and sells spectacle lenses, frames, and accessories. However, any disruption in the supply of raw materials or finished goods from China due to external factors could impact the company’s operations. “Given its strong growth potential but high valuation and profitability risks, this offering is best suited for investors with a higher risk appetite and a long-term investment horizon. Thus we assign a “Subscribe for Long Term” rating for this issue,” said Choice Broking in its IPO note. The company sources some of its raw materials and frames from China, where it also operates a manufacturing facility via Boafeng Framekart Technology Ltd (JV – company holds 51% stake). The JV was incorporated in 2018 and is engaged in the production and sale of spectacle lenses, frames and accessories. The supply of raw materials and finished goods from suppliers in China may be disrupted due to factors outside of the control of the company and thus, could adversely affect its operations. "On the valuation, at the upper end of the price band, the issue represents a market cap of Rs 70,000 crore. At a 10x Sales multiple, valuations are stretched from a medium-term perspective. No doubt the business model is fairly strong; the company has made solid on-ground progress. However, at the current price, it is ideal for those looking at long-term plays in the retail eyewear manufacturing to consumer platform. Going forward, the key metrics to track will be the abi...

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The Free Press Journal

Oct 31, 2025, 03:14 PM

Mumbai Weather: Below-Normal Temperatures, Rainfall, and Gusty Winds Expected

Mumbai:Mumbai experienced below-normal temperatures on Friday, following continuous unseasonal rainfall and thunderstorms over the week. The Santacruz observatory recorded the maximum temperature of 30 degrees Celsius, which was 4.7 degrees Celsius below normal. While the Colaba observatory recorded a 31 degree Celsius, which was 3.3 degrees Celsius below normal. However, the humidity levels continued to be at 90%. Yellow Alert Issued Across Mumbai and Neighbouring Districts Due to cyclonic circulation and low air pressure, the state has been under Yellow Alert for the last few days, with several districts, including Mumbai and its metropolitan regions, witnessing thunderstorms with light to moderate rainfall and gusty winds. Nowcast Alert Warns of More Rain and Winds On Friday evening, too, the weather department issued a Nowcast Alert for rainfall with occasional gusty winds reaching 40-50 Kmph in some areas of Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad. Also Watch: Forecast Predicts Cloudy Skies and Light Rain As per the local weather forecast for Mumbai city and suburbs for the next 24 hours, skies will be generally cloudy with the possibility of light to moderate rain/thundershowers accompanied with occasional gusty winds reaching 40-50 Kmph. The maximum and minimum temperatures will be around 31 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius. To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit:https://budgetproperties.in/

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Times of India

Oct 31, 2025, 02:45 PM

Actress Madalsa Sharma Opens Up About Uncomfortable Experiences in South Indian Film Industry

Actress Madalsa Sharma, known for 'Anupamaa', revealed her departure from South Indian films due to uncomfortable experiences, including casting couch issues. A specific conversation at 17 left her so uneasy she decided to return to Mumbai. Sharma emphasized her clear ambitions and boundaries, stating she prioritizes self-respect over career advancement.ActressMadalsa Sharma, who started her career in South Indian films before moving to Hindi cinema and television, recently spoke about her journey and the reasons she chose to step away from the South industry.Madalsa, best known for her role inRupali Ganguly’s hit show Anupamaa and her appearance in Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri’s The Bengal Files, shared her thoughts in a recent interview with Pinkvilla.When asked why she stopped working in South Indian films after a few years, Madalsa revealed that she had faced certain uncomfortable situations. She said, “Ek-aadh experience pleasant nahi the mere wahan pe, jo mujhe laga ki mai nahi kar sakungi.Wo path main nahi le sakungi.” (“I had a few unpleasant experiences there which made me feel that I couldn’t continue. I couldn’t take that path.”)Opening up further about what she meant by “unpleasant experiences,” the Anupamaa actress admitted that it was related to thecasting couch, something she believes exists everywhere in the industry. “Casting couch and all of that. It’s everywhere, I think,” she said.Madalsa then recalled one particular incident that left her deeply uncomfortable.“Mujhe thoda disappointment hua tha South me. No experience, but ek conversation ne mujhe uncomfortable kiya tha. I don’t remember (referring to the conversation), I was 17. It’s been a few years. But I remember that I felt uncomfortable and I just walked out, and I told myself, let’s go back to Bombay now.” (“I was a bit disappointed with the South industry.There wasn’t any direct experience, but one conversation made me very uncomfortable.I don’t even remember it now since I was 17 at the time, but I remember walking away and deciding to return to Mumbai.”)Despite facing challenges early in her career, Madalsa has always remained grounded and clear about her ambitions and limits. She concluded, “Ek goal hota hai na har ek insan ka to reach where they want. Mera goal hai ambition hai, sab kuch hai; magar wo utna jyada nahi hai ki main usko khud pe haavi hone du.To issiliye, when I spoke about me being level-headed, wo yahi hai ki I’m level-headed in terms of things jo mujhe chahiye aur jo mujhe nahi chahiye aur jis cost par chahiye.” (“Every person has a goal to reach where they want. I have my ambitions too, but not at the cost of losing myself. That’s what I mean when I say I’m level-headed — I know what I want, what I don’t want, and at what cost.”)Madalsa Sharma began her acting career with the 2009 Telugu film Fitting Master and went on to feature in several regional movies like Shourya, Aalasyam Amrutam, and Mem Vayasuku Vacham. Her performances showcased her range and adaptability as an actress. Later, she also appeared in Bollywood films, including Samrat & Co., further establishing her presence acrossIndian cinema.

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INC42 News✓

Oct 31, 2025, 02:32 PM

From Humble Beginnings to Omnichannel Success: The Ravi Saxena Story

When Ravi Saxena launched Wonderchef in 2009, with celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor as cofounder and public face, he did so with quiet confidence. By then, Saxena had spent two decades building household names like VIP, Sodexo and the Landmark Group. Those years taught him the fundamentals: Understanding customers, finding product-market fit and managing large-scale B2B operations in food services. He had the credentials. Degrees in engineering and management from Delhi Technological University and IIM-Ahmedabad. Years of experience across consumer operations, retail and hospitality. After saving and planning for 15 years, Saxena was ready to build something of his own. Kapoor’s credibility as a brand ambassador strengthened his belief that the venture would succeed. Still, entrepreneurship brought challenges he had not fully anticipated. Raising capital, developing products, creating marketing strategies, breaking into general trade, navigating the rise of ecommerce andQuick Commerce— each demanded business acumen and a willingness to adapt on the fly. “Working capital is always a challenge in any fledgling business,” Saxena said during an exclusive interaction with Inc42. “There was a time when I needed INR 5 Lakh for customs clearance, and I had only 2 Lakh in my account. That’s the only time I had to borrow money from a friend. I returned it within 10 days, but it’s an experience I would rather forget.” Funding was scarce at the time. By 2009, the global financial crisis had dried up venture capital, especially for consumer product companies. Tech startups could still find backers, but traditional businesses had to rely on grit and patience. Saxena saw an upside, though. His years at Sodexo had taught him that such crises were opportunities to build quietly while others pulled back. “You can paddle under the surface and continue to do the hard work, taking small steps every day,” he often said. Wonderchef stayed out of the spotlight for the first five years, steadily laying its groundwork while competitors scrambled for funding and survival. When consumer spending recovered in 2015, the company had already hit INR 100 Cr in sales and emerged as a credible brand in kitchenware. That year, it raised $5 Mn from Zurich-based Capvent, its first institutional funding. Since then, it has raised capital from French group Labruyère Eberlé, Amicus Capital Partners, Sixth Sense Ventures, Godrej Family Office and the Malpani Group. Wonderchef has built a diverse product range, including 200+ SKUs spanning premium cookware, kitchen appliances and accessories. Its flagship is Nutri-blend, a 500W mixer-grinder-blender that chops and juices. It is known for its powerful motor, unbreakable jars and versatile functionality. According to Saxena, its annual sales have exceeded INR 200 Cr in the B2C market. Its innovative product lineup caters to different kitchen needs. For instance, the Chef Magic, an IoT-enabled kitchen robot, automates cooking tasks, and the Chai Magic, an automatic tea maker, has been designed for convenience. Other launches include a Nutri-blend Food Processor with atta kneader and the Bolt 600W mixer with food processor attachments. The brand has reached more than 20K pin codes across India, serving more than 3 Cr customers. Its products are available in 14K+ retail outlets nationwide, including exclusive brand outlets or EBOs. But its real distribution engine is a network of 85K+ self-employed women entrepreneurs or ladypreneurs. They drive a significant share of offline sales, reaching neighbourhoods where traditional retail hasn’t penetrated (more on that later). When the world went into lockdown, few would have expected a kitchenware brand to find its moment of acceleration. Yet, for Wonderchef, the pandemic years became an unlikely turning point — one that tested the company’s digital readiness, expanded its customer base and eventually reshaped its balance sheet through a major restructuring. As Saxena reminisce, during COVID, when households across India were left without domestic help, many consumers began discovering the joys and frustrations of their own kitchens. For Wonderchef, that discovery turned into demand. As people spent more time cooking, they began upgrading their cookware and appliances. The company’s premium positioning, previously confined to urban, upper-middle-class households, suddenly found a much wider audience. “When the retail stores shut down, our website sales went up almost 10x without any marketing investment. Even Amazon was shut for a while, but when it reopened, the momentum continued,” he recalled. This unexpected digital surge became a lifeline. With ecommerce channels taking over and consumers indulging in what Saxena described as “revenge buying,” Wonderchef grew by about 5% in FY21 — modest by its standards, but remarkable in a year when most consumer businesses struggled. The company’s product portfolio — including innovations like the cold-press juicer and a soup maker that delivered healthy meals in minutes — also resonated with a new wave of health-conscious consumers emerging from the pandemic. But even as the company navigated the pandemic with profitability, a different financial story began to unfold in the years that followed. In FY22 and FY23, Wonderchef’s books reflected significant losses — around INR 10 Cr and INR 64 Cr, respectively. On the surface, this seemed like a reversal of fortune. In reality, the figures told the story of a long-overdue merger. Saxena explained that before setting up manufacturing in India, Wonderchef had maintained a separate arm’s-length entity to comply with FDI norms. Over more than a decade, this entity had accumulated operating losses. When it was eventually merged with the main business through an NCLT-approved transaction, those cumulative losses — built up over 12–13 years — were absorbed into Wonderchef’s consolidated accounts. The result: a large one-time accounting impact that distorted what was otherwise a profitable operation. However, on a standalone basis, the company remained in the black in FY23, FY24, and FY25, with a modest profit of about INR 1 Cr in FY23. Today, Wonderchef is profitable, with an average revenue run rate (ARR) of INR 500 Cr in FY26. It earned INR 430 Cr in FY25, up 13.85% from INR 377.67 Cr in FY24. Net profit also jumped 300% to INR 6 Cr from INR 1.5 Cr in the previous fiscal year. From the outset, Wonderchef’s approach centred on understanding what Indian consumers needed. Saxena noticed that most kitchen appliances in India were of poor quality. Non-stick cookware often wore out within six months, and for many households, a mixer-grinder was the only kitchen appliance they relied upon for daily cooking. Saxena studied factories and production processes through his connections in Italy and Germany. The quality standards he observed there, including proper metal treatment, careful coating and thorough finishing, were often missing in many Indian factories. For him, it was a clear opportunity. The domestic market was ready, provided he could match European-quality standards at affordable prices. To innovate on the mixer-grinder, Saxena took a hands-on approach, similar to what he had done at VIP, and spoke with more than 200 women across India. They soon identified three core issues. The appliance was too bulky, the lid could fly off during use, and the opacity of the steel jars made it impossible to monitor the ingredients inside. It was a critical challenge. Saxena had to solve those pain points without raising prices in a crowded, cost-sensitive market. His solution was adding a blender to a 500W mixer-grinder, creating a compact and convenient appliance for grinding whole spices and making smoothies and chutneys. Traditional mixer-grinders or blenders could not match it. However, the real breakthrough was the unbreakable polycarbonate jars, which were a market first. Steel jars kept users guessing, whereas glass jars often cracked under pressure. Polycarbonate was transparent and tough enough to handle heavy-duty whole spice grinding. “That’s how we developed Nutri-blend, quite an iconic product,” he added. The company also took strategic measures to gain traction. While competitors offered six to 12 months of warranty, Wonderchef offered two years. The extended warranty built trust immediately. Again, most non-stick cookware came in red or black, but Wonderchef launched in blue and pink. The colours stood out on the shelves and attracted shoppers. The launch of Nutri-blend and non-stick cookware set a pattern. “Innovation became our DNA, and we were obsessed with new concepts. In the last 12 years, we have introduced 14-15 iconic products. Most of them were industry firsts, and many are still unmatched,” said Saxena. Marketing, too, took a different route. Saxena never chased large funding rounds or big-budget advertising. Instead, Wonderchef built its brand through product demonstrations and adopted digital marketing early, well before its competitors. The numbers tell the story. As of September 30, 2025, TTK Prestige, a key player in kitchen appliances, had about 80K Instagram followers. Wonderchef had more than 654K. Its massive digital reach helped the brand connect with young consumers and launch new products without spending too much on marketing. When Wonderchef started, general trade (GT is the traditional retail system) dominated distribution in India. Although Saxena was confident about his products, retailers were not. “Nobody would touch our products because our brand didn’t exist then. We were unknown,” he said. Money was tight, and competing against Hawkins, Prestige and a dozen other established brands made little sense. They owned the shelves, and store owners weren’t taking chances on new players. Saxena was not daunted. He balanced the business by leveraging four distribution channels — general trade, modern retail, ecommerce and alternative routes such as exports,...

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Economic Times

Oct 31, 2025, 02:32 PM

Prevent Teeth Stains: Tips for Tea and Coffee Lovers

SynopsisTea and coffee cause teeth stains. Tannins in these drinks stick to enamel. This leads to yellow or brown marks. Dr. Sudhir Kumar from Apollo Hospitals Hyderabad explains this. Rinsing with water after drinking helps. Waiting 30 minutes before brushing is also advised. These simple steps keep smiles bright and stain-free.

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