President’s Rule revoked in J&K, clears path for formation of Omar Abdullah govt
President Droupadi Murmu has revoked the President's rule in Jammu and Kashmir, clearing the way for the formation of a new National Conference (NC)Congress alliance government
Doyen of India Inc, Tata Group’s Ratan Tata passes away
Mumbai, Oct 10 (IANS) Ratan Naval Tata, the Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, passed
away at the Breach Candy Hospital following age-related health conditions. He was 86. Tata was admitted to the hospital on Monday, sparking intense speculation on his health status in corporate, political and common circles.
Later, he had issued a statement that he was undergoing certain routine medical examinations for age-related health concerns. Subsequently, he was reportedly
India labels Canada’s latest allegations as ‘preposterous imputations’, slams Trudeau’s political agenda
New Delhi, Oct 14 (IANS) Labelling them as "preposterous imputations", India on Monday
slammed the Canadian government led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, asserting once again that it has "consciously provided" space to violent extremists and terrorists to harass, threaten and intimidate Indian diplomats and community leaders in Canada.
"We have received a diplomatic communication from Canada yesterday suggesting that the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats are 'persons of interest' in a matter related to an investigation in that country. The Government of India strongly
New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) As the Abdullah family registered a big win in the J&K Assembly elections, other dynasties failed to garner electoral support.
The worst day was for the Mufti
Defying Exit Poll results, BJP crosses majority mark in Haryana by winning 48 seats - a rise from 40 in 2019
Chandigarh, Oct 8 (IANS) Defying all Exit Poll results, the ruling BJP
on Tuesday crossed the majority mark in the Haryana Assembly by winning 48 seats, a rise from 40 seats in 2019 in the 90-member Assembly, with incumbent Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini saying the party is ready to serve Haryana for the third time, the record hat-trick of victories.
However, the Congress won 36
and was leading on one seat, according to results available on the Election Commission website at 8 p.m. The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) won two seats, while Independents had three.
Saying it is not possible for the party to accept the results,
dynasty which managed to win only three seats out of the 90 Assembly constituencies, and its, newest family member to enter politics also lost the election.
Mehbooba Mufti's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had secured 28 seats in 2014 when the last Assembly election was held. The party formed the government in Jammu and Kashmir in 2015 in an alliance with the BJP. The BJP, however, withdrew its support in 2018.
But in the October 8 verdict, the
New Delhi, Oct 7 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu held bilateral talks, focusing on the ties between the two nations, at Hyderabad House in Delhi on Monday.
Informing of the meeting in a post on X, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) posted, "Taking forward India-Maldives special ties! PM Narendra Modi warmly received President Muizzu of Maldives as the latter arrived
people gave a thumbs down to the party.
The PDP chief's daughter, Iltija Mufti, lost her first Assembly polls from the SrigufwaraBijbehara in South Kashmir, a seat which has been a PDP stronghold for the past few decades. The Bijbehara Assembly seat, before delimitation, was previously represented by Iltija Muft's grandfather and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and her mother Mehbooba
at Hyderabad House. Extensive discussions on India-Maldives bilateral relations lie ahead."
Earlier in the day, Mohamed Muizzu received a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan by President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi, after which he paid his tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat.
The Maldives President is on his official five-day maiden visit to India, the first since he assumed office, at the invitation of President Murmu. Earlier on Sunday, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh received Muizzu as he arrived at the Delhi airport, along
New Delhi, Oct 14 (IANS)
EDITORIAL TEAM
Dr Ram Mohan, Chairman
Dr Ashutosh Misra, Editor-in-Chief
EDITORIAL BOARD
Amrita Deshpande, Community News Editor
Paras Sharma, Assistant Editor
Dr Uttam Kumar Sinha, Senior Fellow, Nehru Memorial Museum & Library, India
Mr Shaun Star, Director, Centre for Australia India Studies, Jindal Global University, India
India labels Canada’s latest allegations as ‘preposterous
imputations’, slams Trudeau’s political agenda
Continued from Page 1
rejects these preposterous imputations and ascribes them to the political agenda of the Trudeau Government that is centered around vote bank politics," read a strongly-worded statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday afternoon.
"Since Prime Minister Trudeau made certain allegations in September 2023, the Canadian Government has not shared a shred of evidence with the Government of India, despite many requests from our side. This latest step follows interactions that have again witnessed assertions without any facts. This leaves little doubt that on the pretext of an investigation,
there is a deliberate strategy of smearing India for political gains," it added.
With Hindu temples in Canada being constantly vandalised with hateful graffiti by Khalistani goons in Canada and Hindu-Canadians also repeatedly targeted, India has time and again made it clear that any further deterioration in bilateral ties would eventually result in a big loss for Canada.
The MEA on Monday also detailed Canadian PM Trudeau's "hostility to India" which it said has long been in evidence.
"In 2018, his visit to India, which was aimed at currying favour with a vote bank, rebounded to his discomfort. His Cabinet has included individuals who
have openly associated with an extremist and separatist agenda regarding India. His naked interference in Indian internal politics in December 2020 showed how far he was willing to go in this regard.
That his Government was dependent on a political party, whose leader openly espouses a separatist ideology vis-a-vis India, only aggravated matters.
"Under criticism for turning a blind eye to foreign interference in Canadian politics, his Government has deliberately brought in India in an attempt to mitigate the damage. This latest development targeting Indian diplomats is now the next step in that direction.
Defying Exit Poll results, BJP crosses majority mark in Haryana by winning 48 seats - a rise from 40 in 2019
Continued from Page 1
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh said:
"Results in Haryana (are) totally unexpected, surprising; they go against ground reality."
Terming the BJP's win as "a victory of manipulation", he said serious issues raised by Congress candidates will be reported to the Election Commission.
"In Haryana, it's a victory of manipulations, subverting will of the people and a defeat of transparent, democratic processes. Victory is snatched from us in Haryana, results are against the sentiment of people which was for change," Ramesh added.
This electoral battle, the first significant face-off between the two national parties after the Lok Sabha elections, has the potential to shape the political discourse
in the upcoming Assembly polls in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Delhi.
The BJP and Congress have been engaged in a seesaw battle since counting began at 8 a.m. Interestingly, the Aam Aadmi Party has not yet secured any seats in Haryana despite contesting on all 90 seats.
"The BJP is ready to serve Haryana for the third time," said BJP leader and incumbent Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who won the Ladwa seat in Kurukshetra district.
Congress stalwart and two-time Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, under whose leadership the party campaigned, retained his stronghold Garhi Sampla-Kiloi constituency by 71,465 votes.
Interestingly, eight members from former Deputy Prime
Minister Devi Lal’s clan contested from various constituencies in the elections, but only two of them emerged as the winners -- Arjun Chautala and Aditya Devi Lal of the INLD.
Arjun Chautala, 32, who is the younger son of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD)’s senior leader Abhay Singh Chautala, won the Rania seat, defeating the Congress’s Sarv Mitter, the BJP’s Shishpal Kamboj and the sitting MLA and BJP rebel Ranjit Chautala.
Contesting on the INLD's ticket, Aditya Devi Lal, 47, son of Jagdish Chander, fourth son of Devi Lal, won the Dabwali seat.
INLD's breakaway faction
Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) chief Dushyant Chautala lost to BJP’s Devender Attri by a significant margin of 41,018 votes in Uchana Kalan.
Mufti. Losing the seat is a major blow to the Muftis.
If Mufti's had a very bad day, another dynasty managed to keep the show on.
Sajad Gani Lone of the Jammu & Kashmir People Conference won the Handwara seat, with a wafer-thin margin of just 622 votes. He secured 29,812 votes and his nearest rival Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan of the National Conference got 29,150 votes, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI).
However, he lost the Kupwara constituency by a significant margin of over 20,316 votes to PDP's Mir Mohammad Fayaz. Lone, in fact, was third after Fayaz and NC's Nasir Aslam Wani.
In the 2014 Assembly elections, Lone defeated NC's Ramzan by over 5,000 votes in Handwara
and subsequently served as a minister in the PDP-BJP coalition government under Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
Sajad Lone’s father, Abdul Gani Lone, won the seat three times in a row in 1967, 1972 and 1977.
He contested two elections as a Congress candidate and fought a third one as a Janata Party candidate.
The star of the day, however, was the Abdullah family.
Omar Abdullah won the Budgam and Ganderbal Assembly seats in Kashmir by big margins.
He defeated PDP's Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi in Badgam with a margin of more than 18,485 votes.
The NC vice president polled 36,010 votes in Budgam, one of the two constituencies he contested in the Jammu and Kashmir elections this time.
In Ganderbal, he defeated PDP
President’s Rule revoked in J&K, clears path for formation of Omar Abdullah govt
Continued from Page 1
after the recently concluded Assembly elections in the Union Territory, said an official order.
A gazette notification regarding this order was issued by the Union Home Ministry.
"In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 73 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 (34 of
2019) read with Articles 239 and 239A of the Constitution of India, the order dated October 31, 2019, about the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir shall stand revoked immediately before the appointment of the Chief Minister under Section 54 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019," said the notification signed by President Murmu.
Doyen of India Inc, Tata Group’s Ratan Tata passes away
Continued from Page 1
put on life-support systems, though the Tata Group officials did not confirm or deny anything.
Chairman, Tata Sons, N Chandrasekaran said that it is with a profound sense of loss that we bid farewell to Mr. Ratan Naval Tata, a truly uncommon leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata Group but also the very fabric of our nation.
“For the Tata Group, Mr. Tata was more than a chairperson. To me, he was a mentor, guide and friend. He inspired by example. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation, the Tata Group under his stewardship expanded its
global footprint while always remaining true to its moral compass.
“Mr. Tata’s dedication to philanthropy and the development of society has touched the lives of millions. From education to healthcare, his initiatives have left a deep-rooted mark that will benefit generations to come. Reinforcing all of this work was Tata’s genuine humility in every individual interaction.
“On behalf of the entire Tata family, I extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones. His legacy will continue to inspire us as we strive to uphold the principles he so passionately championed.”
PM Modi holds bilateral talks with Maldives Prez Muizzu
Continued from Page 1
with a high-level delegation.
External Affairs Minister (EAM)
S. Jaishankar called on Mohamed Muizzu shortly after the Maldives President arrived in the national capital on Sunday.
"Pleased to call on President Mohamed Muizzu today at the start of his State Visit to India.
candidate Bashir Ahmad Mir by a margin of 10,574 votes. Omar Abdullah polled 32,727 votes here. With this win, Omar Abdullah has reclaimed his electoral weight in the UT, especially in the valley. He lost the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla which was won by Engineer Rashid.
Perceiving the win in the Assembly elections when the early trends came in, his father, NC chief and Lok Sabha member, Farooq Abdullah announced that his son would become the Chief Minister.
Omar Abdullah was the J&K CM from 2009 to 2015. His father, Farooq Abdullah and his grandfather Sheikh Mohd Abdullah also were the CMs.
The win in the 2014 Assembly elections for Abdullahs reaffirms the dynasty's hold in Kashmir politics.
Appreciate his commitment to enhance India-Maldives relationship. Confident that his talks with PM Narendra Modi tomorrow will give a new impetus to our friendly ties," posted EAM Jaishankar on X after his meeting with the Maldives President.
During the visit, he is scheduled to hold high-level meetings with President Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and other senior officials of the Indian government.
Accompanied by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed and a highlevel delegation, the Maldives President will be visiting Agra on Tuesday.
"President Dr Muizzu remains committed to enhancing bilateral ties with nations that play a crucial role in the development and growth of the Maldives, ensuring a dynamic and proactive foreign policy for the nation... Discussions will focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation and further
enhancing the longstanding relationship between the two nations," Muizzu's office said in a statement on Friday.
He will also be visiting Mumbai and Bengaluru for business engagements.
Earlier this year, the Maldives President had attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi and the Council of Ministers at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on June 9, 2024.
He had also met PM Modi on the sidelines of the COP28 summit in Dubai on December 1, 2023.
"The visit signifies the importance India attaches to its relations with Maldives. It is expected to lend further momentum to cooperation and robust people-to-people ties between the two countries," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said last week.
In August, EAM Jaishankar had visited Maldives on an official three-day visit, his first since assuming the office for a second term in June.
Before that, he had previously visited the strategically significant Indian Ocean archipelago in January 2023 as India maintained that Maldives occupies an important place in New Delhi's vision of 'Neighbourhood First' and 'SAGAR'.
India’s 100 richest tycoons surpass $1 trillion milestone, Gautam Adani at 2nd spot: Forbes list
New Delhi, Oct 10 (IANS) The collective wealth of India’s 100 richest tycoons surpassed the trillion dollar milestone for the first time as more than 80 per cent of the country’s richest tycoons are now wealthier than they were a year ago, a Forbes report showed on Thursday.
In a record-breaking year, India’s wealthiest are now worth $1.1 trillion, more than twice as rich as they were in 2019, according to the Forbes list of India’s top 100 billionaires.
“The biggest dollar gainer is infrastructure magnate Gautam Adani, who posted a strong
recovery from last year’s shortselling attack and recently placed his sons and nephews in key positions,” the report noted.
“With his brother Vinod (Adani), he added $48 billion to take the family’s net worth to $116 billion, enough to retain the No. 2 position,” it added.
According to the report, India’s wealthiest added $316 billion or nearly 40 per cent in just the past 12 months, as investor enthusiasm about the country’s growth story remains robust under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term.
“Savitri Jindal, matriarch of steel-to-power conglomerate OP Jindal Group, whose son Sajjan Jindal recently made an ambitious foray into electric vehicles with MG Motor, moved up to No. 3 for the first time. She’s one of nine women on the list, up from eight a year ago,” the report revealed.
Mahima Datla, who controls privately-held vaccine producer Biological E. is one of four newcomers to the Forbes list. Others on the coveted list are B.
Partha Saradhi Reddy, founder of Hetero Labs, a maker of generic medicines and pharma ingredients; Harish Ahuja of apparel maker Shahi Exports and Surender Saluja, founder and chairman of Premier Energies, which makes solar panels and modules.
Dilip Shanghvi, founder of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, jumped three spots to fifth position with $32.4 billion and siblings Sudhir and Samir Mehta of Torrent Group more than doubled their wealth to $16.3 billion.
From the Godrej family, brothers Adi and Nadir Godrej, who control listed companies under the Godrej Industries Group, and their cousins Jamshyd Godrej and Smita Crishna Godrej, who control privately-held flagship Godrej & Boyce under the Godrej Enterprises Group, are on the list.
Nikhil Kamath, 38, who cofounded and runs online brokerage Zerodha with his brother Nithin, 45, is among the six nonagenarians on the list.
Adani Group, Google join hands to drive clean energy adoption in India
Ahmedabad, Oct 3 (IANS)
The Adani Group and Google on Thursday announced a collaboration that will advance the companies’ collective sustainability goals and add more clean energy to the national grid. The Adani Group will supply clean energy from a new solar-wind hybrid project located in the world’s largest renewable energy plant at Gujarat's Khavda.
The new project is expected to start commercial operations in
the third quarter of 2025, the company said in a statement.
With proven capabilities in delivering large-scale wind, solar, hybrid and energy storage projects, the Adani Group is wellpositioned to provide customised renewable energy solutions to commercial and industrial customers to meet their energy requirements and reduce their carbon footprint.
Going forward, the Group plans to increase the focus on merchant, commercial, and industrial segments to help decarbonise industries.
"This innovative collaboration will help advance Google’s 24/7 carbon-free energy goal by ensuring cloud services and operations in India are supported by clean energy and, thereby, contribute to the sustainable growth of Google in India,” said the company.
The collaboration was announced during the 10th anniversary of the ‘Google for India’ initiative.
"We're partnering with Adani to procure bundled energy solutions and advance decarbonisation of Google’s cloud services in India," said the tech giant.
"This includes clean energy supply from a 61.4 MW solar-wind hybrid plant to be developed in Khavda, Gujarat, and expected to start commercial operations in 2025," Google said.
With interests across energy and utilities, transport and logistics (including seaports, airports, shipping, and rail), natural resources, and the consumer sector, Adani Group has established a leadership position in the market. As part of the portfolio, Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) is India’s largest and one of the leading renewable energy companies in the world enabling the clean energy transition. AGEL develops, owns, and operates utility-scale grid-connected solar, wind, hybrid and hydro-pumped storage renewable power plants.
Mundra Port honoured with commemorative postal stamp on its silver jubilee
Ahmedabad, Oct 9 (IANS) The Adani Group on Wednesday said that Mundra Port, India’s largest commercial port, has been honoured with a special postal stamp, marking its silver jubilee year.
The commemorative stamp, released on World Post Day, celebrates Mundra Port’s remarkable socio-economic contributions and its transformation into a global maritime powerhouse over the past 25 years.
The stamp was released by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, in the presence of Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL) Managing Director Rajesh Adani, and Adani
Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) Managing Director Karan Adani.
"This commemorative stamp represents not just the legacy of Mundra Port but also our partnership of trust with the people of Gujarat and the supportive policies of the state government," said Karan Adani.
"Together, we have turned a vast wasteland into India’s largest port, reaffirming our humble commitment to driving economic development and creating opportunities for our people, while supporting India’s ambition to be a leader in global trade," Karan Adani added.
Issued by India Post, the commemorative stamp is titled "25 Years of Progress – Mundra Port" and features a visual narrative of Mundra Port’s transformation.
The stamp sheet, which contains 12 stamps, was designed by India Post in collaboration with APSEZ. The stamps will be available for purchase through India Post’s ePortal.
Adani University committed to shape new India: Dr Priti Adani
Ahmedabad, Oct 5 (IANS)
Education has an incalculable luminosity and Adani University is committed to shaping a new India by focusing on research and innovation in life sciences, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', Dr Priti Adani, President of Adani University, said on Saturday.
In her address at the first convocation ceremony at its Shantigram campus here, Dr Priti Adani said that "failures simply help put you on the path to greater progress", urging new graduates to see setbacks as growth opportunities.
Expressing her aspiration for Adani University to achieve global recognition, she called on graduates to be ambassadors
of their alma mater and apply their knowledge for societal betterment.
Dr Priti Adani urged the graduates to embrace the changes and challenges of the professional world, emphasising that excellence – rooted in knowledge, tenacity, rationality and intelligence – will set them apart.
Padma Shri Kartikeya Vikram Sarabhai, one of the world’s leading environmental educators and the Founder and Director of the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), delivered the convocation address.
Sixty-nine post-graduate students of MBA (infrastructure management), MBA (energy management) and MTech (construction engineering and management) programmes received their degrees, while four students received Gold Medals for their exemplary performance at the convocation, marking the beginning of their journey as proud ambassadors of Adani University.
Mining responsibly defines us
Patrons to Diwali get free transport as festival popularity grows
Springfield city’s Diwali Festival of Lights continues to grow in popularity, prompting organisers to provide complimentary transport alternatives for this year’s celebrations at the
prestigious Brookwater Gold and Country Club on Saturday, October 19.
Patrons will have the opportunity to catch buses designed to ensure everyone has a relaxed and
hassle-free trip to the beloved Indian festival, which boasted a 3,000-strong turn out last year and a major prize draw.
“The popularity of this festival across Australia and in our region is mind-blowing and we’re very keen to ensure everyone continues to enjoy the joy, light and community spirit that this holiday for the Indian people spreads,” Brookwater Residential General Manager Narendran Sinnathamby said.
Mr Sinnathamby said patrons would have the option to travel in the safety and comfort of buses that will operate from Springfield Central Station for anyone travelling via train and from Brighton Homes Arena for those driving, from 4pm to 10pm on festival day.
The Diwali Festival of Lights will feature first-class attractions, including Bollywood dance performances, DJ music and laser light show, kids craft, face painting, balloon twist and henna.
This year’s major prize for early bird ticket purchases will be return flights for four to India with Singapore Airlines. A variety of stalls will be open throughout the day before a fireworks display concludes the celebration.
“Like the Greek community’s annual Paniyiri celebrations, Diwali Festival of Lights is an unmissable experience that showcases our vibrant multicultural community,” Mr Sinnathamby said.
“We wish everyone a Happy Diwali and look forward to celebrating this event with the community.”
Diwali, often referred to as India's most significant holiday, derives its name from the rows of clay lamps lit outside homes. These lamps symbolise the inner light that wards off spiritual darkness. While its importance to Hindus is comparable to Christmas for Christians, Diwali has resonated with various communities across the nation. Its essence is a celebration of light, hope, and community.
The Diwali Festival of Lights is sponsored by Brookwater and Springfield City Group. It will be held from 4-9pm on Saturday, October 19 at Brookwater Golf and Country Club. Tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite. Children under 12 are free.
Springfield city’s brightest provide ideas for the future
The brightest young minds in one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions have again devised ways to build the city of the future with “inspiring” ideas to help the vulnerable along with initiatives for transport and education Springfield City Group has presented the fifth annual Maha Sinnathamby Ideas and Imagination Award, drawing entries from school students across the Greater Springfield region.
The University of Queensland’s Head of Entrepreneurship
Nimrod Klayman, who attended the final pitches, praised the standard of ideas from young primary school minds through to senior students.
“They were inspiring particularly seeing the way the small children presented and the efforts of the
older students. Their pitches were amazing. The city is in good hands,” Mr Klayman, from UQ Ventures, said.
“You need to start with a problem, not a solution. They did this and they gave us much to think about.”
Students were asked to deliver an idea to strengthen Springfield as a city of the future – one that was “clever, connected and bursting with creative energy”. Their ideas could be based on technology, environmental initiatives, community projects or something completely new.
And senior students were guided throughout by UQ Ventures –
The University of Queensland’s entrepreneurship arm – through a series of workshops that prepared them for the September Award showcase.
The Award featured four categories which were presented to:
Upper High School Winner: Varad Podutwar, St Peters Lutheran College Springfield, Year 10. Pitch: SmartGen Springfield. A multi-purpose education, creative and sports facility.
Lower High School Winner: Samrish Pandiyan, St Peters Lutheran College, Year 9. Pitch: EcoSmart Road Grids. The perfect roads for the perfect city.
Upper Primary School Winner: Liliana Titley, The Springfield Anglican College, Year 6. Pitch: Shoes for YOUths. Collection
facility for upcycling athletic shoes for school students.
Lower Primary School Winner: Venba Ravindran, St Peters Lutheran College, Year 2. Pitch: Sound Springfield creating a people library supporting better mental health in Springfield.
Maha Sinnathamby AM, the Chairman of Springfield City Group, has always been driven by the goal to create a modern city underpinned by the desire to grow human and social capital – the fundamentals behind Springfield’s transformation as a dynamic home to more than 56,000 residents.
“While I do have a plan and a very clear vision for the City of Springfield, I do not profess to have all the answers,” Mr Sinnathamby said.
“It has been some time since I went to school – and students are now learning at a much more rapid rate than I did. That is why I asked the students of Springfield – our residents – to share their big ideas as to how we can make our great city even greater.”
Secondary school students were able to attend free workshops with UQ Ventures throughout August, designed to develop their entrepreneurial skills, to improve confidence and to spark creative and innovative solutions.
Primary school students were able to attend a “Kick-Off session” to gather as much information as they could to fine-tune their ideas for their pitch submissions.
Back Row: Pal Khaktar – Runner-up Upper High School; Avyukt Chouhan – Runner-up Upper Primary School; Varud Padutwar – Winner Upper High School; Samrish Pandiya – Winner Lower Primary School; Ravneet Kaur and Hafsa Haroon – Runner-up Lower High School
Mahindra Introduces Black Edition XUV700 in Australia at AUD $43,990 Driveaway
• Draped in Sophistication:
• All-new Napoli Black colour in AX7L Variant
• Black Grille and Striking Black 18” alloys.
• All-new Black Interior Trim with a premium 7-seat layout.
• Stylish dark chrome finishes on the air vents and central console.
• Luxurythat commands attention:
• Memory ORVMs linked to the custom seat profiles.
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless connectivity.
• Ventilated front seats for enhanced comfort.
• Expanding Dealer Network:
• 75+ locations across Australia, in all metro cities.
• New dealerships improving access in urban and rural regions.
• Twin Peaks Corporate Identity driving brand recognition for SUV portfolio.
Brisbane, Oct 10th, 2024: Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., a global leader in the automotive industry, announces the launch of its Black Edition XUV700 in Australia. Priced from AUD $43,990 driveaway, this special edition, offers a bold new look and enhanced luxury features, further elevating the XUV700's premium SUV experience.
The Black Edition not only boosts the luxury quotient but also includes exclusive features such asa blacked-out grille, 18-inch black alloys, black interior trim with Piano black finish on IP Doors & console, ventilated front seats with active cooling, and a memory ORVM linked for added convenience.
Sachin Arolkar, Head of International Operations, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said, " Australia is a key market for us, and our focus has always been on understanding and responding to the unique preferences and expectations of our customers here. The XUV700 Black Edition, crafted from this commitment and customer feedback, offers a bold new look and enhanced luxury features, further elevating the premium SUV experience of the XUV700.”
Key Features of the Black Edition XUV700:
The Black Edition XUV700 introduces a bold new design with Napoli Black Paint that is complemented by a sleek, blacked-out grille and side trims. The exclusivity continues inside with a full Black Interior Trim, featuring a black dashboard, luxurious black seats in a 7-seat configuration, Dark chrome plating on AC vent, Door handles & steering wheels, Piano black finish on IP Doors & console along with ventilated front seats with active cooling to ensure ultimate comfort. For enhanced driving convenience, the memory-linked ORVM adjusts to the driver’s seat position with just a touch, and the Black18-inch alloys add a striking presence on the road. In terms of technology, the Black Edition is equipped with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, providing seamless connectivity and charging options.
Performance & Technology:
The Black Edition XUV700 comes powered by Mahindra’s 2.0 L mStallion turbo-petrol with Direct injection engine, producing 149.2 kW of power and 380 Nm of torque, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle offers class-leading comfort with its SkyRoof™, spanning 1.3 metres, along with a dual 10.25-inch Super Screen for infotainment and cluster information. The XUV700 Black Edition is equipped with Mahindra's Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including features like Adaptive Cruise Control and a 360-degree camera setup.
Expanding Dealer Network:
The expansion of Mahindra's dealer network to over 75 locations across Australia reflects its growing presence and commitment to local customers. With a strong foundation laid in Metro Melbourne and Sydney, Mahindra is poised for continued growth.
All models come with 7 years / 150,000 kms warranty and 7 years Roadside Assistance. Customers also benefit from 5-Year Capped Price Service.
About Mahindra XUV700
Packing an unmissable presence, tough yet sophisticated experience, spirited performance, global safety standards and modern technology, the XUV700 is set to excite Australian Customers.
Unmissable presence
• The striking front grille with the new Twin Peaks logo takes pride of place.
• The authentic SUV stance and the wide track hint at performance ably supported by the overall vehicle dynamics.
• XUV700 has LED Clear-view Headlamps with Automatic Boosting and LED daytime running lights. At the rear, the arrow-tip taillights utilise LED technology, with an additional high-mount LED brake lamp.
• Conventional door handles giving way to invisible 'Smart door handles', a first-in-segment by XUV700.
• Prominent wheel haunches above the arches, especially at the rear help achieve a sporty stance, making the XUV700 look fast even while standing still.
Tough yet Sophisticated New from the ground up, the XUV700 underpins a completely new platform for the brand that has set the direction for the SUVs of tomorrow, with advanced engineering, the latest technology and impeccable craftsmanship. The body makes use of enhanced high-tensile and ultra-high tensile steels that increase the toughness and torsional rigidity while reducing the overall weight of the vehicle, contributing to reduced fuel consumption.
The all-independent suspension set up of the XUV700 was developed with varied road surfaces in mind.
• XUV700 offers class leading performance through multilink suspension with stabiliser bar & FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) technology.
• While superior ride comfort is guaranteed, it also provides unparalleled dynamic capabilities in tune with the performance on offer.
Spirited Performance
At the heart of the XUV700, it has the 2.0 L mStallion turbo-petrol engine, delivering exhilarating performance, 149.2 kW at 5000 rpm and class-leading torque of 380 Nm available in full from 1750 rpm that brings a rush like never before. This engine provides refined motoring and linear power delivery.
All versions of XUV700 are fitted with Mahindra’s smooth-shifting 6-speed automatic transmission. This transmission is mapped to perfectly match the power profile of the petrol engine at exhilarating cruising speeds.
Modern Technology
The XUV700, the first of a new generation of SUVs from Mahindra comes packed with a whole lot of features.
The new Mahindra Super screen – a combination of two highdefinition 10.25” (26 cm) digital screens for the digital cluster and infotainment systems – takes pride of place in the Mahindra XUV700 cabin. The UI on these screens is highly customisable and allows for a detailed view of vehicle information.
Both the variants of the XUV700 in Australia are fitted with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which allows for a seamless connection with any smartphone. This also allows the driver to interact with their smart phone via the large infotainment screen and use voice commands through Android auto and Apple car play.
Another treat across the entire XUV700 range is Mahindra’s SkyroofTM. This panoramic sunroof covers most of the passenger compartment and creates an airy and light ambience in the cabin.
Mahindra has partnered with SONY to customise the sound experience inside the XUV700. In the AX7Lvariant& Black edition, the sound system is upgraded to a 12-speaker SONY system with full immersive 3D sound. The AX7L also treats its owner with wireless charging and fully automatic electronic door handles.
On the AX7L& Black edition, Mahindra has added a Blind View Monitor system as standard. It has also included four digital
cameras, mounted in the nose, tailgate and side mirrors, for a 360-degree bird’s eye view of the vehicle when manoeuvring or parking. This system can be set to continuously record while driving, negating the need for a traditional dashcam through memory card installation.
Global Safety Standards
Safety is one of the core pillars of the XUV700 experience:
• The AX7, AX7L & Black edition of the XUV700 offer comprehensive Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS) as standard. This includes Smart Pilot Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist and even Traffic Sign Recognition as standard.
• The AX7L & Black edition add Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop n Go, 7 airbags comprising of driver and passenger front airbags, curtain across all three rows, side airbags and a driver knee airbag.
• The AX7L & Black edition also has automatic headlamps with High Beam Assist, which switches automatically between low and high beam.
• Safety on XUV 700 is further taken care of by the tyre pressure monitoring system.
Range, colour, and pricing Buyers can choose between Everest White, Midnight Black, Dazzling Silver, Red Rage, Electric Blue with White Interior in AX7 or AX7L Variants with white interior trim, or Napoli Black Exterior with Black Interior trim available in Black Edition.
The driveaway prices* of the three variants are:
• Mahindra XUV700 AX7 – $36,990
• Mahindra XUV700 AX7L –$39,990
• Mahindra XUV700 BlackEdition - $43990
The XUV700 is sold with 7 years/ 150,000 kms warranty. A 24/7/365 Roadside Assistance Plan is included for the same period* T&Cs apply, visit www.mahindra. com.au/ownership for full PDS details on Warranty, Roadside Assist and Capped Price Service.
Variant walk-through
There is an XUV700 for everyone who seeks a sophisticated and tough SUV. The XUV700 comes with three variants packed with an exhaustive list of features as below:
AX7 AX7 L Black Edition
• Dual HD 26 cm Infotainment and 26 cm Digital Cluster screens
• Android Auto/ Apple CarPlay Compatibility
• 6 Speakers with Sound Staging
• 2nd row seat with armrest and cup holder
• Reverse Camera
• LED DRL & Arrowhead LED Taillamps
• Fog Lamps
• Rear Wiper & defogger
• Skyroof (Panoramic sunroof)
• LED Clear-view Headlamps with Auto Booster
• Latest Gen Electronic Stability Program
• Cornering Lamp
• 2nd row Map lamps
• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
o Adaptive Cruise Control
o Smart Pilot Assist
o Forward Collision Warning
o Automatic Emergency Braking
o Lane Departure Warning
o Lane Keep Assist
o Traffic Sign Recognition
o High Beam Assist
• 6 airbags
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
• Push Button Start
• R18 Diamond Cut Alloy
• Leatherette Seat & IP
• Leather Steering & Gear lever
• 6-Way Power seat with Memory and Welcome retract
• Intelli Control
• Auto Headlamps
• Rain Sensing Wiper
• Power fold ORVM
• One Touch Driver Power Window with Smart Close
• Dual Zone Climate Control
• Co-driver Ergo lever
• 3rd Row Air conditioning
• Flexible Boot Space (3rd row 50:50 with recline)
• Adjustable Headrests for all passengers
In addition to features of AX7, the AX7L has:
• Blind View Monitor
• 3D Audio with 12 Speaker
• 360° Surround View
• Knee Airbag
• Passive Keyless Entry
• Electronic Park Brake
• Stop and Go function in Adaptive Cruise Control
• Telescopic steering
• Vanity Mirror illumination
• Electric Smart Door Handles
• Wireless Charging
In addition to features of AX7L, the Black edition has:
• All new Black Exterior:
o 18-inch Alloys,
o Grille,
o Napoli Black exterior Paint.
• All new Black interior trim:
o Seats,
o Dashboard
o Door
o Dark Chrome Plating on AC vents, door handles, steering wheel
o Piano Black finish on IP, doors &console.
‘Legendary industrialist, true nationalist’: Condolences pour in for Ratan Tata
New Delhi, Oct 10 (IANS)
Condolences poured in soon after the Tata Group announced that its Chairman Emeritus and one of India's most illustrious industrialists, Ratan Tata, has died.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the legendary industrialist and true nationalist will "live on in our hearts" and "time cannot take away Ratan Tata Ji from his beloved nation".
In a post on X, the Union Home Minister wrote: "He selflessly dedicated his life to the development of our nation. Every time I met him, his zeal and commitment to the betterment of Bharat and its people amazed me. His commitment to the welfare of our country and its people led to the blooming of millions of dreams. Time cannot take away Ratan Tata Ji from his beloved nation. He will live on in our hearts. My condolences to Tata Group and his countless admirers. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti."
From Union Ministers and Chief Ministers to Opposition leaders, almost all prominent political figures took to X to condole the demise of Ratan Tata.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh wrote: "Saddened by the passing away of Shri Ratan Tata. He was a Titan of the Indian industry known for his monumental contributions to our economy, trade and industry. My deepest
condolences to his family, friends and admirers. May his soul rest in peace."
BJP President and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda wrote: "Deeply saddened by the passing of Shri Ratan Tata Ji, Titan of Indian industry and a beacon of philanthropy. His remarkable contributions to industry and society have left an indelible mark on our nation and the world. He was not just a business icon but a symbol of humility, integrity, and compassion. In this moment of profound loss, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and to all those whose lives he touched. His legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. OM Shanti!"
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wrote: "Ratan Tata was a man with a vision. He has left a lasting mark on both business and philanthropy. My condolences to his family and the Tata community."
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge wrote: "In the passing away of Shri Ratan Naval Tata, we have lost an invaluable son of India. A philanthropist par excellence whose commitment to India’s inclusive growth and development remained paramount, Shri Tata was synonymous with unequivocal integrity and ethical leadership. He was an inspiration and an icon for millions of people and richly contributed to nation building."
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari wrote: "I am heartbroken to hear of the passing of Ratan Tata Ji, a proud son of the nation. Over three decades, I was privileged to have a deeply personal and close family relationship with him, where I witnessed his humility, simplicity, and genuine respect for everyone, regardless of their
status."
"His life embodied the values of integrity and compassion, serving as an inspiration to many. As India's leading industrialist, his remarkable contributions to the economy and job creation transformed countless lives. Beyond his business acumen, he was a dedicated patriot and a socially conscious leader who profoundly impacted society. The lessons I learned from him will forever resonate in my life. His loss is an immense sorrow for our nation, as we have lost a visionary and compassionate guide. Omm Shanti," he added.
Union Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal wrote: "His strong & humane leadership led the Tata Group to achieve remarkable success, facilitating its global expansion and significantly strengthening our nation's presence on the world stage."
"His unparalleled dedication to 'Mother India' and his contributions to our society till his last breath through his philanthropic initiatives were recognised with the prestigious Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan awards. His legacy will shine as brightly as his remarkable life journey, inspiring generations not only in Bharat but across the world," he added.
Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia wrote: "The end of an era! Shri Ratan Tata set a new paradigm in leadership that espoused the values of integrity and compassion. Indeed, he has left an indelible mark in the world of business, and the society at large. It was an honour to have known you. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace, Titan!"
‘He deeply cared about making India better’: Business leaders mourn Ratan Tata’s demise
New Delhi, Oct 10 (IANS)
Tributes and condolences poured in as soon as the news about the demise of legendary industrialist Ratan Tata emerged.
From Google CEO Sundar Pichai to Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra, prominent business leaders expressed their condolences on the demise of Ratan Tata.
Recalling his last interaction with Ratan Tata, Sundar Pichai said that the Tata Group's Chairman Emeritus "deeply cared about making India better".
"My last meeting with Ratan Tata at Google, we talked about the progress of Waymo and his vision was inspiring to hear. He leaves an extraordinary business and philanthropic legacy and was instrumental in mentoring and developing the modern business leadership in India. He deeply cared about making India better. Deep condolences to his loved ones and Rest in Peace Shri Ratan Tata Ji," the Google CEO posted on X.
Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra said he is "unable to accept the absence of Ratan Tata".
"India's economy stands on the cusp of a historic leap forward. And Ratan's life and work have had much to do with our being in this position. Hence, his mentorship and guidance at this point in time would have been
‘Extremely pained’, says PM Modi on Ratan Tata’s demise
New Delhi, Oct 10 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed grief on the demise of Ratan Tata, the Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, who passed away at the Breach Candy Hospital following agerelated health conditions.
“My mind is filled with countless interactions with Shri Ratan Tata Ji. I would meet him frequently in Gujarat when I was the CM. We would exchange views on diverse issues. I found his perspectives very enriching. These interactions continued when I came to Delhi. Extremely pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family, friends and admirers in this sad hour. Om Shanti,” the Prime Minister wrote on X. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed grief, saying Ratan Tata will be known for his contribution to the economy.
"Saddened by the passing away of Shri Ratan Tata. He was a Titan of the Indian industry known for his monumental contributions to our economy, trade and industry. My
deepest condolences to his family, friends and admirers. May his soul rest in peace," the Defence Minister wrote on X.
Tata was admitted to the hospital on Monday, sparking intense speculation on his health status in corporate, political and common circles.
Later, he had issued a statement that he was undergoing certain routine medical examinations for age-related health concerns. Subsequently, he was reportedly put on life-support systems, though the Tata Group officials did not confirm or deny anything. Chairman, Tata Sons, N Chandrasekaran said that it is with a profound sense of loss that we bid farewell to Mr. Ratan Naval Tata, a truly uncommon leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata Group but also the very fabric of our nation.
“For the Tata Group, Mr. Tata was more than a chairperson. To me, he was a mentor, guide and friend. He inspired by example. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation, the Tata Group under his stewardship expanded its global footprint while always remaining true to its moral compass,” he added.
President Murmu, V-P Dhankhar condole demise of Ratan Tata
New Delhi, Oct 10 (IANS)
invaluable," Mahindra wrote on X. "With him gone, all we can do is to commit to emulating his example. Because he was a businessman for whom financial wealth and success was most useful when it was put to the service of the global community," he added.
Terming Tata a legend, Mahindra said his contributions will not be forgotten. "Goodbye and Godspeed, Mr. T. You will not be forgotten. Because Legends never die... Om Shanti," he wrote.
RPG Enterprises Chairman Harsh Goenka described Ratan Tata as a "beacon of integrity".
"The clock has stopped ticking. The Titan passes away. #RatanTata was a beacon of integrity, ethical leadership and philanthropy, who has imprinted an indelible mark on the world of business and beyond.
President Droupadi Murmu has expressed condolences on the death of Ratan Tata, the Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, saying that the country has lost an icon who blended corporate growth with nation-building.
"In the sad demise of Shri Ratan Tata, India has lost an icon who blended corporate growth with nation building, and excellence with ethics. A recipient of Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan, he took forward the great Tata legacy and gave it a more impressive global presence," the President said in a post on X.
"He inspired seasoned professionals and young students alike. His contribution to philanthropy and charity is invaluable. I convey my condolences to his family, the entire team of the Tata Group and his admirers across the globe," she added.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said he is deeply pained by the passing away of Ratan Tata. He further said that Ratan Tata's contributions towards building a self-reliant 'Bharat' will forever be an inspiration to entrepreneurs in India and beyond.
"A man of deep commitment and compassion, his philanthropic contributions and the humility he embodied aptly reflect the ethos he embraced. As ‘the legend’ of Indian industry leaves behind a lasting legacy, Bharat would miss him very dearly. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, admirers and to the entire Tata Group in this hour of grief. Om Shanti," Vice President Dhankhar posted on X. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also condoled the demise of Ratan Tata. In a post on X, he said: "India today lost a great industrialist and philanthropist who not only took the Indian industry to new heights but also inspired every section of society with his selfless service and generosity."
"Shri Ratan Tata's simplicity, foresight and spirit of service will remain a source of inspiration for ages. His departure is an irreparable loss for the country,"
Ratan Tata a champion for underprivileged, says Soumya Swaminathan, global health leaders
New Delhi, Oct 10 (IANS) Ratan Tata has been a champion for the underprivileged and left an extraordinary legacy in India and the world, said global health leaders as they mourn the demise of the Chairman Emeritus of the Tata Group.
The legendary industrialist and philanthropist passed away at the Breach Candy Hospital following age-related health conditions late on Wednesday. He was 86.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Mr Ratan Tata - a friend, guide, mentor to many and a champion for the underprivileged,” said Soumya Swaminathan, former
WHO Chief Scientist, in a post on X.
While offering “prayers and condolences to his family,” she said his “legacy will live on forever”.
In a post shared on X, Tata Memorial Hospital called him “a visionary leader with the highest integrity, but also an incredibly compassionate person. Truly a nation builder”.
The business tycoon was also a former trustee at the USbased Cornell University “who became the university’s largest international donor – supporting scholarships, research to reduce rural poverty and malnutrition in India, and technology innovation,” the varsity said in a blogpost.
“Ratan Tata has left an extraordinary legacy in India, across the world and at Cornell, which he cared about deeply,” said Interim President Michael I. Kotlikoff.
Lauding the “quiet demeanour and humility” of Ratan Tata, Kotlikoff said his “generosity and concern for others enabled research and scholarship that
improved the education and health of millions of people in India and beyond”.
Tata served as the all-powerful Chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, from 1991 till his retirement on December 28, 2012.
Dr Ishwar Gilada, a Consultant in HIV/STDs, Unison Medicare and Research Centre, Mumbai, shared that there can “neither be any comparison nor replacement” of Ratan Tata.
Meanwhile, Ratan Tata's family said in an early morning update that his mortal remains will be taken to the NCPA Lawns at around 10.30 a.m. to enable people to pay their last respect and homage to the departed soul. At around 4 p.m., his body would embark on the final journey from Nariman Point to the Worli Crematorium prayer hall for the last rites.
At the crematorium, the mortal remains, draped in the national flag, will be given a police gun salute and then will be consigned to the flames, said the family.
Ratan Tata ensured education and health for millions globally: Cornell University
New Delhi, Oct 10 (IANS) A bachelor in architecture from Cornell University in the US in 1962, Ratan Tata did not pursue an architecture career and, instead, started as an apprentice on a shop floor at Tata Steel, before building a $100 billion empire. He was a former Cornell trustee who became the university’s largest international donor – supporting scholarships, research to reduce rural poverty and malnutrition in India, and technology innovation.
Remembering him, Cornell University said in an article that Ratan Tata credited his Cornell architectural training for some of his success in business, including learning to approach problems creatively and from multiple perspectives.
"Ratan Tata has left an extraordinary legacy in India, across the world and at Cornell, which he cared about deeply," said Interim University President Michael I. Kotlikoff. "Ratan’s quiet demeanour and humility belied his international profile. His generosity and concern for others enabled research and scholarship that improved the education and health of millions of people in India and beyond, and extended Cornell’s global impact." Cornell leaders, a team from Tata
Consultancy Services and New York City officials cut the ribbon in 2017 to celebrate the naming of the Tata Innovation Center on the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island in New York City.
In 2008, a $50 million gift from the Tata Trusts created the TataCornell Institute for Agriculture and Nutrition, a long-term research initiative, and endowed the Tata Scholarship for Students from India.
In 2017, a $50 million investment from Tata Consultancy Services helped build the Tata Innovation Center on Cornell Tech’s Roosevelt Island campus in New York City. From 2014-19, he served on the jury panel for the Pritzker Architecture Prize, one of the field’s top honours.
"The miles of tracing paper that all of us wasted on one concept after another did one thing: It taught us that we didn't stick with one thing," Ratan Tata said in a documentary produced by classmates for his 50th reunion in 2009. "We tried and we tried, and we improved, and we reconceived what we had to do. It’s no different in business."
"When Ratan Tata graduated from Cornell with a degree in architecture, it would have been impossible to imagine the global impact his visionary leadership, philanthropy and commitment to humanity would go on to have – advancing education and research across many sectors," said J. Meejin Yoon, the Gale and Ira Drukier Dean of College of
‘India has lost a giant’, says Gautam Adani on Ratan Tata’s demise
New Delhi, Oct 10 (IANS) Gautam Adani, Chairman, Adani Group, on Thursday expressed deep sorrow on the demise of Ratan Tata, the Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, who passed away at the Breach Candy Hospital following age-related health conditions.
“India has lost a giant, a visionary who redefined modern India's path. Ratan Tata wasn’t just a business leader - he embodied the spirit of India with integrity, compassion and an unwavering commitment to the greater good. Legends like him never fade away. Om Shanti,” Gautam Adani wrote on X.
Tata was admitted to the hospital on Monday, sparking intense
speculation on his health status in corporate, political and common circles.
Later, he had issued a statement that he was undergoing certain routine medical examinations for age-related health concerns.
Subsequently, he was reportedly put on life-support systems, though the Tata Group officials did not confirm or deny anything.
Chairman, Tata Sons, N Chandrasekaran said that it is with a profound sense of loss that we bid farewell to Mr. Ratan Naval Tata, a truly uncommon leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata Group but also the very fabric of our nation.
“For the Tata Group, Mr. Tata was more than a chairperson. To me, he was a mentor, guide and friend. He inspired by example. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation, the Tata Group under his stewardship expanded its global footprint while always remaining true to its moral compass,” he added.
CMs, leaders of Telugu states condole loss of Ratan Tata
Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP).
"Looking back over Ratan's life and career, I am not only filled with gratitude for all he has given and accomplished, but also with a deep respect for his kindness, generosity and eternal optimism that has improved lives in India and around the world," Yoon noted.
Ratan Tata's engineering and design background was instrumental in Tata Motors' 2008 launch of the Tata Nano, then the world's most affordable production car, which sought to improve safety for lowerincome drivers limited to motorcycles and scooters. In the reunion documentary, Ratan Tata discussed his aversion to Ithaca winters, appreciation for his fraternity, Alpha Sigma Phi, and love of flying, a hobby he pursued as a student. With several classmates on board, he once safely executed an emergency landing at what is now Ithaca Tompkins International Airport after a strut failed in the singleengine Tri-Pacer he was piloting. He also discussed some of the challenges international students faced, at a time when few came from India – numbers his 2008 gift would boost. As of this academic year, 305 Tata scholarships have been awarded to 89 students from India, with a special emphasis on supporting students from "non-feeder" schools, helping to attract talented applicants and elevate the university’s profile there.
Hyderabad, Oct 10 (IANS)
Chief Ministers and leaders of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh condoled the passing away of eminent industrialist Ratan Tata.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed deep shock on Thursday over the iconic industrialist’s death.
“Deeply shocked and saddened by the passing of Shri Ratan Tata, one of India’s greatest industrialists. A visionary leader, humanitarian, and legendary figure in India's corporate world, Shri Tata’s life was an extraordinary journey of humility and success,” said Chief Minister Reddy in his condolence message.
“Under his exceptional leadership, the Tata brand soared to unparalleled heights, conquering new horizons and filling every Indian with pride. His unmatched contributions to making India a global industrial power have left an indelible mark. Shri Ratan Tata’s legacy of business excellence, unwavering ethics, and commitment to social good will continue to inspire generations, especially the youth of an aspirational and enterprising India,” CM Reddy added.
“In his passing, India has lost not only an industrial icon but a beloved son who embodied the true spirit of service and integrity.
There will never be another like him,” he added.
The Chief Minister extended his heartfelt condolences to the Tata family and to the countless Indians who mourn this immense loss.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu also mourned the death of Ratan Tata.
“Few men have left such an enduring imprint on this world with their vision and integrity as Ratan Tata. Today, we have lost not just a business titan, but a true humanitarian whose legacy goes beyond the industrial landscape to live in every heart he touched,” he said.
“As I mourn his passing today, I also reflect on his remarkable contributions to industry, philanthropy, and nationbuilding that will forever inspire generations. A life well-lived. An iconic legacy to cherish. Rest in peace, my friend. You'll be missed. Deepest condolences to his loved ones and the Tata Group,” added Naidu.
The Governor of Andhra Pradesh, S. Abdul Nazeer also expressed profound grief and sadness on the passing away of Ratan Tata.
Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy also expressed grief over the demise of Ratan Tata.
The YSR Congress Party chief extended his heartfelt condolences on the passing of Ratan Naval Tata, acknowledging him as a “visionary leader and a true icon of the Indian industry.”
PM Modi meets Maldives President Muizzu, assures of building ‘brighter future’ together
New Delhi, Oct 7 (IANS)
Asserting that Maldives holds an important place in India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and SAGAR vision, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that both countries have adopted a comprehensive, economic and maritime security partnership vision to give strategic direction to mutual cooperation.
The two neighbouring countries have also decided to discuss the Free Trade Agreement and will also work on settling trades in local currency, Prime Minister Modi revealed while addressing the media jointly with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu at the Hyderabad House on Monday.
"India has always played the role of 'First Responder' for Maldives. Be it meeting the needs of essential commodities for the people of Maldives, providing drinking water during a natural disaster, or providing vaccines during Covid, India has always
Thousands
fulfilled its responsibility as a neighbour, said PM Modi.
Citing the centuries-old ties between the two countries, the Prime Minister maintained that India is Maldives' closest neighbour and the closest friend.
A number of agreements were signed as both leaders held comprehensive discussions to further deepen ties on a range of areas including development partnership, energy, trade, financial linkages and defence cooperation.
"Today, we have inaugurated the redeveloped Hanimaadhoo Airport. Now, the Greater Male Connectivity Project will also be expedited. Support will also be provided for the development of a new commercial port in Thilafushi. Today, more than 700 social housing units built with Indian assistance have also been handed over... Work will be done to connect India and Maldives with UPI as well," said PM Modi.
Prime Minister Modi mentioned that together, both countries will work to build a "brighter future".
Both countries announced the adoption of India-Maldives vision for Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership.
The refit of Maldives Coast
Guard Ship Huravee will also be undertaken by the Indian government on gratis basis.
Besides the launch of RuPay Card in Maldives, the new runway of Hanimaadhoo International Airport (HIA) was also inaugurated by the two leaders. Together, they also handed over 700 social housing units built under EXIM Bank's Buyers' Credit facilities.
Earlier, Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed were accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Upon arrival, a 21-gun salute was conferred on Muizzu and he also inspected the Guard of Honour at the ceremony in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi.
After the welcoming ceremony, the visiting President visited Raj Ghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
He is scheduled to meet Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and President Murmu later on Monday afternoon.
The Maldives President will be in Agra on Tuesday and also visit Mumbai and Bengaluru for business engagements.
queuing for US visas can cool their heels on
‘recycled plastic benches’ in Mumbai BKC
Mumbai, Oct 7 (IANS) For the first time, thousands of visa applicants queuing up for different visas at the US Consulate in Mumbai, can now rest their tired legs on comfortable, recycled plastic benches installed outside, officials said here on Monday.
The project was launched in March and on Monday, US Consul General in Mumbai, Mike Hankey, inaugurated the set of 70 benches around its sprawling premises in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), which is now connected by the city's first fully underground Metro 3 line.
The bench project was the collaboration of the US Consulate with the Regional Passport Office, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, and other agencies, which fructified in the form of the colourful facility today.
Created by Project Mumbai at zero cost from plastic wastes dumped all over the city, the benches feature some unique artworks by underprivileged artists of the teeming metropolis.
It features slogans like "Mumbai Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega" (Will do anything for Mumbai), "Local Train. Yatri Kripya Dhyan De" (Local Train. Passengers Please Pay Attention") a familiar announcement that resounds in the ears of millions of Mumbai commuters daily, or an image of the iconic Bandra-Worli Sealink and other such artworks.
These are part of a significant initiative to improve the consular experience for visa applicants and are not just logistical upgrades but a commitment to supporting the thousands of visa applicants and their families.
"This project represents more than just an elevation of facilities.
It's a collaboration that reflects our commitment to improving the visa application process while aligning with the US Mission's goals of urban waste management and sustainability," Hankey said.
The US Consulate and the Indian Regional Passport Office process thousands of applicants daily in BKC, and the visa applicants and their families often wait for hours in all weathers outside the facilities until their appointment times.
Swachh Bharat Mission: Garhwa, Jharkhand town becomes open defecation free
Ranchi, Oct 7 (IANS) Garhwa, a non-descript town in Jharkhand has joined the list of open defecation centres, adding yet another success story to the Clean India Mission.
The Swachh Bharat Mission, launched on October 2, 2014, has achieved many milestones and landmarks in the past 10 years.
As the citizens make cleanliness and hygiene a part of their lives, towns and villages have become cleaner and greener over the years.
Today, the residents of Garhwa, from both urban and rural pockets are expressing joy and jubilation over their city being declared open defecation-free.
Shankar Prasad Soni, speaking to IANS, said that this campaign has had a great impact on the people.
"Earlier, the situation in terms of cleanliness was quite bad. Today, people have become very aware about cleanliness," he added.
These eco-friendly and recycled benches designed to enhance comfort and improve the overall experience for applicants would also benefit neighbouring businesses and institutions in the thriving central business district of BKC, which is now linked by the Mumbai Metro Line 3 inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Saturday.
The officials said that alongside these benches, 50 waste receptacles will also be installed, with future phases including additional benches and restroom facilities on Avenue 1.
Hankey added that the upcycled benches are part of the efforts to facilitate Indian applicants' timely travel to the US, which is the backbone of the people-to-people ties that underpin the US-India relationship.
"This partnership between the government, NGOs, and private sectors is a model of sustainable urban planning that benefits both the local community and US-India relations," Hankey said at the unveiling ceremony.
He assured the US Consulate's commitment to work closely with local and national partners to locate innovative solutions that improve both the visa application process as well as the pedestrian movement in the broader BKC community.
“People are now paying a lot of attention to cleanliness. Today there has been about 60 per cent change as compared to earlier," he said.
Rajiv Bhardwaj told IANS, "We
Actors
always travel by train. Earlier we used to see people sitting in queues on the side of the railway tracks in the morning to defecate. Now such cases are seen occasionally. Earlier people used to defecate by sitting on the side of village roads and intersections. Because of this, foul smell would spread throughout the village. It had become difficult to enter the village. But after the cleanliness campaign started by PM Modi, awareness has spread among the people. Both women and men have understood that now toilets should be built in their homes and there is a need to stop spreading filth."
Another local person said, "I am from a rural area. Earlier during the rainy season, water used to accumulate in the villages. Due to this, people used to go to the streets to defecate. This caused a lot of trouble for the people passing by. Diseases used to spread among people due to bad smell, but now when toilets have been built in every house, the entire village has started staying clean."
He showered praise on PM Modi for launching the path-breaking scheme 10 years ago.
"Wherever water accumulated in the village, there was filth all around. The entire village is being cleaned up now because of the Clean India Mission, as started by PM Modi. The situation in cities regarding cleanliness has also become better. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has brought considerable benefits in the last 10 years. We should work more on this."
Prayaga, Sreenath to be quizzed for presence in hotel room of gangster held with ‘drugs’
'Kochi, Oct 7 (IANS) Eyebrows were raised in the Malayalam film industry on Monday when it became known that the names of actors Sreenath Bhasi and Prayaga Martin were mentioned in a Kerala Police remand report on gangster Om Prakash.
The gangster was arrested following a raid at a hotel and the remand report mentions the presence of Prayaga and Sreenath in his hotel room.
The police had recovered drugs from the room of Om Prakash and his friend Shiyas and they were arrested. The raid on the hotel room of Om Prakash and Shiyas was conducted on Sunday after the police received a tip-off that drugs were used at a DJ party held
there on Saturday.
The police searched the three rooms that were used by the gangster who has around 30 criminal cases registered against him. However, the court on Monday granted bail to both Prakash and Shiyas as the police were not able to substantiate their claims of drug use. The detailed remand report mentions that around 20 people had been in the rooms used by the duo and the names of the two actors were mentioned in that list.
The Marad Police is probing the case and its Station House Officer said they will conduct a detailed probe and call those who had been at the hotel with Prakash and Shiyas. Incidentally, the Hema Committee report which probed the sexual exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry also mentions the rampant use of drugs and that is why the presence of Prayaga and Sreenath is being viewed seriously.
PM Modi’s 23 years in office: A look at 23 schemes, initiated in Gujarat and replicated nationally
New Delhi, Oct 7 (IANS) As Prime Minister Narendra Modi marks 23 years in public office on Monday, his more than two decades' tenure is being applauded for initiating defining schemes and bringing transformative changes, both in Gujarat and nationally.
In the last 23 years, Narendra Modi, first as Chief Minister from 2001 to 2014 and then as Prime Minister from 2014 to 2024 not only revitalised Gujarat's growth but also set the country on an unprecedented path of progress.
Below is an account of his 23 policies, which were conceived and launched in Gujarat first and then went to get replicated nationally, yielding astounding results. The information has been collated by BlueKraft Digital Foundation.
1. Nirmal Gujarat to Swachh Bharat Mission: The drive to improve sanitation began in Gujarat, with the Nirmal Gujarat initiative and laid the foundation for nationwide Swachh Bharat Mission, launched in 2014.
2. Jal Mandir and Amrit Sarovar Initiatives: Under the Jal Mandir initiative, the Gujarat government restored about 1,200 traditional water bodies. On national level, PM Modi-led government launched Mission Amrit Sarovar on April 24, 2022.
3. BISAG and Gati Shakti: BISAG played a key role in Gujarat's infrastructure development using geospatial technology and remote sensing for planning, resource
management, and disaster preparedness. This approach was expanded nationally under the Gati Shakti National Master Plan, integrating 16 ministries using GIS technology for national infrastructure development.
4. Jyotigram Yojana to Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY). The Jyotigram Yojana was a highly successful rural electrification scheme, providing 24x7 power supply to villages in Gujarat. Its success echoed in the Central government's Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana started in 2015.
5. Kanya Kelavani Yojana to Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao: Under the Kanya Kelavani Yojana, strong emphasis was laid on girl child education and addressing gender disparity in education. On national level, this evolved into Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme, focusing on preventing female foeticide, ensuring survival, protection, and education of the girl child.
6. Chiranjeevi Yojana to PM Matru Vandan Yojana: Gujarat’s Chiranjeevi Yojana was an innovative health scheme providing free medical care to mothers and infants from BPL families. PM Matrutva Vandan Yojana is an extension of this scheme to improve health seeking behavior amongst the Pregnant Women & Lactating Mothers (PW&LM).
7. Vibrant Gujarat Summit to Make in India: The Vibrant Gujarat Summit was a biennial investor summit launched to attract global investment to Gujarat. The highly popular Make In India initiative has an imprint of this scheme, which seeks to position India as a global manufacturing hub, domestically and internationally.
8.Sabarmati Cleaning to Namami Gange: When Narendra Modi became Gujarat Chief Minister, he took steps for reviving Sabarmati
river. Then, at national level, this model was replicated in the form of Namami Gange, an ambitious project for the cleaning and conservation of the Ganga river.
9. Krishi Mahotsav to Beez Se Bazaar Tak: Krushi Mahotsav started in Gujarat in 2005-06 to introduce water harvesting and electricity harvesting programs to the farmers. This assumed large proportions after getting launched on national level under the schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Beej Se Bazaar, Agricultural Infrastructure Fund, Per Drop More Crop.
10. Khel Mahakumbh: This was first launched in 2010, aimed at developing a sports culture and ecosystem in Gujarat. Nationally, it found resonance in schemes like Khelo India, TOPS etc.
11. Sujalam Sufalam Yojana to Krishi Sinchai Yojana: The Sujalam Sufalam Yojana was launched in Gujarat to conserve water resources and rejuvenate water bodies across Gujarat. Jal Shakti Abhiyan (2019) and Atal Bhujal Yojana are schemes to promote water conservation and management at national level.
12. Mission Karm Yogi – From Gujarat to India: In 2004, Mission Karam Yogi training course was designed and launched to bring qualitative change and reform in the work culture of the officials. Fifteen years later, the scheme saw its debut at the Central level for enhancing governance through Civil Service Capacity Building.
13. Mass scaling of Solar Energy: The scheme unveiled in Gujarat in 2010 promoted the rent-aroof project concept. Under this, residents had to give their rooftops on hire to private solar energy companies who in turn pay them Rs 3 for every unit of energy produced. On national level, PM Surya Ghar Bijli Yojana
Nagpur tragedy: Four school students swept away in canal while bathing
New Delhi, Oct 15 (IANS) In a tragic incident, four students were swept away in a canal while bathing in the Bori area of Nagpur district's Ramtek in Maharashtra. As per reports, eight students had decided to go bathing in the Pench canal. These students lived in the Indira Gandhi Hostel at Ghoti Chowki in Bori and attended the Indira Gandhi Vidyamandir and Junior College, located about 10 kilometres from
Ramtek on Tumsar Road in the district. However, of the eight students, four drowned.
The four students who drowned have been identified as Mandeep Avinash Patil, a Class 11 student, Anant Yogesh Sambare, a Class 7 student, Mayank Kunal Meshram from Class 8, and Mayur Khushal Bangre, a student of Class 9. Their bodies are yet to be recovered as a search operation is underway. Most of the students living in the hostel had gone to their native villages due to continuous holidays on Dussehra, Sunday and Dhammachakra Pravartan Day. Only a few children were staying at the hostel when the incident happened. The unfortunate event occurred when eight of all the students who stayed in the hostel decided to go bathing in the Pench Canal which flows behind
is the path-breaking scheme.
14. Climate Mission: Gujarat Climate Change Department (2009) developed the Gujarat State Action Plan on Climate Change and accordingly guided the farmers on climate-resilient agricultural practices. At the national level, the comprehensive national strategy was launched to combat climate change.
15. Soil Health Card: Gujarat was the first state to issue Soil Health Card scheme for every land to farmers. The farmers who used to grow only 1-2 crops now have the flexibility of growing 3-4 crops with increase in profit. The Centre, in 2015, launched the 'Soil Health Card' scheme.
16. Responding to CrisisHelping All Leaving None: During Uttarakhand floods, the Gujarat government under the CMship of Narendra Modi saved as many people as possible from the state. Nationally, various evacuation missions and rescue operations including airlifting students from war-prone zones has been one of landmark achievements.17. Gujarat Skill Development Mission (2009)Skill India Mission: Gujarat Skill Development Mission (GSDM) was established in February 2009. The National Skill Development Mission (NSDM) was launched on July 15, 2015.
18. Interacting with Students to Pareeksha Par Charcha: Under the scheme, the then CM would interact with the students and with teachers across the state to motivate pupils for good results, That same feature continued as in in 2012, he interacted with nearly 1 crore students and teachers via Pareeksha Pe Charcha.
19. E-Governance - Digital India: e-Gram Vishwagram Project (2003) connected villages through broadband for improved governance. It became a model for rural e-governance initiatives.
In 2015, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj implemented e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project under Digital India Programme.
20. Mukhyamantri Gruh Yojna to PM Awas: Gujarat government launched Mukhya Mantri GRUH Yojana (MMGY) in 2013 to make urban areas ‘Slum Free’ and for providing housing at affordable price to EWS, LIG and MIG income families. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMJAY), launched in 2014 took PM Modi’s vision forward, promising to build pucca houses for all poor people living in both rural and urban areas.
21. Swajal Dhara to Har Ghar Jaal: The Swajal Dhara scheme was introduced in Gujarat for providing clean and accessible drinking water for all. Today, the Centre’s Har Ghar Jal Yojana is aiming to provide piped water supply to every household in rural India by 2024.
22. From Mukhya Mantri Amrutam Yojana (2012) to Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY): 'Mukhyamantri Amrutam (MA)' scheme started in 2012 to shield poor citizens from the catastrophic costs of medical treatment and illness. On the national level, the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), launched in 2018 is the world’s biggest health insurance scheme, providing coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per year
23. SWAGAT to PRAGATI: The then Gujarat CM launched SWAGAT in 2003. It was a first of its kind tech-based grievance redressal programme in the country. ProActive Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI) is the central model allowing PM Modi to interact directly with central and state government officials to review the progress of critical infrastructure and public welfare projects, as well as address public grievances.
Congress’ Jairam Ramesh hopes PM Modi takes Oppn into confidence over diplomatic row with Canada
their school, Indira Gandhi Vidyamandir. The fun plan, however, turned out a life-ending decision for them.
Initially, five students jumped into the canal. Misjudging the flow of the water, all five began to get swept away. One student managed to survive, but four were carried away by the strong current. Three other students remained on the canal bank and shouted for help from the locals who later called the police.
The police personnel and other officials rushed to the spot and launched a search operation. The divers resorted to search operation at the canal.
The police are conducting a search operation as the bodies are yet to recovered. Further details are awaited.
New Delhi, Oct 15 (IANS) Congress General Secretary in charge of Communications, Jairam Ramesh, has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would consult opposition leaders and heads of various political parties regarding the "extremely sensitive and critical" issue of India-Canada relations.
In a post on X, Ramesh said on Monday, "The Indian National Congress certainly hopes and expects that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take into confidence the Leaders of the Opposition in both Houses of Parliament and the leaders of other political parties on this extremely sensitive and critical issue of India-Canada relations."
Earlier on Monday, India expelled six Canadian diplomats after
summoning Canada's Charge d'Affaires, Stewart Wheeler, and conveyed that the "baseless targeting" of the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats and officials in Canada was completely unacceptable. "The Indian government has decided to expel the following six Canadian Diplomats: Stewart Ross Wheeler, Acting High Commissioner; Patrick Hebert, Deputy High Commissioner; Marie Catherine Joly, First Secretary; lan Ross David Trites, First Secretary; Adam James Chuipka, First Secretary; Paula Orjuela, First Secretary," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. "They have been asked to leave India by or before 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, October 19, 2024," the MEA added.
PM Modi congratulates Nayab Singh Saini for Haryana poll victory
New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini for his party's decisive victory in the Assembly elections.
Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar -- the former Haryana CM -- praised PM Modi and the BJP's performance, stating: "The people have given a clear message that our work, under PM Modi's leadership, is resonating with the public. For the first time, the BJP has secured a third consecutive term in Haryana, a recordbreaking achievement. No party has done as much as we have for farmers, wrestlers, and soldiers."
Khattar emphasised that the public's approval of the BJP’s governance and policies is evident in this victory.
“Our high command has announced Nayab Singh Saini as the Chief Minister, though the final decision will be taken by the parliamentary board,” he said.
“I know that in 2014, when we contested the election in Haryana, we gave the slogan -- Haryana is one, Haryanvi is one. So, I consider all the people of Haryana as family. Our Chief Minister has always worked for the people of Haryana,” Khattar said.
He continued: "The people have embraced the BJP's policies and Modi ji’s accomplishments, and this has allowed us to secure yet another term in Haryana."
Reflecting on the opposition's strategy, Khattar said: "The Congress ran a negative campaign, spreading lies and misleading the public. The people saw through it and chose to reject the Congress."
On the question, what went wrong with the Congress, Khattar said that only Congress should answer this.
The Congress has accused the Election Commission of slow counting. On this, the Union Minister said that Congress has the habit of blaming something or the other for its defeat.
Khattar highlighted the party's work, particularly in supporting farmers and athletes.
"The BJP has done more for farmers than the Congress could ever imagine. The electorate's refusal to be misled is a testament to our work. I extend my gratitude to the people of Haryana and the BJP workers for this spectacular victory."
According to the latest Election Commission data, the BJP is on course to win at least 50 seats, a comfortable majority to form the government in the 90-member Assembly.
This historic win marks a significant moment for the BJP, securing a third consecutive term in Haryana.
How Congress infighting and squabbles spelled doom for party in Haryana
New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) The cheerful and upbeat atmosphere in Congress, in the run-up to the Haryana Assembly elections, turned into a nightmare on Tuesday as the election results gave a clear mandate and absolute majority to the BJP, despite the latter facing a three-time antiincumbency. For Congress, it comes as a shock defeat and for BJP a ‘surprising’ victory. The biggest talking point now is how Congress lost the plot and gave away its much-anticipated victory to the BJP. Exit polls as well as political experts also concurred with a strong Congress wave in the state. Bickering, infighting and internal squabbles over gaining supremacy in the party are being seen as the key reasons behind Congress's below-par performance. As different factions under Bhupinder Hooda and Kumari Selja cropped up within the state unit, it did no good to the party and only weakened its clout.Even before the Assembly elections, the Haryana Congress
HM Shah terms BJP’s victory in Haryana historic; commends party’s performance in J&K
New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS)
Expressing delight over the BJP's return to power in Haryana for the third time in a row, Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday termed the party's victory in the northern state as historic while also commending the BJP's performance in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir where elections were held for the first time in 10 years, and also since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
The senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader also conveyed "heartfelt thanks" to the people of Haryana as well as Jammu and Kashmir, while complimenting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the party's performance.
In Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference-led alliance, which includes the Congress and the CPI-M, got 49 seats. The BJP also put up a decent show in the Union Territory by bagging 29 seats.
In a series of posts on X, the Home Minister highlighted the relentless commitment of the BJP to Haryana's development. Thanking the people of Haryana, HM Shah said that the third consecutive and landslide victory of the BJP in the state is the victory of the unwavering faith of farmers, poor, backward, soldiers and youth in the double-engine government of BJP led by PM Modi.
The former BJP president also congratulated all the workers of Haryana unit BJP, party's National President J.P. Nadda, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Haryana unit BJP chief Mohan Lal Badoli for the party's "decisive victory".
poor by the BJP."
Amit Shah said that the land of farmers and soldiers -- referring to Haryana -- has taught a lesson to those who go abroad and insult the country for their vote bank.
He also said that under the leadership of PM Modi, the Central as well as the state governments led by the BJP will fulfill all aspirations and hopes of the people.
He said: "Whether it's electing PM Modi for the third consecutive time at the Centre or the return of the BJP government in Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and other states, all these developments show that the people have unshakable faith in the new era of 'Politics of Performance' which the BJP led by PM Modi has started in Indian politics."
was split wide open with several factions emerging within the state unit. Internal squabbling had begun, with party veterans including Bhupinder Hooda, Kumari Selja and Randeep Surjewala all angling for the Chief Minister post and they didn’t shy away from making their ambition public. Attempts by the party high command to quell the discontent and discord within went in vain.
The result of this was that the BJP despite facing strong antiincumbency, farmers’ wrath and wrestlers’ protests returned to power for a record third time. Congress’ dreams and hopes of making a comeback remain shattered now. Importantly, there is no external force to blame for this. Despite being the 'favourites' to win Haryana, the party has been kicked out of the electoral race. The factional feud, led by Hooda and Selja and their collective rejection of Rahul’s idea is seen as another reason for shock electoral loss. Their Internal quarrels and squabbles played out in the open as both Hooda and Selja pitched for their candidates during ticket distribution.
In the 90-member Haryana Assembly, the BJP bagged 48 seats -- two more over the required number of 46 -- while the principal opposition Congress got 37 seats, as per the latest data available from the Election Commission of India.
Hitting out at the 'negative and divisive politics' of the Congress, the Home Minister said: "The people of Haryana have completely rejected the negative and divisive politics of Congress which divides people on the basis of caste and region, and have chosen the 10-year track record of development and welfare of the
The Home Minister said that the people are standing with the BJP, which has been delivering on the ground, like a rock. "First in the Lok Sabha elections and now in Haryana, the people have completely rejected the Congress, which made false and empty promises to get votes," he said.
The Home Minister also had words of appreciation for the UT of Jammu and Kashmir as the overall polling process has been peaceful.
Defeating caste-based politics was at centre of PM Modi’s campaign, even 25 years ago
Delhi, Oct
to form government in
for record third time in a row, after a high-decibel campaign by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, one is reminded of how the leader, the BJP’s state election in-charge in 1999 continues to remain the flag-bearer of the party's ethos and values.
At a time, when the political discourse is increasingly driven by freebies and doles and also caste-based politics, PM Modi has always advocated against ‘revri culture’. In fact, this is not something new. He has been championing against such practice for decades.
Modi Archive, a popular handle on X, has brought to light an incident on how PM Modi, while campaigning in Haryana in 1999 spoke against attempts to influence the voters with castebased speeches and utterances.
The X handle shared how the Prime Minister, then party general secretary, emphasised the need to mobilise state youth to strike a rapport with farmers and others and not endorse castebased politics.
It also shares a clipping from a daily 'Organiser' from December 1999, in which PM Modi, the then election in-charge of Haryana emphasised that the party's success lies not only in winning elections but strengthening the connect with the masses, particularly farmers, and addressing the pressing issues of the State.
In the photograph, PM Modi can
be seen sharing the stage with BJP patriarch L. K. Advani, the thenstar campaigner and Union Home Minister.
Addressing the Shakti Sammelan in Rohtak, Advani had said that the party never compromised on its principles and will not do so in future too.
PM Modi was of the view that the real triumph was winning the trust and heart of the masses, to make them feel BJP was their party and understood their concerns. Amidst the confusion often sown by caste divisions, PM Modi had expressed a firm conviction that the party's mission is to work for the betterment of both the State and the nation. Urging the party workers to cultivate a deep, emotional sense of nationalism among the masses, he reiterated that the BJP would never endorse caste-based politics.
New
8 (IANS) As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set
Haryana
People’s trust in PM Modi powered BJP’s hat-trick in Haryana: Ex-Tripura CM
Agartala, Oct 8 (IANS) Former Tripura Chief Minister and the BJP Haryana in-charge Biplab Kumar Deb on Tuesday gave credit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the party’s third successive victory in Haryana.
Deb, who has been BJP’s Haryana in-charge since 2022, said that PM Modi earlier worked in Haryana for several years and played a vital role in strengthening and expanding the party organisation in the state.
“During the past more than two years, I extensively visited Haryana and found that people of the state love PM Modi from the core of the heart. This is a great dividend for the BJP,” Deb, Lok Sabha Member from Tripura West parliamentary constituency, told IANS.
Proving wrong the exit poll predictions, the BJP is poised to form the government in Haryana for the third consecutive term defeating the Congress. About Tuesday’s outcome and exit
poll predictions in Haryana, Deb said: “Such predictions happen most times. We are as Karyakartas working at the grassroots, we know what exactly people want and what their actions would be. We were always much more confident that the BJP would come to power in Haryana.”
“Through any kind of manipulation, none can achieve anything in Haryana. People of the state are very much politically conscious and what they decide, they do.”
He said that PM Modi’s overwhelming popularity and people’s wholehearted respect for him and due to the benefit of the double-engine governments, the BJP once again got the people’s mandate adequately in Haryana.
He said that besides PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, party President J P Nadda and all the Karyakartas’ all-out efforts led to the BJP’s hat-trick in forming the government.
“With the victory in Haryana, it is once again proved that the people of the country have faith and respect towards PM Modi and the BJP. During Lok Sabha elections the Congress told lies to the people that the BJP would change the Constitutions and reservation system and people realised the falsehood of the grand old party,”
Deb pointed out. The 53-year-old Deb became President of the BJP Tripura state unit in January 2016, and two years later, he led the party to oust the CPI-M-led Left Front after 25 consecutive years (19932018) in power and became the Chief Minister of the first BJP-led government, the fourth in the northeast region after Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
In Agartala, hundreds of BJP workers gathered in front of Deb’s house, burst firecrackers and distributed sweets to celebrate the party’s Haryana victory. Tripura BJP leaders also rejoiced about the party’s electoral success in Haryana.
State BJP President Rajib Bhattacharjee, who is also a Member of the Rajya Sabha, said that he on behalf of the people of the state sent his best wishes to the BJP leaders and Karyakarta of Haryana.
“It is a big victory for the BJP in Haryana. Our best wishes and congratulations to the people of Haryana for this win,” Bhattacharjee said.
(Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujitchakrabortyne@ gmail.com)
NCP & Shiv Sena congratulate BJP for its hattrick in Haryana
Mumbai, Oct 8 (IANS) BJP’s allies in Maharashtra NCP and Shiv Sena have congratulated the former for its victory and hattrick in Haryana while targeting the Congress and INDIA alliance for spreading rumours and playing divisive politics
NCP Working President Praful Patel said: “The INDIA alliance had spread rumours through the media that Congress was forming the Government in Haryana. They succeeded in creating an atmosphere in which the BJP would suffer a major defeat in Jammu and Kashmir, but the on-ground situation has now come before the people. It is now clear who had to “eat jalebi” in Haryana.”
On the other hand, Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde accused Congress and Rahul Gandhi of fostering division through castereligion-based politics during the Lok Sabha elections.
He emphasised that voters in Haryana have rejected these divisive tactics, choosing instead the stability and progress offered by a double-engine government—a trend he expects will be replicated in Maharashtra.
As far as J&K Assembly elections are concerned, Patil said that BJP’s presence is minimal in Kashmir, while in Jammu, it is in the lead. “The seats Congress won were on the strength of the National Conference Party, not on their own merit. In Haryana, the BJP has come to power for the third consecutive time. The campaign led by the INDIA alliance claiming that many elements were upset has been proven to be merely media manipulation to mislead the people,” he retorted.
Shinde said, “Rahul Gandhi attempted to polarise votes with caste hatred wherever he went. However, the people of Haryana have responded decisively, rejecting this politics of division in favour of progress.”
He further highlighted the success of the BJP in Haryana, calling the results a “clear rebuke to Congress and opposition parties indulging in caste politics.”
BJP’s historic victory in Haryana: A blow to Rahul Gandhi’s ‘caste politics’
New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) Defying all exit poll predictions, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is poised to secure a historic third term in Haryana, as the Assembly election results present a clear picture. The claims made by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi about his party storming back to power in the state are far from reality, as the party has fallen well short of the majority mark.
During the campaign for the October 5 Assembly elections in Haryana, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi promised to carry out a caste survey in a bid to win over the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the state.
Shinde also dismissed Congress’ claims of constitutional changes as a “fake narrative” used to mislead voters, noting that while the party secured some seats, the NDA formed its third consecutive government at the centre, driven by trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“During the Lok Sabha elections, EVMs were fine. When PM Modi’s vote margin decreased, EVMs were considered good, but now they are being blamed for malfunctioning. Could there have been an EVM malfunction in Kashmir? But nothing of that sort happened. Sometimes, we have to trust the system. When the opposition is defeated, the phrase ‘grapes are sour’ applies to them,” Patel quipped.
He added that over the past ten years, under the leadership of Narendra Modi, the NDA and Mahayuti governments have made progress in the country and the state.
“Farmers have been provided with a dignity fund. Farmers’ electricity bills have been waived in the state. Through revolutionary schemes like the ‘Ladki Bahin Yojana,’ Rs 7,500 has been directly deposited into our sisters’ accounts. This cannot be denied,” Patel said.
The Assembly poll results in Haryana have brought to the fore several key takeaways, with a major message being the setback for caste politics and the caste census agenda that the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, kept highlighting repeatedly during his campaign. While the Gandhi scion spoke of a "tsunami" of support for the Congress in the state, it seems he relied on the assumption that reiterating caste issues would help woo Dalit voters in large numbers. However, the outcome has come as a big blow to Rahul Gandhi’s caste politics. By repeatedly raking up the caste census priority in the party’s manifesto and speeches, Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi aimed to attract Dalits, who comprise about 21 per cent of Haryana's population.
The grand old party pledged to implement this caste census if elected to power, making it a central theme in Gandhi's speeches at his rallies. He has been consistently advocating for a nationwide caste census during the Lok Sabha election campaign. Dalits in Haryana are categorised into several sub-castes. The Jatavs represent the largest group, accounting for nearly 50 per cent of the total Scheduled Caste (SC) population. The second is the Valmiki community, which comprises about 25-30 per cent of the SC population, while the third Dhanaks, primarily urban residents, make up just over 10 per cent. Eyeing the voters from these communities, Congress had fielded 17 Dalit candidates, all in SC reserved seats out of the state’s 90 assembly seats. This included 12 tickets for Jatav candidates, two for Valmikis, and three for other groups, signalling the party's strategy to consolidate the specific sub-caste voter base. Observers are of the view that the assumption that Dalits would naturally gravitate towards the Congress is uncertain, as evidenced in the recent Lok Sabha polls. Despite Rahul Gandhi highlighting the caste census as a key agenda during the Haryana assembly elections, the results lend credence to the fact that voters were not swayed by this agenda.
Congress’ support-base on ventilator, ego on accelerator: Naqvi
New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS)
Responding to the Congress' allegations that election officers were threatened and the Election Commission's (EC) website displayed voting details late, BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Wednesday strongly criticised the party, accusing it of insulting the electorate by questioning the poll panel's authority and transparency.
"The Congress' support base is on a ventilator yet their ego is on the accelerator," remarked the BJP leader.
He stated that instead of
introspection, the Congress is driven by ego, making baseless allegations against Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the poll panel.
"When political parties lose elections, they typically reflect on their failures, but the Congress is avoiding such an introspection," he claimed.
He added that the party's ego continues to grow despite defeat, leading it to claim that EVMs, rather than the people, are responsible for its defeat.
The BJP leader further argued that the Congress is more focussed on "power for their family and tower of problems for others."
He criticised the internal disputes within the Congress, noting that party leaders were prematurely announcing their desire to become Chief Minister before the election results were even announced. This overconfidence, he said, was a reflection of the party's internal dysfunction.
Australian govt readies $63.9 million funds for fighting deadly avian influenza
Canberra, Oct 14 (IANS) The Australian government has committed new funding to boost preparedness for the potential arrival of a deadly strain of bird flu.
The government on Monday announced an additional 95 million Australian dollars ($63.9 million) for biosecurity, environmental, and public health measures to protect Australia against the H5N1 strain of highpathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI).
Australia is the only continent
where the strain has not been detected. A global outbreak has caused mass deaths of wild birds and some mammal species since 2021, Xinhua news agency reported.
Experts have warned that the spread of the strain to Australia is inevitable and could occur as migratory birds arrive in the country for southern spring and summer.
The new funding includes 37 million AUD ($24.9 million) for initiatives to protect Australian agriculture in the event of H5N1 outbreaks and 35.9 million AUD ($24.1 million) for environmental measures and protective action for threatened species.
A further 22.1 million AUD ($14.8 million) will be spent on strengthening public health preparedness by increasing
the number of ready-to-use pandemic flu vaccines in the National Medical Stockpile.
"While Australia remains free from HPAI H5N1, the awful reality of this disease is that, like the rest of the world, we will not be able to prevent its arrival," Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said in a statement. "I am particularly concerned about the potential impact on species already at risk of extinction and not well placed to cope with significant mortalities. This includes marine mammals such as the endangered Australian sea lion, and sea birds like the Christmas Island frigatebird which has only one breeding site." Minister for Health Mark Butler said that human infections with avian influenza viruses are rare but that there is no room for complacency.
Genome sequence of critically endangered Australian fish to boost conservation efforts
Canberra, Oct 8 (IANS) Australian scientists have sequenced the full genome of a critically endangered native fish species for the first time in a major boost for conservation efforts.
National science agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, said on Tuesday that a team from its Applied Genomics Initiative has successfully sequenced the genome of the Spotted Handfish. Endemic to the island state of Tasmania, the Spotted Handfish in 1996 became the first marine fish to be listed as critically
endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species, Xinhua news agency reported.
Experts now estimate that there are now fewer than 2,000 individuals in the wild, with its rapid decline attributed to fishing, coastal development, climate change, and invasive species.
Gunjan Pandey, a senior research scientist from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, said on Tuesday that the genome sequence of the species would aid ongoing efforts to boost population numbers and monitor genetic diversity.
"It provides a foundation for understanding gene expression in daily life and offers insights into its evolutionary history," he said in a media statement.
"With the genome, we can assist with species detection, monitor populations, and even estimate the fish's lifespan."
In collaboration with the Biomolecular Resource Facility at the Australian National University, researchers from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation were able to sequence the genome using a small amount of poor-quality DNA from a Spotted Handfish that died of natural causes in captivity.
Carlie Devine from the organisation said the genetic information would inform longterm conservation strategies for the species.
The organisation has monitored the Spotted Handfish since 1997 and leads habitat restoration and captive breeding programmes.
Australian international student visa applications plummet amid govt crackdown
Canberra, Oct 3 (IANS) The number of visa applications by international students to study in Australia has fallen by half following a government crackdown to reduce the country's migrant intake.
According to Department of Education figures published by Nine Entertainment newspapers on Thursday, there were 15,270 international student visa applications lodged from overseas in August, down from 30,703 in August 2023.
In July, 18,697 offshore students applied for visas to study in Australia, compared to 36,207 in the same month in 2023, Xinhua news agency reported.
It comes after the government more than doubled the application fee for international student visas from 710 Australian dollars ($487.4) to 1,600 Australian dollars ($1,098.4) from July 1.
The government in August announced it would cap new international student enrolments at universities and vocational education providers at 270,000 in 2025 as part of a broader strategy to cut Australia's record-high migrant intake.
The new data revealed that visa applications from India -- the second-biggest source country
Dementia on brink of becoming Australia’s leading cause of death
Canberra, Oct 10 (IANS)
Dementia is on the brink of surpassing heart diseases as the leading cause of death in Australia for the first time, official data revealed.
According to the data, which was published on Thursday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, ischaemic heart disease, also called coronary heart disease and coronary artery disease, was responsible for 9.2 per cent of deaths in Australia in 2023, while dementia accounted for 9.1 per cent, reports Xinhua news agency.
Lauren Moran, head of mortality statistics at the bureau, said that there has been a drop in heart disease mortality and a rise in dementia deaths over time due to improvements in medical treatments and health care for the former and an ageing population. At its peak in 1968, ischaemic heart disease accounted for 30.5 per cent of Australian deaths. Over the last 50 years, the bureau said that the mortality rate for ischaemic heart disease has
declined 87.9 per cent while that for dementia has increased 842.8 per cent in the same period.
"The latest data shows that there are now less than 250 deaths separating the top two leading causes," Moran said in a statement.
Dementia, which includes Alzheimer's disease, has been the leading cause of death for Australian women since 2016 and is the leading cause of death in the states of New South Wales and South Australia as well as the Australian Capital Territory.
"Women have longer life expectancies than men and, as such, are more likely to live to an age when they have a heightened risk of developing dementia," Moran said.
Overall, there were 183,131 deaths recorded in Australia in 2023, a decrease of 7,808 from 2022.
The number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 fell by almost half from 9,862 in 2022, when it was the third-leading cause of death in Australia, to 5,001 in 2023. There were 3,214 people who died by suicide in Australia in 2023, with men making up approximately 75 per cent of those deaths.
The median age at death for people who died by suicide in 2023 was 45.5 years, making it the leading cause of premature death.
Over half of Australia’s oceans protected after major marine park expansion
for international students in Australia -- fell by 66.4 per cent from a combined 13,047 in July and August 2023 to 4,383 in the same period in 2024.
Applications from the Philippines fell from 5,126 to 849 and those from Pakistan from 4,234 to 616.
Visa applications from China -- the largest source country of international students in Australia -- fell by less than 10 per cent between 2023 and 2024.
The peak body for universities, Universities Australia, in August, warned that the government's proposed student cap would cost the nation's economy billions of dollars and result in thousands of job losses in the higher education industry.
Canberra, Oct 8 (IANS) Australia's Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has declared that the country now protects more ocean than any other nation after the government finalised a major marine park expansion.
Plibersek announced on Tuesday that the federal government has signed off on quadrupling the size of the existing sub-Antarctic Heard and McDonald Islands Marine Park, Xinhua news agency reported.
She said that the decision means that 52 per cent of Australia's oceans are now under protection, exceeding the 30 per cent by 2030 target the government signed up to as part of a 2022 United Nations pledge.
The size of the Heard and McDonald Islands Marine Park has been increased by 310,000 square kilometres, an area larger
than Italy, providing greater protection to the environment and major populations of penguins, seals, whales and seabirds.
The islands are located approximately 4,000 km southwest of Western Australia and 1,700 km north of Antarctica in the Indian Ocean and are home to Australia's only two active volcanoes.
"Nature thrives there without us. It's free from feral species and has had minimal human intervention. Not only do the islands contain Australia's only active volcanoes, but huge populations of marine birds and mammals numbering in the millions," Plibersek said in a statement.
"I'm proud that Australia now protects more ocean than any other country on earth. This is a unique and extraordinary part of our planet. We are doing everything we can to protect it."
She said that Australia has delivered the biggest contribution to ocean conservation in the world for two consecutive years. The expansion of the marine park was recommended by an independent scientific review that was published in February.
Iran
summons Australian envoy over ‘biased’ stance on regional developments
Tehran, Oct 7 (IANS) The Iranian Foreign Ministry has summoned the Australian ambassador over his government's "biased stance" towards the recent developments in the region.
Australian Ambassador to Tehran Ian McConville was summoned on Sunday by Ali Asghar Mohammadi, director general
of the East Asia and Oceania Department at the Iranian Foreign Ministry, according to a statement released by the ministry.
The summoning came as
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday condemned Iran's missile attack on Israel. Australia's opposition leader Peter Dutton on Friday also called for the expulsion of the Iranian ambassador to Australia, Xinhua news agency reported.
In the meeting, the Iranian foreign ministry official protested the Australian government's "unjustified and biased" stance and slammed its "silence" in the face of Israel's "aggressions"
against Gaza and Lebanon.
Mohammadi reiterated Iran's call for an immediate cessation of Israel's "genocide in Gaza and aggressions against Lebanon," calling on Australia and other Western supporters of Israel to play a "responsible role" to those ends.
The Australian ambassador elaborated on his government's actions to achieve ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon, assuring that he would convey Iran's official protest to the Australian government.
Iran fired about 180 ballistic missiles at what it claimed to be strategic centres in Israel on Tuesday night.
World Bank signs additional 200 million USD to support Sri Lanka’s economic reforms
Colombo, Oct 7 (IANS) The World Bank and the Sri Lankan government signed on Monday for an additional 200 million U.S. dollars for economic reforms in the country, according to a statement from the World Bank.
The World Bank said it signed the Second Resilience, Stability, and Economic Turnaround (RESET) Development Policy Operation (DPO) for 200 million dollars, which aims to support reforms that improve economic governance, enhance growth and competitiveness, and protect the poor and vulnerable, helping to build Sri Lanka's resilience and fostering an equitable economy.
According to the World Bank, this is the second operation in a twopart series that began in 2022.
The first operation, totaling 500 million dollars, was disbursed in June and December 2023, it said.
The operation focuses on
improving economic governance to create a stable macroeconomic environment and restore investor confidence through key reforms, the World Bank said, Xinhua news agency reported.
"Moving forward, Sri Lanka will now have the opportunity to focus on maintaining its hard-earned stability and investing in the private sector to transform the national growth trajectory. Doing so is vital to boosting economic growth, creating jobs, and ensuring that everyone benefits from a stronger, more resilient economy," said David Sislen, World Bank regional country director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
Will end war when we complete all goals: Netanyahu at Oct 7 mourning meeting
Jerusalem, Oct 7 (IANS)
Expressing gratitude to the heroism of male and female fighters in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and security personnel - regular and reserve, army and police, Shin Bet and Mossad - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said that his government is "determined to complete the job" and free the remaining hostages from Gaza.
"We will end the war when we complete all the goals we set: overthrowing the evil rule of Hamas, returning all our abductees home - both the dead and the living, thwarting any future threat from Gaza to Israel, and returning our residents in the south and north safely to their homes," said Netanyahu
at a special mourning meeting to mark the first anniversary of horrific attacks carried out by Hamas on October 7, last year, that took more than 1200 innocent lives.
At the beginning of the meeting, the PM of Israel lit a candle in memory of those who were murdered on and after October 2023 as the members of the government stood for a moment of silence.
"A year ago today, at 06:29 in the morning, Hamas terrorists launched a murderous surprise attack against the State of Israel, against the citizens of Israel.
Shortly after this massacre, I said in a rally in Tel Aviv: "We are at war. Not in an operation, not in rounds - in a war. We will fight back with a force the enemy has never known, and exact a price from him that he has never known. We are at war and we will win it," Netanyahu said at the beginning of his address.
He mentioned that since that very "black day" (October 7, 2023), Israel has been fighting the war of its existence - "the war of
Over 900 Australians leave Lebanon on assisted departure flights
Canberra, Oct 7 (IANS) More than 900 Australians have left Lebanon on assisted departure flights coordinated by the Australian government, according to official data.
The government on Monday said that 904 Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members have left Lebanon in plane seats secured by the government, Xinhua news agency reported.
The government on Saturday operated two charter flights from Beirut to Cyprus for Australians, with flag carrier Qantas and Qatar Airways running connecting flights from Cyprus to Sydney.
The first of the Qantas flights departed on Sunday night and was due to land on Monday morning with 349 Australians and their immediate family on board.
Over 3,750 Australians have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs to leave Lebanon.
The government has for months repeatedly urged Australians in Lebanon to leave the country, warning that Beirut airport could close.
As of Wednesday, there were an estimated 15,000 Australians in Lebanon.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that two more flights for Australians are scheduled to leave Beirut at 6:30 p.m. and 11:45 p.m. local time on Monday subject to demand, operational capacity and the security situation.
The curious case of China’s disappearing intellectuals
Oct
Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the Communist Party
had a fraught relationship with intellectuals in the country.
resurrection" - as he would like to officially call it.
"Since that black day we are under attack on seven fronts. Our counter attack on our enemies in Iran's axis of evil is a necessary condition for securing our future and ensuring our security... The October 7 massacre was the most horrific attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. But unlike in the Holocaust - we rose up against our enemies and fought a fierce war," stated Netanyahu.
Paying homage to the fallen heroes of the IDF who fell in Gaza, Lebanon and other arenas, the Israeli PM said that it was because of their sacrifice that Israel was able to destroy the enemy's capabilities and free many hostages.
"And, we are determined to complete the job. We will send a prayer for the peace of our wounded heroes, and we will express gratitude from the bottom of our hearts for the heroism of our female and male fighters in the IDF and the security forces.
While it recognises many as valuable experts and scholars, it views them as potential threats to its authority, particularly when their views diverge from the official narrative. This ongoing tension has resulted in cycles of persecution and marginalisation, leading to the disappearance of several intellectuals.
Recently, a prominent Chinese economist, Zhu Hengpeng, aged 55, reportedly vanished following his criticism of President Xi Jinping in a private WeChat group, where he is suspected of making disparaging remarks about China's economy and possibly about Xi himself. According to reports from the Wall Street Journal, Zhu was first detained by police in April and has been under investigation since then; he previously held significant positions at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and had a distinguished career before his disappearance. His institution has not commented on his situation, and there has been no contact with him since his detention.
Similarly, Hu Xijin, the former Editor-In-Chief of the state-run Global Times, was also silenced after publishing an article that
critiqued China's economic strategy following the recent third plenum of the Communist Party. The pattern of disappearing experts is not new in China; it reflects a long-standing strategy employed by Chinese leaders to quash dissent, even when it arises from knowledgeable intellectuals who are attuned to societal issues.
From Mao Zedong to Xi Jinping, while China has undergone significant changes over the decades, the suppression of critical voices remains a consistent tool wielded by those in power.
Mao’s Reign
Mao Zedong’s governance initiated a systematic campaign against intellectuals by the Communist Party, viewing them as adversaries to the revolution due to their education and independent thought, which could potentially undermine party authority. Notable campaigns of persecution during this era included the Anti-Rightist Campaign and the Cultural Revolution. The AntiRightist Campaign, launched by Mao in 1957 in response to the Hundred Flowers Movement— where intellectuals were briefly permitted to express their views for party reform—saw Mao retaliate against those who exceeded his expectations for criticism by targeting individuals labelled as “rightists.”
Intellectuals who dared to express dissenting opinions were accused of promoting counter-revolutionary ideas, leading to coerced self-criticism among many prominent figures, including philosopher and historian Feng Youlan.
New Delhi,
7 (IANS)
has
US scientists awarded 2024 Nobel Prize in Medicine for microRNA discovery
Stockholm, Oct 7 (IANS) The Nobel Assembly at Sweden's Karolinska Institutet on Monday awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly to American scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for the discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation.
Ambros and Ruvkun discovered a fundamental principle governing how gene activity is regulated. They discovered microRNA -- a
new class of tiny RNA molecules that play a crucial role in gene regulation. Their groundbreaking findings unravelled a completely new principle of gene regulation that turned out to be essential for multicellular organisms, including humans. Their findings showed that the human genome codes for over one thousand microRNAs. These are also proving to be fundamentally important for how organisms develop and function. "Whereas proteins in the nucleus regulate RNA transcription and splicing, microRNAs control the translation and degradation of mRNA in the cytoplasm," the academy said. "This unexpected layer of post-transcriptional gene regulation has critical importance throughout animal development and in adult cell types and is essential for complex multicellular life," it added.
The scientists duo will receive a joint prize sum of 11 million Swedish crowns ($1.1 million). Born in 1953 in New Hampshire, Ambros received his PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, in 1979 where he also did postdoctoral research from 19791985. He is currently Silverman Professor of Natural Science at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA. Ruvkun was born in California in 1952. He received his PhD from Harvard University in 1982. He is now the Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School.
The prestigious award is given annually by the Nobel Assembly consisting of 50 professors at Karolinska Institutet, recognising personnel who have made significant contributions to the field of medicine for the benefit of humankind.
Three weeks to momentous election, a toss-up according to polls locked within margin of error
New York, Oct 15 (IANS) It’s three weeks to what could be a defining moment for the US -- a reelection of former President Donald Trump or a woman, Kamala Harris, smashing the glass ceiling -- and it’s a toss-up.
As they furiously campaign, they are locked within the margin of error in polls although Trump appears to edge up slightly while Harris holds the lead.
Neither Trump's hopes of a resounding victory after President Joe Biden's stumble at their debate, nor the high expectations of Democrats that a groundswell of support for Harris, a woman of Indian and African-Jamaican descent, coupled with disdain for the former president would carry her to victory has so far come to pass.
The latest poll by NBC showed them both tied at 48 per cent, while the aggregation of polls by RealClear Polls (RCP) had Harris leading by 1.7 per cent, and fivethirtyeight.com by 2.4 per cent.
At this stage of the election cycle, Biden was ahead by a decisive 9.2 per cent in 2020, and Hillary Clinton led by 6.7 per cent but the lead was down to 2.1 per cent in the 2016 election.
How Trump defeated Clinton despite winning fewer popular votes than her illustrates how US elections popular votes do not finally determine who becomes president.
The US presidential elections are in reality based on an indirect system built around an electoral
college, which is made up of 538 electors for whom the voters cast their ballots.
So a candidate can win an election by getting at least 270 members of the electoral college while failing to get a majority of the popular vote. (It is not too dissimilar to the parliamentary system where a candidate can become prime minister with a majority in the lower house but without the majority of the votes.)
Seven so-called swing states come into play here because the other 43 states are more or less locked in by either party, and these seven can pick the winner through their electors.
Here the picture is muddled in the run-up to November 5, and the two candidates are focusing mostly on the seven states.
RCP has Trump ahead in six of them with margins of 1 per cent or less, and Harris in one, Georgia, by 0.5 per cent, while fivethiryeight.com also gives her Georgia.
But 8 per cent more of those polled have an unfavourable view of Trump, compared to only 0.6 per cent more who view Harris unfavourably, according to RCP.
Voters are generally focused on two issues -- the economy, specifically inflation, and illegal migration.
A major factor holding back Harris is the nearly 45 months she has been vice president with Biden when the White House proudly issued announcements in the name of the “Biden-Harris Administration”.
A majority -- 56 per cent -- disapproves Biden’s job performance and it has come to reflect on Harris, who faces the dilemma of how far to dissociate herself from the president.
London, Oct 15 (IANS) UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled a private investment plan worth 63 billion pounds (US$82.30 billion), which will create nearly 38,000 jobs and double last year's amount of investment in the country. At the International Investment Summit on Monday, Reeves announced the expansion of the National Wealth Fund, which will merge with the existing UK Infrastructure Bank established by the previous government,
reports Xinhua news agency.
The newly combined entity will be headquartered in Leeds, aiming to boost clean energy and growth industries.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised the nation's commitment to leading economic growth, promising to achieve this "through the shock and awe of investment."
The summit also saw commitments spanning the infrastructure and tech sectors. Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds highlighted the UK's resolve to stimulate economic growth nationwide.
He added that the forthcoming Industrial Strategy will provide the certainty needed for the country to lead in innovation and job creation.
Trudeau’s ‘strategic myopia, antiIndia rhetoric’ pushes India-Canada ties to historic low, say experts
Asked by an interviewer on national TV if she would have done anything different than Biden, she said, “Not a thing that comes to mind”.
Trump had been looking for just this confirmation and piled up on her in ads and speeches every shortcoming of the administration -- the inflation, the open borders, and the Afghanistan withdrawal disaster. Biden also fares badly in comparison to Trump on some issues, notably the economy.
Tamping down inflation hasn't been of help, because people compare the rise in grocery prices by about 25 per cent now to what they paid in 2020, and not the current inflation rate.
This is reflected in the view among 44 per cent of those polled who believe that Trump helped them when he was in office, while 45 per cent said that Biden hurt them
This perception carried on to the Trump versus Harris matchup: Trump scored higher, 50 per cent to 39 per cent on fighting inflation, and 56 per cent to 31 per cent on border security, according to RCP.
Against this, Harris was ahead on competence, 48 per cent to 53 per cent, and 53 per cent to 34 per cent on protecting abortion rights, a major issue in the elections after the Supreme Court, aided by Trump appointees, declared that abortions were not a right protected nationally by the Constitution and that states can set the laws. Harris and the Democrats are hammering abortion rights, hoping that it appeals to women voters more than the economic factors that seem to favour Trump.
New Delhi, Oct 15 (IANS) The diplomatic relationship between India and Canada has reached a historic low, driven by what experts describe as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's "strategic myopia," continued "anti-India rhetoric" and his government's failure to separate domestic politics from foreign policy.
Given ongoing diplomatic tensions, India on Monday evening decided to withdraw its High Commissioner and "other targeted diplomats and officials" from Canada following Trudeau's continued "hostility" towards the country.
Meanwhile, India also expelled six Canadian diplomats from New Delhi.
According to Harsh V. Pant, Vice-President of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), Trudeau's "strategic myopia has played a significant role in this diplomatic fallout".
"Despite strong ties between the two nations ranging from people-to-people connections and economic cooperation to educational and cultural exchanges -- Trudeau's government has escalated tensions by focusing on India's internal matters, specifically the issue of Khalistan and Sikh extremism," Pant told IANS.
This approach, according to Pant, has turned the issue into a public spectacle, making it increasingly difficult for India to view Canada as a friendly partner.
"The more trouble he finds himself in domestically, the more he seems to focus on India to gain leverage with extremist groups in his political base," Pant said.
The ORF Vice-President further mentioned that this rhetoric has had a lasting impact on Indian perceptions, with many now seeing Canada as a country that is "unable or unwilling" to understand India's concerns about separatism and extremism.
Pant also said that the Indian government, caught between rising domestic sentiment and international pressure, has had to respond forcefully. The issue of Khalistan, a separatist movement that stirs strong emotions in India, has become a focal point of the deteriorating relationship. "Trudeau's inability to address this sensitive issue has left a sense of disappointment and betrayal in India's strategic circles," he added.
Anil Trigunayat, former Ambassador to Jordan, Libya and Malta, also accused Trudeau of aligning with extremists and terrorists for "myopic political objectives".
Speaking to IANS, Trigunayat said, "Trudeau's confrontational and malicious public posturing has directly affected the safety of Indian diplomats, prompting India to take action by expelling Canadian diplomats interfering in the nation's internal affairs."
He added that the Canadian Prime Minister's actions have "singularly" brought bilateral relations between the two nations to their lowest point.
As the diplomatic standoff continues, restoring IndiaCanada relations to their former state remains a significant challenge.
From the editor’s desk
Tata leaves behind a legacy of compassion & innovation
The news of Ratan Tata’s passing has left many of us reflecting on the incredible journey of a man who was not just a business tycoon but a genuine humanitarian. As we mourn the loss of this iconic figure, it’s essential to remember not only what he accomplished but also the profound impact he had on individuals and communities across the globe.
Ratan Tata was more than just the former chairman of Tata Sons; he was the embodiment of integrity, compassion, and vision. His contributions to the Tata Group are well documented—transforming it into a global powerhouse. But what truly set him apart was his commitment to social responsibility and his belief in giving back to society. He understood that a corporation's success is not solely measured by profits but by how it contributes to the well-being of its people and the environment.
One of Ratan Tata’s significant connections to Australia was through his vision for collaboration and growth. He recognized Australia as a land of opportunities, not just for business but also for building bridges between cultures. His investment in Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and other ventures helped foster educational and technological partnerships between Australia and India. This spirit of collaboration has created a framework that continues to benefit both nations. It’s a testament to his understanding of global interconnectedness long before it became a buzzword.
Ratan Tata had an uncanny ability to walk the talk. He was dedicated to developing talent and empowering individuals. Under his leadership, Tata Group focused on ethical business practices, often prioritizing social impact over short-term gains. His approach to leadership was marked by humility, and he often credited his teams for the successes of the group. He was a champion of education, health, and entrepreneurship, investing in initiatives that uplifted the marginalized. From Tata Trusts’ philanthropic work to launching initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for those in need, he was a true humanitarian at heart.
One of his remarkable contributions was the launch of the Tata Nano, a project aimed at making car ownership
affordable for the masses. This initiative wasn’t merely a business venture; it was a vision for a better tomorrow—a future where families could travel safely and comfortably.
The Nano was symbolic of Ratan Tata’s philosophy: innovation for social good.
As we reflect on his legacy, it’s clear that Ratan Tata’s impact extends far beyond the boardrooms and corporate structures. He inspired a generation to think differently about success and responsibility.
Beyond business and philanthropy, Ratan Tata had a knack for connecting with people. He often shared his wisdom and experiences through various platforms, encouraging young entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams and reminding them that success is rooted in resilience and ethical practices. His humility and willingness to listen made him accessible, even to those outside his vast corporate empire.
As we reflect on his legacy, it’s clear that Ratan Tata’s impact extends far beyond the boardrooms and corporate structures. He inspired a generation to think differently about success and responsibility. His life serves as a reminder that we should strive for more than just financial achievement; we should aim to leave a positive mark on society.
In a world where challenges abound, Ratan Tata's unwavering commitment to bettering lives is an example we can all aspire to follow. His vision for a world where business and social responsibility coexist is more relevant today than ever. His passing marks the end of an era, but his ideals will continue to inspire us.
So, as we say our goodbyes to this remarkable man, let’s celebrate his life by embracing the values he held dear: compassion, integrity, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Ratan Tata may have left this world, but his spirit and legacy will live on in the hearts of those he touched. Let us honor him by walking in his footsteps, championing the causes he believed in, and striving to make our communities and the world a better place.
Rest in peace, Sir! Your journey may have ended, but your legacy will continue to light the way for generations to come.
Ratan Tata: The architect of India’s global industrial footprint
Ratan Tata’s legacy in Indian industry is one that extends far beyond his tenure as the Chairman of the Tata Group. His leadership was marked not just by the expansion of the Tata conglomerate but by a visionary approach that pushed boundaries, reshaped industries, and placed Indian enterprise on the global stage. Yet, the true measure of his success is not only in financial metrics or the number of subsidiaries under the Tata umbrella, but in the enduring impact of his decisions on India's economy, its people, and the ethical standards of business leadership.
One of the most significant industries that Ratan Tata transformed was the automotive sector. When Tata Motors launched the Tata Indica in 1998, it was India’s first homegrown car—a product of Indian ingenuity and engineering at a time when the country was dominated by foreign brands. While the car initially met with skepticism, it went on to revolutionize the Indian auto industry. The Indica's success was a turning point, proving that India could compete in the global automotive market, not as a mere assembler of foreign parts but as a creator of its own vehicles.
Perhaps even more emblematic of his ambition was the introduction of the Tata Nano. The Nano was a project with a lofty vision: to offer an affordable, reliable car for the Indian middle class. Priced at around one lakh rupees, it was billed as the world’s cheapest car, designed to wean millions off two-wheelers and onto four. While the Nano’s commercial success was limited, its cultural and industrial significance was profound. It was a symbol of Tata’s larger strategy—to democratize access to products that were traditionally seen as luxuries, reinforcing his commitment to innovation with a purpose.
Tata's automotive ventures, however, were not confined to India. His leadership propelled the Tata Group into the global arena, with acquisitions that shocked and awed industry watchers. The purchase of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) in 2008 was a particularly bold move. At the time, many questioned the wisdom of an Indian company acquiring two of the most iconic British automotive brands, especially in the wake of the global financial crisis. However, Tata’s ability to integrate JLR into the fold, while respecting the brands’ legacy, proved to be a masterstroke. Under Tata’s stewardship, JLR returned to profitability, and the acquisition became a landmark case of successful global expansion by an Indian company. Similarly, the acquisition of Corus Steel in 2007 signaled India’s arrival as a global player in heavy industry.
Ratan Tata’s vision extended well beyond growth through acquisition. His emphasis on innovation, particularly in sustainability, was forwardthinking, placing the Tata Group at the forefront of technological advancements in various sectors. Under his leadership, Tata Motors made significant strides in the development of electric vehicles (EVs), positioning itself as a leader in India’s nascent but rapidly growing EV market. Tata understood early that the future of transportation lay in sustainability, and his investments in this domain were a testament to his foresight. However, Ratan Tata’s influence was not restricted to the boardroom. His philanthropic efforts were vast, though often understated. Through the Tata Trusts, he directed a significant portion of the group’s profits toward social causes. Unlike many business magnates who see charity as a secondary responsibility, Tata viewed it as integral to his corporate strategy. His contributions to education, healthcare, and rural development have improved the lives of millions across India. This holistic approach to business, where profitability was balanced with social responsibility, set him apart from his peers.
One of the most enduring aspects of Ratan Tata’s legacy is his unwavering commitment to ethical leadership. In an era
where corporate governance scandals have become all too common, Tata remained a bastion of integrity. His decisions, even the difficult ones, were made with a deep sense of accountability to shareholders, employees, and the broader society. This adherence to ethics was not merely a personal trait but became a defining characteristic of the Tata Group under his leadership. He showed that it was possible to be both profitable and principled, a message that resonates in a world increasingly concerned with corporate malfeasance.
The potential long-term impacts of Tata’s leadership are immense. His early bets on sustainability, especially in the EV sector, could very well pay off in a future where the demand for environmentally friendly technologies is only increasing. Tata Motors, with its electric vehicle lineup, is wellpositioned to capitalize on this shift, potentially becoming a dominant player not just in India, but globally.
Similarly, the acquisitions made under his leadership, particularly Jaguar Land Rover and Corus Steel, have laid the groundwork for continued global expansion. These companies are no longer seen as foreign entities under Indian ownership but are respected as integral parts of the Tata ecosystem. This shift in perception is vital for future endeavors, as it demonstrates that Indian companies can not only compete globally but can also preserve and enhance the value of established international brands. In a broader sense, Ratan Tata’s legacy has redefined what it means to be a global industrialist in the 21st century. His belief in the importance of ethical leadership, his commitment to social impact, and his understanding of the need for innovation in a rapidly changing world are lessons that future generations of business leaders would do well to learn. India’s industrial landscape is richer, more dynamic, and more globally integrated because of Ratan Tata, and the true scope of his contributions will likely be felt for decades to come.
Ratan Tata’s legacy extends far beyond the growth of an empire; it has shaped a future for Indian industry that stands rooted in both ethical integrity and enduring prosperity.
Roots of the new global terror
New Delhi: When the Cold War ended consequent on the dismemberment of the USSR in 1991, international communism which was the driving force of ideology behind one superpower also faced a demise. The rival US had built itself on the pull of capitalism backed by democracy and a free market resting on competition.
The military balance between the US and the Soviet Socialist Republic - both nuclear powershad acted as a deterrent against an ‘open war’ that had already become a taboo after World War II.
The tensions of the Cold War ended when the USSR broke up following the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, and China's Deng Xiaoping - taking a lesson from the weakened Soviet economy - decided to "open" the Chinese market to the world outside and planned to follow the economic route rather than the military path, to becoming the alternate superpower.
China promoted Maoism with its instrumentality of violence in various parts of the world but adopted a quieter attitude in the matter of claiming the leadership of the Communist block. With the rise of President Xi Jinping to power, however, China is once again pursuing this ambition vigorously.
Meanwhile, the post-Cold War era saw a rise in cross-border offensives mainly by way of planned attacks of terrorist groups that could be denied by the sponsors. Terrorism by definition is a ‘resort to covert violence for a perceived political cause’ and since a ‘cause’ needed commitment and motivation, terror groups were raised through indoctrination. The motivation could be ‘ideological’ as in the case of Maoism, could be focused on the assertion of ‘ethnic identities’ as was seen in the past in India’s North-East or like what happened in Afghanistan, where militant outfits invoked the ‘war cry’ of Jehad to fight against the Soviet army there.
The motivation of religion in Islam is particularly strong because of its pull of exclusivism. In the early seventh century, Kalima came as a ringing call - ‘there is no God save Allah’ backed by the message that Islam is the only ‘perfect’ religion and also the ‘final’ one since Prophet Mohammad was the last of the Prophets.
The five fundamentals of Islam described as its ‘pillars’declaration of Iman, prayer, fasting, charity and Haj - were
backed by a set of ‘do’s & don’ts’ that were easy to understand even for the illiterate. This paved the way for territorial kinship moving towards religious brotherhood. Jehad was another duty cast on members of the faith at par with the five fundamentals and it was described as the willingness to make the supreme sacrifice to defend the faith if ‘Islam is in danger’ or to protect the community if its existence is threatened.
Radical organisations have cropped up within the Muslim world over the years interpreting geopolitical situations in their own ways and calling for Jehad to fulfil their own political objective.
The current trends of global terrorism are seen more in the Pak-Afghan region, Middle East and North Africa. Since Islam embraces all aspects of a man’s life - personal, social, cultural, political or even economic, there is no distinction between religion and politics there.
In fact, today’s Islamic radicals carry the historical memory of the anti-West Wahhabi Revolt of the mid-19th century in Algeria, Arabia and India that was led by prominent Ulema who were greatly distressed to find that after a thousand years of ‘glorious advancement’ of Islam, Western powers had encroached on ‘Muslim lands’. Their reading of the situation was that the political decline of Islam was attributable to Muslim rulers who had ‘deviated from the path of puritanical Islam’. This is why the call of Jehad given by the Ulema was accompanied by the ‘revivalist’ slogan of ‘return to the golden period of Islam’ as it existed in times of the four Pious Calphs.
The Wahhabi revolt lasted for many years but did not succeed against the superior power of the Western regimes. At the end of the unsuccessful Jehad, many seminaries came into existence for propagating the ‘pure’ teachings of the Quran - Darul Uloom Deoband was the largest on the Indian subcontinent.
The anti-West legacy of Islamic radicals showed up in our times when the Taliban Emirate assumed power in Kabul in 1996 with the help of Pakistan - at the end of a period of turbulence in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of the Soviet army from there. It was Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto who had despatched the Taliban - the fundamentalist products of Deobandi Madrasahs of Pakistan - to Afghanistan to bring the situation there under control. This paved the way for the ascendancy of Taliban-Al Qaeda combine in Afghanistan. The Emirate, however, soon bared its anti-West fangs which led to the US working for its ouster. The events laid the turf for the terror bombing of 9/11 that precipitated the ‘war on terror’ by the US-
led world coalition - first in Afghanistan and then in Iraq.
The ‘war on terror’ was essentially a combat of the US against Islamic radical forces that had regrouped under the umbrella of Al Qaeda and its offspring the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), in the Pak-Afghan belt and the SyriaIraq region, respectively.
Mention must be made of the emergence of another fundamentalist stream in the period of the Cold War, which aspired to establish Islamic rule in the Muslim world but without running into a situation of conflict with the West.
In Egypt and Syria, Hasan Al Banna, an Islamic ideologue, established the Muslim Brotherhood in 1928 to oppose the pro-Soviet nationalist and ‘secular’ Arab regimes of Nasser and Al-Assad and restore an Islamic state. His admirer Maulana Abul Ala Maudoodi founded Jamaat-e-Islami at Lahore in 1941 with a similar objective.
The US-led West was well poised towards these organisations and in the Indian context of crossborder terrorism in Kashmir, even tried to coin the words ‘Political Islam’ and ‘Radical Islam’ to make a distinction between the doings of militant outfits of Jamaat and the activities of the Taliban-Al Qaeda axis. The US even attempted to draw a line between the so-called ‘good terrorists’ and ‘bad terrorists’ depending on whether the terror activity was India-centric or directed against the US. At the back of all of this was the thinking of the US and its Pentagon that Pakistan was still an ally. Pakistan was soon able to project itself as a mediator in the Doha talks between the Taliban and the US on the issue of withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan which was so keenly desired by the Joe Biden Administration. The ultimate gainer was Pakistan which managed to reinstall the Taliban Emirate at Kabul and at the same time strengthen the Sino-Pak strategic alliance by arranging a ‘give and take’ between China and the Taliban regime. India has to handle this new strategic challenge posed by the PakistanChina axis.
What has happened in recent years is that Islamic radical forces have found acceptance in the Muslim world at the cost of those ‘Islamists’ who favoured Sharia rule but who wished to be on the right side of the US or the West. Today through the checkered course of the ‘war on terror’, the radicals have managed to spread to new areas in the Muslim world - Nigeria and Yemen two widely separated territories could be mentioned in this regard. Arab Spring was another phenomenon that facilitated the shift of many Islamists to the
fold of radicalisation. There has been a wave of pro-democracy protests and uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa against authoritarian Arab rulers - beginning in 2010 - and there was an undercurrent of anticapitalism and pro-poor polity in some of the agitations.
In Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood was in the lead of the Arab Spring stir against the dictatorship of President Hosni Mubarak - which pleased the West initially - but as President Mohamed Morsi ran an Islamic dispensation, radical Jihadists also strengthened their position.
Gen. Abdul Fattah Al-Sisi, who overthrew President Morsi to take over Egypt in 2014, is a US ally and one of his major challenges is to end the insurgency of Jihadists based in the Sinai Peninsula who are linked to ISIS.
In Syria, the Alawite President Bashar Al Assad is being supported by Iran in the civil war there whereas the West supported the Islamists opposed to Bashar. Islamic radical forces led by ISIS are taking on both the US and the Syrian President.
A development of considerable significance in the Middle East is that a group of terrorists of ISIS-K - a branch of the parent ISIScarried out an attack on a concert in Moscow on March 23 with automatic guns and grenades, killing some 145 people apparently in retaliation against the Russian bombing of ISIS establishments in Syria earlier and against the Russian anti-Muslim policy in Chechnya. As expected, Islamic radicals are opposed to both American and Russian stand on Syria.
The Israel-Hamas conflict brings out again the deepening of radicalisation in the Middle East and its long-term impact on the political alignments in the region.
Hamas was originally an Islamist organisation and an affiliate of Jamaat-e-Islami, that opposed the ‘nationalist’ Palestine Liberation Organisation - currently led by Mahmoud Abbas.
Over the years, Hamas has been radicalised becoming extremely inimical to Israel, though during the Intifada Israel had aided the Hamas for political reasons. Hamas came to detest the dictatorial regime of Israel in the occupied territory of Palestine.
In what marked the extreme hostility between Hamas and Israel, there was an early morning cross-border terrorist attack by a group of Hamas militants on a gathering enjoying a national day festivity within Israel which caused the death of nearly 1200 Israelis - the terrorists also took away 200 Israelis including many women and children as hostages. The attack was severely condemned by India.
Israel soon retaliated by launching a full-fledged military attack on Gaza with the declared objective of ‘finishing off’ Hamas there. The US as expected was giving full support to Israel but also unsuccessfully
trying to arrange a ‘ceasefire’ for negotiating the release of hostages - the US ought to have realised that negotiations did not work with terrorists.
Also, more than 35 000 Palestinians including a large number of civilians have reportedly been killed by Israel Defence Force(IDF)and a larger number made to flee as refugees.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken it as a survival issue for Israel and the suggestion of a 2-state solution has remained as distant as ever. What is new in the scenario is that Iran-ruled by Ayatollahshas taken Hamas in its embrace overcoming the historical ShiaSunni contradictions, primarily because of Iran’s and Hamas’s shared political and ideological hostility towards the US.
An interesting fallout of all of this is that Iran, China and Russia have come together against the US-Israel axis.
With Houthis of Yemen and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah acting as Iran’s proxies and Saudi Arabia and UAE continuing to be the US’s closest allies, the superpower rivalries in the Middle East were getting bolstered because of both political and faith-based alignments.
The assassination of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah by Israel in a targeted missile attack in south of Beirut on September 27 has been followed by Iran firing nearly 180 missiles on Israelmostly on military establishments near Tel Aviv - on October 1, many of which escaped being shot down by Israel’s Iron Dome Defence. Iran may have been deterred from resorting to an all-out offensive against Israel because of the complete support pledged to the latter by the US and Israel too may heed the advice of the Biden Administration not to go to an extreme in retaliating against Iran’s missile attack, the fact is that these events would keep the Middle East in the throes of violence.
India has the challenge of cautiously handling its mutual relations with the three biggest players in the region - Israel, Saudi Arabia and Iran - without yielding an inch on its stand of a total denunciation of terrorism in all its forms.
The threat of radicalisation is common to the US, Russia and India and even as there are signs of a new Cold War on the horizon between the US-led West and the Russia-China axis in military and political terms, the rival powers should be wary of letting the faith-based alignments deepen the Cold War divide. Against this backdrop, India’s strategy of projecting this country as the voice of sanity and as an advocate of peace in the conflict-ridden geopolitics of today seems to be the correct line to follow.
(The writer is a former Director of the Intelligence Bureau. Views are personal)
Housing finance market in India expected to grow at 15-20 pc CAGR till 2030: Report
Mumbai, Oct 7 (IANS) India's banking sector is on the cusp of rapid growth, with rising RoE (Return on Equity), robust asset quality, and key infrastructure financing opportunities in the coming decade, a report said on Monday.
Smallcase manager Omniscience Capital's report said: "The housing finance market in India has registered a growth of about 25 per cent per annum from FY22 to FY24 and is estimated to grow at 15-20 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) up to 2030. Indian Banks will be playing a significant role while funding India's huge plans for infrastructure overhaul under the National Infrastructure Pipeline
(NIP) and Gati Shakti initiative."
The current P/E (price-toearnings) levels of the Indian Banks are significantly undervalued in contrast to the expected credit and RoE growth. The robust credit growth is expected on account of India’s growing GDP growth and consumption, coupled with significant asset-quality improvements and reduced NPAs, the report said.
The Indian banking industry is poised for a re-rating from current valuation levels existing in the market. In addition, incremental efficiency improvements in SCBs through increasing digitisation can provide an additional improvement in margins through reduced operating expenses (OPEX), further improving the potential returns from this sector.
To demonstrate the same, a scenario analysis was carried out for the next five years (CY2023 to CY2028) for expected credit growth.
The report further said that in the last financial year, India witnessed high credit growth. The country's gross bank credit grew by 16.3 per cent in FY2024, the highest YoY growth in the past decade. This was driven by rising household incomes, increasing manufacturing and export activity, improved capacity utilisations across industries, the rising aspirations and consumption of a growing middle class.
On the lender’s (bank) side, both GNPA (Gross Non-Performing Assets) and NNPA (Net NonPerforming Assets) in Indian Banks have witnessed a steep decline, falling to a decadal low of just INR 5.7 lakh crore and INR 1.3 lakh crore respectively in FY 2023 (GNPA Ratio and NNPA Ratio of 3.9 per cent and 0.95 per cent respectively), owing to improved borrower selection, increased policy intervention (such as the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code), and a significant write-off of bad loans, the report stated.
1.1 mn medium, heavy commercial vehicles older than 15 years to boost scrappage policy
New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) The government’s scrappage policy has a significant potential with nearly 1.1 million medium and heavy commercial vehicles now older than 15 years, a report showed on Tuesday.
Rating agency ICRA projected an additional 5.7 lakh vehicles to cross the 15-year age threshold in the next two fiscal years.
Even if a proportion of these vehicles gets scrapped, it can support vehicle sales to some extent by spurring replacement demand, the report noted.
Moreover, with over 9 lakh government vehicles proposed to be mandatorily scrapped under the first phase, it offers a significant replacement demand
potential for the automotive industry.
According to the report, the scrappage potential in other segments is limited, considering the limited usage of twowheelers, passenger vehicles and light commercial vehicles (LCVs) beyond 15 years.
However, as on August 31, the registered vehicle scrapping facilities (RVSFs) had received only 44,803 private scrap applications and 41,432 Government scrap applications (including defence/impound scrap applications).
In terms of scrappage infrastructure, India has 117 RVSFs across the country at present, with 50-70 additional RVSFs likely to be commissioned in the next four-five years.
“The Vehicle Scrappage Policy has the potential to drive multiple benefits over the long term. While it will aid in reducing air pollution as older polluting vehicles get
scrapped, it will also drive fleet modernisation programmes, in turn, supporting the auto industry volumes,” said Kinjal Shah, SVP and Co-Group Head –Corporate Ratings, ICRA.
The rating agency also expects a considerable reduction in scrap imports and raw material costs for automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) through recycling of metals under the Scrappage Policy framework.
The Voluntary Vehicle Fleet Modernisation Programme or the Scrappage Policy, announced in India in March 2021, is being implemented in phases, with effect from April 1, 2023. While the first phase of the policy proposed to mandatorily scrap government vehicles older than 15 years, the second phase, which started from June 1, 2024, mandates scrapping on the basis of fitness of the vehicle rather than age, and as such, is more voluntary in nature.
Rs 1,000 cr earmarked for venture fund to Indian space startups: Minister
venture fund to space startups, an indication of high priority that the government gives to the space
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, said the decision was taken within first 100 days of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi 3.0 government.
“About four years back, as a revolutionary step, it was decided
About 85 pc of world’s cryptocurrencies are not even worth a cent: Report
New Delhi, Oct 7 (IANS) About 85 per cent of the world’s cryptocurrencies are worth less than one cent, according to a report on Monday.
The total number of cryptocurrencies has been floating between 8,500 and 10,000, with new tokens being launched every time a bull run in the crypto space begins. Currently, the total number of cryptocurrencies remains at a high of 9,861. However, most of them have little or practically no value.
As per data analysis by AltIndex.com, 85 per cent of all cryptocurrencies circulating in the market are worth less than one cent.
It also showed 9,525, or 96 per cent of all coins circulating in the crypto space, are worth less than
a dollar.
Just 131 coins were valued between 50 cents and one US dollar (as of last week), the report mentioned. “Around 400 had a price tag between 50 and 10 cents, and another 548 were valued between one and 10 cents. That means a shocking 8,443 coins, or 85 per cent of all cryptocurrencies, are worth less than a cent,” the analysis revealed.
Several such crypto tokens were launched during the cryptocurrency boom. Due to a rise of blockchain technology, anyone can launch a new cryptocurrency.
As per CoinMarketCap data, top five cryptocurrencies now make up 82 per cent of the total crypto market cap, with a combined value of $1.78 trillion.
Bitcoin accounts for 56 per cent of the global crypto market cap, up from 48 per cent a year ago. Ethereum makes roughly 12 per cent of the total crypto market cap, 7 per cent less than last year.
On Monday, Bitcoin price was hovering around $62,800, up 1.5 per cent. Ethereum was also up 1.3 per cent at nearly $2,450, according to latest data from CoinGecko.
Indian e-commerce market poised to reach $325 billion in 2030: Report
New Delhi, Oct 7 (IANS) Driven by robust rural demand, Indian e-commerce market is expected to reach $325 billion in 2030, with a strong 21 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR), a report said on Monday.
The retail sector, which is valued at $753 billion in FY23, is projected to post a 9.1 per cent CAGR until FY27, the highest among the large economies, according to the FICCI-Deloitte report.
to open the space sector to private players. While New India Space Limited (NISL) was a new PSU established, IN-SPACe India was established as the interface with the private sector,” the minister informed.
The result has been amazing in the form of the quantum jump from just one digit startup to more than 200 space sector startups within a short span of time.
The findings showed that retailers are rapidly adapting to omnichannel strategies, employing tech-enabled experiential selling, and launching new private labels to cater to India’s price-sensitive yet aspirational consumers.
The expansion of retail networks in tier 2 and 3 cities is expected to contribute a significant portion of this growth, the report noted.
“Increased smartphone penetration, internet access and growing disposable incomes have fuelled this expansion. Quick commerce, which focuses on
rapid delivery of essentials, has also disrupted traditional supply chains, reshaping consumption patterns,” mentioned the report which was launched at an event in the national capital.
The country is expected to be the world’s third-largest consumer market by 2030.
This growth is being fuelled by heightened competition from direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands, a rising focus on premiumisation, and innovative new product development tailored to the needs of young and middle-income consumers.
“Additionally, FMCG exports are on the rise, contributing significantly to foreign direct investment (FDI),” mentioned the report.
The growth has been made possible by a significant uptick in rural private consumption in the country, owing to the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY).
Over 53 crore bank accounts have been opened, bringing millions of rural Indians into the formal financial system for the first time.
The government has also lauded the meteoric rise in credit-driven consumption in small cities and towns, calling it a “revolutionary shift.”
New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) The government on Sunday said it has earmarked Rs 1,000 crore for
sector.
High Commission champions cleanliness in Canberra
Canberra, October 10 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
The Indian High Commission in Canberra took a proactive step in promoting cleanliness as part of the Swachhata Hi Seva 2024 campaign, recently. Officials participated in a special cleanliness drive within the
Chancery premises, kicking off the event by taking the Swachhta pledge. The pledge highlighted their dedication to keeping the environment clean and green, reinforcing the message that cleanliness is a shared responsibility for a healthier community and planet.
Consulate officials join clean-up drive in Melbourne
Melbourne, October 11 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
In line with the Special Campaign
4.0 for Disposal of Pending Matters (SCDPM) and the ongoing Swachhata Drive, officials from the Indian Consulate in Melbourne took part in a workplace cleanliness initiative,
Melbourne, October 10 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
The Consulate General of India, Melbourne, in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria, is organizing a special Consular Camp to assist senior citizens of the Indian diaspora in obtaining Life Certificates. The camp will be held on November 6, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Australian Indian Community Charitable Trust (AICCT), 16/18 Kingsley Cl, Rowville VIC 3178.
Attendees are required to bring a duly filled Miscellaneous Services Form, Life Certificate form, original passport with a photocopy, and a passportsized photograph. The link for required documents is https:// www.cgimelbourne.gov.in/ listview/MzE5. The link for registration is https://forms. gle/eRUHK1LBAHd3qYT5A. It is important to note that registration is mandatory.
and organized
Melbourne Consulate pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi
Melbourne, October 2 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
Consul General Dr. Sushil Kumar, along with officials from the
Indian Consulate, paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary on October 2. The ceremony honoured Gandhi’s
enduring legacy, reflecting on his ideals of truth and nonviolence that continue to inspire millions worldwide.
Mahatma Gandhi, often referred to as the "Father of the Nation" in India, championed civil rights and freedom through nonviolent
resistance. His teachings have left a lasting impact, not only in India’s struggle for independence but also in movements for justice and equality globally.
Consul General engages Indian academicians in Melbourne
Melbourne, October 1 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
Consul General Dr. Sushil Kumar recently hosted a networking reception at the Consulate for
academicians of Indian origin in Victoria. During the event, Dr. Kumar exchanged insights on enhancing the burgeoning educational and research
partnerships between Australia and India.
The gathering provided a platform for participants to discuss collaborative
opportunities and innovative initiatives aimed at strengthening ties in academia. With both nations committed to fostering educational exchanges, the
Consul General emphasized the importance of building a robust framework for future collaborations.
Brisbane, October 2 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
Consul General Neetu Bhagotia, along with CGI officials, members of the Indian diaspora, and
friends of India, gathered to pay floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his 155th birth anniversary, on October 2.
The event, organized in
collaboration with GOPIO Queensland, featured heartfelt renditions of songs dedicated to Gandhi. Attendees also participated in a symbolic
walkathon as part of the ongoing Swachchta Hi Seva Campaign 2024, promoting cleanliness and environmental care. To further this cause, plant saplings were
distributed to the community, reinforcing the message of sustainable living and honoring Gandhi's vision of a cleaner, greener world.
Perth Hindu Temple Hosts cleanliness drive ahead of festivities
Perth, September 30 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
In a strong show of community spirit, Consul General Amarjeet Singh Takhi and Smt. Takhi joined volunteers for a cleanliness drive at the Perth Hindu Temple, recently, as part of the Swachhta Hi Seva campaign. The initiative, held recently, saw devotees and community volunteers come together for extensive cleaning
in preparation for upcoming festivities at one of Western Australia’s premier spiritual centers.
The event emphasized the importance of maintaining cleanliness, in line with Mahatma Gandhi’s vision, while fostering unity among the local Indian community as they prepare for major religious celebrations.
Navratri celebrated with cultural dance & message of women empowerment
Brisbane, October 6 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
The Gold Coast Hindu Cultural Association (GCHCA) organised Navratri celebrations at Broadbeach Cultural Centre,
recently. The event honours the divine feminine energy of Goddess Durga. This sacred festival not only brings joy and devotion but also reminds us of the deeper values of women's empowerment and gender
equality. Navratri is a call to action, reminding us to uplift, respect, and empower women, fostering a more equitable and just society. President of GCHCA Dr. Shunil Sharma reminded the audience of the challenges
everyone faces, particularly the issue of domestic violence. He called upon the community to work towards positive change, fostering a safer and more supportive environment for
all. The event also saw dance performances from Lalitha Kalalaya Bharatanatyam, Nadananjali Dance, and Vinitha Rajkumar's Rhythm India School of Dance and others.
Tribute to Gandhi: CG leads commemoration at Jubilee Park
Parramatta, October 2 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
Consul General (CG) Dr. S. Janakiraman, accompanied by Consul Niravkumar, Councillors Cr Sameer Pandey and Patricia Prociv, and members of the Gandhi Samiti in Australia, paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Jubilee Park on October 2, marking Gandhi Jayanti. During the ceremony, Dr. Janakiraman reflected on Gandhi's enduring legacy of peace and non-violence. He emphasized the importance of cleanliness in daily life, linking it to the Indian government’s Swachh Bharat Mission, which aims to improve sanitation and hygiene across India. The event served as a reminder of Gandhi's teachings and their relevance in promoting social responsibility within the community.
Gandhi Jayanti delivers Swachhta Hi Seva message
Perth, October 4 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
The Indian community in Perth celebrated Gandhi Jayanti and the International Day of NonViolence, recently, spreading Mahatma Gandhi’s message of
non-violence, Swachhta and hygiene, truth, compassion and harmony. The event, jointly organized by Ahinsa Australia and the Indian Consulate and emceed by community youth, saw a large number of participation
on a weekday. Community kids highlighted Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals and teachings and depicted the Salt Satyagraha (Dandi March) in a skit. Gandhi’s emphasis on Swachhata was brought out through the painting artwork
by Navya Salvi, and a short skit performed by Indian international students which was produced by Natraj Productions. The event was supported by several community associations, including Indian Society of WA (ISWA), Hindu
Council
of Australia Perth, Multicultural Services Centre, Vishva Hindu Parishad, Perth, WA, Narayan Seva Sansthan, AAWA and ABCWA.
Hindi Diwas celebrations highlight cultural heritage in Perth
Perth, September 30 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
The Hindi Samaj of Western Australia (HSWA) led vibrant Hindi Diwas celebrations, showcasing the importance of Hindi language and culture within the local Indian community, recently. Students and voluntary teachers from Paathshala, Western Australia's Hindi Language School, performed "Hindi Mera Abhimaan" and
presented a skit on language unification, while young scholars recited Hindi poems, including "Samay Ka Mehatv."
A highlight of the event was the skit "Desi Parents, Videshi Bachhe," written by Abhishek Mishra and performed by Uttar Pradesh Awadh Manch WA, which emphasized the importance of teaching the mother tongue to children born abroad to preserve their cultural roots. The Kalam
Dawat group of writers and poets also contributed with scholarly presentations, and Rita Kaushal introduced her latest book, Samritiyan.
Consul General Amarjeet Singh Takhi commended the Hindi Samaj for its remarkable efforts in promoting the Hindi language across Western Australia through community language schools and mainstream education.
Tributes paid to Mahatma Gandhi on Gandhi Jayanti
Sydney, October 2 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
Consul General Dr. S. Janakiraman, accompanied by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the
University of New South Wales (UNSW), senior faculty members, and students, commemorated Gandhi Jayanti at UNSW on October 2.
During the observance, Dr. Janakiraman paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and highlighted his enduring legacy of non-violence and integrity. He
emphasized the significance of cleanliness in daily life, linking it to the Indian government’s Swachh Bharat Mission, which aims to promote sanitation and
hygiene across the country. The gathering served as a reminder of Gandhi's teachings and their relevance in contemporary society.
Indian diaspora plants 1000 saplings in Perth
Perth, September 30 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
In a remarkable show of environmental stewardship, the Indian diaspora community in Perth planted over 1,000 herbal plants and tree saplings along the Canning River near Burslem Bridge, Thornlie, as part of the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign, recently. This initiative, held in partnership with the Armadale Gosnells Landcare Group, aimed to promote cleanliness and
environmental conservation under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam drive.
Consul General Amarjeet Singh Takhi, alongside community members and enthusiastic children, actively participated in the plantation drive, contributing to the green efforts. Numerous community associations lent their support, including the Marathi Association Perth, Bihar Jharkhand Sabha of Australia and New Zealand, Champs of
WA, Brahma Kumaris Perth, Isha Foundation, SAVE SOIL, Hindu Council of Australia Perth, Samskruthi Perth, Hindi Samaj HSWA, and Sikh Association of WA.
The event was a significant achievement in fostering community spirit and environmental awareness among the Indian diaspora in Western Australia.
Consulate hosts interactive session for new Indian students in Sydney
Sydney, October 8 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
The Consulate General of India, Sydney, organized an interactive session for newly admitted Indian
students from various universities in Sydney on October 8, at the University of Technology, Sydney. During the event, Consul General of India Dr. S. Janakiraman
highlighted the range of services offered by the Consulate, including consular assistance and support. He engaged in a lively Q&A session, addressing
students' concerns about consular services, job opportunities, and important guidelines for their stay in Australia.
The session aimed to provide
the students with valuable information and ensure a smooth transition as they embark on their educational journey abroad.
The South Asian Genes and Health in Australia (SAGHA) study
LeBron James reflects on sharing court with son Bronny, says ‘Is this The Matrix?
Palm Desert, Oct 7 (IANS) LeBron James, NBA’s all time top scorer created history as he alongside his son Bronny James became the first father-son duo to take the court in NBA history during Los Angeles Lakers’ 114-118 loss against Phoenix Suns at the Acrisure Arena on Monday (IST). At this point LeBron extends his history and legacy over the league every time he scores a
point but even after an illustrious career which began way back in 2002, the 39-year old claimed the moment did not feel real.
“Not real. Still trying to get a little bit used to it, but pretty cool. It’s pretty cool for the both of us and especially for our family. We stood next to each other and I kinda looked at him, and it was just like, ‘Is this The Matrix or something?’
It just didn’t feel real. But it was great to have those moments out there with him,” said LeBron in the post-game interview.
The game also kick started LeBron and Anthony Davis’ season as both stars sat out of their opening pre-season game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. LeBron and AD played 16 and 18 minutes on the night and had 19 and 17 points respectively before sitting out in the second half.
“I’m always thinking about,
‘That’s my dad’ because that’s
literally my dad. So I just go out there and, when I’m playing, he’s just my teammate. That’s all I’m thinking at that point,” said Bronny in the post game.
LeBron and Bronny’s first ever time being on the court came at the beginning of the second quarter when the side broke from the huddle with both of them on the court. Coincidentally the historic night coincided with Bronny’s 20th birthday, LeBron went on to reflect on the historic feat.
“For a father, it means everything. For someone who didn’t have that growing up, to be able to have that influence on your kids and have influence on your son. Be able to have moments with your son. And ultimately, to be able to work with your son. I think that’s one of the greatest things that a father can ever hope for or wish for,” said LeBron.
Women’s T20 WC: ‘Me & Deepti couldn’t hit few loose balls’, Harmanpreet Kaur rues missed opportunity vs Aus
Sharjah, Oct 14 (IANS) India captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed frustration over missing opportunities to capitalise on loose deliveries during her 63-run stand with Deepti Sharma for the fourth wicket as her side suffered 7-run loss against Australia in a crucial Women's T20 World Cup clash. India's narrow loss on Sunday night left Harmanpreet’s side
needing a helping hand from Pakistan if they are to progress to the semifinal from Group A as the defending champions Australia have officially qualified for the knockout stages of the tournament with a win.
Harmanpreet’s superb 54 not out saw India go agonisingly close to a tournament-saving win over defending champions Australia. She had rebuilt for India as they looked to chase down 152 to win, and accelerated to her halfcentury to set up a final over where 14 runs were required.
But four wickets fell in Annabel Sutherland’s final over, including two run outs, as India and Kaur fell short of the winning post.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Harmanpreet said that the depth of Australia’s quality won out on the day.
"I think their entire team contributes; they don't depend on one or two players, they have a lot
of all-rounders who contribute. We also planned well and we were there in the game. They didn't gave away easy runs and made it difficult. They are an experienced side."
Harmanpreet identified two more reasons why her effort was insufficient. In the middle overs, the scoring rate was not kept high enough by her and Deepti Sharma, who together restored India's position in the match. Furthermore, in the crucial moments of the match, Australia's prior success served as a valuable asset.
"When me and Deepti were batting, we couldn't hit a few loose balls. We can learn a lot from Australia. Whatever was in our hands, we were trying to do that but that's something not in our control. If we get the opportunity to play another game, that will be great. But otherwise, whoever deserves to be there, that team will be there.
Sam Konstas is an Australian player in waiting, says NSW coach
New Delhi, Oct 14 (IANS)
Shortly after teenaged opener
Shipperd
a player who has the potential to play for the senior team.
Konstas, 19, lit up the ongoing Sheffield Shield tournament by scoring twin centuries against South Australia in the opening round. It earned him the distinction of being the first teenager to achieve this feat in the Shield since Ricky Ponting did so in 1993. He had been a member of Australian team winning this year’s U19 World Cup in South Africa.
But the youngster will face tough competition as capped players
Marcus Harris and Cameron
India set for
a
return to playing in Hong Kong Cricket Sixes tournament
New Delhi, Oct 7 (IANS) The Indian team is all set to make a return to playing in the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes tournament, scheduled to take place from November 1 to 3 this year. The tournament began in 1992 and was last held in 2017 before being revived this year.
“Team India is gearing up to smash it out of the park at HK6! Prepare for explosive powerhitting and a storm of sixes that will electrify the crowd! Expect More Teams, More Sixes, More Excitement, and MAXIMUM THRILLS! HK6 is back from 1st to 3rd November 2024! Don’t miss out!,” wrote Cricket Hong Kong on its ‘X’ account on Monday.
The 20th edition of the tournament, to be played between 12 teams, will be held at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground.
Other participating teams include Pakistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, Hong Kong, Nepal, New Zealand, Oman, South Africa,
Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The competition has previously witnessed various legends of the game like Brain Lara, Wasim Akram, Shane Warne, Sachin Tendulkar, M.S. Dhoni, and Anil Kumble featuring for their respective teams. India had won the tournament in 2005, while England and South Africa are the most successful teams with five titles each.
Other previous winners of the competition include Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia and the West Indies. The tournament’s format is unique as matches are played between two teams of six players. Each game consists of a maximum of five overs for each side.
But the title clash will see each team bowl five overs comprising of eight balls, up from the six deliveries in normal matches. Barring the wicket-keeper, every member of the fielding side will have to bowl one over, while wides and no-balls will count as two runs. Batsmen are forced to retire at 31 but can come back in once all other batsmen have been dismissed or have retired.
Pragathi Gowda finishes on top of podium in Rallye Montbeliard
Sancey (France), Oct 7 (IANS) Indian rallyist Pragathi Gowda continued her meteoric rise in the international rallying scene with a first-place finish in her class at the Rallye Montbeliard. She progressed to a Rally 4 car in this rally after the team witnessed strong performances from her in the lesser-powered Rally 5 car. Pragathi clocked 24:36.5 to claim the top spot in Rally 4 class and finished 21st amongst 115 participants.
Bancroft have also been selected in the Australia A squad set to face India A at Mackay and Melbourne on October 31 and November 7, respectively.
"It was all heading in the right direction as he finished off last season. He was a breath of fresh air around the group in terms of his energy and his commitment to his craft. He trains beautifully… loves batting, loves scoring. He doesn’t overplay situations; he found a really nice balance early on in his career.
The Rallye Montbeliard comprised two stages – Stage 1 being 10 km long, Stage 2 being 3.3km long and Pragtahi had to navigate both stages three times each. The 26-year-old opened the first stage with a stunning time of 6 min 5 seconds and an average speed of 99.17 kmph; surprising everyone on the grid.
“To prepare for the rally we worked extensively on the pace notes and referred to the onboard videos to make corrections and make sure the notes were bulletproof to ensure a good finish. I was confident after
the first day of testing with my coach Alexandre Bengue, a former WRC driver with loads of experience,” Pragathi shed light on her preparations. The Rallye Montbeliard, a chilly asphalt rally with temperatures ranging between 7-14 degrees, had technical stages in the mountain roads, something Pragathi had to face for the first time in her first tarmac rally, on the new Peugeot 208 - Rally 4 car.
“It was my first time driving a full-blown Rally 4 Peugeot factory-prepared car. The terrain was challenging for me as it was a bit damp. We welcomed the day with the sun but it got very cloudy later on, making the track in the mountains a bit moist. The grip kept changing as the cars passed by, creating black rubber residue on the heavy breaking sections, but the pace notes came in handy,” she shared. This rally was part of the practice rallies for Pragathi to prepare for the World Motorsport Games to be held between the 23rd and 28th of October where she will be representing India in the Rally Category. Pragathi will participate in two more long rallies before the games; one more in France and the second would be a round of the Spanish gravel championship.
Sam Konstas was named in the Australia A squad for the upcoming red-ball games against India A, New South Wales head coach Greg Shipperd heaped rich praise on him, saying he is
Cities & forests merge into a dreamscape in Poonam Bhatnagar’s solo exhibition
Subtle yet tantalising, the paintings of Shiva, Saraswati playing the veena, a glimpse of Venice, and yesteryear's actor Madhubala with her bewitching smile -- artist Poonam Bhatnagar's solo exhibition in the national capital will encompass all that and more.
Brushed with a delicate mix of colours, Bhatnagar’s 24 paintings under the title ‘Between Dreams’ will be exhibited at the Bikaner House from April 12 to 17.
A trained textile designer, she brings a peculiar style into her work using minute strokes and a delicate palette of colours.
“I call this ‘web cast’ -- inspired by a spider’s web," says Bhatnagar.
Preferring to work on large
canvases, the artist feels she has much to say and show.
“That is why most of my works are huge,” she adds.
Preparing for this exhibition for the past two years, her painting of Saraswati is a 6x4 feet canvas showing the goddess playing the veena, while ‘Shiva Shakti’, done on a 4.5x4 feet canvas, has a three-dimensional effect, as the vertical and horizontal geometric lines merge with the squares and waves.
While she has participated in several group shows before, this is her first solo wherein through the series ‘Cityscapes’, she encapsulates her experiences of the sights of London, Venice, Zurich, and Ladakh, among other
places.
In ‘Vriksha’, the artist has merged her web design style with normal brush strokes.
Bhatnagar’s ‘Pensive Portrait’ series includes portraits of yesteryear's actors -- Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Suchitra Sen, and Madhabi Mukherjee, done mostly in black and white.
Talking about the web-like design style, the artist points out, “Initially, the lines used to be thicker but now they have become finer, intricate, and ‘closer’. The style has evolved.”
Bhatnagar says the painting ‘Ladakh’ is “completely covered with webcast”, with the fine lines raised, giving it a threedimensional effect. “You can feel it. Photos do not really do justice to my paintings,” she adds. Talking about the artist’s unique style, curator Uma Nair says, “Not texture, but illusion would be the right word to describe her work. Looking at her paintings in the ‘Mythos’ and ‘Cityscapes’ sections from a distance, the multiple layers create a peculiar visual experience.”
The exhibition presented by Masha Art will be inaugurated by noted filmmaker Muzaffar Ali.
Shrine Empire gallery to present Chris Basumatary’s debut solo exhibition from April 12
exhibition of Chris Basumatary titled ‘I have so much poetry inside me, but it is in the wrong language’ from April 12 to May 11.
Basumatary, who grew up next to a rivulet (Chota Rangeet) near Darjeeling in West Bengal, has developed an intimate
relationship with water. For Basumatary, art is a channel to speak about the intricacies of trans-identity through the concepts of water, stone, and flesh.
The exhibition will present a glimpse of the memories, desires, and fears of the artist.
India-adaption of Caryl Churchill’s play to take center stage
The National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai present the first-ever professional production of Love and Information, in collaboration with award-winning director – Mohit Takalkar. Written in 2012 by celebrated British playwright Caryl Churchill, Love & Information is a creative and experimental presentation that delves into the contemporary lives of the present society through an unconventional yet immersive theatrical experience. The play is set to invite the audience to the Experimental Theatre from April 25 - 29.
Written as a series of over 50 disparate scenes divided into seven sections, the play is an exercise in reimagining the medium. The disruptive format of the script provides no stage directions, no character attributions and no notes for performance. Additionally, the play follows a non- linear narrative and is devoid of central characters, emphasizing the cumulative impact of diverse, brief scenes ranging from seconds to minutes. The scenes are of varying lengths and the structure allows for the viewer to narrow in on a world oversaturated with information. The vignettes mirror the rapid pace of channel-hopping or scrolling through social media, highlighting potential implications for relationships in an era dominated by instant
gratification and short attention spans.
The play doesn’t limit itself to its technical uniqueness but also promises to challenge the audience by addressing a wide range of subjects covered from mental illness to privacy erosion to memory atrophy that cloud the modern-day lifestyles.
Speaking about the first-ever professional production of Love and Information, Mr. Bruce Guthrie, Head, Theatre and Films, NCPA, expressed, “The NCPA is delighted to welcome Mohit Takalkar to direct Love & Information by Carol Churchill. She is a true trailblazing playwright in every sense of the word and is known as something of a disruptor of English theatre. She rarely, if ever, talks about her work, where the inspiration comes from and why she does what she does. She constantly reinvents her style as a playwright and explores what more theatre can be.
It is a matter of pride and joy to pull off this combination of two extraordinary artistes – writer and director to realise this quite extraordinary play. We hope that the audience will come with a curious mind and an open heart as we continue to create theatre that challenges and inspires.”
The ensemble cast comprises of Ashish Mehta, Dusha Madhav, Kashish Saluja, Lovleen Misra, Mahesh Saini, Mallika Singh Hanspal, Mrinmayee Godbole, Prajesh Kashyap, Rachel D’souza, Rytasha Rathore, Siddhesh Dhuri, who will be performing around 50 scenes in rotation. Love and Information most definitely promises to be a must-attend theatrical show this summer.
Stop cribbing all the time, filmmaker Sudhir Mishra tells ‘airy’ independent filmmakers
With almost a smooth furious glance, he says that it is high time that independent filmmakers stop cribbing about the fact that their films do not get theatrical releases or accepted by OTT platforms anymore. Stressing that for decades everyone has given preference to big budgets and well-known stars, National Award-winning filmmaker Sudhir Mishra asserts that like life, filmmaking is also about negotiating spaces perpetually
With almost a smooth furious glance, he says that it is high time that independent filmmakers stop cribbing about the fact that their films do not get theatrical releases or accepted by OTT platforms anymore. Stressing that for decades everyone has given preference to big budgets and well-known stars, National Award-winning filmmaker Sudhir Mishra asserts that like life, filmmaking is also about negotiating spaces perpetually. "It costs a lot of money to make films and release them. Anyways, these so-called independent filmmakers are too airy. But the
moment Karan Johar invites them for lunch, everybody will stand in a queue. Boss, it is a practical industry, and learn to live with that fact. Like life, there are no perfect situations or ideals around here.
"A poet also has to feed his children, and he realises that and works towards it. Stop cribbing all the time -- I am so intelligent, such a nice guy, still my films don't get distributed. The world owes you nothing,” laments Mishra.
"These independent guys need to realise that they are against the big boys. It is not easy to fight them. Sure, some crumbs may be thrown once in a while.
After three outings at Cannes, filmmaker Murli Nair had to stop making films. Where is he now? It is a tough world out there," says
the filmmaker best known for his films like 'Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi', 'Dharavi', 'Chameli', 'Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin' and 'Khoya Khoya Chand.
Making his directorial debut with the film, 'Yeh Woh Manzil To Nahin' in 1987 which won him a National Film Award, Mishra, talking about his cult classic 'Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi', says he did not have to do any research while writing the film as he had grown up in the time when naxalism was at its peak and knew many of them.
"I come from Lucknow and to a large extent my world-view is Ghalib. Naxalism was in the air and I was very influenced by playwright Badal Sircar with whom I visited every area of Bengal where people were influenced by that ideology.
Besides, I come from a Nehruvian family, and we were close to the Congress. I bet I know more about the Congress of that time than any journalist even. I have seen the emergence of fixers, observed machinations up close, and student politics of that era."
Mishra says he is the 'Geeta' (female lead) in the film. "Because I am neither a Naxalite nor a fixer. Like her, I am the centre, and I have touched my feminine side often. Yes, I knew many Geetas.."
All his films have a strong sociopolitical base, something which he says comes naturally to him.
"It is extremely important that my cinema is socio-political because that is my being. I do not have to ‘try’ to do that. That is how I think, that is who I am. A person comes before the filmmaker. Education, background,
influences and ideological factors shape him. While making a movie certain aspects of the maker seep in naturally while others make a quiet exit," he says.
Upbeat about several new OTT platforms entering the digital space, he says the more the merrier. "Everything may not be perfect about them. But that holds for everything in life, no?" says the filmmaker who was at the recently concluded CineVesture International Film Festival (CIFF) held in Chandigarh.
Mishra, who is currently working on his next titled 'Summer of 77' which is about the Emergency and mainstream people bubbling with a certain kind of radicalism and confronting the state, asserts, "No one is a fixer or a Naxalite in this movie. It is about a more mainstream rebellion. There are multiple layers to the film," he concludes.
The Shrine Empire Gallery here will present the debut solo
Peaceful retreat in nature
Are you looking forward to the upcoming long weekend during the Holi and Good Friday long weekend? India, with its diverse landscapes and cultural richness, offers several exciting options for delightful getaways. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat in nature or an adventure-filled trip, there's something for everyone. Here are some great travel destinations to consider for a memorable holiday in March.
South: Coorg
Nestled in the lush green Western Ghats of Karnataka, Coorg
is a haven for nature lovers, offering breathtaking views and a serene environment. From hiking through dense forests to exploring historical monuments, Coorg offers an array of experiences. It is one of the most popular and easily accessible hill stations in South India.
North: Corbett
With its mystic beauty, scenic landscapes, and interesting history, Corbett is the perfect wild and exotic getaway. Resort Condominium International (RCI) affiliated resorts offer the most beautiful and relaxing stay
without worrying about the scenic surroundings. One can take in the true jungle atmosphere created by the perfect natural surroundings and varied flora and fauna. This is the place to enjoy the pristine beauty and enchanting wilderness of nature.
East: Gangtok
Gangtok is home to several breathtaking viewpoints that offer panoramic views of the city, surrounding hills, and snow-capped mountains of the Kanchenjunga range. These serene locations provide a peaceful retreat and a chance to connect with nature.
West: Goa
It's never a bad decision when it's Goa. A perfect place that leaves you with memories to cherish forever. RCI offers a perfect stay, catering to your room to food desires. Whether you are looking for a relaxing sunbathing spot or want to indulge in water sports the beaches of Goa have something for everyone.
Exploring UNESCO Heritage Sites in Turkiye
Atreasure located in one of the world's most essential geographies, where the history of civilisation was written and shaped, Turkiye is an open-air museum of ancient sites. The country offers a rich wealth of history with 21 World Heritage Sites listed under the UNESCO
Aizanoi, on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, is a remarkable ancient site in Kütahya, in the Inner Aegean. As the principal settlement centre of the Aizanitis living in ancient Phrygia, Aizanoi became
World Heritage Convention, and 79 on the Tentative List.
Let's look at some of Türkiye’s lesser-known archaeological treasures to inspire your next adventure!
a wealthy and prominent city during the Roman period due to grain cultivation and wine and wool production. Aizanoi is home to the world’s first trade exchange building, the Macellum, and Anatolia’s best-preserved Temple
Discover Shimla’s 19th Century Royal Summer House Boutique Retreat
The Shimla home of HH Princess Kusum of Bharatpur has an illustrious history that dates back to the late 19th century. A witness to the heydays of the Raj, Independence and the birth of Himachal Pradesh, the home has welcomed nobility and royalty and, it is said that even a Vicereine once dropped by for a chat.
experience home-cooked meals from jealously guarded family recipes. Savour caringly prepared dishes that use only the finest locally sourced ingredients.
A delightful and extensive breakfast to start your day, and Jungle House’s signature afternoon tea to welcome you home from your adventures.
of Zeus.
Don't miss: In Kütahya, a part of the Phrygian Valley, there are numerous open-air temples and altars dedicated to the mother goddess Cybele, as well as rockcarved tombs. Visit these fantastic structures while you're in the region.
Kaunos and its rock tombs
Kaunos, an important port city of the ancient world, is among Turkiye’s most exciting ruins, with its rock tombs. On the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, Kaunos lost its port as silt filled the sea over time. Like Stratonikeia, Kaunos is in the Muğla province and accessible via a 10-minute boat ride from Dalyan. The Kaunos rock tombs, which can also be seen from Dalyan, were produced in the fourth century BC and used during the Roman period.
Don't miss: Tour boats can bring you to İztuzu Beach, a true natural wonder where you can observe the Caretta caretta sea turtles. During the incubation and spawning periods of the Caretta carettas, human visitors are prohibited from the beach from evening to morning, as the beaches are reserved exclusively for sea turtles during this critical time.
Kibyra, with water flowing from an Ancient Fountain
Located in Burdur, the geography of ancient civilisations, Kibyra is among the region’s most important ancient cities, along with Sagalassos. Since 2016, the structures in Kibyra, on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, have been planned symmetrically to offer unobstructed views.
Perched on a sunlit spur at over 7,700 ft on Jakhu Hill, Jungle House commands sweeping views of the Middle Himalayas. Nestled in ancient woods a mere 700 meters from Jakhu Temple, with a motorable approach, and a picturesque three-kilometre walk from The Mall. The 19th-century royal summer house's unique location offers unsurpassed levels of privacy and solitude while ensuring easy access to all areas of tourist interest.
Unsurpassed levels of privacy, luxury and highly personalised service
The estate offers two exquisite suites in a standalone stone cottage that effortlessly combines contemporary style with colonial hill architectural design. The cottage has been meticulously renovated to preserve its original features while providing exceptional levels of modern comforts and luxury.
With teak floors, high ceilings, sumptuous furnishings, elegant spacious bathrooms, thoughtfully selected amenities, original artworks and breathtaking views, each generously proportioned suite – Chelsea and Holly – has been thoughtfully designed to help you unwind and enjoy the finer things in life. Luxuriate in a tub as you watch snowflakes drift by or snuggle up in a king-size bed with a book. Each room has been designed to pamper you while reflecting the home’s unique heritage and a strong sense of place.
Set amidst lovingly-tended gardens, the rooms offer unparalleled privacy and intimacy. Exquisitely manicured lawns, fragrant nooks and a fire pit provide the perfect setting for a brisk game of croquet, a quiet read or a romantic evening under the stars.
Dining at Jungle House
Friendly and informal, dining at Jungle House represents the relaxed elegance of dining at a gracious country house. Feel more at home than in a hotel, and
Aperitivo Hour by the firepit, and as the finalé, indulge yourself in a delectable dinner followed by scrumptious pudding.
Whether you desire Continental favourites like Chicken Kiev, Himachali and Indian cuisine, breakfast staples like Eggs Benedict and fluffy, melt-in-themouth pancakes with homemade jams and preserves or delightful desserts like lemon tarts and chocolate cake, each meal at Jungle House is an experience in itself.
Specially crafted experiences
Uniquely located in the middle Himalayas, the “Queen of Hill Stations” and the former summer capital of the Raj, Shimla is the repository of legends and some of the best-kept secrets of India. There is an experience crafted for every season and mood to create memories and add to your stay at Royal Summer House.
Idyllically nestled in an ancient forest, Jungle House presents itself as the perfect location for celebrating the outdoors, no matter the weather forecast. Shinrin–yoku or forest bathing is all about connecting with nature, and taking time to slow down and appreciate the outdoors. We all know how good being in nature can make us feel. It offers the sanctuary of mindfulness and release.
For those in the mood for something a little more energetic, there’s always a walk through the magnificent Shimla Catchment Sanctuary or hiking through the Himalayan countryside accompanied by an experienced guide. Weather permitting, you could also experience ice skating at an open-air skating rink. For the spiritually minded, Jakhu Mandir, the ancient temple dedicated to Hanuman sits atop Jakhu Hill, an exhilarating 500m trek up from Jungle House. According to the Ramayana, Hanuman stopped to rest at the location while searching for Sanjeevni Booti to revive Lakshmana.
Treasure of the Inner Aegean: Aizanoi
AI can be as dangerous for world as nuclear weapons: EAM Jaishankar
New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS)
External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar on Sunday said that artificial intelligence (AI) will be a profound factor for the world, after nuclear weapons.
Participating in the third edition of the Kautilya Economic Conclave, organised by the Institute of Economic Growth and the Finance Ministry, on its third and final day, Jaishankar said that AI is going to be the next big thing and countries should be prepared to deal with its after-effects.
On AI, he further said that it is also going to become a profound factor in the global ecosystem. "AI will be as dangerous for the world as nuclear bombs once were," he observed.
Minister Jaishankar also said that demographics, connectivity, and AI will change the global order. "Globalisation can be weaponised in the next decade and the world must be cautious about it. Many people around the world blame it for the large number of job losses and other negative effects of the revolution. This issue will remain as long as there is change (globalisation)," he said, noting that the social and political reaction to globalisation has gained momentum in the last decade.
The realities of globalisation inevitably collide with
protectionism, he said. The External Affairs Minister also said that in today's era, the role of the United Nations has become only that of a spectator. Drawing a comparison with the business world, he said that the United Nations is an old business, which is taking up a lot of space, but is not changing according to the world.
On the ongoing Middle East conflict, he said that today the fight is taking place only for economic corridors, land and sea, but in the future, there will be fights over climate change also. He further highlighted that the Global South is feeling the impacts of these geopolitical tensions more acutely than others, raising concerns about the region's stability.
YouTube reinstated all channels, fixing last few videos after bug hit the platform
New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) Googleowned YouTube said in a latest update that it has reinstated all channels and most videos that were removed due to a technical glitch or a bug.
After a bug incorrectly flagged some channels for spam and removed them, YouTube began working on the fix.
“Happy to report that all channels and most videos incorrectly removed have been reinstated and subscriptions are restored (we’re still working on the last few, bear with us),” YouTube said in a post
on X social media platform early on Sunday.
“We know this caused some disruption, and we so appreciate your patience while we sort this out,” the company added.
The Google-owned company earlier said that their teams were “still working on reinstating the incorrectly removed channels and access to subscriptions”.
“We're sorry for the trouble! Some content like playlists may be delayed, but it's all coming back. Thanks for your patience while we work on this,” the company had mentioned in a post on X.
The YouTube channels were incorrectly removed for “Spam and Deceptive Practices.”
That included access to all subscriptions (YouTube TV, YouTube Premium, YouTube Music).
The company also mentioned that some YouTube creators might have some content, like playlists, missing. But those will also be restored soon, the company added.
The original notice and subsequent updates on the support page have been addressed to "Content Creators”.
Although, some non-content creators have been unable to access their YouTube account, watch YouTube videos, or listen to YouTube Music too.
According to reports, with some paid subscriptions, like YouTube Premium, not available, saved content cannot be viewed including playlists.
YouTube, however, did not confirm how many users were affected by the technical glitch.
SpaceX aces Starship’s 5th test flight, makes historic catch of Super Heavy booster
on
conducted its fifth test flight, and made a historic catch of a Super Heavy booster with “Chopstick arms”.
The 400-foot-tall Starship rocket along with the Heavy booster -- the world's largest and most powerful rocket -- launched the flight after 8 a.m. EDT (5:30 pm IST) from its Starbase facility near Boca Chica Beach in South Texas.
“Mechazilla has caught the Super Heavy booster!,” SpaceX said in a post on X after the Super Heavy booster successfully headed back to its launch site.
“The tower has caught the rocket!!” added Founder Elon Musk.
During its last flight in June, SpaceX achieved its first successful splashdown in the Indian Ocean with the upper stage of Starship.
“The new feat will be a key step in the company's quest for rapid reusability,” the company said prior to launch.
The company noted that its engineers had spent years preparing and months testing for the booster catch attempt.
India enters top league globally in filing 6G tech patents
New Delhi, Oct 14 (IANS) After successfully deploying 5G across the nation in record time, India is fast advancing on 6G technology, and now ranks in the top league when it comes to filing patents related to 6G.
The country now ranks among top six in global 6G patent filings.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisaged India to be a frontline contributor in the design, development and deployment of 6G technology by 2030.
Under the 'Bharat 6G Vision', the government is already evaluating 470 proposals on ‘Accelerated research on 6G Ecosystem’. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has funded two next-generation testbeds to advance the 6G research.
According to a government-led panel, India can achieve a share of 10 per cent of all 6G patents along with one-sixth contributions to global standards in the next three years. The country has already launched various initiatives like ‘Bharat 6G Vision’ and ‘Bharat 6G
Alliance’, along with the patent and IPR support framework and commissioning of testbeds. As per industry experts, for India to become a deep-tech leader, penetration of both wireline and intelligent wireless broadband networks, with reliable connectivity, is critical. World telecom leader, experts and academia from more than 190 countries are set to attend the 10-day World Telecom Standardisation Assembly (WTSA2024) in India from October 14-24. The ‘WTSA 2024’ is being held for the first time in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) history of 150 years in the national capital from October 14-24.
According to DoT, India hosting the ‘WTSA-2024’ is an opportunity to influence the global telecom agenda as we prepare for advancements like 6G and beyond. Now, the DoT has set the ball rolling by launching the WTSA 2024 Outreach Sessions. Scheduled in Delhi, Hyderabad and Bengaluru, the outreach sessions aim to provide a distinctive platform to students for learning and direct engagement with industry experts, fostering meaningful interactions and knowledge exchange.
NASA-SpaceX’s Europa Clipper off to explore Jupiter’s ocean world
New Delhi, Oct 15 (IANS) SpaceX on Monday launched NASA's Europa Clipper mission to explore the potential for life on Jupiter's icy moon Europa.
The $5 billion spacecraft launched atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre (KSC) in Florida, at 12:06 p.m. EDT (9.36 pm IST).
It added that technicians poured tens of thousands of hours into building the infrastructure to maximise the chances for success.
Further, SpaceX noted that its Starship vehicle is in a 1-hour coast phase, where it will reenter over the Indian Ocean, west of Australia.
“Starship’s Raptor engine burn is complete and Starship has entered a coast phase,” it said, noting that this flight path does not require a deorbit burn for reentry.
“This will maximise public safety but still make a controlled reentry and soft water landing.”
Meanwhile, rival Blue Origin “congratulated” SpaceX.
"Liftoff, @EuropaClipper!" NASA
Administrator Bill Nelson wrote in a post on X.
"Today, we embark on a new journey across the solar system in search of the ingredients for life within Jupiter's icy moon. Our next chapter in space exploration has begun," he added.
NASA's Europa Clipper is the first mission to conduct a detailed science investigation of Jupiter's moon Europa.
As per scientists, the Jovian moon Europa has a salty ocean beneath its icy crust that potentially could hold the ingredients necessary to sustain life.
"The mission will help scientists better understand how life developed on Earth and the
potential for finding life beyond our planet," NASA said.
Although the flight controllers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory operations centre reported an apparent venting issue with the probe's propulsion system, they later added that the system was still performing as expected.
Six hours post-launch the spacecraft will deploy its solar arrays, which span more than 30 metres and weigh nearly 6,000 kg.
Jupiter is on average some 480 million miles from Earth. The spacecraft will travel 1.8 billion miles over more than five years to reach the Jovian system in April 2030.
It will use "gravity assists" of two other planets -- Earth and Mars -- to help it accelerate towards Jupiter.
The team aims to understand the nature of the ice shell and the ocean beneath it, along with the Moon's composition and geology.
The spacecraft will orbit Jupiter and fly by Europa about 50 times.
The findings will help scientists better understand the astrobiological potential for habitable worlds beyond our planet.
Meanwhile, the launch was also the 11th overall for the Falcon Heavy and its second interplanetary mission.
New Delhi, Oct 13 (IANS)
Billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX
Sunday successfully
Chemotherapy, radiation for breast cancer may speed up biological ageing: Study
New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) While advances in cancer therapies have greatly improved survival rates for breast cancer, new research on Tuesday showed that common treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, may accelerate the biological ageing process in survivors.
The study led by a team from the University of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences in the US suggests that the impact of breast cancer treatments on the body is more extensive than previously thought.
The findings, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, showed that breast
cancer survivors, regardless of the type of treatment received, had significantly increased markers of cellular ageing -- such as DNA damage response, cellular senescence, and inflammatory pathways. These ageing markers increased the risk of earlier onset of fatigue, cognitive decline, frailty, and cardiovascular disease, said the team.
The study called for making it crucial to understand the specific pathways involved to better target and manage them.
“For the first time, we're showing that the signals we once thought were driven by chemotherapy are also present in women undergoing radiation and surgery,” said study lead author Judith Carroll, Associate Professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at UCLA.
“While we expected to see increased gene expression linked to biological ageing in women who received chemotherapy, we were surprised to find similar changes in those who only underwent radiation or surgery,” she added.
In the study, the team conducted a two-year longitudinal study that tracked women undergoing breast cancer treatment before receiving treatment and again following treatment to see how their biological ageing markers evolved.
The team tracked the gene expression in their blood cells using RNA sequencing, focusing on markers that signal biological ageing.
The data was then analysed using statistical models to help identify ageing-related changes. They found genes that capture cellular senescence (when cells stop dividing but don't die) and the inflammatory signal from these cells which indicated that their immune cells were ageing faster than normal.
They also saw increases in genes that are expressed when there is DNA damage. Although chemotherapy did have a slightly different pattern, similar to what others have shown, they also noted changes in women who did not receive chemotherapy, the team said.
Why deep-fried, baked, grilled foods are driving diabetes in India
New Delhi, Oct 13 (IANS) Deep fried, baked, grilled ultraprocessed foods -- found in every nook and corner of India -- that have become the staple in a majority of homes in recent years, are a direct reason for the eversurging cases of diabetes in the country, said experts on Sunday.
India is home to a staggering 101 million individuals afflicted by diabetes. The recent ICMR-NIN Dietary Guidelines for Indians reveals that more than 10 per cent of 5-19- year-olds are prediabetic.
A new study, published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, shows that the deep fried, baked, and grilled ultra-processed foods are rich in advanced glycation end products (AGE) which lead to inflammation and contribute to several diseases including diabetes.
“When we fry or grill foods it leads to oxidative stress which is a promoter of inflammation. Chronic inflammation in the body is linked to diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and even some forms of cancer. Ultraprocessed foods and those foods
which are high in trans fats are harmful to health,” diabetologist
Dr. V Mohan from Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) in Chennai, told IANS. Mohan and team led the study on AGEs in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
According to the study, AGE-rich foods include red meat, fried foods, french fries, fried chicken, bacon, biscuits, bakery products, butter, margarine, and sugary foods. On the other hand, fruits and vegetables, broccoli, legumes, oats, dairy, eggs, fish, and tree nuts like almonds, walnuts, cashews, etc, come under the low-age food category.
“Our study showed that foods which are high in dietary ages were linked to type 2 diabetes and inflammation. Foods which were low in dietary AGEs were protective against diabetes,” Mohan said.
AGEs are formed through a non-enzymatic process called glycation, where sugar molecules bind to proteins or fats.
This process can lead to the formation of compounds that cause harmful reactions in the body, particularly inflammation.
“Fried food means that we are having excess saturated fat and calories, so it will naturally not be good for us,” Dr. Ambrish Mithal, Chairman & HeadEndocrinology & Diabetes, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, who was not part of the study, told IANS.
Japanese study shows gut hormones key to fight fatty liver disease
New Delhi, Oct 7 (IANS) A Japanese study has revealed the crucial role of intestinal absorption in the gut in preventing dietary-induced fatty liver disease.
The accumulation of fats in the liver is driven by high-fat diets and obesity and is becoming an increasingly prevalent global health concern. Characterised by excessive fat accumulation in the liver, this condition poses significant risks for various metabolic disorders.
While much of the existing research has focused on fat metabolism within the liver itself, emerging findings emphasise the critical role of the gut in this complex process.
diet (HFD) for seven days to shed light on a potential new strategy for preventing fatty liver.
“When we subjected both GCGKO mice (lab-generated mice with a gene that has been inactivated) and control mice to an HFD for one week, the GCGKO mice exhibited a significantly lower increase in hepatic free fatty acid (FFA) and triglyceride levels, along with reduced adipose tissue weight,” said Associate Professor Yusuke Seino from the varsity. These effects were attributed to a decrease in lipid absorption, despite a reduced fat-burning capacity in the liver.
The findings showed that the absence of PGDPs prevents dietinduced fatty liver by lowering intestinal fat absorption. Notably, the study also underscored the intricate relationship between diet, hormonal responses, and intestinal microbiota.
“Much of the food in India that is deep fried, especially street food, is of reheated oil. Reheated oil is very rich in trans fats -- a big factor for increasing the risk of heart disease, some types of cancers,” he added.
Then what about grilled or baked food?
Mithal said intuitively, one would think grilled food is healthy, but it’s actually not. “Although it isn’t fried, it exposes food to high temperatures which gives rise to the production of certain toxic aromatic carbons in the food, which can be carcinogenic,” the doctor said while noting that baked food is also not necessarily healthy because most baked food is carbohydrate-rich.
These foods that are fuelling theobesity rate are one of the major causes of diabetes in the country, Mohan told IANS, while urging the government to promote healthy eating habits.
Further, the MDRF study showed that "excess carbohydrate intake in the form of white rice or refined wheat is a direct driver of the diabetes epidemic," said Mohan.
Apart from this, stress, lack of sleep, and air pollution are other contributing factors.
“Government policy should therefore be directed towards encouraging the cultivation and promotion of foods which are low with dietary AGE’s, especially fruits with low glycemic index and green leafy vegetables,” the doctor said.
Researchers from the Fujita Health University in Japan in a mice study explored how key hormones like proglucagonderived peptides (PGDPs), including glucagon, GLP-1, and GLP-2, impact fat absorption and liver fat buildup.
PGDPs are generally known to be the key hormones that regulate lipid metabolism in the liver.
The study, published in the journal Nutrients, investigated the response of mice to a high-fat
The mice fed on a high-fat diet showed notable shifts in gut bacteria, with an increase in Parabacteroides and a decrease in Lactobacillus -- both linked to obesity resistance.
Seino noted that the study showed how “oral dual antagonists of GLP-2 and glucagon could emerge as potential therapies for obesity and fatty liver, especially given their roles in insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism”.
Here’s how silent stroke can dent your brain health
New Delhi, Oct 7 (IANS) While silent strokes may not be fatal as a normal brain stroke, it can still affect brain health and lead to cognitive issues such as memory and attention problems, said experts on Monday.
Silent stroke, also known as silent cerebral infarction, can go undetected for years. It does not have symptoms such as sudden weakness, speech difficulties, or facial drooping.
It occurs when cerebral blood flow is transiently disrupted, leading to ischemic damage without overt clinical symptoms. However, “the condition can result in subtle neurocognitive deficits, such as memory issues
and difficulties with attention, and increased risk of subsequent overt strokes, which are more severe and easily recognisable,”
Dr Deepak Yadav, Consultant, Neurology, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, told IANS.
“Depending on the location of the clot, silent stroke can cause symptoms such as weakness in an arm or leg (which could cause a fall) or trouble speaking or seeing,” added Dr Aashka Ponda, Consultant Neuro-physician, Bhailal Amin General Hospital.
The experts noted that key risk factors include hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle, all of which contribute to vascular dysregulation and atherosclerosis, conditions that affect the health of blood vessels and can lead to more serious cardiovascular events.
“In India, the rising prevalence of these risk factors, coupled with increased psychological stress and dietary changes, has led to an uptick in silent strokes,” Yadav said.
Sara Tendulkar, social media sensation and youth icon and the new face of Laneige, one of the most popular Korean beauty brands in the world. Known for her authenticity, charm and influential presence on social media, Sara has embarked on this new venture with the brand to support the its mission in the country.
She gracefully represents the brand's values of natural and sustainable beauty, while bringing to life the brand belief that everyone should shine with a unique inner and outer glow that is as distinct as their individuality. Along with the announcement of a new Brand Ambassador, the brand unveiled its Bouncy and Firm Sleeping Mask.
An elated Sara Tendulkar, Brand Ambassador, Laneige India, commented, “I am thrilled to be part of Laneige's family. As
someone with a biomedical background that makes way for a keen understanding of quality as well as a personal passion for skincare, I admire the brand's commitment to innovation and have been using their products for quite a while. It brings me immense excitement and humility to partner with Laneige, as their core belief in the radiance of each person's unique individuality resonates deeply with me."
At the launch, Paul Lee, Managing Director & Country Head of Amorepacific India, added, "Laneige proudly announces Sara Tendulkar as its Brand Ambassador, embracing her vibrant energy. Sara symbolizes the modern, self-assured youth advocating that beauty transcends mere appearances. With Sara onboard, Laneige aims to connect with a broader audience."
Mini Sood Banerjee, Assistant
Hydration is Key
Combat the drying effects of summer heat by regularly applying moisturising lotion or oil to your nails and cuticles. This simple step will help maintain their strength and flexibility, reducing the risk of breakage.
Summeris all about fun in the sun, beach outings, and showing off those fabulous nails! With the sunny season upon us, it's essential to step up our nail care game to keep our nails looking fresh and vibrant.
Experts in nail care from Tip and Toe Salon share with IANSlife
Protect from the Sun
Protect your nails from the sun's harmful UV rays, just as you would protect your skin. Consider using a nail polish with UV protection or applying a clear topcoat containing SPF. When engaging in outdoor activities, wearing gloves can also provide an additional layer of protection against sun damage.
Director & Head of Marketing and Training Amorepacific India said, "As Laneige's journey evolves, we are thrilled to welcome Sara Tendulkar into our family as the embodiment of timeless grace and modern elegance. Her vibrant spirit and innate charm perfectly resonate with Laneige's commitment to empowering individuals to embrace their unique beauty. Together, we embark on a new chapter, celebrating authenticity and the transformative power of skincare."
Social media sensation Sara Tendulkar for Korean Beauty Brand Laniege Summer nail care secrets
"We are delighted to announce Sara Tendulkar as the new Brand Ambassador for Laneige," said Sally Lee, Brand General Manager of Laneige India. Sara's luminous charm and timeless elegance resonate deeply with our brand's values. Sara's deeper integration into the Laneige experience marks a remarkable milestone, fostering deeper connections with a burgeoning generation of consumers."
Laneige is a brand that specializes in moisture research. They have developed advanced water complexes that are dedicated to creating intelligent skincare solutions for all skin types. With a range of products developed to address different skin concerns due to stress and a hazardous environment, Laneige offers solutions that awaken your skin’s ultimate moisture potential.
the importance of maintaining healthy and beautiful nails, especially during the summer months. Don't let the sun and heat take a toll on your nail health; follow these expertrecommended tips to keep your nails looking fabulous.
Use the Right Tools
Using the right tools is crucial for maintaining nail health. Avoid metal cuticle pushers, as they can cause damage and increase infection risks. Instead, opt for wooden or rubber cuticle pushers. Additionally, always use sharp, clean nail clippers and files to prevent nail splitting and peeling.
Chase the sun, not the damage: Smart skin care choices for summer
As the days grow longer and the sun shines brighter, many of us eagerly embrace the warmth of summer. However, the need for diligent skin care comes with the joys of outdoor activities and beach vacations.
Before diving into skin care tips, it's essential to understand the damaging effects of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. Prolonged exposure to UV radiation can lead to many skin concerns, including sunburn and premature ageing.
"One of the most effective ways to shield your skin from sun damage is sunscreen. Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF (Sun Protection Factor) rating to ensure comprehensive protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Apply sunscreen generously to all exposed areas of skin, including your face, neck, and ears, and remember to reapply every two hours, especially if you're swimming or sweating," says Mansi Sharma, founder of The Honest Tree by Boddess.
Hydration is key. Summer heat can take a toll on your skin, leading to dehydration and a loss of moisture. Mansi recommends
to combat the heat by staying hydrated from the inside out. She says, "Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated and plump. Additionally, incorporate hydrating skincare products into your routine, such as lightweight moisturizers and serums formulated with hyaluronic acid or glycerin."
While sunscreen provides crucial protection, it's not the only line of defence against the sun's rays. "Consider covering up with lightweight, breathable clothing, hats, and sunglasses to provide additional protection for your skin and eyes. Opt for tightly woven fabrics and dark colours for optimal sun protection," adds Mansi. "When possible, seek shade during the sun's peak hours, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is when UV radiation is at its strongest, increasing the risk of sunburn and skin damage. Take breaks from direct sunlight by relaxing under a beach umbrella or finding shelter in a shaded area."
The founder of The Honest Tree by Boddess also suggests that while selecting skincare products for summer, opt for formulations that cater to the specific needs of sun-exposed skin. Mansi says, "Look for products enriched with antioxidants like vitamins C and E, which help neutralize free radicals generated by UV exposure. Incorporating a gentle exfoliant into your routine can also help slough off dead skin cells, revealing a fresh, radiant complexion."
Beauty addicts can now get Kylie Cosmetics in India
Iam so excited to launch Kylie Cosmetics in India – I created Kylie Cosmetics to give my fans access to the makeup products that I use and love, and I can’t wait to share my collection with all my fans in India.", said Kylie Jenner, Founder of Kylie Cosmetics.
In 2015, Kylie Jenner embarked on her beauty business with the launch of Kylie Lip Kits - a collection of three liquid lipsticks with corresponding lip liners. Since then, Kylie supported by Global beauty powerhouse Coty, have continued to expand her beauty empire around the world in over 50 countries, and across eye, complexion, and countless innovations in lip. The beauty line is carefully crafted with clean formulations and vegan ingredients that deliver on trend, high-quality, high-pigment, and
high-performance formulations that fans around the world have come to love.
In a significant milestone in the brand’s global expansion Kylie Cosmetics, launches in India. Partnering with House of Beauty, the leading beauty specialty company which brings coveted international beauty brands to India, Kylie Cosmetics’ arrival has been long awaited by Indian beauty consumers. This partnership marks the first time the brand has partnered with an Indian omnichannel specialist like House of Beauty.
The launch collection includes the best-selling Matte and Velvet Lip Kits, as well as recent must-have launches such as Precision Pout Lip Liner, Power Plush Longwear Foundation, Kylash Volume Mascara, Power Plush Longwear Concealer and Tinted Butter Balm.
Starting 25th April 2024, Kylie Cosmetics will be available exclusively in 25 Sephora India stores nationwide and online on www.sephora.in
Samantha Ruth Prabhu reveals why fashion is ‘fun again’ for her
Actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu loves getting dolled up and revealed that fashion is fun again for her.
Samantha took to Instagram, where she posted a string of pictures dressed in a nude hued skirt with fringes and a crop top. She chose statement gold chunky jewelry and subdued make-up to complete the look.
For the caption, she wrote: “Fashion is fun again because I get to play dress up with my best friend. Outfit @kreshabajajofficial Accessories @zohra_india @ simranchhabrajewels Styling @jukalker Makeup & Hair @avnirambhia with @ makeupbyjill___ Photography @ kannasrihari.”
Samantha keeps experimenting
with her looks and shares it on her social media to treat her fans and followers.
Last month, the actress for the promotions of her spy action series "Citadel: Honey Bunny" posted mesmerising pictures, showcasing her elegance in a stunning white outfit.
She donned a white tube top designed in a flower shape, adorned with pearl embellishments, paired elegantly with matching trousers. In her post, she included a sparkle emoji and tagged her location as London, UK.
Meanwhile, on September 25, she attended the screening for 'Citadel: Honey Bunny', along with Priyanka Chopra in London,
UK. Priyanka stars as the lead in the American version of 'Citadel', Samantha's upcoming series serves as a spin-off prequel to the show.
The show also stars Varun Dhawan, Kay Kay Menon, Simran Bagga and Emma Canning. It is scheduled to release on November 7 on Prime Video. Samantha started her acting career in 2010 with Gautham Vasudev Menon's Telugu film ‘Ye Maaya Chesave’, alongside former husband Naga Chaitanya.
She has then appeared in films like- ‘Baana Kaathadi’, ‘Brindavanam’, ‘Dookudu’, ‘Neethaane En Ponvasantham’, ‘Attarintiki Daredi’, ‘Ramayya Vasthavayya’, ‘Raju Gari Gadhi 2’, ‘Oh! Baby’, ‘Yashoda’, and ‘Shaakuntalam’.
Samantha was last seen in Telugu romantic comedy film 'Kushi', costarring Vijay Deverakonda.
She essayed the role of Raji in the second season of the spy action thriller series ‘The Family Man’ created by Raj & DK. It also stars Manoj Bajpayee, Priyamani, Sharad Kelkar, Neeraj Madhav, Sharib Hashmi, Dalip Tahil, Sunny Hinduja and Shreya Dhanwanthary.
Coming up, she has ‘Rakt Brahmand’ in the kitty.
Shraddha Kapoor: My fashion journey has been one of exploration and refinement
S
hraddha Kapoor, who is one of Bollywood’s most loved stars, said since her debut in 2010 with “Teen Patti”, her fashion journey has been one of “exploration and refinement”.
“Since my debut, my fashion journey has been one of exploration and refinement. Initially, I experimented with various styles to discover what suited me best. Over time, I've developed a more defined sense of style, opting for outfits that reflect my personality and the roles I portray,” Shraddha, who walked as the showstopper for label Kalki, told IANS.
The actress, who has outnumbered several personalities including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Deepika Padukone and Kareena Kapoor
Khan to name a few, with her Instagram following of over 93.6 million, learnt to balance between traditional and contemporary looks.
“I've learned to embrace both traditional and contemporary looks, adapting my wardrobe to mirror my personal and professional growth,” she said.
For Shraddha, who is the daughter of veteran actor Shakti Kapoor, fashion is a blend of “simplicity and sophistication”.
“I would describe my fashion sense as a fusion of simplicity and sophistication. I gravitate towards minimalist designs that make a statement through subtle details. Comfort is essential to me, but I also enjoy experimenting with different styles to keep my look fresh and versatile,” she said.
Disha Patani flaunts ‘desi look’ as she stuns in olive green hued lehenga
Actress Disha Patani looked every-inch glamourous as she flaunted her "desi look" dressed in glittery olive hued lehenga on the occasion of Dussehra on Saturday.
The ensemble includes a fashionable slit design along with a glitter backless top; she just accessorised it with simple earrings. Disha completed the look by wearing a pair of comfortable flats.
The actress agrees that working in films made has an impact on her choices on what she wears. “Absolutely, my film roles have influenced my fashion choices. Each character I portray offers a new perspective on style, and I often incorporate elements from my roles into my personal wardrobe.” Being in the public eye has made Shraddha more conscious of her fashion statements, encouraging her to “select outfits that resonate with my audience and reflect my evolving image.”
Ever since her debut in 2010, Shraddha has worked in blockbusters such as “Baaghi,” “Aashiqui 2”, “Ek Villain”, “Haider,” “Chhichhore,” “Stree” franchise and “Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar” to name a few. The actress stressed that films have a significant impact on beauty and fashion trends.
“Audiences often look to cinema for inspiration, and the styles showcased on screen can influence mainstream fashion. For instance, a particular outfit or hairstyle from a movie might become a popular trend,” said the actress. She shared: “As actors, we have the opportunity to collaborate with designers and stylists to create looks that not only enhance our characters but also inspire viewers.”
She did not add much to her caption and added just a green leaf emoji.
The work life of Disha, She started her career by releasing as the heroine in the Telugu movie ‘Loafer’ in 2015. Later, she featured in the video song of Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar under the direction of Meet Bros. She highly sweeps off ‘M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story,’ an extreme hit movie that gave her utmost importance. Her talent and style still remain the favorites among the fans.
Throughout her career, Disha Patani has been among the most successful actors.
Bhumi Pednekar: Over the years our films have just set really unrealistic beauty standards
Bollywood actress Bhumi Pednekar feels that over the years, films have just set really unrealistic beauty standards and if used rightly movies can truly have a very positive impact.
Asked about film setting the benchmark for fashion and beauty standards, Bhumi, who turned muse for designer Richa Khemka’s collection at the Lakme Fashion Week, told IANS: “Films play a large part in setting any
kind of benchmark and it's just not limited to fashion and beauty. Cinema can impact a large number of people and if used rightly it can truly have a very positive impact. I think over the years our films have just set really unrealistic beauty standards.”
For the show, Bhumi turned into a black swan in a deep-neck backless dress with striking gold detailing as she sauntered the ramp for designer Richa Khemka. Bhumi finds fashion “liberating and empowering.”
“Fashion to me is a form of selfexpression, it is so liberating and empowering and I've truly found a space that I really really enjoy,” she said.
Ever since set her foot in Bollywood with “Dum Laga Ke Haisha” in 2015, the actress’ taste in fashion has evolved as it has become more fierce. She credits exposure for her evolution in style.
in
to pay their
Vientiane: Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a bilateral meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on the sidelines of the 21st ASEAN-India Summit in Vientiane on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Vientiane: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of the 21st ASEAN-India Summit in Vientiane on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Jaipur: Women perform Dhunuchi dance to the beats of drum rolls on the occasion of Maha Ashtami at Durgabadi in Jaipur on Thursday, October 10, 2024
Haryana MLAs List Presented to Governor
Dijon: Union Minister Chirag Paswan participates in the 45th World Congress of Vine and Wine in Dijon, France, on Sunday, October 13, 2024
People stand
queue
last respects to veteran industrialist and Tata Sons’ Emeritus Chairman, Ratan Tata, at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Vientiane: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the sidelines of the 21st ASEAN-India Summit in Vientiane on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Hyderabad: Indian players celebrate with the winner’s trophy after winning the third T20 cricket match against Bangladesh at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Saturday, October 12, 2024
People light candles to pay their last respects to veteran industrialist and Tata Sons’ Emeritus Chairman, Ratan Tata, at Roshanpura intersection in Bhopal on Thursday, October 10, 2024
Chennai: Fans of superstar Rajinikanth splash milk on a poster as they celebrate the release of the film ‘Vettaiyan’ at Rohini Theatre in Chennai on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Guwahati: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini being feciltated by party workers at Vajpaee Bhawan in Guwahati on Monday, October 14, 2024.
Bengaluru: President of Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, along with First Lady Sajidha Mohamed, arrives at the airport in Bengaluru on October 10, 2024.
Vientiane: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the 19th East Asia Summit in Vientiane, Laos, on Friday, October 11, 2024
KANGUVA
RELEASE DATE: 14 November 2024
LANGUAGE: Tamil, Telugu, Hindi (With English Subtitles)
PRODUCER: K.E. Gnanavelraja and Vamsi Pramod DIRECTOR: Siva CAST: Suriya, Disha Patani and Bobby Deol
Again: Rohit Shetty to capture Diwali essence by bringing Lord Ram and Sita home
The stage is set for the biggest Bollywood clash between ‘Singham Again’ and ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’. While the Kartik Aaryan-starrer ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’ has summoned the might of the OG Manjulika in the form of Vidya Balan, and the star powers of Kartik and Triptii Dimri, as of now ‘Singham Again’ seems to have a leading edge considering its huge starcast and director Rohit Shetty’s track record. The trailer of ‘Singham Again’, which was released on Monday, promises a potent dose of entertainment and mythology. It draws inferences from the Hindu epic of ‘Ramayana’, and features action star Tiger Shroff as Lakshman to Ajay Devgn's Lord Ram, Ranveer Singh as Lord Hanuman, and Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar as Jatayu as they ‘join forces’ (pun intended) to fight against the wrath of Danger Lanka, a modern-day adaptation of demon
king Ravana, played by Arjun Kapoor.
The film integrates Rohit Shetty’s fabled cop universe as Bajirao Singham, played by Ajay Devgn, sets out to bring back his wife, Avni Kamat (inspired by Sita) played by Kareena Kapoor Khan from the clutches of Arjun's character.
A Diwali release is not a new thing for Rohit, he has earlier delivered bangers like ‘All The Best’, ‘Golmaal Returns’, ‘Golmaal 3’, and even ‘Sooryavanshi’ from the cop-universe on Diwali. In fact, ‘Sooryavanshi’ was the first tentpole to be released in theatres after the cinemas were shut in 2021 to curb the spread of the deadly second wave of Covid-19. The film proved all the naysayers wrong who rang the death knell on the business of cinemas and said that henceforth only OTT will rule. So, it’s safe to say that Rohit understands the market trends and its undertones
around the festival of Diwali. However, the merit of ‘Singham Again’ is much deeper. The film harps heavily on the epic of Ramayana, and to have a Diwali release retelling the story that led to the celebration of Diwali on the occasion is as good as it could get. Rohit has smartly incorporated the elements in the film picking from the way south Indian directors make their stories culturally relevant and rooted, case in point, ‘Kantara’ and the global rage ‘RRR’.
It also marks the second big budget adaptation of Ramayana after the box-office debacle of Prabhas and Kriti Sanon-starrer ‘Adipurush’. To ensure good returns on a film, whose budget could as well power the municipal corporation of a small town, Rohit has placed the safest bet that will appeal to a large section of audience: The Ramayana. Another thing for the audience to look forward to is the screen sharing of the father-son duo of Jackie Shroff and Tiger.
‘Singham Again’ also serves as a litmus test and a precursor on the box-office for the upcoming Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavistarrer ‘Ramayana’ directed by the National Award-winning director Nitesh Tiwari, and Ravi Udyawar. The response to ‘Singham Again’ will dictate if the audience has a theatrical appetite for a retelling of the Indian epic especially when they were highly disappointed with ‘Adipurush’.
Jackie Shroff pays tribute to father-inlaw’s fearless spirit on Air Force Day
On the occasion of Air Force Day on Tuesday, Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff paid his tribute to his father-in-law and Air Vice Marshal Ranjan Dutt along with those who continue to protect the Indian skies.
Air Force Day is celebrated to recognise the country's air force and to honour those who serve the nation unconditionally.
Jackie on Tuesday took to Instagram, where he shared a video montage featuring a string of pictures of his father-in-law.
The post read: “As we celebrate the spirit of the Indian air
force, We honor the legacy of Air Vice Marshal Ranjan Dutt, a trailblazer in India’s skies. From the battlefields of World War II to the modern IAF, Air Vice Marshal Dutt’s contributions have shaped our nation’s air power.
“As one of the early Indian officers, he led with vision and courage, helping transform the IAF into a force to reckon with.
His efforts in modernising our fleet and strengthening our air defenses continues to inspire generations of air warriors.”
“Ranjan Dutt believed in the limitless potential of the IAF, and
Sonam, Rhea, Anand ring in ‘amazing’ Karan Boolani’s birthday in Maldives
Bollywood
actress and fashionista Sonam Kapoor along with her sister Rhea Kapoor and husband Anand Ahuja made her brother-in-law’s birthday extra special in Maldives.
The family is currently holidaying in Maldives and even shared some heartfelt moments featuring the birthday boy, who has made movies such as “Thank You For Coming”.
Sonam shared a string of pictures of Boolani with her son Vayu among many other moments.
For the caption, she wrote: “Happy birthday to the amazing @karanboolani ! Your positivity and passion inspire us all.
today, we soar higher because of his dedication. This Air Force Day, we pay tribute to the fearless spirit of Air Vice Marshal Ranjan Dutt and all those who continue to protect our skies.”
Ranjan Dutt, was a Bengali. He served as an Air Vice Marshal Ranjan Dutt, an Indian Air Force officer and Vir Chakra awardee. He was married to a Belgian named Claude Marie Dutt De Cavey. Their daughter is Ayesha Shroff.
“JAIHIND @ayeshashroff #indianairforce #indianairforceday #heroes #jaihind #india,” Jackie captioned the post.
Jackie and Ayesha got married in 1987 after dating for a long period of time. The two welcomed their first born Tiger Shroff, actor, in 1990 and then daughter Krishna, a social media personality, in 1993. On the work front, Jackie will soon be seen in shades of gray in Rohit Shetty’s “Singham Again” starring Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Tiger Shroff, Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor.
Grateful to have you as part of our family. Here’s to another year of adventures, laughter, and unforgettable moments! Love you loads! #BirthdayBoy #FamilyLove.”
Rhea shared a special note for her husband and even posted a string of clips of them watching a movie together at the beach.
“Moonstruck by you every evening @karanboolani Happy birthday I Love You… Slide 1 my favourite guy watching our favourite movie Slide 2 his favourite scene. Slide 3 His wedding ring Thank you for an unforgettable evening @ ooreethirah #moonstruck,” Rhea said.
Jennifer Lopez opens up about her life after split from Ben Affleck
Actress-singer Jennifer Lopez is enjoying her “me time” after her much-publicised split from Hollywood star Ben Affleck. She opened up about her personal journey in a new conversation
with Interview magazine on Wednesday (Pacific Standard Time).
She spoke with comedian Nikki Glaser about a range of meaningful topics, including her upcoming film ‘Unstoppable’ and what she has learned while navigating a difficult but ultimately illuminating year, reports People magazine.
"It’s a lifelong process," said Lopez, 55, of her ongoing pursuit of self-understanding and discovery through life's ups and downs during the interview, which was conducted on September 10.
She continued: "I think that's what I love about life: that there's no arrival point. There's only getting better and growing if you want to. It's either growing or dying, and I don't want to do the dying part. And yeah, there are times when I thought I figured it out, and then life goes, 'Let’s send you another thing and see if you fall for it. Let's see if you really have learned that lesson.' And I hadn't.”
Raaj Kumar: Bollywood’s moody master of the drawn-out, deadly dialogue
Urdu poet Jigar Moradabadi could have never conceived that the opening couplet of his ghazal placing man at the centre of the cosmos would achieve such fame -- but as an iconic Bollywood dialogue performed by a rather unlikely hero whose spare frame, unconventional looks, and signature diction were, however, offset by an evident aura of over-the-top superiority.
"Hamko mita sake ye zamaane mein dam nahi/Hamse zamana khud hai zamaane se ham nahi," declaimed Raaj Kumar, playing an idealistic professor in the academic crime thriller 'Bulundi' (1981), making the sher his own. It would be added to the list of his trademark, crowd-pleasing, one-liners he regularly delivered over his nearly half-a-century film stint.
In an industry known for idiosyncracies, Raaj Kumar, born Kulbhushan Pandit to a Kashmiri Pandit family on this day (October 8) in Balochistan in 1926 and a Sub-Inspector of police in Bombay's Colaba or Mahim before joining films, was in a league of his own.
Added to his grating and drawnout but by no means unpleasant style of speaking, prefixed with 'Jaani', was a penchant for his flamboyant outfit, especially white shoes, the way the camera introduced him on screen, and clear choices with whom he would work -- or not. There was a story that he was offered the role Amitabh Bachchan would go on
to make famous in 'Zanjeer', but turned it down because he could not abide the smell of the oil that the director (Prakash Mehra) used in his hair, or alternatively, he did not like his face!
However, ace filmmaker B. R. Chopra, who brought Raaj Kumar to prominence with his lostand-found epic 'Waqt' (1965) and 'Hamraaz' (1967), termed him an "an absolute delight to work with."
"He was totally a director’s actor who put in that extra little something which only belongs to the greats. The only little difficulty that takes place is right at the beginning. He needed exactly 48 hours to discuss the script with the writers. If he was satisfied with the role, he would sign on immediately. He always needed to be approached properly. He always arrived well prepared and was most punctual. When I heard about his problems with other directors, I used to chuckle to myself. They must have allowed themselves to be taken for granted," he wrote in a piece for a film magazine after the actor's demise in 1996.
And that was borne out by his performances over the years, whether he played a hapless peasant or a debauched nawab or zamindar with skeletons in his closet, a dedicated police officer or a canny gangster, a committed doctor or a resigned patient.
During his stint as a Bombay cop in the 1940s, Raaj Kumar was reportedly urged by his friends
to take the plunge into films and he finally agreed. However, sometime in the late 1940s, he is said to have point-blank refused an offer made by the legendary Sohrab Modi, who spotted him among the audience at a cinema, was impressed, and approached him. Raaj Kumar debuted with 'Rangeeli' (1952) but that and his next three bombed badly. He finally came to prominence as the hapless handicapped husband of Nargis in Mehboob Khan's 'Mother India' (1957), the rebellious elder son of the unswervingly righteous Sultan of Iran in Sohrab Modi's 'Naushervan-eAdil' (1957) -- which showed that the filmmaker had forgiven him his earlier refusal, and then, the elder brother of Dilip Kumar in 'Paigham' (1959). Raaj Kumar went on to solidify his prowess with tear-jerker 'Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai' (1960) -- the first of a quartet of hit films with the talented Meena Kumari till 'Pakeezah' (1972) where his observation on the heroine's feet became legendary too, romantic drama 'Dil Ek Mandir' (1963) -which fetched him a Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor, and 'Godaan' (1963), based on Munshi Premchand's story. However, it was 'Waqt' that propelled him to fame with dialogues like "Chinoy seth, jinke apne ghar sheeshe ke hote hain, woh doosron pe patthar nahin phenka karte" and "Ye bachchon ki khelne ki cheez nahin, haath kat jaaye to khoon nikalne lagta hai" and earned him his second Filmfare -- in the same category as the first. 'Mere Huzoor' and 'Neel Kamal' (both 1968), 'Heer Raanjha' (1970), where he shone as the entire dialogue was in verse, the dark 'Lal Patthar' (1971), war drama 'Hindustan Ki Kasam' (1973), where he vows revenge on the enemy in the opening scenes, and reincarnation drama 'Kudrat' (1982) were other highlights of his career.
‘Bigg Boss 18’: Chum Darang says film writers need to write more for people from North-East
contestant
who was seen in
Do” in 2022 and
“Gangubai
has spoken about how writers need to put in more work and write more for people from North-East.
Talking about talents getting offered more roles from the North East in Bollywood, Chum told IANS: “I mean, the writers, they'll have to put in more work, switch some characters and then write more for North-East people. I think things are changing anyway.”
What made her take up the controversial reality show hosted by Salman Khan?
She said: “‘Big Boss’ is a show which people watch. It's a massive, massive show.”
The actress shared that it would be a great way to make people understand about her and her home state Arunachal Pradesh.
She added: “I thought, if they'll watch me in the show, they'll be
curious to know more about me and my motive was for people to understand that there is a very beautiful place called Arunachal Pradesh in the east, where the sun rises first in India. I wanted them to know that. So that was my motive. For people to know more about me and my home state.”
Winner of several beauty pageants, Chum described herself as “fun and a little shorttempered”.
“Well, for that you'll have to watch me, my journey inside the house. And me as a person, I think I'm outgoing, I'm fun. A little shorttempered at times, but I think I'm fun,” she said.
One of the biggest things she was looking forward to was meeting Salman and said that she was excited as she has always seen him on screen.
Talking about finding love in the show, Chum denied. She instead is looking forward to just having fun, playing the game right and making new friends.
Al Pacino splits from his girlfriend Noor Alfallah, a year after welcoming son
Hollywood legend Al Pacino, who is known for ‘Scarface’, ‘The Godfather’, ‘House of Gucci’ and others, has ended his relationship with film producer Noor Alfallah.
The couple, who had a significant age gap, seemed to grow closer during the pandemic, even welcoming their son Roman into the world in June 2023, reports ‘Mirror UK’.
The actor was recently quizzed about his current romantic status, and he made it clear he was flying solo, stating, "No. I have friendship", when asked if he was in a relationship.
A spokesperson for the actor further explained to the publication that the pair have transitioned from partners to friends and are jointly dedicated
to raising their child, "Al and Noor are very good friends, have been for years, and are co-parents to their son Roman”.
Al Pacino, whose romantic history includes high-profile relationships with stars like Diane Keaton, Beverly D'Angelo, and Kathleen Quinlan, is also a father to three other children. Alongside his newborn Roman, he has a 34-year-old daughter Julie with acting coach Jan Tarrant and 23-year-old twins Anton and Olivia with actress Beverly D'Angelo.
As per ‘Mirror UK’, in his forthcoming memoir 'Sonny Boy', the actor refers to marriage as "an entrance to the pain train", sharing his personal take on commitment with ‘People’ magazine, "Everything's a ticket to
the pain train. A ticket or nothing. 'Are you going to go or not?’. 'No, I'll stay here. I'll stay here at the station, I'm not getting on'”. He also elaborated on his perspective of relationships, suggesting that while marriage might work for some, it never felt right for him, as he said, "(Marriage) can suit you, by all means. (But) I just didn't feel it ever suited me for some reason. I loved living together (with women), and then it depends on who you are getting along with”. “If you live together with someone, there's got to be… you have to have this communion. If you don't, it's almost an invasion”, he added.
