Lucknow: A large poster depicting Samajwadi Party national president and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav as Lord Krishna was put up on a main road in Raebareli hours before his arrival in the district on Thursday aboard the ‘PDA Rath’.

The poster was installed by Samajwadi Party Yuvjan Sabha state secretary and advocate Vishwas Dubey. It portrays Akhilesh Yadav as Lord Krishna, wearing a peacock-feather crown and yellow traditional attire, with a flute in his hand. Dubey himself is depicted as Sudama.

The poster describes Akhilesh Yadav as the ‘PDA Mahanayak’ and carries the message, “Mere Madhav, aapka Sudama ki dharti Raebareli mein swagat hai!” meaning, “My Madhav, your Sudama welcomes you to the land of Sudama, Raebareli.”

Harachandpur Samajwadi Party MLA Rahul Lodhi reacted to the poster before Akhilesh Yadav reached Raebareli. Defending the depiction, Lodhi also targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He said the BJP’s thinking was bad and alleged that the party kept trying to impose its policies on society but would not succeed.

Lodhi said BJP leaders were adept at provoking people and dividing society along caste lines. He alleged that keeping people fighting among themselves served their political interests.

On the depiction of Akhilesh Yadav as Krishna and the party worker as Sudama, Lodhi said that in the Dwapar Yuga, Sudama was a companion of Lord Krishna and lived with him. He said this tradition had continued since that period and that he had no objection to such a poster.

Akhilesh Yadav’s visit to Rahul Lodhi’s residence for tea came at a time when the SP chief had reached Raebareli from Lucknow. After the tea meeting, he was scheduled to travel through the district in the ‘PDA Rath’ and interact with party workers and supporters.

According to the available programme, the ‘PDA Rath’ moved from the Bachhrawan area towards Raebareli city, with the programme scheduled at the GIC ground. The visit is part of the Samajwadi Party’s effort to intensify its political activities in Raebareli.

Akhilesh Yadav’s visit to Lodhi’s residence also follows a recent controversy in Raebareli involving workers of the Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). Rahul Lodhi had alleged that local police personnel assaulted him during the clash. However, the district police administration denied the allegation.

Following the controversy, the Samajwadi Party had questioned the action taken by the police and administration.

Akhilesh Yadav’s ‘PDA Rath’ campaign is being linked to the Samajwadi Party’s preparations for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. The party’s PDA formula focuses on bringing together backward, Dalit and minority communities. Through the campaign, the SP is seeking to strengthen contact with its organisation and workers in central Uttar Pradesh.

The choice of Raebareli has also drawn attention because it is an important political area of the Congress and its current Lok Sabha MP is Rahul Gandhi.

The Samajwadi Party has specially prepared the ‘PDA Rath’ for the campaign. Reports say the vehicle carries images of Dr BR Ambedkar, Ram Manohar Lohia, Janeshwar Mishra, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Beni Prasad Verma, along with messages related to social justice.

The latest poster in Raebareli comes shortly after another poster outside the Samajwadi Party office in Lucknow drew attention. That poster depicted Akhilesh Yadav receiving the blessings of Lord Hanuman for 2027.

The sequence of posters and the ‘PDA Rath’ programme have brought renewed attention to the SP’s political outreach in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, while the Raebareli visit has also brought the party’s local organisational activities and recent dispute with the police back into focus.

New Delhi: A potentially severe air pollution challenge is emerging ahead of Diwali 2026, with a Super El Niño developing over the Pacific Ocean expected to have its strongest impact from November 2026 through January 2027, according to a World Meteorological Organization (WMO) report cited in the source material.

The period coincides with the annual stubble-burning season in northern India and the Diwali period, raising concerns that pollution from farm fires could have a greater impact on Delhi's PM2.5 levels this year. Stubble burning generally takes place between September 15 and November 30.

Farm fires are currently relatively limited, but their daily numbers are expected to rise through October and peak during the first 10 days of November. This timing could overlap with Diwali, when pollution levels in Delhi are already a major concern.

According to a Times of India report, experts believe stubble burning could contribute more significantly to Delhi's PM2.5 levels this year. In 2025, the contribution of farm fires to Delhi's PM2.5 levels remained relatively low. The impact of stubble burning on Delhi's air quality exceeded 10% on only eight days and crossed 20% on just one day, while on most days it remained below 5%.

In comparison, data from the Decision Support System showed that in 2024, the impact of stubble burning exceeded 20% on 14 days. The possibility of a Super El Niño this year could further intensify the pollution burden during the period when farm fires are expected to increase.

The El Niño phenomenon originating in the Pacific Ocean is affecting several parts of the world, including India. It has been associated with drought in some regions, floods in others and unusually high temperatures elsewhere. The weather shift has also affected the Indian subcontinent, with a reduction in monsoon rainfall being observed.

Anumita Roy Chowdhury, Executive Director of Research and Advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), said, “The trend of stubble burning will depend on how strictly the rules are enforced and, more importantly, on the ground preparedness for managing crop residue through in-situ methods and removing crop waste for industrial use through ex-situ methods.”

Roy Chowdhury further said that although crop-burning incidents have declined overall, solutions need to be implemented at scale and effectively to bring the problem close to an end.

She also said that an unusually strong El Niño, combined with global warming, could turn a seasonal phenomenon into a major challenge involving public health, energy and disaster management.

The Climate Impact Lab estimates that India could record around 15,800 additional heat-related deaths between September 2026 and February 2027 compared with a normal year.

With the peak stubble-burning period expected to coincide with the months in which the Super El Niño is projected to have its strongest impact, the effectiveness of farm-residue management and enforcement measures will be crucial to determining the extent of the pollution challenge around Diwali 2026.

Bajaj Finance Personal Loan offers eligible customers loan amounts ranging from Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 55 lakh, with repayment tenures of 12 to 108 months and interest rates ranging from 10% to 30.5% per annum. Customers can use the Bajaj Finance Personal Loan EMI Calculator to assess how the selected loan amount, interest rate and tenure could affect their monthly repayment.

The calculator allows borrowers to compare different repayment scenarios before applying. A longer tenure may reduce the monthly EMI but can increase the total interest payable, while a shorter tenure may increase the monthly EMI but potentially reduce the overall interest cost.

The Bajaj Finance Personal Loan provides access to loan amounts between Rs. 40,000 and Rs. 55 lakh, allowing customers to align the borrowing amount with their actual funding requirement instead of borrowing more than necessary.

The repayment tenure ranges from 12 months to 108 months, giving customers the option to select a repayment period that suits their monthly budget and repayment capacity. The applicable interest rate affects both the EMI and total interest payable. A higher rate can increase the monthly repayment and overall borrowing cost, while a lower rate can reduce the repayment burden, subject to the applicable loan offer.

Customers should assess the loan amount, interest rate and tenure together before deciding on a repayment structure.

The Bajaj Finance Personal Loan interest rate ranges from 10% to 30.5% per annum. Borrowers can enter the applicable rate in the EMI calculator to estimate repayment for a proposed loan amount and tenure. A higher interest rate can increase both the monthly EMI and total interest cost. The final interest rate offered to an applicant remains subject to the lender's assessment, eligibility and applicable terms.

The loan amount also has a direct bearing on monthly repayment. A higher loan amount generally results in a higher EMI when the interest rate and tenure remain unchanged. Borrowers can use the personal loan EMI calculator to compare different loan amounts before deciding how much to borrow. Borrowing only the amount required can help borrowers assess the repayment commitment against their income and existing financial obligations.

Tenure also changes the relationship between EMI and total interest. A longer tenure spreads repayment across more months, which can reduce the monthly EMI, but interest may be payable over a longer period. A shorter tenure can result in a higher monthly EMI while potentially reducing the total period over which interest is charged. Borrowers should therefore compare the monthly EMI with the total repayment amount when selecting a tenure.

The personal loan EMI calculator provides an estimated monthly instalment based on the loan amount, interest rate and repayment tenure entered by the borrower. Customers can adjust these inputs to compare different repayment options, including the impact of changing the tenure on the monthly EMI for the same loan amount. The comparison can help borrowers assess whether the estimated repayment fits within their monthly budget. The calculator result is an estimate and should not be treated as the final repayment obligation.

Bajaj Finance has stated eligibility criteria that include Indian nationality, an age of 21 to 80 years* and employment with a public-sector organisation, private-sector organisation or multinational company. Applicants can be salaried or self-employed. A CIBIL Score of 650 or higher is also among the stated criteria, while the applicant must be 80 years or younger at the end of the loan tenure.

Meeting the stated criteria does not guarantee approval. Borrowers can use the personal loan eligibility calculator to estimate the loan amount they may be eligible for based on the information provided. The final loan offer remains subject to eligibility assessment, document verification and applicable terms.

Bajaj Finance offers three personal loan variants: Term Loan, Flexi Dropline Loan and Flexi Hybrid Loan. Each variant has a different repayment structure and Flexi facility.

Under the Term Loan, the full sanctioned loan amount is disbursed at once and repaid through fixed EMIs covering principal and interest. No Flexi facility charges apply.

Under the Flexi Dropline Loan, customers can withdraw from the sanctioned loan limit as required. Fixed EMIs cover the principal and interest on the withdrawn amount, subject to applicable terms and charges.

Under the Flexi Hybrid Loan, the initial tenure has interest-only EMIs on the withdrawn amount. The subsequent tenure has EMIs covering both principal and interest, subject to applicable terms and charges.

The choice of loan variant depends on the required borrowing pattern, repayment structure and applicable charges.

Borrowers can start the personal loan application process online through the Bajaj Finance website. Customers can visit the personal loan page, enter the loan amount needed, select the repayment period and click on "CHECK LOAN OFFER" to check loan eligibility.

Applicants then need to provide personal, financial and employment details to receive a personalised loan offer. They can review the offer details and adjust the loan amount or repayment tenure, if required. The applicant can then complete KYC verification of identity and bank details to proceed with the application. Once the loan application is submitted, an executive will contact the applicant with the next steps.

The application remains subject to eligibility and successful verification. The stated disbursal timeline is within 24 hours*, subject to successful document verification and applicable terms. The 24-hour* timeline should not be treated as a guaranteed disbursal period, as the actual timing depends on completion of the required verification and other applicable conditions.

The Bajaj Finance Personal Loan combines loan amounts from Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 55 lakh with repayment tenures of 12 to 108 months and interest rates ranging from 10% to 30.5% per annum. Customers can use the personal loan EMI calculator to compare repayment scenarios before applying and assess how the selected loan amount, interest rate and tenure may affect monthly repayments.

The final loan amount, applicable interest rate and repayment terms remain subject to eligibility assessment, verification and applicable terms.

*Terms and conditions apply.

*Disbursal within 24 hours is subject to successful document verification and applicable terms.

Bajaj Finance Ltd. (BFL), a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv Ltd., is a deposit-taking Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC-D) registered with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and is classified as an NBFC-Investment and Credit Company (NBFC-ICC). BFL serves over 124.43 million customers through a diversified portfolio comprising consumer loans, SME finance, commercial lending, rural lending, fixed deposits and payments, offered through Web, App and at 4,000+ locations.

As a FinAI company, BFL is focused on continuous innovation through smart use of technology, data and analytics to drive seamless, simplified and personalized experiences for its customers. BFL has the highest domestic credit rating of AAA/Stable for long-term borrowing, A1+ for short-term borrowing, and CRISIL AAA/Stable & [ICRA]AAA(Stable) for its FD program. It has a long-term issuer credit rating of BBB/Stable and a short-term rating of A-2 by S&P Global ratings. It has been assigned a ‘Baa3 Corporate Family Rating’ with Stable outlook from Moody’s Rating.

FuelBuddy, a global leader in technology-led doorstep fuel delivery and fuel management with operations spanning India, the UAE and Africa, has appointed Vinamra Shastri as a Non-Executive Director on its Board. The appointment comes as the company advances its next phase of growth across markets, with a continued focus on corporate governance, strategic oversight and board processes.

Shastri brings over 25 years of experience at global professional services firms, having held several leadership roles across global and Indian settings. He is currently a Market Leader at Grant Thornton India and also advises and serves on the boards of several reputed companies across diverse sectors, including hospitality, leasing, real estate, healthcare, e-commerce, manufacturing, fintech, media and sports.

He also mentors start-ups and growth-stage companies globally and manages a Category II SEBI-registered fund. Shastri is an active member of the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) and the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO). He also serves as President of the Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial Foundation, carrying forward the Shastri family's legacy of public service.

Speaking on the appointment, Adnan Kidwai, Co-Founder of FuelBuddy, said, “We are delighted to welcome Mr. Vinamra to the FuelBuddy Board. As we scale our technology-led fuel management platform across India, the UAE and Africa, his two decades of experience in corporate governance, strategy and board advisory will be invaluable in sharpening our oversight and guiding our next phase of growth. His track record of building consulting practices from the ground up and advising companies across diverse sectors makes him an ideal addition to our Board at this stage of our journey.”

Commenting on his appointment, Vinamra Shastri said, “FuelBuddy is solving a problem that has sat untouched at the heart of the fuel supply chain for decades: pilferage, spillage, and the absence of real visibility; and doing it with the kind of technology-led rigour that changes an industry, not just a company. That's what drew me to this board. Over the past two decades, I've had a ringside view of what separates companies that scale sustainably from those that don't: it comes down to governance discipline and strategic clarity long before the growth curve demands it. I look forward to bringing that lens to FuelBuddy's board as it expands across India, the UAE and Africa, and to working with the Board and the leadership team as they build what I believe will be a category-defining company.”

Founded in 2017 by serial entrepreneur S.K. Narvar and backed by prominent investors including Ravi Jaipuria of RJ Corp, Naveen Jindal of Jindal Steel Ltd, and Nilesh Ved of Apparel Group, FuelBuddy is a global leader in doorstep fuel delivery, dedicated to delivering the right quality and quantity of fuel at the touch of a button.

The company has built an end-to-end, technology-led fuel management platform powered by industry-first IoT- and cloud-enabled products that give customers full visibility and control over their fuelling needs. What began as a mobile fuel-delivery service has grown into a full-scale energy distribution business, addressing long-standing industry challenges such as pilferage, theft, spillage and inconsistent monitoring of fuel consumption.

In 2021, FuelBuddy strengthened its presence in South India with the acquisition of Bangalore-based on-demand fuel delivery start-up MyPetrolPump.

Today, FuelBuddy serves over 100,000 customers across India, the UAE, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Nigeria. The company has delivered more than 1 billion litres of fuel to marquee clients including Varun Beverages (PepsiCo), JSPL, Coca-Cola, Amazon, DLF, Infosys, Apparel Group, Lal's Group, Landmark Group, ArcelorMittal, Emirates Transport, Shobha Realty, Avis, Vulcan Minerals, Wonderfuel Group and Hitachi.

The appointment of Vinamra Shastri adds his extensive experience in corporate governance, strategy and board advisory to FuelBuddy's leadership structure as the company continues its technology-led expansion across India, the UAE and Africa.

Starting something new often brings excitement, whether it involves moving into a new home, starting a business, getting married, beginning a new venture or taking an important step in life. In India, many families traditionally look beyond practical considerations when planning such milestones and also consult astrology to identify a favourable time for the occasion.

For people who follow Vedic astrology, this is where Shubh Muhurat becomes relevant. A Muhurat refers to an auspicious period selected for beginning an important activity, based on factors such as Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karana and planetary positions. Rather than selecting a date simply because it is convenient, the practice aims to begin an important activity during a period considered favourable according to the Hindu calendar and astrological principles.

With more people turning to digital platforms for astrology guidance, accessing an astrologer to understand the right Muhurat has also become more convenient.

Why Muhurat Matters for New Beginnings

In Vedic astrology, timing is considered an important part of planning significant events. A suitable Muhurat is traditionally selected after considering the nature of the activity as well as the Panchang and relevant planetary influences.

The considerations for a housewarming ceremony may differ from those used for a wedding, business inauguration, vehicle purchase or starting a new professional venture. Simply searching for a common auspicious date may therefore not always provide the complete picture.

Astrologers can consider the purpose of the event along with other relevant factors before suggesting a suitable time.

For families planning important milestones in the remaining months of the year, understanding the Shubh Muhurat 2026 calendar can therefore be an important first step.

Not Every Auspicious Date Is the Same for Everyone

One common misconception around Muhurat is that an auspicious date automatically works equally well for every individual. In traditional Vedic astrology, however, personal birth details can also play a role in selecting a suitable time.

An astrologer may look at an individual's Kundli, planetary placements and relevant Dashas while providing guidance. The nature of the event can also influence which factors receive greater importance.

This personalised approach is particularly relevant when the occasion has long-term significance. Instead of relying only on a general calendar, individuals can seek guidance based on their own circumstances and the purpose behind their new beginning.

Digital Astrology Makes Expert Guidance More Accessible

The way people consult astrologers has changed considerably with the growth of digital platforms. Individuals no longer necessarily need to visit an astrologer's office to discuss their Kundli or ask questions about an upcoming event.

A Jyotish app can provide access to astrology services from a smartphone, making it easier for users to connect with astrologers, share their birth details and seek guidance when planning important occasions.

Neo Astro is among the digital astrology platforms bringing this experience online. The platform connects users with experienced astrologers who can provide guidance across areas including Kundli, marriage, career, relationships, Muhurat and other aspects of Vedic astrology.

Neo Astro Helps Users Plan Important Milestones

For someone planning a new beginning, choosing an auspicious date can involve more than looking at a list of dates online. Questions around the most suitable day, time and astrological considerations can vary depending on the activity and the individual's birth details.

Through Neo Astro, users can connect with astrologers and discuss their specific requirements. This allows them to seek personalised guidance rather than relying solely on generalised astrology content.

Whether someone is planning a Griha Pravesh, starting a new business, purchasing a vehicle, planning a wedding or beginning another important chapter, consulting an astrologer can help them understand the traditional astrological considerations associated with the occasion.

Planning Ahead for Shubh Muhurat 2026

As the year progresses, many people will be preparing for important personal and professional milestones. Festive periods and specific Panchang dates often see increased interest in auspicious timings, making it useful to plan in advance.

However, Muhurat selection is not simply about finding the first date marked as auspicious on a calendar. Location, Panchang calculations, the type of ceremony and individual birth details can all influence the final recommendation.

For this reason, people searching online for Shubh Muhurat 2026 can use general calendars as a starting point while consulting an astrologer when they need guidance specific to their circumstances.

A New Beginning Starts With the Right Intention

Choosing an auspicious Muhurat is ultimately rooted in the traditional belief that the timing of a beginning can hold significance for the journey that follows. For many Indian families, following these traditions is less about predicting the future and more about starting an important occasion with preparation, positivity and a sense of purpose.

As astrology becomes increasingly accessible through digital platforms, consulting an astrologer for such decisions is also becoming more convenient. Neo Astro's digital platform offers users an opportunity to connect with astrologers and seek personalised guidance for important milestones.

For those preparing to begin a new chapter in 2026, understanding the relevant Muhurat and discussing the occasion with an experienced astrologer can help bring greater clarity to the planning process.

As luxury residential and hospitality development continues across the Middle East, architects, interior designers and homeowners are increasingly looking beyond conventional furniture catalogues for pieces created specifically for their spaces.

Indian design-led furniture and manufacturing company Knock on Wood is building its presence in the region after successfully executing bespoke furniture projects across some of Dubai's premium residential destinations, including Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Islands, The Meadows and Culture Village.

The company's portfolio includes handcrafted luxury furniture such as four-poster beds with intricate fretwork in teak wood, bespoke sculptural wooden bathtubs with fine inlay work, artisanal double bath vanities featuring inlay and brass accents, and statement cabinets from its Royal Collection.

Knock on Wood is now looking to work with architects, interior designers, developers, hospitality companies, furniture retailers and private clients across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Egypt.

The company's strength lies particularly in translating ambitious design ideas into finished furniture. From complex curves and unusual proportions to combinations of solid wood, metal, stone, veneers and specialised finishes, Knock on Wood works on pieces that often require considerable development, engineering and prototyping before reaching production.

This allows architects and interior designers to approach Knock on Wood not simply with a product requirement, but with a design intent, reference, drawing or concept that needs to be developed into a manufacturable piece.

"Some of our most interesting projects begin with a designer or client asking us whether something difficult can actually be made," said Aarti Aggarwal, Principal Designer, Knock on Wood. "Our role is to retain the design intent while finding the right combination of engineering, materials, craftsmanship and finishing to bring it to life."

European, and particularly Italian, furniture has long influenced the premium interiors market in the Middle East. Knock on Wood has found an interesting space between high-end design expectations and the flexibility required for genuinely customised projects.

Clients have frequently compared the detailing and finish of Knock on Wood pieces with premium Italian furniture. At the same time, its India-based design and manufacturing capabilities allow the company to develop customised pieces at comparatively competitive costs.

The proposition is not about reproducing mass-market furniture at a lower price. It is about giving designers and clients greater freedom to customise dimensions, materials, finishes and detailing around an individual project.

Knock on Wood has already executed customised furniture for residences across Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Islands, The Meadows and Culture Village. These projects have involved furniture designed around individual residences rather than standard products being adapted to fit them.

Its portfolio includes statement and occasional furniture, dining tables and chairs, sofas and lounge furniture, beds and bedroom furniture, consoles and sideboards, custom cabinetry and storage, wood, metal and stone combinations, and bespoke pieces developed from architects' and designers' concepts.

The company's versatile bespoke furniture offering extends from private villas to hotels and hospitality projects. Knock on Wood has experience developing furniture for premium hospitality, commercial and institutional environments, including guest-room furniture, restaurant and dining furniture, lounge and public-area furniture, vanities, tables, consoles and customised pieces.

For hotels, developers and project designers, the company can work from design development and prototyping through manufacturing and supply, allowing multiple furniture requirements to be coordinated through one manufacturing partner.

The company has also supplied furniture to retailers in the UAE, providing experience in understanding the quality, packaging and supply requirements associated with the Middle East market.

Behind Knock on Wood is an integrated approach combining design, product development, engineering and manufacturing. For architects and designers, this can be particularly useful when a project calls for something beyond standard catalogue furniture.

Whether the starting point is a drawing, reference image, mood board or an entirely new concept, the Knock on Wood team can evaluate the requirement, recommend materials and construction methods, develop prototypes where necessary and manufacture the finished furniture.

The company is currently exploring residential, hospitality, retail and commercial projects across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Egypt.

Architects, interior designers, developers, hospitality companies, furniture retailers and homeowners looking for a manufacturing partner for an upcoming Middle East project can share their requirement, drawings or references with the Knock on Wood team.

For project discussions and enquiries, Mansi, Knock on Wood, can be contacted at mansi@m.knockonwoodexports.com or by Call/Whatsapp at +91-9041122188.

About Knock on Wood

Knock on Wood is an Indian design-led furniture company specialising in premium bespoke furniture and customised interior solutions. Combining design, craftsmanship, engineering and manufacturing capabilities, the company works across residential, hospitality, commercial and retail projects in India and international markets.

Its furniture is developed across solid wood and combinations of wood, metal, stone, veneers and other materials, with particular expertise in technically demanding customised products.

For more information, please visit www.knockonwood.in.

Anant National University has appointed renowned architect, interior designer, design educator and institutional leader Jabeen Zacharias as a Professor of Practice, bringing more than four decades of professional experience in design practice, education, advocacy and institutional leadership to the university.

As Chief Architect of Jabeen Zacharias Architects, Zacharias has led more than 300 successful projects across hospitality, institutional, corporate, museum, cultural and residential sectors. She has also made extensive contributions to design education in India through teaching, advocacy and leadership roles at academic and professional institutions, including the College of Engineering Trivandrum, the IIID Education Council and the Institute of Indian Interior Designers (IIID).

Zacharias has been associated with the Asia Pacific Space Designers Association (APSDA), the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI) and the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA), where she became the first woman to chair the Kerala Chapter. She currently serves as Director, Vision & Strategy at the Global Village Foundation, extending her engagement across education, human settlements, ecology, culture and civic initiatives.

At Anant National University, Zacharias will bring her professional experience and industry perspective into the academic environment, strengthening the connection between design education and professional practice. Her engagement will cover experiential and interdisciplinary learning, design advocacy, mentorship and professional networks, providing opportunities for students to learn from real-world practice and engage with the wider social, cultural and environmental contexts of design.

Her appointment strengthens Anant’s commitment to creating a wholesome learning ecosystem in which students engage with leading practitioners who have shaped the profession through sustained work, leadership and impact.

As design education continues to evolve beyond technical training towards contextual, ethical and purpose-driven problem-solving, Zacharias’ multidimensional engagements will contribute to preparing students to respond thoughtfully to the complex realities of the contemporary world.

Anant National University is India’s premier design university, preparing students to face the complex challenges of both the contemporary and emergent worlds. Guided by its brand philosophy, “Come, Create the New”, Anant encourages learners to move beyond conventional ways of thinking and imagining, designing and pursuing more inclusive, sustainable and future-ready possibilities.

The university offers multidisciplinary undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes across design, architecture, climate action and visual arts. Its inventive academic approach combines rigorous learning, studio-based practice, emerging technologies, sustainability, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, research, entrepreneurship and hands-on community experiences.

Anant has been recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the Government of Gujarat. It has also received a ‘5-Star Rating’ in Architecture and a ‘4-Star Rating’ in the University category under the Gujarat State Institutional Rating Framework (GSIRF) 2023–24. These recognitions reflect Anant’s continuing commitment to building a world-class institution rooted in creativity, contextual understanding, innovation and purpose.

At Anant National University, education begins with the belief that the future will not be inherited but purposefully designed. Guided by the philosophy “Come, Create the New”, the university brings together learners who are curious about the world as it is and ambitious about what it could become.

The university encourages students to look beyond conventional answers and engage with complex challenges ranging from climate and sustainability to cities, communities, systems and technologies. Its undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes span design, architecture, climate action and visual arts, combining academic rigour with studio-based learning, emerging technologies, research, entrepreneurship, Indigenous Knowledge Systems and hands-on engagement with communities.

The university’s approach focuses not only on practical skills but also on preparing diligent professionals who can connect disciplines, understand context and create meaningful change. Recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the Government of Gujarat, Anant received a 5-Star Rating in Architecture and a 4-Star Rating in the University category under the Gujarat State Institutional Rating Framework (GSIRF) 2023-24.

These recognitions reflect the university’s continuing commitment to building an innovating institution where creativity, sustainability, innovation and purpose come together to help shape a more thoughtful and resilient future.

Festive lighting is taking on a larger role in home décor, with consumers increasingly looking beyond basic illumination for designs that add colour, warmth and character to celebrations. Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Limited has introduced its new Galaxy Festive Lights Range, offering decorative lighting solutions for different festive settings and occasions.

The company said consumers now view festive lighting as an essential part of celebrations and home décor, seeking products that are aesthetically appealing, energy-efficient, easy to install and capable of enhancing the festive atmosphere. As festive décor increasingly reflects personal style and is used to make homes stand out and create memorable experiences, Crompton’s Galaxy Festive Lights Range brings together a selection of lighting solutions featuring decorative designs, vibrant illumination, reliable performance and ease of use.

The Galaxy Festive Lights Range includes Leaf, Snowball, Diamond, Pixel and Sparkle, each designed for different festive settings and lighting requirements.

The Galaxy Leaf features a leaf-inspired form intended to add a natural decorative element to festive décor. Its warm 3000K illumination is designed to complement traditional elements such as torans, flowers and diyas. The product is suited to entrances, windows and indoor corners and comes with 180 LEDs, 5W power, a 4-metre length and 8 lighting modes.

The Galaxy Snowball features a spherical design with RGB illumination, bringing a colourful decorative element to festive spaces. Its 10-metre length makes it suitable for balconies, railings, windows and other larger areas. It comes with 50 LEDs and multiple lighting modes, allowing different lighting effects to be created.

The Galaxy Diamond has a distinctive diamond-inspired design aimed at adding a contemporary decorative element to festive settings. Its RGB illumination and 10-metre length make it suitable for borders and displays across balconies, entrances and other prominent areas. The product features 50 LEDs and multiple lighting modes.

The Galaxy Pixel is designed for use across windows, shelves, balconies, furniture and other areas of the home. It is available in 10-metre and 15-metre variants with 48 LEDs and 72 LEDs respectively. Colour options include Warm White, Blue, Green, Red, Pink and Colour, allowing consumers to coordinate lighting with different festive décor themes.

The Galaxy Sparkle uses a flexible copper wire that can be shaped around decorative elements to create illuminated accents. The 10-metre product features 300 LEDs per metre and 8 function modes and is designed for highlighting décor details, plants and corners. It is available in Warm White and Multicolour options.

Across the range, the Galaxy Festive Lights are designed for ease of use, reliable performance and energy-efficient illumination. The products feature durable plugs and BIS-compliant input wires, while the lights come with pins compatible with Indian sockets and jointers. Crompton said high-quality LEDs provide bright illumination along with the quality and reliability expected from a trusted lighting brand.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Shaleen Nayak, Business Head – Lighting, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd., said, “Festive lighting is no longer just about illuminating a space; it has become an important part of the celebration itself. Consumers are looking at lighting as a way to add character to their homes and create an atmosphere that reflects the spirit of the occasion. With the Galaxy Festive Lights Range, we are bringing Crompton’s expertise in lighting to this space with a range that combines design, performance and reliability, giving consumers greater confidence as they light up their celebrations.”

The Crompton Galaxy Festive Lights Range will be available through Crompton-authorised retail outlets across India and leading e-commerce platforms.

The Galaxy Diamond is priced at an MRP of ₹2,499. It has 8W wattage and a length of 10 metres. The Galaxy Snowball carries an MRP of ₹1,799, with 7W wattage and a 10-metre length. The Galaxy Leaf is priced at ₹1,999, with 5W wattage and a 4-metre length. The Galaxy Sparkle carries an MRP of ₹999, with 3W wattage and a 10-metre length. The Galaxy Pixel is priced at ₹799, with 3W wattage and a 10-metre length.

With designs spanning leaf-inspired, spherical, diamond-inspired, versatile and flexible formats, the Galaxy Festive Lights Range offers consumers different ways to illuminate homes and spaces during celebrations. The range combines decorative formats, lighting effects and versatile applications intended to bring festive décor to life and support celebrations with family and guests.

Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd. has a brand legacy of over 85 years and is India’s market leader in the category of fans and residential pumps. The organization has continuously developed products for modern consumers, including superior quality and high-performance fans, pumps, lighting solutions, water heaters, air coolers, small kitchen appliances such as mixer grinders, air fryers, OTG and electric kettles, as well as other home appliances including irons and built-in kitchen appliances.

The company has further invested in brand and innovation to better understand and meet consumer needs and help drive energy efficiency. Its consumer business has a well-established and organized distribution network driven by a strong dealer base across the country, along with a wide service network and robust after-sales service.

Beyond its consumer portfolio, Crompton also has a B2B presence in the Lighting segment, delivering advanced and energy-efficient solutions for commercial and industrial applications. In 2025, Crompton became the first lighting company to receive the GreenPro certification for its B2B lighting solution, reaffirming its commitment to sustainability and innovation.

The company has also expanded into the renewable energy space through solar rooftops, representing a significant step forward in its contribution to India’s evolving clean energy landscape. With solar solutions spanning lighting, pumps and rooftops, Crompton continues to develop its presence in sustainable energy.

Crompton’s focus on developing energy-efficient products has also received recognition through three National Energy Consumer Awards (NECA) by BEE, Ministry of Power. The recent award was presented by the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, for the company’s storage water heater in 2023. In 2019, the brand won in two categories, Ceiling Fans and LED Bulbs.

The company was also recognized as one of India’s Best Managed Companies 2022 by Deloitte Private and was listed among ‘India’s Top 500 Companies 2022’ by Dun & Bradstreet India. Crompton was featured in the Brand Top 75 most valuable Indian brands list for 2020 released by WPP and Kantar. The company was also recognized as the Brand of the Decade 2021 by Herald Global and BARC Asia in the Consumer Electrical category.

Anarock, one of India’s leading real estate services companies, has announced the acquisition of a 51% stake in DSP Design Associates, a multidisciplinary architecture, master planning and interior design practice. The transaction brings together Anarock Group’s real estate advisory and transaction capabilities with DSP’s over three decades of design legacy, positioning the combined entity to offer an integrated, end-to-end real estate and design proposition across India and select overseas markets.

DSP Design Associates has built a strong presence across Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, NCR and Hyderabad, supported by more than 320 professionals in India. The firm has delivered over 1,000 projects across geographies and is ranked the 42nd-largest architectural practice globally on the WA100 2026 list and the 5th-largest interior design firm on the International Giants List 2026.

Following the transaction, DSP will continue to be led by its founding leadership under the overarching guidance of Anarock. The arrangement will ensure continuity in the firm’s brand, management, client relationships and design excellence culture.

Anuj Puri, Founder & Chairman, Anarock Group, said DSP’s design pedigree and blue-chip client base make it a natural extension of the Anarock real estate ecosystem. He described the transaction as a logical fit for and furtherance of Anarock’s Project Management & Engineering Services (PMES) and advisory business lines.

“DSP's design pedigree and blue-chip client base make it a natural extension of the Anarock real estate ecosystem. It is a logical fit for and furtherance of our Project Management & Engineering Services (PMES) and advisory business lines and allows us to scale faster while staying true to and amplifying scope of services we offer to our clients. Together, we can offer developers and corporates a seamless journey from site selection and transactions to design and build, unlocking significant value across the asset lifecycle,” said Anuj Puri, Founder & Chairman, Anarock Group.

Bimal Desai, Co-Founder and Principal, DSP Design Associates, said the partnership would allow the firm to expand while retaining the design philosophy and client relationships it has built over decades.

“This partnership allows us to scale higher and faster while staying true to the design philosophy and client relationships we have built over decades. While the foundation we have built remains unchanged, Anarock now gives us the platform to expand across new geographies and service lines,” said Bimal Desai, Co-Founder and Principal, DSP Design Associates.

DSP’s practice spans three core capabilities—master planning, architecture, and interior design and design-build services—across commercial IT parks, mixed-use developments, residential, retail and hospitality sectors. The firm currently has more than 125 million sft of ongoing projects.

On the commercial side, DSP has worked with CapitaLand, Mapletree, Sattva, Tata Realty, Bagmane Developers and Purvankara, among others. For residential and mixed-use projects, the firm has worked with leading developers including Adani Realty, L&T Realty, Emaar and Piramal Realty, among others.

DSP’s interior design arm has worked with 50 Fortune 500 companies, providing design consultancy as well as design-and-build services through a curated contractor panel. Its marquee clients span global technology, financial and professional services, and life-sciences organisations.

Anarock is one of the leading independent real estate services companies operating across India and the Middle East. Established in 2017, Anarock draws upon a legacy of over three decades of real estate expertise and advises clients across residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, land, industrial and flexible workspaces.

With a team of over 2,300 professionals as of March 31, 2026, Anarock delivers integrated real estate solutions spanning investment banking, bespoke research, strategic advisory and valuations, project management and engineering services, and enterprise community management. Backed by predictive AI/ML models and generative AI tools, CRM infrastructure and deep and long-standing relationships with developers, corporate occupiers, investors and government bodies, the company combines market intelligence, technology and disciplined execution to create long-term value across the real estate lifecycle.

DSP Design Associates is an Indian-born global architecture, master planning and interior design practice with over three decades of cumulative experience and 360-degree capability spanning architecture, interior design, design-and-build, master planning and smart building advisory. Operating across Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, Pune and Hyderabad, the firm serves commercial, corporate, residential and hospitality clients globally.

DSP Design Associates also holds a 49% stake in Education Design International (EDI), a company specialising and focusing on educational institutions designs globally.

The acquisition brings DSP’s established design capabilities and Anarock’s real estate services platform under a combined proposition, with DSP’s founding leadership continuing to oversee the practice following the transaction.

JACK&JONES India has unveiled its Autumn Winter 2026 Denim Campaign featuring actor Vedang Raina, bringing the European menswear brand’s signature denim craftsmanship together with one of the young voices in Indian entertainment.

For JACK&JONES, denim has long been positioned as more than an everyday wardrobe staple, representing camaraderie, personal style and quiet self-assurance. The brand’s denim range is designed to move across different aspects of everyday life, with a focus on hard-wearing quality and clean, modern fits.

Vedang Raina features in the campaign as a representation of the JACK&JONES brotherhood. The actor’s off-screen style, creative energy and sense of community align with the campaign’s focus on men who are driven, understated and confident in their identity.

The Autumn Winter 2026 collection presents denim across a range of styles, including directional barrel fits, sharp bootcuts, high-impact denim sets and rugged outerwear. The collection is built around the dual themes of Party and Travel, taking denim from after-dark occasions to life on the road with friends.

JACK&JONES has also extended the collection beyond denim to cover the wider modern menswear wardrobe, including casual T-shirts and versatile jackets. Signature offerings include Premium Denim and the brand’s iconic Sheridan shirts.

Commenting on the association, Sumit Dhingra, CEO & Country Director, BESTSELLER India, said, “At JACK&JONES, denim isn't about choosing between style or substance; our mindset is built on the ‘&’ - craft & quality, fashion & everyday durability. That dedication is the backbone of our brand, engineered to give men the freedom to go their own way in any setting. Vedang brings an authentic, vibrant energy that reflects our brotherhood today - driven, self-assured, and grounded in togetherness.”

Actor Vedang Raina said, “Denim has always been the anchor of my wardrobe. It’s what I reach for whether I’m traveling, on set, or catching up with friends. Teaming up with JACK&JONES felt instinctive because their dedication to the craft is evident in every fit and wash. This collection is truly built for the move; it lets you feel completely comfortable in your own skin, stay true to who you are, and take on every day with absolute ease.”

The JACK&JONES Autumn Winter 2026 Collection is now available across stores nationwide, online at www.jackjones.in and through the JACK&JONES India app.

More than a quarter of a century ago, JACK&JONES began with a first jeans collection and a focus on denim. The brand has since expanded its offering to include urban sportswear, casual classics, neat suits, accessories and footwear, covering the wider wardrobe needs of men. JACK&JONES describes itself as more than a brand, positioning its community as a brotherhood and club bonded by denim, with an objective of being there for its customers.

JACK&JONES India currently has 82 exclusive brand outlets and 477 shop-in-shops across the country. The brand is also available online through www.jackjones.in and leading online partners.

BESTSELLER India is part of BESTSELLER, an international, family-owned fashion company founded in Denmark in 1975. With a portfolio of more than 20 brands, BESTSELLER designs fashion and accessories for women, men, teenagers and children, built around style, quality and value.

In India, its portfolio includes JACK&JONES, VERO MODA, ONLY, SELECTED, JACK&JONES JUNIOR and VERO MODA GIRL. The portfolio reaches customers through 200+ exclusive brand outlets and over 1,274 shop-in-shops, alongside its own digital platforms and leading online marketplaces. Globally, BESTSELLER’s products are available in more than 90 countries through approximately 3,100 branded stores and over 16,500 multi-brand and department stores.

The Autumn Winter 2026 campaign places Vedang Raina at the centre of JACK&JONES India’s latest denim offering, while the collection continues the brand’s focus on versatile denim and a broader modern menswear wardrobe.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini will lead a high-level state delegation to Singapore from October 1 to 8 as the government seeks to take business growth to the next level and reshape the state’s modern urban infrastructure.

The delegation will participate in Singapore-India Network for Growth (SING) 2026 and meet foreign investors to present investment opportunities in Haryana.

The visit assumes significance as the Haryana government has already completed policy-level preparations for industrial expansion in the state. Ten industry policies covering different sectors have recently been implemented. The focus during the Singapore visit will now be on taking these policies to international investors and attracting capital, technology and new businesses to Haryana.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has previously visited Japan as well. The Singapore visit is being seen as the next step in the state’s investment outreach.

The delegation will include Industry and Commerce Minister Rao Narbir Singh, Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Rajesh Khullar, Principal Secretary Arun Kumar Gupta, Commissioner and Secretary of the Industries and Commerce Department Dr Amit Kumar Aggarwal, and Commissioner and Secretary of the Department of Foreign Cooperation Ashok Kumar Meena, among several other officials.

An important part of the business expansion strategy is the five new cities proposed along both sides of the KMP Expressway. The government will study Singapore’s urban planning system to develop these cities in terms of industry, investment, housing and transportation.

The objective is to understand how well-planned cities and infrastructure can be developed around economic activity. The Singapore model will therefore be examined as part of the state’s broader effort to shape urban infrastructure alongside industrial and investment growth.

Arun Gupta's extension of service nearly certain

The presence of Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Arun Kumar Gupta in the delegation is also significant from an administrative perspective. His current tenure ends on September 30. The Haryana government has already sent his service extension file to the Centre.

Gupta’s inclusion in the Chief Minister’s Singapore delegation is being seen as an indication that his service extension has been decided. His participation comes as the state prepares to pursue investment opportunities abroad while also examining international urban development models for its proposed new cities.

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) will create a digital repository of all potentially crowded events at railway stations from 2022 onwards to strengthen advance planning, enable timely deployment of manpower, regulate passenger movement and coordinate with state police to prevent untoward incidents in the future.

The initiative will cover high-footfall events including festivals, religious gatherings, melas, examinations, recruitment drives, political programmes, sporting events, cultural and social events, fairs, major public functions and tourist seasons, among others.

Named the “DS-12 E-Forecasting Register of RPF for High-Footfall Events” (EFRR), the digital system will “serve as the single digital repository for advance forecasting, monitoring, action taken and post-event assessment of high-footfall events”.

RPF headquarters, on September 17, 2026, ordered the concerned senior zonal security officials to operationalise the EFRR with immediate effect and ensure timely data entry of forthcoming high-footfall events.

Before the order, the Director General of the RPF had issued a directive detailing all aspects of the EFRR, including its purpose and implementation process.

The directive highlighted the need for an institutionalised advance forecasting mechanism and stated, “Experience has shown that the absence of timely information, inadequate assessment of likely passenger movement, fragmented dissemination of information and, in some cases, casual or inadequate appreciation of the seriousness of the situation at supervisory levels can adversely affect the preparedness of the field formations.”

“Recent crowd-related incidents have further underscored the necessity of shifting from a largely reactive approach to a systematic, advanced, intelligence-led and data-driven mechanism for forecasting and managing passenger surges,” it added.

The directive has made personnel of the RPF Special Wing (SIB) primarily responsible for making entries in the DS-12 Register. It states, “The concerned SIB unit shall ensure that every high footfall event falling within its jurisdiction and having the potential to result in a substantial or unusual passenger surge is entered in the Register as soon as sufficient and credible information becomes available.”

For fixed calendar events such as Holi, Diwali, Chhath, Christmas, major religious festivals and other recurring events whose dates are known in advance, the directive requires them to be highlighted in the system early “to facilitate meaningful planning, which may be even prior to 60 days in advance”.

For events such as melas, sporting events, examinations, recruitment examinations, political rallies/meetings, local festivals, fairs, cultural programmes and other events generally notified at shorter notice, the concerned SIB unit has been directed to make all efforts to obtain information at least three weeks in advance, wherever practicable.

The directive further states that if an event is announced or confirmed at shorter notice, the entry must be made immediately upon receipt of credible information.

Officials said the EFRR is envisaged as an important institutional mechanism for strengthening the RPF’s capacity to anticipate and manage high-footfall situations across Indian Railways. The system is intended to bring advance forecasting, monitoring, action taken and post-event assessment into a single digital repository, enabling preparations for passenger surges to begin with timely and credible information.

A major rail connectivity development has been announced for passengers travelling between Delhi and Kanpur, with Indian Railways approving a new daily Mail train between Kanpur Central and Anand Vihar Terminal. The overnight service will leave Kanpur at night and reach the Delhi-NCR region in the early morning, providing another travel option for passengers travelling between Kanpur, Etawah, Aligarh, Ghaziabad and Delhi.

According to the Railways, Train No. 14153 Kanpur Central-Anand Vihar (T) Mail will depart from Kanpur Central at 8:40 pm and arrive at Anand Vihar Terminal at 4:50 am the following day.

In the return direction, Train No. 14154 Anand Vihar (T)-Kanpur Central Mail will depart from Anand Vihar at 11:25 pm and reach Kanpur Central at 7:25 am.

The new train will cover a distance of around 428 kilometres in both directions. The journey from Kanpur Central to Anand Vihar will take approximately 8 hours and 10 minutes, while the return journey will be completed in around 8 hours.

The train will have commercial halts at several important stations along the route, including Fafund, Etawah, Tundla, Hathras, Aligarh, Khurja, Dadri and Ghaziabad.

According to the Railways, the new daily Mail service will strengthen rail connectivity between Kanpur and the National Capital Region (NCR). As the train will operate during the night, passengers will have an option to save daytime travel hours and reach Delhi-NCR in the morning. Passengers travelling from major cities and stations located along the route are also expected to benefit from the service.

Alongside the new train service, Indian Railways has also approved the construction of a four-lane Road Over Bridge (ROB) near Alkapuri in the Vadodara Division of Western Railway. The project has an estimated total cost of Rs 166.5 crore and will be implemented on a cost-sharing basis with the State Government.

The Railways and the State Government will contribute approximately equal amounts towards the project. According to the Railways, its share will be around Rs 83.2769 crore, with the State Government contributing approximately the same amount.

The construction of the four-lane ROB is expected to help improve the operation of road and rail traffic in the area, adding another major infrastructure development alongside the new Kanpur-Anand Vihar daily Mail service.

The situation involving women working as midday meal cooks in Chhattisgarh appears to be moving towards a protest, with the cooks' organisation setting September 28 as the deadline for payment of their pending honorarium. According to allegations by Neelu Ogre, state president of the Midday Meal Cooks Organisation, the women have not received their honorarium since June 16 despite continuing to work after schools reopened.

The delay has also affected group operators, who are reportedly facing difficulties because payments for midday meal materials have not been credited.

Neelu Ogre, state president of the Cooks Organisation, alleged that the women have been working continuously since June 16 after schools reopened, but their honorarium for three months remains pending. She said the cooks work for a low honorarium, making timely payment particularly important, while the delay has created financial difficulties for them.

According to the organisation, funds were allocated by the DPE Ministry on September 11, but the money had still not reached the bank accounts of the cooks by September 23. The organisation has questioned why the payment has been delayed when the funds have already been allocated.

The issue is not limited to the cooks' honorarium. According to Neelu Ogre, group operators are also facing difficulties because money for midday meal materials has not been credited to their accounts. As a result, they are reportedly finding it difficult to purchase the ingredients and other materials required to prepare midday meals. Group operators have questioned how they can continue arranging supplies when there is no money in their accounts.

The organisation has now issued a clear deadline over the pending payments. According to Neelu Ogre, if the money is not credited to the accounts of the cooks and group operators by September 28, 2026, the cooks may decide to go on strike.

The organisation has demanded the immediate release of three months of pending honorarium for the cooks. It has also demanded that funds for midday meal materials be deposited into the accounts of group operators so that the meal arrangements in schools are not affected.

Neelu Ogre said the cooks have continued preparing midday meals for children and should receive their honorarium for their work on time. The organisation has also appealed to the cooks to remain united as the September 28 deadline approaches.

Durg: District-based ‘Lady Don’ Jasbir Kaur once again managed to evade police and jail security, escaping from Durg District Hospital on Wednesday after allegedly using her child’s treatment as a pretext to reach the hospital. She reportedly fled by dodging the security personnel but was arrested again by police within an hour.

Jasbir Kaur had been sent to jail on September 19 in connection with allegations of heroin smuggling. After being lodged in jail, she reportedly cited the need for her child’s treatment and was taken to Durg District Hospital on Wednesday.

While at the hospital, Kaur allegedly managed to evade the security personnel and escape. Her disappearance triggered a stir within the police department, following which a search operation was launched. Police teams carried out continuous raids to locate and arrest her again.

Police eventually traced Jasbir Kaur and arrested her from the hospital premises itself within just one hour of her escape. After she was taken back into custody and returned behind bars, the police administration heaved a sigh of relief.

It is also reported that two sub-inspectors had previously been suspended because of incidents involving Jasbir Kaur. She is currently back behind bars.

The latest episode has raised questions over the security arrangements surrounding the movement of jailed accused persons for medical treatment. It also puts the focus on the difficulties faced by other inmates who genuinely require medical care.

In a worrying incident in the Basdei police outpost area of Surajpur, a 9-year-old boy reportedly left home after being scolded by his mother for studying and eventually reached Mumbai after changing two to three trains. The Class 3 student was later traced and safely recovered from Kalyan railway station with the help of the Child Protection Department.

Parents often scold children because they want them to study and build a better future. However, in some cases, children can react strongly to such reprimands. In this case, the 9-year-old boy became upset after his mother scolded him and left home. The child reportedly told his mother that he was going to his father before leaving.

The boy somehow reached a railway station and changed two to three trains before boarding a train bound for Mumbai. When the Class 3 student did not return home, his parents became worried. The family initially searched for him in nearby areas and also went to his school to find out about his whereabouts. When the child could not be located, the family approached the police with his photograph and registered a missing-person report.

Following the complaint, both the police and the Child Protection Department began efforts to trace the boy. Police circulated the child's photograph while searching for him. During the search, the police received information that a boy of around 9 years of age, matching the description, had been seen at Kalyan railway station in Mumbai.

With the assistance of the Child Protection Department, the police recovered the child from Kalyan railway station. With the help of the Child Protection Commission, the boy was brought back to Surajpur. According to the family, the child had been missing since September 15 and was brought back to Surajpur today.

Surajpur SDOP Abhishek Paikra said that the child's mother had scolded him for studying, following which he became upset and left home. He said the child changed several trains before reaching Mumbai and was subsequently recovered from Kalyan railway station with the assistance of the Child Protection Department. The police team has since returned safely to Surajpur with the child.

The recovery brought an end to the family's search for the 9-year-old, who had travelled from Surajpur to Mumbai after leaving home following a reprimand over his studies.

The Railway Board has extended its scheme to re-engage retired railway employees on a contractual basis for another two years to fill vacant posts and ensure smooth functioning. The scheme, which was earlier scheduled to remain valid until October 15, 2026, will now continue until October 15, 2028.

An order to this effect has been issued by UK Tiwari, Director, Establishment (N), Railway Board, to the General Managers of all Zonal Railways and production units.

Under the earlier Railway Board orders, retired employees could be engaged on a contractual basis against vacant non-gazetted posts, para-medical posts in hospitals and dispensaries, and instructor or senior instructor positions in Centralised Training Institutes (CTIs). The validity of this arrangement was fixed until October 15, 2026, meaning the scheme was due to expire in the coming October.

After reviewing the scheme, the Railway Ministry has decided to extend it beyond October 15, 2026, and continue it until October 15, 2028. This means experienced retired railway employees can now be re-engaged for another two years wherever their services are required.

The Railway Board has made it clear that such re-engagement will be permitted only in extremely necessary circumstances and exigencies, and only after proper scrutiny and assessment.

The order also specifies that the remuneration, allowances and leave applicable to retired employees covered under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) will be determined in accordance with the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, guidelines dated December 9, 2020.

For employees who retired under the National Pension System (NPS), the terms of service and remuneration will be governed by the Ministry of Finance order dated October 18, 2023.

The Railway Board has further clarified that cases in which decisions had already been taken differently will not be reopened before their normal tenure or until October 15, 2026. All other existing rules and conditions will continue to remain applicable.

With the extension, the contractual re-engagement mechanism for retired railway employees will remain available until October 15, 2028, subject to the conditions and restrictions specified by the Railway Board.

With regular trains already filling up ahead of Diwali and Chhath Puja, the North Central Railway has announced a reserved special express service between New Delhi and Supaul in Bihar. Train numbers 04072/04071 will make a total of 118 trips, offering an additional travel option for lakhs of rail passengers from Purvanchal and North Bihar expected to travel home during the festive season.

According to the schedule issued by the Railways, train number 04072, operating from New Delhi to Supaul, will run daily from October 1, 2026, to November 28, 2026. It will depart from New Delhi at 9:35 pm and reach Supaul at 6:35 am on the third day.

On the return journey, train number 04071 will depart from Supaul at 7:45 am every day and reach New Delhi at 3:00 pm the following day. The return service will operate from October 3, 2026, to November 30, 2026.

The special train will have AC 3-Tier, sleeper and general-class coaches, allowing passengers across different budget categories to travel during the festive rush.

The train will connect major junctions across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar on its route from Delhi. Its scheduled stoppages include Ghaziabad Junction, Aligarh Junction, Tundla Junction, Etawah Junction, Govindpuri, Prayagraj Junction, Gyanpur Road, Varanasi Junction, Aunrihar Junction, Ghazipur City, Ballia, Suremanpur, Chhapra Junction, Sonpur Junction, Hajipur Junction, Shahpur Patori, Barauni Junction in Begusarai, Khagaria Junction, Mansi Junction, Simri Bakhtiyarpur and Saharsa Junction.

With Diwali and Chhath Puja expected to bring a heavy rush of passengers travelling to their hometowns, the New Delhi-Supaul special service is set to provide an additional rail option during the peak festive travel period. Passengers have been advised to book their tickets promptly through the official railway app or at railway reservation counters.

Indian Railways has approved a ₹166.5 crore project to construct a four-lane Road Over Bridge (ROB) at Alkapuri in Vadodara Division of Western Railway, with the project aimed at improving road connectivity and addressing traffic congestion in the area.

The project will be implemented on a cost-sharing basis with the State Government, with both sides contributing equally. Indian Railways will bear approximately ₹83.2769 crore, while the State Government will contribute an equivalent amount.

The proposed ROB will augment the existing road connectivity between Alkapuri and Kalaghoda areas of Vadodara city. The existing Alkapuri Road Under Bridge (RUB) near Vadodara Railway Station is an important east-west road link, but its vertical clearance is only about 3 metres, restricting the movement of larger vehicles.

The RUB also experiences waterlogging during the monsoon, creating recurring difficulties for commuters and contributing to traffic congestion and operational challenges. The proposed four-lane grade-separated road facility is intended to address these limitations while improving the capacity and functionality of the road crossing.

The new ROB will provide an improved crossing facility while allowing railway operations to continue without disruption. It will also strengthen road connectivity to Vadodara Railway Station, the GSRTC Bus Station and the upcoming High-Speed Rail (Bullet Train) Station.

Traffic assessment in the area has recorded peak-hour traffic of more than 1,600 Passenger Car Units (PCU) per hour. The existing road crossing also has multiple traffic conflict points and inadequate pedestrian facilities.

With these constraints, the existing RUB has become inadequate to meet the present and projected traffic requirements of the area. The four-lane grade-separated facility is therefore expected to provide a more effective crossing arrangement, improve road capacity and strengthen connectivity around Vadodara Railway Station.

The ₹166.5 crore project is aimed at addressing the functional limitations of the existing Alkapuri RUB while improving overall road connectivity in this important part of Vadodara.

PAN card is a government document widely used for government-related work, banking and other financial requirements, alongside Aadhaar card. Every individual is required to have both an Aadhaar card and a PAN card. Over the years, the photograph and signature on a PAN card may become outdated, requiring them to be updated. Aadhaar is also linked with PAN, allowing the complete information of the concerned individual to be accessed online.

Instead of applying for an entirely new PAN card, individuals can change the photograph and signature on their existing PAN card through an online correction request, including from a phone. By filling in the required details correctly and submitting the necessary documents, the PAN details can be updated and the changes in the photograph and signature can be reflected on the updated PAN card.

Before submitting any information online, it is important to verify that the website being used is the correct one. Entering personal information on an incorrect website could result in financial or other losses.

Applicants should first keep the required documents ready, along with scanned copies of their new photograph and signature. The applicable fee also has to be paid while submitting the application. Before applying to change the photograph or signature on the PAN card, an Aadhaar card or driving licence may be required. A digital copy of a new passport-size photograph and a clear image of the new signature should be prepared. Applicants should also ensure that the photograph and signature meet the size and format requirements specified on the portal.

To change the photograph and signature online, applicants must first visit the website for submitting an online application. From there, they need to select the option for changes or correction in existing PAN data.

The category should be selected as “Individual”, after which the required basic details, including the name and date of birth, have to be entered. Once the form is submitted, a token number will be generated.

Applicants then need to click on “Continue with PAN Application” and enter the information related to the PAN application. At the stage where the option to submit scanned documents is provided, they should select “Submit Scanned images through e-Sign”. If a new physical PAN card with the corrections is required, the relevant option should be selected as “Yes”.

The required details related to the parents must then be entered before proceeding further. After selecting the identity documents, applicants can upload the digital copy of their new photograph and signature. Both files must comply with the format and size specified on the website.

Once all the details have been entered and the documents uploaded, the applicable fee has to be paid. After the payment is completed, the authentication process must be completed by entering the Aadhaar number.

An OTP received on the mobile number linked to Aadhaar must then be entered to complete the authentication process and submit the application. After submission, the acknowledgement received for the application should be kept safely for future reference.

Mumbai Indians have made a significant change ahead of the 2027 Women’s Premier League season, parting ways with Lisa Keightley and appointing Australian coach Luke Williams as the team’s new head coach.

Mumbai Indians said Keightley, who was appointed head coach in September 2025, decided to step down from her position. Under the Australian batter’s guidance, the two-time champions finished fourth in the five-team competition, their worst performance across the four seasons of the Women’s Premier League.

Mumbai Indians won the WPL title in 2023 and 2025, while the team reached the Eliminator in 2024. Their fourth-place finish under Keightley marked a significant change in their performance across the tournament’s four seasons.

Mumbai Indians owner Nita Ambani said Williams is a successful coach with extensive experience, a deep understanding of women’s cricket and a strong commitment to player development.

Williams also reacted to his appointment, saying there is a great opportunity to play exciting cricket and compete for success, through which the team can build something special together.

Williams was previously the head coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru when the team won its first WPL title in 2025. He has also served as head coach of the Southern Brave women’s team in The Hundred and the Adelaide Strikers women’s team in the Women’s Big Bash League.

Although Williams has established himself as a prominent coach, his playing career was brief and disappointing. As an all-rounder, he played five matches for South Australia. Across those five matches, he scored only 114 runs at an average of 11.40. He did not score a century or a half-century and did not take a single wicket.

His playing career ended on January 28, 2005, after which he moved into coaching. He is now regarded as one of the most respected coaches in women’s cricket.

Mumbai Indians’ appointment of Williams represents a major step ahead of the 2027 WPL season. He brings coaching experience from Australia, England and India and has worked in coaching for more than 20 years. His approach focuses on player development and data-driven strategies on the cricket field.

Williams has also previously worked with Mumbai Indians, including alongside Charlotte Edwards. His return to the franchise as head coach adds another chapter to his coaching association with the team as Mumbai Indians prepare for the next WPL season.

Gautam Gambhir, coach of the Indian cricket team, has once again drawn attention with his forthright stance and direct remarks. With the Indian team facing criticism over its performances, Gambhir has made it clear that there is a need to continue believing in the side rather than rushing into major changes.

After suffering heavy defeats against England and Ireland in the matches that had recently concluded, the Indian team returned home to sharp criticism from critics. Gambhir has now responded to those critics while also ensuring that the confidence of the team's captain is not undermined.

Gambhir said there is a need to trust the Indian team and that minor mistakes are part of the game. He said such small mistakes should not lead to a rush to change the composition of the T20 team. According to Gambhir, it is wrong to label an entire team or a player as poor because of one bad innings or a defeat in a particular match.

Citing the example of the World Cup, Gambhir asked which team has won two consecutive World Cups without losing a single match. He said India won its second World Cup not only within 17 years but within 17 months.

Gambhir also responded to critics who have raised questions over Shreyas Iyer's captaincy. He said he had worked with Shreyas during the IPL 2024 season at Kolkata Knight Riders, when Shreyas was the KKR captain and Gambhir was the mentor.

Gambhir said there was one quality he particularly liked about Shreyas during that period: he was willing to give up his place when required for the benefit of his team. He said being selfless is one of the qualities of good leadership and that he saw this quality in Shreyas, which the player can carry forward in his career as a captain. Gambhir praised Shreyas by describing him as selfless.

Meanwhile, India won its first T20 World Cup in 2007 under the leadership of M.S. Dhoni. The team then had to wait 17 years to win its third World Cup. India won the World Cup again in 2024 under the leadership of Rohit Sharma.

India then won the World Cup for the third time in 2026 under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav. India needed only two years, rather than 17 years, to win the World Cup for the third time.

The Indian team's next target will now be the 2028 World Cup, where the side will enter with the objective of winning the title for the third consecutive time.

Roshibina Devi added another Asian Games silver medal to her record after losing to China’s Zhang Xiaoyu in the women’s 60kg sanda final at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on Thursday. Her silver medal took India’s overall medal tally at the ongoing Asian Games to 14.

Zhang dominated the final from the beginning, defeating Roshibina 5-0 in both rounds. Despite the loss, the Manipur athlete produced an impressive campaign throughout the tournament and secured her second consecutive silver medal at the Asian Games.

Roshibina reached the final after defeating Indonesia’s Thania Kusumaningtyas 2-0 in the semifinal. Earlier in the competition, she had also defeated reigning world champion Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy of Vietnam, making her run to the final particularly notable.

Born on December 30, 2000, in Kwashipai Mayai Leikai village in Bishnupur district of Manipur, Roshibina Devi established herself in the sanda category of wushu at a young age. Her international breakthrough came at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, where she won a bronze medal.

She improved on that performance at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, winning the silver medal. In recognition of her performances and contribution to sport, the Government of India honoured her with the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2023.

However, Roshibina’s journey to the 2026 Asian Games was also surrounded by controversy. In the initial selection, the Indian Wushu Association selected Divyanshi Chaudhary in the 60kg category, while Roshibina was not included in the main team. Divyanshi was later ruled out after suffering a ligament injury to her knee, following which the association included Roshibina in her place.

After being dropped from the team, a video featuring Divyanshi Chaudhary circulated widely on social media in which she made several serious allegations against Roshibina and the association. Divyanshi claimed that she was excluded despite being declared fit and alleged that she had been subjected to mental and physical harassment.

Roshibina overcame the controversy and mental pressure surrounding her campaign to once again deliver on the Asian Games stage. Although she missed out on the gold medal, her second successive silver at the Asian Games marks another significant milestone in her wushu career and adds to India’s medal tally at Aichi-Nagoya 2026.

Bangladesh, currently fourth in the World Test Championship points table, are targeting a place in the final and will need to break into the top two teams by the beginning of next year to achieve that goal. Bangladesh spin-bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed believes his team can reach the final and has the ability to pose a difficult challenge to their opponents.

Bangladesh recently produced an impressive performance against Australia. The team defeated Australia on their home soil, although Australia responded in the following match with a big win. Despite that setback, Bangladesh remain in contention for a place in the World Test Championship final.

For Bangladesh to qualify for the 2027 World Test Championship final, they need to collect 47 points from their remaining six matches. A win is worth 12 points, meaning Bangladesh will need to win both of their home series. Those series are against England and the West Indies.

Bangladesh could target two wins against the West Indies by preparing spin-friendly pitches, but defeating England in both matches will not be easy. To strengthen their position and secure their place, Bangladesh will need to win one of their remaining two matches.

Mushtaq Ahmed has backed Bangladesh’s chances of reaching the World Test Championship final, saying, “We are in a very good position at the moment. If we play good cricket and maintain our belief, we can move forward. At international level, matches can only be won when you are not worried about losing. As coaches, we have to change that mindset. The credit goes to all the players, selectors and stakeholders because they are on the same page and believe that we can now challenge any team.”

According to the points table provided, Australia are at the top with 10 matches, eight wins, two losses, 96 points and a points percentage of 80. South Africa are second with four matches, three wins, one loss, 36 points and a points percentage of 75. New Zealand are third with six matches, four wins, one loss, one draw, 52 points and a points percentage of 72.22.

Bangladesh are fourth with six matches, three wins, two losses, one draw, 40 points and a points percentage of 55.56. India are fifth with 11 matches, five wins, four losses, two draws, 68 points and a points percentage of 51.52. England are sixth with 16 matches, seven wins, eight losses, one draw, 74 points and a points percentage of 38.54.

Sri Lanka are seventh with six matches, one win, two losses, three draws, 24 points and a points percentage of 33.33. The West Indies are eighth with 12 matches, two wins, eight losses, two draws, 30 points and a points percentage of 20.83. Pakistan are ninth with nine matches, two wins, seven losses, no draws, five points and a points percentage of 4.63.

With six matches still remaining, Bangladesh’s push for a place in the World Test Championship final will depend on how effectively they convert their remaining opportunities into points, particularly in their home series against England and the West Indies.

Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu have been handed difficult draws in the individual badminton events at the Asian Games, while defending champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty appear to have an easier route to the semifinals.

The Indian men’s team, which won the silver medal at the previous edition in Hangzhou, secured a bronze medal this time. India were beaten 3-1 by China in the semifinal, while Lakshya and Ayush Shetty lost their respective singles matches. In the women’s event, the Indian team missed out on a medal after losing to Japan in the quarterfinals. PV Sindhu and Unnati Hooda were beaten by their Japanese opponents.

Indian players will now look to make up for that disappointment in the individual events. World No. 14 Lakshya has endured first-round defeats in several matches leading into the Asian Games, although he produced a strong performance against Japan’s Kodai Naraoka in the quarterfinal. He was unable to maintain that momentum in the semifinal against China’s Shi Yu Qi.

Lakshya received a bye in the first round and will face Singapore’s former world champion Loh Kean Yew in the second round. If he defeats Loh, Lakshya could meet world No. 1 Jonathan Christie of Indonesia.

Ayush, who defeated Shi Yu Qi at the Delhi World Championships, has also received a first-round bye. He could face Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen in the third round.

Sindhu has also been handed a challenging draw. The two-time Olympic champion received a bye in the first round and will face seventh-seeded Japan player Tomoka Miyazaki in the second round. A victory would set up a potential meeting with China’s Chen Yufei, the Tokyo Olympic champion.

Unnati will begin her campaign against North Korea’s Yu Mi Song. She could face Indonesia’s world No. 6 Putri Kusuma Wardani in the third round.

In men’s doubles, defending champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have a relatively easier route to the last four. They will face Thailand’s P. Sukphun and Pakkapon Teeratsakul in the first round. They could then meet Indonesia’s Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin, followed by South Korea’s Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae if they progress.

In women’s doubles, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand will face Hong Kong’s Lok Lok Lui and Hiu Yan Sang. The World Championships bronze medallists could meet Japan’s Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto in the second round. The Japanese pair are ranked third in the world.

India’s only medal so far has come from the men’s team in the form of bronze. At the Hangzhou Games in 2023, India won three badminton medals, with Satwiksairaj and Chirag claiming gold, the men’s team taking silver and H. S. Prannoy winning bronze in men’s singles.

The individual draws now put Lakshya Sen, PV Sindhu and the other Indian shuttlers in a fresh battle for medals, while Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will look to continue their Asian Games title defence.

India’s tour of New Zealand will begin on October 22, but a month before the series, New Zealand coach Walter has already set Vaibhav Suryavanshi a challenge: perform on fast and bouncy pitches. The Kiwi coach believes Suryavanshi is an exceptional player who bats in an extremely aggressive manner, and he wants to see how the young batter responds to New Zealand’s pace-friendly conditions.

The Indian team will undertake a long tour of New Zealand between October 22 and December 1. During the tour, Team India will play five T20Is, five ODIs and two Test matches. The Indian squad for the tour has not yet been announced, but Suryavanshi is considered highly likely to receive an opportunity in the T20I team.

However, Suryavanshi has not been part of the playing XI for a long time. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has also made it clear that the youngster will have to wait for his opportunity. With a long tour ahead, however, the chances of Suryavanshi getting an opportunity are considered high.

New Zealand coach Walter said he would like to see Suryavanshi bat on a fast and bouncy wicket and assess how his game responds to different conditions.

“I’d love to see him play on a fast and bouncy wicket. Then see how different he looks, but he is an exciting player. You’ve seen him dominate some of the best bowlers in the world in the IPL. I think the challenge is always to see how that works in different conditions and also how we bowl to him in our conditions,” Walter said.

New Zealand will also enter the series with memories of previous encounters against India. India lost the T20I series in New Zealand 1-2 in 2019. However, on the next tour, India produced a dominant performance and completed a 5-0 clean sweep against New Zealand on their home soil.

India currently have a 17-11 record against New Zealand in T20Is. Team India also defeated New Zealand in the recent T20 World Cup final. With those results in the background, the Kiwi side will be looking to respond against India in the upcoming series.

For Suryavanshi, the New Zealand tour could therefore provide an opportunity to demonstrate how his aggressive batting style translates to fast and bouncy conditions, particularly if he gets his chance in the T20I squad.

India made a strong start in shooting on the opening day of the Asian Games 2026, winning two silver medals in the 10-metre air rifle events. Elavenil Valarivan secured the silver medal in the women’s individual event after earlier joining Sonam Maskar and Vidharsa Vinod to win silver in the team event.

Elavenil remained in contention for the gold medal for most of the individual final. She finished with 252.4 points, just 0.6 points behind Japan’s Hinata Taichi. Taichi won the gold with 253.0 points and also set a new Asian Games record.

The performances have also brought attention to the specialised equipment used by elite shooters. A 10-metre air rifle is not an ordinary air gun. According to reports, the .177-calibre 10-metre air rifles used in international competitions such as the Olympics and Asian Games cost around Rs 1.75 lakh to Rs 4.50 lakh in India.

The price of a rifle depends on its brand and the type of trigger used. Both mechanical (M) and electronic (E) trigger options are available. The equipment used by Indian shooters to fire accurately at targets from a distance of 10 metres and compete for medals therefore costs lakhs of rupees.

India has now won five medals in the 10-metre air rifle events. Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Maskar and Vidharsa Vinod won silver in the women’s team event, while Elavenil also secured silver in the individual event.

In the men’s team event, Rudraksh Patil, Parth Mane and Himanshu Dhillon won silver medals. Himanshu Dhillon also won silver in the men’s individual event, while Rudraksh Patil claimed bronze in the men’s 10-metre air rifle event.

The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) made its long-awaited stock market debut on the BSE during Thursday’s trading session, September 24, marking a historic milestone for the exchange services provider. NSE shares opened flat but gained more than 5% in morning trade as investor interest strengthened after the listing.

With Thursday’s listing, NSE became the 10th most valued company in India, reaching a market capitalisation of ₹4.8 lakh crore at the day’s highest level. At that valuation, it surpassed blue-chip companies including Hindustan Unilever, Sun Pharma, Titan, Adani Ports, Infosys and Kotak Mahindra Bank.

NSE shares climbed 5.2% to an intraday high of ₹1,878 apiece on Thursday, compared with the IPO issue price of ₹1,785 per share, according to data collected from the BSE website.

The shares made a flat debut at ₹1,800 apiece, representing a 0.84% premium over the NSE IPO issue price. However, the stock extended its gains after listing as investor interest remained elevated in the market.

The IPO had a lot size of eight equity shares. Investors who received the NSE IPO allotment earned a premium of ₹120 per lot, taking the overall initial investment from ₹14,280 to ₹14,400 per lot.

Australian investment firm Macquarie Group described NSE as “The Dominator” in its market segment, citing the exchange’s leading market share and market power.

“We view NSE as ‘The Dominator’, due to its leading market share and power. Full set of services, technology stack and deep liquidity make NSE the lynchpin of India's financialisation,” Macquarie analysts said.

Macquarie analysts said entrenched network effects, industry-leading profitability and cash are expected to support the positive outlook for NSE as the company plans to expand its platform to drive revenue growth.

On the concerns front, the analysts said the new closing auction session (CAS) format is expected to create near-term pressure, while the longer-term industry outlook remains constructive.

“Superior fundamentals justify a premium multiple. There is room for further re-rating if new products accelerate,” the experts said.

NSE’s flat debut also prompted discussion over whether the listing indicated weak investor sentiment. Naresh Biyani, Founder & CEO of Capwise Financial Services Pvt Ltd, said the flat debut did not indicate weak sentiment among investors but reflected disciplined pricing.

“A flat debut after 12x institutional demand is disciplined pricing, not weak sentiment; this is a long-term compounder, not a listing-day trade,” said Biyani.

According to Biyani, investors need to monitor one key variable: government regulation on derivatives, which in NSE’s case is the company’s largest earnings engine.

“India just absorbed one of its largest-ever IPOs, entirely secondary, without a wobble. That is the green light promoters, PE funds and growth companies, including MSMEs, have been waiting for. NSE is a toll road on India's financialisation, and today the market priced it like one,” Biyani said.

NSE’s consolidated financials also showed growth in the first quarter of financial year 2026-27. The exchange services provider’s net profit increased 6.7% year-on-year (YoY) to ₹3,120 crore in the April to June quarter, compared with ₹2,923.85 crore in the same quarter last year.

Revenue from core operations rose 13% to ₹4,560.41 crore in the June quarter of FY27, from ₹4,032.23 crore in the first quarter of the previous fiscal year.

The company’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA), or operating profit, increased 14% YoY to ₹3,594.24 crore in the first quarter of FY27, compared with ₹3,129.74 crore in the same period a year earlier.

NSE’s Q1 EBITDA margin also expanded 119 basis points to 78.81% in the June quarter, compared with 77.62% in the same period last year.

The NSE IPO was subscribed 5.71 times overall, with bids received for 50,58,11,384 equity shares across all three investor segments against the 8,86,42,911 shares offered for public subscription.

Qualified institutional buyers (QIBs) led the subscription with 12.68 times booking, followed by non-institutional investors (NIIs) at 6.55 times and retail investors at 1.39 times subscription.

The IPO was a completely offer-for-sale (OFS) issue. As a result, all proceeds raised through the listing will be allocated to the corporate selling stakeholders, while NSE itself will receive no part of the funds.

NSE’s first trading session therefore combined a flat opening with a subsequent rise to ₹1,878, putting the exchange among India’s 10 most valued companies and bringing its long-awaited market debut into focus.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday said it “would be great” if a functional international system existed to address potential conflicts around the world, including those between India and Pakistan, while asserting that the existing global framework is failing to resolve major disputes.

Speaking to reporters during the high-level week of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Rubio said the United States recognises the utility of the international system. He said President Donald Trump has also stated that the United Nations has “tremendous potential”, but argued that it is not living up to that potential.

“We see the utility in the international system. We're here...I think the President has said that the United Nations, for example, has tremendous potential, but it's not living up to it...,” Rubio said.

“I think multiple leaders...pointed to the fact that the international system is failing, and it's failing because it has grown beyond its mandate. It has grown beyond its intent. It's involved in all kinds of things that shouldn't be involved in, and it's unable to solve virtually any major conflict in the world,” he said.

The top US diplomat said there was “unanimity and consensus” during the high-level UNGA week that the international system is broken. He argued that the system had moved beyond its original mandate and intended role.

“But it's broken because it broke itself. It needs to be brought back to its proper focus and its proper role. It would be great if we had a functional international system, for example, that could deal with a war between Thailand and Cambodia that occurred, or a potential conflict between India and Pakistan...Right now, we don't seem to have a functional international system that can address it,” Rubio said.

Rubio added that in the absence of a functional international system, nation-states will act in their national interest.

“I want to be clear because this is not an attack on the international system. But at the end of the day, the US will always act, at least as long as President Trump is in office, we will always act in the national interest of our country, not in the interest of the international order. We will never put the international order above the interest of the United States,” Rubio said.

His remarks came a day after Trump repeated his claim that he settled the war between India and Pakistan last year, among the eight conflicts he ended, as he addressed world leaders at the UN General Assembly.

Trump has consistently claimed credit for stopping the conflict between India and Pakistan, an assertion he has repeated since May 10 last year when he announced on social media that India and Pakistan agreed to a “full and immediate” ceasefire after a “long night” of talks mediated by Washington.

India has been consistently maintaining that the understanding on cessation of hostilities with Pakistan was reached following direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two militaries. India has denied any third-party intervention.

Rubio’s remarks placed the potential India-Pakistan conflict within his broader assessment that existing international mechanisms lack the capacity to address major conflicts, while also making clear that the United States under President Trump would continue to prioritise its national interest.

Australia and the Pentagon have launched investigations into how F-35 fighter jet components ended up in Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China, raising concerns over the security of sensitive technology used to enhance the aircraft's stealth capabilities.

The components included a cockpit canopy and weapons bay door, both coated with radar-absorbing material that enhances the F-35's ability to evade radar. The technology behind the aircraft's stealth capabilities took the United States decades to perfect.

China said it was not aware of any such incident. However, the development has drawn attention to China's influence in Hong Kong, where Beijing has strengthened its grip in recent years through strict national security laws that allow authorities to crack down on dissent in the city.

The F-35 is the centrepiece of American air power, and much of its value rests on secrecy. China's access to such components could potentially provide its military with insights into sensitive US technologies that help the F-35 evade radar and could expose vulnerabilities.

Over the years, the US has closely guarded F-35 technologies. This is why Washington has been reluctant to sell the jet to countries other than its NATO allies. However, Donald Trump, in a rare move, approved the sale of 48 F-35s to Saudi Arabia last week.

The concern within US security circles is that China could reverse-engineer the F-35 components to improve its own stealth aircraft, such as the J-20 and J-35. China could also potentially develop countermeasures that weaken the advantage the F-35 was built to provide.

"It is no secret that China has been aggressively trying to get F-35 data through electronic espionage, among other means," JJ Gertler, a military aviation analyst, told Politico.

"However, possessing a real one (jet parts) can give them even more to go on and can verify or refine whatever they already had learned," he further said.

The potential breach in the shipping chain has therefore become a serious matter for Australia and the US.

But how did the F-35 parts reach Hong Kong in the first place?

The Australian air force fleet includes 72 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter jets. In May, shipping giant UPS was tasked with transporting the components to the US.

Data showed that the shipment stopped in South Korea while en route to the US. From there, it was inexplicably diverted to Hong Kong.

Bloomberg reported that the Chinese government later took possession of the parts and has not returned them so far.

Lockheed Martin, which manufactures the F-35, manages the overall supply chain and uses commercial shipping providers to transport parts.

So far, neither Australia nor the US has been able to explain why and how the equipment was rerouted, despite four months having passed.

The Pentagon has said in a statement that it was aware of a "shipment issue" involving unserviceable F-35 Lightning II components. It said efforts were underway to retrieve the components and "place safeguards to avoid a future occurrence".

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles admitted that the parts were in Hong Kong but underlined that they were not sensitive.

"This is ultimately a matter for the US and Lockheed, as its prime contractor and the contractor that is responsible for managing the global supply chain," Marles told the media.

One thing to note is that while the US Defence Department oversees the F-35 supply chain, the spare parts are accounted for by Lockheed Martin.

According to a 2023 accountability report, more than 1 million F-35 spare parts have gone missing over the past five years, Politico reported. The losses of spare parts extend to tens of millions of dollars.

However, the latest incident marks possibly the first time that such sensitive US technology has fallen into China's hands, putting renewed focus on how F-35 components are tracked and transported through the global supply chain.