Hyderabad, Nov 12 (IANS) Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy appeared before the Public Representatives Court, Nampally, on Thursday in connection with cases registered against him during the previous government’s tenure.

A case was registered against Revanth Reddy in 2021 for allegedly violating COVID-19 guidelines during the campaign for the by-election to the Nagarjuna Sagar Assembly seat. Revanth Reddy was then president of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC).

He had participated in the election campaign in Chalakurti village of Peddapur mandal in Nalgonda district on April 11, 2021.

He was booked for not wearing a mask and not following other COVID-19 guidelines.

As part of the hearing in the case, the court recorded Revanth Reddy’s statement under section 313 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Similar cases were registered against Revanth Reddy at other places in the state for violation of COVID-19 rules and the Model Code of Conduct.

On February 28, 2026, he had appeared before the Public Representatives Court in connection with seven cases registered during the previous government’s tenure.

The cases pertain to alleged violations during the 2019 Huzurnagar by-election and a public meeting held in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the allegations, during the 2019 Huzurnagar by-election campaign, a rally was organised with around 40 vehicles and DJ sound systems in support of a candidate. Cases were registered against Revanth Reddy and then MP Uttam Kumar Reddy in this connection.

Last year, the Telangana High Court had quashed a criminal case against Chief Minister Revanth Reddy over alleged Model Code of Conduct (MCC) violations during the 2019 Huzurnagar by-elections.

The case, registered at Garidepally police station, named Revanth Reddy as accused no. 2 and then MP N Uttam Kumar Reddy as accused no. 1. They were booked under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for purportedly holding a campaign meeting in Ponugodu mandal on October 19, 2019, without permission from election officials.

Police later filed a chargesheet before the Principal Special Judicial First Class Magistrate for Excise Cases in Hyderabad.

The High Court observed that MCC-related offences in this case were not maintainable and the chargesheet lacked evidence of intentional disobedience.

The order came on Revanth Reddy’s plea to quash the proceedings.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Nov 12 (IANS) Former Australian cricketer and deputy chairman of Queensland cricket, Ian Healy, hit out at Usman Khawaja over an old feud as he criticised the former opener for not detailing the injury saga in his book 'Sabr'.

Khawaja's autobiography made the headlines even before the release, as the now 39-year-old claimed that "all" members of the Australian team were aware of the use of the sandpaper during the Cape Town Test against South Africa in 2018 and that Australia had also used the object on the ball in the previous Test match in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha).

Apart from those explosive claims, Khawaja opened up on a separate incident with Healy during his playing days. In his book, the former Queensland captain addressed Healy's criticism of him attending the Australian Grand Prix in 2024 instead of playing a match for Queensland.

Khawaja stated that he was "absolutely nailed" by Healy back then and he had implied "I was only worried about myself and not giving back."

Healy hit out at Khawaja over the issue and claimed that he did not mention the full story of him missing that game for Queensland. "He didn’t even tell the team why he wasn’t playing. I sussed it out with all sorts of medicos in our dressing room and the head of our high performance, and they denied the injury," Healy said, as quoted by SEN.

"They tested him structurally and his functionality, and they said there is no hammy (hamstring injury); you are right to play. He did not say that in his book. Then they said, 'Let’s get it scanned this afternoon,' and he refused to get it scanned. That’s what I was going on, and it was a shame he does not support his team better than that," Healy added.

Khawaja's claims have reignited a fresh debate in Australian cricket. Khawaja had made the explosive claims in his books, stating that all of the team knew about the Sandpapergate.

"It was all of us. Not the batters, not the bowlers, not the staff. All of us," Khawaja said, as quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald. "In an ideal world, I don't want to do this. I don't want to be the one who comes out and talks about the truth. The issue is that I genuinely thought after eight years the truth would have been out by now."

The issue was later backed by David Warner, who was handed a one-year ban and a lifetime leadership ban from leading in international and Australian domestic cricket, which was later overturned in 2024.

--IANS

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Itanagar/New Delhi, Nov 12 (IANS) Nearly 50,000 devotees have visited the exposition of the sacred relics of Shakyamuni Buddha in Arunachal Pradesh in the first two weeks of the event that is offering people a rare opportunity to pay their respects, an official said on Thursday.

"As the exposition enters its second week, it continues to provide an opportunity for devotees from different parts of Arunachal Pradesh to offer prayers, seek blessings and experience the spiritual significance of the sacred relics," a statement issued by the Union Ministry of Culture said.

The exposition commenced at Gaden Namgyal Lhatse Monastery (Tawang Monastery) on October 31 and concluded on November 7.

During this period, more than 31,000 devotees from Tawang and neighbouring areas visited the monastery to offer prayers and pay their respects to the sacred relics, the statement said.

Following the conclusion of the exposition at Tawang, the sacred relics arrived at Thubchog Gatsel Ling (TGL) Monastery, also known as Lower Gompa, in Bomdila, on November 8, it added.

The participation of the local community reflects the strong Buddhist traditions and spiritual heritage of the region, the statement said.

The public exposition at TGL Monastery in Bomdila will continue till Friday, providing devotees with further opportunities to have darshan of the sacred relics.

Following the conclusion of the Bomdila exposition, the sacred relics will proceed to the Golden Pagoda in Namsai, where they will be open for public veneration from November 14 to 20, the statement said.

The exposition is being organised by the Union Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the National Museum in New Delhi, the Arunachal Pradesh government, and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in New Delhi.

The initiative reflects the Union government's continued commitment to preserving and promoting India's rich Buddhist heritage and strengthening the country's cultural and spiritual ties with Buddhist communities, the statement said.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, Nov 12 (IANS) Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka said on Thursday that when people began condemning the mistakes of the Congress government, the ethanol controversy was raised to divert the issue and distract the public mind.

Speaking at a press conference, he said misinformation is being spread about blending ethanol with petrol. A problem that does not exist in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and elsewhere has been created here. The government is unable even to give Rs 5,000 drought relief to farmers. It first announced Rs 2,500 and then gave only Rs 1,500 in Yadgir.

Even then, the Revenue Minister justified it by saying it happened by mistake. Such errors continue even when IAS officers are present. Recently, an IAS officer in Hassan posted on social media that “if the lion sleeps, dogs will bark.” Such officers have lost the competence to provide relief, he said.

Under the Kisan Samman scheme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is giving Rs 6,000 directly to the bank accounts of farmers across the country. But in the state, there is no system to deliver relief directly to farmers. Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has said that per capita income has increased. But he has not disclosed how much debt has been incurred per person. All these issues have been diverted by raising the ethanol matter, he said.

Vehicle manufacturing companies have not complained that their engines are getting damaged, nor have people gone to court. Only Congress is complaining about this. Only Minister Rizwan Arshad and Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar were raising complaints, he noted.

Belagavi Congress leaders had demanded that ethanol be purchased. Now Bengaluru Congress leaders are saying ethanol is not needed. More than 80 countries are blending ethanol. When I was Transport Minister, I appealed to then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh regarding ethanol use, but he did not give permission. At that time, the petroleum lobby was active. Countries like America, Brazil and Vietnam are using ethanol to help farmers, he said.

From 2014-15 till May 2026, ethanol blending has resulted in more than Rs 1.90 lakh crore foreign exchange savings. Consumption of more than 310 lakh tonnes of crude oil has reduced, and about 930 lakh metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions have been reduced. Farmers have received more than Rs 1.60 lakh crore in additional income, he said.

Vehicle mileage has reduced more due to potholes on roads than due to ethanol. BMTC buses that used to run at 18 km per hour have now dropped to 11 km per hour. Out of 63 samples, only 11 samples were shown. The test results of the remaining samples should also have been shown. Were the samples collected from Congress-owned petrol bunks? Which bunks? That has not been disclosed, he said.

The Central Government has given guidelines on where and how testing should be done. Ignoring that, testing has been done somewhere else. As per Section 8/2 of the law brought by the UPA in 2005, six samples should be collected and given to the company and the owner. Information should be given to the owner within five days. The government has not followed any such process, he said.

Congress leaders who go to the Central Government for everything should have met Central ministers and held discussions on ethanol as well. This should be tested impartially and information given to the people, rather than creating panic among them. Otherwise, it will be like extracting potatoes from gold, as Rahul Gandhi says — getting results from tests, he remarked sarcastically.

If petrol is Rs 53 per litre, ethanol is priced at Rs 56.70. Because the rate is higher, companies do not make excessive profits from this. From ethanol alone, the Congress government received Rs 10,308 crore in income in 2025-26.

While the Central Government gets Rs 12 per litre from petrol, the state government gets Rs 24-25. That means the Congress, which receives higher revenue, is now making accusations about the same thing. Raids were conducted on 805 petrol bunks.

But weighing and measuring is the responsibility of the state government. Therefore, this is entirely the state government’s responsibility. Then they should have disclosed how many people action has been taken against, he said.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Nov 12 (IANS) Congress leader Hussain Dalwai on Thursday questioned Indian Overseas Congress Chairman Sam Pitroda's praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, suggesting that he might be considering switching sides, while RJD spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav dismissed the remarks as “politically insignificant”.

BJP leaders, meanwhile, welcomed Pitroda's comments, with BJP MLA and former Union Minister V. Muraleedharan saying that appreciation for the Prime Minister was welcome if Pitroda had recognised the truth.

Reacting to Pitroda's remarks, Dalwai said the Congress leader lived abroad and might not be fully aware of developments in India.

"Sam Pitroda does not live in India; he lives abroad. How would he know what is happening here? He must have made the statement for some reason. I think he may be considering switching sides. I do not know what is going on in his mind," Dalwai told IANS.

He said Pitroda should instead speak about what he described as restrictions on people's democratic rights, including the freedom to express dissent and protest.

"He is praising the Prime Minister. The government is subjecting people to oppression and injustice and is not even allowing them the right to speak, protest or struggle. This is completely wrong and goes against the Constitution. If Sam Pitroda speaks about these issues, that would be a good thing," Dalwai said.

RJD spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav also questioned the political significance of Pitroda's comments, alleging that his positions changed according to convenience.

"Sam Pitroda keeps making comments from time to time, often according to his own convenience. He is quite good at assessing when to be close to whom and when to oppose whom. Sometimes he sides with PM Narendra Modi, sometimes with the Congress, and at other times he puts the Congress or PM Modi in the dock. This has been his pattern," Yadav said.

"I do not believe that his statements carry any significance in terms of national interest or political interest," he added.

BJP spokesperson T.R. Srinivas said Pitroda's comments appeared to signal a change in his attitude towards Modi, but cautioned against concluding the reasons behind it.

"Sam Pitroda has described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a hardworking Gujarati leader and said he has no personal differences with him. There must be some reason behind this change of heart. It is too early to speculate whether it is related to Sonia Gandhi's recently released book or something else. We will have to wait and watch how developments unfold," Srinivas said.

BJP MLA and former Union Minister V. Muraleedharan also welcomed the remarks, saying that Pitroda was entitled to appreciate the Prime Minister.

"If Sam Pitroda has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi after realising the truth, I welcome it. Ultimately, the truth cannot be concealed for long and will eventually come out. However, I do not know the context or motive behind his remarks. If he has said something good, everyone should be happy about it," Muraleedharan said.

In an exclusive interview with IANS, Pitroda described Modi as a hardworking leader and spoke positively about their personal interactions, while maintaining that he differed with the Prime Minister's ideology and worldview.

"He is a Gujarati friend. I respect him as a person. My wife and I have met him. He has been very warm, kind, loving and caring at a personal level. Of course, he is a good orator and hard-working, and we get along well. We have no personal issues," Pitroda said.

"I have nothing against Modi as a Gujarati leader, friend or well-wisher. He has been very warm towards me, and I appreciate that. Similarly, I have been to his house in Gujarat several times. I may have issues with his views of the world, his ideology, but that is not against the individual. I can disagree with him and have dinner with him," he added.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Nov 12 (IANS) Nandigram, the tiny speck on West Bengal’s map in Purba Medinipur district that grabbed headlines in 2007 for its stiff resistance to land acquisition for a chemical hub by the then Left Front government and catapulted Mamata Banerjee to power in the state, has turned into a nemesis for the former Chief Minister.

From the war-cry of “Tomar Naam, Amar Naam, Nandigram, Nandigram” (your name, my name, Nandigram, Nandigram), Mamata’s Trinamool Congress is now grappling with criticism over the absence of any significant commemoration of the movement on November 10 this year.

The day is observed as “Nandigram Day”, or “Martyrs Day”, every year since the fall of the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee-led government. Participants recall the crackdown allegedly by Left Front supporters who opened fire on a protest rally that day in 2007, killing at least two people in an incident known as “Operation Sunrise”.

This year, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari paid homage to the martyrs in a ceremony to mark the day in Nandigram.

The strongest condemnation has come from Trinamool MLA and spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, who is known not to mince words and to speak what he thinks is right. For Mamata Banerjee, Nandigram was a movement that gave her a moral cause, a political narrative and, ultimately, the keys to the state secretariat.

She coined the slogan “Ma Mati Manush” (Mother, Motherland, People) that the Trinamool Congress used during the 2011 election campaigns to highlight the plight of the villagers affected by the acquisition of some 10,000 acres of agricultural land to build a chemical hub. That interpretation transformed West Bengal’s politics.

Together, Singur and Nandigram allowed Mamata to construct a powerful narrative against the then-ruling Left Front. The issue of industrialisation became a question of power, land rights, and government arrogance. The image of farmers resisting alleged land grabs destroyed the Left Front’s carefully nurtured image as the protector of rural Bengal.

The movement expanded far beyond Purba Medinipur and became a statewide referendum on Left rule. By the time voters went to the polls in 2011, “Ma, Mati, Manush” gained prominence and Mamata stormed to power, ending 34 uninterrupted years of Left Front rule. For the Trinamool Congress, Nandigram became sacred political territory.

But history had another twist waiting. Among the local leaders who emerged from the anti-land acquisition agitation, none gained more prominence than Suvendu Adhikari. He was among the principal organisers and one of the architects of Trinamool's rise in the region.

For years, he was regarded as one of Mamata Banerjee's most trusted lieutenants and perhaps a natural heir within the party's second rung. But after a fallout, his switch to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2020 reinvented the political turf once again. When Mamata Banerjee decided to contest the 2021 Assembly election from Nandigram, the move was designed as a statement.

It was a bid to reclaim the movement's legacy and demonstrate that the political ownership of Nandigram remained with her and the Trinamool Congress. Instead, Nandigram delivered the most symbolic setback of her career.

Mamata lost to Adhikari in the same constituency that had launched her to power. Even as the Trinamool swept the state and secured a decisive third term, its supreme leader had to seek an entry to the Assembly through a by-election.

Even more significantly, the BJP emerged as the principal challenger in a region where the Left had once been the dominant force and where the Trinamool later appeared invincible. That reality perhaps explains the awkwardness surrounding Nandigram today for Mamata Trinamool.

Celebrating the movement means revisiting the story of Trinamool's greatest triumph simultaneously with one of its most embarrassing setbacks. It means acknowledging that the movement's most influential local face now sits obliterated, failing again to secure an entry to the state Assembly after losing – again to Adhikari – from her home seat of Bhabanipur.

Nandigram thus remains the defining moment of Mamata Banerjee's political life. It transformed her from a perpetual agitator into a credible chief ministerial contender and reshaped Bengal’s political map. But it also demonstrated the uncertainty in democratic politics, where the most powerful has been humbled.

If Nandigram was the battle cry that brought Mamata Banerjee to power, it has also become the mirror through which the limits of that power are increasingly visible.

--IANS

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Shimla, Nov 12 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh is set to witness a spell of rain and snowfall over the next four days, with temperatures likely to drop by up to six degrees Celsius.

The Meteorological (Met) Department here on Thursday forecast light to moderate precipitation in several parts of the state from November 12 to 15, with higher-altitude areas likely to receive snowfall.

It said that thunderstorms and lightning are also expected in a few districts, prompting an advisory for residents and farmers to remain cautious.

In higher-altitude areas, light rainfall and snowfall are likely at isolated places on November 12 and 13.

Similar weather activity may occur at one or two locations on November 14 and 15.

According to the Met Department, minimum temperatures may gradually fall by two to four degrees in several parts of Himachal Pradesh over the next three to four days.

During the same period, maximum temperatures are also likely to decline by two to six degrees. This drop in temperature is expected to make mornings and evenings noticeably colder, a weather expert said.

During the past 24 hours, weather conditions across the state remained mainly dry.

No significant change was recorded in minimum and maximum temperatures at most places, although temperatures remained above normal at a few locations.

According to the Met Department, Kukumseri recorded the lowest minimum temperature at minus 2.1 degrees.

Meanwhile, Una had earlier recorded the highest maximum temperature at 32.6 degrees.

Along with rainfall and snowfall, thunderstorms and lightning have also been forecast in some districts.

According to the district-wise warning forecast issued by the department, thunderstorms and lightning may occur at isolated places in Chamba, Kangra, Kullu and Mandi districts on Thursday.

On November 13, similar weather activity is likely at isolated places in Kangra, Kullu, Mandi and Shimla districts.

On November 14, thunderstorms may occur at a few places in Chamba and Kangra.

No specific weather warnings have been issued for any district for November 15 and 16.

The Met Department said weather activity could damage standing crops.

Weak structures and temporary huts may also suffer partial damage.

Residents have been advised not to take shelter under trees during thunderstorms, minimise outdoor activities and move to safe locations.

People have also been urged to stay updated with the latest weather forecasts and follow advisories issued by the state government.

With rainfall, possible snowfall and falling temperatures expected over the coming days, Himachal Pradesh is likely to witness a noticeable shift towards colder winter conditions.

--IANS

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Ranchi, Nov 12 (IANS) In another incident of wildlife tragedy, an elephant died after coming into contact with a sagging high-voltage power line in Jharkhand's Khunti district on Thursday morning, officials said.

The incident took place in Tetari village under the Rania police station area in Khunti. The elephant's carcass was found in bushes near a government girls' middle school.

Forest department officials, police personnel, and electricity department teams rushed to the spot after receiving information and launched an investigation.

According to villagers, the accident took place at around 5 a.m. The elephant was reportedly moving towards the village from the Koel River side when it came into contact with an 11,000-volt power line hanging unusually low over the path. The animal died on the spot following the impact of the electric shock.

Villagers discovered the carcass in the bushes later in the morning. The news of the incident quickly spread across the region, drawing large crowds to the site.

After locals informed forest officials and the Rania police about the incident, teams from the Forest Department and police inspected the area. Employees of the Electricity Department also arrived at the scene.

Investigation into the unfortunate incident is currently underway.

The tragedy has raised concerns about the safety of animals that pass by the power lines through forested and rural areas.

Meanwhile, a herd of around a dozen elephants has been roaming the forests and nearby villages of Rania block in Khunti for the past two months, according to villagers. The herd frequently strays out of the forest into rural settlements. Their incursions into farmlands have caused significant crop damage, and there have also been reports of damage to houses in some areas.

As a result, local residents remain concerned about the frequent movement of elephants in the region. In the past two months alone, seven elephants have died in separate incidents across Jharkhand.

In a similar incident reported from West Bengal in September, the carcasses of three elephants -- a mother elephant and her two calves -- were spotted in a paddy field at Salboni in West Midnapore district.

An initial investigation had suggested that the three elephants came in contact with a high-tension electricity wire.

According to local sources, a herd of elephants was passing through the village. An electric pump was installed to irrigate the farmland, with a live wire passing through the land. It is believed that the three elephants died after touching the wire and getting electrocuted.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Feb 13 (IANS) Maharashtra NCP(SP) President Shashikant Shinde has written a commemorative editorial in the party’s magazine, shedding light on the hidden dynamics of the split and the alleged merger plans between the two NCP factions.

Shinde claimed that late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was forced to exit the original NCP due to threats and conspiracies orchestrated by "invisible powers."

He further said that a final decision to merge the two parties was reached in the presence of Maratha strongman Sharad Pawar and was to be announced on February 12.

In a massive revelation, Shinde asserted that Sharad Pawar and other senior leaders had agreed to hand over the entire command of the unified party to Ajit Pawar following the merger.

“Fulfilling this merger and rebuilding the party with strength would be the only true tribute to Ajit Dada," Shinde wrote.

Shinde clarified, "It was our decision to hand over all party responsibilities to Ajit Dada once the merger process was complete. However, fate had other plans. We were all mentally prepared to accept Ajit Dada’s leadership.”

Shinde appealed to the party faithful, asserting that a merger is the only true tribute to the late leader. He noted, “Ajit Pawar’s dream remains unfulfilled, and it is now the party's responsibility to complete it. Unity: Reuniting and strengthening the NCP is the ultimate goal. Leaders and workers must set aside their differences and broaden their perspective to achieve this unity.”

Following the publication of the article, senior NCP(SP) leader and former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh remarked, "I am unaware of what our State President has said. Since he wrote the article, he likely has more information than I do. I personally have no knowledge of this matter."

While Sharad Pawar has avoided commenting publicly on the matter, Shinde’s article has brought these behind-the-scenes developments to light. However, Shinde’s revelations have sparked a new controversy and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) has reacted with sharp skepticism.

Party spokesperson Suraj Chavan questioned the timing of these claims. Chavan alleged that discussing a merger while the leader’s mortal remains were still at Vidya Pratishthan suggests a "lust for power" rather than genuine respect. He clarified that Sunetra Pawar is now the ultimate authority of their party and any dialogue must happen through her.

Further, the party legislator Amol Mitkari stated that no such merger discussions have occurred within their internal party meetings, attributing the rumours to the rival camp's leaders.

While the Pawar family continues to demonstrate a unique balance of political rivalry and familial bond — recently seen at family weddings — the political future remains clouded.

All eyes are now on Sunetra Pawar. Whether she will pursue the "unfulfilled dream" of a unified NCP or maintain a separate identity, remains a question that will define the next chapter of Maharashtra politics.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) India’s share in global electronics demand has expanded at a rapid compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.2 per cent, significantly outpacing global growth of 4.4 per cent between 2015 and 2024, driven primarily by the sharp rise in mobile phone exports, according to NITI Aayog's Trade Watch Quarterly report for July-September 2025-26, launched on Friday.

Between 2016 and 2024, electronics exports increased nearly five-fold, reaching USD 42.1 billion. With global electronics trade valued at USD 4.6 trillion, the sector represents one of the largest and fastest-evolving segments of the world economy. India has demonstrated particular strength in products such as mobile phones, consumer electronics, and communication equipment, with exports increasingly directed towards major final-consumption markets including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the UAE, the report states.

Electronics, the thematic focus of this quarter's edition, has emerged as a cornerstone of India's manufacturing and export transformation. Now the second-largest item in India's export basket, the sector is both technology-led and deeply interconnected with industries such as automotive, renewable energy, telecom, defence, and digital services, making it a powerful multiplier for industrial growth.

The report states that having established a strong foothold in assembly and system integration, India is now entering the next phase of its electronics journey, moving decisively toward component manufacturing and higher value addition. This transition is supported by targeted policy measures, including the Union Budget's Rs 40,000 crore allocation under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme, aimed at strengthening domestic capabilities.

The analysis underscores that sustained competitiveness will be driven by deeper integration into global electronics value chains, encompassing printed circuit board design, semiconductor assembly and testing, power electronics, and embedded systems. Complemented by continued improvements in logistics efficiency, tariff rationalisation, and industry-aligned skill development, these shifts position electronics as a key engine of India's export growth and technological advancement in the coming decade.

NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Suman Bery said, "Electronics, as the organising core of modern manufacturing value chains, with semiconductors and components, plays a key role in determining trade balances and technological sovereignty. While India has achieved scale in final assembly, sustained competitiveness will depend on correcting structural cost disabilities, deepening domestic component ecosystems, and leveraging anchor investments in components to embed Indian firms more firmly within global production networks."

The publication also provides a comprehensive assessment of global and domestic trade trends at a time when global trade growth has moderated but remains positive, with services continuing to outperform goods and developing regions emerging as key drivers.

The analysis highlights that India's trade performance in Q2 FY26 was driven by export-led momentum sustaining the overall trade expansion amid heightened global uncertainty. Services and merchandise exports recorded robust growth of around 8.5 per cent, outpacing import growth in both merchandise and services.

At a structural level, the edition underscores the deepening of trade among developing economies, which has expanded nearly four-fold since 2005 and now accounts for a rising share of global exports, with India’s trade trajectory increasingly aligned with this Global South rebalancing through regional value chains and new trade corridors.

Further, this edition highlights the growing role of e-commerce as a key enabler of future export growth. India is now among the world’s top six e-commerce markets, with electronics accounting for nearly half of online retail.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Nov 12 (IANS) Actors Jaideep Ahlawat, Abhishek Banerjee and Barun Sobti are set to share screen space in the upcoming crime caper “Pushpak Vimaan.”

The series is co-created and written by Sudip Sharma and Abhishek Banerjee. Featuring Jaideep, Abhishek and Barun in the lead roles, the series marks a shift from the intense storytelling that Sharma is known for, exploring the genre of comedy instead. Speaking about the series, Sudip Sharma, Creator and Director, said in a statement, “With Pushpak Vimaan, I wanted to explore a very different creative space. It is a crime caper, but one in which the humour comes from the characters, their circumstances and the sheer unpredictability of the situations they find themselves in. Netflix is where I choose to experiment, and it was the natural home for a story of this nature. It provided the space to explore the genre freely and to bring this unusual ensemble of characters to life.”

Tanya Bami, Series Head, Netflix India added, “Pushpak Vimaan is a show we are very excited to announce. Firstly, this is our next franchise with Sudip Sharma whose distinct style of combining a compelling story with a deep commentary on society has always found critical as well as audience love. With Pushpak Vimaan, we’re happy to champion Sudip’s creativity once again, this time with a comedy series he wrote, showran and directed and it’s an unputdownable caper. It’s one hell of a fun ride that we can’t wait for our audiences to experience.”

Produced by Film Squad Productions LLP, “Pushpak Vimaan” is a crime caper that blends humour with an unusual mix of characters and a chain of events that gradually spirals out of control. The series also highlights Netflix's continued association with storytellers looking to experiment with genres and explore fresh creative ideas.

The project marks the second collaboration between Sudip Sharma and Netflix, following their successful association on “Kohrra.”

--IANS

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Mumbai, Nov 12 (IANS) Actor Aadinath Kothare has opened up about his school-day memories with Ranbir Kapoor.

In an exclusive quote shared with IANS, he recalled how the two would play cricket together as they lived in the same building. He also shared an interesting connection between their families, revealing that his father had once played Neetu Singh’s brother on screen. Recalling his school days with Ranbir, Aadinath shared, “Ranbir was my senior in school. We used to stay in the same building and play cricket together. I remember Vinoy Gandhi introducing me to Ranbir in school once.”

The actor also spoke about a connection that has come full circle with his casting in “Ramayana.” Kothare mentioned, “My father was a child actor in his younger days, and he had played Neetu Singh’s brother in Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani. What a coincidence that I am playing Ranbir’s brother in Ramayana.”

In Namit Malhotra’s "Ramayana", Aadinath Kothare plays the role of Bharat, Lord Ram's devoted younger brother.

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, “Ramayana: Part 1” is based on the Hindu epic Ramayana, traditionally attributed to sage Valmiki. The film is the first instalment of a two-part cinematic adaptation and chronicles the life of Lord Ram, from his childhood to his 14-year exile. The film features an ensemble cast led by Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana. The cast also includes Ravi Dubey, Anupam Kher, Kajal Aggarwal, Rakul Preet Singh, Vivek Oberoi, Kunal Kapoor, Aadinath Kothare, Arun Govil, Indira Krishnan, and Lara Dutta, among others.

Produced by Namit Malhotra and Yash, the film has been written by Nitesh Tiwari and Shridhar Raghavan. It was released in theatres on 5 November.

Speaking about Aadinath’s acting journey, he made his first screen appearance as a child actor in his father’s film Majha Chakula (1994). He later made his adult acting debut with “Ved Lavi Jeeva.”

--IANS

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Mumbai, Nov 12 (IANS) Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur has shared a thought-provoking reflection on India's ancient wisdom, mathematical traditions and architectural brilliance.

He also drew parallels between the country's traditional knowledge systems and modern scientific developments. The filmmaker also recalled the famous response of legendary Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan when asked how he arrived at solutions to some of the most complex mathematical problems.

Taking to Instagram, Shekhar shared his observations about the extraordinary precision of ancient Indian temple architecture, particularly the intricate carvings created using traditional tools. Sharing a photo, he wrote, “My Devi comes to me ..Carved downwards out of a single piece of rock, with no tools other than hammers and chisels ..Yet the detail of carvings and sculptures within the temple are not just exquisite , but absolutely precise and accurate in form and in geometry.. from top to bottom.What happened if someone chiselled a nose on one of the sculptures wrong ? Did the whole temple need to be carved all over again ? No.. they just didn’t get anything wrong ? How .... that’s a mystery greater than the mystery of the Pyramids of Giza…”

The post further read, “The system of mathematics in ancient India came down from our scriptures and formed the basis of a lot of our music ( Taal ) , art and architecture, ..…..our Philosophy was not linear .. but circular .. where the finite met the infinite again and again in concentric circles .. like how the Universe is ..The closest modern science now comes to it is what we call Quantum computing , Quantum entanglement . The theories on which Google has built the ‘Willow’ .. the words fastest Quantum Computer. The British changed our education system and made it linear.”

“The colonizers did not have any understanding or knowledge of Quantum .. we did .. but over time of colonisation.. we lost that knowledge and Wisdom .... yes, Wisdom too .. for knowledge without Wisdom is dry , with the true and wider meaning squeezed out of it. No wonder that when the greatest Indian Mathematician of all time was asked how he solved some of the most perplexing questions that all the greatest physicists and mathematicians in world were unable to solve ..Ramanujan replied ....My Devi comes to me..”

On the work front, Shekhar Kapur announced his collaboration with music maestro A.R. Rahman on “Masoom: The New Generation” in May. The project will see the return of original cast members Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi and Jugal Hansraj, alongside Manoj Bajpayee, Nithya Menen and Kaveri Kapur.

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Mumbai, Nov 12 (IANS) Global couple Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas got married in December 2018 at a lavish wedding in Jodhpur. The couple got hitched as per both Hindu and Christian traditions.

Back in 2019, when PeeCee appeared on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon', the 'Barfi' actress revealed that it was Nick who pitched the idea of getting married in India.

Talking to Jimmy, Priyanka shared that she always wished to get married on a private island; however, Nick suggested that they should get hitched in India.

PeeCee said, “I always wanted to get married in a private island away from everything. We were like really stressed out about it cause we thought Seychelles, Maldives, Mauritius and nothing was working out, how will we fly everyone and the logistics."

The 'Fashion' actress added that while they were still pondering over their wedding venue, Nick suddenly suggested, “Why aren’t we doing this in India? Shouldn’t I be taking my bride from her home?”

Giving some more fun insights into their relationship, PeeCee added that while most things do not work in her house, Nick's house, on the other hand, is extremely well maintained.

Comparing Nick’s house with hers, she said, “Now nothing works in my house because I am never in my house; my coffee machine doesn’t work, and the air-conditioning makes a sound. My house is cute, it’s beautiful...but nothing works. Even my doorbell doesn’t work now.”

“When I go to Nick’s house, it makes me so nervous, as when something is so super clean and when you take off your shoes, it bothers you. His house is just perfect. My dog peed on his carpet, and it’s a white carpet too. Before he came home, I went through everything... cleaners, baking soda, scrubbing... but he still noticed," she added.

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