Author: News Desk

India once had a Nawab so wealthy he built his own railway station—inside his palace. That Nawab was Hamid Ali Khan of Rampur. In the early 1900s, when ordinary Indians struggled to afford train fare, the Nawab constructed a 40-km private rail line from Milak to his Rampur Palace in Uttar Pradesh. His personal train, complete with guards, cooks, and servants, would arrive right at his doorstep. The train itself was a palace on wheels: four royal coaches with chandeliers, Persian rugs, teakwood furniture, and even two separate kitchens—one for Indian vegetarian meals and another for English-style non-veg. After Partition,…

In a career spanning nearly four decades, Vineet Agrawal led Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting through a transformative journey, from a modest ₹300 crore business in 2002 to a ₹10,600 crore (~$1.2 billion) global FMCG leader by 2025. As he prepares to retire in January 2026, Agrawal leaves behind a legacy of vision, discipline, and expansion. From Fieldwork to the Corner Office Agrawal joined Wipro as a management trainee in 1985 and began his career on the ground, shadowing seasoned sales professionals in cities like Patna and Ranchi. These early experiences, including a powerful lesson in dignity from a salesperson who reorganized fallen soap…

Russia is exploring a strategic proposal to produce the Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter in India under the “Make-in-India” initiative. Current discussions focus on evaluating the feasibility and costs of setting up local manufacture, likely at HAL’s existing facilities, and transferring critical technologies. India’s military planners are considering acquiring two to three squadrons of advanced fighters and are evaluating the Su-57 alongside the American F-35 as possible contenders. The proposal from Rosoboronexport and the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) goes far beyond off-the-shelf sales. It includes full technology transfer, local production of the export variant Su-57E, integration of Indian systems like GaN-based AESA radars and mission computers,…

In a high-profile cultural collaboration, Visit Qatar has launched a long-term partnership with the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai to deepen ties with Indian audiences and attract luxury travellers to the Gulf nation. The campaign kicked off with a gala event in Mumbai attended by top officials, celebrities, and cultural figures from both countries. Key dignitaries included Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism, Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar, and Mohammed bin Hassan Al Jaber, Qatar’s Ambassador to India. From India, the event saw the presence of Bollywood celebrities and noted Indian classical artist Rahul Sharma, who joined the Qatar Philharmonic…

Safin Hasan’s story is a powerful example of perseverance and ambition. Born in a modest home in Gujarat, his mother worked as a cook in strangers’ kitchens while his father labored lifting bricks. To supplement their limited income, the family ran a small roadside egg stall at night. The turning point in Safin’s life came when a District Collector visited his school. Inspired by the officer’s ability to impact lives, Safin decided he wanted to serve the nation through civil service. With the support of his school and relatives, he pursued his education and later joined an engineering college. In…

ISRO achieved a landmark success with the Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT‑01) for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission. The full-scale mock-up of the crew module was lifted to approximately 3 km altitude by an IAF Chinook helicopter over the Bay of Bengal before being released for a meticulously choreographed parachute descent. The test featured a complex sequence involving ten parachutes, two Apex Cover Separation, two drogue, three pilot, and three main chutes, designed to sequentially stabilize and decelerate the module for a gentle splashdown. After touchdown, the Indian Navy successfully recovered the module, completing the critical test. This multi-agency effort included…

In a landmark move that promises to brighten the festive season, the Vande Bharat Express has been extended all the way from Meerut City to Varanasi via Ayodhya Dham. Flagged off in late August 2025, this extension effectively bridges a long-standing connectivity gap—offering the first direct high-speed rail link between these culturally and spiritually significant cities. Covering approximately 783 kilometers in just under 12 hours, the train begins its journey from Meerut City at 6:35 AM, traverses through Moradabad (8:40 AM), Bareilly (10:11 AM), Lucknow NR (1:55 PM), and Ayodhya Dham (3:55 PM), before arriving at Varanasi Cantt at 6:25 PM. The return leg departs Varanasi…

Reliance Jio has reached an unprecedented milestone, surpassing 500 million users, as it marks its 9th anniversary. To show gratitude, the company has unveiled a suite of anniversary offers designed to reward its massive user base and enhance digital experiences. To celebrate the anniversary weekend (Sept 5–7), all 5G smartphone users get free unlimited 5G data, regardless of your current plan, and 4G users can enjoy unlimited 4G data with a ₹39 add-on, capped at 3GB/day. As a part of the anniversary month offer (Sept 5–Oct 5), the ₹349 “Celebration Plan” brings multiple benefits on top of unlimited 5G data, including 2% extra digital…

In a landmark move, the 56th GST Council approved sweeping reforms, cutting the four-tier tax structure into two main slabs of 5% and 18%, starting September 22, alongside a special 40% GST for luxury and “sin” goods. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman underscored this as a “structural reform” aimed at simplifying compliance and easing the tax burden on consumers. Big reductions are coming across essential items. Daily household goods like hair oil, soaps, and toothpaste drop to 5% from 18%, while groceries such as butter, ghee, paneer, and bread become tax-exempt. Healthcare and educational supplies, as well as insurance policies, also see significant relief, with life-saving…

The GST Council has revamped vehicle tax rates, making commuter rides more affordable while simplifying the tax structure for automakers and buyers alike. Effective September 22, small petrol cars (up to 1200 cc or diesel up to 1500 cc, under 4 m in length), motorcycles up to 350 cc, and three-wheelers now attract an 18% GST rate, down from 28%. Hybrid cars under these specifications are also included in this reduced bracket. In contrast, motorcycles above 350 cc and larger vehicles, petrol cars over 1200 cc, diesel over 1500 cc, and longer than 4 m, plus luxury cars, yachts, and personal aircraft, now fall under a simplified 40%…