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Shaheed Diwas, observed annually on March 23, is a solemn occasion to pay tribute to the martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice for India’s freedom. This day is particularly significant for remembering the courage and sacrifice of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev, who were hanged by the British colonial rulers on this day in 1931. Their sacrifice, which was a turning point in India’s struggle for independence, continues to inspire generations of Indians to uphold the values of nationalism and patriotism.

ICICI Bank and Bharti Airtel emerging as the biggest gainers, in tandem with a bullish trend in equities. Last week, the BSE benchmark gauge surged 3,076.6 points, or 4.16 per cent, and the NSE Nifty jumped 953.2 points, or 4.25 per cent. The market capitalisation (mcap) of ICICI Bank jumped Rs 64,426.27 crore to Rs 9,47,628.46 crore, the most among the top-10 firms.

Hyundai, announcing price hikes due to rising input costs and operational expenses. Maruti Suzuki India, which leads the domestic passenger car segment in the country, plans to hike prices of its entire model range by up to 4 per cent from next month. The auto major currently sells various models, ranging from the entry-level Alto K-10 to the multiple-purpose vehicle Invicto in the domestic market, with prices ranging from Rs 4.23 lakh to Rs 29.22 lakh, respectively (ex-showroom Delhi). Its rival Hyundai Motor India said it will increase car prices by up to 3 per cent from April 2025, owing to rising raw material and operational costs.

Trump are challenging the global commodity market, making prices highly volatile. The recent US tariffs on countries like Canada, Mexico, and China have raised concerns over a global trade war, as Canada and China have already imposed retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products. Bullion was the asset that benefited most due to the tariff war. Gold in the key London spot market is hovering above the psychological level of $3,000 an ounce, gaining more than 15 percent so far this year. Similarly, Indian gold prices also gained considerably, with the MCX futures prices trading at a lifetime high of ₹88,800 per ten grams last week.

Election Commission «dysfunctional» and a «failed» institution, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal has claimed that a large section of the people do not have faith in the poll body as it has not discharged its functions in accordance with its constitutional responsibilities. In an interview with PTI, Sibal said the quicker the issue of lack of faith in the Election Commission is dealt with, the greater is the chance of saving democracy. «The Election Commission is a dysfunctional body. The Election Commission has not discharged its functions in accordance with its responsibilities which are expected of it under the Constitution,» he said when asked about the Congress' and TMC's allegations about voters list irregularities. The Election Commission as it stands today is a «failed institution» and there is no confidence in the Election Commission among a large section of the people of this country, the Independent Rajya Sabha MP said. «Therefore, the quicker we deal with this issue, the greater is the chance of saving democracy,» Sibal said. «The message to the opposition is that apart from the EVMs, there are some really serious issues which in fact suggest that the process of elections is polluted,» he said.

freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev on Sunday, remembering their supreme sacrifice for India's freedom. PM Modi took to social media platform X and said their «fearless pursuit of freedom and justice» continues to inspire everyone. «Today, our nation remembers the supreme sacrifice of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev. Their fearless pursuit of freedom and justice continues to inspire us all,» the Prime Minister wrote, reflecting on their significant contributions to India's independence movement. Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also paid tributes to the three martyrs on, remembering their contributions to India's fight for freedom. «On the martyrdom day of Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru, I pay my humble tribute to them,» he posted on X.

Market leaders IndiGo and Air India Group, along with SpiceJet, told the aviation regulator they can’t share the data as disclosing the information would lead to commercial setbacks, according to a March 11 letter by the Federation of Indian Airlines that was seen by Bloomberg News. The move is set to impact the government’s plan to strengthen monitoring of fares in a market where IndiGo and Air India Group together control over 90% of the share of domestic aviation following a merger last year. That dominant position gives IndiGo and Air India a greater say in deciding fares and has fueled concern among policymakers. While fares aren’t regulated in the South Asian country, interventions, including asking airlines to add flights or cut fares, have increased after a sharp spike in prices during a Hindu religious gathering in February was widely criticized.

standup comedian Harshit Mahawar argued if you cannot get the coveted work-life balance, why not aim for 'work-wife balance'? In a hilarious post that has gone viral, achieving over 17K likes, Mahawar suggested busy employees turn colleagues into spouses to get the best of both worlds. Mahawar began his post on a rather sombre note, observing that in India, employees who have a family are in a lose-lose situation. If they are workaholics, they don’t have much time for family; however, losing their job causes them to get ostracised from their family. He then gave an innovative solution to this dilemma: Marry your colleague! Mahawar argued such an arrangement comes with several perks, such as:

A key leader of NCP, which was floated last month with widely assumed blessings of Professor Muhammad Yunus, accused the military of «political interference» over a proposal for inclusiveness that would allow Awami League to participate in the next elections. «Those who are supposed to discharge their work inside cantonment, should stay there... in the 'post-revolution Bangladesh' no interference in the political landscape from the cantonment will be accepted,» said Hasnat Abdullah in a press briefing at the NCP office. Several hundred followers of Hasnat and NCP activists also chanted slogans at the rallies against Army chief General Waker Uz Zaman chanting «Waker or Hasnat; Hasnat, Hasnat» and demanded Hasina and her «cohorts» to be hanged after trial. The military, which is now entrusted with maintaining nationwide law and order with magistracy power, however, did not enter the campus but continued their intensified patrol, particularly in the capital.

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Trump administration, triggering macro-economic uncertainties and fears of a potential recession. “Demand uncertainties from the second half of calendar year 2024 (2HCY24) have trickled into calendar year 2025 estimated (CY2025E) budgets, implying continued weakness in financial year 2026 estimated (FY2026E),” Kotak Institutional Equities said in a report on the IT sector. The IT services industry clocked the healthiest earnings rebound in six quarters in the October-to-December period backed by a modest uplift in business led by the key banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) vertical. This had raised hopes of a likely boost in revenue growth from the low to high single digits in 2025 at top-tier firms such as Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys and HCLTech.

Vodafone Idea (Vi) chief executive Akshaya Moondra has appealed to Department of Telecommunications (DoT) secretary Neeraj Mittal to urgently allow equity conversion of the telco’s upcoming adjusted gross revenue (AGR) and purchase dues relating to the 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016 spectrum auctions as the cash-strapped company braces for a spike in regulatory payouts. If DoT backs Moondra’s call, the government holding in Vi could jump to 49%, from 22.6% at present. The telecom JV between UK’s Vodafone Plc and India’s Aditya Birla Group has also told DoT that its current financial position does not allow it to furnish a Rs 6,091 crore bank guarantee (BG) or make a cash payment of Rs 5,493 crore towards a shortfall in the 2015 spectrum auction. Under these circumstances, it has asked the DoT not to take “any coercive action” against the company.

Speaking at a Business Today event here, Jaishankar also said that after decades of hearing the virtues of globalisation, the world today is grappling with the reality of industrial policies, export controls and tariff wars. He said that ensuring a favourable energy environment for coming decades is understandably one of India's key diplomatic objectives. Beyond fossil fuels, it extends to developing and deploying renewables on a large scale as well as exploring the potential of small modular reactors, he said. «The fifth biggest economy of the world must necessarily develop a broad and diverse set of energy relationships,» Jaishankar said.

US State Department's decision to freeze funding for Fulbright and other scholarships has left thousands of Indian students in limbo, stripping them of an opportunity that once changed lives, said study abroad consultants. Apart from taking away financial support, the stoppage has effectively blocked academic exposure for a host of students who are capable but with limited means, and stranded some mid-course. Shreya Mudgil was pursuing an MPhil in English from Kurukshetra University. As a 2019 Fulbright scholar, she spent a year primarily at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with all expenses covered and a stipend to boot. It was an opportunity she could only dream of till then. More than just academic exposure, it reshaped her introvert personality. Mudgil, head of marketing at food startup Conosh, now moves effortlessly in elite culinary circles, rubbing shoulders with celebrity and Michelin-starred chefs. «A hundred percent of that transformation came from the exposure Fulbright gave me,» she said.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, as he backed the country's entry into the coveted Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). Speaking to ET during his visit to India this week, Grossi stressed that countries that have important nuclear programmes and that manifest a wish to participate in a group (NSG) that fosters responsible trade in nuclear should be welcome. The IAEA director general recalled how when he was president of the NSG «we got very close». «The problem was not India in itself, it was the multilateral dynamic at the time.» Some countries including China and New Zealand had expressed reservations about India's entry into NSG. The NSG is a 48-member group that seeks to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons by regulating the export of nuclear materials and technology. The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog visited India to attend the Raisina Dialogue, and strengthen cooperation on nuclear energy and cancer care, among other issues. «I am proud to recognise Tata Memorial as an IAEA Rays of Hope Anchor Centre. A leader of the Global South, India has built strong cancer care expertise — now it's time to share it with the world. With this partnership, we will bring India's know-how to regions that need it most,» he said.

Boxy shirts, Korean pants, oversized tees and cargos for boys. Gen Zs have aunique way of dressing up. Some 20 brands launched in the past five years and aimed squarely at the social media generation — from Freakins and Bonkers Corner to Urbanic and Newme— are already nibbling into the sales of established rivals such as Zara and H&M in India. Gen Z, the largest consumer cohort, isn’t brand conscious or loyal either, which is hurting global labels. Its members, between the ages of 13 and 28 years, frequently experiment with attire, from head to toe. Also, money isn’t a factor as most of these upcoming brands have price tags of Rs 500-800, almost half that of their rivals.

licence plates “all manner of alphabetical permutations and combinations were on view”. This included JA (Jamaica), WAG (West Africa and Gambia), FM (Federated Malay States), BI (British India), M (Mandatory Palestine), EA (Kenya and East Africa) and SAU (South African Union). ToI explained that the UK allowed drivers from most countries to use their cars without paying any charge for 90 days, but because the US had not signed the relevant international convention: “American cars are required to be registered with British number plates and this is done at the ship’s side.” Licence plate-spotting goes back a while.

International Olympic Committee for Kirsty Coventry. The first woman president elected in the IOC's 131-year history began Friday in a breakfast meeting with Thomas Bach to start their transition. The formal handover is on Olympic Day, June 23. They agreed Coventry will take precedence in major IOC decisions in the next three months. The 41-year-old sports minister of Zimbabwe will soon resign her government position and plans to move with her family in April to the Olympic home city, Lausanne in Switzerland. Here's a look at some of the issues ahead: Equality for women Coventry's victory is the biggest statement of Bach's consistent policies to promote women in Olympic sports and politics.

Ravneet Singh Bittu on Saturday said the Ministry of Food Processing Industries will provide financial support for the establishment of 100 new NABL-accredited food testing laboratories across India in the 2025-26 financial year. Bittu, who inaugurated a food testing laboratory at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University in Bathinda district, highlighted the critical role of food testing in ensuring food safety. «Food testing is vital for ensuring that food products meet safety standards and are free from harmful contaminants and pathogens,» Bittu said in a statement. The initiative is part of the government's broader plan under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY), which has allocated Rs 503.47 crore for 205 laboratory projects. Of these, 169 projects have already been completed, with Rs 349.21 crore disbursed. These labs play a crucial role in meeting the requirements of major regulatory bodies such as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the Export Inspection Council of India (EIC), the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), and international agencies like the USFDA and EU regulations. Farmers and producers in sectors such as citrus fruits, green peas, cauliflower, carrots (both fresh and frozen), milk and milk products, basmati rice, wheat, millets like bajra and sorghum, mustard and sunflower oilseeds, and farm-produced shrimp will benefit from these state-of-the-art facilities, said Bittu, who is the Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries.

Kolkata Knight Riders, setting a target of 175 for Rajat Patidar-led Royal Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Despite Kolkata started on a weak note with South Africa's Quinton de Kock wicket in the first over of the opener, skipper Rahane came to the rescue and formed a strong partnership with Sunil Narine. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane made a wonderful 56 but defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders could only manage a sub-par 174 for eight against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the opening match of the IPL 2025 here on Saturday. Rahane made his fifty off just 31 balls and shared a 103-run stand for the second wicket with Sunil Narine (44, 26b) as at one stage KKR looked to break the 200-run margin with ease. However, RCB bowlers led by left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya (3/29) staged a splendid comeback. Josh Hazlewood got two wickets. Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar won the toss and opted to bowl against the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders in the tournament opener of the 18th edition of the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) at the iconic Eden Gardens on Saturday.

BCCI on Saturday announced the squads for the upcoming Senior Women's Multi-Day Challenger Trophy, which will be held across two venues in Dehradun from March 25 to April 8. The three-day tournament will feature four teams. While high-profile players such as India captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana will be absent from the competition, emerging talents like Kashvee Gautam have been included in the squads. «The Women's Selection Committee has picked the squads for the upcoming IDFC First Bank Senior Women's Multi-Day Challenger Trophy. The red-ball tournament will take place at two venues in Dehradun from March 25 to April 8, 2025,» BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said in a release. The squads are as follows: Team A: Richa Ghosh (CAB), Shipra Giri (UPCA), Shubha Satheesh (KSCA), Shweta Sehrawat (DDCA), Vrinda Dinesh (KSCA), Mukta Magre (MHCA), Henrietta Pereira (ACA), Minnu Mani © (KCA), Tanuja Kanwar (RSPB), Vasavi A. Pavani (ACA), Priya Mishra (DDCA), Arundhati Reddy (VC) (KCA), Sayali Satghare (MCA), Anaadi Tagde (MPCA), Pragati Singh (PCA). Team B: Yastika Bhatia (VC) (BCA), M. Mamatha (HYCA), Pratika Rawal (DDCA), Ayushi Soni (DDCA), Harleen Deol © (HPCA), Arushi Goel (UPCA), Kanika Ahuja (PCA), Mita Paul (CAB), Sree Charani (ACA), Mamta Paswan (JSCA), Prema Rawat (CAU), Nandini Sharma (UTCA), Kranti Goud (MPCA), Akshara S (TNCA), Titas Sadhu (CAB).