India Financial News

tea trade association has expressed optimism and enthusiasm as the tea industry witnessed significant growth, with over Rs2,800 crore worth of tea sold at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC) during the current financial year (2024-2025) so far. According to official data from the GTAC, approximately 111.03 million kg of tea was sold at an average price of Rs252 per kg until October of the ongoing financial year. In comparison, during the same period in the 2023-24 financial year, 102.92 million kg of tea was sold at an average price of Rs200.08 per kg. Dinesh Bihani, Secretary of the Guwahati Tea Auction Buyers' Association (GTABA), told ANI, «Compared to the previous year, we have achieved an increase of Rs52.75 per kg this year. Last year, we sold tea worth Rs2,059 crore from April to October, whereas this year, during the same period, we sold tea worth Rs2,807 crore. Last year, we sold 102.92 million kg of tea, and this year, it increased to 111.03 million kg.»

The wedding invitation beautifully showcases traditional South Indian elements, incorporating pastel tones to create a modern yet culturally rich design. The card features intricate illustrations of temple bells, brass lamps, banana leaves, and a white cow—symbols deeply rooted in Indian rituals and traditions. Alongside the couple’s names, family details are elegantly presented, adding a personal touch. Adding to the charm, the invite was accompanied by a thoughtfully curated gift hamper. The set included a delicately crafted ikkat-printed ensemble, a garland of fresh jasmine, and other meaningful tokens of gratitude, as well as a scroll. The choice of ikkat, known for its intricate tie-dye patterns and vibrant colors, reflects the couple’s appreciation for traditional craftsmanship while embracing a contemporary flair. This blend of heritage and modernity underscores the theme of their wedding celebrations.

Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded in the «severe» category. The minimum temperature was 15.9°C, which is 1.8°C above the seasonal average, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD). At 9 am, the AQI reached 429, according to the 'Sameer App', which provides hourly updates from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). On Saturday, the 24-hour average AQI had been 417 at 4 pm. AQI readings are categorised as follows: 0-50 (good), 51-100 (satisfactory), 101-200 (moderate), 201-300 (poor), 301-400 (very poor), and 401-500 (severe).

The government order, issued November 15, extends for two more months the powers of the armed forces to engage in day-to-day enforcement activities like the police, including making arrests. «The armed forces will carry out the orders assigned to us by the government,» army spokesman Sami-Ud-Daula Chowdhury said Sunday.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Standing on the Karnataka-Goa border near Karwar, the wide NH66 runs straight till the horizon. It sounds like the famous US Route 66, but on the map, the two couldn’t more different.

crude oil market is no stranger to volatility, and 2024 has been no exception. The combination of geopolitical tensions, OPEC’s decisions, and global economic shifts has kept oil prices fluctuating. For investors, this uncertainty presents both challenges and opportunities. This article explores the current crude oil trends in India, offering a comprehensive outlook on how these factors are influencing the market and what strategic actions investors can take. Geopolitical Tensions and Impact on Oil Prices The ongoing geopolitical conflicts, especially in the Middle East, are driving significant price movements in crude oil. The Israel-Hamas conflict has added a layer of unpredictability to an already volatile market. Any escalation in the war has the potential to disrupt supply chains, leading to sharp spikes in crude prices. This was evident when tensions flared in early October 2024, pushing prices upward as concerns grew over potential disruptions to oil fields in the region. However, when de-escalation talks are in progress, prices tend to fall just as sharply. The United States has been exerting pressure on Iran and Hamas to avoid targeting oil fields, which has added a level of uncertainty to future price movements.

Maharashtra election, FII flows, and global market dynamics—are likely to influence market movements. On Thursday, the Nifty 50 fell 0.11% to 23,532, closing below its 200-day moving average for the first time since April 2023. The BSE Sensex shed 0.14%, ending at 77,580. Markets were closed on Friday for Guru Nanak Jayanti.

HDFC Bank and State Bank of India taking the hardest hit in line with a weak trend in equities. Last week, BSE benchmark Sensex fell by 1,906.01 or 2.39 per cent. Equity markets were closed on Friday for Guru Nanak Jayanti.

Air India flights to and from Europe and the UK will now face higher charges for checking in a second bag. Starting from October 17, Air India has introduced fare families, with the lowest economy fare offering one checked bag of up to 23 kg for these routes. Those who want to check in two bags will need to select a higher economy fare, with the price difference beginning at approximately Rs 4,000 for a one-way ticket. Most big Western airlines like Lufthansa allow one check-in bag to economy flyers and extra charges have to be paid for the second bag. British Airways starts with a handbag-only economy fare and then has higher economy fare levels that allow two bags of upto 23 kg each. ALSO READ: Want European views without the hassles of a Schengen visa?

Vir Das, the award-winning comedian draws spotlight to an Indian taxi driver in the US, with a surprising background—an IIT Bombay graduate with a PhD and who worked as a scientist before being laid off. This highly qualified individual, now driving a cab in America, exemplifies the stark contrast between academic brilliance and the struggles of survival in a foreign land. Vir Das recounted meeting the driver at San Jose airport. Despite his evident discomfort behind the wheel, the driver maintained a polite demeanor, Vir Das said. The conversation soon drifted into Hindi, a language they both found comfort in, offering a brief respite from the alienation of living far from home. During this exchange, the driver shared his story—a tale of layoffs, survival, and the relentless pursuit of financial stability in the U.S. His current role as a cab driver was a far cry from the intellectual rigor of his scientific past, but it was a necessary step to make ends meet. The IIT graduate’s story is a sobering reminder of the unpredictability of life. Having excelled in one of the most prestigious educational institutions in India and pursued advanced research, he now navigated a very different path. His candid admission—missing home every single day—revealed a longing for a simpler life, one unburdened by mortgages, insurance payments, and the endless grind of the American dream. Yet, he stayed, tethered by responsibilities and a complex web of practicalities that often make returning home an impractical choice.

Prasanna Kumar, a student of Swaroopa Adyayana Kendra, has earned a place in the Indian Book of Records for this astonishing feat. Prasanna has achieved a remarkable milestone by visually interpreting the entire Bhagavad Gita. Using a unique pictorial language developed at Swaroopa Adyayana Kendra, Prasanna, son of Pampapathi and Nandini, illustrated all 700 shlokas of the sacred text through 84,426 meticulously crafted images, with each image representing an individual word. Prasanna joined Swaroopa Adyayana Kendra a year ago after completing his education at Rashtrothana Vidhyalaya in Shivamogga. Motivated by the goal of transforming the Sanskrit verses into a purely visual format, he embarked on this ambitious project. Over two-and-a-half months, he worked tirelessly, creating 1,400 lines of illustrations on hardboard sheets to bring the ‘Bhagavad Gita’ to life in a completely new way.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a flight trial of its long-range hypersonic missile on November 16, 2024, from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off-the-coast of Odisha. This hypersonic missile is designed to carry various payloads for ranges greater than 1500km for all the Services of the Indian Armed Forces. The missile was tracked by various range systems, deployed in multiple domains. The flight data obtained from down-range ship stations confirmed the successful terminal manoeuvres and impact with a high degree of accuracy.

Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2024 came to a grand conclusion on Saturday, leaving the festival-goers amazed with a legendary lineup of performances, cultural showcases, and fun activities that made this year’s event truly unforgettable. Held at the RBDSA Sports Complex, the two-day festival attracted more than 50,000 visitors each day, celebrating music, at the “Music Capital of India”. The final day was a fitting climax. Internationally acclaimed British band Clean Bandit delivering an electrifying performance that had the audience swaying to their global hits. Bollywood sensation Kanika Kapoor added her signature charm, while Dutch-Moroccan DJ R3HAB brought the house down with his high-energy beats, transforming the arena into a pulsating dance floor. Local stars, including Khasi Bloodz and SK Korn, continued to shine, representing the vibrant talent of Meghalaya and showcasing the region's deep connection to music.

Modi greeted the Indian diaspora in Nigeria on Sunday upon his arrival on the first leg of his three-nation visit. In a series of posts on X, PM Modi shared pictures of his welcome by the Indian diaspora in Nigeria and said that it was «heartwarming.» «Heartwarming to see the Indian community in Nigeria extending such a warm and vibrant welcome!» he said.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Shomie Das, who was successively principal of three well-known boarding schools, Mayo College, Lawrence School, Sanawar, and The Doon School from 1969-95, had radically unconventional ideas about education, gleaned from German and Austrian educationists and the product of his own innate liberalism and innovativeness. His ideas about education have a relevance well beyond the three posh schools he headed because they were contrary to the priorities of Indian education, then and now.

Swiggy listed on the bourses earlier this week, two of its delivery partners—Jigar Khan and Namrata Vora—joined cofounders Sriharsha Majety and Nandan Reddy in ringing the ceremonial bell at the National Stock Exchange (NSE). The symbolic gesture was aimed at celebrating the hard work of its delivery partners, the Bengaluru-based food delivery firm said in a statement. Other companies, too, are recognising the contribution of delivery partners and are rolling out a slew of initiatives to help them with upskilling and further education, and achieving an overall better quality of life, according to industry executives. Zomato, Zepto, Delhivery, bigbasket and Blue Dart Express are among those that are offering reimbursement for education-related expenses, soft skills training in communication and other basic competencies, financial literacy programmes and career progression initiatives. Zomato has collaborated with the Hospitality Training Institute of India, and 5,200 delivery partners across 10 cities have been trained in hospitality and service excellence. “This training equips them with essential skills in customer interaction, professionalism and service, enhancing the experience for both customers and delivery partners,” said Rakesh Ranjan, CEO of food delivery at Zomato. This year, Swiggy launched Swiggy Skills in collaboration with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

The likes of Godrej Consumer Products, Emami, ITC and Shoppers Stop have reported robust sales of fragrance products for the first half of this financial year, and, according to market researcher NielsenIQ, growth rate in the segment was nearly double that of overall personal care products this year. The fragrance segment grew 12% year-on-year this calendar year till September, according to the latest NielsenIQ data shared exclusively with ET, driven by roll-on deodorants, which recorded a 26% increase. The personal care segment saw a 6.2% growth, while the overall FMCG industry expanded by 5.7%, according to the researcher.

Worsening bilateral diplomatic relations, a burgeoning housing crisis and a tight job market might dull Canada’s allure further, said multiple experts assisting Indian students with higher studies abroad. Canada’s decision to pause fast-track visas has left Indian students facing extended wait times and increased uncertainty, they said.

Australia and on the other side are India, wounded after a rare series loss at home after 12 years, that too a 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand. Here is a description of what could be expected at each venue based on last six seasons, which have witnessed two big series wins by India and another home Test loss for Australia to West Indies in a thriller at Brisbane this year. -Optus Stadium, Perth

Kapil Sharma recently opened up about the profound impact his mother's resilience has had on his life following the loss of his father. Speaking on Zakir Khan's podcast, the comedian and actor delved into the emotional challenges his family faced and praised his mother as the «heroine» of their story for holding the family together during incredibly trying times. Kapil recounted how his mother managed to navigate life in police quarters while raising three children after his father passed away. Kapil shared that he often wondered about how she managed everything with three kids. He reflected on her unwavering strength and ability to handle difficult circumstances. At just 22 years old, Kapil and his elder brother were thrust into a world of responsibilities and hardships, but it was their mother’s determination that kept the family united. He also recalled the particularly tough period when they were forced to vacate their home for six months. Despite the adversities, his mother remained steadfast. Kapil added that his respect for her only grows when he thinks about how she carried them through those times.

Not only do they provide a safe alternative to toxic sprays, but many are also biodegradable, cruelty-free, and easy to use. Whether you are looking to repel lizards indoors, around the garden, or on your balcony, these lizard repellent can offer long-lasting protection while maintaining the safety of your environment.