Author: Supriya Jena

  • Manmohan Singh: India Mourns the Loss of a Great Leader at 92″

    Manmohan Singh: India Mourns the Loss of a Great Leader at 92″

    Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s body has returned to his home in Delhi for people to pay their final respects. He passed away at AIIMS in New Delhi on Thursday night at the age of 92, just hours after being admitted in critical condition. His body has been preserved and will be available for public viewing at his residence.

    Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit shared on Friday that the exact schedule for the public to pay tribute hasn’t been decided yet. The timing will depend on when Manmohan Singh’s daughter arrives from abroad. Dikshit mentioned that the last rites might happen tomorrow and that the heavy rain has caused some delays. Public viewing could start after 10 AM today.

    Tributes Coming In

    Many leaders and celebrities are expressing their sadness over Manmohan Singh’s passing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X, saying, “India mourns the loss of its distinguished leader, Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji.” Modi talked about Singh’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming an influential economist who greatly impacted India’s economy as both Finance Minister and Prime Minister.

    Other leaders, including President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, have also shared their condolences and recognized Singh’s contributions to India’s economic growth and his integrity. Business figures like Gautam Adani and Harsh Goenka also honored Singh for his important role in changing India’s economy.

    Manmohan Singh’s Legacy

    Manmohan Singh is known as the mastermind behind India’s economic changes. When he became Finance Minister in 1991, India was facing a serious economic crisis with a huge fiscal deficit and very low foreign reserves. In this tough situation, he introduced important economic reforms in the Union Budget for 1991-92. This moment marked a new beginning for India’s economy, leading to the removal of strict regulations, allowing private and foreign investment to grow.

    He served as Prime Minister for two full terms from 2004 to 2014

  • Song Joong Ki Opens Up About Family Life and His New Movie

    Song Joong Ki Opens Up About Family Life and His New Movie

    Song Joong Ki, a popular actor known for his role in “Descendants of the Sun,” is excited about his new movie, “Bogotá: City of the Lost.” He has recently shared details about his family life, including his British wife and their two kids. Fans have been curious to learn more about his love story, and Song Joong Ki has started to share.

    In a special interview on the YouTube channel “Hello Choi Hwa Jung,” he talked about living in Italy with his wife, Katy Louise Saunders, who has always lived there. He mentioned, “I live in Itaewon, but I also have a home in Tuscany. We spend lots of time there.” He praised his wife, saying that she is caring and always teaches him how to behave better. He remembered a funny moment when she scolded him for making his manager wait 20 minutes, saying, “She reminds me to be a good person.”

    Song Joong Ki also shared how his children are growing up in Italy and learning to speak Italian. He said, “My son is starting to speak in Italian, and sometimes I don’t understand him, so I am learning the language too!” His wife is learning Korean, and he thinks that’s really cute. Earlier, he shared that his mother-in-law is Colombian, and because of this, he has learned more about Colombia’s culture while filming “Bogotá.”

    The movie tells the story of a young man named Guk Hee, played by Song Joong Ki, who moves to Bogotá for a better life during a tough time. He described Colombia as a lively place with wonderful food and kind people. Song Joong Ki wants everyone to see a different side of Bogotá and its people

  • Oil Prices Steady as China Promises Economic Boost

    Oil Prices Steady as China Promises Economic Boost

    Oil prices stayed mostly the same on Friday, but they were on track for a small rise this week thanks to hopes that China’s economy will get better due to new government help. Brent crude oil dropped by just 1 cent, making it $73.25 a barrel. Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was at $69.60, down by 2 cents from Thursday.

    Despite this slight drop, Brent crude was up by 0.4% for the week, and WTI rose by 0.2%. The World Bank announced that it expects China’s economy to grow more in 2024 and 2025. However, they also noted that people and businesses in China are still feeling uncertain, and problems in the property market might hold back growth next year.

    China recently upgraded the size of its economy by 2.7%, but the government said this change would not affect growth very much this year. They promised more help to boost the economy in 2025. Next year, China plans to release 3 trillion yuan (about $411 billion) in special treasury bonds as part of a bigger effort to support their slowing economy.

    In the U.S., the latest report showed that crude oil stockpiles fell by 3.2 million barrels last week. Traders are waiting to see if the official report from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) will confirm this decrease. The EIA’s data is expected at 1 p.m. EST (6 p.m. GMT) on Friday, later than usual because of the Christmas holiday. According to a poll by Reuters, analysts think crude inventories dropped by about 1.9 million barrels during the week ending on December 20, while gasoline and distillate fuels are likely down by 1.1 million barrels and 0.3 million barrels.

  • Choice International Secures SEBI Approval for Mutual Fund Setup!”

    Choice International Secures SEBI Approval for Mutual Fund Setup!”

    Choice International shares are in the spotlight this Friday! The company just announced that it has received permission from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to set up a mutual fund. This approval, given in a letter dated December 26, 2024, is a big step for the company.

    What does this mean? It means Choice International can start creating an Asset Management Company (AMC) and a Trustee Company, following all the rules in India. The in-principle approval shows that SEBI thinks the company meets the basic requirements to start the fund, while also mentioning some conditions they need to follow.

    Now, Choice International can begin hiring staff, putting together the necessary documents, and getting everything ready to launch their mutual fund.

    In other news, Mamata Machinery Limited’s IPO is making waves today. Check out the latest share price and details on Niftystat.

    Choice International is doing great in the stock market too! Over the past year, their shares have increased by 143.8%, and 129.2% just this year. Currently, their stock is priced at Rs 536.75, after a 1.55% rise on Thursday. Although it’s below some short-term averages, it’s performing well in the long-term averages.

    So, keep an eye on Choice International as they take this exciting step!

  • Singham Again: Streaming on Prime Video from December 27!”

    Singham Again: Streaming on Prime Video from December 27!”

    Rohit Shetty’s action movie, Singham Again, hit theaters this Diwali, alongside Kartik Aaryan’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. After doing okay at the box office, it will be available to stream on Prime Video just a month later!

    On Thursday, Prime Video shared an exciting poster of Singham Again featuring stars like Ajay Devgn, Ranveer Singh, Tiger Shroff, Akshay Kumar, and Deepika Padukone. The poster’s caption said, “Brace yourselves for the lion’s roar!” This means the film will be released on Prime Video on December 27.

    Ajay Devgn, who plays Singham, talked about the film’s release on OTT. He said, “The love and support for my character Singham has truly made it special. Coming back for Singham Again felt like returning home. I’m grateful to the audience for their amazing support. Now, with Singham Again on Prime Video, fans around the world can enjoy this thrilling new chapter in Rohit Shetty’s cop series.”

    Produced by Rohit Shetty Picturez, Reliance Entertainment, Jio Studios, and Devgn Films, Singham Again is the fifth movie in Shetty’s famous cop universe, following Singham, Singham Returns, Simmba, and Sooryavanshi. The film features new stars like Deepika Padukone and Tiger Shroff, while Arjun Kapoor plays the villain and has received praise for his performance. Other notable actors include Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Jackie Shroff.

    The movie, which was inspired by the Ramayana, tells the story of Bajirao Singham and his team (including Ranveer, Deepika, Akshay, and Tiger) as they go to great lengths to rescue his wife, Avni Kamat Singham (played by Kareena), from the villain, Danger Lanka (Arjun Kapoor). The film was made with a budget of ₹350 crore and has earned ₹372.4 crore worldwide

  • Baby John Box Office: Varun Dhawan’s Big Opening Amidst Tough Competition”

    Baby John Box Office: Varun Dhawan’s Big Opening Amidst Tough Competition”

    Varun Dhawan’s new movie, Baby John, was released on Christmas and aimed to be a holiday treat for his fans. However, it’s facing strong competition from Allu Arjun’s popular film, Pushpa 2: The Rule.

    According to Niftystat, Baby John made ₹16.5 crore worldwide on its opening day. In India, it earned ₹11.25 crore in net collection and ₹13.5 crore in gross. The movie had an overall occupancy of 24.97% in Hindi on December 25, with evening shows being most popular at 30.89%. Morning shows were only at 13.92%, afternoon shows at 28.77%, and night shows at 26.28%.

    This is Varun Dhawan’s biggest opening in five years. His last movie, Kalank, which featured big stars like Alia Bhatt and Madhuri Dixit, made ₹21.60 crore on its first day. Varun’s previous films, like Street Dancer 3D, Jug Jugg Jeeyo, and Bhediya, didn’t reach double digits for their opening collections.

    Baby John stars Varun Dhawan, Keerthy Suresh, and Wamiqa Gabbi, and is directed by Kalees, with production by Atlee, known for Jawan. The story revolves around a cop who hides to protect his daughter. However, he must confront his past when her life is in danger. The film is a remake of Theri and was released to mixed reviews. Critics pointed out that it starts off poorly and lacks depth for the first 40 minutes. There are also aspects of the story that seem copied from Atlee’s previous work, Jawan.

  • Delhi University Set to Launch PhD in Hindu Studies by 2025-26!

    Delhi University Set to Launch PhD in Hindu Studies by 2025-26!

    Delhi University plans to start a PhD program in Hindu Studies for the academic year 2025-26. This decision was made by the Standing Committee after a recommendation from the Governing Body of the Centre for Hindu Studies. The PhD program was supposed to start this year but will now begin later.

    Prerna Malhotra, Joint Director of the Centre for Hindu Studies, said that the new program aims to help students who want to research in Hindu Studies. Many students, especially those who have passed the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and National Eligibility Test (NET), have asked about research opportunities. Delhi University wants to support these students and promote more research in different areas of Hindu Studies.

    At first, the Centre may offer 10 seats for the PhD program, including reservations for certain groups. Depending on the resources and academic needs, the number of seats might be increased in the future. The Academic Council of Delhi University will review this plan in a meeting scheduled for December 27. If they approve it, the proposal will be sent to the Executive Council, which is the top decision-making body of the university.

    The Governing Body made this recommendation based on a previous decision taken on June 21, 2024. To be eligible for the PhD program, students need to have a Master’s degree in Hindu Studies or a related subject with at least 55% marks. They must also have JRF/NET qualification or pass the university’s PhD eligibility test. Relaxations for reserved categories will be provided as mentioned in the PhD Information Bulletin.

    Until regular faculty members are appointed, teachers from related departments and colleges will supervise the research. Currently, Delhi University only has a two-year Master’s program in Hindu Studies. The Centre for Hindu Studies was established in 2023 and has started its first MA batch in November 2023.

  • Kohli’s Controversial Clash with Debutant Konstas Hits Media”

    Kohli’s Controversial Clash with Debutant Konstas Hits Media”

    Day 1 of the fourth Test match in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was packed with excitement at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, especially concerning two players: India’s Virat Kohli and Australia’s 19-year-old debutant Sam Konstas. The two got into a heated argument during the first session of the game.

    It all happened in the 10th over. As Kohli tried to move past Konstas, they bumped shoulders, leading to a big disagreement between them. Players Usman Khawaja (Konstas’ teammate) and umpire Michael Gough quickly stepped in to calm things down.

    Replays showed that Konstas was simply walking back after facing a ball. However, Kohli seemed to come from the side and bumped into him. Former India coach Ravi Shastri spoke out about the incident, saying, “It’s unnecessary. You don’t want to see that.” He felt Kohli should not have acted that way.

    Due to this incident, Kohli was fined 20% of his match fee and given one demerit point for what the ICC called “inappropriate physical contact.” Kohli accepted this punishment, so no formal hearing was needed.

    Journalist Peter Lalor also shared his concerns about how matches are judged. He thought Kohli should have faced more serious consequences and reminded everyone of a similar incident with South African bowler Kagiso Rabada, who was suspended for making physical contact with a player. Lalor believes the rules should apply equally to everyone, saying, “There should be no physical contact at all in the game of cricket.”

  • Uddhav Thackeray Reviews Party’s Readiness for Mumbai Elections 2025″

    Uddhav Thackeray Reviews Party’s Readiness for Mumbai Elections 2025″

    Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), has started a three-day check-up to see how well his party is doing in Mumbai. This is important because there are local elections coming up next year. After a split in the party in 2022, the recent elections were seen as a big test for Uddhav’s group, which is part of the opposition alliance called Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Sadly, the MVA did not do well, winning only 46 out of 288 seats in the assembly elections.

    In Mumbai, there are 36 assembly seats, and Shiv Sena (UBT) contested in 21 but only won 10. Anil Parab, a leader from Shiv Sena (UBT), mentioned that Uddhav is looking into how ready they are for the upcoming elections in all 227 municipal wards in Mumbai. These local elections, including for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), could happen in March or April 2025, depending on a Supreme Court decision about OBC (Other Backward Class) reservations in January.

    After a disappointing performance in the state elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) is eager to keep control of the BMC, which is one of the richest municipal bodies in Asia. The last budget for the corporation was about Rs 60,000 crore, which is more than what some states have. Most of the municipal corporations, including the BMC, had their terms end in 2022.

    Back in December 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that OBC reservations in local bodies cannot happen unless the government meets certain conditions set in a 2010 order. These conditions, known as the “triple test,” require setting up a special commission to collect information on OBCs, deciding how many seats should be reserved based on that information, and making sure the total reservation does not exceed 50%.

  • Indian Stock Market Updates: Steady Trading on Monthly Expiry Day”

    Indian Stock Market Updates: Steady Trading on Monthly Expiry Day”

    Today, on Thursday, December 26, Indian stock markets were calm and mostly did not change much as it was the day for settling monthly trades. While auto stocks went up, losses in bank and consumer goods (FMCG) stocks balanced out the market.

    The popular S&P BSE Sensex index finished at 78,472.48, just a tiny drop of 0.39 points. The Nifty index ended a little higher at 23,750.20, gaining 22.55 points, or 0.1%. The banking index, Nifty Bank, was at 51,170.70, up by 62.30 points, or 0.12%.

    Top Winners and Losers
    More stocks went up than down today. Out of the 50 stocks in the Nifty index, 31 gained, 18 fell, and 1 stayed the same. The biggest winners included Adani Ports, Mahindra & Mahindra, SBI Life Insurance, Maruti Suzuki, and Shriram Finance. However, the losers were Titan, Asian Paints, Tata Consumer Products, JSW Steel, and Grasim Industries.

    Looking at different sectors, the banking, FMCG, and media sectors had small drops, while auto, pharma, and healthcare sectors finished in the green with small gains.