Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in India’s Lok Sabha (the lower house of Parliament), expressed strong criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a public meeting in Wayanad. He accused Modi of giving special treatment to billionaire businessman Gautam Adani.
Gandhi emphasized an important point: “In the Lok Sabha, we are fighting for equality and respect. All people should be treated the same, but Prime Minister Modi seems to say that Adani deserves different treatment.” Gandhi mentioned that even when Adani faces serious accusations in the United States, the Indian government is not taking action against him.
The Congress party and other opposition groups are calling for serious action against Adani, who has been accused of wrongdoing by U.S. prosecutors. Gandhi argued that the ruling party has all the power, including control over the media and government agencies, whereas the opposition only has the support and feelings of the people. He believes this support will help them overcome the ruling party’s ideology.
During his speech, Gandhi also introduced his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who has been elected as a new member of Parliament from Wayanad. He shared a moment from the past, saying he remembered taking his oath in the Parliament when she was about to do the same. He said her election was proof of the people’s love and support.
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Rahul Gandhi Protests Modi’s Support for Gautam Adani in Wayanad Speech
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Cyclone Fengal Hits Tamil Nadu: Heavy Rains & Safety Tips
Cyclone Fengal is affecting Tamil Nadu, and Chief Minister MK Stalin is making sure the state is ready for this storm. Heavy rains are expected for the next 48 hours, especially in areas close to Puducherry, where the cyclone is likely to hit on Saturday afternoon. Winds could get as strong as 90 km/h.
Many flights to and from Chennai have been canceled, and travel warnings have been issued. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also issued a red alert for parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry. This means that these areas will have very heavy rain and strong winds. IMD’s expert, Ananda Das, says that places near the coast will feel the most impact with winds reaching 70 km/h.
All schools and colleges in Puducherry and various parts of Tamil Nadu will be closed on Saturday. Fishermen are advised to stay out of the sea for safety, and they should move their boats to higher ground. The heavy rainfall could start between 1 PM and 2 PM on Saturday.
Many people already need help; 471 individuals from 164 families are staying in relief centers in Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts. To assist those in danger, the Revenue and Disaster Management department has set up two toll-free numbers—112 and 1077—for distress calls, and they have a WhatsApp hotline at 9488981070.
Safety Tips During the Cyclone:
– Check your home and secure loose items like tiles and doors.
– Remove dead branches and anchor objects outside that could fly away.
– Be ready to board windows with wooden boards if necessary.
– Keep a lantern, a torch with batteries, and dry food ready.
– Stay sheltered until it is safe to go home.
– Avoid any damaged buildings and wires.
– Drive slowly and carefully if you must go out.
– Clear any debris from your property.
– Report any damages to the authorities.Stay safe and prepared as Cyclone Fengal approaches!
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2024 Wedding Budgets Rises, Costs and Unique Celebrations in India
A recent study found that this year, the average wedding budget in India is ₹36.5 lakh, which is a 7% increase from the previous year. Couples who choose destination weddings spend even more—around ₹51 lakh! This rise in costs is mainly because prices for things like venues and catering have gone up by 10%.
According to Shashank Gupta from the wedding planning company TailorMade Experiences, “Everyone wants the best wedding possible.” Most couples spend the most on the venue, food, and a good planning team. In India, families usually save up a lot for two big things: buying a home and their children’s weddings.
The study by WedMeGood surveyed 3,500 couples. They found that 9% of couples spent over ₹1 crore on their wedding, and another 9% spent between ₹50 lakh and ₹1 crore. For 40% of couples, the budget was under ₹15 lakh, 23% spent between ₹25 lakh and ₹50 lakh, and 19% spent between ₹15 lakh and ₹25 lakh.
Most couples (82%) paid for their weddings using their own savings or family savings, 12% took loans, and 6% sold assets to finance their weddings. Mehak Sagar Shahani, co-founder of WedMeGood, noted that many couples are now focusing on unique experiences. For example, younger couples (Gen Z) are hosting fun events like cocktail mixing and pop-up restaurants at their weddings, and they are mixing in Western ideas like themed dinners.
This November and December, about 48 lakh weddings are expected to take place, generating around ₹6 lakh crore in business, according to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT). -
“Adani Group Faces Funding Crisis: What It Means for India’s Future!”
India is facing a big challenge in building its infrastructure, like roads and bridges, which need a lot of money. Major projects often depend on international funds to get cheaper loans. A big company in India, the Adani Group, wants to expand quickly but is having trouble getting money at good rates.
Right now, Adani is finding it tough to borrow money from local banks. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) wants to make it harder for banks to lend money for big projects. This could mean that banks won’t be able to give enough money for projects like those from Adani.
Before March 2019, Adani got most of its money from Indian banks – 42% from public sector banks and 33% from private ones. But after a big company called IL&FS failed, it became harder for banks to lend money. So, Adani started looking for money from international sources.
Now, with recent legal issues in the US and local lenders becoming less interested, Adani may need to look towards countries in the East for funds. However, borrowing money will probably still be expensive.
For companies like Adani Enterprises, Adani Total Gas, Adani Energy Solutions, and Adani Green Energy, having access to money is crucial because they are planning to build more than they currently operate. If Adani can’t get the money it needs, the company may have to slow down its growth, which would also slow down India’s progress in infrastructure developmentUS legal issues challenge Adani Group’s funding, impacting India’s infrastructure growth. Can the company find cheaper loans to support its ambitious projects? -
Kolkata Hospital Stops Treating Bangladeshi Patients Amid Tensions
Kolkata’s JN Ray Hospital announced on Friday that it will no longer treat patients from Bangladesh for now. This decision follows reports of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh and disrespect towards the Indian flag by some Bangladeshi nationals.
The hospital, located in the Manicktala area, said the move is a protest against the mistreatment of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. Subhranshu Bhakt, a hospital official, stated, “Starting today, we will not admit any Bangladeshi patients. This is our way of standing up for the Hindus in Bangladesh and showing respect for our Indian flag.” He also encouraged other hospitals in Kolkata to take similar actions.
This decision comes at a time when Hindu temples in Chattogram, Bangladesh, are facing attacks. On Friday, a group vandalized three temples—Shantaneshwari Matri Temple, Shoni Temple, and Shantaneshwari Kalibari Temple—in the Harish Chandra Munsef Lane area. According to reports, the attack happened around 2:30 PM when several hundred people threw bricks at the temples while shouting slogans. The local police, led by Kotwali Police Station chief Abdul Karim, confirmed the incident but said the damage was minor.
Tapan Das, a member of the temple committee, shared that a large crowd showed up after Friday prayers, shouting anti-Hindu slogans. When the situation escalated, they called in the Army, and order was eventually restored.
The attacks were reported after the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a spiritual leader and former ISKCON member, who was charged with sedition. His arrest sparked protests by the Hindu community in different cities in Bangladesh.
India is worried about the rising violence and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told Parliament that Bangladesh must protect all its citizens, including minorities. He said, “Extreme violence and hateful speech are not acceptable. It is Bangladesh’s duty to safeguard its minorities.”
At the same time, Bangladesh is concerned about the protests happening outside its deputy high commission in Kolkata and has urged India to protect its diplomatic missions. -
Prithvi Shaw’s IPL 2025 Auction Snub: A Lesson in Discipline and Focus
Prithvi Shaw, a talented young cricketer, didn’t get picked by any team in the IPL 2025 auction. Many people are surprised, including former players and Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal. Pravin Amre, who worked closely with Shaw at Delhi Capitals, believes that Shaw might have struggled to handle the fame and lifestyle that comes with being a cricketer. Recently, Shaw bought a fancy penthouse in Bandra, a rich area in Mumbai.
At just 25, Shaw was once seen as a cricket superstar after winning the Under-19 World Cup for India in 2018 and signing a big contract with Delhi Capitals. But Amre thinks success distracted him and caused problems in his game. Amre shared that Shaw earned ₹30-40 crores by 23, which is a lot of money for someone so young. This wealth and fame may have led Shaw to lose focus on his cricket.
Shaw started his career with a bang, scoring a century in his Test debut, but an injury later sidelined him. In 2020, he got an 8-month ban for using a banned substance, and reports of his indiscipline followed. Despite guidance from cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli, Shaw continued to face issues, including being dropped from Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy squad for being overweight.
Even though he has struggled recently, Shaw was still performing well in practice matches. Amre believes that Shaw can recover if he learns from his mistakes. He emphasized that talent alone isn’t enough; players need discipline and determination to succeed. -
Blackstone’s $5 Billion Healthcare Deal: A New Era in India
Blackstone, a giant in private equity, has made a huge healthcare deal in India. They combined two companies, Quality Care India Ltd and Aster DM Healthcare, to create a new company worth about $5 billion.
In this new company, named Aster DM Quality Care Limited, Blackstone holds the biggest share at 30.7%. The company will have 38 hospitals and over 10,000 beds spread across 27 cities, making it one of the top three hospital chains in India.
Both Blackstone and the Aster family will work together to manage this new healthcare giant. Ganesh Mani, a senior official at Blackstone India, explained that this is part of their plan to expand in the healthcare market. They have already made two big hospital purchases in less than a year!
Mani says they want to add even more hospital beds and are looking for new opportunities to grow their healthcare business. The goal is to provide better healthcare services for all people in India, especially in areas that need it the most.
The merger will also help them enter new markets, especially in South India where there is a strong demand for quality healthcare. Though there are already some big players like Apollo Hospitals and Manipal Hospitals, Blackstone believes there is still a lot of room for growth.
Blackstone is also confident about their investments in hospitals in Bangladesh, despite some political issues in the country. They say their Bangladesh hospitals are providing excellent services and attracting medical tourists looking for quality care.
Some people in the healthcare industry worry that private equity buyouts might make healthcare more expensive in India. However, Blackstone believes that by creating larger hospital networks, they can reduce costs and improve patient care.
In conclusion, Blackstone is serious about becoming a top player in India’s healthcare market. They plan to build more hospitals and use their global expertise to improve healthcare for everyone
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Worst November Air Quality in Delhi Since 2021
This November was one of the most polluted months ever for Delhi, coming in just behind November 2021. The average Air Quality Index (AQI) this month was 375, just slightly better than last month’s 376. For the first time, the AQI never dropped below 300 all month!
Delhi’s residents had to deal with eight ‘severe’ days, including two days classified as ‘severe-plus.’ Without any rain this month, local and nearby pollution sources made the air quality get worse. The worst day happened on November 18, when the AQI shot up to 494, making it the second most polluted day ever in the city.
Anumita Roychowdhury, a leader at the Centre for Science and Environment, said, “It’s worrying that air pollution in the winter is getting worse. We need to focus on controlling pollution all year round, not just in Delhi but in the entire National Capital Region and beyond.”
Comparing this November to last year’s average AQI of 373 shows just how bad the situation is. In previous years, the AQIs were much lower, highlighting the growing problem.
Dipankar Saha, a former head at the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), explained that there hasn’t been much rain to help settle the pollution. He urged that without addressing emissions, things will only get more complicated in winter.
This year’s bad air quality comes right after October recorded dangerously high pollution levels, making it the worst since 2020.
The CPCB breaks down AQI levels to let people understand air quality: 0-50 is ‘good,’ 51-100 is ‘satisfactory,’ 101-200 is ‘moderate,’ 201-300 is ‘poor,’ 301-400 is ‘very poor,’ and over 400 is ‘severe.’ -
OpenAI Faces Lawsuit from Canadian News Companies
OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is now dealing with a lawsuit from major news outlets in Canada. These companies, which include CBC, Postmedia, Toronto Star, and others, say OpenAI has used their news stories without permission, which is against the law.
The news organizations claim they spend a lot of money each year to produce high-quality journalism, including original news and investigative reports. They argue that taking their content without paying for it hurts the value of Canadian news and could harm the industry’s future.
The media groups are asking for money from OpenAI, including extra penalties, a share of the profits made from their articles, and a stop to any further unauthorized use of their content. They insist that their work matters to Canadians and is protected by copyright laws.
OpenAI has responded by saying they believe their use of external content is okay since it supports public interests. They also say they work with news publishers for proper display and provide options for them to opt-out if they choose.
However, the news companies disagree and want OpenAI to be held responsible for what they call illegal use of their content. -
Champions Trophy Drama: PCB Faces Tough Choices As ICC Warns Of CT Without Pakistan
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been told by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to either accept a new plan for the Champions Trophy next year or risk not being part of the tournament at all. This situation arose because India doesn’t want to come to Pakistan for the games due to safety worries.
An urgent meeting took place in Dubai to plan the event, which is set for February and March next year. Under the proposed “Hybrid” model, India would play its matches in the UAE instead of Pakistan. However, the PCB boss, Mohsin Naqvi, doesn’t want to agree to this setup.
Most ICC board members sympathize with Pakistan, but they believe accepting the Hybrid model is the best way to go forward. If the model is chosen, India will play its matches in the UAE and not in Pakistan. An ICC Board source mentioned that if the PCB doesn’t agree to the Hybrid Model, the whole tournament might be moved to another country, possibly the UAE, and Pakistan could be left out completely.
The meeting on Friday was brief after Naqvi repeated his stance. The outgoing ICC chair, Greg Barclay, led the meeting as this was his last official engagement before Jay Shah takes over next month. The Ministry of External Affairs in India has supported the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), stating that the Indian team cannot go to Pakistan due to security concerns.
If the tournament has to be moved, the PCB could lose out on $6 million in hosting fees and significant gate revenue—which could cut their earnings down to $35 million a year. The ICC also faces problems since their broadcaster, Star, might change their multi-billion dollar deal if the situation doesn’t get resolved soon.
The only time available for this tournament is from February 19 to March 9, and all other teams have games scheduled after those dates. While the PCB could ask for compensation for not being able to host the event fully, it’s unlikely that it will happen in Pakistan.
Pakistani cricket officials could respond by not attending the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in India in 2025. A senior BCCI official said that while Pakistan could demand a Hybrid Model for the 2025 Women’s T20 World Cup, it might not work. Most of Pakistan’s matches in the T20 World Cup next year will likely happen in Sri Lanka.