Tag: India News

Automobiles

Maruti Suzuki Hits Decade-High Festive Demand, Ramps Up Production with Sunday & Holiday Shifts

Tanisha Cardozo

In an unprecedented surge in demand during the festive season, Maruti Suzuki has announced that its supply chain and production teams will now work on Sundays and public holidays to meet delivery expectations. According to Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing and Sales at Maruti Suzuki, the company recorded its best Navratri sales in a decade, delivering an astonishing 1.65 lakh vehicles in the first eight days alone.

The strong performance is attributed to a recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) reform, which reduced tax rates on petrol, hybrid, LPG, and CNG vehicles from 28% to 18%, making cars more affordable. The resulting increase in customer sentiment has not only pushed sales but also created a logistical challenge, with over 3.5 lakh bookings reported in the last month and 2.5 lakh units still awaiting delivery.

Banerjee emphasized that while the logistics cycle had begun on September 22, it would take time to stabilize. However, he assured that Maruti Suzuki is fully committed to delivering vehicles to customers by the end of October.

Despite a 6% decline in domestic sales in September, the company saw a 2.7% year-on-year increase in total sales thanks to a massive 52% rise in exports, totaling over 42,000 units. With production ramping up, Maruti Suzuki is aiming to touch the 2 lakh festive delivery mark soon — a significant milestone driven by government policy, market readiness, and evolving customer demand.

This festive season marks a major turning point not only for Maruti Suzuki but for the entire Indian automotive sector, signaling a return to robust growth and renewed consumer confidence.

National

PM Modi Unveils ₹100 Coin and Stamp Honouring RSS Centenary; Bharat Mata Features on Currency for First Time

Tanisha Cardozo

Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the historic centenary celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) by unveiling a special ₹100 coin and a commemorative postal stamp in New Delhi. In a moment that blends symbolism with national sentiment, the coin features Bharat Mata seated on a lion in varad mudra, with swayamsevaks bowing before her — the first time Bharat Mata has been depicted on Indian currency since independence.

Speaking at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre, PM Modi praised the RSS for its 100-year journey of selfless national service, discipline, and dedication. The commemorative stamp captures a significant historical moment — RSS swayamsevaks participating in the 1963 Republic Day Parade, showcasing their commitment to India’s unity and strength.

Addressing the audience, the Prime Minister spoke with urgency and conviction about emerging demographic challenges to India’s social harmony and security. He stated that infiltrators causing demographic shifts pose a significant threat to India’s internal cohesion. Recalling his recent address from the Red Fort, he reiterated the launch of the “Demographic Mission” to counteract this growing concern.

He emphasized, “Unity in diversity has always been India’s soul. If this strength is broken, India will weaken.” Stressing that the RSS’s foundation on Vijayadashami was no coincidence, PM Modi tied the organization’s origin to the festival’s deep-rooted symbolism — the triumph of good over evil, truth over falsehood, and light over darkness.

The Prime Minister also paid homage to RSS founder Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, calling him a visionary of national service whose ideals continue to guide generations. “It is the fortune of our generation that we witness the centenary year of the Sangh,” he said, congratulating millions of swayamsevaks for their commitment and sacrifices.

Founded in 1925 in Nagpur, the RSS was created as a volunteer-led organisation with a focus on cultural awareness, service, discipline, and social responsibility. Over the decades, it has grown into one of India’s most influential and widespread socio-cultural organisations.

The unveiling of the coin and stamp not only commemorates the legacy of the RSS but also reinforces the government’s emphasis on cultural identity, unity, and national service as central themes in the journey ahead. As India reflects on the past century, the message from the Prime Minister was clear: staying alert, united, and committed to the nation’s core values is the need of the hour.

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Indian Railways to Name Trains After Martyrs in Historic Tribute to India’s Bravehearts

Tanisha Cardozo

In an unprecedented act of national reverence, Indian Railways has announced a historic decision to name select trains after India’s martyred soldiers. This initiative marks a profound shift in how we remember and honour our heroes — not just through statues or ceremonies, but through the rhythm of everyday life.

This is more than symbolism. It’s a transformation of our daily journeys into moving memorials. When a train is named after a soldier who gave his life for the nation, every station announcement becomes a call to remember. Every glance at the nameplate becomes a moment of reflection. Each arrival and departure carries with it a silent salute.

Deputy officials noted that this step is part of a larger cultural shift in India — one that seeks not only to acknowledge sacrifice but to live with gratitude. As these trains cross states and span distances, they’ll carry more than just passengers; they’ll carry legacy, memory, and national pride.

The decision also aligns with the spirit of a “New India” — one that actively honours its protectors and integrates patriotism into daily life. From remote villages to bustling metros, these trains will become mobile tributes, connecting citizens not only geographically but emotionally.

Families of martyrs will find their loved ones remembered not just on plaques, but in motion — etched into the daily rhythm of the country. Schoolchildren, daily commuters, and travellers alike will encounter the names and stories of India’s brave soldiers — learning not just about destinations, but about the people who helped secure them.

This move ensures that the sacrifices of our armed forces are never forgotten. As India continues to modernise its infrastructure and expand its railways, it now does so with a soul-stirring purpose: to make every mile count — for memory, for honour, for the nation.

National

‘Kalash’ Worth ₹1 Crore Stolen from Red Fort During Jain Ceremony

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Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

A kalash worth nearly ₹1 crore was stolen from within the Red Fort complex in Delhi during a Jain religious ceremony held in early September 2025. The gold object, weighing approximately 760 grams and embedded with around 150 grams of diamonds, rubies, and emeralds, was part of a daily religious ritual performed by businessman Sudhir Jain.

The theft took place at 15 August Park, an area inside the historic Red Fort that had been hosting the ongoing Jain worship activities. Witnesses and preliminary reports suggest that the thief was disguised in religious attire, blending in with the attendees before escaping with the sacred object.

What has shocked many is the timing and setting of the incident — amidst a large crowd that included public figures such as Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The presence of high-profile attendees did not deter the thief, who reportedly took advantage of the crowd’s movement during the event to commit the crime unnoticed.

Security agencies and Delhi Police have launched an investigation, reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses. The stolen item not only holds immense monetary value but is also considered spiritually significant to the Jain community.

The incident has raised concerns over security measures during religious gatherings at heritage sites, especially when high-value items are involved. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist in the recovery of the stolen kalash.

As of now, no arrests have been made, and the search continues.

Entertainment

Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra Face Lookout Circular in ₹60 Crore Cheating Case

Tanisha Cardozo

In a major development, the Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has issued a Lookout Circular (LOC) against Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty and her husband, businessman Raj Kundra, in connection with a ₹60 crore financial fraud case. The LOC, a preventive legal measure, was initiated due to the couple’s frequent international travel and is aimed at stopping them from leaving the country while investigations are underway.

The case stems from a complaint filed by Deepak Kothari, director of Lotus Capital Financial Services Limited, a non-banking financial company. Kothari alleged that the couple, through a loan agent known to them, sought a ₹75 crore business loan in 2015 for their company Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd — a home shopping and online retail platform that has since become defunct.

According to the FIR, Kundra and Shetty allegedly persuaded Kothari to route the money as an investment rather than a formal loan to minimize tax implications. They assured him of monthly returns and full repayment of the principal. Based on this, Kothari transferred ₹31.95 crore in April 2015 under a share subscription agreement, and ₹28.53 crore more in September 2015 under a supplementary agreement, totalling ₹60.4 crore. The funds were reportedly credited to Best Deal TV’s HDFC Bank accounts.

Despite initial assurances, Kothari claims he did not receive the agreed returns, and the couple allegedly cited pandemic-related delays. Further complicating matters, Shilpa Shetty reportedly resigned as director in September 2016, and the company was later subjected to insolvency proceedings in 2017 for defaulting on a separate agreement.

The FIR was registered on August 14, 2025, at Juhu police station under Sections 403 (dishonest misappropriation of property), 406 (criminal breach of trust), and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. Given the high-value nature of the case, it was transferred to the EOW for further investigation.

A senior IPS officer confirmed that the required documents for the LOC have been shared with immigration authorities. “Once a Lookout Circular is issued, alerts are sent to all airports. If the couple attempts to travel, they will be detained,” the officer stated. Police are also planning to summon the couple next week to record their statements.

This is not the first time Raj Kundra has found himself embroiled in controversy. However, this case, involving both him and Shilpa Shetty, brings fresh scrutiny as authorities look into the possible misappropriation of funds meant for business expansion.

The investigation is ongoing, and further action is expected in the coming weeks as police continue to gather statements and forensic financial data. The LOC ensures the couple remains within India’s jurisdiction during the course of the probe.