The biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha are underway today, March 16, 2026, to fill 37 seats across 10 states. Voting began at 9 am, with the counting of votes scheduled for later in the day at 5 pm. The seats vacated by members from states such as Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana will be filled during this election. Out of the 37 seats, 26 candidates have already been elected unopposed, including me
The biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha are underway today, March 16, 2026, to fill 37 seats across 10 states. Voting began at 9 am, with the counting of votes scheduled for later in the day at 5 pm. The seats vacated by members from states such as Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana will be filled during this election. Out of the 37 seats, 26 candidates have already been elected unopposed, including me
India created history by becoming the first team to successfully defend a T20 World Cup title after securing a dominant 96-run victory over New Zealand in the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup final. The match, played at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, showcased an outstanding performance from the Indian team with both bat and ball. In a high-intensity f
India created history by becoming the first team to successfully defend a T20 World Cup title after securing a dominant 96-run victory over New Zealand in the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup final. The match, played at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, showcased an outstanding performance from the Indian team with both bat and ball. In a high-intensity f
In a significant political move, Nitish Kumar, Bihar’s Chief Minister and leader of Janata Dal (United), is set to file his nomination for the Rajya Sabha today, further intensifying political activity in Patna. The submission of his nomination papers is scheduled for 11:30 am and is expected to be accompanied by other National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidates. The presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Patna for this event adds to the significance of the occasion. This
In a significant political move, Nitish Kumar, Bihar’s Chief Minister and leader of Janata Dal (United), is set to file his nomination for the Rajya Sabha today, further intensifying political activity in Patna. The submission of his nomination papers is scheduled for 11:30 am and is expected to be accompanied by other National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidates. The presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Patna for this event adds to the significance of the occasion. This
Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna, now newlyweds, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on February 21, 2026, to personally invite him to their reception in Hyderabad. The pictures of their meeting quickly went viral after their wedding in Udaipur on February 26, 2026. In the photos, the couple is seen warmly presenting the Prime Minister with a shawl as a sign of respect. Rashmika, wearing a simple yellow salwar suit, and Vijay, dressed in an all-white ensemble, looked elegant as t
Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna, now newlyweds, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on February 21, 2026, to personally invite him to their reception in Hyderabad. The pictures of their meeting quickly went viral after their wedding in Udaipur on February 26, 2026. In the photos, the couple is seen warmly presenting the Prime Minister with a shawl as a sign of respect. Rashmika, wearing a simple yellow salwar suit, and Vijay, dressed in an all-white ensemble, looked elegant as t
The Delhi government has launched a groundbreaking initiative called the Saheli Pink Smart Card Scheme, aimed at empowering women by providing free travel on public transport. The scheme is designed to improve the mobility of women, offering them easy and safe access to public transportation across the city. This innovative card provides free bus travel on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses and can also be used for travel on Delhi Metro and Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS).
The Delhi government has launched a groundbreaking initiative called the Saheli Pink Smart Card Scheme, aimed at empowering women by providing free travel on public transport. The scheme is designed to improve the mobility of women, offering them easy and safe access to public transportation across the city. This innovative card provides free bus travel on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses and can also be used for travel on Delhi Metro and Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS).
Andhra Pradesh has taken a significant step toward reducing human-wildlife conflicts with the launch of the ‘Hanuman’ Project, an initiative aimed at improving wildlife protection while ensuring public safety. The announcement came from Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on March 3, 2026, during an event held in Mangalagiri. The new project, which addresses ongoing issues with elephants and other wildlife in the state, promises to enhance safety measures for both people and animals in the
Andhra Pradesh has taken a significant step toward reducing human-wildlife conflicts with the launch of the ‘Hanuman’ Project, an initiative aimed at improving wildlife protection while ensuring public safety. The announcement came from Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on March 3, 2026, during an event held in Mangalagiri. The new project, which addresses ongoing issues with elephants and other wildlife in the state, promises to enhance safety measures for both people and animals in the
The Cultural Divide: Traditional Values vs. Modern Lifestyles One of the main challenges NRI parents face in arranging marriages for their children is reconciling the cultural expectations of marriage with the increasingly liberal, Westernized lifestyles of their children. Many NRI children, especially those born or raised abroad, prioritize love and personal choice over the traditional approach of arranged marriages. Parents, who a
The Cultural Divide: Traditional Values vs. Modern Lifestyles One of the main challenges NRI parents face in arranging marriages for their children is reconciling the cultural expectations of marriage with the increasingly liberal, Westernized lifestyles of their children. Many NRI children, especially those born or raised abroad, prioritize love and personal choice over the traditional approach of arranged marriages. Parents, who a
Visakhapatnam has reached a significant milestone by securing a USD 1 million grant in the 2025–2026 Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge, a highly regarded international competition. Chosen from over 630 cities globally, this award acknowledges the city’s citizen-led climate resilience initiative, the Vizag–Prajamukhi Urban Living Lab (V-PULL). The V-PULL initiative, spearheaded by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), focuses on enhancing resilience ag
Visakhapatnam has reached a significant milestone by securing a USD 1 million grant in the 2025–2026 Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge, a highly regarded international competition. Chosen from over 630 cities globally, this award acknowledges the city’s citizen-led climate resilience initiative, the Vizag–Prajamukhi Urban Living Lab (V-PULL). The V-PULL initiative, spearheaded by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), focuses on enhancing resilience ag
When buying property from a Non-Resident Indian (NRI), one of the key aspects that differentiates it from typical real estate transactions is the Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) under Section 195 of the Income Tax Act. While Indian residents are subject to a 1% TDS on property transactions above ₹50 lakh, the TDS rate increases significantly for property sales involving an NRI seller. The buyer must deduct TDS at rates starting from 20% and deposit it with the Indian income tax authorities. A
When buying property from a Non-Resident Indian (NRI), one of the key aspects that differentiates it from typical real estate transactions is the Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) under Section 195 of the Income Tax Act. While Indian residents are subject to a 1% TDS on property transactions above ₹50 lakh, the TDS rate increases significantly for property sales involving an NRI seller. The buyer must deduct TDS at rates starting from 20% and deposit it with the Indian income tax authorities. A
For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), purchasing health and term insurance in India presents an attractive option due to affordable premiums and extensive coverage. Indian insurance companies offer plans that are often more economical than those available in foreign countries, making them an ideal choice for NRIs who want to protect their families back home without overburdening their finances. These policies are customized to suit the needs of Indian families, offering high coverage at a fraction
For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), purchasing health and term insurance in India presents an attractive option due to affordable premiums and extensive coverage. Indian insurance companies offer plans that are often more economical than those available in foreign countries, making them an ideal choice for NRIs who want to protect their families back home without overburdening their finances. These policies are customized to suit the needs of Indian families, offering high coverage at a fraction
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently imposed stricter regulations on offshore gifting, particularly for affluent Indian families sending substantial financial gifts to their children living abroad. These gifts are often used to support various needs, such as education, property purchases, or immigration investments, such as the U.S. EB-5 visa program. While the practice of offshore gifting has grown in popularity, the RBI has increased scrutiny, especially when these transactions invo
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently imposed stricter regulations on offshore gifting, particularly for affluent Indian families sending substantial financial gifts to their children living abroad. These gifts are often used to support various needs, such as education, property purchases, or immigration investments, such as the U.S. EB-5 visa program. While the practice of offshore gifting has grown in popularity, the RBI has increased scrutiny, especially when these transactions invo
Mumbai's financial landscape has seen significant changes as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) takes action on JPY-linked special deposits. Once a popular tool for attracting NRI funds, these deposits were marketed as premium rupee plans (PRPs), offering high returns by leveraging the forward premium on the Japanese yen. Banks, like IndusInd Bank and Yes Bank, had been using these products to attract NRI deposits by offering high yields based on the yen's forward premium in the foreign exchange
Mumbai's financial landscape has seen significant changes as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) takes action on JPY-linked special deposits. Once a popular tool for attracting NRI funds, these deposits were marketed as premium rupee plans (PRPs), offering high returns by leveraging the forward premium on the Japanese yen. Banks, like IndusInd Bank and Yes Bank, had been using these products to attract NRI deposits by offering high yields based on the yen's forward premium in the foreign exchange
Bank of India recently hosted an NRI Meet, “Pravasi Sampark,” in Mumbai’s North Zone, designed to enhance its engagement with the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) community. This initiative is part of the bank’s ongoing strategy to provide customer-centric financial services, catering to the evolving needs of NRIs, including banking, investment, and remittance solutions. The event highlighted the bank’s commitment to strengthening long-term relationships with global Indians by leveraging a
Bank of India recently hosted an NRI Meet, “Pravasi Sampark,” in Mumbai’s North Zone, designed to enhance its engagement with the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) community. This initiative is part of the bank’s ongoing strategy to provide customer-centric financial services, catering to the evolving needs of NRIs, including banking, investment, and remittance solutions. The event highlighted the bank’s commitment to strengthening long-term relationships with global Indians by leveraging a
Kalvakuntla Kavitha, once labeled the "Lady in Liquor Scam" during the Delhi liquor scam controversy, has been acquitted by the CBI court in Delhi. The court cleared her of all charges, citing a lack of evidence in the case. The allegations against Kavitha had sparked months of intense political scrutiny and legal battles. At one point, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party took action and removed her from her position within the party amidst the ongoing legal concerns. Despite the serious p
Kalvakuntla Kavitha, once labeled the "Lady in Liquor Scam" during the Delhi liquor scam controversy, has been acquitted by the CBI court in Delhi. The court cleared her of all charges, citing a lack of evidence in the case. The allegations against Kavitha had sparked months of intense political scrutiny and legal battles. At one point, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party took action and removed her from her position within the party amidst the ongoing legal concerns. Despite the serious p