Reporter Raquel Camila

Uma Chigurupati , co-founder of Granules India and chairperson of FLO Hyderabad, is a multifaceted individual with a passion for marathons, gardening, and women’s empowerment. Known for her unfiltered strength and determination, Uma’s journey from Chirala in coastal Andhra Pradesh to a prominent businesswoman and advocate for women’s rights is both inspiring and impactful. Uma Chigurupati Early Life and Career Uma’s journey began in Chirala, Andhra Pradesh, where she pursued post-graduate studies in soil microbiology and plant pathology at Nagarjuna University. Her academic excellence, marked by gold medals and scholarships, caught the attention of her future father-in-law, leading to her introduction to her husband. Together, they co-founded Granules India, a leading pharmaceutical company. Achievements and Challenges Uma ’s relentless drive is evident in her commitment to every endeavor she undertakes. “I don’t call myself an achiever, but when I take up something, I give it my 100 p...

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to spearhead the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections, beginning with a key meeting in Haryana’s Panchkula on Saturday. The party is gearing up for elections in Haryana, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra, slated for the end of the year. Amit Shah is set to chair an organisational meeting in Haryana’s Panchkula to discuss the Assembly polls and the party’s strategy. In Haryana, Shah will preside over an organizational meeting to strategize for the Assembly polls. The BJP is determined to secure a third term in the state despite a challenging landscape. In 2019, after a sweeping victory in the Lok Sabha elections, the party fell short of a majority in the Haryana Assembly and had to partner with the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) to form a government. Recently, the BJP-JJP alliance dissolved, and Nayab Singh Saini replaced Manohar Lal Khattar as Chief Minister, reflecting the BJP’s focus on caste dynamics. Following the...

Nawazuddin Siddiqui, a celebrated actor in Bollywood, often surprises audiences with his candor during interviews. In a recent conversation, Nawazuddin shed light on a common misconception about his background. Contrary to popular belief, he shared that his family was not financially struggling. Nawazuddin Siddiqui in a still from Tiku Weds Sheru. In a chat with Shubhankar Mishra, Nawazuddin stated, “Meri shakal soorat aisi thi, main gareeb toh nahi tha (My face looks a certain way, but I was never poor).” This statement came as a revelation to many who assumed that his humble beginnings meant financial hardship. Why Nawazuddin Worked as a Watchman When asked why he took up a job as a watchman if his family was financially stable, Nawazuddin explained, “I chose to work as a watchman because I didn’t want to take money from my family. There was always some money at home, enough to manage, but I didn’t want to rely on my parents while pursuing acting, which I hadn’t even told them about....

In a dazzling display of skill and determination, India’s women cricketers have etched their names in the annals of cricket history with a series of record-breaking performances against South Africa. Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, the team achieved unprecedented feats, rewriting records and setting new benchmarks in women’s Test cricket. Let’s delve into the remarkable achievements that unfolded at Chepauk, Chennai, marking a watershed moment for Indian cricket. India Women’s Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma during a one-off test cricket match between India and South Africa, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, in Chennai. India’s innings was a testament to their dominance from the outset. Opening batswomen Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana crafted a monumental partnership of 292 runs, the highest ever for India in women’s Test cricket and the second highest for any wicket in the format globally. This formidable start laid the foundation for what would become a historic innings. Shafali Verma’s p...

In the world of glitz and glamour that surrounds Bollywood, there’s often a darker side that doesn’t get as much limelight — the issue of unpaid dues. Recently, a spotlight has been cast on Vashu Bhagnani’s production house, Pooja Entertainment, for allegedly failing to pay several actors and crew members, including big names like Tiger Shroff, Sonakshi Sinha, Alaya F, and Manushi Chhillar, for their work in the film “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.” Bade Miyan Chote Miyan cast has also not been paid by Pooja Entertainment, claimed sources. “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan,” an action-packed venture that hit the screens this April, unfortunately didn’t fare well at the box office. While the film’s fate was a disappointment, what’s more disheartening is the delay in compensating those who put their time and effort into bringing it to life. According to reports from Indianexpress.com, the issue isn’t isolated to the film’s stars alone. Crew members across various projects under Pooja Entertainment have a...

The latest data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reveals a significant rise in home loan outstanding, which has increased by ₹3.4 lakh crore over the past 12 months. This growth highlights a robust demand in the housing sector even as the overall growth in personal loans has slowed down. Let’s dive into the details of this financial development and understand its implications. Bank credit to industry grew by 8.9 per cent to Rs 36.87 lakh crore on a year-on-year basis in May 2024 as compared with 6.0 per cent in May 2023, according to the RBI data. Home Loan Growth Outpaces Personal Loan Segment The RBI’s data shows that the outstanding home loans have grown at an accelerated pace, with a year-on-year increase of 16.9% as of May 2024. This brings the total outstanding home loans to ₹23.49 lakh crore, a significant rise from ₹20.09 lakh crore in May 2023. This growth is noteworthy because it reflects a sustained demand for housing finance amidst a slower growth in the broader persona...

In a recent letter to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Minister of State Anupriya Patel has raised serious concerns regarding the alleged discrimination faced by candidates from OBC (Other Backward Classes), SC (Scheduled Castes), and ST (Scheduled Tribes) communities during state recruitment processes. Patel’s letter highlights the frustration and anger among these communities due to reserved seats being frequently declared “un-reserved.” Union Minister of State Anupriya Patel (left) and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath (right). A Call for Action On June 27, Anupriya Patel, the Union MoS and Apna Dal (S) national president, wrote a letter to CM Yogi Adityanath urging immediate action to address the grievances of OBC, SC, and ST candidates. Patel emphasized that numerous candidates had approached her, complaining that during interviews for state recruitment exams, they were often deemed “Not Found Suitable,” which led to no candidates from these reserved categories b...

Parvej Khan, a name that has been lighting up America’s college athletics circuit, is much more than just a flashy athlete on the track. This 1500m specialist, known for his exuberant race finishes and magnetic personality, is also a grounded individual who treasures his roots and the simple pleasures of life. Parvej Khan after his 1500m victory at the Interstate Athletics meet From NCAA Stardom to Home Turf After nearly a year, Parvej Khan returned to compete in India, giving him a chance to visit home and savor his favorite meal — dal and sabji. Khan, who first gained prominence in March by becoming the first Indian track athlete to compete at the NCAA Championships in Boston, has been making headlines ever since. Representing the University of Florida, he created a buzz when he clocked an impressive 1500m time of 3:36.21 in Portland, just shy of the national record set by Jinson Johnson. Khan’s race videos, where he showcases his unique style of engaging the crowd and his signature ...

The highly anticipated film “Kalki 2898 AD,” featuring an ensemble cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Kamal Haasan, and Disha Patani, has experienced a significant drop in its box office collection. This unexpected dip raises questions about whether the film will meet the ambitious Rs 500 crore target set for its opening weekend. Kalki 2898 AD box office collection Day 2: Prabhas-starrer Kalki 2898 AD released in theatres on June 27. Despite the initial hype and the presence of renowned actors, the film’s performance at the box office has not lived up to expectations. This downturn has led industry analysts and fans to closely monitor its progress, eager to see if it can recover and achieve the projected milestone. Adding to its appeal, “Kalki 2898 AD” also boasts cameos from notable personalities such as acclaimed director SS Rajamouli, actor Dulquer Salmaan, actress Mrunal Thakur, and the charismatic Vijay Deverakonda. However, the star power and surprise appearances ...

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has acknowledged India’s progress in its anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT) efforts, describing the country as achieving “good results.” However, the global watchdog has also highlighted areas where further improvements are needed. The FATF will publish the report after its quality and consistency review is completed, it stated. High Compliance, But Room for Improvement In a recent statement, the FATF praised India’s high level of technical compliance with its AML/CFT standards. This recognition reflects India’s ongoing efforts to align its financial systems with international norms aimed at combating money laundering and terrorist financing. The FATF will publish a detailed report after completing its quality and consistency review, outlining India’s compliance status and areas for further enhancement. Despite the positive assessment, the FATF has flagged several areas requiring attention. Notably, there are concern...