Indholdsfortegnelse for 17 November 2025 i India Today

THE ALLEGED ‘FRAUD’ TRAIL Financial misconduct, as claimed by the ED RCOM and other group companies availed loans from domestic and foreign lenders from 2010-2012 onwards, of which ₹40,185 crore is outstanding. Lenders, including the State Bank of India, Bank of India and Bank of Baroda, have declared the loan accounts of the group as fraud Loans taken by one entity from one bank were used to repay loans taken by other entities from other banks, transfer to related parties and invest in mutual funds—in contravention of the terms and conditions of the loan sanction letter RCOM and other companies diverted over ₹13,600 crore for evergreening of loans, of which over Rs 12,600 crore went to connected parties and over Rs 1,800 crore was invested in FDs and MFs, which were…

On the campaign trail in Madhubani, Aaj Tak’s Anjana Om Kashyap caught up with Union home minister Amit Shah. Excerpts: On the NDA’s prospects: We will win with a 160-plus majority. All the alliance partners will have similar strike rates. On the NDA Sankalp Patra’s promise of creating one crore job opportunities: In the past 11 years, we have strengthened the infrastructure for industry, be it roads, bridges or power plants. We have also set up a number of factories—two textile hubs, a fertiliser plant in Barauni. Bihar is already the biggest producer of ethanol in the country. If we consider all that we have already done, it’s already created employment worth over 7 crore man-days. Our promise is backed by arithmetic and planning. On finding the money to fund promises:…

↘ Histoplasmosis: Caused by fungi like Histoplasma capsulatum found in pigeon droppings; can lead to serious lung complications ↘ Cryptococcosis: A lung disease that targets the central nervous system, posing greater risk to people with weakened immunity ↘ Psittacosis: A bacterial infection from pigeons that can progress to pneumonia if left untreated ↘ Allergies: Pigeons can trigger allergic reactions in predisposed individuals ↘ Asthma: Repeated contact with feathers, droppings or dust can cause respiratory difficulties ↘ Pigeon breeder’s lung: Also known as hypersensitivity pneumonitis, caused by inhaling fine dust particles from droppings, leading to lung inflammation ↘ Parasitic infections: Pigeons often carry mites, lice and fleas that spread into human surroundings, causing skin allergies, itching and secondary infections…

Aarav’s parents always thought their four-year-old was just bigger than other kids. But when he started running out of breath after a few minutes of play in their Bengaluru apartment complex, they took him to a doctor. When his weight was checked, the scale read 28 kg, some 12 kg more than what’s ideal for his age and height. The doctor also found elevated fasting insulin and early signs of metabolic stress. “We thought he was just a healthy eater,” says his father Rohan Menon, who works in IT. “I never thought obesity could become a medical emergency at this age.” Aarav’s story might seem unusual, but it mirrors a quiet epidemic unfolding across Indian homes. For a country long preoccupied with malnutrition, the opposite end of the spectrum—overnutrition—is growing…

POP/DANCE ↘ Jason DeReulo, The Script (Sat.)/Diplo (Sun.) will headline the Cherry Blossom festival in Shillong (Nov. 14-15) Tickets: Rockskitickets.com ↘ Jacob Collier will bring his ‘Djesse Vol. 4’ world tour to Bengaluru (Nov. 28), Mumbai (Nov. 30) and Delhi (Dec. 2) Tickets: Skillboxes.com ↘ Akon will return to play gigs in Delhi (Nov. 9), Bengaluru (Nov. 14) and Mumbai (Nov. 16 Tickets: District.in ↘ Passenger will perform his first set of concerts in Delhi (Nov. 19), Mumbai (Nov. 21) and Bengaluru (Nov. 22) Tickets: BookMyShow.com ↘ Tyla will top the bill at the Indian Sneaker Festival in Mumbai (Dec. 6-7) Tickets: BookMyShow.com ↘ Blue will celebrate their 25th anniversary tour in Shillong (Dec. 11) and Gangtok (Dec. 13) Tickets: District.in ↘ David Guetta will headline Sunburn in Mumbai (Dec.…

Q. You are performing with your sons and grandsons for IBTIDA–Ek Mehfil on Nov. 15. How special is it for you? To share the stage with my children and grandchildren is the greatest blessing of God Almighty. The nature of every human being comes out through their music. The way [my son] Amaan plays is very distinctive. He has created his own world and he sounds like Amaan Ali Bangash. His younger brother Ayaan has also created his own world…. Abeer and Zohaan have just begun their journey. All credit goes to their parents, Ayaan and Neema, for planning their day so that they get to practise sarod beyond studies. Q. There has been a re-emergence of baithaks and mehfils that encourage live music. What do you think about them?…

The act of gifting has changed subtly but dramatically in a world where individuality and experiences are now considered the ultimate luxury. The contemporary connoisseur has outgrown store-bought sparkle. Instead, discerning collectors and aesthetes are in search of unique pieces that commemorate life’s milestones in the most meaningful way, turning to jewellery auctions, the rarefied places where history, artistry, and exclusivity converge. What was formerly the purview of investment portfolios is now also evolving into a language of celebration, success, and love. Gifting jewellery is very personal; it’s a gift of craftsmanship, legacy, and exclusivity. The change says a lot about how collectors view value today, and here are some factors that have inspired this new perspective. A Dynamic Collector Base The emotional impact of owning or giving a piece…

There’s a certain magic to slicing through a chaotic metropolis like Mumbai in a car that refuses to blend in, offering instead, a sensory experience that stands apart. My chariot for the day is the brilliant Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupé finished in a hue called Solid Sun Yellow, which felt less like a car and more like a concentrated dose of sunshine. It even managed to draw a smile from its youngest-ever passenger, my four-month-old son, whose astonished giggles every time the straight-six engine cleared its throat was a review in itself. This wasn’t merely his first ride in a supercar; it was an introduction to a world of joyous, unapologetic character. The CLE 53 doesn’t just get you from one end of the city to another; it reminds you…

ON NOVEMBER 5, AT THE CONGR ESS HEADQUARTERS IN NEW DELHI, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi faced the national press with an explosive charge: Indian democracy, he declared, had been “stolen”. Citing thousands of pages of voter data, Rahul alleged that the BJP had turned a widely predicted Congress victory in the 2024 Haryana assembly poll into defeat through a “centralised operation” involving fake, duplicate and deleted voters. The Election Commission of India (ECI), he contended, had acted in concert with the ruling BJP, enabling a “systematic theft of democracy”. THE HARYANA DOSSIER The core claim: approximately 2.5 million of Haryana’s 20 million voters, or 12.5 per cent of the electorate, were compromised. Despite exit polls predicting 54-62 seats for the Congress, the party lost by 118,000 votes statewide…

It was no ordinary flight, and certainly no ordinary passenger. President Droupadi Murmu, strapped into the rear cockpit of a gleaming Rafale fighter, took to the skies over Haryana. Midway through the sortie, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh leaned in and informed her that they were flying right above historic Kurukshetra, the land of the Mahabharata war, and that the sacred Brahma Sarovar lay glistening below. Moved by the sight, the president couldn’t hold back her emotions. In a moment that blended power with poetry, she radioed in a message. While praising the Rafale jet, she said: “I am witnessing the ancient land and the sacred Brahma Sarovar, symbols of our cultural diversity and historic journey. My faith in our military capability has become even stronger….” Stirring words from the…

TOTAL LITERACY BACK IN 1991, FAMOUSLY. After 34 years, on its foundation day of November 1, Kerala marked the next pioneer’s milestone: total eradication of extreme poverty. At least, that claim has been formally made by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who called it a “historic moment” that embellished Kerala’s repute as a “caring state”. With his Left-led government due to test the strength of its two-term incumbency in assembly polls next year, such a claim was not about to go without furious contestation. As pro-regime voices battle a sceptical chorus—not limited to the Opposition—the surrounding context also offered a more complex picture. It was in 2021 that the state set freedom from extreme poverty as an absolute goal. Not that Kerala had much. In 2023, the NITI Aayog pegged it…

That night on November 2, there were several heart-stopping moments when Indian cricket fans—a record 190 million of them watching the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup final on television and streaming services, and another 40,000, dressed mostly in blue, present at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai—sensed that victory for the home team was nigh. One was when an athletic Amanjot Kaur—already the star of a stunning direct runout—took a fumbling, tumbling sky-high catch that stopped South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt in her tracks just as she seemed poised to take the game away from India. Another was when Deepti Sharma yorked Annerie Dercksen to take the third of her match-winning five wickets—all that after a steadying, run-a-ball 58 while batting. Then there was the stroke of pure genius…

IT took 11 attempts, but the Indian women’s cricket team are finally world champions. And make no mistake—this wasn’t destiny, nor a stroke of luck. It was the culmination of a system that has been building, brick by brick: the skyrocketing popularity of the women’s game, the Women’s Premier League, pay parity and the unflinching backing of the BCCI. But there was one factor—subtle on the surface yet seismic beneath—that perhaps mattered most of all: team architecture. Not a new-wave innovation, but the return of an age-old blueprint for sporting success. Michael Jordan, six-time NBA champion and eternal sporting deity, summed it up best: “Talent wins games, teamwork wins championships.” Teamwork, true teamwork, goes way beyond hugs at the end of a win. It’s about having a squad full of…

AFTER DECADES OF WAITING, HOPES FOR A TRULY ‘made in India’ fighter jet engine might finally be realised. New Delhi and Paris are preparing to co-develop a cutting-edge power plant—a project set to propel India into the elite club of nations with access to high-thrust engine technology. Experts from the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), part of the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), are in advanced talks with France’s Safran Aircraft Engines to jointly design and build a 120-140 kN (kilonewtons) class engine that will power India’s 5th generation stealth fighter, the twin-engined Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and the Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TED-BF) for aircraft carriers. The deal is estimated to be worth around $7 billion (Rs 62,149 crore) for around 100 engines.…

Indefatigable multihyphenate Paromita Vohra has been travelling across India, screening her new docu Working Girls, a continuation of her relentless investigation into urban feminisms that began with her 2002 production Unlimited Girls. The 135-minute film tracks blue- working women such as erotic dancers, ASHA workers, egg donors, care workers, farm labourers, grassroots organisers and union leaders. Vohra’s thesis—what you imagine when you think of a working girl and what their life could possibly be like—is an invitation to consider modes of feminist livelihood and resistance outside mass-mediated tropes of caste-Hindu, white-collar female workers. Touchingly enough, most of these interviewees have seen the film. Vohra feels fortunate to have seen “the shades of emotion ripple over their faces… women whose work is made invisible have drawn on a certain self-possession to withstand the world’s humiliations…

Since its debut in 2023, ART MUMBAI has quickly established itself as a defining platform for modern and contemporary South Asian art. Returning for its third edition, the fair—co-founded by Saffronart’s Minal and Dinesh Vazirani, Conor Macklin of London’s Grosvenor Gallery and Nakul Dev Chawla of New Delhi’s Chawla Art Gallery—continues to grow in scope and ambition. This year, it will feature over 80 exhibitors, including prominent Indian galleries such as Experimenter, DAG, Akar Prakar, Nature Morte, Chemould Prescott Road, Vadehra Art Gallery, Gallery Espace and TARQ, and international galleries, including Lisson Gallery, Sundaram Tagore Gallery, Galleria Continua and Ben Brown Fine Arts. “The growing participation of international galleries and the strong attendance at the fair reflect how collectors, curators, artists and galleries from around the world are being drawn…

Seagram’s Longitude 77’s new limited-edition Diwali gift pack beautifully celebrates the grandeur of Indian architecture, redefining the spirit of thoughtful gifting through its innovative design and timeless appeal as a cherished keepsake. Longitude 77 is the first-ever Indian Single Malt from Pernod Ricard India, is a celebration of India’s enchanting spirit, tailored exclusively for connoisseurs of authentic Indian luxury. Longitude 77 is named after a line that runs through the heart of India-representing a land that is a harmonious blend of culture, craftsmanship, terroir, and ingredients, which are embodied in this luxury Indian Single Malt. Produced in small batches, Longitude 77 brings together locally sourced rich ingredients and the craftsmanship of Pernod Ricard’s master distiller to create a superior taste of luxury. Double matured, mellowed and knitted to perfection in…

From the moment you arrive on LA’s famed Wilshire Boulevard, the Petersen makes a statement. Its incredible façade of flowing steel ribbons looks like something from a sci-fi blockbuster, and the collection inside lives up to the hype and promise. The main floors are a masterclass in how to display automotive art, but the real magic is the “Hollywood Customs” exhibit. Here, you can stand face-to-face with childhood heroes in the metal, like the Batmobile from Batman and Batman Returns, the iconic Ecto-1 1959 Cadillac Ambulance from the Ghostbusters series, and what is often the most popular car in the exhibit, the 1981 DeLorean time machine from the Back to the Future trilogy. Seeing its gull-wing doors and the famous flux capacitor is a powerful nostalgic hit. This is also…

On October 30, US president Donald Trump shocked the world, including his own nuclear establishment, by announcing on Truth Social that he had “instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately”. His justification was that Russia and China were engaged in testing nuclear weapons and while “Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years”. The confusion generated was palpable. The same day, appearing for confirmation hearings before Senate Armed Forces Committee, Vice Admiral Richard Correll, nominated as head of the Strategic Command, when asked about Trump’s announcement, affirmed full confidence in the “reliability” of the US nuclear arsenal (the STRATCOM certifies it annually in January) only to add that “I…

DO CASTE-BASED QUOTAS FINISH MERIT OR CREATE FUTURE MERIT? Depends on who you ask, but no one will deny that the juncture at which a fresh quota comes into play tends to be a conflictual one for society—and politics. Madhya Pradesh is at one such point, if the Mohan Yadav government has its way in a case being heard in the Supreme Court. In fact, not unexpectedly, parties across the spectrum back the hiking of job and educational quotas for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) from 14 to 27 per cent. Again, not unexpectedly, only some student bodies are protesting. But therein lies the dilemma for the ruling BJP. Its stand has massive political ramifications, with the affidavits filed by the state in the SC furnishing arguments supporting the hike causing…

1973 At the inaugural Women’s Cricket World Cup, India didn’t compete as the national side came into being only in 1974 with the formation of the Women’s Cricket Association of India (WCAI) 1978 Only four teams competed; India stood last, losing all matches 1982 In a field of five, finished fourth 1988 Didn’t compete. The team was training at a camp in New Delhi when they were informed their entry was withdrawn from the tournament. Friction between WCAI and sports minister Margaret Alva is said to have been a factor. Last-minute appeal by Rajiv Gandhi to hosts failed 1993 Finished fourth in a field of eight 1997 Reached the semifinals, losing to eventual winners Australia 2000 Lost in semis to eventual champions New Zealand 2005 Reached finals for the first…

GENERAL ELECTRIC ↘ Under the 2023 agreement, the GE F414, meant for Tejas Mk 2 and early AMCAs, will be made in India with 80% transfer of technology ↘ But the commercial details of the deal are still being worked out ↘ The F414 is an afterburning turbofan engine with 97.9 kN thrust ↘ The company is also to deliver 99 GE F404 engines for the Tejas Mk 1A fighter under a 2021 deal worth Rs 5,375 cr ↘ It has sent only four F404s in 2025, attracting a penalty for delayed delivery by India SAFRAN ↘ DRDO/HAL and Safran plan to co-develop a jet engine of 120-140 kN class for the adva nced version of the stealth AMCA, to be in production by 2035 ↘ The proposal is awaiting inter-ministerial…

↘ Allow limited feeding hours or designated zones to respect faith, while protecting public health ↘ Run civic awareness campaigns on the health and ecological risks of overfeeding instead of relying only on fines ↘ Act against unauthorised kabutarkhanas that fuel unchecked pigeon growth ↘ Frame policy on ecology and scientific evidence, not sentiment ↘ Cut food surplus so pigeons forage naturally and predators like kites and cats thrive…

The 2025 Dehradun Literature Festival (DDLF) will be held at Doon International School from November 14-16. This will be the seventh edition of the festival, which began in 2017. This year, the DDLF will host a wide range of practitioners across disciplines—writers, translators, publishers, actors, filmmakers, musicians and so on. The invited speakers include Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Shobhaa De, Abhay K., Arundhati Subramanian, Sam Dalrymple, Sean Doyle, Imtiaz Ali and Divya Prakash Dubey. “When we began in 2017, I wanted to set up a literature festival in Dehradun simply because I knew that this is such an important educational centre, and that we would receive a terrific response from students and teachers [at Doon International School],” shares DDLF founder Samraant Virmani. “During the first year, we had only 10 events and…

Jazz-lovers are in for a treat as the Bengaluru Jazz Fest, supported by Bosch, is all set to enthral them over the course of three music-filled weekends across the city. Featuring an eclectic lineup of jazz stalwarts, including Gerard Machado and Radha Thomas; Carnatic greats such as Sukanya Ramgopal and Karthik Mani; and international artistes like Magnus Dauner and Peter Natterer, and the Bosch Big Band, the programme promises an unforgettable celebration of sound and soul. “The idea has been on the horizon for a long time,” says Jagadeesh M.R., musician-guitarist and director of Bangalore School of Music, who is part of the curating team. “We wanted a platform that would host international artistes and highlight India’s own jazz journey,” The event will also highlight the city’s age-old connection with Germany.…

DOHA | At QM Gallery Katara; till Feb. 7, 2026 Journey of an Artist The Rooted Nomad: M.F. Husain is an immersive exhibition presented by Qatar Museums in collaboration with KNMA and charts Husain’s artistic journey from his formative years in India to last years in Doha, Qatar. Initially presented alongside the Venice Biennale in 2024, the exhibition reimagines Husain’s legacy through an immersive, multi-sensory experience. MUMBAI | At NGMA; Nov. 11–Dec. 10 CENTENNIAL MAN Alandmark exhibition at NGMA, Mumbai, affords a rare opportunity to get up close with one of the living legends of Indian art. Commanding all four floors of the gallery, Krishen Khanna at 100: The Last Progressive brings together an eight-decade oeuvre—from the Partition paintings to abstract works, the iconic Bandwallahs and monumental murals. Many of these…

Breguet’s 250th year celebrations have translated into a bonanza year for brand aficionados with the manufacture raining stunning new timepieces to grace its portfolio. The iconic Reine de Naples collection too bears no exception to this benediction. Historically, the Reine de Naples collection was inspired by timepieces created between 1810 and 1812 for the Emperor Napoleon I’s sister, Caroline Murat, who later became Queen of Naples, an avid collector of numerous Breguet creations. This collection has now expanded to include two new models bearing references 9935 and 8925. While the former features a new movement, an original display and several exclusive aesthetic enhancements, the latter has a new face and an all-gold bracelet. What’s common to both these references is their adornment with Breguet gold for the first time. These…

Dubai has now become the razzle dazzle of the gastronomy universe, where culinary dreams take flight weekly. Spice goes on a delicious romp to sample the city’s newest tables. This year, the city has rolled out a feast of diverse flavours, merging globally acclaimed cuisines with innovative concoctions from visionary local chefs. Amidst the opalescent skyline, diners can indulge in a culinary journey that ranges from the refined artistry of seasonal tasting menus to heart-warming contemporary comfort dishes. From the sunlit allure, where Mediterranean flavours beckon like a siren’s song, to the theatrical elegance of omakase, every new spot is a chapter waiting to be savoured. So prepare your palates, ready your forks and book your tables! MEDITERRANEAN COASTAL INDULGENCE Jou Jou Brasserie Hankering after Europe’s breezy charm? This chic…

Every festive season chimes in with an inherent rhythm—sit-downs around the home and hearth, lazy meals that blur the witching hour, and the warm light of remembered moments. Commemoration is best celebrated by cracking open something new—a bottle that raises spirits and stokes warmth and cheer. Check out the unmissable line-up of whiskies and gin this year to set the mood and vibe; each with its own tale and match for your table. The Japanese Art of Balance—The Nikka Collection Few distilleries capture both tradition and innovation quite like Nikka. Founded by Masataka Taketsuru—the man who brought Scottish whisky-making to Japan. Nikka Yoichi, emerging from the granite coastlines of Hokkaido, is a seainfluenced and coal-fired whisky. Its peat smoke, gentle spice, and citrus richness reflect the coastal nature of the…

Tamuda Bay is where Morocco’s smart set spend their summers. Looking out over the calm waters of the Med, it’s easy to see why. Just a 90-minute drive from Tangier on Morocco’s Riviera, it is the greenest part of the country, flanked by the Rif mountains which keep the coastal strip lush. On this part of the Moroccan coast, facing the Med, there is no battling with Atlantic-sized waves. And, what’s more, it’s next door to the summer palace of Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco. The 55-room hotel is part of the Royal Mansour hotel group established by the king in 2010, which explains the palatial size of the rooms. In summer, it’s used as overflow accommodation for the royal compound with which it shares the private beach: a…