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Fourth edition of India US naval exercise Tiger Triumph to begin on April 1
The fourth edition of the bilateral Tri-Service India-US Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise, Tiger Triumph, is scheduled to take place on the Eastern Seaboard from April 1 to 13, as per the Indian Navy. The Indian Navy noted that the exercise aims to develop interoperability for conducting HADR operations and formulating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to establish a Combined Coordination Center (CCC) that would enable rapid and smooth coordination between Indian and US Joint Task Forces (JTF) during exercises, crises, and contingencies, reported ANI. Notably, the Indian side would be represented by Indian Naval Ships Jalashwa, Gharial, Mumbai and Shakti along with integral helicopters and landing crafts embarked, Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft P8I, Army Troops from 91 Infantry Brigade and 12 Mechanical Infantry Battalion, Air Force C-130 Aircraft and MI-17 Helicopters, along with the Rapid Action Medical Team (RAMT). The US side would be represented by US Navy Ships Comstock and Ralph Johnson, with troops of the US Marine Division embarked. As per the Indian Navy, the Harbour Phase is scheduled at Visakhapatnam from April 1-7, during which an Opening Ceremony with a joint Flag Parade and Media Interaction will be held on board INS Jalashwa on April 1, reported ANI. Participants from both sides would also engage in training visits, subject matter expert exchanges, sports events and social interactions. Upon the completion of the Harbour Phase, the ships with troops embarked would sail for a sea phase and undertake maritime, amphibious and HADR operations off Kakinada, ANI reported. As per the Indian Navy, during the exercise, a joint command and control centre would be established by the Indian Army and US Marines at the Kakinada Naval Enclave. The IAF RAMT and the US Navy medical team would also establish a joint medical camp for providing medical aid. The exercise would culminate with a closing ceremony on board the US Navy Ship Comstock on April 13 at Visakhapatnam. Tri-service conducts multi-domain warfare exercise in Arunachal Pradesh Showcasing its joint operational prowess, the Indian Army conducted the 'Ex Prachand Prahaar', a Tri-Service integrated multi-domain warfare exercise, in Arunachal Pradesh’s high-altitude eastern theatre. Held from March 25 to 27, 2025, the exercise brought together the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and other armed forces elements in a coordinated combat drill, simulating future warfare scenarios. Indian Army takes part in the tri-service integrated multi-domain warfare exercise in Arunachal Pradesh. Carried out under the aegis of the Eastern Command, the exercise showcased the seamless integration of advanced surveillance, strike capabilities, and multi-domain operational planning. Cutting-edge platforms such as long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft, armed helicopters, UAVs, loitering munitions, and space-based assets were employed to achieve total situational awareness and rapid target engagement. (With ANI inputs)
31 March,2025 07:38 PM IST | Vishakhapatnam | mid-day online correspondent
Dictatorship or emergency, questions Akhilesh Yadav after cops stop his convoy
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday accused the Uttar Pradesh Police of preventing him from attending Eid celebrations, calling the move as "dictatorship" and "emergency"."What should I understand from this? Should I understand it as dictatorship or emergency?" Akhilesh Yadav questioned, while speaking to ANI.The former Chief Minister (CM) accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of "not running" the country according to the Constitution. He claimed that his convoy was halted and with only one vehicle being allowed to proceed. "When I was coming here today (to attend Eid celebrations), the police deliberately stopped me. After talking for half an hour, I was allowed to go ahead. When I wanted to know why this was being done, no officer had any answer. Is such pressure being created so that we do not attend other people's celebrations? BJP is not running this country as per the constitution," Akhilesh Yadav told reporters. Samajwadi Party chief extends Eid greetings Meanwhile, Akhilesh Yadav extended his warm wishes on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, saying that UP was the only place where people of all religions and communities have lived together."I extend my wishes to everyone on the occasion of Eid. This festival brings sweets and Sevaiyaan to us and sends a message that India has always had a mixed culture. It is the only land where people of all religions and communities have lived together...Today's Eid, along with that, celebrations of Navratri, have started," the SP chief said. Regarding the Waqf Amendment Bill, he reaffirmed his party's stand and said that they are against it like most parties in the country.He added that his party would oppose the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Parliament. Yadav further criticised the decisions taken by the BJP government, stating that they have failed to benefit the public."Most of the parties of the nation are against this bill. The political parties will oppose it. Samajwadi Party is also against this bill. We will oppose this in the Parliament. The big decisions taken by the BJP have failed to benefit the public. They finished reservations for Anglo-Indians. They brought in GST on the pretext of increasing efficiency for businesses. However, corruption has increased due to GST," he said."There are many legislations which have affected the public. For example, you can't buy land in the neighbouring state (of Uttarakhand), which was a part of Uttar Pradesh," he added. (ANI)(With ANI inputs)
31 March,2025 07:25 PM IST | Mumbai
Myanmar earthquake: India continues to send relief via Operation Brahma
Since their arrival in Mandalay on Sunday, Indian rescue teams have been actively helping the survivors of the Myanmar earthquake as part of Operation Brahma, the Indian Embassy said. The embassy also expressed its prayers for the people affected by the Myanmar earthquake and mentioned that more aid is on its way.In a post on X, the embassy said, "Operation Brahma- Since arriving at earthquake sites in Mandalay y'day, our teams are working to extend critical support in search for survivors and medical/HADR support. More aid is on the way. Our hearts and prayers are with the affected people of Myanmar." #OperationBrahmaSince arriving at earthquake sites in Mandalay y'day, our teams are working to extend critical support in search for survivors and medical/HADR support. More aid is on the way. Our hearts and prayers are with the affected people of Myanmar.@MEAIndia@PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/76EvuhPvsX — India in Myanmar (@IndiainMyanmar) March 31, 2025 The embassy added that more aid is on its way for the affected people of the country."More aid and support is on the way to Mandalay and Yangon. Committed to assist people in all affected areas of Mandalay, Naypyitaw, Sagaing and Bago." More aid and support is on the way to Mandalay and Yangon. Committed to assist people in all affected areas of Mandalay, Naypyitaw, Sagaing and Bago.#OperationBrahma @MEAIndia @PMOIndia @indiannavy @adgpi@NDRFHQ pic.twitter.com/jIkyxepIuT — India in Myanmar (@IndiainMyanmar) March 31, 2025 On Monday, PM Modi had said that the rescue operation was under Indian foreign policy philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family)."Our mantra of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' is reaching the entire world...Myanmar was hit by a tragic earthquake a day before yesterday; India was the first to reach there and launched Operation Brahma. India does not take time to extend help," PM Modi said. Hon'ble Prime Minister @narendramodi "Our mantra of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' is reaching the entire world...Myanmar was hit by a tragic earthquake a day before yesterday; India was the first to reach there and launched Operation Brahma. India does not take time to extend help..." https://t.co/E3Ch7xvgfU — India in Myanmar (@IndiainMyanmar) March 30, 2025 Myanmar has experienced strong aftershocks, complicating the rescue efforts for those still missing after Friday's magnitude 7.7 earthquake, which led to nation to issue a call for aid.India's National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has started off the rescue operations under Operation Brahma at the U hla thein monastery, where around 170 monks are still stuck, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated on Monday.The Army team will visit the hospital site on Monday and will establish their Medical Services on Tuesday. (With ANI inputs)
31 March,2025 07:19 PM IST | Mumbai
40-year-old killed over illicit relationship in Latur
The mystery surrounding the murder of a 40-year-old man, allegedly linked to an illicit relationship, deepened on Monday after one of the accused, a woman, was found hanging from a tree under suspicious circumstances, Latur Police in Maharashtra stated, according to PTI. The victim, Sharad Ingle, who worked as a supervisor at the gravel unit near Karkatta village in the Latur district, was fatally attacked with sickles and other sharp weapons. The police arrested one person and launched an investigation on various angles. "The attackers slit Ingle's throat. He succumbed to his injuries on the spot," an officer said. Based on the complaint filed by the victim's wife, a case was registered late at night against five people at Murud Police Station in Maharashtra. The cops are investigating if the extra-marital affair of the victim prompted the murderous attack. Even as the police are investigating the role of the five people named in the FIR, one of the accused, a woman, was found hanging from a tree in a forested area in the village on Monday morning, the officer informed, according to PTI. The police investigating Ingle's murder have registered a case under section 103 (punishment for murder) under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita against five accused. As per PTI, the police have refused to give more insights of the case, citing the sensitivity of the matter. UP man kills wife, attempts suicide in lodge amid family dispute A 30-year-old man allegedly killed his wife and attempted suicide in a lodge in Ballia city, allegedly due to family opposition to their court marriage, police said on Monday. The woman succumbed to her injuries, while the man is hospitalised in a critical condition, the police said, PTI reported. Superintendent of Police (SP) Omvir Singh said the police received a distress call from the manager of a lodge on Station Road under Ballia City Kotwali area late Sunday night. The manager reported that a room had been locked from the inside, and there was no response from the occupants, PTI reported. "When we forced open the door, we found a man and a woman lying unconscious on the bed with blood splattered across the room," Singh said. Both were rushed to the district hospital, where doctors declared the woman dead, reported PTI. The man remains in critical condition, the officer said. The 29-year-old woman was a resident of Mohanpurwa, Pir Nagar, Ghazipur, while the injured man lived in Prem Chak Umarganj, Ballia City Kotwali area. The woman had a had a deep wound on her neck, said Singh. A bloodstained knife was recovered from the scene. "Preliminary evidence suggests that the man attacked the victim with a knife before attempting to take his own life," the SP said. According to the police, the couple had recently married in court, but the man's family was against the union. "It appears that the family's disapproval forced them to stay at the lodge," Singh added. The police have taken the woman's body into custody for post-mortem and are further investigating the case. Efforts are underway to gather more details from the accused once his condition stabilises. (With PTI inputs)
31 March,2025 06:56 PM IST | Latur | mid-day online correspondent
Modi govt uplifted India's health infrastructure, says Amit Shah in Hisar
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that the Narendra Modi government, over the past decade, has uplifted India's health infrastructure by taking a holistic approach to improving the health sector across the entire country. Shah stated that health infrastructure has been improved from the primary to the tertiary level. He was addressing a gathering after unveiling a statue of Maharaja Agrasen at the Maharaja Agrasen Medical College campus in Agroha here. On the occasion, he also inaugurated the newly built ICU and laid the foundation stone for the postgraduate hostel. Shah highlighted several initiatives of the Modi government taken in various fields. He mentioned that 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty during the Modi government's tenure. Four crore houses have been built for the poor, providing shelter to 20 crore people, Shah said. He also touched upon the central government's provision of free food grains to over 81 crore beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, the provision of toilets to every household under the Swachh Bharat Mission, cooking gas connections to the poor, and the provision of tap water to over 15 crore households, along with making treatment worth up to Rs 5 lakh available for 60 crore people. Until 2014, 12 crore families in this country did not have toilets. Imagine the plight of girls in families without toilets, Shah said. He also highlighted the progress made in medical infrastructure, stating, In 2013-14, the Government of India's budget for the health sector was Rs 37,000 crore, and in 2025-26, it will be Rs 1.37 lakh crore. When Narendra Modi became PM, there were seven AIIMS in the country, six of which were set up during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government's time, and only one was set up during the Congress regime. Today, in 2024, there are 23 AIIMS, reflecting the improvement in the country's health infrastructure, he said. He also mentioned that the number of medical colleges has increased from 387 to 766, and the number of MBBS seats has risen from 51,000 to 1.15 lakh. He added that 85,000 more seats will be added in the next five years. There were 31,000 PG seats, which have now increased to 73,000, he said. PG seats will also increase in proportion to the increase in MBBS seats, he added. There are 766 hospitals in 750 districts in the country, he mentioned. ¿It is the resolve of every BJP-ruled state that there will be at least one hospital in each district, He stated. I am confident that in the next five years, there will be no district in the country without a medical college and hospital offering free medical treatment, He said.Haryana was infamous for corruption in government jobs, he said, referring to the previous Congress regimes. Due to casteism, one government would come and people from one region would get jobs, and when another government came, jobs would be given to people from a different region, he said. Nobody would get a job without a bribe,¿ he asserted, emphasizing the corruption in jobs during previous governments. Both 'Kharchi' (bribe) and 'Parchi' (favouritism) were needed for a job, he said. Shah said that without 'Kharchi and Parchi', the BJP government provided government jobs and proved that in democracy, politics should not be done on the basis of caste. In 10 years, sportspersons from Haryana won three times as many medals, he said. Despite being a small state, Haryana is the biggest producer of Basmati rice, he added. In the army, every 10th person hails from Haryana, he noted. After Shah mentioned that 14 crops are bought at MSP in Haryana, Chief Minister Nayab Saini corrected him, saying 24 crops are bought at MSP. Saini ji is very knowledgeable. Earlier, there were 14 crops, and let's applaud Saini ji for increasing the number of crops to 24. He said, also touching on several other initiatives of the BJP government in the state over the past 10 years. When you see Saini ji, he will appear calm (shaant), cheerful (hasmukh), and at the same time, he is also a tough (kathor) administrator. He holds full authority over the administration, He said. Speaking about his meeting with Saini at his home before the Haryana assembly elections last year, Shah said that some decisions were made during the meeting. I told Saini ji, it is difficult to do this in two or three months. He replied, 'It will be done, you do not worry,' Shah shared. Before the announcement of the assembly elections, all the proposed works were carried out by Saini, he noted. When a person from the public takes the reins of a state, the kind of change that takes place is best exemplified by our Nayab Saini. Therefore, whatever problem arises, he welcomes it and resolves it, he said. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, state BJP Chief Mohan Lal Badoli, state Health Minister Arti Singh Rao, Minister Ranbir Singh Gangwa, BJP MP from Kurukshetra Naveen Jindal, Chairperson Emeritus of the Jindal Group, Independent MLA from Hisar Savitri Jindal, former Rajya Sabha MP D.P. Vats, and others were present on the occasion. Earlier in his speech, Shah lauded Haryana's contributions in several fields, despite being a small state geographically. He also extended greetings to the people on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Sikh Guru Guru Angad. The Sikh Gurus have made unparalleled sacrifices for humanity and the country, he said. He mentioned Maharaja Agrasen, saying he established many principles for good governance and that people were prosperous during his rule. He also praised the Agarwal community, many of whom are entrepreneurs, and said that every person is dedicated to the country, contributing towards its development. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
31 March,2025 06:10 PM IST | Hisar | PTI
Kerala Minister Sivankutty urges ASHA workers to send their cut hair to Centre
Kerala Labour Minister V Sivankutty on Monday vehemently criticised ASHA workers for cutting their hair and shaving their heads -- in protest against alleged government apathy-- suggesting that they should instead send their hair strands to the central government via union ministers from the state. The minister stated that Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) should have staged their protest and hair-cutting demonstration before the Centre in New Delhi. In a statement, Sivankutty, who also serves as the state's General Education Minister, further alleged that local BJP representatives had infiltrated the protest. Taking a dig at Suresh Gopi, he remarked that ASHA workers would not receive the demanded wage hikes even if the union minister distributed coats and umbrellas to them. "It has been days since I sent a letter to the Union Labour Minister, requesting that scheme workers, including ASHAs, be granted worker status and made eligible for benefits under the Central Labour Act. However, I have not received any response so far," he said. Sivankutty also urged the union ministers from the state, Suresh Gopi and George Kurian, to pressure the Centre into approving the demands raised by ASHA workers.He further countered claims that ASHA workers receive only Rs 7,000 as wages in Kerala, stating that the campaign was "baseless". According to him, ASHA workers, under stipulated conditions, are entitled to wages of up to Rs 13,200, including a telephone allowance, with Rs 10,000 being the state's contribution. Minister Sivankutty's remarks came soon after dozens of ASHA workers intensified their protest outside the Secretariat on Monday, cutting their hair and some even shaving their heads in an emotional gesture of defiance against the government's alleged "indifference" to their demands. The protest entered its 50th day on Monday, with demonstrators escalating their agitation outside the administrative hub, marking a new phase in their prolonged campaign. Emotional scenes unfolded as several ASHA workers from across districts gathered at the protest venue in the morning, cutting their hair en masse while raising slogans against the government. In a display of desperation, one protester, overwhelmed with emotion, broke down in tears before taking the extreme step of shaving her head completely. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
31 March,2025 06:00 PM IST | Thiruvananthapuram | PTI
Punjab Police nabs smuggler with 15 kg heroin linked to Pakistan, US syndicates
The Punjab Police on Monday said it arrested a drug smuggler linked to syndicates based in Pakistan and the US and seized 15 kilogrammes of heroin from him. The arrested accused has been identified as Harshpreet Singh, a resident of Roranwala in Amritsar, said Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav. Apart from seizing the heroin, police teams from Tarn Taran also impounded a two-wheeler being used to smuggle the drugs. The development came a day after the Tarn Taran Police dismantled a drug trafficking cartel with the arrest of two smugglers and seized six kilogrammes of heroin, according to an official statement. Yadav said preliminary investigations revealed that the consignment was linked to a network operated by US-based Gurnam Kallowal, linked to a Pakistan-based smuggler identified as Pahalwan. The police chief added that Pahalwan used drones to drop drugs consignments from across the border. A probe has also revealed that Singh was retrieving the consignments to further deliver them to local peddlers and sending the proceeds through hawala channels on the instructions of his US-based handler Kallowal, he added. Further investigations are underway to establish backward and forward linkages. Sharing details of the operation, Senior Superintendent of Police (Tarn Taran) said police teams launched an intelligence-based operation, acting on reliable inputs about Singh's activities, and arrested him from the district's Rakh Sarai Amanat Khan when he was on his way to deliver a consignment. Efforts are underway to uncover the entire network of suppliers, dealers and buyers, as well as ascertain the total quantity of drugs received by the accused. More arrests and recoveries are likely in the coming days, he added. A case has been registered under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Tarn Taran Sadar police sation. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
31 March,2025 05:59 PM IST | Chandigar | PTI
Woman Naxal killed in Chhattigarh, arms and ammunitions recovered
A body of a female Naxalite, who had a bounty of Rs 25 lakh on her head, was recovered by security forces on Monday, March 31, from an encounter site in Dantewada. Officials said that an INSAS rifle, ammunition, and other daily-use items were found alongside the body. The security forces operating in the DRG area had launched an anti-Maoist operation in the regions of Geedam police station of the Dantewada district and Bhairamgarh police station of Bijapur border villages - Nelgoda, Akeli and Belnar. The woman, identified as Renuka alias Banu alias Chaite alias Saraswati, a resident of Kadvendi district, Warangal, was shot during the exchange of fire that took place at the encounter site, which started at 9 a.m. today. On March 30, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the surrender of 50 Naxalites in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh. He assured them that they would be rehabilitated and integrated into the mainstream. "It is a matter of great joy that 50 Naxalites in Bijapur (Chhattisgarh) surrendered, abandoning the path of violence. I welcome those who leave violence and weapons and join the mainstream of development. Modi ji's policy is clear that any Naxalite who leaves weapons and adopts the path of development will be rehabilitated and connected to the mainstream," Amit Shah wrote on X. Amit Shah also made appeal to the other Naxalites to surrender, stating that Naxalism would be eradicated by March 2026. "I once again appeal to the rest of the people to give up arms and join the mainstream. After March 31, 2026, Naxalism will become history in the country, this is our resolution," Shah said. 15 Naxalites surrendered before the Dantewada police on Saturday. Superintendent of Police (SP) Dantewada confirmed the surrender, stating that all 15 individuals would be provided the benefits provided by the state government under the rehabilitation policy. Speaking to the media, Dantewada SP Smruthik Rajanala said, "15 Naxalites have surrendered in front of the Dantewada police today...All the benefits of the state government will be given to all these 15 Naxalites who have surrendered today." Nine Naxals surrendered in Sukma on Wednesday in the presence of Superintendent of Police Kiran Gangaram Chavan. (With ANI inputs)
31 March,2025 02:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Will banks, BSE, and NSE remain closed on March 31? Check RBI’s latest update
As the financial year 2024-25 comes to a close, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that banks in India will remain open on Monday, March 31 2025, for special clearing operations. This move ensures that all government transactions are processed smoothly before the fiscal year ends. RBI cancels Eid-ul-Fitr bank holiday on March 31 Initially, March 31 was marked as a public holiday for banks across most states in observance of Eid-ul-Fitr. However, given that this date also coincides with the financial year-end, the RBI has issued a directive to keep banks operational. The decision is aimed at facilitating the seamless processing of government-related payments, tax collections, and financial settlements. Under the new arrangement, all agency banks involved in government transactions will be required to operate as per normal working hours on March 31. Furthermore, the RBI has instructed these banks to conduct special clearing operations, specifically for government cheques, under the Cheque Truncation System (CTS). Banking schedule and holiday adjustments With the cancellation of the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday, the banking schedule for the last week of March is as follows: Thursday, March 27: Banks were closed in some states due to Shab-e-Qadr. Friday, March 28: Regular banking operations continued. Saturday, March 29: Banks remained open as it was the fifth Saturday of the month. Sunday, March 30: Banks were closed as per the regular weekly off. Monday, March 31: Initially a scheduled holiday for Eid, but banks will now remain open for year-end financial activities. RBI’s special clearing arrangement for government cheques To expedite financial settlements before the fiscal year closes, the RBI has made the following provisions: Regular cheque clearing operations will follow the standard schedule applicable to a working Monday. A dedicated Special Clearing Session under CTS will be conducted exclusively for government cheque processing. Agency banks dealing with government transactions will remain operational until regular closing hours on March 31. The reporting window for tax-related transactions, including GST, TIN 2.0, ICEGATE, and State e-receipts, will be open until 12:00 noon on April 1, 2025. Will the stock market remain open on March 31? Unlike banks, the stock markets will remain closed on Monday, March 31, 2025, in observance of Eid-ul-Fitr. According to the holiday schedules of both the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE), trading will be suspended for the day. This closure follows the regular weekend holiday on Saturday, March 29, and Sunday, March 30. Trading activities across all market segments, including equities, derivatives, currency markets, securities lending and borrowing (SLB), and electronic gold receipts (EGR), will resume on Tuesday April 1, 2025. Upcoming market holidays in April 2025 For traders and investors, here are the scheduled stock market holidays in April: Thursday, April 10: Mahavir JayantiMonday, April 14: Dr B.R. Ambedkar JayantiFriday, April 18: Good Friday Additionally, later in the year, the Indian stock markets will observe closures for: Maharashtra Day (May 1)Independence Day (August 15)Ganesh Chaturthi (August 27)Gandhi Jayanti (October 2)Dussehra (October 21-22)Prakash Gurpurb (November 5)Christmas (December 25). Despite concerns over global trade policies, particularly regarding potential tariff changes by the United States, India’s stock markets ended the 2024-25 financial year on a positive note. The BSE Sensex gained over 3,763 points (5.1 per cent) in FY25. The NSE Nifty recorded a rise of 1,192 points (5.34 per cent). The total market capitalisation of companies listed on the BSE grew by Rs 25.90 lakh crore, reaching Rs 4,12,87,646.50 crore (USD 4.82 trillion).
31 March,2025 02:08 PM IST | Mumbai | Anisha Shrivastava
April 2025 Bank Holidays: List of days when banks will be closed across India
April 2025 will see several bank holidays across different states in India, with closures for religious, cultural, and national observances. Additionally, a nationwide bank holiday has been scheduled on April 1 for the annual closing of bank accounts. Customers are advised to check the holiday schedule in their respective states to plan their banking transactions accordingly. Annual closing of bank accounts On April 1, banks across the country, except in Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya, will remain closed. This holiday allows financial institutions to complete the finalisation of their accounts for the financial year 2024-25. Given the heavy transactions expected on March 31, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the Eid holiday to ensure uninterrupted banking services on the last day of the financial year. State-wise schedule of closures Below is a detailed breakdown of the bank holidays scheduled in April 2025 across various states and union territories: April 1 – Yearly Account Closure (All states except Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya) / Sarhul (Jharkhand) April 5 – Babu Jagjivan Ram’s Birthday (Telangana) April 10 – Mahavir Jayanti (Banks will remain operational in Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, Bihar, Tripura, Jammu & Kashmir, Goa, Kerala, Sikkim, and northeastern states) April 14 – Multiple celebrations, including Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti, Vishu, Biju Festival, Buisu Festival, Maha Vishuva Sankranti, Tamil New Year, Bohag Bihu, and Cheiraoba (Excludes New Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh) April 15 – Bengali New Year’s Day / Himachal Day / Bohag Bihu (Observed in Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh) April 16 – Bohag Bihu (Observed only in Assam) April 18 – Good Friday (Not a holiday in Mizoram, Chandigarh, Assam, Rajasthan, Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu) April 21 – Garia Puja (Mizoram only) April 29 – Bhagwan Shri Parshuram Jayanti (Himachal Pradesh only) April 30 – Basava Jayanti / Akshaya Tritiya (Exclusive to Karnataka) (Source: RBI) Plan ahead to avoid banking delays In total, April 2025 will see 10 bank holidays in different regions, making it essential for customers to be aware of the closures in their respective states. While online banking services will remain operational, those requiring physical banking transactions should schedule their visits accordingly to avoid any inconvenience.
31 March,2025 01:32 PM IST | Mumbai | Anisha Shrivastava
Rahul Gandhi writes to PM seeking cancellation of tenders for offshore mining
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking cancellation of tenders permitting offshore mining along the coast of Kerala, Gujarat, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, reported news agency PTI. Flagging the threat to marine life, the Congress leader said opening up offshore mining blocks to private players without any rigorous assessment of its impact was concerning. "I write to you to strongly condemn the central government's decision to permit offshore mining along the coast of Kerala, Gujarat, and Andaman & Nicobar," he said in his letter to the prime minister, reported PTI. Gandhi said coastal communities have been protesting against the manner in which tenders for offshore mining have been floated without evaluating its environmental impact. Millions of fisherfolk have expressed grave concerns about its impact on their livelihood and way of life, he said. "I wrote to PM Modi to condemn the permission granted for offshore mining in Kerala, Gujarat, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands without consulting local stakeholders or conducting environmental studies. Offshore mining will impact the livelihoods of millions of fisherfolk and irreversibly damage our diverse marine life. The government must immediately revoke this decision," Gandhi said on his WhatsApp channel, reported PTI. The Congress leader said the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023 was met with strong objections. Opening up offshore mining blocks to private players without any rigorous assessment of its impact was concerning, he said, noting that studies point to its adverse impacts, including threats to marine life, damage to coral reefs and the depletion of fish stock. In this backdrop, when the Ministry of Mines invited tenders for grant of license for 13 offshore blocks, protests erupted against this move. Gandhi said among the 13 blocks are three blocks for mining construction sand in the coast of Kollam, a vital fish breeding habitat, and three blocks for polymetallic nodules off the coast of the Great Nicobar islands- a marine biodiversity hotspot. The former Congress chief claimed that tenders were floated without any consultation with the stakeholders or an assessment of the long term socio-economic impact on coastal communities. He also claimed that the ongoing survey of the Marine Monitoring Lab (MML) of the University of Kerala's Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries found that offshore mining could have a devastating impact on fish breeding, especially in Kollam, reported PTI. Noting that over 11 lakh people rely on fishing in Kerala, he said any major this is their traditional occupation and is closely tied to their way of life. Great Nicobar is globally recognised for harbouring diverse ecosystems and is home to several endemic species of wildlife. "Any damage due to offshore mining could potentially do irreparable damage. At a juncture where erosion of our coastal ecosystems have worsened the impact of natural calamities like cyclones, it is concerning that the government is wilfully greenlighting activities without a scientific assessment," he asserted, reported PTI. "In this backdrop, I strongly urge the government to cancel the tenders issued for the offshore mining blocks," Gandhi said, reported PTI. Furthermore, he called for rigorous scientific studies to assess the environmental, as well as socio-economic impact of offshore mining. But most importantly, he said, all stakeholders, especially our fisherfolk must be consulted before any major decision is taken. "Their lives are intertwined with the fate of our oceans. Let us work collectively towards building a sustainable future for all," Gandhi told the PM in his letter dated March 25. The letter was shared by him on Sunday, reported PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
31 March,2025 01:19 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent