New Delhi, July 5 (IANS) Thirty-six years is a long time -- long enough for hopes of justice to fade and tears of grief to dry. And when every door of justice and political will seemed firmly shut, one case has given an entire community reason to believe that justice, however delayed, may still be possible.

For the beleaguered Kashmiri Hindus, the chargesheet filed in the kidnapping and murder case of Sarla Bhat has rekindled long-lost hopes of justice and redemption. For more than three decades, the community has knocked on the doors of governments, the judiciary and even those who champion human rights. Nothing moved until the last week of June 2026, when investigators finally filed a chargesheet in the case.

Sarla Bhat's is only one among hundreds of cases in which families long ago stopped expecting justice. Officially, there is no comprehensive record of the violence inflicted upon the Kashmiri Pandit community after terrorism erupted in the Valley in 1989. Many cases were never properly documented.

The local administration and the political establishment of the time, functioning under the shadow of terrorism and the pro-Pakistan separatist ecosystem, either failed to register cases or did not pursue them seriously. Even many human rights groups and sections of civil society remained silent as persecuted Hindus were left with little choice but to flee the Valley in the early 1990s.

According to community estimates, more than seven lakh Kashmiri Hindus were forced to leave their homes and become refugees in their own country.

A report compiled by the Jammu and Kashmir Police in 2008, based on its own records, stated that militants had killed 209 Kashmiri Pandits from 1989 onwards, including 109 in 1990 alone. Kashmiri Pandit organisations, however, maintain that the actual number could be closer to 700. In the absence of complete official records, the figures remain disputed. Many victim families chose to flee to protect their women and children rather than approach a police force they believed had become compromised during those years.

The uncertainty is not confined to the number of murders. There are no definitive records of kidnappings, rapes, gang rapes, arson, loot, extortion, illegal occupation of properties, land encroachments and desecration of temples. The violence unleashed on Kashmiri Pandits was brutal. Equally disturbing has been the manner in which, during the pre-Article 370 abrogation years, influential sections of the political and intellectual ecosystem appeared more inclined to look away than confront what had happened.

On February 2, 1990, young businessman Satish Tickoo was shot in the legs outside his residence in the Karfalli locality of Habba Kadal in Srinagar. JKLF terrorist Bitta Karate allegedly led the group that attacked the unarmed Tickoo. He was beaten, kicked and left bleeding as slogans were raised around him. He bled to death. The members of the local Muslim neighbourhood, according to accounts of the incident, did not come to his rescue.

It is pertinent to recall that in a media interview, Bitta Karate had claimed to have killed at least 20 Kashmiri Pandits, perhaps even "30-40", in 1990 on the instructions of his handlers. He later retracted the statement, claiming the interview had been recorded under duress. Nothing moved after his much-televised 'confession'.

Equally striking is the fact that Karate was granted bail after spending 16 years in jail. The court reportedly observed that the prosecution had shown little interest in pursuing the case, reflecting the lack of seriousness with which such cases were handled for years. Such was the ecosystem which has been consistently trying to whitewash the violence perpetrated on the Hindu minority in the Valley.

The cases of brutality are many, but at least a few have finally begun to move.

The first case from the 1989-90 killings to be reopened by the Government of India was that of Justice Neelkanth Ganjoo, who was assassinated in 1989 by JKLF terrorists led by Yasin Malik. Justice Ganjoo had earlier sentenced JKLF terrorist Maqbool Bhat, who was hanged for the 1966 murder of a police officer.

There are many other cases which await justice -- telecommunications engineer B.K. Ganjoo (pumped with bullets as he tried to hide in a drum); Girja Tickoo (her autopsy revealed that she was brutally gang-raped and tortured, and was alive when she was cut into two pieces with a carpenter's saw, right through the middle of her body); Radio Kashmir Director Lassa Kaul, political leader Tika Lal Taploo, poet Sarwanand Premi and his son, among many others. The bodies of the Premi father-son duo were discovered hanging, bearing horrific signs of torture, including cigarette burns, broken limbs, and gouged eyes.

The stories of brutality are endless. For over three decades, Kashmiri Pandit organisations have consistently demanded a dedicated judicial commission to comprehensively investigate the targeted killings and the mass exodus of the community from the Kashmir Valley. No government has accepted that demand.

The Supreme Court, too, repeatedly declined requests for a fresh probe. In July 2017, it dismissed a public interest litigation seeking an investigation into the killings of Kashmiri Pandits and the prosecution of accused separatists, observing that it would be extremely difficult to collect evidence and conduct a meaningful investigation more than 27 years after the events.

Those repeated disappointments -- in courts as well as governments, both in the erstwhile state and at the Centre -- steadily eroded whatever hope the community still held.

That is why the chargesheet in the Sarla Bhat case carries significance beyond a single prosecution. It has reopened a window that many believed had been permanently sealed. Whether it ultimately leads to convictions remains to be seen, but for thousands of families who have waited for decades, it signals that the search for justice has not ended.

Thirty-six years is enough for memories to fade. But for those who lost parents, children, siblings, homes, temples and an entire way of life, those memories remain painfully alive.

The pain has travelled from one generation to the next. Having lived for decades as refugees in their own country, often with few voices willing to speak for them, Kashmiri Hindus see the Sarla Bhat case as more than just another criminal prosecution.

It offers a small but significant glimmer of hope that justice, however delayed, may finally begin to find its way. And perhaps, one day, it may also bring them closer to returning to Kashmir -- their native land, believed to have emerged from the ancient Satisar Lake through the efforts of Sage Kashyapa.

(Deepika Bhan can be contacted at deepika.b@ians.in)

--IANS

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Mumbai, July 5 (IANS) Sunday features an exciting double-header in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16. Five-time champions Brazil will take on a Norway team fueled by Erling Haaland, while England heads to Mexico City to face co-hosts Mexico in front of a crowd that hasn't seen their team lose at home in over ten years. These are two very different challenges, with a spot in the quarter-finals at stake, and the Golden Boot race becoming increasingly competitive.

Brazil vs Norway:

Brazil's stats highlight their dominance, but history tells a different story. Officially, Brazil are the favorites, having reached the Round of 16 every time since 1990, and advancing to the quarter-finals would keep that impressive streak alive. However, Norway hold a psychological edge—they've never lost to Brazil, with two wins and two draws in their four encounters. The most notable match was at France '98, a 2-1 upset that Norwegian fans still remember vividly. A win on Sunday would mark Norway's first-ever progression to a World Cup quarter-final.

Haaland is leading the race, but Brazil remains close behind. Haaland has been Norway's standout in the tournament, netting five goals in his debut World Cup and now competing for the Golden Boot alongside Messi, Mbappé, and Kane. Brazil also have strong offensive options; Vinícius Júnior has scored four goals and provided one assist, while Matheus Cunha has three goals. Carlo Ancelotti has multiple potential game-changers available if this match becomes closely contested.

Brazil have advanced to the quarter-finals in each of their last eight World Cups, a remarkable streak. Norway has never reached this stage before, which makes Sunday's match especially intriguing: a seasoned powerhouse facing a team with nothing to lose.

Norway have been entertaining with ten goals in four games, but they have also conceded eight, indicating an open match if they continue as such. Brazil, on the other hand, have only allowed two goals this tournament and proved their resilience by overturning a deficit to beat Japan in the Round of 32 with Gabriel Martinelli's late winner. This matchup highlights pure attack versus a solid defence.

Players to watch:

Norway: Erling Haaland, Martin Ødegaard, Antonio Nusa

Brazil: Vinícius Júnior, Matheus Cunha, Lucas Paquetá

England vs Mexico

Playing in Mexico, at Mexico City Stadium, is always challenging. England, as favourites, face a tough environment since Mexico hasn't lost there since 2013—a home record that intimidates visiting teams before kickoff. Nonetheless, England are experienced in knockout stages, reaching at least the quarter-finals in three of their last four World Cups.

Something has to give. Mexico has based their entire tournament on solid defense, with four consecutive clean sheets to reach this stage. England is also tough to break down, but they don't depend solely on their defense: Harry Kane has scored five goals and is a strong contender for the Golden Boot, Jude Bellingham is orchestrating play in midfield, and Anthony Gordon continues to create issues on the wings.

It's a close call. Here's the key stat: Mexico has not conceded a goal in four matches, while England has only allowed three. When two of the strongest defenses face off, it's unlikely to be high-scoring — this match will likely depend on a single quality moment rather than a flood of goals.

Knockout football remains challenging. England relied on all their effort to defeat DR Congo in the Round of 32, highlighting that knockout stages rarely come easily. Meanwhile, Mexico has quietly established itself as one of the most disciplined teams in the tournament—solid defensively and quick on the counterattack. With the support of a home crowd, El Tri will be confident in their chances to secure a significant victory against a European powerhouse.

Players to watch:

England: Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon

Mexico: Raúl Jiménez, Roberto Alvarado, Julián Quiñones

Two contests, two distinct stories — both will influence who advances as the World Cup reaches its final phase. Will Brazil stop Norway's fairytale journey, or will Haaland add another chapter? Can England stay composed against a tough Mexico City crowd? We might get some answers on Sunday.

Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 LIVE and exclusively on Zee 5 in Hindi, English, Malayalam, and Bangla.

--IANS

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Mumbai, July 5 (IANS) Actor and singer Suchitra Krishnamoorthi bashed a netizen who tried to justify Siya Goyal's action, saying that she was being forced to marry Ketan Agarwal. Suchitra pointed out that such criminal behaviour cannot be justified with cultural differences.

The netizen claimed that if Siya had been in America or Europe, she would have had the opportunity to live with her alleged lover, Chetan Chaudhary, and would not have been pressured to marry Ketan.

"If siya n Chetan were in America or Europe then easily then would have been living-in together ..... No ketan w would get access to her , forget marriage .... Forced marriage is wrong (sic)," the X user had shared.

Hitting back at the cybercitizen, Suchitra said that if Siya was not ready to marry Ketan, she had many other options, like eloping, or filing a case against her family.

"No culture can justify criminal behaviour. Shame on you and everyone who is trying to justify such criminal behavior. She could have run away, she could have eloped, she could have filed a case against her family too to force her into marraige against her concent. But to pre plan and push her fiance to death off a cliff- that is the mind of a psychopath," Suchitra's post on the micro-blogging site read.

For those unaware of the case that has shocked the entire nation, Ketan passed away after falling during a trek at Lohagad Fort on June 18.

It was initially believed that Ketan's sudden demise was a result of an accidental fall. However, further investigation hinted that it was an alleged murder reportedly planned by Ketan's fiancée, Siya Goyal, and her alleged lover, Chetan Chaudhary.

Both Siya and Chetan have been arrested by the police, and the investigation into the matter is presently underway.

--IANS

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London, July 5 (IANS) World No. 1 and defending Wimbledon champion Jannik Sinner insists he is not burdened by last year's triumph as he prepares to face Japanese qualifier Shintaro Mochizuki in the Round of 16 at the 2026 Wimbledon Championships on Sunday. Speaking ahead of the Centre Court clash, Sinner said his attention remains firmly on the immediate challenge rather than protecting his title.

The Italian has endured a demanding route into the second week at the All England Club. His title defence began with a five-set escape against Miomir Kecmanovic, a match in which he battled through two falls and a bleeding foot before recovering to advance.

Despite returning to the venue where he lifted his maiden Wimbledon crown a year ago, Sinner said he is not approaching the tournament with a title-defence mindset.

"I always say that I am not defending anything. I just try to get as close as I can. Whatever happened in the past is in the past,” Sinner told JioStar.

While acknowledging the significance of last year's success, the 24-year-old stressed that past achievements offer no guarantees in a Grand Slam.

"I am very happy to be back here at Wimbledon. I have great memories, of course of last year, but I also know that it is very tricky,” he added.

Sinner recovered from his opening-round scare with increasingly assured performances, defeating Nuno Borges in straight sets to register the most Grand Slam match wins by an Italian man before cruising past Jenson Brooksby in the third round with an impressive display at the net.

Even so, the top seed made it clear he is refusing to look beyond his next opponent, and added that any thoughts about extending his title defence would have to wait until after the contest against Mochizuki.

"I never take any match lightly. I know the next match is going to be tough. That is the only thing I am focused on right now. After that, we will see how it goes,” he said.

With confidence building after a difficult start to the tournament, Sinner will aim to book his place in the Wimbledon quarter-finals and move one step closer to retaining the title he won so memorably last summer.

--IANS

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New York, July 5 (IANS) Norway coach Stale Solbakken has reminded his players against being overwhelmed by the occasion of playing against five-time champion Brazil in the World Cup Round of 16 game.

"We need to play the match, not the circumstances," he told reporters in New Jersey on Saturday. "We need to make sure that we don't play according to the occasion, but that we simply play the match.

"Obviously, Brazil is the favourite, but I also said that I don't think they are big favourites, which they maybe had been some years ago, or two, three, four years ago.

Last time the two sides clashed was in the 1998 World Cup, where Norway edged Brazil 2-1 in a group game, reports Xinhua.

Norway have two wins and two draws in their previous four meetings with Brazil. "Now we have had a very good run for a very long time, and we have great confidence," said Solbakken.

On paper, Brazil are the clear favourites: they haven't missed the Round of 16 since 1990, and a place in the last eight would extend an extraordinary streak. But Norway have a psychological edge going into this one - they've never actually lost to Brazil, with two wins and two draws from their four meetings. The most famous of those came at France '98, a 2-1 shock that Norwegian fans still bring up. Win on Sunday, and Norway are in a World Cup quarterfinal for the first time in their history.

Haaland have been the story of the tournament for Norway, scoring five goals in his first World Cup and putting himself right in the mix with Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Harry Kane for the Golden Boot. Brazil aren't short of firepower either -Vinícius Júnior has four goals and an assist to his name, and Matheus Cunha has found the net three times. Carlo Ancelotti has more than one match-winner to call on if this one's tight.

Brazil have reached the quarterfinals in each of their last eight World Cups, a run that speaks for itself. Norway have never got this far before, which is exactly what makes Sunday interesting: an established heavyweight against a team with nothing to lose.

Norway have been fun to watch -- ten goals in four matches, but they've also leaked eight at the other end, so this won't be a cagey affair if they have their way. Brazil are the opposite: just two goals conceded all tournament, and they've shown they can grind out a result too, coming from behind to beat Japan in the Round of 32 thanks to a Gabriel Martinelli winner deep into stoppage time. Attack versus defence, in its purest form.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 5 (IANS) Former India opener Wasim Jaffer believes leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi needs to urgently reinvent his game, pointing out that batters in international cricket have started reading his bowling because of his high speed and lack of sharp turn.

Bishnoi's expensive 17th over, where he conceded 29 runs, including bowling three backfoot no-balls, proved to be the turning point as England snatched an improbable four-wicket victory against India in the second T20I at Old Trafford, Manchester on Saturday. In all, Bishnoi returned with figures of 0-60 in four overs as England took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

"I mean, I feel that once batters get used to Ravi Bishnoi, it becomes easier to face him. He bowls at almost 100 km/h, and at that pace, his leg-spin doesn’t turn a great deal. Most of the time, it’s either a topspinner or he’s trying something different.

“But eventually there’s a certain pace to his bowling. He also bowls the googly, but it seems that batters have started to figure out how to play him," Jaffer said on his YouTube channel on Sunday.

The domestic batting legend, who recently signed as a mentor for the Hyderabad team on a two-year contract, also highlighted how Bishnoi lost his place in his franchise Rajasthan Royals playing eleven during the recent Indian Premier League (IPL) season due to a dip in effectiveness.

"We saw this in the IPL as well. Rajasthan Royals didn’t play him much. They gave him opportunities in the initial matches, and he did reasonably well, but after that they left him out and played Yash Raj Punja instead.

“So, I think Ravi Bishnoi needs to make a few changes to his game if he wants to remain successful. Otherwise, if he continues to bowl at the same pace and batters get accustomed to him, it becomes quite easy for them to face him," he added.

With an abundance of spin-bowling talent emerging from the IPL and domestic circuits, Jaffer reminded that the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee have plenty of alternative options to look at if Bishnoi fails to come good.

"Looking at the IPL, India has plenty of bowling options. Kuldeep Yadav isn’t part of this team. We also saw Shivang Kumar perform well for Sunrisers, so there are alternatives available. It’s not as if India doesn’t have options. I think the selectors have picked Ravi Bishnoi with the next World Cup in mind.

“You back young players and give them opportunities to see whether they can succeed at ICC events and whether you can build your team around them. Ultimately, the selectors will take that call. Ravi Bishnoi is a good bowler, but I feel he needs to add a bit more variety to his bowling," Jaffer concluded.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 5 (IANS) India has slammed Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif over his recent statement on Prime Minister Narendra Modi receiving Seychelles' highest environmental honour, with government sources describing him as "mentally unstable" and what his holding the post revealed about the current situation of Pakistan.

"That Khawaja Asif is mentally unstable is a known fact. That he could be entrusted with his current responsibility says much about today’s Pakistan. Clearly, he has no day job and passes time by making silly comments on matters of which he has little knowledge. Envy is always a bad motivation, particularly so from someone steeped in hate speech," a government source told IANS.

India's response came after Asif raised questions over PM Modi receiving Seychelles' highest environmental honour.

On June 28, PM Modi was conferred the 'Guardian of the Blue Horizon', Seychelles' highest distinction for leadership in environmental conservation and sustainable development.

PM Modi dedicated the honour to all the countries that are committed to environmental conservation and fighting climate change. He underlined that the recognition, at a time when India and Seychelles are celebrating 50 years of their diplomatic relations, would go a long way in further enhancing the special friendship.

The honour recognised PM Modi's longstanding commitment towards a greener planet, including the International Solar Alliance, Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (Plant for Mother), International Big Cat Alliance, among others, according to the statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

This was the latest in a series of global honours recognising PM Modi’s work on climate action, sustainable development, and green growth.

In May, PM Modi was conferred the 2026 Agricola Medal, the highest honour of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, during a ceremony held at the FAO Headquarters in Rome.

Earlier in 2018, he received the Seoul Peace Prize for advancing sustainable economic growth, global cooperation and inclusive development.

PM Modi was also conferred the Champions of the Earth Award 2018 for Policy Leadership by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at a ceremony held at Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra in New Delhi.

--IANS

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Kolkata, July 5 (IANS) A second FIR has been filed in South 24 Parganas district's Diamond Harbour against Trinamool Congress general secretary and Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee and others over the 'Sebaashray' health camp, said the police on Sunday.

This time, the Bishnupur police station has registered the FIR against Banerjee and others, based on the complaint of local BJP leader Abhijit Das (Bobby). The case has been registered under multiple sections.

The list also includes Banerjee's absconding executive assistant, Sumit Roy and Trinamool's candidate from Falta constituency, Jahangir Khan.

Banerjee had launched the Sebaashray initiative to extend free medical treatment to the people of his Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency. Later, the initiative was held in other places across the state.

According to the police, there are 16 complaints against the 'Sebaashray' and 'Sebaashray 2' health camps.

Based on that, the Bishnupur police station filed an FIR on Saturday night under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940; the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994; the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, 2019 and the West Bengal Clinical Establishments (Registration, Regulation and Transparency) Act, 2017.

Banerjee is at the top of the list of accused. Many more names are in the FIR. Apart from Sumit Roy and Jahangir Khan, former Trinamool MLA Dilip Mandal is another accused named in the FIR.

The FIR has also been filed against Ayan Ghosh Dastidar, Shamim Ahmed, Gautam Adhikari, Mehbabur Gayen, Nabkumar Betal, Baban Ghazi and several organisations. The police have named some unidentified organisers, doctors, health workers and government employees as accused.

The source of the funds for organising the health camps is being investigated.

Among the accused, Jahangir Khan and Dilip Mandal have already been arrested in separate cases.

According to the police, the chargesheet names Banerjee as the main organiser of the health camp. It is said that he was involved in the planning, management and implementation of this programme as a public figure. Therefore, his role is being investigated.

The first FIR was filed at Diamond Harbour police station on Thursday (July 2). The complainants claimed that no rules were followed in organising the health camp and that multiple rules were violated. The camp was organised without the necessary permission.

It is alleged that permission was not taken even for the use of medicines and medical equipment. In this way, the lives of the common people were put at risk.

According to the complainants, Banerjee and others have been involved in a criminal conspiracy and have run unauthorised medical centres at different times and places. The complainant has alleged that cheating, fraud, illegal provision of services, and illegal use of medicines and diagnostic equipment have been committed.

There was no official response from Abhishek Banerjee over the development.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Feb 13 (IANS) Maharashtra NCP(SP) President Shashikant Shinde has written a commemorative editorial in the party’s magazine, shedding light on the hidden dynamics of the split and the alleged merger plans between the two NCP factions.

Shinde claimed that late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was forced to exit the original NCP due to threats and conspiracies orchestrated by "invisible powers."

He further said that a final decision to merge the two parties was reached in the presence of Maratha strongman Sharad Pawar and was to be announced on February 12.

In a massive revelation, Shinde asserted that Sharad Pawar and other senior leaders had agreed to hand over the entire command of the unified party to Ajit Pawar following the merger.

“Fulfilling this merger and rebuilding the party with strength would be the only true tribute to Ajit Dada," Shinde wrote.

Shinde clarified, "It was our decision to hand over all party responsibilities to Ajit Dada once the merger process was complete. However, fate had other plans. We were all mentally prepared to accept Ajit Dada’s leadership.”

Shinde appealed to the party faithful, asserting that a merger is the only true tribute to the late leader. He noted, “Ajit Pawar’s dream remains unfulfilled, and it is now the party's responsibility to complete it. Unity: Reuniting and strengthening the NCP is the ultimate goal. Leaders and workers must set aside their differences and broaden their perspective to achieve this unity.”

Following the publication of the article, senior NCP(SP) leader and former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh remarked, "I am unaware of what our State President has said. Since he wrote the article, he likely has more information than I do. I personally have no knowledge of this matter."

While Sharad Pawar has avoided commenting publicly on the matter, Shinde’s article has brought these behind-the-scenes developments to light. However, Shinde’s revelations have sparked a new controversy and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) has reacted with sharp skepticism.

Party spokesperson Suraj Chavan questioned the timing of these claims. Chavan alleged that discussing a merger while the leader’s mortal remains were still at Vidya Pratishthan suggests a "lust for power" rather than genuine respect. He clarified that Sunetra Pawar is now the ultimate authority of their party and any dialogue must happen through her.

Further, the party legislator Amol Mitkari stated that no such merger discussions have occurred within their internal party meetings, attributing the rumours to the rival camp's leaders.

While the Pawar family continues to demonstrate a unique balance of political rivalry and familial bond — recently seen at family weddings — the political future remains clouded.

All eyes are now on Sunetra Pawar. Whether she will pursue the "unfulfilled dream" of a unified NCP or maintain a separate identity, remains a question that will define the next chapter of Maharashtra politics.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) India’s share in global electronics demand has expanded at a rapid compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.2 per cent, significantly outpacing global growth of 4.4 per cent between 2015 and 2024, driven primarily by the sharp rise in mobile phone exports, according to NITI Aayog's Trade Watch Quarterly report for July-September 2025-26, launched on Friday.

Between 2016 and 2024, electronics exports increased nearly five-fold, reaching USD 42.1 billion. With global electronics trade valued at USD 4.6 trillion, the sector represents one of the largest and fastest-evolving segments of the world economy. India has demonstrated particular strength in products such as mobile phones, consumer electronics, and communication equipment, with exports increasingly directed towards major final-consumption markets including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the UAE, the report states.

Electronics, the thematic focus of this quarter's edition, has emerged as a cornerstone of India's manufacturing and export transformation. Now the second-largest item in India's export basket, the sector is both technology-led and deeply interconnected with industries such as automotive, renewable energy, telecom, defence, and digital services, making it a powerful multiplier for industrial growth.

The report states that having established a strong foothold in assembly and system integration, India is now entering the next phase of its electronics journey, moving decisively toward component manufacturing and higher value addition. This transition is supported by targeted policy measures, including the Union Budget's Rs 40,000 crore allocation under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme, aimed at strengthening domestic capabilities.

The analysis underscores that sustained competitiveness will be driven by deeper integration into global electronics value chains, encompassing printed circuit board design, semiconductor assembly and testing, power electronics, and embedded systems. Complemented by continued improvements in logistics efficiency, tariff rationalisation, and industry-aligned skill development, these shifts position electronics as a key engine of India's export growth and technological advancement in the coming decade.

NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Suman Bery said, "Electronics, as the organising core of modern manufacturing value chains, with semiconductors and components, plays a key role in determining trade balances and technological sovereignty. While India has achieved scale in final assembly, sustained competitiveness will depend on correcting structural cost disabilities, deepening domestic component ecosystems, and leveraging anchor investments in components to embed Indian firms more firmly within global production networks."

The publication also provides a comprehensive assessment of global and domestic trade trends at a time when global trade growth has moderated but remains positive, with services continuing to outperform goods and developing regions emerging as key drivers.

The analysis highlights that India's trade performance in Q2 FY26 was driven by export-led momentum sustaining the overall trade expansion amid heightened global uncertainty. Services and merchandise exports recorded robust growth of around 8.5 per cent, outpacing import growth in both merchandise and services.

At a structural level, the edition underscores the deepening of trade among developing economies, which has expanded nearly four-fold since 2005 and now accounts for a rising share of global exports, with India’s trade trajectory increasingly aligned with this Global South rebalancing through regional value chains and new trade corridors.

Further, this edition highlights the growing role of e-commerce as a key enabler of future export growth. India is now among the world’s top six e-commerce markets, with electronics accounting for nearly half of online retail.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) In a farmer-centric step to stabilise domestic markets and ensure remunerative returns to producers, the Centre on Friday approved the export of 25 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of wheat, along with an additional 5 LMT of wheat products.

According to a Consumer Affairs Ministry statement, wheat stock availability with private entities during 2025–26 stands at approximately 75 LMT, which is nearly 32 LMT higher compared to the corresponding period last year.

"This substantial year-on-year increase indicates a comfortable supply position in the country. Furthermore, as on April 1, 2026, total wheat availability in the central pool with FCI is projected at around 182 LMT, thus ensuring that export permissions will not impact domestic food security requirements," it said.

Moreover, wheat acreage in Rabi 2026 has also increased to about 334.17 lakh hectares compared to 328.04 lakh hectares last year.

This reflects strong farmer confidence in wheat cultivation supported by assured MSP and procurement mechanisms, and signals the likelihood of another robust harvest, the official statement further added.

The decision to permit export of 25 LMT of wheat and 5 LMT wheat products will help stabilise domestic prices, improve market liquidity, ensure efficient stock rotation, and further strengthen farmers’ income while ensuring national food security.

Meanwhile, to facilitate sugar exports, the government decided to allow export of an additional 5 LMT of sugar to willing sugar mills during the current Sugar Season 2025–26.

Earlier, the government had permitted the export of 15 LMT of sugar during the current Sugar Season 2025–26. This decision is expected to facilitate higher sugar exports and help in managing surplus sugar availability in the country.

As per data, only about 1.97 LMT of sugar has been exported up to January 31, 2026.

In addition, approximately 2.72 LMT of sugar has been contracted for export by sugar mills to date.

The ministry said that the additional export quantity of 5 LMT shall be made available to willing sugar mills, subject to the condition that at least 70 per cent of their allocated quantity is exported by June 30, 2026.

--IANS

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Mumbai, July 5 (IANS) Actress Sumona Chakravarti revealed that she has went through health struggle but has now emerged stronger on the other end. On Sunday, the actress took to her Instagram, and penned a long note about her healing journey.

She wrote, “Happy to resurface after a long time. I've been living under a rock for the last two months. I consciously stayed away from social media (for the majority of it atleast). On 4th May, I underwent surgery for the excision of my endometriosis, which had unfortunately progressed massively despite me trying to manage it for years. I guess it was finally time for me to say goodbye to it. I've spent the last two months healing-physically and mentally, And today, I can honestly say that I'm well. In fact, very well. My doctor and her team are nothing less than angels to me. For fixing me, taking care of me, and understanding what I was going through when nobody else really could. I will forever be grateful. I'm sharing this not for promotion or sympathy, but simply because this experience has brought about a massive shift in my perspective towards life”.

She further mentioned, “From wanting to delete WhatsApp and Instagram completely to realising that it really wasn't a practical move. After all, I'm not retiring to the mountains just yet. I have work. Family. Friends. Life. What I do want to change, however, is the way I use social media. I was never chasing the number game-be it likes, comments or followers. What I'd like instead is to build a community of like-minded humans. Especially women. A space where we can talk about health-physical and mental, perimenopause, endometriosis, general wellness, travel, places you've visited or want to, books I've read, plants, dogs, cats, food, choosing to be single, being independent, being child-free, or simply being a DINK (Double Income, No Kids) couple. These are just ideas in my head that I'm sharing, 1 don't yet know exactly how I'm going to execute them”.

She also spoke about the trolls, and how it’s important to slow down in the age of Internet where information travels at lightning speed.

She shared, “One thing I noticed over the years, apart from the usual comments on my posts -which are either trolling some body part of mine or just being perverted and/or crass (and unfortunately, they're almost always from men)-the good folks don't really engage publicly. They read. They like. They sometimes message me privately. And then they move on. So, what's the solution? Yes, I'm an actor. A female one. I'll attract a certain gentry. It comes with the territory. I'm going to continue working and acting. till my very last breath. So then...???? I've managed to keep most of my personal life private all these years, and I'd like to continue doing that. But if there's something from my personal life like my battle with endometriosis, that I know could genuinely help someone out there, I will most definitely share it”.

She went on, “One of the reasons I'm putting in the effort to write this instead of simply posting a picture is because I'll know how many people are actually willing to slow down, read through it, and decide to stay, maybe even engage! The difference between brewed coffee and instant coffee. You get the gist. I turned 38 in June last month. Birthday came. And it went. Social media didn't know. But the people who truly matter remembered. They called. They messaged. Some people I hadn't heard from in years reached out with the warmest birthday wishes. (N yes i know you can really like someone & not know their bday, that's absolutely okay). The point am trying to make is, it reminded me that Instagram isn't the benchmark for love, relationships or how much you're remembered”.

She continued, “Real life is. I'm far more interested in paying attention to the life I'm actually living than announcing every moment of it. Mércury retrograde or not. Post surgery, I now have three visible scars on my abdomen. Do I know they'll fade with time? YES Do they still bother me every time I see them? Also YES!! But then 'l remind myself-SCARS & MEMORIES ARE PROOF OF A LIFE LIVED. At 38, I'm realising that growing older isn't something to fear. It's a privilége. If age brings a little more wisdom, a little more perspective, a little more gratitude, and a few scars along the way. I'll take every single one of them”.

“I want my Instagram to be an actual reflection of who lam. (Not that it hasn't been all this while, but yes, I've given in to trends and all the jazz from time to time.) Not a filtered, edited version of life that we so often see on social media & get carried away. Life isn't happy-happy all the time. Duhh 3 I'll continue posting about work, doing paid collaborations (till I build my dream corpus ), and share my workouts-because I know someone out there is getting motivated and inspired. I've realised that being a public figure comes with a certain responsibility. I do have the power to influence, simply by virtue of being an actor. So why not use it for some actual good?. If you'd like, stay. I'd love to have you here”, she added.

--IANS

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Mumbai, July 5 (IANS) Bollywood's 'Mr Perfectionist' Aamir Khan is a married man once again as he got hitched to his ladylove, Gauri Spratt in a registered ceremony on Sunday. The intimate ceremony attended by the couple's close family and friends took place in Aamir's Bandra residence in Mumbai but the show stealers where Aamir and Gauri's sons, who turned ringbearers for their parents.

In the primary image from Aamir and Gauri's wedding, Aamir can be seen smiling as he signs the marriage papers, while Gauri is seated beside him.

The newlyweds are surrounded by their family members, including Aamir's 15-year-old son, Azad Rao Khan, from his marriage to Kiran Rao, who is holding a ring box. Gauri’s son from her previous marriage also stood between Aamir and Gauri, holding a box containing a ring.

We could also see Aamir's mother, Zeenat Hussain in the pic.

For the special occasion, bride Gauri Spratt looked beautiful in an intricately embroidered ivory ethnic wear. The heavily embellished outfit features delicate craftsmanship with a full-sleeved silhouette.

Gauri accessorized the look with a layered statement neckpiece, paired with matching earrings and a sleek bracelet.

For the hair, she went for a loose braid adorned with fresh white flowers.

She completed her minimalistic yet stunning bridal look with softly defined eyes and a nude lip.

Aamir was also seen looking all handsome in an all-white crisp kurta, which he enhanced with a luxurious statement brooch. The 'Lagaan' actor tied the ensemble with his signature black-rimmed spectacles and neatly groomed beard.

Aamir's children, Ira Khan and Junaid Khan, his son-in-law Nupur Shikhare, were also a part of the close-knit celebration, along with filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, and members of the Ambani family.

The star-studded guest list further included actor Elli AvrRam, cricketer Irfan Pathan, and politician Raj Thackeray.

For the unaware, Gauri has been a part of the fashion and beauty industry. She has also been associated with Aamir Khan Productions.

Aamir and Gauri have known each other for more than 25 years. However, they got romantically involved only some time back.

--IANS

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Mumbai, July 5 (IANS) Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan and Gauri Spratt are now officially the man and the wife. The couple tied the knot in a close knit affair on Sunday, July in the presence of prominent figures, family members and friends.

The couple were dressed in traditional outfits of cream and beige colour. A picture shared by the actor’s publicist shows him signing the marriage papers as Gauri sits next to him in presence of family and friends.

Aamir’s elder son, Junaid Khan, his daughter Ira Khan and Azad also attended the wedding along with other members of the family. Several prominent members of the industry attended the special occasion and blessed the couple. Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, actor-director Vir Das, and politician Raj Thackeray were seen arriving for the wedding despite the rain casting a long spell over the city, and a red alert declared by the authorities.

This marks the superstar's 3rd marriage after Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao. Aamir married Reena Dutta in 1986, and they have two children, actor Junaid Khan and Ira Khan. The couple parted ways in 2002. The actor went on to marry Kiran Rao in 2005. The couple welcomes their son, Azad Rao Khan, through surrogacy. However, the couple announced their separation in 2021.

Gauri has worked in the fashion and beauty industry, including with a Bengaluru-based salon business, and later became associated with Aamir Khan Productions. She and Aamir Khan have reportedly known each other for over 25 years, though they began a romantic relationship only in recent years. She was previously married and has a son from that marriage.

Last year, on his 60th birthday in March, the actor shed light on his relationship with Gauri. The actor confirmed that he was marrying Gauri on July 5 at the screening of Rajkumar Hirani’s recently released series, ‘Pritam and Pedro’.

He said, “Shaadi hai 5 July ko. Ghar pe hi kar rahe hain. Bahut hi choti shaadi hai. Bahut hi khaas din hai 5 tarikh hamare liye. Dono families hain aur kuch khaas dost hain. (The wedding is on 5 July. We are hosting it at home; it's a very small, intimate affair. It is a very special day for us. Both families and a few close friends will be there)”.

--IANS

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Mumbai, July 5 (IANS) Actor and filmmaker Sohail Khan is presently one of the contestants on the reality show 'Alliance'. During the recent episode, he opened up about his father, Salim Khan's health scare.

Speaking to fellow contestant Delbar Arya, Sohail recalled breaking down after doctors told him that they might lose him.

For those who do not know, in February this year, veteran writer Salim Khan underwent a month-long hospital stay after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

Pouring his heart out, Sohail revealed the reason he spends most of his time with his parents.

He was heard saying, "My maximum time is spent with my parents because I genuinely believe that time is the most valuable thing you can give somebody. Mere bache hai lekin woh young hai aur unke pass bahut time hai but my parents are old now and that I would like to spend with them."

Sohail added that when his dad went into a semi-coma, the doctors told them that they might lose him, and hearing this, his heart sank immediately.

He revealed, "Actually I fear, when my father got unwell, a couple of weeks back he was hospitalized and he went into a semi coma...and I was staying with him in the hospital my heart sank and the doctor said you might lose him, I was like my father, my mother, somebody who are very dear to me... and I said that agar daddy ko kuch ho gaya toh matlab I don't know how I'll operate because for me my parents are my life, everything."

Meanwhile, on Saturday, Bollywood hunk Salman Khan cheered for his brother as he made a grand entry into Prime Video’s reality show.

Taking to his Instagram Stories, Salman dropped a heartfelt message for his younger brother.

He reshared a promo of the episode featuring Sohail and penned, “Best Wishes Brother,” tagging Sohail.

Hosted by Kunal Kemmu, 'Alliance' is streaming on Prime Video at 12 noon.

--IANS

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