TOP STORIES

Mumbai, Nov 8 (IANS) Indian equity benchmark indices opened in positive territory during the special Muhurat Trading session on Sunday, marking the beginning of the Hindu calendar year Samvat 2083 on a bullish note.At the opening bell at 2:20 pm, the Sensex gained around 250 points, while the Nifty advanced nearly 40 points.The special 70-minute trading window is scheduled from 2:20 pm to 3:30 pm. The Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) is also observing the same trading hours.Muhurat Trading is a long-standing tradition in the Indian stock market, with investors considering the occasion auspicious for making fresh investments. It is widely believed that purchasing stocks during the special session at the beginning of the Hindu calendar year brings prosperity and positive returns in the year ah...

Jagdalpur/Raipur (Chhattisgarh), Nov 8 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that while the country has successfully eliminated armed Naxalism (Maoism), the threat from “dimagi naxals” (ideological Naxals) still remains and must be defeated to secure the nation.Addressing security forces in Bastar, PM Modi said that in the last 12 years India has not only won the battle against Naxalism and separatism but has also achieved a major victory against poverty.He referred to a recent World Bank report which stated that 50 crore people have come out of extreme poverty in India during this period — a feat that decades of mere slogans of "Garibi Hatao" could not achieve.The Prime Minister compared the government’s welfare measures to a "rangoli" (creative decorative patterns on floors ...

New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov on Sunday extended Diwali greetings to the people of India and expressed belief that the spirit of mutual respect, goodwill, and trust will continue to strengthen the friendship between the two nations."Warm Diwali greetings to all our dear friends in India. The lamp of Diwali gives us a beautiful message: light never diminishes by sharing; rather, it only increases." Alipov said in Hindi in a video message posted by the Russian Embassy on X."I believe that this very spirit of mutual respect, goodwill, and trust will continue to strengthen the friendship between India and Russia. May this auspicious festival of Diwali bring new hope, happiness, peace, and prosperity into your lives. Happy Diwali to you all," he added.The US...

New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) has signed a 10-year liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply agreement with Gujarat ⁠Energy as the UAE state-owned company strengthens its presence in the fast-growing Indian energy market.Abu Dhabi-based oil giant Adnoc has announced a long-term Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Gujarat Energy Ltd (GEL) to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the international gas portfolio of XRG, its global investment company.Under the long-term agreement, GEL will receive up to 4 million tonnes of LNG, with deliveries starting in 2028. It is the first sale from the international gas portfolio of XRG, which is Adnoc’s global investment company, according to a report in Khaleej Times.This is Adnoc’s fifth LNG supply agreement in India...

Jagdalpur/Raipur (Chhattisgarh), Nov 8 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday underlined that lasting success against Naxalism (Maoism) was possible only because of the right intentions backed by the right policies.Addressing security forces in Bastar, he said a series of firm decisions were taken in the interest of national security, some of which remain unknown to the public even today.These measures, the Prime Minister stated, dealt a major blow to the funding networks of Naxalites and separatists.Networks circulating counterfeit currency were systematically dismantled. This shattered their financial strength and disrupted their entire supply chain. As a result, the flow of weapons was halted, and the movement and recruitment efforts of the Naxalites were effectively curtailed.PM...

Colombo, Nov 8 (IANS) Sri Lankan lawmakers, political leaders, business community, diplomats, India's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha and members of the Indian community took part in the Diwali celebrations here.Sharing glimpses from the celebration on X, Jha on Sunday said that the people of Colombo celebrated Diwali with high-energy beats and pure festival magic at the 'Colind-ICF Diwali Ball!."Delighted to join Hon'ble Ministers, senior political leaders, business community, diplomats, and the vibrant 'Colombo Indians' community for an unforgettable Diwali eve.""Colombo celebrated Diwali with high-energy beats and pure festive magic at the COLIND-ICF Diwali Ball! Diwali lights lit up the night, celebrating the deep cultural bond and love between India and Sri Lanka."The Sri...

Sherathang (Sikkim), Nov 8 (IANS) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday drew a comparison between soldiers and 'diyas' being lit on the festival of lights, saying that the military personnel ensure the nation's security just like a Diwali lamp silently fights darkness."The fact that we are able to light Diwali lamps in our homes today is because of the supreme sacrifice made by our brave soldiers," Rajnath Singh said while addressing Army personnel at Sherathang War Memorial in Sikkim's Gangtok district, and extending Diwali greetings to the soldiers and their families."They laid down their lives to protect the country's security and sovereignty. Standing here among you at the high altitude of Sherthang, in this cold region, the warmth and energy I am receiving from all of you are diff...

New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the country's prolonged battle against Maoist terror and Naxalism had been extremely challenging, recalling how nearly 230 districts across around 20 states were once affected by Left-Wing Extremism (LWE).Addressing security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Bastar on the occasion of Diwali, PM Modi said that there was a time when the situation in Naxal-affected areas had become so severe that people were unable to step out of their homes after sunset."The battle against Maoist terror and Naxalism was not an easy one. There was a time when nearly 230 districts across around 20 states were affected by Naxalism. Life would come to a standstill after sunset, and stepping out of homes became nearly impossible. People were str...

Jagdalpur/Raipur (Chhattisgarh), Nov 8 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday celebrated Diwali with security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Bastar, marking the 13th consecutive year he has spent the festival with defence or security forces. This year’s celebration holds special significance as it is the first Diwali after the complete elimination of Naxalism (Maoism) from the region.The Prime Minister visited the CoBRA Operations Base at Karanpur in Bastar - a facility which served as a training centre and launchpad for counter-Naxal operations in the Bastar region and Abujhmad, which were once considered major strongholds of Maoist insurgency. Addressing the personnel, PM Modi said he had come to the forests of Bastar on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians to express the nation’s gratitude...

Kolkata, Nov 8 (IANS) The price of red hibiscus, an essential item for Kali Puja rituals, shot up more than fivefold in Kolkata's retail markets on Sunday, as the auspicious occasion coincides with Diwali.A garland of 108 red hibiscus flowers is selling between Rs 150 and Rs 200 in retail markets, depending on the locality, up from around Rs 25 to Rs 30 just a week ago.The price of a garland of 1,008 pieces of red hibiscus, which is mainly sold on the occasion of Kali Puja or during special occasions, this year is really pinching the pockets this year, with the price of the item having almost doubled from what it was in the previous year.On Sunday, a garland of 1,008 pieces of red hibiscus was selling at between Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,200, against a maximum price of Rs 700 to Rs 800 last year.A...