JAIPUR: Sikkim didn’t win a match in the Vijay Hazare Trophy this season, but their three-week stint in Jaipur may still prove a turning point. Up against seven stronger sides in Elite Group C, the northeast team finished last, as expected. Yet, armed with the experience, they will go back with a clearer roadmap of what it will take to compete.Their defining moment arrived early. On Dec 24, under the lights at a packed Sawai Mansingh Stadium against mighty Mumbai, Rohit Sharma hit a blistering 155 off 94 balls against them.

Sikkim, however, refused to go down tamely and replied with 236, giving the underdogs something tangible to build on.“It was a dream day for the team. For every Sikkim player, playing against Rohit Sharma was a dream come true. It was also a moment of pride for us that we scored 236 against Mumbai in front of around 20,000 spectators,” said Sikkim coach Bikash Pradhan.Pradhan felt the campaign offered proof that the gap can be narrowed.“We put up a very good fight against Goa, Uttarakhand and Mumbai. Against Goa, we scored 247/7 while chasing a target of 310. It gave us a lot of confidence that we can also match some of the best teams if we can improve our local cricket,” he said.Much of that push, Sikkim believe, will come from facilities. Cricket is largely centred in Rangpo, where a floodlit ground has hosted BCCI matches for the last few years, with two more grounds being developed at the same premises.The momentum has also extended to the women’s team, which won the plate division of the BCCI Senior Women’s T20 Trophy — Sikkim’s first national title.“In a couple of months, we’ll have three grounds. We have six districts and if we improve facilities, we can conduct regular inter-district tournaments,” said Sikkim manager Rajen Gurung.“We will soon have indoor cricket facilities. BCCI is supporting us a lot.”With the Sikkim Cricket Association advertising for a professional coach and cricket director, captain Lee Yong Lepcha sounded hopeful.“If we can get a quality coach, nothing can stop us from being competitive,” he said.

VIJAYAWADA: A student from Guntur in Andhra Pradesh and pursuing his MS degree in Houston, Texas, has allegedly gone missing during a solo trip to Alaska. Karasani Hari Krishna Reddy, 24, embarked on a solo trip during the Christmas holidays on Dec 22, travelling on public transport. He last contacted his friends and family on Dec 30.According to his friends in the US, Hari stayed in a hotel in Denali, Alaska. His mobile signal was last located on Dec 31 in Denali.

His friends, with the help of local police, have posted missing person notices on social media platforms, urging people to inform them in case they came across him. The temperature in Alaska during Dec 31-Jan 1 had dipped to around minus 40 degrees Celsius. Tourists normally avoid visiting Alaska during extreme winters due to its harsh conditions. It is not clear why Hari chose to visit Alaska during this time of the year and whether his trip had anything to do with participation in winter sports or witnessing the Northern Lights.His friends, who posted messages on Facebook and Instagram, however, said they do not know the purpose of Hari’s visit, except that he told them he was going on a vacation and would return in two weeks. They said Hari did not know driving and usually depended on public transport. Before leaving Houston, Hari told them he would be staying in Denali and would return by Jan 3 or 4. His roommates initially assumed he couldn’t contact them due to lack of network in mountainous areas. But when they checked his credit card records, they found he had made a transaction using a local cab facility.Alaska State Troopers (local police) said Hari, who was reported missing on Jan 3, was last seen leaving Aurora Denali Lodge on Dec 31. Police suspect Hari may have travelled to the Fairbanks area.When TOI contacted Andhra Pradesh Non Resident Telugu Society officials in the state, they said they hadn’t received any message from Hari’s parents seeking help. They said they were in contact with local representatives in US.Though Alaska with its unique weather phenomenon and scenic beauties, including the Northern Lights, attracts hundreds of tourists, mostly adventurers, it is also wrought with lurking dangers. According to US officials, nearly 2,000 people go missing every year in Alaska. In many cases, the bodies are never found.

Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 continues its high-octane start as the defending champions, Mumbai Indians (MI), face off against their perennial rivals, the Delhi Capitals (DC). This fixture is a replay of last season’s final, where Mumbai secured their second title in a nail-biting finish.

Mumbai Indians come into this game following a heart-breaking last-ball defeat to RCB in the season opener. Meanwhile, for the Delhi Capitals, this match marks the beginning of a new era. With the legendary Meg Lanning having moved to the UP Warriorz, the flamboyant Jemimah Rodrigues takes over the captaincy, looking to finally lead DC to their maiden trophy after three consecutive final appearances.

The two-time champions (2023, 2025) enter this match with a settled core. Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, MI boasts a formidable overseas trio of Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews, and Amelia Kerr. Their primary strength lies in their elite all-rounders who can win games with both bat and ball. The return of Shabnim Ismail provides them with the extra pace to rattle Delhi’s top order.

Under the new leadership of Rodrigues, Delhi is looking to shed its “runners-up” tag. DC has reinforced their squad with explosive talent like Laura Wolvaardt and the spin wizardry of Alana King. The opening pair of Shafali Verma and Wolvaardt is arguably the most dangerous in the tournament.

MI-W vs DC-W, WPL 2026: Match details

• Date and Time: January 10; 07:30 pm IST/ 2:00 pm GMT
• Venue: DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai

MI-W vs DC -W, Head-to-Head Record in WPL

Matches played: 8 | Mumbai Indians won: 4 | Delhi Capitals won: 3 | No result: 0

DY Patil Sports Academy Pitch Report

The pitch at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy is a certified “batting paradise,” characterized by its hard, flat surface and true bounce. In this evening fixture, the ball is expected to come onto the bat beautifully, allowing stroke-makers to play through the line with confidence. While the red soil may offer some initial carry and swing for the pacers, the small boundaries and lightning-fast outfield heavily favour the batters. Historically, the dew factor plays a significant role in the second innings, making the ball difficult to grip for spinners and incentivizing captains to bowl first and chase.

Also READ: Not just RCB! Richa Ghosh picks another franchise capable of winning WPL 2026

Squads

Mumbai Indians: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews, Amanjot Kaur, G. Kamalini, Amelia Kerr, Shabnim Ismail, Sanskriti Gupta, Sajana Sajeevan, Rahila Firdous, Nicola Carey, Poonam Khemnar, Triveni Vasishta, Nalla Reddy, Saika Ishaque, Milly Illingworth

Delhi Capitals: Jemimah Rodrigues (c), Shafali Verma, Marzianne Kapp, Niki Prasad, Laura Wolvaardt, Chinelle Henry, Shree Charani, Sneh Rana, Lizelle Lee, Deeya Yadav, Taniyaa Bhatia, Mamatha Madiwala, Nandni Sharma, Lucy Hamilton, Minnu Mani, Alana King

MI-W vs DC-W, WPL 2026: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Mumbai Indians Women wins the toss and bowl first
• Delhi Capitals Women’s powerplay score: 40-50
• Delhi Capitals Women’s total score: 140-150

Case 2:

• Delhi Capitals Women wins the toss and bowl first
• Mumbai Indians Women’s powerplay score: 50-60
• Mumbai Indians Women’s total score: 150-160

Match result: Team bowling first to win the match.

Also READ: Jemimah Rodrigues reveals how Richa Ghosh dismantled Alyssa Healy’s sledge with an unforgettable reply

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

KALYAN: As the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) elections approach, Shiv Sena has signalled a clear shift in strategy by fielding new faces and young candidates, including a medical professional, in key panels. One such candidate is Dr Pooja Sanjay Gaikwad, who is contesting from Panel 13-B, making her one of the notable young entrants in the civic election fray.Panel 13 has been jointly allotted to the Shiv Sena–BJP alliance, with four candidates in the contest. Dr Gaikwad is among the candidates backed by the alliance, along with BJP nominees Saroj Manoj Rai and Vikram Tare, while Shiv Sena has fielded Mahadev Raibole from the same panel. The panel falls under Kalyan East, an area widely known as one of the largest slum-dominated regions in the city, where civic issues remain a major electoral concern.An MBBS graduate from DY Patil College, Navi Mumbai, Dr Gaikwad has positioned healthcare as the central plank of her campaign. She said that the area she is contesting from faces serious challenges related to women’s health, access to clean drinking water and basic medical services. “If elected, I will work with special focus on women’s health. Clean drinking water is a major issue here, and I will make efforts to replace old pipelines with new ones,” she told TOI. Highlighting the broader civic picture, Dr Gaikwad said that KDMC requires substantial improvement in public healthcare infrastructure. She added that as a doctor, she intends to use her professional expertise to strengthen health services for residents, especially those living in slum areas.Dr Pooja Gaikwad is the daughter of builder Sanjay Gaikwad, but her candidature is being projected by the alliance as a blend of youth, professional expertise and grassroots engagement. Her entry has added an interesting dimension to the contest in Panel 13-B.She faces a direct challenge from Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Sandhya Tare, while other UBT nominees in the panel include Sneha Tiwari, Madhur Mhatre and Kirti Dhone. With healthcare, water supply and basic amenities emerging as key issues, the contest in Panel 13-B is shaping up to be a closely watched political battle in the KDMC elections.

Recent geopolitical tensions and Trump tariffs on India highlight the need for India to step up focus on its energy security. (AI image)

Oil is called black gold – and for a reason – it’s the fuel that drives economic growth and oil security is increasingly becoming crucial in a world fraught with geopolitical uncertainties and possibilities of supply shocks. India imports over 85% of its crude oil needs – and a rise in crude oil prices or uncertainty in supply chains can feed negatively into the economic growth engine. Recent geopolitical tensions – possible blocking of the Strait of Hormuz, US moves in Venezuela which has the highest proven oil reserves in the world, and the Donald Trump administration’s tariffs on India for its crude imports from Russia all highlight the need for India to step up focus on its energy security.

An SBI Research report last year – at the time of the Iran-Israel conflict – estimated that every $10 per bbl increase in crude oil prices can lead to 25-35 bps increase in CPI inflation and 20-30 bps decline in real GDP growth. However, SBI expects oil prices to soften this year, which will boost growth. Trump has been pressuring India to stop procuring crude from Russia and has even sanctioned two major Russian firms. A bill proposing 500% tariffs on countries buying Russian oil has also got a nod from the American President and will be put up for a vote in the Senate soon.India’s crude oil import basket has undergone a clear and measurable shift over the past five years, according to data from Kpler, a global real-time data and analytics provider. In 2021, India’s sourcing was still heavily dominated by the Middle East. By 2023, the transformation was clearly visible in the data. Russia became India’s largest crude supplier, accounting for over 38% of total imports.By 2025, data shows early signs of marginal rebalancing. Russia’s share eased to around 35%, while Iraq (19%) and Saudi Arabia (13%) remained steady. Notably, US crude regained visibility with a share of about 6.5%, highlighting India’s continued effort to keep procurement diversified and flexible, especially amid periodic logistical and compliance-related uncertainties in global trade.Post the latest EU sanctions in August, and US tariff and sanction actions linked to Russian entities such as Rosneft and Lukoil, India’s oil procurement strategy has remained pragmatic and interest-driven. “While India continues to acknowledge and factor in global sanctions frameworks, energy security and supply stability remain the primary considerations. Russian crude has continued to form a key part of India’s import basket, although volumes have eased since around December 2025 amid tighter compliance scrutiny, logistical challenges and a conscious effort by refiners to limit concentration risk,” says Sumit Ritolia, Lead Research Analyst, Refining and Modelling, Kpler.

Where Does India’s Energy Security Stand?

With India importing almost over 85% of its crude oil requirements, the dependency on the world is very high. Experts say that energy security is not only vital to India’s economic growth, it is a strategic necessity. Is India insulated from possible global supply shocks? Sumit Ritolia of Kpler cautions that India remains structurally vulnerable to external energy shocks, as nearly nine-tenths of its crude oil requirements are met through imports.“However, the country’s overall energy security framework is stronger today than it was a few years ago,” he tells TOI.How has that been achieved? Diversification of crude procurement sources has been key to India energy security strategy.Sumit Ritolia explains: India has significantly diversified its crude oil sourcing base across geographies, reducing over-reliance and improving its ability to respond to supply disruptions.“Indian refiners have also enhanced operational flexibility, enabling them to process a wider range of crude grades and swiftly adjust procurement strategies in response to changing market or geopolitical conditions,” he says.Pranav Master, Senior Practice Leader and Director at Crisil Intelligence tells TOI, “As India enters 2026, global energy markets remain volatile. With over 85% dependence on crude oil imports, energy security has become a strategic necessity rather than a policy choice. In response, India has strengthened resilience by diversifying crude sourcing from fewer than 30 countries to around 40, spanning the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas.”“This diversification, supported by robust refining capacity (around 258 MMTPA), and proactive steps taken by the government, has significantly reduced exposure to supply disruptions and price volatility for domestic consumers. While geopolitical risks persist, India has moved beyond being a passive price-taker and now exercises greater flexibility through procurement diversification and consistent diplomatic engagements,” he adds.Upgraded refinery capabilities now allow Indian refiners to rapidly switch among diverse Russian, American, and Middle Eastern crude oil grades based on price and compliance considerations.This transition has been driven by a move towards spot-market sourcing, supported by advanced refining infrastructure and strict compliance systems.India is also navigating the US pressure on Russian crude oil procurement by stepping up imports from the US. In fact, India’s crude oil imports from the US rose 92% in the first eight months of the current financial year! However, Russia remained the biggest supplier between April and November 2025.

India’s Crude Oil Import Basket

Sourav Mitra, Partner – Oil & Gas at Grant Thornton Bharat says, “India has made its stand clear that it will prioritise supply security and affordability for its 1.4 billion people. India did not deter from purchasing oil from Russia despite the US imposing 50% tariffs on India.”“India is tactfully navigating the situation by ramping up oil imports from the US even as Russian oil imports stay significant in FY26. India is maintaining a diverse sourcing mix in its crude basket amidst rising geopolitical uncertainty and Trump backing the Russia sanctions bill which proposes a 500% tariff on India,” he tells TOI.Manas Majumdar, Partner and Leader – Oil & Gas, Fuels & Resources at PwC India says that despite escalating sanctions and geopolitical turbulence, India remains relatively stable in terms of energy security as it has had a diversified set of suppliers – with close to 40 countries in the basket.“This broader supply pool enhances bargaining power, allows for various crude quality grades and insulates against geo-political disruptions. At one point, discounted Russian crude had grown to nearly 40% of our imports. This significantly eased cost pressures, and reduced dependence on other sources for e.g. Venezuela which helped in the short-term shocks. In the long-term if US sanctions on Venezuela go away and more oil flows, it can be a positive for India,” he tells TOI.Gaurav Moda, Partner and Energy Leader at EY-Parthenon India points out that given geopolitical dynamics especially in the past few years, the government and OMCs have diversified their sources of oil across several countries and providers. “Further, the OMCs have built up practice to keep 3-6 months stocks to iron out short term supply volatilities that have become inherent in the energy business. Such initiatives may help minimize impact on product supplies and end consumers in the near term,” he tells TOI.Sumit Ritolia of Kpler notes one small but important movement on the domestic front: India continues to focus on strengthening its domestic supply base. “While crude oil production has not seen large step-change increases in recent years, upstream companies – led by national oil firms – have been steadily investing in enhanced oil recovery, redevelopment of mature fields and exploration of new sedimentary basins to stabilise output and slow natural declines,” he tells TOI. These efforts are aimed at creating incremental, durable gains rather than rapid spikes in production. Although domestic output cannot materially reduce import dependence, consistent upstream investment supports long-term resilience and helps improve energy security at the margin. “Collectively, diversified sourcing, strategic and commercial stockpiles, despite being below global benchmarks, and sustained efforts to strengthen domestic production place India in a relatively stronger position to navigate an increasingly uncertain global energy landscape,” he says.

What happens if India’s access to discounted crude takes a hit?

The biggest lure of the Russian crude oil, and the reason for its rising share in India’s crude oil basket has been the lucrative discounts. But what if under pressure from sanctions and tariffs, Indian refiners stop procuring discounted Russian crude?The answer isn’t straightforward, though the cost would be in billions: the impact on India’s crude import bill would depend on prevailing global market conditions, including supply–demand balances, benchmark prices, freight rates and the availability of alternative barrels.

Alternatives to Russian crude

According to Sumit Ritolia, in 2025, India imported around 1.7 million barrels per day of such discounted crude from Russia, typically priced about $4–6 per barrel below other crudes in its import basket. At this differential, the cost advantage works out to roughly $3-4 billion per year. “If these volumes were replaced with alternative supplies at prevailing market prices, India’s crude import bill would rise by a similar order of magnitude, although the actual impact would ultimately depend on price movements, substitution costs and India’s ability to further optimise sourcing through diversification and refinery flexibility,” he explains.India currently imports over 85% of its crude requirement and this import bill is around $150 billion. Given Russian crude is a few dollars discounted to Brent (at peak this discount was more than $10-15+/ bbl), losing access to discounted Russian barrels could raise India’s annual crude bill by around $10 billion, says PwC’s Manas Majumdar. This estimate is based on a loss of roughly a $5‑per‑barrel discount across 1.85mbpd that India used to take earlier – however this quantum has reduced in recent times.

Who bought Russia’s fossil fuels after EU bans

Refinery margins may also be impacted, as discounted Russian crude is reduced, mostly for private refiners, he says. “We believe that losing these cheaper barrels would raise feedstock costs, and could shave around 1-2 percentage points off refining margins,” Majumdar tells TOI.

India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves: How Much Is The Cover?

In times of geopolitical uncertainties, supply shock possibilities, strategic oil reserves play a vital role. In the last few years India has been moving to shore up its strategic oil reserves to a 9–day cover which is what is standard maintained by OECD countries. However, there is still a long way to go.According to Sumit Ritolia, India’s strategic petroleum reserves currently stand at about 5.33 million metric tonnes. These are spread across underground caverns in Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru and Padur. This is around 39 million barrels, or around 9–10 days of national crude consumption.

India’s Energy Security Strategy

“While this is a meaningful safety net, it remains well below the 90-day cover maintained by most OECD economies when combining strategic and commercial stocks,” Ritolia points out.The government has announced Phase-II plans to add around 6.5 million tonnes of additional storage, but progress has been slow due to land acquisition and execution challenges, he adds.Manas Majumdar of PwC points to India’s planned expansion of strategic oil reserves at Chandikhol and Padur. In addition new sites are being planned in Bikaner, Bina. There is a capex allocation of around Rs 5000 crore plus for these expansions, and these plans need to be expedited, he tells TOI.“In addition, India can diversify strategic petroleum reserves storage types, and in addition to existing underground caverns blend with above-ground and commercial storage to enhance capacity. Also, bolster pipeline and trans-national supply chain resilience for crude flow and also to mitigate potential logistics chokepoints at areas like Strait of Hormuz,” he says.In addition to government-held strategic reserves, Indian refiners and oil marketing companies maintain their own inventories in the form of crude oil and refined petroleum products across refineries, pipelines and storage terminals. Experts differ on the number of days the stocks with oil marketing companies can cover.Ritolia says that these operational and commercial stocks can typically cater to domestic demand for an additional 10–20 days, depending on market conditions and throughput.“When combined with strategic petroleum reserves, these inventories provide India with a more meaningful buffer against supply shocks, even though overall emergency cover still falls short of global benchmarks and will need to expand in line with the country’s rising oil demand,” he says.However, Pranav Master of Crisil Intelligence says that combined with storage held by oil marketing companies, the total coverage stands at around 70–75 days.“Budgetary allocation for oil purchases reflects a shift toward proactive stockpiling during favorable price cycles, strengthening India’s ability to absorb future supply shocks. Apart from conventional coastal caverns, the exploration of salt-cavern-based storage should also be considered to enhance storage capacities,” he says.

What’s The Road Ahead For India’s Energy Security?

As India builds capacity to store more strategic petroleum reserves, it is important for it to speed up the process amidst ongoing geopolitical uncertainty that add to chances of supply shocks.“To better protect against global supply shocks, India needs to accelerate the completion of Phase-II strategic petroleum reserve capacity and ensure that existing and new caverns are consistently filled, well-maintained and operationally ready for timely release during emergencies,” says Sumit Ritolia.He is of the view that as demand continues to rise, expanding strategic petroleum reserves capacity in line with consumption growth will be critical to prevent a dilution of strategic cover over time.Experts also say that India needs to continue looking beyond crude to meet energy needs of the future.Sourav Mitra of Grant Thornton Bharat notes that India is doubling down on alternate sources of energy such as LNG, renewables, biofuels etc. to reduce oil dependency while ensuring reliability.According to a reply in Lok Sabha by MoS Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi, to counter the reliance on fossil fuels, the government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to promote clean energy – It is stepping up natural gas usage, improving refinery efficiency, and boosting domestic oil and gas production.In the meantime, it is also accelerating the adoption of biofuels and clean alternatives such as ethanol blends, bio-CNG, biodiesel, green hydrogen and EVs.Kpler’s Ritolia says that India would benefit from creating limited strategic reserves of refined products such as gasoline, diesel and aviation turbine fuel near major demand centres, which would help manage short-duration disruptions and logistical bottlenecks more effectively.“In parallel, strengthening domestic crude oil production should remain a key pillar of resilience. While large and rapid increases in output are unlikely, continued investment in enhanced oil recovery, redevelopment of mature fields and timely monetisation of discoveries can help stabilise production and deliver gradual gains. Alongside diversified imports and stronger stockholding, even incremental improvements in domestic output can reduce vulnerability at the margin and improve India’s ability to withstand external supply shocks,” he concludes.To sum it up: In a world of rising tensions, India has done well to diversify its crude basket so that temporary disruptions and choking of supply channels don’t have a long-term negative impact on the economy. Russia has only recently become a major oil supplier for India, and if it has to diversify away from it, the hit will not be too significant, though experts say Russian oil will not completely disappear. As it looks to build strategic oil reserves, there is a need to expedite the process, while also looking at non-fossil fuel based alternatives.

If the US Supreme Court rules against President Donald Trump’s emergency tariffs, the treasury has more than enough funds to pay for the tariff refunds, treasury secretary Scott Bessent said. The timeline of payments, however, might extend to weeks or even a year, he told Reuters.In an interview, Bessent said he doubted the court would rule against Trump’s tariffs, but suggested that any refunds could become a “corporate boondoggle” for companies that passed on the costs to their customers.

“It won’t be a problem if we have to do it, but I can tell you that if it happens – which I don’t think it’s going to – it’s just a corporate boondoggle,” he said.“Costco, who’s suing the US government, are they going to give the money back to their clients?”Bessent added that, in general, companies had not been passing tariffs on to consumers, stating there was “very, very little, if any, pass-through,” and disputed that Trump’s tariffs had contributed to inflation. He noted that goods inflation had remained below headline inflation.Importers and trade lawyers had expected a Supreme Court ruling on Friday, but the court issued a decision on a different matter instead. It remains unclear when the court will rule on the tariff case, which challenges Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broad tariffs on nearly every U.S. trading partner.Bessent said he believed that the longer the decision is delayed, the more likely the Supreme Court will rule in Trump’s favour.With nearly $774 billion in cash as of Thursday, the treasury has more than enough to cover any refunds. Treasury borrowing estimates for January-March 2026 project an end-March cash balance of around $850 billion.“We’re not talking about the money all goes out in a day. Probably over weeks, months, may take over a year, right?” Bessent told Reuters.He also indicated that Treasury budget data for calendar year 2025 would likely show a deficit reduction of $300 billion to $400 billion from 2024, providing additional capacity. The government reported a fiscal-year deficit of $1.775 trillion for 2025, which ended on 30 September.Importers have warned that recouping any tariffs paid could be difficult if the Supreme Court finds Trump’s IEEPA-based duties illegal. According to Customs and Border Protection data, $133.5 billion in such tariffs had been assessed through 14 December, with the total likely approaching $150 billion, based on Reuters calculations.Bessent disputed this estimate, saying it was “not the number” for tariffs potentially subject to refunds. He noted that revenues from tariffs imposed under other legal authorities also existed, but did not provide a specific figure for IEEPA-based tariffs.

Iran’s former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi on Saturday said that he is preparing to return home. He linked the possible move to the ongoing mass protests against the country’s clerical leadership.Pahlavi, who has lived in exile in the United States for five decades, announced the move in a video message and a post on X, as demonstrations continued across Tehran and other cities.

“I, too, am preparing to return to the homeland so that at the time of our national revolution’s victory, I can be beside you, the great nation of Iran. I believe that day is very near,” he wrote.His remarks came amid widespread unrest that has disrupted daily life in parts of Iran and posed one of the most serious challenges to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in years. Many demonstrators have openly called for the return of Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah, who was overthrown during the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Call for strikes and street mobilisation

In his message, Pahlavi urged Iranians to intensify pressure on the state by targeting the economy and reclaiming public spaces. He called on workers in key sectors to stop work and join the protests.“I call upon the workers and employees of key economic sectors—especially transportation, oil, gas, and energy—to begin the process of nationwide strikes,” he said. He also appealed for coordinated street action over the weekend, asking people to gather from 6 pm with national symbols and move towards the central areas of cities.“Our goal is no longer merely to be present in the streets; the goal is to prepare for the capture and holding of city centres,” Pahlavi said.

Message to protesters and security forces

Pahlavi praised those who have continued to demonstrate despite threats and crackdowns, describing recent protests as a major blow to the leadership. “My dear compatriots, through your courage and resilience, you have earned the admiration of the world,” he said. Pahlavi added that the protests were “a crushing response to the threats of the treacherous and criminal leader of the Islamic Republic.”He also addressed members of Iran’s armed and security forces who have expressed sympathy with protesters. “To the youth of Iran’s Immortal Guard, and all armed and security forces who have joined the national cooperation platform, I say: Slow down and disrupt the repression machine even more so that on the appointed day, we can completely disable it,” he said.

Who is Reza Pahlavi?

Reza Pahlavi was groomed from birth to inherit Iran’s Peacock Throne and was undergoing fighter pilot training in the United States when the 1979 revolution ended his father Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi’s rule. Forced into exile, he has since lived mainly in the US, becoming a symbolic figure for monarchists and some opposition groups, according to BBC. Now 65, Pahlavi said he does not seek to restore the monarchy by force, insisting instead on a peaceful transition and a national referendum to decide Iran’s future system of governance.“This is not about restoring the past. It’s about securing a democratic future for all Iranians,” he has said previously.

Protests grip Iran

Iran has been witnessing widespread protests for nearly two weeks, initially triggered by rising living costs but rapidly expanding into broader demonstrations against the clerical establishment. Large crowds have taken to the streets in Tehran and several other cities, chanting slogans against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Several human rights groups said that dozens of protesters have been killed and hundreds injured in clashes with security forces. Authorities have responded with a sweeping internet shutdown, which activists say is aimed at limiting the spread of protest footage and masking the scale of the crackdown.The unrest has drawn international attention, with Iran accusing the United States and Israel of inciting instability. Tehran has approached the United Nations Security Council, blaming foreign interference for the escalation of protests into violent acts.

NSA Ajit Doval (PTI photo)

NEW DELHI: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Friday said that India is on track to become a developed nation at the pace set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, even if the country runs on “autopilot”. He also reflected on current global situation, pointing to ongoing wars and conflicts across the world.Speaking at the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue in New Delhi, Doval urged young people to strengthen their decision-making skills, saying the ability to take strong and timely decisions is essential for leadership in every field.“I’ve forgotten my youth, and your youth has changed so much that I’m not even aware of many things. But one thing is very common in both: when I was young, and now, I’ve observed that it always stays with you… That is your decision-making ability… India will definitely develop. India, at the pace and speed that PM Modi has set. Even if it runs on autopilot, it will still be developed,” Doval said.He stressed that the real question is who will lead a developed India in the future and how capable that leadership will be.“But the question is: who will lead this developed India? How capable will they be? The greatest strength of a leader is making the right decisions. They make decisions on time and implement those decisions with complete faith and conviction. So if you want to become a leader of developed India, in any field, science, technology, security, you will have to make decisions, and you will have to develop this decision-making ability from now on,” he said.Doval also said that a nation’s willpower is its greatest strength, adding that wars are fought to break an opponent’s morale rather than for violence itself.His remarks came amid recent global tensions, including the Donald Trump-led US military action in Venezuela that led to the removal of President Nicolas Maduro, and Trump’s repeated warnings to other nations.He said, “You can increase your willpower. That same willpower becomes national power. Why do we fight wars? We’re not psychopaths who get great satisfaction or pleasure from seeing enemy corpses, dead bodies, and severed limbs. That’s not why wars are fought. Wars are fought to break a country’s morale, so that it will surrender according to our wishes and accept our terms, allowing us to achieve what we want… The will of the nation is what wars are fought for. Even today, look at all the wars and conflicts that are happening; some countries want to impose their will on others, and for that, they are using force.”Doval added that strength alone is not enough without morale and leadership. He said, “If you are so powerful that no one can oppose you, then you will always remain independent. But if you have everything but without that morale, all your weapons and resources will be useless, and for that, you need leadership.”He also praised India’s current leadership and the country’s progress in recent years. Doval said, “Today, we are very fortunate to have such leadership in the country. A leadership that, in 10 years, has taken the country from where it was to where it is now, putting it on the path to rapid progress. Their commitment, their hard work, and their total dedication are an inspiration for all of us.”