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The ongoing conflict in West Asia is entering a new phase as desalination plants, a key source of drinking water across the Gulf, begin to emerge as targets in the widening confrontation involving Iran, the United States and Israel.The development follows claims by Bahrain on Sunday that an Iranian drone attack caused “material damage” to a water desalination plant in the country. According to The New York Times, Bahrain’s interior ministry said the drone strike had damaged the facility but did not disrupt water supply. The country’s water and electricity authority said there had been “no impact on water supplies or water network capacity”.The incident came a day after Iran accused the United States of striking a freshwater desalination plant on Qeshm Island in southern Iran. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said the attack affected water supply in several villages.Araghchi in a post on X wrote, “Water supply in 30 villages has been impacted. Attacking Iran’s infrastructure is a dangerous move with grave consequences. The US set this precedent, not Iran”.The US has denied responsibility. The NYT quoted US central command spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins as saying that American forces were not responsible for the strike.
The conflict began on February 28 after the US and Israel launched strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear programme and military infrastructure, including sites such as Natanz and Fordow. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks across the region, targeting Israel as well as Gulf countries hosting US military assets. Initially, strikes focused largely on energy infrastructure such as oil refineries, gas plants and shipping routes around the Strait of Hormuz, pushing global oil prices higher.In recent days, however, incidents near water infrastructure have been reported. Iran earlier struck Dubai’s Jebel Ali port, about 19 kilometres from one of the world’s largest desalination facilities. Damage has also been reported at the Fujairah F-1 power and water complex in the UAE and Kuwait’s Doha West desalination plant, reportedly from nearby port attacks or debris from intercepted drones.
Desalination plants convert seawater into drinking water, a process that removes salt and impurities using thermal or membrane-based technologies.According to the US department of energy, desalination systems “heat water so that it evaporates into steam, leaving behind impurities, and then condenses back into a liquid for human use.” Another widely used method involves membranes that allow water to pass through while blocking dissolved salts.Most Gulf countries use reverse osmosis, an energy-efficient membrane technology.Water scarcity has made desalination essential for the region. According to a 2020 report by the Gulf Research Center cited by Al Jazeera, groundwater and desalinated water together account for about 90% of the region’s main water resources.More than 400 desalination plants operate along the Arabian Gulf coast, and Gulf Cooperation Council countries account for about 60% of global desalination capacity, producing nearly 40% of the world’s desalinated water, according to research cited by Al Jazeera.Dependence is particularly high in several states, about 42% of the UAE’ drinking water comes from desalination plants, while the figure is around 90% in Kuwait, 86% in Oman and 70% in Saudi Arabia.
Because many cities rely heavily on desalinated water, experts say these facilities represent a critical vulnerability during conflict.Naser Alsayed, an environmental researcher specialising in Gulf states, told Al Jazeera that “targeting or disrupting desalination facilities would place much of the region’s economic stability and growth at significant risk”.“Secondly, desalination is the main source of freshwater for most GCC states, especially smaller and highly water-scarce countries such as Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. Because this water is primarily used for human consumption, desalination carries a strong humanitarian dimension and is essential for sustaining daily life in the region, making any disruption to these facilities particularly significant for the population,” he added.Abdullah Baabood, an Omani academic at Waseda University, told NYT that the targeting of such facilities signals an escalation.“Targeting a desalination plant in Bahrain crosses an important threshold and represents a serious escalation,” Baabood said. “In the Gulf, desalination facilities are not merely infrastructure. They are essential lifelines that supply drinking water to millions. Striking them risks turning a military confrontation into a direct threat to civilian survival.”
The Gulf’s heavy reliance on desalination means that damage to a limited number of facilities could disrupt water supplies quickly. A 2010 CIA analysis warned that attacks on desalination infrastructure could trigger national crises in several Gulf countries. Some states have attempted to build resilience through storage reservoirs and pipeline networks. However, experts say smaller states such as Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait remain more vulnerable due to limited backup supplies.Raha Hakimdavar, a hydrologist at Georgetown University in Qatar, told Al Jazeera that damage to water infrastructure could also have wider effects on food security and economic stability in the region.With tensions continuing across the Gulf, analysts say the shift from oil and shipping targets to water infrastructure highlights how essential services are becoming part of the strategic landscape in the expanding conflict.
The dust has finally settled at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where on March 8, 2026, cricket witnessed a historic climax. In a high-octane T20 World Cup Final, India faced off against a resilient New Zealand side. While the team battle was fierce, the individual brilliance of Sanju Samson stood tallest. By anchoring the top order and delivering clutch performances throughout the knockout stages, Samson was officially crowned the Player of the Tournament, joining a pantheon of legends who have defined T20 history.
Each edition of the T20 World Cup has been defined by a specific archetype: sometimes it was the power-hitter, other times the mystery spinner, and occasionally, the clutch finisher. Here is the elite list of cricketers who rose above the rest.
The ‘Lala’ of world cricket was at the peak of his all-round powers in South Africa. While India won the inaugural trophy, Shahid Afridi was the heartbeat of the tournament. He claimed 12 wickets with his quick leg-spin and chipped in with 91 runs. His ability to squeeze the run rate in the middle overs set the template for modern T20 bowling.
The 2009 edition in England belonged to the man who invented the ‘Dilscoop.’ Tillakaratne Dilshan was a force of nature at the top of the order, finishing as the leading run-scorer with 317 runs in 7 matches. His aggressive intent in the powerplay revolutionized how openers approached the first six overs.
England’s first-ever ICC trophy win was fueled by the genius of Kevin Pietersen. “KP” was the only batter who seemed to be playing on a different surface than everyone else in the Caribbean. He amassed 248 runs in 6 matches, playing a pivotal role in the final against Australia to secure his legacy.
Shane Watson’s 2012 campaign remains perhaps the most statistically dominant all-round performance in history. He finished as the top run-getter with 249 runs and the second-highest wicket-taker with 11 wickets. Even though Australia didn’t win, Watson was the undisputed MVP.
Virat Kohli’s back-to-back awards cemented his status as a T20 master. In 2014, he scored a record-breaking 319 runs (Avg: 106.33). In 2016, on home soil, he was even more clutch, scoring 273 runs (Avg: 136.50). His ability to chase under pressure remains the gold standard of the format.
Heading into 2021, David Warner was written off by many. He responded by smashing 289 runs, leading Australia to their maiden T20 World Cup title. It was a masterclass in resilience and high-impact batting.
Sam Curran became the first specialist fast bowler to win the award. His 13 wickets at an incredible economy rate, including a 3-wicket haul in the final, proved that death-overs intelligence is the ultimate currency.
Jasprit Bumrah’s performance in 2024 was historic. He took 15 wickets with an unheard-of economy of 4.17. His spell in the final against South Africa turned a near-certain defeat into a legendary victory.
The crowning of Samson in Ahmedabad was the culmination of a tournament where he finally translated his immense talent into historical consistency. Over 5 innings, Samson amassed 321 runs, surpassing Kohli’s 2014 record for the most runs in a single edition. He maintained a staggering average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199, proving to be India’s ultimate batter in the top order. His crowning moment came in the semi-final and final, where he struck back-to-back fifties, including a whirlwind 89 off 45 balls against New Zealand to seal the title and making him the undisputed choice for the 2026 Player of the Tournament.
Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026 Awards: Full list of winners – From Jasprit Bumrah to Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson said he approached the T20 World Cup with a new game plan that helped him regain form and play a key role in India’s title triumph. The star batsman spoke to reporters on Monday after returning to Thiruvananthapuram following the World Cup victory.Samson, who was named the Man of the Tournament, received a grand welcome at the airport. V Sivankutty, Kerala’s Education Minister, greeted him on arrival in the evening as hundreds of cricket fans gathered outside the airport, raising slogans in support of the Kerala cricketer.
Reflecting on his change in batting approach, Samson said earlier he had tried to attack every ball, which often led to his dismissals.“I tried to hit every ball, but it did not work. Then I had to learn from those failures. In the five-match series, I tried to increase my strike rate, but it didn’t work. Then I prepared with a different game plan for the World Cup,” he said.Samson also spoke about seeking advice from Sachin Tendulkar during a difficult phase in his career, describing the experience as unforgettable.“We were in touch as I had been sending him messages for the past few years. We also spoke when we met during the IPL,” he said.According to Samson, Tendulkar was the first person he thought of approaching when he struggled with his form.“When I contacted him, he genuinely connected with me. He spoke to me for about 25 minutes, describing what had happened in his career, what to think during difficult moments, how to practise and how to handle situations. It genuinely helped me,” Samson said.He added that after losing form during the New Zealand series, he reached out to Tendulkar again and received further guidance.“Even a day before the World Cup final, he contacted me and asked whether everything was ready. It is not something everyone gets, and I am very happy about it,” he said, adding that Tendulkar congratulated him after the final victory.Samson also spoke about the impact of social media on players, saying it can influence them both positively and negatively.“Youngsters should learn how to handle it well. From social media, I understood how much people love me. But when things go the other way, one should open social media only if one can bear it,” he said.To stay focused during the tournament, Samson said he had kept his phone switched off for the past month.He added that his social media accounts are managed by a team.“When I cut it off, the outside noise could be controlled. When the World Cup is happening in the country, there is a lot of outside noise. I cut it off and focused on cricket,” he said.Samson said the last time he left Thiruvananthapuram was after a poor run of form ahead of the World Cup.“But such a twist was unexpected. We are happy now,” he said.Expressing gratitude to his supporters, Samson said their unwavering support meant a lot to him.“Not even now, when I was not selected in the team, when I was in the team, or when I did not perform, people stood with me during my setbacks. I felt a responsibility to give back for their support. I dedicate this performance to the people of the state,” he said.Samson said he was overwhelmed by the love he had received from fans.“In cricket, we can perform well at times, and sometimes we lose. My wife used to show me videos and reels of genuine support and prayers from people. My eyes would fill with tears seeing that, and I wondered whether I deserved such love,” he said.He said he planned to spend a couple of days with his parents if time permitted after his media commitments.“I was told there may be an event in New Delhi as part of the World Cup victory celebrations the next day. That will be confirmed soon. Then I may have to go for it,” he said.
US President Donald Trump on Monday dialed his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine.According to a report by the Russia Today, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov told journalists that the American president initiated the call to discuss the latest international developments.Meanwhile, Trump said that Putin wants to be helpful in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.“I had a very good call with President Putin. We had a lot of people on the line, from our side, from his side. We were talking about Ukraine which is a never-ending fight,” Trump said.“There is tremendous hatred between President Putin and President Zelenskyy. But I think it was positive call on that subject. We obviously talked about the Middle East and he wants to be helpful,” he added.Putin and Trump spoke for about an hour. The conversation between the two focused on the Iran conflict and trilateral talks between Washington, Moscow and Kyiv aimed at settling the Ukraine conflict.“Tonight, a phone call of the Russian and US presidents has taken place. The conversation was businesslike, open and constructive, which is usually the case in dialogue between the Russian and US leaders.”As per Ushakov, Trump reaffirmed the commitment of the US to seeing a long-term settlement between Russia and Ukraine in the wake of the prolonged conflict. Ushakov added that Putin thanked Trump for his administration’s continued mediation efforts, according to Ushakov.Putin shared his thoughts on the Middle East crisi and told Trump about his conversations last week with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and leaders from the Gulf countries. The last time the two presidents held a phone call was in December. The White House described it as “positive” at the time. Earlier on Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin extended greetings to Mojtaba Khamenei following his appointment as Iran’s new supreme leader, as per RT News.Futher, he pledged Russia’s unwavering support for Iran amid the ongoing conflict involving the US-Israeli alliance with Iran.“At time when Iran is confronting armed aggression. I am confident that you will honourably continue the cause of your father and rally the Iranian people. I wish to reaffirm our unwavering support for Tehran,” Putin was cited as saying by RT News.Russia Today further reported that Putin warned that continued conflict in West Asia could seriously disrupt global oil and gas flows, leading to a halt in Gulf oil production and a “new… price reality,” he told a government meeting.The developments follow amid heightened tensions in West Asia as military operations and retaliatory actions involving Iran, the United States and Israel continue to escalate across the region, following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint military strikes by the US and Israel on February 28.The strikes also killed several senior leaders of the Islamic Republic.
We inhabit three dimensions, moving through the fourth (time) like a needle on a record, convinced that only the ‘now’ under the needle exists. That’s because we don’t understand that the ‘then’ and the ‘now’ are different coordinates in a map we haven’t learnt to read. A fine example of popular culture’s attempt to explain this concept is the 1997 Hollywood classic, ‘Contact’, based on Carl Sagan’s bookTime has long been treated as the ultimate democratic constant. In the ledger of the universe, everyone is supposedly credited with the same 24 hours, regardless of status or geography. Yet, as any knowledge worker staring at a vanishing deadline, or a traveller trapped in the purgatory of a flight delay knows, this is a statistical illusion. Time does not flow; it stretches, contracts, and occasionally refuses to move at all.We are told by physicists that time is a dimension, but to the rest of us, it usually just feels like a long Monday morning. To understand this elasticity, one must first visualise the ‘Metric of Trust’ we place in our 3-dimensional reality. We move through length, width, and height with total confidence, yet we are blindsided by the fourth. This is where the ‘Tesseract’ serves as the perfect intellectual anchor.A tesseract is to a cube, what a cube is to a square — a 4-dimensional hypercube. While we can only see its ‘shadow’ in our world — often depicted as a haunting cube-within-a-cube — it represents a direction of movement we cannot physically take. It is the geometric proof that there is ‘more’ available, more than what our senses report. If we could step into the corridors of a tesseract, we might see the past and future, not as distant memories or hopes, but as adjacent rooms in the same house.Few popular works captured this ‘preservation vs renovation’ of our reality better than Carl Sagan’s 1985 novel, ‘Contact’. In the story, Eleanor Arroway discovers that our 3-dimensional existence is merely a thin skin, stretched over a much deeper complex. When she finally travels through the ‘Machine’, she isn’t just moving across space; she is traversing a landscape, where the standard democratic contract of time is voided.Also read: Interstellar, Einstein and the strange elasticity of timeReleased in an era before science fiction became a ubiquitous weekly commodity, Contact’s central thesis remains radical. For the observers on the ground, Ellie’s drop through the Machine lasts a mere fraction of a second — a blip in the recording. For Ellie, the experience encompasses hours of wonder and conversation. Both accounts are objectively true, proving that the time-horizon of a single event is entirely dependent on one’s dimensional vantage point. Time, it turns out, is less like a ticking clock, and more like an accordion, played by a musician who ignores the metronome.Sagan, a master of the ‘Stakeholder Logic’ of the cosmos, loved to bridge these dizzying gaps with homespun metaphors. His most famous demonstration involved a humble apple. If you slice an apple horizontally, each disk represents a 2-dimensional world. A ‘Flatlander’ living on one slice would be oblivious to the slices above or below. To them, their thin layer is the totality of existence. The third dimension — the height of the apple — is an invisible ghost.If we extend this logic to our own lives, we realise we are the Flatlanders of time. We inhabit three dimensions, moving through the fourth (time) like a needle on a record, convinced that only the ‘now’ under the needle exists. But from the perspective of a tesseract, the entire record exists simultaneously. The ‘then’ of 1980s, when Sagan wrote the book, and the ‘now’ of the 2020s are not gone; they are simply different coordinates on a map we haven’t learned to read.Sagan even offered a ‘Modest Proposal’ regarding the fundamental constants of nature, specifically the transcendental number ‘pi’. He speculated that if one calculated pi to a deep enough decimal point, a non-random pattern — a circle of zeroes and ones — would appear. This would be the ultimate ‘kicker’: a signature from an architect, proving that the universe was built with a specific intent, and that mathematics is the bridge between our 3-dimensional limits, and the higher-dimensional reality of the tesseract.Ultimately, this suggests that our daily struggle with time — the alarms, the ageing, the ‘five more minutes’ — is a local phenomenon, a byproduct of our limited perspective. Somewhere in the cosmic architecture, yesterday is still unfolding and tomorrow is already settled. We are simply stakeholders in a long-lasting outcome that we currently only see in cross-sections. This is a comforting thought. It implies that when we feel time ‘crawling’, we aren’t being poetic. We are simply catching a glimpse of the fourth dimension’s true, mischievous shape.“Tesseract: The Geometry of Truth” is produced by The Times of India, with concept and visualisation by Meera Jain.Experience “Tesseract: The Geometry of Truth”, running from 16 to 22 March 2026 at NCPA Mumbai. Book here
Visakhapatnam: IT giants IBM and Capgemini are eyeing Visakhapatnam as a key destination, signalling a boost to the city’s growing IT and technology ecosystem.. Interestingly, IBM India Private Limited is returning to Vizag after six years, registering recently with the Software Technology Park of India (STPI). Capgemini, meanwhile, is planning a permanent campus in the port city.A key meeting between the state IT minister Nara Lokesh, and Capgemini senior officials on March 12 would give more clarity on the land allotment and temporary campus, besides other related issues.
IBM’s projected exports are Rs 321 crore for three years, and it would initially accommodate more than 500 employees. It is recalled that IBM had a campus on Hill No 3 of the IT SEZ in Madhurawada. It was housed on 3.2 acres out of a 25-acre campus, earlier owned by Kenexa. IBM returned the remaining 21.8 acres of land to APIIC, which recently allotted the land to TCS. Representatives of Capgemini visited the Kommadi and Anandapuram areas, on the outskirts of the port city, for suitable land of above 25 acres to set up its campus. The company also requested the state govt to allot land for its campus, and the govt reportedly promised to do so. The IT giant would provide AI technology services from the permanent campus, which will accommodate around 4,000 employees, sources said.Meanwhile, the company is reportedly planning to start operations in a temporary campus near the RTC complex, where earlier IBM and other companies operated. IT sources said that Capgemini’s top officials would visit the port city in a week or two to finalise the issue. The IT Association of Andhra Pradesh (ITAAP) former president Sridhar Kosaraju told TOI that Capgemini is focusing on Vizag, and talks are going on at the state level, while IBM is coming to the port city.The district collector, MN Harendira Prasad, told TOI that Capgemini representatives came and visited a few plots of land. “It’s in a preliminary stage, and we don’t have any information about their temporary campus. No one from IBM approached the district administration. Maybe the talks are going on at the state level. We also came to know that IBM registered with STPI,” he said.
Nepal will compete with Oman in the ninety-second match of the ICC CWC League 2 ODI 2026 at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur on 10th March at 9:15 AM IST.
Get the best NEP vs OMN Dream11 prediction, fantasy cricket tips, probable playing XI, and match insights for the 92nd match of the ICC CWC League 2 ODI 2026. Expert analysis and more.
Nepal will face Oman in Match 92 of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 (2023–27) on 10 March 2026 at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. The match is scheduled to start at 09:15 AM IST. As the League 2 campaign continues, both sides will look to secure valuable points from this important contest in the tournament.
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Meanwhile, Nepal and Oman have developed a competitive rivalry in ODI cricket over the past few years. The two teams have met multiple times in this format during League 2 competitions and ICC events. Both sides have managed to register victories against each other, which has made their encounters closely contested in recent seasons.
Nepal will enter this match aiming to improve their standing in the tournament. The team currently sits in the lower half of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 points table with 12 points from 20 matches. However, players such as Rohit Paudel, Kushal Bhurtel, and Dipendra Singh Airee remain key contributors for the side. Furthermore, playing at their home venue in Kirtipur could provide Nepal with an additional advantage as they attempt to climb higher in the standings.
Oman, however, have performed more consistently in the competition so far. They currently hold fourth place on the points table with 24 points from 20 matches, which keeps them firmly in the race for the top positions. Additionally, experienced players such as Zeeshan Maqsood, Jatinder Singh, and Aaqib Ilyas continue to play vital roles for the team with both bat and ball. Therefore, Oman will aim to maintain their momentum and strengthen their position in the tournament standings.
Therefore, this match will carry significant importance for both teams as the League 2 season progresses. Nepal will hope to use familiar home conditions to secure crucial points and improve their position on the table. Meanwhile, Oman will look to deliver another strong performance and continue their push toward the top spots in the competition.
|
Teams |
Matches Won |
|
Nepal |
0 |
|
Oman |
0 |
|
Temperature |
16°C |
|
Weather Forecast |
Partly Cloudy |
|
Pitch Behaviour |
Batting-friendly |
|
Best Suited To |
Pace |
|
Average 1st innings score |
250 |
|
Records |
Neutral |
|
Winning % |
50% |
Nepal Playing 11:
1) Kushal Bhurtel
2) Aasif Sheikh (wk)
3) Rohit Paudel ©
4) Aarif Sheikh
5) Kushal Malla
6) Dipendra Singh Airee
7) Gulshan Jha
8) Sompal Kami
9) Karan KC
10) Sandeep Lamichhane
11) Lalit Rajbanshi
Oman Playing 11:
1) Jatinder Singh ©
2) Vinayak Shukla (vc/wk)
3) Hammad Mirza (wk)
4) Karan Sonavale
5) Mohammad Nadeem
6) Wasim Ali
7) Shakeel Ahmed
8) Sufyan Mehmood
9) Jiten Ramanandi
10) Jay Odedra
11) Shafiq Jan
Captaincy Picks:
|
Karan KC – Nepal’s powerful right-handed batter and right-arm fast-medium bowler delivers explosive lower-order hitting and spearheads the pace attack with his wicket-taking ability. |
|
Dipendra Singh Airee – A premier all-rounder from Nepal, the right-handed batter and right-arm off-break bowler anchors the middle order while offering valuable spin-bowling support. |
Top Picks:
|
Jatinder Singh – The right-handed opening batter leads Oman as captain, providing confident starts at the top of the order while guiding the team with steady leadership. |
|
Aamir Kaleem – Oman’s experienced left-handed batter and slow left-arm orthodox spinner strengthens the side as a dependable spin-bowling all-rounder capable of influencing the game in multiple phases. |
Budget Picks:
|
Gulshan Jha – Nepal’s dynamic young all-rounder combines left-handed batting with right-arm medium pace, providing energy and depth to the middle order. |
|
Wasim Ali – The left-handed batter from Oman also bowls slow left-arm orthodox spin, contributing as a versatile batting all-rounder who adds balance to the lineup. |
|
Captain |
Karan KC & Dipendra Singh Airee |
|
Vice-Captain |
Aamir Kaleem & Jatinder Singh |
|
Players |
Dream11 Credits |
Dream11 Points (Last match) |
|
S Alam |
7.0 credits |
NA |
|
H Anwar Dafedar |
6.5 credits |
NA |
|
SL Captaincy Choice |
Karan KC |
|
GL Captaincy Choice |
Dipendra Singh Airee |
|
Punt Picks |
Wasim Ali and Gulshan Jha |
|
Dream11 Combination |
2-3-4-2 |
Looking at the current performance, Oman is expected to win this match.
Morgan Stanley maintained an overweight rating on Reliance Industries with a target price of Rs 1,803. Analysts said tight global markets are keeping refining margins higher. The company can process heavy and sour crude which is supportive for the stock. The company also has a diversified crude sourcing process among global refiners which also supports the stock. Analysts also said that the chemical cycle was in a recovery phase. Its access to the US ethane and internal naphtha is supportive for the stock. They expect a 6-8% uplift for FY27 earnings.Kotak Institutional Equities has an upgrade rating on Interglobe Aviation with the target price at Rs 5,500. Analysts noted the large exposure of airlines to crude prices and jet fuel spreads, limiting ability to forecast cost structures and take a call on the price elasticity of near-term demand. However, they said that what investors should be more mindful of is fast-growing losses of Indigo’s peers. Aggregate investments of this subset are meaningful, requiring better-than Indigo’s peak post-Covid pre-tax operational profitability to achieve high-single-digit post-tax returns. Airlines are better understood as a play on consumer spending, with consumers eventually paying for inflation over time and airlines benefiting from bouts of deflation.UBS has a neutral rating on AU Small Finance Bank with the target price at Rs 1,100. Analysts said that the RBI has eased promoter holding norms for transition to a universal bank. The bank has to submit its universal banking license application soon. This is a slight positive for the lender as it eases the path for transition to a universal bank.HSBC maintained its buy rating on Ambuja Cements with the target price at Rs 670. Analysts said Sanghi Industries’ cost reduction is a positive for the company. The cement major’s focus on utilisation and return on investment (ROI) versus capacity addition is an encouraging sign. Sanghi visit highlights a large, high quality limestone reserve base and growth optionality at the company’s assets. Analysts also liked the management’s commentary on utilising the existing asset base and improving ROI before further expansions. They also liked the margin expansion story at an attractive valuation.Motilal Oswal Securities maintained its buy rating on Nippon India AMC with a revised target price of Rs 1,040, from Rs 1,060 earlier. Analysts said that the fund house is the fastest-growing AMC with steady SIP flows and ETF dominance. The performance of its funds remained stable over the last few months. Its alternatives (AIF Platform) is building a scalable, margin-accretive adjacency. Although there would be some regulatory impact on yields, the company sees gradual compression and it has mitigation levers in place. Analysts also feel that the ongoing business diversification and prudent cost management are expected to mitigate yield compression impact and support valuation resilience.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)
The Times of India’s ‘Let’s D-Stress’ campaign aims to initiate a nationwide conversation around digital stress, its consequences, and practical ways to address it. The objective of the initiative is to turn awareness of digital behaviour into action, leveraging science and technology to help individuals reclaim attention, productivity, and mental wellbeing in an increasingly distracted digital world.The initiative was launched in collaboration with Kochibased Centre of Excellence in Neurodegeneration and Brain Health (CENABH) as knowledge partner along with IIT Delhi and NIMHANS as solutions partners.CENABH has expanded its focus from laboratory research on neuroscience to large-scale public-centric health initiatives. In Oct 2021, the centre helped develop Kochi into India’s first dementia-friendly city. The initiative demonstrated how advanced research can be applied to create healthier and more inclusive communities, highlighting a fundamental shift towards compassionate, community-based care for those living with neurodegenerative conditions. The centre also helped launch the ‘Udbodh’ project, designed by the Centre for Neuroscience at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), to create a supportive ecosystem for an ageing population.Self-Assessment ToolAs part of the TOI campaign, a simplified web-based assessment tool, linked through a QR code, will allow readers to gain an initial understanding of their digital behaviour and focus levels.The results are intended to promote awareness of everyday technology use and encourage individuals to make gradual, practical adjustments that support improved focus, rest, and overall cognitive wellbeing. The assessment tool is derived from the scientific framework used for the Mentacy app, rooted in neuroscientific research and behavioural insights, and developed along with a technology partner by CENABH in a two-year collaboration.The scientific framework behind the assessment tool was developed by a multidisciplinary team led by Dr Baby Chakrapani P S, CENABH director and honorary director of the Centre for Neuroscience at CUSAT, and Dr Lima Raj, psychologist and project head for social neuroscience at CENABH.
