India flies C-130 J plane carrying approx 12 tons of humanitarian aid to cylcone-hit Sri Lanka

External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Saturday announced that a C-130J aircraft carrying around 12 tonnes of humanitarian aid has landed in Colombo. The delivery is part of India’s Operation Sagar Bandhu, launched on Friday to assist Sri Lanka in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, which has so far claimed 80 lives.Sharing the update on X, Jaishankar wrote, “#OperationSagarBandhu unfolds. @IAF_MCC C-130J plane carrying approximately 12 tons of humanitarian aid, including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat food items, lands in Colombo.”

India initiated Operation Sagar Bandhu as part of its immediate response to assist cyclone-affected areas. The first relief consignments were transported by the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and frontline warship INS Udaigiri, which arrived in Colombo on Friday and handed over supplies to Sri Lankan authorities.Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on X, conveyed his condolences to the people of Sri Lanka, expressing grief over the lives lost in the cyclone and extending solidarity with India’s “closest maritime neighbour.” He noted that India had swiftly dispatched relief supplies and critical Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) equipment under the operation.“We stand ready to provide more aid and assistance as the situation evolves,” said PM Modi, adding that the support was guided by India’s Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR. This comes as India bids to offer help Sri Lanka has been reeling from floods and landslides triggered by Cyclone Ditwah. The island nation is facing one of its most severe disasters in recent years, with widespread damage to infrastructure and rising casualties. According to PTI, more than 80 people have died as the storm unleashed heavy rains across multiple provinces. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) separately reported 61 deaths and 25 people missing, while nearly 44,000 individuals from over 12,000 families have been affected since adverse weather began on November 16.The crisis intensified as Sri Lanka’s Western Province faced warnings of an “unprecedented disaster situation” owing to rising water levels in the Kelani and Attanagalu rivers. Several districts in the Northern, North-Central, Central, North-Western, Sabaragamuwa and Western Provinces are expected to receive over 200 mm of rain, according to the Sri Lankan Meteorological Department. Rainfall above 150 mm is also likely in parts of Trincomalee, Badulla, Galle and Matara. The DMC reported four homes destroyed and more than 600 partially damaged in the ongoing deluge.(With inputs from agencies)

Smriti Mandhana and Palash Muchhal were set to tie the knot but just a day before their wedding, the cricketer’s father’s health deteriorated and he was rushed to the hospital. This led to their wedding being indefinitely postponed. The situation grew more distressing when Palash’s health also declined shortly after, requiring him to be hospitalized as well. With both Smriti’s father and Palash now discharged, fans are anxiously hoping for an announcement regarding a new wedding date. A few days ago, Palash’s sister Palak Muchhal issued a statement regarding the wedding as she said, “Due to Smriti’s dad’s health, Smriti and Palash’s wedding has been put on hold. Would request all of you to respect the privacy of the family in this sensitive time.”Meanwhile now, Palash’s mother Amita Muchhal has dropped an update on the wedding amidst several reports, rumours and speculations across social media. She has reassured that the wedding has not been called off. She told Hindustan Times, “Smriti and Palash dono takleef mein hain… Palash dreamt of coming home with his bride. I had even planned a special welcome…Everything will be fine, shaadi bohot jaldi hogi.“Following the sudden delay, Smriti removed most wedding-related posts from her social media, sparking a fresh wave of rumours. However, Palash’s mother’s statement confirms that the deletions should not be misread as signs of a cancellation.In the aftermath of the postponement, Palash’s blood pressure reportedly spiked, leading to his admission to a hospital in Sangli before he was moved to Mumbai for further care. Fortunately, doctors have now discharged him, and his health is said to be stable. Meanwhile, now after their wedding has been postponed, both Smriti and Palash have added evil eye emojis to their Instagram, clearly wanting to protect themselves from ‘nazar’. Also Read: Smriti Mandhana and Palaash Muchhal wedding postponed: Choreographer Gulnaaz Khan breaks silence, ‘False claims about me and my friend Nandika Dwivedi’

MUMBAI: SoftBank-backed e-commerce startup Meesho will focus on making online shopping affordable for more consumers and build the value segment of the market where the opportunity is large rather than going after the quick delivery space, said Vidit Aatrey, co-founder and CEO at the company which is set to get listed on the bourses next month. A lot of people in India are still not online and for those who use e-commerce platforms, the frequency of usage is lower compared to other emerging markets, giving room to players such as Meesho to expand growth. A public listing will give the company more credibility, allow it to attract better talent and get more sellers on its platform which competes with Amazon and Walmart’s Flipkart even though an IPO will also bring forth new responsibilities, said Aatrey. The company’s Rs 5,421 crore IPO opens for bidding on Dec 3. Meesho is raising up to Rs 4,250 crore through a fresh issue of shares while a clutch of investors including Peak XV Partners, Elevation Capital and Y Combinator are collectively selling 10.5 crore shares. At the upper end of the IPO price band set at Rs 111 per share, the implied valuation of Meesho is $5.6 billion (Rs 50,096 crore), lower than its initial targets pegged at close to $10 billion and only marginally higher than its peak valuation of $5 billion. “It’s much easier for a listed company to go, offer esops to employees to come on board compared to a private company. We believe that the business has also reached a place where we have enough predictability, there’s enough data that people can look at for the last few years, analyse and project something. We felt we are in the right place,” Aatrey said in an interview. Founders Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Kumar who launched Meesho a decade back will hold about 18% in the company post IPO. Meesho operates in the value e-commerce segment that targets price conscious consumers with smaller budgets and its core proposition is lower, affordable pricing. Unlike Flipkart and Amazon, the company doesn’t charge commission to its sellers and has also built its own logistics platform Valmo which allows it to control its logistics costs.

Since the turn of the millennium, India cricket has witnessed a spectrum of head coaches, each bringing their unique vision and tactical approach to the national Test team. Test cricket on home soil has traditionally been India’s formidable fortress—a venue where great teams are crafted, strategies tested, and reputations both forged and shattered. The performance of Indian head coaches since the 2000/01 season at home in Test matches spells a compelling story of tactical brilliance, consistency, and, at times, unexpected underperformance.

Gautam Gambhir’s struggles in Test highlight home woes

The entry of Gautam Gambhir as India’s head coach in Test cricket was met with plenty of anticipation, given his pedigree as a gritty former opener and his no-nonsense approach to the game. However, Gambhir’s initiation into the role has been distressingly underwhelming, with the team failing to register home dominance under his stewardship. Out of 9 Test matches at home, Gambhir’s India has managed just 4 wins while losing 5, resulting in a disappointing win/loss ratio of 0.80, the lowest for any Indian coach at home in this era. Furthermore, his time has already witnessed 2 home series defeats—something not endured by any other coach post-2000/01 during their stint.

India’s typically unyielding home advantage has come under serious strain during Gambhir’s stint. A string of lacklustre performances, questions over team combinations, and inconsistent batting have all contributed to recent dismal outcomes. Unlike predecessors who managed to either protect or extend India’s legacy on spinning tracks and batting-friendly surfaces, Gambhir’s tactical approaches and selections have not translated into expected wins. The home Test losses under his guidance are stark, spelling the need for urgent recalibration if India wishes to recapture their legendary home resilience.

Also READ: Sunil Gavaskar slams Gautam Gambhir’s critics following India’s home Test whitewash vs South Africa

Comprehensive record of Indian head coaches at home since 2000/01

A closer inspection of Indian head coaches’ home records since the 2000/01 season reveals a landscape generally characterized by stability and high win percentages—until the present scenario. John Wright, the first foreign coach to take charge, captured 11 wins from 24 matches, facing just 1 series defeat alongside a win/loss ratio of 2.75. Greg Chappell’s eventful era saw 3 wins from 6 matches and no series losses.

Gary Kirsten and Duncan Fletcher eras set a gold standard; Kirsten posted 10 wins and just 2 defeats in 19 home Tests (W/L ratio 5.00) while Fletcher went even better (11 wins, 2 losses, 5.50 ratio), though each registered a solitary series defeat. Ravi Shastri revolutionized India’s approach, overseeing 15 wins against a solitary loss in 19 matches, boasting a phenomenal win/loss ratio of 15.00 with no series defeats—among the best in history. Anil Kumble’s shortened but effective tenure delivered 10 wins from 13 matches (W/L ratio 10.00), echoing India’s dominance with no series defeats.

Rahul Dravid kept the home fort safe, recording 9 wins out of 13 and no series defeats, maintaining a positive record. Gambhir’s contrast with all predecessors is stark, with lower wins and the ignominy of repeated home series losses, a rarity in modern Indian Test cricket.

The list below captures the performance at a glance:

Also WATCH: Indian supporters taunt head coach with ‘Gautam Gambhir haaye haaye’ chants following devastating 2-0 series loss to South Africa

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India’s GDP growth has consistently surprised on the upside in the last few quarters. (AI image)

NEW DELHI: The Indian economy grew 8.2% in the July-Sept quarter as a strong comeback by the manufacturing sector and robust services activity helped it clock the fastest pace of expansion in six quarters.Strong domestic demand, which drove factories to produce more ahead of the festival season, helped India remain the fastest growing major economy and shrug off the impact of US tariffs.

“The 8.2% GDP growth in Q2 of 2025-26 is very encouraging. It reflects the impact of our pro-growth policies and reforms. It also reflects the hard work and enterprise of our people. Our govt will continue to advance reforms and strengthen Ease of Living for every citizen,” PM Narendra Modi posted on X.Combined with 7.8% growth during April-June, the economy expanded at 8% during the first half of the year, with economists and policymakers expecting a good third quarter on the back of strong sales post GST rationalisation.“Now we can comfortably say full year growth will be 7% or north of 7%,” chief economic adviser V Anantha Nageswaran said after the data was released. Govt had budgeted for 6.5-6.8% GDP growth during the financial year.Apart from GST, the govt is also banking on reform measures such as the new labour codes to boost sentiment and further spur economic activity in the months ahead, with low inflation and falling interest rates adding to the positive sentiment.Manufacturing posted a sharp turnaround, clocking 9.1% growth in the second quarter of the current financial year, with service sectors seeing faster expansion. Construction too grew 7.2%, although a tad slower than July-Sept 2024. Agriculture too reported a 3.5% increase on the back of a 4.1% expansion in Q2 of the last fiscal year.‘Pvt consumption main driver of higher growth’Crisil chief economist Dharmakirti Joshi said, “Private consumption was the main driver of higher real growth. From the supply side, manufacturing and services saw a significant rise. There was a prop from statistical low-base effect as well, as the economy grew at a below-average 5.6% in the same quarter last fiscal. A low deflator also lent some buoy. Inflation based on both the Consumer Price Index and the Wholesale Price Index were lower in the second quarter compared with the first. Lower food inflation stoked discretionary spending.”The higher-than-expected estimates prompted economists to revise their forecasts for the full year. State Bank of India is projecting 7.6% growth this year, while Crisil upped its projection by half-a-percentage point to 7%, while cautioning against the impact of US tariffs in the second half.

“Impact of tariff has started reflecting in exports growth, which grew 5.6% in Q2 on a weak base of 3% growth in 2QFY25. On the other hand imports grew 12.8% in 2QFY26,” said Devendra Kumar Pant, chief economist at India Ratings and Research.“Going forward the headwind will be the tariff impact which will get starker in Oct-Nov. The tailwind is the GST push which can negate and go beyond. This needs to be monitored going ahead,” added Madan Sabnavis, chief economist at Bank of Baroda.Now, all eyes are on the monetary policy committee led by RBI governor Sanjay Malhotra, which meets next week, to decide on interest rates amid low inflation and strong economic growth.

Mumbai: One of the city’s oldest philanthropic landmarks—the Bomanjee Hormarjee Wadia fountain and clock tower in Fort—is nearing completion of its fresh phase of preventive restoration, nearly a decade after a major effort saved it from collapse.It is believed to be the city’s only structure combining a clock tower with a drinking water trough, designed to cater to residents and travellers before piped water systems became widespread. It was built in 1880 and erected in 1882 as a commemorative fountain to honour Bomonjee Hormarjee Wadia, a prominent philanthropist who made significant contributions to the city. It predates CSMT, formerly known as Victoria terminus, which was constructed between 1878 and 1887. Kala Ghoda Association (KGA), which adopted the heritage structure under an MoU with BMC, has initiated the second phase of work —this time focused on routine upkeep and preventive conservation. “When we first took up its restoration in 2016, it was about saving it,” said KGA chairperson Brinda Miller. “This phase is about ensuring it ages gracefully. Mumbai’s climate is harsh on exposed stone. So, maintenance must be cyclical.” Miller said the project has been funded by Rustomjee Group. Its CMD, Boman Irani, said, “This city has been built by communities that consistently gave back, and this structure reflects that legacy of altruism. Such cultural heritage must be preserved, and regular maintenance is key to ensuring its longevity. Since one of its offices is located in the area, the effort feels even more personal—we are proud to support the preventive conservation of a landmark that defines this neighbourhood.” Conservation architect Vikas Dilawari, who was part of the 2016 restoration efforts too, said the tower then was in an alarming state of decay. “A banyan tree had taken root in its upper portions. Encroachments clustered around the structure, the drainage system was choked with mud, and several of the carved elements were dislodged or hidden. BMC had even declared the structure dangerous.” Dilawari said they undertook a “major surgery” then: inserting an RCC retaining wall within the original stone shell to stabilise it, restoring the flame finial without dismantling it, repairing stone carvings, and reviving the original water troughs found buried under layers of sediment. This effort earned the project a Unesco Asia-Pacific Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation in 2017. While the inner chamber of the fountain remains closed for security reasons, both KGA and Dilawari said plans are underway to organise guided heritage walks once the phase 2 work concludes. The annual upkeep of the clock mechanism continues, ensuring the tower still performs one half of its original function. Expected to be completed over the next few days, the current restoration aims to set a benchmark for how smaller but culturally significant heritage structures can be protected, said Dilawari. “Preventive care every few years is the only way to ensure such gems don’t fall into neglect again.”

Abhishek Reddy (Pic credit: Special Arrangement)

NEW DELHI: Bedridden for years, forced to undergo two major surgeries, and even warned by doctors that continuing cricket could leave him paralysed — most cricketers might have walked away and chosen another path. But Abhishek Reddy remained determined to chase his cricketing dreams. Even while lying on a hospital bed, he kept drawing strength from a poster of the great Sachin Tendulkar that read: “Chase your dreams, they do come true.”Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Until recently, hardly anyone knew his story. That changed when the Andhra Pradesh opener smashed a double century (247) in the Ranji Trophy against Jharkhand, powering his team to an innings victory in Jamshedpur and announcing his arrival in style.

Reddy began his domestic career with Karnataka in 2015, marking his first-class debut with a composed half-century. But soon after, injuries struck — not once, but twice — threatening to end his career before it truly began.Now, after years of pain and patience, he is back on his feet — standing tall at the crease once again, stroking his trademark cover drives, and reclaiming the cricketing dream he refused to give up on.“I was just 20 when I made my debut. The flamboyance was there. I was young and there was a lot more fire in me. But the two surgeries broke me badly. I am really happy to be back where I always wanted to be,” Reddy told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.“I remember getting selected for Karnataka in 2015 and then playing for them and scoring runs. It was a star-studded team with Robin Uthappa, Mayank Agarwal, Manish Pandey, Karun Nair, Vinay Kumar and many more senior players. It was difficult to make a place of my own, but I managed to do that with my batting. But everything changed in just one year when I underwent surgery in 2016,” he said.

Abhishek Reddy (Pic credit: Special Arrangement)

“The injury happened in 2016. The outfield was wet and soggy, and while fielding, my leg got stuck and I suffered a knee tear and a muscle tear. The second time it happened was in 2023 when I was taking a second run, and again my same foot got stuck in the same spot. I had to undergo surgery again. ACL injuries take months to heal and recover. Those were the years when thoughts of giving up cricket crossed my mind, but I didn’t let those thoughts dominate my dreams,” Reddy said.“Abhimanyu Mithun — my teammate and my friend — was one of the people who helped me during that tough period. I spoke to him a lot while I was injured. He helped me with the mental side of the game,” he said.Reddy was part of the Karnataka Ranji Trophy squad that lifted the title in the 2014–15 season. He represented Karnataka for a few years before eventually moving to Andhra Pradesh, his hometown.Even after his first surgery, the hunger to play and excel never faded. He continued dominating domestic tournaments and earned a place at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in the U-23 setup based on his performances in the C.K. Nayudu Trophy (U-23) — one of India’s most prestigious domestic tournaments for emerging players — during the 2014–15 season. In that tournament, he scored four consecutive centuries: 174 against Tamil Nadu, 116 against Delhi, 115 against Mumbai and 103 against Rajasthan — a streak that firmly established his reputation as a prolific young batter.

Abhishek Reddy (Pic credit: Special Arrangement)

He has featured in 25 first-class matches so far, scoring 1,511 runs. And at 31, he firmly believes there is still plenty of fire left in him to keep chasing — and living — his cricketing dreams. As he puts it, ‘Abhishek Reddy isn’t done yet.’“My mom is from Andhra, and I played all my junior cricket in Karnataka. My father belongs to Karnatakal. Karnataka gave me the foundation, the platform, and the identity I have today. It was my parents’ dream to see me become a cricketer, and I worshipped this game — and I still do. Andhra cricket supported me a lot. They supported me in my tough times. I will always be grateful to them. They trusted my abilities,” he said.“When I made my debut, I was around 20. Things would have been very different today if the injuries hadn’t happened. I am 31 now, and I am happy with where I am. I am still the same flamboyant Abhishek Reddy. I am not done yet,” he added.

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