Silver rate today: Silver prices climbed by Rs 1,000 to Rs 2.41 lakh per kilogram in the national capital on Tuesday, hitting a new all-time high with positive global sentiment and robust demand supporting prices, All India Sarafa Association date was quoted by PTI. The demand has been underscored by silver’s growing appeal as an industrial and investment asset amid tight global supply.Gold prices, however, weakened for a second consecutive session. 99.9 per cent pure gold fell by Rs 2,800, reaching Rs 1,39,000 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes), falling from Rs 1,41,800 per 10 grams in the previous session despite international gold prices moving higher.Global markets played a major role in providing a strong tailwind for silver. Spot silver jumped $3.72, or 5.15 per cent, to $75.85 per ounce, while spot gold gained $69.61, or 1.61 per cent, to $4,401.59 per ounce. Market participants attributed silver’s sharper rise to sustained industrial offtake, particularly as a result of solar, electronics and data centre sectors.On the domestic derivatives front, silver futures on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) for March 2026 delivery rallied sharply, rising Rs 9,590, or 4.27 per cent, to Rs 2,34,019 per kilogram, with a turnover of 11,915 lots. The metal has witnessed heightened volatility in recent sessions, reflecting aggressive positioning by traders.Analysts remain constructive on silver’s medium-term outlook despite near-term swings. Silver continues to find support from structural supply constraints and strong industrial demand. However, stricter margin norms could limit sharp upside in the short term,” said Jigar Trivedi, Senior Research Analyst at Reliance Securities. He added that MCX Silver March contracts could move towards ₹2.26 lakh per kg as global undertones remain bullish.Notably, silver had already staged a sharp rally on Monday, skyrocketing Rs 14,387, or 6 per cent, to hit a record high of Rs 2,54,174 per kilogram on the MCX, highlighting the intensity of the ongoing uptrend in the white metal.

Governor Malhotra is of the opinion that inflation will stay low or manageable, and the policy rates will be low for a prolonged period.

The Reserve Bank cut its key rates at four of the six monetary policy reviews of 2025 by a cumulative 1.25 per cent, courtesy inflation touching record lows, in what the newly appointed Governor Sanjay Malhotra called as a “rare Goldilocks period” for the economy.Malhotra cut the key rates right from his first policy announcement in February to support growth, and also slashed key rates by 0.50 per cent in June as it saw the space created by lower inflation.Completing a year in office, the career bureaucrat-turned-central banker termed it as a “rare goldilocks period” for India, with growth exceeding 8 per cent despite headwinds like the US tariffs and geopolitical changes, and inflation under 1 per cent.He also made it clear that growth will soften going ahead, and inflation will inch up closer to the RBI’s target of 4 per cent.Amid concerns on the nominal GDP growth remaining low, Malhotra said the Reserve Bank of India‘s (RBI’s) actions are dictated by the real GDP arrived at after subtracting the inflation levels.Actual inflation outcomes came much lower than the RBI’s projections on price rise, leading to some voices of concern on the central bank’s forecasting, and Poonam Gupta, an academic who got inducted during the year, said there are no systemic biases in the estimation.The RBI’s actions on rates, accompanied with explicit expectations of borrowing costs going down, came as a jolt for banks, which were impacted by narrowing in the net interest margins (NIMs) and a subsequent dent to core incomes. Tempering the impact were central bank’s moves on ensuring adequate liquidity in the system and more importantly, regulatory relaxations.At his maiden press outing in February after announcing a 0.25 per cent cut in rates, Malhotra underlined that while financial stability is important, the “cost of regulations” should also be taken on board and committed to lessen the impact of RBI’s moves.What followed through the year was a slew of relaxations. The crescendo was the October policy announcement with 22 regulatory measures, including some initiatives uncharacteristic of an otherwise conservative institution.Some, like allowing banks to fund India Inc’s global acquisitions or going back on the “forms of business” regulation draft under which the RBI had mulled preventing banks from having other entities engaged in same activities or tweaks on the infra finance front, led to the obvious questions on financial stability.However, Malhotra justified this and affirmed that financial stability is the foremost priority for the central bank and spoke of the need to ensure that regulations are not impeding economic growth and added that sufficient precautions have been built into the new relaxations.Interestingly, the announcement on acquisition finance came within weeks of SBI Chairman C S Setty publicly pitching for such a move.The RBI also climbed down on its previously mulled draft on project finance requiring banks to set aside up to 5 per cent provisions on loans. The move was flagged as a challenge by bankers, but the RBI brass had maintained that this was “conservative” given the previous experiences with lending to the segment.Apart from the regulatory relaxations, banks got a big breather in the form of almost no major supervisory action from the RBI this year, a departure from the central bank’s actions under Malhotra’s predecessor Shaktikanta Das, where even major lenders were slapped with cease-and-desist orders.Malhotra’s focus seems to be around customer centricity and quicker redressal of issues, which has shone in a slew of speeches and comments.From a regulatory perspective, the RBI executed a huge exercise of consolidating regulations into master directions and repealing irrelevant rules as well. The fate of Tata Sons vis-à-vis listing even after the passage of the September 2025 deadline to do so is key unanswered questions as the year ends.One of the biggest challenges for the RBI, which completed 90 years of existence in 2025, was the rupee breaching the 90 to a dollar mark. The central bank, which maintains that market interventions are guided by an aim to reduce volatilities and not defend a level, sold over $38 billion of forex in the first nine months of the year as the domestic currency depreciated against the greenback.Malhotra has pointed to the over $690 billion in forex reserves and a manageable current account deficit as one of the key strengths going forward, but given the sharp movements in the currency lately, experts opine that the rupee will continue to be a more challenging aspect for the central bank.Apart from the rupee, other measures to accelerate growth using both the monetary and other tools will be the key aspects to watch out for in 2026. Governor Malhotra is of the opinion that inflation will stay low or manageable, and the policy rates will be low for a prolonged period.

Is Saudi Arabia Still Affordable? New Data Reveals a Changing Cost-of-Living Story

As Saudi Arabia accelerates its economic transformation under Vision 2030, the everyday financial landscape for residents, both citizens and expatriates, is changing rapidly. From housing to groceries, consumer prices are evolving against a backdrop of modest inflation, residential property pressures and shifting wage dynamics, illustrating both opportunity and strain in one of the Gulf’s fastest-growing economies.

Inflation steady but cost pressures persist

According to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Saudi Arabia’s official statistics agency, the annual inflation rate stood at around 2.3% in mid-2025, a slight increase from earlier in the year. Housing costs and rents were the biggest drivers of this trend, offsetting lower prices in transportation and some consumer categories. A broad category in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) including housing, water, electricity, gas and fuel, rose significantly year-on-year, with rents up by roughly 7% and villa rentals climbing even more. Since housing represents a large share of household expenditure, these price increases carry outsized effects on everyday costs.

Housing: A major component of living costs

Rents across major cities like Riyadh and Jeddah continue to trend upward, reflecting strong demand for residential space amid rapid urban growth and infrastructure investment. In response, Saudi authorities moved to ease pressure on tenants when in late 2025, the Kingdom announced a five-year freeze on rent increases in Riyadh to temper rapid market escalation.

Saudi Arabia vs Your Salary: Why Expats Are Feeling the Pinch Despite Low Inflation

For many households, especially expatriates who typically pay rent directly, housing remains the single largest monthly burden. Depending on location and accommodation type, renting a one-bedroom apartment may range from around SAR 2,000 to SAR 8,000 per month ($540–$2,160), while larger units or compound housing can climb much higher.

Everyday expenses: What families and workers are paying

Beyond housing, everyday living costs vary widely depending on lifestyle and location. According to cost breakdowns widely used by expatriates and analysts, groceries for an individual might average SAR 747 per month (about $202), with basic food items like rice, eggs and milk remaining relatively affordable even as other prices tick up. Utilities and Internet are generally moderate relative to global averages, with monthly residential bills and communications costing hundreds rather than thousands of riyals. Public transport fares are low and fuel prices remain among the cheapest in the world, a notable contrast with many Western cities. Dining out and entertainment also contribute to daily living costs. Local restaurant meals can be inexpensive, while meals at higher-end restaurants reflect a broader range of urban lifestyle choices.

Wages vs costs: A growing disparity in Saudi Arabia

Though inflation remains modest, the cost of living is rising faster than many incomes, particularly for expatriates. A recent regional cost report notes that while headline inflation is around 2–2.3%, rental costs in key urban areas have grown at much higher rates, putting pressure on budgets even when overall CPI looks controlled.

What SAR 5,000 a Month Gets You in Saudi Arabia Today

Reports indicate that expat salary growth has stagnated, with typical annual raises far below the spikes seen in previous years and sometimes failing to match rising housing costs, especially in Riyadh’s competitive rental market. This trend has prompted some foreign professionals to reconsider relocation packages and salary expectations.

Key monthly expenses in Saudi Arabia

The cost of living in Saudi Arabia remains relatively affordable compared to other Gulf countries, especially for expats and singles, with monthly expenses for one person typically ranging from SAR 1,900 to SAR 5,600 (about $500–$1,500 USD), depending on the city and lifestyle. Costs vary significantly between cities like Riyadh (higher at around $1,627 monthly) and Jeddah (29% cheaper at $1,155).No income tax boosts purchasing power for many residents. Expenses exclude rent unless noted and are averages in SAR (1 SAR = $0.27 USD as of late 2025).

Housing averages SAR 1,125/person ($304) including utilities in 2025 forecasts.

Local brands and public transport keep basics cheap but Western imports, international schools (~SAR 50,000/year/child) and luxury lifestyles inflate bills. Inflation and Vision 2030 projects may raise prices slightly in 2026New survey data from PwC Middle East’s Voice of the Consumer 2025 underscores how price pressures are shaping resident behaviour. Nearly 47% of Saudi consumers ranked the cost of living among the top three risks likely to impact life in the coming year, ahead of even personal health or climate concerns.For many, rising prices have reshaped food and shopping habits, with consumers moving toward value purchases, promotions and multiple store options to manage household budgets. This shift reflects a rising price sensitivity even as broader economic opportunities expand.

Saudi Arabia’s balancing act: Growth, stability and quality of life

Saudi Arabia’s economic goals of diversifying beyond oil, attracting global talent and lifting living standards, sit alongside complex cost dynamics that affect residents in real ways. Government policies like the rent freeze in Riyadh point to active efforts to balance growth with affordability but the lived experience of high rental demand and everyday expenses shows the challenges remain substantial.As inflation remains moderate but specific cost categories like housing continue to accelerate, individuals and families are making lifestyle and financial choices that reflect both optimism and caution. Whether adjusting spending patterns, negotiating compensation packages or choosing where to live, the interplay between income, inflation and quality of life is at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s economic evolution.

Greg Abel faces the challenge of taking over Berkshire Hathaway from the legendary Warren Buffett this week. Many regard Buffett as the world’s greatest investor after he grew Berkshire from a struggling New England textile mill that he starting buying up for $7.60 a share in 1962, to the massive conglomerate it is today with shares that go for more than $750,000 a pop. Buffett’s personal fortune of Berkshire stock is worth roughly $150 billion even after giving more than $60 billion away over the past 20 years. Berkshire for decades has routinely outpaced the S&P 500 as Buffett bought up insurance companies like Geico and National Indemnity, manufacturers like Iscar Metalworking, retail brands like Dairy Queen, major utilities and even one of the nation’s biggest railroads, BNSF. Along the way, Buffett bought and sold hundreds of billions of dollars of stocks and profited handsomely from his famously long-term bets on companies like American Express, Coca-Cola and Apple. Berkshire has struggled to keep that pace in recent years because it has grown so huge and also struggled to find new and significant acquisitions. Even this fall’s $9.7 billion acquisition of OxyChem probably isn’t big enough to make a difference in Berkshire’s profits. Investors will be watching closely to see what changes Abel might make in Berkshire’s trajectory, but don’t expect any seismic shifts. Buffett isn’t going anywhere and Abel has already been managing all of Berkshire’s noninsurance businesses since 2018. Buffett will remain chairman and plans to continue coming into the office each day to help spot new investments and offer Abel any advice he asks for. Some changes are likely CFRA Research analyst Cathy Seifert said it is natural for Abel to make some changes in the way Berkshire is run. Taking a more traditional approach to leadership with nearly 400,000 employees spread across dozens of subsidiaries makes a lot of sense, she said. But Berkshire operates under an extremely decentralized structure that trusts its executives with significant decisions. Everyone associated with the company has said there are no plans to change that. The world learned that Abel was to become the designated successor at Berkshire in 2021 when Buffett’s longtime business partner, the late Charlie Munger, assured shareholders at an annual meeting that Abel would maintain the company’s culture. Part of Buffett’s sales pitch to company founders and CEOs thinking of selling their companies has always been that Berkshire would largely allow them to continue running their companies the same way as long as they delivered results. “I think the investment community would likely applaud Greg’s management style to the degree that it sort of buttons things up,” Seifert said. “And if it helps performance, that can’t really be faulted.” Abel plays an active role managing companies Abel has already shown himself to be a more hands-on manager than Buffett, but he still follows the Berkshire model of autonomy for acquired companies. Abel asks tough questions of company leaders and holds them accountable for their performance. Abel did announce some leadership changes earlier this month after investment manager and Geico CEO Todd Combs departed, and Chief Financial Officer Marc Hamburg announced his retirement. Abel also said he’s appointing NetJets CEO Adam Johnson as manager of all of Berkshire’s consumer, service and retail businesses. That essentially creates a third division of the company and takes some work off of Abel’s plate. He will continue to manage the manufacturing, utility and railroad businesses. Abel will eventually face more pressure to start paying a dividend. From the beginning, Berkshire has held the position that it is better to reinvest profits rather than making quarterly or annual payouts to shareholders. But if Abel can’t find a productive use of the $382 billion cash that Berkshire is sitting on, there may be a push from investors to start paying dividends or to adopt a traditional stock buyback program that would boost the value of shares they hold. Currently, Berkshire only repurchases shares when Buffett thinks they are a bargain, and he hasn’t done that since early 2024. Still, Abel will be insulated from such pressure for some time since Buffett controls nearly 30% of the voting power in the stock. That will diminish gradually after his death as his children distribute his shares to charity as agreed. Berkshire has a solid foundation Many of Berkshire’s subsidiaries tend to follow the economy and profit handsomely whenever the country is prosperous. Berkshire’s utilities typically generate a reliable profit, and its insurance companies like Geico and General Reinsurance supply more than $175 billion worth of premiums that can be invested until claims come due. Investor Chris Ballard, who is managing director at Check Capital, said most of Berkshire’s businesses “can almost take care of themselves.” He sees a bright future for Berkshire under Abel. One of the biggest questions right now may be how much additional change there will be in company leadership after Combs’ departure, if any at all. The head of the insurance unit, Vice Chairman Ajit Jain, who Buffett has long lavished with praise, is now 74 and many of the CEOs of the various companies have continued working long after retirement age because they like working for Buffett. “As a long-term shareholder, we aren’t too concerned with Todd’s departure and don’t think this is the tip of some sort of iceberg,” said Ballard, whose firm counts Berkshire as its largest holding. “Todd’s situation is unique. It’s just a reminder that Warren’s pending departure is imminent and they’re preparing for a new phase – one that we’re still excited to see unfold.”

Filmmaker Sriram Raghavan expressed his admiration for the box office hit ‘Dhurandhar’ by Aditya Dhar, but firmly stated that he would never venture into a similar filmmaking territory. He appreciates the film’s success and compelling performances; however, he feels that its style does not resonate with his artistic vision or the evolving landscape of thriller cinema.

Aditya Dhar’s ‘Dhurandhar’ has been raking in big numbers at the box office. The Ranveer Singh-led movie has received a lot of appreciation and love from all quarters. Amidst the massive buzz around the espionage thriller, Sriram Raghavan, whose next film, ‘Ikkis’, is set to release this week, shared that he would never make a film like the Aditya Dhar directorial. Here’s what he said.

Sriram Raghavan shares his take on ‘Dhurandhar’

In an interview with The Hindu, Sriram Raghavan was asked about how opposite ‘Dhurandhar’ is to the movie he directed, ‘Agent Vinod’. To which Sriram Raghavan said, “It is a well-made film with terrific performances, but it is not our kind of film. We must understand that we are living in different times.”

The filmmaker shared that the old James Bond movies, which starred Sean Connery and Roger Moore, used to be fun; however, the current ones have started to get serious. He added, “Dhurandhar is one movie. It is doing spectacularly well, and it should. But this is not the only format. If I start following it, it will be the silliest thing to do.”In the same interview, Sriram Raghavan shared that he and Aditya Dhar shared a National Award for their films ‘Andhadhun’ and ‘Uri’, respectively.The director shared, “He (Aditya) has a different kind of sensibility and craft, and I love watching his films, but it is not something I would make.”

More about ‘Dhurandhar’

Starring Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Rakesh Bedi, and Sara Arjun, the film was released in theaters on December 5, 2025. The movie has raked in Rs 709.65 crore in India, as of now, according to the Sacnilk report. Part two of the movie will release on March 19, 2026.

More about ‘Ikkis’

Directed by Sriram Raghavan, the movie is based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, who laid down his life during the Indo-Pak War of 1971. He was honored with the Paramvir Chakra, India’s highest gallantry award, posthumously. Agastya Nanda stars as Arjun Khetarpal. The movie also features Dharmendra (his last screen appearance) and Jaideep Ahlawat in pivotal roles. It is set to release on January 1, 2026.

NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh is no stranger to controversies. The former Madhya Pradesh chief minister, who is known to speak out his mind, has triggered several political storms with his remarks. The veteran Congress leader, who has been one of the strongest critics of the BJP and the RSS, has often been accused of insulting the Hindu community to appease the minorities. In fact, such has been some of his remarks in the past that even the Congress was forced to distance itself from them. It is in this context that his latest social media post citing RSS and BJP to highlight the “power of organisation” seems intriguing.The Congress Rajya Sabha member on Saturday shared a 1996 photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with L K Advani and praised the BJP and the RSS for promoting ground workers – alluding to PM Modi – to posts like chief minister and Prime Minister. “I found this picture on the Quora site. It is very impactful. In the way the grassroots swayamsevaks (workers) of RSS and the workers of Jan Sangh @BJP4India sit on the floor at the feet of leaders and become the Chief Minister of the state and the Prime Minister of the country. This is the power of the organization. Jai Siya Ram,” Singh said on X.

As expected, the post created a flutter. The fact that it coincided with the Congress Working Committee meeting and was tagged not just to the party’s top leadership but also to Prime Minister Modi added to the intrigue. Also, the use of “Jai Siya Ram” at the end seemed strange for a leader, who was once in the centre of a storm for using “Osamaji” for Osama bin Laden. Under all round fire then, Digvijaya had clarified that it was a slip of tongue.So, what was the objective of Digvijaya’s post? Was he actually trying to please the BJP and the RSS? Or was he dropping hints about his future plans and sending a message to the top leadership? Or was he targeting leaders within the Congress who are close to the top leadership?While nothing is impossible in politics, it is difficult to believe that Digvijaya would have had a sudden change of heart vis-a-vis the RSS and BJP and would try to please them.So, was the Congress veteran sending across a message to the top leadership? Well, Digvijaya’s Rajya Sabha term ends in July 2026 and the big question is will the Congress nominate him again? If not, how would he react? After all, we have seen another party veteran Ghulam Nabi Azad turn from a loyalist to a rebel and quit the party in 2021 after he was denied a Rajya Sabha ticket. Will Digvijaya follow suit if ignored? Well, we do not know for now.So, that brings us to the third possible reason for Digvijaya’s post. Was the senior Congress leader targeting the top office-bearers in his party responsible for running the organisation and who are very close to the leadership? The fact that many leaders came out in his support on the need to strengthen the organization gives some credence to this possibility.Most Congress leaders, as expected, unleashed a broadside against Digvijaya’s post and rejected the idea of learning anything from the RSS. Congress leader Pawan Khera said, “There’s nothing to learn from the RSS. What can an organisation known for Godse teach an organisation founded by Gandhi?”Congress MP Manickam Tagore asserted that the Congress had nothing to learn from what he described as a hate-driven organisation. “The RSS is an organisation of hatred. It spreads hatred, breeds hatred and carries out propaganda based on hate. There is nothing to learn from the RSS,” he said.However, many others defended Digvijaya and argued that the focus should not be on the example he had cited but on his message for strength and unity in an organization. They cited his commitment to the Congress and also his strong anti-RSS stand in the past.“Look, it is important to pay attention to whose words are being used, what they mean, and in what context they are spoken. No one can even remotely think that whatever Digvijaya Singh says would not be in the interest of the Congress party or that he would speak in a way that goes against the party’s ideology. He is a pillar of the Congress party, and if he has used any particular language, it is necessary to understand what his context was and what his target was what he was trying to do,” Salman Khurshid told ANI.Congress leader TS Singh Deo defended Digvijaya Singh’s remarks and said: “Digvijaya Singh is much senior to me; I cannot comment on his statement. He will be able to explain it better, but as far as strengthening the organisation is concerned, it is a continuous process…In any organisation, whether it is the BJP, RSS, or any other, everyone’s work is reviewed. The BJP certainly reviews the Congress and other parties... So, Digvijaya Singh’s intention was not to imitate anyone, but he spoke about what we can do to strengthen the organisation.”Congress MP Imran Masood said Digvijaya Singh has consistently opposed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). “Digvijay Singh is a staunch opponent of the RSS. That’s all I know; there’s no need to create so much controversy over this,” he said. Congress leader Rajeev Shukla also defended the former MP CM and said that the matter was being “unnecessarily amplified”.Party leader Udit Raj openly backed Digvijaya’s message and admitted that the grand old party was grappling with serious organisational weaknesses and widespread factionalism. “There is definitely organisational weakness. Is there any doubt about that? For 10 years, we couldn’t even appoint district presidents. Whenever someone was appointed, another group would block it. Factionalism is rampant,” Udit Raj told news agency IANS. “Discussion is part of Congress tradition; we don’t run a dictatorship like the BJP. It is in our tradition to introspect. If there were no organisational weaknesses, would we keep losing elections repeatedly? The positive thing is that we are working to overcome our shortcomings. There is nothing wrong with it,” he added.Candid confession that to some extent justifies Digvijaya’s strong post.However, with his remarks putting the Congress on the backfoot, Digvijaya first issued clarification and then sent out a unity message slamming the BJP. “I am a supporter of the organisation, but an opponent of the RSS and Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi. I have only praised the organisational strength of the RSS. I have always opposed the policies of the BJP and the RSS,” he said as his post raised a storm. Later, he targeted the BJP and said “There is no difference in ideology. We (Congress) are all united, and this Nehru-Gandhi family is a family in which two people have been martyred. I strongly condemn the BJP’s attempts to sow discord within this family.” “Rahul Gandhi has started this initiative (strengthening the organisation) from the district level and below. The process for that is underway. It will be completed soon,” the Rajya Sabha member added.While this clarification helps the Congress counter the BJP attacks, it does little to solve the mystery behind his cryptic message: Was Digvijaya dropping hints about his future plans or was he targeting Congress leadership and the coterie in the party?

Shankh Airlines is likely to begin flight operations in the first half of January with an initial fleet of three Airbus aircraft, focusing on connecting Lucknow with Delhi, Mumbai and other metro cities, Chairman Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma said on Tuesday. The airline will also operate flights to destinations across Uttar Pradesh in its first phase, Vishwakarma said, adding that two more aircraft are expected to join the fleet within the next one-and-a-half months. “At present, the fleet size is limited, but as it grows, we will cover the entire country,” he told PTI Videos, noting that international operations are planned for 2028 or 2029. The 35-year-old entrepreneur said Shankh Airlines’ core objective is to make air travel accessible to middle-class passengers and first-time flyers, and to break the perception that flying is a luxury. “An aircraft is just a means of transport, like a bus or a tempo. It should not be seen as something exclusive,” he said. Recalling the airline’s origin, Vishwakarma said the idea of entering the aviation sector came to him about four years ago. “Once the thought struck me, I began understanding the process, how to get the NOC, what are the rules and how the system works. What started as an idea four years ago has now taken shape,” he said. Coming from a modest middle-class background, Vishwakarma said even dreaming big was once considered unrealistic. “In the circumstances we grew up, just earning a livelihood was seen as enough. Dreaming beyond that was almost unthinkable,” he said. Vishwakarma said his formal education was limited and he had little interest in academics. “I drove autos with acquaintances and tried a few small businesses, many of which failed,” he said, adding his business journey gained momentum in 2014 with entry into the cement trade. This was followed by ventures into TMT steel, mining and the transport sectors. “Today, we have a fleet of over 400 trucks,” he said, describing the growth as gradual and organic. “There was no grand planning. Things evolved with time.” Calling aviation one of the fastest-growing sectors, Vishwakarma said its biggest strength lies in strong cash flow. “There is no credit system in aviation. Many businesses collapse because they depend on credit, but aviation does not work that way.” Explaining the airline’s name, he said, “Our trading firm was already called Shankh, and the name also has a cultural association. That is why we kept the airline’s name Shankh as well.” On funding, Vishwakarma said the airline has full backing from its parent company. “The aircraft have been acquired on lease and finance from external companies. We have no funding constraints,” he said adding the airline was not focused on competitors’ market shares. “We are not concerned about who controls what. Our focus is on improving ourselves.” On fares, Vishwakarma said ticket prices would not be increased during festival seasons, though business-class fares would be priced higher than competitors. He also said the airline would generate employment opportunities for youth. Advising young people, he said, “The first thing they should stop worrying about is what people will say. If someone who once drove a tempo can run an airline, others can also move ahead. The difference is only in mindset.”