President Murmu, V P Radhakrishnan and PM Modi read the Preamble during Constitution Day celebrations at Samvidhan Sadan Wednesday

NEW DELHi: President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said women representation in judiciary, legislature and executive continues to be low despite Parliament amending the Constitution to enact Women’s Reservation Act in 2023 to reserve one-third of seats for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies.“Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is a historic step towards empowering women and a homage to all women who took part in the Constituent Assembly to frame the Constitution. But we continue to lag in giving women adequate representation in judiciary, legislature and executive,” Murmu said at the Constitution Day celebrations organised by Supreme Court, which has only one woman among 33 judges.Speaking in the presence of CJI Surya Kant and law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, the President said taking steps to give adequate representation to women in all three wings of governance will require a change of mindset. It was SCBA president Vikas Singh who mentioned extremely low representation of women in judiciary – 13% in HCs and 35% in trial courts.She said annual commemoration of the Constitution’s adoption on Nov 26, 1949, is often marked by speeches made by dignitaries. “Have we ever looked back and assessed in the last 75 years how much we have progressed in achieving the constitutional goals of justice, equality, liberty and fraternity for every citizen? If not, can we do it in the next 24 years when we will be celebrating the centenary of the adoption of the Constitution? That is the question, not only for the judiciary, legislature or executive, but for everyone.”Addressing another Constitution Day event in Central Hall of old Parliament building or Samvidhan Sadan, Murmu described the Constitution as the bedrock of “our national pride and national identity”, and as a guiding text for taking India forward with a “nationalist mindset by abandoning the colonial mindset”.In front of an audience that included Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan, PM Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, opposition leaders of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, respectively, and members of both Houses of Parliament, Murmu cited implementation of legislations related to the criminal justice system as an example of the effort to shun the colonial mindset. Murmu also said that by repealing the provisions of Article 370, an obstacle that had been hindering the country’s inclusive political integration was removed.At the function in SC, Murmu praised CJI’s renewed focus on mediation and termed it a big step to reduce litigation. CJI Kant said when it comes to justice delivery system, there is still a disquieting gap between constitutional vision and the experience of many, especially the marginalised section of population for whom the access to justice remains elusive because of exorbitant cost of litigation, language of courts, distance and delay. Promising to improve the justice delivery system on all these fronts, the CJI said, “The time is also ripe for us to reinforce predictability in our judicial approach.“

Americans are set for a mix of family meals and early holiday shopping this week, with most big retailers staying shut on Thanksgiving before reopening at dawn for Black Friday, the unofficial start of the Christmas buying rush. The week also marks what AAA says will be the busiest Thanksgiving travel period on record, according to AP report.Retail, banks and deliveries halted for the holidayMost national retailers — including Walmart, Target, Macy’s, Kohl’s and Costco — will remain closed on Thursday, returning with early openings from 5 a.m. or 6 a.m. on Black Friday. CVS will shut early, and Walgreens will close most stores except select 24-hour locations. Grocery chains will open but many will close ahead of schedule, with timings varying by area.Government offices, post offices, courts and schools will be closed. US banks and stock markets will also shut for the day, reopening on Friday for a shortened trading session that ends at 1 p.m. Eastern. Standard FedEx and UPS pickup and delivery services will not operate on Thursday, though limited critical services will be available at certain locations.AAA projects 81.8 million Thanksgiving travellersWith schools closed and a long weekend ahead, travel is expected to surge. AAA estimates that 81.8 million people will journey at least 50 miles between Nov. 25 and Dec. 1 — 1.6 million more than last year and a potential new record. Nearly 73 million will travel by car, aided by petrol prices holding near $3 a gallon, slightly below last Thanksgiving’s average.About 6 million Americans are expected to fly domestically, a 2% rise from 2024, though cancellations or delays could shift the final count. Another 2.5 million travellers will rely on buses, trains or cruise ships, marking an 8.5% increase from last year.For many households, Thursday offers a quiet holiday — before the weekend turns into one of the year’s busiest on the roads, at airports and at shop entrances.

Gold and silver prices rose in the futures trade on Wednesday, tracking firm global cues, as weak US economic data strengthened expectations of an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve next month.On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), gold futures for December delivery jumped by Rs 475, or 0.38 per cent, to Rs 1,25,700 per 10 grams in a business turnover of 7,926 lots.Silver futures also traded higher, with the December contract surging by Rs 1,388, or 0.89 per cent, to Rs 1,57,709 per kilogram in 8,239 lots.“Gold and silver prices jumped as delayed US economic data boosted expectations of a December Fed rate cut,” Rahul Kalantri, vice-president of Commodities, Mehta Equities Ltd, said, as per PTI.In the international markets, Comex gold futures for December delivery rose $28.20, or 0.68 per cent, to $4,193.40 per ounce, while silver advanced 1.03 per cent to $51.61 per ounce.“Gold rose to around $4,190 per ounce, hovering close to a nearly two-week high, following the release of delayed economic data that bolstered expectations of a December rate cut by the US Federal Reserve,” Jigar Trivedi, senior research Analyst at Reliance Securities, said, as per PTI.He added that recent data indicated a slowdown in consumer momentum, with US retail sales rising just 0.2 per cent in September after a stronger reading in August. Producer price data also showed inflation pressures in line with expectations, reinforcing hopes of monetary easing.Market participants now assign over an 80 per cent probability to a 25 basis points rate cut in December, sharply higher from about 50 per cent a week earlier. However, gains remain capped amid signs of easing geopolitical tensions following reports of a proposed peace plan between Ukraine and Russia.

City-wise gold rates today

Gold rate in Bengaluru today:

Bengaluru’s 24K gold price stands at Rs 12,791 per gram, while 22K gold costs Rs 11,725 and 18K gold is priced at Rs 9,593 per gram. Compared to yesterday, 24K gold increased by Rs 87, 22K rose by Rs 80, and 18K gained Rs 65.

Gold rate in Delhi today:

Delhi’s 24K gold price is Rs 12,806 per gram, with 22K at Rs 11,740 and 18K at Rs 9,608 per gram. Since yesterday, 24K gold rose by Rs 87, 22K increased by Rs 80, and 18K moved up by Rs 65.

Gold rate in Mumbai today:

Mumbai’s 24K gold price stands at Rs 12,791 per gram, while 22K gold is Rs 11,725 and 18K gold is at Rs 9,593 per gram. Compared to yesterday, 24K rose by Rs 87, 22K by Rs 80, and 18K gained Rs 65.

Gold rate in Chennai today:

Chennai’s 24K gold price is Rs 12,873 per gram, while 22K gold stands at Rs 11,800 and 18K at Rs 9,845 per gram. Since yesterday, 24K increased by Rs 87, 22K gained Rs 80, and 18K rose by Rs 65.

Gold rate in Kolkata today:

Kolkata’s 24K gold price stands at Rs 12,791 per gram, with 22K at Rs 11,725 and 18K at Rs 9,593 per gram. Compared to yesterday, 24K rose by Rs 87, 22K gained Rs 80, and 18K increased by Rs 65.

Gold rate in Hyderabad today:

Hyderabad’s 24K gold price is Rs 12,791 per gram, while 22K is Rs 11,725 and 18K gold trades at Rs 9,593 per gram. Since yesterday, 24K rose by Rs 87, 22K increased by Rs 80, and 18K gained Rs 65.

Gold rate in Ahmedabad today:

Ahmedabad’s 24K gold price stands at Rs 12,796 per gram, with 22K at Rs 11,730 and 18K at Rs 9,598 per gram. Compared to yesterday, 24K increased by Rs 87, 22K by Rs 80, and 18K rose by Rs 65.

Gold rate in Jaipur today:

Jaipur’s 24K gold price is Rs 12,806 per gram, while 22K gold stands at Rs 11,740 and 18K gold at Rs 9,608 per gram. Since yesterday, 24K gained Rs 87, 22K rose by Rs 80, and 18K increased by Rs 65.

Gold rate in Bhubaneswar today:

Bhubaneswar’s 24K gold is priced at Rs 12,791 per gram, with 22K at Rs 11,725 and 18K at Rs 9,593 per gram. Compared to yesterday, 24K rose by Rs 87, 22K increased by Rs 80, and 18K gained Rs 65.

Gold rate in Pune today:

Pune’s 24K gold rate stands at Rs 12,791 per gram, while 22K is Rs 11,725 and 18K is Rs 9,593 per gram. Since yesterday, 24K rose by Rs 87, 22K gained Rs 80, and 18K increased by Rs 65.

Gold rate in Kanpur today:

Kanpur’s 24K gold price is Rs 12,806 per gram, with 22K gold priced at Rs 11,740 and 18K at Rs 9,608 per gram. Compared to yesterday, 24K increased by Rs 87, 22K rose by Rs 80, and 18K gained Rs 65.

Stock market today (AI image)

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmark indices, opened in green on Wednesday on positive global cues. While Nifty50 was above 26,000, BSE Sensex was up over 350 points. At 9:34 AM, Nifty50 was trading at 26,011.15, up 126 points or 0.49%. BSE Sensex was at 84,973.23, up 386 points or 0.46%.Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited says, “Sometimes the market drifts without any apparent logic and reason. The very short-term movement can be against emerging fundamentals. The explanation for this indecisive movement can be found in technicals and market positioning related to futures expiry date. Often, on the expiry date the market witnesses high volatility in response to the speculative activity related to covering the short and long positions. Yesterday’s 74 point fall in Nifty despite the positive institutional buy figure of Rs 4697 crores is a case of such expiry-related volatility. The relevant question is: what should investors do during such indecisive movements in the market.”“The best strategy for retail investors is to refrain from trading and slowly accumulate fairy-valued high quality growth stocks which will be available at attractive valuations due to heightened volatility. Such stocks will bounce back soon. Investors’ psychological behaviour is more important in such contexts. Fundamentals indicate that the market is moving to a new high: It’s only a question of time. Investors’ response should be based on this understanding.”US stocks continued their upward trend on Tuesday as economic indicators supported expectations of the Federal Reserve’s third and final rate reduction in December, whilst technology sector weakness limited Nasdaq’s advancement.Asian equities continued their positive performance for a third consecutive day, following US market gains as weak American consumer data increased expectations for a Federal Reserve rate reduction next month.Gold prices edged upwards in early Asian session on Wednesday, supported by positive sentiment regarding potential Federal Reserve interest rate reduction in December.Foreign institutional investors acquired shares valued at Rs 785 crore net on Tuesday. Domestic institutional investors registered net purchases of Rs 3,912 crore.(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)

Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar

BENGALURU: Ramanagara MLA Iqbal Hussain reiterated his confidence that the deputy chief minister would eventually take charge, declaring he was “200 per cent” sure DK Shivakumar will become the next chief minister.“I always stand by that statement… 200 per cent, he will become the CM soon. The high command will decide. As our leader (Shivakumar) said, the transfer of power is a secret deal among five to six party leaders, and those five to six people will decide,” he said.

A group of Karnataka Congress legislators who travelled to New Delhi to meet senior party leaders said on Tuesday that the high command would take a final call on the demand to elevate DK Shivakumar as the next chief minister.The visit comes amid mounting speculation over a possible change of leadership, with the Congress government completing the halfway mark of its five-year term on 20 November. According to party insiders, six MLAs seen as close to Shivakumar flew to the capital on Sunday night for discussions with central leaders. More legislators are expected to follow. Last week, around ten MLAs had also met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.Magadi MLA H C Balakrishna stressed that the decision on who should lead the government rests entirely with the central leadership, but urged them to settle the uncertainty.“We went to discuss with the high command to clear the confusion because a final decision is needed. Who becomes CM is not important; the current situation is detrimental to the Congress party. The high command should intervene and put an end to this,” he said, declining to say whether Mr Shivakumar’s elevation had specifically been discussed.Others used the Delhi meetings to push for younger leaders and fresh faces to be considered during the proposed cabinet reshuffle. Maddur MLA K M Uday said they had received positive signals from the leadership.He said senior MLAs had also urged the high command to end the “confusion” surrounding the leadership issue, adding that a decision was expected soon.Responding to reports that MLAs loyal to him had travelled to Delhi seeking his elevation, Shivakumar distanced himself from the lobbying efforts.“I have not called or spoken to any of them. I am not asking why they went. I don’t need to,” he told reporters, adding that they might have gone in search of ministerial roles.

NEW DELHI: Supreme Court Tuesday suggested to the Centre that it bring back the pregnant Sunali Khatun, and five others, including her husband Danish Sekh and their minor son Sabir, who were deported to Bangladesh on grounds of being illegal immigrants, as an interim measure and inquire about their nationality on their return, reports Dhananjay Mahapatra. The court, however, called for tough measures against infiltrators.Appearing for the deportees, senior advocates Sanjay Hegde, Kapil Sibal and G Sankaranarayanan told a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi that Sunali, her husband and son have documents to prove citizenship and their deportation violated their fundamental rights. “They must be brought back as per Calcutta HC’s order,” they said.Hearing the Centre’s appeal against the HC order, the bench said, “Now that certain material, including landholding records and relatives’ statements, have come on record, why don’t you bring them back and inquire about their nationality? You hardly held any inquiry before deporting them.”Give deported people chance to prove their nationality: SCAs an interim measure, bring them back and hold an inquiry. Examine the documents produced by them or on their behalf and give them a chance to prove their nationality,” the bench said. However, it accepted that the removal of illegal Bangladeshi migrants from Indian soil is absolutely justified. The bench sought Centre’s response to its suggestion on Monday.In its appeal, Centre has challenged the Calcutta high court’s Sept 26 order quashing the detention order of June 24 and deportation order of June 26, and directing the home ministry to take all steps to bring back the six persons so deported within four weeks by working in coordination with high commission of India in Dhaka.Centre said that the six people in question had failed to produce any document to substantiate their claim of being Indian citizens or residing legally in India. After their deportation, a missing person/s complaint was filed with West Bengal police and the gram panchayat issued them domicile certificates. Thereafter, HCs of Delhi and Calcutta were petitioned simultaneously, with the petition before Delhi HC being withdrawn without disclosing that another is pending before Calcutta HC.It said the Delhi Police’s inquiry had established that the persons concerned were illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. In fact, they themselves had admitted to the fact. The deportation orders were passed after following due procedure, Centre said. “Since India has open/porous land borders with many countries such as Bangladesh and Myanmar, there is continuous threat of influx of illegal immigrants, and such influx has serious national security ramifications. There is an organised and well-orchestrated influx of illegal immigrants through various agents and touts for monetary considerations,” Centre argued.