BENGALURU: What began as a tattoo of “another woman” on the husband’s forearm ended in the murder of his wife and a sentence of life imprisonment for him.Earlier this week, a city court convicted 33-year-old Vinay Kumar, a resident of A Narayanapura in Mahadevapura, of killing his wife Ashwini D, 29, inside their home in April 2021. Since his arrest, Kumar had remained lodged in Bengaluru Central Prison at Parappana Agrahara, with his attempt to secure bail failing.

Kumar and Ashwini, an engineer and his younger sister’s classmate, met at a family wedding, fell in love, and married in 2018. But the marriage began to unravel three years later when Kumar returned home with a tattoo reading “Roopa” inked on his right forearm. When Ashwini questioned him about the tattoo and demanded to know who Roopa was, Kumar gave evasive answers. She later discovered that he was having an affair. According to the prosecution, Kumar feared she might take legal or personal action against him. Unwilling to end the relationship with Roopa, he decided to eliminate his wife. Public prosecutor Satyavati HR told TOI the murder was planned carefully. On the night of April 16, 2021, Kumar purchased a can of beer and a strip of 10 sleeping tablets before returning home. After having chicken biryani for dinner, he forced Ashwini to drink the beer, secretly mixed with the tablets. She soon slipped into a deep sleep. Kumar believed the overdose would be fatal. When he found Ashwini still breathing early the next morning, Kumar strangled her using her dupatta. “Afterwards, he stepped out of the house and raised the alarm, claiming his wife was lying motionless,” Satyavati said. With a neighbour’s help, he took Ashwini to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared her brought dead. Kumar initially managed to convince Ashwini’s parents and relatives that it was a natural death. However, Mahadevapura police ordered an autopsy, while viscera samples were sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory. The autopsy revealed the death was due to strangulation, leading to Kumar’s arrest. Subsequent FSL reports confirmed the presence of alcohol and sleeping tablets in Ashwini’s system. During the trial, circumstantial evidence sealed Kumar’s fate. Testimonies from a wine shop cashier and a medical store assistant, backed by CCTV footage, established that Kumar had purchased the beer and sleeping tablets on the night of the murder. After police filed the charge-sheet, Kumar filed his bail application. Police, however, discovered that the surety documents submitted were fake and informed the court that his family had distanced themselves from him after the crime. The bail plea was rejected, forcing him to spend time in prison.

India’s push into global wine markets is beginning to gain attention as fruit-based wines slowly find space alongside traditional grape labels overseas. As growth in domestic wine consumption remains muted, exporters are leaning on international demand to fuel expansion, ET reported. In the first seven months of the current financial year, wine shipments from India rose sharply, touching a record $6.7 million. This figure was more than twice the value recorded during the same period last year, according to an analysis by trade think tank GTRI, cited by ET. Although grape wines continue to account for the bulk of exports, led by Nashik-based Sula Vineyards, industry executives say non-grape wines are seeing growing acceptance abroad. A milestone was reached on Friday when a consignment of 800 cases of Indian fruit wine was dispatched from Mumbai. Each case contained twelve 750 ml bottles of Curry Favour, a wine produced using jamun. The shipment marked the first time an Indian jamun-based wine has been exported. Produced at Seven Peaks Winery in Nashik, the wine is expected to be launched at select restaurants in New York and New Jersey, according to two consultants associated with the project. Jamun is a seasonal fruit that grows abundantly across India. “We had to keep our export pricing competitive due to high duties in the US market. Even so, the arrangement is a win-win for both the importer and us,” said Ajoy Shaw, one of the consultants involved. Indian wines, both grape and fruit-based, are steadily reaching shelves and menus in overseas markets such as the UAE, the Netherlands, China, France and the UK. Export sales between April and October this financial year have already surpassed $5.8 million, the value estimated for the entire 2024–25 fiscal year. Curry Favour adds to a small but diverse line-up of non-grape Indian wines making their way abroad. Wines crafted from Alphonso mangoes and Kashmiri apples have already been exported in limited volumes. Pune-based Rhythm Winery, part of Hill Crest Foods and Beverages, ships its Alphonso mango wine to the UK, while L74 Craft Cider, made from Kashmiri apples, is available in select British markets. Neeraj Agarwal, a viticulturist and a key contributor to the jamun wine export initiative, sees scope for the category to grow further. “Tourists are always keen to try new flavours, and demand for Indian wines in markets such as the UAE has increased manifold,” he said. Agarwal was earlier associated with Reserva Jamun, a jamun wine brand launched during the Covid-19 pandemic that gained popularity in parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Haryana. However, sustaining domestic demand proved difficult. “We couldn’t make it a long-term success in India,” he said. India’s wine industry itself is relatively young, having developed over the past three decades. While the category has expanded locally, earlier reports by ET have noted that growth has been driven largely by imported wines rather than domestic labels. According to Euromonitor International, the Indian wine market was valued at around Rs 5,630 crore in 2025, up from Rs 4,770 crore in 2023. Despite rising export numbers, fruit-based and heritage wine producers continue to face hurdles. Entrepreneurs, particularly in the Northeast, have made attempts to enter global markets with limited success. Naara Aaba, a kiwi wine produced in Arunachal Pradesh’s Ziro Valley, was showcased in China and Greece two years ago. Its producers also explored a possible tie-up with Thai Airways, but exports did not gain long-term traction. Similar challenges persist elsewhere. “We experimented with exports in 2022 by sending a small sample consignment to Singapore, but the deal didn’t work out,” said Akash Gogoi, an Assam-based entrepreneur who produces the traditional rice wine Xaj. “Unless the government provides some form of subsidy, we simply cannot remain competitive in international markets,” he added.

Is NEET PG student data out for sale?

For most doctors who appeared for NEET PG 2025, the post-exam phase was supposed to be about one thing — waiting. Waiting for ranks, counselling dates, and clarity about the next step in their careers. Instead, many found themselves dealing with a far more unsettling distraction: Strangers calling them, quoting their exam details, and offering “help” with admissions.What initially sounded like routine spam has now snowballed into a much larger controversy.In the past few weeks, several media reports have mentioned that personal data of NEET PG 2025 candidates might be circulating online, and could be sold as ready-made databases to private admission agents and counsellors. The claims have raised uncomfortable questions about how candidate information is handled and how easily it may be slipping out of official control.

What the allegations are about

Various media reports have found that databases being advertised as “NEET PG 2025 student data” have surfaced on websites and private messaging platforms. These listings claim to offer detailed information of candidates who appeared for the postgraduate medical entrance exam.What has alarmed aspirants is the nature of the data being mentioned. According to reports, the information allegedly includes candidate names, parents’ names, phone numbers, email IDs, city and state details, roll numbers, marks and ranks. In short, it goes well beyond what is publicly available.The reports have also mentioned that sellers are charging anywhere between a few thousand rupees and over ₹10,000 for access to these databases, depending on the volume and depth of information promised.

How did candidates realise something was wrong?

For many aspirants, the first red flag came in the form of phone calls, suggest media reports.Doctors who had recently checked their NEET PG results allegedly began receiving calls from private agents claiming they could arrange seats in medical colleges. What made these calls different was the precision. Callers reportedly knew not just the candidates’ names, but their ranks, scores and sometimes even personal details that had been shared only during the application process.As per media accounts, some candidates went on to search online and found listings offering NEET PG 2025 data for sale. In a few cases cited in these reports, candidates whose details appeared in sample datasets confirmed that the information matched their own records.

How NBEMS responded

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), which conducts NEET PG exam, has responded to the allegations, according to Medical Dialogues, a media platform primarily known for reporting news related to medical education. The board has stated that it shares candidate data only with authorised bodies such as the Medical Counselling Committee and state counselling authorities, and only for counselling and admission-related purposes.NBEMS has reportedly denied that the data leak occurred at its end. Officials have indicated that if any unauthorised access has taken place, it may have happened after the data was shared with other agencies involved in the counselling process.As reported by Medical Dialogues, NBEMS has submitted a report on the issue to the Union Health Ministry. The issue is still being looked into, and no official decision has been made yet.

Why the issue has struck a nerve

The controversy comes at a moment when digital privacy is under intense scrutiny, especially in exams like NEET PG, where vast amounts of sensitive personal information are collected. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 is now in place. So, there is a clear expectation that such information will be kept safe,and shared only through secure channels.If candidate information submitted for NEET PG has indeed been misused, it raises questions that go beyond one exam cycle. Legal experts quoted in many media reports have pointed out that in case of a confirmed breach, scrutiny will be carried out under existing data protection laws.For aspirants, however, the worry is immediate and personal. Unwanted calls, false promises, and the worry of being targeted during counselling have made an already stressful time even harder for them.

Where could the data have leaked from?

So far, there is no official clarity on where the alleged breach occurred. What is evident, as highlighted in various reports, is that NEET PG data does not remain with a single authority.After the results are announced, candidate information is sent to several agencies and platforms for All India Quota and state-level counselling. Each time the data is shared, the risk of it being exposed increases if proper security measures are not in place.The layered nature of the admissions process makes accountability harder to establish — but also harder to ignore.

What are students asking for?

Aspirants quoted across media reports are calling for transparency. Many want authorities to clearly spell out who has access to their data, how long it is retained, and what checks are in place to prevent misuse.There is also growing demand for official warnings against private agents claiming guaranteed seats, particularly when such claims are backed by confidential-looking data.

What happens now

For the moment, the Health Ministry’s review of the report submitted by NBEMS is ongoing. Until official findings are made public, the issue remains driven by candidate accounts and investigative reporting.No matter what the final outcome is, this issue has shown a bigger problem. In exams like NEET PG, trust is very important. Students give their personal information expecting it to be kept safe. When that trust is broken, it doesn’t just affect one exam—it makes people doubt the whole system.

India on Sunday paid tribute to late Ratan Tata on his 88th birth anniversary, as political leaders, industrialists and institutions gathered to remember the businessman.Tata Group chairman N Chandrasekaran paid homage to Ratan Tata at Bombay House, garlanding the statue of the late industrialist and philanthropist, Ratan Tata, the former chairman of the Tata Group.Recalling his contribution, Tata Trusts said, “Under his guidance, philanthropy evolved from charity to a strategic, results-driven approach, addressing healthcare, education, livelihood, women-empowerment, and more—with a focus on long-term transformation and community resilience.”The organisation further added that Tata’s vision went beyond merely addressing socio-economic gaps. “It calls for collaboration between innovation, supportive technology, and a deep understanding of local needs, ensuring that solutions are thoughtful, scalable, and reach those who need them the most,” the post read.Tata Consulting Engineers also took to X, commemorating the late businessman. Union home minister Amit Shah also paid tribute to the late industrialist, writing he “reshaped Indian enterprise with integrity and compassion. From building indigenous industry to selfless philanthropy, he showed that true success lies in service to the nation. His legacy will inspire a self-reliant Bharat,” Shah wrote on X.Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis remembered Ratan Tata as a visionary leader who built trust alongside global businesses. “A leader who built not just enterprises, but trust, compassion, and faith Indian excellence, globally. His humility and vision remain a guiding light for every aspiring entrepreneur and citizen,” Fadnavis said.Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu also paid his respects, describing Ratan Tata as a leader whose values would continue to inspire generations. “Fondly remembering Shri Ratan Tata Ji on his birth anniversary. A visionary industrialist and compassionate leader, he devoted his life to business excellence and philanthropy. His integrity, humility, and commitment to society will continue to inspire us all. My humble tributes to him,” Naidu wrote on X.Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan said Ratan Tata’s legacy would remain a source of inspiration. “Homage to the titan of India Inc, Padma Vibhushan Shri Ratan Tata on his birth anniversary. A visionary, he redefined India’s industrial and business landscape with ethical and compassionate leadership,” he said.Union minister Piyush Goyal also remembered the former Tata Group chairman, noting the lasting impact of his leadership. “On his Jayanti, I fondly remember Shri Ratan Tata ji with deep admiration and respect. His leadership seamlessly blended innovation with compassion, redefining the role of Indian enterprise in national development. The institutions he nurtured and the values he championed continue to guide generations,” Goyal wrote.Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that Ratan Tata’s life of integrity, humility and compassion, along with his commitment to philanthropy and nation-building, set a benchmark for ethical leadership.YSRCP supremo and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy also remembered him, writing on X, “Paying tributes to the ‘Jewel of India’ Ratan Tata on his birthday. His entrepreneurship took Indian industry to a global level, and his legacy continues to guide us”.Born into the Tata family founded by his great-grandfather Jamsetji Tata, Ratan Naval Tata studied architecture at Cornell University and returned to India in 1962 to join the group.Ratan Tata played a major role in expanding the Tata Group into a global conglomerate with businesses across steel, automobiles, software and telecommunications. He took over as chairman of the Tata Group in 1991, succeeding JRD Tata. During his tenure, he introduced major organisational reforms, including setting retirement ages and encouraging younger leaders to take on senior responsibilities. He led several landmark international acquisitions, like Tetley Tea in 2000 and Land Rover from Ford in 2008. Ratan Tata also played a crucial role in the Tata Group’s acquisition of Air India from the government in January 2022 and launched the Tata Nano, a low-cost car aimed at making personal transport more affordable. After stepping away from active leadership, he became a prominent investor in Indian start-ups, supporting firms such as Paytm, Ola Electric and Urban Company. He received numerous national and international honours, including the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008. Other recognitions included the Assam Baibhav in 2021, Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia in 2023, an Honorary Doctor of Science from IIT Bombay in 2008, the Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire in 2014 and the Honorary Citizen Award from Singapore in 2008. Ratan Tata passed away on October 9, last year, at the age of 86. At the time of his death, he was chairman of the Ratan Tata Trust and Dorabji Tata Trust, two of India’s largest private-sector-promoted philanthropic organisations.

NEW DELHI: Ryan Rickelton produced a breathtaking century for MI Cape Town in the high-scoring SA20 opener against Durban’s Super Giants at Newlands on Friday night, but his efforts went in vain as the hosts went down by 15 runs in a run-fest that saw a combined 449 runs scored.Durban’s Super Giants posted a record 232/5 — the highest total in SA20 history — surpassing the previous best of 204/3 set by Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the Season 2 final at the same venue. The match featured 25 sixes and 40 boundaries, underlining the carnage with the bat.

Chasing the daunting target, Rickelton smashed 113 off 65 balls, an innings studded with 11 sixes and five fours, and came agonisingly close to pulling off a remarkable chase. One of his maximums, struck off the fourth ball of the 13th over, was caught one-handed by a spectator in the stands, earning the fan a reward of Rand 2 million (approximately INR 1.08 crore) under the SA20’s fan-catch initiative.Earlier, DSG’s all-New Zealand opening pair of Devon Conway and Kane Williamson gave the visitors a flying start, racing to 96 in 8.3 overs. Williamson made 40 off 25 balls before being dismissed by Tristan Luus, with MI Cape Town captain Rashid Khan pulling off a sensational running catch at mid-off.Conway carried on to score 64 off 33 balls, while Jos Buttler (20 off 12) and Heinrich Klaasen (22 off 14) maintained the momentum. After Conway fell to Trent Boult, Aiden Markram (35 off 17) and Evan Jones (33 not out off 14) ensured DSG finished strongly.MI Cape Town’s chase revolved around Rickelton, who dominated proceedings despite early setbacks that included the dismissals of Rassie van der Dussen and Reeza Hendricks. Jason Smith injected fresh hope with a blistering 41 off 14 balls, but DSG struck back in the death overs, removing Smith, Nicholas Pooran (15) and Dwaine Pretorius (5).Rickelton survived on 85 when Kwena Maphaka overstepped, allowing him to complete his second T20 hundred. However, needing 22 off the final over, DSG seamer Ethan Bosch (4/46) held his nerve, dismissing Rickelton to seal a thrilling win.

Arrogance is a career killer, according to Cisco’s Sarah Walker, who prioritizes personality and a willingness to learn over experience. She believes humility and continuous development are crucial for advancement at all levels. Walker emphasizes that positive attitude and energy are unteachable qualities, making them invaluable in hiring. Growth potential trumps current skills for success.

A positive attitude might be more valuable than your resume, but there’s one trait that can instantly derail your career prospects at any level: arrogance. Sarah Walker, Cisco’s UK and Ireland managing director who spent 25 years climbing the corporate ladder at BT before joining the tech giant, has identified this as her biggest hiring red flag—and warns that resting on past achievements won’t cut it in today’s workplace.“I can’t stand arrogance. Be confident, but have a level of humility,” Walker told Fortune. While she actively seeks out candidates with positive attitudes, engagement, and energy—qualities she believes can’t be taught—excessive ego remains an instant dealbreaker regardless of experience level.

Why personality beats skills and experience in hiring process

Walker’s hiring philosophy prioritizes personality over pedigree, especially for entry-level positions. “It’s more about the person first and foremost than it is about skills or experience,” she explained. The 45-year-old executive believes that while technical abilities become increasingly important in specialist roles, someone with the right attitude and willingness to learn can still secure a position over more experienced candidates.“You don’t need to be the finished article to be promoted, but we need to know that you are in a position where within a reasonable timeframe, you’ll have invested the time to upskill and develop,” Walker added, emphasizing that growth potential matters more than current capabilities.

Humility and continuous learning essential for career growth

Walker’s anti-arrogance stance applies equally to senior positions. “You can’t rest on your laurels because you’ve done something well in the past, you need to be thinking about what’s the next great thing that you’ll do,” she stressed. “Even at my level, you have to be open to the fact that there’s lots more yet to learn and grow and adapt.”This philosophy aligns with her Cisco predecessor David Meads, who told Fortune that “EQ is at least as important as IQ” when evaluating talent, noting he sees “no difference in terms of the capability” between candidates with or without degrees.

Jake Weatherald is bowled by Ben Stokes during day two of the fourth Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: Melbourne Cricket Ground head curator Matt Page admitted he was left in a “state of shock” after witnessing the carnage during the two-day fourth Ashes Test, an outcome that has left Cricket Australia staring at a revenue shortfall running into millions of dollars.Page and his team had left 10 millimetres of grass on the pitch, a decision that resulted in excessive seam movement and bounce, making batting extremely difficult throughout the match.

A total of 36 wickets fell in just 142 overs, including 20 on the opening day, with the contest wrapped up in the evening session of day two as England sealed a four-wicket win — their first Test victory in Australia since January 2011.The premature finish dealt a major blow to Cricket Australia’s finances. More than 90,000 spectators were expected for day three, with significant crowds also anticipated for days four and five. However, ticket sales for those days had to be refunded, compounding the financial impact after the series opener in Perth had also ended within two days.It marked the first time in 129 years that the same Ashes series has featured multiple two-day Tests, a scenario last seen in the era when pitches were left uncovered and exposed to the elements.“I was in a state of shock,” Page said.“I’ve never been involved in a Test match like it and hopefully never involved in a Test match like that again.“We know this hasn’t gone as we planned. We will look at what we need to do to improve.”Page pointed out that last year’s Test at the venue had produced a vastly different contest after the grass on the pitch was trimmed to seven millimetres, resulting in a thrilling match that went down to the final session of day five as Australia defeated India.He added that cool and wet conditions in the lead-up to this year’s Test, combined with forecast heat on days three and four, forced him to adopt a different approach.– Pitch ‘a joke’ –“We’re trying to balance that contest between bat and ball throughout, over the four or five days, to provide that captivating Test for all,” he said.“We left it longer because we knew we were going to get (hot) weather at the back end that we knew we needed our grass (for).”International Cricket Council referee Jeff Crowe is yet to deliver his assessment of the pitch, pondering whether to give it an “unsatisfactory” rating which would see the venue slapped with a demerit point.England captain Ben Stokes and Australia counterpart Steve Smith were both critical of the surface, as were a string of former greats.“Being brutally honest, that’s not really what you want,” Stokes said.“Boxing Day Test match, you don’t want a game finishing in less than two days. Not ideal.”Smith said: “It was tricky. No one could really get in. When you see 36 wickets across two days, that’s probably too much.”Former England captain Michael Vaughan labelled the pitch “a joke”.“This is selling the game short, the players, broadcasters and more importantly the fans,” he said.Despite the controversy, MCG chief executive Stuart Fox backed Page and his ground staff to continue.“We bought Matt on eight years ago because he’s considered one of the best in the country, if not the best,” Fox said. “I still believe that, and I always will. “You can see he’s disappointed. He carries that responsibility and my job as a leader is to support people. “When you believe in your people, you get behind them and support them and I know he’ll respond.”(With AFP inputs)