Innholdsfortegnelse for January 27, 2025 i India Today

The upcoming byelection in the assembly constituency of Milkipur, in Ayodhya district, carries immense significance for both the BJP and the Samajwadi Party (SP). Scheduled for February 5, it’s a battle that could help shape the initial narrative for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls. The Scheduled Caste-reserved seat fell vacant after the 2024 general election, when its veteran SP MLA Awadhesh Prasad famously fought and won the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat—under which Milkipur falls, as does Ayodhya. Coming within months of the Ram temple inauguration, that loss had dealt a bitter blow to the BJP: it was tantamount to Hindutva being humbled in its symbolic homeland. Thoughts of redemption will therefore be uppermost in the party’s mind. The BJP has fielded Chandrabhan Paswan, a first-time candidate, and a member…

AUTO HITTING A SPEEDBUMP Both the sales and market share of hatchbacks, representing the affordable segment, and lower-end compact sedans have declined * Include coupe & convertible; source: JATO Dynamics TRAVEL STOPPED IN ITS TRACKS Passenger traffic in railways, the prime mode of travel for the lower middle class, has been unable to return to even pre-Covid levels Source: PIB/Statista FMCG FEELING THE CRUNCH In tough times, instead of cutting down buying, FMCG consumers opt for cheaper/unbranded alternatives. So value growth has come down in the last year despite stable volume growth MAT (Moving Annual Total) sales refer to total sales for a product over the previous 12 months Source: NielsenIQ Offline Retail Measurement; includes product categories across food, home and personal care CONSUMER DURABLES AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE COLD…

For Sachin Mishra, the long-time dream of owning a car remains out of reach. A government land revenue officer, Mishra travels extensively for work, often navigating Ayodhya’s patchy public transport. He had hoped to buy a car before his marriage last year, believing it would ease his daily commute and provide comfort to his family. Winters make night travel unbearable, scorching summer afternoons are energy-sapping, and rains add a layer of difficulty. But rising costs and limited savings have delayed the desired purchase. “A car feels like a necessity, but given the circumstances, it is still a distant dream. Maybe in a few months, I will consider a secondhand car,” says Mishra, whose family income is Rs 10 lakh a year. Though a government job came with hopes of a…

If India’s ambitions align with reality, it could soon have an international aviation hub of its own, one offering Indian passengers increased convenience, more options to international destinations, shorter routes and competitive fares. For international travellers, it will mean one more gateway. For India’s growing civil aviation sector and flagship carriers, this will be a significant opportunity for expansion. So, what exactly is an international aviation hub? It is an airport airlines use to concentrate and route flights through, connecting passengers and traffic in what is recognised as the hub-and-spoke model. Aviation experts point out that India, despite its strategic location, has not been able to capitalise on its advantages because we never envisaged our airports as international hubs nor designed them as such from the ground up. Unlike, say, Singapore’s…

An unnamed male model, insecure about his body, bought a gold shimmery shirt similar to the one Shah Rukh Khan wore in the song ‘Tumse Milke Dil Ka’ in Main Hoon Na. On days when he’s feeling “out of sorts” with his body and the world at large, he wears the shirt and watches the film. Pinky Dube, a 40-something house-help from Patna, keeps hoping to discover traces of Raj from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge in her carpenter husband. She tells her daughter, “Aadmi aisa khojna jo tumhari izzat karey [find a man who respects you].” When writing about a subject like Shah Rukh Khan who has been in the public eye for almost four decades, there is always the danger of regurgitating previously known information. Mohar Basu circumvents…

Adecade back, when Nasreen Shaikh used to leave early in the morning for Kho Kho training, the community in her neighbourhood in Shakurpur, New Delhi, used to taunt the family. “Where is she going? Her parents don’t care about her. How can she wear shorts?” Shaikh didn’t take it to heart. “Girls anyway have to fight doubly hard to get their way. I wanted to show what a woman can do if she has support,” says the 26-year-old. That came from her father, Mohammed Ghafoor, who used to save money to meet her dietary requirements. His efforts paid off, for Shaikh’s exploits on both the mitti (mud) and mat are such that he is now better known as the father of Nasreen, the player who captained India through two Asian…

India’s identity is rooted in its centuries-old traditions, yet it is also a dynamic, forward-looking nation. From architecture and fashion to tech and product design, the influence of Indian art, history, and spiritual traditions will permeate design concepts worldwide. Here’s how designers can incorporate India into their work. 1. Traditional Craftsmanship Meets Modern Design India is known for its intricate craftsmanship, whether it’s the embroideries of Kashmir, the handwoven textiles of Gujarat, or the block prints of Rajasthan. Designers can bring these traditional skills into their work by collaborating with local artisans or drawing inspiration from these techniques. By merging ancient crafts with contemporary aesthetics, designers can create innovative products that honour the past while embracing the future. 2. Colour Palettes Inspired by Indian Culture India is synonymous with colour,…

Design is woven into 29-year-old Harkaran Singh Boparai’s DNA—not by birthright, but by his own bold choice. He’s a gold-medallist in architecture from Guru Nanak Dev University. He started getting his hands dirty while still in school, determined to learn the ropes the real way. An internship under the mentorship of Reza Kabul sharpened his skills even more. Soon after, in 2018, he co-founded Space 5, a multidisciplinary design studio that dabbled in architecture, interiors, and product design. But that was only a teaser of what was to come. Eventually, he established his own studio, Harkaran Boparai Studio (HBS). In seven short years, Boparai’s portfolio has danced between residential, commercial, and luxury projects. For him, each assignment is a chance to unleash his creativity without losing sight of function and…

In 2025, a new wave of architectural innovation will redefine how we experience spaces—particularly those built upon the legacy of old structures like havelis. What once seemed like relics of a bygone era will be reimagined as dynamic, modern sanctuaries, blending the grandeur of tradition with the sleekness of contemporary design. This evolving fusion will transform how we think about heritage, infusing it with a renewed sense of purpose and relevance. One of the most compelling examples of this transformation our T+P residence in the heart of Hyderabad’s Jubilee Hills. This 3,600 sq ft home isn’t just a structure; it’s a living, breathing tribute to the marriage of old and new. The home tells the story of its owners, Tanushree and Parth, who sought to honour the grandeur of their…

The Mahakumbh has presently taken centrestage in the media narrative, so the right buttons are being pressed when it comes to keeping alive a saturation Hindu presence in the social space. But the more conflictual elements of religious politics may be in only for a short hibernation. The controversy surrounding the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal—the western Uttar Pradesh town wracked by violence in late November, with four people killed in clashes with the police—is far from a closed chapter. As the new year dawned, the courts applied the brakes on the controversy, which till then seemed to have taken on a momentum of its own. But with a constitutional law up for question, and a bristling sheaf of legal disputes on the anvil, all signs are that the game…

While the world was busy celebrating Christmas on December 25, Congress treasurer Ajay Maken was holding a press conference in New Delhi. A former Union minister known for his proximity to the Gandhi family, Maken launched into a scathing critique of Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal. Calling the former Delhi chief minister “anti-national”, he blamed him for the worsening political and administrative situation in the national capital. “If there’s one word for Kejriwal,” Maken declared, “it’s Farziwal (fraud).” What was left unsaid, and has long been a grouse with local Congressmen, is that AAP’s rise came at their expense in Delhi. Maken’s criticism extended to the dynamics within INDIA or the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, the broader Opposition bloc. Calling the alliance with AAP a “mistake”, he said…

Like many in the middle class, Dipanwita Gupta feels stifled by the high tax rates. Recently, she had to turn down a weekend getaway plan with friends as it closely followed a trip she had just taken with her son. Even smaller amounts such as Rs 6,000—which Gupta needed to place a matrimonial advertisement for her girl cousin—pinch her pocket. Similarly, when the matter of their annual family vacation in April was brought up, Gupta decided to do without it, thinking of how the amount could instead help a sister-in-law, just 35, who has been diagnosed with cancer and cirrhosis of the liver. Since the patient’s family isn’t well-off, Gupta and her husband had decided to help them financially. The conscious choice to scrimp extends to her professional life as…

THE SIX ESSENTIALS 1. IMMIGRATION NEED FOR AUTOMATED SMART GATES DELHI: 103 counters DUBAI: 107 counters at arrivals terminal, 60 automated smart gates SINGAPORE: 95% arrivals through automated lanes 2. INFRASTRUCTURE TERMINAL SIZE HAS TO GO UP THREE-FOLD Size (in mn sq. ft) DELHI T3 5.4 DUBAI T3 18.4 Changi (4 terminals) 13.6 3. PASSENGER TRAFFIC TREBLE THE HANDLING CAPACITY International passengers per month in 2024 (in mn) DELHI T3 1.6 DUBAI T3 5.3 Changi 3.8 4. BAGGAGE HANDLING INSTAL FULLY AUTOMATED EARLY BAGGAGE STORAGE (EBS*) SYSTEM DELHI T1 & T3: 12,800 bags per hr capacity, 24 baggage belts DUBAI T3: 15,000 bags per hr, 90 km of conveyor belts, 4,500 EBS** positions CHANGI: Fully automated EBS facility; 13-km long Inter-Terminal Transfer Baggage System * EBS allows passengers to automatically…

BMW The much-awaited fourth generation X3 will be BMW’s headline product at the Expo this year. The SAV, as BMW calls it, will also be the testbed for the launch of the BMW Operating System 9 which integrates the telematic and infotainment functions of the SUV. Alongside this, the brand will also showcase the all-electric BMW i7, BMW X7, BMW 5 Series Long Wheelbase, BMW M5, BMW M4 and BMW M2. Aside from the vehicles at the show, to engage with the crowds and build on the spectacle BMW-trained drivers will also be putting on a drift show every day in BMW M cars. The Bharat Mobility Global Expo is just around the corner and is expected to set the tone for the automotive industry in India in 2025. It…

Q Michelin-starred chef Garima Arora who made waves with Gaa, her modern take on Indian food in Bangkok, comes full circle with Banng, her Thai restaurant in Gurugram Q. What drew you to cooking professionally? Growing up in a Punjabi household, food was a big part of my life. Deep down, I knew I wanted a career in food. Being a chef is a young person’s game and couldn’t be put off. In 2010, I packed my bags for Paris and graduated from Le Cordon Bleu. Q. What made you open an Indian restaurant in Bangkok? Thailand chose me. I was supposed to be there for a short while. One thing led to another, and suddenly I found myself opening a restaurant. I wanted to do Indian food but with…

A good symposium is made of these—exchange of ideas, a shared creative vision, riveting conversations, debate about all things design, and equal part humour as well as information. Kolkata became the perfect backdrop for this. Over three days, 10 panels, 37 architects, designers, stylists and industry insiders came together to make the Design Milestone Symposium in association with India Today HOME a roaring success. On the first day if the Pecha Kucha on My Journey in Design left us enthralled, the debate that ensued the panel discussion titled ‘Women In Design: Hear us Roar!’ raised wonderful issues. This was followed by two seassion, one ‘Kolkata’s Blueprint: The City of Joy turns Muse and Inspiration’ and the other ‘Crafting Contemporary Stories: An Insider’s Vision’ that shed light on the design and…

More than a month after its swashbuckling victory in the Maharashtra assembly election, the Mahayuti government faces a crisis over allegations of murder and extortion involving close aides of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) minister Dhananjay Munde. The fact that former minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Suresh Dhas is leading the charge against Munde suggests fractures within the ruling coalition. The crescendo of calls for his resignation is only rising. On December 9, Santosh Deshmukh, sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed district’s Kaij taluka and a BJP supporter, was abducted and brutally murdered after he reportedly resisted extortion targeting a windmill company, Avaada Energy. Walmik Karad, a close aide of Munde, has been charged in the Rs 2 crore extortion case filed two days after the murder, though he…

Under the shadow of lofty glaciers in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, where the winter silence is broken only by the rush of icy winds, a new passage has been carved—one that promises to reshape the fortunes of the region. The 6.4-kilometre Sonamarg tunnel, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 13, not only links the picturesque tourist hotspot—known for its alpine meadows and pristine water bodies—to the rest of India all year round, it is also the cornerstone of a larger strategic vision to reinforce the country’s border infrastructure along the Line of Control (LoC) and right up to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), beyond which lies Chinese-controlled territory. Nestled at an altitude of 8,500 feet, 87 km northeast of Srinagar, this engineering marvel—originally called Z-Morh tunnel—bypasses six…

How often does a lingering cash crunch indefinitely stall the acquisition of even a necessity? Abdul had purchased a 7 kg top-loading washing machine in 2014, which has served the household well. For the past two years, his home-maker wife has been asking him to upgrade to a front-loading 12 kg machine. This costs between Rs 45,000 and Rs 60,000 and Abdul isn’t able to set aside that money. “I bought the washing machine for less than Rs 10,000 and now feel the prices have gone up significantly. One is told that white goods become cheaper with time but companies keep bringing in newer technology for which they charge more,” says Abdul, who doesn’t reveal his annual income. Abdul has three children, who attend coaching classes to pre-pare for competitive…

At 78 years of age, most politicians might gracefully retreat from public life. But not Naveen Patnaik, Odisha’s longest-serving chief minister and now leader of the Opposition in the state. The defeat in the 2024 assembly and Lok Sabha elections could well have been the epilogue to his career, but Patnaik is intent on writing a few more chapters. Exhibiting a renewed vigour, he is emerging as a vocal and dynamic political force. CM Patnaik exuded a calm, gentlemanly demeanour in the more than two decades that he was at the helm. Opposition leader Patnaik is a sharper, feistier avatar, unafraid to take direct shots at his political rivals. The latest salvo assailed the Mohan Charan Majhi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for the rising prices, labelling it a “double…

It is time to celebrate the best of the year, which means it is time to announce the most awaited Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) and Indian Motorcycle of the Year (IMOTY). The awards were presented at a glittering function in New Delhi in the presence of the who’s who of the Indian auto industry and we must tell you that it was a close fight. JK Tyre has been presenting the awards ever since its inception 20 years back. On this momentous occasion, Dr Raghupati Singhania, chairman & managing director, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd, said, “The ICOTY and IMOTY Awards stand as a testament to the remarkable achievements in India’s dynamic automotive landscape. These esteemed accolades celebrate excellence and innovation, reflecting the industry’s unwavering commitment to progress. Over…

Gurgaon is known for many things, furniture was not one of them, till Wriver changed that. Wriver India’s newly launched experience centre in the heart of Gurgaon spanning over 24,000 sq ft is nothing short of a masterpiece. From the moment you step inside, an aura of unparalleled sophistication and refinement envelopes you. Every corner of this sprawling space tells a story of thoughtful design and luxury living. What struck me most was the seamless layout of the space. Every floor is curated with such thoughtfulness that it feels less like a showroom and more like stepping into the pages of a luxury lifestyle magazine. The flow between the floors is effortless, guiding you through an immersive experience of living amidst exquisite design. The layouts are not just visually stunning…

Move over boring bath spaces. The bathroom of 2025 is all about modern sophistication and clever functionality—yet the real magic lies in the details. We’re talking technology, sustainability, wellness, hygiene, and personalisation. That’s a lot to think about. But don’t panic. Instead, get ready to embrace a bathroom that doubles as your personal sanctuary. From floating vanities to smart gadgetry, from aromatherapy showers to nature-inspired biophilia, it’s a brave new world behind that bathroom door. Eco meets Chic “The year 2025 marks a pivotal moment for the bathspace industry, where innovation meets well-being to redefine personal care,” says Ranjeet Oak, managing director South Asia, Kohler. Oak reiterates that the seamless integration of smart technology is elevating the bathing experience with intuitive controls for water temperature, flow, and even aromatherapy, enabling…

From the very start, Apartment O2 was imagined as a tranquil hideaway—a space where every family member could shed their worries and simply breathe, yet still feel that essential buzz of togetherness. This was never just about designing a comfortable home; it was about creating a living stage for a couple and their two kids, all bursting with creativity and energy. Whether it’s going head-to-head over a chessboard, constructing colourful Lego kingdoms, or breaking out the board games for a spirited family showdown, the apartment invites this clan to connect and unwind. We wanted our home to feel as vital as oxygen, something genuinely happy and alive. Enter through the door and soft, raw cotton hues envelop you. It’s like stepping into a gentle embrace, a neutral backdrop that sets…