Innholdsfortegnelse for 9 June 2025 i India Today

FINDING 1 While the lion count went up by 32.2 per cent since 2020, their distribution area expanded by just 17 per cent WHAT IT IMPLIES The capacity of wildlife sanctuaries is long exhausted. Most prides now live in adjoining areas, near villages. If lion density increases beyond a point, the fine balance could become a casualty FINDING 2 As many as 395 lions, i.e. 44.2 per cent of the total, live outside forest areas WHAT IT IMPLIES Human-lion coexistence is hailed as a unique success story of Saurashtra, but incidents of conflicts are rising as lions venture beyond the forest boundaries—35 human deaths in 189 lion attacks since 2015 FINDING 3 For the first time, it has been reported that the big cats regularly move through the so-called ‘lion…

IT MAY HAVE BEEN A CORONATION WAITING TO HAPPEN, but when it came—on May 26, with a year to go for the 2026 Assam assembly election—it rang out like a call to a duel from the days of feudal chivalry. Gaurav Gogoi, like a prince who had the throne snatched from him, has got his chance for avengement. Elevated as state Congress president by the high command, his formal investiture sets the stage for a most intense political slugfest, for Gogoi will be in the ring against a very combative incumbent CM, Himanta Biswa Sarma of the BJP, the mutineer who felled his father. It’s a classic setpiece, meant to end a frustrating decade of eclipse for the Congress, marked by utter BJP dominance over a state it had made…

IN A FAITH WHERE FIVE THRONES symbolise unity, two just went to war. On May 21, a religious cannonball was fired from the east: Takht Sri Patna Sahib, one of Sikhism’s five revered seats, located in Bihar. The Panj Pyare or ‘five beloved’ leaders of Patna have declared as tankhaiya, i.e. guilty of religious misconduct, two of their senior clerical peers back in Punjab: the acting jathedar of Akal Takht, the supreme seat of Sikh authority in Amritsar, as well as the Takht Damdama Sahib head. The flashpoint? A decision by the Akal Takht to reinstate a controversial former jathedar, Giani Ranjit Singh Gauhar, without so much as consulting Patna Sahib, which had dismissed him in 2022 amidst a welter of corruption and other allegations. The response from Amritsar was…

The Bishayee family ran a sweetmeat shop, which took a hit during the pandemic. Financial struggles mounted, with a home loan weighing heaviest. In 2021, the mother-son duo Usha and Suprabha tried launching a YouTube channel. It failed. “But we couldn’t give up,” says Suprabha, who has studied hotel management. Next time, they staked it all—selling their house to clear the loan and using the rest to buy an iPhone 14. “It was a leap of faith,” says Usha. Oldays Kitchen began as a humble venture—a mother in her oldworld kitchen, cooking traditional Bengali dishes. By the third video, Suprabha had an idea: food-based rhymes. That formula—a short, funny rhyme (chhora) at the outset, related to the recipe of the day, cooked in a rustic oven—struck a chord. Their…

Biju has seen life from the hard angles—as a labourer at a quarry, as a helper in a lorry and, later, as a mini truck and jeep driver. Rendered jobless during the pandemic and stranded at home, he decided, on a whim, to shoot videos on a Samsung phone bought with money a friend gave him. His first YouTube video, uploaded in 2021, was about a young man’s hunt for a bride in neighbouring state Karnataka. That video became a viral hit. He has not looked back since. His videos, in which only Malayalam is spoken, are centred around simple, workaday domestic activities or, say, a short trip, that features his family—wife Kavitha (28), mother Karthyayani (68), children Rithvik (8) and Rishvik (3 months), and his niece Anu Lakshmi (14).…

INDIA S-400 TRIUMF ‘SUDARSHAN CHAKRA’ Russian-made longrange surface-to-air missile system or SAM (400 km), intercepts aircraft, drones, missiles. Outclasses Pakistan’s systems OP SINDOOR: Reportedly downed 8 Pakistani missiles in Jammu (May 8-9) BARAK-8 Developed with Israel, long-range SAM (70-100 km), AESA radar OP SINDOOR: Countered drones/missiles PECHORA, TUNGUSKA, OSA-AK Russian-made short-range SAM/guns (10-20 km); mobile and rapid-response weapons OP SINDOOR: Effectively protected Indian air bases like Pathankot BOFORS L-70, ZSU-23-4 SCHILKA Radar-linked, self-propelled low-level air defence (LLAD) guns OP SINDOOR: With MANPADS like Igla-M, Igla-S, shot down hundreds of Pakistani drones in swarms HQ-9/P Chinese-made long-range SAM (100-200 km), less advanced than S-400 OP SINDOOR: Claimed to have downed 25 Indian drones; one likely lost to an Indian missile strike in Karachi FM-90  Chinese short-range SAM (15 km); limited range,…

The INDIA TODAY State of the States—Sikkim@50 conclave, held in New Delhi on May 22, marked 50 years since the Himalayan state’s accession to the Indian Union. Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang—re-elected with a near-total mandate last year—hailed the moment as historic not just for Sikkim, but for the nation. Tamang outlined three core governance priorities: national security, connectivity and human development. He cited the transfer of the Sevoke-Rangpo stretch of the NH-10 from West Bengal to the central authority and upcoming railway connectivity by 2026 as transformative for trade and tourism. On health, he shared that dialysis services have now reached every district hospital, cancer treatment has begun in the state, and a new 500-bed referral hospital is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister…

A woman in a gown riding a chariot pulled by four tigers. A king and queen perched on a globe surrounded by horsemen. Two elephants engaged in a tug of war. If you are wondering what they have in common—well, these are all chro-molithograph prints of textile labels from the late 19th to the early 20th century. On display as part of the exhibition Ticket Tika Chaap at MAP Bengaluru, these paper labels are incredibly rich, detailed, colourful, and yet relatively forgotten. The labels were stuck on yardages of cloth that came to India from Britain. MAP houses a collection of over 7,000 textile labels, and 300 have been selected for the show after two years of curatorial research by Nathaniel Gaskell and Shrey Maurya. “Manchester was the centre of…

Imagine stepping into your den where the speakers blast your anthem, the TV plays your favourite sports and even your coffee maker moonlights as a bartender. All at a press of a button. It’s not magic. It’s tech. Get ready to meet the gadgets that’ll turn your man cave from drab to downright legendary. Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K (65-inch) Coming home to the movies (or your favourite game) gets a new meaning with Samsung’s 65-inch Neo QLED 8K—it’s not just a screen; it’s a portal to other worlds. Fuelled by the 2025 NQ AI Processor, it instantly adapts to every scene, boosting colour and clarity beyond your wildest dreams. Quantum Matrix Mini LEDs deliver pinpoint brightness and contrast. Sound is next level, thanks to Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound.…

Tucked away within the elegant Badrutt’s Palace Hotel is a hidden treasure—a storied cellar that boasts a collection of 30,000 exquisite wines. Within this enchanting space, a new experience awaits the devoted vinophile. A seamless blend of charmand tradition, this sophisticated wine-dine journey is enhanced by service standards that literally anticipate your every whim and fancy even before you’ve had the time to outline them. This gastronomic lano, a Sicilian native whose passion for wine is deeply rooted in her family’s winemaking heritage. Luculano, with her extensive background in oenological agronomy, is your expert guide, leading you through the wonderous journey from grape to glass. Krug Stübli, the champagne bar, is exclusively dedicated to crafting unforgettable moments, allowing you to tailor your evening with an expansive selection from 11 diverse…

Breakfast, especially on a weekday, is usually an afterthought. Maybe, a banana while sprinting out the door, a bowl of cereal, a dry toast or the aspirational avocado toast if you are feeling truly ambitious. But that’s changing with mornings becoming a favoured time for people to connect, or for breakfast meetings during the week. Turns out, a ‘power breakfast’ is the new power lunch. Business professionals are finding that early morning meetings are more effective for deal-making and networking, Professionals are also increasingly using breakfast as an opportunity to combine friendship and work, a trend reminiscent of Milan’s ‘Aperitivo Milanese’ phenomenon of the 90s, where pre-dinner drinks served as a backdrop for business discussions and networking. These days, breakfast is the new happy hour. It’s when we catch up…

Glamour, glitz and grandeur marked a historic moment in the Indian fashion industry as on the last Sunday of March, Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) in association with the Fashion Development Council of India (FDCI) celebrated 25 years of fashion weeks in the country. It was at the turn of the century with India having been liberalised less than a decade ago and having a rather nascent fashion industry that the idea of setting up a fashion week on the likes of the New York Fashion Week was birthed to provide a platform for Indian designers and help them with large scale commerce. “We have come a long way since then,” says Sunil Sethi, Chairman, FDCI. “It’s not about creativity because the Indian designer was equally creative then, what has changed…

MAY 22 WAS INDEED A GRIM DAY FOR 76-YEAR-OLD ASHOK P. HINDUJA, chairman of IndusInd International Holdings Ltd (IIHL) and promoter of IndusInd Bank. For the first time in nearly two decades, the bank reported a quarterly net loss—an alarming Rs 2,328 crore. The causes: accounting discrepancies, suspected fraud and mounting stress in its microfinance portfolio. Spooked investors sent the bank’s shares tumbling. Both CEO Sumant Kathpalia and deputy CEO Arun Khurana had stepped down in April. On May 28, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) passed an interim order against the duo over alleged insider trading, restraining them from accessing the securities market. Six days before, Sebi chief Tuhin Pandey had said the matter was actually “RBI’s remit”—the central bank was already on the case since March.…

IT’S A PRASHANT KISHOR encore, so none of the mainstream parties had exactly wished for it. The October 2024 birth of Jan Suraaj Party was preceded by a good bit of labour: two full years, about 5,000 km, of pacing up and down the natal ward of Bihar. That hard-earned paternity is now entering its logical phase: the JSP aims to make it good in the coming state election. Prashant (‘PK’) has hit the ground running—with a rerun. He plans to criss-cross all 243 assembly constituencies before October-November with his ‘Bihar badlaw yatra’. Bad law is just about right, as a spot of starting trouble proved. On May 18, under a blistering sun in Nalanda, PK found himself stopped on way to Kalyanbigha, CM Nitish Kumar’s ancestral village. “Yahaan koi…

BY JUNE 1, A NEAR FOUR WEEK-LONG Comprehensive Survey of Scheduled Castes 2025 is set to come to a close in Karnataka. Some 59,000-odd enumerators have fanned out across the state to carry out the door-to-door survey using a digital app. “We wanted it to be on a digital platform from start to end,” says Yatish R., who heads the Directorate of Electronic Delivery of Citizen Services, the e-governance department wing which developed the app. The data was necessary to sub-divide the 17 per cent SC quota into internal categories for a more equitable distribution of reservation benefits among the 101 SC castes in Karnataka. A 2011 census had put their numbers at 2.1 million households but a one-man commission under retired judge H.N. Nagamohan Das recommended a fresh survey,…

As a child, Karishma loved dressing up in her mother’s saris and copying characters from TV shows in front of a mirror. Two decades later, in front of her phone camera, she plays characters she dreamt up, including the popular Mummyji and Vicky. One of India’s top comedy content creators, Karishma was a popular radio jockey in Indore before moving to Mumbai in 2023, juggling her job and her real interests—writing, shooting and editing original video content. About her “risky vocation”, Karishma says, “You cannot be lax… It cannot be ‘Main toh OG [original] hoon. Nope, you are replaceable.” Karishma is broadening her horizons by writing, acting and producing a digital micro drama. Bright Bhavishya Loading is a “Karishmaverse” of multiple characters. KARISHMA GANGWAL, 31 RJ KARISHMA MUMBAI 8.21 MILLION subscribers…

A DRONE WAR Hundreds of drones were deployed in the conflict. Here are some Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) that the adversaries used INDIA made HAROP: Israeli-made loitering munition/kamikaze drone for precision strikes HERON: Israeli ISR (Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance) drone SKYSTRIKER: Israeli loitering munition NETRA: Indian-made (IdeaForge) tactical ISR UAV SWITCH: Indian tactical ISR/strike UAV OP SINDOOR: Indian Harop drones destroyed a Pakistani LY80 radar in Lahore. Other UAVs conducted strikes and cued air craft—by providing real-time intelligence and surveillance—thus limiting manned aircraft at risk PAKISTAN ASISGUARD SONGAR: Turkey 300–400 surveillance/strike drones. BAYRAKTAR TB2: Turkish armed ISR/strike drone BAYRAKTAR AKINCI: Turkish advanced ISR/strike drone YIHA-III KAMIKAZE: Loitering munitions used in swarms, from Turkey OP SINDOOR: Pakistan used 300-400 Songars, 400-500 YIHA-IIIs in swarms to attack India early on; later, Bayraktar & Akinci drones tar…

Whisky in summer? At first glance, it might sound like a one night stand, but it’s turning out to be an affair to remember. Step into any bar this season, and you’ll find that the rules have changed. No longer confined to the clink of winter ice or the comfort of leather armchairs, whisky is being shaken, stirred, and crafted into something brighter, bolder, and undeniably summery. This season’s summer cocktail menu is an ode to reinvention. Crafted with care, intuition, and a dash of playful rebellion, each cocktail on this list embraces whisky’s rich soul while giving it space to breathe and surprise. Think tropical fruits, garden herbs, crisp citrus, and even savoury twists—all curated to complement the whisky’s character. At ITC Maurya, whisky takes a fresh turn—creative, unexpected,…

With exquisite food, breath-taking views, and unparalleled luxury on offer, it’s little wonder that Esperit Roca, the latest enchantment from the Roca brothers is making waves and not just in Girona, Spain, where it is located. The culinary wizardry of the Roca brothers has already been well documented with the El Celler de Can Roca in Girona—their flagship restaurant boasts three glittering Michelin stars and has topped the coveted World’s 50 Best list twice. Not among those who rest on their laurels, these maestros have opened charming ice cream parlours, the boutique haven of Casa Cacao, and Girona’s beloved Restaurant Normal, all of which inspire awe. However, last year, the Roca brothers unveiled their pièce de resistance: a grandiose countryside retreat just a smidge north of Girona, perched majestically atop…

If the arched windows framing the Arabian Sea and Gateway of India, of the iconic Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai’s sea-facing suite didn’t summon enough drama, a conversation with one of fashion’s most recognisable names, Tommy Hilfiger, certainly did. Seated comfortably on a cream leather couch, dressed in a classic navy blazer over a striped shirt, beige trousers, and bright white sneakers, Tommy Hilfiger looked every bit the icon of American prep he’s known to be. A pop of red peeking from his pocket square added just the right amount of flair. His easy going manner and calm composure belied the clarity, and self assurance that he has honed over the forty years at the helm of his namesake brand. Over the next few minutes, he spoke about the brand’s milestone…

There are no corners in my understated yet luxurious accommodation at Swastik, a new wellness retreat set among verdant hills on the outskirts of Pune with sweeping views of Khadakwasla Lake. The idea, I’m told, is to create the comforting sense of being in a womb. They’re called guhas here, and while minimalistic, the cosy ‘caves’, done up in muted beige and off-white tones, come with all modern conveniences. Days at Swastik pass in a flurry of signature rituals. My arrival is marked with a ‘Swastik Swagat’, where I stand in a metal bowl while a bell above is rung, giving my off-key frequencies a gentle reset. Instead of a conventional ‘namaste’, I’m greeted with the heartfelt ‘Atma Naman’. As I settle in for the night, there’s a knock at…

Here’s the thing: Laptops aren’t just important extras you carry around, they are essentials that you need to make your life smarter, better and easier. So, when the ASUS Vivobook 16 (X1607QA) that brings Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X platform to a surprisingly accessible price point, came to us, we had to find out if it ticks all our boxes. At an MRP of ₹84,990, it promises long battery life, solid everyday performance, and a design that won’t embarrass you in lectures or meetings. But does it deliver? Let’s dive in. Design The Vivobook 16 sticks to ASUS’s tried-and-true minimalist aesthetic. Its matte-finish lid resists fingerprints better than your average smartphone screen, and the ErgoLift hinge tilts the keyboard at a gentle angle for more comfortable typing. At roughly 1.8 kg…

Covid-19 is back in the news because of a rise in the number of persons testing positive in different states of India as well as the release of government data on deaths that occurred in 2021, when the country was devastated by the Delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The recent spike in cases due to the less virulent JN.1 and BA.2 sub-lineages of Omicron is not a cause for panic, as no deaths have been reported. However, there is concern about the underestimation of Covid-related deaths in earlier official reports. Questions have been raised about why previous estimates were low and the marked interstate variations in the gap between reported Covid deaths and Covid-attributable excess deaths in 2021. Official estimates of Covid-related deaths in 2020 and 2021 differed from…

A LIST OF DISTRICT presidents and suchlike may seem like a fairly ho-hum HR matter for the Trinamool Congress (TMC), a party that has ‘grassroots’ right there in its name. But this new roster was expected soon after the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The one year of no-show was marked by visible strain between West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and nephew Abhishek Banerjee. A “balanced” reset is what they’re calling it—a truce between Mamata’s old guard and Abhishek’s ‘reformist’ bloc. It arrives at a politically delicate juncture. The 2026 assembly polls loom ever closer, and a long-pending organisational reshuffle would seem basic to prepping up for combat. That aspect of urgency has acquired a keener edge than one would have presumed for a party that had a handsome score…

REMINISCENT OF THE competing claims on Bal Thackeray by the two Shiv Senas, a dangal is unfolding in Haryana’s heartland. At stake is a face—that of Jat patriarch Om Prakash Chautala. It’s not even been six months since the ex-CM’s demise. But just like farmland gets fragmented as families grow and drift apart, the son of the iconic Devi Lal has become the subject of a family feud: on who gets to use his turbaned visage as a heraldic emblem. Both the legacy party, son Abhay Chautala’s Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), and the splinter Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) of grandson Dushyant Chautala, lay claim to his political estate—image, sway, electoral turf. On May 17, the JJP said Chautala’s face would adorn its posters. The INLD reacted sharply. “You have…

When General Waker-uz-Zaman, chief of the Bangladesh army, addressed a durbar at Senaprangan, the army central auditorium in Dhaka, on May 21, speculation was rife that he might call for the ouster of the country’s ‘Chief Advisor’ Muhammad Yunus. But that didn’t happen. Instead, Gen. Zaman reportedly told senior officers that he hoped that by “January 1, 2026, Bangladesh will be governed by a new elected government”. The statement, interpreted as a gentle ultimatum rather than a threat, did not sit well with Yunus’s interim government. By the evening of the next day, the pressure showed. Yunus reached out to former cabinet colleague Nahid Islam, one of the faces of the July uprising last year and convenor of the National Citizen Party (NCP), and reportedly expressed a desire to step down.…

COLLECTOR’S EDITION The Darling Buds of May May kept its date with emeralds, just in time to celebrate the burst of green buds. In the wake of nature’s blooming season, Gemfields has collaborated with Ibiza-based jeweller, Natasha Collis on two special collections: The Natasha Collis Fine Jewellery x Gemfields Ludic and Dancing Duet. The collections are a delightful showcase of Gemfields’ Zambian emeralds that contrast beautifully against yellow gold to summon both spontaneity and refinement to everyday jewellery. The collections have been inspired by the dualities of nature and represent the joys of spring. The designer’s signature style highlights the raw beauty of gold where hand-crafted nuggets are melded into organic shapes, with carefully selected asymmetric gemstones to introduce a quirky and playful element. The four-piece Ludic collection is defined…

Blue Mountains, Australia The world heritage site that is the Blue Mountains, a 45-minute drive from Sydney, could have stepped from the realm of fantasy. The slate-colored haze that gives the mountains their name, derives from an oil-mist emitted by the tall Eucalyptus trees that form a canopy across the landscape. Deep valleys and sandstone outcrops stud this scene. Iconic land formations like The Three Sisters adorn the face of numerous postcards. Scenic World is an attraction that offers unique ways into the compelling geology of these mountains. The world’s steepest railway chugging through the rainforest, at a 52-degree incline, is one way to get closer. The Cableway here is reputedly the steepest aerial cable car in the Southern hemisphere. A Skyway Cable Car allows you to stand on a…

The latest addition to Bengaluru’s burgeoning luxury retail space is Maybach. Well, not the car brand but its lifestyle arm that also offers a preview of the Mercedes-Maybach SL Monogram Series accessories. The brand has been brought to India in collaboration with GKB Opticals and Eternity Lifestyles, both known names in the eyewear space in India. “Luxury in India is growing rapidly as people want something authentic, and Maybach eyewear has been a fan favourite among the discerning audience here. Quality, style, and craftsmanship all come together in this first concept store in India, making it more accessible,” says Priyanka Gupta, Director of Brands, GKB Opticals. “Like the car, the standard of luxury in eyewear is Maybach, which has no parallel in terms of product or design,”adds Ronak Sheth, Founder,…

The power of one has definitely magnified its heft beyond sloganeering to become the unofficial tagline for solo travellers. Apart from glorifying the spirit of rugged individualism, those in the travel trade are recognising this as a reigning trend. In fact, some hotels have even started offering special packages. “We’ve seen a heartening rise in solo travellers, particularly women, seeking meaningful, restorative experiences over the conventional. It’s a trend that inspires us deeply and reinforces our commitment to creating personalised journeys,” says Louis Sailer, Senior Executive Vice President of The Imperial New Delhi. The Imperial has recently launched a thoughtfully crafted programme called Solo Sojourn for those who seek a spontaneous escape. This stay experience is designed for free spirits and is age and gender agnostic. “Whether you’re in need…