<keyword id="6358805" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Patna" source="Orion">Patna</keyword>, the capital city of Bihar, India, is steeped in history and culture, offering a plethora of attractions for travelers to explore. From ancient archaeological sites to vibrant markets and serene parks, Patna has something to offer to every visitor. Whether you're a history buff, a nature enthusiast, or a foodie, here are <keyword id="20647986" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="ten-must-visit-places" source="Orion">ten must-visit places</keyword> in Patna to add to your itinerary when exploring Patna: <keyword id="53042" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Patna-Museum" source="Orion">Patna Museum</keyword>: The Patna Museum, also known as the Jadu Ghar, is a treasure trove of artifacts showcasing <keyword id="20647990" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bihars-rich-heritage" source="Orion">Bihar's rich heritage</keyword>. Founded in 1917, this museum houses an extensive collection of sculptures, coins, paintings, and artifacts dating back to ancient times. Highlights include the Didarganj Yakshi, a life-size terracotta statue from the Mauryan period, and the fossilized tree trunk from the Rajgir hills. Golghar: Built by Captain John Garstin in 1786, Golghar is an iconic <keyword id="20647989" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="landmark-in-Patna" source="Orion">landmark in Patna</keyword>. This massive granary was constructed to store grains during times of famine, but today it offers panoramic views of the cityscape and the Ganges River from its top. Visitors can climb the spiral staircase to reach the viewing platform and admire the surrounding scenery. Mahatma Gandhi Setu: Spanning the Ganges River, the Mahatma Gandhi Setu is one of the longest river bridges in India, connecting Patna with Hajipur. A drive or a leisurely stroll across this bridge offers breathtaking views of the river and the bustling activity along its banks. Watching the sunset from the bridge is a mesmerizing experience not to be missed. Mahavir Mandir: Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the Mahavir Mandir is one of the most revered <keyword id="20647987" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="temples-in-Patna" source="Orion">temples in Patna</keyword>. This temple attracts thousands of devotees every day who come to seek blessings and offer prayers. The temple's imposing architecture and serene ambiance make it a must-visit spiritual destination in the city. Kumhrar: Kumhrar is an archaeological site that holds the remains of ancient Pataliputra, the capital of the Maurya and Gupta empires. Visitors can explore the excavated ruins, including the remains of ancient pillared halls, stupas, and monasteries. The site offers a fascinating glimpse into Patna's rich historical legacy. Takht Sri Patna Sahib: Takht Sri Patna Sahib, also known as Harmandir Sahib, is a sacred Sikh pilgrimage site located in Patna. It marks the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru. The gurdwara's majestic architecture, serene surroundings, and religious significance make it a <keyword id="20647988" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="must-visit-place-in-Patna" source="Orion">must-visit place in Patna</keyword> for devotees and tourists alike. Patna Zoo: Spread over an expansive area, the Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan, commonly known as Patna Zoo, is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. Visitors can explore the zoo's lush greenery, botanical gardens, and animal enclosures housing species like lions, tigers, elephants, and rare birds. Eco Park: Situated on the banks of the Ganges River, Patna Eco Park offers a serene retreat amidst nature. Visitors can enjoy leisurely walks, boat rides, and picnics in the park's scenic surroundings. The park also features landscaped gardens, jogging tracks, and a children's play area. Agam Kuan: Agam Kuan, meaning "unfathomable well," is an ancient archaeological site dating back to the Mauryan period. This circular well is believed to be one of the oldest and deepest in India. Legend has it that Emperor Ashoka used it as a place of torture and execution. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction surrounded by myths and mysteries. Padri Ki Haveli: Padri Ki Haveli, also known as St. Mary's Church, is one of the oldest churches in Bihar. Built in the early 18th century, this historic landmark showcases Indo-European architecture and houses beautiful stained glass windows, sculptures, and paintings. Visitors can explore the church's serene interiors and learn about its colonial-era significance. From exploring ancient archaeological sites to experiencing spiritual serenity and enjoying leisurely strolls in scenic parks, Patna offers a diverse range of attractions for travelers to discover. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply seeking cultural immersion, these ten must-visit places in Patna promise an enriching and memorable experience.

Explore one of the oldest Indian city: 10 must-visit places in Patna with friends

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/55997849.cms" /> Young Indian designers are coming up with incredible ideas. And it’s not just limited to concepts. They are proving so through the execution of their ideas. <keyword id="3959620" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="mithi-kalra">Mithi Kalra</keyword>, a recent pass out from the <keyword id="3947" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="National-institute-of-fashion-technology">National Institute of Fashion Technology</keyword> has recently showcased her collection at the India Runway Week. 
 <keyword id="51681" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="mithi">Mithi</keyword>'s exhibit named the The Indian <keyword id="3959621" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="disney-story">Disney Story</keyword>, speaks for itself. Dresses, gowns suited for a Princess, based on the traditonal art of <keyword id="6375095" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Madhubani">Madhubani</keyword>, hand embroidered on pure silks and organza. The collection wonderfully combines the grace of a bygone era, with the modern day fashion. 
 Madhubani painting is practiced in <keyword id="30033" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bihar">Bihar</keyword>. Painting is done with fingers, twigs, brushes, nib-pens, and matchsticks, using natural dyes and pigments, and is characterized by eye-catching geometrical patterns. 
 
So how did the idea came to Mithi? “<keyword id="46161" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Disney">Disney</keyword> is every childs dream… every girl relates to Disney and its princesses and imagines oneself in some or the other story. I was inspired from the art form of madhubani from a very early age in my life so I thought why not combine best from both the worlds,” said Mithi. 
 
Here’s a sneak peek of the collection. 
 
Princess Aurora 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/55995212.cms" /> 
 
This dress is inspired from Princess Aurora's character and its colour palette is soft pink and fusia. 
 
Belle 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/55995210.cms" /> 
This is a belle inspired outfit and it talks about the distinctive character of Belle.

A designer just made the most unexpected happen. Carving out Madhubani out of Disney princesses' style

<ul><li>At 7:49 am the SGX Nifty was trading 0.69% higher, indicating a positive start for Nifty50.</li><li>Here’s a list of stocks to watch for in trade today. </li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/">Check out the latest news and updates on Business Insider. </a></li></ul>Amid positive cues from Asian markets, the Indian stock market is likely to open in green. At 7:49 am, the SGX Nifty was trading 0.69% higher. Other Asian markets are also trading in the green — Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index was up 0.60%, and the Shanghai Composite Index was up nearly 0.18%. These are the stocks to watch out for during the trading session on September 28: Hero MotoCorp According to<a href="https://www.timesnownews.com/business-economy/companies/article/harley-davidson-close-to-deal-with-indias-hero-motocorp-after-stopping-local-manufacturing-sources/657938"> media reports</a>, the US bike maker Harley Davidson is in talks with the Indian two-wheeler major Hero MotoCorp to enter into a distribution arrangement that will allow the Indian company to import and sell Harley bikes as its sole distributor. The shares of Hero MotoCorp ended 3% higher on Friday. SBI and Future Group stocks Media <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/money-and-banking/biyani-close-to-deal-with-sbi-to-future-proof-insurance-arms/article32709290.ece">reports </a>suggest that as a part of a plan to cut down on debt, the Kishore Biyani-owned Future Group companies are set to ink a deal with State Bank of India for the sale of both the general and life insurance segments. This may move other Future Group stocks as well such as — Future Lifestyle, Future Retail and Future Enterprises. Reliance Industries (RIL) Silver Lake Partners has <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/retail/news/reliance-retail-raises-1-billion-from-silver-lake-valuing-the-chain-at-57-billion/articleshow/78009435.cms">picked up 1.75% stake</a> in the retail arm of Mukesh Ambani owned RIL. The company invested ₹7,500 crore into its arm Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL). The shares of RIL ended 1% higher on Friday. NTPC Ltd The state-owned NTPC Ltd said it has successfully synchronised a 660-MW unit of its supercritical thermal power plant in Bihar with the grid. The company said it would help the commercial generation of electricity from it. The shares of NTPC ended 2.36% higher on Friday. Videocon Industries ad BPCL The state-owned Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) has been forced to pay for its defaulting partner Videocon Industries after it had relied on a rarely used model to acquire a stake in five oil blocks in Brazil, according to <a href="https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/oil-and-gas/bpcl-pays-for-defaulting-videocon-in-brazil-oil-block/78355979">reports</a>. The shares of Videocon Industries ended 5% lower on Friday, whereas BPCL shed nearly a percent. Sun Pharma The drug major Sun Pharma in its Annual Report for 2019-20 said the company is looking to expand its speciality business across different regions like Greater China and Japan after having established presence in the US market. The shares of Sun Pharma ended 0.72% higher on Friday. Berger Paints India’s second-largest paint maker, Berger Paints said that despite the coronavirus uncertainty its capital expenditure for this fiscal year remains unaffected and will be the same as last year. The major investment will be in its upcoming Sandila plant near Lucknow of around Rs 260 crore, and the plant is expected to be operational from 2022 onwards. The shares of Berger Paints ended 0.88% higher on Friday. Vodafone Idea The telecom regulator TRAI has decided to drop proceedings against Vodafone Idea in priority plan matter after the telco withdrew contentious claims on faster speed and modified its offering. The shares of Vodafone Idea ended 12% higher on Friday. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/how-to-check-cams-ipo-share-allotment-status/articleshow/78311094.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">CAMS IPO allotment: Here’s how to check share allotment status</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/the-list-of-global-auto-companies-exiting-india-in-last-five-years-including-harley-davidson-fiat-and-general-motors/slidelist/78315633.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Harley Davidson is the latest to join the list of global auto companies exiting India in last five years — Here’s a closer look</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/heres-how-to-check-chemcon-speciality-chemicals-ipo-share-allotment-status-online/articleshow/78328884.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Chemcon IPO allotment: Here’s how to check share allotment status</a>

Top stocks to watch— SBI, RIL, Hero Moto, NTPC, Sun Pharma, Vodafone Idea, Berger Paints and others

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/51627840.cms" /> 
 
The Niranjana Public Welfare School located in the remote Sujata village located in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=bihar&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Bihar</a> bears witness to the Wall Art festival every year where artists from India and Japan spend three weeks in the village coming up with <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=art&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">art</a> using the walls of the school building acts as their canvas. 
 
According to the website Patna Beats, it all started way back in 2006 after about fifty students from the Tokyo Gakugei University donated the money they made from their part-time to an <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=ngo&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">NGO </a>in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=india&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">India</a> with the aim of constructing a new school building for the Niranjana Public Welfare School in <keyword id="30033" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bihar">Bihar</keyword>. 
 
The school itself was established as a response to the poor education system in the region and it kept growing thanks to oversees donations and the hard work of teachers. By 2010, the school had enrolled around 400 students studying from nursery to class 7. 
 
The school administration realised the importance of providing their support and thus came up with the idea of conducting an annual art festival. 
 Yusuke Asai is one of the Japanese artists who participated in the festival three years in a row. Getting his dose of inspiration from the traditional Indian wall <keyword id="1644" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="paintings">paintings</keyword>, Asai filled the walls and ceiling of a classroom with paintings made using mud. 
 
The initiative aims to resolve various issues ailing Indian villages, mainly poverty, education and employment through cultural and artistic exchange, apart from popularising art amongst the children. 
 
Have a look. 
 
Image credit: <a href="http://www.patnabeats.com/amazing-mud-paintings-on-school-walls-in-bihar/">PatnaBeats</a>

A bunch of artists converted the walls of this Bihar school into beautiful displays of art

<ul><li>As unemployment swells in India, educated millenials are banking on government jobs, thanks to job security and consistent work hours. </li><li>Over 500,000 candidates — including MBAs and engineering graduates and other degree holders — applied for 136 positions of watchman, gardners and sanitation workers. </li><li>India’s unemployment rate stood at 8.5% in October — the highest in three years.</li></ul>As unemployment swells in India, educated millenials are banking on government jobs, thanks to job security and consistent work hours. A recent <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/5-lakh-including-mba-engineers-post-graduates-apply-to-become-gardener-and-watchman-in-bihar-1623159-2019-11-28">job posting in Bihar Vidhan Sabha</a> has painted a grim picture of job situation in India. In a recent development, over 500,000 candidates — including MBAs, engineering graduates and other degree holders — applied for 136 positions seeking candidates for watchmen, gardners and sanitation workers. That means, a job that requires 10th grade as the minimum qualification has most of the applicants as ‘overqualified.’ In fact, over 450,000 applicants have appeared for the interviews so far. India’s unemployment rate stood at 8.5% in October — the highest in three years. As the number of jobs in the private sector are sinking and multinationals are sacking employees, more millennials are taking government exams, shows a survey ‘Between Aspiration &amp; Despair: Government Jobs &amp; The Educated Unemployed by the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/as-unemployment-swells-in-india-educated-millennials-favour-government-jobs/articleshow/69267943.cms">Centre for Equity Studies.</a> "This is a matter for investigations on how so many applicants are appearing for interviews on a daily basis. There is a job crisis and unemployment in the state and therefore engineers and professional degree holders are applying for Group-D jobs," <a href="https://www.timesnownews.com/education/article/5-lakh-engineers-mba-postgraduates-graduates-apply-for-group-d-jobs-in-bihar-report/518007">said</a> Prem Chand Mishra, who is a member of Bihar Legislative Assembly. On the other hand, as many as 7,000 graduates have applied for <keyword id="1952956" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="sanitation-jobs">sanitation jobs</keyword> in Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC) in Tamil Nadu, <a href="http://www.catchnews.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-engineers-graduates-among-7000-applicants-for-549-sanitary-workers-posts-179744.html">according to</a> news agency ANI. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/education/news/average-education-expenditure-in-india-increases-fourfold-to-8331-per-student/articleshow/72282009.cms">Indians are spending enormously on education even with few jobs in sight</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/unemployment-in-india-highest-among-urban-youth-says-government-data/articleshow/69631185.cms"> Unemployment in India highest among urban youth, says government data</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/as-unemployment-swells-in-india-educated-millennials-favour-government-jobs/articleshow/69267943.cms">As unemployment swells in India, educated millennials favour government jobs</a>

This is why India’s MBAs and engineers may be hoping to turn watchman and sanitation workers

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/46955135.cms" /> Rahul Gandhi’s return to the prominence yesterday has triggered innumerable curious questions related to Rahul’s past few days and <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword>’ future. It seems Sonia Gandhi was waiting for this day and has signalled a comeback plan. 
 
As per a news report by The Economic Times, Congress game plan involves focussing the party as one that will fight for farmers and paint BJP as a ruling party that shows little concern about India's largest occupational group. The <keyword id="87979" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Land-Bill">land Bill</keyword> agitation rally announced earlier and to be held at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan this Sunday, April 19, will be turned into a launch pad for "a big event to boost cadre morale and recapture the space of the principal opposition party", a top Congress leader told the ET. 
 
 
"The drift in the Congress disappeared with Rahul Gandhi's disappearance. Hope it doesn't reappear now that he is back," a former Union minister said. Rahul will be briefed on the Congress plan on Friday by Digvijaya Singh, another Congress leader told the financial daily. 
 Sonia has also sent down the message that some Congress heavyweights, who have traditionally been faction fighters, must bury all differences and work together. One party leader said <keyword id="49103" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Ashok-Gehlot">Ashok Gehlot</keyword> has been asked to work with Sachin Pilot in Rajasthan. Similarly, in Madhya Pradesh, Digvijaya Singh, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Kamal Nath have been asked to cooperate. As have been BS Hooda and Ashok Tanwar in Haryana. 
 
Congress chiefs of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have been asked to bring in crowds. The chief ministers of all the nine Congress-ruled states would also be present as would be Congress leaders. 
 
A group of senior leaders led by AK Antony and Digvijaya Singh, Mukul Wasnik, BS Hooda and Ashok Gehlot have been given key responsibilities. "A quota has been allotted to each state. The idea is to get as many of our people from different parts so that the message is evenly spread," the leader quoted earlier told the ET. 
 The party also felt that merely focussing on the land Bill would limit its appeal to only land-owning farmers. But revival of farmer suicide, especially in battleground states of Uttar Pradesh and <keyword id="30033" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Bihar">Bihar</keyword>, and crop losses are resulting in growing resentment in rural India. 
 
(Image: Reuters) 
 
Congress hopes it could be a beneficiary of this resentment. The party would focus on those affected worst -- sugarcane, cotton, paddy, wheat, and potato farmers. "The idea is to show that BJP's government is inherently antifarmer," a top leader involved in the planning said. The party hopes the "anti-farmer" tag will stick to BJP and would take off from its protests on the land Bill.

The Return of Rahul: Congress suddenly reminded of its opposition status

According to <keyword id="19911893" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Meesho" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Meesho" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Meesho">Meesho</keyword>'s recent ‘Smart shopper report’, <keyword id="19919711" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gen-Z" source="keywords">Gen Z</keyword> is rapidly embracing <keyword id="19990771" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="e-commerce" source="keywords">e-commerce</keyword>, with one in every three Meesho users being less than 25 years old. This makes them the fastest-growing demographic on the platform. The report also highlights that mass consumers, who typically make low-price purchases, account for around 80% of the total online shopping population in India. Reports suggest that by 2030, mass consumers, who are constantly seeking value for price, will dominate the retail market, constituting 65% of total consumers. At present, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are leading the way, when it comes to user growth in e-commerce, underscoring the significant untapped potential these states hold. The report also delves deeper into the evolving habits and preferences of mass consumers. Meesho has observed that users from Tier IV and smaller cities are the most frequent repeat shoppers under categories like women’s fashion, footwear, and baby care. Additionally, over 80% of Indian online shoppers now hail from tier-2 cities, and beyond, which include places like Ambur, Rourkela, Sangli, and Zirakpur. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112333596" title="Zomato announces new feature for cash on delivery orders and it can help solve a huge problem" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>Influencer-driven <keyword id="3295571" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="e-commerce-boom" source="Orion">e-commerce boom</keyword> in North-East</h2>Furthermore, the report reveals that customers in northeastern states of India such as Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim are increasingly basing their e-commerce purchases choices on content generated by influencers, making up for an impressive 40% of all orders from these states. Meesho has also witnessed greater digital inclusion, with a growing number of content creators emerging from some of the most remote regions of India, like Bazpur (Uttarakhand), Kotputli (Rajasthan), and Pakyong (Sikkim). With the growing popularity of content creators, products like selfie sticks, ring lights, microphones, and tripods have also quickly risen to top the electronics category. Another notable feature Meesho identified was a significant rise in the adoption of vernacular languages and voice search, with rates increasing by 162% and 40%, respectively. This surge reflects mass consumers' strong preference for regional languages and user-friendly features. Tier 2 and other, smaller cities have significantly outpaced Tier 1 cities when it comes to ordering electronic accessories, making double the amount of purchases made by their bigger, urban counterparts. Meesho has also seen substantial demand for products like bluetooth headphones and earphones, power banks, smart speakers, screen magnifiers, and keyboards from diverse Indian cities such as Alwar (Rajasthan), Bettiah (Bihar), Pursurah (West Bengal), Rajahmundry (Andhra Pradesh), Sindkheda (Maharashtra), and Sirsa (Haryana). Among the fastest-growing categories on Meesho are books, which grew by 148% YoY (year-on-year basis) growth, office supplies and stationery (137% YoY growth), home improvement (112% YoY growth), furnishings (92% YoY growth), and pet supplies (68% YoY growth). There has also been a surge in demand for personal care and grooming essentials. <h2>A shift towards quick draping</h2> In just six months, over 10,00,000 saree shapers and more than 60,000 ready-to-wear sarees were sold, indicating that consumers far prefer a quicker, easier approach to traditional draping. There was a clear penchant for traditional and modern alike, since Banarasi was the most sought after fabric, followed by chiffon and organza. <h2>Self-care on the rise</h2>With increasingly hectic schedules, mass consumers are also prioritising self-care. As a result, there has been a rise in at-home salon treatments, with Meesho reporting sales of 6,00,000 face packs, over 4,00,000 facial kits, 3,00,000 wax strips, 4,00,000 press-on nails, and 4,00,000 nail paints this year. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112364583" title="Ola wants to re-enter the quick commerce business to take on Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> Not just this, yoga also made it to list, when it came to self-care. Meesho reported selling about 20 lakh yoga mats in just 6 months. And not just that, skipping and hula hooping also seems to be coming back in vogue, with consumers buying around 2 lakh skipping ropes and 75,000 hula hoops this year alone. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/article/5-lessons-startup-founders-can-learn-from-tech-mogul-elon-musk/articleshow/112375922.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">5 lessons startup founders can learn from tech mogul Elon Musk</a>

India’s e-commerce boom: Gen Z, small cities, and self-care trends on the rise, says Meesho

<ul><li>‘Son of the soil’ heroes are finding a place in the hearts of audiences of today, says actor <keyword id="7637" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="manoj-bajpayee" source="Orion">Manoj Bajpayee</keyword>.</li><li>Movies that tell local, rooted stories have a more universal appeal, comments film critic Anupama Chopra.</li><li>The face of storytelling is changing, says actor <keyword id="1634244" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="pratik-gandhi" source="Orion">Pratik Gandhi</keyword> who portrayed <keyword id="75198" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="harshad-mehta" source="Orion">Harshad Mehta</keyword> in the web series Scam 1992. </li></ul>The phrase ‘movie star-like good looks’ is undergoing a massive transition, according to actor Manoj Bajpayee. The heroes of today now have to look like the audience, and not like Greek gods or goddesses who descended from the heavens. “People have realized it after the success of RRR and Pushpa. But <keyword id="95495" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="jr-ntr" source="Orion">Jr NTR</keyword> and <keyword id="17473" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="allu-arjun" source="Orion">Allu Arjun</keyword> have always been popular with their dubbed movies being watched in the hinterlands. I was told by a person outside the industry that heroes like them can be found anywhere in Haryana and Bihar,” Bajpayee said, speaking at a panel discussion organized by Zee5 Global. The actor who completes 20 years in the industry this year, reminisced about times when movies were heavily aspirational, shot abroad etc. Actor <keyword id="6359106" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="nawazuddin-siddiqui" source="Orion">Nawazuddin Siddiqui</keyword> had also addressed this issue in the past, refusing to accept that he had ‘unconventional looks’, claiming that 80% of India looks like him. “That’s true. Most of the country looks like Nawaz and me. I was once offered a movie character who lived in New York, I refused saying, I look nothing like them. Those were aspirational times, now it’s time for realism,” Bajpayee said. ‘Son of the soil’ heroes are finding a place in the hearts of audiences of today, as seen with the rip-roaring success of Gadar 2. “Its success is not because of Gadar 1 which came decades back. Many people in their 20s are watching it. It’s just that heroes should come from the masses and the audience. And, stories where common-man is the setting should be told,” Bajpayee said. ‘Mood of audience is changing’ Indian cinema has been transforming with movies like Kantara and more which are more rooted and local — and are gaining success too. “The more local a movie is, the more universal it is. But mainstream cinema tends to paint in broad strokes,” commented Anupama Chopra, a popular film critic. Most Indian movies, experts noted, are either potboilers or indulgent films which attract a niche audience which make distributors and producers develop cold feet, noted Bajpayee. He urged film makers to be less indulgent and choose middle-of-the-road cinema. Whether it’s the impact of OTT or the complexity of GenZ preferences, the mood of the audience has changed, experts noted at the panel discussion. The audience’s mood is scattered, with strong story backed-movies and potboilers with drama and emotion finding equal amounts of success. “If you see RRR, amidst all the larger-than-life stunts, the core of it is human emotion. Stories should empathize with the audience, create excitement with thrill and drama,” explained Bajpayee. Yet another fear that most filmmakers face is that the youth is getting disconnected from the large screens and there is a lot of fatigue in the world of entertainment. The younger audiences love their ‘shorts’ and more, and it takes a lot to bring them back to the big screens. Pratik Gandhi who is best known for portraying Harshad Mehta in the web series Scam 1992 said that movies that are rooted in soil always find their audience. He quoted the success of Gujarati movie ‘<keyword id="3632898" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="wrong-side-raju" source="Orion">Wrong Side Raju</keyword>’ which later went on to win a National Award, but also raked in the moolah at the box office. “The movie brought Gujarati youth back to the theaters, and broke all records. It also got entry into multiplexes. The face of storytelling is changing,” Gandhi added. SEE ALSO <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/personal-finance/news/the-dark-truth-behind-rbis-crackdown-on-easy-personal-loans/articleshow/105287366.cms">The dark truth behind RBI’s crackdown on easy personal loans</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/late-stage-deals-are-back-but-funding-winter-is-far-from-over-say-vcs/articleshow/105389287.cms">Late-stage deals are back but funding winter is far from over say VCs</a>

Family Man Manoj Bajpayee bats for movie heroes who look like ‘the common man’

<keyword id="6357908" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Durga-Puja" source="Orion">Durga Puja</keyword>, also known as Navaratri in some parts of India, is one of the most vibrant and widely celebrated festivals in the country. This grand celebration honors Goddess Durga, who represents the divine feminine power, and her victory over the demon, Mahishasura. Durga Puja is not just a religious festival; it's a cultural extravaganza that unites communities and showcases the rich tapestry of Indian traditions. In this article, we will explore the history and significance of Durga Puja and discover the top destinations to experience this magnificent festival across India. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="The Significance and History of Durga Puja" comment="subhead" text="The Significance and History of Durga Puja">The Significance and History of Durga Puja</cmsannotation> Durga Puja is celebrated during the Hindu month of Ashwin (usually in September or October), marking the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. The festival symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. The celebration typically spans ten days, known as Navaratri, with the last four days being the most significant. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="How is Durga Puja Celebrated?" comment="subhead" text="How is Durga Puja Celebrated?">How is Durga Puja Celebrated?</cmsannotation> The grandeur of <keyword id="53423" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Durga-Puja-Celebrations" source="Orion">Durga Puja celebrations</keyword> is manifested through intricate rituals, artistic decorations, cultural performances, and delicious feasts. The centerpiece of the celebration is the creation of beautifully crafted clay idols of Goddess Durga, often portraying her slaying Mahishasura. These idols are meticulously handcrafted and painted, and the process often starts months in advance. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="The following are some common aspects of Durga Puja celebrations:" comment="subhead" text="The following are some common aspects of Durga Puja celebrations:">The following are some common aspects of Durga Puja celebrations:</cmsannotation> Pandals: Elaborately decorated temporary structures called "pandals" are erected to house the idols. These pandals often reflect a particular theme or artistic concept. Artistic Excellence: Skilled artisans and sculptors create breathtaking idols and artistic installations, setting new benchmarks for creativity each year. Religious Rituals: Priests conduct various rituals to invoke the goddess's presence and seek her blessings. Cultural Performances: Durga Puja is a showcase of Indian art and culture, with dance performances, music concerts, and drama often taking center stage. Food: Prasad (offerings to the deity) is distributed among devotees, and local delicacies are savored during the festival. Now, let's explore some of the top destinations in India to experience the grandeur of Durga Puja: <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Kolkata, West Bengal" comment="subhead" text="Kolkata, West Bengal"><keyword id="6354925" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kolkata" source="Orion">Kolkata</keyword>, West Bengal</cmsannotation> Kolkata is renowned for its extravagant Durga Puja celebrations. The city comes alive with thousands of pandals, each trying to outdo the other in terms of creativity and grandeur. The tradition of "pandal hopping" is a cherished pastime for both locals and tourists. The idol at Kumartuli, the heart of idol-making in Kolkata, is particularly famous. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh" comment="subhead" text="Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh">Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh</cmsannotation> Varanasi, one of the holiest cities in India, celebrates Durga Puja with great devotion. The city's ghats are illuminated, and processions carrying the goddess's idol are a sight to behold. The immersion of the idols in the sacred Ganges River is a mesmerizing experience. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Delhi" comment="subhead" text="Delhi">Delhi</cmsannotation> The capital city of India sees a vibrant celebration of Durga Puja, with many pandals representing different states of India. The iconic Chittaranjan Park hosts some of the most elaborate and authentic celebrations outside West Bengal. It's a cultural feast for those in North India. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Mysuru, Karnataka" comment="subhead" text="Mysuru, Karnataka">Mysuru, Karnataka</cmsannotation> Mysuru is known for its traditional and regal Dussehra celebrations, which include the worship of Goddess Chamundeshwari. The entire city is adorned with lights and grand processions, including the majestic Mysore Palace procession, make this a unique Durga Puja experience. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Guwahati, Assam" comment="subhead" text="Guwahati, Assam">Guwahati, Assam</cmsannotation> In Assam, Durga Puja is celebrated with Bihu dance performances and traditional Assamese rituals. The Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati is a significant center for celebrations, attracting devotees from across the region. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Jamshedpur, Jharkhand" comment="subhead" text="Jamshedpur, Jharkhand">Jamshedpur, Jharkhand</cmsannotation> Jamshedpur, the steel city, celebrates Durga Puja with much fervor. The famous "Jubilee Park Durga Puja" is an attraction known for its stunning decorations and cultural performances. It's one of the most celebrated pujas in Eastern India. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Pune, Maharashtra" comment="subhead" text="Pune, Maharashtra">Pune, Maharashtra</cmsannotation> In Pune, Durga Puja is celebrated with a blend of Bengali and Maharashtrian traditions. The pujas here are known for their artistic expressions, and cultural programs showcase the diverse cultures of the region. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Kullu, Himachal Pradesh" comment="subhead" text="Kullu, Himachal Pradesh">Kullu, Himachal Pradesh</cmsannotation> Kullu Dussehra, as it's known, is celebrated with a week-long international festival featuring local deities, cultural programs, and processions. It's an excellent example of Durga Puja's diverse interpretations across India. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Chennai, Tamil Nadu" comment="subhead" text="Chennai, Tamil Nadu">Chennai, Tamil Nadu</cmsannotation> In Chennai, Durga Puja is celebrated with much gusto. The puja at the Dakshinamurthy Auditorium is known for its cultural diversity, with various cultural events and Bengali food stalls. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Patna, Bihar" comment="subhead" text="Patna, Bihar">Patna, Bihar</cmsannotation> Patna hosts an array of traditional and artistic Durga Pujas. The celebrations often include a grand immersion procession with drummers and dancers, providing a unique experience for all. Durga Puja, celebrated across India, is a testament to the country's cultural diversity and unity in the worship of the divine feminine power. Each region adds its own unique flavor to this grand festival, making it a beautiful mosaic of traditions, creativity, and devotion. Whether you visit Kolkata's extravagant pandals, witness the royal procession in Mysore, or experience the cultural diversity of Pune, Durga Puja is a festival that will leave you mesmerized and enriched. Note: The article is based on content generated by AI models like Bard and Chatgpt. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/travel/india/these-are-6-most-famous-and-historic-sweets-shops-in-kolkata/slidelist/101382986.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Kolkata's historic sweet shops that leave you craving for more</a>

Celebrating Durga puja across India: Top destinations for festive bliss

<keyword id="680726" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="directorate" source="Orion">Directorate</keyword> of Enforcement (ED) has busted an inter-state gang of racketeers indulging in preparing and sending forged summons/ notices to the general public in the name of this Directorate for the purpose of extortion of money. Cautioning the people against the "unscrupulous elements" who have been trying to "forge ED's summons with an intention to cheat and extort money from the gullible victims", the agency said that ED has evolved a fool-proof mechanism for issuance of a summons for the recording of statements under <keyword id="57302" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="pmla" source="Orion">PMLA</keyword> as well as FEMA and that the summons approved by the competent authority are generated electronically and can be authenticated by a unique QR code mentioned on the summons. The ED, in a statement, said, that it came to its notice that an interstate gang, targeting high-profile persons and businessmen of the society and threatening them in the name of ED by sending them forged summons/notices, is active. "This gang issued forged summons of the Directorate to the President and Director of a reputed foreign company based in Mumbai, namely Nippon Paints, directing them to appear at the <keyword id="66" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="delhi" source="Orion">Delhi</keyword> Office of the Directorate and attend proceedings u/s 50 of PMLA, 2002. Thereafter, the members of the gang contacted the officers of that company and told them that they have good contacts with some officers of ED and they could settle the matter for which they demanded Rs 15-20 crore," the statement said. The victim company brought this matter to the notice of this Directorate following which a trap was laid and the members of the gang were asked to come to Delhi for purpose of negotiation. After the gang members agreed to come to Delhi, a joint team of ED and Delhi Police was formed. The members of the gang including the kingpin of the gang namely Akhilesh Mishra hailing from Mumbai were apprehended from the hotel where they were staying, the agency said. Other arrested persons include Darshan Harish Joshi, also from Mumbai and Devender Dubey who came in a car with stickers of Govt. of India, pretending himself as an officer of ED and who threatened the representatives of the company to settle the matter otherwise he would arrest them the next day. "The room of the hotel of kingpin was searched and three more members of the gang were found there. Later on, four more members of the gang were apprehended," the statement said. A total of ten persons of the said gang namely Akhilesh Mishra(Mumbai), Darshan Harish Joshi (Mumbai), <keyword id="911430" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="vinod-patel" source="Orion">Vinod Patel</keyword> (Bihar), DharmenderGiri(Delhi), Naresh Mahto(Kolkata), DevenderDubey (Bihar), Ashrar Ali (Delhi), Gajender (<keyword id="56516" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="ghazipur" source="Orion">Ghazipur</keyword>, UP) and Vishnu Prasad(Delhi) have been arrested so far. "The general public is hereby advised to be alert and cautious and verify the genuineness of the summons received by them by checking the QR code and not to fall into the trap of such gangsters," the ED said. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/fair-transparent-mechanism-required-to-appoint-someone-of-strong-character-as-chief-election-commissioner-sc/articleshow/95705874.cms">Fair, transparent mechanism required to appoint someone of strong character as Chief Election Commissioner: SC</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/indias-pharma-exports-up-by-138-over-2013-14-health-minister-mansukh-mandaviya/articleshow/95706890.cms">India's pharma exports up by 138% over 2013-14: Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya</a>

Enforcement Directorate busts racket that's sending fake summons in its name

Equity benchmark indices rebounded on Friday early trade after four days of decline with the <keyword id="6484188" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="sensex" source="Orion">Sensex</keyword> climbing 339.81 points amid mixed global market trends. The 30-share <keyword id="35140" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="bse" source="Orion">BSE</keyword> benchmark was trading 339.81 points higher at 53,755.96. The broader NSE <keyword id="6354813" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="nifty" source="Orion">Nifty</keyword> advanced 72.35 points to 16,011. Among the Sensex constituents, Hindustan Unilever, <keyword id="6354287" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="bharti-airtel" source="Orion">Bharti Airtel</keyword>, <keyword id="14459040" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nestle-larsen-toubro" source="Orion">Nestle, Larsen &amp; Toubro</keyword>, Asian Paints, Titan, Maruti, <keyword id="46013" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="kotak-mahindra-bank" source="Orion">Kotak Mahindra Bank</keyword> and Reliance Industries were the major gainers. <keyword id="14459039" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="wipro-tata-steel" source="Orion">Wipro, Tata Steel</keyword>, HCL Technologies, Axis Bank, Tech Mahindra and Bajaj Finance were the laggards. In Asia, markets in Seoul and Tokyo were trading in the green, while Shanghai and Hong Kong quoted lower. The US markets had ended on a mixed note on Thursday. The BSE benchmark settled 98 points or 0.18 per cent lower at 53,416.15 on Thursday. The Nifty ended 28 points or 0.18 per cent down at 15,938.65. Meanwhile, international oil benchmark Brent crude jumped 0.99 per cent to USD 100.08 per barrel. Foreign institutional investors turned net buyers in the capital market on Thursday, buying shares worth Rs 309.06 crore, as per exchange data. "The major drag on the market continues to be the FII selling which has exceeded USD 30 billion, so far this year. But this month, FIIs have been buyers for 2 days including yesterday. This means some of the FIIs have started buying in segments where valuations have become attractive," said V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services. SEE ALSO : <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/bihar-govt-employees-will-need-clearance-from-their-exes-to-be-able-to-marry-for-the-second-time/articleshow/92872087.cms">Bihar govt employees will need clearance from their exes to be able to marry for the second time</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/samsung-aims-to-sell-m-series-smartphones-worth-1-billion-this-year-in-india/articleshow/92872013.cms">Samsung aims to sell M-series smartphones worth $1 billion in India this year</a>

Sensex gains 339 points in early trade on mixed global cues

<keyword id="6358777" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="New-Delhi">New Delhi</keyword>, <keyword id="1588424" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Farmer-leaders">Farmer leaders</keyword> are expected to meet on Tuesday to discuss a plan of action as thousands gathered at protest sites on Delhi's borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to press for the repeal of the <keyword id="10352079" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="new-agri-laws">new agri laws</keyword> brace the cold wave sweeping through the national capital. Efforts are underway by the unions to draw <keyword id="6367209" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="support">support</keyword> from farmers in other states like Bihar for their demand to enact a law assuring <keyword id="76332" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Minimum-Support-Price">Minimum Support Price</keyword> as the protest at the border points have been going on for almost four weeks now. On Monday, the farmers held a relay hunger strike at various protest sites in batches of 11. In the letter to 40 union leaders, the Joint Secretary in <keyword id="9313637" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-union-agriculture-ministry">the Union Agriculture Ministry</keyword>, Vivek Aggarwal, on Sunday asked them to specify their concerns over its earlier proposal of amendments in the laws and choose a convenient date for the next round of talks so that the ongoing agitation could end at the earliest. The sixth round of talks on December 9 was cancelled following a deadlock with the farmer unions refusing to budge from their demand for repealing the three laws. Owing to ongoing agitation, the Delhi Traffic Police said the Singhu, Auchandi, Piau Maniyari, and Mangesh borders are closed. It advised commuters to take alternative routes through the Lampur, Safiabad Saboli and Singhu school toll tax borders. Police said that as traffic has been diverted from Mukarba and the GTK road, people are suggested to avoid Outer Ring Road, the GTK road and National Highway (NH) 44. Those travelling to Haryana can go through the Jharoda (only single carriageway), Daurala, Kapashera, Badusarai, Rajokri NH-8, Bijwasan-Bajghera, Palam Vihar and Dundahera borders. According to the traffic police, Tikri and Dhansa borders are also closed for traffic but the Jhatikara border was open only for two-wheelers and pedestrians. At the Chilla border, the Delhi to Noida carriageway is open for traffic. The Noida to Delhi carriageway is, however, closed. The Ghazipur border was also closed for traffic movement. Enacted in September, the three farm laws have been projected by the central government as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove the middlemen and allow farmers to sell anywhere in the country. However, the protesting farmers have expressed apprehension that the new laws would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of Minimum Support Price and do away with the mandi system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates. The government has repeatedly asserted that the MSP and mandi systems will stay and has accused the opposition of misleading the farmers. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/top-stocks-to-watch-spicejet-interglobe-aviation-tata-motors-pfizer-asian-paints-niit-lupin-and-others/articleshow/79849749.cms">Top stocks to watch – SpiceJet, InterGlobe Aviation, Tata Motors, Pfizer, Asian Paints, NIIT, Lupin, and others</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/how-to-check-mrs-bectors-food-specialities-ipo-allotment-status-online/articleshow/79808672.cms?upcache=2">Mrs Bectors Food Specialities IPO allotment today: Here’s how to check share allotment status</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/google-microsoft-invest-in-dailyhunt-for-its-short-video-platform-josh-making-it-the-latest-unicorn-in-india/articleshow/79850804.cms">Google, Microsoft invest in DailyHunt for its short video platform Josh – making it the latest unicorn in India</a>

Farmer union leaders to meet today to decide on further discussions with government

States which failed to submit their options before the <keyword id="3680839" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="gst-council-meeting">GST Council meeting</keyword> in October will have to wait for at least two years to get compensation on Goods and Services Tax collection shortfall expected during the transition period, Finance Ministry sources said on Monday. The sources said that such states will have to wait till June 2022 to get compensation dues, subject to the condition that the GST Council extends the cess collection period beyond 2022. This is so because the Council is expected to adopt one of the two options given by the Centre to meet the <keyword id="2600993" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="GST-compensation">GST compensation</keyword> needs of the states this year. The states which decide against operationalisation of the new <keyword id="9971535" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="gst-compensation-formula">GST compensation formula</keyword> will get their dues only to the extent of compensation cess collected in FY21 and distributed in proportion among all states and union territories. The balance shortfall will only be met from the collection of GST compensation cess beyond the five-year transition period that ends in June 2022. This will be subject to GST Council approval to the extension of compensation cess. The GST Council, in its 41st meeting on August 27, 2020, had decided to give its member-states two borrowing options to meet their compensation shortfall and a response time of 7 working days from the formal receipt of the detailed proposal on the options by email. Almost 15 states had submitted their options by September 15 and more have joined since. Option-1 on GST compensation brought before the Council last month allows states to borrow, under a special dispensation from the Reserve Bank of India, a sum of about Rs 97,000 crore shortfall calculated by the Centre that is directly on account of GST implementation. Option-2 allows states to borrow the entire projected GST compensation shortfall of Rs 2,35,000 crore (total shortfall of Rs 3 lakh crore minus Rs 65,000 crore collected as GST compensation cess) for FY21. So far, 21 states/UTs have expressed preference for Borrowing Option-1 proposed by the Centre. With GST Act requiring voting for any resolution regarding an option by at least 20 states, the move is expected to be adopted by the GST Council at its meeting next month. If this option is indeed adopted, all states would be able to move ahead and borrow under the scheme suggested by the Centre to meet their shortfall arising due to GST switchover. If states still opt out, they will have to wait to get full compensation. Among the 21 states/UTs which support the first option on GST compensation are Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Puducherry, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. Manipur, the only state which had earlier opted for Option-2, later preferred to change it to Option-1. A few more states are, also, to give their borrowing option in a day or two. However, some of them like Jharkhand, Kerala, Maharashtra, NCT of Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and West Bengal are yet to respond to the GST Council proposal to decide their options. Under the existing GST Act, compensation for shortfall in GST collections over an agreed formula is payable by the Centre for the first five years of the operation of the new tax system from July 2017 to June 2022. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/top-ten-phishing-examples-and-tricks-used-by-companies-to-test-their-employees-cybersecurity-smarts/slidelist/78228072.cms">Top ten phishing tricks that companies are using to test their employees’ cybersecurity smarts</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/markets/news/indian-tech-companies-hcl-tech-wipro-infosys-tcs-share-price-are-green-today/articleshow/78228700.cms">It’s not just the DWS deal, Morgan Stanley's outlook has painted HCL Tech green⁠ — along with TCS, Infosys and Wipro</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/google-hits-back-at-paytm-reiterates-that-repeated-policy-violations-will-lead-to-stricter-actions/articleshow/78229677.cms">Google hits back at Paytm ⁠— reiterates that ‘repeated policy violations’ will lead to stricter actions</a>

States not choosing GST compensation options by October will have wait another two years

In what is one of the biggest reductions since <keyword id="6354679" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="GST">GST</keyword> came into effect from July 1, the <keyword id="6355040" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="GST-Council">GST Council</keyword> has today reduced <keyword id="6403501" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="tax-rates">tax rates</keyword> on more than 175 items. The council, which is currently meeting in Guwahati, has decided to cut keep only 50 luxury and 'sin’ goods like tobacco in the highest slab. Meanwhile, tax rates have been slashed from the existing 28% on a host of consumer items such as chocolates, chewing gum, shampoo, deodorant, shoe polish, detergents, nutrition drinks, marble and cosmetics. "Only 50 items will face 28% rate," Bihar finance minister Sushil Modi told reporters on the sidelines of the ongoing Council meet. "There were 227 items in the 28% slab. The fitment committee had recommended that it should be pruned to 62 items. But the GST Council has further pruned to more items. Now all types of chewing gum, chocolates, preparation for women cosmetics, shaving and after-shave items, deodorants, washing powder detergent and granite and marble. All these items have been put in the 18% category," Modi said. Paints, cement have been retained at 28%. Luxury goods such as washing machine and air conditioners will still be taxed at 28%. The tax cuts will have a revenue implication of about Rs 20,000 crore. Even as there is a consensus that slowly, the 28 per cent slab should be brought to 18 per cent, the council is still skeptical because of a huge revenue implication. In the next few hours, the Council is expected to take crucial decisions to make composition scheme more attractive, improve compliance burden, and it may explore the possibility of including real estate under GST.

Only 50 luxury and 'sin' items find their place in GST's highest slab

<ul><li>As the number of Covid-19 cases keep going up in India, various brands and business tycoons have come ahead to donate to help the government in its drive to control the spread of the virus.</li><li>While many companies have created funds to contribute to the PM Cares Fund, a lot of other brands are contributing by donating sanitizers, masks and even food, to help those in the need.</li></ul>The world, as we knew it even till a month back, has changed. With the <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">Coronavirus</keyword> outbreak, our country, along with many other countries across the world has announced complete lockdown. The effects of this pandemic, both on the economy, and on human life, will be massive. At the time of writing this report, the number of positive cases in India crossed 1,050, and the death toll stands at 29. And the number is growing with each passing day. While governments across the globe are working tirelessly to come up with ways of minimizing the impact of this pandemic, we have seen many brands come forward, and contribute in different ways, to help out in these trying times. Since we are seeing a lot of brands come up with many initiatives almost every day, we will keep updating this space with the latest happenings. Tata Group: <keyword id="6360722" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="ratan-tata">Ratan Tata</keyword>, Chairman <keyword id="6383155" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata-Trusts">Tata Trusts</keyword> and Chairman Emeritus Tata Sons, pledged Rs 500 crore to protect and empower all affected communities. The money will be spent on personal protective equipment for medical personnel, respiratory systems for treating increasing cases, testing kits to increase per capita testing, setting up modular treatment facilities for infected patients and knowledge management and training of health workers and the general public. <div type="twitter" handle="RNTata2000" handlename="Ratan N. Tata" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1189494401359208448/AwbXHtpn_normal.jpg" favoritecount="199569" retweetcount="59205" status="The COVID 19 crisis is one of the toughest challenges we will face as a race. The Tata Trusts and the Tata group co… https://t.co/GQ6H6sSFcF" createdat="1585392484000" id="1243852348637605888"></div> Mahindra Group: <keyword id="46425" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Anand-Mahindra">Anand Mahindra</keyword>, Chairman, Mahindra Group said he will donate 100% of his salary to create a fund to help small businesses and self-employed people who are expected to be impacted the most due to the outbreak. He also urged our businesses to also set aside contributions for those who are the hardest hit in their ecosystem. <div type="twitter" handle="anandmahindra" handlename="anand mahindra" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1053583782584807425/-7IRmY5u_normal.jpg" favoritecount="48372" retweetcount="13478" status="Going by various reports from epidemiologists, it is highly likely that India is already in Stage 3 of transmission… https://t.co/hBSwnUb9Vp" createdat="1584860752000" id="1241622104778268672"></div> ITC: ITC is setting up a Contingency Fund of Rs 150 crore to address and manage the challenges arising out of the Covid-19 outbreak. The fund will be utilised primarily to provide relief to the vulnerable and most needy sections of society who have been harshly impacted by the pandemic and have faced significant disruption in their livelihoods. Additionally, the fund will collaborate with District Authorities to provide assistance to the district health and rural healthcare eco-system that reaches out to the weakest sections of society. Furthermore, the brand added that the resources under this fund could also be channelised towards the protection and well-being of the ground forces doing commendable work to reach medicines, groceries, other essential goods, sourcing of agri-commodities and so on for people across the country during the lockdown, by providing protective personal gear and hygiene products to such frontline warriors. Reckitt Benckiser: Reckitt Benckiser has launched the RB Fight for Access Fund to improve access to health, hygiene and nutrition for all. As part of this fund, an additional £32 million has been mobilized to address the urgent collective fight against the spread of Covid-19 by breaking the chain of this fast-spreading infection. In India, the brand will be distributing 10 million units of Dettol Soap to the most vulnerable. RB will also be donating 1 million litres of its disinfectant products including Lizol disinfectant liquid and Harpic toilet cleaners to aid India’s states in fighting this crisis especially in public health institutions and at the frontline with health and sanitation workers. It will donate critical protection equipment, 3.5 million N95 masks with a focus on pharmacists and health care workers. These will be distributed across their major markets. Dettol is also partnering with Bollywood actress, Madhur Dixit to release an engaging public service announcement #ApniSurkashaApneHaath to encourage viewers to practice handwashing. Godrej Group: The Godrej Group announced that it is earmarking a fund of Rs 50 crore for community support and relief initiatives in India. This is an initial outlay and the corporate said that it hopes to supplement it over time. It has been buying and supplying medical equipment and protective supplies for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). As a part of the initiative, the group has donated Rs 5 crore to the BMC, donated 115 hospital beds to Maharashtra government hospitals and helped set up a 75-bed quarantine center at the Seven Hills Hospital. Moreover, it has supported the free distribution of 1 million packets of Godrej Protekt Mr. Magic powder-to-liquid hand wash in Maharashtra through partnership with the BMC and Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), partnered with communities linked to their CSR programmes to support 1.12 lakh beneficiaries across 8 states with hand wash, sanitisers and soap, donated sanitisers to the Mumbai police force, begun ramping up capacity to meet the demand for soap, hand wash and sanitisers and initiated outreach through various networks and hand wash education programmes. Reliance Group: <keyword id="3820" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mukesh-Ambani">Mukesh Ambani</keyword> has pledged to donate Rs 5 crore to Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Led by Nita, Ambani Reliance Foundation has promised to provide a free meal to needy people across the country. Additionally, Ambani has also donated a hospital for the patients battling with infection of Covid-19 and will set up a dedicated 100-bed centre at Seven Hills Hospital in Mumbai, along with a fully-equipped isolation facility in Lodhivali, Maharashtra. Paytm: Paytm said that it is aiming to contribute ₹500 crore to the PM CARES Fund. For every contribution, or any other payment done by consumers on Paytm, the online payment app said it will contribute an extra up to ₹10. <div type="twitter" handle="Paytm" handlename="Paytm" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1242803598083395585/4cWZptzw_normal.jpg" favoritecount="9431" retweetcount="2966" status="Paytm is aiming to contribute ₹500 Crore to the PM CARES Fund. For every contribution, or any other payment done… https://t.co/JrSAJTnO1J" createdat="1585411759000" id="1243933194556248064"></div> PhonePe: PhonePe has launched a #100CrorePledge, urging 10 crore Indian citizens to donate to the PMCARES Fund to show their solidarity in fighting the menace of COVID-19. PhonePe has pledged to contribute Rs 10 for every Indian who donates even Rs 1 to the PMCARES Fund via the PhonePe App using UPI by April 30, 2020. In total, PhonePe has pledged to contribute a maximum of up to Rs 100 crore. <div type="twitter" handle="PhonePe_" handlename="PhonePe" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1228394203421372416/4X3QZazb_normal.jpg" favoritecount="834" retweetcount="306" status="Join our #100CrorePledge &amp; donate to the PMCARES FUND using contactless UPI payments. Remember no contribution is t… https://t.co/b6Z4yD3rMh" createdat="1585405072000" id="1243905146087542785"></div> Zomato: Along with announcing measures to help its partner restaurants, delivery staff, and other daily wage workers in India who are currently income-starved due to the lockdown, Zomato set up ‘Feeding India’, a fund to support families of the daily wage workers in India in the absence of employment opportunities. Known as ‘Feeding India’, the initiative has successfully received more than Rs 6 crore in funds. <div type="twitter" handle="deepigoyal" handlename="Deepinder Goyal" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/980757579360972800/TWg-KSki_normal.jpg" favoritecount="1727" retweetcount="1399" status="Please help by donating to 'Feed the Daily Wager' by Zomato Feeding India (@FeedingIndia) and provide food support… https://t.co/8vQRliTLtM" createdat="1585054814000" id="1242436058748317697"></div> Parle: Parle, makers of the much loved Parle-G biscuits announced that it is joining hands with the government to give away 3 crore packets of Parle-G to people in need over the next 3 weeks. The brand made the announcement after PM Narendra Modi made an announcement of the country’s lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus. <div type="javascript" title="Instagram" contenttype="Image"><cdata><![CDATA[<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-KFdVOgb8-/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-KFdVOgb8-/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-KFdVOgb8-/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">In times like this, we need to come together to fight for the well being of our people. Let us spread hope for a better tomorrow.⁣ ⁣ #ParleG #IndiaFightsCorona #IndiaRunsOnHope #StayHomeStaySafe #SocialDistancing #FlattenTheCurve #JantaCurfew #Biscuits</a> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/officialparleg/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Parle-G</a> (@officialparleg) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2020-03-25T13:02:47+00:00">Mar 25, 2020 at 6:02am PDT</time></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>]]></cdata></div> Diageo: Diageo India, the liquor firm that sells McDowell’s whisky and Smirnoff vodka, will produce 3 lakh litres of hand sanitizers to help overcome its shortage in the country due to the Covid-19 outbreak. A stock exchange filing by the company stated that 15 of the liquor firm’s manufacturing units are being repurposed to manufacture hand sanitisers and donation of extra neutral alcohol (ENA). Kansai Nerolac: Kansai Nerolac Paints has announced that it will do an early disbursement of funds to its painter community falling under the Nerolac Premium Painter Pragati (NPP Pragati) Programme. Over 30,000 painters can benefit from Nerolac’s initiative, upto Rs 36,000 approximately. Mankind Pharma: Mankind Pharma has pledged to donate Rs 51 crore to CM Relief fund to manage the outbreak. The brand will be donating ventilators, Personal protective equipment (PPE) and medicines to the states reporting maximum number of positive cases. Mankind Pharma will be working closely with the Governments of Kerala, Maharashtra, UP, Uttrakhand, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, AP, Telangana, Delhi, Haryana, HP, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, West Bengal J&amp;K and Orrisa.

You Searched For "bihar painting" and got 15 results

Explore one of the oldest Indian city: 10 must-visit places in Patna with friends

BI India Bureau

A designer just made the most unexpected happen. Carving out Madhubani out of Disney princesses' style

Suchayan Mandal

Top stocks to watch— SBI, RIL, Hero Moto, NTPC, Sun Pharma, Vodafone Idea, Berger Paints and others

Navdeep Yadav

A bunch of artists converted the walls of this Bihar school into beautiful displays of art

Poulomi Das

This is why India’s MBAs and engineers may be hoping to turn watchman and sanitation workers

Prerna Sindwani

The Return of Rahul: Congress suddenly reminded of its opposition status

BI India Bureau

India’s e-commerce boom: Gen Z, small cities, and self-care trends on the rise, says Meesho

Ayush Mehrotra

Family Man Manoj Bajpayee bats for movie heroes who look like ‘the common man’

Katya Naidu

Celebrating Durga puja across India: Top destinations for festive bliss

Shagun

Ayush

Enforcement Directorate busts racket that's sending fake summons in its name

ANI

Sensex gains 339 points in early trade on mixed global cues

PTI

Farmer union leaders to meet today to decide on further discussions with government

PTI

States not choosing GST compensation options by October will have wait another two years

IANS

Only 50 luxury and 'sin' items find their place in GST's highest slab

BI India Bureau

How brands are contributing to the fight against Coronavirus

BI India Partner