He came home from Singapore for a wedding. His neighbour shot him dead

A parking dispute turned fatal in Haryana's Faridabad after a man was shot dead by his neighbour, who fired 15–16 rounds from his licensed pistol, on the night of Dhanteras. The victim, identified as Paramjeet Dhankar, sustained 8–9 bullet injuries and died in the attack.

The incident took place in Sector 21C, two days before Diwali. The accused, identified as Mohan alias Monu Sharma, opened fire on Paramjeet following an argument over parking a vehicle. He fled with his family after the shooting, and police teams are searching for him.
 

Police inspect the crime scene in Faridabad's Sector 21C, where a man was shot dead by his neighbour; bullet were recovered during the investigation. (Source: ITG)
 

VICTIM HAD RETURNED FROM SINGAPORE FOR NEPHEW'S WEDDING

Paramjeet lived with his wife, son and daughter on the first floor of house number 641. He worked for a large national company and stayed in Singapore for professional commitments. He had returned to Faridabad just two days before the incident to attend his nephew's wedding, scheduled for November 24.

. . . . .

Originally from Hisar, Paramjeet had returned home from the gym at around 8 pm when the dispute broke out with Mohan, who lived on the third floor of the same building.

According to the information shared by the police, the disagreement over parking escalated, following which the accused pulled out his licensed pistol and fired multiple rounds at Paramjeet.
 

FAMILIES HAD PREVIOUS DISPUTES, ACCUSED FLED

Police said the two families had a history of disagreements. Five days before the shooting, Mohan had abused Paramjeet's son following a dispute over a dog.

After the shooting, the accused fled with his family. Police, Crime Branch personnel and a forensic science laboratory (FSL) team reached the spot after receiving information about the incident.

Empty cartridge cases were recovered from the scene as part of the investigation. Police are conducting searches to trace the accused.

Paramjeet's body will be sent for a post-mortem examination at ESIC Medical College.

Former Tech Mahindra head killed by neighbour in Faridabad parking row; shot 9 times | India News

Former regional business head of Tech Mahindra’s Asia-Pacific region was shot dead by his neighbour following a dispute over parking in Faridabad’s Sector 21C on Friday night.
Police said the two families, who live in the same four-storey building, had been embroiled in a dispute for several days over parking and a dog being made to defecate in the parking area. (HT Photos)
Police said the two families, who live in the same four-storey building, had been embroiled in a dispute for several days over parking and a dog being made to defecate in the parking area. (HT Photos)

The victim, Paramjith Dhankhar, was settled in Singapore and was presently working as the senior vice president of FPT Software Company Limited, which is headquartered in Vietnam.

According to the police, the suspect, identified as Mohan Sharma, allegedly opened fire on Dhankhar with his licensed pistol, firing around 15 rounds, nine of which hit the victim, killing him on the spot.

On complaint of the victim’s son, Shaurya Dhankhar, an FIR under section 103(1) (murder) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act was registered at Surajkund police station on Saturday, police said.

Police said the two families, who live in the same four-storey building, had been embroiled in a dispute for several days over parking and a dog being made to defecate in the parking area.

Dhankhar lived on the ground floor, while the accused lived on the second floor, investigators said.

Police said that Sharma’s son allegedly used to make his dog defecate in the parking area, on which Dhankhar’s family repeatedly raised objections. The disagreement had led to several confrontations in the past few days, including an argument four to five days ago.

. . . . .

On Friday night, the Dhankhar and Sharma again got into an argument over parking a vehicle, following which Sharma allegedly called Dhankhar out of his home and shot him multiple times with his licensed pistol.

Police said Dhankhar, who frequently travelled to Singapore for work, had returned to Faridabad on November 5 to attend his nephew’s wedding scheduled for November 24, police said.

District police teams, crime branches and forensic expert teams reached the spot after receiving information about the shooting. Investigators recovered several empty cartridges from the spot. Dhankhar’s body was taken to Badshah Khan Civil Hospital for autopsy.

Yashpal Yadav, public relations officer of Faridabad police, said Sharma fled from the spot soon after the incident.

Sonia Gandhi, in an interview to The Hindu, suggests that "people are beginning to be restless", adding that they are "recognising" the "great damage" that has been done to "our country, our democracy and our institutions" under the BJP government over the last 12 years.

The 79-year-old leader, whose memoir 'Belonging: A Journey Of Love' launches worldwide on November 10, tells the national daily that she is "not so pessimistic" when told that the decline of the Congress as India's dominant party is a "fact of political life".

The Congress has been spearheading protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over SIR or special intensive revision of electoral rolls over what it calls 'vote chori' and electoral irregularities.

In July, student-led protests forced the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as Education Minister over the NEET paper leak.

"Over the last twelve years great damage has been done to the fabric of our country, our democracy and our institutions. Even after this government goes it will take time to restore our systems back to health, and great effort from political parties. People are now beginning to be restless and recognising the damage. But I am optimistic and I know that the people of India will welcome a return to proper governance," she told the publisher when questioned if politics will return to a contest over policies and programmes if the BJP is voted out of power in the 2029 next Lok Sabha elections.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, taking objection to Sonia Gandhi's democracy comments, questioned the Congress leader on the Emergency.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"The article (The Hindu interview) makes certain observations regarding democracy. I would like to ask Sonia ji: does she not recall the period of 1975, when democracy was strangled? Thousands of senior leaders from various political parties were thrown into jail, and the voices of journalists were silenced. She ought to remember that era as well. In contrast, over the last 12 years, PM Modi has nurtured, flourished, and strengthened democracy, proclaiming to the entire world that India is the 'mother of democracy.' It is Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has emphatically declared that 'India is the mother of democracy,'" Meghwal said.

Union Textile Minister Giriraj Singh also led the BJP's counterattack on Sonia Gandhi, pointing out that in nine states the Congress "haven't held power for forty years". The BJP Minister said "this is the same Congress that imposed the Emergency and silenced the people". 

In the same interview, Sonia Gandhi listed out a set of deteriorating circumstances leading upto the period of Emergency, adding that Indira Gandhi later "publically expressed regret for the excesses during the Emergency".

"When I take myself back to that period and try and see it from Mrs. Gandhi's point of view, I see her struggling to cope with the rapidly deteriorating prevailing circumstances: violent protests, government offices and public transport set on fire, widespread organised unrest and even a call for the bureaucracy and armed forces to disobey orders," she said.

She emphasised that the decision to invoke Emergency was ultimately resolved through democratic means.

"Hindsight allows us to put things better in perspective. Let's not forget that it was Mrs. Gandhi herself who came to recognise what was happening and called for the March 1977 election. And you know very well that she herself later publicly expressed regret and apologised for excesses during the Emergency," she added.

The Congress leader admitted that "in politics compromises are at times unavoidable", but she and her party have "never made any compromises with the BJP and the RSS and we never will".

The Congress got a shellacking when it lost three consecutive general elections - in 2014, 2019, 2024 - and has not been able to reverse the declining trend. The party, pointing to the alleged disquiet within the Election Commission as detailed in an Express report, claims that polls have been stolen and has been petitioning to go back to the ballot papers.

The Express report detailed how Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi formally objected on record 14 times over 10 months to decisions and orders related to the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR, of electoral rolls process under Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Sonia Gandhi claimed that her Congress party and others have "not had a level playing field" since the BJP has come to power.

"I am not so pessimistic. Consider that the Congress party and other opposition parties have not had a level playing field since this government came to power. Take into account the complete stranglehold they have on all institutions, especially the Election Commission, their control of mainstream media, their money power and their exploitation of religion," Gandhi said.

"Yet, our party is fighting and making progress, in fact, it is the only party that has had the resilience to withstand this onslaught. Our workers and leaders have been extremely courageous. They have faced persecution of all kinds and yet, in every village and every district, congressmen and women are still fighting for the values enshrined in our Constitution. What is more, it has been amply proved in recent months that many elections have been stolen, and people are now more aware of it," she said.

The Congress is working with like-minded parties, Sonia Gandhi said, claiming that her party's "prospects are improving day by day".

Sonia Gandhi suggested that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's humble origins, of him being a tea seller, may have been exaggerated by his PR team, but says he "had certainly worked his way to power within the RSS from an underprivileged world".

"It's true that he comes from a very different ideological world. But there are many ways that people succeed in politics - within the Congress party, take for example Dr. Manmohan Singh and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. I don't think we have much to learn from the RSS," she said.

Shashi Tharoor Praises Nithya Raman's US Mayoral Win, Swipes At Indian Mayors

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor congratulated Kerala-born Nithya Raman on her election as the mayor of Los Angeles while using her victory to criticise the limited authority given to mayors in cities in India.

He also referred to Zohran Mamdani in New York, saying America's two biggest cities would be led by people of Indian-origin.

"A daughter of Thiruvananthapuram, Nithya Raman, is the new Mayor of Los Angeles," Tharoor wrote on X.

"I'm sure they will do a far better job than their counterparts back in India, who are reduced to powerlessness by a British-era system that disperses authority and budgets, leaving Mayors here without any real means to govern their cities effectively," Tharoor said. 

A daughter of Thiruvananthapuram, @nithyavraman, is the new Mayor of Los Angeles! And with @ZohranKMamdani in New York, America's two biggest cities will be run by people of Indian origin! I'm sure they will do a far better job than their counterparts back in India, who are reduced to powerlessness by a British-era system that disperses authority and budgets, leaving Mayors here without any real means to govern their cities effectively.

Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) November 5, 2026

In most cities in India, the mayor is the political and ceremonial head of the municipal corporation but not its main executive authority. The municipal commissioner who is often a senior bureaucrat appointed by the state government controls daily administration and substantial parts of the civic budget.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Born in India, Raman moved to the US with her family when she was six. She studied at Harvard University and later obtained a master's degree in urban planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Before entering electoral politics, she worked on homelessness and co-founded the SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition.

Raman was first elected to the Los Angeles City Council in 2020, becoming its first South Asian member and the first Asian-American woman to serve on the body. She won another term in 2024 before contesting the mayoral election.

Now, in another first, the Indian-origin leader defeated Karen Bass to become the first Indian-American and first South Asian elected to lead the city.

"Los Angeles, I am deeply honoured to be your next mayor," Raman wrote on X on Thursday.

The latest Los Angeles County election update showed she got 52.70 per cent of the ballots counted and Bass got 47.30 per cent.

Bass conceded the election and said she had spoken to Raman. "I've called Councilmember Raman to congratulate her, and I'm committed to a smooth transition," she wrote on X.

In her response, Raman said she had thanked the outgoing mayor for her leadership and years of public service. Raman's campaign centred on housing affordability, homelessness and the delivery of municipal services apart from promises to improve street lighting and repair potholes.

AI stocks, oil fall as investors bet on change after US election 'blue wave'

LONDON, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Chip stocks and the dollar fell on Thursday, while oil steadied around recent ​lows and broader share prices, gold and other assets rose after a sweeping Democratic victory in US midterm elections raised hopes for an end ‌to the US-Iran war.

Brent crude futures dived nearly 9% overnight, falling below $100 a barrel for the first time in two months. The price has dropped by about 20% so far this week, heading for its largest weekly loss since April 2020.

The Reuters Power Up newsletter by columnist Ron Bousso provides everything you need to know about the global energy industry. Sign up here.

Tumbling energy prices encouraged a rally in bonds, which lowered US yields, kept the dollar around one-month lows against the euro , and helped stocks.

The MSCI All-World index
(.MIWD00000PUS), opens new tab

​was up 0.1%, having posted its biggest one-day gain since late July on Wednesday. In Europe, the STOXX 600
(.STOXX), opens new tab

rallied another 0.7%, bringing the index to ​within a whisker of August's record high.

"When it comes to the headline result, it’s not too different from investor expectations beforehand, even ⁠if the scale of the Democratic victory was bigger than expected," Deutsche Bank strategist Jim Reid said.

"In many respects, the overall rally fits into the classic midterm pattern ​we’ve previously highlighted. After all, in 20 out of 20 midterm elections since World War Two, the S&P 500 has been higher one year later," he said.

. . . . .

Overnight on Wall ​Street, the benchmark indexes rallied as investors took heart from the clear outcome, with the S&P 500
(.SPX), opens new tab

closing 1.6% higher, although tech stocks continued to struggle as investors fear greater scrutiny over AI infrastructure build-out.

The Philadelphia semiconductor index
(.SOX), opens new tab

fell 3.1%, having lost a quarter of its value in a month.

Democratic data-centre opponents who campaigned, in part, on moratoriums on data centre construction won victories in ​Texas and Georgia.

Futures on the Nasdaq 100 were down 0.7%, while those on the S&P itself fell just 0.1%.
SELL CHIPS, BUY BANKS

Item 1 of 2 People stand in front of an electronic board showing the stock market index at the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) in Jakarta, Indonesia, October 21, 2026. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan

[1/2]People stand in front of an electronic board showing the stock market index at the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) in Jakarta, Indonesia, October 21, 2026. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

Tech stocks in Europe make up a ​smaller part of the broader market, which is more heavily dominated by banking shares and drugmakers. Those sectors jumped on Thursday. Within the regional tech sector, semiconductor-exposed stocks such as ASML
(ASML.AS), opens new tab

, Soitec
(SOIT.PA), opens new tab

‌and Infineon
(IFXGn.DE), opens new tab

⁠fell between 1.2% and 4%.

Asian markets, which are heavily exposed to AI-related stocks, suffered losses, with South Korea's chipmaker-heavy KOSPI
(.KS11), opens new tab

down nearly 6% near seven-month lows.

Masahiko Loo, chief fixed income strategist at State Street Investment Management, said Democratic control raises the prospect of tougher scrutiny around data centres, power demand and consumer costs, but does not mean a free hand as President Donald Trump retains veto power.

"The blue wave therefore raises the political risk premium around US AI without necessarily derailing the broader AI capex cycle," he ​said.

Renewable energy stocks, which have been targeted ​by the Trump administration over the past ⁠almost-two years, rallied, with Denmark's Orsted
(ORSTED.CO), opens new tab

and Vestas
(VWS.CO), opens new tab

up 2.6% and 1%, respectively.
OIL SLIDES ON HOPES OF END TO IRAN WAR

Crude oil, meanwhile, was last up 0.8% on the day, at $95 a barrel, having lost nearly 10% in two days, as traders chose ​to bet that Trump, facing a Democratic Congress and hurt by high energy prices caused by the Mideast conflict, would ​be less likely to ⁠escalate the war with Iran.

Trump acknowledged on Wednesday that the war played a role in Republicans' defeat and his vice president, JD Vance, was even more blunt on X: "The reason we lost is the war."

With the dollar and oil under pressure, gold traded above $4,100 an ounce, having risen 5% in two days, its largest two-day jump since early April.

Bond prices gained ⁠as well, ​pushing yields on the benchmark 10-year US note down 2 basis points to 4.87%.

In currencies, the dollar ​was broadly weaker, with investor focus on the Bank of England's policy announcement later on Thursday.

The central bank is expected to raise rates to contend with inflation pressure from soaring energy costs, although it may push ​back against investor bets that several more increases will follow next year.

Link Alternatif Rajabandot: Memahami Akses Platform Dan Keamanan Digital Di Era Modern

 

Perkembangan teknologi internet telah membawa perubahan besar terhadap cara masyarakat mengakses berbagai informasi dan layanan digital. Melalui smartphone, komputer, maupun tablet, pengguna dapat menjelajahi berbagai halaman online dengan lebih praktis. Kemudahan tersebut membuat berbagai istilah yang berkaitan dengan platform digital semakin dikenal, termasuk Link Alternatif Rajabandot.

Secara umum, link alternatif merupakan istilah yang digunakan untuk menggambarkan alamat website tambahan ketika alamat utama mengalami kendala akses. Dalam pembahasan Rajabandot, istilah ini berkaitan dengan pencarian informasi mengenai alamat platform dan ketersediaan layanan online. Namun, pengguna perlu memahami bahwa tidak semua tautan yang menggunakan nama serupa berasal dari pengelola resmi.

Oleh karena itu, pengetahuan mengenai identitas website dan keamanan internet menjadi hal penting sebelum mengunjungi suatu halaman.

Fungsi Link Alternatif pada Platform Digital

Dalam ekosistem internet, beberapa layanan menggunakan lebih dari satu alamat domain untuk kebutuhan teknis dan pengelolaan sistem. Hal tersebut dapat berkaitan dengan pemeliharaan server, perubahan infrastruktur, atau pengaturan jaringan.

Link alternatif terkadang digunakan untuk membantu pengguna menemukan informasi ketika alamat utama mengalami gangguan. Meskipun demikian, keberadaan alamat tambahan tidak secara otomatis menjamin bahwa sebuah website aman atau memiliki kredibilitas yang baik.

Ketika mencari Link Alternatif Rajabandot, pengguna sebaiknya memperhatikan sumber informasi yang tersedia. Hindari mempercayai alamat website yang dibagikan melalui pesan anonim atau sumber yang tidak dapat diverifikasi.

Penyebab Website Mengalami Gangguan Akses

Website dapat mengalami berbagai kendala teknis yang memengaruhi ketersediaan layanan. Salah satu penyebabnya adalah gangguan server akibat pemeliharaan atau peningkatan sistem. Kondisi tersebut dapat membuat halaman membutuhkan waktu lebih lama untuk dibuka.

Selain itu, koneksi internet yang tidak stabil, kesalahan konfigurasi domain, dan pembatasan jaringan juga dapat menyebabkan suatu halaman sulit diakses.

Dalam memahami link alternatif rajabandot, pengguna perlu mengetahui bahwa gangguan akses tidak selalu berarti alamat website harus diganti. Memeriksa koneksi internet dan mencari informasi pemeliharaan melalui sumber yang dapat dipercaya merupakan langkah awal yang lebih bijaksana.

Pentingnya Memeriksa Keaslian Alamat Website

Keaslian alamat website merupakan salah satu aspek penting dalam menjaga keamanan aktivitas online. Saat ini, terdapat berbagai halaman yang menggunakan nama atau tampilan menyerupai platform tertentu untuk menarik perhatian pengunjung.

Pengguna yang mencari Link Alternatif Rajabandot perlu memeriksa nama domain dengan teliti. Jangan langsung memasukkan informasi akun sebelum mengetahui identitas pengelola dan tujuan halaman tersebut.

Penggunaan HTTPS dapat membantu melindungi komunikasi antara perangkat dan website. Namun, HTTPS bukan jaminan bahwa sebuah situs sepenuhnya aman. Pemeriksaan kebijakan privasi, informasi kontak, dan reputasi sumber tetap diperlukan.

Perlindungan Data Pribadi dan Keamanan Akun

Keamanan informasi pribadi merupakan bagian penting dari penggunaan teknologi internet. Data seperti alamat email, nomor telepon, kata sandi, dan informasi keuangan harus dilindungi agar tidak disalahgunakan oleh pihak lain.

Pengguna sebaiknya menggunakan kata sandi yang kuat dan berbeda untuk setiap akun. Jika tersedia, autentikasi dua faktor dapat memberikan perlindungan tambahan terhadap akses yang tidak sah.

Selain itu, jangan membagikan kode OTP, PIN, atau kata sandi kepada siapa pun. Hindari mengunduh aplikasi melalui tautan yang tidak dikenal karena berpotensi membawa perangkat lunak berbahaya.

Kebiasaan sederhana tersebut dapat membantu menciptakan pengalaman internet yang lebih aman.

Literasi Digital dalam Memilih Informasi Online

Literasi digital merupakan kemampuan untuk mencari, memahami, dan mengevaluasi informasi melalui internet. Kemampuan ini sangat penting karena tidak semua informasi yang tersedia memiliki tingkat keakuratan yang sama.

Dalam mencari informasi Link Alternatif Rajabandot, pengguna sebaiknya membandingkan beberapa sumber dan memperhatikan kredibilitas informasi. Hindari klaim yang menjanjikan keuntungan pasti, akses tanpa risiko, atau keamanan mutlak tanpa bukti yang jelas.

Apabila suatu platform berkaitan dengan perjudian online, pengguna juga perlu memahami risiko kerugian finansial, batasan usia, dan peraturan hukum yang berlaku. Keputusan menggunakan layanan digital sebaiknya didasarkan pada pemahaman yang matang.

Penggunaan Platform Online secara Bertanggung Jawab

Teknologi internet memberikan berbagai kesempatan untuk memperoleh informasi dan menikmati hiburan. Namun, penggunaan platform digital tetap membutuhkan pengendalian diri dan kesadaran terhadap risiko.

Pengguna perlu mengatur waktu penggunaan perangkat, menjaga pengeluaran, serta mengutamakan pekerjaan, pendidikan, dan kebutuhan sehari-hari. Tidak semua layanan online harus digunakan hanya karena sedang populer atau banyak dibicarakan.

Memahami karakteristik layanan dan membaca ketentuan penggunaan dapat membantu masyarakat membuat keputusan yang lebih tepat.

Kesimpulan

Link Alternatif Rajabandot merupakan istilah yang berkaitan dengan pencarian alamat akses tambahan dalam lingkungan platform digital. Meskipun alamat alternatif dapat menjadi bagian dari pengelolaan layanan internet, pengguna tetap harus memperhatikan keaslian domain, kredibilitas sumber, dan perlindungan data pribadi. Memeriksa informasi sebelum membuka tautan, menghindari halaman mencurigakan, serta menjaga keamanan akun merupakan langkah penting dalam aktivitas online. Dengan meningkatkan literasi digital dan memahami risiko setiap layanan, masyarakat dapat menggunakan teknologi secara lebih aman, bijaksana, dan bertanggung jawab.

. . . . . . . . . . 

Sensex jumps over 2,000 points, Nifty surges 576 points as oil eases after Democrats sweep Congress

Indian equity markets traded higher on Thursday, with the Sensex and Nifty staging a strong rally as falling crude oil prices and improving global sentiment lifted investor confidence.

Sensex rallied nearly 2,009 points and the NSE Nifty surged 576 points on Thursday, amid a sharp decline in crude oil prices and hopes of a resolution to the West Asia conflict after the results of the midterm elections, where American voters gave the opposition Democratic Party control of the US Congress.

Sustained foreign fund inflows and a sharp rally in the US markets also elevated optimism.

The 30-share BSE Sensex zoomed 2,008.61 points, or 2.60 per cent, to settle at 79,310.01. During the day, it soared 2,168.63 points, or 2.80 per cent, to 79,470.03.

The 50-share NSE Nifty surged 576 points, or 2.40 per cent, to end at 24,536.60.

Among the 30 Sensex firms, Bajaj Finance rallied 7.77 per cent, followed by InterGlobe Aviation 5.80 per cent, ICICI Bank 5.29 per cent, Maruti 5.28 per cent, Mahindra & Mahindra 5.15 per cent and Bajaj Finserv 4.66 per cent.

NTPC, Bharat Electronics, Adani Ports and ITC were among the laggards.

In the past six consecutive sessions, the Sensex has surged 6,063.98 points, or 8.27 per cent, and the Nifty rallied 1,837.75 points, or 8 per cent. Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was up 1.59 per cent to USD 96.12 per barrel.

. . . . . 

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought equities worth Rs 7,284.03 crore on Wednesday, according to exchange data.

In a stinging rebuke to President Donald Trump, American voters on Tuesday gave the opposition Democratic Party control of the US Congress and flipped key gubernatorial posts in widely watched elections that will have consequences far beyond America.

Trump's Republican Party faced stunning defeats in its strongholds such as Texas, Georgia, Iowa and Ohio, where it lost the governors' posts to the Democrats.

The grand old party also faced a drubbing in Senate races in Texas, Maine, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kansas, Iowa and Ohio, where Trump campaigned with a simple message urging voters to pretend that he was on the ballot.

The Democrats won control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, ending the Republicans' hold on the two chambers of Congress.

In Asian markets, South Korea's Kospi and Japan's Nikkei 225 index ended sharply lower, while Shanghai's SSE Composite index and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index settled higher.

Markets in Europe were trading in positive territory.

The US equity markets ended sharply higher on Wednesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 3.03 per cent, S&P 500 jumped 1.58 per cent and Nasdaq Composite was up 1.44 per cent.

On Wednesday, the Sensex rose 383.55 points, or 0.50 per cent, to settle at 77,301.40, its highest closing level in more than two months. The Nifty was up 149.75 points, or 0.63 per cent, to end at 23,960.60.

What Donald Trump's setback in the US midterm polls means for India trade deal

The victory of the Democrats in the US midterm polls does not necessarily add up to good tidings for India as the White House retains executive powers over foreign policy and trade talks.

Trump’s early responses to the verdict indicate that he is inclined to brazen it out rather than accept the new reality. He does not see the verdict as a referendum on his administration and has made it clear that he retains the power to reject any legislation passed by the two chambers, posting an image of the red MAGA-style cap with the word “Veto” written in bold on it.

There is general consensus in the early analysis of the results coming out of the US that Trump is weakened but still holds a lot of executive power and can veto Democratic
bills.

Given how unpredictable he is, no one is willing to hazard a guess on his modus operandi after what is almost unanimously being described as a “rebuke” from the voters. Everyone appears to be bracing for impact and the apprehension is that he may try to become even more unilateral than he already is, particularly since the Democrats are itching for a fight.

While much of their agenda is domestic, the Democrats — according to the Time magazine — “see repealing the tariffs and ending the war as their two biggest opportunities to address the country’s economic downturn”, though how they can work around the President’s executive powers to succeed is not clear.

Also, stricter congressional oversight is expected on the executive branches implementing Trump’s rules on H1B visas.

Ahead of the polls, Thomas J. Duesteberg of the Washington-based think tank Hudson Institute wrote that in anticipation of an improved position in Congress, Democratic leaders had introduced bills to repeal several of the laws invoked by Trump, including the widely used Section 301 authority on “unfair trade practices”, to justify his trade actions.

In late September, external affairs minister S. Jaishankar had identified Section 301 of the US Trade Act, 1974, which allows Washington to investigate foreign trade practices and impose retaliatory tariffs or restrictions, as the issue stalling the trade deal.

. . .

Till late in the evening, there was no official word from India on the US midterm poll results. Asked at the bi-weekly briefing how India viewed the polls and its impact on the bilateral relationship, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi would speak once the process was over, adding that elections were part and parcel of a democracy.

Outside official policy networks, opinion is divided on how the results will play out on the trade talks. India now has a chance to get a balanced trade deal with a weakened Trump, said Biswajit Dhar, a former JNU professor, adding that the President’s reckless trade policies will be under check.

“India has to show political maturity and deal with the US on our terms. If we want a balanced trade deal, this is the time to do it,” Dhar, also a trade economist, said.

Trump’s indiscriminate use of tariffs to pressure countries like India will be under check from Congress, where Democrats have taken control, Dhar argued.

Ajay Srivastava, founder of the trade intelligence firm GTRI, however, said a midterm setback was unlikely to change America’s protectionist trade direction. In fact, Trump may intensify pressure on India to secure a quick trade deal and demonstrate strength, Srivastava said.

He can also potentially act without Congress, relying on existing powers — such as Section 232 and Section 301 — and using executive orders, treasury sanctions and USTR rules to apply unilateral trade pressure.

“The adverse midterm results won’t change President Donald Trump’s trade direction because both Democrats and Republicans now favour economic nationalism, domestic manufacturing and strong supply chains,” Srivastava said, adding that Democratic lawmakers also support protective tariffs for local union workers.

India and the US reached an understanding on February 6 and the two sides have been trying to clinch a trade deal ever since and get relations back on track after a fraying in ties last year. US officials have recently expressed optimism over a trade deal, saying an agreement was close to being finalised. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, however, expressed doubt last month about the pact being finalised soon.

“We expect the uncertainties to continue in trade relations. We also think India’s import of Russian oil will be a key monitorable given that Democrats are strongly opposed to offer Russian President Vladimir Putin a longer rope,” said an industry observer.

Of the view that Trump’s “unchecked presidency may linger”, strategic thinker Brahma Chellaney said on X: “An opposition-controlled legislature wields the power of the purse, as Congress controls federal spending. Control of congressional committees will also allow Democrats to bring scandals involving Trump and his family into the spotlight through subpoenas and aggressive hearings.

“The President, however, enjoys vastly greater unilateral authority over foreign policy and trade than over domestic policy. Moreover, electoral repudiation and congressional opposition do not necessarily translate into effective restraints on presidential power in the US. A second-term President, with no further election to contest, may prove particularly difficult for Congress to rein in.”

Youth Congress Leader Misses Rahul Gandhi Rally For Uncle's Funeral, Gets Sacked

The Indian Youth Congress has suspended some 200 members in a sweeping disciplinary crackdown for not attending the Opposition bloc INDIA's rally in the national capital recently.

Suspension letters seen by NDTV indicated at least 185 members across seven states have been suspended so far and told to explain their absence. The disciplinary review could eventually see that figure rise to 500, sources said.

However, some of the suspended Youth Congress members have expressed surprise and shock over how the party has judged them over one event despite giving many years of their lives in its service.

"We faced FIRs and went to jail for the party. Are we being removed just for missing one event?" Rohit Rajoria, a general secretary of the Youth Congress, said after the outfit removed him from his post without giving him a chance to give an explanation.

Rajoria told NDTV that the Congress party's youth wing has been behaving in an arbitrary manner despite his 15 years of service, during which he was named in 15 FIRs and jailed three-four times for participating in protests organised by the party.

He showed a card that asked people for their presence on the tervi or the 13th-day remembrance of his late uncle. He said he had told the party leadership well in advance about the bereavement and his inability to travel to Delhi for Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1.

Handed the summary removal after missing a single event, Rajoria has questioned how the party expected to return to power under such circumstances.

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The maximum action by the Youth Congress has been taken in Madhya Pradesh, where 60 members have been suspended, followed by 49 in Gujarat and 26 in West Bengal. It has also suspended 14 members in Telangana, 13 in central Uttar Pradesh, 13 in Congress-ruled Himachal Pradesh and 10 in Haryana.

Ahead of the November 1 protest, the outfit had instructed all national, state and district members to attend both the rally and the preceding march without exception. To track attendance digitally, the organisation installed barcode scanners at the Minto Road assembly point and asked members and accompanying workers to check in on its official mobile application called 'With IYC'.

While the Youth Congress said some 15,000 workers assembled at Minto Road to march alongside Gandhi to Ramlila Maidan, internal data showed that only 2,831 attendees registered on the application. An internal review found that poor internet connectivity between Minto Road and Ramlila Maidan, coupled with a lack of technical awareness and interest among workers, hampered digital check-ins. But a large number of members had skipped the event entirely without informing in advance.

"Our rally was extremely successful. More than 15,000 Youth Congress workers gathered. Most workers from across the country took part in the rally and march. But despite clear instructions, some office-bearers did not show discipline. So action has been taken to ensure accountability within the organisation," Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib told NDTV.

"Irresponsible people have been removed from their posts so that hard-working workers can be given responsibility in their place. There is an atmosphere of change in the country. Next time, we can gather 50,000 people in Delhi. So the organisation needs to be led by people who are active," Chib added.

The scrutiny will now include the Congress party as well, with its war room checking the attendance of key party members and collecting feedback on district presidents appointed under a programme to find new leaders.

The ruling BJP has disputed the Congress's mobilisation claims.

"In the Ramlila Maidan, 40 per cent of the space was vacant. Rahul Gandhi and his team claimed that 10 lakh people would attend. Out of 28,000 chairs, around 5,000-7,000 were empty," BJP MP Sambit Patra said.

Addressing the gathering alongside INDIA bloc leaders - including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah - Rahul Gandhi had alleged large-scale manipulation through electronic voting machines and voter rolls.

Six humanoid robots worked a 24-hour shift at a convenience store, but two weren't good enough to keep their jobs

Through the looking glass: If you're wondering which job humanoid robots will take next, or "help the humans with," it could be in your local convenience store. A Chinese robot manufacturer recently launched a livestreamed challenge involving six of its humanoid machines working a 24-hour shift at a store, but not all of them passed their probation.

Agibot's G2 robots took over duties at an operating convenience store in Shanghai's Xuhui district between November 2 and 3. The company called the broadcast "Robots Never Clock Out," which perfectly captures why managers are introducing these robots.

The machines' assignments included stocking shelves, preparing coffee and hot food, greeting customers, and clearing rubbish. The challenge covered four periods: the lunchtime rush, evening crowds, overnight duty, and breakfast preparation. All of which meant there were plenty of opportunities for something to go wrong.

There were also some deliberately awkward tests. According to Machine Heart's report (via Sina), participants asked the robots to distinguish between sugary and sugar-free Coke, placed obstacles in their paths, and shook a container while a machine tried to pick up food. What better way to get robots used to working in a convenience store than to have them encounter difficult customers?

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By the end, the robots had completed 1,730 tasks. These included 683 customer greetings, 369 item retrievals and deliveries, and 147 coffees. However, only four machines passed the assessment. The cleaning robot and one assigned to patrol the shelves fell short. According to ITHome, the latter lacked initiative in inspecting and replenishing goods and failed to keep up with the store's turnover pace. Its on-duty enthusiasm needs to be improved in the future, apparently, which makes it sound even more human.

The cleaning bot encountered a full trash can while on night duty, causing it to deviate from the designated route, run outside the store, and stray from its post. Again, it's a scenario many people might relate to.

Before store owners start calculating how many salaries they could save, there are some fairly important caveats. Although the report describes 24 hours of continuous operation, it doesn't specify whether individual machines needed charging breaks, maintenance, or human assistance during that time.

We also don't know whether the robots matched human workers for speed and cost. A report from January found that humanoid robots were working about half as fast as their human counterparts, but factories were still buying them anyway.

The list of workplaces experimenting with humanoids keeps growing. AGCO plans to introduce Digit robots at its Kansas farm-equipment factory in 2027, complete with the usual assurances that they will help employees rather than replace them.

South Korea has also approved a trial allowing 20 humanoids to share factory workspaces with humans, under an exemption from existing safety-barrier requirements and with additional safeguards. At least making coffee is a more reassuring use for these machines than pummeling a YouTuber in a cage.

Army, Navy chiefs to shift HQs from South Block to Delhi Cantt by November-end

The Army and Navy chiefs are preparing to move out of South Block in a major relocation of India's military leadership, ending a long-standing arrangement under which the two service chiefs and their senior officers operated from the iconic government building in New Delhi.

Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth, the Vice Chief of the Army Staff and seven Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) are expected to shift to the newly constructed Shaurya Bhavan in Delhi Cantonment by the end of November.

The Navy leadership, including Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, the Vice Chief and Principal Staff Officers, is also expected to move out of South Block as part of the relocation.

The move marks another significant phase in the restructuring of the Defence Ministry's administrative and military establishments, with several key offices being shifted to newly developed government complexes.

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ARMY WAR ROOM, DGMO OFFICE TO SHIFT

The relocation will also cover important operational establishments. The Army War Room and the office of the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) are among the facilities set to move out of South Block.

However, the future location of the Navy War Room remains unclear. Its relocation presents a more complex challenge because of its requirement for extensive infrastructure, secure communication systems and advanced technology.

The Navy had already moved into Nausena Bhavan in Delhi Cantonment in 2024. The latest shift is expected to bring its senior leadership out of South Block as well.
 

DEFENCE MINISTRY'S SHIFT TO NEW GOVERNMENT COMPLEXES

The Defence Ministry has temporarily moved to Kartavya Bhavan II, with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) currently being the only senior military leadership position based there.

With the Army Chief expected to move to Shaurya Bhavan, General Seth will have to travel to Kartavya Bhavan II for meetings with the Defence Minister and senior government officials.

Once the next set of buildings is completed, the Defence Ministry will move to Kartavya Bhavan 6 and 7. These buildings will also accommodate additional offices of the service chiefs.

Officers working under the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), including the Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DG DIA), are also expected to move out of South Block.
 

RELOCATION BEGAN WITH DEFENCE MINISTER'S SHIFT

The first phase of the historic relocation took place in April, when the Defence Minister and his secretariat moved to Kartavya Bhavan II.

This was followed by the phased relocation of other Defence Ministry offices, including service public relations officers (PROs) and associated branches.

The upcoming movement of the Army and Navy leadership will mark the end of the decades-old arrangement of having the two service headquarters operate from South Block, as the government continues to reorganise its administrative and defence establishments.

Software engineer says working at Zoho was the worst period of his career, made him hate coding

A former Zoho employee has shared how his three-year stint at the software company left him stressed, anxious and questioning his future as a programmer. Kewal Agarwal, who joined Zoho as a Member of Technical Staff in 2015, says he gradually lost confidence in his abilities and even began hating coding. It was only after moving to a much smaller startup that he managed to regain his confidence and interest in work.

In a LinkedIn post, Agarwal recalled being extremely happy when he landed his first job at Zoho. However, the experience did not turn out as he had imagined. He described the three years he spent at the company as "probably the worst period of my career".

"I was constantly stressed and anxious. I slowly lost my confidence, started hating coding, and lost all hope that I would ever amount to anything," he wrote.

Agarwal worked at Zoho between May 2015 and June 2018. During this period, he was involved in developing Zoho Books, including its US edition and versions for the UAE and Saudi Arabia. His work also included banking integrations and REST API development. His experience changed after he joined MishiPay, a smaller startup, in September 2020. Agarwal said he recovered the confidence he had lost at Zoho in less than a year, despite the startup being nowhere near the same size or scale. He later moved into product management, working at Gameskraft before joining Flipkart in November 2024. He is currently a Senior Product Manager for Cleartrip.

Interestingly, Agarwal clarified that he does not blame Zoho or himself for what happened. He said he was at the beginning of his career and was neither in a position to take the risk of quitting nor mature enough to make certain career decisions. He also expressed admiration for Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu.

His post has prompted a discussion around how the right workplace can influence someone's professional confidence and career choices. Agarwal's takeaway was that even a highly regarded company may not be the right fit for everyone, while an unexpected opportunity at a smaller organisation can turn out to be life-changing.
Sridhar Vembu says Zoho will not give usual salary hikes this year

Agarwal's post comes weeks after Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu spoke about the company's financial challenges and its decision to defer regular salary hikes for employees this year. In an October post on X, Vembu said the software company was facing significantly higher expenses because of rising server prices and growing AI usage. He claimed server prices had increased fourfold, adding to the cost of running data centres and onboarding new customers.

Vembu said Zoho had already reduced its marketing spending and informed employees that they would not receive their usual pay increase this year. He apologised for the decision and said the company would try to avoid mass layoffs despite the difficult outlook for the software industry.

"We have not been growing our employee count for 18 months now," he said, adding that the next three to five years would be important for the company's efforts to reinvent itself.

His comments also attracted criticism on social media, with some questioning why a bootstrapped company with substantial reported profits needed to defer employee salary hikes. Responding to one such criticism, Vembu said the profits being referred to were from the previous financial year, when employees had received salary increases. He argued that the current situation was different because server investments, replacement costs and AI-related spending had risen considerably.

According to Vembu, higher revenue does not necessarily translate into stronger cash flow when the investment required to generate that revenue also increases. He said Zoho had cut marketing expenses and deferred pay hikes to bring its cash flow under control.

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Mischievous breach: SC freezes BMC chief's November salary over encroachments

The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered an immediate freeze on the November salary of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Ashwini Bhide and other civic officials while initiating contempt of court proceedings against her for failing to clear encroachments from government land.

The three-judge bench also rejected the civic body's request for an additional 30 days to comply with its earlier directions to clear the land earmarked for a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus station in Mumbai's Borivali and imposed costs of Rs 5 lakh.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana issued a show-cause notice to Bhide, asking why contempt action should not be initiated against her for failing to implement the court's orders.

The bench made it clear that the Commissioner and other officials would not receive their salaries until the show-cause notice was decided and the court's directions were complied with.

"You will not be drawing a salary till the 1st of December 2026. So comply before that. You come here and then you can draw your salary," said Justice Bagchi.

During the hearing, the bench questioned the conduct of municipal officials and suggested that they could be colluding with encroachers to delay compliance with the court's directions.

"Does it not show that your officers are colluding? We will send him to jail and then he will understand the sanctity of the Supreme Court order. Is he obliging us?" CJI Surya Kant remarked.

The Chief Justice further described the failure to clear the land as a deliberate attempt to obstruct the court's directions, allegedly with the support of those occupying the property.

"This is an absolutely mischievous breach of the directions of the Supreme Court, with the direct connivance and support of the encroachers. If you want us, we can write all of this in the order itself," he said.

Justice Joymalya Bagchi made it clear that the civic body could not seek further relief from the court while its earlier directions remained unimplemented.
SUPREME COURT REFUSES 30-DAY EXTENSION

The bench also rejected the BMC's request for 30 days to complete the eviction process, making it clear that no further extension would be granted.

"We are very clear that we are dismissing the application and we will not grant a single day's extension. Let them sit in the midnight and pass the orders. Let them know how to work," CJI Kant said.

The court also took exception to the BMC's submission that local officials needed Marathi documents to be translated into English before proceeding with the eviction exercise.

Questioning the explanation, Justice Bagchi referred to the affidavit filed by an officer named Dr Tambe and asked whether civic officials were genuinely unable to understand Marathi.

"The officer who filed the affidavit is Dr Tambe. Do you want us to believe that they do not know Marathi?" he asked.

Directing that salary payments remain suspended until the show-cause notice is decided, Justice Bagchi told the BMC's counsel that the Commissioner would have to comply with the court's directions before seeking the release of her salary.

"You will not be drawing a salary till the 1st of December 2026. So comply before that. You come here and then you can draw your salary," he said.
WHAT IS BORIVALI BEST BUS STATION DISPUTE?

The case concerns a plot of land in Borivali earmarked for a public BEST bus station. The property has been at the centre of prolonged litigation between the BMC and a private developer.

In August 2025, the Supreme Court directed the private developer to hand over vacant and peaceful possession of the plot, including an administrative building, to the BMC.

The court had given the civic body a strict three-month deadline to take possession of the property, remove the remaining encroachments in accordance with the law and ensure that the bus station became fully operational.

However, the land had not been cleared even by November 2025, prompting the Supreme Court to express serious dissatisfaction with the progress made by the civic authorities.

The court subsequently directed the BMC Commissioner to file a personal affidavit detailing the occupants on the land, eviction notices issued to them and any pending claims relating to tenancy or ownership.

The latest proceedings follow the civic body's failure to complete the eviction exercise despite the Supreme Court's earlier directions, prompting the bench to initiate contempt proceedings against the Commissioner.

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Understanding Slot Technology in the Evolution of Modern Digital Entertainment

 

The digital entertainment industry has experienced considerable growth as internet technology remains to transform just how individuals accessibility online web content. Amongst the different types of digital entertainment, the slot group has come to be a widely reviewed subject as a result of its background, visual discussion, and technical advancement.

Typical one-armed bandit initially appeared in physical entertainment venues prior to gradually developing right into digital and internet-based styles. Modern innovation has actually introduced digital interfaces, interactive graphics, and different discussion designs. These growths have altered just how slot amusement is designed and offered to audiences.

Comprehending this advancement supplies helpful understanding into the partnership between amusement, modern technology, and liable digital participation.

Technology Behind Modern Slot Platforms

Modern technology plays a vital role in the advancement of modern slot home entertainment. Digital platforms use software systems, graphic user interfaces, and automated procedures to develop interactive experiences.

Random number generator innovation is commonly associated with regulated electronic slot video games. This system produces end results independently, as opposed to permitting individuals to anticipate outcomes through patterns or previous rounds.

Modern software development additionally concentrates on user interface efficiency, accessibility, and compatibility with different devices. These renovations allow digital amusement items to run throughout computer systems, tablet computers, and smartphones.

However, technical sophistication ought to not automatically be taken an assurance of fairness or security. Customers need to always think about the reliability and governing status of a system.

Comprehending Various Slot Functions

Digital slot amusement includes various themes, aesthetic designs, and interactive features. Some products use typical signs, while others include computer animated settings, music, and innovative storytelling.

Specific video games also include benefit rounds, special signs, and additional visual impacts. These elements are developed to create range within the amusement experience.

Regardless of these features, individuals should recognize that game end results are typically figured out by programmed systems and chance-based devices. No certain icon combination, timing technique, or repeated activity can ensure a winning outcome.

Learning about these features assists target markets compare home entertainment layout and sensible assumptions.

Digital Safety And Security and User Protection

On-line safety is a necessary factor to consider whenever people engage with digital home entertainment systems. Internet sites might ask for personal info, account qualifications, or settlement information, making data protection specifically vital.

Before making use of any kind of on-line solution, people need to analyze its privacy plan, safety practices, ownership information, and licensing standing. A professional-looking web site does not always indicate that the system is reliable.

Customers need to likewise create solid passwords, stay clear of dubious web links, and never ever share verification codes with unidentified people.

Responsible electronic involvement begins with comprehending just how personal info is accumulated, stored, and secured. These preventative measures can minimize exposure to phishing attempts, identity theft, and other online threats.

Accountable Engagement and Economic Recognition

Slot home entertainment is usually offered as a leisure task, it entails economic risks when real-money betting is involved. Results are uncertain, and users can lose money despite their expectations or previous experiences.

Responsible participation calls for recognizing these threats prior to choosing. People ought to never ever deal with gambling as a trusted source of income or attempt to recuperate previous losses with additional costs.

It is additionally essential to recognize regional gaming laws, age restrictions, and platform licensing needs. Laws differ between countries and territories, so customers should get in touch with pertinent authorities before engaging with gambling-related solutions.

Preserving financial borders and identifying warning signs of bothersome betting are vital parts of accountable enjoyment.

The Future of Slot Amusement in the Digital World

The future of electronic slot amusement will likely remain to be affected by growths in software program engineering, mobile technology, expert system, and cybersecurity.

Enhanced graphics and interactive user interfaces may create much more advanced entertainment environments. At the same time, regulatory standards and customer security actions will continue to be crucial considerations for the industry.

The growing accessibility of on the internet details likewise makes digital proficiency increasingly useful. Individuals need to understand just how systems operate, acknowledge misleading advertising claims, and assess protection details prior to trusting on the internet services.

Ultimately, slot entertainment stands for one instance of just how standard leisure activities have progressed through modern technology. Understanding its attributes, limitations, and possible threats enables individuals to come close to the subject with greater awareness. A balanced viewpoint that focuses on digital protection, economic obligation, and notified decision-making stays crucial in the modern-day on-line atmosphere.

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Why female literacy could hold the key to reducing infant mortality

Since Independence, for the first time, India’s demographic profile stands at a telling cusp. The median age of an Indian is around 29. We are the world’s most populous country. The gender balance has improved: NFHS 5 (National Family Health Survey) recorded 1,020 women for every 1,000 men, compared with 991 just a few years earlier. Women’s educational attainment has improved sharply, and India has made progress on several measures of gender parity. And yet, beneath these reassuring numbers, a quietly unfolding trend is the total fertility rate — at 2.0, it has fallen below the replacement level of 2.1.

A recent study  of women, aged 36 to 49, points to an emerging section of educated, urban and relatively affluent women remaining outside the traditional pathways of marriage and motherhood. Among women who do marry, the family structure is becoming leaner, with fewer children. The sample in this study, while certainly not representative of the entire social profile, seems to indicate a transition which cannot be ignored. Against this backdrop, one key health indicator assumes a particularly discernible significance — The Infant Mortality Rate.

A country’s mortality profile is reflected, primarily, in two important health outcomes: life expectancy at birth and infant mortality rate. Life expectancy is influenced by a range of factors that have evolved substantially over time — medical awareness, advances in healthcare, nutrition, sanitation, and research and development in medicines and medical technology. Infant mortality, however, measures the number of infants who die before completing their first year of life, per 1,000 live births. And in a country undergoing the kind of demographic and social transition described above, it becomes particularly important to look closely at what drives this number.

Our nation has made remarkable strides in improving its health outcomes. Life expectancy at birth, which was around 59 years in 1990, had risen to nearly 70 years by 2023. Infant mortality has fallen even more dramatically — from 84 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990 to around 25 in 2023. India has made rapid strides in improving its health outcomes. Life expectancy at birth has risen substantially over the decades, while infant mortality has fallen sharply. Yet, when India is placed alongside its peers that have traversed faster on the health-development trajectory, the gap remains striking. Even within South Asia, Sri Lanka has achieved substantially better outcomes: in 2023, India’s infant mortality rate was about 17.5 per 1,000 live births compared with just 4.1 in Sri Lanka.

Within the country, however, the national figure masks an untold story. There exist striking spatial variations in infant mortality across states — Kerala presents an impressive picture, with an infant mortality rate of just 8 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, compared with 35 in both Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, against the national average of 24. Although these spatial variations can be explained by differences in NSDP (National State Domestic Product), health expenditure and access to healthcare, one significant metric that helps explain this striking disparity is female literacy.

Female literacy, though a remote variable, has a remarkably strong influence on infant mortality rates. Studies show that states with higher female literacy tend to have substantially lower IMRs, implying fewer infant deaths per 1,000 live births. An educated woman is more likely to have greater awareness of maternal health, nutrition, hygiene, immunisation and the need to seek timely medical care for herself and her child. Education, therefore, creates a positive externality that is often glossed over. Furthermore, the education of the girl child is invariably discussed in terms of empowerment, greater labour-force participation and economic independence. Yet, there is another, less discussed, but potentially far more consequential link: educating a girl may also improve the chances that the child she eventually bears will survive its first year of life.

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Among the various health outcomes, the SUMAN Roadmap 2030, launched in June 2026, places special emphasis on reducing neonatal and infant mortality and on achieving the larger goal of zero preventable maternal and new-born deaths by 2030. Against this backdrop, it becomes even more imperative to take steps that improve female literacy and narrow the wide variations in female literacy across states. Evidence from both Indian and international studies point to female education as a potent instrument for improving child survival. Within India too, states with higher female literacy tend to record lower infant mortality; again, Kerala, with its exceptionally high female literacy, offers a striking illustration of this relationship. These findings underscore the importance of female education more than ever before

While the SUMAN Roadmap gives us a roadmap for improving health outcomes, investing in female literacy is a sine qua non—a recipe that embeds a positive externality beyond the familiar gains of empowerment and greater labour-force participation. If educating the girl child can also improve the chances of a child surviving its first year of life, then female education is not merely a social investment; it is an investment in human survival and the health of the next generation.

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