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UPI Volume Drops to 2,407 Crore as Transactions Fall 1.8% in September Preceding New MDR Guidelines

UPI Volume Drops to 2,407 Crore as Transactions Fall 1.8% in September Preceding New MDR Guidelines

Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions fell by 1.8 per cent in September relative to August, moving from 2,450 crore transactions to 2,407 crore as per RBI data released on Thursday, October 1, amid market speculations that usage could decline following the October 15 rollout of a proposed 0.4 per cent merchant discount rate (MDR) on specific payments above Rs 2,000. In tandem with the volume drop, the total value of transactions processed through the NPCI-developed platform fell by 1.50 per cent to Rs 29.37 lakh crore in September from Rs 29.82 lakh crore a month prior, arriving right ahead of…
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International Buddhist Conference to Accompany Buddha Relics Exposition in Tawang

International Buddhist Conference to Accompany Buddha Relics Exposition in Tawang

Tawang is preparing to host the Exposition of the Sacred Relics of Shakyamuni Buddha from November 1 to 7, 2026, coinciding with the auspicious Lhabab Duechen (Abhidhamma Divas). The historic spiritual event is being organised by the Union Ministryof Culture, in collaboration with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) and National Museum, New Delhi. As part of the preparations, an Advance Security Liaison (ASL) team, led by Director, IBC, Colonel (retd) Yash Saxena, along with officials of the National Museum, arrived in Tawang on Thursday and was received at Ugyen Tsangpo Helipad by In-charge DC Rinchinleta, chairman,…
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CG Corp Global Leads ₹2,000 Crore Investment Push in West Bengal Real Estate and Hospitality

CG Corp Global Leads ₹2,000 Crore Investment Push in West Bengal Real Estate and Hospitality

Major hospitality and real estate players are heavily targeting West Bengal for expansion, spearheaded by the Nepalese conglomerate CG Corp Global, which has announced a monumental ₹2,000 crore investment plan spanning residential and commercial real estate, hospitality, healthcare, and education, with a primary focus on the immense untapped potential of North Bengal. CG Corp Global, led by managing director and CEO Varun Chaudhary, is already developing two Marriott-partnered hotels in the region and exploring tea tourism opportunities in Darjeeling, reflecting a surge in investor enthusiasm following recent political developments. This regional momentum is further amplified by other industry heavyweights, as…
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Gujarat Government to Honor Hero Pilot Smit Machhar for Saving 174 Lives; To be Conferred with ‘Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award’

Gujarat Government to Honor Hero Pilot Smit Machhar for Saving 174 Lives; To be Conferred with ‘Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award’

The Gujarat government has announced a special honor for Captain Smit Machhar, the heroic pilot who fought between life and death to save the lives of 174 passengers in mid-air. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel declared that Captain Machhar, who displayed extraordinary courage despite being brutally attacked by his co-pilot on FlyDubai flight FZ1073, will be conferred with the state's prestigious 'Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award'. Praising Captain Machhar’s selfless sacrifice and bravery, the Chief Minister noted that although a resident of Mumbai, the pilot has deep roots in Gujarat's Surendranagar. In a social media post, CM Patel stated that the lives…
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NPS Awareness Drive in Tripura Highlights Retirement Planning and Pension Reforms

NPS Awareness Drive in Tripura Highlights Retirement Planning and Pension Reforms

The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), in collaboration with the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), organized an interactive “Retire Smart India 2.0” National Pension System (NPS) Awareness Session at Pragya Bhawan in Agartala, Tripura, to promote retirement planning and enhance awareness about pension participation. The programme began with a welcome address by the Indian Chamber of Commerce. Special addresses were delivered by Shri Beiseia Darlong, TCS, Deputy Secretary and State Nodal Officer, Finance Department, Government of Tripura, and Shri Pradeep Krishnaraj, IAS, Director of the Skill Development Department, Government of Tripura. The keynote address was delivered by Shri…
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Arunachal CM Pema Khandu Says Govt Ready to Discuss Siang Multipurpose Project Concerns

Arunachal CM Pema Khandu Says Govt Ready to Discuss Siang Multipurpose Project Concerns

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Wednesday said the State government is ready to discuss the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) and address concerns raised by local people. Speaking to the media, Khandu said the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) would determine whether the project moves ahead. He also said that activities under the PFR would not damage agricultural land or forests. Khandu said Deputy Chief Minister and Power Minister Chowna Mein will camp in the area for a week and hold interaction programmes with local communities. Khandu, Mein, senior ministers and officials held meetings with representatives and government officials…
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Anthurium Festival Makes Grand Comeback in Mizoram with Horticulture, Adventure and Indigenous Culture

Anthurium Festival Makes Grand Comeback in Mizoram with Horticulture, Adventure and Indigenous Culture

After a three-year break, Mizoram’s much-awaited Anthurium Festival has returned, bringing together horticulture, adventure tourism, indigenous culture, music and community experiences in a unique celebration at Ailawng and Reiek. The three-day festival, organised by Mizoram Tourism in association with the Department of Horticulture, Government of Mizoram, began on October 1 and will continue until October 3. Speaking on the occasion, Mizoram Tourism Minister Pu Lalnghinglova Hmar said the festival reflects the state's broader vision of ensuring that tourism benefits local communities as much as destinations. He stressed that visitors travelling to villages, using local transport, enjoying local cuisine and purchasing…
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Stop Skipping Breakfast! Quick, Healthy Indian Morning Meals for Busy Mornings

Stop Skipping Breakfast! Quick, Healthy Indian Morning Meals for Busy Mornings

Modern desk jobs and frantic morning routines frequently force people to skip breakfast entirely, but with just a brief window before your Uber arrives, having an easy, mess-free, and highly nutritious meal that can withstand a bumpy commute is essential. Moving beyond standard routines, five traditional yet portable Indian breakfast options provide a great way to stay full all day without any spills, beginning with the time-tested whole-wheat paratha roll stuffed with nutritious paneer or a protein-rich omelette. Another fantastic choice is sprouted moong salad, which acts as a lightweight yet filling power-house that prevents afternoon sluggishness, while idli coated…
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Ninong Ering Supports SUMP, Urges Informed Public Debate on Mega Dam Project

Ninong Ering Supports SUMP, Urges Informed Public Debate on Mega Dam Project

Pasighat West MLA and former Union Minister Ninong Ering has expressed support for mega dam projects and urged people to take an informed and positive approach towards the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in Arunachal Pradesh. Speaking to the media, Ering said large dam projects could contribute to flood control, irrigation and regional development if adequate safety measures were put in place and the concerns of affected communities were properly addressed. His remarks come at a time when the proposed project has become a subject of debate in the Siang region, with sections of local communities raising concerns over…
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Amazon Expands Minutes-Delivery Network Across India

Amazon Expands Minutes-Delivery Network Across India

Amazon India is expanding its ultra-fast delivery ambitions, taking Amazon Now to more than 120 cities across the country, more than doubling its reach in just two weeks. The service, which promises deliveries within minutes, has now reached cities including Amritsar, Abohar, Jalandhar, Ambala, Mangalore, Manipal, Vizag, Kochi, Changanassery, Bhubaneswar and Karwar, extending quick-commerce access beyond major metropolitan markets. Amazon Now offers tens of thousands of everyday products, covering groceries such as fruits, vegetables and frozen foods, along with personal care, fashion and beauty products, small appliances, and home and kitchen essentials. Orders are supported by a network of nearly…
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