American billionaire and philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs visited the ashram of her guru, Swami Kailashnand Giri, in Prayagraj to participate in the Maha Kumbh mela. Accompanied by her 40-member team, she will stay until January 15 before returning to the US.
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Over 1 crore devotees congregated at the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati for the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, braving the cold for a holy dip. The spiritual event, including significant 'amrit snan' days, will run until February 26. Extensive preparations include 8 permanent ghats, 1.6 lakh tents, and 13,000 trains to facilitate pilgrims.
The TOI River Dialogues 2025 in Lucknow addressed river rejuvenation and sustainable water management in Uttar Pradesh, emphasising Maha Kumbh 2025. Experts highlighted the need for community involvement, focus on smaller rivers, and comprehensive policies. Discussions covered public-private partnerships, technological innovations like drone usage for pollution control, and water management programs to mitigate water crises.
Justice Hrishikesh Roy concluded his tenure as a constitutional judge with accolades for his legal expertise and supportive demeanor towards junior advocates. Known for his humor and sports accomplishments, he was praised during his farewell from the SC, marking the end of an esteemed legal career.
A gang in Bihar exploited young men by falsely offering payments for impregnating women. The suspects, identified as Prince Raj, Bhola Kumar, and Rahul Kumar, used a fake job service website to advertise payments of Rs 5-10 lakh. Police arrested the trio following a complaint and recovered six mobile phones.
Two undergraduate students from Ashoka University were found dead at their campus in Sonipat, Haryana, between late Friday and early Saturday. The students, aged 19 and 20, were discovered near the hostel and the main gate, respectively. The cause of their deaths remains unknown, and their families have been informed.
The Supreme Court of India ruled that in cases where a marriage subsists and spouses have access to each other, the husband remains the legal father of a child born to his wife, even if he is not the biological parent. This judgment followed the case in Kerala involving a woman's child from an extramarital affair.
The government has raised the price cap on natural gas from legacy fields, resulting in a 4% increase in effective prices from April 1. This change affects state-run ONGC and Oil India Ltd., with notable implications for city gas operators and consuming industries, although government subsidies will protect fertilizer units.
Delhi CM Atishi criticized BJP for lacking an agenda beyond insulting Arvind Kejriwal. Kejriwal stated the upcoming Delhi polls are a direct contest between AAP and BJP, not part of the INDIA alliance. Congress accused AAP of undermining their interests, implying AAP aims to defeat Congress in elections. Delhi assembly election is on February 5.
Startups and VC firms are seeking a simplified tax regime and measures to increase domestic capital availability in the upcoming Budget. They emphasize parity in taxation between foreign and domestic funds to attract foreign investors and foster growth for Indian AIFs.
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah omitted the Socio-Economic Survey from the 2025-26 budget, sparking speculation that the caste census could be shelved. The report, facing opposition from dominant caste leaders within Congress, might be withheld or revised once updated population data is available. Some Congress leaders, like BK Hariprasad, affirm the report's eventual release.