Month: November 2025

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has opened applications for IN-SPAN, a new cross-border startup platform designed to connect the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems of Nepal and India.

In an announcement, the Indian Embassy invited applications from Nepali entrepreneurs with transformative ideas to participate in an eight-week, fully funded training programme at IIT Madras.

“IN-SPAN features an 8-week, fully funded training and innovation program at IIT Madras, delivered in collaboration with IIT Madras Pravartak. IIT Madras Pravartak is a leading incubator that has supported 46 startups, with 14 successfully commercialising their technologies. Participants will benefit from hands-on learning, expert mentorship, and internship opportunities designed to take their ideas from concept to creation,” the announcement reads.

The Embassy noted that it has previously organised similar startup initiatives.

“Building on the success of previous India-Nepal startup initiatives, including the 1st India-Nepal Startup Connect (24 January 2023) and the 2nd India-Nepal Startup Connect: Curtain Raiser for Startup Mahakumbh (7 February 2025), IN-SPAN provides a unique opportunity for Nepali startups to gain mentorship, training, and industry exposure at one of India’s top innovation hubs,” the Embassy stated.

Selection for the programme will be competitive, based on applications and interviews, ensuring a cohort of highly motivated and promising startups. Applications are open from November 1 to November 15 this year. Interested entrepreneurs can apply online at https://shorturl.at/Au8zh.

The India-Nepal ties have made significant progress in recent years across various areas of bilateral cooperation, particularly in connectivity–spanning physical, digital, energy, and people-to-people linkages. This is evident in the steady implementation of infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, cross-border railways, Integrated Check Posts (ICPs), and petroleum pipelines.

According to the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, key outcomes from recent high-level visits include notable connectivity initiatives such as advancements in ICPs at Nepalgunj, Bhairahawa, and Dodhara-Chandni; the inauguration of a freight train service linking India and Nepal; progress on the Kurtha-Bijalpura and Raxaul-Kathmandu railway lines; acceleration of the Motihari-Amelekhgunj pipeline Phase II; and construction of new petroleum pipelines connecting Siliguri to Jhapa and Amelekhgunj to Chitwan.

In the power sector, significant achievements include the finalisation of the Long-Term Power Trade Agreement, a trilateral power trade agreement among India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, as well as agreements for the development of new hydropower projects in Nepal by Indian developers, including the 480 MW Phukot Karnali and the 669 MW Lower Arun projects.

In digital financial connectivity, Nepal began accepting UPI payments in March 2024 through interoperability with FonePay QR. Additionally, an MOU between the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and Nepal Clearing House Limited (NCHL) is under implementation to facilitate cross-border digital payments. (ANI)

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday released a video and said his government has served the people of the state with complete honesty since 2005, transforming Bihar from a state where being called a Bihari was an insult to one where it is now a matter of honour.

The JD(U) supremo stated that his government initially focused on improving law and order, which was in a “very bad” state earlier, and has brought significant improvements in education, health, roads, electricity, drinking water, agriculture, and youth employment.

He said, “You have given me the opportunity to serve the people of Bihar continuously since the year 2005. We want to tell you that in the situation in which we got Bihar, at that time, it was an insult to be called a Bihari. Since then, we have served you by working day and night with full honesty and hard work. You know that earlier, the law and order situation was very bad. First of all, the work of fixing it was done.”

CM Kumar asserted that his government has worked for the development of all sections of society — Hindu, Muslim, upper caste, backward, extremely backward, Dalit and Mahadalit — without doing anything for his own family.

“The previous government did nothing for women. We have now empowered women to such an extent that they are no longer dependent on anyone and can take care of their families and children on their own. We want to tell you that from the very beginning, we have developed all sections of society. Whether it is Hindu, Muslim, upper caste, backwards, extremely backwards, Dalit, Mahadalit, work has been done for everyone. We did not do anything for our family. Now being called a Bihari is a matter of honour, not insult,” he said.

The Bihar Chief Minister further highlighted his government’s commitment to serving the people with integrity since 2005, transforming Bihar into a state of which its residents can be proud. He emphasised improvements in law and order, education, health, infrastructure, and employment for youth.

Kumar stated that his administration has worked to develop all communities, empowering women and addressing the needs of various social groups. He also acknowledged the support of the Central Government, led by Prime Minister Modi, in fostering Bihar’s growth.

“Full support from the Central Government, led by the respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, is also being received in the development of Bihar. Only NDA can develop Bihar. The speed of development has increased a lot due to the NDA government at both the Centre and the state. Therefore, I request you to make the NDA candidates win with a huge margin of votes in this election. You should give us, i.e. NDA, another chance,” he said in the video message.

He added, “After this, more work will be done in the future, due to which Bihar will become so developed that it will be included among the top states. Therefore, on the upcoming 6th and 11th of November, you should reach your polling station in large numbers and cast your vote. Jai Hind, Jai Bihar.”

The voting for the 243-seat Bihar Assembly will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, whereas bye-elections for eight seats across seven states and Union Territories will be held on November 11. The results for both will be declared on November 14. (ANI)

Allu Sirish, the younger brother of superstar Allu Arjun, has announced his engagement to his longtime girlfriend, Nayanika. The actor shared the news on social media, accompanied by heartwarming pictures from the ceremony, leaving fans overjoyed.

The couple, dressed in elegant traditional outfits, looked deeply in love as they celebrated their special moment surrounded by family and close friends.

In the pictures, the couple can be seen exchanging rings amid cheers from family and close friends. Dressed in elegant traditional attire, Sirish looked dapper in a white ethnic outfit, while Nayanika radiated grace in a stunning red attire adorned with intricate embroidery.Sharing the photos, Sirish wrote, “I’m finally & happily engaged to the love of my life, Nayanika!” followed by a ring and white heart emoji.

Soon after Sirish posted the pictures, fans and colleagues from the film industry flooded the comments section with congratulatory messages.

The engagement, held on Friday, was an intimate family affair. As per the reports, the ceremony was attended by Allu Arjun, along with his family, and Chiranjeevi and his family. Ram Charan and Upasana, along with Varun Tej and Lavanya, were also present.

The actor had earlier announced the engagement date on his social media on October 1. On the occasion of his grandfather and veteran actor Allu Ramalingaiah’s birth anniversary, Allu Sirish shared this good news with his fans and followers.

Taking to Instagram, Allu Sirish dropped an adorable picture with Nayanika and penned a sweet note, “Today, on the birth anniversary of my grandfather, Allu Ramalingaiah garu, I feel blessed to share something very close to my heart- I will be getting engaged to Nayanika on 31st October,” the note read.

“My grandmother, who recently passed away, always wished to see me married. Though she is not with us, I know she is blessing us from above as we begin this journey together.Our families have embraced our love with immense joy,” he added.

In the romantic picture, Allu Sirish is seen holding Nayanika’s hand in Paris, with the Eiffel Tower visible in the background.

On the work front, Allu Sirish debuted as a lead actor with Gouravam (2013) and later went on to appear in films such as Kotha Janta (2014), Srirastu Subhamastu (2016), Okka Kshanam (2017) and Urvasivo Rakshasivo (2022). He was last seen in ‘Buddy’, an action-comedy-fantasy film released in 2024. (ANI)

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan made a historic declaration in the Legislative Assembly on the occasion of Kerala Piravi (Foundation Day), stating that the state has achieved a remarkable milestone in eradicating extreme poverty.

Chief Minister Vijayan made a statement in the Assembly today under Rule 300 regarding the state’s achievement of becoming “Extreme Poverty Free”.

Addressing the Assembly, CM Vijayan said, “The formation of linguistic states was an idea put forward by the national movement a century ago. However, in the early years after independence, long and intense struggles were required to achieve it. The culmination of those struggles was the formation of a united Kerala, the realisation of the Malayalis’ dream. Today marks 69 years since the creation of a united Kerala.”

He added, “Every Kerala Piravi (State Formation Day), we celebrate with joy. But this year’s Kerala Piravi Day is, for the people of Kerala, the dawn of a new era. Today’s Kerala Piravi marks a place in history because we have succeeded in making Kerala the first Indian state without extreme poverty.”

The Chief Minister highlighted the significance of the Assembly’s session, saying, “This Legislative Assembly has witnessed many historic laws and policy declarations. The Assembly now meets at a moment that marks yet another milestone in the creation of a Nava Kerala.”

He further stated, “The eradication of extreme poverty was one of the key decisions taken at the very first cabinet meeting after the new ministry was sworn in in 2021. It was also the beginning of fulfilling one of the most important promises made to the people during the Legislative Assembly election.”

The state government initiated the process of identifying families living in extreme poverty within two months, under the leadership of the Department of Local Self-Government and coordination by the Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA). The effort saw active public participation from various stakeholders, including MLAs, local body representatives, Kudumbashree workers, volunteers, and officials.

“Following this, within just two months, the process of identifying families living in extreme poverty was initiated. Under the leadership of the Department of Local Self-Government and coordinated by the Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA), this process was carried out with active public participation involving Members of the Legislative Assembly, elected representatives of local bodies, Kudumbashree workers, volunteers, and officials.”, CM Vijayan said

The project began with a pilot implementation in Wadakkanchery Municipality and the Anchuthengu and Thirunelli Grama Panchayats, before being expanded to the entire state. The initiative involved identifying beneficiary families through collective feedback and suggestions from all sections of society.

“This historic project began by identifying beneficiary families through the participation of all sections of society and by incorporating ideas that emerged from their collective feedback and suggestions. The identification of extreme poverty was first implemented on a pilot basis in Wadakkanchery Municipality and the Anchuthengu and Thirunelli Grama Panchayats. It was later expanded to the entire state.”, CM Vijayan further added.

The Chief Minister dismissed the Opposition leader’s remarks on eradicating extreme poverty, calling them “irrelevant.”

CM Vijayan said, “The Opposition Leader’s remarks are irrelevant. The eradication of extreme poverty had already been announced earlier. It is unclear why the Opposition is so afraid. This is a historic declaration, and it is being announced in the Assembly to inform the world. The Opposition Leader is calling it a fraud only because that is his habit. This government only makes promises that it can fulfill and whatever it promises, it fulfills. Now, steps will be taken to sustain what has already been achieved.”

Speaking on the same, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M.B. Rajesh criticised the Opposition for boycotting the Assembly on Kerala Piravi Day, despite the state’s historic achievement in eradicating extreme poverty.

“Instead of taking pride in the historic achievement Kerala has made on Kerala Piravi Day, the Opposition chose to boycott the Assembly. History will forever judge them for it. History will declare the Opposition guilty.”, Rajesh said.

On Thursday, Kerala Minister M. B. Rajesh stated that the state is set to become the first in India to eradicate extreme poverty.

He explained that the initiative was the first decision taken by the second Pinarayi Vijayan government in its “very first cabinet meeting” after returning to power in 2021, to launch an exclusive scheme to eradicate extreme poverty.”Kerala is all set to create yet another history by becoming the first Indian state to eradicate extreme poverty. This was the first decision taken by the second Pinarayi government in its very first cabinet meeting after coming back to power in 2021. The government launched an exclusive scheme to eradicate extreme poverty,” Rajesh told ANI.

He said that after identifying and finalising the list of extremely poor families, micro-plans were prepared for each family. He said the government had lifted 64,006 families out of extreme poverty.

“The very first step was to identify extremely poor families through an elaborate process. A process was carried out involving public representatives, local bodies, social organisations, and voluntary organisations to find out about extremely poor families. 4 lakh people were trained by the Kerala Institute of Local Administration to carry out this exercise,” he said.

“After identifying and finalising the list of extremely poor families, micro plans were prepared for each and every family…These micro plans had immediate plans, medium-term plans and long-term plans. After four years, we have implemented these micro plans and through the implementation of micro plans we have been able to bring these 64,006 families out of extreme poverty,” he added.

Rajesh further claimed that after China, Kerala is becoming second place in the world to eradicate extreme poverty.

“However, the Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar criticised the state’s ruling CPM government for claiming credit for reducing extreme poverty, calling it “mocking the poor.”

“For the CPM government today, which has actually brought only about a few lakhs of people out of extreme poverty, to say that they are responsible for bringing people out of extreme poverty is mocking the poor because when ASHA workers were asking for a small salary increase… the CPM tried to take credit for this, which is mocking the poor… These people are now making it a profession to use propaganda to mislead the people and to spread lies and try to get political benefit out of this,” Chandrasekhar told reporters earlier this week.

Chandrasekhar also cited recent World Bank data, highlighting the impact of central government schemes.

“The World Bank, in April 2025, published an extensive report showing that in an unprecedented surge of people coming out of poverty in the last 10 years, PM Modi’s policies have helped almost 20 crore Indians who lived below extreme poverty to come out of it. This is a fact and a finding of the World Bank. It has happened because of a series of policies and schemes that the PM focused on, including but not limited to PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, PM Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, and many other schemes that have helped to achieve it,” he added. (ANI)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday announced that Team India’s middle-order batter Shreyas has been discharged from the hospital in Sydney and will continue to undergo medical supervision before returning to India.

Shreyas Iyer sustained a blunt injury to his abdomen while fielding during the third ODI against Australia on 25th October 2025, resulting in a laceration of his spleen with internal bleeding.

The injury was promptly identified, and the bleeding was immediately arrested following a minor procedure. He has undergone appropriate medical management for the same.

“Shreyas Iyer is now stable and recovering well. The BCCI Medical Team, along with specialists in Sydney and India, are pleased with his recovery, and he has been discharged from the hospital today,” Saikia said in an official statement..

“Iyer will continue to stay in Sydney for follow-up consultations and will return to India once he is deemed fit to fly,” the official statement added.

The BCCI extended its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Kouroush Haghigi and his team in Sydney, along with Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala in India, for ensuring Shreyas received the best treatment for his injury.

During the ODI series in Australia, Shreyas scored 72 runs in two games, including a valiant 77-ball 61 in the second Adelaide ODI, during which he stitched a century stand with Rohit Sharma.

Fans would hope that Iyer makes a quick recovery, as he is one of the backbones of the Indian middle order along with KL Rahul and Axar Patel. This year, in 11 matches and 10 innings, he has scored 496 runs at an average of 49.60, striking at 89.53, with five fifties and a best score of 79.

This also includes an ICC Champions Trophy-winning campaign, during which he scored 243 runs in five innings at an average of 48.60, with two fifties, finishing as India’s top run-getter and overall second-highest.

He is one of India’s premier batters, with 2,917 runs in 73 ODIs and 67 innings at an average of 47.81, including five centuries and 23 fifties and a best score of 128*. The injury puts his participation in South Africa ODIs at home, starting from November 30, under serious jeopardy. (ANI)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Devajit Saikia, on Saturday confirmed that India will raise the Asia Cup trophy handover issue at the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting in Dubai, citing the Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) lack of response despite a formal communication sent ten days ago.

India refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Minister for Interior, and pandemonium ensued in the post-match presentation. In response to India’s decision, an official removed the Asia Cup trophy from its place on a raised dais and carried it off the ground without explanation.

“We have approached ACC and we have sent a letter 10 days ago. There is no positive response. We are maintaining the same stand. Therefore, we will raise the issue at the ICC meeting, which begins on November 4 in Dubai. The trophy will come, and that is for certain, because this trophy has been won by India hands down. Only the timeline has to be fixed,” Devajit Saikia told ANI.

“If we had to take it from him, then we would have taken it on that day of the final. Our stance is evident: we are not accepting it from that gentleman. So, there is no change of stand on the part of BCCI. We are not accepting the trophy from the ACC Chairman, who is the Interior Minister of Pakistan. Therefore, it has to come but not from his hands,” he added.

Despite the imbroglio, India found a way to celebrate, with captain Suryakumar Yadav mimicking his predecessor, Rohit Sharma’s slow walk after the T20 World Cup final in 2024, and lifting the imaginary trophy alongside his teammates.

The impasse over the Asia Cup trophy began with India’s refusal to accept the title from Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister amid cross-border tensions between the two nations after their five-wicket win. (ANI)