According to a report released on Wednesday, the Union Cabinet’s adoption of “Khelo Bharat Niti 2025” will create significant economic value by fostering the growth of new businesses and increasing local manufacturing.

Currently, 60% of India’s sporting goods are exported. India’s part of the $600 billion global sports market is still small, but even minor advancements in this area might have a significant positive economic and social impact.

The study from credit rating organization CareEdge Ratings stated that the legislation “promotes innovation through startups, encourages CSR investments, supports domestic manufacturing, and fosters public-private partnerships.”

With “Khelo Bharat Niti 2025” (National Sports Policy-2025) approved by the Cabinet, India would be positioned as a global leader in sports, with hopes of competing in the 2036 Olympic Games. The report also stated that this effort, which will replace the 2001 policy, will improve business possibilities for enterprises in the sports goods manufacturing sector and encourage growth in the sector.

Return on investment (ROI) factors for private organizations will be incorporated into the policy, making their participation in sports development both alluring and long-lasting. It will be emphasized to integrate the sports equipment manufacturing sector with national initiatives like “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” in order to improve sports infrastructure, generate employment opportunities, and improve product quality and competitiveness in the market.

“Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 will increase demand for sports gear in a number of different sports.” The development of sports facilities in both urban and rural regions will help India’s sports products manufacturing industry, according to Puneet Kansal, Director of CareEdge Ratings.

Businesses in the sector would be able to increase capacity and generate more revenue as a result of this expansion. In order to meet the anticipated rise in industry demand, he added, new manufacturing hubs are anticipated to thrive in the medium term.

The market for sports equipment manufacture in India is expanding steadily due to a number of factors, including urbanization, growing disposable incomes, and government programs encouraging sports participation. According to the research, the market is further fueled by the growth of e-commerce platforms, which increase the accessibility of sports equipment for customers across the country.

According to Baijayant Jay Panda, a BJP MP who chaired the Parliamentary Select Committee tasked with studying the legislation, the new income tax law will make it simpler for small businesses and regular citizens to file taxes.

Once passed, he said, the new law will eliminate legal ambiguity, streamline India’s decades-old tax system, and assist MSMEs and individual taxpayers in avoiding needless litigation.

“There are over 4,000 modifications and more than 5 lakh words in the present Income Tax Act of 1961. It’s gotten too complicated. The new measure makes it much easier for regular taxpayers to read and comprehend by simplifying it by around 50%, according to Panda.

He emphasized that MSMEs and small business owners, who frequently lack the financial and legal know-how to handle complex tax systems, will benefit the most from this simplicity.

“MSMEs and regular taxpayers face difficulties, in contrast to large corporations that have access to tax consultants and legal advisors. “There will be fewer disputes and easier compliance with a simpler law,” he stated.

Panda led the Select Committee through 36 consecutive meetings over a number of months.

Over one hundred stakeholders, including trade associations and individual specialists, were consulted.

Panda proudly pointed out that this committee is a unique example of effective legislative functioning because not a single meeting was postponed and no extension was requested.

The report was turned in considerably ahead of schedule and is anticipated to be tabled during the current Monsoon Session. It contains more than 300 suggestions.

“The new law could go into effect on April 1st of next year if it is passed,” he continued. Panda attributed this achievement to collaboration between the two parties.

“There was no political point-scoring. For the benefit of taxpayers, each member concentrated on making the tax code simpler. In the sake of the country, it was a true collective effort,” he said.

“The bill lays a modern, simplified foundation that allows existing and future tax policies to be implemented more clearly and effectively, even though it does not alter tax policies themselves—which remain the purview of the Finance Bill and the Union Budget,” he continued.

Panda said that the committee made sure the legal framework is accessible to all citizens and supports all recent improvements, but it did not suggest any modifications to the policies.

“Simplifying the law itself helps policy implementation and reduces confusion for both taxpayers and tax administrators,” he stated.

In Harish Shankar’s much awaited film “Ustaad Bhagat Singh,” actress Raashii Khanna will appear on screen alongside Pawan Kalyan.

Her role as the female lead in this action-packed entertainer was revealed by the producers on Tuesday. Raashii was featured in an Instagram photo posted by Mythri Movie Makers with the remark, “Team #UstaadBhagatSingh welcomes the angelic @RaashiiKhanna on board as ‘Shloka’.” She adds her elegance and charisma to the sets as filming gets underway. Power star @sreeleela14 @harish2you @pawankalyan.

Raashii Khanna plays Shloka in the film’s first trailer, a powerful and essential character who adds a new dimension to the plot. Alongside Pawan Kalyan, the actress is presently filming in Hyderabad, and the project is anticipated to go until the end of the month. Before moving on to the next stage of production, the team intends to finish Pawan Kalyan’s portions by the first week of August.

“Ustaad Bhagat Singh,” which is supported by Mythri Movie Makers, features a stellar ensemble cast with notable roles from Sreeleela, Prathiban, KS Ravikumar, Ramky, Nawab Shah, Avinash (of KGF fame), Gauthami, Naga Mahesh, and Temper Vamsi. Raashii and Pawan will work together onscreen for the first time on the next film.

Before, Khanna collaborated with director Harish Shankar on commercial films like “Hyper” and “Bengal Tiger,” which are both available for streaming on OTTplay Premium.

According to reports, the Harish Shankar-directed project is a police drama. While fulfilling his ongoing film commitments, Pawan Kalyan, who is currently Andhra Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister, is juggling his political obligations. According to reports, the actor-politician is now totally focused on “Ustaad Bhagat Singh,” which is progressing quickly in Hyderabad, since “Hari Hara Veera Mallu” and “OG” are already finished.

Raashii Khanna features an intriguing cast that includes “Ustaad Bhagat Singh.” She is scheduled to co-star with Vikrant Massey in the Bollywood movie “Talakhon Mein Ek” and will shortly make an appearance in “Telusu Kada.” She is also working on Farzi 2, which is anticipated to start production in December.

On Monday, India’s 14th vice president, Jagdeep Dhankhar, submitted his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu, citing health concerns. He has two years left in his position until he resigns.

He cited Article 67(a) of the Indian Constitution, which allows for the vice president’s resignation, in his letter.

Experts predict that the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar will now initiate the constitutional procedure for choosing a new Indian vice president. Experts stated that the position cannot be unfilled for very long because the vice president also holds the position of chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Despite its brief duration, his tenure was distinguished by his keen legal understanding and strong mastery of legislative procedures. During his public life, he was actively involved in national concerns.

The tale of Dhankhar’s ascent from a small Rajasthani village to one of India’s most important constitutional positions is one of tenacity, adaptability, and public duty. He has been in the public eye for more than forty years.

Jagdeep Dhankhar was born on May 18, 1951, in Kithana, a tiny village in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district. He comes from a humble agricultural family. The BJP then emphasized his status as a “Kisan Putra” (farmer’s son) in its political rhetoric when he was nominated for vice president.

He finished his education at Sainik School in Chittorgarh, which is renowned for turning out a number of prominent public servants and members of the armed forces. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Rajasthan in Jaipur, he continued his education there to earn his LLB.

Dhankhar registered with the Rajasthan Bar Council and started practicing law in 1979. He quickly gained a reputation as a strong legal intellect. He became one of the most well-known attorneys in the state after the Rajasthan High Court named him a Senior Advocate in 1990.

He practiced in several high courts as well as the Supreme Court of India, where he handled a range of constitutional and civil disputes. The Rajasthan High Court Bar Association elected Dhankhar as its president. His reputation in the legal community was further solidified by this position.

After obtaining a seat in the Lok Sabha from Jhunjhunu, he entered politics in 1989. On a Janata Dal ticket, this victory was achieved. He soon became a minister as a result of his persuasive parliamentary lobbying. In 1990, he was named Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs under Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar. He was in charge of crucial government-legislative coordination.

Later, from 1993 to 1998, he represented the Kishangarh constituency as a member of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly.

In addition to his role as Vice President, Dhankhar presided over important legislative discussions as the Rajya Sabha’s ex-officio Chairman.

Discussions regarding the function of the vice presidency in modern-day India will continue to be influenced by Dhankhar’s legacy as a constitutional authority, legal luminary, and supporter of democratic processes even after he stands down.

With 18 days remaining till the Amarnath Yatra‘s conclusion on August 9, more than three lakh Yatris have participated in the event, surpassing the official projection of 3.50 lakh this year. The Yatra began on July 3.

According to the administration, 3.07 lakh pilgrims had received “darshan” inside the sacred cave site as of Sunday.

In two protected convoys, another group of 3,791 Yatris departed Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas today for the Valley. At 3.33 a.m., the first escorted convoy of 52 cars left for Baltal base camp with 1,208 Yatris, and at 4.06 a.m., the second guarded convoy of 96 vehicles left for Pahalgam base camp with 2,583 Yatris, according to officials.

The chairman of the Shri Amarnath ji Shrine Board (SASB) and J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha paid a visit to the Baltal base camp on Sunday.

A meeting of officials was presided over by the L-G to examine the plans put in place to ensure the Yatra ran smoothly.

He and the Yatris ate lunch at one of Baltal’s “Langars,” or community kitchens. The L-G engaged with the Yatris as well.

The security and other preparations made for the Yatra were praised by the L-G.

On July 10 of this year, Pahalgam hosted the Bhumi Pujan of “Chhari Mubarak,” or Lord Shiva’s Holy. From its location at the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar, a group of seers led by Mahant Swami Deependra Giri, the Chhari Mubarak’s only caretaker, transported it to Pahalgam.

The Bhumi Pujan was held in the Gauri Shankar temple in Pahalgam, where the Chhari Mubarak was brought. After that, the Chhari Mubarak was returned to its location at the Dashnami Akhara structure. The Yatra will officially come to an end on August 9 when it arrives at the sacred cave shrine after making its last trek from the Dashnami Akhara temple in Srinagar on August 4.

Because this year’s Amarnath Yatra follows the barbaric attack of April 22, in which terrorists backed by Pakistan massacred 26 civilians after separating them based on faith in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam, authorities have prepared substantial multi-tier security arrangements.

To supplement the current Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police forces, 180 more CAPF companies have been added.

More than 8,000 fully trained commandos have been sent out by the Army to ensure the Yatris’ safe passage.

The Yatra this year began on July 3 and will conclude on August 9, which falls on Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan, after 38 days.

Yatris go either the shorter Baltal path or the more traditional Pahalgam way to reach the sacred cave shrine, which is located 3888 meters above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas.

To get to the cave shrine, those who choose the Pahalgam path walk 46 kilometers through Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni. To reach the cave shrine, a pilgrim must journey for four days. The 14-kilometer walk to the cave shrine requires those who choose the shorter Baltal path to return to the base camp the same day after receiving darshan.

For security concerns, Yatris will not have access to helicopter services this year.

An ice stalagmite structure inside the cave shrine waxes and wanes in accordance with the moon’s phases. The ice stalagmite structure, according to devotees, represents Lord Shiva’s legendary abilities.

In the next two months, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) plans to start a statewide campaign to speed up the biometric update of children’s Aadhaar cards via schools. Over 7 crore youngsters whose biometric information has not yet been updated are to be covered by the scheme.

According to Bhuvnesh Kumar, CEO of UIDAI, the agency is now testing the technology and anticipates having it available in 45 to 60 days. The project will be implemented gradually, starting with schools and then moving on to universities for the second set of updates, which are necessary for kids who become 15 years old.

UIDAI guidelines state that after a child turns five, biometric updates are required. Aadhaar is issued to children under five without biometric information. The Aadhaar number may be deactivated if the Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) is not finished by the age of seven. Updates between the ages of 5 and 7 are free, however beyond the age of 7, there is a price of Rs 100.

“Aadhaar is essential for providing benefits under a number of government programs.” We want kids to benefit from everything at the appropriate moment. We are attempting to conveniently reach as many youngsters as possible through schools,” Kumar stated.

For children who have reached the age of seven but have not yet updated their biometrics in Aadhaar, UIDAI has emphasized the significance of completing the Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU). This is a current Aadhaar requirement, and parents or guardians can update their child’s information at any designated Aadhaar center or Aadhaar Seva Kendra.

To encourage these kids to finish the MBU exercise, UIDAI has begun sending SMS messages to the mobile numbers linked to their Aadhaar accounts.

Between the ages of five and seven, a child’s Aadhaar biometrics can be updated for free. A child under five years old registers for Aadhaar by submitting their name, address, date of birth, gender, photo, and supporting documentation. However, according to an official declaration, a child’s fingerprints and iris biometrics are not taken for Aadhaar enrollment if they are younger than five years old because they are not yet grown.

Therefore, when the child turns five, it is mandatory to update his or her fingerprints, iris, and photo in Aadhaar in accordance with current regulations. According to the statement, this is the first Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU).

With ten games scheduled in the five host cities of Kolkata, Jamshedpur, Shillong, Kokrajhar, and Imphal, the 134th Durand Cup, which kicks off on July 23, is sure to be an exciting first week of football action, especially with well-liked home favorites hoping to get off to a fast start.

With at least three local derbies featuring other top local contenders like Mohammedan Sporting (former champions), Shillong Lajong FC, and Neroca FC (former finalists), leading Indian Super League (ISL) teams East Bengal FC (16-time former winners) and Jamshedpur FC (former ISL League Winners Shield winners) kick off one after the other on the first two match days. These derbies are expected to attract a lot of local interest.

Early three points will provide the early starters hoping to secure knockout berths a boost, especially with teams like ISL champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant, defending champions NorthEast United FC, and ISL side Punjab FC starting in week two.

The tournament’s first game, a difficult Group A opener at home at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata, pits Bengaluru League top division team South United FC against giants East Bengal in the two games played in the plains before heading up to the stunning hills of the Northeast.

The following day, Jamshedpur will play the Tribhuvan Army of Nepal at their home field, the JDR Tata Sports Complex in the Steel City. Nothing less than two victories will please the Red Miners’ expanding fan base as they meet the Malaysian Army team in their second Group C match of the first week.

Similarly, supporters of the Red & Gold brigade will expect nothing less than a resounding victory in their first game now that they have a new roster of international recruits in their camp.

This year’s 134th Indian Oil Durand Cup opener is a unique Kolkata rivalry, as century-old Mohammedan Sporting faces off against I-League 2 champions Diamond Harbour FC (DHFC), who are opponents in the Calcutta Premier Division League. With DHFC won one of their first two meetings, Mohammedan is seeking their first victory over the recently established and rapidly improving team.

With both teams aiming to reclaim lost glory, the second matchup will pit the perennially popular Shillong Lajong FC against Rangdaijed United, another Shillong team. Group E’s first game, the Shillong derby, will take place at the JLN stadium.

As the Durand Cup returns to the city of Manipur, the legendary Imphal derby between longtime rivals Neroca FC and TRAU FC will take place in the final derby of week one. Seeing the charming Khuman Lampak crowded with football fans once more would undoubtedly be a joy.

Additionally, some exciting talent from Durand Cup debutants will showcase their knowledge and abilities on the national platform for the first time during the first week. In addition to the aforementioned South United and DHFC, other teams hoping to make an impression include Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and their first Group D opponents and fellow debutants Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC at Kokrajhar’s SAI stadium on July 27.

In the last match of the first week, on July 30, Punjab’s Namdhari FC will make its Durand debut when they play South United FC. This will be the latter’s final and the Punjab team’s first Group A match.

The Sony Ten2 channel and the SonyLIV over-the-top platform will broadcast live coverage of all 43, 134th Durand Cup matches.

The highly anticipated teaser for the action series “Hunter 2 – Tootega Nahi Todega ” on Amazon MX Player was released by the creators on social media on Friday.

The trailer gave a compelling preview of the high-stakes thriller and was jam-packed with action-packed scenes, including a smoldering face-off between Jackie Shroff and Suniel Shetty. In the trailer, Suniel reprises his gritty role as Vikram Sinha, facing off against Jackie, who joins the series as Salesman, the enigmatic and dangerous enemy.

The interesting teaser was posted on Instagram by the “Dhadkan” actor, Suniel Shetty wrote, “Hunter se kuch bhi le lete, par uski family nahi – ab woh tootega nay todega? On July 24, #Hunter S2 will be available for free on Amazon MX Player exclusively.

“We’ve scaled up every aspect of the storytelling with Hunter 2 – Tootega Nahi Todega,” said Amogh Dusad, Head of Content at Amazon MX Player, in reference to the second season of the show. from the character arcs and emotional complexity to the global canvas and fast-paced action. The story is elevated to a whole new level with the return of Suniel Shetty and the arrival of Jackie Shroff, resulting in an intense and emotionally charged face-off. Our goal at Amazon MX Player is still to provide emotionally compelling content along with an engaging viewing experience.

“Season 2 of Hunter – Tootega Nahi Todega delves deeper into Vikram’s past, his pain, and what drives him,” said Suniel Shetty, who was thrilled to be returning to the show. This trailer is merely the beginning. This time, I really enjoy how intimate the action seems. It’s about the emotional stakes, not simply about firearms and chases. And every scene was more intense because of that emotional weight. We got a clear idea of how prepared people are for this next chapter by releasing the trailer in front of the media and fans.

“Jumping into Hunter 2 – Tootega Nahi Todega was a wild ride,” Jackie Shroff said in reference to his role. Before this salesman entered and completely changed everything, the planet had its own vibe. Playing him was peaceful but lethal, like holding fire in your hands. Bhidus, the trailer is out! It’s time to get in and have fun!

“Hunter Season 2,” which was directed by Prince Dhiman and Alok Batra, also features important roles for Anusha Dandekar and Barkha Bisht. Beginning on July 24, the series will be available for free on Amazon MX Player.

As the startup environment grows, particularly in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, India is poised to lead the global creative economy with AI-driven innovation, the government says.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is working to implement AI-based solutions that can overcome linguistic barriers in order to guarantee inclusive communication and last-mile information delivery in all languages throughout the nation.

Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, said the Ministry has established the WaveX Startup Accelerator Platform in accordance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to support the nation’s creator economy during a meeting with incubators and startups at the T-Hub in Hyderabad.

According to him, the platform has started the “Kalaa Setu” and “Bhasha Setu” challenges, which are important for creating a digital ecosystem that is prepared for the future.

Leading AI startups in India were urged by Jaju to take part in the aforementioned challenges and provide domestic, scalable solutions that take into account the country’s linguistic and cultural diversity.

Through the WAVEX platform, startups can sign up and submit applications for the “Kalaa Setu” and “Bhasha Setu” challenges.

The WaveX webpage provides access to the challenges’ technical specifications and other information. The winner will receive an MOU for full-scale development, pilot support with AIR, DD, and PIB, and incubation under the WAVEX Innovation Platform, the Ministry said. The final shortlisted teams will showcase their concepts before a national jury in New Delhi.

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting’s WAVES initiative established WaveX, a specialized startup accelerator platform designed to foster innovation in the media, entertainment, and language technology industries.

WaveX gave more than 30 potential businesses the chance to propose at the ‘WAVES Summit‘ in Mumbai in May 2025, allowing them to interact directly with investors, government organizations, and business executives. Through focused hackathons, incubation, coaching, and integration with national platforms, WaveX continues to foster innovative ideas.

Today marks the release of Mohit Suri’s romance drama “Saiyaara,” which has touched viewers on a profound emotional level.

Even with all the excitement around the movie, theater attendance on the first day was very low. The film, which stars debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has gotten great reviews for its powerful acting, emotive storytelling, and soulful music. The new duo, Mohit Suri’s comeback directing, and the movie’s capacity to resurrect the romanticism of classic Bollywood have all received high appreciation from viewers.

One viewer says, “I thought Saiyaara was a great movie. It’s really skillfully directed. After giving us Aashiqui 2 in 2013, Mohit Suri went on to make the poorly received Ek Villain. However, he has recently produced a powerful film once more after a long break. Everything depicted on screen is done perfectly, and the directing and screenplay are also outstanding.

“As I watched the movie, I had the impression that Ahaan and Aneet were seasoned actors who had previously acted in three or four movies. That was how naturally they performed. In particular, I felt that Ahaan Panday’s acting lacked a little amount of ferocity, which could have been subdued.

“No, it’s Aashiqui 3, not Saiyaara!” said another spectator. Mohit sir, I’m advising you to alter the title to Aashiqui! In a nutshell, the movie is a hit, despite the absence of a jacket scene. Mohit sir’s direction brings back the same vibe as Aashiqui 2. Even though I was disappointed with Ek Villain, I’m genuinely loving Mohit Sir’s return in this movie. Every song is good, and the music is great. Saiyaara is my favorite song; I’ve been playing it repeatedly.

Additionally, some viewers thought the film moved slowly in the first half. One moviegoer praised the film’s compelling plot and outstanding performances after finding the first half to be slow.

“The first part of the film takes a long time to build up, but the story of Saiyaara is good.” Given that the entire film is two hours and forty minutes long, they could have tightened up the first half. The tempo would have been better with a shorter first half. “The entire movie is captivating, and you won’t get bored,” he continued. It seems like a genuine love tale when you watch Ahaan and Aneet together on television, and I thought their chemistry was great. That message really shines through, as Ahaan’s character demonstrates how hard he strives to keep his love alive.

“In many ways, Saiyaara is the best love story to come out of Bollywood after Aashiqui 2,” said a fourth audience member. Bollywood seemed to have lost the ability to tell such poignant love stories. Instead, what were we getting? movies such as Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan or Metro in the City. However, Mohit Suri has now made a strong return after 13 years. Beautifully filmed romantic scenes, soulful music, poignant narration, and his unique flair are all evident here. Both Aneet Padda and Ahaan Panday had excellent debuts. They both really delivered.

Unsurprisingly, the movie’s soundtrack is becoming a definite highlight. One user commented, “The music is so good, it will move you to tears.”

Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda made their acting debuts in “Saiyaara,” which was directed by Mohit Suri and produced by YRF.