Mango growers in Andhra Pradesh are grappling with a severe crisis as prices of the season’s harvest have plummeted to multi-year lows. Despite a bumper crop, farmers are witnessing a drastic fall in returns due to a combination of oversupply, weak demand, and logistical inefficiencies. In several mandals, mangoes are being sold for as low as Rs. 5–10 per kg—far below the cost of cultivation—pushing marginal farmers toward financial distress.

Bikaji Foods International Ltd. reported a 1.3% year-on-year rise in net profit for the first quarter of FY25, reaching Rs. 58.5 crore. The growth, though moderate, reflects resilience in the face of inflationary pressures and a highly competitive FMCG environment. The company's revenue for the quarter also saw a steady uptick, supported by strong demand in its traditional snack segment. However, margin pressures due to elevated input costs and promotional expenses continued to weigh on overall profitability.

In a striking shift within the real estate market, residential plots near India’s major airports have witnessed an extraordinary appreciation in value—ranging from 84% to 118% over the past four years. This steep surge has significantly outperformed the returns on apartments in the same vicinities. As infrastructure projects expand and air connectivity improves, land near aviation hubs has become a magnet for investors and homebuyers seeking long-term capital appreciation.

Despite Bengaluru’s status as India’s leading tech hub, a growing number of IT professionals are distancing themselves from purchasing residential properties near major tech corridors. Their reasons are rooted in persistent civic woes, worsening infrastructure, and an apparent lack of long-term improvement in urban planning. The shift in sentiment reflects a deep-seated skepticism among the city’s tech-savvy middle class, many of whom now view investment in these once-coveted areas as financially and emotionally unrewarding.

In a progressive move aimed at empowering women and encouraging property ownership among female citizens, the Uttar Pradesh government has expanded its stamp duty rebate for women buyers. The relief, which earlier applied to properties valued up to Rs. 10 lakh, will now cover residential properties worth up to Rs. 1 crore. This expanded financial benefit is expected to boost women's participation in real estate, strengthen economic equity, and drive housing demand in one of India’s most populous states.

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Policy Shift to Promote Women’s Asset Ownership

In a candid reflection on her early career, acclaimed actress Kajol revealed that she was initially hesitant to accept the lead role in the 1993 thriller Baazigar opposite Shah Rukh Khan. Despite the film's now-iconic status, Kajol admitted she was unsure about both the project and her co-star at the time. It was only upon the recommendation of her father, filmmaker Shomu Mukherjee, that she agreed to take the role—a decision that would eventually propel her to national fame and forge one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated on-screen pairings.

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India’s first openly LGBTQ-themed film, Badnaam Basti (1971), is set to receive long-overdue recognition as it returns to the global spotlight at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM). The rare and historically significant Hindi film, which boldly addressed same-sex relationships decades before it became part of public discourse, will be showcased as part of the festival’s tribute to cinematic milestones.

In an unfiltered moment of candor, television personality and social media sensation Uorfi Javed took to Instagram to address recent changes to her appearance following the dissolution of her lip fillers. Responding to a flood of unsolicited comments and ridicule, Javed showcased her trademark confidence by poking fun at herself—turning what could have been a moment of public scrutiny into one of personal empowerment.

Bollywood may be known for its glitz, glamour, and high-stakes drama, but behind the scenes, it also harbors a lighter, more mischievous spirit. In a recent conversation reflecting on her film career, actress Shilpa Shirodkar recounted some of the most memorable pranks played on film sets, shedding light on the industry’s hidden jokers. Among the top pranksters she identified were Akshay Kumar—famous for slyly hiding people's watches—and Ajay Devgn, who allegedly concocted ghost stories to spook his colleagues.

As the iconic romantic drama Aashiqui marks 35 years since its release, lead actress Anu Aggarwal reflects on the film’s enduring legacy and her views on modern-day remakes. While acknowledging the nostalgic impact of the original, she notes that contemporary recreations rarely capture the soul of their predecessors. However, she cautions against unfairly criticizing new interpretations, recognizing that every generation interprets love and art differently.