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Navratri 2025: A Culinary Guide to Fasting with Paneer

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Navratri 2025
Navratri 2025

As Navratri 2025 begins, millions of people will observe the nine-night festival with spiritual reflection and traditional fasts. This period, known as vrat, emphasizes a diet of nourishing, prescribed foods. Amidst the culinary restrictions, a versatile ingredient stands out: paneer, or Indian cottage cheese. Its high protein content and ability to absorb a variety of flavors make it a staple for creating flavorful, fulfilling dishes that adhere to fasting rules.

Versatile Paneer Dishes for Navratri 2025

Navratri meals are traditionally prepared without onions, garlic, or certain grains. Chefs and home cooks have devised a range of creative recipes to make fasting both delicious and easy. From appetizers to main courses, paneer is a key component. Here are eight popular paneer-based dishes suitable for the vrat diet:

  • Paneer Tikka: This festive dish is a classic starter. Cubes of paneer are marinated in curd and spiced with red chili powder, rock salt, and carom seeds before being grilled or roasted. The result is a smoky, tangy bite with a soft interior.
  • Paneer Makhana Curry: A creamy curry that combines paneer with makhana (fox nuts). The dish is made with a mild gravy of tomato, ginger, and green chilies, providing a comforting and rich meal.
  • Paneer Aloo Curry: A hearty combination of potatoes and paneer simmered in a light, flavorful base. This curry is known for being both filling and satisfying.
  • Vrat-Friendly Shahi Paneer: This version of the classic curry swaps onion and garlic for a rich, creamy sauce made from pureed nuts, tomatoes, and mild spices, achieving a velvety texture without compromising flavor.
  • Vratwale Paneer Rolls: These savory rolls are a perfect snack. Grated paneer and boiled potato are mixed with spices, rolled in kuttu or singhara flour, and then shallow-fried until crispy.
  • Paneer-Stuffed Kuttu Paratha: Kuttu (buckwheat) flour forms the base for a paratha stuffed with crumbled paneer and potato. It’s a great way to stay energized throughout the day.
  • Vrat Paneer Bhurji: A quick and simple scrambled paneer dish, this bhurji is made with green chilies, ginger, and rock salt. Its simplicity and high protein content make it a go-to for busy fasting days.
  • Paneer Pakoras: A traditional favorite, these pakoras are made with paneer slices dipped in a batter of kuttu or singhara flour, spiced with turmeric and carom seeds, and then fried.

These dishes demonstrate how traditional fasting can be a culinary exploration, with paneer providing the perfect foundation for a nutritious and varied diet.

Now, Get Rs 5000 Discount on Sony PS5 this Festive Season

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Sony
Sony

Sony has announced a limited-time festival season offer providing Rs 5,000 discounts on PlayStation 5 consoles in India, coinciding with major e-commerce platform sales beginning Monday, September 22.

The promotion applies to two PlayStation 5 models: the physical edition (CFI-2008A01X) and digital edition (CFI-2008B01X). Both receive identical Rs 5,000 price reductions during the promotional period.

Sony Revised Pricing Structure

The PS5 digital edition is now available for Rs 44,990, reduced from its retail price of Rs 49,990. The physical edition, which typically retails at Rs 54,990, is priced at Rs 49,990 during the sale period.

The festival discount will remain active until October 19, 2025, or while supplies last. The offer is available across multiple platforms including Amazon, Flipkart, quick commerce services Blinkit and Zepto, plus retail chains Croma, Reliance Digital, Vijay Sales, Sony Center, and other authorized PlayStation retailers nationwide.

The timing aligns with major festival season sales currently running on Amazon and Flipkart, which feature discounts across diverse product categories.

Sony Recent Price History

Sony’s discount comes after a July price increase for the digital edition PS5 in India, which rose Rs 5,000 from Rs 44,990 to Rs 49,990. The physical edition pricing remained unchanged during that adjustment. Notably, the PS5 digital edition originally launched in India at Rs 39,990.

Global Pricing Trends

Sony implemented price increases across multiple international markets in April, affecting the UK, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. The company cited a “challenging economic environment” as justification for these adjustments. Last month, Sony raised PS5 and PS5 Pro prices in the United States as well.

The broader gaming industry has experienced similar pricing pressures. Microsoft increased Xbox console prices globally in May and announced additional US price hikes effective October, reflecting industry-wide responses to uncertain economic conditions and tariff policies implemented by the Trump administration.

The current promotional pricing represents Sony’s effort to stimulate sales during India’s key festival shopping season while managing global economic pressures affecting consumer electronics pricing.

Spider-Man star Tom Holland gets Injured while Shooting ‘Brand New Day’

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Tom Holland
Tom Holland

Tom Holland, the star of the upcoming Marvel film ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day,’ suffered a mild concussion on Friday while filming an action sequence in the United Kingdom. The injury, described as minor, has led to a temporary halt in his filming schedule as a safety precaution.

Tom Holland gets injured during shoot of new movie

Holland’s injury occurred during the performance of a stunt, though specific details about the incident have not been disclosed. Neither cast nor crew members were harmed. Holland is expected to be off-set for several days to recover fully.

Sony and Marvel Studios, the co-producers of the film, are scheduled to meet on Monday to assess the production’s next steps. The studios have not yet commented on whether the injury will lead to a delay in the film’s production or its theatrical release. They have, however, emphasised that the safety of the cast remains their top priority.

Tom-Zendaya recently papped

Despite the setback, Tom Holland was seen in public on Saturday, where he hosted a charity event in London for The Brothers Trust at Christie’s auction house. He was accompanied by his fiance and co-star, Zendaya.

‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ is the highly anticipated fourth instalment in the franchise starring Holland. The previous film, ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home,’ was a massive box office success, and the studios have high expectations for this new chapter.

The film is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, marking a change from the previous three films helmed by Jon Watts. Holland returns alongside Zendaya and Jacob Batalon, with new additions to the cast including Sadie Sink and Tramell Tillman. Mark Ruffalo and Jon Bernthal are also set to reprise their roles.

Here’s what Tom said on ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’

Production for ‘Brand New Day’ began in Glasgow in early August. In a video shared by Sony last month, Holland was seen on his first day back in his new Spider-Man suit, where he remarked, “It’s day one, my fourth ever day one on ‘Spider-Man’. It’s funny, putting the suit on, it feels different this time, somehow. It’s also the first time we ever had fans on set day one, so it’s really exciting to share this with them. We’ve got some familiar faces on set. I’m just going to do my best, hopefully get it right, no pressure.”

The film is scheduled to hit theatres on July 31, 2026. Further information regarding the production’s timeline is expected following the meeting between the studios.

Paracetamol Use in Pregnancy Linked to Autism by Trump Administration

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Paracetamol
Paracetamol

The Trump administration plans to announce findings regarding potential links between paracetamol use during pregnancy and autism risk, according to reports from The Washington Post and Politico, despite current medical guidelines indicating the medication is safe for pregnant women.

Trump Administration stances on consuming Paracetamol while pregnancy

“President Donald Trump plans to announce that using Tylenol during pregnancy could contribute to autism risk and will advise pregnant women only to use it, or generic acetaminophen, for high fevers,” Politico reported, citing two administration officials.

Paracetamol, known as acetaminophen in the United States and commonly branded as Tylenol, is an over-the-counter analgesic widely used for pain relief. Current medical guidelines maintain its safety profile during pregnancy.

US President Donald Trump indicated Friday that autism rates are “totally out of control” in the United States, adding, “I think we, maybe, have a reason why.” He suggested the announcement could occur during a memorial service for conservative activist Charlie Kirk on Sunday, describing it as potentially “one of the most important things that we will do.”

The Wall Street Journal reported in September that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. planned to announce connections between paracetamol use in pregnancy and autism spectrum disorder.

Research Under Review

Officials are examining previous studies, including an August review by Mount Sinai and Harvard researchers suggesting potential links between Tylenol use in early pregnancy and increased autism risk in children. Simultaneously, attention has turned to leucovorin, a drug typically prescribed to counteract medication side effects and address vitamin B9 deficiency.

These findings have sparked renewed scientific debate about autism’s causes, challenging prevailing views that the condition is primarily genetic and treatment-resistant.

NIH Autism Research

The National Institutes of Health announced the launch of a new autism data science initiative on September 22, awarding grants to 13 research teams studying autism causes and treatments. This initiative, developed by career agency officials, operates separately from a broader NIH autism research review currently underway.

NIH officials emphasize the review should be thorough and guided by career staff rather than rushed to align with political announcements.

White House spokesman Kush Desai highlighted the administration’s autism initiatives: “President Trump pledged to address America’s rising rate of autism, and to do so with Gold Standard Science.”

The announcement raises questions about potential policy changes regarding medication recommendations for pregnant women, though the scientific community continues evaluating existing research on paracetamol safety during pregnancy.

Bihar Govt. Announces Pre-Election Welfare Schemes: Get Free Electricity, Allowance, more

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Bihar
Bihar

The Bihar government has unveiled a series of welfare initiatives ahead of assembly elections, drawing accusations from the opposition that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is copying INDIA bloc promises after two decades in power.

Bihar Govt. announces Pre-Election Welfare Scheme

CM Nitish Kumar announced a one-time Rs 25,000 allowance for over 10,000 ‘Vikas Mitras’ working in villages to purchase tablets for better outreach to SC and ST communities. These workers will also receive increased transportation allowances from Rs 1,900 to Rs 2,500 monthly, with stationery allowances rising from Rs 900 to Rs 1,500.

The government allocated Rs 10,000 each to more than 30,000 Shiksha Sevaks and Talimi Markaz personnel who connect children from Mahadalit, minority, and extremely backward communities to formal education, enabling smartphone purchases for their work.

Additional measures include a Rs 5,000 clothing allowance for 16 lakh construction workers and increased honorariums for Jeevika, Anganwadi, and ASHA workers. The administration also announced 125 units of free electricity monthly, despite Kumar’s previous opposition to such subsidies.

Here’s Previous Welfare programmes:

Earlier welfare initiatives included a Rs 700 monthly pension increase for senior citizens, widows, and disabled persons in June. The chief minister transferred enhanced pensions of Rs 1,100 to 1.11 crore beneficiaries under six social security schemes in July.

The Bihar government introduced unemployment allowances of Rs 1,000 monthly for two years for graduates and Class 12 pass-outs. Under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, women entrepreneurs receive Rs 10,000 initially, followed by Rs 2 lakh after business assessment.

RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwary criticized these announcements, stating: “They (NDA leaders) are simply copying our welfare agendas. The youth of Bihar want to get rid of this copycat and useless government. We have a vision for Bihar.” He claimed Bihar’s youth have resolved to make RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav the next Chief Minister.

JD(U) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad defended the initiatives, telling PTI: “Nitish Kumar jee is a visionary leader and he has been tirelessly working for the overall development of the people of the state, including women, youth, socially weaker sections of the society.” He claimed Bihar has witnessed “tremendous infrastructural growth” with corruption-free governance.

“Recent decisions taken by the Cabinet, including providing one crore jobs and employment opportunities to the youth in the next five years, are set to make Bihar the growth engine of the East,” Prasad said.

Over 49 Lakh Students Receive ₹2,920 Crore From Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Under Welfare Schemes

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Nitish Kumar
Nitish Kumar's new education policy.

On Saturday September 20 the Bihar government transferred ₹2,920 crore directly into the bank accounts of over 49 lakh students, covering a wide range of educational welfare schemes managed by the state education department.

During the event, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also unveiled 331 infrastructure projects worth ₹958.79 crore that aim to improve school facilities and related resources across the state. According to an official release from the CMO, “Kumar transferred ₹2,920 crore to the bank accounts of 49,09,336 beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).”

“The amount was given to students receiving assistance under multiple education schemes, including the Mukhyamantri Balika (Intermediate Pass) Protsahan Yojana, Mukhyamantri Cycle Yojana, Mukhyamantri Balika Poshak Yojana, Mukhyamantri Balak Poshak Yojana, Scholarship Scheme and the Kanya Utthan Yojana,” the statement added.

Of the projects launched, 259 completed works valued at ₹426.10 crore were inaugurated, while foundation stones were laid for 72 new initiatives worth ₹532.69 crore.

“These projects will enhance facilities such as classrooms, science labs, libraries, computer halls, hostels, sanitation units, and clean drinking water,” it stated. Back in 2005, Bihar’s total education budget was ₹4,366 crore. Today, that figure has risen to ₹77,690 crore, reflecting the state’s continued focus on the sector.

“Progress in education has been achieved through mass teacher recruitment, new school construction, and steady infrastructure upgrades. The government remains dedicated to ensuring quality education for all and is actively working to achieve this mission,” the statement emphasized.

Bihar Assembly Elections Scheduled for November in 3 Phase – Check Tentative Dates Here

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Bihar Assembly Elections
Bihar Assembly Elections

Bihar Assembly Elections: Bihar Assembly elections are expected to take place between November 5-15, following Chhath Puja celebrations on October 28, according to sources familiar with the Election Commission’s planning.

Bihar Assembly Elections to start this Nov. – says sources

The current Assembly’s term expires November 22, 2025, requiring the Election Commission to complete the electoral process before that deadline. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar will visit the state next week to review election preparations and assess the final voter list, scheduled for publication September 30.

The electoral process has been overshadowed by controversy surrounding the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision exercise, which resulted in deletion of 65 lakh names from the draft voter roll. The INDIA bloc has criticized the poll body, alleging the revision process serves as cover for removing legitimate voters from electoral rolls.

The Supreme Court has issued a stern warning regarding potential irregularities, stating it would invalidate the entire process even after the final voter list’s publication if any illegality is discovered.

Previous Phases in Bihar Polls

Bihar traditionally conducts multi-phase polling due to its size and complexity. The 2020 elections occurred across three phases: 71 constituencies voted October 28, 94 on November 3, and 78 on November 7, with results declared November 10.

The 2015 elections required five phases, indicating varying logistical demands.

Bihar 2025 will be NDA vs INDIA Bloc

The upcoming Bihar Assembly Elections will pit the ruling National Democratic Alliance against the opposition INDIA bloc. The NDA, comprising BJP, Janata Dal (United), and Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas), seeks another term under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s leadership. The opposition coalition, led by Rashtriya Janata Dal with Congress and Left parties, aims to unseat the current government.

Current assembly composition favors the NDA with 131 members in the 243-seat House. The BJP holds 80 seats, JD(U) 45, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) 4, with support from 2 Independents. The INDIA bloc controls 111 seats, distributed among RJD (77), Congress (19), CPI(ML) (11), CPI(M) (2), and CPI (2).

The Bihar Assembly Elections assume significance beyond Bihar’s borders, potentially influencing national political dynamics ahead of future federal polls. Both alliances have begun intensifying campaign preparations, with voter registration controversies adding complexity to an already charged political atmosphere.

The final voter list publication will likely trigger intensified political activity as parties finalize candidate selections and campaign strategies for what promises to be a closely contested electoral battle.

GST 2.0 Takes Effect: What’s Getting Cheaper and What’s Costlier from Today Onwards

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GST 2.0
GST 2.0

GST 2.0: India’s revamped Goods and Services Tax (GST) system took effect September 22, 2025, replacing the previous four-tier structure with a streamlined framework featuring two primary rates of 5% and 18%, plus a 40% levy on luxury and sin goods.

GST 2.0 starts today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi characterized the reform as the beginning of a “Bachat Utsav” or festival of savings, promising reduced prices on daily essentials. The changes emerged from the 56th GST Council meeting led by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

The restructuring (GST 2.0) eliminates the previous 12% and 28% brackets that created classification confusion. Essential items including food grains, medicines, dairy products, and educational materials will be taxed at 5%. Standard goods and services, covering manufacturing, transport, and consumer services, face an 18% rate.

Luxury and sin products—tobacco, pan masala, aerated drinks, premium vehicles, gambling, and online gaming—now attract the 40% rate.

Structural Changes of GST 2.0:

  • Previous system featured confusing four-tier structure: 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%
  • New simplified framework of GST 2.0:
    • 5% for essentials and daily-use goods including food grains, medicines, basic dairy items, and educational products
    • 18% for standard goods and services covering manufacturing, transport, and consumer services
    • 40% for sin and luxury goods including tobacco, pan masala, aerated drinks, premium vehicles, gambling, casinos, online gaming, and race clubs
  • Union Finance Ministry notified revised Central GST rates; states issuing respective State GST notifications

Items Getting Cheaper under GST 2.0

Food and Dairy:

  • UHT milk, chapati, paratha, and parotta become tax-free
  • Butter, ghee, paneer, and cheese move to 5%
  • Packaged foods like pasta, biscuits, chocolates, cornflakes, namkeens, and bhujia taxed at 5%

Dry Fruits and Sugar Products:

  • Almonds, cashews, pistachios, and dates drop from 12% to 5%
  • Refined sugar and confectionery move to 5% bracket

Consumer Durables:

  • Washing machines, dishwashers, and televisions shift from 28% to 18%
  • Hair oil, shampoos, toothpaste, and dental floss move to 5%

Automobiles:

  • Small cars and motorcycles with engines up to 350cc taxed at 18% instead of 28%
  • Life and health insurance policies become tax-free

Services:

  • Hotel tariffs under Rs 7,500 attract 5% instead of 12%
  • Economy air tickets taxed at 5%

Items Getting Costlier under GST 2.0

  • Cigarettes, gutkha, zarda, pan masala, and aerated waters with added sugar now taxed at 40%
  • Coal taxation increased from 5% to 18%, raising costs for coal-based industries
  • Motorcycles above 350cc and luxury cars attract 40%
  • Casino, horse racing, lottery, and IPL tickets fall under 40% bracket

Consumer Skepticism

LocalCircles Survey Results (19,000 respondents):

  • Only 18% of consumers felt GST rate cuts were passed on after earlier reforms
  • 26% reported manufacturers never lowered maximum retail prices
  • 15% blamed retailers for not reducing prices despite lower taxes
  • 32% could not confirm receiving any benefits
  • Only 2 in 10 said they received benefits from earlier GST rate cuts

Government Expectations vs. Reality

  • Government expects GST 2.0 to reduce compliance challenges, cut disputes, and make goods cheaper
  • Expected to widen India’s tax base and increase disposable income
  • Aims to spur consumer spending through simplified structure
  • However, actual benefits depend on businesses transferring reduced tax burden to consumers
  • Experts emphasize need for strong monitoring mechanisms to ensure price reductions reach end buyers.

Bihar: CM Nitish Kumar Announces Rs 25,000 Tablet Allowance for Village Workers

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Nitish Kumar
Nitish Kumar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar unveiled significant financial benefits for grassroots workers on Sunday, announcing a one-time allowance of Rs 25,000 for over 10,000 ‘Vikas Mitras’ to purchase tablets that will enhance their field operations.

CM Nitish Kumar announces Rs 25K allowance for villagers in Bihar

The comprehensive package includes substantial increases in monthly allowances for these village-level workers.

Transportation allowances will rise from Rs 1,900 to Rs 2,500 per month, while stationery allowances will increase from Rs 900 to Rs 1,500 monthly, representing significant improvements in their working conditions.

Nitish Kumar extended the digital support initiative to education workers, announcing Rs 10,000 financial aid for over 30,000 Shiksha Sevaks and Talimi Markaz personnel.

These workers focus on connecting children from Mahadalit, minority, and extremely backward communities to formal school education systems.

Nitish Kumar takes to X

“Along with this, it has been decided to provide 10-10 thousand rupees to education workers (including Talimi Markaz) who are playing an important role in providing the benefits of education to children of Mahadalit, Dalit, minority, and extremely backward classes and in making women literate under the Akshar Aanchal scheme, for purchasing smartphones for carrying out digital activities,” Nitish Kumar stated in a social media post.

The Chief Minister also announced enhanced funding for educational materials, increasing the annual allocation from Rs 3,405 to Rs 6,000 per center, nearly doubling the previous amount.

What does this underscore?

These announcements arrive ahead of the state’s assembly elections, highlighting the government’s focus on welfare programs targeting marginalized communities. The CM positioned the measures as part of ongoing social upliftment efforts.

“Our government is continuously working for the upliftment of the deprived sections of society,” he posted on X, explaining that the tablets for Vikas Mitras, who operate under the SC and ST Welfare Department, will facilitate better data management for various welfare scheme beneficiaries.

The digital infrastructure support aims to modernize grassroots administration, enabling workers to maintain accurate records of beneficiaries across multiple government welfare programs. The initiative reflects broader digitization efforts in rural governance, potentially improving service delivery efficiency in village-level operations.

The financial commitments represent substantial investment in human resources working directly with Bihar’s most vulnerable populations.

Final Solar Eclipse of 2025 Arrives Sunday Night, When it will be Visible in India?

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Solar Eclipse
Solar Eclipse

The year’s final solar eclipse will occur on September 21, offering skygazers in select regions a celestial spectacle to conclude 2025’s astronomical events. However, observers in India will miss this partial solar eclipse, as visibility remains limited to specific geographic areas.

Final Solar Eclipse of 2025 to be seen tomorrow

The partial eclipse will be visible across parts of Australia, Antarctica, the Pacific Ocean, and Atlantic Ocean regions. During this event, the Moon will obscure approximately 85 percent of the Sun’s surface in some locations, creating the characteristic dimming effect associated with partial solar eclipses.

The astronomical event follows standard eclipse mechanics, occurring when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth, casting shadows on our planet’s surface. Unlike total solar eclipses that completely block sunlight, partial eclipses allow portions of the Sun to remain visible throughout the phenomenon.

Here’s the detail of solar eclipse:

Timing details show the solar eclipse beginning at 10:59 PM IST on Sunday night, reaching maximum coverage at 1:11 AM IST early Monday morning, and concluding at 3:23 AM IST. The duration spans approximately four and a half hours from start to finish.

This eclipse marks the fourth and final eclipse of 2025, following a year that featured two partial solar eclipses and two total lunar eclipses. The timing holds additional astronomical significance, occurring just one day before the autumnal equinox on September 22, which officially marks fall’s beginning in the northern hemisphere.

The autumnal equinox represents a unique astronomical moment when the Sun positions itself directly above Earth’s equator. During this period, Earth maintains neutral tilt relative to the Sun, resulting in nearly equal 12-hour periods of daylight and darkness globally.

Predictions of 2026

Looking ahead, future solar eclipse opportunities include events scheduled for February 17 and August 12, 2026, though these will again remain invisible from Indian locations. However, Indian astronomers and eclipse enthusiasts can anticipate August 2027, when the country will finally experience a viewable solar eclipse after an extended waiting period.

The September 21 eclipse provides international observers with 2025’s final opportunity to witness this remarkable astronomical phenomenon, as the Moon briefly interrupts our primary star’s light reaching Earth’s surface.