Jodhpur, 12 September 2026: Hamleys, the world’s oldest and one of its most iconic toy retailers, has opened its first-ever store in Jodhpur. Located at C-Road, Sardarpura, the expansive 4,500 sq. ft. store has already received an encouraging response from the city.

The launch marks another milestone in Hamleys India’s journey, with the brand now operating over 130 stores across 40 cities in the country.

The Jodhpur store brings together more than 2,000 toys and games for children, families and the growing “kidult” segment of adult toy enthusiasts and collectors. From much-loved global brands such as Barbie, Hot Wheels, LEGO and Nerf to Skillmatics and an extensive selection of board and strategy games—including Monopoly, Catan and Sequence—the store offers an exciting world of play under one roof.

Designed for children, families, collectors and adults who have never outgrown their love for play, Hamleys Jodhpur is more than a toy store. It is a one-stop destination for discovery, collecting, gaming and memorable shared experiences.

To celebrate its arrival in the Blue City, Hamleys hosted an exclusive launch evening on 11^th September for families, creators and prominent members of Jodhpur’s social community. Guests experienced the immersive and theatrical world of Hamleys through curated store walkthroughs, interactive activities and a special meet-and-greet with Hamley and Hattie, the brand’s much-loved mascots.

The evening celebrated everything Hamleys has always stood for—bringing children, families and communities together through the magic of play.

With its first store in Jodhpur, Hamleys looks forward to becoming the city’s newest destination for play, discovery and unforgettable experiences.

The post Hamleys Arrives in Jodhpur with Its First Store in the Blue City first appeared on Buziness Bytes.

In most cases, the deducted money is automatically returned to your account. However, the refund timeline depends on whether you transferred money to another person or paid a merchant.

This guide explains the official refund timelines, complaint process and compensation rules for failed UPI transactions.

What Does “UPI Failed but Money Debited” Mean?

This situation occurs when your bank account is debited, but the UPI application shows the transaction as failed or the beneficiary does not receive the money.

The transaction can appear as:

• Failed
• Pending
• Processing
• Successful, but not received by the beneficiary

Do not assume that all these statuses mean the same thing. Check the transaction status and your bank statement before making the payment again.

Why Does a UPI Transaction Fail After Money Is Debited?

A UPI transaction may fail because of:

• A temporary problem with the payer’s bank
• A delay at the beneficiary’s bank
• Poor internet connectivity
• A technical issue with the UPI application
• A timeout during payment processing
• Scheduled or unexpected bank-server downtime
• Incorrect UPI PIN
• Transaction limits or account restrictions

NPCI states that entering an incorrect UPI PIN will cause the transaction to fail. However, a wrong PIN will not normally result in a completed debit.

What Should You Do Immediately?

If the amount has been deducted but the transaction has failed, follow these steps.

1. Check the transaction status

Open the UPI application and go to its transaction history. Check whether the payment is marked as failed, pending or successful.

Use the “refresh” or “check status” option if it is available. NPCI’s UPI Help guidance allows users to check the latest status of a transaction and raise a complaint for an eligible debit transaction.

2. Check your bank statement

Do not depend only on an SMS or the balance displayed in the application. Open your bank’s official mobile application or internet banking service and check the account statement.

Confirm whether the amount was actually debited.

3. Ask the receiver to check their account

The receiver should check their bank statement instead of relying only on a payment notification.

In some cases, the sender’s application may not show an updated status even though the beneficiary has received the money.

4. Do not pay again immediately

If the transaction is pending, avoid making another payment until you confirm whether the first payment was completed.

Paying again can result in a duplicate payment.

5. Save the transaction details

Keep a record of:

• Transaction date and time
• Amount
• UPI transaction ID
• UTR or reference number
• Payer and receiver details
• Screenshot of the status
• Bank debit message

Never share your UPI PIN, OTP, debit-card PIN or complete card details while raising a complaint.

How Long Does a Failed UPI Transaction Refund Take?

RBI has prescribed different turnaround times depending on the type of transaction.

Here, T means the calendar date on which the transaction was made.

For a failed person-to-person transfer, the beneficiary bank should reverse the transaction by the next day if it cannot credit the beneficiary’s account.

For a merchant payment in which the account is debited but confirmation is not received at the merchant’s end, the RBI-prescribed auto-reversal timeline is five days.

These are maximum regulatory timelines. A refund may arrive earlier.

Is the Refund Timeline the Same for Every UPI Failure?

No. It depends on what happened to the payment.

Account debited but beneficiary not credited

This is a failed UPI fund transfer. The amount should be reversed by T+1 day.

Account debited during a merchant payment

If confirmation is not received at the merchant’s end, the amount should be reversed within T+5 days.

Transaction marked as pending

A pending transaction has not yet received a final status. NPCI advises users to check the transaction history and contact their bank’s customer support if confirmation is not received.

Payment sent successfully to the wrong person

This is not a failed transaction. NPCI states that a UPI payment cannot be stopped after it has been initiated. Contact your bank and UPI application immediately, but recovery is not covered by the normal failed-transaction auto-reversal rule.

Unauthorised transaction

If you did not make or approve the payment, report it to your bank immediately. Do not wait for the failed-transaction refund period because unauthorised payments follow a separate dispute process.

How to Raise a Complaint for a Failed UPI Transaction

Step 1: Raise the complaint through the UPI application

Open the application and follow these general steps:

1. Go to transaction history.
2. Select the failed or pending transaction.
3. Tap “Help,” “Report an Issue” or “Raise a Complaint.”
4. Select the correct reason.
5. Submit the complaint.
6. Save the complaint number.

The names of these options can differ between applications. NPCI confirms that UPI users can raise transaction complaints directly through participating UPI applications.

Step 2: Contact your bank

If you do not receive the refund within the prescribed timeline, contact the bank from which the money was debited.

Provide the transaction ID, amount, date, beneficiary details and complaint number. Ask for a service-request or complaint-reference number.

Step 3: Register a complaint through NPCI

NPCI provides an online complaint facility through which customers can check transaction records and submit complaints to the relevant member bank or institution.

The concerned bank or institution remains responsible for resolving the complaint. NPCI also advises customers to report fraudulent or unauthorised transactions directly to their bank.

Step 4: Escalate the complaint to RBI

You must first complain to the concerned bank or regulated entity.

If the bank does not respond within 30 days, rejects the complaint or provides an unsatisfactory resolution, you can lodge a complaint through RBI’s Complaint Management System. The Ombudsman process is free for eligible complaints.

Can You Get Compensation for a Delayed UPI Refund?

Yes. Under RBI’s turnaround-time framework, compensation of ₹100 per day applies when the reversal is delayed beyond the prescribed timeline.

The compensation should be provided automatically without requiring the customer to file a separate claim. Nevertheless, check your statement and mention the delayed-reversal compensation rule when following up with the bank if it is not credited.

The compensation period begins after the applicable T+1 or T+5 deadline has passed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Do not repeat a pending payment immediately.
• Do not share your UPI PIN or OTP with customer-care representatives.
• Do not call numbers found in unverified social-media posts.
• Do not install a screen-sharing application for a refund.
• Do not approve a collect request to receive money.
• Do not enter your UPI PIN to accept a refund.
• Do not delete transaction messages or screenshots before resolution.
• Do not confuse a successful payment sent to the wrong person with a failed payment.

A genuine refund does not require you to enter a UPI PIN or send another payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a failed UPI transaction be refunded automatically?

Yes. If your account was wrongly debited for a failed transaction, the amount should be reversed automatically within the applicable RBI timeline.

How long does a failed UPI refund take?

A failed UPI fund transfer should generally be reversed by T+1 day. A failed merchant transaction may have a T+5-day reversal timeline.

What should I do if the refund is not received?

Raise a complaint through the UPI application and contact the bank that debited your account. Keep the transaction and complaint reference numbers.

Should I contact the UPI app or my bank?

Start with the UPI application’s complaint option. Contact your bank if the refund does not arrive within the prescribed timeline or the complaint remains unresolved.

Can I complain directly to RBI?

You must first submit the complaint to the concerned bank or regulated entity. You can approach the RBI Ombudsman if you do not receive a response within 30 days or are dissatisfied with the resolution.

Will I receive compensation if the refund is delayed?

RBI prescribes compensation of ₹100 per day when reversal takes longer than the applicable T+1 or T+5 timeline.

Do I need to enter my UPI PIN to receive the refund?

No. A UPI PIN is used to authorise a payment, not to receive a refund. Never enter your PIN in response to an unexpected call or message.

Conclusion

If a UPI transaction fails after your account is debited, first check the transaction history, bank statement and receiver’s account. Avoid paying again while the transaction remains pending.

A failed person-to-person transfer should normally be reversed by T+1 day, while certain failed merchant payments have a T+5-day deadline. If the refund is delayed, raise a complaint through the UPI application and your bank. You may also be entitled to ₹100 per day as compensation after the prescribed reversal deadline.

The post UPI Transaction Failed but Money Debited? Refund Rules Explained first appeared on Buziness Bytes.

Anila Baby, originally from Kottayam, is accused of killing Ann Mathew, 39, and Anjana Hari, 35, on August 28. The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office filed murder charges against Baby on September 8.

According to court documents cited by US broadcaster KRON4, Hari was walking through the parking lot of the Mill Creek Apartments in Milpitas shortly before noon when she was struck by a blue Toyota Highlander.

The SUV subsequently hit three parked vehicles before leaving the scene. Hari suffered fatal head injuries and was pronounced dead.

Witness Says There Was No Apparent Argument

A witness told police that Hari had approached the SUV as though she was about to get inside.

According to the witness, Hari appeared happy and friendly with the driver and there was no visible argument between the two women before the incident.

The witness said the SUV suddenly accelerated from a stationary position after Hari walked in front of it.

Investigators reportedly found no tyre marks at the scene suggesting that the driver had attempted to brake.

Hari and Baby both lived at the Mill Creek Apartments on Dixon Landing Road. Relatives and friends told investigators that the two women were close friends.

Second Woman Found Dead in San Jose Home

Around two hours later, at 1.53 pm, San Jose Police responded to a report of suspicious circumstances at a house in the 700 block of Linda Vista Street.

Officers found 39-year-old Ann Mathew unconscious inside the property with unexplained injuries. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The San Jose Police homicide unit later determined that Mathew had suffered at least one stab wound.

Investigators said Mathew and Baby knew each other.

Mathew was originally from Thiruvananthapuram, while Hari was from Thrissur.

Relatives told investigators that Mathew, Hari and Baby had attended an Onam celebration and watched a film together the previous day.

Accused Found Inside Damaged SUV

Later on August 28, officers from the Milpitas Police Department found Baby inside her damaged SUV near a Walgreens store, less than a mile from the apartment complex where Hari was killed.

According to the police report cited by KRON4, Baby had blood on her arms and legs and appeared to have suffered injuries.

She was reportedly incoherent and unable to answer questions before being taken into custody.

Prosecutors Charge Baby With Both Murders

San Jose Police initially investigated Mathew’s death as a separate case and identified Baby as a suspect.

As investigators examined the evidence surrounding both deaths, prosecutors linked Baby to the two cases.

The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office subsequently charged her with the murders of both Ann Mathew and Anjana Hari.

The charges relate to the two deaths that occurred within hours of each other on August 28 in San Jose and Milpitas.

The post Kerala Woman Charged With Two Murders in US, Accused of Stabbing One Friend and Running Over Another first appeared on Buziness Bytes.

Meerut : With mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue, malaria, and chikungunya continuing to pose a significant health risk, medical experts are urging families to adopt effective preventive measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites.

Dr. Yash Chaudhary a leading healthcare expert, emphasized that using a trusted mosquito repellent is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne infections.

“Mosquito bites are not just an irritation; they can lead to serious illnesses. People should choose mosquito repellents from reputed and trusted brands that are clinically proven to provide effective protection, and avoid using machar oils which are not safe to be used on skin , as they may cause skin issues.” said Dr. Yash Chaudhary

The doctor highlighted that mosquito repellent oils from established brands such as Odomos offer up to 8 hours of protection against mosquitoes, helping individuals stay protected throughout the day and night. Additionally, these formulations are safe for use on the skin, are DEET-free, and contain the goodness of natural herbal ingredients such as citronella oil, making them suitable for regular use by families.

“Consumers should be cautious while purchasing local or unbranded mosquito repellent oils available in the market. Many of these products specifically mention that they are not meant to be applied directly to the skin. Using such products on the skin may lead to irritation or other adverse effects,” Dr. Yash Chaudhary added.

Health experts recommend reading back of product labels carefully and avoid using products topically , that don’t mention skin application or have safe on skin credentials , and instead should opt for products that are dermatologically tested and approved for direct skin application.

As mosquito activity rises during the season, doctors advise individuals to combine repellents with other preventive measures such as maintaining clean surroundings, avoiding stagnant water, and wearing protective clothing to minimize exposure to mosquitoes.
“Prevention is always better than cure. Choosing a safe and effective mosquito repellent can go a long way in protecting your family from mosquito-borne diseases,” concluded Dr. Yash Chaudhary.

The post Don’t take skin safety for granted with ordinary Mosquito Oils first appeared on Buziness Bytes.

Dabur India Ltd., one of the leading Ayurvedic and Natural Health Care companies, today announced the launch of the ambitious “Hajmola Masti ki Pathshala” campaign. This massive outreach program is designed to underscore the importance of physical activity and fun among school children, perfectly aligning with the brand’s fun loving and joyful personality.

The “Masti Ki Pathshala” campaign will be conducted on a large scale across Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. As part of the initiative, the Hajmola Masti Ki Pathshala programme was organised today at Tagore Bal Niketan, Defence Estate.

The event was attended by several prominent representatives, including Mr. Vyas Anand, Head – Corporate Communications, Dabur India Limited; Mr. Vinay Gupta, Manager, Tagore Bal Niketan; and Ms. Neeta Arora, Admin, Tagore Bal Niketan.set to roll out in 20 major cities and cover a total of 550 schools, aiming to interact with and benefit over 2.5 lakh students. This campaign is built around interactive and educational elements, including core Fun Games sessions specially curated to encourage students to step away from sedentary habits, actively participate in physical play, and promote health &well-being. Additionally, it will feature Expert Sessions led by leading health and fitness professionals. These sessions are dedicated to educating students, parents, and teachers about the critical importance of daily physical activities in a child’s holistic development, focusing on benefits such as improved concentration, better metabolism, and healthy digestion.

“With ‘Masti ki Pathshala,’ we are blending fun with fitness. Children are increasingly spending more time indoors. This campaign is Hajmola’s way of encouraging them to embrace active playtime, which is vital for both physical health and healthy digestion. By engaging students, we are committing to nurture a generation that understands the value of masti (fun) and movement in their daily lives,” Mr. Sriram Padmanabhan, Director Marketing, Dabur India Ltd., said.

“Physical activity serves as a vital catalyst for a student’s cognitive and emotional growth, extending far beyond just physical fitness. Engaging in regular movement stimulates the release of neurotrophic factors that enhance brain plasticity, directly leading to sharper focus, improved memory retention, and higher academic performance. In an era dominated by sedentary screen time, active play is also essential for emotional regulation and stress reduction, helping children build the resilience and mental clarity needed to navigate their educational journey with confidence”. Dr. Shweta Kaushik said.

“Hajmola’s “Masti ki Pathshala” campaign goes beyond mere brand promotion; it is a significant step towards reinforcing holistic child wellness. The integration of physical activity is based on scientific understanding, as adequate movement aids in stimulating the digestive system, a fact often overlooked in today’s screen-centric lifestyle. By focusing on 550 schools across the selected cities, Dabur aims to create a sustainable and positive impact, fostering a culture where play and physical fitness are viewed as essential components of daily education, ensuring that the younger generation grows up with both a love for active living and a better understanding of how to maintain a healthy body”. Mr. Prabal Walia, Category Head- Healthcare OTC,  Dabur India Ltd Said.

The post Dabur’s Hajmola Launches “Masti ki Pathshala” first appeared on Buziness Bytes.

The money in the account does not disappear. You can reactivate the account by submitting a request and completing the bank’s KYC verification process. Under Reserve Bank of India rules, banks cannot charge a fee for activating an inoperative account.

This guide explains how dormant bank account activation works, which documents may be required and what you can do if the account has remained unused for more than 10 years.

What Is a Dormant Bank Account?

The Reserve Bank of India uses the term “inoperative account.” Banks and customers commonly refer to it as a dormant account.

A savings or current account becomes inoperative when there has been no customer-induced transaction for more than two years. The status applies to the individual account, not to every account that the customer holds with the same bank.

Therefore, if you have two accounts with one bank, one account can become inoperative while the other remains active.

What Counts as a Customer-Induced Transaction?

A customer-induced transaction is an activity initiated by the account holder or carried out on the account holder’s instructions.

It can include financial transactions such as:

• Cash deposits and withdrawals
• NEFT or RTGS transfers
• Payments made through the account
• Standing instructions authorised by the customer
• Dividend credits and other third-party credits

Certain authenticated non-financial activities may also count. These can include successfully logging in to mobile or internet banking, making an authenticated service request or updating KYC details through an approved channel.

Bank-generated entries, such as interest credits or service charges, are not normally treated as customer-induced transactions for deciding whether an account is operative.

What Happens When an Account Becomes Dormant?

Once an account is marked inoperative, the bank restricts debit transactions to protect the customer from fraud and unauthorised use.

Depending on the bank, you may be unable to:

• Withdraw money
• Transfer funds
• Use a debit card
• Issue cheques
• Make UPI payments
• Use some mobile or internet banking services

However, interest must continue to be credited to an inoperative savings account according to the applicable account rules. Banks must also avoid imposing minimum-balance penalties while the account remains classified as inoperative.

How to Check Whether Your Account Is Dormant

You can check the account’s status through one of the following methods:

1. Log in to the bank’s mobile application or internet banking service.
2. Try checking the account through an ATM.
3. Contact the bank’s official customer-care service.
4. Visit any branch of the bank.
5. Check recent SMS or email messages sent by the bank.

A failed transaction does not automatically mean that the account is dormant. Transactions can also fail because of an expired debit card, incomplete KYC, a technical problem, a legal freeze or a restriction related to suspected fraud.

Ask the bank to confirm the reason before applying for activation.

How to Reactivate a Dormant Bank Account Offline

You can generally reactivate an inoperative account by following these steps:

1. Visit a branch of your bank

RBI instructions require banks to provide the KYC-update facility for inoperative accounts at all their branches, including non-home branches. This means you should not be required to visit only the branch where the account was originally opened.

2. Submit an activation request

Ask for the bank’s inoperative or dormant account activation form. If the bank does not use a separate form, it may accept a written request.

The request will normally require details such as:

• Account holder’s name
• Account number
• Registered mobile number
• Reason for not using the account
• Signature of the account holder

3. Provide updated KYC documents

Submit the identity and address documents requested by the bank. RBI permits several officially valid documents for KYC, but the exact requirement can depend on the customer and account type.

A bank may ask for:

• Aadhaar or another officially valid identity document
• PAN or Form 60, where applicable
• Passport
• Voter identity card
• Driving licence
• Recent photograph
• Current address proof, if the address has changed

Carry original documents for verification when visiting a branch. Check your bank’s official website before visiting because document requirements may differ for individual, joint, current and NRI accounts.

4. Complete verification

The bank will verify your identity, signature, account details and KYC information. Additional verification may be required if your name, address, mobile number or signature has changed.

5. Wait for confirmation

After activation, the bank should inform you through your registered mobile number or email address. Banks are required to process a complete activation request within three working days.

Test the account only after receiving confirmation from the bank.

Can You Activate a Dormant Bank Account Online?

The availability of complete online activation depends on the bank and the type of account.

Under the revised RBI framework, banks must make KYC updating available at all branches. Banks should also try to provide Video Customer Identification Process, or V-CIP, for the activation of inoperative accounts. An authorised Business Correspondent may also be used where the bank provides that facility.

However, this does not mean that every customer can reactivate every account entirely online. Digital activation may depend on:

• Whether the bank offers V-CIP
• Whether the account is held individually or jointly
• Whether the registered mobile number is active
• Whether the customer’s details match existing records
• Whether additional documents or physical verification are required

For example, HDFC Bank provides a digital process for certain eligible resident customers, while other account categories may require a branch visit. SBI currently directs customers to visit any SBI branch with updated KYC documents.

Always use your bank’s official website, mobile application or customer-care number. Do not submit KYC documents through links received from unknown senders.

Documents Required to Activate a Dormant Account

Requirements vary between banks, but customers may need:

• A completed activation request form
• One officially valid identity and address document
• PAN or Form 60, where applicable
• A recent photograph
• Passbook or account details
• Supporting documents for changes in name or address

Joint-account holders may be asked to complete verification according to the account’s operating instructions. NRI and non-individual accounts can have additional documentation requirements.

Are There Any Dormant Account Activation Charges?

No. A bank cannot charge you for activating an inoperative account.

It also cannot levy penal charges for failure to maintain the minimum balance while the account is classified as inoperative. Interest on an inoperative savings account must continue to be credited regularly.

Ask the bank for a written explanation if an activation fee or minimum-balance penalty for the inoperative period appears in your account.

What If the Account Has Been Inactive for More Than 10 Years?

Money remaining unclaimed in a deposit account for 10 years or more is transferred by the bank to RBI’s Depositor Education and Awareness Fund.

The transfer does not cancel the customer’s right to the money. The depositor—or an eligible nominee or legal heir—can still claim it by approaching the bank where the account was maintained.

RBI’s UDGAM portal can help users search for unclaimed deposits across participating banks. However, the claim must be submitted to the concerned bank; UDGAM itself does not settle or pay the claim.

How to Prevent Your Account from Becoming Dormant Again

Use the account periodically through a genuine customer-initiated activity. You can:

• Make a deposit or withdrawal
• Transfer money
• Use an active standing instruction
• Log in successfully to mobile or internet banking
• Complete an authenticated service request
• Keep your KYC and contact details updated

Do not make unnecessary transactions merely to keep an account that you no longer need. Consider closing unused accounts after checking for pending payments, mandates, deposits and linked services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can money be deposited into a dormant account?

Certain credits may still reach an inoperative account, but debit transactions are restricted. Contact your bank to confirm the account’s status and complete activation before attempting to use the money.

Will I lose the balance in a dormant bank account?

No. The balance does not disappear when the account becomes inoperative. Even if an unclaimed balance is transferred to the DEA Fund after 10 years, an eligible claimant can approach the bank to claim it.

Is a home-branch visit compulsory?

No. Banks must provide the KYC-update facility for activation at all branches, including non-home branches. Whether the entire process can be completed digitally depends on the bank.

How long does dormant account activation take?

A bank must process the request within three working days after receiving a complete application. Missing documents or mismatched information can delay completion.

Is there a charge for activating the account?

No. RBI instructions prohibit banks from charging an activation fee for an inoperative account.

Can an inoperative account be closed instead of activated?

Ask the bank about its closure procedure. The bank may first need to verify your identity and complete the required KYC formalities before transferring the balance and closing the account.

Is a dormant account the same as a frozen account?

No. A dormant or inoperative account results from a lack of customer-induced activity. An account may be frozen for other reasons, including legal orders, compliance requirements or suspected fraud. The resolution process can therefore be different.

Conclusion

A dormant bank account can be reactivated by submitting a request and completing KYC verification. You can update KYC at any branch of your bank, including a non-home branch, while some banks may also provide video or digital verification.

Activation is free, minimum-balance penalties cannot be imposed during the inoperative period, and interest continues on savings accounts. If the deposit has remained unclaimed for more than 10 years, approach the bank to recover it and use RBI’s UDGAM portal to locate the deposit if necessary.

The post How to Reactivate a Dormant Bank Account in India first appeared on Buziness Bytes.

The Shivakumar-led government will hold its Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru on September 18, with departments asked to identify proposals concerning coastal Karnataka for consideration. The move comes as the government completes 100 days in office.

Officially, the meeting is focused on administration and development. Politically, however, its location is significant as Karnataka’s parties begin looking ahead to the 2028 Assembly election.

Mangaluru is not just the headquarters of Dakshina Kannada. It lies at the centre of a coastal region where the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have built a powerful political and organisational presence over several decades.

Dakshina Kannada and neighbouring Udupi have frequently been described in political discourse as a Hindutva stronghold because of the long-standing grassroots presence of the RSS and its affiliates.

Taking the Cabinet to Mangaluru, therefore, gives Shivakumar an opportunity to put his government’s development agenda directly before voters in one of the BJP’s most reliable regions.

BJP Won 11 of 13 Coastal Seats in 2023

The electoral numbers underline the scale of the challenge facing the Congress.

Udupi was carved out of the erstwhile Dakshina Kannada district in 1997. Today, Dakshina Kannada has eight Assembly constituencies, while Udupi has five.

In the 2023 Karnataka Assembly election, the BJP won all five seats in Udupi and six of the eight seats in Dakshina Kannada. The Congress managed to win just two seats across the two districts.

That gave the BJP 11 of the region’s 13 Assembly seats, even as the Congress swept to power statewide with 135 seats.

The coast has largely remained favourable to the BJP for nearly three decades, though the Congress managed a major breakthrough in the region in the 2013 election.

For Shivakumar, reducing the BJP’s dominance here could therefore become an important part of the Congress’s strategy for 2028.

Why Coastal Karnataka Matters to DKS

The Congress’s 2023 victory was built on a broad social coalition, with Siddaramaiah and the party’s AHINDA politics playing an important role.

AHINDA refers to a political coalition centred on minorities, backward classes and Dalits.

But Karnataka’s political equations have changed following Siddaramaiah’s exit from the Chief Minister’s office and his renewed engagement with social justice and AHINDA politics.

For Shivakumar, the challenge ahead of 2028 is not merely to reproduce the Congress’s 2023 performance. He also needs to expand the party’s support into areas where it has traditionally struggled.

Coastal Karnataka offers one such opportunity.

“BJP has a stronghold in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi for around 30 years. The upcoming Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru is one step DKS is taking to appeal to voters in a region that has consistently chosen the BJP,” Bengaluru-based senior journalist and Asianet Suvarna News Political Editor Prashanth Natu told India Today Digital.

According to Natu, Shivakumar is looking to bring down the BJP’s seat tally in 2028 by targeting constituencies that have traditionally been part of its coastal stronghold.

Lingayat Outreach and Coastal Hindutva Vote

Shivakumar’s wider political strategy could involve challenging the BJP on more than one front.

In central and northern Karnataka, sections of the Lingayat electorate have historically been an important pillar of the BJP’s support, particularly under former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa.

On the coast, the challenge is different.

The BJP’s strength in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi is closely linked to Hindutva politics, grassroots organisations and an established local political network.

“On one end, the Congress government led by DKS is trying to gain the votes of the Lingayats, who traditionally support the BJP due to the leadership of BS Yediyurappa. On the other hand, DKS is trying to hunt the BJP’s Hindutva votes of Dakshina Kannada,” Natu said.

For the Congress, success may not necessarily mean turning coastal Karnataka into a party stronghold.

Even making some of the BJP’s safest constituencies more competitive — and winning a handful of additional seats — could alter the electoral arithmetic in 2028.

Development Could Be DKS’s Coastal Pitch

Shivakumar’s government appears to be placing development at the centre of its engagement with coastal Karnataka.

Departments have been instructed to identify proposals concerning the region ahead of the September 18 Cabinet meeting, while local stakeholders have raised demands relating to infrastructure, tourism, healthcare, education and employment.

Tourism is emerging as one of the major areas of focus.

The Karnataka Tourism Department has outlined a Rs 1,260-crore coastal tourism roadmap under the “Brand Karavali” vision, involving projects across Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada.

The government has also discussed connectivity, tourism infrastructure and investment as part of plans to develop Karnataka’s 320-km coastline.

For a region where political debate has long been shaped heavily by ideology and identity, the Congress could attempt to create an alternative conversation around jobs, tourism, infrastructure and economic opportunities.

Can Congress Breach BJP’s Coastal Fortress?

That remains the bigger question.

The BJP’s dominance in coastal Karnataka is not simply the result of a single election cycle or short-term anti-incumbency. Its organisational strength has developed over decades through political, ideological and social networks.

Natu, however, believes Shivakumar’s concentrated attention on the region could offer the Congress an opening.

“Being a highly polarised region electorally, no political party leader has concentrated on Dakshina Kannada like DKS. This might help Congress gain some ground in the region and there is also a 2013 precedence,” he said.

The September 18 Cabinet meeting could therefore serve as an early test of Shivakumar’s coastal strategy.

The Congress has little reason to assume that the electoral coalition that gave it 135 seats in 2023 will automatically remain intact in 2028. Changes around Siddaramaiah and the renewed focus on AHINDA politics mean Shivakumar will also have to build a political coalition associated with his own leadership.

Coastal Karnataka presents one possible avenue for expansion.

The Mangaluru Cabinet meeting is therefore more than an administrative gathering outside Bengaluru. It puts the Shivakumar government directly in a region where the Congress has struggled electorally and where the BJP remains deeply entrenched.

Whether development-led outreach can translate into votes will only become clear in 2028. For now, Shivakumar is signalling that the BJP’s coastal fortress will be part of the electoral battle he intends to contest.

The post Why DK Shivakumar Is Taking Karnataka Cabinet to BJP’s Coastal Fortress Ahead of 2028 first appeared on Buziness Bytes.

The latest warning, which follows at least five such threats in just over a month, has allegedly asked Kashmiri Pandit employees working under the Prime Minister’s Package to quit their jobs or face fatal consequences.

Nearly 7,000 Kashmiri Pandit employees have reportedly been named in the latest threat.

A Mumbai-based Kashmiri Pandit with family in Srinagar compared the present intimidation with the threats faced by the community during the 1990s.

“This was their modus operandi even in the 1990s, except there was no internet. They had lists typed out and stuck on walls,” the person said.

Community Members Raise Security Concerns

India Today Digital contacted the Kashmiri Pandits Association (KPA), All India Kashmiri Samaj (AIKS) and several Kashmiri Pandits living in Mumbai and Delhi who have relatives in the Valley.

Officials from KPA and AIKS declined to comment. However, members of the community said such threats had become more frequent in recent times.

“My family is not among the government employees. We are a business family, and the threat is directed at government employees this time. But that doesn’t discount the fact that it is not safe for Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir. These threats are pretty common in the valley,” a Kashmiri Pandit lawyer living in Delhi, who has family in Jammu, said.

Alleged Leak of Personal Details Sparks Alarm

In a September 7 post on X, community voice Saba Kaul described the development as a “massive and alarming security crisis”.

Kaul alleged that the ULC had issued a direct threat to Kashmiri Pandit PM Package employees and that private phone numbers, residential addresses and vehicle registration details had been leaked online.

She urged the Union Home Ministry and the office of Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to investigate what she described as a “catastrophic data breach” and ensure security for employees working in the Valley.

PM Package Employee Seeks FIR

Concerns were also raised by Rakesh Handoo, who claims to be a PM Package employee and an activist associated with the All PM Package Employees Association in Kashmir Valley.

In a complaint dated September 6 and addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and the Jammu and Kashmir Police Cyber Crime Wing, Handoo sought registration of an FIR over a September 5 threat letter attributed to the ULC.

According to Handoo, the letter threatened non-local employees and warned that they could be targeted irrespective of gender or status.

He also cited a threatening line from the letter stating that “body bags will be sent to their native places”.

Threat Letters Circulated Through Online Platforms

A senior journalist based in Srinagar confirmed that the threat letters were first released on the dark web before being circulated through WhatsApp and Telegram.

The September 1 communication was reportedly the fifth such threat issued against Kashmiri Pandits within a month.

That letter claimed the administration was considering providing light weapons to migrant Pandit employees following a security meeting chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

The latest controversy follows another threat letter dated August 7, in which the ULC claimed to possess information about Kashmiri Pandit officials, their families, locations and workplaces.

The group also allegedly warned that employees could be targeted even if they shifted to Jammu.

The August letter specifically named six government employees, though their details were not published.

Panun Kashmir, an organisation representing displaced Kashmiri Pandits, called for an immediate threat assessment for those named and their families.

Its convenor Agnishekhar said the publication of personal details alongside threats was a matter of “grave concern”.

PM Package Was Introduced to Support Return of Kashmiri Migrants

The PM Package employment programme for Kashmiri migrants dates back to 2008, when the Centre announced a return and rehabilitation package that included 3,000 state government jobs funded by the central government.

In November 2015, another 3,000 state government posts were approved under the Prime Minister’s Development Package.

This took the total number of centrally funded posts under the two schemes to 6,000.

According to Handoo, around 6,000 PM Package employees have been serving in the Kashmir Valley for nearly 15 years, with many living in rented accommodation.

He claimed that although 6,042 residential quarters had been constructed at Zewan in Srinagar and Mattan and Veerinag in Anantnag, only around 800 had been allotted over the past three years.

Handoo has called for an immediate security audit of transit colonies and rented accommodation, an investigation into the origin of the threats and a policy guaranteeing the “Right to Return and Rehabilitation” with job security and land rights.

Questions Raised Over Safety of Transit Accommodation

In another September 7 post, Handoo shared photographs which he identified as transit accommodation for minority PM Package employees at Noa on Chowgam Road in Kulgam.

He alleged that some of the housing was located in isolated and vulnerable areas and lacked adequate roads, drainage, fencing and security.

He also claimed that some accommodation remained incomplete.

“For whom is this normalcy?” Handoo asked, arguing that for an employee facing threats, normalcy would mean having a safe home, secure colony and completed accommodation.

Political Divide Over Threats

The issue has also triggered political differences over how the threats should be interpreted.

National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah questioned why Kashmiri Pandit employees were receiving threats while senior Hindu officers serving in Jammu and Kashmir were not.

He alleged that the threats could be part of a “conspiracy by the Lieutenant Governor-led administration to create fear and delay the restoration of statehood”.

The BJP strongly rejected the allegation.

BJP National Media Co-Incharge Pradeep Bhandari accused Abdullah of showing “soft support” for terrorists and said his remarks trivialised the suffering of Kashmiri Hindus.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, however, took a different position.

After the first threat emerged in August, Omar said targeted killings of minorities had taken place in the past and warned that the latest threat should not be taken lightly.

He called for action against those responsible and adequate security for Kashmiri Pandit employees.

After the second threat letter, Omar again said security and intelligence agencies needed to determine the source of the threats.

2022 Killing Remains a Reminder of Security Risks

Kashmiri Pandits were forced to leave the Valley in large numbers during the rise of armed insurgency in the late 1980s and early 1990s, amid targeted killings, threats and intimidation.

Many families subsequently settled in Jammu and other parts of the country after leaving behind their homes and properties.

The PM Package was introduced as part of efforts to encourage the community’s return through government employment and rehabilitation.

However, the killing of Rahul Bhat inside the Tehsil Office in Chadoora in 2022 remains a stark reminder of the security risks faced by Kashmiri Pandits working in the Valley.

The latest series of threats has once again brought the safety of PM Package employees and the broader rehabilitation process under focus.

The post Fresh Terror Threats Put Kashmiri Pandit Employees in Valley Under Renewed Security Concern first appeared on Buziness Bytes.

SEBI Investor defines saving as setting aside a portion of income to meet future financial requirements. It also explains that savings can help build an emergency fund for unexpected expenses as well as fund planned financial goals such as buying a house, children’s education or retirement.

An emergency fund is therefore a specific type of savings reserve created for unexpected financial problems. Regular savings, on the other hand, may be accumulated for planned expenses or future goals.

Understanding this difference can help you avoid using money meant for emergencies on expenses you already knew were coming.

What Is an Emergency Fund?

An emergency fund is money specifically set aside for unforeseen financial situations.

NISM describes financial emergencies as situations where money may be urgently required because of unexpected events such as loss of employment, illness, disability or loss of business income. In such situations, income may stop while household expenses continue.

Examples can include:

Temporary loss of income
Unexpected medical bills
Essential household expenses during unemployment
Other necessary and unplanned financial expenses

NISM states that the primary objectives of an emergency fund should be safety and liquidity, rather than earning high returns.

In simple terms:

Emergency Fund = Savings reserved specifically for unexpected financial situations

What Are Regular Savings?

Savings have a broader meaning.

SEBI Investor defines saving as the portion of income set aside to meet future financial requirements. Savings can support both emergency needs and planned financial objectives.

For example, regular savings may be created for:

A future vacation
Buying a vehicle
A house down payment
Education expenses
A planned family event
Other short- or long-term financial goals

SEBI explains that financial goals are specific financial objectives to be achieved within a particular timeframe.

So while an emergency fund has a very specific purpose, ordinary savings can be linked to many different financial goals.

Emergency Fund vs Savings: Key Differences

The important distinction is purpose, not merely where the money is kept.

Purpose: Unexpected Expenses vs Planned Goals

An emergency fund is designed for expenses or financial setbacks that were not planned.

NISM gives examples such as job loss, illness, disability and business income disruption. It also notes that emergency savings may be needed because regular household expenses continue even when income stops.

Regular savings can instead be linked to goals you already know about.

SEBI gives examples of financial goals such as:

Buying a house
Funding higher education
Retirement planning

NISM also describes goals such as a home down payment, debt repayment and other specific future financial objectives.

A simple way to think about it is:

Unexpected and necessary expense → Emergency fund

Expected or planned expense → Goal-based savings

How Much Money Should You Keep in Each?

There is no single universal amount for either emergency funds or regular savings.

Emergency Fund

NISM says financial advisers commonly suggest an emergency fund equal to around three to six months of household expenses. It also notes that some guidance has moved towards larger reserves following the COVID-19 period.

Another NISM financial-education page recommends aiming for at least three to six months of living expenses in an emergency fund.

This is general financial guidance, not a legal or compulsory requirement.

Your actual requirement can depend on your household expenses, income stability and financial obligations.

Regular Savings

There is no single number that everyone should save for planned goals.

SEBI recommends setting clear financial goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound.

For example, if you know you will need ₹1.2 lakh for a planned expense in 12 months, you can calculate how much needs to be saved periodically toward that goal.

The amount therefore depends on:

Cost of the goal
Time available
Existing savings
Other financial priorities

Where Should Emergency Funds and Savings Be Kept?

The appropriate place depends on what the money is intended for.

Emergency Fund

NISM says safety and liquidity should be the primary objectives of an emergency fund. It mentions keeping money at home, in a bank, or potentially using liquid mutual funds as possible options.

However, a mutual fund is a market-linked investment and should not be treated as equivalent to a bank deposit.

The key requirement is that emergency money should be accessible when it is genuinely needed.

Regular Savings

Where regular savings should be kept depends more heavily on the specific financial goal, time horizon and risk involved.

NISM says financial goals should be classified based on:

Time to the goal
Importance of the goal

It further explains that savings and investments should be linked to these goals according to their priority.

So money needed soon may require a different approach from money being accumulated for a goal many years away.

Can a Savings Account Be Used for an Emergency Fund?

Yes.

An emergency fund does not require a special type of bank account simply because it is called an “emergency fund.”

What matters is the purpose for which the money has been reserved.

NISM specifically includes keeping emergency money in a bank among appropriate options and emphasises easy access, safety and liquidity.

You can therefore keep emergency money in a savings account.

However, separating emergency savings from everyday spending money can make it easier to identify what amount is actually available for genuine emergencies.

Should You Build Savings or an Emergency Fund First?

“Regular savings” and “emergency fund” are not completely competing concepts because an emergency fund itself is built from savings.

The more useful question is whether emergency preparedness should be prioritised before long-term investing or discretionary financial goals.

SEBI Investor specifically advises maintaining an emergency fund to deal with unexpected events such as job loss before discussing investing for future goals.

NISM’s budgeting guidance similarly recommends:

Creating a budget
Prioritising essential expenses
Cutting unnecessary expenses
Saving for emergencies
Investing for future medium- and long-term goals

This supports treating emergency preparedness as part of the basic financial foundation.

It does not mean every other savings activity must stop until a particular emergency-fund amount is reached. Individual circumstances differ.

Can You Use an Emergency Fund for Planned Expenses?

An emergency fund is intended for unforeseen financial situations.

Using it for expenses you already know are coming can weaken the amount available when a genuine emergency occurs.

SEBI distinguishes basic needs from wants and desires. It gives examples such as entertainment, dining out and vacations as wants rather than essential needs.

Therefore, a planned holiday, planned gadget purchase or known annual expense would normally be better handled through separate goal-based savings rather than money reserved specifically for emergencies.

There is no law defining which personal expense must or must not be paid from an emergency fund. This is a financial-planning distinction.

Examples of Emergency Expenses

NISM and SEBI financial-education material identify several types of unexpected financial situations.

Examples may include:

Loss of employment

If income suddenly stops but rent, groceries and other basic expenses continue, an emergency fund can provide temporary support.

Unexpected medical bills

NISM specifically identifies medical bills as an example of unexpected expenses an emergency fund can help cover.

Business income disruption

NISM discusses loss of income caused by business closure for entrepreneurs and self-employed people as a financial emergency.

Essential household expenses during an income interruption

Food, housing, utilities and other basic needs may continue even when income is temporarily unavailable.

The exact definition of an emergency will depend on individual circumstances.

Examples of Expenses That Should Come From Regular Savings

Planned expenses are generally better funded through separate savings goals.

Examples might include:

Planned vacation
Home down payment
Vehicle purchase
Higher education
Planned wedding or family event
Planned electronic purchase
Other known future expenses

SEBI explains that savings can help meet financial goals such as buying a house, children’s education and retirement.

NISM similarly explains that financial goals can include buying a house, funding education, going on a foreign vacation or purchasing a vehicle.

The fact that an expense is important does not automatically make it an emergency. If you know about it in advance, it can generally be planned for separately.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Treating All Savings as One Pool

If holiday money, emergency money and long-term savings are all treated as interchangeable, it can become difficult to know how much is actually available for an emergency.

2. Using Emergency Money for Wants

SEBI distinguishes needs from wants such as entertainment, dining out and vacations.

Planned discretionary spending can usually be budgeted separately.

3. Having Savings but No Emergency Reserve

Having ₹2 lakh saved for a planned car purchase does not necessarily mean you also have ₹2 lakh available to cover several months of household expenses after an unexpected income loss.

Purpose matters.

4. Chasing High Returns With Emergency Money

NISM states clearly that high returns are not the objective of emergency savings; safety and liquidity should be the priorities.

5. Ignoring Monthly Essential Expenses

An emergency-fund target should consider the household expenses that would continue during an income interruption.

NISM identifies items such as rent/home-loan EMI, utilities, food, transportation, insurance premiums and debt payments when discussing household budgeting.

6. Assuming 3–6 Months Is a Compulsory Rule

It is a commonly discussed financial-planning guideline, not a statutory requirement. NISM presents three to six months as a commonly suggested level rather than a mandatory rule.

FAQs

Is an emergency fund the same as savings?

An emergency fund is a specific category of savings reserved for unexpected financial situations. Savings more broadly can also be used for planned future financial goals.

Can I keep my emergency fund in a savings account?

Yes. NISM identifies keeping emergency money in a bank as an appropriate option and says safety and liquidity should be the main objectives.

How much emergency fund should I have?

NISM says financial advisers commonly suggest around three to six months of household expenses. This is general guidance rather than a compulsory rule.

How much regular savings should I have?

There is no universal amount. It depends on your financial goals, their cost and when you expect to need the money. SEBI recommends making financial goals specific, measurable and time-bound.

Is money saved for a holiday an emergency fund?

A planned holiday would generally be a goal-based or discretionary expense rather than an unforeseen emergency. SEBI classifies vacations among wants rather than basic needs.

Can medical expenses come from an emergency fund?

Unexpected medical bills can qualify as the type of expense emergency savings are designed to help cover. NISM specifically mentions unexpected medical bills when discussing emergency funds.

Can I use my emergency fund to buy a phone or laptop?

If the purchase is planned and non-essential, it would generally be more appropriate to save separately for it. If an item becomes unexpectedly necessary for earning income or another essential purpose, circumstances may differ. There is no universal legal definition covering every individual purchase.

Should I create an emergency fund before investing?

SEBI advises maintaining an emergency fund for unexpected events such as job loss as part of financial preparedness before discussing future investing. NISM likewise places emergency savings before medium- and long-term investing in its budgeting sequence.

Should emergency savings and regular savings be in separate accounts?

There is no regulatory requirement that they must be in separate accounts. However, emergency money has a distinct purpose, and NISM emphasises preserving it for unexpected situations where immediate access may be needed.

Is an emergency fund an investment?

Its primary purpose is different from a typical investment. NISM says the objectives of an emergency fund are safety and liquidity rather than high returns, whereas SEBI describes investing as a way to work toward future financial goals and potentially grow money over time.

Conclusion

Emergency funds and regular savings both involve setting money aside, but their purposes are different.

An emergency fund is money specifically reserved for unforeseen financial situations such as loss of income or unexpected essential expenses. NISM says this money should primarily focus on safety and liquidity rather than high returns.

Regular savings have a broader purpose. SEBI explains that savings may be used to achieve planned goals such as purchasing a house, funding education or preparing for retirement.

A useful way to remember the difference is:

Emergency fund = money for what you did not plan.

Regular savings = money for what you are planning.

Keeping these purposes clear can make budgeting easier and help ensure that money reserved for a genuine financial emergency is still available when it is actually needed.

The post Emergency Fund vs Savings: What’s the Difference? first appeared on Buziness Bytes.

The controversy relates to a visit by around 100 people associated with BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) on Saturday. The incident has triggered anger among employees and drawn criticism from senior French politicians.

According to union representatives, female employees were asked to leave their workstations as members of the delegation passed through, with male employees taking their places.

“As the delegation passed through, women were asked to leave their workstations so that men could take their places,” union representative Diane Davoine told Reuters.

The delegation was in France for celebrations linked to the inauguration of a Hindu temple in the Paris suburbs.

Staff Protest Delays Eiffel Tower Opening

Davoine said tensions among employees increased over the weekend, prompting staff members to hold a meeting on Monday morning.

“Tensions mounted over the weekend, so this morning, the employees decided to meet: first, to open a dialogue with management, and second, to ensure that women are never treated this way at the company again,” she said.

The meeting delayed the opening of the Eiffel Tower.

Signs displayed at the monument informed visitors: “The opening of the Eiffel Tower is delayed for operational reasons.”

Davoine said management later apologised to employees over the incident.

BAPS Says It Was Unaware of Women Being Asked to Leave

BAPS said the delegation’s visit had been coordinated with Eiffel Tower authorities to minimise disruption and maintain normal access for other visitors.

In a statement posted on X, the organisation said the visit by the large delegation had been scheduled in consultation with Eiffel Tower management at the beginning of regular opening hours in an effort to reduce inconvenience to the public.

BAPS said it was unaware of any situation in which female employees were asked to leave their workstations or visitors were denied access to the monument during the visit.

The organisation, however, expressed regret over the controversy and apologised to anyone who may have felt hurt or inconvenienced.

It added that it remained committed to the principles of mutual respect and service to others and said it was taking the concerns raised over the incident seriously.

Paris Mayor Orders Investigation

Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grgoire ordered an investigation into the allegations, saying the concerns raised by workers were justified and required urgent attention.

In a post on X, Grgoire acknowledged the anger expressed by Eiffel Tower employees and said their frustration was legitimate.

“It is unacceptable that such conditions could be tolerated,” he wrote, adding that the alleged circumstances did not reflect either his values or those the Eiffel Tower should represent.

He stressed that everyone should be able to work and move freely without discrimination on the basis of gender.

Grgoire said equality between women and men must be respected everywhere in Paris, including at the city’s most iconic landmarks.

“It is essential that the circumstances that led to this mobilisation are fully clarified,” he said, adding that an investigation would be launched as quickly as possible.

He also pledged to ensure that gender equality is upheld across the city “without exception”.

Trade Union Condemns Alleged Instructions

The CGT trade union also criticised the incident, condemning what it described as “workplace instructions that led to female employees being sidelined, replaced and rendered invisible on the basis of their gender”.

The Eiffel Tower’s operator, Societe d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE), acknowledged that the visiting delegation had requested arrangements aimed at limiting “interactions with women”.

The operator admitted that “these conditions should not have been accepted”.

However, SETE did not publicly explain why the visiting delegation wanted interactions with female employees to be limited.

SETE President Ariel Weil said the company would investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“We are going to shed light on what happened, and we will draw the necessary conclusions,” Weil told Agence France-Presse.

French National Assembly President Reacts

The controversy also prompted a strong response from Yael Braun-Pivet, president of France’s National Assembly.

“I refuse to accept that women should be told to step aside to meet the demands of foreign visitors,” she wrote on X.

“Welcoming others never means giving up our values. In France, women are fully present in public life. No one tells them to become invisible,” she added.

BAPS Opens First Major Hindu Temple in France

BAPS inaugurated its first major Hindu temple in France near Paris on Sunday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present at the inauguration ceremony.

Addressing the gathering, Modi said the temple would carry India’s ancient ideas and human values to France while helping strengthen cultural ties between the two countries.

The post Eiffel Tower Temporarily Closed After Staff Protest Over Alleged Treatment of Female Employees first appeared on Buziness Bytes.