PILGRIM
Four killed, 18 injured as two buses carrying pilgrims collide in Punjab's Tarn Taran
A tragic accident involving two buses occurred in Tarn Taran, resulting in four fatalities. Among the deceased were three pilgrims and a motorcyclist. In total, 18 individuals were injured, with five sustaining serious injuries. The local authorities have prioritized medical assistance for the injured, ensuring suitable referrals to hospitals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences regarding the unfortunate incident and wished for the injured's speedy recovery.
Indian Railways approves weekly train service connecting Nepal's Janakpur Dham with Ayodhya
Indian Railways has approved a new weekly train service connecting Janakpur Dham and Ayodhya, enhancing cross-border travel. The service will operate once a week, facilitating pilgrimages and tourism associated with the Ramayana tradition. It covers approximately 604 kilometres and will include stops at significant towns in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Officials from both India and Nepal are coordinating on customs and passenger security measures for this service.
"Absolutely wrong": Ex-CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana refutes Sonia Gandhi's memoir claim that the Godhra fire is "disputed"
Rakesh Asthana, former Special Director of the CBI, contested claims made by Sonia Gandhi in her memoir. He emphasized that the investigation into the Godhra train burning was thorough and had clear findings. According to Asthana, doubts raised about the findings were motivated by political reasons. The incident, which occurred in 2002, resulted in considerable communal unrest and the loss of many lives.
Festive online sales hit Rs 1.4 lakh crore, up 17%, but miss forecasts
The season had been expected to hit a record Rs 1.50-1.55 lakh crore in GMV, up 25-29% from last year. GMV is total value of goods sold by marketplaces before discounts and returns. The festive sale period started on October 8 with the flagship events of Amazon and Flipkart followed by multiple micro-events until Diwali, which fell on November 8.
Quick commerce delivers huge festive triumph for D2C brands
Beauty brand Pilgrim and healthy snacks brand Open Secret both doubled their sales year-on-year (YoY) during the festive period, driven by purchases on quick-commerce platforms.
‘The Nvidia case can help us limit East India Company-like practices’
Stanford professor Fred Turner argues that Silicon Valley's culture, shaped by Cold War computing research and the 1960s counterculture, has evolved into a system where powerful technology leaders exercise influence with limited institutional checks.
Qcomm’s Diwali boost; Energy startups attract funds
Happy Wednesday! Quick commerce powered a strong festive season for D2C brands. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
IIT Indore reveals severe pollution in drain leading into Kshipra river ahead of Simhastha 2028 pilgrimage
IIT Indore conducted an investigation revealing significant pollution levels in Nagdhaman Nala, which impacts Kshipra river water quality. The study identified a lack of oxygen and high levels of faecal bacteria in the water. Experts expressed concerns regarding the water's unfit status for recreational use ahead of Simhastha 2028. Madhya Pradesh government has not taken necessary actions to address these pollution levels despite growing environmental concerns.
India signs Haj 2027 agreement with Saudi Arabia, secures quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims
India has secured a Haj quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims for 2027 after signing a bilateral agreement with Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on November 9. Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju signed the agreement following discussions with Saudi Arabia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah. The two sides reviewed preparations for the next pilgrimage season and discussed logistical support, coordination and pilgrim welfare.
India gets quota of 1.75 lakh pilgrims under Saudi Arabia's Haj 2027 agreement
India and Saudi Arabia signed the Haj agreement for 2027, permitting 1,75,025 Indian pilgrims to participate. Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju met with Saudi Minister Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al Rabiah to establish the agreement. Discussions also included enhancing cooperation for pilgrims' welfare and logistical support in the upcoming pilgrimage. The Haj quota for India has gradually increased, reflecting the growing number of pilgrims.
Diwali rush lifts rapid delivery orders for last-minute shopping, gifting
Platforms such as Blinkit, Zepto, Instamart, Amazon Now and Flipkart Minutes revamped their apps for Diwali, introducing interactive interfaces, gamified rewards and other features to drive consumer engagement and orders.
"Accused will be sentenced within 3 years": Amit Shah's big assurance as Uttarakhand Police gets President's Colour
Addressing the gathering at the ceremony, the Home Minister offered a major assurance regarding the criminal justice delivery system, stating that trials will conclude within three years for cases registered after May 2027.
Flyadeal starts direct Lucknow-Jeddah flights, adds Medina to network
Flyadeal, a low-cost airline from Saudi Arabia, has expanded its services from Lucknow. Direct flights to Jeddah commenced on Wednesday, and Medina flights will begin this week. The Jeddah flights operate on specified days, with services to Medina also scheduled. This expansion aims to enhance travel options for business and leisure travelers, as well as Indian expatriates.
Fireside Ventures cofounder and partner Vinay Singh to exit firm
“Cobuilding Fireside gave me the opportunity to shape the firm from its early days and work alongside exceptional founders and teams,” Singh said. “As AI reshapes commerce faster than most of us expected, I want to spend more time exploring the frontiers of agentic commerce and its implications for the future of consumption.”
Stand-off over co-pilot rule: Helicopter operators suspend Char Dham services, talks on Nov 4
Earlier in the day, a meeting was held between the representatives of operators, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and UCADA over the suspension. A senior UCADA official told PTI on condition of anonymity that during the meeting, the government proposed to mandatorily implement the co-pilot rule from next year as part of the annual registration process for charter operators plying on Char Dham routes.
UP's first Vande Bharat Sleeper is here! New Delhi-Varanasi train: Timings, stoppages & ticket prices; PM Modi says it will connect faith with modernity
Varanasi-Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper launched: Indian Railways on Saturday expanded its Vande Bharat Sleeper network with a new service connecting Varanasi and New Delhi, offering passengers a faster and more comfortable overnight travel option. The service will improve rail connectivity between the two destinations, benefiting pilgrims, tourists, students, business travellers and working professionals.
Rescue teams resume recovery of six bodies from Uttarakhand helicopter crash site
Operations to recover the bodies of six crash victims resumed in Uttarakhand after being halted due to darkness and difficult terrain. The privately operated helicopter crashed in Joshimath, killing all occupants, including pilgrims and the pilot. Recovery efforts face challenges from the area's geography and wildlife presence, complicating access. Officials confirmed that an investigation into the crash's cause is underway by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.
Sabarimala: TDB announces Rs 2 lakh life insurance cover for pilgrims
The Travancore Devaswom Board has announced a new life insurance scheme for Sabarimala pilgrims. This insurance will cover up to Rs 2 lakh for families in case of unforeseen events. The board plans to bear the entire premium costs through its Welfare Fund. Meanwhile, preparations are underway to ensure sufficient production of Aravana prasadam during the pilgrimage season.
Saudi Arabia flight update: Flynas adds services to six Indian cities from Dammam
The Consulate General of India in Jeddah has announced new air connectivity options for Indian nationals dealing with travel issues. Saudi carriers are adding extra flights to different destinations in India. The Consulate is on hand 24/7 to assist Umrah pilgrims facing any complications during their visit. Affected travelers should reach out to their airlines and travel agents for information on rebooking and refunds.
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