Reliance Industries Shares Dip Despite Strong Q1 Earnings; Profit Jumps 78% YoY

Shares of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) fell by as much as 2.39% to ₹1,440.60 apiece on the NSE on Monday, July 21, despite the company reporting a sharp surge in quarterly profit. The dip comes shortly after the Mukesh Ambani-led conglomerate posted its Q1 FY26 results on Friday, July 18. Q1 FY26 Financial Highlights: The massive jump in net profit was largely attributed to a 280% surge in other income, which stood at ₹15,119 crore for the quarter. This included ₹8,924 crore in gains from the sale of listed investments, most notably from multiple tranches of Reliance’s stake in Asian Paints. Segment-Wise Performance: 🔹 Jio Platforms (Telecom Arm): 🔹 Reliance Retail Ventures: Market Reaction Despite the robust earnings report, investors seemed cautious, possibly due to: Analysts may look for more sustainable growth in core operating income and future guidance before revising stock outlooks. However, the overall quarterly performance of Reliance Industries across telecom, retail, and energy remains strong and stable.

Genelia Deshmukh Reunites with SS Rajamouli at Junior Pre-Release Event, Sparks Nostalgia Among Fans

Following the success of Sitaare Zameen Par, Genelia Deshmukh is all set to return to the big screen with her upcoming film Junior, slated for theatrical release on July 18. At the film’s pre-release event, a heartwarming reunion between Genelia and acclaimed filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli stole the spotlight, marking nearly two decades since their collaboration on the 2004 Telugu sports drama Sye. “You Are Frozen in Time, Man!” – SS Rajamouli Praises Genelia A viral video from the event captured Rajamouli’s warm praise for Genelia: “Genelia, you are frozen in time, man. What… how many years have passed away, yet you look exactly the same. I even asked cinematographer Senthil if we’ll see a new Genelia in this, and he assured, we will. I am eagerly waiting for it.” Genelia, visibly touched, responded with gratitude: “You are too too kind, sir. Means so much to me.” Their camaraderie delighted fans and reignited nostalgia for Sye, a film that introduced the game of rugby to Telugu cinema and played a key role in shaping the early careers of both Genelia and Rajamouli. Junior: A Promising Comeback Directed by Radhakrishna Reddy, Junior stars Genelia Deshmukh, Kireeti Reddy, Sreeleela, and V. Ravichandran in key roles. The film is positioned as a blend of youthful energy, family emotions, and mass appeal—offering Genelia a strong comeback in a pivotal role. Genelia’s Upcoming Projects Beyond Junior, Genelia has a diverse lineup of films that hint at her evolving cinematic journey. She will next be seen in: With a mix of genres on the horizon and renewed excitement among fans, Genelia Deshmukh’s return to theatres is shaping up to be a significant chapter in her second innings.

India Sends 300,000 Measles & Rubella Vaccine Doses to Bolivia Amid Health Emergency

India has extended vital medical support to Bolivia by dispatching a consignment of 300,000 doses of Measles and Rubella vaccines, along with essential medical supplies, to aid the country in containing a resurgence of measles cases. The move comes in response to Bolivia’s recent declaration of a National Health Emergency due to a growing outbreak that has already resulted in 60 confirmed cases. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared the development on X, stating, “India stands by its friends in the Global South,” reinforcing India’s commitment to international cooperation in public health. The decision to declare an emergency was made after Bolivia’s National Strategic Council for Health Emergencies held an urgent meeting. President Luis Arce Catacora emphasized the importance of a swift, coordinated response to protect public health. “Our duty is clear: to protect our children and the entire population from a threat that has already raised health alerts across the continent,” he said. The Bolivian government aims to boost vaccination coverage and enhance emergency preparedness by involving local governments, regional bodies, and international organizations. Special attention is being given to children under five, a group highly vulnerable to measles-related complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, or even death. Health Minister Maria Renee Castro stressed the urgency of parental cooperation, revealing that Bolivia has secured 500,000 total vaccine doses for children. She attributed the outbreak to factors including declining vaccination rates, pandemic-era healthcare disruptions, misinformation, and weak continuity in immunization programs. The aid from India comes at a time of strengthened diplomatic ties. During the recent BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with President Arce to review bilateral cooperation, focusing on areas such as healthcare, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), UPI, and capacity building. Both leaders expressed satisfaction over progress and committed to exploring new partnerships.

Shubman Gill Reflects on Missed Opportunity at Lord’s as England Take 2-1 Lead in Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy

Shubman Gill’s campaign in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. After delivering stellar performances in the first two Tests—with scores of 147, 269, and 161—Gill endured a dip in form during the third Test at Lord’s, managing only 16 and 6 in his two innings. With India chasing 193 on the final day, Gill’s early dismissal in the second innings left India vulnerable. Despite a valiant effort from Ravindra Jadeja, who remained unbeaten on 61, the visitors were bowled out for 170, falling short by 22 runs in a thrilling Day 5 finish. Vaughan Critiques Gill’s Technique Former England captain Michael Vaughan offered a technical critique of Gill’s performance in the final innings. Writing in The Telegraph, Vaughan remarked: “Shubman Gill did not look as technically tight or calm as usual when he came out to bat on the fourth evening.” He also praised England’s spirited comeback, led by captain Ben Stokes, whose leadership Vaughan described as unlike any England had seen before: “It was Stokes who pulled off that brilliant run-out before lunch on day three, picked up key wickets in both innings, and bowled an epic spell on the final day. He just knows how to win the biggest moments in Test matches.” Gill Remains Optimistic Following the loss, Gill acknowledged that just one substantial partnership could have turned the tide in India’s favor: “Sometimes the series scorecard doesn’t reflect how well you’ve played. We’re really excited for the rest of the series,” he said in the post-match interaction. England Lead 2–1 Ahead of Crucial Fourth Test With this victory, England now lead the five-match series 2–1. The next Test looms large as a must-win for India if they are to level the series and keep their hopes alive. Despite the setback at Lord’s, Gill’s earlier heroics remain a key strength for India. With two more Tests to play, all eyes will be on whether the young opener can bounce back and steer his team towards a comeback in this fiercely contested series.

Class IX Student in Kollam Tests Positive for H1N1; Health Officials Begin School-Wide Screening

A Class IX student from a school in Kollam, Kerala, has tested positive for H1N1 influenza (swine flu), prompting health authorities to initiate a wider screening among students. According to officials, three other students from the same class are currently undergoing treatment for similar symptoms, with their test results awaited. The students began showing symptoms such as fever on July 13, after which medical tests were conducted. In response to the potential outbreak, the health department has begun proactive screening measures across the school to prevent further spread of the highly contagious virus. What Is H1N1? H1N1 is a respiratory infection caused by the influenza A virus, known for its rapid human-to-human transmission. It presents symptoms such as: Authorities have urged parents, teachers, and students to be vigilant. Anyone showing flu-like symptoms is advised to seek immediate medical attention and follow isolation protocols to minimize the risk of community transmission. Health officials are closely monitoring the situation and have assured that all necessary precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of students and staff.

UIDAI ने मृत व्यक्तियों के आधार नंबर निष्क्रिय करने की प्रक्रिया तेज की, अब तक 1.17 करोड़ रिकॉर्ड डिएक्टिवेट

भारतीय विशिष्ट पहचान प्राधिकरण (UIDAI) ने आधार डेटाबेस की सटीकता और अखंडता बनाए रखने के लिए मृत व्यक्तियों के आधार नंबर को निष्क्रिय करने की दिशा में ठोस कदम उठाए हैं। इसके लिए UIDAI ने भारत के रजिस्ट्रार जनरल (RGI) के साथ सहयोग किया है, जिन्होंने नागरिक पंजीकरण प्रणाली (CRS) के तहत 24 राज्यों और केंद्रशासित प्रदेशों से लगभग 1.55 करोड़ मृत्यु रिकॉर्ड उपलब्ध कराए हैं। इलेक्ट्रॉनिक्स और सूचना प्रौद्योगिकी मंत्रालय के अनुसार, इन रिकॉर्ड्स के सत्यापन के बाद अब तक लगभग 1.17 करोड़ आधार नंबर डिएक्टिवेट किए जा चुके हैं। गैर-CRS राज्यों और केंद्रशासित प्रदेशों से भी यह प्रक्रिया जारी है, जहां अब तक लगभग 6.7 लाख मृत्यु रिकॉर्ड प्राप्त हुए हैं और आधार निष्क्रिय करने का कार्य प्रगति पर है। UIDAI ने पिछले महीने myAadhaar पोर्टल पर ‘परिवार के सदस्य की मृत्यु की रिपोर्टिंग’ नामक नई सेवा शुरू की है, जिससे 24 राज्यों और केंद्रशासित प्रदेशों के नागरिक मृत्यु की जानकारी ऑनलाइन दे सकते हैं। साथ ही, UIDAI बैंकों और अन्य आधार से जुड़े संस्थानों से भी मृत्यु से संबंधित डेटा प्राप्त करने की संभावनाएं तलाश रहा है, ताकि आधार नंबर धारकों की मृत्यु की सही जानकारी मिल सके। एजेंसी ने राज्य सरकारों से भी इस प्रक्रिया में सहयोग देने की अपील की है।

India Confident of Managing Oil Supply Disruptions Amid Possible Sanctions on Russia: Hardeep Singh Puri

India is well-prepared to handle any disruption in oil supplies from Russia, should secondary sanctions be imposed, Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at an industry event in New Delhi. This assurance comes days after U.S. President Donald Trump warned that countries continuing to purchase Russian exports could face punitive action if Moscow fails to secure a peace deal with Ukraine within the next 50 days. India Ready with Alternative Oil Sources “If something happens, we’ll deal with it,” said Mr. Puri, expressing confidence in India’s ability to adapt. He highlighted that India has significantly diversified its oil sourcing, increasing the number of supplier countries from 27 to nearly 40 in recent years. New entrants like Guyana, along with established exporters such as Brazil and Canada, have broadened India’s import portfolio. India is also ramping up its domestic exploration and production activities, further reducing its dependence on any single foreign source. Russian Oil Still Dominant, But Contingency Plans in Place Despite the diversification, Russia remains India’s top oil supplier, accounting for around 35% of total imports in the first half of 2025. Major private refiners like Reliance Industries and Nayara Energy were responsible for nearly half of these purchases. In the event of sanctions affecting Russian imports, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) plans to revert to its pre-Ukraine crisis supply model, when Russian oil constituted less than 2% of the nation’s oil basket. “We’ll go back to the same template,” confirmed IOC Chairman A.S. Sahney. Strategic Stability Mr. Puri emphasized that India’s diversified strategy and readiness to pivot make the country resilient to geopolitical supply shocks. “I’m not worried at all,” he concluded. The minister’s remarks signal strong strategic planning as India navigates complex global energy dynamics, while continuing efforts to maintain energy security and stable fuel supplies for its growing economy.

Airtel Partners with Perplexity to Offer Free AI Assistant Subscription Worth ₹17,000 to All Users

In a major push towards democratizing AI access, telecom giant Bharti Airtel has partnered with US-based artificial intelligence startup Perplexity to offer its premium Perplexity Pro subscription free of cost for up to a year to all Airtel users across India. The annual subscription, normally priced around ₹17,000, is now being provided complimentary to Airtel’s extensive consumer base, which includes over 360 million users across mobile, Wi-Fi, and DTH services. What Is Perplexity? Perplexity is a cutting-edge AI-powered assistant, similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, designed to help users with search, planning, content creation, and research. It provides instant answers, intelligent reasoning, and a seamless interface for both everyday and professional use. Key Benefits of the Offer While Perplexity offers a free plan with limited functionality, the Pro version provides a far more robust experience tailored for professionals and power users. Here’s a quick comparison: Perplexity Free Plan: Perplexity Pro (Included in Airtel Offer): How Airtel Users Can Claim the Offer To activate the free Perplexity Pro subscription, Airtel users simply need to: This partnership marks a significant step in making premium AI tools accessible to a broader audience in India. By integrating Perplexity into its ecosystem, Airtel is not only enhancing digital productivity but also taking a forward leap in AI adoption at scale.

Rajkummar Rao’s Maalik Nears Top 10 in His Career with ₹21.14 Cr First Week, Faces Heat from Saiyaara

Rajkummar Rao’s latest action drama Maalik has wrapped up its first week at the box office with a commendable ₹21.14 crore (India net), riding on solid word of mouth and Rao’s loyal fan base. Directed by Pulkit and co-starring Manushi Chhillar and Prosenjit, the film has shown a steady hold through the weekdays after a modest opening. Week 1 Breakdown: This performance positions Maalik just shy of overtaking Rajkummar Rao’s 2021 horror-comedy Roohi (₹21.93 crore) in his list of top 10 highest-grossing films. Given its strong weekday retention, the film is poised to enter that list as it heads into the second weekend. But Trouble Looms: Saiyaara Off to a Flying Start Despite Maalik’s steady showing, it faces stiff competition from Mohit Suri’s romantic musical Saiyaara, starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. The film has reportedly crossed the ₹4 crore mark by noon on its opening day—a strong start that could affect Maalik’s box office momentum. While Maalik may still crack the top 10 in Rajkummar Rao’s career earnings, how far it climbs will depend on how well it weathers the Saiyaara storm in Week 2. The coming weekend will be crucial in determining whether Rao’s action outing maintains traction or is eclipsed by the rising wave of youthful romance and music-driven nostalgia.

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