Author: xorance@gmail.com

India’s rapid transition to a nationwide E20 fuel regime (petrol blended with 20% anhydrous ethanol) has triggered a complex multidimensional debate at the intersection of macroeconomic energy policy, automotive engineering, supply-chain quality control, and consumer protection. While championed by the Government of India to reduce crude oil import dependency, save foreign exchange, and reduce carbon emissions, the rollout has ignited widespread friction regarding real-world mileage drops, mechanical vulnerabilities in legacy vehicles, chemical contamination risks, and the elimination of unblended petrol (E0) as a user choice at retail pumps.The regulatory baselineThe Government of India notified on February 17, 2026, that, effective…

A scrambled single to mid-off, a little leap in the air. The helmet whipped off, arms held half-aloft, his face bathed in a million-dollar smile. And just like that, Devdutt Padikkal became the 84th player to conjure a Test century for India.And it wasn’t just any hundred. It was Padikkal’s maiden three-figure knock in the five-day game, in only his third Test appearance. These three appearances have come over a period of 29 months, which isn’t a reflection on the left-hander’s abilities but more a pointer to the logjam for places in the Indian batting which, despite its recent spin-infested…

Kovai Kings captain Shahrukh acknowledged that his team was in a must-win situation. | Photo Credit: R. RAGU The margin for error is razor-thin after 20 games as the TNPL-10 caravan shifts to Chennai for the business end of the tournament.Only Net Run Rate (NRR) separates the second-placed team and the fifth-placed outfit as the eight sides arrive here for their last two league fixtures before the knockouts.Only SKM Salem Spartans, yet to get off the mark after five matches, has failed to get going.Taking first strike at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, on Tuesday, are Chepauk Super Gillies — the…

Super Gillies, led by Jagadeesan, are coming off a win over table topper Panthers. | Photo Credit: R. RAGU As seasoned Tamil Nadu cricketers, N. Jagadeesan and Shahrukh Khan have weathered the full spectrum of the sport’s highs and lows.Ahead of their Tuesday’s TNPL match, the Chepauk Super Gillies skipper and his Vida Kovai Kings counterpart gave elaborate and veracious answers to the challenges in their roles and careers.Commenting on his role as a finisher, Shahrukh said: “I am 31 now. And as a batter, when I was in my mid-20s, it [reflecting on his innings] felt completely different. But that’s…

Manav Suthar on the third day of the first test match between India and Sri Lanka at Galle International Stadium, in Galle on Monday (August 17, 2026). | Photo Credit: ANI A gentle passing of the baton is on in Indian cricket and this one is centred around left-arm spin.Just as Ravindra Jadeja copes with sporting twilight, his successor could well be Manav Suthar. The duo was among the wickets in the first innings of the opening Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium.Suthar, who made his debut against Afghanistan earlier this year, grabbed four wickets while his…

I want to take my game to the next level, says Tejasvi Source link

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and others during the inaugural session of the two-day ‘PSB Confluence’ (PSB Manthan) ideation conclave organized by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), in New Delhi | Photo Credit: PTI Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday (August 17, 2026) said the government would soon constitute a high-level panel on ‘Banking for Viksit Bharat’.In this year’s Budget, the Finance Minister had proposed a high-level committee on ‘Banking for Viksit Bharat’, to comprehensively review the sector and align it with India’s next phase of growth.Addressing the two-day PSB Confluence, Ms. Sitharaman said, “We expect the announcement of…

Dhruv Jurel plays a shot during day 2 of the 1st Test match against Sri Lanka | Photo Credit: ANI India were bowled out for 462 in their first innings on the third day of the opening Test against Sri Lanka on Monday (August 17, 2026).Devdutt Padikkal top-scored for India with a mammoth knock of 167 that ended on Sunday (August 16).Resuming their innings at 460 for nine, India managed to add just two runs before the final wicket fell, with Asitha Fernando dismissing Prasidh Krishna.For Sri Lanka, Prabath Jayasuriya was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of…

OBC leader and Maharashtra Minister Chhagan Bhujbal took issue with Maratha leader Jarange-Patil’s stance over the OBC quota on November 24, 2023. He said the Maratha community should not be given reservation from the other backward class (OBC) category. He wanted to know how paperwork proving Marathas were Kunbi OBCs were being discovered all of a sudden.The NCP leader, a bitter adversary and the most vocal opponent of Mr. Jarange-Patil, alleged that the quota activist’s pressure tactics had resulted in an atmosphere of fear across the State, to which even the State government was succumbing.In this episode of Talking Politics,…

DEMAND FOR ACTION: Anger against the police was palpable on the streets at Rafiabad in northern Baramullah district on Saturday during a funeral procession of three civilians killed in an alleged fake encounter in Kupwara district. At least seven persons were injured when the police stalled a protest march in the Rafiabad area of Baramulla district, where thousands took to the streets on Saturday demanding stern action against those responsible for killing three youths in an alleged fake encounter in Kupwara district.Refusing to bury the bodies, people from Nadihal village, to which the youths belonged, and adjacent areas started a…