NEWS & VIEWS|||SARASIJ|||08--11-2026

 

NEWS & VIEWS|||SARASIJ|||08--11-2026

SUNDAY| VOL—IV/2026/NOVEMBER

OPINIONATED, FOR FREE CIRCULATION.

||“ॐ श्री महा कालिकायै नमः”||

Best wishes on ‘diwali’,‘deepavali’ & ‘kali puja’.

 

NEWS OF THE DAY:

Residents of more than 10 villages around the Vellode Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu’s Erode district are celebrating a cracker-free Deepavali for the 20th straight year so that nesting birds are not disturbed. The 240-acre sanctuary hosts painted storks, pelicans, and migratory birds from as far as Siberia between October and March.

INDIA: (GOI, SWARAJYA, VISHWAMITRA, HINDU POST, INDIA TODAY).

President Smt Droupadi Murmu greeted citizens in India and abroad on the eve of Diwali

PM Shri Narendra Modi extended Diwali greetings in a video message, saying the festival of lights reflects the resolve to overcome darkness, and said he would continue his tradition of celebrating Diwali with the country’s soldiers.

Vice-President Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan attended the 10th Deepotsav at Ayodhya on Chhoti Diwali, where more than 30 lakh earthen lamps lit the 56 ghats of the Saryu; the Ram Janmabhoomi complex had one lakh diyas. With Governor Anandiben Patel and CM Yogi Adityanath he took part in a symbolic coronation at Ram Katha Park; the CM led the Saryu Aarti, and a laser and cultural show was held at Ram Ki Paidi.

Revised prices of 137 anti-cancer drugs will come into effect from 9 November after the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) capped trade margins on their MRP. So far 76 companies have reported revised MRPs for 1,225 formulations; 600 brands show cuts above 50%, with estimated annual savings of ₹3,502.31 crore for patients.

Ministry of Education has invited 1,000 higher education institutions to register and nominate one student each under Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0, which encourages study of the Thirukkural in a language of choice. Selected students will get an internship with a stipend of ₹10,000; registration is on kts.cict.in.

Uttar Pradesh government has doubled the compensation for a death in a natural calamity from ₹4 lakh to ₹8 lakh under revised SDRF/NDRF-linked norms. Crop-loss aid rises to ₹22,000 per hectare in irrigated and ₹11,000 in rain-fed areas, with all assistance to be paid through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann announced a 40% hike in the Dearness Allowance of 6,507 computer teachers of the Punjab ICT Education Society (PICTES), from 181% to 221%, as a Diwali gift. Salary benefits will also be extended to 1,007 regularized non-teaching employees under Samagra Shiksha.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has notified the Private Universities Rules to attract reputed national and international institutions. The rules provide for preliminary scrutiny of proposals within 30 days, at least 25% reservation for J&K domiciles in admissions and teaching and non-teaching posts, and stiff penalties for irregularities. ‘WHY ONE WILL COME WITH LOAD OF ‘RESERVATIONS?’

Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed Gujarat’s law and order and internal security in Ahmedabad, stressing tighter surveillance along the State’s nearly 2,340-km coastline with better BSF–Police–Coast Guard coordination. He praised the filing of 92% of chargesheets within 60 days under the new criminal laws and ordered a drive to clear over 25,000 pending forensic cases.

The Petroleum Ministry rejected Karnataka’s claim of excess ethanol in petrol, saying E20 supplied by IOCL, BPCL and HPCL conforms to BIS standard IS 17021. All 893 samples tested across 27 States and UTs, including 56 from Karnataka with 19–20% ethanol, met specifications; Kerala has ordered checks at pumps in four districts as a precaution.

IRCTC has launched an enforcement drive against unauthorized e-catering websites and apps on the railway network, naming operators such as RAILRESTRO.COM and RAILRESTRO.IN. Passengers have been advised to order meals only through the official IRCTC e-Catering website, the Food on Track app or authorized aggregators, and to report illegal vendors on RPF helpline 182.

EPFO concluded Special Campaign 6 (October 2026) by disposing of 2,36,021 public grievances against a target of 2,05,000, and 10,343 CPGRAMS appeals against 5,758. It also freed 68,178 sq ft of office space and reviewed 41,875 physical files.

Delhi’s average AQI stood at 369 (‘Very Poor’) on Diwali eve, with 16 of 59 stations in the ‘Severe’ band and the worst reading of 452 near IIT Delhi; GRAP Stage-III curbs remain in force across NCR. Forecasts for Diwali (8 November) and 9 November stay in the ‘Severe’ band amid calm winds, fireworks and peak stubble burning.

India’s first dedicated green methanol bunkering facility at V.O. Chidambaranar Port, Thoothukudi, is expected to begin commercial operations by end-November. Built under the National Green Hydrogen Mission with ₹35.34 crore from MNRE, it has 1,500 cubic meters of storage and can transfer about 1.2 lakh liters of methanol an hour to ships.

The Tamil Nadu government has discontinued the High-Level Committee on Union–State Relations headed by former Supreme Court judge Kurian Joseph, set up in April 2025, saying its work overlaps with the State Law Commission. The committee had submitted Part I of its report earlier this year; its records will be handed to the Law Commission.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has sought President Droupadi Murmu’s intervention, alleging in a video message that the Lieutenant Governor-led Ladakh administration is pursuing ‘anti-people and pro-corporate’ land, industrial and tourism policies and running a smear campaign against him. The administration has not yet responded. THE CHEAT SHALL BE IN JAIL.

Asma Banu, an English teacher from Sanur village in Karkala taluk of Karnataka’s Udupi district, has been selected for the Plant Genome Saviour Farmer Recognition for conserving about 1,540 traditional rice varieties with her husband Abubakkar over 12 years. The award will be presented in New Delhi on 12 November.

The Ministry of Steel reported strong results under Special Campaign for Disposal of Pending Matters (SCDPM) 6.0 (2–31 October): over 21,000 physical files reviewed and more than 17,000 weeded out, 301 cleanliness drives held and about 17,500 sq ft of office space freed, with 100% of grievance and appeal targets met across the Ministry and its CPSEs.

With toxic foam resurfacing on the Yamuna near the Kalindi Kunj barrage, cleaning operations have begun ahead of Chhath Puja. Delhi LG Taranjit Singh Sandhu has directed the DDA to provide its ponds and spaces on the Yamuna floodplain and in parks free of cost to devotees for Chhath ghats. A BREAKDOWN MAIHTENANCE!!

BENGAL FILES:

West Bengal is witnessing high political drama and stringent festive security as Diwali and Kali Puja celebrations take center stage.

1. Political Showdown: TMC vs. BJP in Kolkata:

High tension unfolded in South Kolkata after late-night clashes erupted outside the residence of Trinamool Congress (TMC) National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee.

• The Protest: Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee joined party workers in a major protest outside his house following reports of stone-pelting and vandalism between TMC and BJP supporters during Abhishek Banerjee's 39th birthday celebrations.

• Legal Fallout: The Kolkata Police have imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) around the area for the next two months to prevent further violence.

• Voter Deletion Dispute: Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has allowed TMC leaders to file fresh pleas alleging that large-scale voter deletions during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) heavily impacted the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election results.

2. Chief Minister Shuvendu Adhikari Announces New Policies & Recruitment:

Following the massive transition of power in the state, Chief Minister Shuvendu Adhikari made significant administrative announcements:

• Massive Police Recruitment: The CM announced the government's approval to fill 27,556 new personnel vacancies across departments, starting with transparent merit-based processing for over 10,500 Kolkata Police positions to counter personnel shortages.

• Crackdown on Extortion: Vowing to clean up the state's economic landscape, Adhikari introduced a dedicated helpline for investors under the new West Bengal Investment Promotion Policy, promising immediate action within 15 minutes against extortion or militant trade unionism.

3. Strict 2-Hour Window for Green Crackers:

Following the tragic Durga Puja stampede in Kolkata, the state government has implemented highly strict safety protocols for the ongoing festive season.

• For Diwali, the legal window to burst certified green firecrackers is strictly limited from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

• Police check posts and 24/7 pollution control helplines are operational to arrest violators and confiscate unapproved items like chocolate bombs.

4. Tragic Crime in Hooghly:

In a shocking civic crime news update, a 16-year-old girl was detained in West Bengal's Hooghly district. According to police reports, the teenager allegedly gave birth in a nursing home washroom and threw the newborn out of the window, leading to the infant's death.

WORLD: (REUTER, AP, AFP, BLOOMBERG, CNN, WP)

US President Donald Trump took part in a ceremonial diya-lighting at the White House Oval Office to mark Diwali with Indian-American community members, with India’s Ambassador Vinay Kwatra present. Governors of five US states — Idaho, Nebraska, Montana, North Dakota, and Washington — celebrated Diwali at official venues for the first time.

UAE Vice-President and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum extended Diwali greetings, wishing that the festival bring peace, hope, and prosperity. EU Ambassador Jean-Eric Paquet and the envoys of Norway, Denmark and Germany also conveyed wishes, while the Korean and Japanese embassies held festive events in New Delhi.

The British High Commission in India marked Diwali by highlighting the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which entered into force in July. Under the pact, nearly 99% of Indian exports to the UK get duty-free access.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office said it would consider a visa for Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann if he wishes to attend the World Punjabi Conference in Lahore on 27 November, adding that it is ready to facilitate Kartarpur Corridor pilgrims once India lifts its restrictions. Visit need clearance from the Government of India.

US President Donald Trump named Stephen Miller, the architect of his hardline immigration policies, as White House Chief of Staff, replacing Susie Wiles, after the Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections. Miller, 41, currently Deputy Chief of Staff, takes charge on Monday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia fired 172 drones and 36 ballistic missiles in a massive overnight attack aimed mainly at Kyiv, killing at least one person and damaging energy infrastructure and a major Dnipro bridge. The strike came days before US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi on 10–11 November.

US Central Command set up ‘Task Force Iron Gate’, a team of about 20 personnel in Tampa, Florida, to stop Iran moving advanced weapons and sanctioned goods over its land borders and the Caspian Sea. The US also announced a reward of up to $20 million under Rewards for Justice for information on Iran’s nuclear Programme.

GULF WAR:

UKMTO reported an “incident” involving a bulk carrier and unspecified military forces in the Gulf of Oman, east of the UAE city of Khor Fakkan.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) said two oil tankers struck mines near the Strait of Hormuz.

The US military said it fire precision munitions at the stern of a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Oman after the ship’s civilian crew ignored repeated warnings and attempted to violate the US naval blockade.

Israel’s president has tasked Gadi Eisenkot with assembling a government, and said that an official ceremony will be held on Sunday. Benjamin Netanyahu called for the establishment of a national unity government.

Yemen’s Houthis say at least 25 people were killed and 30 injured in air strikes they blame on the Saudi-led coalition. Yemen’s armed forces meanwhile claimed gains in the Taiz and Lahij governorates.

MISHAPS: -

The death toll in the collapse of an under-construction three-storey building in Gali Shahtara near Chawri Bazaar rose to six; all victims were labourers from Bihar, with one person still feared trapped. Police arrested owner Saimullah alias Ayub and three contractors; the MCD has suspended an assistant engineer and a junior engineer over alleged unauthorized construction.

In Dibrugarh, Assam — OIL Tank Farm Fire Toll Rises to Three. Two more workers, Tapas Gogoi and Rupam Gogoi, died in hospitals in Dibrugarh and Guwahati.

A gunman killed five people and wounded more than 10 in the historic main square of Krakow, Poland’s second-largest city, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before police shot and arrested him; two police officers were among the injured.

Airstrikes on a market in al-Waziyah district of Yemen’s Taiz province killed 25 people and injured 30, according to the Houthi Health Ministry, with the Saudi-backed government forces and the Houthis blaming each other.

GAMES & SPORTS

India beat New Zealand by four runs under the DLS method in the rain-hit second ODI at Wellington to lead the five-match series 2–0. New Zealand were bowled out for 134 (Daryl Mitchell 55), and India were 113/7 in 26 overs when play was called off.

Pacer Gurnoor Brar took 4/30, the second-best figures by an Indian pace bowler in New Zealand after Javagal Srinath’s 4/23 at Auckland in 2003. He leads the series wicket chart with seven wickets at an average of 10.57.

Taniya won silver in the women’s 75kg beach wrestling at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, losing 1–2 to China’s Min Zhao in the final — India’s first-ever YOG beach wrestling medal. India’s tally rose to seven medals: three silver and four bronzes.

At the ISSF World Championship in Doha, Jaypal Malviya won silver in the men’s 10m air pistol with 242.2 points behind China’s Hu Kai (243.9), securing India’s first shooting quota for the LA 2028 Olympics. India’s tally at the championship stands at five medals — one gold and four silvers.

TECHNOLOGY:

An IAF IL-76MD ‘Gajraj’ heavy-lift aircraft landed at Nyoma airbase in eastern Ladakh at 13,629 ft, the highest-altitude landing ever achieved by the type anywhere in the world. Nyoma, operational since November 2025 after a ₹218-crore upgrade, has a 2.7-km runway near the LAC.

DAS KAPITAL:

DALAL STREET:

Share Market closed, except for ‘MUHURT TRADING’—from 14.30 for one hour.

Those who are Members of my ‘BLOG’ – Investment Savvy—look for my views.

BULLIONS:

As of Sunday, 08 November 2026 (05:30 AM India Time), the prevailing baseline pricing metrics across domestic and international markets are as follows:

• 24-Karat Gold (Spot): ₹14,288 per Gram / ₹1,42,880 per 10 Grams

• 999 Fine Silver (Spot): ₹186 per Gram / ₹1,85,640 per Kilogram

CURRENCIES:

Macro Shifts: Digital and Sovereign Evolution

The architecture of standard currencies is undergoing structural shifts via two competing financial frameworks:

• Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs): Sovereign digital versions of fiat cash (such as India's Digital Rupee or China's e-CNY) designed to streamline settlement speeds and eliminate intermediate banking friction while preserving rigid state monetary control.

• Decentralized Alternatives: Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin function outside central bank monopolies. They introduce programmatic scarcity but face ongoing friction as practical everyday mediums of exchange due to significant price volatility and regulatory constraints.

USD :  ₹93.98/-Fluctuating near a 6-month low; down from an October peak of ₹96.84.

EUR:₹104.70 Consolidating at recent lows; substantially down from the May peak of ₹112.33.

NOTE: Dear Readers, I am going to spend some time in ‘MANAS’ (ASSAM) and ‘BUXAR’( WEST BENGAL) from 9^th.I will return on 15^th.

NEWS & VIEWS publication will remain suspended.

THE END.