Viral video shows violent clash on Kedarnath Yatra route, men attack each other with sticks
In the early 2000s, Goa's party scene excluded Indians, with foreigners dominating spaces like Anjuna beach. Today, Aman Gupta notes a shift, with Indian tourists now welcomed warmly and able to pay more, reflecting India's evolving tourism landscape.
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First Post
36 minutes ago
- First Post
Why Indians continue to park their money in Swiss banks
Decades ago, Bollywood movies familiarised many in India with scenic Switzerland and secretive Swiss bank accounts. But, decades later, Indians still continue to park their money in Swiss financial institutions. What's the big draw? read more Swiss authorities say they actively support India in the fight against tax fraud and evasion. AFP The years may go on but some things never change. It was Bollywood movies that familiarised many in India with scenic Switzerland and secretive Swiss bank accounts decades ago. But Indians still continue to park their money in Swiss banks. But what happened? What do we know? Why is this? Let's take a closer look: What happened? According to the Swiss National Bank (SNB), Indians deposited 3.5 billion Swiss francs (CHF), around 37,600 crore, in 2024 alone. This is the highest level since 2021, when the amount of funds deposited by Indians hit a 14-year high of 3.83 billion Swiss francs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Of this, 3.02 billion (CHF) came from other banks, and 135 million (CHF) from bonds and securities. The money deposited directly cut by individual customers rose 11 per cent to 346 million CHF. This comprises around 10 per cent of the total money deposited. This comes after the deposits in 2023 by Indians plunged to 1.04 billion Swiss francs – the lowest level since 2020. However, this still remains short of the all-time high of 6.5 billion CHF way back in 2006. It was Bollywood movies that first familiarised many in India with scenic Switzerland and Swiss bank accounts. Reuters It is important to note that this data comes from the official reports. It does not include the black money which is deposited in Swiss bank accounts. India has long witnessed controversy surrounding black money parked in Switzerland. Political parties have for years vowed to bring this money back to India. Why is this? Experts say there are many reasons for this. First, Switzerland has positioned itself, and is widely seen, as a neutral country. Thus in times of war unrest it is seen as a safe bet to park your money in Switzerland. The country also has excellent laws when it comes to offshore trusts – thus allowing the super-wealthy to save millions on their taxes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Swiss francs as a currency is also generally considered a stable and reliable. Swiss authorities have insisted that assets held by Indian residents in Switzerland cannot be considered 'black money.' They say they actively support India in its fight against tax fraud and evasion. Authorities in India and Switzerland have been exchanging information about taxation since 2019. This came after the two countries signed the Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) agreement in 2018. Swiss authorities have provided detailed financial information on all Indian residents having accounts with Swiss financial institutions since 2018. Switzerland has also been actively sharing details about accounts of Indians suspected to have indulged in financial wrongdoings after the submission of prima facie evidence. Such exchange of information has taken place in hundreds of cases thus far. The UK saw the most money in Swiss banks at CHF 222 billion. Then came the US US with CHF 89 billion and West Indies (CHF 68 billion). Germany, France, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, Singapore, Guernsey and the UAE were all next. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India, meanwhile, was way down at 48th place. India was 67th at the end of 2023 and 46th place at the end of 2022. Pakistan also saw a dip to CHF 272 million (from CHF 286 million), while Bangladesh witnessed a sharp increase from CHF 18 million to CHF 589 million. With inputs from agencies
Mint
42 minutes ago
- Mint
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max receive a MASSIVE discount on Flipkart: Check offer details
Apple's flagship smartphones, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, are now available at reduced prices on Walmart-owned Flipkart as part of a special limited-period offer. The e-commerce platform is providing direct discounts, bank offers, and exchange deals, making the premium devices more accessible to Indian buyers. The iPhone 16 Pro, which typically retails at ₹ 1,19,900 for the 128GB base model, is now listed for ₹ 1,09,900 on Flipkart, an effective discount of eight per cent. The 256GB variant has also seen a price drop from ₹ 1,29,900 to ₹ 1,22,900, representing a five per cent reduction. Buyers can choose from all four available colour options, Black Titanium, Desert Titanium, Natural Titanium, and White Titanium, without missing out on the offer. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro Max has received similar markdowns. The 256GB model is currently priced at ₹ 1,32,900, down from its original ₹ 1,44,900 tag. Higher-capacity versions are also part of the deal: the 512GB and 1TB variants are now available for ₹ 1,57,900 and ₹ 1,77,900, respectively, down from ₹ 1,64,900 and ₹ 1,84,900. Notably, the e-commerce giant is also offering an exchange discount of up to ₹ 48,150 when customers trade in their old smartphones. The actual exchange value will depend on the model, condition, and location-based availability. On top of the discounted prices, several bank-related promotions sweeten the deal further. Purchases made using Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Cards attract an additional five per cent discount, capped at ₹ 4,000. It is noteworthy that customers using the same card for non-EMI transactions are eligible for up to ₹ 2,000 off. Additionally, a flat ₹ 3,000 discount is available across all standard credit card purchases. Flipkart is offering no-cost EMI options.
The Hindu
44 minutes ago
- The Hindu
11th International Day of Yoga: from palace to heritage sites, yoga to unfold at cultural landmarks
It will be a convergence of yoga and heritage during the 11 International Day of Yoga to be held on Saturday. For, there will be simultaneous yoga performance blending the age-old wisdom of yoga amidst the rich architectural setting of heritage sites including the iconic Mysuru palace, Dariya Daulat Bagh in Srirangapatana, Halebidu, and the Keshava Temple at Somanathapur. While the Archaeological Survey of India is conducting the yoga sessions at the three heritage sites of Dariya Daulat Bagh, Halebidu, and Somanathapur, the Mysuru district administration is organising the event on the palace premises to set the tone. The Department of Ayush and Mysuru Zilla Panchayat is involved in the events to be held at the palace. At Somanathpur Keshava temple which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, senior officials of the Ministry of Education will take part. According to local sources, about 1,200 school children will take part in the yoga day event for which arrangements are in place. The host institution is Central Institute of Indian Languages and the Regional Institute of Education, Mysuru. While showcasing the rich tourism potential and heritage of Karnataka, the yoga day will highlight the imperatives of attaining inner harmony through yoga besides the obvious health benefits. At the Mysuru palace, about 15,000 people will take part in the event, in which participants from various yoga institutions in the city will perform as per the standard protocol issued by the government. The district in-charge Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, MP for Mysuru Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, MLA T.S. Srivatsa, and others will participate. There are scores of yoga institutions in Mysuru which has emerged as a hub for learning the ancient Indian discipline and the genesis of it is traced to the encouragement and patronisation to yoga imparted by the Wadiyars of Mysuru. Some of the legendary yoga gurus like B.K.S. Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois, etc., who popularised the discipline all over the world, learnt yoga from Tirumalai Krishnamacharya who was patronised by Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar and taught at the Mysuru palace. In 2022, Mysuru was the venue for the main yoga day event which was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the run-up to the finale slated for Saturday, the Department of Ayush, in association with various stakeholders including the Federation of Yoga Associations, had a 21-day pre-event activities to encourage people to take part in the event and take to yoga on a regular basis for physical and mental well-being.
