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Business Standard
6 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
F-1 visa crisis: What Indians stranded in US visa-loan-tuition loop do
Thousands of Indian students admitted to top US universities are stuck in uncertainty, with F-1 visa appointment slots still unavailable and orientation dates just weeks away. One student, who says he's been accepted to a top-15 US business school, recently posted on Reddit, 'Orientation starts August 11 and classes begin August 25. My school is flexible, but I can't pay tuition without a loan, and my loan needs a visa appointment to be disbursed.' Visa-loan-tuition loop leaves students stranded Education consultants say this situation is becoming increasingly common among late-admit students, particularly at postgraduate level. 'Many late admit students are struggling, and the demand for slots is far outpacing supply,' Mary Gogoi, head of admissions at eduVelocity Global, told Business Standard. What can students do in case of such a scenario? Ankit Mehra, co-founder and CEO of GyanDhan, explained that most lenders—both banks and NBFCs—can release education loans partially or fully even before the visa is issued. 'If a B-school requests upfront payment, students can work with the lender to arrange the necessary funds,' he told Business Standard. For students worried about visa delays or rejections, he noted that universities usually offer one of two options: a refund or a deferral to the next available intake. 'In cases where the university does not offer a refund, the student remains responsible for repaying the disbursed loan as per lender terms,' Mehra said. His advice: Plan early. 'Students should proactively engage with the university's international admissions office to understand refund policies and deferral guidelines. The key is to plan for multiple scenarios in advance so financial commitments don't translate into long-term stress.' Advice to anxious students Gogoi urged students to stay alert and act fast. 'Check the portal multiple times daily, join Telegram alerts, and apply for an emergency slot if eligible. Notify your university—they may support with letters or deadline extensions. If possible, explore visa appointments in nearby countries,' she said. According to her, visa slots are being released inconsistently, but time is running out. 'If no appointment is secured soon, students may need to request a deferral, delayed start, or prepare for a Spring 2026 intake.' She also cautioned against relying on social media hearsay. 'Stay proactive and calm. Track appointment openings, keep your documents ready, and stay in touch with your university's DSO. Have a backup plan, and don't rely on rumours—only use official updates,' she said. Rising anxiety among Fall 2025 admits 'For many students, 2025 has become a year of high anxiety, especially for those aiming for Fall 2025 admissions, due to persistent visa appointment bottlenecks,' said Mehra. 'Yet, this is not the time to lose hope. The next 20 days are pivotal, as visa slots frequently open up in unpredictable waves.' He also said that Indian students may want to explore comparable programmes in countries like the UK, Canada, or Australia, where visa processing timelines are expected to be more stable this admissions cycle. With options dwindling, some students are now turning to the Indian government for help. Several student groups have reportedly submitted a letter to the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of External Affairs. 'About a 1,000 students have signed the appeal to request the release of more F-1 slots,' said one applicant on Reddit whose orientation begins August 20. Another student, whose classes start August 18 and orientation on August 9, said, 'I've been waiting for six months. There's still no slot.' With just days to go, students say they aren't asking for favours—just a fighting chance. 'We just want a fair shot to attend the schools we worked so hard to get into,' one said.
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Don 3 update: Will Vijay Deverakonda or Karan Veer Mehra replace Vikrant Massey as the antagonist? Here's what we know
Don 3 may have a new villain. Karan Veer Mehra is considered to replace Vikrant Massey. Mehra was seen at Excel Entertainment's office. Vijay Deverakonda was also considered earlier. Aditya Roy Kapur's name is also circulating. Kriti Sanon replaces Kiara Advani as the female lead. Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra may have cameos. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Karan Veer Mehra or Vijay Deverakonda? Kriti Sanon is the female lead? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads About Karan Veer Mehra The buzz around Farhan Akhtar's Don 3 just got a jolt of intrigue. Actor and Bigg Boss 18 winner Karan Veer Mehra was recently spotted outside Excel Entertainment's office, sparking speculation that he's being considered as the new antagonist opposite Ranveer Singh. This comes after reports confirmed that Vikrant Massey has officially exited the much-hyped action thriller.A source disclosed to IANS that while nothing is confirmed yet, Karan Veer Mehra is definitely on the radar. His intense transformation and powerful presence in the upcoming film Silaa have reportedly caught the attention of industry insiders, making him a serious contender for the there were reports that actor Vijay Deverakonda is replacing Massey, after the 12th Fail actor chose to walk away from the project. The reason? He reportedly found his role in Don 3 lacking depth and opted out voluntarily, despite being cast as a smooth-talking scamster in the Farhan Akhtar with the December 2026 release timeline fast approaching, the makers are on the hunt for a replacement. Apart from Mehra, the name of Aditya Roy Kapur is also doing the rounds. Meanwhile, fans are also abuzz about reports of major cameos in the film, including the possible return of Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra, who last shared screen space in Don 2 back in the female lead front, the film also witnessed a shift. Kiara Advani, who was originally part of the project, has reportedly stepped away to prioritise her personal life following her pregnancy announcement. Taking her place is Kriti Sanon, as officially confirmed by Excel Karan Veer Mehra, landing this role could mark a significant leap. Having started his career with Remix in 2004, Mehra gained popularity through shows like Pavitra Rishta and films such as Ragini MMS 2, Mere Dad Ki Maruti, and Blood Money. His recent victory on Khatron Ke Khiladi 14 and growing acclaim from Silaa seem to have positioned him perfectly for a high-profile villainous turn in Don the franchise — originally helmed by Amitabh Bachchan in 1978 and rebooted by Shah Rukh Khan in 2006 — gears up for its next chapter with Ranveer Singh, all eyes are now on who will emerge as his next formidable opponent.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Indian automotive industry clocks deals worth $1.3 billion in April-June: Report
The automotive industry in India maintained its strategic momentum in Q2 2025, recording a total of 29 transactions valued at $1.3 billion, including public market activity, a report said on Monday. The industry saw 28 deals worth $946 million, excluding IPOs and QIPs, according to Grant Thornton Bharat 's 'Q2 Automotive Dealtracker. As per the report, the deal values declined 36 per cent quarter-on-quarter (QoQ); however, they doubled compared to Q2 2024. "This indicates a clear pivot toward higher-value transactions, and it also translated into a notable jump in average deal size - from $17 million to $34 million," the report stated. The quarter's activity was led by autotech and Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) segments, reflecting investor focus on scalable, tech-driven mobility solutions. Electric vehicles (EVs) remained the largest driver, accounting for 34 per cent of deal volumes and 39 per cent of deal values, the report noted. As per the report, shifting global trade dynamics, evolving domestic policies, and heightened investor appetite for innovation and clean mobility, India's auto sector continues to transition toward a more sustainable and competitive future. "The Indian auto industry is in a phase of strategic transformation-balancing policy shifts, global trade developments, and rising investor appetite for sustainable mobility solutions ," said Saket Mehra , Partner and Automotive Industry Leader , Grant Thornton Bharat. While deal values softened slightly this quarter, the continued momentum in autotech and EV-led investments shows the sector's pivot toward innovation, scalability, and long-term competitiveness, Mehra added. Meanwhile, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity moderated in Q2 2025, with 8 deals totalling $305 million, marking an 11 per cent drop in volume and a 15 per cent decline in value from the previous quarter. Despite the slowdown, the period saw a decisive pivot toward auto-tech innovation and platform-driven consolidation, the report said. Private Equity (PE) landscape remained steady in Q2 2025, with 20 deals totalling $641 million, marking a 5 per cent increase in volume but a 43 per cent decline in value due to the absence of mega-deals. Notably, excluding that outlier, this quarter reflects a fivefold increase in investment value, highlighting growing investor appetite for scalable and tech-enabled mobility solutions, the report mentioned. --IANS aps/na
India Gazette
09-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Nationwide strike hits Himachal: Workers, farmers and bank employees rally in Shimla against labour codes, privatisation, and exploitation
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 9 (ANI): As part of the nationwide strike called by central trade unions and farmer organisations, workers across Himachal Pradesh joined protests at district and block headquarters, bringing public services to a near halt in several areas, including the state capital, Shimla. Braving heavy rains, hundreds of workers, including sanitation staff, health workers, bank employees, and anganwadi and midday meal workers, participated in demonstrations demanding the rollback of new labour codes, an end to privatisation, and implementation of long-pending demands. Speaking to ANI, Vijender Mehra, President of the Himachal Pradesh unit of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), said the nationwide bandh was jointly called by ten central trade unions, including CITU, public sector federations, and dozens of farmers' organisations. 'This strike is being observed nationwide against the anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate policies of the Modi government. In Himachal Pradesh, too, workers have stopped work completely. Even at IGMC, the largest hospital in the state, employees have joined the strike, impacting OPD services,' Mehra said. 'No garbage has been collected today as all municipal workers are on strike. Street vendors are also off the roads. Even workers in tourism-dependent hotels in Shimla have joined the bandh,' he added. Workers from anganwadi centres, midday meal kitchens, sewage treatment plants, and industrial units staged protests across the state. 'Just as the Modi government tried to hand over agriculture to corporates with the three farm laws, it is now trying to push workers into modern-day slavery through the four labour codes,' Mehra said. 'These codes allow 12-hour shifts instead of 8, reduce the role of the Labour Department, restrict the right to strike, and will cut 8 days' pay for a one-day strike,' he warned. 'This is a corporate-driven programme. Five or six corporate houses, Ambani, Adani, Tata, Birla, and Mahindra, have captured 30 per cent of India's wealth. The Modi government is entirely aligned with their interests,' he said. Mehra said around 17,000 families in Himachal had been displaced from their homes and farmlands due to various infrastructure projects and encroachments. 'National Highways and hydro projects are damaging local homes and farms, destroying land and jobs. These projects serve the interests of corporations, not local communities. That's why we are protesting,' he said. The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) also participated in the strike, with employees from nationalised banks, LIC, and GIC joining the protest. Narinder Sharma, Convenor of the United Bank Workers and Officers Union of Himachal Pradesh, has warned that millions of rupees of public money may be shifted to private hands. 'Our union includes four officers' unions and five workers' unions, representing 100 percent of manpower in the Indian banking sector. We participated in this collective strike along with other trade unions on key demands, particularly opposing the privatisation of public sector banks and insurance companies,' he said. 'The government should not reduce its stake in banks below 80 per cent. If it does, it will open the path to full privatisation. This is a direct threat to the financial sovereignty of the country,' Sharma said. 'Labour codes are being used to remove long-standing protections affecting working hours, wages, and service conditions. Public sector banks have played a major role in India's growth and upliftment of the middle class; now this legacy is being dismantled,' he said. 'There is Rs 140 lakh crore of public money deposited in these banks. If privatised, the risk to public trust and security will be enormous,' he added. Thousands of grassroots health workers and Anganwadi employees also participated in the protest. Himi Devi, President of the Himachal Pradesh Skilled and ASHA Workers Union, has warned of an aggressive protest if their demands are not fulfilled. 'For the past 23 years, ASHA workers have been delivering vital health services in Himachal Pradesh, yet they remain underpaid and unrecognised. The government pays just Rs 150 for a delivery case it's an insult to our work,' she said. 'Similarly, anganwadi workers, who have served the state for over four decades, are now being pushed aside. Instead of regularising them, the government is closing centres and shifting children to under-resourced government schools,' Himi Devi said. She pointed out the dire situation of midday meal workers as well. '2,13,000 workers across India are feeding over 5.32 lakh children. But for 16 years, the Centre has paid just Rs 1,000 a month to these workers. How can anyone survive on this?' she asked. 'The High Court has twice ruled that midday meal workers should be paid for all 12 months, but that hasn't been implemented,' she added. 'Also, the condition that an anganwadi needs at least 25-26 children to remain operational is unreasonable in hilly states like Himachal, where population density is low. The unique geography of the state must be considered,' she demanded. 'Today's protest is just a token strike. But if our demands continue to be ignored, we will launch an indefinite agitation until the government responds,' Himi Devi warned. (ANI)
Fibre2Fashion
09-07-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
CITI monitoring US tariffs, early outlook positive for India
The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) is closely monitoring the new US tariff announcements to determine their possible implication for India's textile and apparel exports to the United States. CITI is monitoring new US tariffs, which may boost India's textile and apparel exports by enhancing price competitiveness. US imports from India rose to $5.11 billion during Janâ€'May 2025. CITI sees promise in a mini US-India trade deal, which could drive job creation and help reach $100 billion exports by 2030, aided by improved ease of doing business. The US is India's biggest market for textile and apparel exports. During January-May 2025, US imports of textile and apparel from India were valued at $5.11 billion, a rise of more than 13% compared to the same period last year when the figure stood at $4.51 billion. 'We are actively tracking the progress of the latest tariff-related announcements, including their impact on specific sectors, since they concern many countries which are our competitors in the textile and apparel export arena,' CITI Chairman Shri Rakesh Mehra said. 'The initial signs in this connection augur well for Indian T&A exporters in terms of being able to expand their access in the US as they would now become more price competitive relative to those from other countries,' Shri Mehra added. The US has imposed a 35% tariff on exports from Bangladesh. During January-May 2025, US imports of textile and apparel from Bangladesh stood at $3.64 billion, a more than 20% increase compared to $3.03 billion recorded in January-May 2024. Shri Mehra said CITI is confident that a mini trade deal between India and the US would be in place soon. 'As far as the possible mini trade deal with the US is concerned, CITI feels such a pact can transform the fortunes of India's textile sector and can contribute significantly to India being able to achieve textiles and apparel exports of $100 billion by 2030,' Shri Mehra said. 'The demand creation for Indian companies because of a trade pact with the US can also lead to the generation of more jobs and livelihood opportunities in India which, by itself, will be a significant benefit for local youths,' Shri Mehra pointed out. Shri Mehra said recent steps being taken by the authorities to improve the ease of doing business, including those on the logistics front, will help Indian exporters take better advantage of the opportunities opening following the trade deals. 'We look forward to working closely with the authorities for an increase in India's share in global T&A exports,' Shri Mehra added. Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
