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29-05-2025
- General
- Scroll.in
‘I am not scared / I am not alone': A young girl and a temple elephant become friends
New Grief When Amma died, I became numb. Now, this new grief awakens me, jerks me alive like I have seen doctors do on TV with two iron box–like things shocking their patient's hearts into beating again. Is it wrong to say I have never felt so much grief before? Even more than what I felt for Amma? Guilt gnaws at my heart, but it's true. Maybe because Ganeshan has no one to love him and care for him the way Amma had. Only a silly old man claiming to be his carer. Worried My mind is like a sieve, everything passes through it. All it can hold are the chunky, heavy thoughts about Ganeshan. Is he okay? Was a doctor called in? Is Chandu taking good care of him? Last Day of School The last few weeks drift by in a blurry waste of time. And the final exams are but a disaster. I have a new worry to add to my list now. My school report! The class teacher hands out everyone's reports. I chew on a nail. What if I don't make it to next year? I quickly scan the report for any huge red letters across it and let out a huge sigh. I passed! Trrriiiinnnggg … There's a shout of Yaaaayyy! even before the bell stops ringing. And I am caught in a sea of Happy holidays!, See you in eighth grade! and Have a fab summer break! I navigate through it all and rush out to the waiting school bus so that I can be with my thoughts alone again. Summer Holidays Glorious l o n g days of nothingness. Before. Now they are just l o n g days of nothingness. Celebrations and Mourning It's April and Vishu, the new year today. I wear my yellow skirt again. It hangs above my ankles now. But I don't want to let go of it yet. At the temple ground, the konna tree stands as bare as a Kerala bride without her jewels. The yellow flowers picked, no doubt for Vishu Kanni, the first auspicious glimpse of the day, in the hope that the rest of the year would be as lovely and golden as the flowers offered at the altar. Acha and I, we don't celebrate Vishu, don't burst crackers, don't cook a feast. Not even the vermicelli payasam both of us love. People say 'one year' of mourning. My heart says it will mourn forever. Temple Elephant Everyone calls Ganeshan the temple elephant now. They say the owner donated him to the temple. The whole town is glad because it's a matter of pride to own an elephant and not have to rent one anymore. I am glad because I can see him every day now. Born Again Amma used to say that souls get born and reborn. Again and again. I am not sure I believe completely in rebirths. But maybe it's true. Maybe Ganeshan was my brother or father, sister or mother, or even a close friend in my last birth because I feel like I already know him, already love him, like his pain is mine his story is mine. How else can I explain the instant bond I feel with him? Quiet Company As soon as I hear that he is ours now, I rush over to see him. He greets me with his trunk, stroking me from head to toe till I push it away, laughing. Feeling better, my friend? He replies with a rumble, a deep sound from somewhere inside his tummy. Kind of like my neighbour's cat purring, but much louder. Snuggling by his neck, I feed him the bananas I bring from home, enjoying his quiet company like I hope he enjoys mine. Sunshine Meeting Ganeshan is like a knock on the door of my heart. Gently inviting me outside to feel the sunshine again. My heart squints at the brightness. But I am not scared. I am not alone. Anymore. Curiosity People are strange. When they don't understand others they probe and prod them. Often roughly, unkindly, like lab animals in cages. People prod me with cruel words. But Ganeshan, poor Ganeshan gets prodded with nasty, pointy sticks.
New Indian Express
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- New Indian Express
Retail auto sales start FY26 on a positive note, grow 3% in April
NEW DELHI: On the back of festive purchases around Akshay Tritiya and rural demand post-harvest, India's total automobile retail sales rose 2.95% year-on-year in April 2025, reaching 22.87 lakh units, according to the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA). Growth was seen in all segments except commercial vehicles, which dipped 1% year-on-year. "With the tariff war paused, stock markets staged a sharp pullback—alleviating investor concerns—and customers thus leveraged Chaitra Navratri, Akshay Tritiya, Bengali New Year, Baisakhi and Vishu to complete purchases, helping April end on a positive note," said FADA President CS Vigneshwar. Two-wheeler retail volumes grew 2.25% YoY and 11.84% MoM to 16,86,774 units. Vigneshwar stated that dealers reported buoyant enquiry growth in rural areas post-Rabi harvest, driven by strong crop yields, healthy reservoir levels and a favourable monsoon outlook, while wedding-season tailwinds sustained rural offtake. Despite limited model introductions, the passenger vehicle (PV) segment registered a 1.55% YoY increase in sales to 3,49,939 units. "This performance reflects a discount-led market and elevated inventories—approximately a 50-day supply—amid cautious consumer sentiment that tempered enquiry-to-sale conversions," added Vigneshwar. Going forward in May, FADA said that this month"s agricultural cycle is concluding on a strong note, underpinned by healthy crop prices and robust mandi procurement. However, the dealer body added that Kantar's Rural Barometer and GroupM data signal heightened consumer selectivity in rural India— household spending has outpaced income growth, and inflationary pressures are tempering discretionary purchases. Here, non-essential categories such as two-wheelers is likewise plateauing amid rising living costs.
The Hindu
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Auto retail sales rise 3% in April led by 2Ws, tractors
Overall auto retail sales for April 2025 grew 3% Year on Year (YoY) led by growth in retail sales of three wheelers (3W) and tractors. As per data provided by The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) Two Wheeler (2W) sales grew by 2.25%, 3W by 24.5%, Passenger Vechicles (PV) by 1.55%, tractors by 7.5% and Commercial Vehicle sales fell 1% YoY, FADA said the PV inventory is at 50 days and has advocated for a 21-days stock norm. Two wheelers grew 2.25% backed by strong rural demand while PV sales grew due to offer of deep discounts by OEMs. Price hike by OEMs and flat freight rates led by CV sales dropping by 1.05%, FADA said. C S Vigneshwar, President FADA said, 'The new financial year began on a modest note as overall retails in April managed to grow by 3% YoY. All categories except CV closed in the green.' 'With the tariff war paused, stock markets staged a sharp pullback—alleviating investor concerns—and customers thus leveraged Chaitra Navratri, Akshay Tritiya, Bengali New Year, Baisakhi and Vishu to complete purchases, helping April end on a positive note,' he said. On the immediate outlook the FADA President said 'May's agricultural cycle is concluding on a strong note, underpinned by healthy crop prices and robust mandi procurement.' 'The IMD's forecast of an above-normal southwest monsoon bodes well for rural incomes, farm-sector growth and downstream demand, while a well-distributed rainy season is critical to containing food inflation,' he said. 'At the same time, Kantar's Rural Barometer and GroupM data signal heightened consumer selectivity in rural India—household spending has outpaced income growth, and inflationary pressures are tempering discretionary purchases,' he added.
Economic Times
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Economic Times
With tariff war paused, customers leverage festivals to boost auto sales in April: FADA
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Popular in Auto Overall automobile retail sales in India grew a modest 2.95 per cent in April this year to 22,87,952 units with completion of purchases by customers around Chaitra Navratri, Akshay Tritiya, Bengali New Year, Baisakhi and Vishu helping April end on a positive note, Federation of Automotive Dealers Associations said on Monday. Total automobile sales in India in April 2024 stood at 22,22,463 units, Federation of Automotive Dealers Associations (FADA) said in a statement."With the tariff war paused, stock markets staged a sharp pullback -- alleviating investor concerns -- and customers thus leveraged Chaitra Navratri, Akshay Tritiya, Bengali New Year, Baisakhi and Vishu to complete purchases, helping April end on a positive note," FADA President C S Vigneshwar said two-wheeler retail volumes demonstrated a resilient up-cycle -- growing 2.25 per cent year-on-year and accelerating 11.84 per cent month-on-month, underscoring a stable demand environment amid mixed headwinds."Dealers reported buoyant enquiry growth in rural areas post-Rabi harvest, driven by strong crop yields, healthy reservoir levels and a favourable monsoon outlook, while wedding-season tailwinds sustained rural offtake," Vigneshwar categories except commercial vehicles (CV) closed in the green, with two-wheelers, three-wheelers, passenger vehicles (PV) and tractor up 2.25 per cent, 24.5 per cent, 1.5 per cent, and 7.5 per cent, respectively, while CVs declined 1 per cent, FADA retail sales in April this year stood at 16,86,774 units as against 16,49,591 units in the same month last year, up 2.25 per retail last month stood at 3,49,939 units as compared to 3,44,594 units in April 2024, up 1.55 per cent, it demand remained robust, supported by new-model introductions, although elevated financing costs and new emission norm 'OBD2B'-linked price adjustments posed isolated bottlenecks, he the outlook, FADA said dealer feedback paints a nuanced picture for May across all segments with PV retails expected to hold steady but muted, as buyers await new-model roll-outs and contend with elevated financing two-wheelers, FADA said, "Marriage-season and post-harvest demand should underpin enquiries, yet financiers are tightening customer-level credit criteria -- higher CIBIL requirements and down-payment mandates -- despite broader banking-system liquidity. Summer heat and school holidays may further suppress showroom visits though IMD predicts that it may not be as bad as last year."CVs are likely to trade flat, weighed down by a high-base effect, slower e-commerce activity and intensifying competition from electric three-wheelers; targeted OEM incentive schemes and forthcoming infrastructure projects offer some offset, it added.
NDTV
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- NDTV
FADA: Automobile Retail Sales Show Signs Of Growth With 2.95 PC Uptick
New Delhi: Overall automobile retail sales in India grew a modest 2.95 per cent in April this year to 22,87,952 units with completion of purchases by customers around Chaitra Navratri, Akshay Tritiya, Bengali New Year, Baisakhi and Vishu helping April end on a positive note, Federation of Automotive Dealers Associations said on Monday. Total automobile sales in India in April 2024 stood at 22,22,463 units, Federation of Automotive Dealers Associations (FADA) said in a statement. All categories except commercial vehicles (CV) closed in the green, with two-wheelers, three-wheelers, passenger vehicles (PV) and tractor up 2.25 per cent, 24.5 per cent, 1.5 per cent, and 7.5 per cent, respectively, while CVs declined 1 per cent, FADA said. Two-wheeler retail sales in April this year stood at 16,86,774 units as against 16,49,591 units in the same month last year, up 2.25 per cent. PV retail last month stood at 3,49,939 units as compared to 3,44,594 units in April 2024, up 1.55 per cent, it added. "With the tariff war paused, stock markets staged a sharp pullback -- alleviating investor concerns -- and customers thus leveraged Chaitra Navratri, Akshay Tritiya, Bengali New Year, Baisakhi and Vishu to complete purchases, helping April end on a positive note," FADA President C S Vigneshwar said. He said two-wheeler retail volumes demonstrated a resilient up-cycle -- growing 2.25 per cent year-on-year and accelerating 11.84 per cent month-on-month, underscoring a stable demand environment amid mixed headwinds. "Dealers reported buoyant enquiry growth in rural areas post-Rabi harvest, driven by strong crop yields, healthy reservoir levels and a favourable monsoon outlook, while wedding-season tailwinds sustained rural offtake," Vigneshwar said. Urban demand remained robust, supported by new-model introductions, although elevated financing costs and new emission norm 'OBD2B'-linked price adjustments posed isolated bottlenecks, he added. The PV segment, despite limited model introductions, registered a 1.55 per cent year-on-year increase alongside a marginal 0.19 per cent mom-on-month decline, Vigneshwar said, adding, "this performance reflects a discount-led market and elevated inventories -- approximately a 50-day supply -- amid cautious consumer sentiment that tempered enquiry-to-sale conversions". "Sustained SUV demand underpinned volumes even as entry-level customers remained cautious, underscoring the need for OEMs to recalibrate production and reduce stock levels to mitigate deeper discounts and carrying costs at dealerships," he said. FADA continues to advocate a 21-day inventory norm at dealerships to enhance market responsiveness and cost efficiency, Vigneshwar said. CV retail sales last month declined 1.05 per cent to 90,558 units as against 91,516 units in April 2024. On the other hand, tractor retail grew 7.56 per cent to 60,915 units, compared to 56,635 units in the year-ago month. Three-wheeler segment witnessed a robust 24.51 per cent rise at 99,766 units last month as compared to 80,127 units in April 2024, FADA said. On the outlook, FADA said dealer feedback paints a nuanced picture for May across all segments with PV retails expected to hold steady but muted, as buyers await new-model roll-outs and contend with elevated financing costs. In two-wheelers, FADA said, "Marriage-season and post-harvest demand should underpin enquiries, yet financiers are tightening customer-level credit criteria -- higher CIBIL requirements and down-payment mandates -- despite broader banking-system liquidity. Summer heat and school holidays may further suppress showroom visits though IMD predicts that it may not be as bad as last year." CVs are likely to trade flat, weighed down by a high-base effect, slower e-commerce activity and intensifying competition from electric three-wheelers; targeted OEM incentive schemes and forthcoming infrastructure projects offer some offset, it added. PTI RKL TRB
