Shyam Plastic Industries Right

Parth Engineers & Consultant Right

Versatile Solution Bottom

Parth Engineers & Consultant Bottom

Shyam Plastic Industries Bottom

Versatile Solution Right

Benefit-top add-1

Benefit-top add-2

Benefit-top add-3

Gujarat High Court Launches Study Circle for Advocates: In a major initiative to strengthen the professional skills and legal knowledge of young advocates, the High Court of Gujarat, in collaboration with the Gujarat State Judicial Academy (GSJA), has announced the launch of a Study Circle (Symposium/Workshop) for Advocates Practicing before the High Court of Gujarat with up to 10 years of practice. The programme will be conducted at the Lecture Hall of the Gujarat State Judicial Academy, High Court Campus, Ahmedabad.
Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal Announces Study Circle The initiative was announced by Gujarat High Court Chief Justice and Patron-in-Chief of the Gujarat State Judicial Academy, Justice Sunita Agarwal, after the Flag Hoisting Ceremony held at the High Court Lawns on August 15. The announcement was made in the presence of Justice Bhargav D. Karia, Judge of the Gujarat High Court and President of GSJA, members of the Board of Governors of GSJA, other High Court judges, Senior Advocates and members of the Bar.
Focus on Legal Education and Professional Skills The new Study Circle is being introduced as a continuous legal learning and professional development programme for young members of the Bar. The initiative aims to enhance advocates&rsquo; understanding of legal principles, legal research, drafting and advocacy skills through direct interaction with Senior Advocates and subject experts. The programme is also expected to strengthen academic engagement between the Bench and the Bar and provide advocates with an opportunity to discuss important and evolving legal issues.
Justice Sunita Agarwal Highlights Importance of Continuous Learning Addressing the gathering, Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal highlighted the indispensable role of advocates in the administration of justice. She emphasized that continuous legal education has become increasingly important in an era of rapidly evolving jurisprudence. The Chief Justice also stressed that effective advocacy and strong legal research are essential components of a robust justice delivery system. She appreciated the efforts of the Gujarat State Judicial Academy in conceptualizing and developing the Study Circle programme.
Three Key Legal Modules in First Phase The first phase of the Study Circle will feature three major academic modules covering important areas of High Court practice. Module I will focus on the expanding contours of maintainability in writ jurisdiction under Article 226, an important area of constitutional and administrative law practice. Module II will cover the basic principles of Administrative Law and Second Appeals under Section 100 of the CPC, with particular emphasis on the Doctrine of Substantial Question of Law. Module III will focus on Criminal Law Jurisdiction, particularly the inherent powers of High Courts under Section 482 of the CrPC and Section 528 of the BNSS, including their scope, limitations and principles of judicial discipline.
Study Circle to Be Held Fortnightly The Study Circle is proposed to be conducted on a fortnightly basis, providing advocates with regular opportunities for legal learning and professional interaction. Future sessions will cover a wide range of subjects, including Constitutional Law, Writ Jurisdiction, Arbitration and Conciliation Law, Commercial Law, Public Interest Litigation, Service Law, Taxation Law, Admiralty Jurisdiction, Legal Ethics and Drafting Skills. The programme will also address contemporary legal issues that are particularly relevant to advocates practicing before the Gujarat High Court.
Registration to Begin Soon Registration for the Study Circle (Symposium/Workshop Series) for Advocates Practicing in the High Court of Gujarat &ndash; Series of Academic Modules 2026 will begin shortly through the official website of the Gujarat State Judicial Academy. The programme is specifically intended for advocates practicing before the Gujarat High Court who have up to 10 years of professional practice.
Registration Fee The registration fee for the Study Circle has been fixed at ₹100 per programme, which will be paid by each participating advocate. The workshops will be conducted at the Lecture Hall of the Gujarat State Judicial Academy, High Court Campus, Ahmedabad. Advocates attending the workshops will also receive Certificates of Participation.
Major Step Towards Strengthening Justice Delivery The Gujarat High Court and Gujarat State Judicial Academy's new Study Circle is being viewed as a significant step towards professional excellence and development of the legal fraternity. By bringing young advocates, Senior Advocates and legal experts together for regular academic discussions, the initiative aims to improve legal knowledge, research and advocacy skills while strengthening the Bench-Bar relationship. The broader objective is to contribute towards a more effective and efficient justice delivery system in Gujarat.

Study Circle Launched for Advocates With Up to 10 Years of Practice

Gujarat High Court Big Move

<h3 data-start="191" data-end="224">A Shock That Shook Confidence</h3>
Silver&rsquo;s vertical rise met a brutal reality check. Within a single session, prices collapsed by as much as 25 per cent on domestic exchanges, erasing nearly ₹1,00,000 per kg after flirting with record highs near ₹4 lakh. Internationally, silver mirrored the fall, tumbling sharply after an overheated rally. Gold did not escape either, shedding around 8&ndash;12 per cent from recent peaks. For investors who chased momentum, the speed of the reversal was as unsettling as the fall itself.
<h3 data-start="710" data-end="739">The Dollar Did the Damage</h3>
The immediate trigger came from a sudden surge in the US dollar. A policy signal from Washington soothed fears over central bank independence and sent the dollar index sharply higher. A stronger dollar typically weighs on precious metals by reducing their appeal as a hedge and making them more expensive for non-US buyers. As gold reversed, silver&mdash;known to exaggerate gold&rsquo;s moves due to thinner liquidity and heavier speculation&mdash;collapsed even faster.
<h3 data-start="1195" data-end="1231">Why Silver Fell Harder Than Gold</h3>
Silver&rsquo;s dual role as a precious and industrial metal makes it uniquely volatile. During rallies, speculative participation builds quickly; during corrections, exits are crowded. Market veterans point out that silver had entered extremely overbought territory, with momentum indicators at levels seen only a handful of times in a century. In such conditions, sharp drawdowns are not an anomaly&mdash;they are the release valve.
<h3 data-start="1655" data-end="1679">Lessons From History</h3>
History offers a sobering lens. Previous peaks in silver and gold were followed by deep, prolonged corrections that took years to recover from. A weakening rupee has not always cushioned investors during speculative bursts. The message is clear: parabolic moves often end with painful mean reversion, regardless of long-term fundamentals.
<h3 data-start="2020" data-end="2048">Buy, Hold or Step Aside?</h3>
Expert opinion is split&mdash;but cautious. Some advise no fresh exposure in silver until prices stabilise, recommending tight trailing stops for existing holders near the ₹3 lakh zone. Others see value only after deeper corrections, flagging ₹2.25&ndash;2.5 lakh as a more attractive accumulation range. A minority believe silver could base earlier, around ₹3&ndash;3.25 lakh, but concede volatility will remain elevated.
On gold, the tone is relatively calmer. Several analysts describe the correction as &ldquo;natural and healthy&rdquo; after an extended rally, with potential comfort emerging closer to ₹1.40 lakh&mdash;and stronger value only on deeper dips.
<h3 data-start="2680" data-end="2698">The Road Ahead</h3>
The near term is likely to remain choppy. Both metals need time to cool off and rebuild conviction. For long-term investors, staggered buying after further corrections may make sense. For traders, discipline matters more than conviction. The crash has not killed the secular case for precious metals&mdash;but it has ended the illusion that prices only move one way.

Sharp reversals have jolted metals. Is this a pause, or the start of a deeper reset?

Gold, Silver Crash: Buy Later, Not Now

Several schools in Ahmedabad and Noida were placed on high alert on Friday after receiving bomb threats via email, just days ahead of Republic Day. The incidents led to emergency security checks, temporary closures, and heightened concern among parents and authorities.
In Ahmedabad, multiple schools reported receiving threatening emails early in the morning. The city&rsquo;s crime branch immediately deployed bomb disposal units and forensic teams to the affected campuses. Officials said thorough searches are underway and no suspicious objects have been found so far. Investigators are working to trace the origin of the emails.
In Noida, the threats forced several prominent schools to shut for the day. Shiv Nadar School announced a complete closure after receiving a bomb threat email, stating that a full security sweep would be conducted as a precaution. School buses were turned back, and parents were asked to collect their children from designated drop-off points.
Cambridge School also received a similar threat, after which parents were alerted and told to pick up their children immediately. Bal Bharati School was placed on high alert as well. While no official reason was initially shared with parents, pre-primary classes, including Nursery, LKG and UKG, were dismissed. Other sections continued temporarily due to staggered schedules and bus routes, with further instructions awaited.
Noida police said senior officers, along with teams from local police stations, bomb disposal squads, fire services, dog units and BDDS teams, were rushed to all affected locations. Each campus is being thoroughly checked to rule out any threat.
At the same time, the cyber crime unit has begun a technical analysis of the threatening emails to trace their source and identify those responsible. Authorities have assured parents that all necessary safety measures are being taken and urged the public to remain calm while investigations continue.
The coordinated threats, coming so close to Republic Day, have raised broader security concerns across both cities. Police have warned that strict action will be taken against anyone found issuing hoax threats or attempting to spread panic.

Bomb Threats Hit Schools in Ahmedabad, Noida

Schools shut as bomb threat emails trigger security sweeps ahead of Republic Day

In the chessboard of Eurasian geopolitics, few projects capture India&rsquo;s strategic imagination as sharply as Iran&rsquo;s Chabahar Port. Often reduced to a mere infrastructure story, Chabahar is in fact a statement of intent &mdash; about India&rsquo;s desire to shape its continental destiny, resist strategic encirclement, and reclaim influence across West Asia, Central Asia and beyond.
At stake is not just a port, but India&rsquo;s long-term geopolitical autonomy.
<h4 data-start="714" data-end="750">Why Chabahar matters to India</h4>
Chabahar&rsquo;s significance flows from geography &mdash; that unforgiving truth of power politics. Located on Iran&rsquo;s south-eastern coast, outside the Strait of Hormuz, it offers India direct maritime access to Afghanistan, Central Asia, the Caspian basin and eventually Europe through the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). Crucially, it does so without crossing Pakistan, which has consistently blocked India&rsquo;s overland access to the region.
For New Delhi, this bypass is not symbolic; it is strategic necessity.
India&rsquo;s ambitions in Afghanistan&rsquo;s reconstruction, its outreach to energy-rich Central Asia, and its emerging connectivity with Russia and Eastern Europe all converge at Chabahar. In an era where supply chains are weaponised and chokepoints are geopolitical vulnerabilities, alternative corridors are strategic insurance.
<h4 data-start="1615" data-end="1666">A long courtship: from Khatami to continuity</h4>
The India&ndash;Iran conversation on Chabahar began as early as 2003, when Iranian President Mohammad Khatami offered India a role in developing the port. The logic was clear even then: Iran wanted economic diversification and regional relevance; India wanted access westward.
Momentum gathered in 2015&ndash;16, with the signing of a trilateral agreement between India, Iran and Afghanistan to develop Chabahar and operationalise a transit corridor. India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) assumed operational responsibilities in 2018, marking a tangible footprint on the ground. The signing of a 10-year long-term operations contract in May 2024 finally gave the project strategic durability.
Yet the journey has been frustratingly slow.
The primary culprit has not been lack of political will, but the shadow of US sanctions on Iran, which has forced India to tread cautiously, delay financial transfers, recalibrate operational structures and even ensure that government officials reduce exposure to potential punitive measures. The resignation of Indian officials from IPGL boards, while procedural, underlines the delicate diplomacy New Delhi must practise to keep Chabahar alive.
This is not idealism; it is realpolitik under pressure.
<h4 data-start="2921" data-end="2972">Countering Gwadar and China&rsquo;s westward march</h4>
Chabahar&rsquo;s importance sharpens when viewed across the waters &mdash; barely 70 kilometres away lies Gwadar, Pakistan&rsquo;s Chinese-funded deep-sea port and a pillar of the China&ndash;Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Gwadar is not just infrastructure. It is China&rsquo;s strategic outpost in the Arabian Sea, part of its broader String of Pearlsstrategy aimed at securing maritime routes and expanding strategic depth around India&rsquo;s periphery. From Hambantota to Kyaukphyu, from Djibouti to Gwadar, Beijing&rsquo;s maritime footprint is deliberate and expanding.
Chabahar offers India its own counterweight.
While Gwadar binds Pakistan deeper into China&rsquo;s strategic orbit, Chabahar gives India a foothold in Iran&rsquo;s eastern flank and a presence along the Gulf of Oman. It enables India to monitor maritime dynamics, enhance regional partnerships, and assert that it will not concede strategic space in its extended neighbourhood.
This is not confrontation; it is balance of power.
<h4 data-start="3958" data-end="4011">Access to Central Asia, the Caspian and Europe</h4>
Beyond rivalry, Chabahar is about opportunity.
The port is a critical node in the International North-South Transport Corridor, a multimodal network connecting Indian ports to Iran, onward to the Caspian Sea, Russia and Northern Europe. Early studies suggest this route could reduce transit time significantly compared to traditional Suez routes.
For India, this translates into tangible gains:
<ul data-start="4415" data-end="4705">
<li data-start="4415" data-end="4463">
Access to Central Asian energy resources
</li>
<li data-start="4464" data-end="4543">
Expanded markets for Indian pharmaceuticals, textiles and engineering goods
</li>
<li data-start="4544" data-end="4645">
Strategic presence in a region historically dominated by Russia and increasingly courted by China
</li>
<li data-start="4646" data-end="4705">
Greater leverage in shaping Eurasian connectivity norms
</li>
</ul>
In a fractured global order, connectivity equals influence.
<h4 data-start="4772" data-end="4813">Sanctions: the strategic tightrope</h4>
The uncomfortable truth is that India&rsquo;s Chabahar strategy operates under American scrutiny. Temporary sanctions waivers &mdash; such as the current one valid until April 2026 &mdash; provide breathing space but not certainty.
This places New Delhi in a diplomatic balancing act:
<ul data-start="5084" data-end="5295">
<li data-start="5084" data-end="5154">
It must maintain its growing strategic partnership with Washington
</li>
<li data-start="5155" data-end="5222">
While simultaneously preserving autonomy in dealing with Tehran
</li>
<li data-start="5223" data-end="5295">
Without allowing Beijing to exploit any vacuum created by hesitation
</li>
</ul>
The lesson is clear: overdependence on external permissions constrains sovereign strategy. If Chabahar is truly central to India&rsquo;s continental ambitions, then New Delhi must be prepared to defend it diplomatically, economically and politically.
<h4 data-start="5547" data-end="5600">More than a port: a test of strategic maturity</h4>
Chabahar is also a mirror reflecting India&rsquo;s own strategic evolution. For decades, New Delhi approached connectivity projects with excessive caution, often viewing them through a narrow commercial lens. Yet projects like Chabahar are not profit centres &mdash; they are instruments of power.
Encouragingly, policy thinking has matured. There is now wider acceptance within strategic circles that some investments are justified not by balance sheets but by geopolitical dividends.
That shift must deepen.
India must also accelerate complementary efforts:
<ul data-start="6162" data-end="6443">
<li data-start="6162" data-end="6229">
Strengthening maritime capabilities in the western Indian Ocean
</li>
<li data-start="6230" data-end="6292">
Deepening ties with Iran, Armenia and Central Asian states
</li>
<li data-start="6293" data-end="6363">
Ensuring that INSTC transitions from concept to commercial reality
</li>
<li data-start="6364" data-end="6443">
Engaging Afghanistan&rsquo;s future pragmatically, despite political complexities
</li>
</ul>
<h4 data-start="6445" data-end="6485">The broader message to the region</h4>
If Chabahar succeeds, it sends a powerful signal: that India is willing to invest patiently in long-term regional architecture, that it seeks partnerships rather than dominance, and that it will not be confined by artificial barriers imposed by hostile neighbours.
It reassures Central Asia that India offers an alternative partner to both China&rsquo;s cheque-book diplomacy and Russia&rsquo;s historic influence. It tells West Asia that India&rsquo;s engagement is not episodic, but structural. And it tells Pakistan, quietly but firmly, that veto power over India&rsquo;s continental outreach is no longer guaranteed.
<h4 data-start="7085" data-end="7106">The road ahead</h4>
Challenges remain real: geopolitical volatility in Iran, bureaucratic delays, infrastructure bottlenecks, and ever-shifting great power equations. But abandoning or underplaying Chabahar would be strategic short-sightedness.
India stands at a crossroads. It can either treat Chabahar as a cautious experiment constrained by external pressures &mdash; or as a cornerstone of its Eurasian strategy.
History suggests that nations that shape corridors shape destinies.
Chabahar gives India that chance.

How Chabahar reshapes India’s geopolitical reach across West Asia and Eurasia

Chabahar: India’s Gateway to Eurasian Power

Indian social media today resembles a digital street celebration. Timelines are crowded with videos of a woman setting fire to Iran&rsquo;s Supreme Leader&rsquo;s portrait, clips of crowds chanting in provincial towns, and slogans predicting the imminent collapse of the Islamic Republic. To many, especially among India&rsquo;s right-wing online ecosystem, this unrest is framed as a moral victory: another &ldquo;Muslim government&rdquo; on the brink, another ideological foe crumbling.
This reaction is emotional, ideological and dangerously shallow. It ignores the deeper geopolitical, energy and economicconsequences that a destabilised Iran could unleash upon the world&mdash;and upon India itself.
Because while hashtags trend, oil tankers burn.
<h3 data-start="994" data-end="1051">Three weeks of unrest: anger that has outgrown reform</h3>
What began in late December 2025 as a strike by shopkeepers over currency collapse and economic hardship has, within weeks, mutated into the most serious nationwide upheaval Iran has witnessed in years. Protests have spread across dozens of cities and towns, including regions usually distant from political mobilisation. The language of dissent has shifted decisively: from demands for economic relief to outright rejection of the political system itself.
The death toll has crossed 500 civilians, with over a hundred members of security forces also reportedly killed. Thousands have been detained. The state has responded with internet blackouts, disrupted communications, flight cancellations, and an increasingly visible security presence. The currency has lost enormous value in months. Inflation has surged. Water scarcity is worsening. Poverty is no longer peripheral&mdash;it is central to the Iranian crisis.
What is most revealing are the slogans echoing on the streets: &ldquo;No to Gaza, no to Lebanon, my life for Iran.&rdquo; &ldquo;Leave Syria, take care of us.&rdquo;
These are not cultural protests. These are political indictments of a state that, in the eyes of many Iranians, has spent its national wealth on external proxy wars while citizens struggle to afford bread, medicine and electricity.
Iranians are not protesting because they are &ldquo;Gen Z Westernised rebels.&rdquo; They are protesting because their dignity, livelihood, and future have been hollowed out.
That courage deserves respect. But romanticising regime collapse without calculating consequences is intellectual laziness.
<h3 data-start="2669" data-end="2700">The oil beneath the slogans</h3>
Iran is not just a troubled nation. It is a major energy power with the world&rsquo;s fourth-largest oil reserves. Despite sanctions, it still exports roughly 1.5 to 1.8 million barrels per day, generating billions in revenue and supplying crucial markets.
Most of this oil flows to China, with smaller volumes to West Asia and partners operating in sanction grey zones. This oil does not move through clean, visible supply chains&mdash;it moves through shadow networks, discounted deals, and geopolitical bargains. But it still moves. And it still matters.
Now imagine three scenarios:
<ol data-start="3292" data-end="3459">
<li data-start="3292" data-end="3341">
Protests escalate into sustained instability
</li>
<li data-start="3342" data-end="3390">
The United States launches military strikes
</li>
<li data-start="3391" data-end="3459">
Iran retaliates through regional proxies or maritime disruption
</li>
</ol>
In all three, the oil market convulses.
The most vulnerable pressure point? The Strait of Hormuz.
<h3 data-start="3572" data-end="3621">Strait of Hormuz: the artery of global energy</h3>
More than 14 million barrels of crude oil per day pass through this narrow maritime corridor. Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar&mdash;all depend on it. Even partial disruption sends insurance premiums soaring, reroutes tankers, and spikes prices overnight.
Iran does not need to &ldquo;close&rdquo; the strait entirely. It only needs to make it unsafe.
Through naval harassment, drone threats, proxy actions via Houthis, or strategic ambiguity, Tehran can inject fear into maritime markets. We have already seen how shipping disruptions in the Red Sea have rattled global logistics. Hormuz would be exponentially worse.
If this artery clogs, the result is predictable: Oil prices surge &rarr; Transport costs rise &rarr; Food prices inflate &rarr; Currency weakens &rarr; Middle classes suffer.
India imports over 85% of its crude oil. Our inflation is structurally sensitive to energy prices. Our fiscal stability, consumer sentiment, and industrial input costs all hinge on predictable fuel pricing.
A distant war becomes a domestic crisis.
<h3 data-start="4670" data-end="4711">The dangerous fantasy of &ldquo;good chaos&rdquo;</h3>
Some argue that a weak or collapsing Iran benefits the West, Israel and their regional partners. Strategically, this is partially true. A fractured Iran would struggle to project power through proxies. Its nuclear ambitions could stall. Its regional posture would weaken.
But geopolitics is never a one-sided chessboard.
China cannot afford an Iranian collapse. Iran is central to Beijing&rsquo;s discounted energy strategy. Chinese refiners rely heavily on sanctioned oil. If Iran&rsquo;s supply is disrupted while Venezuelan volumes shrink and Russian exports face logistical constraints, China&rsquo;s energy security is threatened. Beijing may avoid direct military engagement, but it will ensure Tehran does not economically suffocate. Support can come through finance, logistics, diplomacy and covert supply.
Russia has its own strategic calculus. Through the Caspian Sea, it retains a secure logistical corridor into Iran&mdash;untouchable by Western navies. In a blockade scenario, Moscow can continue resupplying Tehran. For a Russia locked in confrontation with the West, Iran&rsquo;s survival is not ideological&mdash;it is strategic.
This is how regional unrest morphs into global confrontation architecture.
<h3 data-start="5924" data-end="5961">Where does the Middle East stand?</h3>
Contrary to simplistic assumptions, Arab states are unlikely to openly cheer regime change through war.
<ul data-start="6068" data-end="6363">
<li data-start="6068" data-end="6178">
Saudi Arabia seeks stability over chaos; it is rebalancing diplomacy, not seeking regional firestorms.
</li>
<li data-start="6179" data-end="6231">
UAE prioritises commerce and predictability.
</li>
<li data-start="6232" data-end="6261">
Qatar plays mediator.
</li>
<li data-start="6262" data-end="6299">
Iraq cannot afford spillover.
</li>
<li data-start="6300" data-end="6363">
Even Israel&rsquo;s regional partners fear uncontrolled escalation.
</li>
</ul>
Public alignment with Washington is one thing. Quiet anxiety is another. Most regional capitals would prefer a contained Iran to a burning one.
Because instability does not respect borders.
<h3 data-start="6562" data-end="6629">The Indian paradox: celebrating others while ignoring ourselves</h3>
There is an uncomfortable hypocrisy in Indian online reactions.
Indians cheer Iranian youth for protesting corruption, repression and economic despair. Yet many hesitate to confront similar anxieties at home: Rising living costs. Deepening social polarisation. Unemployment. Erosion of institutional trust.
Iranians are on the streets risking death for dignity. Indians sit behind screens mocking their pain while indulging in ideological gratification.
The Iranian protests should inspire introspection, not celebration.
They show what citizen courage looks like. They expose what state failure produces. They warn what unchecked economic collapse can trigger.
<h3 data-start="7331" data-end="7377">If war erupts: the economic chain reaction</h3>
Should Washington and Tel Aviv opt for direct military action, several outcomes are likely:
<ul data-start="7472" data-end="7714">
<li data-start="7472" data-end="7528">
Temporary removal of Iranian barrels from the market
</li>
<li data-start="7529" data-end="7569">
Disruption risks across Gulf exports
</li>
<li data-start="7570" data-end="7605">
Panic buying in futures markets
</li>
<li data-start="7606" data-end="7667">
Brent crude potentially crossing psychological thresholds
</li>
<li data-start="7668" data-end="7714">
Emerging markets absorbing the worst shock
</li>
</ul>
For India, this means: Costlier fuel &rarr; Wider fiscal deficit &rarr; Rupee pressure &rarr; Imported inflation &rarr; Slower growth.
Energy is not ideology. It is arithmetic.
<h3 data-start="7886" data-end="7933">A crisis that demands maturity, not mockery</h3>
Iran today is a nation in deep pain. Its people are trapped between a rigid political structure and a collapsing economic reality. Their protests are legitimate. Their anger is justified. Their future is uncertain.
But geopolitical earthquakes do not deliver moral victories&mdash;they deliver economic aftershocks.
India must learn to view international crises through the lens of national interest, not religious sentiment. Because global energy markets do not care about hashtags. They respond only to instability.
And instability, once unleashed, rarely stops at someone else&rsquo;s border.

Protests, power politics and petroleum: why cheering Tehran’s chaos may cost India dearly

Iran Unrest, Oil Shock and India’s Blind Spot

An on-duty traffic police constable was injured after a car driver allegedly tried to run him over during a routine vehicle check at Bhadaj Circle in Ahmedabad on Wednesday evening.
The incident occurred around 6:30 pm when the A-Division Traffic Police were checking vehicles under the Bhadaj Chaar Rasta bridge. A silver Hyundai Creta, reportedly without a number plate, was signalled to stop as it approached from Science City Road. While the driver initially slowed down, he refused to halt despite repeated instructions.
As constable Narendra Raisingi attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver suddenly accelerated, hitting the officer and forcing him onto the car&rsquo;s bonnet. The vehicle continued at high speed towards Shilaj on the SP Ring Road, carrying the constable for nearly one to one-and-a-half kilometres. Two other occupants in the car allegedly encouraged the driver to flee.
Police teams chased the vehicle, and near Hebatpur Bridge, heavy traffic forced it to slow down. The constable then fell onto the road and sustained injuries. One of the occupants attempted to escape but was caught at the spot.
Sola Police registered a case of attempted murder against three accused. One accused, Prabhuji Thakor alias Bholo from Banaskantha, has been arrested. The driver was identified as Idris Khan Pathan, a resident of Harij in Patan district, while another accused has also been booked.
Police officials stated that the driver has two prior criminal cases, while the arrested accused has a history of liquor-related offences. The injured constable is reported to be out of danger, and further investigation is ongoing.
&nbsp;

Car drags on-duty constable on bonnet for over a km during routine check in Bhadaj

Cop Injured After Run-Over Attempt in A'bad

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will arrive in India on January 12 for his first official visit to the country, with Ahmedabad marking the beginning of his two-day tour. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the visit will take place from January 12 to 13, 2026, following an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to the MEA, Chancellor Merz will travel to Ahmedabad and Bengaluru during his stay. Prime Minister Modi will formally receive the German leader in Ahmedabad on January 12. The visit comes as India and Germany mark 25 years of their Strategic Partnership, providing an opportunity to review progress and chart the next phase of bilateral cooperation.
Discussions between the two leaders are expected to focus on strengthening collaboration in trade and investment, technology, education, skill development and mobility. Talks will also cover expanding engagement in defence and security, science and research, innovation, green growth and sustainable development, along with deeper people-to-people ties.
Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merz will also interact with business and industry leaders and exchange views on key regional and global issues. The visit is expected to build on ongoing high-level political engagements between the two countries.
Officials said the tour will help reaffirm the shared commitment of India and Germany to a forward-looking partnership aimed at delivering mutual benefits and contributing to global stability and growth.

Ahmedabad first stop as India–Germany ties set for boost across key sectors

German Chancellor Merz to Visit India on Jan 12

America&rsquo;s action against Venezuelan President Nicol&aacute;s Maduro is being projected as a decisive blow against drug trafficking, narco-terrorism and authoritarianism. Yet, stripped of moral packaging and political rhetoric, the operation fits neatly into a familiar historical pattern&mdash;one that has already devastated Iraq and Libya. Venezuela is not an isolated case; it is the third chapter in a long-running doctrine of weakening oil-rich states under the banner of global order.
The stated justification may differ&mdash;weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, civilian protection in Libya, drug cartels and democracy in Venezuela&mdash;but the outcomes follow an almost identical trajectory: state collapse, economic ruin, humanitarian catastrophe and geopolitical vacuum.
<h3 data-start="1426" data-end="1473">Oil, Sanctions and a Slow Strangulation</h3>
Venezuela sits atop the largest proven oil reserves in the world&mdash;around 17% of global supply. In the 1970s, it produced 3.5 million barrels per day, accounting for over 7% of global output. Today, production hovers at barely one million barrels per day, reduced to levels comparable with a single American state.
This collapse did not occur in a vacuum. Sanctions, financial isolation and asset freezes systematically choked Venezuela&rsquo;s ability to invest, trade and maintain its oil infrastructure. While internal mismanagement, over-reliance on oil revenues and reckless monetary policy undeniably weakened the state, external economic warfare transformed crisis into collapse.
By cutting off Venezuela from global financial systems and petroleum markets, Washington did not merely target a government&mdash;it punished an entire population, accelerating hyperinflation, food shortages and mass migration. A nation that once exported prosperity became a case study in economic asphyxiation.
<h3 data-start="2492" data-end="2536">Minerals: The Quiet Prize Beyond Oil</h3>
Oil is only part of Venezuela&rsquo;s strategic value. Beneath its soil lies a vast and largely untapped mineral wealth&mdash;gold, iron ore, bauxite, nickel and coal. A five-year mining expansion plan announced in the late 2010s signalled Caracas&rsquo;s intent to diversify beyond oil, alarming those who prefer resource flows aligned with Western interests.
Gold reserves running into hundreds of metric tonnes, iron ore estimates in the billions, and strategic minerals essential for future industries place Venezuela squarely on the global resource chessboard. Sanctions did not merely freeze current revenue; they pre-empted future economic autonomy.
<h3 data-start="3203" data-end="3244">D&eacute;j&agrave; Vu: Iraq and Libya Revisited</h3>
The parallels are unsettling.
Iraq, once a functioning state and regional counterweight, was dismantled through a direct invasion justified by false premises. Its institutions were erased overnight, unleashing sectarian violence and empowering external actors far more hostile to Western interests.
Libya, Africa&rsquo;s most prosperous oil producer, was shattered by a humanitarian intervention that mutated into regime change. Once the leader was eliminated, the architects vanished, leaving behind militias, civil war and a permanently fractured state.
In both cases, resource-rich nations were broken, not rebuilt. In both cases, humanitarian language masked geopolitical ambition. And in both cases, the aftermath proved worse than the regimes they replaced.
Venezuela&rsquo;s ordeal follows the same logic&mdash;only this time, the weapon was economic strangulation rather than shock-and-awe bombing.
<h3 data-start="4172" data-end="4208">The Dangerous Global Message</h3>
America&rsquo;s action against Venezuela sends a deeply destabilising message to the world: sovereignty is conditional, and resource-rich states that resist alignment can be punished, isolated or dismantled.
This precedent does not exist in a vacuum.
If sanctions, blockades and regime-change tactics are legitimate tools, what stops Russia from justifying further action in Eastern Europe, or China from claiming strategic necessity in Taiwan? When power replaces principle, international law becomes selective, and the strong define morality.
Washington may believe it is defending order, but it is normalising disorder.
<h3 data-start="4859" data-end="4898">Human Cost as Collateral Damage</h3>
The gravest indictment of American policy lies not in strategic failure, but in human suffering. Millions of Venezuelans fled their homes. Healthcare systems collapsed. Food insecurity became widespread. A once middle-income society was reduced to survival mode.
These outcomes were not unforeseen. They were predictable consequences of maximum pressure without maximum responsibility.
Regime change failed. Maduro remains. Yet ordinary citizens paid the price.
<h3 data-start="5377" data-end="5412">Strategic Failure, Repeated</h3>
From Baghdad to Tripoli to Caracas, the results are unmistakable:
<ul data-start="5481" data-end="5667">
<li data-start="5481" data-end="5544">
Regimes removed or targeted, but instability entrenched
</li>
<li data-start="5545" data-end="5597">
Rival powers expand influence amid the chaos
</li>
<li data-start="5598" data-end="5632">
Humanitarian crises deepen
</li>
<li data-start="5633" data-end="5667">
America&rsquo;s credibility erodes
</li>
</ul>
This is not strategic success. It is institutional amnesia.
The tragedy is not merely Venezuela&rsquo;s destruction, but Washington&rsquo;s refusal to learn. Each intervention claims to be unique, yet every outcome confirms the same truth: you cannot bomb, sanction or starve a nation into democracy.
<h3 data-start="5968" data-end="6000">A World Watching Closely</h3>
The world is watching Venezuela&mdash;not as an exception, but as a template. Smaller nations are learning that resource wealth invites intervention, not protection. Larger powers are learning that force works when norms are flexible.
In this sense, Venezuela is not the end of a policy&mdash;it is a warning of what comes next.

Oil-rich nations cracked by power politics

From Iraq to Libya to Venezuela, America repeats a dangerous playbook of destabilisation

Washington’s Oil Wars, Venezuela Is Next

A special court in Ahmedabad has sentenced a Central Excise and Service Tax Inspector to five years of rigorous imprisonment in a disproportionate assets case, holding him guilty of amassing wealth far beyond his known sources of income.
The court convicted Kaushik Anvantrai Karelia, who served as an Appraiser and Preventive Officer at the Kandla Special Economic Zone during the check period and was later posted as an Inspector in Bhavnagar. Along with the prison term, the court imposed a fine of ₹63 lakh.
Karelia&rsquo;s wife, Pooja Karelia, was also convicted in the case and sentenced to one year of imprisonment with a fine of ₹50,000 for abetment.
The case was investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation after allegations emerged that the accused had accumulated assets grossly disproportionate to his lawful income while holding public office. During the probe, investigators expanded the check period to examine financial transactions spanning nearly a decade.
The investigation revealed that the accused and his wife had amassed assets amounting to more than ₹57 lakh, exceeding their known income by over 180 percent. A chargesheet was subsequently filed, and the matter proceeded to trial.
After evaluating the evidence on record, the court found both accused guilty and pronounced the sentences, concluding a long-running case involving a serving public official.

CBI court jails excise inspector in DA case

Ahmedabad court awards five years RI to excise inspector, wife sentenced for abetment

Staged at Natarani on Saturday, 27th December, this reimagined Pinocchio made its intent clear from the start. No lies that made the nose grow. No fairytales told the old way.
The production stepped away from the familiar and into something far more urgent. Shaped by movement, imagination, and meaning, it spoke to the present without spelling anything out. It trusted the audience to feel first and interpret later.
What stood out immediately was the visual language of the show. The costumes, lighting, and sound design moved in complete sync, creating a world that felt fluid rather than fixed. Each choice appeared intentional, drawing from multiple cultures and artistic traditions. Instead of feeling fragmented, these influences merged into a cohesive aesthetic that felt both global and deeply human.
Music and language added further texture. Sounds shifted, rhythms travelled, and voices overlapped, turning the stage into a living space rather than a static set. The experience felt immersive, pulling the audience into the rhythm of the performance rather than holding them at a distance.
One of the most striking elements was the sheer number of performers and characters sharing the stage. Yet there was no sense of excess. What emerged instead was harmony. Every presence felt accounted for, every movement purposeful. The ensemble work became a quiet celebration of theatrical discipline and collective storytelling.
This Pinocchio was not interested in delivering neat moral lessons. It leaned instead into themes of hope, survival, and a subtler kind of magic. The kind rooted not in fantasy, but in shared effort, imagination, and belief.
When the lights finally dimmed, what lingered was not just spectacle, but the feeling that this story had been reclaimed and retold the way it deserved to be told now.

Pinocchio, Reimagined for a Restless Present

A visually rich, culturally layered retelling that replaces fairytales with hope and light

A chilling video of the accused in the Indore MBA student murder case has sparked outrage after he was seen smiling and appearing unconcerned when questioned about the crime.
The accused, Piyush Dhanotia, was arrested for allegedly raping and murdering his 25-year-old classmate in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Police said he strangled the woman on February 10 inside his rented accommodation and later locked the room before fleeing. Her partially decomposed body was discovered days later after residents complained of a foul smell.
However, what has intensified public anger is the accused&rsquo;s demeanour. In a video that surfaced online, Dhanotia is seen smiling when reporters ask him why he committed the crime. When pressed for answers, he responded dismissively, saying that what had happened had already happened and that he would speak at the right time. Throughout the interaction, he showed no visible sign of regret.
Police officials said he admitted during interrogation that he forced the woman into sexual acts and killed her when she resisted, though he has reportedly changed his version multiple times. Investigators are also examining allegations that he circulated objectionable videos of the victim in their college WhatsApp group.
The victim&rsquo;s father has accused the accused of blackmailing his daughter with obscene images and attempting to extort money.
As the investigation continues, the accused&rsquo;s apparent lack of remorse captured on camera has become a focal point of the case, drawing sharp reactions both online and offline.
&nbsp;

Video shows MBA student murder accused laughing amid probe

Indore Murder Accused Smiles on Camera

Galgotias University has landed in controversy after showcasing a robotic dog at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 that was widely believed to be developed by its students. The robot, however, was later identified as a commercially available product made by Chinese robotics firm Unitree Robotics.
The backlash began after a video from the summit went viral, in which a university professor introduced the robot dog, named &ldquo;Orion,&rdquo; and referred to it as being developed at the institution&rsquo;s Centre of Excellence. Social media users were quick to point out that the machine closely resembled Unitree&rsquo;s quadruped robots, which are already available globally for research and industrial use.
Unitree is known for manufacturing advanced four-legged robots designed for tasks such as inspection, obstacle navigation and research applications. Its products are often compared to models developed by global robotics players.
Following the uproar, the Greater Noida-based university issued a clarification stating that it never claimed to have built the robot. It maintained that the robodog was purchased as part of its AI investment initiatives and is being used as a research and learning tool for students. Another faculty member present at the summit reiterated that the display had been misinterpreted and that there was no attempt to conceal the original manufacturer&rsquo;s branding.
Despite the clarification, sources familiar with the developments said the university was asked to vacate its pavilion at the summit amid mounting criticism. The institution, however, denied receiving any formal directive from the organisers or the ministry.
Notably, the robotic dog was removed from display shortly after the controversy escalated online.

Robodog row sparks backlash at India AI Impact Summit 2026

Galgotias Asked to Exit AI Summit

Actor Sidharth Malhotra is mourning the loss of his father, Sunil Malhotra, who passed away recently. The actor shared the news with an emotional message on social media. His wife, Kiara Advani, has now also paid a heartfelt tribute to her father-in-law.
On Wednesday, Kiara took to Instagram to share pictures from her wedding reception, where she and Sidharth were seen smiling alongside his parents. In a deeply personal note, she remembered Sunil Malhotra as a warm, generous, and steady presence in the family. She reflected on how he welcomed her with open arms and unconditional love, describing his kindness, wisdom, and unwavering devotion to his family.
Kiara wrote that his stories, laughter, and quiet strength would remain with her forever. She added that his legacy of integrity and gentleness lives on through his children and grandchildren. Concluding her message, she expressed that he would always be loved and remembered.
The couple is currently in Delhi with their family during this difficult period. Members of the film industry extended their condolences online. Jacqueline Fernandez offered prayers, while Karan Johar and Manish Malhotra shared messages of support.
On the professional front, Sidharth will next appear in Vvan: Force of The Forest, directed by Arunabh Kumar and Deepak Mishra and produced by Balaji Motion Pictures. The film also stars Tamannaah Bhatia and is slated for release later this year.
Kiara, meanwhile, awaits the release of Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups, directed by Geetu Mohandas. The film features Yash, Nayanthara, Tara Sutaria, Huma Qureshi, and Rukmini Vasanth in key roles. The film is expected to release on March 19, alongside Dhurandhar 2, directed by Aditya Dhar.

Actor pens heartfelt note after Sunil Malhotra’s passing

Kiara Mourns Sidharth’s Father

Days after 23-year-old Sahil Dhaneshra lost his life in a fatal SUV crash in Delhi&rsquo;s Dwarka, the father of the 17-year-old accused has expressed regret over the incident, stating that his family is &ldquo;deeply grief-stricken.&rdquo; He also confirmed that the Scorpio SUV involved in the accident is part of his commercial transport business.
The crash occurred around 11:50 am on February 3 near Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management in Sector 11, Dwarka. According to police, the SUV rammed into a Yamaha R15 motorcycle, killing Sahil on the spot. The vehicle then struck a parked Swift Dzire, injuring cab driver Ajit Singh.
Post-mortem findings revealed that Sahil sustained a fractured skull, multiple rib fractures, and an elbow injury due to the high-impact collision.
The minor driver was detained at the scene and booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rash driving, negligence causing death, and endangering life. He was later presented before the Juvenile Justice Board and sent to an observation home. On February 10, he was granted interim bail to appear for his Class 10 board examinations.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police registered a separate case against the boy&rsquo;s father under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which holds guardians or vehicle owners accountable when a minor commits a traffic offence.
Speaking to the media after being questioned, the father said he was not in the city at the time of the accident and was unaware that his son had taken the vehicle. He stated that the family has cooperated with investigators and provided all necessary documents.
Sahil&rsquo;s mother alleged that her son was killed by a &ldquo;reckless teen&rdquo; just minutes away from his workplace. The 23-year-old, who worked part-time at an insurance firm, had plans to pursue higher studies in the United Kingdom later this year.

Minor held in SUV crash; father booked under MV Act provisions

Dwarka Crash: Accused’s Father Apologises

The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday set aside a March 2025 judgment of the Allahabad High Court that had ruled that grabbing a minor girl&rsquo;s breasts and dragging her under a culvert did not amount to an attempt to rape. The apex court termed the ruling a &ldquo;patently erroneous&rdquo; application of criminal law principles.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and N.V. Anjaria, held that the high court had incorrectly reduced the charges from attempt to rape under Section 376 read with Section 511 of the IPC and Section 18 of the POCSO Act to lesser offences. The court restored the original summons issued by the Special POCSO Court in Kasganj, clarifying that its observations were prima facie and would not influence the trial&rsquo;s outcome.
Rejecting the high court&rsquo;s reasoning that the accused had merely &ldquo;prepared&rdquo; to commit rape, the Supreme Court reiterated the settled distinction between preparation and attempt, noting that an attempt begins when intent moves into execution. Based on the allegations, including forcibly taking the minor on a motorcycle, dragging her near a culvert, and fleeing only after she screamed, the Bench held that a prima facie case of attempt to rape was clearly made out.
The proceedings were initiated suo motu after senior advocate Shobha Gupta raised concerns over the high court&rsquo;s reasoning. The Supreme Court had earlier stayed the controversial observations and later the entire judgment.
Beyond correcting the legal error, the court addressed a broader concern about insensitivity in judicial handling of sexual offence cases. It requested the National Judicial Academy in Bhopal to constitute a five-member expert committee to frame guidelines aimed at fostering compassion and sensitivity in courts, especially in cases involving minors and vulnerable victims.
The committee, to be chaired by former Supreme Court judge Justice Aniruddha Bose, has been directed to submit a report within three months. The guidelines are to be drafted in simple, accessible language and tailored to Indian realities to ensure they are understandable to victims and laypersons alike.

Top court restores rape attempt charge, seeks sensitivity guidelines

SC Sets Aside HC Order in POCSO Case

India&rsquo;s merchandise imports from Russia plunged by over 40% in January 2026, falling to about $2.86 billion from $4.81 billion a year earlier, official trade figures show, largely reflecting a steep reduction in crude oil purchases.
Crude oil typically accounts for roughly 80% of India&rsquo;s imports from Russia, and estimates suggest purchases of Russian crude last month were significantly lower than in previous years. Other goods imported from Russia include coal, fertilisers, iron, pulses, and precious stones, but these have not offset the slump in oil imports. The downturn in oil imports intensified after mid-2025, following punitive tariffs levied by the United States on Indian goods connected to purchases of Russian oil and ongoing diplomatic pressure. India&rsquo;s refiners, including some major private and state firms, have substantially reduced or halted buying Russian crude as they explore alternative sources.
In early February 2026, Washington eased the additional tariff on Indian products after New Delhi signalled a commitment to &ldquo;stop directly or indirectly importing&rdquo; Russian oil and to increase purchases of energy products from the United States, as well as broadening ties in global energy markets.
Analysts expect the shift in crude sourcing to continue, with Indian refiners eyeing other suppliers, including Middle Eastern and Venezuelan grades, as part of broader diversification strategies.

January sees 40% fall in Russia merchandise imports amid crude cutbacks

India’s Russia Imports Drop Sharply

A 27-year-old man has been arrested in Andhra Pradesh&rsquo;s Annamayya district for allegedly abducting and murdering a seven-year-old girl from his neighbourhood in Madanapalle town.
The child had been playing outside her home on Sunday evening when she went missing, sparking panic among her family and local residents. A missing complaint was filed the following morning, prompting an intensive search operation led by district police.
Investigators reviewed CCTV footage from across the town, which reportedly showed the suspect, a neighbour living opposite the victim&rsquo;s house, taking the child into his residence. Acting on this lead, police searched the house on Tuesday morning.
During the inspection, officers discovered the girl&rsquo;s body concealed inside a water storage drum within the premises. The accused was present at the house at the time and was immediately taken into custody.
Preliminary findings suggest the child was killed inside the residence on Sunday night, and her body was hidden thereafter. Authorities are probing whether sexual assault occurred before the murder, with confirmation pending post-mortem and forensic examination results.
Following the discovery, tensions escalated in the area. Residents and family members staged a protest on the Madanapalle highway, briefly preventing police from shifting the body to the government hospital for autopsy and demanding strict punishment for the accused.
Police have stated that all possible angles, including prior allegations of inappropriate behaviour by the suspect, are being examined as the investigation continues.

Child’s body found in drum; protest erupts in Madanapalle town

7-Year-Old Killed, Neighbour Arrested

The United States and Iran held their second round of indirect negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, as diplomatic efforts continue amid heightened regional tensions. While both sides indicated forward movement in discussions, parallel military developments have added complexity to the fragile engagement.
Reports suggest the US has significantly reinforced its military presence in the Middle East. Over 50 advanced fighter aircraft, including F-35, F-22 and F-16 jets, were reportedly repositioned to the region within a 24-hour window. The deployment follows Washington&rsquo;s decision to send a second aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to Middle Eastern waters, underscoring its strategic posture.
Despite the show of force, the Geneva discussions were described as substantive and focused. Iranian officials signalled that preliminary understandings were reached on broad guiding principles that could shape a future agreement. However, they cautioned that drafting and finalising any deal would take time.
On the American side, officials maintained that the talks unfolded largely as anticipated. Washington&rsquo;s core objective remains preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, a position repeatedly emphasised by senior US leadership.
Meanwhile, regional tensions persisted. Iran temporarily restricted navigation in parts of the Strait of Hormuz during a naval drill, highlighting the waterway&rsquo;s vulnerability. Additionally, US leaders suggested that differences remain over key conditions laid out by President Donald Trump.
As diplomacy continues, both nations appear to be balancing dialogue with deterrence, leaving the broader geopolitical landscape uncertain.

Second Geneva round shows progress as military moves raise stakes

US-Iran Talks Advance Amid Rising Tensions

Delhi University has imposed a month-long ban on public meetings, demonstrations, rallies and protests across its campus, citing concerns over traffic disruption, safety risks and potential disturbance to public order.
The order, issued on February 17 by the university&rsquo;s proctor&rsquo;s office, prohibits gatherings of five or more persons, slogan-shouting, speeches and the carrying of materials such as torches or similar items that could pose safety hazards. The directive takes immediate effect and will remain in force for one month unless withdrawn earlier.
University authorities stated that the decision followed inputs suggesting that unrestricted gatherings could escalate and adversely impact law and order within the campus. The order also referenced prior directions issued by the assistant commissioner of police in the Civil Lines area restricting public meetings and activities that may affect public tranquillity or traffic flow.
The move comes after recent tensions on campus. Last week, the Delhi Police registered two FIRs following a clash between student groups during protests over the University Grants Commission&rsquo;s proposed anti-caste discrimination rules. The rules have currently been put on hold by the Supreme Court of India amid differing views among student groups.
In another incident on February 12, historian S. Irfan Habib had water thrown at him while addressing a programme on social justice.
Reacting to the order, Mithuraj Dhusiya, associate professor at Hansraj College and member of DU&rsquo;s executive council, described the decision as a sweeping restriction.

Order follows clashes and safety concerns at Delhi University

Ahmedabad News