Maheshwar

While the govt’s move to an online test can address some of the issues, experts say the deeper problems lie in the huge fee gap between govt and private medical colleges, leaving millions competing for limited affordable seats

Panic buying has gripped Nabarangpur and Koraput districts as fuel supply disruptions, linked to the West Asia conflict, cause partial petrol pump closures and long queues. Authorities have imposed sale limits to prevent hoarding, while assuring sufficient stock and transit supplies. Officials urge the public to avoid unnecessary rushes, attributing some demand to price hike rumours.

PUNCHING IT WITH INDORE STORY... VENU

In a unique Navami tradition, Naurangiya village in Bihar emptied for 12 hours, with residents and livestock retreating to nearby forests. This Tharu community ritual, believed to appease a deity and ward off calamities, has roots in past epidemics and disasters. Villagers spend the day in the forest, fostering a community spirit, before returning to their homes.

Biocon chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw received assurance from Union Minister Nitin Gadkari that Hosur Road in Hebbagodi will be repaired by month-end. This follows Shaw's public criticism of the road's poor condition. Meanwhile, over 1,000 Biocon employees have transitioned to public transport as part of a corporate initiative to ease Bengaluru's traffic congestion.