Business
PM Modi Likely To Launch New Trains Linking Aizawl With Delhi, Kolkata And Guwahati
Guwahati/Aizawl: After the expected inauguration of the Bairabi–Sairang new railway project on September 13 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian Railways is set to introduce three pairs of new train services connecting the Mizoram capital Aizawl with the national capital, Guwahati and Kolkata, officials said on Thursday.
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said that Indian Railways is pleased to announce the introduction of three new pairs of train services from the newly built Sairang station in Aizawl.
A senior Mizoram government official said that the Prime Minister accompanied by state Chief Minister Lalduhoma and a few Central Ministers would flag off the three new trains after the inauguration of the Bairabi–Sairang new railway project on Saturday.
The NFR CPRO said that these trains would greatly enhance rail connectivity between the state capital of Mizoram with important destinations across the country.
The inaugural runs of all three pairs of trains will take place on September 13 (Saturday), followed by the commencement of regular services on the notified dates.
The three trains are Sairang-Anand Vihar (Delhi) Rajdhani Express (weekly), Kolkata-Sairang-Kolkata Express (tri-weekly) and Guwahati-Sairang-Guwahati Express (daily).
The Sairang-Anand Vihar Rajdhani Express will run via Badarpur junction, Guwahati, New Jalpaiguri, Malda Town, Bhagalpur during its journeys while the Sairang-Kolkata Express (tri-weekly) trains will run via Badarpur junction, Guwahati, Goalpara Town, Golakganj, New Jalpaiguri, Malda Town to reach its destinations in Kolkata.
The details of stoppages and timings of these trains are available at IRCTC website and are also being notified in social media platforms of Northeast Frontier Railway, Sharma said and requested the passengers to verify the details before undertaking their journey.
The 51.38 km Bairabi (near Assam’s Hailakandi district)-Sairang (near Aizawl city) railway project will make Aizawl the fourth capital city in the Northeast region to be connected by railways after Guwahati, Agartala and Itanagar.
Senior officials of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), led by General Manager (Construction) Arun Kumar Chaudhary, are making hectic preparations to give final touches to the railway project and arrangements for the inauguration.
Union Ministers and senior officials of several ministries, including the Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Tribal Affairs, Road Transport and Highways, would be present at the events.
The NFR CPRO earlier said that the 51.38-km-long Bairabi-Sairang new line railway project is considered an engineering marvel of Indian Railways, built at an estimated cost of Rs 8,071 crore.
The project consists of 48 tunnels, 55 major bridges and 87 minor bridges and includes tunnels with a total length of 12,853 metres, with the longest tunnel (Tunnel No. 3) spanning about two km.
The height of bridge number 196 is 114 metres, which is 42 metres taller than the Qutub Minar, the CPRO added.
The project also includes five Road Over Bridges and six Road Under Bridges. This new line project also includes construction of four new stations — Hortoki, Kawnpui, Mualkhang and Sairang.
Despite the challenging terrain, the NFR has accomplished remarkable work in extending rail connectivity to Aizawl, overcoming significant geographical and engineering hurdles to make this long-awaited project a reality, CPRO Sharma said.
Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on September 9 held a meeting with senior officials to review preparations for the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate the Bairabi–Sairang new railway project on September 13.
An official of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Prime Minister would also likely address a public gathering at the Assam Rifles ground on September 13 and the public meeting would be organised in connection with the inauguration of the Bairabi–Sairang new railway project.
However, the Prime Minister’s final schedule of Mizoram visit has not yet been announced by the PMO.
From Aizawl, the Prime Minister is likely to visit Manipur capital Imphal and tribal inhabited Churachandpur and address the gatherings in both the places.
Security and other necessary arrangements are in full swing both in Imphal and Churachandpur.
Business
European airports cyber attack: Indian airports remain unaffected; Heathrow, Berlin & others face delays – The Times of India
Indian airports have so far remained safe from the cyber attack that has swept across many airports in Europe, a senior government official told PTI on Saturday.London Heathrow, Berlin and several other European airports are facing operational disruptions after a cyber-attack on Collins Aerospace systems, used at the airports.Following the incident in Europe, Indian authorities checked the situation at domestic airports, the official further said, adding that there has been no adverse impact on Indian airports linked to the European cyber security incident.The official added that the Collins MUSE system, which was targeted, is mainly used in Europe. Only a handful of airports there have been affected.No Indian airport operator has made any comment about the issue yet.“A third-party passenger system disruption at Heathrow may cause delays in the check-in process. Our ground teams in London are working to minimise inconvenience,” Air India said in a post on X on Saturday afternoon.The airline also asked passengers flying from London that day to complete web check-in before reaching the airport to avoid long waits.The BBC reported that the cyber-attack has affected electronic check-in and baggage systems at several airports across Europe.
 "GST Reforms Reaffirm India’s Commitment To Empower Youth, Inclusive Growth")
New Delhi: The recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms represent a landmark step in reshaping India’s taxation system to better serve the aspirations of its youth, the Union Government said on Saturday. GST on leather, footwear, textiles, handicrafts, and toys has been reduced to 5 per cent to boost youth-led MSMEs and exports. Meanwhile, Essential learning materials like pencils, erasers, and exercise books have been made GST-free to ease education costs.
GST on gyms or fitness centres was slashed from 18 per cent to 5 per cent, making fitness more affordable and accessible. At the same time, the tax rates on two-wheelers (under 350cc) and small cars have been reduced from 28 per cent to 18 per cent, enhancing youth mobility.
Moreover, Healthcare has been made affordable with GST on medicines cut to 5 per cent or to Nil, while health insurance is exempted from GST. The government has also introduced a uniform 5 per cent GST on drones, supporting startups and the Make in India initiative.
Additionally, Daily food items like UHT milk, roti, paratha, paneer, and packaged snacks bear a rough under 5 per cent or a Nil tax slab, easing household expenses. The GST rationalisation also promotes affordability, healthier lifestyles, and improved ease of living for youth and households.
The Union government has also lowered the indirect tax on cement from 28 per cent to 18 per cent, lowering housing and infrastructure costs. By simplifying tax structures, reducing rates across key industries, and addressing long-standing anomalies, these reforms are designed to create an enabling environment for entrepreneurship, job creation, and affordable living.
Sectors with high youth participation—such as education, automobiles, technology, handicrafts, footwear, healthcare, food processing, and textiles —have been prioritised to lower costs, boost competitiveness, and encourage innovation. Beyond reducing the financial burden on households and businesses, the reforms strengthen India’s vision of inclusive growth, sustainability, and empowerment of the next generation.
DMart attracts a large number of shoppers, many of whom buy Maggi while stocking up on groceries. Unlike other stores, Maggi is consistently sold at a lower price at DMart, even though its printed rate remains higher. This pricing strategy sets DMart apart from other grocery retailers.
DMart attracts thousands of shoppers who can find a wide variety of products, both small and large. When purchasing groceries, many will have noticed that Maggi is offered at a lower price at DMart compared to other stores.
A YouTube video has provided an explanation for this phenomenon. The practice of deep discounting generates significant revenue for DMart, enabling the store to offer Maggi to its customers at a reduced rate.
Deep discounting involves selling a product at a very low price to boost sales volume. For example, if Raju Bhai sells 100 packets of Maggi at his shop daily for Rs. 14, he makes a profit of Rs. 5 per packet, totalling Rs. 500. In contrast, DMart sells 1,000 packets for Rs. 10 each, earning a profit of Rs. 3 per packet, which amounts to Rs. 3,000. This illustrates why DMart’s profits are substantial despite the lower prices, as the sales volume is significantly higher.
Raju Bhai has wondered how DMart manages to obtain such inexpensive goods. The video elucidates that large stores like DMart purchase goods in bulk directly from factories, leveraging their brand and reputation. Initially, they obtained packets from the Maggi company at the printed price, but due to large-scale purchases, the price now falls below the printed rate. This practice further boosts DMart’s profits. Smaller shops like Raju Bhai’s, which buy from wholesalers at Rs. 13-14 per packet, have to sell Maggi at the printed price.
DMart attracts customers with affordable Maggi. Consumers perceive Maggi at Rs. 14 as a deal, prompting them to buy milk, chips, and other items from the store as well. The video highlights this low-margin, high-volume approach, which results in lower profits per packet but higher overall revenue due to increased sales.
DMart’s strategy also focuses on expanding its market share. Competitive prices help the store build customer trust and secure long-term profits. Additionally, DMart’s efficient supply chain management reduces costs, allowing the store to maintain low prices.
DMart’s large stores are disrupting the market through volume and bulk purchasing. Customers opt for DMart due to its affordable prices and convenience. The company employs this deep discounting strategy to retain customers over time.
European airports cyber attack: Indian airports remain unaffected; Heathrow, Berlin & others face delays – The Times of India
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GST Reforms Reaffirm India’s Commitment To Empower Youth, Inclusive Growth
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