Andhra Pradesh is set to welcome its new Chief Secretary, K Vijayanand, who will assume the role on December 31. Vijayanand, an IAS officer from the 1992 batch, will replace Neerabh Kumar Prasad, who is retiring after reaching the age of superannuation. Neerabh Kumar Prasad had been serving as Chief Secretary since shortly after the Andhra Pradesh elections in June 2024. His retirement has led to the swift appointment of K Vijayanand, a highly respected and experienced IAS officer.

In 2024, the wedding industry in India has seen a resurgence in spending after the lull caused by the pandemic, with metropolitan cities driving a significant increase in demand for wedding services. Wedding budgets have grown by 6.7%, with the average expenditure reaching Rs 35.6 lakh. As wedding costs rise, so has the demand for gold and jewelry, especially due to the soaring prices of gold, which have increased from Rs 63,500 to Rs 80,000 per 10 grams. Destination weddings, which

In a recent lecture on ‘India – The Vishwaguru' in Pune, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat expressed concern over the resurgence of temple-mosque disputes, stating that certain individuals seem to believe they can become "leaders of Hindus" by stirring such controversies. Bhagwat emphasized the importance of fostering an inclusive society and stressed that India should set an example for the world in living together harmoniously. He pointed out the country's long-standing

In a swift move following Chrystia Freeland’s resignation as Canada’s Finance Minister, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed long-time ally Dominic LeBlanc to the pivotal role. The 57-year-old LeBlanc, who previously served as Public Safety Minister, now faces the daunting task of managing Canada’s finances amidst a growing Can$62 billion deficit—far exceeding initial projections. The Canadian economy is also grappling with various challenges, including the looming

Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s Prime Minister, is known for insisting on using the masculine form of her title - Il Presidente del Consiglio - a bold statement of her assertive leadership style. She gained attention after President Vincenzo De Luca of Campania region insulted her, only for Meloni to turn up to his region and confront him with humor, calling herself "that b****, Meloni." This interaction reflects her fearless attitude and determination to stand her ground. R

A recent survey by global real estate services firm JLL reveals that Indian organisations require more office attendance compared to the global average. According to the Future of Work Survey 2024 – India Insights, 90% of Indian employers mandate at least three days of office presence per week, which is higher than the global average of 85%. Moreover, over half (54%) of Indian organisations anticipate an increase in the number of office days by 2030, surpassing the global expec

On the 75th anniversary of the adoption of India's Constitution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed his commitment to performing his duties within the Constitution's framework. In his speech at the Supreme Court during Constitution Day celebrations, he clarified that his actions have always aligned with constitutional provisions without overstepping boundaries. Modi addressed opposition claims that efforts were underway to undermine the Constitution and asserted that his governme

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde tendered his resignation to Governor CP Radhakrishnan on Tuesday following the results of the assembly elections. Despite a significant victory for the Mahayuti coalition, which includes the BJP, Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, the decision on who will succeed Shinde as the new CM remains uncertain. Accompanied by Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, Shinde visited the Raj Bhavan to submit his resignation

The much-anticipated release of Pushpa 2 is set for December 5, and it’s already making waves in both the Tollywood industry and Andhra Pradesh's political circles. Recently, YCP leader Ambati Rambabu weighed in on the film, expressing his belief that no political forces could prevent the film from succeeding at the box office. He specifically alluded to efforts by the NDA government and its supporters trying to hinder the movie's progress, drawing a comparison to the f

Melania Trump will not be attending the traditional White House meeting on Wednesday with first lady Jill Biden, sources said. Traditionally, when the outgoing President hosts the incoming President-elect in the Oval Office, the first lady hosts her successor for tea in the residence. Michelle Obama hosted Melania Trump for tea in the Yellow Room after the 2016 election. However, Melania Trump did not meet with Jill Biden after the contentious 2020 race as Donald Trump repeatedly claimed he w

The Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister, Payyavula Keshav, presented a Budget of Rs 2,94,427 crore for the financial year 2024-25, marking a 5.40% increase from the previous year. The budget allocation includes Rs 2,35,916 crore for revenue expenditure and Rs 32,712 crore for capital expenditure. The estimated revenue deficit is around Rs 34,743 crore, with a fiscal deficit of approximately Rs 68,742 crore, accounting for 4.19% and 2.12% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) respectively.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his warm wishes to Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on his birthday, praying for his long and healthy life. The Prime Minister took to social media to convey his regards, stating, "Best wishes to Telangana CM Revanth Reddy Ji on his birthday. I pray for his long and healthy life." CM Reddy, in response, expressed gratitude for the kind wishes from PM Modi and thanked him for the gesture. Telugu actor Chiranjeevi also joined in to

Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu is reportedly planning to reshuffle his cabinet after the Sankranti festival in January. Sources close to the power center in the state suggest that Naidu is dissatisfied with the performance of three to four ministers in the current cabinet and is considering dropping them during the reshuffle. These ministers have allegedly been given hints about their potential removal from the cabinet. One of the

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan recently made a bold move by publicly revealing widespread public dissatisfaction with Chandrababu Naidu's government. This is a rare occurrence as no Deputy Chief Minister usually opens up about such issues publicly. The move has sparked discussions and criticism, shedding light on the underlying issues plaguing the government. Critics have pointed out three primary issues that are damaging the government's reputation and inciting public f

Jana Sena Party president and Andhra Pradesh deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan recently launched a scathing attack on his cabinet colleague, home minister Vangalapudi Anitha, over the functioning of the police department. This move has sparked debate among analysts, who believe that Kalyan may have overstepped his boundaries as an alliance partner. While Kalyan's concerns about the breakdown of law and order and atrocities against women are valid, some analysts argue that he should have

In recent years, urban Indians have dramatically shifted their spending habits, favoring experiences over traditional retail and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). According to a CLSA report, this trend is epitomized by the overwhelming demand for concert tickets, particularly for the much-anticipated Coldplay shows in January 2025, which sold out within minutes. The massive interest has even led to a third concert being added to accommodate fans, with tickets now fetching prices up to five t

Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh has been appointed as the next Chief of the Air Staff, effective September 30, 2024. This significant transition will see him succeed the outgoing Chief, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, who will demit office on the same day. Currently serving as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Singh brings a wealth of experience to this pivotal role. Commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 1984, Singh’s career spans sever

Udhayanidhi Stalin, the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, is expected to be promoted to the position of Deputy Chief Minister, according to sources. A formal announcement from Governor RN Ravi’s office is anticipated later today. Speculation about his elevation has been circulating for months, with party insiders suggesting it aims to bolster the DMK’s leadership in preparation for the 2026 Assembly elections. Having played a pivotal role in the DMK’s rec

The Andhra Pradesh government has officially announced a new liquor policy that will take effect on October 1st, marking a significant shift in the state's approach to alcohol sales and pricing. Excise Minister Kollu Ravi held a media briefing to outline the key features of the forthcoming policy, aiming to address longstanding issues related to overpriced liquor and accessibility for the general public. One of the main points raised by Minister Ravi was the problem of inflated

Kejriwal’s Resignation: Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, resigned from his position on Tuesday evening, making way for colleague Atishi to take over. This decision follows a dramatic four-day period after Kejriwal's release on bail related to the liquor policy case. Atishi’s Appointment: Atishi, newly appointed as the leader of the legislative party, will serve as the acting Chief Minister unt