PingPatrika

PM Modi Sought GST Reforms 8 Months Ago: What It Means for You – PingPatrika Analysis Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman , in an exclusive conversation with Network18/CNN-News18, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged a comprehensive rethink of the Goods & Services Tax (GST) nearly eight months ago . That early push, she noted, shaped the latest decisions of the 56th GST Council meeting —from rationalising slabs to easing compliance for small businesses and reducing rates on everyday essentials. The Big Picture PM’s brief: Simplify GST for common people and small businesses, cut unnecessary complexity, and respect honest taxpayers. FM’s follow-through: Workstreams began months ago; proposals matured around the Budget; were refined after subsequent developments; and were placed before the Council. Council outcome: A historic move towards a dual-rate GST , sharper focus on essentials, and a clearer path for “sin & luxury” goods. What Exactly Did the PM ...

'Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra' Movie Review: Promising World-Building Hampered by Cliches 'Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra' Movie Review: Promising World-Building Hampered by Cliches Superhero thrillers in Malayalam are rare to come by, but after the phenomenal success of 'Minnal Murali' , the genre had somewhat disappeared. Now, director Dominic Arun has revived it with 'Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra' , a film that combines Malayalam folklore with the superhero genre. But does it manage to create a lasting impact? Let’s find out! The Story & Characters 'Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra' follows the story of Chandra (played by Kalyani Priyadarshan), a mysterious woman with superpowers. She arrives in Bengaluru on a mission linked to the underworld of organ trafficking. The city is facing a series of missing persons' cases. Chandra, who takes up a bakery job, soon becomes the center...

Julia Roberts Defends MeToo-Themed Film 'After The Hunt' at Venice Film Festival Julia Roberts Defends MeToo-Themed Film 'After The Hunt' at Venice Film Festival Actor Julia Roberts defended her #MeToo-themed crime-thriller 'After The Hunt' at the Venice International Film Festival. She responded to questions about whether the film undermines the feminist movement and sparked debate about misconduct. Roberts Addresses Questions on Feminism and Complicity At the press conference, Roberts, alongside director Luca Guadagnino, shared her thoughts on the movie's provocation. "I don't think it revives an old argument of women being pitted against one another," Roberts said. She emphasized that the film's purpose is to ignite conversation, stating, "Not everything is supposed to make you feel comfortable." The movie challenges societal perceptions around mi...

Reliance Teams Up with Meta to Bring AI Solutions to India Reliance and Meta Join Forces to Revolutionize AI for Indian Enterprises Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has partnered with Meta to launch a groundbreaking joint venture aimed at developing affordable enterprise-grade Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions for businesses across India. This collaboration will leverage Meta’s open-source Llama models to create a suite of powerful AI tools and platforms that can help Indian businesses across various industries improve operational efficiency. Partnership to Create Scalable AI Solutions for Businesses The new venture between Reliance and Meta is focused on providing enterprise-level AI solutions that are accessible and scalable for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large corporations. Meta's Llama models will form the foundation of these AI tools, designed to enhance key business func...

GST Rate Cuts: Will the Categorization Affect Your Savings? GST Rate Cuts: Will the Categorization Affect Your Savings? The upcoming 56th GST Council meeting in New Delhi on 3–4 September is set to discuss significant changes in the GST structure. The key agenda includes widening the nil-rate slab, merging the rates, and reducing GST on various items that are currently taxed at 18%. These changes come just in time for the festive season and promise to offer savings on everyday products, but there’s a catch—how these products are categorized will determine the impact on your final bill. What’s Changing in GST? The government is considering major reforms to make the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure more streamlined. If approved, many household essentials will likely fall under the nil-rate category, leading to potential price cuts. Items like UHT milk, pre-packaged paneer (chena), pizza bread, khakhra,...

Mirabai Chanu: From Broken After Rio to Commonwealth Champion — The Story of Resilience Mirabai Chanu: From Broken After Rio to Commonwealth Champion — The Story of Resilience By PingPatrika Sport Desk Saikhom Mirabai Chanu has once again shown why true sportsmanship is defined by the ability to rise stronger after failure. The Manipur-born weightlifter, who claimed gold at the 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships, almost walked away from the sport after a devastating experience at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Her comeback — powered by grit, family support and mental conditioning — is now part of a remarkable career that includes world and Olympic medals. The low after Rio 2016 Before Rio, Mirabai was one of India’s brightest medal prospects. At the national selection trials she shattered a 12-year-old record by lifting 85 kg in the snatch and 107 kg in the clean and jerk for a combined 192 kg — a performance that raised hopes across the country. But at ...

Modi Highlights India's Political and Economic Stability at India-Japan Forum in Tokyo Modi Highlights India's Political and Economic Stability at India-Japan Forum in Tokyo By PingPatrika • Tokyo report Prime Minister Narendra Modi used a major economic platform in Tokyo to underline India's political and economic stability and to reiterate New Delhi's ambition to become the world's third-largest economy in the near future. His remarks came amid heightened trade tensions between India and the United States after Washington sharply raised tariffs on a range of Indian goods. “Today, India has political stability, economic stability, transparency in policy, and predictability. Today, India is the fastest-growing major economy in the world. And, very soon, it is going to become the third largest economy in the world,” Modi said at the India-Japan Economic Forum in Tokyo. Modi stresses growth, predictability and investor returns ...