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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Visa crisis: US universities could see 70% drop in Indian students this fall; here's why
Representative Image HYDERABAD: With less than two weeks to go for the fall semester to begin, American universities could well see a 70% drop in Indian students this year, thanks to the ongoing freeze in visa appointment slots and a sudden spike in visa rejection rates. "By this time usually, most students are done with their visa interviews and are preparing to fly. This year, we're still refreshing the portal every day hoping for a slot to open. It's the worst in years," said Sanjeev Rai from Hyderabad Overseas Consultant. Lack of clarity adds to stress You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad While US authorities earlier assured that more visa slots would be released in phases, the lack of clarity is leaving students on the edge. Ankit Jain from Window Overseas Education Consultancy said: "Even when a few slots opened midweek, those who managed to book haven't received confirmation." He added tat it was possible the US authorities were testing the system. "There's no logical reason to open a handful of slots without confirming bookings," he said. Meanwhile, application withdrawals are simultaneously continuing. Students are increasingly exploring other options. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo "I really could not wait. I might just lose out on a year. It looks like a dead end at this point, hence I decided to withdraw my application," said a 23-year-old from the city, who is now exploring Germany for a master's in automotive engineering. "If slots aren't released in the next few days, thousands of dreams will be shattered. We are seeing about an 80% drop. We're getting panic calls every day from students and their parents," said Arvind Manduva from I20 Fever consultancy. Adding to the anxiety, students who applied as early as March and secured interview appointments are now reporting an unusually high rejection rate. "Many students who usually would have had smooth approvals are being turned away. Their social media was also clean. The only reason that everyone seems to be receiving is 214B," Jain added. Rejections spike under 214B 214B typically means the applicant didn't demonstrate sufficient ties to the home country to prove he or she would return after the temporary visit. India has been one of the largest senders of international students to the US, with over 3.3 lakh students flying out last year - the highest for the first time, surpassing China. "Many students who have been preparing for months are seeing their dream crash. However, what the US authorities are doing is not new. The rules, vetting, and scrutiny were in place for years; it is just effectively implemented now. This will filter out applicants," said Ravi Lothumalla from US Admission, an immigration consulting firm in Dallas, Texas. However, the US Consulate General in Hyderabad has shared that slots have resumed and has advised to check the embassy or consulate website for appointment availability. "We're working to fully vet visa applicants to ensure they do not intend to harm America or our interests, and that they credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms of their admission. We encourage applicants to apply as early as they can and to anticipate additional processing time for these visa categories," said a spokesperson from the US Consulate General Hyderabad.
Hindustan Times
10-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Hindustan Times
Want a livelier kitchen? 4 design tips to add pastel-themed colour and charm to your cooking zone
Kitchen interiors often lean towards utility, as homeowners who prioritise functionality often mistake it solely for a space to prep meals. But it is way more than that, it is a space where subtle intimate moments lie, from early morning rants over brewing coffee or late night meal prep for impulsive cravings with heart-to-heart conversations. To support these fleeting yet heartfelt moments of life, your kitchen needs to be lively. Kitchens that follow the pastel designs appear lively.(Shutterstock) Point being, kitchens have a lot of potential and deserve focus rather than just being utility-based. Ankit Jain, Founder, Specta Quartz Surfaces, shared with HT Lifestyle how pastel designs give a warm personality to the kitchen. Pastel kitchen is not a novel concept as it is already stepping into homes and hearts. Elaborating more on where pastel kitchens are gaining traction in India, Ankita said,'The answer lies in a deeper shift in how people want their homes to feel. From metros like Bangalore and Gurugram to tier-2 cities like Indore and Nagpur, there's a growing desire for warmth without heaviness, minimalism without coldness, and beauty without noise. Pastels offer exactly that, subtle, soft colours that visually expand smaller kitchens, balance busy lifestyles with calm energy, and pair effortlessly with modern modular layouts. However, this isn't just a visual trend. We've noticed that customers choosing pastel slabs for their kitchens are also signalling a shift in lifestyle aspiration; they want their homes to reflect clarity, lightness, and softness in a fast-moving world, a sanctuary of sorts.' Ankit Jain shared a detailed guide on pastel kitchens and how you can go about designing yours: 1. Start with the surface that matters the most Pastels in the kitchen aren't just for cabinets or backsplashes; when the countertop becomes the hero element, it sets the tone for the entire space. Quartz slabs in pastel finishes are making that possible. Unlike tiles or laminates, engineered quartz offers consistent colour, seamless surface flow, and the durability needed for Indian cooking, resisting turmeric stains, hot pots, knife scratches, and oil splatters. From soft mint greens to blush pinks and eggshell blues, pastel quartz comes in a wide palette. Whether you choose a matte finish for a minimal look or a subtle shimmer to catch the light, pastel quartz countertops can make your kitchen feel polished without trying too hard. 2. Choose your dreamy colour palette The colour palette of your kitchen will shape how it feels, whether it's open and airy, warm and cosy, or cool and minimal. Pastels are perfect for creating a sense of calm and spaciousness, and they adapt well to both classic and contemporary styles. Primary colours - Begin by picking a primary pastel that sets the tone. Mint green is a great place to start, it's clean, botanical, and pairs beautifully with both wood and white finishes. It gives the space a sense of freshness that doesn't feel clinical. - Begin by picking a primary pastel that sets the tone. Mint green is a great place to start, it's clean, botanical, and pairs beautifully with both wood and white finishes. It gives the space a sense of freshness that doesn't feel clinical. Secondary colours- Layer in a secondary colour to add interest and personality. Soft powder blue or blush pink are great complementary shades. Powder blue brings in a breezy, almost coastal charm, while blush pink adds gentle warmth. For a dreamy corner or a breakfast nook, lavender can be a lovely accent; it brings a relaxed, romantic feel without being overpowering. 3. Where and how to apply pastel colours Cabinets: Cabinets are one of the best places to showcase pastels. A full mint or pastel pink cabinet set can define the kitchen's identity and serve as a strong visual cue. Brass or matte gold hardware can elevate the look, keeping it stylish without losing its softness. Cabinets are one of the best places to showcase pastels. A full mint or pastel pink cabinet set can define the kitchen's identity and serve as a strong visual cue. Brass or matte gold hardware can elevate the look, keeping it stylish without losing its softness. Backsplash: It's where you can play with texture and contrast. Think geometric tiles, pastel subway patterns, or even custom quartz panels. For instance, yellow cabinets paired with a lavender quartz backsplash create a cheerful, storybook look. Off-white walls with mint green tiles, on the other hand, offer a sleek, urban aesthetic. Either way, the backsplash acts as a bridge between surfaces and can pull the entire colour scheme together. It's where you can play with texture and contrast. Think geometric tiles, pastel subway patterns, or even custom quartz panels. For instance, yellow cabinets paired with a lavender quartz backsplash create a cheerful, storybook look. Off-white walls with mint green tiles, on the other hand, offer a sleek, urban aesthetic. Either way, the backsplash acts as a bridge between surfaces and can pull the entire colour scheme together. Walls and ceilings: Walls and ceilings are often left neutral, but they can add an extra dimension to your pastel story. A soft eggshell blue wall or pale peach ceiling helps soften the space visually and reflects light, making compact kitchens feel brighter and bigger. Walls and ceilings are often left neutral, but they can add an extra dimension to your pastel story. A soft eggshell blue wall or pale peach ceiling helps soften the space visually and reflects light, making compact kitchens feel brighter and bigger. Appliances: Small appliances and everyday items are great places to reinforce your colour scheme. A pink stand mixer, a mint green toaster, or pastel-toned storage jars can add charm without cluttering the space. These finishing touches make the design feel intentional and complete. 4. Lighting Pastels truly come alive in the presence of good lighting, so it's important to design your kitchen with illumination in mind. Natural light is key. If your kitchen has the benefit of ample natural light, opt for cooler tones to make it look fresh and breezy. On the other hand, homeowners with compact kitchens, especially in city apartments with less natural light, can opt for warmer pastels to give the illusion of warmth. To maintain the look after hours, layer your artificial lighting thoughtfully. Use pendant lights above the island to create a focal glow, install under-cabinet LED strips to highlight backsplashes, and add wall sconces or ambient lighting near breakfast nooks or shelves. But if you are a minimalist and want to know how to design a white kitchen, check out this story: Too cool for colours? 5 design and decor tips to ace the all-white aesthetic for your kitchen
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
US-bound students anxious as visa slots unavailable
Representative Image HYDERABAD: With university deadlines fast approaching, thousands of US-bound students are staring at a blank screen—literally. Despite recent announcements from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that visa slots would open soon, no new appointments have been released yet, leaving students across Hyderabad anxious and desperate. 'I check the portal at least 20 times a day, hoping something shows up,' said a 23-year-old who secured admission to a master's programme in California. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad 'All my documents are ready, my fees are paid, but now I might miss my intake simply because I can't get an interview.' Consultants across the city confirmed the bottleneck. Ankit Jain from One Windows Overseas Consultancy said, 'We were expecting slots by the end of June. Now we're in July and there's complete silence. Many are continuing to withdraw their applications or deferring admissions.' In the absence of official updates, many students are clinging to whatever tips they can find, often relying on peer networks and online communities. 'We were advised to keep our social media accounts public, but there is little clarity on what to do next,' said another applicant, who is headed to a university in New Jersey. 'It feels absurd, but we're desperate.' What's compounding the stress is a sharp increase in visa rejections, even among those who managed to get slots earlier this year. 'We've never seen rejection rates like this. Strong academic profiles, full scholarships, none of it is guaranteeing approval. It's extremely worrying,' said Rajni Mankotia from Way 2 Abroad Consultancy. She added the situation may be a mix of increased scrutiny, high application volume, and shifting immigration policies, but the lack of transparency is what's proving most damaging. 'The US has always been a top destination for Indian students, but this year's experience is shaking that trust. There needs to be clearer communication from the embassy so students aren't left hanging. If they will secure slots in the next days, they will miss out on the fall intake,' said Arvind Manduva from I20 Fever. 'Under new guidance, we will conduct a comprehensive and thorough vetting, including online presence, of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant classifications,' said a spokesperson from US Consulate General Hyderabad. They further said, 'Consular sections constantly adjust their schedules to allow for sufficient time to fully vet the cases to ensure our visa operations around the world meet the highest standards.'
Mint
01-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Why 125+ CFOs have resigned in Q1. Hint: it's personal
Mumbai: More than 125 chief financial officers (CFOs) have exited listed companies in the first three months of FY26 — a sharp 25% jump from a year earlier — as per disclosures made to the BSE. Some of them walked out overnight, citing a cryptic phrase, 'personal reasons'. The sudden resignation last Monday of Mastek Ltd's CFO Raghavendra Jha, barely a month into the job, is the latest in a string of such departures. In a one-line email addressed to the company's chief executive, Jha said he was putting in his papers due to personal reasons, without providing any other detail. Such exits have cast doubts about corporate governance and regulatory compliance. When a listed company's key managerial personnel, including CFOs, resign, they are required to provide a detailed reason for their departure, as per the listing obligations and disclosure requirements of market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi). Experts said the KMPs are merely ticking the box in terms of complying with this requirement by citing vague reasons when resigning. 'The abrupt resignation of key managerial personnel, especially CFOs, often signals deeper issues within a company," said V. Balakrishnan, a former CFO at IT services major Infosys Ltd and founder of Exfinity Ventures, a venture capital fund. 'While regulators require disclosure of resignation reasons, the frequent use of vague terms like 'personal reasons' has become a convenient cover." Balakrishnan pointed out that in several instances, irregularities at companies have surfaced shortly after such exits. For example, Ankit Jain, the former CFO of Gensol Engineering, resigned in early March citing personal reasons and pursuit of other professional avenues as the reason for his departure. A month later, Sebi released its interim order against the company and its promoters, disclosing severe lapses in governance and diversion of funds. Similarly, IndusInd Bank's former CFO Gobind Jain's resignation this January was followed in March by the bank disclosing that it had financial discrepancies of over ₹2,000 crore in its derivatives portfolio. Jain had cited personal travel to the US and pursuit of other career opportunities as the reason for his exit. 'This raises serious concerns and strengthens the case for Sebi to broaden the disclosure mandate," said Balakrishnan. 'The onus must be on the board to reconcile these stated reasons with any financial lapses discovered later, and to be held accountable for any oversight or complicity." Currently, Ankit Jain is the CFO of SB-Constantia Flexibles, a joint venture between Constantia, an Austrian firm, and SB Packagings, a Delhi-based packaging firm. To be sure, in most cases when executives resign citing personal reasons, they end up joining a different firm. The pursuit of another career is the second most-cited reason for exits. However, experts say that the ambiguity created by this term allows even cases where there are serious issues at the firm to pass under the radar. Shriram Subramanian, a corporate governance expert and managing director of proxy advisory firm InGovern, said boards need to be cognizant that they are working in the interest of shareholders. 'If there is any other reason for the resignation like fraud or disciplinary action, they should disclose as much to the exchanges instead of letting it slide as 'personal reason'," he said. Meanwhile, Mumbai-headquartered IT services company Mastek, which ended FY25 with $408.4 million in revenue and is valued at $890 million, said there were no governance concerns behind CFO Jha's resignation in just over a month of joining. Jha did not respond toMint's messages requesting comment. 'We are not happy with having two CFOs in the last six months; it creates a wrong impression," said Ashank Desai, the company's chairman. Last December, Arun Agarwal had resigned as CFO after serving in the role for just over four years. 'Mastek stands for the highest corporate governance. I can vouch for it," said Desai, who co-founded the company in 1982.
Hindustan Times
30-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: 2 J&K men arrested for illegal transport of sheep on GT Road
In a case of animal cruelty, Sahnewal police has arrested two individuals hailing from Jammu and Kashmir for illegally transporting 386 sheep from the Gazipur Bakra Mandi, Delhi, in a severely inhumane manner. The animals were being transported to a slaughterhouse in Jammu. The injured animals have been sent for treatment to a government-run cow shelter in Macchiwara. (HT Photo) The accused, identified as Manjoor Muhammad and Shauqat Ahmed Thakur, were caught near Jugiana village on GT Road while driving two overloaded trucks laden with sheep, more than the vehicles' capacity. Police said that the animals were found crammed inside, with no space to move, leaving many of them injured and visibly unwell. Notably, the incident came to light when Mani Singh, president of NGO 'Help for Animals' and his colleague Ankit Jain, found their trucks suspicious, while returning from an animal welfare survey. According to Mani Singh and Ankit Jain, they were on their way to Ludhiana when they noticed two suspicious trucks from which animal waste was falling onto the road. Surprisingly, the legs of several animals were also dangling from the rear portion of the truck, prompting them to stop the vehicles and inspect the trucks. Upon checking, they discovered that over 376 sheep were stacked one over the other inside the trucks with barely any space to move or breathe. Many were visibly injured, exhausted, and covered in filth, while some were lying motionless due to suffocation. Following this, they immediately dialled the police helpline to report the matter. Officials soon arrived at the spot and registered a formal complaint under sections 325 of BNS and Section 11(A) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals act, leading to the arrest of the drivers and the confiscation of their vehicles, Singh said. Confirming the arrests, assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Gurmeet Singh of Sahnewal police station said, 'We have arrested the individuals for illegal and inhumane transportation. As per norms, only 50 to 60 sheep are allowed in a six-tyre truck, but they were transporting 176 and 210 sheep, respectively, in the vehicles. The injured animals have been sent for treatment to a government-run cow shelter in Macchiwara. The accused are currently out on bail, but further investigation is underway.'
