Latest news with #HMT
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Time of India
Businessman gets life for Pinjore murder disguised as accident
1 2 Chandigarh: In a chilling reminder of how deep-seated grudges can turn deadly, a sessions court in Panchkula on Friday sentenced 65-year-old businessman Sanjeev Kumar Arora to rigorous life imprisonment for the cold-blooded murder of trader Narinder Kumar Mittal — a crime masked as a road accident but rooted in a bitter property dispute. Arora, who ran over Mittal with his SUV in Pinjore in Sept 2020, was also fined Rs 25,000 by the district and sessions judge Ved Parkash Sirohi. Mittal, a trader from Sector 26, Panchkula, was found dead near his mangled scooter on a slip road near the HMT premises in Pinjore on September 27, 2020. At first glance, it looked like a tragic accident. But something didn't sit right with the police — and certainly not with Mittal's son, Sachin Jain. As investigators combed the scene, a broken piece of a number plate — later traced back to Arora's SUV — cracked open the case. Sachin, who identified his father's body at the mortuary, told police that Arora had long harbored a grudge over a residential property in Baltana. His father had even complained of being followed and threatened. The police acted swiftly. Arora was arrested, and during interrogation, he confessed to the crime and led police to the exact spot where it occurred. 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 by Taboola by Taboola Forensic tests on both vehicles confirmed the collision wasn't accidental — it was deliberate. Despite being released on bail during the trial, Arora's fate was sealed by scientific evidence and spot analysis, said additional district attorney Akash Tanwar, who represented the prosecution. While the defence pleaded for leniency, Tanwar pushed for an exemplary sentence — and the court agreed.
Indian Express
10-07-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Beyond Boomers, Millennials and Gen Z: Why India needs its own generational framework
Written by Madhu Bhavaraju Millennials. Gen Z. Boomers. These tags have become so embedded in our vocabulary that we seldom question them. They're used in marketing decks, recruitment discussions, and even family WhatsApp debates. But their origins are distinctly American. The 'Boomers' emerged from post-WWII prosperity in the US. 'Gen X' from the disillusionment of the Cold War. 'Millennials' came of age during the tech boom. These markers are born from Western economic, social, and political events. US-based frameworks don't account for the complex social, economic and cultural factors that play out in India. An 80-year-old 'Boomer' in the US is very different from an 80-year-old in India. This is because India's story is different. It is a nation where the pace and nature of change defy imported frameworks. The same household often contains people born in different Indias — an Independence-era grandparent, a liberalisation-era parent, and a child who is fluent in the language of reels. We need a generational framework that reflects our own reality. One that is shaped by Independence and post-Independence idealism, by black-and-white Doordarshan and colour cable TV, by the 1991 liberalisation and the 2010s internet boom. A framework that captures India's own unique and eventful journey over the last 75 plus years. Here's an attempt to decode India through five homegrown generations: Defining trait: Scarcity mindset, frugality, nation-building This is the generation of Independence and Partition. Of handmade goods, ration lines, and radios. They witnessed wars, food shortages, and the slow churn of the socialist economy. Their icons were JRD Tata and MS Subbulakshmi. They placed immense value on institutions such as LIC or HMT — brands that stood for trust and self-reliance. For them, ownership meant pride. Travel was rare and mostly by rail. They taught us 'jugaad' — not as a hack, but as a necessity. Defining trait: Aspirational, but restrained This is the generation that grew up waiting: Waiting for milk, gas cylinders, scooters, jobs and opportunities. They were used to delayed gratification and their dreams often went unfulfilled. Icons ranged from Amitabh Bachchan to Rakesh Sharma. Brands like Nirma and Bata dominated consumption. Foreign travel meant migration out of India. This is the generation that taught us to 'study hard' so we could escape the system they were stuck in Defining trait: Dual identity, with one foot in old India, one in the new Cable TV, the cola wars, Sachin Tendulkar, Shah Rukh Khan. This was the generation that saw India open up. This generation saw the first PCs and dial-up internet. They grew up on Doordarshan and graduated to MTV. They were the first to experience choice. They have a strong brand affinity and will pay for quality. Brands like Levi's, Coke, and Maruti became badges of identity. Travel behaviour slowly changed to budget airlines and international vacations. They were the first to see India go from scarcity to abundance and they remember both. Defining trait: Americanised, digital native, less baggage more choice This is the generation of smartphones, Instagram, and global exposure. They grew up with Facebook, and YouTube. Their icons are Virat Kohli, Elon Musk or Deepika Padukone. They value convenience over brand loyalty and experience over ownership. They travel to Insta-worthy places and stay in Airbnbs. They are India's first truly digital consumers but also the most distracted. Defining trait: Native internet fluency, cultural confidence They don't know a world without smartphones. They are growing up with ChatGPT tutors and influencers. The big cultural change is that their worldview is shaped by social media influencers. They don't just consume content, they create it. They expect brands to play by their rules. They will shape a future of creator-founded D2C (direct to customer)-first brands. Any strategy to connect with the people needs to account for cultural memory, not just age. A 40-year-old in India is not the same as a 40-year-old in the US. The reference points, anxieties, and aspirations are different. Policymakers designing pension plans or digital literacy schemes need to understand generational mindsets shaped by tough times, not purely income brackets. EdTech companies need to speak to parents or grandparents who fear technology and children who are digital natives. Consumer brands must evolve rapidly to catch up to internet native customers who will soon become primary decision makers with big spending capacity. India has seen major events from Independence to wars to socialism to economic stagnation to growth. At the level of the family unit, we have changed from large joint families to solo living within two generations. We've lived many lives in a single lifetime. We deserve to define those lives on our own terms and not borrowed ones. The writer is Founder – The Brand Ignition Co
Hindustan Times
05-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
'Bengaluru existed before IT boom': Viral post counters city's retirement-town label
A Reddit post from a Bengaluru resident is gaining traction online for challenging the widely held perception that the city was merely a sleepy retirement hub before the IT industry took off. Redditors offered perspectives that painted Bengaluru as a city that has long balanced opportunity with livability.(Pexel) In the viral post, the user recalls a casual conversation with a colleague from Noida who claimed that 'nobody knew Bengaluru existed before the IT boom' and described it as 'just a hill station where retired people lived.' The Bengaluru user pushed back, arguing that such narratives oversimplify the city's complex and industrious past. (Also Read: 'We are growing backwards': This viral 1980s Bengaluru photo leaves residents lamenting a lost city) Read the full post here: 'This is a common narrative pushed by the media and content creators,' the post reads. 'But this isn't entirely accurate.' According to the Redditor, Bengaluru had a thriving working-class population even before the IT sector came to define its global identity. The post cites numerous public sector units and industries such as MICO, HMT, BHEL, BEL, and ISRO, as well as major banks like Canara Bank, SBI, and SBM, to illustrate that the city had long been home to engineers, scientists, bankers, teachers, and skilled workers. Prestigious institutions like IISc and BMS College are also mentioned as evidence of the city's longstanding educational and scientific ecosystem. The Redditor goes on to compare the socio-economic trajectory of South India with the North, suggesting that cities like Bengaluru and regions across southern India saw an earlier shift toward white-collar employment. 'Even among the top 10% in North India, many were still in government jobs, whereas in the South, people had already entered fields like science, medicine, and engineering,' the post claims. While acknowledging that certain parts of Bengaluru were indeed home to retired individuals living in quiet neighborhoods, the user emphasizes that this represented only a small fraction of the city's demographic. 'We can't characterize all of Bengaluru as if it was insignificant before the IT boom,' the post concludes. How did Reddit users react? Reddit users quickly joined the conversation, offering perspectives that painted Bengaluru as a city that has long balanced opportunity with livability. One user wrote, 'Retirees loved Bengaluru for its weather, peace, and greenery, but that doesn't make it a retirement hub. The city had numerous industries and peaceful residential areas long before the IT boom.' Some users even defended the "retirement city" label as a compliment. 'To be honest, I'd rather be known as a retirement city than a chaotic one,' said one commenter, alluding to the congestion and fast-paced nature of modern Bengaluru. A nostalgic take came from another user who recalled, 'I'm old enough to remember when people called it 'Pensioners' Paradise.' Before IT took over, the city was known for its weather, tree-lined streets, engineering and medical colleges, public sector companies, and pubs. It was both a retiree's haven and a youngster's dream.' Many agreed that the assumption of Bengaluru being 'insignificant' before the tech boom stems from a lack of historical context, especially among younger people unfamiliar with the city's legacy in education, industry, and culture. (Also Read: 'Why is she even here?': Canara Bank official faces backlash for not understanding Kannada. Watch)
News18
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
What Is HMT Gandaberunda And Why Are Kannadigas Getting Nostalgic About It?
Last Updated: HMT Gandaberunda features the iconic two-headed bird, Karnataka's official state emblem. The Gandaberunda is back and so is the frenzy. Karnataka's favourite vintage watch from HMT has made its return in limited numbers. First launched in the 1970s, the collectible timepiece is once again flying off shelves. For many, the watch brings back a wave of nostalgia as it reminds them of old Karnataka, family heirlooms and timeless designs. People are now flooding social media to proudly showcase their growing collections. What Is HMT Gandaberunda? The Gandaberunda is not just any watch, it features the iconic two-headed bird, Karnataka's official state emblem. It symbolises strength and resilience. Originally produced by HMT decades ago, the watch has become a cult favourite especially among locals and heritage lovers. The watch is made in various combinations like stainless steel strap, silver or golden dials and colourful faces. But the most talked about is the wine-coloured face which collectors chase down each time it is re-released. HMT releases only a few of these every year and the rush begins the moment the watch is back in stock. The Craze One viral post that declared 'Gandaberunda is back," shared on June 19 has already gathered more than one lakh views on X. To all my kannadiga oomfs, Gandaberunda limited collection is back in Barton center MG road if anyone wants to buy. — ಕುಕ್ಕರಹಳ್ಳಿ ಕೆರೆ ಕೊಕ್ಕರೆ (@Sa_ha_na_Mg) June 19, 2025 Comedian and writer Nithin M Kamath, who tweets as CoffeeKudhitira?, posted, 'Got my hands on the HMT Gandaberunda, makes it 7 in the HMT collection now, hitting 10 by the end of the year." Got my hands on the hmt Gandaberunda, makes it 7 in the hmt collection now, hitting 10 by the end of the yearAnother user shared a colourful collection of eight Gandaberunda watches and wrote, 'Fifty shades of Gandaberunda. There are few more to get and complete the collection." Fifty Shades of Gandaberunda. There are a few more to get and complete the collection. And it's not just them. Many other users joined in to share their love for the watch and flex their collections. See here: Finally Iconic , ಗಂಡಭೇರುಂಡ HMTs! Gandaberunda Kannada Numerals from the house of HMT HMT ಗಂಡಭೇರುಂಡ — Naveen.R (@NaveenR1997) June 20, 2025 I got for me and my father❤️ — Nithish KN (@Nithish_017) June 20, 2025 Why Does It Matters To Many? Tejas, an engineer who moved from Mysuru to Bengaluru, told PTI, 'I'm from Mysuru. Gandaberunda was the emblem of the erstwhile Kingdom of Mysuru under the Wodeyar rulers, and after India attained independence, it was retained by the Mysuru state as its emblem." When Mysuru was renamed Karnataka in 1973, Gandaberunda continued as the state symbol. Another watch buyer told the agency, 'If you ask me, HMT should stop all its new models and start producing watches like 'Gandaberunda' and 'Janata' (now out of production, but original ones could fetch up to Rs 18,000), which have more character than the most recent ones." One more unique thing about the Gandaberunda watch is that the hour markers are in Kannada numerals. The watch is stocked at four HMT locations across Bengaluru whenever it becomes available: Barton Centre, MG Road ABD Showroom, Jalahalli HMT Bhavan, Mekhri Circle The manager also shared with PTI that HMT once produced watches with hour markers in many Indian language numerals but now only the Kannada version, featuring Gandaberunda, is still in production in limited quantities. About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at bring you stories on what's creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos, and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : kannada karnataka viral news Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: June 21, 2025, 09:03 IST
New Statesman
12-06-2025
- Business
- New Statesman
Rachel Reeves returns to her roots
Photo byEarlier this year one No 10 aide told me that they missed the old Rachel Reeves. A Chancellor who denounced austerity in opposition had ended up defined by a cut (to winter fuel payments). Her doctrine of 'securonomics' had been marginalised in favour of a more orthodox Treasury approach. And a concern with regional inequality had given way to a focus on London and the south-east. Here is how Reeves ended up in the trough of unpopularity among party as well as country. The Chancellor needed to use yesterday's Spending Review as a reset moment – and it was. 'It's not the SR that HMT [Treasury] officials would have written, which is a very good thing,' a Starmer ally told me. The charge against Reeves was that she had become an unthinking automaton – one who selected winter fuel cuts from a routine menu of Treasury options, heedless of the political consequences. But yesterday's statement positioned her as a Chancellor making distinctively Labour choices. Reeves' advance U-turn on winter fuel already marked a return to more familiar territory. Labour MPs struggled to defend a policy that removed the benefit from almost all pensioners. Now, with it restored to three-quarters, a traditional redistributive argument can be made. Reeves' aides always felt there was something incongruous about the opprobrium that she attracted from the left. Her first Budget, after all, raised taxes by £41.5bn and increased spending by £70bn a year, taking the UK far closer to its social-democratic neighbours. But style matters as well as substance. Reeves' speech on growth earlier this year – in which she announced Heathrow expansion – cheered business though left plenty in her party cold. Yesterday's statement was replete with lines designed to show that the Chancellor has not forgotten her past. Her aim, she declared, was 'to ensure that renewal is felt in people's everyday lives, in their job and on their high streets' (a passage that recalled Reeves' 2018 pamphlet The Everyday Economy). As shadow chancellor, Reeves disowned New Labour's approach to globalisation, embracing a more protective and interventionist state. That position was reaffirmed yesterday – 'Put simply: where things are made, and who makes them, matters,' said Reeves, hailing the publicly-owned GB Energy and the rescue of British Steel (Nick Garland, the author of her heterodox Mais Lecture, was among those who contributed to the speech). Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe If there was anything Osbornite about the Spending Review, it was not in its fiscal policy – the former chancellor would never accept such a permanent increase in the size of the state (heading for 44.6 per cent of GDP) – but in its raw political intent. From the Treasury, Osborne shielded his party's base from austerity and sought to use economic policy to construct the Tory majorities of the future. Reeves' announcement of £15bn for transport projects outside London – across the Red Wall seats where Labour MPs must fend off Reform – mirrored this approach. Her decision to prioritise the NHS – even as some cast Britain as a health service with a country attached – was similarly emblematic of the party of Aneurin Bevan. 'People are only going to know the good news that we set out today if we campaign on it, if we deliver the leaflets, if we speak to people on the doorstep,' declared Reeves, who Labour MPs regard as a more natural politician than Starmer, at last night's Parliamentary Labour Party meeting. The road ahead is strewn with risks. I noted last month that Labour's new emphasis on an improving economy was a hostage to fortune – the news that GDP shrunk by 0.3 per cent in April has confirmed as much. But by returning to her roots, Reeves has reassured her party that it has one of its own at the Treasury. [See also: Labour is losing Wales] Related
