Latest news with #Himanshu
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Himanshu Rai: My Passion for acting never let me quit
Himanshu Rai, recognized as Kaushal in 'Lekar Hum Deewana Dil,' pursued his acting dream from Ghazipur to Mumbai. Himanshu Rai, currently seen as Kaushal in Lekar Hum Deewana Dil, traces his acting journey from Ghazipur to moving to Mumbai with quiet determination and passion. 'Bachpan se mujhe acting ka passion tha, aur mein sure tha ki mujhe actor hi banna hai,' says Himanshu, who began pursuing theatre alongside his BA studies. He took formal training in acting at an institute in Delhi before making the big move to Mumbai. 'My family was always supportive. We all knew this career isn't easy – there's struggle, competition – but my passion never let me quit. It always pushed me to move forward,' he shares. Himanshu began with small roles in crime-based shows like CID and Crime Patrol, gradually building his experience. His breakthrough came with Mere Sai – Shraddha Aur Saburi, where he played the role of Keshav Kulkarni. 'It was a positive character and had a significant place in the story. That show gave me the confidence and visibility I needed.' Currently, in Lekar Hum Deewana Dil, he plays another positive and pivotal role. 'In both shows, my characters have had depth, and that's what I look for,' he adds. Looking ahead, Himanshu is eager to take on diverse and challenging roles. 'I wish to explore more shades as an actor – something strong, even negative. I also want to explore films and I chose roles that helped me learn and polish my craft. Those small projects prepared me."
NDTV
11-07-2025
- NDTV
Gangster's Audio Surfaces In Rs 10 Crore Ransom Demand From Delhi Cop
In a case of extortion, an audio recording has emerged, revealing a demand for a ransom of Rs 10 crore from a Delhi Police Head Constable posted in the Vikaspuri area. The call, allegedly made by a close associate of notorious gangster Himanshu alias Bhau, contains direct threats against the officer and his family. According to the reports, the Head Constable received two phone calls from an unknown number. The caller has been identified as Sahil Ritoli, a close aide of Himanshu Bhau, who is one of the most wanted criminals in Haryana and Delhi. During the call, Ritoli demanded Rs 10 crore as ransom and warned that failure to comply would lead to the killing of the constable and his family. During the call, the gangster can be heard saying, "I have found out everything about you... Just watch out as you have children too." Notably, the victim was reportedly a close friend of Manjeet Ahlawat alias Dighal, a former Delhi Police constable who had transitioned to private finance. Manjeet was murdered in December 2024 at a wedding in Rohtak, Haryana, reportedly over for not paying extortion money to the Bhau gang. Initially, the constable filed a complaint about the threat, but no FIR was registered. But as soon as the matter reached the authorities, the Vikaspuri police registered a case on July 8 under Section 384 of the Indian Penal Code. The Delhi Police are actively investigating the matter. The police are trying to trace the phone number from which the call came. Also, providing security to the head constable is being considered. Who is Himanshu alias Bhau? Himanshu, widely known as Bhau, is a notorious gangster, whose name is in the most wanted list of Haryana and Delhi Police. Many serious cases are registered against him, spanning across from Rohtak, Jhajjar and Delhi. Interpol has also issued a red corner notice against him. Authorities revealed that Himanshu obtained a passport using forged documents and fled the country. As per the reports, Himanshu is running the entire extortion racket from Portugal. Police say that he also has connections with the infamous Neeraj Bawana and Naveen Bali gang.
Mint
10-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Himanshu: Don't misread World Bank estimates to show low inequality in India
After declaring that India has almost eliminated extreme poverty, the government's Press Information Bureau (PIB) has picked up another set of estimates from the World Bank. This PIB release last week used the Bank's estimates of Gini coefficient, a measure of inequality, to declare that India is now the fourth most equal country in the world. These estimates are not new. They were part of the Bank's release a month ago along with its poverty estimates. The PIB is right on the rank of India among all 177 countries for which Gini data is available on the Bank's Poverty and Inequality Platform (PIP). But what the PIB did not mention was that the Bank itself cautions against comparing Gini numbers from consumption surveys with those from income surveys. The PIP's Gini of 104 countries is based on consumption surveys, but for the other 73, it is based on income surveys. Anyone looking at cross-country (or even within-country) comparisons of inequality should know that the two are not comparable. Also Read: Himanshu: The World Bank's revision of its poverty estimates is befuddling Typically, a consumption inequality Gini is 7-14 percentage points lower than the same population's income inequality Gini on a scale of 0-100, where 100 represents complete inequality (one person or home consumes or earns everything). While we have no comparable data available in India from official income surveys, income inequality estimates for comparable years from India Human Development Surveys (IHDS) suggest a Gini that's at least 20 percentage points greater than consumption inequality. The latest World Bank report also presents income inequality estimates from the World Inequality Database, which shows India's income inequality rising sharply from a Gini of 52 in 2004 to 62 in 2023. This actually places India as the second most unequal country after South Africa. The primary reason for consumption inequality being lower is that unlike income, it is a smoothed variable and does not include savings, which are likely to be substantial for households in the upper half of the distribution. Most countries in the PIP database that report consumption inequality are low-income or low middle-income countries, whereas the reported Gini for most upper- and high-income countries is based on income. Also Read: The poverty line has moved but have basic vulnerabilities in India eased? But, even if we look only at consumption inequality, the World Bank reports India's consumption Gini at 25.5, which is 4 percentage points lower than the consumption Gini for India at 29.5 found by the National Statistics Office for 2022-23. Based on this data, India ranks 18th among countries with comparable consumption inequality and 29th among all countries. India's consumption Gini at 29.5 is similar to those of Bhutan (28.5), Pakistan (29.6), Nepal (30) and China (30.4). But why did the Bank adjust India's consumption inequality to 25.5? It included imputed food transfers and also free textbooks, uniforms and footwear given away to the poor, but excluded the expenditure on durables and other big-ticket purchases (such as of jewellery) of better-off households. It also excluded hospitalization costs and rental payments. The net impact has been a significant lowering of the expenditure of richer households along with an increase in that of the poor. This adjustment is new and had not been attempted for India in all the previous times that the Bank used Indian consumption expenditure data. Riding piggyback on World Bank estimates to show India as a low-inequality country goes against the data evidence, which suggests not only high income-inequality, but also a significant proportion of the population in a precarious condition. It also goes against NSO estimates. Rather than stand by its official statistics and question the Bank's arbitrary adjustments, the government has endorsed them, exposing its data handouts to criticism. Also Read: Mint Quick Edit | Poverty isn't widespread but prosperity needs to be For the World Bank, these adjustments without wider consultations raise questions on the credibility of its PIP database. Even though it notes that the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2022-23 is not comparable, it uses it in its PIP database. Further, making these adjustments only for India affects inter-country comparisons. It has been under a cloud of doubt ever since Paul Romer, a Nobel Prize winner and former chief economist of the World Bank, resigned in protest against political manipulation to suit national governments with its Ease of Doing Business rankings. While this may not be the case here, its moves do not help restore confidence in its data for international comparisons. The author is associate professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University and visiting fellow at the Centre de Sciences Humaines, New Delhi.
India Today
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
How chef Himanshu Saini earned a third Michelin star for Dubai restaurant
(NOTE: This article was originally published in the India Today Spice issue dated June 2025)Chef Himanshu Saini never played it safe, and in hindsight, we're all luckier for it. Saini's journey reads like the kind of plot that makes biopics irresistible. If anyone needed proof that cumin, cardamom, and creativity could build an empire, Trsind Studio is your answer. With three Michelin stars under his belt at just 38, Chef Himanshu has done what only a select few chefs in the world can boast of. Legendary Chef Joan Roca dubs him 'a chef with artistic flair at its finest.' One of India's top chefs, Manish Mehrotra, lauds him for 'eloquently reshaping Indian cuisine on the global gastronomic stage.' And the most visionary Michelin star chef in Dubai, Vladimir Mukhin of Krasota, calls him 'a bold visionary, redefining flavours and presentation with a progressive edge.'advertisementWELL BEGUN IS HALF DONEBorn into the delightful chaos of a joint family in India, his earliest lessons weren't rooted in textbooks but in the kitchen. 'My connection to food was forged in the bustling lanes of Old Delhi, where I was raised in a lively, multi-generational household. There, I learned early on that food was more than just sustenance, it was a way we expressed love.' Though his first passion was athletics, it was at Banarasidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology in New Delhi that he discovered his true calling in the culinary arts and met collaborators, 'who remain part of my journey to this day,' shares the chef. His first brush with brilliance happened at none other than Delhi's famed Indian Accent. From trainee to sous chef in a matter of years, Saini displayed a streak of genius that couldn't be ignored. This led to other stints launching pathbreaking concepts, but this chef wanted he was tapped to helm a restaurant in the Big Apple, he jumped. After all, it was 'New York City'. The dream, right? wasn't. 'The pace wasn't for me. Communication was hard,' he confesses. Most people would soldier on, maybe settle. Saini didn't. In a move that could only be described as gutsy, he called up Bhupender Nath, CEO and founder of Passion F&B, and asked a loaded question: 'Is Trsind Dubai still hiring?' Turns out, it was. Fast-forward a few years, and Saini has been consistently rewriting the rules of Indian fine dining. Trsind Studio in Dubai is now an institution, one with three shiny Michelin stars, no other chefs might lean on the comfort of nostalgia, or heavy regional cooking, Saini pushes boundaries. His interpretations are cerebral yet playful, elevating Indian cuisine without taking away the soul that makes it special. 'The road has had its share of obstacles, from early struggles to navigating the pandemic, but it's these challenges that have shaped me and my culinary vision, shaping Trsind Studio into the experience it is today', shares chef Himanshu. Clockwise from Left: Kitchen view, Tresind Studio | Lobster tail, Alleppey curry, pickled carrot Bar lounge NEW MENU: RISING INDIASaini doesn't just cook food; he crafts narratives that bridge the past, present, and future with the finesse of a poet weaving verse. His India Rising menu is an ode—both tender and bold—to a country alive with a million flavours, where each dish unfolds like pages from a storybook, vivid and unforgettable. Take the 'Pandhra Rassa', a creamy lamb stew rooted in Maharashtra's heartland, which breathes in the hushed whispers of coconut groves and quiet fireside meals. But here's the kicker: nestled inside are Gorgonzola-filled tortellinis, a clever twist that adds a modern flair. It's comfort with an edge. And then there's the 'Pickled Pepper Tempura', which takes you on a tangy escapade reminiscent of spice bazaars, cooled by an unexpected buttermilk curry ice cream, an interplay that catches you off guard, in the best way possible. But it's Saini's 'Sadya' that steals the show. Inspired by Kerala's Onam feast; it's tradition reimagined on a banana leaf. Twelve vibrant components, mango curry, tomato rasam, lentil and papadum join forces in a harmonious tribute to heritage. It stirs something deep: nostalgia for some, debates on authenticity for others. But that's the magic. Saini doesn't replicate; he reshapes. This isn't just food, it's memory, culture, and quiet rebellion shared in every bite. And, it to India Today Magazine- Ends
Mint
02-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Can India's ELI scheme generate 35 million jobs?
Having been announced in the budget, India's employment-linked incentive scheme (ELI) now seems ready for roll- out. On Tuesday, the Union cabinet approved an outlay of ₹1 trillion for it with the aim of creating as many as 35 million jobs over two years. Also Read: To generate jobs, India should consider a jobs-linked incentive scheme Under this scheme, first-time employees whose salary is under a certain limit will be given up to ₹15,000 in two instalments and employers will get up to ₹3,000 per month for two years for every additional employee hired and kept employed for at least six months. Also Read: Himanshu: Will the budget's proposals help revive India's rural economy? In the manufacturing sector, this incentive will be extended to the third and fourth years as well. With unemployment a big issue among India's youth, the government is betting that this subsidy will get private businesses to step up recruitment. But it's unclear if this alone will suffice. In many cases, recruiters have been going slow because they don't see sufficient scope for business expansion, with profit growth in focus instead. Also Read: Headline labour force survey data masks a pressing employment problem In other cases, the emergence of new AI tools has reduced the need for staff additions. Many ELI applicants are likely to be companies that would have hired anyway. But then, we won't know if this idea works till it is tested out.
