Gold

This special report from India Today focuses on Kerala, where Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has formally declared the state free from extreme poverty in a special legislative session. The opposition, however, boycotted the assembly, with Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan alleging the claim is a 'fraud built on manipulated data'. The UDF opposition has termed the announcement an election-era hoax and criticised the special session as an extravagance, while also continuing its demand for Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan's resignation over the Sabarimala gold theft case. The government maintains the declaration is the result of a four-year-long Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme that has uplifted 64,006 families through targeted micro-plans for housing, food, and healthcare. The announcement, made on Kerala's formation day, is being celebrated with a grand event attended by dignitaries including Kamal Haasan, Mammootty, and Mohanlal.

The investigation into the Sabarimala gold theft case intensifies with the arrest of former Devaswom Board Executive Officer, D. Sudheesh Kumar, marking the third arrest in the high-profile probe. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) believes Kumar played a crucial role by allegedly 'recording the gold clad copper plates as copper plates alone'. This arrest follows that of prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti and former administrative officer Murari Babu. The SIT's focus has shifted towards the involvement of Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) officials, aligning with the Kerala High Court's observation that such a theft would be impossible without inside help. Investigators suspect Kumar, who was aware of the original gold plating, deliberately falsified records to facilitate the crime, with the probe now expected to widen.

This special report covers the Indian stock market's volatility, with the Nifty index struggling to cross the 26,000 mark. It details a 16% decline in overall gold demand, particularly for jewelry, ahead of the festive season, as reported by the World Gold Council. The program examines upcoming Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), including Lenskart and Groww, and their impact on the secondary market. Market expert Avinash Gorakshakar notes the substantial capital expected to be raised from the primary market. The report further explores investment choices for Indian investors, comparing precious metals like gold and silver with equities. Experts Ajay Kedia and Avinash Gorakshakar provide analysis on investment timing, with Kedia advising to wait for correction or consolidation. Discussions include the benefits of Gold ETFs over physical gold and the potential of gold finance companies. Additionally, the report addresses major global developments such as a US-China tariff agreement and Starlink's entry into India. Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan offers insights on Artificial Intelligence, discussing India's need for strategic tech autonomy and workforce retraining to adapt to an AI-driven world.

This special report highlights Delhi's Vasant Valley School being named the National School of the Year at the BW Education Lighthouse Awards 2025. The school's Chairperson, Rekha Puri, who founded the institution in 1990 with her husband Arun Puri, accepted the award. In her address, Mrs. Puri stated, 'Arun and I believe in, like you know, inclusion and diversity. We want the neurotypical children and the neurodiverse children To study together, to grow together, to understand each other's needs, their challenges and their differences.' She emphasized that the school's vision has always been to seamlessly blend academic and extracurricular activities to provide a balanced education for children. The report celebrates this moment of pride, underscoring Vasant Valley School's continued role in setting a gold standard for education in India by championing diversity and a holistic learning environment.

This special report unpacks the global AI boom and its sweeping impact on markets and employment, featuring insights from the Business Today AI Summit in Bengaluru. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warns about AI's effect on the workforce, stating, 'you see a significant number of companies either announcing that they are not going to be doing much hiring or actually doing layoffs, and much of the time they're talking about AI and what it can do.' The show delves into Nvidia becoming the world's first $5 trillion company and reports of OpenAI's potential $1 trillion IPO. It also covers the Indian market's new highs, with the Nifty crossing 26,000, and stock-specific analysis. Additionally, Karnataka's IT Minister Priyank Kharge discusses deploying AI for governance, including innovative techniques like using 'muscle printing' to count livestock.

This special report focuses on a major market rally with the Nifty crossing the 26,000 mark, Reliance Industries' new AI joint venture with Meta, and a significant Supreme Court decision on Vodafone Idea's AGR dues. Market expert Sharmila Joshi states, 'I personally think that this time it is a little more sustainable than, you know, what we were seeing earlier.' The show, anchored by Sakshi Batra, also delves into the upcoming ₹7,300 crore Lenskart IPO, a fall in gold and silver prices after a global rally, and the Finance Ministry's positive outlook on the Indian economy, which has been bolstered by an upgraded FY26 growth forecast from the IMF. Additionally, the discussion covers the burgeoning e-commerce export space, with Amazon India's sellers surpassing their targets and aiming for $80 billion in exports by 2030.

This report covers the Indian stock market's record-breaking rally, with the Nifty crossing the 26,000 mark, and features market expert Sharmila Joshi's outlook. Sharmila Joshi states, 'I personally think that this time it is a more sustainable than what we were seeing earlier.' The discussion delves into key sectors poised for outperformance in the new Samvat year, with a special focus on the consumption and FMCG space. It also highlights the phenomenal festive sales performance of the jewellery sector, with companies like P N Gadgil Jewellers reporting record numbers during Diwali. The conversation analyses the post-earnings stock movements of companies such as SBI Life Insurance and Kotak Mahindra Bank, and the future of gold and silver as investment assets.

This special report focuses on the escalating political controversy surrounding the Sabarimala temple gold theft case in Kerala. The state BJP, led by President Rajeev Chandrasekhar, has levelled serious allegations against Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan, demanding his resignation and a probe by a central agency. Chandrasekhar stated, 'not only the officials, but Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan was also involved in the gold theft case, and the BJP would not back down until those involved were put in jail'. The BJP has expressed a lack of confidence in the state's Special Investigation Team (SIT), despite it being a High Court-monitored probe, alleging the Chief Minister is trying to protect the minister. The case concerns the disappearance of approximately 4.5 kg of gold during the replating of idols, with the BJP now claiming the minister was complicit with the main accused.

This special report focuses on 18-year-old artist Seerat Tariq from Bandipora, Kashmir, who has gained international recognition for her work, including winning a gold medal at the Influencer Book of World Records in Jaipur for promoting Kashmiri tribal art. 'When I first started, a lot of people told me that I wouldn't be able to make a career out of this,' Seerat recalls, highlighting the initial skepticism she faced. Despite the discouragement and being told there was no future in art, her family's unwavering support helped her persevere. The report covers her journey from honing her skills during the COVID-19 lockdown to setting records, such as creating 104 paintings in two days for the India Book of Records, and her ambition to be featured in the Guinness World Records. Seerat now uses her platform to inspire youth and create art that raises awareness on social issues.

This special report tracks a major development in the Sabarimala gold theft case, focusing on the Special Investigation Team's (SIT) probe into prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti. According to investigators, Potti confessed that gold from the temple was sold to a merchant in Ballari, Karnataka. The SIT has conducted raids at Potti's Bengaluru apartment and a jewellery shop in Ballari, recovering a substantial amount of gold. The investigation has expanded across multiple cities, including Chennai, where an inspection of the firm Smart Creations is planned to gather more evidence on the gold plating work. Potti, along with former Travancore Devaswom Board official Murari Babu, has been arrested in connection with the case.

This special report tracks the escalating probe into the Sabarimala temple gold loot, with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) taking prime accused Unnikrishnan Pothi to Bengaluru. According to our sources, 'there were links with Chennai as well in connection with gold robbery case and after this particular raids here and they will head to Chennai for a further investigation on the scene'. The SIT officials are currently raiding the Kothari mansion in Bengaluru, a former residence of the accused, as part of the evidence collection process. This development follows the earlier recovery of 400 grams of gold in Ballari. The investigation, ordered by the Kerala High Court, is looking into the misappropriation of gold from the sacred structures of the temple, with the probe's focus now expanding across multiple states to uncover a larger conspiracy.

This special report tracks the Special Investigation Team's (SIT) probe into the Sabarimala temple gold theft, focusing on the recovery of over 400 grams of gold from a jeweller in Ballari, Karnataka. The main accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, and a former temple administrator, B Murari Babu, have been arrested in connection with the case. The Kerala High Court has observed that the theft appears to be part of a 'larger, well-planned conspiracy'. The investigation has revealed that the gold was sold to a Ballari-based trader named Govardhan. The SIT, which has Potti in custody, is now looking to uncover the wider network involved, with the High Court directing them to probe the possible collusion of Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) officials. The accused will also be taken to Chennai as part of the evidence collection process.

This special report focuses on the revival of lotus stem, or 'Nadru', cultivation in Kashmir's Wular Lake, one of Asia's largest freshwater lakes. Head watcher Hashim Hussain Pare states, 'This year, God willing, the the yield is very good.' After years of declining production due to encroachment and pollution, the treasured vegetable is seeing a bumper crop, bringing economic relief and increased income to the local communities dependent on the lake for their livelihood. The report from India Today's Ashraf Wani in Srinagar details how the resurgence of this key local produce is a sign of both ecological recovery for the vital water body and a positive turn for the regional economy.

The electoral battle for Bihar continues with the Mahagathbandhan officially naming Tejashwi Yadav as its Chief Ministerial candidate. Nitish Kumar and Mukesh Sahni are central figures in the political discourse. Congress's Bihar in-charge, Krishna Alavaru, claimed Nitish Kumar is unwell, alleging the BJP is governing the state by proxy. The opposition alliance has challenged the NDA to announce its Chief Ministerial candidate. The BJP has countered by referencing the 'Jungle Raj' period associated with Lalu Prasad and raising corruption allegations against the Yadav family. The campaign focuses on the Mahagathbandhan's job creation pledges versus the NDA's 'Jan Kalyan Raj' platform. This report examines the Bihar election debate surrounding Tejashwi Yadav's job promises, including Zafar Islam's questions regarding financial viability. The bulletin also addresses Prime Minister Modi's decision to not attend the ASEAN summit and a potential meeting with US President Donald Trump amid diplomatic tensions concerning trade and Russian oil sanctions. Furthermore, it details a public health incident in Madhya Pradesh where over 180 individuals, primarily children, sustained eye injuries from illegally sold carbide guns during Diwali. The report concludes with Sister Sabina, a 55-year-old nun from Kerala, winning a gold medal in a hurdles race.

Sister Sabina, a 55-year-old nun and physical education teacher from Wayanad, Kerala, has become an internet sensation after winning a gold medal in hurdles.

55-year-old Kerala nun Sister Sabina wins gold in hurdles at the State Masters’ Athletics meet, competing in her religious attire.

This special report focuses on the widening investigation into the missing gold from the Sabarimala temple, leading to the arrest of former administrative officer B. Murari Babu. The Kerala High Court observed that the theft appears to be part of a 'larger and well-orchestrated scheme' and has directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the wider conspiracy and the role of Travancore Devaswom Board officials who may have colluded. Babu, who had been suspended by the Travancore Devaswom Board, was taken into custody from his residence and is an accused in two cases related to the theft from the Dwarapalaka idols and door frames, which dates back to 2019. The probe is also focused on the main accused, Unnikrishnan Potty, with the SIT looking into a larger network involved in the misappropriation of the temple's valuables.

This special report focuses on US President Donald Trump's new Ukraine-related sanctions against Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, a first in his second term that has rattled global markets. In a major policy shift, Trump stated, 'Hopefully he will become reasonable and hopefully Zelinsky will be reasonable to, you know, takes 2 to tango as they say.' The move puts major importers like India's Reliance Industries in the spotlight. Meanwhile, Indian stock markets are witnessing a spectacular rally, with the IT sector surging on hopes of an impending US-India trade deal. This festive season has also seen record-breaking Diwali sales of over ₹5.4 trillion, boosted by GST cuts and a push for 'Swadeshi' goods. The bulletin also covers significant deals in the defence sector, with contracts for Bharat Forge, Adani PLR, Bharat Electronics, and JBM Auto.

A major controversy has erupted over the management of Kerala's famed Guruvayur temple, with a state audit report for 2019-20 flagging serious irregularities. The Bharatiya Janata Party's Kerala President, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, has demanded a central agency probe into the matter, alleging deep-rooted corruption within the state's Devaswom boards. The transcript quotes a BJP leader stating, 'We believe this is a crime. This is not a slip-up.' The audit revealed that annual physical verification of gold and silver is not conducted as mandated, and several valuable items, including elephant tusks and devotee offerings, are unaccounted for. The Guruvayur Devaswom Board has responded by stating they have filed a counter-affidavit in the Kerala High Court, claiming the issues are from before the current management's tenure.

This special report focuses on the ongoing investigation into the gold theft at Kerala's Sabarimala temple, with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) taking former temple administrative officer Murari Babu into custody. The Kerala High Court has observed that the events appear to be part of a 'larger, well-orchestrated scheme'. The probe expanded following the earlier arrest of a sponsor named Unnikrishnan Pothi, with the High Court directing the SIT to investigate the role of Travancore Devaswom Board officials. The case involves the theft of gold from the temple's sacred 'Dwarapalaka' (guardian deity) idols and door frames, where gold plates were allegedly replaced or shown as copper. Murari Babu is an accused in two cases related to discrepancies in the weight of gold and the theft from the sanctum sanctorum's door frame.