August 8, 2026
Tomorrowland Thailand 2026 is just a short flight away: Here’s how Indian travellers can plan the perfect trip |

Tomorrowland Thailand 2026 is just a short flight away: Here’s how Indian travellers can plan the perfect trip |

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

This year, Tomorrowland arrives at the Land of Smiles, Thailand! It marks Tomorrowland’s first full-scale Asian festival, set in Wisdom Valley, a tropical festival playground surrounded by nature, mountains, water, and open landscapes in Chonburi, near Pattaya, from December 11–13, 2026. Tomorrowland has always been carefully built for festival goers. Thailand, by contrast, feels unscripted,…

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Ukraine’s ‘army of witches’ helping hunt Russian troops in occupied lands — Report

Ukraine’s ‘army of witches’ helping hunt Russian troops in occupied lands — Report

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

‘Ukrainian women now form the backbone of many intelligence-gathering operations in Russian-occupied areas’ They are known as vidma in Ukrainian folklore, a word often translated as “witch” but rooted in the concept of knowledge and wisdom. A report by The Atlantic detailing Ukraine’s underground resistance network has revealed the growing role of female operatives in…

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Early polls in Italy? Giorgia Meloni mulls April 2027 vote over ‘popularity dip’ fears

Early polls in Italy? Giorgia Meloni mulls April 2027 vote over ‘popularity dip’ fears

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (AP Photo/File) Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni may have told Donald Trump not to worry about her popularity and focus on his own, but she is reportedly considering preponing the country’s next general elections over concerns that her popularity could slide the longer she waits.Also Read | ‘Focus on your…

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Tom Holland reveals he spoiled Robert Downey Jr’s comeback as Doctor Doom to Zendaya: ‘I have a reputation’

Tom Holland reveals he spoiled Robert Downey Jr’s comeback as Doctor Doom to Zendaya: ‘I have a reputation’

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Tom Holland reveals he told Zendaya about Robert Downey Jr’s comeback as Doctor Doom right away. Image Credits: Instagram Other than being one of the impeccable actors in superhero films, Tom Holland has left an impression by innocently dropping leaks about the multiverse on the internet. However, the 30-year-old managed to guard the secret of…

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PM Modi calls on President Droupadi Murmu amid Cabinet reshuffle buzz

PM Modi calls on President Droupadi Murmu amid Cabinet reshuffle buzz

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

PM Modi calls on President Droupadi Murmu amid Cabinet reshuffle buzz Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday, fueling speculation about a possible reshuffle of the Union Council of Ministers.indiaThe meeting took place shortly after the civil investiture ceremony for the Padma awards and comes amid growing political buzz…

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Microsoft executive’s million endowment links North Carolina and Virgin Islands: ‘I could only dream of this when I was in high school’

Microsoft executive’s $1 million endowment links North Carolina and Virgin Islands: ‘I could only dream of this when I was in high school’

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Microsoft executive Rashida Hodge says one does not need extraordinary wealth to become a philanthropist. In 1998, Rashida Hodge came to Raleigh, North Carolina, with a dare to dream beyond the St Thomas Island where she grew up. The path she took via North Carolina State University led her to Microsoft today. But she did…

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With the entry of the six MPs, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena now has 13 MPs in the Lok Sabha, making the party a key player within the BJP-led NDA. NEW DELHI: Tigers or traitors! Yes, you guessed it right. We are talking about the six Uddhav Sena MPs who crossed the political divide in Maharashtra to be on the right side of power.Well, they were “Tigers” for Eknath Shinde, who boastfully claimed credit for successfully poaching six MPs from the rival Sena faction while they were labelled “traitors” by Uddhav Thackeray camp which was dealt a second blow by the defectors in a span of 4 years.They are the latest set of legislators who have ditched their original parties to veer towards power in this “season of defections.” The six “Tigers” follow in the footsteps of their Trinamool and AAP “comrade-in-arms” – who managed to change ships by outmanoeuvring the provisions of the anti-defection law.With six defected MPs on his side, a proud Shinde marked the culmination of “Operation Tiger”. No, this was not about the preservation of the four-legged felines, it was about engineering defections of MPs from Uddhav Sena to Shinde Sena which was achieved with perfection.Rebels are ‘Dhurandhars’Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde proudly announced that he was behind engineering these defections. And why not? After all, the defections make his Shiv Sena, the second largest party in Maharashtra in terms of MPs. Not only that – at the national level – Shinde’s Shiv Sena now becomes the fourth-largest constituent within the NDA coalition, trailing only behind BJP (240 MPs), NCPI (20 MPs via the TMC split) and TDP (16).”Operation Tiger is now complete and successful. My operations are fool proof,” Shinde said while referring to the six defected MPs as Dhurandhar (stalwarts/experts) who are connected to ground.Interestingly, the number that changed sides could easily have been seven had another deal with a prospective rebel for a Union Cabinet berth gone through.This is what Shiv Sena leader Ramdas kadam had to say: “Back in 2022, there were 40 MLAs, including 10 ministers, and Eknath Shinde pledged that I will bring all of them back. He succeeded in getting 60 MLAs and even today six MPs have joined us to support development in their respective constituencies. I welcome them. A seventh MP has also signed in the paper but he demanded a cabinet post to which Eknath Shinde declined. He went back after that… I will not name him but he sits next to Uddhav Thackeray.”Season of defectionsThe defections of Uddhav Sena MPs is the third “power” shift this season. It all started with seven AAP MPs in Rajya Sabha announcing merger with the BJP. Ironically the rebellion was led by Raghav Chadha, who was once the most trusted aide of Arvind Kejriwal. Kejriwal watched helplessly as seven of his MPs jumped on the other side of the political divide, dealing him a crushing blow ahead of the Punjab assembly elections next year.That was followed by the great exodus in Trinamool Congress, a party that unravelled like a pack of cards after Mamata Banerjee lost the 2026 assembly elections at the hand of the BJP. Today, the government in West Bengal is being run by the BJP and the opposition is also working under the guidance of the BJP. The entire Trinamool rebellion – first at Kolkata and then in the national capital – played out under the watch of the BJP leaders. For now, Mamata is battling the rebels as they try to now gain control of the Trinamool Congress.Will there be more defections this season?Well, we do not know. But there are two obvious targets – Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party with 37 Lok Sabha members and Sharad Pawar’s NCP with 8.Uttar Pradesh minister and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar has already claimed that the split within the Samajwadi Party is inevitable and will be led by “son of UP’s land of rebels”, apparently referring to SP MP Sanatan Pandey.”The split is bound to happen,” Rajbhar asserted. Launching a harsh critique at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, he said: “The way the entire ‘Saifai’ family jumped into abusing me and offering explanations over one of my reactions, it would be better for Akhilesh ‘Babu’ to stop focusing on Twitter politics, AI-driven and press-conference politics, and instead launch a ‘Save the MPs’ campaign”.Sanatan Pandey responded to Rajbhar’s social media posts calling them “laughable” and unexpected.”I am finding all these statements laughable. I never expected that someone would make such comments about me. I am unable to understand how to respond to this. Until now, the Samajwadi Party fulfilled my wish of becoming an MLA and MP, but now OP Rajbhar has made me popular internationally,” Pandey said.But as we have seen all such claims are denied till they eventually happen.Another national leader heading a regional party who needs to be on guard is Sharad Pawar. His NCP(SP) has 8 members in Lok Sabha. Under the new “defection formula” 6 of them would be enough to avoid the anti-defection law.Why anti-defection law has failed And that brings us to the Anti-defection Act. It was introduced in 1985, through the 52nd Amendment Act of 1985 and inserted in the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. The aim was to bring political stability by curbing “horse-trading” and opportunistic party-hopping.It provides for disqualification if an elected member voluntarily relinquishes their original political party’s membership or votes or abstains from voting in the House contrary to the “whip” (direction) issued by the party, without obtaining prior permission.Independent members joining any political party after their election face disqualification as also the nominated members who join any political party if more than six months have elapsed since they were nominated to the House.While it was reasonably effective for a long period of time, parties have now found a way around it. Disqualification under the anti-defection law does not apply if a party merges with another with at least two-thirds of the legislators in the legislature party agreeing to the merger. And this is how the last three defections have succeeded.ConclusionGone are the days when poaching of tigers, sorry legislators, was a hush-hush operation with which parties would not associate openly. The new normal in politics is to openly and brazenly entice legislators to shift loyalties if it suits the numbers’ game. We have seen plenty of this on display in the last two months. And going forward we may see a lot more – especially in the run up to the Monsoon session of Parliament where numbers are needed to prove a “delimitation” point. Already, claims have been made about Samjawadi Party being the next in the firing line and also Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP. It matters little if the opposition cries foul and compares this to a “livestock market” – after all they have been power-less in holding their flock together.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosMaharashtra RTI Rules 2026 Under Scrutiny: Anna Hazare Demands Changes; Signals Possible Strike’We Expect…’: India Reacts To Alleged Desecration Of Lord Ram Photo In BangladeshLucknow Fire: 15 Dead, No NOC, One Exit — India’s Decade-Long Fire Safety Failure ExplainedPune’s Ketan Agarwal’s Death Was No Accident: Police | Fiancée & Alleged Lover Arrested For MurderMinority Affairs MoS George Kurian Resigns; BJP Veteran’s Exit Sparks Kerala Political Buzz | WatchFrom Airports To Your Aadhaar: What The Govt’s Facial Recognition Surveillance Platform Will AccessBattle For ‘Real TMC’ Intensifies As TMC Shuffles Leadership Amid Rebel Challenge | WatchJaipur Woman Arrested Over Alleged Pakistan Links; ATS Probes Jaish ConnectionFrom Central Park Tragedy To ‘Romanch’s Law’: How An Indian Teen’s Death Sparked A Major NYC DebateAjit Doval, Wang Yi Review India-China Ties, Border Progress At BRICS NSA Meeting In New Delhi123PhotostoriesWhat’s attracting tourists to Kodaikanal? 7 reasons this hill station continues to charm travellersSmiling depression: Doctor explains how some people use happiness as a mask10 classic Anglo-Saxon baby names that survived centuries of changeBigg Boss Malayalam 8: Celebrities netizens wish to see on the showLong-lived families reveal a rare genetic clue to healthy ageing; scientists say it may help explain why some people stay disease-free for years longer7 schools where India’s richest send their kidsFrom Delhi Gymkhana Club to Calcutta Club: 6 iconic clubs of India that have shaped the country’s culinary cultureBritish-inspired window designs: 7 elegant styles that can add timeless charm to Indian homesThis is the ‘Northernmost Capital on Earth’ and it offers midnight sun, geothermal streets and surreal viewsFrom pride parades to custody battles: 9 fathers who chose their children over society’s judgment123Hot PicksIPL tradeGold rate todayCUET UG Result 2026Telangana school bandhCBSE 12th revaluationMaldivian wisdomSpanish proverbMalay proverbPortuguese proverbTop TrendingGeorge KurianUS-Iran WarKunal ShahFIFA World Cup 2026Stock market crashCUET UG Result 2026Ketan AgarwalGold rate todayDelhi weatherMumbai rain

With the entry of the six MPs, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena now has 13 MPs in the Lok Sabha, making the party a key player within the BJP-led NDA. NEW DELHI: Tigers or traitors! Yes, you guessed it right. We are talking about the six Uddhav Sena MPs who crossed the political divide in Maharashtra to be on the right side of power.Well, they were “Tigers” for Eknath Shinde, who boastfully claimed credit for successfully poaching six MPs from the rival Sena faction while they were labelled “traitors” by Uddhav Thackeray camp which was dealt a second blow by the defectors in a span of 4 years.They are the latest set of legislators who have ditched their original parties to veer towards power in this “season of defections.” The six “Tigers” follow in the footsteps of their Trinamool and AAP “comrade-in-arms” – who managed to change ships by outmanoeuvring the provisions of the anti-defection law.With six defected MPs on his side, a proud Shinde marked the culmination of “Operation Tiger”. No, this was not about the preservation of the four-legged felines, it was about engineering defections of MPs from Uddhav Sena to Shinde Sena which was achieved with perfection.Rebels are ‘Dhurandhars’Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde proudly announced that he was behind engineering these defections. And why not? After all, the defections make his Shiv Sena, the second largest party in Maharashtra in terms of MPs. Not only that – at the national level – Shinde’s Shiv Sena now becomes the fourth-largest constituent within the NDA coalition, trailing only behind BJP (240 MPs), NCPI (20 MPs via the TMC split) and TDP (16).”Operation Tiger is now complete and successful. My operations are fool proof,” Shinde said while referring to the six defected MPs as Dhurandhar (stalwarts/experts) who are connected to ground.Interestingly, the number that changed sides could easily have been seven had another deal with a prospective rebel for a Union Cabinet berth gone through.This is what Shiv Sena leader Ramdas kadam had to say: “Back in 2022, there were 40 MLAs, including 10 ministers, and Eknath Shinde pledged that I will bring all of them back. He succeeded in getting 60 MLAs and even today six MPs have joined us to support development in their respective constituencies. I welcome them. A seventh MP has also signed in the paper but he demanded a cabinet post to which Eknath Shinde declined. He went back after that… I will not name him but he sits next to Uddhav Thackeray.”Season of defectionsThe defections of Uddhav Sena MPs is the third “power” shift this season. It all started with seven AAP MPs in Rajya Sabha announcing merger with the BJP. Ironically the rebellion was led by Raghav Chadha, who was once the most trusted aide of Arvind Kejriwal. Kejriwal watched helplessly as seven of his MPs jumped on the other side of the political divide, dealing him a crushing blow ahead of the Punjab assembly elections next year.That was followed by the great exodus in Trinamool Congress, a party that unravelled like a pack of cards after Mamata Banerjee lost the 2026 assembly elections at the hand of the BJP. Today, the government in West Bengal is being run by the BJP and the opposition is also working under the guidance of the BJP. The entire Trinamool rebellion – first at Kolkata and then in the national capital – played out under the watch of the BJP leaders. For now, Mamata is battling the rebels as they try to now gain control of the Trinamool Congress.Will there be more defections this season?Well, we do not know. But there are two obvious targets – Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party with 37 Lok Sabha members and Sharad Pawar’s NCP with 8.Uttar Pradesh minister and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar has already claimed that the split within the Samajwadi Party is inevitable and will be led by “son of UP’s land of rebels”, apparently referring to SP MP Sanatan Pandey.”The split is bound to happen,” Rajbhar asserted. Launching a harsh critique at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, he said: “The way the entire ‘Saifai’ family jumped into abusing me and offering explanations over one of my reactions, it would be better for Akhilesh ‘Babu’ to stop focusing on Twitter politics, AI-driven and press-conference politics, and instead launch a ‘Save the MPs’ campaign”.Sanatan Pandey responded to Rajbhar’s social media posts calling them “laughable” and unexpected.”I am finding all these statements laughable. I never expected that someone would make such comments about me. I am unable to understand how to respond to this. Until now, the Samajwadi Party fulfilled my wish of becoming an MLA and MP, but now OP Rajbhar has made me popular internationally,” Pandey said.But as we have seen all such claims are denied till they eventually happen.Another national leader heading a regional party who needs to be on guard is Sharad Pawar. His NCP(SP) has 8 members in Lok Sabha. Under the new “defection formula” 6 of them would be enough to avoid the anti-defection law.Why anti-defection law has failed And that brings us to the Anti-defection Act. It was introduced in 1985, through the 52nd Amendment Act of 1985 and inserted in the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. The aim was to bring political stability by curbing “horse-trading” and opportunistic party-hopping.It provides for disqualification if an elected member voluntarily relinquishes their original political party’s membership or votes or abstains from voting in the House contrary to the “whip” (direction) issued by the party, without obtaining prior permission.Independent members joining any political party after their election face disqualification as also the nominated members who join any political party if more than six months have elapsed since they were nominated to the House.While it was reasonably effective for a long period of time, parties have now found a way around it. Disqualification under the anti-defection law does not apply if a party merges with another with at least two-thirds of the legislators in the legislature party agreeing to the merger. And this is how the last three defections have succeeded.ConclusionGone are the days when poaching of tigers, sorry legislators, was a hush-hush operation with which parties would not associate openly. The new normal in politics is to openly and brazenly entice legislators to shift loyalties if it suits the numbers’ game. We have seen plenty of this on display in the last two months. And going forward we may see a lot more – especially in the run up to the Monsoon session of Parliament where numbers are needed to prove a “delimitation” point. Already, claims have been made about Samjawadi Party being the next in the firing line and also Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP. It matters little if the opposition cries foul and compares this to a “livestock market” – after all they have been power-less in holding their flock together.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosMaharashtra RTI Rules 2026 Under Scrutiny: Anna Hazare Demands Changes; Signals Possible Strike’We Expect…’: India Reacts To Alleged Desecration Of Lord Ram Photo In BangladeshLucknow Fire: 15 Dead, No NOC, One Exit — India’s Decade-Long Fire Safety Failure ExplainedPune’s Ketan Agarwal’s Death Was No Accident: Police | Fiancée & Alleged Lover Arrested For MurderMinority Affairs MoS George Kurian Resigns; BJP Veteran’s Exit Sparks Kerala Political Buzz | WatchFrom Airports To Your Aadhaar: What The Govt’s Facial Recognition Surveillance Platform Will AccessBattle For ‘Real TMC’ Intensifies As TMC Shuffles Leadership Amid Rebel Challenge | WatchJaipur Woman Arrested Over Alleged Pakistan Links; ATS Probes Jaish ConnectionFrom Central Park Tragedy To ‘Romanch’s Law’: How An Indian Teen’s Death Sparked A Major NYC DebateAjit Doval, Wang Yi Review India-China Ties, Border Progress At BRICS NSA Meeting In New Delhi123PhotostoriesWhat’s attracting tourists to Kodaikanal? 7 reasons this hill station continues to charm travellersSmiling depression: Doctor explains how some people use happiness as a mask10 classic Anglo-Saxon baby names that survived centuries of changeBigg Boss Malayalam 8: Celebrities netizens wish to see on the showLong-lived families reveal a rare genetic clue to healthy ageing; scientists say it may help explain why some people stay disease-free for years longer7 schools where India’s richest send their kidsFrom Delhi Gymkhana Club to Calcutta Club: 6 iconic clubs of India that have shaped the country’s culinary cultureBritish-inspired window designs: 7 elegant styles that can add timeless charm to Indian homesThis is the ‘Northernmost Capital on Earth’ and it offers midnight sun, geothermal streets and surreal viewsFrom pride parades to custody battles: 9 fathers who chose their children over society’s judgment123Hot PicksIPL tradeGold rate todayCUET UG Result 2026Telangana school bandhCBSE 12th revaluationMaldivian wisdomSpanish proverbMalay proverbPortuguese proverbTop TrendingGeorge KurianUS-Iran WarKunal ShahFIFA World Cup 2026Stock market crashCUET UG Result 2026Ketan AgarwalGold rate todayDelhi weatherMumbai rain

Vamsikrishna06 mins mins

With the entry of the six MPs, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena now has 13 MPs in the Lok Sabha, making the party a key player within the BJP-led NDA. NEW DELHI: Tigers or traitors! Yes, you guessed it right. We are talking about the six Uddhav Sena MPs who crossed the political divide in Maharashtra…

Read More
Portugal vs Uzbekistan, FIFA World Cup 2026 Live Score: Cristiano Ronaldo under pressure as Portugal seek first World Cup win

Portugal vs Uzbekistan, FIFA World Cup 2026 Live Score: Cristiano Ronaldo under pressure as Portugal seek first World Cup win

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Portugal vs Uzbekistan, FIFA World Cup 2026 Live Score: Portugal’s FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign is already at a crossroads as they prepare to face Uzbekistan in a must-win Group K encounter. Expectations were sky-high before the tournament began, but a frustrating 1-1 draw against DR Congo has left Roberto Martínez’s men searching for answers….

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Scored less in CUET result 2026? Here’s what you should do next

Scored less in CUET result 2026? Here’s what you should do next

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

The declaration of CUET UG 2026 results marks the beginning of the admission process rather than its conclusion. While some candidates may be disappointed with their scores, admissions depend on individual university merit lists and counselling procedures. With over 240 participating universities, students should explore multiple options, monitor admission schedules, and keep required documents ready….

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Quote of the day by Charlie Chaplin: ‘Remember the great achievements throughout history have been the conquest of what seemed impossible’

Quote of the day by Charlie Chaplin: ‘Remember the great achievements throughout history have been the conquest of what seemed impossible’

Vamsikrishna05 mins mins

The legendary actor insisted to believe in yourself and think the unthinkable to achieve the dreams. Image Credits: Instagram Charlie Chaplin has never left the conversation. More than four decades after his passing, his films continue to be studied, screened, and celebrated across the world. His image, his walk, his cane, his hat, remain among…

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OFFSIDE | World Cup 2026: ‘Dictator’ Kylian Mbappé chases ‘GOAT’ Lionel Messi’s scoring record as Cristiano Ronaldo looks for redemption

OFFSIDE | World Cup 2026: ‘Dictator’ Kylian Mbappé chases ‘GOAT’ Lionel Messi’s scoring record as Cristiano Ronaldo looks for redemption

Vamsikrishna09 mins mins

Simon and Garfunkel once sang that the words of the prophet are written on subway walls. They were only partially correct because the gospel truth can be found in all forms of art, including cartoons. Take a Paul Rigby cartoon caption in Sydney’s Daily Telegraph, which was testament to the plight of English batters during…

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Ex-British rugby star battling mental health issues found dead in Italy hotel after drug-fuelled fight with girlfriend

Ex-British rugby star battling mental health issues found dead in Italy hotel after drug-fuelled fight with girlfriend

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

​Ex-British rugby star found dead in Italy hotel Former rugby league player Ricky Bibey was found dead in a luxury hotel room in Florence, Italy, after a violent confrontation with his partner, an inquest in the UK has heard.Bibey, who played for Wigan Warriors, Leigh Centurions, St Helens and Wakefield Trinity during his career, had…

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Representative Image MUMBAI: Gold loans, the fastest-growing segment in retail credit for several years, are now showing a sharp improvement in asset quality, driven in part by a surge in new borrowers that has diluted delinquency ratios even as the market undergoes structural expansion, according to an Experian report.The report, titled “Gold Loans in Transition: Market Evolution & Consumer Patterns,” shows that gold loans have dramatically outpaced all other retail credit categories, with sourcing value rising 69% in FY25 and accelerating further to 84% in FY26. Their share in total retail credit sourcing climbed from 20% in FY24 to 30% in FY25 and reached 41% in FY26, underscoring a decisive shift in lender and borrower preference toward collateral-backed credit.According to the report rising gold prices unlocked higher credit per asset. RBI’s curbs on unsecured-loan (through higher risk weights) also nudged lenders/borrowers to gold-backed credit. The tweaks to the loan to value requirement also helped pull in first-time users. Growth has spread beyond the traditional bastion of south India. Uttar Pradesh/West Bengal/Maharashtra led, widening adoption across new borrower cohorts.Ticket sizes doubled from Rs 0.98 lakh (FY23) to Rs 1.96 lakh (FY26). Among lenders, NBFCs gained share because of their speed and distribution edge. Tenures shrank with sub-3-month loans accounting for 47% (FY26 Q3), signalling short-term liquidity use.In value terms FY26 Q4 sanctions jumped 105% year on year while in volume the growth was 37% indicating the shift to higher value loans. The assets under management surged 44% by Mar’25, 49% by Mar’26.Asset quality has, on the surface, improved markedly. Net 30 days plus delinquencies have fallen from 2.2% in March 2023 to 1.0% in March 2026, and net 90 days plus from 0.4% to 0.2%. This owes less to credit behaviour than to a higher base: a surge in fresh lending has swollen the denominator, compressing delinquency ratios.The risks, meanwhile, have migrated. What was once a product story is now a borrower story. Repeat customers, far from merely rolling over loans, are layering gold-backed credit with unsecured personal borrowing, raising leverage and fragility. Those straddling both segments exhibit more volatile 90 days plus delinquencies than borrowers anchored in secured credit alone.Nor has systemic risk vanished. Growth, driven largely by rising collateral values, leaves portfolios exposed to any sharp correction in gold prices. Stress, too, has not disappeared so much as retreated into the margins: sub-Rs 1 lakh loans continue to show strain, a reminder that for lower-income borrowers, the glitter of gold-backed credit can still mask underlying repayment stress. Experian has called for a shift from collateral-led to borrower-level underwriting to track cross-product leverage, tighten exposure monitoring, and strengthen risk governance as tickets scale and the market deepens.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’We Expect…’: India Reacts To Alleged Desecration Of Lord Ram Photo In BangladeshLucknow Fire: 15 Dead, No NOC, One Exit — India’s Decade-Long Fire Safety Failure ExplainedPune’s Ketan Agarwal’s Death Was No Accident: Police | Fiancée & Alleged Lover Arrested For MurderMinority Affairs MoS George Kurian Resigns; BJP Veteran’s Exit Sparks Kerala Political Buzz | WatchFrom Airports To Your Aadhaar: What The Govt’s Facial Recognition Surveillance Platform Will AccessBattle For ‘Real TMC’ Intensifies As TMC Shuffles Leadership Amid Rebel Challenge | WatchJaipur Woman Arrested Over Alleged Pakistan Links; ATS Probes Jaish ConnectionFrom Central Park Tragedy To ‘Romanch’s Law’: How An Indian Teen’s Death Sparked A Major NYC DebateAjit Doval, Wang Yi Review India-China Ties, Border Progress At BRICS NSA Meeting In New DelhiAfter Lucknow Fire Killed 15, Kanpur Launches Safety Crackdown On Coaching Centres123PhotostoriesSmiling depression: Doctor explains how some people use happiness as a mask10 classic Anglo-Saxon baby names that survived centuries of changeBigg Boss Malayalam 8: Celebrities netizens wish to see on the showLong-lived families reveal a rare genetic clue to healthy ageing; scientists say it may help explain why some people stay disease-free for years longer7 schools where India’s richest send their kidsFrom Delhi Gymkhana Club to Calcutta Club: 6 iconic clubs of India that have shaped the country’s culinary cultureBritish-inspired window designs: 7 elegant styles that can add timeless charm to Indian homesThis is the ‘Northernmost Capital on Earth’ and it offers midnight sun, geothermal streets and surreal viewsFrom pride parades to custody battles: 9 fathers who chose their children over society’s judgment”If it says organic, it must be…”: FSSAI shares 3 smart ways to check food certification at home123Hot PicksIPL tradeGold rate todayCUET UG Result 2026Telangana school bandhCBSE 12th revaluationMaldivian wisdomSpanish proverbMalay proverbPortuguese proverbTop TrendingGeorge KurianUS-Iran WarKunal ShahFIFA World Cup 2026Stock market crashCUET UG Result 2026Ketan AgarwalGold rate todayDelhi weatherMumbai rain

Representative Image MUMBAI: Gold loans, the fastest-growing segment in retail credit for several years, are now showing a sharp improvement in asset quality, driven in part by a surge in new borrowers that has diluted delinquency ratios even as the market undergoes structural expansion, according to an Experian report.The report, titled “Gold Loans in Transition: Market Evolution & Consumer Patterns,” shows that gold loans have dramatically outpaced all other retail credit categories, with sourcing value rising 69% in FY25 and accelerating further to 84% in FY26. Their share in total retail credit sourcing climbed from 20% in FY24 to 30% in FY25 and reached 41% in FY26, underscoring a decisive shift in lender and borrower preference toward collateral-backed credit.According to the report rising gold prices unlocked higher credit per asset. RBI’s curbs on unsecured-loan (through higher risk weights) also nudged lenders/borrowers to gold-backed credit. The tweaks to the loan to value requirement also helped pull in first-time users. Growth has spread beyond the traditional bastion of south India. Uttar Pradesh/West Bengal/Maharashtra led, widening adoption across new borrower cohorts.Ticket sizes doubled from Rs 0.98 lakh (FY23) to Rs 1.96 lakh (FY26). Among lenders, NBFCs gained share because of their speed and distribution edge. Tenures shrank with sub-3-month loans accounting for 47% (FY26 Q3), signalling short-term liquidity use.In value terms FY26 Q4 sanctions jumped 105% year on year while in volume the growth was 37% indicating the shift to higher value loans. The assets under management surged 44% by Mar’25, 49% by Mar’26.Asset quality has, on the surface, improved markedly. Net 30 days plus delinquencies have fallen from 2.2% in March 2023 to 1.0% in March 2026, and net 90 days plus from 0.4% to 0.2%. This owes less to credit behaviour than to a higher base: a surge in fresh lending has swollen the denominator, compressing delinquency ratios.The risks, meanwhile, have migrated. What was once a product story is now a borrower story. Repeat customers, far from merely rolling over loans, are layering gold-backed credit with unsecured personal borrowing, raising leverage and fragility. Those straddling both segments exhibit more volatile 90 days plus delinquencies than borrowers anchored in secured credit alone.Nor has systemic risk vanished. Growth, driven largely by rising collateral values, leaves portfolios exposed to any sharp correction in gold prices. Stress, too, has not disappeared so much as retreated into the margins: sub-Rs 1 lakh loans continue to show strain, a reminder that for lower-income borrowers, the glitter of gold-backed credit can still mask underlying repayment stress. Experian has called for a shift from collateral-led to borrower-level underwriting to track cross-product leverage, tighten exposure monitoring, and strengthen risk governance as tickets scale and the market deepens.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’We Expect…’: India Reacts To Alleged Desecration Of Lord Ram Photo In BangladeshLucknow Fire: 15 Dead, No NOC, One Exit — India’s Decade-Long Fire Safety Failure ExplainedPune’s Ketan Agarwal’s Death Was No Accident: Police | Fiancée & Alleged Lover Arrested For MurderMinority Affairs MoS George Kurian Resigns; BJP Veteran’s Exit Sparks Kerala Political Buzz | WatchFrom Airports To Your Aadhaar: What The Govt’s Facial Recognition Surveillance Platform Will AccessBattle For ‘Real TMC’ Intensifies As TMC Shuffles Leadership Amid Rebel Challenge | WatchJaipur Woman Arrested Over Alleged Pakistan Links; ATS Probes Jaish ConnectionFrom Central Park Tragedy To ‘Romanch’s Law’: How An Indian Teen’s Death Sparked A Major NYC DebateAjit Doval, Wang Yi Review India-China Ties, Border Progress At BRICS NSA Meeting In New DelhiAfter Lucknow Fire Killed 15, Kanpur Launches Safety Crackdown On Coaching Centres123PhotostoriesSmiling depression: Doctor explains how some people use happiness as a mask10 classic Anglo-Saxon baby names that survived centuries of changeBigg Boss Malayalam 8: Celebrities netizens wish to see on the showLong-lived families reveal a rare genetic clue to healthy ageing; scientists say it may help explain why some people stay disease-free for years longer7 schools where India’s richest send their kidsFrom Delhi Gymkhana Club to Calcutta Club: 6 iconic clubs of India that have shaped the country’s culinary cultureBritish-inspired window designs: 7 elegant styles that can add timeless charm to Indian homesThis is the ‘Northernmost Capital on Earth’ and it offers midnight sun, geothermal streets and surreal viewsFrom pride parades to custody battles: 9 fathers who chose their children over society’s judgment”If it says organic, it must be…”: FSSAI shares 3 smart ways to check food certification at home123Hot PicksIPL tradeGold rate todayCUET UG Result 2026Telangana school bandhCBSE 12th revaluationMaldivian wisdomSpanish proverbMalay proverbPortuguese proverbTop TrendingGeorge KurianUS-Iran WarKunal ShahFIFA World Cup 2026Stock market crashCUET UG Result 2026Ketan AgarwalGold rate todayDelhi weatherMumbai rain

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

MUMBAI: Gold loans, the fastest-growing segment in retail credit for several years, are now showing a sharp improvement in asset quality, driven in part by a surge in new borrowers that has diluted delinquency ratios even as the market undergoes structural expansion, according to an Experian report.The report, titled “Gold Loans in Transition: Market Evolution…

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Ngdrs: Registering property online: What NGDRS does and how it works

Ngdrs: Registering property online: What NGDRS does and how it works

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Buying property in India has long meant trips to government offices, piles of paperwork and time-consuming verification steps. But is that changing now? Increasingly, the answer is yes.Under the National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS), a government-developed digital platform, several stages of property registration can now be done online. This includes preparing documents, assessing property…

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Padma awards NEW DELHI: President Drupadi Murmu on Tuesday conferred the Padma Awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the second civil investiture ceremony. A total of 65 Padma awards were conferred including two Padma Vibhushan, seven Padma Bhushan and 56 Padma Shri Awardees.The conferred awardees included actor Mammootty, singer Alka Yagnik, cricketer Rohit Sharma and R Madhavan to name a few.Here is the full list of awardeesPadma Bhushan awardees:Alka YagnikShibu SorenMammoottyPiyush PandeyUday Sureshkumar KotakKallipatti Ramasamy PalaniswamyDr Dattatreyudu NoriVellappally NatesanSKM MaeilanandhanVijay AmritrajR GaneshBhagat Singh KoshyariPadma Shri awardees: Rohit Gurunath SharmaMadhavan RanganathanHarmanpreet Kaur BhullarSavita PuniaSatish ShahProsenjit ChatterjeeChandramouli GaddamanuguDr Rajendra PrasadGadde Babu Rajendra PrasadNuruddin AhmedThiruvaarur BakthavathsalamKrishnamurty BalasubraniamAnkegowda M Bishwa BandhuBharat Singh BhartiBrij Lal Bhat Tarun BhattacharyaTaga Ram BheelRatilal Mohanlal BorisagarKumar BoseJanardan Bapurao BotheSwami BrahamdevJyotish DebnathJogesh DeuriBhiklya Ladakya DhindaArmida FernandezDevaki Amma GPrem Lal GautamRamchandra Godbole, Suneeta GodboleRajastapathi Kaliappa GoundarPadma GurmetAsok Kumar HaldarSuresh HanagavadiH V HandeCharan HembramShubha Venkatesha IyengarT T JagannathanNiranjan Dass Ji Gafaruddin Mewati JogiVeezhinathan KamakotiMangala KapoorMir Haji KasamAshok KhadeRaghuvir KhedkarLiudmila KhokhlovaLars-Christian KochR Krishnan KitnaPrabhakar Basaprabhu KoreMamidala Jagdesh KumarPraveen KumarK Vijay KumarShrirang Devba LadPokhila LekhpetiRama Reddy MamidiSaroj MandalNilesh Vinodchandra MandlewalaBuddha Rashmi ManiR V S ManiKalamandalam Vimala Menon Vladimer MestvirishviliMahendra Kumar MishraMaganti Murali MohanTripti MukherjeeHarimadhab MukhopadhyayA E MuthanayagamMohan NagarPunniamurthy NatesanSatyanarayan Nandlal NuwalMohan NagarK PajanivelDharmiklal Chunilal PandyaKailash Chandra PantSimanchal PatraSarat Kumar PatraN Swaminathan Sangyusang PongenerGarimella Balakrishna PrasadGadde Babu Rajendra PrasadKabindra PurkayasthaBhagwandas RaikwarK RamasamyAnil Kumar RastogiGuduru Venkat Rao Gayatri, RanjaniDeepika ReddyPalkonda Vijay Anand ReddyMahendra Nath Roy Vempaty Kutumba SastryHaricharan SaikiaPrateek SharmaShafi ShauqYumnam Jatra SinghBaldev SinghInderjit Singh SidhuAshok Kumar SinghRaghupat SinghSivasankariKhem Raj SundriyalShyam SundarR SreedherS G SusheelammaBudhri TatiKewal Krishan Thakral Rabilal TuduGopal Ji TrivediKumarasamy ThangarajArvind VaidyaNaresh Chandra Dev Varma Juzer VasiHally WarNarayan VyasShashi Shekhar Vempati Chiranji Lal YadavGambir Singh YonzoneSpeaking to ANI, Padma Shri awardee and Director of the National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa, Dr Padma Gurmet, expressed his happiness for receiving the award for the preservation and promotion of the Himalayan medical tradition.”It feels wonderful. This year, I have been honoured with the Padma Award for the preservation and promotion of the Himalayan medical tradition. Conferring this recognition on a person like me, who is from such a remote area in Ladakh, is a great achievement not only for me but also for the Sowa-Rigpa community,” he said.The first Civil Investiture Ceremony was held on May 26, during which the President Murmu conferred 66 Padma Awards.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosLucknow Fire: 15 Dead, No NOC, One Exit — India’s Decade-Long Fire Safety Failure ExplainedPune’s Ketan Agarwal’s Death Was No Accident: Police | Fiancée & Alleged Lover Arrested For MurderMinority Affairs MoS George Kurian Resigns; BJP Veteran’s Exit Sparks Kerala Political Buzz | WatchFrom Airports To Your Aadhaar: What The Govt’s Facial Recognition Surveillance Platform Will AccessBattle For ‘Real TMC’ Intensifies As TMC Shuffles Leadership Amid Rebel Challenge | WatchJaipur Woman Arrested Over Alleged Pakistan Links; ATS Probes Jaish ConnectionFrom Central Park Tragedy To ‘Romanch’s Law’: How An Indian Teen’s Death Sparked A Major NYC DebateAjit Doval, Wang Yi Review India-China Ties, Border Progress At BRICS NSA Meeting In New DelhiAfter Lucknow Fire Killed 15, Kanpur Launches Safety Crackdown On Coaching CentresRow Erupts Over US Ambassador Sergio Gor’s ‘Two Nations’ Remark After Meeting TN CM Vijay123Photostories10 classic Anglo-Saxon baby names that survived centuries of changeBigg Boss Malayalam 8: Celebrities netizens wish to see on the showLong-lived families reveal a rare genetic clue to healthy ageing; scientists say it may help explain why some people stay disease-free for years longer7 schools where India’s richest send their kidsFrom Delhi Gymkhana Club to Calcutta Club: 6 iconic clubs of India that have shaped the country’s culinary cultureBritish-inspired window designs: 7 elegant styles that can add timeless charm to Indian homesThis is the ‘Northernmost Capital on Earth’ and it offers midnight sun, geothermal streets and surreal viewsFrom pride parades to custody battles: 9 fathers who chose their children over society’s judgment”If it says organic, it must be…”: FSSAI shares 3 smart ways to check food certification at home5 places in India where brides buy imitation wedding jewellery that looks almost real123Hot PicksIPL tradeGold rate todayCUET UG Result 2026Telangana school bandhCBSE 12th revaluationMaldivian wisdomSpanish proverbMalay proverbPortuguese proverbTop TrendingGeorge KurianUS-Iran WarKunal ShahFIFA World Cup 2026Stock market crashCUET UG Result 2026Ketan AgarwalGold rate todayDelhi weatherMumbai rain

Padma awards NEW DELHI: President Drupadi Murmu on Tuesday conferred the Padma Awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the second civil investiture ceremony. A total of 65 Padma awards were conferred including two Padma Vibhushan, seven Padma Bhushan and 56 Padma Shri Awardees.The conferred awardees included actor Mammootty, singer Alka Yagnik, cricketer Rohit Sharma and R Madhavan to name a few.Here is the full list of awardeesPadma Bhushan awardees:Alka YagnikShibu SorenMammoottyPiyush PandeyUday Sureshkumar KotakKallipatti Ramasamy PalaniswamyDr Dattatreyudu NoriVellappally NatesanSKM MaeilanandhanVijay AmritrajR GaneshBhagat Singh KoshyariPadma Shri awardees: Rohit Gurunath SharmaMadhavan RanganathanHarmanpreet Kaur BhullarSavita PuniaSatish ShahProsenjit ChatterjeeChandramouli GaddamanuguDr Rajendra PrasadGadde Babu Rajendra PrasadNuruddin AhmedThiruvaarur BakthavathsalamKrishnamurty BalasubraniamAnkegowda M Bishwa BandhuBharat Singh BhartiBrij Lal Bhat Tarun BhattacharyaTaga Ram BheelRatilal Mohanlal BorisagarKumar BoseJanardan Bapurao BotheSwami BrahamdevJyotish DebnathJogesh DeuriBhiklya Ladakya DhindaArmida FernandezDevaki Amma GPrem Lal GautamRamchandra Godbole, Suneeta GodboleRajastapathi Kaliappa GoundarPadma GurmetAsok Kumar HaldarSuresh HanagavadiH V HandeCharan HembramShubha Venkatesha IyengarT T JagannathanNiranjan Dass Ji Gafaruddin Mewati JogiVeezhinathan KamakotiMangala KapoorMir Haji KasamAshok KhadeRaghuvir KhedkarLiudmila KhokhlovaLars-Christian KochR Krishnan KitnaPrabhakar Basaprabhu KoreMamidala Jagdesh KumarPraveen KumarK Vijay KumarShrirang Devba LadPokhila LekhpetiRama Reddy MamidiSaroj MandalNilesh Vinodchandra MandlewalaBuddha Rashmi ManiR V S ManiKalamandalam Vimala Menon Vladimer MestvirishviliMahendra Kumar MishraMaganti Murali MohanTripti MukherjeeHarimadhab MukhopadhyayA E MuthanayagamMohan NagarPunniamurthy NatesanSatyanarayan Nandlal NuwalMohan NagarK PajanivelDharmiklal Chunilal PandyaKailash Chandra PantSimanchal PatraSarat Kumar PatraN Swaminathan Sangyusang PongenerGarimella Balakrishna PrasadGadde Babu Rajendra PrasadKabindra PurkayasthaBhagwandas RaikwarK RamasamyAnil Kumar RastogiGuduru Venkat Rao Gayatri, RanjaniDeepika ReddyPalkonda Vijay Anand ReddyMahendra Nath Roy Vempaty Kutumba SastryHaricharan SaikiaPrateek SharmaShafi ShauqYumnam Jatra SinghBaldev SinghInderjit Singh SidhuAshok Kumar SinghRaghupat SinghSivasankariKhem Raj SundriyalShyam SundarR SreedherS G SusheelammaBudhri TatiKewal Krishan Thakral Rabilal TuduGopal Ji TrivediKumarasamy ThangarajArvind VaidyaNaresh Chandra Dev Varma Juzer VasiHally WarNarayan VyasShashi Shekhar Vempati Chiranji Lal YadavGambir Singh YonzoneSpeaking to ANI, Padma Shri awardee and Director of the National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa, Dr Padma Gurmet, expressed his happiness for receiving the award for the preservation and promotion of the Himalayan medical tradition.”It feels wonderful. This year, I have been honoured with the Padma Award for the preservation and promotion of the Himalayan medical tradition. Conferring this recognition on a person like me, who is from such a remote area in Ladakh, is a great achievement not only for me but also for the Sowa-Rigpa community,” he said.The first Civil Investiture Ceremony was held on May 26, during which the President Murmu conferred 66 Padma Awards.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosLucknow Fire: 15 Dead, No NOC, One Exit — India’s Decade-Long Fire Safety Failure ExplainedPune’s Ketan Agarwal’s Death Was No Accident: Police | Fiancée & Alleged Lover Arrested For MurderMinority Affairs MoS George Kurian Resigns; BJP Veteran’s Exit Sparks Kerala Political Buzz | WatchFrom Airports To Your Aadhaar: What The Govt’s Facial Recognition Surveillance Platform Will AccessBattle For ‘Real TMC’ Intensifies As TMC Shuffles Leadership Amid Rebel Challenge | WatchJaipur Woman Arrested Over Alleged Pakistan Links; ATS Probes Jaish ConnectionFrom Central Park Tragedy To ‘Romanch’s Law’: How An Indian Teen’s Death Sparked A Major NYC DebateAjit Doval, Wang Yi Review India-China Ties, Border Progress At BRICS NSA Meeting In New DelhiAfter Lucknow Fire Killed 15, Kanpur Launches Safety Crackdown On Coaching CentresRow Erupts Over US Ambassador Sergio Gor’s ‘Two Nations’ Remark After Meeting TN CM Vijay123Photostories10 classic Anglo-Saxon baby names that survived centuries of changeBigg Boss Malayalam 8: Celebrities netizens wish to see on the showLong-lived families reveal a rare genetic clue to healthy ageing; scientists say it may help explain why some people stay disease-free for years longer7 schools where India’s richest send their kidsFrom Delhi Gymkhana Club to Calcutta Club: 6 iconic clubs of India that have shaped the country’s culinary cultureBritish-inspired window designs: 7 elegant styles that can add timeless charm to Indian homesThis is the ‘Northernmost Capital on Earth’ and it offers midnight sun, geothermal streets and surreal viewsFrom pride parades to custody battles: 9 fathers who chose their children over society’s judgment”If it says organic, it must be…”: FSSAI shares 3 smart ways to check food certification at home5 places in India where brides buy imitation wedding jewellery that looks almost real123Hot PicksIPL tradeGold rate todayCUET UG Result 2026Telangana school bandhCBSE 12th revaluationMaldivian wisdomSpanish proverbMalay proverbPortuguese proverbTop TrendingGeorge KurianUS-Iran WarKunal ShahFIFA World Cup 2026Stock market crashCUET UG Result 2026Ketan AgarwalGold rate todayDelhi weatherMumbai rain

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

NEW DELHI: President Drupadi Murmu on Tuesday conferred the Padma Awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the second civil investiture ceremony. A total of 65 Padma awards were conferred including two Padma Vibhushan, seven Padma Bhushan and 56 Padma Shri Awardees.The conferred awardees included actor Mammootty, singer Alka Yagnik, cricketer Rohit Sharma and R Madhavan to…

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