VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Optical illusion personality test: Face, building, both, mask or labyrinth? What you see first reveals if you are sensitive, sorted, introvert, deep thinker or emotionally intelligent | Understanding the most auspicious directions in vastu shastra Renting a house? Ask these 10 questions before signing the agreement | ‘Last ride’: Air Force One Boeing 747 retires after Trump’s France trip, ending 35-year presidential service era File photo NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi showcased India’s rich artistic, textile and intellectual heritage through a range of traditional gifts presented to leaders and dignitaries during his recent visit to France and Slovakia.The gifts, which included a hand-crafted Kalamkari Mahabharata painting, ancient Ayurvedic texts, handwoven textiles and tribal artworks, reflected India’s diverse cultural traditions and craftsmanship.PM Modi returned to New Delhi on Friday after concluding his two-nation visit.The ministry of external affairs said the visit added fresh momentum to the India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership and strengthened cooperation across key sectors.Kalamkari artwork for Macron, Pochampally stole for First LadyFrench President Emmanuel Macron received a hand-crafted Kalamkari Mahabharata painting from Andhra Pradesh.Gift given by PM Narendra Modi to French President Emmanuel Macron The artwork took nearly six months to complete and was created using traditional pen-drawing techniques. It depicts scenes from the Mahabharata and explores themes of duty, justice, courage and moral choice.Brigitte Macron was gifted a Pochampally Silk Stole from Telangana.Gift given by PM Narendra Modi to Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel MacronThe handwoven textile is crafted using the traditional Ikat resist-dyeing technique and is known for its intricate geometric and floral patterns, fine craftsmanship and elegant design.Traditional Kashmiri and Dokra crafts gifted in SlovakiaSlovak Prime Minister Robert Fico received a Kashmiri Silk Carpet, one of the Valley’s most celebrated hand-knotted crafts.Gift given by PM Modi to PM of Slovakia Robert FicoThe carpet is made from natural silk and features intricate floral, paisley, vine and medallion motifs inspired by Kashmir’s artistic traditions and natural beauty.President Peter Pellegrini was presented with a Brass Dokra Antelope Set, showcasing the ancient Dokra metal-casting tradition practised by tribal artisans in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal.Gift given by PM Modi to President of Slovakia Peter Pellegrini Crafted using the lost-wax casting technique, each piece is unique and reflects themes of nature, folklore and rural life.Pellegrini was also gifted a Himroo Silk Tie and Pocket Square set from Aurangabad.Gift given by PM Modi to President of Slovakia Peter Pellegrini The textile, woven from a silk-cotton blend, is known for its reversible weave, soft texture and intricate floral and paisley motifs.Additionally, he received handcrafted Thewa Motif Cufflinks from Rajasthan’s Pratapgarh region.Gift given by PM Modi to President of Slovakia Peter PellegriniThe cufflinks feature finely engraved gold sheets fused onto coloured glass using the rare Thewa jewellery-making technique.Ancient Ayurvedic texts presented to Slovak SpeakerSpeaker of the Slovak Parliament Richard Raši was gifted copies of the Charaka Samhita and Susruta Samhita, two foundational texts of Ayurveda.Gifts given by PM Modi to Speaker of Slovakia Richard RašiThe Charaka Samhita, attributed to Acharya Charaka, presents a systematic understanding of health, disease, physiology and well-being and remains an important source of medical knowledge.The Susruta Samhita, attributed to the physician Susruta, is regarded as one of the earliest and most significant works on surgery. It documents advanced surgical procedures, instruments, anatomy and medical treatments, including reconstructive techniques such as rhinoplasty.Raši was also presented with Thekua, a traditional sweet snack from Bihar and Jharkhand made from wheat flour, jaggery or sugar, fennel seeds and ghee.Thekua gifted to Speaker of Slovakia Richard Raši by PM Modi Widely associated with Chhath Puja, the delicacy is known for its long shelf life and cultural significance.Visit focused on innovation and strategic tiesThe gifts formed part of PM Modi’s engagements in France and Slovakia, where discussions focused on innovation, technology, economic cooperation and strategic partnerships.PM Modi described the France visit as “extensive” in terms of both engagements and outcomes, covering programmes in Nice, the G7 Summit in Évian-les-Bains, VivaTech 2026 in Paris and meetings with business leaders.The Prime Minister said the India-France friendship would become even stronger in the years ahead.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 MediaVideosLNG Tanker ‘DISHA’ Reaches Gujarat After Hormuz Crossing, Boosting India’s Energy ConfidenceUP CM Yogi Adityanath Defends SIT Probe In Ram Mandir Donation Row, Says Truth Will Be RevealedCockroach Janta Party Seeks ₹1 Crore Compensation For Families Amid NEET Suicide CrisisEx-PM I.K. Gujral’s Son Duped Of ₹7.8 Crore, Cops Claim ‘Majority’ Of Amount | WatchAnthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s ‘Disorganised’ India AI Summit Remark Triggers Congress-BJP FaceoffTelegram Loses Court Battle As Delhi HC Refuses To Lift Temporary Block | WatchCross-Voting Shock? NDA-Backed Nathwani Wins As India Bloc’s Math Collapses | Watch’Exporting Terror Has Costs’: India Rejects Pakistan’s Claims At UN Human Rights CouncilChinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi To Visit India For BRICS Meet Amid Ongoing India-China ResetCongress’s Former Rebels Are Struggling. Should They Return to the Fold?123PhotostoriesThis Himalayan village is famous for its 32 hairpin bends and ancient silk routeSamantha Ruth Prabhu consumes 100g protein daily at just 50 kg, has banned ‘superfoods’ from diet after myositis diagnosisThings every 90s kid learned that children rarely experience todayJapanese proverb of the day on relationships: “If the fish has a mind, so does…”5 everyday habits to heal and balance your throat chakraSamantha Ruth Prabhu’s fiery red saree sets the stage for an iconic reunion with TN Chief Minister Thalapathy VijayConjunctivitis cases surge during monsoon: Eye doctor shares 10 simple ways to protect your eyes and prevent infectionFather’s Day 2026: 9 things Indian dads rarely say, but show every single dayFriday Special: How to make Bihari-Style Spicy Masala ChickenThese habits may be blocking positive energy in life; based on your birth date123Hot PicksJesse MarschYuvraj SinghLionel MessiAP SSC resultsKannur University FYUGP TrialShiv SenaJD VanceStrait of HormuzHormoz nuclear power plantTop TrendingBihar gang-rapeUS-Iran Peace DealStock Market LiveFIFA World Cup 2026What is Legacy BadgeBEST bus strikeAIIMS Admit CardMHT CET PCM 2nd attempt resultsGold rate todayIndia-UK FTA QS World University Rankings 2027: From DU to Jamia, where India’s top non-technical universities stand globally ‘Batwara 1947’: Sunny Deol starrer partition drama inspired by acclaimed Lahore play ‘Jis Lahore Nai Vekhya’ Things every 90s kid learned that children rarely experience today Saturday ritual you can follow based on your date of birth India, Russia jointly developing small, hypersonic BrahMos variants: Russian envoy; work on BrahMos-NG, very long-range variant on, will cut cost: BrahMoS Aerospace chief Uae Retail T-Sukuk: UAE launches first retail T-Sukuk, letting residents invest in government-backed assets from Dh1,000 | World News Karnataka BJP chief BY Vijayendra and LoP R Ashoka NEW DELHI: An “upset” BJP leadership has summoned the party’s top Karnataka leaders to Delhi amid allegations of cross-voting by its MLAs in the state legislative council elections, in which the ruling Congress secured five of the seven seats.Also Read | Cracks in alliance: BJP-JD(S) hunt for ‘black sheep’ after Congress sweeps Karnataka MLC polls“The BJP high command is upset over cross-voting by BJP MLAs in Karnataka. State president B.Y. Vijayendra, Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka and state in-charge Radha Mohan Das Agarwal have been summoned to Delhi on June 23. Notably, 11 NDA MLAs in Karnataka allegedly cross-voted, leaving the BJP leadership displeased,” ANI quoted sources as saying.The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Karnataka comprises the BJP and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda’s Janata Dal (Secular).The BJP managed to win two seats, while the JD(S) candidate lost to Congress’s fifth nominee in a closely fought contest.The voting pattern pointed to significant cross-voting within the NDA ranks. While Congress, which has 135 MLAs in the Assembly, secured 151 votes — 16 more than its official strength — and saw all five of its candidates elected in the first round, the BJP and JD(S) fell short of their expected numbers.The BJP’s two candidates received a combined 56 votes against the party’s strength of 64. Lingaraj Patil polled 27 votes, three short of the 30 allotted to him, while Raghu R secured 29 votes, one less than the quota required for victory.The JD(S), which has 18 MLAs, managed only 14 votes for its nominee. Under the NDA’s seat-sharing arrangement, the BJP had reportedly directed three of its legislators to support the JD(S), which should have taken JD(S) tally to 21. The result has fuelled speculation that several NDA legislators voted for the Congress candidates.How voting unfoldedThe voting pattern pointed to significant cross-voting within the NDA ranks. While Congress, which has 135 MLAs in the Assembly, secured 151 votes — 16 more than its official strength — and saw all five of its candidates elected in the first round, the BJP and JD(S) fell short of their expected numbers.The BJP’s two candidates received a combined 56 votes against the party’s strength of 64. Lingaraj Patil polled 27 votes, three short of the 30 allotted to him, while Raghu R secured 29 votes, one less than the quota required for victory.The JD(S), which has 18 MLAs, managed only 14 votes for its nominee. Under the NDA’s seat-sharing arrangement, the BJP had reportedly directed three of its legislators to support the JD(S), which should have taken JD(S) tally to 21. The result has fuelled speculation that several NDA legislators voted for the Congress candidates.The results further burnished the credentials of chief minister DK Shivakumar, widely regarded as the Congress’s “troubleshooter.” The victory also came just days after he finally succeeded party veteran Siddaramaiah as chief minister following a leadership tussle that lasted more than two years.While the BJP maintained that only three legislators from its camp — apart from rebels already under suspicion — had cross-voted, party leaders alleged that at least eight JD(S) MLAs had backed Congress candidates. The JD(S) rejected the claim, contending that no more than four votes could have come from its ranks and that the remaining cross-votes likely originated from BJP legislators.GT Devegowda and MR Manjunath of JD(S) and BJP’s Ramesh Jarkiholi, BP Harish, M Chandrappa and HK Suresh were immediately under the lens, but all of them denied cross-voting.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 MediaVideosLNG Tanker ‘DISHA’ Reaches Gujarat After Hormuz Crossing, Boosting India’s Energy ConfidenceUP CM Yogi Adityanath Defends SIT Probe In Ram Mandir Donation Row, Says Truth Will Be RevealedCockroach Janta Party Seeks ₹1 Crore Compensation For Families Amid NEET Suicide CrisisEx-PM I.K. Gujral’s Son Duped Of ₹7.8 Crore, Cops Claim ‘Majority’ Of Amount | WatchAnthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s ‘Disorganised’ India AI Summit Remark Triggers Congress-BJP FaceoffTelegram Loses Court Battle As Delhi HC Refuses To Lift Temporary Block | WatchCross-Voting Shock? NDA-Backed Nathwani Wins As India Bloc’s Math Collapses | Watch’Exporting Terror Has Costs’: India Rejects Pakistan’s Claims At UN Human Rights CouncilChinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi To Visit India For BRICS Meet Amid Ongoing India-China ResetCongress’s Former Rebels Are Struggling. Should They Return to the Fold?123PhotostoriesThis Himalayan village is famous for its 32 hairpin bends and ancient silk routeSamantha Ruth Prabhu consumes 100g protein daily at just 50 kg, has banned ‘superfoods’ from diet after myositis diagnosisThings every 90s kid learned that children rarely experience todayJapanese proverb of the day on relationships: “If the fish has a mind, so does…”5 everyday habits to heal and balance your throat chakraSamantha Ruth Prabhu’s fiery red saree sets the stage for an iconic reunion with TN Chief Minister Thalapathy VijayConjunctivitis cases surge during monsoon: Eye doctor shares 10 simple ways to protect your eyes and prevent infectionFather’s Day 2026: 9 things Indian dads rarely say, but show every single dayFriday Special: How to make Bihari-Style Spicy Masala ChickenThese habits may be blocking positive energy in life; based on your birth date123Hot PicksJesse MarschYuvraj SinghLionel MessiAP SSC resultsKannur University FYUGP TrialShiv SenaJD VanceStrait of HormuzHormoz nuclear power plantTop TrendingBihar gang-rapeUS-Iran Peace DealStock Market LiveFIFA World Cup 2026What is Legacy BadgeBEST bus strikeAIIMS Admit CardMHT CET PCM 2nd attempt resultsGold rate todayIndia-UK FTA Jun 19, 2026, 15:06 IST Kuldeep Yadav set to play for a new team from IPL 2027; Delhi Capitals homecoming likely for Rishabh Pant NEET UG 2026 re-exam: NTA issues detailed exam-day advisory, check details here Vijay Antony pens emotional note thanking Tiruppur Subramaniam for timely support after ‘Nooru Saamy’ overcomes release hurdles | Tamil Movie News “Kudiyon nu bahar na bhejo”: They questioned his parenting, gave taunts; now this Punjab farmer’s daughter will represent India at the Commonwealth Games | How my child fell in love with maths, and why it had nothing to do with talent, ability or tuitions Which IIM offers the best salary? No, it’s not Ahmedabad, nor Bangalore ‘The internet is a liar, nobody cheated on nobody’: Jelly Roll shuts down cheating rumors with ‘best friend and wife’ Bunnie Xo amid divorce Warren Buffett quote of the day: “Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago;” What the investing legend taught about patience, long-term thinking, wealth, and career growth | 2026 Citroen eC3 X: Variant-wise features with price explained Days after Amazon CEO Andy Jassy made his ambitions to take on Nvidia very clear to shareholders, Amazon’s AI chief Peter DeSantis says … Buried since 1776: Archaeologists uncover 500 hidden Revolutionary War artefacts at New York’s Fort Ticonderoga | World News ‘Normal won’t work’: How Hardik Pandya inspired Shivang Kumar to reinvent himself HPCET counselling 2026 started at himtu.ac.in: Check steps to apply here Allu Arjun fitness secret: Inside ‘Raaka’ star’s 45-minute empty stomach workout routine to late night chocolate Dolphins have a trick to avoid ‘bad guys,’ and it sounds surprisingly human: Study Actor Prabhu Deva brings home MG M9: Luxury EV MPV’s key details EXCLUSIVE: Yuvraj Singh to take IPL coaching plunge with Delhi Capitals Man arrested after 3-year-old boy found injured in Cambridgeshire zoo crocodile enclosure | World News Rajya Sabha NEW DELHI: The BJP-led NDA has moved closer to consolidating its position in the Rajya Sabha after winning 19 of the 26 seats decided in the latest round of elections. The Congress-led INDIA bloc secured six seats, while Mizoram’s Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) won one.The latest results have taken the NDA’s strength in the Rajya Sabha to 150 members, up from 148 earlier. The alliance is now 13 seats short of the two-thirds majority mark of 163 in the 245-member House.The NDA’s gains came after NDA-backed independent candidate Parimal Nathwani pulled off a surprise victory in Jharkhand with the help of cross-voting. Nathwani won one of the state’s two Rajya Sabha seats despite the INDIA bloc holding a comfortable majority in the state assembly. The other seat was won by JMM candidate Baidyanath Ram.In Mizoram, ruling ZPM candidate K Laltluangkima won the lone Rajya Sabha seat, giving the regional party its first-ever representation in the Upper House.Most of the seats had already been decided on June 11, when 24 candidates from eight states were elected unopposed. Of these, 19 belonged to the NDA and five to the Congress-led opposition.How the numbers stack upThe latest elections have strengthened the NDA’s position in the Rajya Sabha at a time when several opposition parties are facing internal turmoil.According to PTI sources, the resignation of three Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MPs, after major rupture in Mamata Banerjee’s party, has opened the door for the NDA to make further gains. If the ruling NDA alliance wins all three resulting bypolls in West Bengal, its tally will rise from 150 to 153, leaving it just 10 seats short of the two-thirds mark.Weeks ago, the NDA’s strength in the Rajya Sabha received a major boost after a split in the AAP, with Raghav Chadha leading a rebellion against Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership and bringing seven Upper House MPs into the NDA fold.These developments have reduced the effective strength of the INDIA bloc in the Upper House. The opposition alliance currently has around 64 MPs, while several regional parties continue to hold the balance of power.However, the NDA’s path to a two-thirds majority is not guaranteed. Later this year, the terms of 10 Rajya Sabha members from Uttar Pradesh will end, and the Samajwadi Party could gain seats because of its improved strength in the state assembly.Regional parties such as YSRCP and BJD, with seven and six MPs respectively, could also play a key role in future voting on major legislation.For the NDA, the immediate focus remains the Rajya Sabha. While it is inching closer to the numbers needed to comfortably pass constitutional amendment bills in the Upper House, it remains far from the two-thirds majority mark of 363 seats in the Lok Sabha.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 MediaVideosEx-PM I.K. Gujral’s Son Duped Of ₹7.8 Crore, Cops Claim ‘Majority’ Of Amount | WatchAnthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s ‘Disorganised’ India AI Summit Remark Triggers Congress-BJP FaceoffTelegram Loses Court Battle As Delhi HC Refuses To Lift Temporary Block | WatchCross-Voting Shock? NDA-Backed Nathwani Wins As India Bloc’s Math Collapses | Watch’Exporting Terror Has Costs’: India Rejects Pakistan’s Claims At UN Human Rights CouncilChinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi To Visit India For BRICS Meet Amid Ongoing India-China ResetCongress’s Former Rebels Are Struggling. Should They Return to the Fold?India-U.S. Interim Trade Deal Nears Finish Line, Key U.S. Official To Visit Next Week | Watch’Priya Mitra Narendra’: Macron’s Hindi Message To Modi Caps High-Profile France VisitExplained: India’s Telegram Ban Ahead of NEET Re-Exam; Necessary Step or Pointless Move?123PhotostoriesJapanese proverb of the day on relationships: “If the fish has a mind, so does…”5 everyday habits to heal and balance your throat chakraSamantha Ruth Prabhu’s fiery red saree sets the stage for an iconic reunion with TN Chief Minister Thalapathy VijayConjunctivitis cases surge during monsoon: Eye doctor shares 10 simple ways to protect your eyes and prevent infectionFather’s Day 2026: 9 things Indian dads rarely say, but show every single dayFriday Special: How to make Bihari-Style Spicy Masala ChickenThese habits may be blocking positive energy in life; based on your birth dateFrom Batik to Block Prints: 10 incredible destinations every textile lover should visit at least once60-second money lesson: The ₹500 challenge that could help you build over ₹1 lakhDoctor explains what happens to your body when you practice yoga for 20 minutes every day123Hot PicksJesse MarschCA TopperLionel MessiAP SSC resultsKannur University FYUGP TrialShiv SenaJD VanceStrait of HormuzHormoz nuclear power plantTop TrendingBihar gang-rapeUS-Iran Peace DealStock Market LiveFIFA World Cup 2026What is Legacy BadgeBEST bus strikeAIIMS Admit CardMHT CET PCM 2nd attempt resultsGold rate todayIndia-UK FTA Jio Platforms IPO announced by Mukesh Ambani at Reliance AGM; DRHP to be filed today with SEBI CSIR UGC NET 2026 registration ends today for June session: Check direct link to apply here Salman Khan was mentally, emotionally drained after Baba Siddiqui’s demise, rib injury, still showed up on Sikandar set, says his co-star praising the actor World’s upcoming tallest skyscraper crosses the 100-floor mark: How Jeddah Tower is reshaping Saudi Arabia’s real estate market She booked a luxury stay in Shimla, got hurt walking back from dinner — court orders hotel to pay Rs 20,000 compensation Who is Andy Burnham? The ‘King of the North’ who could replace Keir Starmer as UK PM after by-election win Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran addresses a gathering in IIT Madras (Image/ANI) NEW DELHI: Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran has cautioned that the world is entering a turbulent two-decade cycle echoing the geopolitical upheaval of the early 20th century, even as he insisted that the public heavily underestimates India’s underlying strength and dismissed fears of AI-driven job losses as overstated.Speaking on the Professor Mahesh Podcast, an IITM Global initiative at IIT-Madras, the CEA said the global order faces severe flux between 2026 and 2046. “The next 20 years will mimic to some extent the period between 1925 and 1945,” he warned, urging corporations to shift from “just-in-time” efficiency to “just-in-case” resilience as nations increasingly weaponise supply chains and financial systems. He stressed that, in this environment, businesses worldwide would increasingly prioritise security and self-reliance over the pursuit of the lowest possible cost.Nageswaran argued that India is far better placed than commonly believed. He noted that the country is among only two or three nations capable of simultaneously growing its own food, launching its own satellites, and manufacturing vital pharmaceuticals such as paracetamol and antibiotics — a baseline strength he said is routinely overlooked.Elaborating on AI, he contended that the technology would increase the cognitive load on humans rather than replace them, adding that students must master prompt composition because the quality of outputs depends on the quality of inputs. He flagged trade skills — electrical work, mechanical maintenance and plumbing — as opportunities relatively insulated from AI disruption.Describing the country as a “living economics laboratory” unmatched anywhere on Earth, Nageswaran evoked an observation attributed to economist Joan Robinson. “Whatever you say about India, the opposite can be equally true,” he said, pointing to the paradox of a nation undertaking massive socio-economic transformation within a vibrant democracy before attaining full prosperity.The CEA also pushed back against frequently cited international data on India’s informal sector, arguing that reforms such as the Goods and Services Tax had accelerated formalisation of MSMEs. Citing internal assessments, he said the economy was now roughly 65% formalised.Turning to education, Nageswaran urged institutions to embrace interdisciplinary learning. Studying engineering or computer science in isolation was no longer sufficient, he said; a grounding in economics, history and political economy was essential to navigate an increasingly non-linear world.The wide-ranging conversation with Professor Mahesh Panchagnula, hosted at IIT Madras, offered policymakers, corporate leaders and students a roadmap for future-proofing careers amid global uncertainty and rapid technological change.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAnthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s ‘Disorganised’ India AI Summit Remark Triggers Congress-BJP FaceoffTelegram Loses Court Battle As Delhi HC Refuses To Lift Temporary Block | WatchCross-Voting Shock? NDA-Backed Nathwani Wins As India Bloc’s Math Collapses | Watch’Exporting Terror Has Costs’: India Rejects Pakistan’s Claims At UN Human Rights CouncilChinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi To Visit India For BRICS Meet Amid Ongoing India-China ResetCongress’s Former Rebels Are Struggling. Should They Return to the Fold?India-U.S. Interim Trade Deal Nears Finish Line, Key U.S. Official To Visit Next Week | Watch’Priya Mitra Narendra’: Macron’s Hindi Message To Modi Caps High-Profile France VisitExplained: India’s Telegram Ban Ahead of NEET Re-Exam; Necessary Step or Pointless Move?Football Legend’s Kolkata Tour Mismanagement Still Under Scanner; Accountability Questions Grow123PhotostoriesJapanese proverb of the day on relationships: “If the fish has a mind, so does…”5 everyday habits to heal and balance your throat chakraSamantha Ruth Prabhu’s fiery red saree sets the stage for an iconic reunion with TN Chief Minister Thalapathy VijayConjunctivitis cases surge during monsoon: Eye doctor shares 10 simple ways to protect your eyes and prevent infectionFather’s Day 2026: 9 things Indian dads rarely say, but show every single dayFriday Special: How to make Bihari-Style Spicy Masala ChickenThese habits may be blocking positive energy in life; based on your birth dateFrom Batik to Block Prints: 10 incredible destinations every textile lover should visit at least once60-second money lesson: The ₹500 challenge that could help you build over ₹1 lakhDoctor explains what happens to your body when you practice yoga for 20 minutes every day123Hot PicksJesse MarschCA TopperLionel MessiAP SSC resultsKannur University FYUGP TrialShiv SenaJD VanceStrait of HormuzHormoz nuclear power plantTop TrendingBihar gang-rapeUS-Iran Peace DealStock Market LiveFIFA World Cup 2026What is Legacy BadgeBEST bus strikeAIIMS Admit CardMHT CET PCM 2nd attempt resultsGold rate todayIndia-UK FTA Jun 19, 2026, 14:08 IST Faf du Plessis rewrites cricket history, achieves unprecedented feat at 41 ‘Our father may not have given you words’: Ankur Warikoo’s Father’s Day post resonates with many ‘No connection to Pushpa’: Rajkumar Periyasamy clears the air on Dhanush starrer ‘OM’ title controversy Japanese proverb of the day on relationships: “If the fish has a mind, so does…” People who are born on these dates should wear OM US to withdraw fighter jets, forces from Europe; is this the beginning of Trump’s ‘pulling the plug’ on NATO? Andy Burnham wins crucial Makerfield by-election, intensifying pressure on PM Keir Starmer AI generated image It would not be too much of an exaggeration to say we are living in a simulation where Elon Musk rules supreme.Rockets, AI, private space, trillion-dollar valuations, Mars talk, market frenzy — the man has made the future look less like science fiction and more like a quarterly update. This week, after SpaceX’s blockbuster market debut, the simulation got another software upgrade. While many things were highlighted about Musk becoming the first trillionaire, with records tumbling, one particular stat stood out. It showed how far new tech has pushed the limits of what we may think of as conceivable wealth, when Musk outmatched the wealth of the greatest investment guru alive in just one day. This and other standout statistics are part of our weekly number wrap-up, where we put seven statistics under a close lens.When one day beats a lifetime$164.8 billion was Elon Musk’s one-day wealth gain on June 15, according to Forbes data. It was larger than Warren Buffett’s estimated net worth of $146.4 billion. The difference itself was enormous: $18.4 billion. Musk’s one-day jump was bigger than Buffett’s entire fortune. Musk shows the wayThe trigger was SpaceX’s stock surge, with the company reportedly up 66% in three days. But the number was not just about one billionaire overtaking another. It captured the mood of this market moment.Patient capital, represented by Buffett, is still revered. The old gospel was simple. Buy well, wait long, let compounding do its quiet magic. Frontier capital is different. Rockets, AI, private space and deep tech are being priced as if tomorrow has already been delivered to the doorstep.That appetite for the future, however, is not evenly matched by strength in the real economy.China’s consumer wobbleChina’s retail sales slid 0.6% in May, reversing April’s 0.2% rise and marking the first monthly fall since December 2022. It was not a collapse, but it was a warning. China retail figuresThe wider picture was two-speed. Industrial output rose 4.5% in May from a year earlier, helped by stronger factory activity. But fixed-asset investment fell 4.1% in the first five months of 2026, showing that the recovery remains uneven.That is the China puzzle in one frame, where factories are holding up, but consumers are not showing the same confidence. This has global ramifications because China remains a central pillar of manufacturing, commodity demand and global trade. When Chinese consumers hesitate, it sends a signal well beyond Beijing.And this split between headline growth and underlying stress is also visible in the labour market, particularly in tech.Tech’s white-collar squeeze56,000+ Indian professionals from global technology companies are now actively seeking opportunities, reports Sreeradha Basu in Economic Times. A month ago, the count was just over 12,000. Six months ago, it was around 5,000. A year ago, it was under 4,000.This is not the usual ebb and flow of the hiring market. It is a sharper reset. A ET commissioned study done by specialist staffing firm Xpheno points towards a worrying trend. Tech layoff in big numbers The data covers professionals from 20 major tech companies, each of which has undertaken more than 1,000 global layoffs since January. Mid-level professionals form the largest segment at 66%. Tech hiring is also at a 28-month low. Bengaluru accounts for 36% of the surge, Hyderabad 19%, and other locations 45%.For years, tech was seen as the safest escalator for India’s middle class. Coding was a shortcut to prosperity. It promised visas, apartments, ESOP dreams and the occasional standing desk with DSMs and circling back to long-pending Jira tickets.Routine tech work is now more exposed to cost-cutting, automation and AI-led restructuring. Mid-level professionals, once the backbone of execution, are in the most uncomfortable place: too experienced to be cheap, not always specialised enough to be immune to being fired.But the AI story has a second side. It is not only cutting into white-collar comfort zones. It is also creating demand for hands-on work.AI still needs people in helmetsBlue-collar job volumes have risen 93% between early 2022 and early 2026, outpacing the 40% rise in white-collar roles, reports Rupali Mukherjee in Times of India. Salaries in these roles are up 5.7% year-on-year, compared with 4% for entry-level white-collar jobs. The data is based on information provided exclusively to TOI by talent firm Randstad after analysing over 50 million job postings. Changing nature of job demand The most striking gains are in the trades that keep the new economy physically running, electricians up 242%, HVAC technicians up 200%, and robotics technicians up 500%+.This is the overlooked reality of the AI boom. As AI gets ingrained into more and more cutting-edge tech, jobs that run the system are growing. So yes, code may drive AI. But AI also runs on electricity, equipment, shopfloors and skilled hands.That shift is also changing how students and families view older engineering streams.Civil engineering’s unexpected comebackAt the top IITs, civil engineering is showing signs of a comeback, reports Hemali Chhapia for TOI. The movement in opening and closing ranks tells the story. Civil engineering at IIT Bhubaneswar moved up by 3,204 ranks, IIT Patna by 2,978 ranks, and IIT Roorkee by 2,454 ranks. At IIT Delhi, civil engineering opened at AIR 179 (up 2851 ranks); at IIT Bombay, at AIR 385 (up 2281 ranks). People are finally coming back to core engineering. IIT admission trendThe reasons are not hard to see. India’s infrastructure buildout is visible on the ground in expressways, metros, airports, bridges, urban redevelopment, housing, townships and industrial corridors. A better job outlook, the scale of public works and renewed interest beyond pure coding have made civil engineering more attractive than it was during the peak software rush.However, computer science remains the most coveted course. Students are not abandoning tech. They are widening the definition of what a future-ready career can look like.That brings us to the larger talent race.India rises, China still leadsIn the QS World University Rankings 2027, India has 52 ranked universities, while Mainland China has 85. India’s rise is visible, this is the country’s strongest showing since the National Education Policy came into being in 2020, and 52 institutions make India the fifth-largest contingent globally. Eighteen Indian institutions have achieved their highest-ever rankings, and 13 of them are non-IITs. But China’s lead at the top remains substantial. Comparison between India and Chinese universities China has 10 universities in the global top 200, compared with India’s 3. Peking University is China’s best-ranked university at #13, while India’s best-ranked institution, IIT Delhi, is at #118. The top-five comparison shows the gap more clearly. China’s leading universities are ranked 13, 14, 26, 36 and 47, while India’s top five are ranked 118, 134, 170, 205 and 221. China also added 13 new entrants in 2027, compared with India’s 2. India’s rise is broadening beyond the IITs, but the climb from access and scale to global research excellence is long. India has no shortage of talent, the harder task is converting it into institutions with global depth, research capital and international visibility. And that requires public spending choices, which leads to the final number.The subsidy state expandsThe week’s last big number is domestic and fiscal: ₹4.4 lakh crore.That is the total state subsidy bill in 2024-25, up from ₹1.4 lakh crore in 2015-16, roughly a 3x increase. Subsidies now account for 10.2% of revenue expenditure, compared with 7.7% in 2015-16. Subsidy-billThe sector mix is revealing. Energy accounts for 43.4% of state subsidies, agriculture 29.8%, and others 26.8%. Among the top states by subsidy as a share of total expenditure are Karnataka at 14.0%, Madhya Pradesh 13.7%, Tamil Nadu 13.6%, Punjab 13.5%, and Chhattisgarh 11.4%.Subsidies have nearly tripled even as total state expenditure rose 2.3 times over the same period. That means subsidies have grown faster than overall spending.This is the political economy behind many of the week’s other numbers. As jobs become less predictable, education becomes more competitive, infrastructure becomes central to growth, and households face pressure, states are spending more to cushion citizens and sectors. For some, subsidies are doles and freebies; for others, they are an investment in human capital. But irrespective of the framing, it is the reality of the time.The future, undeniably, is being repriced, just not evenly. So yes, perhaps we are living in a simulation. But it is not the clean, coded world of The Matrix, where you choose between a red pill and a blue pill and suddenly understand everything. This simulation is messier. The winners are moving fast. The rest of the economy is trying to catch up. And if there is a glitch in this Matrix, it is this that the future is arriving early, but not equally.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorArghya Prasun RoychowdhuryInterested in politics, policy, data and cricket.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAnthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s ‘Disorganised’ India AI Summit Remark Triggers Congress-BJP FaceoffTelegram Loses Court Battle As Delhi HC Refuses To Lift Temporary Block | WatchCross-Voting Shock? NDA-Backed Nathwani Wins As India Bloc’s Math Collapses | Watch’Exporting Terror Has Costs’: India Rejects Pakistan’s Claims At UN Human Rights CouncilChinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi To Visit India For BRICS Meet Amid Ongoing India-China ResetCongress’s Former Rebels Are Struggling. Should They Return to the Fold?India-U.S. Interim Trade Deal Nears Finish Line, Key U.S. Official To Visit Next Week | Watch’Priya Mitra Narendra’: Macron’s Hindi Message To Modi Caps High-Profile France VisitExplained: India’s Telegram Ban Ahead of NEET Re-Exam; Necessary Step or Pointless Move?Football Legend’s Kolkata Tour Mismanagement Still Under Scanner; Accountability Questions Grow123PhotostoriesFather’s Day 2026: 9 things Indian dads rarely say, but show every single dayFriday Special: How to make Bihari-Style Spicy Masala ChickenThese habits may be blocking positive energy in life; based on your birth dateFrom Batik to Block Prints: 10 incredible destinations every textile lover should visit at least once60-second money lesson: The ₹500 challenge that could help you build over ₹1 lakhDoctor explains what happens to your body when you practice yoga for 20 minutes every dayFather’s Day 2026: The funniest dad habits we all grew up with and secretly miss today8 South Indian breakfast dishes other than idli and dosaQuote of the day by Sadhguru: “If you live your life striving for the highest possibility, in that striving itself, there is liberation”; how working the hardest for achieving your ‘best’ is actual freedom5 giant aquarium fish that bring life and personality to your tank123Hot PicksJesse MarschCA TopperLionel MessiAP SSC resultsKannur University FYUGP TrialShiv SenaJD VanceStrait of HormuzHormoz nuclear power plantTop TrendingBihar gang-rapeUS-Iran Peace DealStock Market LiveFIFA World Cup 2026What is Legacy BadgeBEST bus strikeAIIMS Admit CardMHT CET PCM 2nd attempt resultsGold rate todayIndia-UK FTA ‘Do you have the guts?’ Sreesanth challenges Harbhajan Singh to ring fight as Slapgate feud reignites Gold price prediction: What’s the outlook for gold prices on June 19, 2026 & what should investors do? Buy on dips recommended