A 16-year-old boy from St. Columba’s School in central Delhi ended his life on November 18, leaving behind a haunting suicide note that detailed months of alleged mental harassment by teachers. His death has shaken parents, students, and authorities, sparking protests and an urgent investigation.

Shourya Patil, a Class 10 student who dreamed of following in the footsteps of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, reportedly jumped from Platform 2 of Rajendra Place Metro Station. His school bag, found nearby, contained a letter in which he apologised to his mother, father, and brother, expressing guilt for “breaking their hearts.” In a final, poignant request, he asked that his organs be donated to those in need.

In the note, Shourya also named several teachers, urging authorities to take action so that no other child would suffer as he had. Friends and family say the harassment had been ongoing since Class 8. One triggering incident reportedly occurred during a drama class when he slipped on stage and was mocked and pushed by a teacher in front of classmates.

Despite repeated complaints from his parents, the school allegedly failed to intervene. “We approached the authorities several times, but nothing changed,” said Shourya’s father. Friends recall that he had confided in some teachers and school counsellors about his struggles and thoughts of self-harm, but his distress remained largely unnoticed.

The Delhi Police have registered an FIR for abetment to suicide and temporarily suspended four staff members, including the principal, a coordinator, and two teachers. The Delhi Directorate of Education has also formed a high-level committee to investigate whether the school followed mental health guidelines.

Following the tragedy, students, parents, and alumni staged a protest outside the school, demanding accountability and better mechanisms to protect children from emotional abuse. Education authorities have promised a swift review and stronger enforcement of mental health policies across schools.

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Udaipur has slipped into full celebration mode as Netra Mantena, daughter of US-based pharma billionaire Rama Raju Mantena, prepares to marry tech entrepreneur Vamsi Gadiraju. The three-day festivities, from November 21 to 23, have turned the lake city into a gathering spot for stars, business leaders and international guests arriving to bless the couple.

The wedding unfolds across Udaipur’s most picturesque venues, The Leela Palace, Zenana Mahal and the serene island palace on Lake Pichola. With high-profile names flying in, security teams are stationed throughout the venues, though the atmosphere remains festive and welcoming.

Jennifer Lopez set the tone on Friday when she arrived smiling, waving to photographers and blowing them flying kisses. Soon after, Donald Trump Jr. and his partner were spotted entering the venue. Bollywood added its own sparkle, with Ranveer Singh, Kriti Sanon, Jacqueline Fernandez, Varun Dhawan and Shahid Kapoor among the early arrivals.

Friday’s sangeet became the emotional heart of the celebrations. Hosted by Karan Johar and Sophie Choudry, the evening saw spirited performances by Ranveer Singh, Kriti Sanon, Jacqueline Fernandez, Shahid Kapoor and Varun Dhawan. Guests danced freely, and a smiling Trump Jr. even joined the performers on stage, a moment that quickly went viral.

Across the venues, the décor reflects classic Rajasthani grandeur. Bold red florals, shimmering chandeliers and carefully curated seating areas create a warm, royal atmosphere. Traditional musicians at the entrances add an intimate touch, reminding guests of Udaipur’s living heritage.

Netra, part of a family deeply rooted in global healthcare, and Vamsi, a Forbes 30 Under 30 tech leader, represent a new-age cross-continental pairing. Their wedding is being seen as one of the most extravagant destination celebrations of the year. This epitomises a blend of heritage, glamour and genuine moments of joy shared between family, friends and famous faces.

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Donald Trump, who previously called New York mayor‑elect Zohran Mamdani a “100% Communist lunatic,” publicly praised him during a White House meeting. Trump described Mamdani as a “very rational person” and expressed confidence in his ability to do a good job as mayor.

The two leaders discussed major city challenges, including housing affordability, crime, and the cost of living. Mamdani said the meeting focused on shared goals rather than disagreements, while Trump noted that some of Mamdani’s ideas aligned with his own.

Trump also rejected questions about Mamdani being a “jihadist,” calling him rational and even promising to “stick up for” him. At one point, he jokingly suggested he might move back to New York under Mamdani’s mayoralty.

The friendly interaction surprised many political observers and Democrats, who had expected a clash. Analysts say the meeting may signal a shift toward pragmatic cooperation, benefiting both the city and its residents.

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Wing Commander Namansh Syal, a 37-year-old Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot from Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh, tragically died when his Tejas fighter jet crashed during a performance at the Dubai Air Show.

The crash happened while Syal was performing low-level aerobatic manoeuvres on the final day of the five-day event. Videos from the show show the aircraft suddenly nose-diving and bursting into flames.

Syal came from a disciplined family, his father served in the army and later worked in education. He studied at Sainik School Sujanpur Tira, then the National Defence Academy, before joining the IAF. He is survived by his wife, also an IAF officer, their young daughter, and his parents.

The IAF expressed deep sorrow over the loss and said a court of inquiry will investigate the cause of the crash. Retired Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor said the incident “shaken up the whole system” and added that possible reasons could include mechanical failure or technical issues with the jet, though it’s too early to conclude.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu condoled the death, calling Syal “brave and courageous,” and said the state and the nation stand with his family.

This is the second crash involving the Tejas fighter jet since its induction into the IAF. In March 2024, another Tejas jet crashed near Jaisalmer, but that pilot safely ejected.

Also Read: IAF’s Tejas fighter jet crashes at Dubai Air Show

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on a visit to Johannesburg for the G20 Summit, met Indian-origin tech entrepreneurs and members of the Indian community in South Africa, highlighting the role of the diaspora in strengthening ties between the two countries. The discussions covered innovations in fintech, social media, agriculture, education, healthcare, and medical devices.

Modi encouraged entrepreneurs to collaborate more closely with India, share expertise, and contribute to building stronger technology-based links. He described the Indian community in South Africa as a “living bridge” between India and South Africa and urged them to promote Indian culture abroad, including Yoga and Ayurveda, to deepen people-to-people connections.

As part of the cultural exchange, Modi received a Kalash containing millets grown in both India and South Africa, to be placed in a temple in Durban. He also met winners of a quiz on India, praising their efforts to understand the country’s history and heritage.

On the sidelines, Modi held talks with Naspers leadership to encourage increased investment in India’s digital, AI, and startup sectors, as well as opportunities in consumer technology and space. He praised Naspers’ long-term commitment to India and highlighted the importance of private investment in strengthening the country’s tech ecosystem.

Naspers’ leadership indicated plans to expand investments in India, citing optimism about the country’s innovation potential and AI-driven growth. Modi’s meetings reflect India’s strategy of leveraging its global diaspora for both cultural diplomacy and economic development, while also attracting foreign investment into future-focused sectors.

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US President Donald Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr, visited Vantara in Jamnagar, Gujarat, a wildlife and conservation centre built by Anant Ambani. He toured the sanctuary, visited temples, and participated in a private dandiya‑garba with the Ambani family.

India has officially implemented four new labour codes, replacing 29 older laws, in what is being described as the country’s largest labour reform since independence. The decision, effective 21 November 2025, aims to simplify regulations, improve worker protections, and bring India’s labour laws in line with modern economic realities.

The four codes include the Code on Wages, Industrial Relations Code, Social Security Code, and Occupational Safety, Health & Working Conditions Code. Together, they cover wages, contracts, social security, workplace safety, and health, affecting millions of workers across the country.

Under the new system, all workers are entitled to a minimum wage, written appointment letters, and equal pay for women. Social security benefits now cover an estimated 40 crore workers, including gig and contract workers, who were previously outside formal protection. Fixed-term employees will receive gratuity after just one year, while workers over 40 can access free annual health check-ups. Overtime work will now attract double wages, and employees in hazardous jobs will have full health coverage.

The reform also eases compliance for businesses. Employers need only a single registration, license, and return submission, replacing multiple approvals under old laws. Large establishments with more than 500 employees must set up safety committees, while a National OSH Board will standardize workplace safety norms nationwide. Labour inspectors are expected to act more as facilitators than enforcers, helping firms comply with rules.

Women workers are granted additional protections, including the right to work night shifts under safe conditions. Gig economy workers and contract staff are also explicitly recognized under the law, ensuring wider coverage of benefits such as provident fund, insurance, and welfare schemes.

The new codes aim to formalize employment, enhance social security, and simplify labour compliance, creating a more inclusive and future-ready workforce. While hailed as a landmark step, authorities acknowledge that effective enforcement and awareness campaigns will be crucial to ensure the reforms reach millions of workers on the ground.

Also Read: Centre reshuffles top bureaucrats across key ministries

The government has carried out a major reshuffle of senior bureaucrats, moving officials across important ministries to strengthen leadership in key sectors.

Amit Agrawal, a 1993‑batch IAS officer from the Chhattisgarh cadre, has been appointed Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). He was previously Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals and has held key roles, including heading the UIDAI and serving in the Ministry of Electronics & IT. Agrawal brings extensive experience in digital governance, policy-making, and technology management, skills seen as crucial for India’s telecom sector, which is expanding networks, promoting indigenous technology, and improving connectivity nationwide.

Neeraj Mittal, a 1992‑batch IAS officer (Tamil Nadu cadre), who has led the telecom department since September 2023, has been shifted to the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG) as Secretary. Mittal oversaw important telecom initiatives, including the rollout of nearly 1 lakh 4G sites by BSNL and efforts to develop India’s homegrown telecom technology stack.

Other notable moves include Manoj Joshi taking over the Department of Pharmaceuticals, V. Vidyavathi moving from Tourism to the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, and Srivatsa Krishna becoming Tourism Secretary. Atish Chandra will assume charge as Secretary of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare from February 2026, while Sunil Paliwal becomes Chairman of the Inland Waterways Authority of India at Secretary-level rank.

The reshuffle reflects the government’s effort to place experienced, sector-savvy officers in strategic positions to accelerate policy implementation and strengthen governance in areas such as telecom, energy, health, and infrastructure.

Also Read: IAF’s Tejas fighter jet crashes during Dubai Air Show

A flying demonstration turned deadly on Friday at the Dubai Air Show when an Indian Tejas fighter jet crashed, killing the pilot. The incident occurred at around 2:10 p.m. local time, near Al Maktoum International Airport, as spectators watched the performance with excitement.

Eyewitnesses described the moment of horror when the aircraft suddenly lost height and spiraled toward the ground. A thick black cloud of smoke rose from the impact site, leaving the crowd in shock. Video footage of the crash showed the plane plummeting unexpectedly, highlighting the risks involved in high-speed aerial maneuvers.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) confirmed the pilot’s death and announced that a court of inquiry has been set up to investigate the crash. Preliminary reports suggest the aircraft may have failed to recover from a negative G-force maneuver, a complex turn that pushes pilots downward due to gravity forces, even challenging highly trained aviators.

The Tejas, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is a single-seat, lightweight combat aircraft and a cornerstone of India’s efforts to produce indigenous fighter jets. It reflects the country’s ambition to modernize its air force and reduce reliance on imported aircraft.

This tragic incident is not the first involving a Tejas aircraft. In 2024, a similar crash in Rajasthan occurred, but the pilot ejected safely. Authorities emphasized that the current investigation will examine all technical and human factors to prevent future accidents.

The Dubai Air Show, one of the world’s premier aviation events, witnessed a moment of grief as experts and visitors reflected on the dangers pilots face while performing high-risk maneuvers. The IAF has assured that lessons will be learned from the accident, reinforcing safety and preparedness for its pilots.

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Fátima Bosch of Mexico was crowned Miss Universe 2025 at the 74th edition of the pageant, held in Bangkok, Thailand, on 20–21 November. Bosch, 25, claimed the title despite a tense build-up, which included public criticism from the pageant organiser. Thailand’s Praveenar Singh was first runner-up, while Venezuela’s Stephany Adriana Abasali Nasser took second runner-up.

Earlier in the competition, Thai director Nawat Itsaragrisil reportedly called Bosch a “dumbhead” for not posting required promotional content. The remark upset many contestants, with some walking out in solidarity, bringing significant attention and controversy to the event.

On the final stage, Bosch impressed the judges with her answer on empowering young girls: “Believe in your authenticity… your dreams matter and your heart matters.” Her poise and confidence helped her secure the crown.

India’s representative, 22-year-old Manika Vishwakarma, showcased grace and confidence throughout the competition. She advanced to the Top 30, impressing the judges with her poise and presence, but narrowly missed entering the Top 12. While she did not secure a final placement, her performance reflected India’s strong showing at the pageant and continued the country’s pursuit of another Miss Universe crown since Harnaaz Sandhu’s win in 2021.

Bosch’s victory will be remembered for her composure under pressure and resilience amid controversy, earning her the Miss Universe 2025 title with dignity.

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