Independence Day

Reliance Industries’ promoters increased their stake to 50.48% in the June quarter through market purchases worth an estimated Rs 8,500–9,000 crore. The move signals confidence despite the stock’s weak performance, earnings misses and challenges across retail and oil-to-chemicals businesses.

Large microfinance companies including Muthoot Microfin and Satin Creditcare have raised their growth forecasts as private banks, small finance banks and smaller MFIs scale back lending. Improving asset quality is also supporting expansion by larger, well-capitalised microfinance lenders.

Actor Zohaib Siddiqui advocates for cinema’s role in nurturing the spirit of independence and unity. He calls for a revival of the camaraderie that characterized the freedom struggle, urging actors and filmmakers to wield their influence for good.