Despite being around for a decade and dragged through a fixing controversy in 2013, the Indian Premier League (IPL) seems to have lost none of its lustre, as the 10th edition of the tournament gets underway on Wednesday.
Top cricketers from across the globe will share the limelight for the next month and a half with some of Bollywood's top stars who have become team owners and some of India's richest executives, who have wanted a stake in the team franchises since the tournament began in 2008.
Steve Smith, David Warner and Glenn Maxwell will lead their respective franchises in the tournament, setting aside any lingering acrimony after the recent test series between India and Australia.
The IPL, which this year runs from April 5 until May 21, has been a trailblazer of sorts, inspiring similar tournaments elsewhere and even other sports.
The cash-rich tournament ran into trouble in 2013, when a corruption scandal resulted in the suspension of the Chennai and Rajasthan franchises for two seasons and bans on three players.
The Western Indian cities of Pune and Rajkot were then inducted as home to two new franchises for two years, ending after the current season.
The England and Wales Cricket Board is also warming up to the tournament after its initial apprehension. England has recently moved closer to launching a new city-based Twenty20 tournament of its own by 2020 to rival the IPL and Australia's Big Bash League.
An unprecedented eight English players have signed up for the eight-team IPL for the 2017 season, with Ben Stokes joining Pune for a staggering 145 million rupees ($2.23 million) for one season, while Twenty20 team mate Tymal Mills was snapped up for 120 million rupees by Bangalore. The playing elevens of each team must consist of at least seven local players.
While the likes of Stokes and Mills will add sheen to the upcoming edition, the tournament has been hit by injuries following India's long 13-test home season.
Bangalore will be without captain Virat Kohli for at least the initial phase while left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja and paceman Umesh Yadav will miss the start of the tournament for Gujarat and Kolkata respectively.
Other injury victims include India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and openers Murali Vijay and Lokesh Rahul.
"Every season brings new challenges," IPL veteran and Delhi spinner Amit Mishra told reporters on Wednesday.
"The game is getting faster every year. You have to adapt accordingly. This is the biggest challenge for the players."
Champions Hyderabad, captained by Warner, host Bangalore in the first match in a repeat of last season's final.
IN MY entrepreneurial journey, I have noticed that crises happen out of the blue. In fact, global crises are more than not, unpredicted. Sadly, the same is true in one’s personal and family life, where everything can turn on a dime.
On December 23, last year, at 2:15 am, our 26-year daughter Zara fell off the terrace outside her first-floor bedroom at our house in Cape Town. It was a freak accident, and it happens, her younger brother and sister were awake and saw her fall.
We all rushed down and she was lifeless. We thought she had died.
I was tempted to pick her up and rush her to the hospital in our car, but our nephew – who is trained in first aid – said to not touch her.
This probably saved her life.
Two ambulances arrived within 15 minutes, and they got no response from her. I went with her in the ambulance.
We rushed her to one hospital, who turned her away saying it was too serious, and then to the Vincent Pallotti, a level one trauma hospital, which took her in.
Scans showed she had broken her neck seriously, with a shattered vertebra, and damaged her spinal cord.
As luck would have it, Dr David Welsh, one of the leading neurosurgeons in Cape Town and in South Africa, happened to be on duty that day. He said he had to perform an emergency operation within 12 hours of the accident and wanted permission to administer a controversial drug. He went ahead and said there was no prediction of the outcome.
Lord Karan Bilimoria with his daughter Zara
Zara, of course, was emotionally distraught. Naturally, it was a question of “why me?”, when in the past few years she had had two near death experiences, contracting bacterial meningitis, followed a few years later to sepsis in London.
She said in tears, “Daddy, surely this is the third time and the last time”. In the ICU, I said to her, “we will get through this together.” I did not leave Zara’s side from that moment until two months later.
In the ICU, the miracle of the South African physiotherapists and occupational therapists started to take place. They forcibly moved her limbs which were completely paralysed.
She could not use her thumbs, or hold anything, nor could she turn in bed. It was a pathetic sight, we had no idea what the outcome would be.
I would cry in the bathroom, so she would not see me, and I would cry all the way home late at night after she had gone to sleep, returning early in the morning before the staff on duty changed. Zara left the ICU after eight days. We were told that normally after an accident such as hers, patients are in the unit for 40 days.
I checked her into residential rehab near our home, where they told me she would be there for three months. We had to leave her on New Year’s Eve, in tears, as no visitors were allowed after 7 pm.
Nine days later, Zara walked out of the residential rehab unaided and continued the rehab thereafter as an outpatient. Her attitude throughout this was one of determination, resilience and going the extra mile. Every time she was asked to do certain exercises; she would do two or three extra repetitions.
We took her to see the surgeon who performed her operation, three weeks after her accident.
When she walked into his consulting rooms, he said, “You are one of my Christmas miracles”, and told me and my wife that normally patients do not walk again after such an injury. My wife spontaneously burst into tears, and I felt like I had been punched in the chest.
Zara returned home at the end of February and a month later, on April 1, started work initially from home, building up to today — back at work full time.
From the time of the accident, prayers were said for her all over the world. In Parsi fire temples in Hyderabad, my home city, in Delhi, in Udvada by one of the Parsi high priests in India, in Mumbai, in Iran by the Zoroastrian head priest, in Sikh gurdwaras, in Hindu temples, in Christian churches, in the UK and in India.
My mother would quote Alfred Lord Tennyson, “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of”.
Through those early days, no surgeon I consulted in South Africa, in the UK, in India, and in the United States, could give me any hope except one, the famous UK based neurosurgeon Dr Alagappan Sivaraman (known as Siva), who was introduced to me by our family friend in Hyderabad, Dr Rashna Chenoy.
Siva told me within a few days of the accident, when Zara was showing signs of some improvement, “Please have faith, she will be running within three months”. He ended up being right.
When no one offers hope, and you are staring into the abyss, not knowing whether your daughter might be in a wheelchair for the rest of her life, and one person gives you hope – it means more than I could ever express.
Our family has been through a living nightmare, and to hell and back.
However, the stars aligning, the serendipity, the luck, the good fortune, starting with Zara falling and her head missing the stone corner of the veranda by literally an inch, to our nephew stopping me from picking her up which could have severed her spinal cord completely, to Dr Welsh being on duty that morning, performing the emergency operation in time and decompressing her spinal cord, it has all been remarkable, it has truly been a miracle. God is great.
Zara’s attitude and spirit throughout, and her determination, is an inspiration to us all.
What these past nine months have highlighted more than ever, is that your family is the most important thing by far; everything else comes second, by a long way. Looking at Zara now, it is as if nothing had ever happened.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.
India’s $283 billion IT industry, which contributes more than 7 per cent to the country’s GDP, has for over three decades provided services to major clients including Apple, American Express, Cisco, Citigroup, FedEx and Home Depot.
INDIA’s IT sector is facing uncertainty as US lawmakers consider a 25 per cent tax on companies using foreign outsourcing services.
Analysts and lawyers said the proposal has led to customers delaying or re-negotiating contracts, raising concerns in India, the world’s largest outsourcing hub.
They said the bill is unlikely to pass in its current form but could trigger long-term changes in how American firms purchase IT services. Companies heavily dependent on outsourcing are expected to resist the move, setting up lobbying and possible legal battles.
India’s $283 billion IT industry, which contributes more than 7 per cent to the country’s GDP, has for over three decades provided services to major clients including Apple, American Express, Cisco, Citigroup, FedEx and Home Depot. The industry has also faced criticism abroad over jobs shifting to India.
Last week, Republican Senator Bernie Moreno introduced the HIRE Act, which proposes taxing companies that hire foreign workers instead of Americans. The bill also aims to prevent firms from claiming outsourcing expenses as tax-deductible, with the revenue directed toward US workforce development.
The proposal comes at a difficult time for Indian IT, which is already seeing weak revenue growth in its key US market as clients cut non-essential spending due to inflation and tariff concerns.
“The HIRE Act proposes sweeping changes that could alter the economics of outsourcing and significantly increase the tax liability associated with international service contracts,” said Jignesh Thakkar, EY India’s compliance head.
In some cases, combined federal, state and local taxes could raise the levy on outsourced payments to as much as 60 per cent, Thakkar added.
“While its partisan proposal may seem initially attractive, it’s ultimately an artificial cost which makes organisations less competitive and profitable globally,” said Arun Prabhu, partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas.
The idea has been gaining traction. This month, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro reposted a call from far-right activist Jack Posobiec for tariffs on services as well as goods.
“When political noise turns into regulatory risk, clients quickly insert contingencies, reopen pricing and demand delivery flexibility,” said Saurabh Gupta, President of HFS Research. “Clients will simply take longer to sign, longer to renew, and longer to commit transformation dollars,” Gupta said.
Backlash expected
Industry watchers said US firms are likely to push back strongly against the bill and challenge it legally if it is enacted.
“A bill like this would probably face a lot of backlash from US companies that rely heavily on outsourcing, who would likely bring litigation to challenge various aspects of the bill, if it were ever to be passed into law,” said Sophie Alcorn, CEO of Alcorn Immigration Law.
Analysts noted that sweeping restrictions are unlikely due to the difficulties of enforcement. “More likely is a diluted version, with narrower provisions or delayed enforcement,” said HFS Research CEO Phil Fersht.
The bill could also affect US firms’ global capability centres (GCCs), which have developed from offshore back offices to high-value hubs for research, finance and operations.
“It will be hard to pull back from existing work, but new set-ups and expansion may get impacted,” said Yugal Joshi, partner at Everest Group.
The proposed tax will affect the cost advantage that drives GCC location decisions, said Bharath Reddy, partner at CAM.
“However, the lack of availability of appropriate human capital in the US will continue as a problem, and which can be addressed in the near future only through outsourcing,” he added.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Keep ReadingShow less
A still from Hotel London showing the Bangladeshi family navigating life in a temporary hotel room
Newly restored 4K version to debut at the festival on 16 October
Part of BFI National Archive’s ambitious Black and South Asian Workshop remasters project
Explores 1980s London housing crisis and South Asian migrant experience
Marks a cultural milestone for Retake Film and Video Collective, Britain’s first all-Asian film collective
The long-overlooked 1987 drama Hotel London is set for a fresh spotlight as its 4K remaster world premieres at the upcoming BFI London Film Festival. Spearheaded by the BFI National Archive, the restoration forms part of a major project honouring the groundbreaking Black and South Asian Workshop movement, which redefined British screen culture in the 1980s. The film, directed by Ahmed Alauddin Jamal, vividly portrays the harsh realities of London’s housing crisis while centring the South Asian immigrant experience.
A still from Hotel London showing the Bangladeshi family navigating life in a temporary hotel room www.easterneye.biz
What is the BFI National Archive Black and South Asian Workshop remasters project?
The BFI National Archive has launched an extensive initiative to digitally restore and preserve key works from the Black and South Asian Workshop era, which flourished in the 1980s and 1990s. These collectives, including Retake Film and Video Collective, Sankofa Film and Video Collective, Black Audio Film Collective, Ceddo Film and Video Workshop and Birmingham Film and Video Workshop, used drama, documentary and experimental forms to tell urgent stories about race, class and identity in Britain.
The workshops grew out of the 1982 ACTT Declaration and early backing from Channel 4, creating space for marginalised voices to make and distribute films collaboratively. So far, 14 titles have entered the BFI’s restoration pipeline, with Hotel London being the second to premiere at the festival, following the 4K revival of The Passion of Remembrance in 2022.
Hotel London was originally made in 1987 during the International Year of the Homeless. It follows a Bangladeshi family placed in temporary bed and breakfast accommodation by local authorities, exploring how they navigate bureaucratic neglect, racism and the emotional toll of housing insecurity.
Combining fictional storytelling with video activism, the film depicts the makeshift hotel as a microcosm of 1980s London, showing interactions between diverse communities in precarious situations. Actor Jonathan Pryce appears as an Irish rough sleeper drifting through the city, while dancer Alpana Sengupta and actor Aftab Sachak round out the ensemble cast. The production was shot inside an actual bed and breakfast after extensive research with homeless residents.
‘Hotel London’ 4K remaster premieres at BFI London Film Festival spotlighting Black and South Asian Workshop legacy
Why is Hotel London’s restoration significant?
The 4K remaster of Hotel London is a major step in reclaiming and preserving Britain’s Black and South Asian film heritage. The original 16mm negatives were scanned and restored by Silver Salt Restoration, with sound remastered by the BFI National Archive. This revival not only protects the film’s legacy but also reintroduces contemporary audiences to the ethos of the Retake collective, which was Britain’s first all-Asian film group. Retake championed democratic collaboration, training emerging filmmakers and challenging the invisibility of South Asians on British screens. Their efforts earned them the Arthur Young BFI Award for Independent Film and Television in 1988.
‘Hotel London’ resurfaces in 4K after decades to confront Britain’s housing injustice and lost South Asian screen history
How did the Black and South Asian Workshops change British film?
The Workshops emerged amid 1980s social unrest, when media representation of Black and Asian communities was minimal and often stereotypical. Their issue-driven films disrupted this narrative, inspiring a generation of creatives including John Akomfrah, Maureen Blackwood, Isaac Julien, Menelik Shabazz and D. Elmina Davis.
By offering paid training roles, access to equipment and editorial control, the Workshops opened doors for diverse talent to tell authentic stories. Their influence continues to shape British screen culture, making the BFI’s remastering effort both a cultural and archival milestone.
Keep ReadingShow less
'Our economy isn't broken, but it does feel stuck,' Reeves said, speaking alongside the release of a finance ministry report on business property taxation, known as rates.
CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves said on Thursday she is considering changes to business property taxes to support small firms looking to expand, as part of her plans to boost growth.
Reeves’ comments come ahead of her annual budget on November 26, at a time when concerns about possible tax rises and inflation are weighing on businesses and households.
Economists expect Reeves will have to raise tens of billions of pounds in additional revenue, citing higher borrowing costs, weaker growth prospects and parliament’s rejection of welfare cuts.
"Our economy isn't broken, but it does feel stuck," Reeves said, speaking alongside the release of a finance ministry report on business property taxation, known as rates.
The report suggested reducing sudden tax increases for small businesses when they expand.
"Tax reforms such as tackling cliff-edges in business rates and making reliefs fairer are vital to driving growth," Reeves said in a statement.
Other options under review include changes to how the tax is calculated and additional reliefs when a property’s value rises after improvements. Further details will be set out in the budget, the ministry said.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, welcomed the proposals but said the government should provide clarity on a promised reduction in rates for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses.
"Until we get clarity on these changes, which isn’t expected until the budget, many local investments in jobs and stores are being held back," she said.
(With inputs from agencies)
Keep ReadingShow less
Priyanka Chopra Jonas commands NYFW 2025 front row with Mindy Kaling as Nick Jonas looks on proudly
Power couple attend Ralph Lauren’s showcase at Madison Avenue
Priyanka dazzles in sheer skirt and structured blazer ensemble
Nick opts for earthy brown tailored look with relaxed flair
The duo join a star-studded front row including Oprah Winfrey and Jessica Chastain
Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas commanded attention as they attended Ralph Lauren’s New York Fashion Week 2025 show on 10 September. Arriving hand-in-hand on Madison Avenue, the pair stopped for photographers before entering the designer’s headquarters. Their appearance at the high-profile event was one of the evening’s most talked-about moments, with Priyanka’s daring outfit and Nick’s understated elegance sparking admiration from fans and onlookers.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas commands NYFW 2025 front row with Mindy Kaling as Nick Jonas looks on proudly Getty Images
What did Priyanka Chopra Jonas wear at New York Fashion Week 2025?
Priyanka opted for a bold yet refined take on power dressing. She paired a sharply tailored grey blazer with a sheer flowing maxi skirt, creating a balance of structure and softness. Instead of a buttoned shirt, she chose to cinch her waist with a wide statement belt, giving her look an edge that stood out on the monochrome-heavy runway backdrop.
Her accessories were deliberately minimal. Delicate hoop earrings and a few rings, while bronzed makeup tones and voluminous, softly waved hair framed her face perfectly. This merge of minimal styling with a high-fashion silhouette reflected her style perfectly, making her one of the evening’s best-dressed attendees.
Nick went for earthy sophistication, donning a relaxed brown suit layered over a crisp white shirt. He added subtle detailing with a patterned tie, matched it with polished brown shoes, and finished off with rimmed sunglasses for a cool, composed vibe.
His tousled curls gave the look a casual softness that contrasted nicely with the tailored suit, making him appear effortlessly stylish beside Priyanka. Their complementary colour palettes, her muted grey tones and his warm browns, created a coordinated yet individualistic statement look.
Nick opts for an earthy brown suit for the event Getty Images
Which celebrities were seen at the Ralph Lauren NYFW show?
The event gathered an impressive front row of fashion and entertainment heavyweights. The couple were seated beside Usher and his wife Jennifer Goicoechea, with industry icons including Oprah Winfrey, Anna Wintour, Jessica Chastain, Naomi Watts, Laura Dern and Gayle King also present.
Also in attendance was Mindy Kaling, who sat in the front row at Ralph Lauren’s intimate Spring 2026 presentation on Madison Avenue. Speaking to AP News, Kaling said the brand symbolised the “American dream” for her immigrant parents, adding that the polo logo felt like “the sign of making it.” Photographers singled her out in roundups of the best front-row style, where she was pictured alongside Oprah Winfrey, Usher and the Jonas couple.
Ralph Lauren unveiled their Spring 2026 collection at the showcase, which featured minimalist silhouettes, oversized jackets, fitted dresses and monochrome palettes. Priyanka’s presence was especially fitting, as she has a long-standing association with the brand, notably wearing a custom Ralph Lauren gown for her wedding to Nick Jonas in 2018.
Mindy Kaling attends the Ralph Lauren show Getty Images
Why does Priyanka Chopra Jonas remain a front-row favourite?
Priyanka’s journey from Bollywood star to Hollywood regular has a lot to do with her consistently strong style choices and a willingness to take risks. Her high-profile international projects, from leading Quantico to starring in Citadel and producing The White Tiger, have cemented her as a global figure, making her an obvious pick for designers looking to spotlight influential personalities on their front rows.