With the divine blessings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the 100 Bhajans for 100 Years programme was conducted on Sunday, September 14th, 2025, at Marri Krishna Hall, Tarnaka.
Devotees, alumni, families, and Sai youth came together in one voice of love and devotion to offer 100 soulful bhajans in commemoration of Bhagawan’s Birth Centenary. The atmosphere was filled with divinity, unity, and bliss as hearts resonated with Swami’s eternal message:
✨ Love All, Serve All – Help Ever, Hurt Never ✨
The programme was organised by Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations – Tarnaka Samiti, with dedicated participation from Hyderabad Boys, Sai Alumni, and Families.
🙏 We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all devotees and participants who made this divine offering a memorable success.
In a landmark decision, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has approved a major reform in India’s indirect tax system. The existing four-slab structure of 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28% has now been replaced by a simplified two-slab system of 5% and 18%, along with a special 40% slab for select luxury and sin goods.
The decision was taken at the 56th GST Council meeting, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, after a marathon 10.5-hour discussion. The reform will come into effect from September 22, 2025, coinciding with the start of Navaratri.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the move, calling it a “historic step” that will benefit farmers, MSMEs, traders, and the middle class, while giving a strong push to India’s economy.
What Gets Cheaper
The biggest winners of this rationalisation are consumers and small businesses. Here’s a look at the major items that will now cost less:
✅ Insurance & Healthcare
Life and health insurance policies are now GST-free (reduced from 18%).
✅ Food & Dairy
Exempt from GST: Ultra high temperature (UHT) milk, paneer, paratha, roti, pizza bread, khakra, and chena.
Fertiliser inputs such as sulphuric acid, nitric acid, ammonia, biopesticides, and micronutrients are now at 5%.
Agricultural equipment like tractors, threshers, and soil-preparation machinery will also be taxed at 5%.
✅ Automobiles
Small cars (petrol <1200cc, diesel <1500cc) and motorcycles up to 350cc: GST reduced to 18% from 28%.
Small hybrid cars also benefit.
Electric vehicles (EVs) continue at 5%.
✅ Everyday Essentials
Reduced to 5%: Shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, talcum powder, face powder, soaps, hair oil, tooth powder, feeding bottles, utensils, bicycles, umbrellas, and bamboo furniture.
✅ Construction & Industry
Cement: Now at 18% (down from 28%).
Auto components: Reduced to 18%.
What Gets Costlier
While many essentials have become cheaper, some categories will now see a hike under the new structure:
Luxury goods and sin products such as premium cars, tobacco, pan masala, and aerated drinks will be taxed under the special 40% slab.
Certain high-end consumer durables may shift from lower rates to the 18% bracket, though detailed notifications will specify the list.
Why This Matters
Simplified compliance: Businesses will no longer struggle with four different GST rates.
Lower costs for consumers: Everyday goods, food items, and essential services will get cheaper.
Boost for agriculture & MSMEs: Reduced rates on inputs and machinery will help farmers and small businesses.
Infrastructure push: Cheaper cement and auto components will aid housing and manufacturing.
Final Word
This GST reform is being hailed as one of the biggest overhauls since the system was first rolled out in 2017. By cutting down the complexity of multiple slabs and lowering rates on essentials, the government aims to make compliance easier while ensuring consumers directly feel the benefits in their pockets.
As the new rates come into force from September 22, 2025, households, farmers, and small traders are set to enjoy significant savings — even as luxury and sin goods attract higher taxes.
Hyderabad, August 25, 2025: The 14th edition of the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon 2025, powered by IDFC FIRST Bank, witnessed a historic turnout with 28,300 runners, marking it as one of India’s largest and most celebrated community sporting events.
The marathon, held on Sunday, featured three race categories—Full Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K—all concluding at Gachibowli, officially kicking off India’s marathon season.
Dignitaries & Flag-off
The event saw enthusiastic participation with flag-offs led by Avinash Mohanty, Commissioner of Police, Cyberabad, and D Joel Davis, Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic, Hyderabad City, for the 10K and Full Marathon respectively.
Corporate & Community Participation
Dr. Reddy’s registered 701 runners, the highest by any single corporate.
Aptar was recognised for an impressive 46% women’s participation.
Arcesium, donating ₹30 lakh, was awarded Top Corporate Charity Donor.
Elite Athlete Competition
The marathon attracted 56 elite international athletes from Kenya, Ethiopia, and India, cementing its place as India’s second-largest World Athletics Basic Label certified marathon.
A new course record was set in the Men’s Elite category, with winners receiving both international and Indian prize money:
The event raised ₹1.4 crore for 29 charity partners and NGOs, with a fundraising target of ₹3 crore by September 15, 2025.
A Celebration of Sports & Purpose
With record participation, elite competition, and significant charity contributions, the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon 2025 has once again proven to be more than just a race—emerging as a model for purpose-driven sports events in India.
With the divine blessings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the Mother’s Day Celebrations were held on 15th August 2025 at Sri Malli Krishna Reddy Function Hall, Vijayapuri Colony, Tarnaka, Secunderabad.
🙏 The program was a grand success with heartfelt participation in devotional songs, bhajans, spiritual discourses, and cultural activities. The event was filled with devotion, love, and gratitude, making it a truly memorable occasion for all devotees.
✨ We extend our sincere thanks to all the organizers, volunteers, and devotees who contributed to making this celebration successful.
The United States–India Educational Foundation (USIEF) invites applications for the 2025–2026 Fulbright-Nehru International Education Administrators Seminar for Indian college and university administrators.
This two-week program in the U.S. (March/April 2026) offers a unique opportunity to:
Gain in-depth insights into U.S. higher education, including institutional types, accreditation, curriculum development, fundraising, and student services.
Explore international education initiatives on U.S. campuses.
Share best practices and knowledge on the Indian higher education landscape with U.S. counterparts.
Riyadh – On Friday, August 8, 2025, Peacock Restaurant—a celebrated name in Hyderabadi cuisine from Karimnagar—unveiled its first overseas location in the Al-Malaz area of Saudi Arabia’s capital. The inauguration was officiated by Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dr. Suhel Khan, and witnessed by a vibrant gathering of Indian expatriates and Saudi guests The Siasat Daily.
Founded in 1996 by the late Mohammed Akthar Ali, Peacock has become synonymous with authentic Hyderabadi biryani, kebabs, and hospitality. Its Riyadh outlet is envisioned as a cultural and culinary bridge, serving a variety of cuisines including Indian, Indo-Chinese, tandoori, and continental, along with traditional sweets and snacks The Siasat Daily.
The venture is a collaboration involving:
Syed Wayez Ahmed, Group CEO of Wayez International Group
Mohammed Asghar Ali, Managing Director of Peacock Group of Hotels and Restaurants
Mohammad Ali Al Jaidi, CEO of MAJIC Investment Company
Zaki, Vice President of Wayez International Group The Hans IndiaTelangana TribuneThe Siasat Daily
Catering to families and social gatherings, the Riyadh outlet features a dining area for 100 guests and an adjoining banquet hall accommodating 120 guests The Siasat DailyThe Hans India. Reflecting a commitment to sustainability, the restaurant has partnered with Hyderabad-based BioReform to eliminate single-use plastics from its operations The Siasat Daily.
This expansion not only introduces rich regional flavors to a global stage but also strengthens cultural ties, offering Saudis and the Indian diaspora alike a taste of home.
🌿🌾 14th Mulam Santha – A Grand Success! 🌾🌿 📅 Date: 2nd August 2025 📍 Marri Krishna Hall, Tarnaka
🙏 Heartfelt thanks to everyone who made the 14th Moolam Santha a grand success with your enthusiastic participation, love, and support.
🌟 Highlights of the Santha: 🪴 Organic produce stalls 🍅 Direct farmer-to-customer sales 🎨 Cultural performances 🍽️ Annapatra – Free eco-meal service 🪔 Natural turmeric-clay Ganeshas 🌱 Promotion of traditional & sustainable living
Each part of the event received overwhelming response from the community!
🤝 Your encouragement keeps us inspired. 📸 We will be sharing event highlights through photos and reels very soon.
💐 Let’s meet again at the next Moolam Santha! #MulamSantha #OrganicMarket #TarnakaEvents #SatvikLiving #Annapatra #EcoFriendlyLiving
Before embarking on his ambitious World Bicycle Tour, Warangal-born cyclist Ranjith, popularly known as Ranjith on Wheels, hosted a special community meetup at Marri Krishna Hall, Tarnaka. The event, held successfully, drew cycling enthusiasts, young changemakers, and sustainability advocates from across Hyderabad.
Organized by the Sri Rajamatha Foundation, SS Foundation, and Nagireddy_Organization, and supported by CSR Memorial Foundation and Hyderabad_Volunteers, the gathering celebrated not just a journey of kilometers, but a mission of purpose.
A Journey With a Heart
Ranjith, who has already cycled over 41,400 kilometers across India and 13 countries, shared his emotional and transformative journey that began in 2020 after the passing of his father. What started as a personal tribute has now become a global mission—to promote sustainable living, foster cross-cultural understanding, and encourage a healthier lifestyle through cycling.
“Every pedal is a step toward self-discovery and connection,” Ranjith told a captivated audience. He recounted stories of riding through the deserts of Rajasthan, the backwaters of Kerala, and the high-altitude passes of Ladakh with his beloved dog, Bhageera. He also spoke about life-changing experiences in countries like Vietnam, Mongolia, Japan, and Australia.
Community, Purpose, and Passion
The meetup served as more than just a farewell—it was a call to action. Ranjith encouraged young people to explore the world beyond screens, embrace eco-friendly travel, and find meaning through movement.
The event saw heartfelt support from local NGOs, volunteers, and fellow travelers who came not only to wish Ranjith well, but also to be part of something larger—a community moving toward a more conscious, connected world.
What’s Next?
With this event marking a symbolic send-off, Ranjith is now preparing for the next leg of his global journey. As he sets his sights on new continents, he continues to document his travels on his YouTube channel Ranjith on Wheels, spreading his message to an ever-growing audience.
In an extraordinary example of innovation meeting national service, Apollyon Dynamics, a defence-tech startup born at BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus, has taken flight—quite literally—by delivering custom-built unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to active Indian Army units across Jammu, Chandimandir, Panagarh (West Bengal), and Arunachal Pradesh, all within just two months of launching operations.
Founded by two enterprising students, Jayant Khatri, a Mechanical Engineering student from Ajmer, and Sourya Choudhury, an Electronics Engineering student from Kolkata, Apollyon Dynamics began as a modest prototype assembly operation in a hostel room. Today, it is building cutting-edge indigenous drones that are already in active deployment—proving that world-class defence technology can originate from a college dorm room.
The startup’s UAVs are designed for high-stakes military missions including precision kamikaze strikes, nighttime surveillance, and strategic payload delivery. Their flagship kamikaze drone boasts a top speed of over 300 km/h and delivers payloads up to 1 kg with pinpoint accuracy, making it one of the most advanced and effective systems in its category.
This rapid success was made possible with the backing of Dr. Sanket Goel, Dean of Research and Innovation at BITS Pilani Hyderabad, who supported the founders in transitioning from a makeshift setup to a state-of-the-art lab facility within the institute. Today, Apollyon Dynamics operates from this lab, designing rugged, modular, and mission-specific drones that address India’s evolving defence and surveillance needs.
Their growing lineup features multi-role aerial platforms for long-range surveillance, tactical payload drops, and high-precision kamikaze operations—a powerful mix of flexibility, speed, and intelligence in aerial warfare tech.
The team recently demonstrated their drone technology on campus in front of Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chancellor of BITS Pilani and Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, earning praise for their vision and execution.
In an era where indigenous defence capabilities are more vital than ever, Apollyon Dynamics represents not just a technological breakthrough—but a symbol of youth-driven innovation and national strength.
🌿 Mulam Santha Inspires Eco Living at Tarnaka Event
Tarnaka, Hyderabad – July 19, 2025: A powerful message of going back to our roots echoed at the Mulam Village Festival & Consumer Fair, organized at Marri Krishna Hall, Tarnaka. The event drew attention to sustainable lifestyle practices, organic living, and indigenous products.
Renowned spiritual leader Swami Ramananda Prabhuji Maharaj, President of Sri Sai Dham, graced the occasion and urged the public to support Moolam Santha—a platform that promotes environmentally friendly practices through cow-based farming, traditional foods, and natural products.
💡 Highlight of the Event:
Mr. Krishna Reddy, the chief organizer, was instrumental in the successful execution of the program. His coordination ensured a well-curated experience for both exhibitors and visitors.
“These markets not only revive our traditions but also serve as models for eco-conscious living,” said Mr. Krishna Reddy.
🌱 What Made This Event Special:
Visitors experienced a variety of stalls: ✅ Organic fruits & vegetables ✅ Cow-based health products ✅ Handmade crafts and eco-goods ✅ Traditional games and cultural elements
