Widow donates gold gifted by husband as Kashmiris extend help to war-hit Iran A Kashmiri widow has donated gold she had kept as a memento of her late husband for 28 years, joining a growing wave of generosity across India as citizens support people affected by the escalating conflict in Iran. The woman, who described the act as a deeply emotional decision, broke down in tears as she handed over the precious metal, symbolizing her solidarity with the people of Iran. The gesture comes amid widespread efforts by communities in Kashmir and beyond to aid those impacted by the ongoing war in Iran. Locals in Budgam, a town in Kashmir, have also contributed by donating gold, silver, and cash to support Iran, reflecting a collective sense of empathy and shared humanity. These acts of kindness highlight the deepening connections between Indian citizens and the people of Iran, particularly in times of crisis. The initiative has been widely shared on social media, with messages emphasizing the power of individual and communal compassion. A tweet from Iran in India praised the widow’s tears and emotions as a "greatest source of comfort" for Iranians, while another from ANI highlighted the solidarity shown by Budgam residents. Such gestures underscore the role of grassroots movements in fostering international support during humanitarian emergencies. The donation by the widow, who chose to part with her husband’s cherished jewelry, has become a poignant symbol of resilience and unity. Her decision to prioritize the needs of others over personal attachment underscores the profound impact of empathy in times of global conflict. As the situation in Iran continues to evolve, such acts of generosity serve as a reminder of the human capacity for solidarity and compassion.#kashmir #ani #budgam #kashmiri_widow #iran_in_india
Indian Oil, HPCL, BPCL Shares Rise After Premium Petrol Price Hike The prices of premium petrol—BPCL’s Speed, HPCL’s Power, and IOCL’s XP95—were increased by ₹2.09 to ₹2.35 per litre, while regular petrol prices remained unchanged. This price adjustment led to a surge in shares of India’s oil marketing companies, Indian Oil, HPCL, and BPCL, which rose up to 3.5% on the day. The move followed an announcement by ANI, citing the price hike for premium fuels. The state-owned oil companies have been absorbing the rising costs of crude oil, which have spiked due to tensions with Iran. According to Elara Securities, every $10 increase in crude oil prices reduces their margins by ₹6.3 per litre of petrol and diesel sold. This financial strain has prompted discussions about the government’s ability to shield consumers from price hikes. The government has a buffer in the form of excise duty—₹19.9 per litre for petrol and ₹15.8 per litre for diesel. Experts suggest that excise duty cuts of up to $110 per barrel of crude could fully offset rising fuel costs. However, the government has not yet announced any plans to reduce excise duty, leaving the oil companies to bear the brunt of the increased costs. The recent premium petrol price hike aims to partially offset the impact of higher crude oil prices, but analysts note that this measure alone cannot fully address the financial challenges faced by the sector. The situation highlights the complex interplay between global oil markets, domestic pricing strategies, and government policy in managing fuel costs for consumers.#hpcl #bpcl #indian_oil #ani #elara_securities
Middle East conflict: Indraprastha Gas assures uninterrupted PNG, CNG supply Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) has assured consumers that the supply of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) for household cooking and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for vehicles will continue without disruption despite the volatility in global energy markets caused by the escalating conflict in the Middle East. The assurance comes following the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026, issued on March 9, which placed the supply of natural gas to Domestic PNG and CNG in the top priority category, according to news agency ANI. In a statement, the company emphasized its commitment to ensuring uninterrupted supply of natural gas for households and the transport sector in line with the government mandate. "Accordingly, we would like to assure the uninterrupted supply of Domestic PNG for household cooking and CNG for fueling public transport and private vehicles to maintain urban mobility as per the government mandate and availability of natural gas supply," the company said. IGL further stated that it will continue to focus on maintaining high service standards while keeping customer needs at the center of its operations. "IGL remains persistent in its commitment to excellence, ensuring that customer service is at the heart of every endeavour we undertake," the company added. The assurance from the city gas distributor comes at a time when global energy markets are experiencing heightened volatility due to disruptions in crude oil and natural gas supplies linked to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Industry developments indicate that crude oil supply has been significantly affected by the escalating military conflict in the region, pushing benchmark prices such as Brent crude to around USD 100 per barrel.#strait_of_hormuz #middle_east_conflict #indraprastha_gas #natural_gas_supply #ani
