Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delighted onlookers in Mumbai by playing tennis ball cricket at the historic Parsee Gymkhana. Dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, Sunak showcased his cricketing enthusiasm, drawing cheers from spectators. Sharing a photo on X, he wrote, "No trip to Mumbai is complete without a game of tennis ball cricket." Later, he attended the gymkhana’s anniversary celebrations. Sunak’s visit sparked a surge in Google searches, especially in Gujarat, Delhi, and Maharashtra. His India tour also included the Jaipur Literature Festival, where he met Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy.

The Maha Kumbh Mela’s third Amrit Snan on Basant Panchami witnessed heightened security in Prayagraj after a deadly stampede on Mauni Amavasya killed 30 people. By 4 AM, 16.58 lakh devotees had taken a holy dip, with an estimated 5 crore expected. The Uttar Pradesh government reinforced security and crowd control, with CM Yogi Adityanath overseeing preparations. The Prayagraj DM declared a holiday for government offices due to the massive influx. The snan of all akharas concluded smoothly. The Maha Kumbh, held every 12 years, will conclude on February 26.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was clear about the need for tax relief in the Union Budget 2025. She explained that it took time to convince bureaucrats, who were focused on ensuring revenue generation. Sitharaman highlighted the government's efforts to simplify direct taxes and reduce the compliance burden for taxpayers. The new tax regime provides relief for salaried individuals, with those earning up to ₹12 lakh being exempt from income tax. Sitharaman emphasized that the Budget reflected the concerns of the middle class and aimed to serve all sections of society.

The Uttar Pradesh government is preparing for a safe and error-free Amrit Snan during Maha Kumbh 2025 on Basant Panchami, February 3. Officials are working to prevent a repeat of the deadly stampede on January 29, which killed at least 30 people. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed authorities to ensure smooth crowd management. Senior officers, including Ashish Goyal and Bhanu Chandra Goswami, are overseeing the preparations. The Amrit Snan is an important ritual, attracting millions of devotees to the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, where they believe they can purify themselves and attain salvation.

Zakia Jafri, a human rights activist, has died at 86. She spent 20 years seeking justice for her husband, Ehsan Jafri, who was killed in the 2002 Gujarat riots. Ehsan, a Congress politician, was among 69 people killed in the Gulberg Society massacre. Zakia fought legal battles, trying to hold political leaders, including Narendra Modi, accountable. Courts dismissed her case, but she never lost hope. She passed away in Ahmedabad while staying with her daughter. Activists and politicians have paid tribute to her fight for justice. Her son said she still hoped for justice until the end.

Virat Kohli’s return to the Ranji Trophy didn’t go as planned, with the superstar batter dismissed for just 6 runs in Delhi's match against Railways. A fan’s comment calling the event "blessed" due to Kohli’s presence sparked a response from former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Ashwin expressed disappointment over the remark, emphasizing the rich history of the Ranji Trophy and the importance of players like Sachin Tendulkar who regularly participated. He also praised Railways pacer Himanshu Sangwan for his exceptional delivery that dismissed Kohli, calling him a "gold-dust performer."

The Union Budget 2025 introduced a zero-tax benefit for those earning up to ₹12 lakh. However, individuals with taxable income slightly above ₹12 lakh face a sharp tax jump. If income reaches ₹12.1 lakh, tax liability rises to ₹61,500, reducing take-home pay by ₹51,500 compared to someone earning ₹12 lakh. Full parity in take-home salary is only reached at ₹12.71 lakh, where tax amounts to ₹70,500. This structure means marginal salary increases can lead to lower take-home income, creating concerns over tax burden distribution.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar praised the 2025 Union Budget, calling it "positive and forward-looking." The budget, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, included several schemes for Bihar, which faces elections this year. Key announcements included tax relief, support for farmers, and a boost for the makhana industry. Kumar welcomed the changes, saying they would speed up Bihar’s growth. The budget also promised new airports for the state. However, the lack of benefits for Andhra Pradesh sparked criticism from Congress leaders. They accused the government of favouring Bihar due to the upcoming elections while ignoring Andhra’s needs.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in Budget 2025 that the annual limit for Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) on rent will increase from ₹2.40 lakh to ₹6 lakh. She also proposed extending the time to file updated tax returns from two years to four years. Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on education-related remittances will be exempt if the loan is from a recognised financial institution. Senior citizens will get a higher tax deduction on interest income, now doubled to ₹1 lakh. The budget also extends tax benefits for startups by five more years.

8 Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Saturday. The gunfight started around 8:30 am in the Gangaloor forest during an anti-Naxalite operation. Security personnel launched the operation on Friday after receiving intelligence about Maoist activity in the area. The District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF), and CRPF’s CoBRA unit took part in the mission. Intermittent firing continued throughout the morning. Patrolling and search operations are still ongoing to ensure safety and gather more details. More information is expected as the operation continues.