Stay updated with the latest Other news, articles, and insights from trusted sources. Explore in-depth coverage and expert analysis on Other topics.
New Delhi, India -- When models sashayed down the ramp at Milan Fashion Week last week, Harish Kurade looked at them on his smartphone in awe, sitting in his village in southern Maharashtra state, more than 7,000km (4,350 miles) away.Models were showcasing a new line of open-toe leather sandals, designed by Prada, the iconic luxury fashion house. However, in India, the visuals raised a furore among artisans and politicians after the Italian giant failed to credit the ancient Maharashtra roots of its latest design. "They [Prada] stole and replicated our crafty work, but we are really happy," said Kurade in a chirpy tone. "Today, the world's eyes are on our Kolhapuri 'chappals' [Hindi for sandals]." Kolhapur is a city in Maharashtra after which the sandals are named. After facing backlash, Prada acknowledged that its new sandal designs "are inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage", in a letter to the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce. While Kurade is chuffed about the centuries-old sandal-making craft from his village potentially gaining global exposure, other artisans, politicians and activists are wary of cultural appr ...
New Delhi: The Italian luxury couture label shocked the desi fans after they featured at least seven of the 56 runway looks featuring sandals that bear a striking resemblance to traditional Indian Kolhapuri Chappals - without any credit. After facing backlash over it, Prada has finally acknowleged that the footwear pieces featured in its Men's 2026 Spring/Summer show in Milan, were inspired by the traditional Indian handcrafted pieces made in specific districts of Maharashtra and Karnataka. In an exclusive response to NDTV, the Prada Group Press Office mentioned, "At Prada Group, we have alwa ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 28 (PTI) Following the backlash after featuring footwear strongly resembling Kolhapuri chappals, Italian fashion house Prada has acknowledged that it was inspired by the Indian handcrafted footwear. "We acknowledge that the sandals featured in the recent Prada Men's 2026 Fashion Show are inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage. "We deeply recognize the cultural significance of such Indian craftsmanship," said Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, in a letter to Lalit Gandhi, president of Maharashtra Chamb ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) India's high-level official delegation, led by chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal, has returned from Washington after the trade talks with US officials without reaching a final agreement on the sensitive issue of trade in agricultural and dairy products that the US is pushing for. However, there is still a glimmer of hope that an interim bilateral trade agreement may be reached at the highest political level in the two countries before the July 9 deadline for the 26 per cent hike in US tariffs on Indian exports to kick in. The Indian team was in Washington for ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) Two people died and four others were injured after a fire broke out at a house in east Delhi's Old Govindpura area on Tuesday evening, an official said. Police have identified the deceased as Tanveer (28) and Nusrat. A call was received at Jagatpuri police station at 8.46 pm regarding a fire incident at Band Gali, Old Govindpura, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Prashant Gautam said. When a police team reached the spot, it found that 10 people were trapped inside a residential building that caught fire, the DCP said. With the help of police personnel and fir ...Read More >
Pune: The Indian Gig Workers' Front on Saturday evening suspended the ongoing strike of cabs and autorickshaws operating on applications till Tuesday, after leaving many commuters, including those arriving at the airport on Saturday morning, hassled. Keshav Kshirsagar, the president of the front, said, "We have a meeting on Tuesday with senior officials of the state transport department. If its decisions don't meet our expectations, the strike will resume." Several commuters had a harrowing experience on roads on Friday and in the early hours of Saturday. Cabs and autos were hard to come by. T ...Read More >
Need to stay united, must stand up to bullying, says Maruti Chairman RC Bhargava (File image) India needs to come together to deal with the 50 per cent punitive US tariffs on Indian products and stand up to any kind of bullying, Maruti Suzuki India Chairman R C Bhargava said on Thursday at the company's 44th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in New Delhi. "It is our duty as Indians to do our very best to promote and maintain our dignity and respect and not give in to any kind of bullying in this mat ...Read More >
Bangalore Gold Rate Today: Shattering all hopes of retail jewellery buyers of some relief amid the ongoing Navratri festival, gold rates in Bangalore, and other Indian cities broke another record on Monday, September 29. The price of gold in Bangalore, aka Bengaluru, witnessed a sharp surge bringing 24 karat gold Rs 16,000 above the historic Rs 1 lakh mark. The gold price rally in Karnataka capital mirrored the surge in gold rate in India and across the world. The sharp rally in precious metal is on its path to beat the record-rally of 1979. Multiple factors like US Fed rate cut, trade becau ...Read More >
A viral video shows a guest at a Taj Hotel being asked to uncross her legs while dining, sparking a national debate. While some decry the incident as classist and humiliating, others argue fine dining establishments have decorum expectations. The controversy highlights the tension between personal comfort and public etiquette in elite spaces.A recent video from inside a luxury restaurant has taken social media by storm- not for what was served on the table, but because of how a guest sat at it. I ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 28 (SocialNews.XYZ) After facing severe backlash, Italian fashion house Prada has officially admitted that the Kolhapuri Chappals, featured in the recent Prada Men's 2026 Fashion Show, is inspired by India's handcrafted footwear traditions. In a letter to Lalit Gandhi, president of Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture, Prada noted that it is "open for meaningful exchange with artisans". "We acknowledge that the sandals featured in the recent Prada Men's 2026 Fashion Show are inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old herita ...Read More >
Mumbai : Filmmaker Subhash Ghai recently took a trip down memory lane as he remembered the late actor Irrfan Khan. Ghai shared an old photo from an award ceremony with the actor, along with an emotional note that quickly caught the attention of fans online. In the photo, Ghai and Irrfan can be seen smiling. Ghai, who worked with Irrfan in the film 'Right Yaa Wrong,' took to his Instagram account to share a post praising him not just as an actor but as someone who deeply understood the art of storytelling. He wrote, "I have always been more in admiration of good and great actors than just co ...Read More >
MUMBAI/MILAN, July 2 (Reuters) - Indian footwear sellers and artisans are tapping into nationalist pride stoked by the Prada 'sandal scandal' in a bid to boost sales of ethnic slippers with history dating back to the 12th century, raising hopes of reviving a struggling craft. Sales are surging over the past week for the 'Kolhapuri' sandals that have garnered global attention after Prada sparked a controversy by showcasing similar designs in Milan, without initially crediting the footwear's origi ...Read More >
NEW DELHI, India: Birkenstock is stepping up its efforts to protect its iconic sandals in India, as local legal representatives conducted court-ordered raids on factories suspected of producing fakes. The German shoemaker is pursuing legal action to counter growing counterfeit activity tied to its popular footwear. According to people familiar with the matter, court-appointed lawyers recently inspected several small-scale factories in India to seize suspected counterfeit Birkenstock products. The move comes after Birkenstock filed a trademark infringement lawsuit in the Delhi High Court in M ...Read More >
New Delhi, Aug 1 (PTI) Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will hold meetings with exporters from different sectors, including food processing, textiles, engineering, and chemicals, from August 2-4 in Mumbai to discuss the implications of 25 per cent tariff announced by the US, an industry official said on Friday. The official added that exporters from segments such as fisheries, engineering, IT, and pharma will also participate in the deliberations. Leather sector exporters are expected to meet the minister on August 4 here. The US on Friday slapped a 25 per cent tariff on India, p ...Read More >
New Delhi, Aug 1 (PTI) Domestic export sectors such as leather, footwear, textiles and shrimp will be hit hard by the imposition of the 25 per cent tariff by the US, industry experts say. "Quick estimates suggest that India's goods exports in FY 2026 may come down by 30 per cent from USD 86.5 billion in FY 2025 to USD 60.6 billion in FY 2026," GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava said. The duty, announced this week, will come into force from August 7 (9.30 am IST). These will be over and above the exiting standard import duty in the US. The 25 per cent tariff will replace the existing 10 per cent ba ...Read More >
Lucknow: In a hall packed with audiences, mostly Gen-Z, Khadi walked on the ramp in its modern avatar at Re-Spin: The Khadi Edit, organised as part of UPITS 2025. Models showcased the diversity of Khadi in haute couture style, and each one of them won hearts and several rounds of applause. Some popular ones included chikankari and silk textures in modern dresses, capes, and even office wear. The show conveyed a clear message: Khadi is not just a heritage of the past, but also a strong foundation for the fashion of the future.MSME, khadi and village industries, silk production, textiles, and ha ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jul 4 (PTI) A PIL has been filed in the Bombay High Court against Italian fashion house Prada for its alleged unauthorised use of the Kolhapuri chappals, and sought compensation to be paid to Indian artisans for allegedly copying their design. Prada in its spring/summer collection showcased their 'toe-ring sandals', which the petition said are deceptively similar to the Kolhapur chappal. These sandals are priced at Rs 1 lakh per pair. "The Kolhapuri chappal is the cultural symbol of Maharashtra," the plea filed by six Pune-based lawyers said. The petition has been filed against the ...Read More >
Mumbai : Tesla's long awaited India debut finally took place with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurating its showroom in Mumbai on Tuesday. The Elon Musk-led car maker unveiled its Model Y compact all-electric SUV at its 'Experience Centre' in Bandra-Kurla Complex with the CM describing it as the "right city and the right state" for the launch."Mumbai stands for innovation and sustainability. In 2015, when I went to the US, I had my first ride in a Tesla, and then I thought we need such a vehicle for mobility in India. But it took 10 years for it to come to India. But we are very happy ...Read More >
Mumbai, July 7: After Kareena Kapoor, veteran actress Neena Gupta took to social media to call out luxury brand Prada for allegedly copying the traditional Kolhapuri chappal design. Taking to Instagram, the 'Metro In Dino' actress posted a video where she flaunted a handmade pair of Kolhapuris gifted to her by the late Laxmikant Berde. In the clip, Gupta could be heard saying, "So, these Kolhapur slippers are in great demand these days. So, once I did something with Laxmikant Berde. I don't remember what it was. So, I asked him, can you get me these slippers from Kolhapur? He said, yes. So, h ...Read More >
Maharashtra News: Following criticism over using Kolhapuri-style sandals on the runway without proper credit, Italian fashion house Prada has now expressed interest in launching a limited-edition Kolhapuri-inspired collection in collaboration with Indian artisans. The development was confirmed by the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA), which held a virtual meeting with senior officials from Prada's Milan headquarters. The conversation focused on ethical sourcing, cultural acknowledgement and future collaborations with traditional Indian craftspeople. ...Read More >
A recent controversy surrounding Italian luxury label Prada has put the spotlight on how global fashion giants engage with India - a country whose rich artistic traditions have often suffered because of its inability to cash in on them. Prada got into trouble in June after its models walked the runway in Milan wearing a toe-braided sandal that looked like the Kolhapuri chappal, a handcrafted leather shoe made in India. The sandals are named after Kolhapur - a town in the western state of Maharas ...Read More >
New Delhi, Oct 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) Taj Hotels must write down rules, specify how to sit and wear clothes, said YourStory Founder and CEO Shradha Sharma on Thursday, after being reprimanded for sitting in "regular padmasana style" at the five-star hotel's fine dining restaurant House of Ming in the national capital. Speaking to IANS, Sharma said that she "still can't comprehend what was wrong" with her choice of clothes, footwear, and the way she was sitting. "This is like a general question in terms of how do we define etiquette and manners, and if it was, if you have rules and regulations, ...Read More >
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said the quality of police investigation has decreased and it needs to be improved. "Although it is a matter of relief that the crime rate in the state has decreased, the quality of police investigation has decreased, and this needs to be improved," Karnataka CM said. He gave these instructions after holding a meeting of senior police officers and a progress review meeting of the police department at the office of the State Director General of Police. He mentioned that although the accused in the robbery case in Bidar is known, he h ...Read More >
Mumbai: Prada could well partner with Indian artisans if it were to decide to produce and commercialise its Kolhapuri chappal-inspired line of men's sandals, the Italian luxury house said. A spokesperson for Prada Group said it "is already in the process of setting up next steps with the relevant parties and supply chain in the event the sandals were to be commercialised. In fact, the entire collection is currently at an early stage of design development and none of the pieces are confirmed to be produced." Lalit Gandhi, president of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agricultu ...Read More >
Mumbai: A public interest litigation filed in Bombay high court seeks reliefs against Italian luxury fashion label Prada after it showcased open-toe leather sandals at the recent Milan Fashion Week that are "deceptively similar" to the Kolhapuri chappal."The Kolhapuri chappal is the cultural symbol of Maharashtra and has special public sentiments attached to it. The act of copying and misrepresenting this craft in international markets effectively amounts to depriving local artisans of rightful recognition and credit for their work, who have preserved and practised this traditional art form fo ...Read More >
Chennai: Madras high court has clarified that private self-financing medical colleges are required to pay only a stipend, and not a full salary, to in-service govt doctors pursuing postgraduate or super-specialty courses under the govt quota.A division bench of Justice R Subramanian and Justice K Surender passed the order while partly allowing a batch of appeals moved by Karpaga Vinayaga Medical College and others. They challenged a single judge's order that directed private colleges to pay salaries to in-service doctors studying in their institutions.The appeals were moved based on a GO dated ...Read More >
New Delhi: India and the UK are likely to formally sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) next week with the final legal review of the pact currently underway. Both nations had reached the agreement in May. India expects 99% of its exports to the UK to have duty-free access. It also expects the FTA to open up significant export opportunities for labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, marine products, leather, footwear, sports goods and toys, and gems and jewellery, as well as engineering goods, auto parts and engines, and organic chemicals. "Legal scrubbing is going on. It should be signed so ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 28 (PTI) The humble kolhapuri, style statement for affordable ethnic elegance and simply staple wear for many, catapulted to the rarefied runways of Milan with Prada rebranding the handcrafted chappal "leather flat sandals" at Rs 1.2 lakh. The outrage was instant and intense. That the GI-tagged footwear, a symbol of Indian craft that goes back centuries was appropriated by the Italian luxury label which featured it in Spring/Summer 2026 show, led to a massive debate on cultural theft and giving artisans their rightful due. "I am deeply annoyed and disgusted by the way Prada ha ...Read More >
Hyderabad: Kolhapuri chappals, the traditional handcrafted leather footwear from Maharashtra, are poised for a resurgence after Prada rebranded the flat leather sandals at Rs 1.2 lakh during the Spring/Summer 2026 Milan menswear show inspired by the iconic sandals. The GI-tagged footwear, a symbol of Indian craft that goes back centuries was appropriated by the Italian luxury label. It led to a massive debate on cultural theft and giving artisans their rightful due. The global spotlight has sparked fresh interest in Hyderabad, where clusters of Kolhapuri outlets line Abids, the Old City near ...Read More >
Jaipur: Two workers died while five others are feared trapped after soil caved in during pipeline excavation work in Rajasthan's Bharatpur on Sunday morning, police said. According to officials, some labourers were filling a 10-foot-deep trench dug to lay a pipeline near Jangi ka Nagla village when the soil caved in. Twelve workers got trapped under the soil. Upon hearing the cries, other labourers and project staff started rescue attempts, but the depth and heaviness of the soil made immediate efforts difficult, they said. District administration, police and disaster management teams reach ...Read More >
New Delhi, Aug 1 (PTI) Trades worth nearly Rs 3.21 lakh crore have been conducted through the electronic National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) platform during the last five financial years, the government said on Friday. In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Agriculture Ramnath Thakur said, "From 1st April, 2020 to 31st March, 2025, trade worth Rs 3,20,766 crore has been conducted through electronic National Agriculture Market (e-NAM)". The minister was replying to a question by Congress member Randeep Singh Surjewala. "The inter-state trade volume on the e-NAM platform ...Read More >