India’s foreign exchange reserves surged by $44.90 billion to a record $785.71 billion in the week ended September 4, according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday.

The sharp rise follows an increase of $11.47 billion in the previous week, taking the reserves to $740.80 billion as of August 28.

Foreign currency assets (FCA), the largest component of India’s forex reserves, drove the increase, rising by $47.498 billion during the week to $648.17 billion. FCA holdings were $95.886 billion higher than at the end of March and up $63.692 billion from the corresponding period a year earlier.

Gold reserves, however, declined by $2.594 billion during the week to $113.816 billion. Despite the weekly fall, gold reserves remained $23.517 billion higher than a year ago, although they were $1.580 billion below their end-March level.

India’s Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) fell marginally by $4 million during the week to $18.806 billion. SDR holdings were $184 million higher than at the end of March and $64 million above their year-ago level.

The country’s reserve position with the IMF increased by $2 million during the week to $4.916 billion. It was also higher by $108 million from the end-March level and up $168 million compared with a year earlier.

Overall, India’s foreign exchange reserves have risen by $94.599 billion since the end of March and are $87.438 billion higher than they were a year ago.

The record level of reserves provides a substantial buffer for India against external shocks and helps strengthen the country’s capacity to manage volatility in global financial markets and the foreign exchange market.

Meanwhile, in the week ended August 28, the central bank data showed that India’s foreign exchange reserves rose by $11.475 billion to reach an all-time high of $740.803 billion.

Karisma Kapoor has opened up about the special Ganesh Chaturthi tradition at RK Studios.

She recalled how her grandfather, legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor, celebrated the festival with the studio staff and people from the neighbourhood. Karisma shared the nostalgic memories during the upcoming episode of Sony Entertainment Television’s India’s Best Dancer Season 5, which celebrates the festive spirit of ‘India Wala Dance.’

The ‘Raja Hindustani’ actress also revealed how Ganesh Chaturthi continues to remain an important tradition for the Kapoor family even today. Karisma has revealed her cherished memories of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at RK Studios. While the celebrations came to an end after the passing of Raj Kapoor, the Kapoor family has continued the tradition, making it a point to seek Bappa’s blessings during the 10-day festivities.

Karisma shared, “Ganesh Chaturthi RK Studios mein bohot saalon se manaya jaata tha aur bohot famous bhi tha, saare staff aur neighbourhood ke saare log aate the. Jabse dadaji guzar gaye, vaha ka Ganesh Chaturthi band ho gaya hai lekin mere saare Kapoor family ke gharon mein Ganesh Chaturthi aaj bhi hota hai. So it is a very important part of our family and hum sabhi jaate hain chahe hum kahin bhi ho, shooting chal rahi hai kuch bhi ho raha hai inn 10 dino mein hum zaroor darshan karne jaate hain.” (Ganesh Chaturthi used to be celebrated at RK Studios for many years, and it was a very famous celebration. All the staff members and people from the neighbourhood would come and join in. Ever since my grandfather passed away, Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at RK Studios have stopped. However, Ganesh Chaturthi is still celebrated at all the homes of the Kapoor family. So, it is a very important part of our family, and we all make it a point to go for darshan, no matter where we are or whether we are shooting or busy with something else. During these 10 days, we always make time to seek Bappa’s blessings.”)

Following Karisma Kapoor’s heartfelt recollections, Amruta Khanvilkar opened up about the special bond devotees share with Lord Ganesha. She stated, “Bappa is the only god jisko hum apna friend bulate hai, bhai bulate hai, tu karke bulate hai. Normally Shiv ji hote hain, ab Ganpati Bappa ‘Ha Maza Bappa Aahe!’ Aise bolte hain. Humare Marathi mein ek bade bhai ho, chhote bhai ho, ya phir pita ko ya maa ko humesha ‘aap’ bolte hain na, but Bappa is the only God jisko hum ‘are, tu’ karte hain. Abhi hum Ganpati ji vagere bolte hain, but Bappa ha maza Bappa aahe! So he is a friend, he is a brother, he is a God, he is everything.” (Bappa is the only God whom we call our friend or our brother and address so informally. Normally, when we talk about Lord Shiva or anyone elder to us, whether it is an elder brother, younger brother, father or mother, we always address them respectfully as ‘aap’. But Bappa is the only God whom we address as ‘tu’. We may call him Ganpati Ji and all, but we also say, ‘Bappa, ha maza Bappa aahe!’ — ‘Bappa is my Bappa!’ So, he is a friend, he is a brother, he is God, he is everything to us.”)

The special episode of “India’s Best Dancer Season 5” celebrating the spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi, will air on Saturday and Sunday on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.

A washroom-related issue turned into a heated exchange between ‘Bigg Boss 20’ contestants Yung DSA and Kanika Mann after the new captain objected to the actress entering the male washroom, sparking a tense confrontation inside the reality show house.

In a new promo shared by the channel, Yung was seen quickly walking into the bathroom and asking who went into the male washroom.

He was then heard saying: “Kanika ji went from here and entered the male washroom. I loudly said Kanika Ji.”

To which Kanika said that she did not hear anything.

Yung said that he felt disrespected, which irked Kanika, who replied, saying that he is just the captain of the house and not a king.

She then said that Yung made a joke stating that when he goes to the bathroom, he would call her for help.

Yung denied and said he never said that.

The promo concluded with Kanika saying: “I don’t want to get into your level.”

The 20th edition of Bigg Boss which started on September 6. It has a diverse lineup of 16 celebrity contestants, including names such as MC Mary Kom, Kanika Mann, Mahhi Vij, Kushal Tanwar, Aman Gandhi, Isha Rikhi, Arishfa Khan, Qazi Touqeer, Asif Khan, Aamrapali Dubey, Rhiti Tiwari, Uditi Singh, Tanmay Singh aka ScoutOP, Rohed Khan, Yung DSA and Love Gill.

Kanika Mann, Uditi Singh, Love Gill, and Arishfa Khan were named for nominations in first week. The show airs on JioHotstar and Colors.

Bigg Boss is an Indian Hindi-language reality television show of the Bigg Boss franchise in India that airs on Colors TV. It is based on the Dutch format of Big Brother. The 20th edition started on September 6.

Kanika is best known for her role in Guddan Tumse Na Ho Payega. She made her television debut in Badho Bahu. She made her web debut with Roohaniyat. In 2022, she participated in Khatron Ke Khiladi 12.