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At IndiaVerve, we go beyond the noise to bring you meaningful stories of change, resilience and progress—from India to the world stage. Our mission is to bring readers credible, wide-ranging coverage across politics, business, sports, culture, society and more.
At IndiaVerve, we go beyond the noise to bring you meaningful stories of change, resilience and progress—from India to the world stage. Our mission is to bring readers credible, wide-ranging coverage across politics, business, sports, culture, society and more.
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Day: October 24, 2025

Veteran Adman Piyush Pandey Passes Away at 70

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Renowned advertising icon Piyush Pandey, one of India’s most creative minds behind some of the country’s most memorable ad campaigns, passed away in Mumbai on Friday. He was 70.

Pandey, a Padma Shri awardee, had been unwell for some time. Widely regarded as the face of modern Indian advertising, he transformed the tone and character of ad communication in India by making it more rooted, relatable, and emotionally compelling.

A former cricketer who began his advertising journey with Ogilvy & Mather in 1982, Pandey went on to redefine the industry’s creative landscape. His campaigns—ranging from Fevicol’s “Fevicol ka jod, tute nahin”, Cadbury Dairy Milk’s “Kuch khaas hai zindagi mein”, Asian Paints’ “Har ghar kuch kehta hai”, to the BJP’s 2014 election slogan “Ab ki baar, Modi sarkar”—became part of India’s cultural vocabulary.

Pandey was also one of the creative minds behind “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara,” the iconic national integration song first aired on Doordarshan in 1988, and the government’s “Incredible India” tourism campaign that earned global acclaim.

Over a career spanning more than four decades, Pandey’s storytelling brilliance helped brands connect emotionally with millions. His earthy humor, insight into Indian life, and ability to blend creativity with simplicity made him one of the most respected figures in the advertising fraternity.

Tributes poured in from across the advertising and corporate world, describing him as a visionary who gave Indian advertising its distinct voice.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned his death as he took to his social media and wrote, “Shri Piyush Pandey Ji was admired for his creativity. He made a monumental contribution to the world of advertising and communications. I will fondly cherish our interactions over the years. Saddened by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and admirers. Om Shanti.”

Superstar Saha Rukh Khan expressed his grief and wrote on X that “Working and being around Piyush Pandey always felt effortless and fun. Was an honour being part of the pure magic he created…”

Pandey’s creative legacy continues to inspire generations of ad professionals. His passing marks the end of an era for Indian advertising — one defined by heart, humor, and humanity.

19 Dead as Hyderabad–Bengaluru Bus Catches Fire in Kurnool

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At least 19 people were killed and several others injured after a private luxury bus travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru caught fire near Chinnatekuru village in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district early on Friday.

The incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. when the sleeper coach, carrying 43 passengers, collided with a motorbike moving in the same direction. The impact caused the bike to get trapped under the bus, triggering sparks that led to a massive blaze, officials said.

Kurnool Superintendent of Police Vikrant Patil confirmed that the motorcyclist died on the spot, and the ensuing fire quickly engulfed the vehicle, leaving passengers with little time to escape. Many of the victims were asleep when the tragedy struck.

The two bus drivers, identified as Miryala Lakshmaiah and Gudipati Siva Narayana, have been detained for questioning. Police and rescue teams rushed to the spot and managed to pull several passengers to safety, though many sustained burn injuries and were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Expressing condolences, President Droupadi Murmu described the accident as “deeply unfortunate” and extended sympathy to the bereaved families while wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of those who lost their lives and ₹50,000 for the injured.

The Telangana government also announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh each to the families of six victims from the state. Helplines have been set up to assist relatives seeking information about the passengers.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the exact cause of the fire, while forensic and transport officials are assessing safety compliance and mechanical faults in the vehicle.

India Will Not Rush Into Trade Deal With US, Says Piyush Goyal

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New Delhi: Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal has made it clear that India will not be pressured into finalising a trade agreement with the United States, even as discussions between the two countries continue.

Speaking at the Berlin Global Dialogue during his official visit to Germany, Goyal said India is open to dialogue but will not commit to rigid deadlines. “We are talking to the United States, of course, but we don’t do deals in a hurry or under pressure. India will only enter into agreements that are fair and in the long-term interest of the nation,” he said.

When asked whether trade negotiations often depend on timelines and tariff adjustments, the minister stressed that India’s decisions are guided by long-term strategy rather than short-term pressure. “If there are tariffs on Indian exports, we accept them and work to overcome them by diversifying into new markets and strengthening domestic demand,” he added.

Goyal’s remarks come at a time when India and the US are working to revive a long-pending trade pact aimed at easing tariff barriers and expanding bilateral commerce. The United States currently levies tariffs as high as 50% on certain Indian goods, including an additional 25% on account of New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil.

Western nations, including the US, European Union, and the UK, have repeatedly urged India to scale back imports of discounted Russian oil, arguing that the trade supports Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump recently claimed that India had agreed to sharply reduce its purchases of Russian oil. “They’ve cut it way back, and they’re continuing to cut it way back,” Trump said, also calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “great person.”

However, India has denied any recent conversation between Prime Minister Modi and Trump. “I am not aware of any conversation yesterday between the two leaders,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a weekly media briefing.

New Delhi has consistently maintained that its energy imports are based on national interest and energy security considerations.

Despite differing views on some issues, officials from both countries have continued to engage on trade and investment matters. The two sides aim to increase bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.

Earlier this month, US Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor met with Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal in New Delhi to discuss ways to deepen economic cooperation and boost American investments in India.