Indian football fans can eagerly anticipate the return of Lionel Messi and the Argentine national team in an exhibition match scheduled for October 2025 in Kerala. This event marks a significant moment, as it comes 14 years after Messi first visited the country.

Last November, the Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman announced that Argentina would be visiting the southern state to play two friendly matches in Kochi. This announcement has generated excitement among local fans who hope to see one of the world’s greatest footballers on their home turf.

On Wednesday, HSBC India officially announced its partnership with the Argentine team to promote football in the country and confirmed the timing for the exhibition match. A press release from HSBC India stated, “Under this partnership, the Argentina national football team, including legendary player Lionel Messi, will visit India for an international exhibition match in October 2025.”

Furthermore, the partnership between the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and HSBC includes a one-year agreement focused on India and Singapore, targeting the competitive season of 2025 as preparation for the final qualification matches for the 2026 World Cup. This collaboration aims to enhance the visibility and growth of football in the region and provide fans with exciting experiences.

Lionel Messi’s first visit to India was in September 2011, when he played in a World Cup qualifying match against Venezuela in Kolkata. Argentina secured a 1-0 victory at Salt Lake Stadium during that match, which remains a memorable moment for Indian football enthusiasts.

Sandeep Batra, Head of International Wealth and Premier Banking at HSBC India, commented on the partnership: “As we join forces with one of the most revered teams in the world of football, we look forward to creating unforgettable experiences for fans and customers alike, while supporting the Argentine team in their journey towards the 2026 World Cup.”

Claudio Fabian Tapia, President of the Argentine Football Association, also expressed optimism about the collaboration, highlighting its potential for expansion and new opportunities in India and Singapore. He stated, “We welcome HSBC as the new partner of the Argentina National Team.”

Karni Sena activists descended on the residence of Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Ramji Lal Suman in Agra on Wednesday, unleashing chaos to protest his controversial remarks about Rajput warrior Rana Sanga. The demonstration erupted into violence as the mob pelted stones, shattered windows, and wrecked vehicles outside the MP’s home. Police moved in swiftly, deploying minimal force to quell the unrest, but not before skirmishes broke out between officers and the furious protesters.

The uproar stems from a March 21 Rajya Sabha speech where Suman branded Rana Sanga, the revered Mewar ruler, a “traitor” for allegedly inviting Mughal emperor Babur to defeat Ibrahim Lodi. “If Muslims are Babur’s descendants, then Hindus descend from the traitor Rana Sanga,” he declared, rejecting the ‘Babur ki aulad’ jibe aimed at Indian Muslims, whom he said revere Prophet Mohammed and Sufi traditions instead. The statement has enraged the Karni Sena, a right-wing group fiercely protective of Rajput heritage.

“This was a small taste,” said Karni Sena leader Mahipal Makrana. “We smashed a few chairs outside Suman’s house—nothing major yet. But this is just the beginning. We’ve been patient, but insulting our icons like Rana Sanga crosses the line. If our members face any backlash, we’ll paralyze the country with protests.” The group’s anger wasn’t limited to Agra.

On Sunday, they rallied outside the SP’s Bhopal office in Tulsi Nagar, torching an effigy of Suman. The outfit’s Madhya Pradesh wing even dangled a Rs 5 lakh reward for anyone who’d smear Suman’s face with ink and slap him with footwear.

SP leaders cried foul, alleging the Bhopal protesters trashed their banners and posters. “It happened at 7:15 pm, orchestrated by the BJP to expose the state’s collapse,” claimed SP spokesperson Yash Bharatiya, pointing to a video of a banner being yanked down.

However, TT Nagar police chief Sudhir Arjaria dismissed the damage claims, noting the brief demonstration warranted no arrests. With police on-site before the Bhopal crowd arrived, Bharatiya accused authorities of complicity, demanding Assembly debate. The Karni Sena’s wrath shows no sign of fading.

The central government is expected to soon consider the formation of the 8th Pay Commission, which could significantly revise salaries, pensions, and benefits for around 50 lakh central government employees and 65 lakh pensioners. If implemented, experts suggest monthly salaries could rise by up to Rs 19,000, depending on the government’s final budget allocation and fitment factor.

What is a Pay Commission?

A Pay Commission is a government-appointed body that recommends changes in pay structures for central government employees and pensioners. Constituted approximately every 10 years, the panel reviews salaries based on inflation, economic conditions, and the cost of living.

The 7th Pay Commission, implemented in 2016, increased the minimum basic salary from ₹7,000 to Rs 18,000 and used a fitment factor of 2.57, which determines the scale of salary hikes. The revision came at a cost of Rs 1.02 lakh crore to the government.

What kind of salary hike is expected?

Although the 8th Pay Commission is yet to be formally announced, financial projections indicate a notable hike in monthly salaries:

With Rs 1.75 lakh crore allocation: Salary could rise from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1,14,600/month

With Rs 2 lakh crore allocation: Salary could go up to Rs 1,16,700/month

With Rs 2.25 lakh crore allocation: Salary might increase to Rs 1,18,800/month

These are pre-tax salary estimates for mid-level employees, and actual increases will depend on the fitment factor and final government decision.

When could it be implemented?

Although there’s no official timeline, experts anticipate that the 8th Pay Commission may be constituted in April 2025, with its recommendations likely implemented by 2026 or 2027.

Once formed, the commission will consult with employee unions and other stakeholders to finalize the pay structure. While unions are likely to demand a fitment factor of 2.57 or higher, former Finance Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg has suggested a more conservative estimate of around 1.92, calling higher expectations “unrealistic” under current economic conditions.