The central government led by BJP recently approved the earmarking of a designated site within the Rashtriya Smriti complex, a part of the Rajghat precinct for erecting a memorial of former President of India late Pranab Mukherjee.

This development was shared by Pranab Mukherjee’s daughter, Sharmistha Mukherjee on social media platform X. She expressed thanks and gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his government’s decision to create a memorial for Pranab Mukherjee. She added that the decision is more cherished considering that they did not ask for it. She expressed that she is immensely touched by this unexpected but truly gracious gesture by the Prime Minister.

In her social media post, Sharmistha Mukherjee added that the former President Pranab Mukherjee used to say that State honours should not be asked for, it should be offered. She said that she is very grateful that PM Narendra Modi did this to honour her father’s memory. She continued that the decision does not affect Pranab Mukherjee, considering where he is now, beyond applause or criticism. However, for his daughter, words are not sufficient to express the joy, she added.

Notably, Pranab Mukherjee served as the 13th President of India from 2012-2017. In his political career spanning five decades, Mukherjee was a senior leader in the Indian National Congress and occupied several ministerial portfolios in the Government of India. Before his election as President, Pranab Mukherjee was Finance Minister from 2009 to 2012. The former President was awarded India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 2019, by his successor as president, Ram Nath Kovind.

Pranab Mukherjee passed away on August 31, 2020 at the age of 84 after he was tested positive for coronavirus. The Rashtriya Smriti Sthal was set up as a common memorial site for former Presidents and Prime Ministers of India. It also includes the memorial to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee will release the admit cards for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2025 today. Registered candidates can download their admit cards from the official website, gate2025.iitr.ac.in, using their login credentials.

Initially scheduled for release on January 2, 2025, the admit cards will allow candidates to appear for the exams scheduled on February 1, 2, 15, and 16, 2025. These tests are key for admission into postgraduate engineering programs across India.

Steps to download GATE 2025 admit card

1. Visit the official website: gate2025.iitr.ac.in.
2. Log in using your enrollment number and password.
3. Click on the “GATE Login” button.
4. Access the link for downloading the admit card.
5. Download and print the admit card for exam day.

Exam schedule and format

GATE 2025 will be conducted as a computer-based test (CBT) across multiple centers categorized into eight zones. Results are expected to be announced on March 19, 2025.

The exam includes 30 papers, with candidates allowed to select one or two from approved combinations. It will be three hours long, featuring three question types:

• Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ): Single correct option.
• Multiple Select Questions (MSQ): Multiple correct options.
• Numerical Answer Type (NAT): Enter numerical values.

GATE evaluates candidates on recall, comprehension, application, analysis, and synthesis. Scores will remain valid for three years.

Negative marking policy

For MCQs, incorrect answers will result in a penalty:

• 1-mark questions: Deduction of 1/3 mark.
• 2-mark questions: Deduction of 2/3 mark.

No negative marking applies to MSQ and NAT questions.

Mock test links for practice

To assist candidates in preparing for the exam, mock test links for all papers are available on the official website. These tests replicate the CBT format, providing a hands-on experience. Candidates can select their test paper name and code to access the mock tests.

Aspiring candidates are advised to download their admit cards promptly and utilize the mock test links to refine their preparation for the GATE 2025 exams.

A jewellery chain in Mumbai, Torres Jewellery, has allegedly defrauded hundreds of people through a Ponzi scheme promising high returns, leaving investors furious and demanding their money back. The scheme, which promised lucrative returns on gemstone jewellery investments, was exposed when the company’s stores closed suddenly, leaving many customers devastated and seeking justice.

The company, with six stores located in and around Mumbai, has been accused of defrauding investors through an elaborate Ponzi scheme. As of today, hundreds of investors have gathered at Torres’ Dadar store in Mumbai, hoping to retrieve their funds. The police have registered a case against the jewellery chain and its holding company, Platinum Hern Private Limited, along with several key individuals involved, including the CEO, general manager, and store in-charge. The accused face serious charges, including cheating, criminal conspiracy, and financial fraud.

The scheme explained

Torres Jewellery, which opened its stores in February last year, offered a scheme that attracted many lower-middle-class investors. Under the plan, customers who invested Rs 1 lakh would receive a pendant adorned with a moissanite stone worth Rs 10,000. Investors were also promised interest on their investments, starting at 6 per cent annually, which later climbed to 11 per cent. Many customers received payouts during the initial months of the scheme, but payments abruptly stopped around two months ago.

As the scheme gained traction, Torres made an attempt to encourage further investment by offering an increased interest rate of 11 per cent for those who invested before January 5. Additionally, the company offered an extra 0.5 per cent interest for payments made in cash. However, just one day after this announcement, Torres closed its stores on January 6, leaving investors stranded and realizing they had been scammed.

The investors’ perspective

The bulk of Torres’ investors come from Mumbai’s lower-middle class, including small traders and vegetable sellers, many of whom were lured by the promise of high returns. Investors had put in amounts ranging from a few thousand rupees to several crores. Seven individuals who filed a police complaint have stated they had invested over Rs 13 crore collectively.

One investor, speaking to NDTV, expressed her frustration, saying, “We did get some payouts. We want to ask the government, it got tax. So why is it not helping us now?” Another investor, visibly upset, vowed not to leave the Torres office until she received her money back, calling it “hard-earned money.” Many investors noted that the company’s official brochures displayed GST and CIN numbers, leading them to believe the business was legitimate and government-sanctioned.

Torres’ claims of a coup

In a surprising twist, Torres Jewellery uploaded a video on its official YouTube account, alleging that its CEO, Tausif Reyaz, and Chief Analyst, Abhishek Gupta, orchestrated a coup and robbed the company’s showrooms. The video claimed that Reyaz and Gupta were responsible for orchestrating a fraudulent scheme over several months and subsequently led a robbery at Torres’ stores to cover their tracks.

The video showed footage of individuals allegedly vandalizing stores and stealing valuables. According to Torres, CCTV footage revealed that around 100 people broke into the stores, opening safes and stealing money. The company has claimed it provided this evidence to the police.

Police investigation

The police are now investigating the case, and several key individuals from Torres Jewellery have been named as suspects. Authorities are working to determine the full extent of the fraud, and whether other employees were complicit in the scheme.

While many investors are left devastated, they are demanding accountability and action from both the authorities and Torres Jewellery. The case continues to unfold, and the scam has drawn attention to the need for stricter regulations in the financial and investment sectors, especially for schemes promising unusually high returns.

As of now, Torres Jewellery has not responded to questions from the media regarding the scam or the closure of its stores. However, investors remain hopeful that the authorities will take swift action and ensure justice is served.