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Shwetha Jayaram from Kerala Emerges as Miss Queen of India 2025; Livya Liffy and Kavya Bali Shine as Runners-Up

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At the grand finale held on May 26th at Le Meridien, Kochi, Shwetha Jayaram from Kerala was crowned 14th Alcazar Watches & DQUE Miss Queen of India 2025, with Livya Liffy from Kerala securing the first runner-up spot and Kavya Bali from Jammu & Kashmir taking home the second runner-up title. The title winner was crowned by Pegasus Chairman Dr. Ajit Ravi and Jebitha Ajit, Managing Director of Pegasus Global Pvt. Ltd. The first runner-up was crowned by Sajan Varghese, Chairman & MD of SAJ Hotels and Resorts, and Dr. Jolly Antony, Chairman of Vibe Munnar and Managing Director of Fog Resort & Spa. Dr. G. N. Ramesh, Rotary Governor, and Major Ravi crowned the second runner-up.

This year’s competition welcomed 14 charismatic contestants representing the various Indian states. They underwent comprehensive grooming sessions by industry experts to prepare for the national stage. The competition was structured around three elegant rounds — a traditional round in lehenga, a contemporary western wear segment, and a final evening gown round.

Organized by Pegasus Global Pvt Ltd, the pageant stood apart as the only one in the nation to eliminate the bikini round, reinforcing its values of dignity and cultural representation. The Miss Queen of India platform serves as a gateway to global pageants such as Miss Asia, Miss Asia Global, and Miss Glam World.

Regional Title Winners

Miss Queen North – Ritu Roat (Rajasthan)

Miss Queen West – Rupvardhini Kumar Saste (Maharashtra)

Miss Queen East – Bhupali Modak (West Bengal)

Miss Queen South – Sanjana Akasam (Telangana)

Subtitle Winners

Miss Talent – Rupvardhini Kumar Saste (Maharashtra)

Miss Solidarity – Mayuri Mishra (Maharashtra)

Miss Fashionista – Ritu Roat (Rajasthan)

Miss Congeniality – Deepika Krishnamurthy (Karnataka)

Miss Ramp Walk – Livya Liffy (Kerala)

Miss Humaneness – Shwetha Jayaram (Kerala) 

Miss Inspiring – Karishma Avinash Kadam (Maharashtra)

Miss Vivacious – Shwetha Jayaram (Kerala)

Esteemed personalities formed the judging panel, including Hari Anand, Harmeet Singh Gupta, Magen Fernandes, and Abhijeet Adurkar. Winners proudly wore gold crowns designed by Preeti Prakash of Parakkat Jewels, while subtitle awards were determined by a panel of distinguished evaluators.

The event was presented by Alcazar Watches and DQUE, with powered by partners including Manappuram Finance Ltd, Unique Times, Parakkat Resorts, SAJ Group Hotels & Resorts, and Green Media. Co-partners contributing to the success of the event were Kalpana International Salon & Spa, Aiswaria Advertisements, Europe Times, Times New, UT World, DQUE Soap, DQUE T-shirts, DQUE Watches, Unique Times, Akshay Inco, and JD Institute of Fashion Technology.

This year’s 14 contestants were:
Akshitha Sathyanarayana (Karnataka), Bhupali Modak (West Bengal), Deepika Krishnamurthy (Karnataka), Karishma Avinash Kadam (Maharashtra), Kavya Bali (Jammu & Kashmir), Livya Liffy (Kerala), Mayuri Mishra (Maharashtra), Meenakshi Unnikrishnan (Kerala), Ramyani Roysarkar (West Bengal), Ritu Roat (Rajasthan), Rupvardhini Kumar Saste (Maharashtra), Sanjana Akasam (Telangana), Shhukra Surryavanshi (Maharashtra), and Shwetha Jayaram (Kerala).

Pic Courtesy: Pegasus Photography

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Durga Surendran Wins Miss Queen Kerala 2025 as Pegasus Global Hosts Grand 13th Edition

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Pegasus Global Pvt Ltd successfully hosted the 13th edition of Miss Queen Kerala on May 26th, 2025, at Le Meridien Kochi, where Durga Surendran was crowned the winner. Ashwaria Ullas and Soumya S Thomas were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. The prestigious pageant was presented by Alcazar Watches and DQUE.

The winner and first runner-up were crowned with golden tiaras by Pegasus Chairman Dr Ajit Ravi and Pegasus Global Private Limited Managing Director Jebitha Ajit. Sajan Varghese, Chairman & MD, SAJ Hotels and Resorts crowned the second runner-up.  A dazzling gold crown specially crafted by Preethi Prakash of Parakkat Jewels graced the heads of each triumphant winner, in a truly befitting tribute to their remarkable achievements.

The judging panel included eminent names such as Dalu Krishnadas (Fashion Choreographer), Lakshmi Atul (Director, Operations of Aries Group), Konchitha John (Miss Queen Kerala 2019, Model & Pageant Groom), and Reji Bhaskar (Fashion Photographer).

A total of 20 finalists were selected from across Kerala to compete in a series of three rounds, evaluating elegance, confidence, and personality.

Subtitle Winners

Miss Talent: Lakshmi Abhirami R Iyer

Miss Solidarity: Rosmi Shaji

Miss Fashionista: Ashwaria Ullas

Miss Congeniality: Harshitha J Pisharady

Miss Ramp Walk: Harshitha J Pisharady

Miss Humaneness: Lakshmi Abhirami R Iyer

Miss Inspiring: Durga Surendran

Miss Vivacious: Chyra Rose Luiz

In addition to the main partners Alcazar Watches and DQUE, Powered by partners included Manappuram Finance Ltd, Unique Times, Medimix, Parakkat Resorts, SAJ Group Hotels & Resorts, and Green Media. Co-partners were Kalpana International Salon & Spa, Aiswaria Advertisements, Europe Times, Times New, UT World, DQUE Soap, DQUE T-shirts, DQUE Watches, Unique Times, Akshay Inco, and JD Institute of Fashion Technology.

The participants of this year’s competition were:
Abhivandana S, Aiswarya Padmakumar, Aneeta L, Anet Anna K L, Anna Mariya Manoj, Ashwa, Ashwaria Ullas, Athulya Nagarajan, Chyra Rose Luiz, Durga Surendran, Gahazy Shiju Kunnath, Gayathri Pradeep, Glanciya Glodis, Harshitha J Pisharady, Irin Geovin, Lakshmi Abhirami R Iyer, Manisha Prem, Rosmi Shaji, Rubina Ross, and Soumya S Thomas.

Pic Courtesy: Pegasus Photography

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Sir Sohan Roy SK Honored with 18th Manappuram MBA Award

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The 18th edition of the prestigious Manappuram Multibillionaire Business Achiever (MBA) Award was conferred upon Sir Sohan Roy SK, Founder Chairman & CEO of Aries Group, at a spectacular ceremony held at Le Meridien, Kochi. The award was presented by V.P. Nandakumar, MD & CEO of Manappuram Finance Ltd and the first-ever recipient of the MBA Award. Dr Ajit Ravi, the visionary founder of the MBA Award and the Federal International Chamber Forum (FICF), and also the Chairman of Pegasus, was present at the event.

With this honor, Sir Sohan Roy SK becomes a member of the Federal International Chamber Forum (FICF), one of the wealthiest business clubs in the world. FICF is an exclusive forum for business leaders with assets exceeding ₹1,000 crore and a demonstrated commitment to social responsibility. Notably, FICF is the first elite business club globally that does not charge any membership fee, making it a unique platform where success and service go hand in hand.

The Manappuram MBA Award, established to recognize business excellence combined with strong social values, has previously been awarded to distinguished entrepreneurs such as V.P. Nandakumar, Joy Alukkas, M.A. Yusuff Ali, T.S. Kalyanaraman, P.N.C. Menon, Gokulam Gopalan, Dr. Ravi Pillai, M.P. Ramachandran, Kochouseph Chittilappilly, Sabu M. Jacob, Dr. Viju Jacob, Dr. A.V. Anoop, Dr. Varghese Kurian, Adv. P. Krishnadas, and Dr. Hafeez Rahman.

Continuing its legacy, the MBA Award remains a beacon of excellence—honoring visionary business leaders who not only achieve remarkable success but also lead with purpose and contribute meaningfully to the betterment of society.

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Manappuram Unique Times Business Conclave Returns on May 26

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Pegasus Global Private Limited, under the visionary leadership of Dr. Ajit Ravi, is set to host the sixth edition of the Manappuram Unique Times Business Conclave 2025 on May 26th at Le Meridien, Kochi. This year’s theme, “How to Create Value in Your Business,” will focus on building enterprises that go beyond profit-making to positively impact society and the economy. The conclave is expected to bring together some of the most prominent business leaders and entrepreneurs from across the country.

The distinguished panel of speakers includes V.P. Nandakumar, Managing Director and CEO of Manappuram Finance Ltd; Dr. Jolly Antony, Founder & CEO of Al Safina Travel, Vibe Munnar, Fog Resort Spa, and Zeus Resort; CA Sreejith Kuniyil, Founder of CAPITAIRE & PravasiTax Solutions Pvt Ltd; Dr. Fathima Nilufer Sheriff, CEO of Therefore I’m; Navas Meeran, Chairman of Group Meeran and CEO of Eastern Condiments Pvt Ltd; Sir Sohan Roy SK, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Aries Group of Companies; and Muhammed Madani K, Founder and MD of ABC Group. The discussion will be moderated by CA Vivek Krishna Govind of Varma & Varma Chartered Accountants.

Attendance at the conclave is by invitation only and requires a valid entry pass. Those interested in being part of this high-impact business event are encouraged to contact 98460 50283 to request a pass. The conclave promises engaging conversations on purpose-driven entrepreneurship and the future of value-centric businesses.

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UK to Transfer Chagos Islands to Mauritius in Landmark Deal Securing 99-Year Military Base Lease

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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to sign a historic agreement transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, while ensuring the continued operation of a key UK-US military base on Diego Garcia. The deal, expected to be signed virtually on Thursday, includes a 99-year lease for the base in exchange for a multi-billion pound payment, securing strategic interests in the Indian Ocean. The decision follows months of delays caused by leadership changes in Mauritius and the United States, and national security concerns raised by US officials regarding Mauritius’ ties with China.

The Chagos Archipelago, officially the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), was controversially detached from Mauritius in 1965 prior to its independence, with Britain purchasing the islands for £3 million. The UK has faced mounting international pressure, including from the UN, to return the territory to Mauritius. Labour ministers argue that ceding sovereignty is the most viable way to secure the future of the Diego Garcia base, which Defence Secretary John Healey has called “essential to our security.”

Ahead of the signing, representatives of the Chagossian community have been invited to meet Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty for discussions on sovereignty and new support projects. Following the ceremony, MPs will be briefed on the full terms, which may include a 40-year extension clause for the military lease. While the previous Conservative government began talks, some critics have accused Labour of compromising UK interests, despite the government’s insistence that the deal safeguards both strategic alliances and national security.

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UK Eyes Gulf Trade Deal Following Major Agreements with India, US, and EU

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Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced that the UK is now pursuing a trade deal with Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, positioning it as the next key move in its global trade strategy. This follows a series of major agreements signed with India, the US, and the EU, which Reeves described as placing Britain in a “better place on trade than any other country in the world.” She indicated that these deals could positively impact the UK’s economic growth forecast, with stronger-than-expected performance in early 2025 possibly boosting projections further.

The newly signed EU deal, the most significant since Brexit, includes provisions on fishing, trade, defence, and energy. However, it has drawn criticism from opposition leaders. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch claimed the EU deal was a step “backwards,” while Reform UK’s Nigel Farage accused the government of “selling out” the fishing industry. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey cautiously welcomed the deal as a “stepping stone” but called for a move towards a full customs union.

Reeves defended the terms of the deals, emphasizing that high food standards were non-negotiable in talks with both India and the US. The India agreement boosts UK exports such as whisky and cars, while also lowering tariffs on Indian clothing and footwear. The US deal reduces tariffs on certain goods, with the UK increasing beef import quotas while maintaining food quality benchmarks. Reeves said the successful conclusion of these deals signals to the world that Britain is now a top destination for global investment and business.

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Tesco Apologises for IT Glitch Disrupting Online Orders and Clubcard Access

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Tesco has issued an apology after a software issue temporarily disrupted access to its website and mobile app on Friday afternoon, leaving many customers unable to amend online orders or retrieve their digital Clubcards. The UK’s largest supermarket chain confirmed the problem was caused by a software glitch that has since been resolved. “We’re sorry for the inconvenience,” a Tesco spokesperson said in a statement to the BBC.

Customers took to social media to report a range of issues, from being unable to modify online grocery orders to problems accessing loyalty vouchers and collecting Clubcard points. The supermarket’s official account on X (formerly Twitter) acknowledged “intermittent system issues” and assured users that its IT team was working to fix the problem. According to Downdetector, reports of technical difficulties peaked shortly after 14:00 BST and began to decline around two hours later.

Although some users said they experienced outages for up to four hours, Tesco made no indication that the issue was linked to a cyber attack. This comes as other UK retailers, including Marks & Spencer and the Co-op, have recently suffered disruptions caused by cyber incidents. Tesco’s Clubcard scheme, which boasts over 20 million members, allows customers to earn points and receive discounts both in-store and online.

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Two Firefighters and Member of Public Die in Large Fire at Former RAF Base in Bicester

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A devastating fire broke out on Thursday evening at Bicester Motion, a site on the former RAF Bicester base, claiming the lives of two Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service firefighters and a member of the public. The blaze, which began around 6:30 pm BST, required the response of ten fire crews, with thick black smoke visible across town. Two additional firefighters sustained serious injuries and remain hospitalized. Emergency services worked through the night, and the fire is now under control, with local residents advised earlier to stay indoors having since been given the all-clear.

Leaders and officials have paid tribute to the fallen firefighters, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressing his condolences and admiration for their bravery on social media. Philip Garrigan, chief of the National Fire Chiefs Council, described the firefighters as “the very best of us,” extending thoughts to their families, friends, and colleagues. Local MP’s Anneliese Dodds and Calum Miller also offered heartfelt condolences, acknowledging the profound loss to the community and the fire service family.

Bicester Motion, home to over 50 specialist classic car restoration and engineering businesses, has closed the site over the weekend to assist ongoing investigations. The cause of the fire remains unknown. The nearby St Laurence’s Church in Caversfield opened its doors for those seeking reflection following the tragedy, and Oxford City Council lowered its flag to half-mast as a mark of respect for the lives lost.

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Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi in Induced Coma After Surgery for Ruptured Intestine

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Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi is in an induced coma following emergency surgery for a ruptured intestine sustained during Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Leicester City at the City Ground. The 27-year-old Nigerian international collided with the post in the 88th minute while attempting to meet a cross from Anthony Elanga. Awoniyi, who had come on as a substitute for Ibrahim Sangare, received prolonged treatment on the pitch before being taken to hospital.

Sources confirmed that Awoniyi underwent the first phase of surgery on Monday night, with the remaining procedure scheduled for Wednesday. Nottingham Forest released a statement on Tuesday saying the striker was “recovering well,” but emphasized the seriousness of the injury. Club owner Evangelos Marinakis visited the pitch post-match to express concern to manager Nuno Espirito Santo and is receiving regular updates on Awoniyi’s condition.

The incident has reignited debate over the assistant referee protocol to delay offside flags when a goalscoring opportunity is imminent. In this case, Elanga was offside when he received the ball, but the flag was only raised after Awoniyi’s collision. Critics argue that the current VAR-influenced system may endanger players unnecessarily. Forest said the injury serves as a “powerful reminder of the physical risks in the game and why a player’s health and wellbeing must always come first.”

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Gérard Depardieu Found Guilty of Sexual Assault, Given Suspended Sentence

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French film icon Gérard Depardieu, 76, has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two women on the set of the 2021 film Les Volets Verts. A Paris court handed him an 18-month suspended jail sentence and placed him on the national sex offenders register. The victims, a set designer named Amélie and assistant director Sarah, accused the actor of groping them during filming. While Depardieu denied all allegations, the court found inconsistencies in his testimony and awarded each woman €1,000 in compensation for “secondary victimisation” endured during the trial.

The verdict marks a significant moment in the French film industry, with the plaintiffs’ lawyer calling it “a victory for all the women behind this case” and a sign that impunity for powerful figures in cinema is being challenged. The ruling came just hours before the Cannes Film Festival was set to begin, underlining the cultural weight of the decision. Prosecutors emphasized that the trial was about justice for individual victims, not a referendum on French cinema.

Depardieu, who did not attend the verdict as he was filming in the Azores with actress Fanny Ardant, described the trial as a surreal experience and claimed his name was “dragged through the mud.” This was his first criminal conviction related to sexual misconduct, though other allegations and a possible rape trial may follow. Despite support from figures like Ardant and Brigitte Bardot, the case has reignited debate over accountability in the entertainment industry.

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