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When a documentary keeps you up till 2 AM: Pakistani military officials react to Discovery's Operation Sindoor film
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Declassified: Operation Sindoor featured accounts from leaders including NSA Ajit Doval and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi about the operation.The modules are aimed at familiarising students with the country’s military prowess during Operation Sindoor (AFP)Operation Sindoor carried out by Indian Armed forces is perhaps still giving Pakistani establishment sleepless nights.In a 600+word social media statement shared post midnight, the Pakistani Army reacted to the documentary series on Discovery about India’s Operation Sindoor launched in response to the deadlly Pahalgam terror attack of April 2025.The two-part documentary Declassified: Operation Sindoor, which premiered on August 15, features senior Indian military and security officials who were involved in the planning and execution of the operation, which was launched on May 7, 2025.The 2 AM statementIn a statement issued on social media at 2 AM, the Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the official spokesperson of the Pakistan Armed Forces, said: “Indian content creators have produced a highly dramatised, coloured and factually inaccurate account of so-called Operation Sindoor, packaged as a documentary featuring senior political and military leadership of India.”According to DGISPR, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif, Declassified: Operation Sindoor, lack of nuance and seriousness.Pakistan also claimed that the documentary’s account contains fundamental contradictions, including on the Pahalgam terror attack and how Operation Sindoor ended.Declassified: Operation Sindoor featured accounts from leaders including NSA Ajit Doval and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi about the operation.Doval said India's generosity and tolerance should not be mistaken for weakness, asserting that the country can take risks and hit hard, irrespective of the consequences.The objective of the military operation, he said, was to destroy enemy camps, particularly those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed.Pakistan alleged that through the documentary, India has attempted to establish a deliberate linkage between an address by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff on 16 April 2025 and the Pahalgam terror attack of 22 April 2025.DGISPR also repeated the unsubstantiated claims made by US President Donald Trump on multiple occasions about Pakistan shooting down Indian fighter jets.“Pakistan’s Armed Forces successfully thwarted Indian aggression and shot down 8 military aircraft. Pakistan subsequently conducted Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, employing Fatah precision-guided rockets & missiles, PAF precision munitions, long-range loitering munitions and precision artillery against 26 military targets, including facilities used to target Pakistani citizens,” the post on X said.The military conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, lasting nearly four days, halted after they reached an understanding on the evening of May 10.DGISPR claimed that the documentary’s account of the cessation of hostilities is no less revealing.“Its own narration confirms that hostilities ended through communication between the two DGMOs and an agreed cessation of military action,” DGISPR said, adding that “A cessation of hostilities, facilitated by US, cannot subsequently be repurposed as evidence of unconditional victory.”About the AuthorBobins Vayalil AbrahamBobins loves telling the human side of all stories, from the intersection of geopolitics, international relations, and conflicts around the world. In his nearly one-and-a-half-decade career as a journalist, Bobins has covered South Asia, the Middle East, and North America, from elections to mass protests and conflicts. Bobins has also done extensive reporting on environmental issues, climate change, and sustainability, focusing on solutions and people working to make the planet a better place to live. In 2018, Bobins was awarded by Times Internet for the impact of his story on Delhi tree cuttings.
A finance consultant has listed 14 reasons for moving back to Bhopal from Mumbai after his marriage, ranging from cheaper rent and cleaner air to shorter commutes and better work-life balance. A finance consultant shared why he moved from Mumbai to Bhopal(Pexels)A finance consultant shared 14 reasons why he moved back to Bhopal from Mumbai, citing reasons that have been discussed on social media for a while. From living costs to better work-life balance, Kalyan Kumar Biswal shared his experience on X after moving back to his city with his wife following their marriage.Biswal, who has spent most of his life in Mumbai, wrote: “My decision to leave Mumbai and move to Bhopal is going to make you question your own lifestyle in the metro.”Affordable living, shorter commutesHousing costs topped his list. He said a fully furnished 2BHK in a premium Bhopal housing society — with two ACs, a refrigerator, a sofa and a bed — rents for around ₹17,000 a month. He also pointed to shorter travel times: "The whole city is max 17 minutes away," he claimed, adding that cabs are usually available within minutes, allowing residents to skip owning a car altogether and save on insurance, parking and fuel.Clean air, and food "with real flavour"Describing Bhopal as greener and less polluted, Biswal claimed the city's air quality index often stays below 50. On food, he said ingredients like butter were cheaper and free of the adulteration he associates with bigger cities. "Food here has real flavour, something Mumbai can't offer no matter what you pay," he wrote, adding: “No adulteration (yet) – Pure makkhan for ₹60 per 100g. Try finding that in Mumbai.”Cheaper help, fitness and entertainmentBiswal said his domestic help charges ₹4,500 for cooking and cleaning, against ₹7,000 he paid in Mumbai for the same work, and praised the variety of dishes she prepares. He also cited lower costs elsewhere: a premium Bhopal gym membership at ₹27,000 a year versus over ₹40,000 in Mumbai, and movie tickets under ₹300.Work-life balance, language, and locationOffices in Bhopal generally wrap up by 5.30 pm, Biswal said, giving employees more time at home and a less stressful workplace culture. He also flagged the ease of Hindi in daily interactions, wide availability of Rapido and Uber bike taxis, and Bhopal's central location, which he called "right in the middle" of the country and convenient for train travel to Delhi and Mumbai.Social media reactsThe post soon went viral and triggered an array of reactions from the netizens.One user wrote: “If your work doesn’t require you to be physically present in a metro city, it is not worth living in one. I lived in Ahmedabad for around 3 years and those there my least stressful years I can say. Smaller the city, slower and calmer is the life. Happy for you!”Another shared: “Reading this as someone from Bhopal. People outside MP don't realize what the city actually offers until someone lays it out like this the rent, the air, the 5:30 PM sign-off .City of Lakes deserves the shoutout.”A third added: “Unliveable from years of population influx, poor planning, deforestation and relentless construction. The city has been destroyed. If migrants are choosing to move elsewhere in search of a better life, perhaps that might help Mumbai too. It desperately needs some breathing space.”About the AuthorAnjali ThakurAnjali Thakur is a Senior Assistant Editor with Mint, reporting on trending news, entertainment and health, with a focus on stories driving digital conversations. Her work involves spotting early signals across news cycles and social media, sharpening stories for SEO and Google Discover, and mentoring young editors in digital-first newsroom practices. She is known for turning fast-moving developments—whether news-driven or culture-led—into clear, tightly edited journalism without compromising editorial rigour. Before joining Mint, she was Deputy News Editor at NDTV.com, where she led the Trending section and cov
Gaja Alternative Asset Management, a home-grown alternative asset management company, has opened its Rs 550 crore IPO for subscription today, Wednesday, August 19. The issue has already generated buzz in the grey market, where its shares are reportedly commanding a 19% premium, hinting at potentially strong listing gains.The three-day IPO will remain open until August 21, 2026, with the company offering shares in a price band of Rs 152–160 apiece.The Rs 550 crore public issue comprises a fresh issue of 2.81 crore shares worth Rs 450 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of 63 lakh shares aggregating to Rs 100 crore.At the upper end of the price band, retail investors can apply for a minimum of 93 shares, requiring an investment of Rs 14,880.The company is expected to finalize share allotment on August 24, followed by its proposed listing on both the NSE and BSE on August 26, 2026.JM Financial Ltd. is the book-running lead manager for the issue, while MUFG Intime India Pvt. Ltd. is the registrar.Objects of the IssueThe company plans to deploy the net proceeds from the fresh issue primarily towards strengthening its investment commitments across its fund portfolio.Of the proceeds, Rs 372 crore has been earmarked to meet sponsor commitments to certain existing and proposed funds and to repay the bridge loan. The allocation will include funding the balance sponsor commitments to Gaja Capital India Fund 2020 LLP and Gaja Capital India Fund 2020, repaying the bridge loan, and meeting sponsor commitments for the proposed Fund V and the Secondaries Fund.Gaja Alternative Asset Management Financial PerformanceGaja Alternative Asset Management reported strong financial growth in FY26, building on the momentum recorded in the previous fiscal year.The company’s total income increased from Rs 123.31 crore in FY25 to Rs 157.80 crore in FY26, registering a 28% year-on-year growth. The rise indicates a healthy expansion in the company’s income base during the year.Profitability also improved significantly. Profit After Tax (PAT) rose from Rs 61.95 crore in FY25 to Rs 81.96 crore in FY26, marking a 32% increase. The faster growth in profit compared with income points to stronger earnings momentum and a solid financial performance during FY26.About Gaja Alternative Asset ManagementIncorporated in April 1999, Gaja Alternative Asset Management Limited is an independent, home-grown alternative asset management company with more than two decades of experience in managing and advising India-focused funds. Its portfolio includes Category I and Category II Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), along with offshore funds investing in India.The company focuses on alternative investments across sectors including education, energy and environment, financial services, consumer businesses and digital technology. Its investment strategy is primarily focused on the mid-market segment.Gaja Alternative Asset Management has developed its track record across multiple fund cycles through the Gaja Capital Funds, including Fund II, Fund III and Fund IV. The company has also built long-standing relationships with investors across more than 20 countries.As of March 31, 2026, Gaja Alternative Asset Management had a total workforce of 37 personnel, comprising 23 permanent employees and 14 contractual employees.Read more: Augmont Enterprises IPO: Rs 825 crore issue price band set at Rs 750-788Should You Subscribe to the Gaja Alternative Asset Management IPO?The IPO presents an interesting combination of strong profitability, an established investment track record and exposure to India’s expanding alternative asset management industry.Anand Rathi Research has highlighted the company’s more than 20 years of experience and its differentiated investment-manager business model. The brokerage believes the company offers pure-play exposure to India’s high-growth alternative asset management opportunity.However, there are risks to consider. The company has a relatively concentrated ear
A Reddit post detailing how an Indian management consultant grew his net worth from around ₹1 crore to ₹7.5 crore after moving to the Middle East has sparked interest online.The 37-year-old professional, who described himself as an NRI working for a top management consulting firm, shared details of his career, salary progression, savings and investments on the subreddit r/Indian_flex.According to his account, his career began with a ₹10 lakh annual package after completing engineering. Over the years, he moved into management consulting, switched to an industry role and eventually returned to consulting in the Middle East.His post offered a detailed breakdown of the financial milestones he claims to have reached at different stages of his career.From ₹10 Lakh At 22 To ₹65 Lakh At 34The Reddit user said he started his professional career at the age of 22 as a graduate trainee, earning ₹10 lakh per annum.After completing his MBA, he moved into management consulting at 26, with his compensation rising to ₹25 lakh.At 29, he made another career move, leaving consulting for an industry role at ₹40 lakh. He said his compensation subsequently increased to ₹65 lakh over the next five years.During this period, he built a net worth of around ₹1 crore, which he said consisted of EPF, gold, equity and real estate.The major change came at the age of 34, when he moved to the Middle East and returned to mainstream consulting."I moved back to mainstream consulting in the Middle East at ₹3.5 crore (USD 400K), tax-free," he wrote. ₹6.5 Crore Saved In 2.5 YearsThe consultant said his move to the Middle East dramatically changed the pace at which he was able to accumulate wealth.Now 37, he claims to have saved close to ₹6.5 crore in the past two-and-a-half years, taking his overall net worth to approximately ₹7.5 crore.He also provided a snapshot of his assets.The Reddit user said he owns three properties in Mumbai, all of which are fully paid for. He also holds around 700 grams of gold through physical gold and Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs).In addition, he said he currently has around ₹30 lakh invested in equity and is focusing on increasing that allocation.Internet reactsThe post prompted Reddit users to ask questions about his current earnings and financial strategy.One user asked, "Around how much you earn per year now?"The original poster replied, "26k USD per month (excluding annual bonus)"Another user questioned how income earned in Dubai could be transferred to India.“A basic question: how do you bring tax free income earned in Dubai from Dubai to India?”The OP responded, “It is simple. Thru an NRE account. There is no limit to inward remittance. Foreign account > NRE account > NRO account. Foreign to NRE can be done by bank wire transfer or apps like Careem.”Reddit Reacts To Consultant’s Wealth JourneyThe post received a range of reactions, with some users focusing on the consultant's career progression and others asking about his investments and overseas income.One user simply responded, “Thanks for the motivation brother,”The post has also highlighted the growing interest among Indian professionals in high-paying overseas opportunities, particularly in consulting and other specialised fields.However, the salary figures, savings and asset details mentioned in the post are based entirely on the Reddit user's own claims and have not been independently verified.About the AuthorAnjali ThakurAnjali Thakur is a Senior Assistant Editor with Mint, reporting on trending news, entertainment and health, with a focus on stories driving digital conversations. Her work involves spotting early signals across news cycles and social media, sharpening stories for SEO and Google Discover, and mentoring young editors in digital-first newsroom practices. She is known for turning fast-moving developments—whether news-driven or culture-led—into clear, tightly edited journalism without compromising editorial rigour. Before joining Mint, she
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