🛒 Why groceries cost more now

Good morning.

Diwali shopping lists are getting longer, and so are grocery bills. Today we look at why food prices are rising, and whether relief is close.

Begin with the garden in Nagaland. It is a warm way to start.

In Nagaland’s Kigwema village, 90-year-old Mosenyii Yakhro tends a garden he planted around his late wife’s grave.

His wife, Vivolheri, had chosen the hillside spot herself. Ten years after her death, the garden has become a little attraction called Mosen Viewpoint.

Children play among the flowers, visitors come to enjoy the view, and every January, his family gathers there to celebrate his birthday.

He still looks after it for her. I cannot think of anything more romantic.

Food prices in India are climbing again, and economists warn that relief may take longer than expected.

Food inflation reached 7.74% in September, up from 5.97% in August. The increase is affecting everything from vegetables and grains to milk, eggs and meat.

What's driving the increase?

According to Reuters, below-average monsoon rainfall has disrupted winter crop planting in parts of India, raising concerns about future supplies.

Other factors are adding pressure:

According to the RBI's September Monetary Policy Report, animal proteins and spices drove nearly half the rise in food inflation between March and August. 

With winter harvests and global prices still uncertain, one economist cited by Reuters forecasts inflation could approach 10% in October-December.

Scroll to the end for the answer

Imagine a bustling market with thousands of shops, but every stall is run by a woman.

Welcome to Ima Keithel, or Mother's Market, in Imphal, Manipur.

This centuries-old marketplace has around 3,000 women traders selling everything from fresh vegetables and fish to handwoven textiles and household goods.

For generations, the market has been a place where women earn their livelihoods, support their families and maintain trading traditions.

And there's another fascinating craft from Manipur worth knowing about.

Longpi black pottery, made by artisans in Ukhrul district, is created using clay and powdered black stone. The striking black pots are shaped entirely by hand, without a potter's wheel.

Two very different traditions, both still part of everyday life in Manipur. 

🎓 Education: NEET-PG admissions could shift from percentile-based qualifications to a rank-based system. An expert panel has presented the proposal to the Supreme Court.

🏛️ Northeast: Thirty-five participants in Meghalaya helped restore a historic pathway once used by Jaintia rulers, combining practical skills training with heritage preservation.

🏅 Sports: India's Ravinder Singh, Saurabh Chaudhary and Amanpreet Singh won team gold in men's 50m pistol at the ISSF World Championships in Doha.

🤖 Technology: India has released more homegrown AI models, including Eka-1, which supports 22 Indian languages, and smaller Dhir models designed for flexible deployment.

💼 Work & Finance: The RBI has simplified foreign-payment reporting for individual service exporters, potentially easing compliance for eligible freelancers and professionals receiving money from abroad.

🛒 Consumer Rights: India's food regulator has accused PepsiCo and Monster of misleading consumers with “energy drink” labels. Both companies have challenged the restrictions in court.