Local Roundup: Youngest Investment Banker to Aravalli Discovery, OTT Content Crackdown

From a 17-year-old investment prodigy shaking up India’s financial scene to a half-a-million-year-old archaeological site near Delhi, this week’s headlines span the ancient and the ultra-modern. We track key developments—from IIT-Kharagpur’s mental health reforms and Reliance’s trademark retreat to the Centre’s crackdown on Pakistani OTT content. Here’s your roundup of the stories you need to know.

India’s Youngest Investment Banker Advises Millionaires at Just 17 Years Old

Appalla Saikiran, a 17-year-old from Andhra Pradesh, has made headlines as India’s youngest investment banker. He founded Scope, a financial consultancy, which now advises millionaires and billionaires. Saikiran’s story exemplifies the growing youth-led entrepreneurial spirit in India. He began coding and building apps at age 11 and now oversees a team of over 50. His success highlights the shifting dynamics of India’s startup ecosystem and the expanding role of Gen Z in financial services.

IIT-Kharagpur Eases Attendance Rules Following Student Suicides

After a spate of student suicides, IIT-Kharagpur has announced key reforms to its attendance and academic policies. The institute will now offer greater flexibility in attendance requirements and assignment submissions. These changes aim to reduce academic pressure and prioritise mental well-being. The move follows sustained pressure from student unions and mental health advocates. This marks a pivotal shift in how premier engineering institutions are responding to the growing student mental health crisis in India.

5-Lakh-Year-Old Tool Site Unearthed in Aravalis Near Delhi

Archaeologists have discovered a prehistoric tool-making site in Haryana’s Mangar Bani forest, dating back nearly 500,000 years. The finding includes hand axes and cleavers, offering critical insights into early human settlements in the Aravalis. Experts say it rivals sites in Africa in antiquity. This landmark discovery reshapes our understanding of prehistoric life in the Indian subcontinent and underscores the need for conservation of the ecologically sensitive Aravalis region.

Reliance Withdraws Trademark Application for ‘Operation Sindoor’

Reliance Industries has retracted its application to trademark the term ‘Operation Sindoor’ amid rising online backlash. The term was widely speculated to refer to a future media or commercial project. Public scrutiny intensified after the name appeared to reference Indian military operations, prompting accusations of insensitivity. The company’s withdrawal comes amid broader conversations about ethical branding and nationalism in corporate strategy. Several other entities had also applied for the same trademark.

Centre Asks OTT Platforms to Remove Pakistani-Origin Content Over Security Fears

The Indian government has asked major OTT platforms to remove content of Pakistani origin, citing national security concerns. The directive applies to shows and films produced by or featuring Pakistani citizens. While not a blanket ban, it reflects growing political and digital decoupling between India and Pakistan. The move has reignited debates on censorship, cultural exchange, and freedom of expression in India’s streaming landscape, where cross-border collaborations had been gaining traction.

Supreme Court Orders Maharashtra to Hold Local Body Elections Within Four Months

The Supreme Court of India has ordered the Maharashtra government to conduct long-pending local body elections within four months. The directive comes after petitions were filed regarding the delay, citing lack of representation and democratic stagnation. The Court criticised the state for failing to uphold constitutional duties. This ruling is expected to revive civic governance in the state and could also have significant political ramifications for the ruling coalition.

Delhi High Court Halts Order Against A.R. Rahman in Copyright Dispute

The Delhi High Court has stayed a previous ruling directing music composer A.R. Rahman to credit the Dagar brothers for alleged use of their work in the film ‘Ponniyin Selvan’. The interim relief allows Rahman to avoid making changes until the next hearing on 23 May. The case touches on classical music rights and questions of intellectual ownership. It also reflects the growing legal scrutiny over heritage music use in contemporary film compositions.