According to the All India Sarafa Association, gold of 99.9% purity had soared by ₹3,200 a day earlier, reaching an all-time high of ₹1,34,800 per 10 grams. In the local bullion market, gold of 99.5% purity also slipped by ₹2,400 to ₹1,31,800 per 10 grams (including all taxes), after touching a lifetime high of ₹1,34,200 on Friday.

Gold prices have climbed by ₹51,000 per 10 grams (62.65%) since Dhanteras last year, when they stood at ₹81,400 per 10 grams on October 29, 2024.

Silver extended its decline for a second consecutive day, plummeting by ₹7,000 to ₹1,70,000 per kilogram (including taxes) on Saturday, compared to ₹1,77,000 on Friday. The metal has still gained ₹70,300 (70.51%) since last Dhanteras, when it was priced at ₹99,700 per kg.

Traders attributed the decline in bullion prices to weak global trends and profit booking following a steep rally.

Despite the correction, Indian consumers spent an estimated ₹1 lakh crore on Dhanteras this year, largely driven by strong demand for gold and silver. According to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), jewellery sales alone accounted for ₹60,000 crore, up 25% from last year, as buyers thronged bullion markets even with gold prices surging nearly 60% year-on-year to cross ₹1,30,000 per 10 grams.

Three Parties Compete for the Sarpanch Role

Information from local sources reveals that three political parties have laid claim to the Sarpanch position in Hardorwal village, initiating a bidding war among their candidates. The bidders included notable figures such as Atma Singh, son of Vasban Singh, Jaswinder Singh Bedi, son of Ajit Singh, and Nirvair Singh, son of Harjit Singh. Among these contenders, Atma Singh emerged as the frontrunner with a bid of Rs 2 crore.

Despite the intense competition, representatives from major parties like the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, and Shiromani Akali Dal did not participate in the bidding process, leaving the contest to the three contenders.

Bidding Process and Current Standings

The bidding process was announced at the village's Gurdwara Sahib, emphasising that the highest bidder would secure the role of Sarpanch. As it stands, Atma Singh's bid of Rs 2 crore is unmatched, while Jaswinder Singh Bedi submitted a bid of Rs 1 crore. The bidding was set to conclude today, allowing any last-minute contenders to place higher bids.

If no new bids are submitted by the deadline, Atma Singh's bid will be finalised as the winning offer. BJP leader Vijay Soni has already praised Atma Singh for his record bid, asserting that the BJP remains the only party in Punjab committed to the welfare of its residents.

As the deadline looms, the political atmosphere remains charged, with all eyes on Hardorwal Kala to see if anyone will challenge Singh’s substantial bid or if this will mark a new chapter in local governance in Punjab.

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[caption id="attachment_454568" align="alignnone" width="998"] Benefits of aloe vera[/caption] 4. Aloe vera increases blood cells Drinking aloe vera juice on an empty stomach increases the number of red blood cells.

Rice is rich in minerals and high on the nutritional side. Apart from our kitchen cabinet, it can be used in our beauty routine as well. Here’s what you need to know about the benefits of using rice flour for skin- 

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• Pumpkin Seeds Pumpkin contains hundreds of nutritious seeds which are rich in iron, zinc, magnesium, and antioxidants. Pumpkin seed oil may promote hair growth in men. 
• Turmeric

  This herb is widely used in cooking and as a powder extract because of its health benefits. It helps in reducing arthritis pain, improve cholesterol levels, and enhance exercise recovery. Turmeric is high in active compounds called curcuminoids.

  
•  Coconut Oil Coconut oil is obtained from kernel or meat of coconuts. It is commonly used for cooking. The oil also has various applications in beauty, skin care, hair care, and overall health. It has high percentage of fat from medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), primarily in the form of lauric acid. Also Read | Watch Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma's video from the field; asking is she has eaten
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