rubber prices

Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari is exploring cement concrete roads over bituminous ones due to a surge in bitumen prices and supply disruptions from the West Asia conflict. He also highlighted the potential of domestically produced bio-bitumen from rice straw and other biowaste to reduce imports and save foreign exchange.

India is accelerating its adoption of ethanol-based mobility, with Maruti Suzuki unveiling the Wagon R Flex Fuel, the country's first flex-fuel passenger car. This move supports the government's push to reduce oil imports, lower emissions, and boost agriculture, potentially offering cost savings to buyers if E85 fuel is priced competitively.

Indian consumers may soon face higher prices as wholesale inflation surges, driven by global conflicts impacting commodity and energy costs. While retail inflation remains soft for now, a widening gap between wholesale and consumer price indices suggests businesses will likely pass on increased production expenses, leading to costlier everyday goods and services in the coming months.

After Prada’s ‘sandal scandal’, Indian footwear labels are giving the chappal a high-fashion spin with sneaker and silk makeovers, bringing fresh attention to the craft and its artisans

Pala, a Kerala constituency known for its Syrian Christian community and rubber plantations, is currently represented by Independent MLA Mani C. Kappan. He secured a significant victory in 2021, building on his 2019 bypoll win. The constituency faces issues like rubber price crashes, youth unemployment, and infrastructure needs, all within a context of faith-agriculture driven politics.

Ettumanoor, a Kerala constituency, saw the Indian National Congress reclaim dominance in 2021, with Suresh Kurup winning by over 8,000 votes. This general seat, known for its rubber-paddy farming and the Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple, faces issues like rubber price slumps and youth unemployment, fueling intense UDF-LDF rivalries.

Puthuppally, a Kerala constituency, has been a long-standing stronghold of the Indian National Congress. The seat, currently held by Chacko K. Jacob, has seen the UDF dominate for decades, with recent by-election results reinforcing this trend. Key local issues like rubber prices and rural development continue to shape the political landscape.

Decades-old paper certificates of Nokia shares, once forgotten in Finnish homes, transformed into immense fortunes. This tech giant's rise during the mobile phone revolution saw ordinary families, not just professionals, become millionaires. Their patience with these seemingly worthless assets yielded astronomical returns, highlighting how everyday people can benefit from unexpected economic shifts.

Kottayam Assembly constituency, a UDF stronghold held by KC(J)'s P.K. Jayalakshmi since 2016, faces challenges despite its high literacy and economic strengths. Key issues like rubber farmer distress, youth unemployment, and infrastructure needs shape this competitive central Kerala seat, where church-backed legacy often prevails over LDF and BJP.

Changanassery, a vibrant Kerala constituency, is a battleground of rural farming and semi-urban life, dominated by Syrian Christians and a strong NRI economy. The LDF, led by Kerala Congress (M), currently holds the seat. Key issues like rubber farmer distress, youth migration, and infrastructure challenges shape the closely contested elections between LDF and UDF.

In a close contest in Kerala's Aruvikkara, CPI(M)'s G Stephen secured victory, narrowly defeating INC's VS Sivakumar by 2,843 votes. This rural constituency, known for its plantations and fields, faces challenges like river flooding, poor road connectivity, and youth unemployment. The incumbent MLA, G Stephen, previously won in 2021, highlighting the LDF's stronghold.

Neyyattinkara constituency saw INC's N Shakthan win by 6,966 votes against CPI(M)'s K Ansalan. This result contrasts with the 2021 election where CPI(M) secured victory. The region faces challenges including coastal erosion, poor infrastructure, youth unemployment, and environmental concerns.

PC Vishnunadh of INC secured a decisive victory in Kundara, defeating S L Sajikumar of CPI(M) by 32,564 votes. This win follows his 2021 election triumph, highlighting his continued support in the constituency. Kundara, a general seat in Kollam district, faces challenges including river flooding, unemployment, and infrastructure gaps.

In Kerala's Chathannoor, BB Gopakumar secured a victory with 51,923 votes, surpassing CPI's Adv. R. Rajendran by 4,398. This general seat in Kollam, known for its rubber plantations and coastal life, faces challenges like Kallada River flooding, poor road connectivity, and youth unemployment.

Kattakkada, a Thiruvananthapuram constituency shaped by plantations and hill agriculture, is currently represented by CPI(M)'s I.B. Satheesh. The LDF stronghold faces significant challenges including landslides, poor rural connectivity, youth unemployment, and erratic water supply, impacting its rural economy despite a high voter turnout in the last election.

Vamanapuram, a rural Kerala constituency, faces challenges like river flooding, poor road connectivity, and youth unemployment. The incumbent CPI(M) MLA D.K. Murali, who won in 2021, will contest against INC and BDJS candidates in 2026. Key issues impacting the LDF stronghold's rural economy include water supply, healthcare, and land prices.

In Kerala's Parassala, CPI(M)'s C K Hareendran secured victory with 69,149 votes, defeating INC's Neyyattinkara Sanal by a margin of 15,013 votes. The constituency, characterized by its coastal border economy, faces challenges including coastal erosion, youth unemployment, and infrastructure deficits.

Chirayinkeezhu, a coastal-rural Kerala constituency, faces critical challenges ahead of the 2026 polls. Incumbent CPI MLA V. Sasi's victory in 2021 highlights a strong LDF presence. Key issues like coastal erosion, flooding, poor connectivity, youth unemployment, and infrastructure gaps are shaping the electoral landscape for candidates from CPI, INC, and BJP.

In Kerala's Nedumangad, CPI's G.R. Anil secured a victory in the 2021 elections, defeating INC's P.S. Prasanth by over 23,000 votes. The constituency, known for its plantation economy, faces challenges including landslides, poor road connectivity, and youth unemployment, impacting its agricultural sector and infrastructure.

Attingal, an SC-reserved constituency in Kerala, faces challenges like coastal erosion, poor road connectivity, and youth unemployment. The incumbent MLA, O S Ambika of CPI(M), won the 2021 elections. For 2026, O S Ambika, Santhosh Bhadran (RSP), and Adv P Sudheer (BJP) are contesting amidst these pressing local issues.

Piravom, a semi-urban Kerala constituency, is dominated by the Kerala Congress (Jacob) under MLA Anoop Jacob, who has held the seat since 2012. The constituency faces issues like farmer distress, flooding, and youth migration, influencing its faith-driven electoral landscape. Jacob secured a decisive victory in 2021, continuing his party's stronghold.