OPINION, P10 WELL BEING Foxnut is a superfood but only if consumed in moderation Page 8 Delimitation dilemma FE LINES Training of AI tools can be an ethical and legal minefield Page 9 Trust & antitrust in the age of AI MAD OVER MAKHANA? DON’T GO NUTS OVER IT ACROSS THE AISLE, P CHIDAMBARAM VOL 18 NO. 13 WORDS WORTH Follow us on Twitter & Facebook. App available on App Store & Play Store WWW.FINANCIALEXPRESS.COM A NEXUS WITH SIDE EFFECTS FINANCIAL EXPRESS ON SUNDAY SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2025 F R O M : A H M E D A B A D , WHAT'S INSIDE B E N G A L U R U , Sheroes of sustainability With their innovative initiatives and timely interventions, women eco-warriors are acting as agents of change ■ LEISURE, P5 ‘Wanted to make a queer film that feels Indian’ Interview with filmmaker Rohan Parashuram Kanawade SANDIP DAS & PRIYANSH VERMA New Delhi, March 8 pinching winter this year? You are likely to be penny pinching soon.AnunusuallywarmJanuary and February, plus what promises to be a scorching summer ahead,is indicative of rising food inflation in the coming months.After a steady decline for five months throughFebruary,pricesofsev- eral key commodities, including wheat and edible oils, are already starting to look up, besides staple vegetables’ supply taking a hit.Retail prices of mass consumption edible oils are currently ruling 20-60% higher than year-ago levels. Sources said recent abovenormal temperatures have hit yield of standing rabi crops, particularly wheat, mustard and pulses. Potato prices declined 2.9% on month in February, and onion prices China hits back at Canada with fresh agriculture tariffs CHINAANNOUNCED tariffs on over $2.6 billion worth of Canadian agricultural and food products, retaliating against levies Ottawa introduced in October and opening a new front in a trade war driven by US President Donald Trump's tariff threats. ■ PAGE 14 Delhi govt nod to `5,100-cr scheme for women THE BJP government in Delhi approved the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana on Saturday to provide a monthly assistance of `2,500 each to women from poor families and allocated `5,100 crore for the scheme. ■ PAGE 2 H Y D E R A B A D , K O C H I , GROWING CONCERNS K O L K A T A , L U C K N O W , Consumer food price index (% change, y-o-y) ■ 'Above normal' temperature to hit production of wheat, mustard, pulses ■ Prices of edible oils 20-60% higher than year-ago levels ■ Costlier food items could complicate RBI's task in monetary easing cycle crashedby13.6%,buttheprice fall could be arrested given the India Meteorological Depart- Aug Prices of wheat, chicken already on a rise ment’s forecast of high temperatures in early summer months. Prices of vegetables, TRUMP CLAIMS INDIA HAS AGREED TO DEEP TARIFF CUTS Govt reacts: Premature to talk of deal with US ● Looking for good trade pact with US, says FM PRESS TRUST OF INDIA New Delhi, March 8 EVEN AS NIRMALA SITHARAMAN, FINANCE MINISTER GST rates will come down further; work on rationalising rates & slabs almost final begun, and it would be premature to talk about its details, in response to US President Donald Trump’s claim on Friday that India had agreed to tariff GOVERNMENT sources on Saturday said negotiations between India and the US for a trade deal have just IN THE NEWS C H E N N A I , M U M B A I , N E W D E L H I , cuts, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said India is looking for a “good”trade agreement with the US. The Indian government sources said discussions on tariffs and other aspects of bilateral trade that were highlighted during Modi's visit to Washington DC last month are an ongoing process. Continued on Page 2 Sept 5.6 9.2 10.87 Oct Nov Dec Jan 9.04 8.39 6.02 fruits and pulses had softened in recent months following robust harvests. However, wheat and chicken prices are already rising. Costlier food items at the retail level could complicate the task of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as well in the current monetary easing cycle. The RBI is already facing the prospect of an uptick in core inflation over the next few months, given the depreciating rupee and the escalating global tariff war. AfterthehottestFebruaryin the past 125 years, the IMD's projection of above normal temperature this month, crucialforgrainformation,islikely to hit wheat, chana and mustard production.Trade sources said wheat crop is likely to be impacted in Uttar Pradesh, whichcontributesover40%of domestic output, as the grain might shrivel by the end of March. Harvesting season of the rabi crop is between March 15 andApril 30. Continued on Page 2 WHO WILL BE CHAMPION? ICC CHAMPIONS TROPHY FINAL : 2.30PM (IST) VENUE : DUBAI INTERNATIONAL STADIUM ■ India favourites to claim record third Champions Trophy, after winning in 2002 & 2013; New Zealand have won it once in 2000 ■ New Zealand also confident, with batsman Kane Williamson saying his side have a chance of derailing India ■ India's batting depth gives it an edge, with Virat Kohli's splendid return to form ■ Ahead of final, opener Shubman Gill on Saturday says India hungry for trophy but not desperate Key players to watch out for: Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Varun Chakravarthy (India); Kane Williamson, Matt Henry, Mitchell Santner (New Zealand) »INSIDE« ALL EYES ON KOHLI P 14 Oppn slams govt over US claim,saystellParliament PRESS TRUST OF INDIA New Delhi, March 8 THE CONGRESS ON Saturday asked the government if it has decided to reduce tariffs as claimed by US President Donald Trump, and told Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take Parliament into confidence on the issue. The opposition party also asked why the Modi government has “surrendered” the interests of Indian farmers and micro,small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by buckling under US pressure and reducing tariffs,“which is an insult to India and its 150 crore people”. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh askedwhether the interests of Indian farmers and manufacturers are being compromised. He said commerce minister Piyush Goyal is in Washington JAIRAM RAMESH, CONGRESS LEADER What has Modi govt agreed to? Are interests of Indian farmers, manufacturing being compromised? PM must take Parliament into confidence when it resumes on March 10 DC to talk about tradewith the Americans and Trump is making claims that India has agreed to bring down tariffs. “WhathastheModigovernment agreed to? Are the interests of Indian farmers and of Indian manufacturing being compromised? The PM must takeParliamentintoconfidence when it resumes on March 10," Ramesh said in a post on X,tagging avideo of the US President speaking on trade tariffs. Both houses of Parliament will meet on Monday as the second part of the Budget session commences. Congress’s media and publicity department head Pawan KheraalsohitoutattheBJP-led government,accusingitoffailing to protect the interests of India and having buckled under US pressure even when other countries have not. Continued on Page 2 No women drivers in F1, but brands target fan base ● 40% of F1 fans women, 750 mn fans worldwide VAISHALI DAR New Delhi, March 8 THERE MAY BE no women drivers in Formula One races,but 40% of Formula One fans are now women, with over 750 million fans worldwide. This rise in interest is an opportunity for both the sport and brands at a time when women across the globe will control 75%ofdiscretionaryspending in the next five years, as per Nielson data. The global interest in the sport has risen by 5.7%, approximately50 million new fans since 2021, says Nielsen Sports data.“Femalefansbring P U N E Expect to pay for winter warmth with higher food costs THANKFUL FOR NOT having a ■ SPOTLIGHT, P6-7 C H A N D I G A R H , 2024 P U B L I S H E D READ TO LEAD 2025 LUCKNOW 20 Pages, `12 An eye-opener into the collusion between doctors, pharma & regulators Page 4 FAIR DEAL 5.7% Rise in global interest in F1, with addition of 50 mn new fans since 2021 56% Rise in team sponsorship deal, from $2.87 mn in 2019 to $5.08 mn now 35% ■ Premium brands associated with female racers: Women attendees at 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Charlotte Tilbury, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Tommy Hilfiger, Puma, American Express, Tag Heuer $1 bn Estimated worth of 10-year sponsorship deal between F1 and LMVH fresh perspectives,energy and passion to the sport, inspiring more women to engage with motorsport at everylevel,from spectators to professionals within the industry.F1 is helping to develop deeper connections with female fans and making motorsport more accessible,” said Nouf MohamedAl-Bushlaibi,executive director,strategic marketing & communications, department of culture and tourism,Abu Dhabi.Over35% attendees at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix were women, one of the highest female representation rates worldwide that year. Despite the fan growth, women racers have been few, with none currently. Maria Teresa de Filippis was the first woman to compete in Formula One in 1958; Lella Lombardi was the first woman to score pointsinFormulaOnein1975. Continued on Page 2 Lucknow