u/themanof1percent

I’m in a bit of a dilemma and want some unbiased advice.

I have two friends asking me for personal loans.

Friend 1:

We’ve been friends since 11th standard. He is asking me for around ₹30,000. However, he already borrowed ₹2,000 from me last month, and that amount is still pending.

Friend 2:

We’ve been friends since 2nd standard, so we go way back. He is asking me for around ₹2 lakh. The problem is that he is not very regular with his job/work and has asked me for money multiple times before. He also talks about taking a car loan despite his current financial situation. Basically, I’m not confident about his ability or discipline to repay ₹2 lakh.

Both are old friends, and that's what makes this difficult. I don't want money to destroy a long friendship, but at the same time, I don't want to lose a large amount of money because I felt guilty saying no.

Would you lend money in either situation?

What would you do in my place?

BHOI BHOI

About 7-8 months ago, I saw this flip keypad phone with a client, and from that moment I decided that one day I was definitely going to buy one for myself. It wasn’t an urgent need, and I kept postponing it, but the idea stayed in my mind the whole time.

Today, I finally purchased it.

It’s not a huge achievement, and I know it’s just a phone, but it still feels satisfying because I did it my way. Sometimes it’s the small things that make you happy, especially when they’re something you’ve wanted for a long time.

I’m already using two Android phones, an ASUS laptop, and a few other gadgets, so this purchase wasn’t about replacing anything. It was more about the experience and the aesthetic that comes with a flip keypad phone. There’s something different about it. It feels simple, nostalgic, and surprisingly refreshing in a world where everything is a touchscreen.

Not every purchase has to be about productivity or practicality. Sometimes you buy something because you genuinely like it, and that’s reason enough.

So, no, this isn’t a major milestone, but it’s a small personal win that I’m happy about. The aesthetic vibe is finally here, and I’m honestly enjoying it.

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A fire broke out at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Ahmedabad, Gujarat today (July 18), followed by a series of explosions. Initial reports put the death toll at 8, with 15+ injured. Rescue operations are ongoing and the injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals.

The cause of the fire hasn't been officially confirmed yet — police and fire department are investigating. There are reports that the unit was operating despite a cancelled license, which, if confirmed, would put this in the same pattern as several other cracker factory tragedies in Gujarat over the past couple of years (Deesa/Banaskantha last year being the most recent big one) — unlicensed or expired-license units running anyway, often with minimal safety infrastructure.

PM Modi has announced ex-gratia compensation of ₹2 lakh for families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.

Will update as more verified details come in. If anyone has local news sources or on-ground updates, would appreciate it being added below.