What September 2025 Delivered on India Startup Digest
September was a packed month. From national honors and sports stats to chaotic weather and a roller‑coaster stock, we covered the stories that mattered to entrepreneurs, investors, and everyday readers.
Honors, Sports and Business Highlights
The government announced the Padma Awards 2023 on Republic Day, spotlighting 106 achievers in literature, education, science and engineering. Names like Anand Kumar and Srinivas Varadhan made the list, and the roster included 19 women, two overseas Indians, and seven posthumous recognitions. The awards underscored India's talent pool – a reminder that bold ideas get national applause.
Cricket fans got a quick stats bite when Sanju Samson slipped up to 34th in the ICC T20I batting rankings. His 566 rating points came after a season of back‑to‑back hundreds and a strike rate over 150. The move shows he’s still in the conversation, but consistency will be his next test.
On the startup front, Ola Electric’s shares kept traders on edge. The stock bounced between Rs 39.6 and Rs 124, settling around Rs 62‑63 by month‑end. A quarterly loss of Rs 428 crore and a 5.94 % sales dip marked the first revenue decline in three years. Analysts kept a hold stance, waiting for a clear profit path.
Weather Woes and Travel Turmoil
Delhi faced nonstop rain in early September. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert as three weather systems combined for heavy downpours. The Yamuna river hovered above the 207 m evacuation mark, causing traffic snarls, flight delays at IGI Airport, and a temporary pause on cremations at Nigambodh Ghat. By the weekend the alerts dropped to yellow, but light rain and thunderstorms lingered, keeping the air quality at a decent 57 AQI.
Kolkata’s IPL 2025 clash between KKR and RCB almost turned into a washout. Forecasts warned of 40‑60 km/h gusts and morning rain, though the chance of rain at match time fell to just 7 %. Ground staff readied full covers, and the game went ahead with a few tactical tweaks.
Storms also hit Delhi’s IGI Airport hard. Low visibility forced 14 flight diversions to cities like Lucknow, Bhopal and Ahmedabad, and hundreds of passengers faced delays. Air India’s crews hit duty‑time limits, and one runway stayed closed for upgrades.
Further north, Uttar Pradesh sweltered with temperatures hitting 33 °C in Lucknow and feels‑like 39‑40 °C across the state. Humidity was high, making the heat sticky. Relief was promised as heavy rain and thunderstorms were forecast from Sunday, but the coming downpours also carried flood risks.
All these events shape the environment in which startups operate. Weather disruptions affect logistics, supply chains, and even team morale. National recognitions like the Padma Awards can inspire new ventures, while market volatility in companies like Ola Electric reminds investors to stay vigilant.
Stay tuned for October’s round‑up, where we’ll bring you fresh funding news, policy shifts, and more on how India’s startup ecosystem is evolving.
Padma Awards 2023: Top Winners in Literature, Education and Science & Engineering Revealed
President Droupadi Murmu announced the Padma Awards 2023 on the eve of Republic Day, honouring 106 individuals across three tiers. The list spotlights luminaries in literature, education, science and engineering, including Anand Kumar and Srinivas Varadhan. With 19 women, two overseas Indians and seven posthumous recognitions, the awards underline India’s diversity and excellence.
Sanju Samson climbs to 34th in ICC T20I batting rankings after volatile run
Sanju Samson has moved up to 34th in the ICC T20I batting rankings with 566 rating points, a small but meaningful jump in a stop-start international journey. The wicketkeeper-batter’s rise follows a blistering purple patch last season that included back-to-back T20I hundreds. His strike rate of 152.39 in 43 T20Is keeps him in India’s plans, but consistency remains the big test ahead of future tournaments.
Delhi rains: IMD issues fresh Yellow Alert as three weather systems fuel two more days of downpours
IMD has issued a fresh yellow alert for Delhi as heavy showers linger for two more days, driven by three weather factors. The Yamuna is above the evacuation mark for a second day, traffic is choked in key stretches, and flights are delayed at IGI Airport. Temperatures have dipped below normal, and air quality remains satisfactory. NCR cities are on orange alert with warnings of waterlogging.
Delhi weather: IMD scales down alerts as rain eases, Yamuna stays above 207m
Rain over Delhi-NCR is set to ease as IMD downgrades alerts to yellow, with light rain and thunderstorms expected into the weekend. The Yamuna remains above the 207m evacuation mark at 207.44m, forcing a pause in cremations at Nigambodh Ghat. AQI improved to 57 after the showers. Gurugram faces an orange alert, while Noida and Ghaziabad remain on yellow.
KKR vs RCB weather scare: Rain threat hangs over Eden Gardens IPL 2025 clash
Rain threatened the KKR vs RCB IPL 2025 match at Eden Gardens with forecasts flagging thunderstorms and gusty winds over Kolkata. IMD warned of 40–60 kmph winds, while hourly models showed high morning rain chances easing to just 7% by match time. With playoff stakes high, a washout or shortened game could reshape plans, DLS tactics, and points. Ground staff stayed on standby with full covers.
Delhi airport weather chaos: 14 flight diversions, hundreds delayed as storms hit
Severe rain and low visibility disrupted operations at Delhi’s IGI Airport on Tuesday evening, forcing 14 flight diversions and causing widespread delays and cancellations. One flight was diverted to Lucknow, with others sent to Bhopal, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Ahmedabad, and Varanasi. Air India reported extensive delays and some cancellations as crews hit duty-time limits, while one runway remained shut for upgrades.
Ola Electric stock: Volatile trade, weak fundamentals test investor patience
Ola Electric shares hover near Rs 62–63 after a wild debut year, swinging between Rs 39.6 and Rs 124. The company is still loss-making, reporting a Rs 428 crore quarterly loss and a 5.94% sales decline—the first revenue dip in three years. Valuation looks rich at 5.4x book with negative ROE and ROCE, though debt has come down. Analysts broadly sit on Hold as investors wait for a clearer path to profits.
Uttar Pradesh Weather Today: Heat and Humidity Peak; Heavy Rain Likely From Sunday
Uttar Pradesh will swelter today with high heat and humidity. Lucknow may hit 33°C with a midday feel near 39–40°C, light winds, and sticky air. Similar conditions are likely statewide, with temps between 28–34°C. From Sunday, heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected in many areas, bringing relief but also a risk of waterlogging and brief disruptions.
