The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has become the world’s leading alternative payment method (APM). From April to July 2024, UPI processed transactions worth US$ 964 billion (Rs. 80.8 lakh crore), marking a significant 37% increase from the previous year. In 2023, UPI handled 3,729.1 transactions per second, totaling 117.6 billion transactions, according to Paysecure. This impressive volume surpasses global payment giants like China’s Alipay, PayPal, and Brazil’s PIX. The transaction value of UPI reached US$ 2.19 trillion in 2023, and July 2024 saw a record monthly transaction total of US$ 247 billion (Rs. 20.64 lakh crore). UPI’s growth has been…
Author: Akancha Mishra
Akancha Mishra
Akancha has been a journalist for about twenty years, and she has a Bachelor of Arts in English Honors and a Master's Degree in Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. She and her husband and children Supriya and Alok currently call New York City home.
ird edition of the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) Summit, set to take place on September 9-10, 2024. This event is being held in collaboration with Stanford University’s Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation and the Hoover Institution. Under the theme “Harnessing Investment Opportunities to Enhance Cross-Border Defence Innovation Ecosystems,” the summit will emphasise the pivotal role of private investment in driving advancements within the defence sector. According to a post on X, the Forum expressed excitement about this collaboration, highlighting the summit’s goal to bolster US-India defence innovation ties. Attendees will include prominent defence policymakers from both Washington…
Cobalt, a trailblazer in the Pentest as a Service (PtaaS) industry known for its cutting-edge offensive security solutions, has announced the appointment of Sonali Shah as its new Chief Executive Officer. Shah, an Indian American with a distinguished background in cybersecurity, takes on this role amidst a phase of notable expansion and innovation for Cobalt. Shah, who hails from Potomac, MD, and is currently based in Boston, brings with her over 20 years of experience in the technology sector, particularly in scaling high-growth technology companies. Her impressive career includes significant roles such as an investment banker at Credit Suisse, a…
In recent years, the Mediterranean diet has gained widespread popularity due to its health benefits, which include a mix of plant-based foods, healthy fats, and whole grains. Recognized as the top diet for seven consecutive years in U.S. News & World Report’s annual survey, the Mediterranean diet has been linked to numerous health improvements. Studies have shown that it can lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, while also reducing the risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular issues, and certain cancers. Emerging research from Universitas Sumatera Utara in Indonesia suggests that the Mediterranean diet may…
In a major milestone for India’s digital infrastructure, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has announced that the number of 5G base transceiver stations (BTS) across the country has surged past 450,000 by the end of July, just 22 months after the launch of 5G services in October 2022. These BTS units, the backbone of mobile networks, are typically installed on existing towers and are vital for seamless connectivity. With a national target of 500,000 BTS, the rollout is set to continue, expanding India’s 5G footprint. However, the pace of deployment has seen some fluctuations. July recorded a modest 3,346 new…
The event titled “Modi & US: Progress Together” is set to take place on September 22 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, which boasts a seating capacity of 15,000. According to the Indo-American Community of USA (IACU), over 24,000 Indian Americans have already registered to attend this major gathering, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing the audience. Prime Minister Modi is also scheduled to speak at the high-level UN General Assembly session on September 26, as indicated in the UN’s provisional list of speakers. The IACU reports that registrations for the Uniondale, Long Island event have come through…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the critical need for ensuring simple and accessible justice for all as India progresses towards its vision of becoming a developed nation. Speaking at the conclusion of the Rajasthan High Court’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Modi highlighted the judiciary’s long-standing advocacy for a uniform civil code, which he referenced during his Independence Day speech. Modi stressed that while justice itself is inherently straightforward, the processes involved often complicate it. He called for collective responsibility in simplifying these processes and expressed satisfaction that the nation has already taken historic steps in this direction. The prime minister also…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, following Modi’s significant visit to Ukraine last week. This dialogue underscores the ongoing diplomatic engagements regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. “Spoke with President Putin today. We discussed measures to further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. We shared our perspectives on the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as well as my insights from my recent visit to Ukraine. Reiterated India’s firm commitment to support an early, abiding, and peaceful resolution of the conflict,” PM Modi posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, after the phone…
According to a recent CRISIL report, Indian cement manufacturers are set to invest approximately $14.89 billion (Rs. 1.25 trillion) in expanding their capacity between FY25 and FY27. This surge in investment is fueled by a robust demand forecast and competitive pressures to capture greater market share. The planned capital expenditure (capex) will be 1.8 times greater than that of the previous three fiscal years. Despite this significant outlay, the credit risk profiles of these manufacturers are expected to remain stable, thanks to their relatively low capex intensity and solid financial health, with financial leverage expected to stay below 1 times,…
Mallika Sherawat recently garnered support on social media due to a throwback video where a journalist criticised her for labelling India as ‘regressive.’ In response to this, she has also reflected on her past comments about Kamala Harris. Sherawat had previously predicted that Harris could become the future US President, and she has reaffirmed her praise for Harris in a recent Vanity Fair interview. Sherawat discussed the scarcity of female politicians in India, noting that they are often from dynastic or royal backgrounds. She contrasted this with Kamala Harris, whom she admired for being a self-made leader. Sherawat recalled attending…
