Author: Bhakti Narayanan

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju recently unveiled images of a submersible poised to launch for deep-sea resource exploration, primarily focused on minerals. This mission, known as ‘Samudrayaan,’ marks India’s inaugural manned ocean exploration endeavor and is an integral component of the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM). The DOM initiative was conceived by India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and received the green light from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in June 2021. The submersible, christened ‘Matsya 6000,’ is under development by the National Institute of Ocean Technology in Chennai (NIOT), a body governed by the MoES. Minister Rijiju enthusiastically shared three…

According to a Crisil report, the Indian pharmaceutical industry is projected to achieve a revenue growth of 8-10% in the current fiscal year. This growth is attributed to a combination of factors, including stable domestic demand and increased exports to regulated markets, although semi-regulated markets are facing challenges. Crisil’s findings are based on a survey encompassing 186 pharmaceutical companies, collectively responsible for more than half of the sector’s annual revenue of Rs. 3.7 trillion in the previous fiscal year. Mr. Aniket Dani, Director of Crisil Research, anticipates that, similar to the preceding fiscal year, domestic growth in FY24 will be…

Shah Rukh Khan’s film “Jawan” achieved remarkable success, grossing over $15 million (129.6 crore) worldwide on its first day of release, shattering opening day records for Hindi films in India. Reports indicate that “Jawan” earned approximately $9 million (₹75 crore) in India on its debut day, with $7 million (₹65.5 crore) originating from the Hindi version alone. This marked a significant surpassing of SRK’s previous film, “Pathaan,” which opened at $6.6 million (₹55 crore), securing the highest single-day collection for a Hindi film. The pan-India film, directed by Atlee, features notable actors such as Nayanthara, Vijay Sethupathi, Deepika Padukone, Sanya…

As outlined in a report by Naredco-Knight Frank India, the real estate sector stands as a significant contributor to the revenue of Indian states and Union Territories (UTs). In the fiscal year 2023, these regions collectively amassed approximately Rs. 2 lakh crore (equivalent to US$ 24 billion) through various channels, including stamp duties. This financial inflow constitutes 5.4% of the total revenue generated by all Indian states and union territories during 2022-23. The report, titled ‘India Real Estate: Vision 2047,’ was jointly released by the realtors’ organization Naredco and property consultancy firm Knight Frank India. According to the report’s projections,…

President Joe Biden of the United States arrived in New Delhi on September 8 to participate in the G20 Leaders Summit, scheduled for September 9-10. His visit began with a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where they discussed various aspects of their strategic partnership, building on commitments made during Modi’s historic state visit to the U.S. in June 2023. Significant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were finalized during the meeting. One involved the Bharat 6G Alliance and Next G Alliance, promoting public-private sector collaboration in networking and telecommunications. Another memorandum of understanding (MoU) was forged between Indian universities, represented…

Digital disruptor brands are poised to outpace the growth of the online fashion sector, currently valued at $2.4 billion and projected to reach $10 billion by FY28, with a forecasted 35% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). A report titled “Digital Fashion Disruptors: Navigating the Future of Fashion” by Bain & Company and TMRW House of Brands, a venture of the Aditya Birla Group, attributes this trend to consumers’ preference for exploring new brands and the innovation driven by digital-first companies. The overall online fashion market is expected to reach nearly $35 billion by FY28, with digital disruptors holding approximately 29%…

Members of the Indian Naval Air Squadron 312, known as the Albatross, and the American Tridents from Patrol Squadron 26 recently concluded a week of joint maritime patrol and reconnaissance training at India Naval Air Station Rajali in Tamil Nadu, India. The VP-26 Tridents, based in Jacksonville, Florida, are currently deployed to Misawa Air Base in Japan. Lieutenant Ryan Speir, the detachment officer in charge of VP-26, highlighted this as a valuable opportunity to enhance the partnership between the two nations and improve their collaborative efforts in safeguarding maritime areas. He emphasized the significance of the P-8A aircraft in anti-submarine…

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has revealed the ceremonial attire and sports gear that will be worn by the Indian delegation participating in the 19th Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China. This momentous occasion was graced by the presence of Anurag Singh Thakur, the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports, along with PT Usha, the president of the IOA. Scheduled to take place from September 23 to October 8, 2023, the 19th Asian Games will witness India’s largest-ever contingent, comprising 634 athletes spanning 38 diverse sporting disciplines. The ceremonial outfits for athletes include a khaki…

The forthcoming decade is poised to witness a significant surge in India’s power demand, driven largely by non-hydropower renewable sources. A recently published report highlights that this growth is expected to surpass 70%, marking one of the most substantial increases among the world’s leading energy producers. The study, conducted by BMI, a division of the Fitch Group, underscores that India’s energy landscape will maintain a substantial reliance on coal-based power generation, with coal continuing to dominate the energy mix up until the year 2032. Furthermore, the report underscores the pivotal role of non-hydro renewable energy in India’s energy portfolio, predicting…

Young leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha has earned a spot in Australia’s extended 18-player one-day international (ODI) squad, positioning himself as a contender for the upcoming World Cup, set to kick off in October. Despite being just 21 years old, Sangha’s cricket journey has seen him represent four different teams: Australia Under-19s, Sydney Thunder, Washington Freedom, and Birmingham Phoenix. However, his most recent competitive appearance dates back to August 30, 2022, when he played for Birmingham Phoenix against London Spirit at Lord’s Stadium in London. A month after that match, Sangha faced a setback when he was diagnosed with a lower back…