Author: Bhakti Narayanan

The 2023 Alnoba Moment of Truth Award for Leadership in Gender Equity is set to be bestowed upon Ruchira Gupta, an Emmy-awarded journalist and the visionary founder of the non-governmental organization Apne Aap, dedicated to combating sex trafficking. This distinguished recognition, offered by the Alnoba Lewis Family Foundation, celebrates a resolute activist leader who has not only drawn widespread attention to a significant contemporary issue but has also effectively rallied supporters and resources to bring about positive change. For more than thirty years, Gupta has relentlessly advocated for a world where no girl or woman is subjected to the horrors…

On September 14, 2023, in Bina, Madhya Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated a series of development projects valued at over Rs. 50,700 crore (US$ 6.11 billion). These projects encompass various sectors, including power, renewable energy, information technology, and industrial parks. One of the prominent projects is the Petrochemical Complex at Bina Refinery, a venture by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), with an estimated cost of Rs. 49,000 crore (US$ 5.91 billion). This complex will produce vital components like ethylene and propylene, essential in industries such as textiles, packaging, and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, it will generate employment opportunities and stimulate downstream…

A McKinsey report, published on September 13, 2023, highlights a substantial market opportunity within India’s automobile parts industry focusing on component circularity. This opportunity is estimated to range from US$ 3.8-5 billion by FY30, focusing on three core themes: material recirculation, circular product design, and repair, care, and refurbishment services. The report, titled ‘Mobility 360 degree-Sustainability for Competitiveness,’ was unveiled at the 63rd annual meeting of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA). It underscores that material circularity has the potential to significantly benefit companies, leading to increased profits of 10-20%, reduced costs by 5-10%, decreased reliance on virgin…

Mr. Hisashi Takeuchi, the CEO and Managing Director of Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL), envisions substantial growth in the Indian passenger vehicle (PV) market. He predicts that by 2030-31 (FY31), the market will nearly double to approximately 7 million units. Speaking at the annual meeting of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), he credited the consistent support and dedication of the auto component industry for India’s position as the third-largest vehicle market globally. The annual PV market size is expected to expand to 6-7 million units by FY31. Despite supply chain challenges, domestic PV sales experienced a significant surge…

Indian superstar Akshay Kumar has delighted his fans by announcing the third installment of the immensely popular “Welcome” film series. Celebrating his 56th birthday, Akshay Kumar unveiled the film’s title, “Welcome To The Jungle.” On social media, the actor conveyed that he’s offered a birthday surprise to both himself and his supporters. He posted a video of the cast singing a cappella and encouraged fans to enjoy the gesture while expressing gratitude for their feedback. This comedy film will showcase a star-studded ensemble including Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, Raveena Tandon, Johnny Lever, Paresh Rawal, Lara Dutta, Disha Patani, Rajpal Yadav,…

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…