Indian Railways has reached a significant milestone by electrifying 95 percent of its extensive 68,000-kilometer track network, making it the world’s largest green railway system, according to Mukul Saran Mathur, Additional Member of the Railway Board. This achievement places India at the forefront of sustainable rail transport, surpassing electrification efforts in the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States, which stand at 56 percent, 38 percent, and just one percent, respectively. Speaking at the ASSOCHAM National Conference, Mathur highlighted the importance of this development for India’s railway modernization. He noted that Indian Railways serves over 20 million passengers…
Author: Deepika chandrasekar
Deepika chandrasekar
Deepika is on her way to becoming an influential figure in the world as a young writer with a big voice and a big heart. Deepika has always possessed the highly sought-after attribute of empathy. She attended the University of Madras and graduated with a BA and MA in English. She has her mother and daughter living with her in Chennai, while she is a single parent.
India successfully launched its first reusable hybrid rocket, RHUMI-1, on Saturday from Thiruvidandhai in Chennai. Developed by the Tamil Nadu-based start-up Space Zone India in collaboration with Martin Group, RHUMI-1 is designed to advance space research. The rocket carried three Cube Satellites and 50 PICO Satellites into a suborbital trajectory using a mobile launcher. These satellites will gather data on global warming and climate change. RHUMI-1 features a hybrid motor that runs on generic fuel and an electrically triggered parachute deployer. Notably, it is entirely pyrotechnic-free and contains no TNT. The mission is directed by Anand Megalingam, founder of Space…
Zeta, a leading banking technology firm, predicts that Unified Payments Interface (UPI) credit lines could exceed $1 trillion in transaction value by 2030. This innovative credit line provides 80% of pre-approved, inactive credit customers on the UPI network with instant access to credit. Since its inception in August 2016, UPI has experienced rapid growth, reaching 1 billion monthly transactions within just over three years and hitting 13 billion transactions in April 2024 alone. Zeta anticipates that UPI’s adoption of credit lines will drive it to the $1 trillion milestone by 2030, outpacing other on-demand credit products such as overdrafts and…
Amul has been recognized as the top food and dairy brand globally in the Brand Finance Food & Drink 2024 report. The brand achieved a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 91.0 out of 100, earning a prestigious AAA+ rating and affirming its dominance in the global food and dairy markets. The report underscores Amul’s expanding international presence, noting its high scores in familiarity, consideration, and recommendation. Despite facing a 6% drop in total brand value among the top 10 dairy brands, Amul has maintained its position as the leading dairy brand for the fourth year in a row, thanks…
On Tuesday, Dr. S. Somnath, Chairman of ISRO, highlighted the significant societal benefits of investments in the Indian space program. He emphasized that these investments have created numerous employment opportunities, both directly and indirectly, and have had a broad impact on various sectors. Dr. Somnath noted that the benefits of the space program are often underappreciated. To better understand and quantify these impacts, ISRO has commissioned a study with consultants. The study aims to measure the exact societal benefits of their space investments. He pointed out that the space program has not only provided job opportunities but also supported sectors…
Rajan Zed, the Hindu statesman who has impressively delivered 312 Hindu invocations in legislative chambers across 44 US states and Canada, added another milestone to his legacy last month by leading the opening prayer in the United States Senate for the second time. His first groundbreaking moment came in July 2007, when Zed, as the president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, was invited by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to deliver the Senate’s opening prayer. This marked the first time a Hindu chaplain was given this honor. However, the occasion was marred by the interruption of three Christian protesters,…
It was Vice President Kamala Harris’s night, but the loudest cheers and applause at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) were reserved for veteran Democratic leader Hillary Clinton. The crowd’s uproar, which included chants of “lock him up” following Clinton’s mention of Donald Trump’s 34 felony convictions, was a moment of vindication for her. This marked a symbolic victory for Clinton, a former adversary of Trump, who had been the target of Trump’s campaign rhetoric in 2016. The DNC, taking place from August 19-22 in Chicago, witnessed Clinton’s speech as a significant personal triumph. Despite the evening being dedicated to Harris,…
Foxconn, the iPhone contract manufacturer, has seen its business in India grow significantly, reaching over $10 billion by 2024, according to its chairman, Young Liu. The company has invested $1.4 billion in the country to date, reflecting its strong commitment to the Indian market. Liu mentioned that by the end of last year, Foxconn’s business in India had surpassed $10 billion, and they anticipate even greater achievements in the upcoming year, as he shared in a conversation with PTI. He made these remarks at the inauguration of Foxconn’s women-only residential complex near its plant in Tamil Nadu on Saturday. Liu,…
In recognition of his significant contributions to both the United States and India, Representative Tom Suozzi has honored Varinder Bhalla with a Special Congressional Award. This accolade, which acknowledges Bhalla’s four decades of dedicated community service, includes an American flag that has flown over the U.S. Capitol and a formal Citation from Congressman Suozzi. Varinder Bhalla’s impactful journey as a community leader began in 1981 when he served as Vice President of the Association of Indians in America (AIA). He successfully advocated for the inclusion of Indian Americans as a recognized minority group eligible for federal contracts, a move that…
In the vast landscape of Indian cinema, few films have left an indelible mark like *Sholay*. Released on August 15, 1975, this cinematic gem, crafted by the renowned writers Salim-Javed and directed by Ramesh Sippy, has not only endured but thrived as a cultural icon. As we celebrate its 49th anniversary, it’s a fitting time to reflect on what has made *Sholay* an enduring classic. Birth of a Classic *Sholay* emerged during a period of transformation in Bollywood, when filmmakers were eager to explore new genres and storytelling techniques. This film brilliantly combined action, drama, romance, comedy, and music into…
