In 2024, India’s cement sector witnessed a significant rise in mergers and acquisitions, with more than ten deals announced, the highest since 2014. These transactions totaled over $3.5 billion, with major players like UltraTech Cement and Adani-backed Ambuja Cements leading the charge, especially in the South Indian region. This wave of consolidation has resulted in greater concentration of cement assets, now dominated by the top four companies: UltraTech, Ambuja, Shree Cement, and Dalmia Bharat. Despite the surge in mergers, cement prices remain under pressure. Factors such as sluggish demand driven by elections and the monsoon season have made it difficult…
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.
On Friday, ISRO announced a major milestone in its Gaganyaan mission, marking significant progress toward India’s first human spaceflight. The space agency successfully transported the first solid motor segment from the production facility to the launch complex. This achievement paves the way for the upcoming HLVM3 G1 flight, a crucial part of the Gaganyaan program. This announcement closely follows successful “well deck” recovery trials conducted with the Indian Navy on December 6. The well deck on a naval vessel can be filled with water to allow boats, landing crafts, or recovered spacecraft to dock directly inside the ship. These trials…
The second trilateral consultation between India, Iran, and Armenia took place on Thursday, where representatives from all three nations discussed key issues such as connectivity projects, multilateral cooperation, and regional developments. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) shared details in a press release, emphasizing the importance of enhancing trade, tourism, and cultural ties. The Indian delegation was led by JP Singh, Joint Secretary of the Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran Division. Hashem Ashja’ Zadeh, Director General of the South Asia Division from Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented Iran. Anahit Karapetyan, Head of the Asia-Pacific Department from Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign…
India’s atomic power capacity has nearly doubled in the past decade, reaching 8,081 MW in 2024, up from 4,780 MW in 2014. Union Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, credited the growth to both technical expertise and strong political leadership. He highlighted that the capacity added in the past 10 years is equivalent to the progress made in the previous 60 years. Looking ahead, Dr. Singh projected that India’s atomic power capacity will triple by 2031, reaching 22,480 MW. He also announced a revised electricity distribution formula, which allocates 50% to the home state, 35% to neighboring states,…
The BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Paris is scheduled for completion by 2026, with construction having begun six months ago on a site blessed by Pramukh Swami 36 years ago with a symbolic shower of flowers. The temple, covering around 5,000 square meters, is located in the Basse Saint-Georges area. The first floor will feature a large community hall, a library, an exhibition space, and a dining area. On the second floor, the main temple will house statues of prominent Deities, including Lord Shankar and Parvati, Ganesh, Shriram and Janki, Shrikrishna and Radha, Hanuman, Swaminarayan, and Gunatitananda Swami. The spiritual…
President-elect Donald Trump announced the appointment of Harmeet K. Dhillon, an Indian-American attorney, as the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice. Dhillon becomes the fourth person of Indian descent to be named to a key position in Trump’s second-term cabinet. Trump expressed his pleasure in nominating Dhillon, recognizing her career in defending civil liberties, especially in cases involving Big Tech censorship, religious freedom, and anti-discrimination lawsuits. “Harmeet has fought for free speech, defended Christians during COVID, and challenged corporations with discriminatory policies,” Trump said. A prominent election lawyer and respected Sikh leader, Dhillon has…
India’s latest addition to its naval fleet, the 3,900-tonne stealth frigate INS Tushil, was commissioned on Monday at Kaliningrad. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted this as a significant step in strengthening India-Russia defense relations. He noted that collaboration between the two countries will now focus on emerging fields like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, space exploration, and counterterrorism. Singh described INS Tushil’s induction as a major achievement in the enduring strategic partnership between India and Russia. He emphasized the increasing “Made in India” component in Indian naval vessels, including INS Tushil, reflecting successful collaboration between Indian and Russian industries. Navy Chief Admiral…
Indian-Americans are planning peaceful rallies in Washington, D.C., and Chicago to protest recent attacks on the Hindu minority in Bangladesh, organizers announced. The ‘Genocide of Hindus in Bangladesh’ protest, organized by HinduACTion, will take place near the White House on December 9. In Chicago, a similar event, ‘Stop the Genocide: Save Hindu Lives in Bangladesh,’ will be held on December 8, led by prominent community leaders. A website, www.stophindugenocide.org, highlights the escalating violence and calls for international intervention, describing the situation as a “humanitarian catastrophe”. Reports suggest over 200 attacks in more than 50 districts have occurred since the Sheikh…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday that the Union Cabinet has approved the opening of 85 new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) to make quality school education more accessible across India. This move, in line with the National Education Policy, aims to benefit a large number of students while generating employment opportunities. Additionally, the Cabinet has sanctioned the establishment of 28 new Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs) to extend residential and high-quality education to more regions. The government’s decision to open these KVs and NVs represents a significant step toward ensuring inclusive education for all segments of society. These schools will offer affordable…
Jasleen Kaur, a Glasgow-born artist of Indian heritage, has been awarded the prestigious Turner Prize 2024 for her powerful exhibition Alter Altar. The prize, which includes GBP 25,000, was presented at a ceremony at Tate Britain, London, on December 3. The Turner Prize jury praised Kaur’s ability to blend personal, political, and spiritual narratives through her work, which reflects her upbringing in Scotland’s Sikh community. The exhibition incorporates everyday objects like family photos, an Axminster carpet, a vintage Ford Escort covered in a crocheted doily, and Scottish drink Irn-Bru. These objects are brought to life with soundscapes and music, creating…
