Author: Deepika chandrasekar

In July, the central and state governments collected $22.3 billion in Goods and Services Tax (GST), reflecting a 10.3% year-on-year increase, according to data from the finance ministry. This amount also represents a rise from the $21.2 billion collected in June 2024. Although July’s GST collections were below the record $25.4 billion achieved in April, experts view the figures as consistent with strong revenue trends and anticipate further increases as the festive season approaches. The July figures represent sales from June 2024, which is typically slower before the festive period begins. Abhishek Jain, indirect tax head and partner at KPMG…

Day 6 at the 2024 Paris Olympics was a whirlwind for the Indian team, showcasing a mix of triumphs and challenges. The day featured notable achievements in shooting, alongside setbacks in race walking, boxing, archery, and hockey. Here’s a look at the highlights. Swapnil Kusale made history by winning a bronze medal in the men’s 50m rifle 3P event, marking the first time an Indian has medaled in this category. This accomplishment also represents India’s best-ever shooting medal tally at a single Olympics. In race walking, India’s competitors faced difficulties. Vikash Singh finished 30th, Paramjeet Singh Bisht was 37th, and…

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in extensive discussions with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and Vietnam. Chinh’s visit, which began with his arrival in Delhi on Tuesday night, is a three-day diplomatic mission aimed at enhancing the robust ties between the two nations. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared on ‘X’ that PM Modi extended a warm reception to PM Chinh at Hyderabad House. The talks were centered around invigorating the India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, reflecting the strengthening relationship between the countries. In recent years, the strategic relationship…

A journey through Atlanta’s expanding suburbs showcases the city’s evolving cultural landscape. Previously more uniform, these areas now feature cultural hubs, educational institutions, and places of worship that reflect the city’s diverse population, highlighting Atlanta’s emergence as the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the United States. This diversity is prominently displayed through shops and vibrant billboards in various languages, including Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Hindi. Long-time residents have witnessed these rapid changes firsthand. “When I was younger, there were only a few Indians here,” recalls Hemant Ramachandran, an attorney from Gwinnett County, near Atlanta, which is central to Georgia’s growing Asian…

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu is set to present the Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024 in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. This proposed legislation seeks to replace the outdated Aircraft Act of 1934 with a modern framework. In addition to this key introduction, the Lok Sabha will continue its discussions on the Demands for Grants for the Ministry of Railways for the fiscal year 2024-25. The House will also address the Demands for Grants for the Ministry of Education for the same period. The second report from the Business Advisory Committee will be presented in the Lok Sabha.…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the 9th NITI Aayog Governing Council Meeting today, held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre in New Delhi. The meeting saw participation from Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors representing 20 states and 6 Union Territories. During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts between the central and state governments to achieve the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. He highlighted India’s remarkable economic growth, noting that the country advanced from being the 10th largest economy in 2014 to the 5th largest by 2024. He set a new collective goal…

Morari Bapu, the esteemed Indian spiritual leader, is set to deliver a Ram Katha at the United Nations headquarters in New York, marking a historic event aimed at showcasing the enduring relevance of the Ramcharitmanas, one of Hinduism’s most venerated texts. The Ramcharitmanas transcend religious and cultural barriers, embodying universal messages of truth, love, and compassion. Morari Bapu, who has been sharing Ram Kathas for over sixty-five years, draws from the principles of Vedic Sanatana Dharma. His mission with this recitation is to promote global harmony by highlighting these timeless values. This is the first instance of Ram Katha being…

Dr. Inderpal Randhawa, an Indian-American physician and researcher, is pioneering a novel method for treating severe food allergies at the Food Allergy Institute (FAI). Randhawa, who established the institute, combines artificial intelligence, data analytics, and immunology in his treatments, using allergen-infused gummy candies to help patients develop tolerance to allergens. The institute’s Tolerance Induction Program involves the gradual introduction of small quantities of proteins from various allergens, including peanuts, mustard, pine, and flax. Patients’ reactions are meticulously monitored with advanced data analytics to refine treatment approaches. Dr. Randhawa noted that their method has revolutionized food allergy treatment. By combining different…

Apple is increasingly focusing on manufacturing in India, where it now assembles a significant portion of its devices and operates two flagship stores. The company’s annual sales in India reached a record nearly $8 billion, demonstrating the success of its “make-in-India” initiative. In the past year, Apple’s revenue in India surged by 33%, growing from $6 billion to over $8 billion, with iPhones contributing to more than half of this figure. This growth highlights the effectiveness of Apple’s strategy to expand its presence in the Indian market. Recent developments include plans for Foxconn, a major Taiwanese contract manufacturer, to begin…

The Indian economy stands out due to its robust macroeconomic fundamentals, even amidst global challenges such as high public debt, inflated asset valuations, economic and financial fragmentation, increasing cyber threats, and geopolitical tensions, according to RBI Deputy Governor M. Rajeshwar Rao. Economic activity in India is advancing steadily, bolstered by a more resilient financial system compared to previous years. Rao highlighted that, excluding the post-Covid surge in 2021-22, India’s real GDP growth for 2023-24 has reached its highest level since 2016-17, exceeding expectations. This period marks a shift from the pre-2020 growth average of 7 percent to a post-2020 average…