Author: Malavika Subramanyan

Nandini Das’ book, “Courting India: England, Mughal India, and the Origins of Empire,” has been recognized with the prestigious 11th British Academy Book Prize for Global Cultural Understanding. This distinguished award, presented during a ceremony hosted by the British Academy, celebrates the book’s remarkable contribution to our understanding of cultural dynamics worldwide. In her debut work, Das offers a unique perspective on the genesis of the British Empire by exploring the arrival of Sir Thomas Roe, the inaugural English ambassador to India in the early 17th century. As the recipient of this honor, Das will receive a prize of £25,000…

Rohit Sharma provided an update on the fitness of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya ahead of India’s clash with Sri Lanka at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Pandya had injured his ankle during India’s group match against Bangladesh and had been sidelined since. Rohit was questioned about Pandya’s potential return to full fitness before the Sri Lanka match and mentioned that he wouldn’t be available for that game. Rohit explained that Pandya’s injury required daily assessment to gauge his progress and recovery, both in terms of bowling and batting. The captain stated that they would take a day-to-day approach regarding…

The International Cricket Council (ICC) imposed a significant fine on the Babar Azam-led Pakistan cricket team for maintaining a slow over-rate during their match against South Africa at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Following their heartbreaking one-wicket loss to South Africa in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, the Pakistan team was penalized 20 percent of their match fee. Pakistan had fallen short of the required over-rate by four overs, even after accounting for time allowances. This shortfall led to the fine, which was enforced by Richie Richardson, a member of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees.…

On the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhai Patel, celebrated as ‘Rashtriya Ekta Divas’ and ‘Run for Unity,’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his wishes to the nation, honoring Sardar Patel’s commitment to national integration. He praised Patel’s indomitable spirit, visionary statesmanship, and unwavering dedication to shaping the nation’s destiny. PM Modi attended an event near the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, where daredevil stunts by CRPF’s women personnel, following Sardar Patel’s vision, were performed. Artists from villages along the India-China border also participated in the event. In New Delhi’s Patel Chowk, a special event was held where dignitaries including President…

Reliance Jio’s Chairman, Mr. Akash Ambani, disclosed that the company has successfully deployed over a million 5G cells across all 22 circles in India, amounting to 85% of the country’s total 5G capacity. He emphasized that Jio’s 5G rollout is underpinned by an entirely indigenous 5G stack, developed and manufactured by Indian experts. Speaking at the India Mobile Congress 2023, Mr. Akash Ambani highlighted Jio’s capability to provide 5G connectivity to more than 200 million previously unconnected homes and premises, positioning India as a global broadband leader. He also pointed out that India has already reached over 125 million 5G…

In the 106th episode of the Mann Ki Baat radio program, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an announcement regarding the Khadi Mahotsav’s remarkable success. He noted that this month had seen record-breaking sales of Khadi products in Delhi. PM Modi emphasized the significance of the ongoing Khadi Mahotsav and how it had shattered previous sales records. He particularly highlighted the exceptional sales on Gandhi Jayanti. Furthermore, the Prime Minister encouraged the promotion of ‘Vocal for Local’ during festivals, underlining the importance of supporting local products and striving for an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ or self-reliant India. He envisioned India becoming a leading…

During the India Mobile Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the rapid expansion of 5G networks in India, underlining their pivotal role in the nation’s journey toward becoming a developed economy. He used this platform to officially launch the government’s 5G Use Case Labs, strategically aimed at educational institutions. The primary objective of these laboratories is to ignite innovation in 5G applications, particularly in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and education. Modi’s address strongly emphasized the profound impact of enhanced internet connectivity. He noted that as internet speeds increase, it not only bolsters ease of living but also empowers individuals across…

A recent report by a rating agency suggests that two-wheeler sales are poised for substantial growth between 2023 and 2028, outpacing all other automobile categories, as per the Times of India (TOI). The expected expansion is projected to yield a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) ranging from 9-11%, resulting in an estimated total of 25.9 million to 26.1 million two-wheelers sold during this period. The report foresees a near doubling of sales to 30.7-30.9 million units by FY32, compared to 16.3 million units in FY23. This surge in sales is attributed to increasing income levels, favorable consumer sentiments, and a…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed his attendance at the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024. He was formally invited by the office bearers of Shri Ram Janma Bhoomi Tirtha Kshetra, accompanied by religious leaders. Notably, Mr. Modi had laid the foundation stone for the Ram temple on August 5, 2020. Upon receiving the invitation, the Prime Minister expressed his joy and stated, “I feel very blessed. It is my good fortune that in my lifetime, I will witness this historic occasion.” The Ram Temple Trust’s general secretary, Champat Rai, shared that the idol of Lord…

CBRE’s India Market Monitor Q3 2023 predicts that the Industrial and Logistics (I&L) leasing sector will see a robust performance, reaching a five-year high of 36-38 million square feet (msf) across the top eight Indian cities in 2023. In the July-September quarter, Chennai led the way with 2.1 msf of absorption, followed by Bangalore and Mumbai at 1.7 msf and 1.3 msf, respectively. These three cities accounted for nearly 62% of the total leasing activity. Notably, third-party logistics (3PL) players were the primary drivers, making up 50% of all leasing activity, followed by electronics and electrical companies (8%) and engineering…