Author: Malavika Subramanyan

Indian tourists traveling to Dubai can now enjoy a seamless cashless shopping experience, thanks to Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Through a strategic collaboration between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Magnati, a leading payment solutions provider, UPI services are being introduced at Dubai Duty-Free. Initially available at duty-free shops, the service is expected to expand into various sectors, including retail, hospitality, transport, and supermarkets. NIPL’s CEO, Mr. Ritesh Shukla, expressed that the initiative reflects their goal to create a global digital payment network for Indians. Similarly, Magnati’s Managing Director, Mr. Salim Awan, highlighted the potential of this partnership to simplify…

Bollywood actor Sunil Shetty has shot an important scene for his debut Tulu film, ‘Jai,’ directed by Roopesh Shetty. The film, a big-budget project, features Shetty alongside actors Raj Deepak Shetty and Prasanna Shetty Bailur in a sequence filmed at Sahyadri College’s turf ground. ‘Jai’ is set in several picturesque coastal locations such as Kuthar, Dambel, Marakada, and more, offering a visual treat. This project also marks the first time a helicopter has been used in a Tulu film, further elevating the industry’s production value. The film’s collaboration with Sunil Shetty is seen as a significant milestone for Tulu cinema,…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) as a cornerstone of India’s scientific achievements during its 150th foundation day celebrations. He marked the occasion by unveiling a commemorative postage stamp and coin. PM Modi described IMD as a key player in India’s scientific journey, highlighting its pivotal role in national development and public welfare. He also introduced “Mission Mausam,” a comprehensive initiative aimed at enhancing India’s weather prediction systems and creating a climate-smart nation. This program seeks to improve understanding of climate processes, provide air quality data, and strengthen disaster management strategies. “IMD has become a symbol…

Fitch Ratings has forecasted that India’s stable GDP growth, improved banking sector health, and anticipated interest-rate reductions in 2025 will enhance credit access for corporates in FY26. Despite elevated capital expenditures, Indian corporates are expected to see stronger credit metrics and higher EBITDA margins. However, challenges such as rising energy prices, geopolitical uncertainties, rupee depreciation, and trade restrictions could potentially impact exports. Fitch estimates that sales growth for rated corporates will remain modest at 1-2% in FY26, down from 1.5% in FY25, largely due to lower oil and gas prices, which will particularly impact upstream and refining companies. Meanwhile, other…

The Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj marks a grand spiritual gathering after 12 years, expecting over 45 million devotees. Participants will gather at the Sangam—the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers—to take a holy dip, believed to absolve sins and grant liberation. The event concludes on February 26. The Adani Group and ISKCON have partnered to provide Mahaprasad Seva, distributing free meals to 5 million devotees. Meals will be prepared in two kitchens and served across 40 distribution points, with support from 2,500 volunteers. Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, emphasized the spiritual significance of the initiative,…

The Uttar Pradesh government is preparing for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, a grand spiritual event set to draw 450 million devotees to Prayagraj. To enhance the festivities, popular artists such as Shankar Mahadevan, Mohit Chauhan, Shaan, and Kailash Kher are scheduled to perform. The event begins on January 16 and ends on February 24, with Mahadevan opening and Chauhan closing the celebrations. Other notable performers include Hariharan, Kavita Krishnamurthy, and Malini Awasthi, offering a spiritually uplifting atmosphere for attendees. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently reviewed the preparations, visiting akharas, meeting sadhus, and inspecting arrangements via the Nishadraj cruise at…

Justin Trudeau’s tenure as Canada’s Prime Minister is nearing its end as he steps down from leading the Liberal Party. This decision opens the door for the party to select a new leader ahead of what could be a challenging general election. A list of potential replacements has begun to surface, although some prominent figures, like Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc, have already opted out, choosing to focus on their current roles. Among those likely to run is former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who has long been a prominent figure in Trudeau’s government. Despite her fall-out with Trudeau, including a…

Purdue University has appointed Indian American Professor Ananth Grama as a Distinguished Professor of Computer Science, recognizing his exceptional career in research and education. Grama, who has contributed significantly to the development of software systems for resource management and complex scientific applications, has worked across various platforms, from embedded controllers to cloud-based data centers. Known for authoring influential textbooks that serve as key references in the computing community, Grama’s work spans areas such as parallel and distributed computing, data science, and machine learning. He has served on the editorial boards of prestigious journals, chaired study sections for the National Institutes…

India’s Finance Ministry has approved a groundbreaking incentive program worth Rs. 25,000 crore (US$ 2.92 billion) to drive local manufacturing of electronic components. This plan, which is expected to be finalized by the cabinet later this month, is set to roll out in April. Its primary objective is to generate an estimated US$ 50-60 billion worth of electronic components over the next five to six years. Originally, talks between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Finance Ministry pointed to a much higher budget of Rs. 30,000-40,000 crore (US$ 3.5-4.67 billion), but this figure was reduced following…

In a landmark achievement for India, Dr. S Somanath, Secretary of the Department of Space and Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), was awarded the prestigious IAF World Space Award for 2024 in Milan on Monday. This honor was given in recognition of ISRO’s successful Chandrayaan-3 mission, which significantly advanced lunar exploration. ISRO shared the news on social media, announcing that Dr. S. Somanath, Secretary of the Department of Space and Chairman of ISRO, has been honored with the esteemed IAF World Space Award for the significant success of Chandrayaan-3. This recognition celebrates India’s contributions to space exploration.…