The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) has underscored the transformative impact of the Union Budget 2024-25 on India’s marine sector. The new budget introduces several key reforms aimed at revitalizing aquaculture and boosting seafood exports. Notable changes include the rationalization of customs duties and the enhancement of financing facilities. Specific measures involve exemptions from customs duties on essential feed inputs like mineral and vitamin pre-mixes, krill meal, fish lipid oil, and algal oil. Import duties on Artemia and Artemia cysts, crucial for aqua hatcheries, have also been removed. Additionally, the Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on inputs for aquafarms and…
Author: Nupur Rohila
Nupur Rohila
Love, nature, women's empowerment, and social issues make up the bulk of Nupur's writing topics. She earned a Master of Arts in Ancient History and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Delhi University before she began writing. It just so happens that Nupur also aced the Junior Research Fellowship exam for history. At present, Neha is working as a freelance content writer.
On Wednesday, a prominent Canadian MP of Indian descent criticized the growing influence of Khalistani extremists in Canada, claiming they are “polluting” the nation by misusing the freedoms granted under the Charter of Rights. This statement followed an incident where the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton was vandalized with anti-India graffiti. Chandra Arya, MP for Nepean and a member of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party, highlighted the incident on social media. He condemned the temple vandalism and expressed concern about hate-driven violence by Khalistan supporters. Arya also shared that separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun from Sikhs for Justice had released…
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization based in Washington D.C., has appointed Indian-American Navin Girishankar as the president of its newly established Economic Security and Technology Department. This new department aims to integrate various CSIS programs to provide research on economic and technology policies critical to U.S. national security. It will concentrate on key areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, energy security, critical minerals, and advanced technologies including digital, quantum, and cybersecurity. Previously, Girishankar served as a senior counselor to the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce, where he played a pivotal role…
In a recent parliamentary presentation, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Economic Survey, which projects India’s GDP growth rate for the 2024-25 fiscal year to be between 6.5% and 7%. This optimistic forecast highlights the economy’s robust position despite global uncertainties. The survey notes that the global economic growth rate is expected to be 3.2% in 2023, according to the April World Economic Outlook. Variations in growth rates among countries are attributed to domestic structural challenges, differing levels of exposure to geopolitical conflicts, and the effects of tighter monetary policies. India has managed to sustain the growth momentum achieved in…
India’s economic landscape is undergoing a notable transformation as global supply chains increasingly shift towards the country. In a significant development, India is closing the gap with China and Vietnam in mobile phone exports. While mobile exports from China and Vietnam saw declines of 2.78% and 17.6%, respectively, India experienced a remarkable surge of 40.5%, capturing nearly half of the reduced exports from these countries. This shift is driven by the government’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, which are beginning to yield tangible results. Beyond mobile phones, India is also making strides in other export sectors. The Economic Survey 2023-24 highlights…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced today that the Union Budget 2024, to be unveiled in Parliament tomorrow, aims to advance the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by 2047. Speaking at the start of the Parliament’s Budget session, PM Modi emphasized that India remains the fastest-growing major economy globally, with growth rates sustained at around 8% for some time. Marking the first Monday of Sawan, an auspicious period, PM Modi expressed his greetings and emphasized the significance of the upcoming session. He noted that it is a momentous occasion as the government prepares to present its first Budget for…
On Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs appointed Vinay Mohan Kwatra as the new Ambassador of India to the United States. Kwatra, a distinguished Indian Foreign Service officer from the 1988 batch, will soon begin his new role, filling the vacancy left by Taranjit Sandhu, who retired in January 2024. Kwatra recently retired as India’s Foreign Secretary in July, having had his tenure extended from the original end date of April 30 to October. His appointment comes following Vikram Misri’s recent succession as Foreign Secretary. Kwatra’s career includes significant roles across various international posts. He has previously served in China…
In a remarkable surge, overseas Indians deposited nearly $3 billion into non-resident Indian (NRI) deposit schemes during April-May FY25, a figure that surpasses last year’s deposits by more than four times, according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The total inflow for this period reached $2.72 billion, a significant increase from $623 million in the same timeframe the previous year. By the end of May, the total outstanding NRI deposits had risen to $154.72 billion. In May alone, deposits into NRI schemes totaled $1.7 billion, compared to $1.07 billion in April. The NRI deposit schemes encompass…
Transitioning from a diet rich in saturated animal fats to one abundant in plant-based unsaturated fats can profoundly influence blood lipid composition. Recent research featured in Nature Medicine reveals that diets high in unsaturated plant fats, like those found in the Mediterranean diet, are linked to reduced risks of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Clemens Wittenbecher, lead researcher at Chalmers University of Technology, emphasizes the study’s findings, suggesting targeted dietary advice to benefit those considering dietary changes. The study, analyzing lipid profiles in blood, draws from the DIVAS trial, involving 195 UK participants divided into groups consuming diets varying…
India’s counter-drone market is anticipated to expand at an annual rate of 28 percent over the next five years, according to a report by financial services firm Motilal Oswal. This growth is driven by the increasing need for systems to counter aerial attacks. The report estimates that the market for counter-drone systems will reach approximately $1.46 billion over the next five years, based on the need for approximately 1,200 systems, each costing between $975,000 and $1.83 million. This substantial demand is expected to generate an annual market opportunity of nearly $292 million over this period. In the broader drone market,…
