Author: Nupur Rohila

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has authorized small finance banks (SFBs) to offer pre-approved credit lines via the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), a service that was previously restricted to scheduled commercial banks. This new provision is intended to promote financial inclusion by granting “new-to-credit” individuals and small businesses access to formal credit. By linking these pre-sanctioned credit lines to UPI, customers can easily access overdrafts, retail loans, and other credit facilities directly through their UPI-enabled devices, helping to stimulate economic activity. Small finance banks, known for their affordable and tech-driven operations, are expected to play a key role in…

India and Vietnam held their third Security Dialogue on December 5, 2024, in Ha Noi, Vietnam. The meeting was co-chaired by India’s Deputy National Security Adviser, Pavan Kapoor, and Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Public Security, Lt. Gen. Pham The Tung. This dialogue served as a platform for exchanging perspectives on global and regional security matters and discussing ways to boost cooperation in several key areas. Both sides focused on strengthening joint efforts in countering terrorism, tackling organised crime, and improving information-sharing between law enforcement agencies. They also agreed to deepen cooperation on economic security aspects and emerging technologies like cyber-crime.…

At the Assocham Bharat @100 Summit held in New Delhi, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal highlighted the pivotal role of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India’s industrial growth. He expressed the government’s readiness to allocate dedicated spaces for MSMEs within the 20 upcoming townships across the country. To foster a supportive environment, Goyal stressed that land in industrial parks would be provided to MSMEs at reduced rates. He also noted ongoing governmental efforts to streamline processes, ease compliance requirements, and decriminalize certain regulations to make business operations smoother for MSMEs. Goyal emphasized that India’s developmental…

India’s hospital sector saw a remarkable influx of US$ 1.5 billion (Rs. 12,708 crore) in foreign direct investment (FDI) during FY23, representing half of the total healthcare FDI. This is a considerable jump from 24% in FY21 and 43% in FY20, illustrating the increasing role of hospitals in attracting foreign capital. Historically, the pharmaceuticals sector had been the primary focus for investors, but the focus is now shifting toward hospitals and diagnostic services, especially after the impact of COVID-19. Major hospital chains such as Manipal and Max have experienced significant buyouts, while Aster DM Healthcare recently merged with Quality Care…

Vikrant Massey, who was recently honored with the Indian Film Personality of the Year award at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) on November 28, announced that he would take a break from acting. In a heartfelt post on Instagram, the 37-year-old actor, known for his roles in films like 12th Fail, Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba (2024), Sector 36 (2024), and The Sabarmati Report (2024), expressed that the time had come for him to “recalibrate” and focus on family and personal growth. His announcement surprised many of his fans, as he is considered to be at the peak…

In a bold move for his potential second term, Donald Trump plans to elevate several influential Indian-American figures to critical positions. Highlighting the growing significance of the Indian-American community, Trump’s former spiritual advisor, Johnnie Moore, shared on social media a list of key appointees, including Usha Vance (wife of Vice President-elect JD Vance), Vivek Ramaswamy, Jay Bhattacharya, and Kash Patel. Moore emphasized their pivotal role, saying, “The Indian-American/Hindu-American community will be at the very heart of the second Trump administration.” Among the most notable nominations is Kash Patel for FBI Director. Patel, who previously held positions such as Chief of…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the successful implementation of three new criminal laws—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam—in Chandigarh, making it the first city in India to fully adopt these modern legal reforms. These laws, which came into effect on July 1, replace the outdated Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act, which were remnants of British rule. During his speech, PM Modi emphasized that these new laws will protect citizens’ rights and ensure swift justice, ending the era of prolonged legal delays. He highlighted that terrorists and criminal organizations would…

Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, has been named one of the leading figures in The Wrap’s ‘Changemakers 2024,’ a list celebrating women in entertainment. Bajaria, whose strategic decisions shape what millions of viewers watch globally, is credited for overseeing Netflix’s diverse and successful film and series lineup, including major hits like Squid Game, Bridgerton, and Wednesday. Under her leadership, Netflix earned 24 Emmys in 2024 and saw a 15% increase in revenue, surpassing $9.8 billion in Q3. Born in London to Indian parents who moved to Los Angeles seeking the American dream, Bajaria’s upbringing instilled a strong work ethic.…

As the holiday season arrives, Alia Bhatt has shared a charming video of her festive Christmas tree on Instagram. The tree, adorned with twinkling lights and festive ornaments, featured personalized decorations with the names of Alia, her husband Ranbir Kapoor, and their daughter Raha. “How cute!” fans couldn’t help but exclaim as Alia captioned the post with, “& it’s up.” Christmas has always been a special time for the Bhatt and Kapoor families. Last year, the couple shared the first glimpse of their daughter Raha at a Christmas party, with Raha looking adorable in a white and pink dress. Alia…

Vidya Bharti USA, an arm of India’s Vidya Bharti organization, has officially launched its Boston chapter. The goal is to raise awareness of its impactful educational contributions in India and extend its outreach to the Indian diaspora in the Boston area. Satish Jha, advisor to Vidya Bharti USA’s Board of Directors, shared that the organization aims to engage with the over five million-strong Indian diaspora in the United States to enhance its educational services in India. Originally founded in 1952 as Saraswati Shishu Mandir, Vidya Bharti now operates more than 13,000 schools across India, employing about 150,000 teachers and serving…