Author: Nupur Rohila

As per Worldline’s India Digital Payments Report, the country’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) recorded a 52% year-on-year (YoY) increase in transaction volumes, reaching 78.97 billion transactions in the first six months of 2024. UPI continues to dominate India’s payment landscape, with transaction volumes climbing from 8.03 billion in January 2023 to 13.9 billion by June 2024. The overall transaction value also experienced significant growth, rising from US$ 154.60 billion (Rs. 12.98 trillion) to US$ 239.04 billion (Rs. 20.07 trillion) over the same period. Comparing the first half of 2024 with 2023, the total transaction value grew by 40%, from US$…

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has approved the potential sale of 53 MK 54 MOD 0 lightweight torpedoes and associated equipment to the Indian Navy, with the deal valued at $175 million through the Foreign Military Sales program. This sale is now pending final approval from the US Congress. The acquisition aims to enhance India’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities by bolstering the stockpile of lightweight torpedoes for the Indian Navy’s MH-60R ‘Romeo’ helicopters. Earlier this year, in March, a squadron of six MH-60R multi-mission helicopters was commissioned into the Indian Navy in Kochi, replacing the older Sea King fleet.…

In his initial response to the Assembly election results, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) achievement of securing a record third consecutive term in Haryana as a triumph for development-focused politics and effective governance. Following the Election Commission’s announcement of the BJP winning 47 seats in the 90-member Assembly and leading in one more, Modi expressed his gratitude to the people of Haryana and praised them for granting the party a clear majority once again. Modi congratulated the party workers for their unwavering dedication, stating, “My heartiest congratulations to all my party workers who have worked…

On October 7, 2001, Narendra Modi took his first oath as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, marking the beginning of a political journey that has now spanned 23 years. Today, as Prime Minister, he has continued to influence the landscape of Indian governance significantly. Over these years, initiatives like Jal Mandir, Swachh Bharat, and Vocal for Local have been pivotal in promoting development while fostering active citizen participation. Modi has transformed the concept of development into a mass movement, encouraging collective action and grassroots involvement through his philosophy of Jan Bhagidari, or people’s participation. His unwavering belief in the potential…

Kamala Harris is set to make her return to The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on October 8, marking her first appearance on a late-night talk show since becoming a presidential nominee. Having received her nomination in August, this will be her seventh discussion with Colbert; her last visit was on March 15, 2023. Harris initially appeared on the show on April 19, 2018, during her tenure as a U.S. senator from California. While she is featured on The Late Show, Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz will make his debut on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live. In addition to their…

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has expressed confidence in India’s economic future, forecasting a significant rise in the nation’s per capita income over the next five years. During her address at the Kautilya Economic Conclave, she estimated that the country’s per capita income would increase by an additional $2,000 within this period. Sitharaman highlighted that while it took India 75 years to reach a per capita income of $2,730, this next leap is expected to happen much more rapidly. The increase will be driven by a combination of strong domestic consumption and the country’s youthful demographic. Consumption, which accounts for…

On Saturday morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will officially inaugurate the ‘Banjara Heritage’ Nangara Museum at Poharadevi, a significant site for the Banjara community located in Washim district. This visit marks the Prime Minister’s first trip to Poharadevi, generating great excitement among community members in anticipation of this landmark event. The inauguration ceremony will feature several distinguished guests, including Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, and Yavatmal-Washim Guardian Minister Sanjay Rathod, who is also the event’s organizer. A wide array of ministers, MPs, MLAs, and representatives from the Banjara community…

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, had a productive discussion with US Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, during the India-US CEO Forum held in Washington, DC. Their conversation revolved around strengthening cooperation in critical sectors such as defense, space, semiconductors, telecom, artificial intelligence (AI), and clean energy, all of which are pivotal for advancing the economies of both nations. Goyal shared the details of the meeting on social media platform ‘X’, expressing optimism about prospects for tech and R&D collaboration in these sectors. The minister also highlighted opportunities for increased US investments in India, especially in the upcoming…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Pradhan Mantri-Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PMJUGA) in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. This ambitious initiative seeks to promote the all-round development of villages heavily populated by tribal communities, with a focus on improving economic opportunities for these populations. Following the launch, Modi also delivered a speech at the closing ceremony of the BJP’s ‘Parivartan Yatra’ held in Gandhi Maidan, Matwari. This yatra, which was launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on September 20, traversed 76 out of Jharkhand’s 81 Assembly constituencies, showcasing the campaign’s significant outreach. This event is…

India and Jamaica have strengthened their bilateral ties by signing key agreements for cooperation in digital public infrastructure and linking their online payment systems. The agreements were formalized during Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s visit to India, where he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This visit marks a significant step as Jamaica seeks to leverage India’s expertise in digital infrastructure for financial inclusion and transformation, integrating India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with Jamaica’s Jam-Dex system. Holness, the first Jamaican prime minister to visit India, is in New Delhi as part of a broader focus by India on enhancing its…