Author: Nupur Rohila

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit France at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron. In the meantime, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has given its approval for the procurement of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft from France, with the aim of enhancing the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy. The DAC, headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, convened on July 13, 2023, and approved three proposals. According to a tweet from the Defence minister’s office, the DAC has granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the purchase of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft, along with associated ancillary equipment, weapons, simulators, spares,…

The recent surge in economic activity and consistent consumer demand led to an increase in sales of passenger vehicles, three-wheelers, and two-wheelers in the local market. According to the latest data published by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), there were 327,487 units of passenger vehicles (PV) sold last month. This figure represents a 2% rise compared to the 320,985 units sold during the same period in the previous year. The sales of three-wheelers nearly doubled, reaching a total of 53,019 units in the month being analyzed. In the two-wheeler segment, motorcycle sales experienced a 7% growth, with a…

The appointment of Rishi Sunak as the first Hindu, Indian-origin Prime Minister of the United Kingdom has been a source of excitement and national pride for many Indians. However, critics of Indian democracy have rejected these celebrations, arguing that India does not allow its minorities to rise to top positions. Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, went so far as to claim that Indian laws are discriminatory and hinder the growth of minorities in positions of power. In a tweet, Mufti stated, “It’s a proud moment that the UK will have its first Indian-origin PM. While all…

Raja Rajamannar, the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Mastercard, has been honored as one of Insider magazine’s top 25 innovative CMOs of 2023. These distinguished individuals are recognized for their ability to navigate the challenges of a volatile economy, explore generative AI, and drive the marketing field forward with new technologies. Expressing his appreciation, Rajamannar took to social media to thank Insider for including him on their prestigious list of innovative CMOs. He acknowledged the importance of embracing emerging technologies and understanding their integration within Mastercard’s business strategy. He emphasized the company’s commitment to leading with innovation, aiming to create…

According to a report by Invesco, India is now considered the most attractive emerging market for investment, surpassing China. The study gathered the opinions of 85 sovereign wealth funds and 57 central banks, collectively representing $21 trillion in assets. India is increasingly seen in a positive light due to its improved business and political stability, favorable demographics, regulatory initiatives, and a welcoming environment for sovereign investors. The report, titled ‘Invesco Global Sovereign Asset Management Study’, included input from 142 chief investment officers, heads of asset classes, and senior portfolio strategists from the aforementioned sovereign wealth funds and central banks. As…

On July 9, the Ministry of Education’s Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSE&L) released the combined report for 2020-21 & 2021-22 of the Performance Grading Index for Districts (PGI-D). This index evaluates the performance of the school education system at the district level by providing a comprehensive analysis. India’s education system is one of the world’s largest, comprising approximately 1.49 million schools, 9.5 million teachers, and nearly 265 million students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. DoSE&L introduced the Performance Grading Index (PGI) for states and published reports covering the reference years from 2017-18 to 2020-21. Building upon the success of…

In the first half (H1) of 2023, the industrial and warehousing sector in India witnessed robust growth, with a total absorption of 22.4 million square feet (msf), representing a 7% surge compared to 20.9 msf in H1 2022, according to a Savills India report. The report highlights that Tier I cities accounted for 75% of the total absorption during the first half of 2023, while Tier II and III cities contributed the remaining 25%. Notably, Tier II and III cities experienced a significant annual growth of 22% in absorption, rising from 4.1 msf in H1 2022 to 5.0 msf in…

Describing the US-India relationship as of utmost significance, Kurt Campbell, the National Security Council’s coordinator for Indio-Pacific affairs, stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US has successfully elevated this critical bilateral partnership to a higher level. During an interview with news agency ANI, Campbell expressed, “Together, we have effectively advanced this crucial bilateral relationship to a new level. To me, it is the most significant bilateral relationship globally, and it has clearly reached the pinnacle…” Campbell acknowledged that it is no longer a secret that “India is among the most sought-after players on the international stage.” He…

Sirisha Bandla, an Indian American with ancestral ties to Andhra Pradesh, is set to become the second Indian-born woman to venture into space. Virgin Galactic recently announced its first fully-crewed spaceflight, which will also include the company’s founder, Richard Branson, among the mission specialists. The flight, named ‘Unity 22,’ is scheduled for its 22nd flight test for VSS Unity and will mark the fourth crewed spaceflight for the company. It will be the first mission to carry a complete crew consisting of two pilots and four mission specialists in the cabin. Bandla, who hails from Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh…

According to top policymakers in the Taiwan government, leading Taiwanese technology firms are considering shifting their manufacturing operations to India in order to reduce their reliance on the Chinese market. Kao Shien Quey, Taiwan’s Deputy Minister for National Development, highlighted the significant potential for collaboration between India and Taiwan in the fields of emerging and critical technologies, such as semiconductor and electronic equipment manufacturing. The Deputy Minister emphasized India’s importance for Taiwanese companies currently operating in China, as they seek to reduce their dependence on the Chinese supply chain. He expressed confidence that in the upcoming months, numerous Taiwanese companies…