Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has witnessed an impressive surge in procurement activities during this fiscal year, crossing a milestone of over US$ 12.11 billion (Rs. 1 lakh crore). This upswing can be attributed to increased purchasing engagement by various ministries and departments within the central government. The inception of the Government e-Market (GeM) platform on August 9, 2016, marked a significant shift towards online procurement of goods and services for central government entities. In the current fiscal year, GeM has achieved this remarkable milestone within 145 days of operation in 2023-24, in contrast to the 243 days it took in…

Following Chandrayaan-3’s historic soft landing near the unexplored South Pole of the moon, an essential phase commenced—rolling out the Pragyan rover. The rover’s 14-day mission involves collecting scientific data for transmission to ISRO, the space agency. Before launching the rover, the lunar dust stirred by Vikram lander’s touchdown had to settle. This step was crucial to prevent dust particles from harming the rover’s sensitive equipment and cameras. The 6-wheeled ‘Pragyan’ rover, equipped with multiple cameras and solar panels, is set to explore the moon using chemical tests and image transmission. Over 14 days (a lunar day), the rover will conduct…

A report released by ICRA Ratings forecasts a surge in India’s economic growth during the April-June quarter of the current fiscal year. The growth is predicted to accelerate from 6.1% in the January-March quarter to 8.5%. ICRA attributes this rapid increase to a recovering services sector and a strong foundation in place. According to Ms. Aditi Nayar, ICRA’s Chief Economist, the projected growth surpasses the RBI’s expectation of 8.1%. However, she cautions that challenges are anticipated in the second half of the fiscal year, which could act as a dampening factor. Nayar highlights various factors that contributed to the growth…

US President Joe Biden is scheduled for a four-day visit to India to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi during September. The focus of this visit will be on collaborating with member nations to address pressing global concerns, including climate change and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The White House officially confirmed these plans on Tuesday. According to a statement released by the White House, President Biden and fellow G20 leaders will engage in discussions pertaining to the transition towards cleaner energy sources, as well as strategies to combat climate change. An additional topic on the agenda will…

During a public event held at the Richard Nixon Foundation in Yorba Linda, California, Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican presidential candidate, underscored the centrality of “America First” in his foreign policy approach. Ramaswamy expounded on his intention to fuse the Modern Monroe Doctrine and Nixon’s doctrine into the United States’ foreign policy framework, should he secure the presidency. Ramaswamy expressed his commitment to steer the nation away from neoconservatism and liberal internationalism towards a defense strategy that prioritizes safeguarding the homeland. As the first Republican presidential debate drew near, the Indian American candidate dedicated his efforts to outlining his vision for…

Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha’s engagement, held privately, seems to be mirrored in their approach to marriage plans. Previous reports suggested their intention to wed by year-end, but recent information indicates a September wedding. Speculations point to September 25 as the chosen date, with a destination wedding reminiscent of Parineeti’s cousin Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas. Sources reveal that the upcoming nuptials will be grand. While details are closely guarded, Parineeti’s team is discreetly coordinating the preparations, with her full engagement in wedding arrangements slated to begin in early September. Reports indicate a preference for Rajasthan as the wedding…

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, bestowed honors upon Professors Ashutosh Sabharwal, Arti Gupta, Ayush Jain, and tech professional Gurtej S Sandhu at the 54th Convocation ceremony through the 2023 Alumni Awards. Sabharwal, Arti Gupta, and Sandhu were granted the Distinguished Alumni Award, while Jain received the Graduates of Last Decades (Gold) Award. At present, Ashutosh Sabharwal holds the position of Ernest Dell Butcher Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and serves as the department chair at Rice University in Houston. He is actively involved in researching two separate domains. He delves into wireless technology, covering both foundational theory and…

Ever since its launch in November 2018, the 59-minute loan portal has experienced a notable increase in the credit approved via the collaborative MSMEs-PSB loans in 59 Minutes initiative, a venture of the government and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). As of August 1, 2023, the sanctioned credit amounts to 246,997, totaling Rs. 85,054 crore (US$ 10.23 billion). Data from the MSME Ministry’s dashboard reveals that out of the sanctioned loans, 228,118 loans, equivalent to Rs. 68,636 crore (US$ 8.25 billion), have been disbursed. This marks an increase from the previous year’s data, where by July 2022,…

“Ghoomer” Review: R Balki’s latest film is a sports drama centered around a cricketer who faces the loss of her right arm and embarks on a journey to reclaim her life. On the festive occasion of Diwali, Saiyami Kher visits her coach Abhishek Bachchan to exchange warm wishes. This encounter leads to a compelling moment where she, wearing a saree, is challenged by Abhishek to bowl in torchlight, showcasing the theme of pushing personal boundaries. Such captivating instances are plentiful in “Ghoomer.” The film takes viewers through a range of goosebumps-inducing scenes, from backyard practice pitches to international stadiums in…

Moody’s has maintained India’s ‘Baa3’ rating, the minimum investment grade, and a steady outlook. Despite a decrease in potential growth over the past decade, India’s growth is projected to surpass other G20 economies for at least the next two years, driven by domestic demand. Moody’s sees the country’s commitment to inflation targeting, financial system rehabilitation, and post-pandemic growth restoration as enhancing monetary and macro policy effectiveness. However, the agency acknowledges heightened political tensions and potential risks of populist policies due to civil society curtailment and rising sectarian tensions. Moody’s also highlights instances of violence, such as those in Manipur, leading…