Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

India’s tyre industry has shown remarkable resilience in FY25, recording a 9% year-on-year rise in exports, reaching a value of $2.93 billion. This growth comes despite the backdrop of global trade uncertainties and disruptions in international supply chains, according to data released by the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA). With a total industry turnover estimated at $11.67 billion, the tyre sector remains one of India’s strongest manufacturing segments, boasting a significant export-to-revenue ratio. The majority of outbound shipments—around 60%—came from farm and off-the-road (OTR) tyres, which continue to dominate export volumes due to strong demand from agricultural and industrial sectors…

NASA Assigns Astronaut Anil Menon to First Space Station Mission NASA astronaut Anil Menon is set to embark on his first mission to the International Space Station (ISS) as a flight engineer and crew member of Expedition 75, scheduled for launch in June 2026. Menon will travel aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft alongside Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina. The mission will launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, with the crew expected to remain on the ISS for approximately eight months. While aboard the orbiting laboratory, Menon will support a wide range of scientific investigations and technology…

Trump, Rubio Discuss Implementing Multifaceted Cooperation Under US-India COMPACT The US-India COMPACT, a major strategic initiative to deepen bilateral cooperation, was at the heart of discussions between Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during Jaishankar’s visit to Washington. US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that the talks focused on operationalizing the US-India COMPACT, a multi-sectoral programme covering trade, defence, energy, counter-narcotics, countering illegal immigration, and more. In a post on X, Jaishankar stated that both sides discussed the expanding bilateral partnership, including collaboration in security, critical technologies, energy, mobility, and connectivity, while…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) stands as a major diplomatic step in strengthening India’s engagement with the Global South. As part of his five-nation tour, this visit follows his stop in Ghana (July 2–3) and precedes visits to Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia. This marks Modi’s first official trip to T&T as Prime Minister, and the first bilateral Prime Ministerial visit to the Caribbean nation since 1999. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the visit serves not only as a reaffirmation of India’s outreach to developing nations but also honors 180 years since…

Rural India is undergoing a significant economic shift, moving rapidly from an agriculture-centric economy to one increasingly dominated by the services sector. According to a report released on Monday by HDFC Securities, 112 rural districts, representing a population of 291 million, have already crossed the per capita income threshold of $2,000. This emerging pool of higher-income individuals in rural regions is expected to generate sustained demand for discretionary goods and services, the report titled “Rural India – Shifting Economic Foundations” highlighted. Over recent quarters, rural India has played a key role in driving national consumption growth, especially while urban consumption…

In his latest address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proudly announced that India has been officially declared a trachoma-free country by the World Health Organization (WHO). Hailing it as a landmark health achievement, PM Modi credited the tireless efforts of India’s health workers and initiatives like the Jal Jeevan Mission for eradicating this once-common eye disease. The Prime Minister also shared that the International Labour Organization (ILO) now reports over 950 million Indians are benefitting from social security schemes. This marks a dramatic rise from fewer than 250 million people in 2015. “It’s a sign of the expanding…

New Delhi hosted two major diplomatic engagements between India and Vietnam on Wednesday — the 13th Political Consultation and the 10th Strategic Dialogue — aimed at deepening the longstanding Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations. The discussions were co-chaired by P Kumaran, Secretary (East) of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, and Nguyen Manh Cuong, Deputy Foreign Minister of Vietnam. The talks reviewed the progress made under the strategic framework outlined in the Joint Vision for Peace, Prosperity and People, first introduced by the Prime Ministers of both countries in December 2020. The roadmap for the next phase of…

The University of West Alabama (UWA) has appointed Dr. Narendra Datta as the permanent Chair of its Division of Engineering Technology, recognizing his leadership and strategic vision during his interim tenure since June 2024. Dr. Datta expressed gratitude and enthusiasm for his new role, noting that he looks forward to continuing work with UWA’s dedicated community of faculty, staff, and students. Under his leadership, the Division has already made significant strides, from acquiring advanced teaching equipment to cultivating strong connections with both industry and academic partners. These collaborations now include respected names like Phifer Inc., Georgia-Pacific, Continental Aerospace, AM/NS Calvert,…

Marking the 50th anniversary of India’s Emergency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media on Wednesday to reflect on what he described as one of the most traumatic chapters in the nation’s democratic journey. Sharing a series of posts, PM Modi reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to safeguarding constitutional values and condemned the 1975–77 Emergency period as a brutal assault on India’s foundational freedoms. To mark the occasion, a new book titled The Emergency Diaries – Years that Forged a Leader is being released by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Published by Bluekraft Digital Foundation, the book recounts Modi’s experiences…

Speaking at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on June 24, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India’s strong and resolute stand against terrorism. Referring to the success of Operation Sindoor, he stated that no terrorist who spills Indian blood would find a safe haven. According to Modi, the operation was a powerful example of India’s evolving defense strategy, where national interest drives decision-making. The Prime Minister emphasized that India’s reliance on foreign defense imports is steadily declining. During Operation Sindoor, Indian armed forces reportedly compelled their adversaries to surrender within just 22 minutes—using entirely domestically made weapons. He expressed pride…