Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

Nobel Laureate Professor Paul Michael Romer praised India’s digital revolution as one of the most remarkable success stories globally, stating it has established a new benchmark for world powers. Currently visiting India, Romer, who also served as the Chief Economist at the World Bank, is set to be a prominent speaker at the two-day NDTV World Summit beginning October 21. Romer highlighted a distinctive aspect of India’s digital transformation, emphasizing that South Asian countries could significantly benefit by emulating this model. He noted that India’s digital advancements have simplified lives and serve as a compelling example for other nations to…

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that India’s logistics costs are set to decrease to a single-digit figure within the next two years. Speaking at a NITI Aayog event, he emphasized that the ongoing construction of highways and expressways would contribute to lowering logistics costs to 9%. According to the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), logistics costs in India were estimated to be between 7.8% and 8.9% of GDP for the 2022-23 fiscal year. Gadkari also highlighted India’s potential to export alternative fuels and biofuels, particularly focusing on the role of low-quality coal in methanol…

President Droupadi Murmu met with her Malawian counterpart, Lazarus Chakwera, and signed several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during her visit. This trip marks the final leg of her three-nation tour, which included Algeria and Mauritania, taking place from October 13 to 19. During their discussions on Friday, President Murmu and President Chakwera covered a wide array of topics, leading to the signing of MoUs focused on Arts and Culture, Youth Affairs, Sports, and Pharmaceutical Cooperation. Additionally, Murmu announced the Indian government’s commitment to establishing a permanent Artificial Limb Fitment Centre in Malawi. Earlier in her visit, President Murmu praised the…

Indian-origin academic, Professor Neena Mitter, renowned for her pioneering work in sustainable agriculture, has been appointed as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Associate (Global Research) at Charles Sturt University, effective October 1, 2024. She will spearhead the university’s international research initiatives, bringing her vast experience in interdisciplinary collaborations. Expressing her excitement for the role, Professor Mitter emphasized her dedication to fostering global research partnerships and driving innovation. She noted that Charles Sturt University’s commitment to education and research is instrumental in addressing challenges such as food security, rural healthcare, and sustainable agriculture. Before joining Charles Sturt University, Professor Mitter was the founding…

The Consul General of India in New York, Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, will officially inaugurate the sixth International Hindi Conference, Americas, on October 25, 2024, at the Indian Consulate in New York City. This year’s conference is designed to explore methods for expanding and enhancing the teaching of Hindi across the globe, as stated in a press release from the Hindi Sangam Foundation (HSF), which is the primary organizer in collaboration with the Indian Consulate. Several Hindi experts and university educators from various regions of the USA and India are expected to attend, where they will showcase their work and discuss…

At an event in Jaipur hosted by the IRS Women’s Wing, IRSLA, former Miss World and actress Manushi Chhillar took center stage, delivering a powerful speech on women’s empowerment. Addressing a gathering of female IRS officers, she passionately encouraged women to set ambitious goals, emphasizing that with the right support, there are no limits to what they can achieve. She pointed out the crucial role that families play in enabling women’s success, and how collective support can shape a woman’s journey. Joined by prominent figures such as Meenakshi Ranga, Renu Amitabh, Mahendra Ranga, Rajesh Dhingra, and CK Jain, Manushi stressed…

In a pivotal development, India has signed the Host Country Agreement (HCA) with the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA), officially facilitating the establishment of the Alliance’s Secretariat in the country. The agreement was executed on Friday by Dammu Ravi, Secretary for Economic Relations in the Ministry of External Affairs, and Pankaj Jain, Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, who is currently the Interim Director General of the GBA. The Union Cabinet had previously approved the signing and ratification of this agreement on October 3. This agreement is set to enable the GBA to establish its Secretariat in India,…

The Indian logistics market, valued at $107.16 billion (₹9 trillion) in FY23, is projected to grow to $159.54 billion (₹13.4 trillion) by FY28, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8-9%, as per a report by Motilal Oswal. This expansion is driven by structural reforms, advances in technology, and government efforts aimed at reducing logistics expenses and improving infrastructure. The National Logistics Policy, introduced in September 2022, seeks to transform India’s logistics sector by increasing the share of railways in freight transport from the current 18%, through initiatives such as dedicated freight corridors (DFCs), better road infrastructure, and the…

A recent report by Teamlease Services reveals a 12% rise in demand for personal and vehicle loans, including both two-wheelers and four-wheelers, over the past four months. As India approaches the festive season, the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector is preparing for a significant increase in customer transactions. To meet this surge, financial institutions are concentrating on building a skilled workforce, focusing particularly on customer service and digital banking enhancements. The festive season, which spans from Ganesh Chaturthi in September through to November, is driving increased job opportunities in areas such as retail lending, microfinance institutions (MFI), and…

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed strong support for the reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to ensure better representation for the developing world. Speaking at the ‘Summit of the Future’ during the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, he reiterated the US’s longstanding endorsement of permanent seats for India, Japan, and Germany. Blinken proposed the inclusion of two permanent seats for Africa, a rotating seat for Small Island Developing States, and permanent representation for Latin America and the Caribbean. He stated, “Reforming the UN Security Council to better represent the developing world, and…