Author: Athira Sethu
India has a pivotal role in shaping the future of space, not just for itself but for the world, said astronaut and test pilot Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair at Huddle Global 2025 in Kovalam. He emphasized that as nations advance plans for space colonization, the world will look to India to represent broader global interests in outer space. Speaking on the theme “Astronaut Mindset Towards Nation Building,” Nair highlighted that Indians already contribute roughly 30 percent of the global space workforce, with many professionals employed at leading centers like NASA. “India must develop its own capabilities in space rather than only…
Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) has become the first airport in India with a capacity exceeding 40 million passengers annually to achieve water-positive status. Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO of Delhi International Airport Limited, described the milestone as a reflection of the airport’s commitment to responsible resource management, environmental sustainability, and the future of aviation infrastructure. He emphasized that this accomplishment represents an important step toward IGIA’s broader goal of becoming a net-zero airport. According to Jaipuriar, achieving water positivity not only lowers reliance on natural water resources but also strengthens the airport’s resilience and readiness to face climate challenges.
A global demographic shift is quietly underway, the number of people living to 100 and beyond is rising, across continents and cultures. New data shows that as of 2025, some countries stand out for their high centenarian populations. At the top of the list sits Japan, which leads the world with around 123,330 centenarians. Its success is often attributed to a combination of high-quality healthcare, balanced diet, active lifestyle, and social norms that respect and support the elderly. Following Japan are the United States and China, both with large absolute numbers of 100-year-olds, thanks in part to their massive populations and improving longevity trends. India ranks fourth globally, with about…
A private company from Kochi, Smart Engineering & Design Solutions (India) Pvt Ltd (SEDS), has become the first non-government entity in India to design a naval warship, the newly commissioned INS Mahe. INS Mahe, built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), is the lead ship of an eight-vessel class of Anti-Submarine Warfare shallow-water corvettes. SEDS, based in Kakkanad, managed the complex naval architecture, packing advanced sensors, weapons systems and combat-ready design into a compact, efficient hull. According to company officials, the shift signals a broader opening of India’s defence ship-design sector to private-sector participation under the “Make in India / Aatmanirbhar Bharat” vision.…
Global investment firm Think Investments has invested over Rs 136 crore in edtech unicorn PhysicsWallah ahead of its IPO next week. The funding is part of a pre-IPO round as the company prepares for its public debut. According to the disclosure, Think Investments bought 1.07 crore shares from 14 PhysicsWallah employees at Rs 127 each — about 17% higher than the IPO issue price — securing a 0.37% stake valued at Rs 136.17 crore. Think Investments, which manages assets worth $4 billion globally, focuses on high-growth, tech-driven firms. In India, it has invested in leading startups such as Swiggy, Meesho,…
President Droupadi Murmu visited the famous Sabarimala Ayyappa temple in Kerala on Wednesday, becoming the first head of state to reach the sacred Sannidhanam by vehicle. The temple, one of India’s most revered pilgrimage centers, drew national attention as the President personally took part in the traditional rituals usually followed by devotees. Murmu began her journey early in the morning, arriving in Pathanamthitta by helicopter before traveling by road to Pampa, the base camp of the Sabarimala hill shrine. There, she performed the customary ritual of tying the Irumudikettu, a sacred offering carried by Ayyappa devotees, at the Pampa Ganapathi temple.…
Several major global companies, from Amazon to TCS, have announced significant layoffs in 2025, citing efficiency drives, restructuring, and increased investment in artificial intelligence (AI). Amazon is reportedly planning to cut nearly 15% of its human resources department, known as the People eXperience Technology (PTX) team, along with some roles in other departments, according to Fortune. The HR division alone employs over 10,000 people worldwide. The cuts come as the e-commerce giant aims to reduce costs while heavily investing in AI infrastructure and products. The IT sector has seen similar workforce reductions. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) plans to lay off…
Starting November 15, vehicle owners without a FASTag, or with an invalid or non-functional FASTag, can pay tolls using UPI at 1.25 times the standard rate. This is a relief compared to the current system, where those without a valid FASTag must pay double the toll in cash. The change comes from a notification issued on Friday, aimed at reducing cash transactions at toll plazas and curbing revenue leakage. Currently, about 98% of toll payments are processed via FASTag, but cash payments still occur when tags are missing, invalid, or have insufficient balance. No Penalty for Malfunctioning FASTag or Toll…
Whisky consumption in India is firmly anchored in the south. According to the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC), the five southern states—Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana—plus Puducherry—together consumed 23.18 crore cases of Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) in FY25. That’s nearly 58% of the country’s total whisky sales, showcasing South India’s dominance in the liquor market. Nationally, overall IMFL whisky sales fell slightly—down 1.4% year-on-year to 40.17 crore cases. Yet, the south’s dominance stayed unshaken. Industry experts attribute this trend to higher purchasing power, cultural acceptance, and strong retail networks in the southern states. Even amid economic…
India has approved 10 semiconductor projects across six states, with a total investment of $18.2 billion, as part of a strategic push to establish a homegrown chip industry. The aim is to reduce reliance on imports, secure supply for critical sectors, and capture more value in the electronics supply chain, particularly as global manufacturers diversify away from China. These projects span fabrication plants, testing facilities, and packaging units. A highlight is Tata Electronics’ $11 billion fab in Gujarat, developed in partnership with Taiwan’s Powerchip. To encourage investment, the government will cover 50% of project costs for all fabrication, testing, and…