Author: News Desk
On February 1, 2025, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her eighth consecutive Union Budget. This sets a new record, making her the first finance minister in India to present eight straight Budgets. Her achievement brings her closer to the record of 10 Budgets held by former Prime Minister Morarji Desai, who presented Budgets over multiple terms. Sitharaman is also the first full-time woman finance minister in India’s history. She was appointed to the role in 2019 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s second term, and after his third term in 2024, she continued to hold the finance portfolio. Key…
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is establishing a 37-acre campus at Kochi’s Kinfra Electronics Manufacturing Cluster with an investment of ₹690 crore. The facility will focus on electronics R&D and IT/ITeS services, generating around 10,000 jobs. This highlights Kochi’s growing importance in technology and manufacturing. Expanding Workforce and Infrastructure TCS is also looking at office space in Kochi’s InfoPark for 5,000 employees. The Kerala government is assisting in this expansion while also working on increasing InfoPark’s capacity by 500 acres and growing the Kozhikode Cyberpark. Kochi Attracting Global Tech Giants Kochi’s tech ecosystem is thriving, with IBM recently launching its largest…
The Tamil Nadu Food Safety Department has canceled the license of Mariyappan Restaurant in Thoothukudi after it went viral on social media for selling biryani at just ₹20. Concerns over the quality and safety of such low-cost food prompted authorities to take action. Complaints and Inspection Reveal Shocking Conditions District Collector K. Ilambavathi received numerous complaints questioning how biryani could be sold so cheaply without compromising quality. Acting on these concerns, food safety officials inspected the restaurant and its kitchen. The findings were alarming, as the food was being prepared in extremely unhygienic conditions. Stray cats and dogs were freely…
Fuselage Innovations Pvt Ltd, led by Devan Chandrasekharan, emerged victorious at the Polar Bear Pitching India Chapter held at the Embassy of Finland in New Delhi. The competition, known for its unique concept, saw eight Indian startups pitching their innovative ideas in a freezing ice hole, adding an element of endurance to the process. Fuselage Innovations earned the chance to present their groundbreaking idea at the Polar Bear Pitching event in Oulu, Finland, on February 27, 2025, with travel sponsorship provided by Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM). Pitching in Freezing Water: A Unique Challenge What truly set this competition apart was…
Nearly five years after its last attempt, Microsoft is reportedly reconsidering plans to acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations. Discussions are ongoing for Microsoft to purchase ByteDance-owned TikTok’s U.S. arm, as mentioned by former U.S. President Donald Trump on January 27. Back in 2020, Microsoft and Oracle were the primary contenders to acquire TikTok following Trump’s push for ByteDance to sell its U.S. operations due to national security concerns. At a 2021 event, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella referred to the failed attempt as “the strangest thing I’ve ever sort of worked on.” Trump, when asked aboard Air Force One if Microsoft was…
Sridhar Vembu, the founder of Zoho, one of India’s most successful privately owned technology companies, has cleared the air regarding rumors that he might enter politics. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Vembu laughed off the speculation, stating that he had never considered joining politics and that he is focused entirely on his work at Zoho. Vembu Steps Down as CEO to Focus on R&D Earlier this week, Vembu announced his decision to step down as the CEO of Zoho and assume the role of Chief Scientist. In this new role, he will focus on leading research and…
Ministers P. Rajeeve, V.N. Vasavan, and V. Sivankutty participated in the closing ceremony of the Vizhinjam Conclave 2025 and Global Investment Summit in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday. Adani Ports Eyes SEZ at Vizhinjam Harikrishnan Sundaram, Head of Container Business at Adani Ports SEZ, announced plans to develop a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Vizhinjam, following the success of Mundra port in Gujarat. Speaking at the session ‘Beyond the Port: Transforming Kerala into a Global Economic Powerhouse,’ he highlighted the importance of an industrial ecosystem for port-led development. He noted that no Indian port has handled one million TEUs within its first…
Radhika Sen, a biotech engineer, completed her master’s degree in biotechnology from IIT Bombay. Although she had the opportunity to pursue a high-paying private sector job, she followed her passion and chose to serve the nation by joining the Indian Army. Her academic journey began at St. Mary’s School in Sundernagar, followed by higher education at Mount Carmel School in Chandigarh. Radhika Sen’s Roots in Himachal Pradesh Born in 1993 in Sundernagar, Himachal Pradesh, Radhika is the daughter of Omkar Sen, a retired NIT Hamirpur employee, and Nirmala Sen, a retired principal from Kathog School in Chauhar Valley. Recognition by…
Sabyasachi Mukherjee’s 25-year journey in the fashion world is nothing short of extraordinary. From his humble beginnings in Kolkata to becoming one of the most recognized names in global fashion, his story is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of pushing boundaries. From Struggles to Vision Born in 1974 to a middle-class family, Sabyasachi’s early life was shaped by challenges. His father, a refugee from Bangladesh, faced financial struggles as the jute industry in Kolkata began to decline. These financial hardships had a significant impact on Sabyasachi’s formative years, instilling in him the values of hard work, resilience,…
The Utkarsh Odisha-Make in Odisha Conclave 2025, held in Bhubaneswar, has made a historic impact by securing Rs 16.73 lakh crore in investment intentions, surpassing its original target of Rs 5 lakh crore. The event saw 595 investment proposals across 20 sectors, marking it as a resounding success. A Remarkable Response from Investors Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed pride in the overwhelming participation from both global and domestic investors. He highlighted that 145 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed during the summit, signaling strong investor confidence in the state. “We have exceeded all expectations. Investors are not only committing…