Author: News Desk

Indian defence major Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) is making a strong push to compete for the Indian Navy’s Naval Utility Helicopter (NUH) tender with its Made-in-India H-160M platform. The initiative underscores India’s focus on strengthening indigenous defence production under the Atmanirbhar Bharat programme and boosting domestic capabilities in aerospace and naval aviation. The H-160M naval utility helicopter, developed in partnership between Tata Advanced Systems and global OEM Airbus Helicopters, is tailored for operations over sea, offering advanced avionics, enhanced payload capacity and mission versatility suited to navy requirements. Its state-of-the-art design allows it to perform a range of missions, including personnel transport, logistics support, search and rescue, and maritime reconnaissance. By positioning…

Biocon Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw sparked discussion by comparing India’s innovation landscape with China’s and raising a broader question about the role of civic sense among technology professionals. According to Mazumdar-Shaw, while India has abundant tech talent, sustaining long-term competitive advantage also depends on social responsibility, ethical conduct and civic awareness. She highlighted that technical excellence and innovative skills alone are not sufficient; they must be complemented by a sense of accountability, professionalism and societal contribution to fuel holistic progress. Mazumdar-Shaw’s comments reflect ongoing conversations within India’s business and tech communities about the responsibilities of innovators beyond product creation. Her remarks underline the importance of integrating…

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has emphasised that highway projects using private-funded construction models will be accorded the highest priority going forward as part of the government’s broader push to expand and upgrade road infrastructure efficiently. Gadkari highlighted that private participation in highway development can bring in capital, innovation and speed, helping to address funding constraints and accelerate the delivery of critical road networks across the country. Under private-funded models, developers fund construction and recoup investments through tolling, annuity payments or hybrid mechanisms, reducing dependence on public budgets. The move signals a shift towards leveraging private investment and expertise to fast-track the national highway programme, enhance…

India is rapidly becoming a global manufacturing hub for smartphones, with exports of mobile phones hitting USD 30 billion in the calendar year 2025 (January–December), Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a social media post. Smartphones have now become one of India’s top export categories, driven by strong production growth, policy incentives like the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, and participation from leading global brands. Major manufacturers, including Apple, Samsung and others, have expanded production and export operations in India, helping boost overseas shipments. The surge in exports reflects a broader expansion of the country’s electronics manufacturing ecosystem, which has seen exponential growth over the past decade. Electronics shipments…

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has granted final (Stage II) forest clearance to Kerala’s long-pending Anakkampoyil–Kalladi–Meppadi tunnel road project, clearing a crucial regulatory hurdle and paving the way for construction to begin in earnest. The ambitious infrastructure initiative involves constructing an 8.17-km twin-tube tunnel through the Western Ghats, directly connecting Anakkampoyil in Kozhikode district with Meppadi in Wayanad district. With an estimated cost of around ₹2,134 crore, the project also includes four-lane approach roads on both sides to improve regional connectivity and help bypass the frequently congested Thamarassery Ghat section of National Highway 766. As part of the clearance, the ministry has approved the diversion of roughly 17.263 hectares of forest land, subject to 24…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has created history by becoming the first world leader to exceed 100 million followers on Instagram, underscoring the expanding role of social media in political engagement and global outreach. Modi’s Instagram account features a mix of content including updates on government programmes, moments from state visits and public events, messages on national occasions, policy announcements and personal insights. The milestone places him ahead of other prominent global political figures in terms of reach and engagement on the platform. Observers say this achievement reflects both Modi’s widespread popularity and the strategic use of digital platforms to connect with citizens, supporters and international audiences. Social…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been honoured with the prestigious Speaker of the Knesset Medal by the State of Israel, a rare distinction that recognises his contributions to strengthening bilateral relations and advancing cooperation between the two nations. The medal is among Israel’s highest civil honours and is only infrequently conferred on foreign leaders, making this recognition noteworthy in diplomatic circles. Modi’s receipt of the Knesset Medal comes against the backdrop of expanding ties between India and Israel across defence, security, technology, agriculture, innovation, counter-terrorism and trade. Officials highlighted that the award reflects the deep trust and shared strategic interests…

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced that travel time between Chennai and Bengaluru is expected to be reduced to approximately two hours by the end of this year, owing to accelerated highway development and expressway upgrades. The ambitious infrastructure plan focuses on constructing high-speed corridor segments and enhancing existing road networks to enable smoother and faster transit between the two major South Indian cities. Currently, travel on this approximately 350-km route takes significantly longer, but comprehensive upgrades, including access-controlled expressways, aim to transform connectivity and logistics efficiency. Gadkari said the project is part of the government’s broader push to modernise national highways, improve regional…

Deepinder Goyal-backed aviation venture Zomato has taken a major step in strengthening its technology base. LAT Aerospace has acquired Gurugram-based early-stage defence robotics startup Sharang Shakti, marking its first acquisition as the company builds its foundational capabilities. The move signals the company’s early push to develop advanced technologies that will support both defence applications and future aviation platforms. First step toward indigenous defence capabilities Announcing the development on February 24 through a social media post, Deepinder Goyal described the acquisition as the company’s first step toward building indigenous defence capabilities. He noted that the initiative also aligns with LAT Aerospace’s…

Tata Communications and RailTel Corporation of India Ltd. have entered a strategic partnership to advance next-generation digital infrastructure in India and strengthen the country’s backbone for AI-driven services. RailTel’s Extensive Network Footprint RailTel operates one of India’s largest neutral telecom networks, spanning over 63,000 route km of optical fibre and connecting cities, towns, rural areas, and more than 6,000 railway stations. As a Navaratna PSU, it provides ICT services to government departments, public sector organisations, banks, educational institutions, and enterprises across the country. Key Objectives of the Collaboration The partnership will integrate RailTel’s national fibre network with Tata Communications’ global digital infrastructure, including international networks, cloud platforms, omnichannel communication…