Author: News Desk

On March 10, the Karnataka Assembly approved a bill requiring e-commerce platforms like Amazon, BigBasket, D-Mart, and Udaan to pay a cess to local mandis when selling agricultural staples such as rice, flour, fruits, and vegetables. The Karnataka Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation and Development) (Amendment) Bill mandates that any platform facilitating the sale of regulated farm produce must contribute a cess to Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs). It also extends regulations to warehouse service providers and dark stores involved in storage and distribution. Key Provisions of the Bill Service Fee Cap & Insurance Requirement For fruits, vegetables, and flowers, warehouse…

The Indian government has significantly increased railway safety investments, allocating over ₹1.14 lakh crore per year to upgrade infrastructure, reduce accidents, and modernize the network. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted these efforts during the Rajya Sabha discussion on the Railways (Amendment) Bill 2024. Sharp Decline in Railway Accidents Vaishnaw stated that railway accidents have significantly decreased due to various safety measures. The number of incidents has dropped from 171 to just 30 per year. The government has focused on upgrading tracks, installing advanced safety devices, and addressing risks at level crossings. To enhance passenger and train safety, 9,000 unmanned level…

Ola Electric is under investigation for alleged regulatory violations as authorities crack down on its showroom expansion. Reports indicate that over 95% of its physical stores lack mandatory trade certificates, leading to raids, vehicle seizures, and closures by transport officials across multiple states. The electric vehicle (EV) startup, led by Bhavish Aggarwal, has rapidly expanded its retail presence, reaching 4,000 stores since 2022. However, according to a Bloomberg report, only 100 of these outlets possess the required certification under the Motor Vehicles Act. This certification is essential for selling, displaying, and offering test rides of unregistered vehicles. Raids, Seizures, and…

India’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector is on track for significant expansion, with job openings projected to surpass 2.3 million by 2027. However, the available talent pool is expected to reach only 1.2 million, highlighting an urgent need for reskilling and upskilling. A report by Bain & Company challenges the perception that AI will replace jobs, instead revealing a growing demand for skilled professionals. Since 2019, demand for AI-related expertise has increased by 21% annually, while AI salaries have risen by 11% each year. Despite this, the supply of trained professionals has not kept up, creating a widening talent gap. Global…

Haier Appliances India aims to double its revenue and reach USD 2 billion in sales within the next 3-4 years. The company is experiencing strong double-digit growth, driven by an expanding product portfolio and wider distribution channels. Major Investment and Capacity Expansion To support this growth, Haier has committed over ₹1,000 crore for new AC production and injection molding units between 2024-2028. This follows its ₹2,400 crore investment in manufacturing plants at Pune and Greater Noida. A new facility will increase Haier India’s production capacity from 1.5 million to 4 million units annually, ensuring it keeps pace with growing market…

Janhvi Kapoor has carved a unique space for herself in Bollywood with her versatility, charm, and dedication to her craft. From her debut in 2018 to her latest projects, she has consistently taken on diverse roles, proving her ability to shine across multiple genres. As she continues her journey, let’s explore her top films, hit songs, upcoming projects, and more. Breakthrough Films and Career Highlights Janhvi made her Bollywood debut with Dhadak (2018), a romantic drama that instantly won over audiences. A remake of the Marathi film Sairat, the film told a poignant love story against the backdrop of social divides. Her fresh screen presence…

Mark Carney has been elected the new leader of Canada’s Liberal Party, securing a landslide victory with 85.9% of the vote. The former central banker will soon replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the party’s leader, but his position may be short-lived as Canada must hold elections by October 2025. Speculation is rising that Carney may call a snap election within weeks to consolidate his leadership. A Strong Stand Against Trump In his victory speech, Carney took a defiant stance against US President Donald Trump, accusing him of attempting to seize control of Canada’s resources, economy, and sovereignty. He warned…

Futurepump, a UK-based company specializing in solar-powered irrigation solutions, has been awarded a $2.3 million (£1.8 million) grant from the Gates Foundation. The funding will be used to enhance production at its manufacturing facility in India, enabling the company to scale up its operations and provide affordable, sustainable water pumps to smallholder farmers. Headquartered at The Silo in Wainford, Futurepump has been at the forefront of developing solar-powered irrigation systems for farmers in developing countries. Since its founding in 2012, the company has provided clean, efficient alternatives to traditional fossil fuel-powered pumps, benefiting over 100,000 farmers worldwide. Helen Yapp, Managing…

ISRO is set to strengthen its launch capabilities with two new launchpads—one at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, and another at Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu. These facilities will be operational within two years, supporting India’s increasing number of space missions. Chandrayaan-4: A Giant Leap in Lunar Exploration Chairman V. Narayanan announced plans for Chandrayaan-4, scheduled for launch in 2028. This mission will weigh 9,200 kg, more than double Chandrayaan-3’s 4,000 kg, and will include two docked modules. The primary goal is to land on the Moon and retrieve samples, a significant step forward for India’s space research. Promoting Gender Inclusivity in Space Science…

Roshni Nadar Malhotra has emerged as the largest shareholder in HCL following the transfer of a 47% stake from her father, Shiv Nadar, the founder of HCL Group. This transition has also positioned her as the third-richest Indian, according to Bloomberg Billionaires data. Succession Planning and Business Transition As part of a structured succession plan, Shiv Nadar gifted 47% of his stake in HCL Corporation and Vama Sundari Investments (Vama Delhi) to his daughter. Once the transfer is complete, Roshni Nadar Malhotra will assume majority control of both entities, which are the primary promoters of HCLTech and HCL Infosystems. Through…