Author: News Desk

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…

Reliance Retail, Flipkart, and Malabar Gold and Diamonds have claimed the top three positions in the inaugural JM Financial Hurun India Unlisted Gems 2026 list, which ranks 100 high-potential unlisted companies in India. The list highlights firms demonstrating scale, strong performance, and characteristics suited for eventual public market entry. Leaders by Revenue Reliance Retail leads the list with revenue of Rs 2.7 lakh crore, making it India’s largest unlisted company by sales. Flipkart follows at Rs 83,000 crore, while Malabar Gold and Diamonds takes the third spot at Rs 66,000 crore. All companies on the list report a minimum revenue of Rs 1,000 crore, with consistent revenue…

The Uttar Pradesh government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Air India SATS Airport Services Private Limited (AISATS) for an investment of Rs 4,458 crore at the upcoming Noida International Airport in Jewar. The agreement was formalized during Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s visit to Singapore as part of efforts to attract global investment to the state. Major Facilities Planned at Jewar Airport Under the MoU, AISATS will develop two major facilities at the airport: an integrated cargo campus and a modern air catering unit. These projects are part of a broader strategy to strengthen aviation-linked services in Uttar Pradesh. The integrated cargo campus is expected to position Jewar as…

Each Ramadan, hundreds of inmates across the UAE gain their freedom after their debts are cleared. Central to this humanitarian effort is Dubai-based Indian businessman Firoz Merchant, whose long-running program now extends beyond debt relief to include direct financial support for cancer patients struggling with rising medical expenses. This year’s campaign highlights a broader philanthropic approach, combining debt forgiveness with healthcare assistance during the Holy Month. Who Is Firoz Merchant? Firoz Merchant is an Indian billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist based in Dubai. He founded the Pure Gold Group in 1989, growing it into a major jewellery retail chain with more than 170 stores…

Kochi has been named one of the Top 10 Trending Destinations for 2026 in the annual Travel Predictions released by Booking.com, highlighting the coastal city’s growing popularity among global travelers. The city features alongside international hotspots like Mui Ne in Vietnam and Port Douglas, reflecting its unique mix of historic charm, scenic backwaters, and evolving urban experiences. Booking.com’s data for the first half of 2026 (January–June) shows Kochi ranked among the top 10 most-searched Indian destinations by travelers worldwide, with a 30 percent year-on-year increase in search interest. The city’s appeal spans spiritual wellness, nature-focused tourism, and cultural heritage, attracting…

The Centre has banned five over-the-top (OTT) streaming platforms for allegedly hosting and distributing content deemed “obscene,” according to official sources cited by ANI. The move was taken by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) as part of ongoing efforts to regulate online streaming under existing information technology laws. The platforms blocked in this crackdown are MoodXVIP, Koyal Playpro, Digi Movieplex, Feel, and Jugnu. Authorities stated that these services were found to be streaming material that violated legal standards governing digital content in India. This follows a similar action in July 2025, when the government blocked websites and apps linked…

Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) is in advanced discussions with South Korea’s HD Hyundai Group to set up a $500-million shipbuilding joint venture in Kochi, marking the first direct investment by a global shipbuilding major into India’s core shipbuilding infrastructure, according to Mint. The proposed venture, structured as a 50:50 partnership, represents a potential breakthrough in India’s long-standing ambition to become a significant shipbuilding nation alongside established leaders like China, South Korea, and Japan. The timing is notable, as Asian shipyards are currently operating at full capacity, with order books stretching years ahead. The collaboration will involve HD Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering (HD…

India and Brazil signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on rare earths and critical minerals during President Lula da Silva’s state visit to India on 21 February 2026. The joint statement highlighted the two countries’ intention to cooperate across the full mineral value chain, including exploration, mining, processing, recycling, and refining, with the aim of strengthening supply chains and enhancing competitiveness. India is working to build domestic capacity across the critical minerals value chain and reduce dependence on any single country by forging more overseas partnerships. Domestically, the Union Cabinet approved the National Critical Mineral Mission in January 2025, covering exploration,…