Author: News Desk
The Indian Air Force on Sunday marked the 25th anniversary of the first flight of the homegrown Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). “On the 25th anniversary of Tejas LCA’s historic first flight, the IAF celebrates the enduring partnership behind this fighter. Congratulations to ADA’s scientists, HAL’s engineers, IAF and IN test pilots, and all personnel who have championed self-reliance,” the IAF said in a social media post. Tejas first took to the skies on January 4, 2001, when Wing Commander Rajiv Kothiyal piloted the Technology Demonstrator (TD-1) from HAL Airport in Bengaluru. This milestone marked the beginning of flight testing,…
U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States could impose higher tariffs on Indian goods if New Delhi does not address concerns related to its purchases of Russian oil. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said he expected India to take steps to “make me happy” on the issue and noted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s willingness to engage. The U.S. had already increased tariffs on Indian imports to 50% last year in response to India’s continued purchases of discounted Russian crude. The two countries are negotiating a potential trade deal, though discussions have been challenging. India became the…
India is rapidly expanding its aviation infrastructure, adding new airports or upgrading existing facilities roughly every 45 to 50 days, Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu said. Speaking on January 4 after a validation flight at the upcoming Bhogapuram airport, the minister highlighted the scale and speed of the country’s aviation sector growth. Fleet ExpansionIndia currently operates 843 aircraft, with 80 added in 2025 and another 106 expected in 2026. Additional aircraft are also planned by airlines such as Star Air. The government aims to build capacity ahead of demand to ensure the infrastructure can support the expanding market.…
Tata Sons, owner of Air India, has begun discussions with senior executives from leading international airlines to identify potential successors for the airline’s top leadership, according to sources familiar with the matter. Group chairman N Chandrasekaran has reportedly met with CEOs of at least two major UK- and US-based carriers as possible candidates to succeed Air India CEO Campbell Wilson. Sources say Chandrasekaran has grown impatient with the pace of operational improvements at Air India. Wilson’s current term is set to end in June 2027. Air India Express, the group’s low-cost carrier, is also expected to see leadership changes when…
Nivin Pauly’s latest release, Sarvam Maya, continues to perform strongly at the box office. On its tenth day, the film is expected to cross the Rs 100 crore mark worldwide, marking a first for the actor. Released during the Christmas period, Sarvam Maya has emerged as the clear leader at the box office, facing little competition. Within eight days, it surpassed Premam (2015) to become Nivin Pauly’s highest-grossing film globally. The film maintained steady momentum on day 9, earning close to Rs 5 crore from Kerala alone. Overseas collections were also solid, particularly in Gulf markets, supported by the holiday season. With the weekend underway…
Sumi P, Manager at Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), shared insights on how the organization supports entrepreneurship across the state. Although KSUM is a government entity, Sumi describes it as vibrant and operating at a corporate level. The mission encourages innovators to bring ideas forward and offers multiple ways to connect and receive support. Kerala Startup Mission serves as a nodal agency funded by the Government of Kerala to develop the entrepreneurship ecosystem. KSUM’s initiatives aim to build and scale startup culture across the state. Whether students or professionals aspire to become entrepreneurs, the mission provides guidance, mentorship, and structured support for innovative, scalable,…
Megastar Chiranjeevi, one of India’s most iconic actors, didn’t just earn fame on screen, he built substantial wealth off it too. Beyond box-office success, several silent investments and strategic financial moves have played a key role in elevating his net worth into billionaire territory, according to industry reports. One pivotal area has been real estate, with Chiranjeevi acquiring high-value properties in prime locations that have appreciated significantly over time. Such holdings provide stable, long-term returns well beyond film earnings. He has also invested in film production and distribution, leveraging his industry insight to back movies and talent, ensuring a share in profits both in front of and…
Jayakumar Mohanachandran emphasizes that brand reputation, no matter how many years it takes to build, can be destroyed by a single incident. Mishandling customer data is a common risk that can jeopardize years of hard work. He advises entrepreneurs to prioritize protecting their data from day one to safeguard both their brand and their customers. In today’s digital society, Jayakumar Mohanachandran explains, cybersecurity isn’t optional—it’s essential. Every aspect of a modern business, from online payments to digital marketing, touches digital systems. Building layers of security is crucial for sustainable growth and protecting digital trust. He compares cybersecurity to having brakes in a car:…
Sikkim continues to be India’s only state without a single operational railway station, forcing residents and tourists alike to rely heavily on road and air travel for connectivity. The mountainous Himalayan terrain has long posed significant engineering challenges that delayed rail integration into the national network. The state’s transport infrastructure depends on NH10 and other hill roads, which link it with neighbouring West Bengal and the rest of the country. Air travel via Pakyong Airport and the nearby Bagdogra International Airport in West Bengal also remains a crucial travel option for many. However, efforts are underway to bring rail connectivity to Sikkim. The Sivok–Rangpo rail project involving extensive tunnelling and bridge construction, aims to extend the railway line…
India’s ambitious bullet train project along the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High‑Speed Rail Corridor has regained momentum in 2025, transitioning from planning to visible infrastructure progress ahead of critical milestones in 2026 and beyond. Construction activity this year, including elevated viaducts, station structures and steel bridges has turned parts of the corridor into a tangible transport system. The government has adopted a phased commissioning approach, aiming to open the first stretch between Surat and Vapi in 2027, which aligns with global high‑speed rail rollout practices that favour incremental launches to build operational confidence. Preparations are underway for system integration, safety assessments, signalling, power and telecommunications, as well as clarity on rolling stock deployment and…