Author: News Desk
Digital lending platform, mPokket, announced raising INR 500 crore (including a green shoe option) in debt capital from BPEA Credit’s private credit platform. The company revealed plans to utilize the funds to address the increasing credit demand from its 24 million registered customer base and expedite product development in the career accelerator and insurance verticals, which have witnessed a surge in demand from its young customer base. Gaurav Jalan, Founder and CEO of mPokket, expressed the significance of the partnership with BPEA Credit, stating, “The partnership strengthens our mission of building the consumer credit economy in India with high-affinity financial…
The eagerly awaited ‘priority corridor’ of the Agra Metro Rail Project is set to transform tourist accessibility to Agra’s iconic landmarks, including the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate this significant development via video conference alongside Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Agra. Seamless Connectivity Following its inauguration, the metro rail will commence operations on the ‘priority corridor,’ encompassing six stations along a 6 km stretch. This initiative, overseen by the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC), aims to provide direct metro access to major tourist attractions, enhancing convenience for visitors exploring…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speeches are breaking new ground in accessibility and reach, thanks to cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Now, audiences can tune in to the Prime Minister’s addresses in eight different languages on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), marking a significant leap forward in linguistic inclusivity. This initiative follows a remarkable demonstration of AI technology during an event in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, where PM Modi delivered a speech in Hindi that was simultaneously translated into Tamil in real-time. This feat showcased the potential of AI to bridge linguistic barriers and facilitate broader communication. PM…
Google has begun reinstating approximately 250 Indian apps on its Play Store after delisting them due to a billing dispute. The move comes in response to government criticism, signalling a temporary truce in a larger battle between tech giants and Indian startups. The apps, which include matrimony, dating, and various other services, were allowed back on the Play Store under the condition that Google would continue to levy service fees ranging from 11% to 26% on in-app payments. This arrangement will persist for a period of 3 to 4 months while both parties engage in negotiations to resolve the underlying…
On the bustling streets of Mumbai, where time seems to slow down amidst the perpetual traffic snarls, there lies a promise of futuristic transportation: the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor, popularly known as the bullet train project. In the heart of Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), a 1-kilometre patch of land remains relatively tranquil amid the city’s chaos. Here, nearly 800 workers toil away daily, away from the hustle and bustle, excavating the ground that will eventually become the starting point of India’s high-speed rail journey. Despite the construction activities buzzing underneath, the surface remains undisturbed, a rarity in a…
In the digital age, the spread of misinformation has become rampant, especially during critical events like national elections. With over 50 countries gearing up for polls this year, including major democracies like the United States, India, and Indonesia, the integrity of these elections is under threat like never before. The proliferation of fake news and propaganda poses a significant challenge, particularly in India, where it’s identified as the most substantial risk, according to the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Global Risk Report. The first step towards countering fake news is to know the truth. But how do we discern what’s fake…
In a move towards modernising education, a school in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, has introduced Iris, the first humanoid robot teacher in the state, developed in collaboration with Makerlabs Edutech. This pioneering initiative by KTCT Higher Secondary School, under the Kaduvayil Thangal Charitable Trust, signifies a leap into the future of teaching and learning. The recent unveiling of Iris has sparked widespread excitement among educators and students alike. Shared through Makerlabs’ Instagram account, a video showcased Iris’s remarkable abilities as a multilingual AI teacher. Capable of tackling complex queries across diverse subjects, Iris offers personalised voice assistance and fosters interactive learning experiences.…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first underwater metro rail service on Wednesday, March 6, in Kolkata. The newly inaugurated 4.8-kilometer stretch, known as the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section, has been constructed at a cost of ₹4,965 crore. This landmark project marks a significant milestone in India’s transportation infrastructure, with the metro train expected to traverse the 520-meter stretch under the River Hooghly in just 45 seconds. The Metro Railway expressed optimism about the impact of this new corridor, stating, “Once fully commissioned, this corridor will solve the perennial traffic congestion and improve air quality by reducing carbon footprint.” The Howrah…
In the face of a mounting water scarcity crisis gripping Bengaluru, the Karnataka state government’s recent move to take control of private tankers for supplying water to the most parched areas of the city has brought about added challenges for private residential complexes reliant on these tankers for their daily water needs. Among them, Prestige Falcon City, a luxurious gated community nestled in Kanakapura Road, finds itself grappling with the repercussions, prompting residents to adopt stringent water conservation measures. The Prestige Falcon City management has taken the unprecedented step of urging its inhabitants to resort to disposable plates and wet…
The digital world was rocked as millions of users found themselves locked out of their accounts on Meta-owned platforms Facebook and Instagram. The outage, which spanned the globe, left users frustrated and bewildered as they were unable to log in or access the apps at all. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, attributed the outage to an unspecified “technical issue,” leaving many questions unanswered. According to Meta spokesperson Andy Stone, the issue was resolved on Tuesday, but the exact cause behind the outage remains undisclosed. The outage affected not only individual users but also Meta employees who were…