Author: News Desk

Soham Parekh, a Bengaluru-based software engineer, has admitted to moonlighting for multiple US-based startups and working up to 140 hours a week. His admission follows allegations by Suhail Doshi, co-founder of Mixpanel and CEO of Playground AI, who claimed to have fired Parekh within a week for dishonesty. Doshi’s post on X accused the engineer of juggling multiple jobs simultaneously and submitting misleading credentials. Worked Multiple Jobs Due to Financial Strain In an interview with TBPN, Parekh said he did not take on multiple jobs to cheat anyone but out of financial need. “No one really likes to work 140…

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has enabled the transfer of 10 cutting-edge technologies developed by ISRO to six Indian companies. These Technology Transfer Agreements (TTAs) were signed at IN-SPACe headquarters in Ahmedabad, in a tripartite format involving IN-SPACe, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), and the participating firms. Expanding Commercial Access to ISRO InnovationsThese agreements open the door for private players to commercially utilise advanced ISRO technologies across both space and non-space applications. The transferred technologies focus on satellite launch systems, ground station equipment, and geospatial applications. The move is expected to boost industry involvement, promote indigenous development,…

In 2019, Kumar, a passenger returning to Delhi from a long international tour, received his check-in bag in a badly damaged state with valuables worth nearly Rs 2 lakh missing. Despite promptly filing a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the airport, the airline offered only USD 30 (approx. Rs 2,560) as compensation for the 1.5 kg of lost items. Consumer Complaint Leads to Court Victory Unsatisfied, Kumar filed a complaint with the District Consumer Commission, which ruled in his favor in 2020. The commission ordered the airline to pay Rs 1.75 lakh with 8% interest, plus Rs 15,000 for harassment…

Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone of Tribhuvan Sahkari University (TSU), India’s first national-level cooperative university, in Anand, Gujarat, on July 5, 2025. The event will be attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary, Union Ministers of State Krishan Pal Gurjar and Muralidhar Mohol, and Cooperation Secretary Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani. Focused on Cooperative Sector Skill Development The university aims to meet the growing need for trained professionals in India’s cooperative sector. It will offer specialised academic programmes in cooperative management, finance, law, and rural development. Courses will range from PhD degrees to…

A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Bombay High Court by intellectual property advocate Ganesh Hingmire against Italian fashion brand Prada. The petition demands monetary compensation for Indian artisans, accusing the brand of copying the design of traditional Kolhapuri chappals. According to Hingmire, Prada only acknowledged Indian inspiration after facing backlash, and that too in a private communication—not to the artisans, the government, or the GI Registry. Cultural Symbol with Legal Recognition Kolhapuri chappals are considered a cultural icon of Maharashtra and were granted Geographical Indication (GI) status in 2019. Hingmire stressed that the design holds deep…

Sub-Lieutenant Aastha Poonia has become the first woman to enter the fighter pilot stream of the Indian Navy. Alongside Lt Atul Kumar Dhull, she was awarded the prestigious “Wings of Gold” after completing transitional fighter training on Hawk advanced jet trainers at INS Dega, Visakhapatnam. Next Step: MiG-29K Training Now in her early 20s, Sub-Lt Poonia will begin a one-year final training program to qualify as a MiG-29K pilot. This training includes mastering take-offs and landings on ski-jump ramps that simulate an aircraft carrier deck. Significant Milestone for the Indian Navy An officer said her selection into the fighter stream…

Mykare, a Kerala-based fin-health startup, has achieved EBITDA-positive status in its flagship elective surgery segment. The company reported 80% year-over-year revenue growth and a current annual recurring revenue (ARR) of $3 million. With EBITDA margins exceeding 10%, the startup expects to become company-wide profitable within the next four months. Focused on India’s Underserved Middle Class Mykare aims to serve India’s 400 million-strong self-employed middle class, where over 97% lack sufficient health insurance. Around 55 million people in this segment fall into bankruptcy each year due to healthcare expenses. Mykare addresses this issue by offering 30–40% cost savings on elective surgeries…

Startups like Agnikul, EtherealX, and Dhruva Space are building next-gen systems for India’s military Private Space Firms Enter Defence Domain Following recent security incidents such as the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, India’s space technology startups are increasingly pivoting toward defence-oriented innovations. Agnikul Cosmos, based in Chennai, is developing capabilities to launch satellites from land, sea, and air—providing rapid deployment options during times of conflict. In Bengaluru, EtherealX has created India’s first reusable launch vehicle, ready to transport military payloads when needed. Hyderabad-headquartered Dhruva Space is gaining attention from government agencies for its earth observation tools that offer real-time satellite…

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is preparing to reserve ₹25,000 crore worth of units for retail investors under its Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) public issue in the current financial year. This allocation, representing 30 to 40 percent of the total issue, aims to expand small investor participation in highway development. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari stated that a final decision on the proposal will be made within two to three months. The move aligns with the government’s larger plan to construct 10,000 km of highways and monetise ₹50,000 crore worth of assets this year. InvITs…

A total of 19.43 hectares of forest land from Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SNGP) in Borivali has been formally handed over to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project. This move follows final approval from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) under Section 2 of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. Key Part of Mumbai’s East-West Corridor Plan The GMLR is a major infrastructure project designed to ease connectivity between the Eastern and Western suburbs of Mumbai. The 12.2-kilometre corridor is divided into four phases, with the third phase focusing on the…