Author: News Desk
Amid rising tensions in the Gulf region, India has emphasized the need for the safe movement of its vessels as uncertainty surrounds shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. “We are in favour of safe and unhindered movement” for India’s fleet of 22 ships currently in the Gulf, said Randhir Jaiswal on Friday. He added that Narendra Modi is in contact with global leaders to ensure the vessels’ secure passage. Indian LPG Carriers Preparing to Sail Two Indian-flagged liquefied petroleum gas carriers, Jag Vasant and Pine Gas, are positioned near Sharjah and may soon transit the critical waterway. Ship-tracking data from…
Food delivery leader Zomato on Friday increased its platform fee by ₹2.40, bringing the pre-tax charge to ₹14.90 per order, up from ₹12.50. The adjustment, applied nationwide, is intended to offset rising operational costs, particularly fueled by higher crude oil prices amid the ongoing West Asia conflict. This is Zomato’s first fee revision since September 2025. Comparison With Competitors Rival Swiggy currently charges ₹14.99 per order, including GST, while magicpin has kept its platform fee steady at ₹14.20 to maintain affordability for customers during this period of rising expenses. Anshoo Sharma, CEO of magicpin, noted that the company deliberately avoided…
Indian Railways is preparing to roll out a new, faster passenger reservation system designed to significantly improve the train ticket booking experience for millions of passengers. The upgraded system will replace the existing 40-year-old Passenger Reservation System (PRS) that currently manages ticket bookings across the country. The modernised system is expected to increase booking speed and capacity, enabling the platform to handle far more ticket requests during peak hours such as Tatkal bookings and festival travel seasons. It will also improve scalability and reduce server crashes that often occur when millions of users try to book tickets simultaneously. Officials say the digital overhaul, estimated to cost…
Rajendrakumar Shivkisan Agrawal, part of the family behind Haldiram’s, has emerged as one of India’s biggest wealth gainers according to the Hurun Global Rich List 2026. His fortune surged significantly as the iconic snack company’s valuation climbed to around $10 billion. The Haldiram brand traces its roots to Ganga Bhishen Agarwal, popularly known as Haldiram, who began experimenting with a crispy version of bhujia in Bikaner in the early 20th century. The snack quickly gained popularity and laid the foundation for what would become one of India’s most recognisable food brands. Over the decades, later generations of the Agarwal family expanded the business beyond a regional sweet shop…
International travel has become much easier for Indian citizens over the years, with many countries offering e-visas, visas on arrival, and relaxed entry rules. However, Yemen is a notable exception. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Indian citizens are officially banned from traveling to Yemen due to severe security risks. The ban covers travel by air, land, or sea unless special permission—a government-issued NOC—is obtained. The advisory, first issued in 2017, remains in effect. Government of India Travel RulesThe MEA has issued a strict advisory stating: Special permission is granted only in exceptional humanitarian, diplomatic, or emergency situations. Traveling without government authorization is…
Women-led startups in India are witnessing a steady rise in funding and participation, backed by strong government support and policy initiatives. According to government data, investments through the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) in women-led ventures have increased significantly—from about ₹334 crore in 2020 to over ₹914 crore in 2025, taking the total to nearly ₹3,000 crore. The growth is also reflected in participation, with over 1 lakh startups in India having at least one woman director or partner, highlighting increasing gender diversity in entrepreneurship. Schemes like Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) and Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups…
Turkey is the largest tea-consuming country in the world, especially when measured per capita. People in Turkey drink an average of 3 to 5 cups daily, with consumption rising even higher during colder months. Tea is deeply embedded in Turkish culture, where it is served throughout the day in traditional glass cups and plays a key role in social interactions and hospitality. Other major tea-consuming nations include Morocco, Ireland, and United Kingdom, all known for strong tea-drinking traditions. However, in terms of total volume consumption, larger countries like China and India lead globally due to their huge populations and widespread…
Aman Gupta has invested in Kerala-based confectionery startup Fulva to help transform traditional halwa into a premium global product. The investment, made through his venture platform SailThru Ventures, is part of a broader push to modernise India’s traditional sweets market with branding, packaging, and global positioning. Founded in Kozhikode, Fulva is reimagining halwa with 24 premium variants, blending classic recipes with modern flavours like mango, tender coconut, and dry fruits. The startup has already served over 50,000 customers across 15+ countries, showing strong demand for Indian sweets in global markets. The fresh funding will be used for marketing, expanding distribution,…
KKR has agreed to invest up to $310 million in a strategic partnership with electric bus manufacturer PMI Electro Mobility Solutions Private Limited and its operating platform, Allfleet India Private Limited, the companies announced on March 18, 2026, in Mumbai. Under the deal, KKR-managed funds will acquire a majority stake in Allfleet and a minority stake in PMI Electro. The transaction is expected to close by mid-2026, subject to customary regulatory approvals. This investment marks the first deployment of KKR’s Global Climate Transition strategy in India and the eighth globally, following recent projects in Australia. The capital will be used…
Adani Group has announced a Rs 600 billion social investment plan to build 300 schools and 30 hospitals across India, aiming to strengthen educational and healthcare infrastructure nationwide. The initiative represents a long-term commitment to improving access to quality education and primary healthcare, with investment covering both physical facilities and operational services to ensure schools and hospitals are functional from the outset. The programme will focus on resilient, sustainable facilities that meet regulatory standards and cater to local needs. Projects will be distributed across states, prioritizing areas with notable gaps in public provision. Design standards will incorporate energy efficiency, water…