Author: News Desk

Navi Mumbai International Airport showcases a blend of culture and modernity. Large digital screens throughout the terminal display flight information alongside Maharashtra and India’s artistic and cultural heritage. The airport, designed in the shape of a lotus, combines traditional architectural elements with state-of-the-art technology. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the first phase on Wednesday, with commercial flights from Ulwe, roughly 37 km from South Mumbai, set to begin in December. Passenger Convenience and Smart Features Arun Bansal, CEO of Adani Airport Holdings, highlighted the airport’s focus on reducing passenger stress through technology. Key features include: Passengers can…

India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is now available at Lulu Group stores in Qatar, following its initial launch at Hamad International Airport duty-free outlets last month. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurated the service at a Lulu store, highlighting its potential to make transactions between India and Qatar smoother and more cost-effective. Collaboration with QNB and NETSTARS The rollout comes through a partnership between NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), Qatar National Bank (QNB), and Japanese payments gateway NETSTARS. UPI is now available at point-of-sale terminals for merchants served by QNB, expanding access to real-time, cashless payments for Indian residents…

The English Premier League has named Indian cricketer Sanju Samson as its official ambassador in India, marking a strategic move to strengthen its reach in one of the world’s largest sports markets. Expanding the EPL’s Presence Through this partnership, the EPL hopes to connect with India’s massive fan base. Sanju, 30, known for his bold batting and easygoing charm, will help promote the league and engage with supporters across the country. Fan Event in Mumbai Sanju joined former England and Liverpool striker Michael Owen at a Premier League fan event in Mumbai, held at the NESCO Centre. The gathering featured…

India’s aviation sector is poised for a major boost as Noida International Airport (NIA) near Delhi and Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) near Mumbai prepare to start operations this October. These two world-class airports mark a significant step in India’s journey toward becoming a global aviation hub. Opening Dates and AirlinesNavi Mumbai International Airport is scheduled to open on October 8, while Noida International Airport is expected to begin operations by October 30. Major carriers like IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa Air are already set to operate from these airports. The new facilities will reduce congestion at Delhi’s IGI Airport and Mumbai’s CSMIA, offering more direct international routes and smoother air…

Alakh Pandey, co-founder of the edtech startup PhysicsWallah, saw his net worth soar last year, earning him a spot on the Hurun India Rich List 2025. Alongside co-founder Prateek Maheshwari, Pandey experienced a 223% increase in wealth, reaching ₹14,520 crore as the company continues its strong growth trajectory from Allahabad and Ajmer. Who is Alakh Pandey? Born in 1991, Alakh Pandey is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 11 years of experience in the education sector. He studied Mechanical Engineering at Harcourt Butler Technical University in Kanpur but left in his third year to pursue his passion for teaching and technology. In 2016, Pandey launched the Physics Wallah YouTube channel, which quickly gained popularity…

India is poised to become one of the world’s largest markets, but realizing this potential requires inviting more foreign companies to establish production and integrating into global supply chains. Kazuto Suzuki, Director of the Institute of Geoeconomics, Tokyo, emphasized that India needs a unified regulatory and governance framework to sustain higher growth. “There are differences between states—taxation, rules, and standards—which make India a less homogeneous market and create barriers for investment,” Suzuki said. “One nation, one set of rules, and one governance model could make resource use more efficient, similar to Japan’s post-war growth.” Government Guidance Remains Crucial Drawing on Japan’s experience, Suzuki…

Sanae Takaichi, a 64-year-old leader with a nation-first approach, is poised to become Japan’s next Prime Minister. Known for her firm stance on immigration, national security, and Japan’s post-war policies, Takaichi appeals to conservative voters concerned with crime, China’s military presence in the Pacific, and Japan’s role in global conflicts. Political Rise and Background Takaichi once played drums in a college heavy metal band, sported pink hair, and raced motorcycles, which she gave up upon entering politics. A follower of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi has strong backing within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), having been appointed to key party positions during Abe’s…

In a historic first, India has sent scientific research equipment directly to Antarctica via air. On October 2, 2025, a heavy-duty Russian cargo plane, the IL-76, departed from Manohar International Airport, Goa, carrying 18 tons of scientific gear, medicines, provisions, and essentials for Indian researchers at the Bharati and Maitri research stations. The mission was facilitated by Dronning Maud Land Air Network (DROMLAN), marking the first-ever direct air cargo link between India and Antarctica. Why Air Cargo Was Needed Since 1981, India has conducted Antarctic research, but equipment and teams were previously sent by ship, often operated by other nations. Sea routes were chosen for operational cost and load capacity,…

The partial U.S. government shutdown has entered its fifth day, with no breakthrough in negotiations between the White House and congressional Democrats. The shutdown began on October 1, the start of the federal fiscal year 2026, after Senate Democrats rejected a short-term funding measure intended to keep agencies open through November 21. Threat of Federal Layoffs White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett warned that mass federal layoffs could follow if talks fail. Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, Hassett said the administration is preparing to act but hopes layoffs can be avoided. President Donald Trump confirmed the layoffs are “taking place right now,” signaling…

Rajinder Singh Bhatia, chairman of Kalyani Strategic Systems (Bharat Forge’s defence subsidiary) and president of the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers, warns that India’s seven-year defence procurement cycles risk acquiring outdated systems. “For critical and fast-changing platforms, procurement cycles should be 18 to 24 months,” he says. Reforms Have Boosted the Private Sector A decade ago, private companies faced bureaucratic hurdles in defence production. Trials often had to be conducted abroad. Reforms under Manohar Parrikar changed this, allowing domestic testing. By 2019, the Defence Acquisition Council had approved 150 guns, with production for the Indian Army starting in 2025. While these reforms have helped,…