Author: News Desk

India is aiming to boost self-reliance in defense manufacturing by integrating homegrown technologies into high-profile platforms like the Rafale fighter. One proposal involves replacing the French Thales RBE2 AESA radar with India’s own Uttam Mk2 GaN radar on future Rafale jets produced domestically. This could raise the indigenous content beyond the planned 60% and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers, though it comes with significant technical and logistical challenges. Uttam Mk2 AESA radar: A leap in technology Developed by DRDO, the Uttam Mk2 uses Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology, offering better range, detection, and resistance to electronic countermeasures than traditional GaAs radars.…

Indian-American entrepreneur Baiju Prafulkumar Bhatt, with a net worth of $6.9 billion, has been named one of the ten youngest billionaires in the United States, according to Forbes’ latest list of the 400 richest Americans. He is the only Indian-origin founder to make it into this youngest category. Early life and education Bhatt, 41, was born to Gujarati immigrant parents. He grew up in Alabama before moving to Virginia. His father pursued a PhD but faced kidney failure, leaving the family with financial difficulties that even prevented travel to India. Bhatt last visited India in 1997. He earned a physics…

Swiss watchmaker Swatch is poking fun at the 39% tariff the US slapped on Switzerland by launching a watch that swaps the positions of the 3 and 9 numerals on its dial. The limited-edition piece, called “WHAT IF … TARIFFS?”, is billed as a tongue-in-cheek response to global politics. A design with a message The flipped numbers “3” and “9” are meant to reference the 39% tariff, while a percentage sign engraved on the battery cover drives the point home. Swatch says it hopes the watch remains a “limited edition,” available only in Switzerland and therefore exempt from the tariff itself.…

The Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, felicitated music maestro Ilaiyaraaja at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium. Actors Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, both long-time collaborators with the composer, were present to celebrate the occasion. Rajinikanth recalls Ilaiyaraaja’s faith Speaking at the event, Rajinikanth said, “A film today can succeed if it features a song by Ilaiyaraaja,” citing his own experience in Coolie. He also recounted helping Ilaiyaraaja’s brother Bhaskar on the film Rajathi Raja, admitting he was anxious about the project. Ilaiyaraaja, however, expressed unwavering faith, stating the film had to run past the silver jubilee or he would…

Mohanlal’s family drama Hridayapoorvam opened on a decent note but is losing steam at the box office as Kalyani Priyadarshan’s superhero film Lokah dominates, even among family audiences. According to Sacnilk, the Mohanlal starrer has earned ₹36.43 crore in India after 18 days. On its third Sunday, it collected an estimated ₹1.24 crore. Weekend boost falls short The reunion of Mohanlal and Sathyan Anthikad was expected to spark major interest, but the numbers tell a different story. The film brought in ₹20 crore in its first week, added another ₹13.4 crore in the second, and saw some lift over the third weekend with ₹99…

As of 2025, India’s national highways are dotted with 1,087 toll plazas, officially known as user-fee plazas and managed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). But that number only tells part of the story. When you factor in the thousands of toll booths on state highways and expressways, the total number of toll booths across the country easily exceeds 3,000. So, who’s the champion of tolling? Rajasthan leads all states with a massive 156 toll plazas. This isn’t a random number; it’s a direct result of the state’s immense size, strategic highways that serve as key connectors to Delhi, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, and its…

Sarees in India tell stories. They carry centuries of tradition, artistry, and culture. Some sarees are so exquisite that they are considered luxury items worth lakhs or even crores. From heritage classics like Banarasi and Kanjeevaram to show-stopping creations like the Vivaah Patu, these sarees are a mix of craftsmanship, history, and pure elegance. 1. Vivaah Patu (Tamil Nadu) The Vivaah Patu by The Chennai Silks holds the Guinness World Record as the most expensive saree in the world, priced at around ₹3.93 crore. It features woven images of Raja Ravi Varma’s paintings made from gold, silver, and platinum threads, decorated with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires.…

Kerala’s beloved hill station, Munnar, has earned a place on Agoda’s list of “Asia’s Top 8 Rural Escapes,” ranking seventh among the continent’s most idyllic rural destinations. The recognition highlights Munnar’s growing popularity among travelers seeking scenic, nature-rich, and peaceful getaways. Top 8 rural escapes in Asia Why Munnar stands outMunnar offers more than typical hill station experiences. Nestled amid rolling hills, misty valleys, and expansive tea gardens, it is known for hidden waterfalls and stunning landscapes. Travelers today seek authentic experiences, mental peace, and a slower pace of life, all of which Munnar delivers with its cool climate and…

Shah Rukh Khan doesn’t just rule the box office, he also rules the road. His garage features some of the rarest and most luxurious cars money can buy. The crown jewel is the Bugatti Veyron, valued at nearly ₹12 crore, a supercar that screams speed and exclusivity. Adding to the fleet are Rolls-Royce icons — a Phantom Drophead Coupe worth around ₹7 crore and a Cullinan Black Badge SUV near ₹10 crore, each dripping with elegance. His taste for German precision shows in the futuristic BMW i8 and the plush 7 Series, while the Bentley Continental GT adds classic grand…

India has developed its first indigenous process to manufacture water-soluble fertilisers, marking a breakthrough after seven years of research. Backed by the Ministry of Mines under the Make in India push, the technology could cut the country’s heavy reliance on imports—95% of which came from abroad, with nearly 80% sourced from China. The initiative was led by Rajiv Chakraborty, President of the Soluble Fertilizer Industry Association (SFIA), who steered the project despite years of setbacks. His team created a unified production system that can manufacture multiple types of soluble fertilisers in one workflow, with zero effluent and no emissions—making it…