Author: News Desk

India has cleared its largest-ever defense aviation order, a ₹66,500 crore deal for 97 Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets. Once signed, this will be the biggest single aircraft purchase by the Indian Air Force (IAF), marking a turning point for the country’s push toward self-reliance in defense production. The Tejas Program The Tejas, designed and built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is a fourth-generation, single-engine, multi-role fighter. It has been developed as part of India’s long-term effort to replace older aircraft and build an indigenous backbone for the IAF’s fleet. This order follows an earlier contract for 83 Tejas jets. The IAF had…

India’s own messaging app, Arattai, has climbed to the top of app store charts, briefly overtaking global giants like WhatsApp and Telegram. Zoho, the company behind the app, announced the milestone on X, celebrating its rise to the number one spot in the Social Networking category. The surge comes after weeks of rising buzz, driven by memes, endorsements, and a wave of patriotic downloads. From Side Project to National Spotlight Launched in 2021, Arattai—Tamil for “chat” or “chit-chat”—was once seen as a small side experiment by Zoho. But in a climate of growing mistrust toward Big Tech, data privacy scandals, and…

Shawn Michaels, a WWE legend, has an estimated net worth of $10 million. Known as “The Showstopper,” he was one of the highest-paid stars in WWE history. After retiring from wrestling, Shawn now works as Senior Vice President of Talent Development (Creative) at WWE, helping new talents grow in the NXT brand. Early Career and Rise to Fame Shawn Michaels began his career in 1984 with the National Wrestling Alliance. Though he lost his first match, his talent quickly stood out. In 1988, Michaels joined WWF (now WWE), where he became famous for his impressive performances. He earned the nickname…

India’s defence procurement has long been weighed down by endless red tape. From Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and field trials to contract negotiations and inter-ministerial clearances, every stage drags on—often stretching timelines by years and delaying delivery of vital platforms. Now, momentum is shifting. Sources say the government aims to slash average procurement timelines from 96 weeks to just 24 weeks by tightening procedures, adopting simulations in place of traditional trials, and enforcing stricter accountability. Military leadership has been blunt: slow buys mean slow adoption of cutting-edge technology, leaving adversaries with the upper hand. Responding to these alarms, the Defence…

India’s long-awaited S‑400 air defence deal with Russia is approaching completion, with the final unit expected in 2026. Signed in 2018, the agreement covers five S‑400 Triumf systems, designed to bolster India’s airspace defence. Four systems have already been delivered, highlighting the enduring defence partnership between India and Russia despite geopolitical pressures and potential U.S. sanctions. What the S‑400 Deal Entails The contract, valued at US$5.43 billion, procures five of the world’s most advanced long-range air defence systems. The S‑400 is capable of detecting, tracking, and neutralising multiple aerial threats, including fighter jets, UAVs, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles, at…

The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), initiated by DPIIT, aims to bridge funding gaps for early‑stage startups during proof‑of‑concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry, and commercialization phases. Under the scheme, startups can access grants of up to ₹20 lakh for validating concepts, building prototypes, or conducting product trials. For subsequent stages like market entry, scaling, or commercialization, startups can receive up to ₹50 lakh through instruments such as convertible debentures or debt‑linked financing. Eligible startups must be recognized by DPIIT, incorporated within the last two years, and have Indian promoters holding at least 51% equity. They should also…

India’s first large-scale private gold mine, located at Jonnagiri in Andhra Pradesh, is poised to begin full production soon. Deccan Gold Mines Ltd (DGML) Managing Director Hanuma Prasad confirmed that the mine, developed by Geomysore Services India Ltd (in which DGML holds a stake), is completing project stabilization and finalizing plant technology before scaling up operations. Approvals and Environmental ClearanceThe Jonnagiri project received environmental clearances in June and July and is awaiting additional state approvals. These regulatory steps mark the final stage before full-scale gold production begins. Production Capacity and ImpactThe mine is expected to produce 750 kg of gold…

In a serene corner of Kerala, architect Vinu Daniel has given waste a second life , by building a home with over 6,200 discarded plastic toys. Fittingly called The Toy Storey, this playful yet powerful structure transforms landfill-bound plastic into architecture that sparks both wonder and reflection. The spark came when Daniel watched his son building with Lego. Those simple, colorful blocks inspired a radical question: what if real homes could be built just as intuitively and just as joyfully? At the same time, Daniel was troubled by the growing mountain of plastic toys — broken, abandoned, and unrecyclable. His solution?…

Dhanya Ravi, popularly known as the “Glass Woman of India,” is making waves in the disability sector with her tireless advocacy and outreach efforts. She works with Enable India, an organization focused on improving the livelihood of persons with disabilities, and volunteers with multiple organizations such as Peace Valley, sharing her expertise as a person with lived experience. Driving Change Through Awareness and Accessibility Dhanya’s projects primarily revolve around outreach, awareness, and accessibility initiatives. She emphasizes the importance of creating spaces and policies that allow persons with disabilities to thrive, and actively engages with organizations to promote inclusivity. Staying Motivated Amid Challenges Despite…

ABB India announced an investment of over Rs 140 crore to expand and upgrade its Low Voltage (LV) motors manufacturing facility. The move is part of the company’s long-term vision to strengthen India’s position as a global manufacturing hub. Launch of IE5 Ultra-Premium Efficiency Motors Alongside the expansion, ABB India is introducing IE5 ultra-premium efficiency motors. This is India’s first range of IE5 motors built on proven induction motor technology, free from rare-earth metals, and designed for high performance and reliability even in demanding industrial environments. Versatile and Industry-Ready The new IE5 motors, with power ratings from 45 kW to…