Author: News Desk
The Union government has allocated ₹1,418.51 crore to Kerala for fisheries development over the past five years, Union Minister for Fisheries Rajiv Ranjan Singh told the Lok Sabha. The funds were approved under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), a flagship scheme aimed at sustainable growth of the fisheries sector, enhancing infrastructure, productivity and fisherfolk incomes. Projects supported include provision of 20 deep sea fishing vessels, installation of 42 artificial reefs along the coast to rejuvenate stock, 1,140 alternate livelihood initiatives such as bivalve cultivation, and 740 biofloc units that help increase aquaculture yields. Integrated and climate-resilient fishing villages have also been developed to strengthen coastal infrastructure and community resilience. The government highlighted environmental safeguards in offshore…
The Kerala High Court has granted an interim stay on a liquor naming and logo contest floated in connection with a proposed premium brandy linked to Kerala State Beverages (Manufacturing and Marketing) Corporation (BEVCO) and Malabar Distilleries Ltd. The order came while considering two Public Interest Litigations (PILs) that challenged the legality of the initiative. The petitioners contended that inviting public participation to name and design branding for a liquor product amounts to indirect advertisement and violates Section 55H of the Kerala Abkari Act, which prohibits advertisements and solicitations that encourage liquor consumption. They argued that a government-owned entity associating itself with such a promotional exercise could run contrary…
In a major push to strengthen national security, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has cleared defence procurements worth ₹3.6 lakh crore. The approvals mark one of the largest military modernisation drives in India’s history and aim to significantly enhance combat readiness across air and maritime domains. The centrepiece of the package is the proposed acquisition of 114 Rafale multi-role fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The jets are expected to boost the IAF’s squadron strength and enhance its capability to conduct precision strikes, air superiority missions and deep penetration operations amid evolving regional security challenges. In…
Mahindra Last Mile Mobility has officially launched the Mahindra UDO, a futuristic electric three-wheeler that blends style, performance and practicality for India’s booming last-mile segment. The vehicle draws inspiration from aircraft design, reflected in its aerodynamic silhouette and bold aesthetics, and is positioned as an “autoplane” that redefines the everyday auto-rickshaw experience. The name “UDO,” meaning “to fly” in Hindi, underscores the brand’s focus on elevated comfort and driving dynamics. Priced at an introductory ₹3.59 lakhs (ex-showroom), down from the standard ₹3,84,299 for a limited period, the UDO boasts a real-world range of around 200 km and an ARAI-certified range of up to 265 km,…
E-commerce major Flipkart is gearing up to enter India’s highly competitive online food delivery market, with a pilot project planned in Bengaluru between May and June 2026. The Walmart-owned company is currently evaluating whether to build a dedicated food delivery platform of its own or operate through the government-backed Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). The move could position Flipkart as a direct challenger to established players Zomato and Swiggy, which currently dominate India’s food-tech ecosystem. Industry estimates value the sector at nearly $9 billion, with strong growth expected over the next several years driven by rising urban demand and digital adoption. Flipkart’s potential entry signals intensifying…
Indian Railways’ push for rapid electrification has sharply reduced diesel consumption, lowered dependence on imported crude oil, and expanded cleaner rail operations across the country. According to Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, electrification now covers around 99.4% of the Broad Gauge network, with the remaining sections slated for completion soon. Between 2016-17 and 2024-25, Indian Railways saved 178 crore litres of diesel—a 62% reduction—thanks to the shift toward electric traction, which is both environmentally friendly and more cost-efficient than alternatives like bio-diesel. The pace of electrification has accelerated dramatically in recent years: while about 21,801 route kilometres were electrified over nearly…
China will take part in India’s upcoming AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, marking a significant step in regional technology diplomacy and supporting India’s efforts to establish itself as a leader in global AI governance. The summit, scheduled from February 16 to 20, will bring together policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders at a time when AI cooperation is closely intertwined with geopolitics. India’s Consul General in Shanghai, Pratik Mathur, said China’s participation reflects improving bilateral engagement, particularly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China last August for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin. In a statement on WeChat,…
Rolls-Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilgic met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday to discuss plans for scaling up the company’s operations in India as part of the Viksit Bharat initiative. Prime Minister Modi described the meeting as “wonderful” in a post on X and welcomed Rolls-Royce’s commitment to expanding its activities in India and collaborating with the country’s innovative youth. In a statement, Rolls-Royce highlighted that the discussion focused on expanding its Global Capability Centre (GCC) to become the largest globally, co-developing complex manufacturing processes, and building high-value engineering capabilities in India. The meeting underscores Rolls-Royce’s intent to strengthen its footprint…
In an extraordinary early-morning incident at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai, the quick and coordinated response of airport medical and operational teams led to the safe birth of a baby girl inside an airport ambulance, turning a potential crisis into a moment of hope and new life. At 5:17 am on February 10, while most of Mumbai slept, airport medical staff received an urgent alert: a 26-year-old Tanzanian woman, 36 weeks pregnant, was experiencing severe abdominal pain while transiting through the International-to-International corridor. Recognising the urgency, doctors and paramedics mobilised immediately. The woman was carefully moved onto…
Actor Sreeleela has officially earned her medical degree, completing six years of studying medicine alongside her acting career. She recently graduated from DY Patil University in Mumbai, and pictures and videos from her convocation on February 10 are now making rounds on social media, with fans celebrating her achievement. During the ceremony, Sreeleela was seen on stage in maroon graduation robes accepting her degree, hugging her family, and sharing the moment with classmates. Videos also show her and fellow graduates taking a modern version of the Hippocratic Oath, smiling and cheering as they were formally declared doctors from the class…