India's economic engine is revving up, but navigating the global headwinds requires sharp strategy. The rupee's recent volatility against the dollar underscores the complexities facing Indian businesses, impacting everything from import-export trade to domestic inflation. This week alone, we've seen significant shifts in the IT sector, with major players announcing restructuring and a renewed focus on AI-driven solutions. Meanwhile, the burgeoning startup ecosystem continues to attract substantial funding, despite a cautious global investor sentiment. The government's recent policy announcements on infrastructure development and digitalization are poised to further shape the business landscape, creating both opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs and established corporations alike. Understanding these market dynamics is crucial for success in today's rapidly evolving Indian economy. Stay informed with Abtak.com for the latest insights and analysis on key sectors including finance, manufacturing, and technology – empowering your business decisions in a dynamic market. Explore the complete business news section now to stay ahead of the curve.
NEW DELHI, India: Birkenstock is stepping up its efforts to protect its iconic sandals in India, as local legal representatives conducted court-ordered raids on factories suspected of producing fakes. The German shoemaker is pursuing legal action to counter growing counterfeit activity tied to its popular footwear. According to people familiar with the matter, court-appointed lawyers recently inspected several small-scale factories in India to seize suspected counterfeit Birkenstock products. The move comes after Birkenstock filed a trademark infringement lawsuit in the Delhi High Court in May, naming four traders, four factories, and two unnamed individuals. The inspections follow similar intellectual property disputes involving major fashion brands in India. Earlier this month, Crocs was allowed to proceed with a long-running infringement case, while Prada has faced backlash over using sandal designs similar to traditional Indian footwear. Birkenstock's legal complaint stated that its internal investigation found fakes were being manufactured in rural regions near Agra -- home to the Taj Mahal -- and then sold domestically and exported. On May 26, Delhi judge Saurabh Banerjee issued a sealed order, now public, authorising ten local lawyers to act as court commissioners and inspect the suspected sites. The judge allowed them to "seize, pack and seal the infringing products", citing photographs submitted by Birkenstock showing imitation sandals and boxes bearing its logo. The inspections were conducted in Agra and New Delhi. Three sources confirmed that the raids are complete and confidential reports have been submitted to the court. The next hearing is scheduled for October 6. Birkenstock and its legal counsel from Lall and Sethi declined to comment on the matter, citing the ongoing litigation. Judge Banerjee, in his order, said the sample footwear reviewed in court "seem like a cheap knock off" and warned the alleged counterfeits could easily mislead buyers. "There is all likelihood of the public getting deceived ... The differences, hardly if any, are not something which can be discernible to the naked eyes," he wrote. Birkenstock sandals, once favoured by hippies and healthcare workers, gained fresh pop culture status when Margot Robbie wore pink Birkenstocks in the final scene of the 2023 hit film Barbie. The company has also faced legal battles elsewhere. In February, a German court ruled that Birkenstock sandals do not qualify as art, rejecting copyright protections. In India, Birkenstock women's footwear is priced between US$46 and $233.
India's pharmaceutical industry, valued at $50 billion, is booming as a global leader in generic drugs. With significant exports to 200+ countries, India meets a substantial portion of global demand for affordable medicine. Challenges include regulatory hurdles and quality assurance, as the nation aims to expand its generic drug market. The Indian pharmaceutical industry, currently valued at $50 billion, is playing an increasingly crucial role on the global stage. Renowned as the 'pharmacy of the world,' India's pharma sector is a major exporter, supplying essential generic drugs to over 200 ...Read More >
The Cure SMA Foundation of India has praised the government’s recent efforts to address rare diseases, including Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), with over Rs 900 crore allocated for treatment procurement. The foundation urges swift action to implement the procurement process within 45 days, following the Delhi High Court’s directive. SMA, a life-threatening genetic disease, has limited treatment access in India. While the drug Risdiplam has brought hope, collaborative efforts are needed to ensure wider availability. Experts stress the importance of a holistic approach to SMA care, citing Kerala ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Italian luxury couture label shocked the desi fans after they featured at least seven of the 56 runway looks featuring sandals that bear a striking resemblance to traditional Indian Kolhapuri Chappals - without any credit. After facing backlash over it, Prada has finally acknowleged that the footwear pieces featured in its Men's 2026 Spring/Summer show in Milan, were inspired by the traditional Indian handcrafted pieces made in specific districts of Maharashtra and Karnataka. In an exclusive response to NDTV, the Prada Group Press Office mentioned, "At Prada Group, we have alwa ...Read More >
Speaking at IIT Bombay's Techfest 2024, Mr Adani, the 27-year old younger son of infrastructure magnate Gautam Adani, said the future of technology is both scary and exciting. India cannot stay out of global technological race, said Jeet Adani. Mumbai: India cannot stay out of global technological race and should build capabilities that will keep it at the top while remaining vigilant against its misuse, said Jeet Adani, Director, Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. Speaking at IIT Bombay's Techfest ...Read More >
VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed the officials to develop 'Visakha Economic Region' as the growth engine of Andhra Pradesh, with an aim to transforming it into a USD 120 billion economic region by 2032. He emphasised the need to develop Visakhapatnam on the lines of Mumbai in the next seven years. The Economic Region consists of eight districts including Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, Anakapalli, Kakinada, East Godavari, ASR, and Manyam. The Chief Minister instructed officials to develop projects that would boost economic activity across this eight-distri ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 27 (PTI) JSW Paints, part of USD 23 billion JSW Group, on Friday said it will acquire majority controlling stake in Akzo Nobel India Ltd (ANIL), the maker of Dulux paints, for Rs 8,986 crore. It will acquire 74.76 per cent stake from its Dutch promoters/holding entities -- namely Imperial Chemical Industries and Akzo Nobel Coatings International BV -- for a consideration of Rs 8,986 crore, according to a statement from the JSW Group firm. "JSW Paints today (Friday) entered into definitive agreements to acquire up to 74.76 per cent stake in Akzo Nobel India from Akzo Nobel NV a ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 27 (PTI) Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday announced renewal of a scheme to promote registration of employers and employees to expand Employees' State Insurance (ESI) coverage across India. Originally introduced in 2016, SPREE (Scheme to Promote Registration of Employers/Employees) has facilitated the registration of over 88,000 employers and 1.02 crore employees. The renewed SPREE will be open from July 1 to December 31, 2025, offering a one-time opportunity for unregistered employers and left-out workers, including contractual and temporary staff, to enrol un ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 28 (PTI) Following the backlash after featuring footwear strongly resembling Kolhapuri chappals, Italian fashion house Prada has acknowledged that it was inspired by the Indian handcrafted footwear. "We acknowledge that the sandals featured in the recent Prada Men's 2026 Fashion Show are inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage. "We deeply recognize the cultural significance of such Indian craftsmanship," said Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, in a letter to Lalit Gandhi, president of Maharashtra Chamb ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 2 (PTI) The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the Drug Controller General of India to consult experts and relevant stakeholders in deciding a plea over drug combinations sold in the market for weight loss treatment. A bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela asked the petitioner to give a representation to the DGCI, which was asked to decide the matter within three months. Also Read | 'Janaki' Title Row: Malayalam Film Industry Holds Protest in Front of CBFC Office Against Renaming of Suresh Gopi Film. A plea filed by Jitendra Chouksey said license ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) The Indian economy is expected to grow at 6.5 per cent in the current financial year, despite geo-political tensions and trade policy uncertainties, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) Chairman S Mahendra Dev said on Tuesday. In an interview with PTI, Dev further said that domestic growth will be driven by low inflation, resulting from good monsoon and benign interest rate regime, triggered by three back-to-back rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of India. "There are significant global headwinds like the twin shocks of geo-political tensions and trade ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 28 (SocialNews.XYZ) After facing severe backlash, Italian fashion house Prada has officially admitted that the Kolhapuri Chappals, featured in the recent Prada Men's 2026 Fashion Show, is inspired by India's handcrafted footwear traditions. In a letter to Lalit Gandhi, president of Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture, Prada noted that it is "open for meaningful exchange with artisans". "We acknowledge that the sandals featured in the recent Prada Men's 2026 Fashion Show are inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old herita ...Read More >
MUMBAI/MILAN, July 2 (Reuters) - Indian footwear sellers and artisans are tapping into nationalist pride stoked by the Prada 'sandal scandal' in a bid to boost sales of ethnic slippers with history dating back to the 12th century, raising hopes of reviving a struggling craft. Sales are surging over the past week for the 'Kolhapuri' sandals that have garnered global attention after Prada sparked a controversy by showcasing similar designs in Milan, without initially crediting the footwear's origi ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 5 (PTI) Inequality in India has come down significantly between 2011-12 and 2022-23, making it the fourth-most equal country globally, according to a World Bank report. This is in addition to a sharp decrease in extreme poverty, which has dropped from 16.2 per cent in 2011-12 to 2.3 per cent in 2022-23, an official release said quoting World Bank data. The government attributed the reduction in inequality to various initiatives and schemes pursued during the last decade. The only three countries which have a better Gini Index score, a measure of equality, are the Slovak Repub ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: In a major push to position India as a global hub for traditional medicine and holistic wellness, the Government of India has launched 'Ayush Nivesh Saarthi', a dedicated investor facilitation portal for the Ayush sector. The digital platform was unveiled on May 29, 2025, during the Ayush Stakeholder and Industry Interaction Meet at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi. The portal was jointly launched by Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Ayush Minister Prataprao Jadhav, in the presence of senior government officials and global industry leaders including Ayush Secretary Vaidya Raje ...Read More >
Silchar: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday visited the flood-ravaged districts of Hailakandi and Sribhumi in the Barak Valley. He assured affected residents of providing timely disbursement of rehabilitation grants and swift repair of damaged infrastructure.This marks Sarma's second visit to the flood-hit region within four days, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Speaking to the media in Sribhumi after inspecting multiple relief camps, the CM said, "Flood-related problems may persist till July. I will return before Durga Puja to ensure that roads and infrastructure ar ...Read More >
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh is expected to witness a surge in demand for medicinal crops as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced plans to start 100-bed ayurvedic wellness centres in every district and establish AYUSH colleges in six underserved divisions, officials said.The CM announced the expansion of AYUSH services across the state during the inauguration of Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath AYUSH University in Gorakhpur on Tuesday."The vision will give a push to holistic healthcare and rural growth by boosting the demand for medicinal crops. This will enhance farmers' incomes and create jobs acr ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jul 4 (PTI) A PIL has been filed in the Bombay High Court against Italian fashion house Prada for its alleged unauthorised use of the Kolhapuri chappals, and sought compensation to be paid to Indian artisans for allegedly copying their design. Prada in its spring/summer collection showcased their 'toe-ring sandals', which the petition said are deceptively similar to the Kolhapur chappal. These sandals are priced at Rs 1 lakh per pair. "The Kolhapuri chappal is the cultural symbol of Maharashtra," the plea filed by six Pune-based lawyers said. The petition has been filed against the ...Read More >
Chennai: Preliminary investigations attribute the fire on the goods train near Tiruvallur to a possible spark from overhead electrical equipment (OHE) igniting fuel leaking from a derailed wagon.The incident paralysed services on the busy Chennai-Arakkonam route and left nearby residents engulfed in thick black smoke. The disruption left thousands of rail passengers stranded, many of whom were unable to get updates as railway helplines went unanswered for hours. The train carrying diesel from Chennai Harbour to Walajah Road Siding was exiting Tiruvallur station around 5.30am on Sunday, when a ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) Mahindra & Mahindra on Tuesday said it is in discussions with InterGlobe Aviation, which owns IndiGo airlines, to find an amicable solution regarding a trademark issue over the use of "6e" in its all-new electric model. The automaker, which introduced two electric brands -- BE 6e and XEV 9e -- earlier this month, said its trademark 'BE 6e' differs from IndiGo's '6E', eliminating any risk of confusion. IndiGo uses 6E as the airline designator code. "We have taken on board the concerns that InterGlobe Aviation Ltd have to infringement of their goodwill, which was not ou ...Read More >
Mumbai, July 7: After Kareena Kapoor, veteran actress Neena Gupta took to social media to call out luxury brand Prada for allegedly copying the traditional Kolhapuri chappal design. Taking to Instagram, the 'Metro In Dino' actress posted a video where she flaunted a handmade pair of Kolhapuris gifted to her by the late Laxmikant Berde. In the clip, Gupta could be heard saying, "So, these Kolhapur slippers are in great demand these days. So, once I did something with Laxmikant Berde. I don't remember what it was. So, I asked him, can you get me these slippers from Kolhapur? He said, yes. So, h ...Read More >
Nagpur: Warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj belonged to the entire country, but British history tried to confine him as a regional icon, said BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi, who was in Nagpur on Friday to attend an event marking the 351st anniversary of Shivaji Maharaj's coronation. Trivedi told TOI at the event organized by Shivaji Maharaj Kruti Samiti that Shivaji Maharaj's contribution in 'safeguarding' the southern part of India from Mughal invasion must not be forgotten.Trivedi said, "Shivaji Maharaj belonged to all of us, entire country. Unfortunately, the British p ...Read More >
Madurai: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday chaired the core committee meeting of Tamil Nadu BJP unit here and said that the people of the state are fed up with the "massive corruption" of the DMK government. The BJP top leader was in the temple city to review the preparedness of the party to face the Tamil Nadu Assembly election next year and devise a strategy to fight polls. "The people of Tamil Nadu are fed up with the massive corruption of the DMK govt. The BJP Karyakartas will reach out to every locality, neighborhood, and home with Modi Ji-led NDA's vision for a prosperous and deve ...Read More >
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said the quality of police investigation has decreased and it needs to be improved. "Although it is a matter of relief that the crime rate in the state has decreased, the quality of police investigation has decreased, and this needs to be improved," Karnataka CM said. He gave these instructions after holding a meeting of senior police officers and a progress review meeting of the police department at the office of the State Director General of Police. He mentioned that although the accused in the robbery case in Bidar is known, he h ...Read More >
Mumbai: Prada could well partner with Indian artisans if it were to decide to produce and commercialise its Kolhapuri chappal-inspired line of men's sandals, the Italian luxury house said. A spokesperson for Prada Group said it "is already in the process of setting up next steps with the relevant parties and supply chain in the event the sandals were to be commercialised. In fact, the entire collection is currently at an early stage of design development and none of the pieces are confirmed to be produced." Lalit Gandhi, president of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agricultu ...Read More >
ITANAGAR, 2 Jul: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Wednesday claimed that the frontier state holds the distinction of being India's largest carbon sink, an ecological powerhouse playing a pivotal role in combating climate change and aiding the country's march toward net-zero emissions. In a social media post as part of his administration's 'Pema 3.0 - Year of Ref-orms and Growth' campaign, Khandu highlighted that Arunachal Pradesh contributes a remarkable 14.38 percent to India's total carbon sequestration. With an impressive 79 percent forest cover, the state currently boasts a carbon stock of ...Read More >
Mumbai: A public interest litigation filed in Bombay high court seeks reliefs against Italian luxury fashion label Prada after it showcased open-toe leather sandals at the recent Milan Fashion Week that are "deceptively similar" to the Kolhapuri chappal."The Kolhapuri chappal is the cultural symbol of Maharashtra and has special public sentiments attached to it. The act of copying and misrepresenting this craft in international markets effectively amounts to depriving local artisans of rightful recognition and credit for their work, who have preserved and practised this traditional art form fo ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], February 7 (ANI): The Delhi High Court on Friday ruled against the use of logos and images related to Ratan Tata and Tata Trusts, acknowledging that Tata is a well-known trademark and that the late Ratan Tata is a prominent figure deserving of name protection. Justice Mini Pushkarna's bench, while hearing a lawsuit filed by the Sir Ratan Tata Trust and Tata Sons Pvt Ltd issued an injunction against Rajat Srivastava, who had been planning to organize an award ceremony named the 'Ratan Tata Icon Award.' According to the lawsuit, the defendants, despite being notified, choose ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 28 (PTI) The humble kolhapuri, style statement for affordable ethnic elegance and simply staple wear for many, catapulted to the rarefied runways of Milan with Prada rebranding the handcrafted chappal "leather flat sandals" at Rs 1.2 lakh. The outrage was instant and intense. That the GI-tagged footwear, a symbol of Indian craft that goes back centuries was appropriated by the Italian luxury label which featured it in Spring/Summer 2026 show, led to a massive debate on cultural theft and giving artisans their rightful due. "I am deeply annoyed and disgusted by the way Prada ha ...Read More >
Hyderabad: Kolhapuri chappals, the traditional handcrafted leather footwear from Maharashtra, are poised for a resurgence after Prada rebranded the flat leather sandals at Rs 1.2 lakh during the Spring/Summer 2026 Milan menswear show inspired by the iconic sandals. The GI-tagged footwear, a symbol of Indian craft that goes back centuries was appropriated by the Italian luxury label. It led to a massive debate on cultural theft and giving artisans their rightful due. The global spotlight has sparked fresh interest in Hyderabad, where clusters of Kolhapuri outlets line Abids, the Old City near ...Read More >
Jaipur: Two workers died while five others are feared trapped after soil caved in during pipeline excavation work in Rajasthan's Bharatpur on Sunday morning, police said. According to officials, some labourers were filling a 10-foot-deep trench dug to lay a pipeline near Jangi ka Nagla village when the soil caved in. Twelve workers got trapped under the soil. Upon hearing the cries, other labourers and project staff started rescue attempts, but the depth and heaviness of the soil made immediate efforts difficult, they said. District administration, police and disaster management teams reach ...Read More >