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.
Times of India's Edit Page team comprises senior journalists with wide-ranging interests who debate and opine on the news and issues of the day. Over time, govts' failure to improve Delhi's air quality is bound to impact its economic primacy About three weeks ago, Delhi govt told NGT it was implementing its 21-point winter action plan involving about 30 govt depts to mitigate air pollution. It would be laughable were the situation not so serious. Yesterday, Delhi's AQI shot to over 490 on a scale of 500 at 26 of Delhi's 37 monitoring stations - even though personal diesel vehicles were off the road, ordinary residents' construction works were halted, and schools were in from-home mode. Discomfort even inside houses - air filters gave up - and rising hospital admissions of respiratory distress cases nailed Delhi-NCR authorities' false promises. Or, perhaps, no solution's working. Given NCR's suffering year after year going into decades, what's clear is world's fifth largest economy's capital is slow-motion self-destructing. All thanks to petty politics, fragmented authority and even an identity crisis as national capital region. 'NCR', is an urban broth with many cooks. Pollution is an NCR problem - three state govts, one UT govt, and the Centre via LG cannot work together to get a handle on the issue. Year after year, we get granular data on air toxins, fights and claims and counterclaims on causes and so-called solutions. When govts choose to be blind to ordinary citizens' misery, they should know that as Delhi rapidly becomes unliveable, the infra push for more industry, investment, more airports, more 'prosperity' can quickly turn unviable. Delhi NCR is India's most prosperous. Its per capita is 2.5 times higher than the rest of India. A WRI-India report cites its credit deposit ratio (0.86), higher than rest of India's (0.76) in 2019-20 to talk of Delhi NCR's economic primacy. Per capita credit advanced in Delhi-NCR increased from ₹0.4mn (2001-02) to ₹2.5mn (2011-12) to ₹3.4mn (2019-20). But, prosperity brings with it a demand for quality of life. Moderate and better air days were barely 200 in 2023.
Mumbai: The birth of three penguin chicks at Mumbai's Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo has sparked an unexpected row not over their care, but their names. BJP functionary Nitin Bankar from the Byculla Assembly constituency has objected to the chicks being given English names, insisting they be named in Marathi instead. The BMC is expected to respond by June 10, after which Bankar will decide his next move. Speaking to The Free Press Journal, Bankar said, "When penguins were brought from abroad, we accepted that their names would be in English. But these chicks were born on the soil of M ...Read More >
Delhi's air pollution continues to worsen, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) hitting a hazardous 490, despite the government's 21-point plan to tackle the issue. The city’s residents are struggling to breathe, even indoors, and hospitals are overwhelmed with patients facing respiratory problems. The pollution crisis is exacerbated by the lack of cooperation among Delhi and neighboring states, and the central government, with each blaming the other. This pollution not only threatens public health but also jeopardizes Delhi's economic future, as it could drive away professionals and harm business ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The Indian Medical Association (IMA), Haryana, to suspend Ayushman Bharat scheme services across the state from February 3, citing pending government reimbursements amounting to Rs 400 crore. "We have been again approached by all empanelled hospitals of Haryana to act on their behalf and inform you that if following demands are not met soon, they will be forced to suspend Ayushman services from 3rd February 2025," a statement released by the association read. Approximately 1,300 hospitals in Haryana, including 600 private facilities, are empaneled under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. ...Read More >
New Delhi: Ahead of the wedding of Jeet Adani, the younger son of billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani, the Adani family has announced 'Mangal Seva', a program to support newly married women with disabilities. To begin with, every year, 500 such women will be provided financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each. At his home, just two days before his own wedding, Jeet Adani met 21 newly married divyang women and their husbands to launch this initiative. Jeet is set to tie the knot with Diva Shah on 7 February 2025 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. In line with his social philosophy सेवा साधना है, सेवा प्र ...Read More >
Bengaluru: A massive investment scam using a fake app named Trump Hotel Rental has duped over 800 investors across Karnataka, with more than 200 filing complaints after collectively losing nearly Rs 2 crore. The app, which used AI-generated videos and images of former US President Donald Trump to appear legitimate, has now been taken down. Authorities say the fraud operated for at least 5-6 months before being exposed. AI-Backed Scam Promised Sky-High Returns According to cybercrime officials, the now-defunct app lured users with fake promises of remote job opportunities and lucrative inves ...Read More >
Aizawl, June 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) All the government and private schools in Mizoram remained closed on Monday due to heavy rains that triggered landslides, rockfalls, and waterlogging in different parts of the mountainous state, officials said. A senior official of the School Education Department said that Deputy Commissioners of all 11 districts issued separate notifications closing the schools on Monday as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of the students. After the beginning of the current spell of heavy rain, earlier, schools were closed across the state for two days on May 29 a ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 7 (ANI): In view of rising pollution levels, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has enforced Stage-I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR with immediate effect. The action came after Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 209, which falls under the 'Poor' category. The decision was a comprehensive review by the CAQM Sub-Committee, which convened on Saturday and reviewed the air quality scenario in the region, as well as the IMD/IITM forecasts and air quality index of Delhi comprehensively. 'The AQI of Delhi has shown an increa ...Read More >
TARC Limited announced today that it has sold 50 per cent of its TARC ISHVA residential project, valued at ₹1,350 crore, just two months after its launch in September 2024. The luxury residential development on Golf Course Extension Road in Gurugram's Sector 63A spans 1.35 million square feet and offers four-side open residences with Aravali Hills views. The shares of TARC Limited were trading at ₹212 up by ₹6.29 or 3.06 per cent on the NSE today at 11.57 am. Amar Sarin, Managing Director & CEO, highlighted the project's success, attributing it to the company's customer-centric strategy and ...Read More >
Indoor plants not only enhance the aesthetics of your home but also offer health benefits like air purification and stress reduction. Low-maintenance options such as the Nurturing Green Lucky Bamboo, Ugaoo Golden Money Plant, and HOMES Spider Plant thrive in various light conditions and are easy to care for. Plants like the Brazil Healthy Brazilian Plant and Amulya Purifying Indoor Plant are perfect for beginners and help create a fresh, calming atmosphere. Choosing plants that suit your space and lifestyle ensures a healthy, green environment all year round, boosting your well-being and home ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Lieutenant governor VK Saxena has given his approval to the reconstitution of Delhi Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, paving the way for govt to prepare a scheme to provide compensation to the construction workers who lost work due to the implementation of GRAP IV provisions. The board was not in place for the last couple of years. While giving his nod to its reconstitution, LG directed that immediate steps should be taken to implement Supreme Court directions to provide subsistence allowance to workers affected due to restrictions on construction activities be ...Read More >
For the second consecutive day on Monday (December 2, 2024), Delhi's air quality showed a slight improvement although it remained in the 'poor' category with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 273 in the morning. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's 24-hour average AQI on Sunday stood at 285, an improvement to the 'poor' category and a welcome relief following 32 consecutive days of 'very poor' and 'severe' air quality (AQI over 400). The city's air quality was last recorded in the 'poor' category on October 29 with an AQI of 268, according to the CPCB. Farm fires ris ...Read More >
Delhi residents breathed easier Thursday as air quality improved to 'moderate' after a month of severe pollution. The AQI dropped to 161, though some areas still experienced 'poor' air quality. Cooler temperatures and mist accompanied the improved air, with the minimum temperature reaching 9 degrees Celsius. The Supreme Court maintained GRAP-IV restrictions, demanding compensation for construction workers from NCR states.Residents in Delhi took a sigh of relief on Thursday as the air quality inde ...Read More >
New Delhi: The BS3 petrol and BS4 diesel vehicle ban has been lifted in Delhi after the Air Quality Index (AQI) improved to the moderate category. The Supreme Court allowed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to ease restrictions due to the improvement in the national capital's air pollution situation. Delhi had been facing high pollution levels, which led CAQM to enforce Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The court has now asked the commission to apply GRAP Stage 2. ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Delhi recorded its lowest minimum temperature of the winter season on Wednesday, with the mercury plunging to 4.9 degrees Celsius, a sharp drop from 8 degrees Celsius the previous day. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated, "The minimum temperature of 4.9 degrees Celsius reported over Safdarjung is the lowest minimum of this winter season. The same minimum temperature of 4.9 degrees Celsius was reported last year also on 15th December." The coldest minimum temperature ever recorded at the Safdarjung station was 0.0 degrees Celsius on December 27, 1930, according to the ...Read More >
Allu Arjun is one of the biggest names in the Telugu film industry. The mass hero enjoys a massive fan following because of his charismatic screen presence and engaging performances. He is currently in the limelight because of Pushpa 2, which hit the screens on December 5 and opened to an earth-shattering response at the box office. Amid this, a photo of Bunny from a wedding has become the talk of the town. Allu Arjun, the star of films such as DJ and Pushpa, recently attended a wedding in Hyder ...Read More >
New Delhi: Three Indian citizens vanished mysteriously in Tehran. Darkness closed in as hope seemed lost. A ruthless Pakistani gang with potential links to ISI snatched them away, casting a shadow of fear. But relentless Indian diplomats refused to back down. Against all odds, a daring rescue mission ignited. Now, the captives are free, and a chilling game of espionage comes to light. The Punjab-based trio - Amritpal Singh from Hoshiarpur, Jaspal Singh from SBS Nagar and Hushnapreet Singh from Sangrur - had landed in Iran on May 1. Promised a clandestine route to Australia via Dubai and Tehra ...Read More >
Delhi is facing worsening pollution and erratic weather patterns, with the air quality regularly reaching dangerous levels. This is partly due to climate change, with temperature rises and unpredictable rainfall patterns caused by global warming. The industrial revolution has played a significant role, contributing to the rise in global temperatures. The effects are already being felt, with 2024 witnessing record-breaking heat in India. Despite this, there is little action from society or leadership, with courts repeatedly stepping in to address issues like pollution and farm fires. The need f ...Read More >
Severe air pollution in northern India has led to a surge in demand for respiratory medications, with Foracort becoming India’s top-selling drug in October. The inhaler, used to treat asthma and COPD, recorded Rs 75 crore in sales, surpassing popular medicines like Augmentin and Glycomet-GP. Manufactured by Cipla, Foracort combines budesonide and formoterol for effective dual-action therapy. Other respiratory drugs, Duolin and Budecort, also saw increased sales. With Delhi’s Air Quality Index reaching hazardous levels, the rise in respiratory issues underscores the urgent need for better healt ...Read More >
The Supreme Court on Monday (December 2, 2024) refused to relax emergency measures under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) dealing with air pollution in the national capital till it noticed a downward trend in the AQI level. A Bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih further sought the presence of the chief secretaries of NCR states to appear through video-conferencing to inform it whether or not any compensation was paid to the construction workers who were without work owing to the restrictions. Delhi air pollution: Air quality in Capital plunges to 'very po ...Read More >
India's housing market is booming, with 2024 projected to be the best year yet. Over 300,000 homes worth ₹510,000 crore are expected to be sold across the top seven cities, driven by economic growth and infrastructure improvements. Sales in the first nine months already reached nearly 230,000 homes, indicating continued robust demand and rising capital values.India's housing property market continues to remain on a strong footing, with the year 2024 expected to end as the best year ever in term ...Read More >
Thane: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad said the govt should request all laadki bahin beneficiaries to contribute Rs 50 to the state if it is unable to provide eggs to over 24 lakh govt and aided school students through their midday meal schemes due to financial constraints. Awhad made this scathing remark at the state on Friday after staging a peaceful protest at the Thane collector office, where he presented a set of sugar and eggs to the administration as a symbolic protest against the govt plan. "Govt data shows the annual cost of providing eggs to students is just ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar, June 5 (UNI) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday urged the people to resolve to end plastic pollution and maintain a healthy, clean environment. "Today, let us pledge to eliminate plastic pollution and create a healthier, cleaner environment for our citizens," Majhi said while addressing the state-level World Environment Day event. He noted that plastic has become an integral part of our lives, especially single-use plastics. Stressing that plastic waste must be ad ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Former head of Air India and chairman of the Railway Board Ashwani Lohani is the new Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) director. The official order for his appointment was issued on Wednesday. A 1980-batch officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineering (IRSME), Lohani is known for turning around various organisations during his illustrious career. Following his retirement from IRSME service, he joined the GMR Group as the CEO. According to the order dated June 4, his appointment to the post of director, Prime Ministers Museum and Library in the rank and pa ...Read More >
New Delhi: Soon, you may travel to Haridwar, Ayodhya, Rishikesh, Meerut and Baghpat in electric buses run by Delhi govt. Plans are in place to roll out 100 electric inter-state buses, which will connect seventeen routes to the national capital.A senior official of Delhi Transport Corporation said that the buses would cover areas between 250 and 300 km from the city. The routes are also likely to include Shimla, Lucknow, Aligarh and Jaipur. The decision was taken during a DTC board meeting on Friday.Transport minister Pankaj Singh said, "These electric buses will strengthen Delhi's connectivity ...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 >
New Delhi, Nov 28 (PTI) Coworking firm Incuspaze, which provides managed flexible office spaces to corporates, is looking to raise USD 25 million (over ₹210 crore) to expand its business across major cities before planning to launch its Initial Public Offer (IPO). Established in 2016, Incuspaze has a presence in 44 locations across 18 cities with a total portfolio of 40 lakh square feet. "We plan to add another 2 million (20 lakh) square feet in our portfolio by the end of December 2025," Incuspaze founder and CEO Sanjay Choudhary told PTI. In view of the growing demand for flexible workspa ...Read More >
New Delhi, January 31: The unveiling of the Economic Survey on Friday sets the stage for Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to present the Union Budget for 2025-26 in Parliament on Saturday (February 1), which is expected to continue the government's policy of giving a big push to economic growth with equity. The government has prioritised improving the quality of life in rural areas to ensure equitable and inclusive development, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25. The survey highlights financial inclusion as a key focus, with rural households and small businesses getting easier access ...Read More >
Delhi's air quality continues to deteriorate with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 304, falling under the "very poor" category. Several areas, including Anand Vihar, Jahangirpuri, and Mundka, reported severe pollution levels, significantly impacting visibility and health. The National Capital Region (NCR) also saw poor air quality, with areas like Noida and Ghaziabad in the "poor" range. The Supreme Court upheld restrictions under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to curb pollution. Authorities urge residents to limit outdoor activities and take health precautions as smo ...Read More >
New Delhi: The national capital and its neighbouring regions woke up to a dense fog which led to poor visibility in the early hours. The reduced visibility due to dense fog around the Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport led to disruptions in flight operations across the region. As per a report by FlightRadar24, Delhi Airport saw cancellations of four flights due to dense fog and low visibility. In addition to this, 118 flights departing from Delhi Airport and 39 flights scheduled for arrival were delayed on Wednesday morning. The airport authorities also informed the flyers that ...Read More >
New Delhi, May 19 (PTI) Godrej Properties has bought 14 land parcels across major cities to build housing projects with revenue potential of about Rs 26,500 crore in the last fiscal year and will continue to acquire more land to grow its business, its Chairperson Pirojsha Godrej said. The company bought these land parcels, all outright, in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Pune, Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Indore. In an interview with PTI, Pirojsha Godrej said, "Last financial year, we added about Rs 26,500 crore worth of new projects, as against the guidance of Rs 20,000 cr ...Read More >