Author: Sharad Natani
In a major push to strengthen its presence in one of the fastest-growing AI markets, ChatGPT-maker OpenAI has confirmed it will set up its first India office in the capital, New Delhi. This marks a milestone in the company’s global expansion strategy, as India already stands as OpenAI’s second-largest market by users—and could soon become its largest. The office is expected to open later this year, with OpenAI actively hiring a local team to support its operations in the country. “Opening our first office and building a local team is an important first step in our commitment to make advanced…
In a historic step for India’s space ambitions, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday unveiled the first model of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) during the National Space Day celebrations at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. With the unveiling, India has officially set its sights on joining an elite group of nations operating orbital laboratories, alongside the US-led International Space Station (ISS) and China’s Tiangong Station. India’s Home-Built Space Station by 2028 ISRO announced that the first module of the BAS, named BAS-01, will be launched by 2028. Weighing 10 tonnes and orbiting at an altitude of 450 km,…
With gold prices hitting record highs and weighing heavily on Indian buyers, the Government of India has introduced a game-changing option: 9K gold (375 ppt). The move, approved under the BIS hallmarking standards, is expected to make gold more accessible to middle-class households, young buyers, and rural consumers who have been priced out of the market. Why 9K Gold, And Why Now? Gold sales in India, the world’s largest consumer of the yellow metal, witnessed a steep 60% drop in June 2025 after international tariffs pushed rates to historic levels. To revive demand, the government officially recognised 9K gold as…
Renowned NRI industrialist and philanthropist Lord Swraj Paul, founder of the UK-based Caparo Group, passed away in London at the age of 94 on Thursday evening. Surrounded by family during his final moments, his demise marks the end of an extraordinary life dedicated to industry, philanthropy, and public service. From Jalandhar to the House of Lords Born in Jalandhar, Punjab, Lord Paul moved to the United Kingdom in the 1960s seeking treatment for his daughter Ambika, who was battling cancer. Though Ambika tragically passed away at the age of four, her memory inspired him to establish the Ambika Paul Foundation,…
What if your next pair of shoes or handbag was made from tomatoes instead of animal hide? For 26-year-old innovator Pritesh Mistry, that’s no longer a futuristic idea but a reality. His startup, The Bio Company (TBC), is transforming tomato waste into Bioleather — a vegan, biodegradable alternative to animal leather. The innovation, which has already bagged the Best Innovation in Textile Award at the PETA Vegan Fashion Awards 2021, is changing the way we look at food waste and sustainable fashion. Why Tomatoes? India produces nearly 44 million tonnes of tomatoes annually, but around 30-35% goes to waste. Instead…
Few bureaucrats dare to challenge politicians openly, but Gyanesh Kumar, India’s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), has carved a reputation for standing firm in the face of political fire. A 1988-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, Kumar is currently steering the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar, despite opposition resistance, Supreme Court challenges, and public threats from senior leaders like Rahul Gandhi. Accused of “voter list manipulation” (vote chori in opposition parlance), Kumar has not only denied the charges but boldly invited his critics to prove them in court—or face prosecution. “India’s voter list process is among the most rigorous…