Author: Sharad Natani
After popular tourist spots like Thailand, Malaysia, and the Maldives, a hidden gem in the Pacific—Palau—has opened its doors to Indian travellers with 30-day visa-free entry. The tiny island nation, nestled in Micronesia, announced that Indian passport holders can now enjoy its turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs, and lush jungles without the hassle of a visa. A Paradise for Adventure Lovers Palau is a diver’s dream come true! From snorkeling in crystal-clear lagoons to swimming with harmless jellyfish in the world-famous Jellyfish Lake, the country offers some of the planet’s most untouched natural wonders. The stunning Rock Islands, picturesque beaches,…
As part of the government’s flagship initiative POSHAN Abhiyaan, the Minister of State for Corporate Affairs and Road, Transport & Highways, Shri Harsh Malhotra, distributed 500 nutrition kits to beneficiaries at Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalya, Krishna Nagar, Delhi. The event emphasized the government’s ongoing commitment to eradicating malnutrition and promoting holistic child and maternal health. Strengthening Nutrition for a Healthier India Addressing the gathering, Shri Harsh Malhotra underlined POSHAN Abhiyaan as the Modi Government’s dedicated effort to combat India’s malnutrition challenges, promote child growth, and ensure a healthy and productive future generation. “POSHAN Abhiyaan has sparked a national Jan Andolan, driving…
In a surprising move to engage the public in shaping its future, OYO’s founder Ritesh Agarwal has invited global suggestions for a new corporate brand name, offering a prize of Rs 3 lakh to the winning entry. The announcement was made via Agarwal’s official Instagram handle, sparking excitement across startup and tech communities. This unique crowdsourcing initiative comes as OYO’s parent firm, Oravel Stays, prepares for a major rebranding exercise ahead of its upcoming IPO. What’s the Task? The company is not renaming the consumer-facing OYO hotel chain but the corporate umbrella brand that governs its various global ventures. The…
In a major development for India’s digital future, Elon Musk’s Starlink has received official approval to launch its satellite-based internet services in the country. With this move, the world’s richest man is ready to enter the Indian telecom battlefield, taking on heavyweights like Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio and Sunil Mittal’s Airtel. This approval positions Starlink as the third player to receive a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) services license from India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT), following OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications. What is Starlink and Why It Matters Starlink, a satellite broadband initiative by SpaceX, aims to revolutionize…
In a world where businesses were shutting down and jobs were vanishing, two young sisters from Ghaziabad — Anuja Gupta and Prataksha Gupta — decided to take a leap of faith. With just Rs 1 lakh in hand and a deep belief in their craft, they started a humble chikankari clothing brand from their small 750 sq. ft. home. Today, their label ‘Chaukat’ is valued at over Rs 5 crore, inspiring countless women across India. A Brand Born in Lockdown In February 2020, right before COVID-19 changed the world, the sisters launched Chaukat with just 40 pieces of chikankari clothing…
In a remarkable turnaround, India has achieved a dramatic fall in extreme poverty — from 27.1% in 2011–12 to just 5.3% in 2022–23, according to the latest World Bank data. This means around 269 million (26.9 crore) Indians have been lifted out of extreme poverty in just over a decade. Key Highlights: People living in extreme poverty: 344.47 million (2011–12) ➝ 75.24 million (2022–23) At $2.15/day poverty line: 205.93 million ➝ 33.66 million Rural poverty: 18.4% ➝ 2.8% Urban poverty: 10.7% ➝ 1.1% Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI): Fell from 53.8% (2005–06) to 15.5% (2022–23) Top Contributor States: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra,…