Author: Sharad Natani
Not every day does someone trade a high-paying job at a global tech giant for a chance to serve the nation. But for Rahul Kumar Lodha, the decision to leave IBM and prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Exam wasn’t just about career change — it was about purpose, grit, and the belief that real change happens from within the system. A Life-Changing Challenge In 2010, Rahul was working at IBM and enjoying the life many engineers dream of. But during a casual conversation, a friend challenged him: “Stop criticizing the system from the outside. If you want to change…
In a landmark moment for India’s industrial and defence diplomacy, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate India’s first overseas defence manufacturing facility in Casablanca, Morocco, during his three-day official visit from September 21 to 23. The move marks a historic expansion of India’s defence footprint and signals the rise of India as a global manufacturing hub for strategic technology. India Steps Onto the Global Defence Stage The facility, set up by Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) in collaboration with Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces, will initially assemble the state-of-the-art Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8×8 vehicles. Over time, it will expand into…
India’s ambitious Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train project has crossed a historic milestone. On Saturday, engineers achieved a major breakthrough by completing excavation of a 4.8-km stretch of India’s first undersea tunnel, connecting Mumbai and Thane beneath the city’s creek. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who visited the site, called it a “landmark achievement in India’s infrastructure journey” and said the development puts the country on the global map of high-speed rail innovation. A Mega Engineering Feat The tunnel, part of a larger 21-km undersea corridor, is being built by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) using state-of-the-art technology inspired…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a nationally televised address, unveiled GST 2.0 — a landmark reform aimed at simplifying India’s tax system, boosting small businesses, and giving consumers more value for their money. Calling it a “festival of savings,” the Prime Minister framed GST 2.0 not just as a policy change but as a national movement to support Indian-made products and strengthen the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. Simpler, Transparent, and Consumer-Friendly The revamped Goods and Services Tax regime has reduced the existing four tax slabs to just two, streamlining compliance and eliminating confusion for businesses. PM Modi…
In a bold step towards bridging India’s toughest connectivity gaps, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has unveiled a cutting-edge satellite phone that works without any cell towers, bringing calls, internet, and even UPI payments to the remotest corners of the country. The device, IsatPhone 2, developed by global satellite leader Inmarsat, is now available in India exclusively through BSNL. Priced at about ₹90,000, this rugged device is aimed at security personnel, disaster management teams, mountaineers, and anyone operating in areas where mobile networks fail. Key Features That Change the Game Calls & SOS Messaging: Make emergency calls or send SOS…
In a riveting piece of numismatic history, rare Indian banknotes over a century old—once lost in the ill-fated shipwreck of SS Shirala—have resurfaced and fetched hefty sums at a London auction. These notes, fresh from a cargo long forgotten, are now prized as relics, their journey from disaster to desirability capturing imaginations across the world. The Story Behind the Notes What Happened: The SS Shirala was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat in 1918 during World War I. On board were shipments including freshly printed Indian rupee notes. Thought lost forever, parts of the cargo washed ashore years later.…