News

Fashion magazines are highlighting beat-up bags as the latest luxury. However, this trend involves new bags designed to look old, a practice that contradicts sustainability. The luxury market is selling an illusion of authenticity and effortlessness. This manufactured imperfection contrasts with true wear and tear that signifies history and personal style.

An insured driver learns his long-standing motor policy wont be renewed despite a minor claim. Experts reveal how insurers rely on broad risk decisions, poor data use, and arbitrary practices, leaving customers helpless.

Stories captivate us more than facts. The Ramayana exists in many forms, each offering a unique perspective. Some versions present contradictory accounts of events, much like Kurosawa's film Rashomon. The article imagines a 'Bharatayan' where Bharat rules Ayodhya competently, laying foundations for Ram Rajya. This counterfactual highlights the power of alternative narratives.

At St Paul's School in the scenic hills of Darjeeling, a chapel stands as a memorial to students who gave their lives in the World Wars, their names etched in bronze plaques. Reflecting on this sacred site, I find myself grappling with the fading echoes of their heroism amidst today's more perfunctory tributes.

Delhi faces a severe pollution crisis demanding bold reforms beyond just smog. The city is shifting towards electric transport, aiming for high EV adoption by 2030. Governance and economic activity also need rebalancing. Relocating government institutions and wholesale markets can reduce density and emissions. These changes will ease Delhi's pressure and promote balanced regional growth.

Google's Gemini 3 launch highlights a significant, yet often overlooked, AI advancement: reduced user effort. New models increasingly understand user intent with less explicit instruction, moving beyond the need for precise prompts. This shift allows for more natural interaction, making AI feel lighter and more intuitive for everyday use.

By sidelining individuals with disabilities from the job market, India is sacrificing a vital portion of its GDP. Despite financial commitments, the challenge of accessing proper assistive devices persists. Many international companies tailor their products for affluent regions, neglecting the specific requirements of India.

India is taking a significant step towards economic revitalization by easing a number of Quality Control Orders (QCOs) that have been affecting sectors such as chemicals, mining, textiles, and steel. This policy shift aims to foster a more open trading environment, cutting down on costs for producers and addressing supply chain challenges that have largely impacted MSMEs.

Multinational companies are listing their Indian subsidiaries at a rapid pace. This trend is driven by higher valuations in India compared to global markets. Investors are keen to participate in these listings. This phenomenon is creating significant value for both Indian and global shareholders. Policymakers should encourage these listings for greater economic benefit.

In the face of tightening sanctions on Russian oil, India is artfully balancing its energy needs with the complexities of global politics. Moving away from budget-friendly Russian crudea crucial element in keeping fuel prices stableIndia is embracing a gradual transition towards diverse energy sources.

India must create a special listing framework for research-stage companies on its stock exchanges. This will unlock capital for biotech and drug innovation. Hong Kong's success with a similar system shows the potential. This move will help retain talent and intellectual property within India. It is a strategic imperative for future growth.

India's agriculture faces challenges from waste, climate, and market volatility. To build resilience, structural reforms are needed. These include commercializing agriculture through corporate and contract farming, expanding exports of processed goods, and spreading eNAM for better market access. Restoring commodity futures trading and popularizing warehouse receipt financing will empower farmers.

The global economic order is shifting towards a multipolar world, with Asia, Africa, and Latin America increasingly leading growth. India is a pivotal driver in this rebalanced order, demonstrating scale, innovation, and purpose. Its partnerships will focus on mutual development and co-creation, positioning India to lead the South's rise.

The recently established labor codes pave the way for gig workers to access social security, but the real challenge is ensuring these laws are enforced. Unions are called to pivot with the tides of globalization and tech innovation, rethinking their approaches to defend workers' rights and promote societal growth.

A proposed $1 lakh H-1B entry fee, intended to protect American jobs, is instead increasing costs for employers and weakening US competitiveness in tech and healthcare. Data show a decline in unemployment for skilled workers, contradicting the rationale for the fee. This policy risks driving jobs and talent abroad, harming innovation and ordinary Americans.

Since the Chinese choke on rare earth exports, billions are getting poured into alternative supply sources, technology and deals involving companies as diverse as Apple, Amazon, Daido Steel to ABB and Honda. Indian companies and policy makers need to desperately catch up. The PLI policy is still not ready seven months after the Beijing crackdown

India has emerged as the frontrunner in global cryptocurrency adoption for the third consecutive year. This marks a transformative chapter in Web3 development, emphasizing the deployment of functional blockchain technologies.