Blog

12 Sep

UPI processed 24.5 billion transactions worth Rs 29.8 lakh crore in August: NPCI chairman

Business BureauBusiness

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) Non-Executive Chairman and Independent Director Ajay Kumar Choudhary said India’s financial infrastructure is entering a new phase driven by artificial intelligence, programmable transactions and stronger digital trust. Delivering the keynote address at the 7th Global FinTech Fest (GFF) 2026, Choudhary said the next generation of financial infrastructure must be capable of understanding intent, coordinating value, withstanding emerging threats and ensuring inclusion. Marking 10 years of UPI, he said the platform processed more than 24.5 billion transactions worth Rs 29.8 lakh crore in August 2026 through 752 participating banks. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s…

11 Sep

JFD threatens statewide shutdown over NRC demand in Manipur

ParomitaManipur

The Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) announced plans for a statewide shutdown of Central and State government offices from September 11 if the Centre fails to accept its demand for updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur, using 1951 as the base year. Addressing a press conference at the Citizens Club in Soibam Leikai, JFD Convenor Jeetendra Ningomba said the organisation and the people of Manipur had been demanding an update of the NRC for a long time, followed by the Census exercise, with 1951 retained as the base year. He said the JFD had set…

11 Sep

Myanmar Airport Operations Halted for Two Days Following Suicide Drone Attack by Rebels

sunnyInternational

Myanmar’s Tada-U International Airport in the Mandalay region has been closed for two days after six FPV suicide drones carrying explosives targeted the airport and surrounding areas. The attack took place on Thursday afternoon and caused brief disruptions to some domestic flights. AFP, citing security sources, reported that the drones were detected before reaching their intended targets. Security forces used air-defence and counter-drone systems to intercept them, while the explosives carried by the drones were subsequently neutralised safely. The attack did not reportedly result in any casualties or damage to vehicles, airport runways or other major infrastructure. Despite the limited…

11 Sep

SBI-Led Banking Consortium Approves $3.5 Billion Debt Financing for Vodafone Idea

nanikaBusiness

A consortium of Indian lenders led by the State Bank of India (SBI) has agreed to extend approximately $3.5 billion (₹29,000+ crore) in debt financing to Vodafone Idea Ltd. (Vi) to support the cash-strapped telecom operator’s business turnaround. According to sources familiar with the matter, the banking group also includes Union Bank of India Ltd. and the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID). The loss-making operator—India’s third-largest wireless provider by subscribers—intends to utilize the 10-year loan package to upgrade its network infrastructure and improve market competitiveness against top rivals Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. and Bharti Airtel Ltd. The…

11 Sep

‘Sisters and Brothers of America’: Assam CM Recalls Vivekananda’s Historic Chicago Address

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday, September 11, remembered Swami Vivekananda on the anniversary of his historic address at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago in 1893, highlighting the enduring relevance of his message of tolerance, acceptance and harmony. In a post on X, Sarma recalled Vivekananda’s iconic opening words, “Sisters and Brothers of America,” which drew the attention of the audience and marked the beginning of his address at the global religious gathering. Sarma said Vivekananda’s speech introduced the core principles of Sanatana Dharma to the Western world and conveyed a message of universal tolerance…

10 Sep

Pema Khandu Reiterates Arunachal Pradesh’s Integral Status in India

ParomitaArunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has strongly condemned a recently published United Nations map that depicted Arunachal Pradesh separately from India, asserting that the state is an integral and inseparable part of the country. Reacting to the map, Khandu said he strongly condemned the depiction on behalf of the people of Arunachal Pradesh and reiterated the state’s position as an integral part of India. The controversy erupted following the publication of a UN map that showed Arunachal Pradesh as a separate region between Indian and Chinese territorial claims. The map also depicted Aksai Chin separately. India has raised what…

10 Sep

Fintech policy push seeks to widen credit access and take banking beyond branches

Business BureauBusiness

The Department of Financial Services has unveiled three technology-driven measures at Global Fintech Fest 2026 aimed at strengthening India’s financial inclusion architecture by expanding digital banking access, formal credit and last-mile cash services. DFS Secretary Sanjay Lohiya launched an open-source Android ATM that can instantly issue personalised RuPay debit, credit and NCMC cards and merchant UPI QR codes, reducing turnaround time from weeks to minutes. The machines will also support cheque deposits, account opening and loan applications. Banks are assessing their deployment as Digital Banking Units in semi-urban and rural areas, as well as airports, metro stations, educational campuses and…

10 Sep

District Health Society Longleng Drives Awareness on Eye Donation and Corneal Transplants

nanikaNagaland

The District Health Society, Longleng, observed the 41st National Eye Donation Fortnight under the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCB & VI) by hosting a sensitization and awareness program at District Hospital, Longleng, on September 7. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Thungchanpeni Patton highlighted eye donation as a noble act that restores sight and urged the community to dispel common misconceptions while encouraging families to honor loved ones' pledges to donate. Ophthalmologist Dr. Thejavituo Kire explained the cornea harvesting process and noted that because there is no artificial substitute for human corneas, donated…

10 Sep

AM/NS India launches Pelican galvanised steel brand amid rising demand for corrosion resistance

Business BureauBusiness

Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) on Wednesday launched AM/NS Pelican, a premium galvanised steel brand aimed at India's construction, infrastructure, manufacturing and engineering sectors, as demand rises for durable and low-maintenance materials. The company said the Indian galvanised steel market was estimated at 7.65 million tonnes in CY25 and is projected to grow at an annual rate of 8% through 2030. Pelican is designed to offer corrosion protection, uniform coating quality, consistent performance and formability, making it suitable for applications including roofing and roof-support sections, tubes, air-conditioning and ventilation systems, cable trays, fencing, furniture, drums and barrels, and…

10 Sep

Arunachal Sees Major Economic, Infrastructure Growth Over Past Decade: CM Pema Khandu

Sonakshi SarkarArunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh has recorded significant growth in its economy and infrastructure over the past decade, with the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) rising by nearly 149 per cent and annual road construction increasing six-fold, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said on Wednesday. Addressing the concluding day of a special session of the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly in the presence of Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan, Khandu said the state’s GSDP had increased from around Rs 20,373 crore in 2016 to more than Rs 50,651 crore. He said the state budget had grown by more than 238 per cent during the period,…