Blog

02 Dec

Nestlé MILKMAID announces World Kheer Day on 30 November

Business BureauBusiness

Nestlé MILKMAID, a name synonymous with delicious desserts announces World Kheer Day on 30 November, a day dedicated to the dessert that every Indian home has grown up with. Kheer is one dessert that truly unites India – divided in recipes and ingredients, united by the warmth and nostalgia it evokes. From festivals, homecomings to everyday celebrations, it continues to be a symbol of togetherness across the country. MILKMAID has helped keep this tradition alive in a way that is easy, quick and just as comforting. Manav Sahni, Head, Dairy Business, Nestlé India, said, "World Kheer Day is our way…

02 Dec

Football Temporarily Repaired a Broken Manipur: Two Objectives, Two Communities, One India

Sonakshi SarkarIndia

For two and a half years, the words Kuki and Meitei have shared newspaper headlines only as synonyms for violence, displacement, and despair. But on a cool Sunday evening in Ahmedabad, they appeared side by side for something entirely different—victory, joy, and a reminder of what unity can feel like. India’s Under-17 football team sealed a historic 2–1 win over Iran to book a place in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup finals in Saudi Arabia next year. And the two goals that scripted this turnaround came from two boys who carry the surnames of Manipur’s warring worlds. Just before halftime,…

02 Dec

Labor Government Focuses on Economic Benefits and Existing Laws in New National AI Plan

MohiniInternational

The Australian government has released its National AI Plan, prioritizing the technology's economic benefits and affirming that existing legislation is sufficient to manage the fast-growing sector, thereby rejecting a standalone AI Act. The plan outlines a strategy to "unlock" vast public and private datasets to train AI models, support workers affected by automation, and boost investment in data centers. The government also committed $30 million to establish an AI Safety Institute to advise on technology risks.

02 Dec

Sikkim tightens eco-tourism policy with ₹50 per guest sustainability Ffee

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Sikkim government has mandated contributions to the Tourism Sustainable Development (TSD) Fund from all tourist accommodation facilities, including hotels, resorts, homestays, service apartments and bed-and-breakfast establishments. Under the new directive, each tourist checking in must be charged ₹50, which the establishment must remit to the government. The compliance will be monitored through the Atithi Guest Information System. The TSD Fund, introduced in March 2025, supports eco-friendly tourism, infrastructure improvements, and responsible travel initiatives across Sikkim. Officials warned that non-compliant establishments will face fines of ₹5,000 for the first month and ₹10,000 for the second month, with the possibility of…

02 Dec

Concerns about the “risky” railway alignment and Gorkhali OBC relocation are growing in Mizoram

Sonakshi SarkarMizoram

The Centre for Environment and Social Justice (CESJ) has raised alarm over renewed efforts to grant OBC status to the Gorkhali community in Mizoram and over the environmental risks linked to the proposed Sairang–Hmawngbuchhuah railway alignment. CESJ recalled that in December 2024, the Mizoram government had clarified that Gorkhas in the state do not face caste-based backwardness as defined by the Mandal Commission, and thus do not qualify for state-level OBC status. The organisation warned that granting OBC recognition within the state could significantly affect employment opportunities for Mizo youth and disrupt social balance. CESJ also warned that the proposed…

02 Dec

Rupee hits new record low of 89.92 against US Dollar

Purbalee Duttabreaking news

The rupee slipped to 89.92 against the US dollar, breaching its previous record low of 89.7575 from December 1, and ending the day 0.3% weaker. Its decline accelerated on December 1 after the currency fell below 89.5 — a level the RBI had earlier defended — triggering stop-loss orders and prompting importers to rush into dollar purchases. The fall was particularly striking because it came despite India’s strong GDP numbers and in the absence of negative cues from Asian markets. Equity indices were down around 0.5%. VK Vijayakumar of Geojit Investments noted that persistent rupee weakness is discouraging foreign inflows…

02 Dec

Pancreatic cancer becomes a growing concern in India; doctors call for urgent awareness and early detection

Business BureauBusiness

Pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest and fastest-spreading cancers, has a five-year survival rate of just 3 per cent in India, making it the lowest among all cancers, doctors have warned. Dr PN Mohapatra, Director of Medical Oncology at Apollo Hospitals, said the disease is often detected too late, with nearly 43 per cent of patients diagnosed at Stage 4, when treatment options are limited and survival chances drop dramatically. Unlike breast or lung cancer, pancreatic cancer has seen minimal improvement in treatment over the years. Surgery and chemotherapy offer limited benefits, and recurrence rates remain high, with survival rates…

02 Dec

Swiggy launches the 2025 edition of its annual report titled “How India Eats,” in partnership with Kearney

Business BureauBusiness

India’s food services market is set to touch US$125 billion by 2030, driven by a rapidly expanding organized segment growing twice as fast as the unorganized sector, according to Swiggy’s How India Eats 2025 report released in partnership with Kearney. The report highlights that the organized segment will contribute over 60% of total industry growth and is expected to overtake the unorganized segment within the decade. The study notes a significant shift in consumer behaviour, marked by a 20% rise in unique cuisines ordered per customer and a 30% increase in the number of restaurants ordered from. Interestingly, indulgence and…

02 Dec

Images Trigger Anxiety Among Muslims in Arunachal; Govt Urges Calm, Congress Blames BJP for Rising Tensions

Sonakshi SarkarArunachal Pradesh

A series of anti-Muslim videos and visits by the Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organisation (APIYO) to mosques are causing unrest among Muslims in Arunachal Pradesh, who feel unfairly targeted under a supposed campaign against illegal Bangladeshi migrants. APIYO's visits aim to verify the legality of mosques, yet the Muslim community expresses fear, claiming it wrongly associates all Muslims—especially those in traditional attire—with illegal immigration. Community representatives acknowledge their support for lawful actions against illegal migrants but emphasize that mosques serve as prayer spaces for migrant workers, not as hubs for illegal activities. In response, State Home Minister Mama Natung has…

02 Dec

Tripura BJP Leader: Pradyot is “using” the regional front to regain political relevance

Sonakshi SarkarTripura

Former MP Rebati Tripura accused Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, founder of the Tipra Motha party, of seeking political relevance through the new “One North East” initiative, which he claims misleads voters during a time of stability in Tripura. He criticized the initiative as a sign of an "existential crisis" in Debbarma's strategy, highlighting contradictory statements made at its launch. Rebati labelled the campaign as a distraction from past demands for Tipraland and Greater Tipraland, suggesting that Debbarma's political positions have changed frequently. Additionally, he raised concerns over financial mismanagement in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council and deemed proposals…