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DDC 0001 Sold for Rs 2.08 Crore: India’s Most Expensive Fancy Car Number Plate Ever

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  India’s fascination with luxury and status symbols reached a new high after a fancy car registration number was sold for an eye-watering Rs 2.08 crore , making it the most expensive number plate ever auctioned in the country . The registration number “DDC 0001” , also written as DDC 001 , shattered all previous records and grabbed national attention. The historic sale took place during the launch of Auction House by Big Boy Toyz , a new luxury auction platform introduced by the well-known premium car dealer Big Boy Toyz (BBT) . Who Bought the Rs 2.08 Crore Number Plate? The successful bidder for DDC 0001 was Kiran Kolpakula , a businessman from Guntur in Andhra Pradesh . The number plate was earlier owned by Jatin Ahuja , Founder and Managing Director of Big Boy Toyz, before being put up for auction during the special launch event. According to reports by automobile information portal Cartoq , the bidding for the vintage number plate attracted significant interest, ultimately co...

Tata Chemicals to Invest Rs 515 Crore in New IVSD Manufacturing Facility in Tamil Nadu

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  Tata Chemicals has announced a major capital investment of Rs 515 crore to establish a new greenfield manufacturing facility for Iodised Vacuum Salt Dried (IVSD) in Tamil Nadu . The project has received approval from the company’s Board of Directors and marks a strategic expansion of Tata Chemicals’ salt manufacturing operations in South India. The proposed facility will be located at Valinokkam in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, a coastal region well-suited for salt production. The move aligns with the company’s long-term strategy to strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity while improving supply chain efficiencies across key markets. Details of the Proposed IVSD Facility According to the company, the new manufacturing unit will produce Iodised Vacuum Salt Dried (IVSD) with an annual capacity of 210 kilo tonnes per annum (KTPA). IVSD is a high-purity salt widely used for household consumption and food processing, playing a crucial role in addressing iodine defic...

PM Narendra Modi Announces Reduced 18% US Tariff on Made in India Products

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  India–US Trade Ties Get a Major Boost Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a significant breakthrough for Indian exports, stating that Made in India products will now face a reduced US tariff of 18 per cent . The announcement was made through a social media post following his conversation with United States President Donald Trump, highlighting a positive step forward in India–US trade relations. The tariff reduction is part of a broader understanding between the two countries aimed at enhancing bilateral trade and strengthening economic cooperation between the world’s two largest democracies. Modi–Trump Conversation Sets the Tone Prime Minister Modi described his interaction with President Trump as “wonderful,” referring to the US President as his “dear friend.” He emphasised that when two large economies collaborate, it creates opportunities that benefit people on both sides. The Prime Minister noted that cooperation between India and the United States unlocks imme...

India–UAE AI Corridor: A Strategic Partnership Driving Innovation and Execution

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              India–UAE AI Collaboration: Innovation Meets Execution in Artificial Intelligence India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are elevating their strategic partnership through artificial intelligence, establishing a corridor that connects South Asia with the Middle East. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan mapping cooperation across nuclear energy, AI, defence , energy security, and counter-terrorism, emerging technologies have become a key area of focus. The collaboration envisions creating a supercomputing cluster in India and exploring UAE investments in data centre capacity. Discussions also highlighted the concept of “Digital Embassies,” based on mutually recognized digital sovereignty. Notably, Sheikh Mohamed has endorsed India’s proposal to host the AI Impact Summit in February 2026, signaling a shared commitment to innovation and global leadership in AI. UAE: The Execution Leader...

Government Plans New ATMs to Dispense Small Currency Notes Amid UPI Boom

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  New ATM machines designed to dispense Rs 10, Rs 20 and Rs 50 currency notes in India Even as digital payments through UPI and other platforms become a part of everyday life in India, the government is preparing steps to ensure that cash users are not left behind. A key concern has been the shortage of small-denomination currency notes such as Rs 10, Rs 20 and Rs 50, which are essential for daily transactions. According to a report by Mint , the government is considering introducing new automated teller machines ( ATMs ) that can dispense smaller notes, instead of primarily offering Rs 100 and Rs 500 denominations. The proposal reflects a recognition that despite the digital push, cash continues to play a critical role for a large section of the population. New ATMs and Hybrid Machines Under Consideration The plan includes two major ideas. The first is the deployment of new ATMs designed specifically to dispense small-denomination notes. The second involves hybrid ATMs that would ...

Canadian PM Mark Carney Likely to Visit India in Early March to Sign Key Energy, AI and Uranium Deals

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  Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney is likely to visit India in the first week of March, with several strategic agreements expected to be signed across uranium, energy, critical minerals and emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, has said. The visit, if confirmed, would mark a significant reset in India–Canada relations after a prolonged period of diplomatic strain. Speaking in an interview, Mr. Patnaik said preparations were underway for what could be a landmark bilateral engagement. While Mr. Carney’s office has not officially confirmed the dates, both sides appear keen to move swiftly on cooperation areas that align with their long-term economic and strategic priorities. Diversifying Canada’s Global Alliances Mr. Carney’s proposed India visit comes at a time when Canada is actively diversifying its international partnerships beyond the United States, its largest trading partner. Addressing the World Economi...

Bengaluru–Mysuru Highway Set for Barrier-Free Tolling as NHAI Plans MLFF Pilot

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  In a major step towards modernising India’s highway infrastructure, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is preparing to roll out a Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system on the 117-kilometre Bengaluru–Mysuru Access-Controlled Highway (NH-275) . According to a report by The Hindu , the proposed initiative will mark a decisive shift away from conventional toll plazas towards a seamless, technology-driven toll collection model. The Bengaluru–Mysuru corridor, one of Karnataka’s busiest highways, has long struggled with congestion, especially during weekends, holidays, and festival seasons. With MLFF, NHAI aims to significantly reduce travel delays while improving efficiency, fuel economy, and overall driving experience. What Is Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) Tolling? MLFF is an advanced electronic tolling system that allows vehicles to pass through toll points without stopping or slowing down . Instead of physical toll booths and barriers, toll charges are collected th...