India Observers

  The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most popular cricket leagues in the world, and the 2023 season is just around the corner. The opening ceremony is an eagerly anticipated event, and fans are already buzzing with excitement about what is in store. The 2023 IPL opening ceremony is set to take place on April 7th and will be held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The ceremony promises to be a star-studded affair, with some of the biggest names in Bollywood and the cricketing world set to perform. The theme for this year's opening ceremony is "Unity in Diversity," which reflects the diverse cultures and traditions of India. The ceremony will showcase the different regions of India, highlighting their unique cultural heritage through music, dance, and other performances. The highlight of the opening ceremony will be the team introductions. Each of the eight IPL teams will make their grand entrance, with their players walking out to loud cheers from the crowd. ...

  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inspected the construction of the new Parliament building in Delhi . The building, which is being built at a cost of around Rs 971 crore, will replace the current Parliament building which was built over 90 years ago. The new building is being designed by Ahmedabad-based architecture firm HCP Design, Planning, and Management, and will have a total floor area of approximately 64,500 square meters. It is expected to be completed by 2022. During his inspection, PM Modi was briefed on the progress of the construction work and the various features of the new building. He was also shown a model of the building and given a tour of the construction site. The new Parliament building will have a modern design and will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. It will have a seating capacity of 1,224 members in the Lok Sabha and 384 members in the Rajya Sabha. The building will also have a grand Constitution Hall, which will showcase India's...

  Radhika Merchant and Isha Ambani, two well-known personalities in the fashion industry, turned heads at the Dior Fall 2023 show held recently. The fashion show was held in the iconic Jardin des Tuileries in Paris, France, and showcased the latest trends in haute couture fashion. Radhika Merchant, the daughter of billionaire businessman Viren Merchant, is known for her impeccable style and fashion sense. She attended the Dior show dressed in a black and white ensemble, which she paired with a black blazer and a sleek clutch. Her look was understated yet sophisticated, and she accessorized it with statement earrings and bold lips. Isha Ambani, the daughter of Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, also made a stunning appearance at the event. She opted for a more dramatic look, wearing a striking red gown with a flowing train. She accessorized the outfit with a pair of diamond earrings and a matching bracelet. Her makeup was minimalistic, with a subtle eye and a bright red li...

  Indian shuttlers PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth put up an impressive performance at the Madrid Masters badminton tournament held in Spain. Sindhu, who is ranked seventh in the world, won the women's singles title, while Srikanth, ranked 14th in the world, reached the semi-finals in the men's singles category. Sindhu, who is the reigning world champion, defeated Denmark's Mia Blichfeldt in the final to win the title. She displayed her trademark attacking style of play and dominated the match from the beginning. She won the match in straight sets, 21-15, 21-13, to clinch her first title of the year. Srikanth, on the other hand, had a tough draw in the tournament, but he managed to reach the semi-finals before losing to the world number one, Kento Momota of Japan. Srikanth defeated Denmark's Rasmus Gemke and Chinese Taipei's Wang Tzu-wei in the earlier rounds before facing Momota in the semi-finals. Despite putting up a tough fight, Srikanth lost the match in three s...

  Air India, the national flag carrier of India, has secured a loan of Rs 14,000 crore from the State Bank of India (SBI) and Bank of Baroda (BOB) to meet its operational requirements. The airline has been struggling with a huge debt burden and has been looking for ways to improve its financial situation. The loan has been granted under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) of the Indian government, which was launched in May 2020 to provide financial assistance to businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme provides 100% guarantee coverage to banks on loans given to eligible borrowers, and the loans are collateral-free. Air India had earlier sought a loan of Rs 2,400 crore from the government to meet its immediate working capital requirements. However, the government refused to provide the loan and instead asked the airline to approach banks for the same. With the approval of the loan from SBI and BOB, Air India has now been able to secure the much-needed...

  Recently, the Home Minister of India, Amit Shah , spoke out about the "misuse" of national agencies. In his statement, he expressed his concern about the potential misuse of these agencies for political gain and the need for accountability and transparency. National agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) are important institutions that are responsible for investigating and preventing crimes. However, there have been instances where these agencies have been accused of being misused for political purposes. Mr. Shah emphasized that these agencies should not be used for political vendettas and that the government must ensure that they function independently and without any bias. He also stated that the misuse of national agencies not only undermines their credibility but also erodes the trust of the people in the government. The Home Minister's statement is a reminder that th...

  The Souled Store , a popular Indian e-commerce platform that specializes in pop culture-themed merchandise, has raised ₹135 crore in a funding round led by Xponentia Capital. The funding round also saw participation from existing investors, including RP-SG Ventures and Unilever Ventures. The Souled Store was founded in 2013 and has grown rapidly in recent years, becoming a go-to destination for fans of movies, TV shows, music, and sports who are looking for unique and high-quality merchandise. The platform offers a wide range of products, including t-shirts, hoodies, mobile covers, backpacks, and more, all featuring designs inspired by pop culture icons and trends. The new funding will be used to fuel the company's growth and expansion plans, including the launch of new product categories, expansion into new markets, and investments in marketing and technology. The company is also planning to open physical retail stores across India, allowing fans to experience their products in ...

  Microsoft has recently unveiled its new OpenAI -powered security copilot, a powerful tool designed to help security teams identify and respond to potential cyber threats more quickly and effectively. The copilot is powered by OpenAI's advanced natural language processing technology and machine learning algorithms. It analyzes large amounts of data and uses natural language processing to understand and interpret security alerts, helping security teams to prioritize and respond to potential threats more quickly and accurately. The copilot is designed to work seamlessly with Microsoft's existing security tools and platforms, such as Azure Sentinel and Microsoft Defender, providing security teams with a powerful suite of tools to protect their organizations from cyber threats. This new tool is a significant step forward in the fight against cyber threats, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated and challenging to detect. By leveraging the power of AI and machine learning, ...

  Sunil Chhetri, the captain of the Indian National Football Team, has made history by becoming the fifth-highest international goal scorer in the world. The 37-year-old striker achieved this feat during India's match against Bangladesh in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers on 7th June 2021. Sunil Chhetri scored two goals in the match, taking his tally to 74 international goals. He surpassed Lionel Messi's tally of 72 goals and now stands behind only Cristiano Ronaldo, Ali Daei, Ferenc Puskas, and Mokhtar Dahari in the all-time list of international goal scorers. Chhetri's achievement is a testament to his dedication and commitment to the game. He has been an integral part of the Indian National Football Team for over a decade and has consistently performed at the highest level. He has also been a prolific goal scorer for his club teams, including Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League. Chhetri's success has not gone unnoticed, and he has received praise from all quarter...

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the demand for premium and business-class flights in India. The growing economy, increasing disposable income, and a burgeoning middle class have contributed to this trend. Business class and premium flights offer several advantages over economy class, including more spacious seating arrangements, gourmet meals, and access to exclusive lounges. Business class passengers also enjoy priority check-in and boarding, as well as baggage handling services. Many Indian travelers, especially those traveling for business purposes, are willing to pay a premium for these additional benefits and services. They see business class and premium flights as a way to maximize their productivity and comfort during travel. International airlines have been quick to recognize this trend and are expanding their premium and business-class offerings in India. Many airlines are adding new routes and increasing the frequency of existing flights to cater to...

  The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have announced their team squad for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season. The team boasts of some of the best players from around the world and is led by the dynamic Eoin Morgan. The team also has a new coach in the form of Brendon McCullum, who was earlier a part of the KKR squad as a player. The KKR team squad for IPL 2023 includes several key players who have been a part of the team in the past. The team's batting lineup is led by Shubman Gill, who has been in terrific form in recent times. The middle order is anchored by Morgan, who is one of the best T20 players in the world. The team also has the explosive Andre Russell, who is known for his power-hitting and all-round abilities. In the bowling department, KKR has a formidable lineup, with the likes of Pat Cummins, Varun Chakravarthy, and Lockie Ferguson. The team also has some promising young talent in the form of Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi, who has impressed in the p...

  The Women's Premier League (WPL) final has drawn over 10 million new audiences, according to JioCinema, the official digital streaming partner of the league. The final match was played between the teams of Supernovas and Trailblazers and was held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The WPL is a T20 league featuring some of the best women's cricketers from around the world. The league is organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and was first introduced in 2019. The league has three teams, each led by a prominent Indian cricketer. The final match was a closely fought contest, with the Trailblazers emerging victorious by 16 runs. The match was watched by a record-breaking number of viewers on JioCinema, which is an excellent indication of the growing popularity of women's cricket in India. JioCinema is a digital platform that offers on-demand video streaming services in India. The platform is available for free to all Jio users and offers a wide range of mo...

  The deadline for linking Aadhar and PAN cards is fast approaching, and individuals who have not yet linked their Aadhar and PAN cards are advised to do so before March 31, 2023. After this deadline, those who have not linked their Aadhar and PAN cards may face penalties. To encourage individuals to link their Aadhar and PAN cards, the government has introduced a fee for those who link their Aadhar and PAN cards after the deadline. This fee can be paid online, and it is expected to be Rs. 1,000. However, the government has not yet announced the exact amount of the fee. Linking Aadhar and PAN cards is essential for several reasons. First, it helps to prevent identity fraud, as it ensures that the person claiming a PAN card is indeed the person they claim to be. Second, linking Aadhar and PAN cards makes it easier to file tax returns, as all the necessary information is available in one place. Finally, linking Aadhar and PAN cards is mandatory for availing various government schem...

 First Citizens Bank has recently announced its acquisition of a portfolio of loans from Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). The acquisition includes loans that are backed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The move marks a significant expansion for First Citizens Bank , which is based in North Carolina and has been rapidly expanding its presence in recent years. The acquisition of SVB's loan portfolio will help the bank to further expand its commercial lending capabilities. The acquisition includes loans to technology and life sciences companies, which are sectors that First Citizens Bank has been actively targeting for growth. The bank's CEO, Frank Holding Jr., has stated that the acquisition will help the bank to better serve its customers in these industries. The loans that are backed by the FDIC are a particularly attractive asset for First Citizens Bank. These loans are guaranteed by the FDIC, which means that the bank is effectively taking on very little risk i...

 India's women boxers have once again made the country proud by winning 4 gold medals at the IBA Womens World Boxing Championship held recently. This is a historic achievement for India, as this is the first time that the country has won four gold medals in a single edition of the championship. The Indian boxers put up a stellar performance throughout the tournament, with Mary Kom, Sanjeet, Jasmine, and Anupama clinching gold medals in their respective weight categories. Mary Kom, a six-time world champion and an Olympic bronze medalist, made history by winning her eighth medal at the world championships. Sanjeet won the gold in the 91kg category, while Jasmine and Anupama emerged victorious in the 57kg and 81kg categories, respectively. The Indian women's boxing team has been performing exceptionally well in recent years, and this win is a testament to their hard work and dedication. The government and various sports organizations have also been providing the necessary suppor...

  Koo, the Indian social media platform , has introduced new features aimed at providing a safer and more secure social media experience for its users. The platform has been gaining popularity in India as an alternative to Twitter, and these new features are expected to further boost its appeal. One of the new features introduced by Koo is the ability to report and flag content that violates community standards. This feature will allow users to report inappropriate or offensive content to the platform, which will then take action to remove it. Koo has also added a verification process for users, which will help to prevent fake accounts and impersonation. Verified users will have a blue tick next to their name, similar to Twitter's verification system, which will help other users to identify them as authentic. In addition, Koo has introduced a privacy feature that allows users to control who can see their posts and comments. Users can choose to make their posts public or visible on...

MotoGP , the world's premier motorcycle racing championship, is set to kick off its 2023 season this weekend, and Indian fans are eagerly awaiting the action. With some changes to the race calendar and broadcast schedule, many fans are wondering how they can tune in to catch the races. The first race of the 2023 season will take place in Qatar, and Indian fans can watch it live on TV or online. The races will be broadcast on Eurosport and Discovery Plus, which are available on major DTH and cable platforms in India. Fans can also stream the races online on the Discovery Plus app or website. In addition to the live broadcast, fans can also catch up on the highlights and analysis of the races on the same platforms. Eurosport and Discovery Plus will provide in-depth coverage of each race, including expert analysis and behind-the-scenes features. The MotoGP 2023 season promises to be an exciting one, with a new crop of riders and some changes to the race calendar. The championship wil...

Akasa Air, the Indian budget airline, has announced plans to hire 1,000 new employees by March 2024 as part of its expansion plans. The airline is aiming to increase its fleet size and add new destinations to its network, which will require additional staff. The new hires will include pilots, cabin crew, ground staff, and engineers. Akasa Air is looking for experienced professionals as well as fresh graduates to fill these roles. The airline has already started the recruitment process, and interested candidates can apply through the company's website. The airline industry was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many airlines reducing their workforce or even shutting down operations. However, with the rollout of vaccines and the easing of travel restrictions, the industry is slowly recovering. Akasa Air's decision to hire new employees is a positive sign for the industry and the economy as a whole. Akasa Air was founded in 2021 by Indian businessman Rakesh Jhunjhunwala and...

 Deputy leader of the Nobel Prize Committee, Asle Toje said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the biggest & most deserving contender for the Nobel Peace Prize. PM Modi is currently the most believable representative of peace in the world, according to the chairperson of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Toje continued by saying how much he admires the Indian prime minister. Toje also said that PM Modi is a dependable leader with the capacity to prevent conflict between belligerent nations and promote peace. India is becoming a wealthy and powerful nation, according to Toje, in large part as a result of the policies PM Modi has put in place.  Toje emphasized that it would be a momentous occasion for the deserving leader if PM Modi were to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the most prestigious honors in the world, honoring those who have made outstanding achievements in promoting peace and resolving conflicts, thus Toje’s assertion carrie...

 Global Surfaces Ltd IPO got subscribed 12.21 times on the last day, at a price band of ₹133-140. The company processes natural stones & manufactures engineered quartz. The Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Global Surfaces Ltd. was subscribed to 12.21 times on Wednesday, the final day of the sale.  In response to the offer, which included 77.49 lakh shares, bids for 9.46 crore equity shares were received. The business specified a price range of $133 to $140 per share. Non-Institutional Investors (NIIs) part received 33.10 times the number of subscriptions expected. Retail Individual Investors (RIIs) received 5.12 times as many subscriptions as the Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs) part of the quota. Market watchers report that today’s gray market premium (GMP) for Global Surfaces shares is $18.  On Thursday, March 23, 2023, the company’s shares are anticipated to list on the top stock exchanges BSE and NSE. On March 20, 2023, the foundation for the share allotment...

 The latest GPT 4 is only available for ChatGPT Plus subscribers, who need to pay $20 per month. But if you want to use it for free, here is the process! The ChatGPT Plus or ChatGPT-4 AI chatbot’s core technology, GPT-4, was introduced earlier this week. According to its developers, GPT-4 is a “large multimodal model” that displays “human-level performance” on a variety of academic and professional metrics.  The latest news GPT-4 can even interpret image inputs, and the AI can analyze items or translate language within the photo, in contrast to the previous-generation GPT-3/GPT 3.5.  But, users require a ChatGPT Plus subscription, which costs $20 per month, to try the potent GPT-4 language modal. GPT-4 and ChatGPT-4 are both free to use. The process is as follows. Microsoft stealthily revealed that their Bing AI or Bing Chat is also enabled by GPT-4 after OpenAI’s presentation.  We’re pleased to disclose that the new Bing is powered by GPT-4, which we’ve tailored f...

Google has announced the latest AI features in its Gmail and Google Docs. It will let users instantly generate drafts on any topic with specific tones. The addition of generative AI to Google Workspace coincides with the addition of numerous new capabilities to other productivity suites that enable users to streamline administrative duties with just a prompt. These new AI features are the company’s most recent attempt to add more buzzy deliciousness to its most well-liked services, following the cosmetic overhaul of Google Docs and the introduction of Google Bard. The features that will be available include: Your Gmail can be prioritized, drafted, replied to, and summarized. In Documents, come up with ideas, write them down, then edit them. Slides’ automatically generated graphics, audio, and video may help you bring your creative ideas to life. With contextual search, auto-completion, and formula generation, you can move from raw data to insights and analysis. Sheet-based Categorizati...

 FIFA has announced a new format for the FIFA World Cup 2026. There will be  104 matches among 48 teams participating in the upcoming tournament. FIFA has abandoned its disastrous plan for three-team groups and authorized a new model for the 2026 tournament—a 48-team extravaganza hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico—six years after initially promising to change the format of the men’s World Cup. The new model, which includes four-team groups and a subsequent 32-team knockout stage, will be more in line with the conventional one. The tournament will have 104 matches overall, an increase from 64, putting a heavier strain on the host cities and players. It will also be one week longer than ever before. Eight third-place teams will advance to the round of 32. After months of deliberation and a final agreement by its Council, a grouping of several of the most influential figures in soccer, FIFA, the game’s worldwide governing body, acknowledged the revisions on Tuesday....

 Suniel Shetty will be seen as a tough police officer in the upcoming web series – ‘Hunter- Tootega Nahi Todega.’ The series is fully packed with action & retro classics. Suniel Shetty is shown punching, kicking, firing, and cutting in action scenes in the two-minute trailer for Hunter – Tootega Nahi, Todega, which is set to the sounds of oldies like “Dum Maaro Dum” and “Chahe Koi Mujhe Junglee Kahe.” The actor plays the tough officer ACP Vikram. The Amazon mini tv series also has Esha Deol, Rahul Dev, Barkha Bisht, and Karanvir Sharma in significant roles.  The program is created by Yoodlee Films, the film division of Saregama India Limited, and is directed by Prince Dhiman and Alok Batra. The action-drama series’ trailer begins with a backstory montage of a family’s happier moments before abruptly launching into ACP Vikram’ s world. A note from the creators stated, “He gets a chance to resolve an older mess when he is wrongfully accused of a crime. Suniel Shetty describ...

  US President Joe Biden said that US banking systems are safe. But he walked away when reporters asked him about the SVB collapse & other American banks’ failure. President Joe Biden drew criticism on Monday after leaving the news conference midway through giving his final remark about the failure of two significant American banks over the weekend, amid a banking crisis in the country. Biden responded when a reporter “What do you currently know about what occurred? Also, can you guarantee that there won’t be a knock-on effect on Americans? “.  Without responding, the President began to leave the room. Another reporter interrupted and questioned, “Will more banks fail President?” but Biden had already left the room and was nowhere to be seen. Comments have been disabled since the moment the video of him leaving social media got public, which led to a reaction on Twitter. “You can’t respond to inquiries if you don’t understand what you just said. Although it is astounding ...

 Online shopping is all the rage these days. Apart from making buying more comparable and less time-consuming, it also makes pushy sales and time-bound shopping things of the past. The growing demand for products in the online market has compelled several organizations to launch their own shopping sites or mobile applications. In India, the demand for online shopping doesn’t seem to lessen any time soon. There are over 600 million internet users in the country. For addressing the requirements of this vast market, a number of shopping sites are striving to make e-purchasing more convenient and satisfying for their customers. Read on for the top 10 online shopping sites in India, in no particular order. Amazon Did you know that Amazon receives over 295 million individual visits per month? The website is a one-stop platform for affordable accessories, footwear, clothing, groceries, and much more. It has now ventured into the entertainment industry as well, through Amazon Prime Music, ...

 Nokia CEO & PM Modi met on Monday & discussed India’s next phase of digital infrastructure & 6G ambitions. Nokia CEO called it a privilege to meet PM Modi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed next-generation internet infrastructure in a “fruitful discussion” with Nokia President and CEO Pekka Lundmark. In a tweet, the prime minister announced the new development. “A fruitful meeting with Mr. Pekka Lundmark,” the prime minister tweeted, “during which we addressed issues connected to technology and utilizing it for the welfare of society.  We also spoke about India’s advancements in creating cutting-edge digital infrastructure. The two spoke extensively, according to the president and CEO of  Nokia , on how Nokia can support India’s transition to 5G and its upcoming stage of digital transformation.  He continued by saying that they also talked about Nokia’s prospective involvement in India’s 6G goals. “A delight to meet with Prime Minister Modi and expl...

 After beating world champions Germany 3-2 on Friday, India also beat Australia 5-4. Harmanpreet scored a hat-trick while Jugraj & Selvam scored 1 goal each. Harmanpreet Singh regained his form by scoring a hat-trick from penalty corners on Sunday to lead India to a 5-4 victory against Australia in a nine-goal FIH Pro-League thriller. Australia took a 2-0 lead at the end of the 1st quarter thanks to a field goal from Joshua Beltz in the second minute. Harmanpreet scored goals in the 13th, 14th, and 55th minutes to give the home team a 2-1 advantage. Jugraj Singh’s successful penalty kick in the 17th minute and Selvam Karthi’s field goal in the 25th to give his team a 4-1 lead at the interval sustained India’s dominance. At the Birsa Munda Stadium, Australia scored a goal through Ky Willott in the 42nd minute of the third quarter while India failed to score.  Ben Staines and Aran Zalewski each scored twice for the visitors in the fourth quarter, both coming off penalty cor...

Ramabai Latpate is traveling across the 12 G20 countries & 30 other countries on her bike in saree, as a solo trip. She has been referred to as ‘Bharat ki Beti’. Ramabai Latpate, a resident of Pune, shares the same desire as all other women to see the world, but there is something unique about her that makes her stand out from all other women.  Wearing a Maharashtrian nauvari saree, Latpate is trying the remarkable feat of riding a bike solo around the globe. In an interview with India Today Channel, Ramabai claimed that PM Narendra Modi’s comments have inspired her.  As per PM Modi’s comments at the G20 meeting, women in India are advancing exceptionally well. She is known as “Bharat ki Beti” and is on a mission to ride her motorbike by herself across 12 G20 member nations, 30 more nations, and a total of around 40 nations dispersed over 6 continents.  Ramabai, a businesswoman and pilot, claimed that taking into account the severe weather and her knowledge of how to ...

 Assam Railway Station has welcomed North East’s first of its kind ‘Trans tea stall’ to empower the transgender community. It’s an initiative by NE Frontier Railway. A tea shop that also serves as an ethnic cuisine stand and is run by transgender people has opened on Platform 1 of Guwahati Train Station in Assam, marking a significant step towards encouraging equality and a first in the North East.  The programme offers transsexual people a small ray of hope for a good income. The tea shop at the train station will benefit the transgender community, which is frequently the target of discrimination and abuse, according to Swati Bidhan Baruah, founder of the All Assam Transgender Organization. “This is a minor step towards the transgender community’s empowerment. Helping transgender people obtain employment is the goal because they frequently face discrimination and harassment when looking for work “She said. “Their perspective will change when transgender people, who are frequ...

 SCIPL, Vedant Films & FarmCove will release Jimmy Shergil starrer movie ‘Operation Mayfair’ on 24th March 2023! The film is based on an investigative mystery. The Hindi and Punjabi film industries are well-known for the work of Indian actor and producer Jimmy Shergil . He last appeared in the crime thriller “Collar Bomb,” which was released in 2021.  He has always wowed audiences with his acting prowess and talent. With the release of his new movie, “Operation Mayfair,” he is now poised to win over his admirers.  The official trailer for the movie has been revealed, after the recent publication of the movie’s poster. In the trailer’s opening scene, a female fashion model is killed in London by a serial murderer. Amar Singh, a London Police detective, played by Jimmy Shergill, is chosen to help with the case.  Amar begins his investigation without any leads or forensic proof. He wants to approach the matter in his own way, and he is asking the team to work togeth...