Author: Rasmita Jena

  • India’s Defense Manufacturing: A New Era of Self-Reliance

    India’s Defense Manufacturing: A New Era of Self-Reliance

    India is stepping up its defense manufacturing skills, focusing on building its own defense systems instead of buying from other countries. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is making this clear. Air Chief Marshal A P Singh recently said that even if home-made systems might not be the best in the world, they are still better for India. He stated that if a local system can perform at 85% or 90% of what is available globally, then the IAF will choose it. This is important for India to stop relying on foreign imports.

    Creating these systems is not something that can happen overnight; it takes time and support. Singh said, “The Indian Air Force is fully committed to any research and development project to help in this area.”

    Boosting Aircraft Production: India needs to produce more military aircraft because many are getting old. Singh stressed that producing at least 35-40 new airplanes each year is necessary. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) plans to build 24 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A jets yearly. Additionally, if private companies help, the total output could reach around 30-40 aircraft per year.

    Prepared for Long Wars: To handle a long fight, India needs good stockpiles and the ability to quickly make supplies. Singh mentioned that India must depend on a strong local industry to provide the necessary weapons during extended conflicts.

    Deepening Ties with France: India is also working on strengthening military ties with France. General Upendra Dwivedi, the Army Chief, recently spoke at a French military college. He discussed new security challenges and the need for countries to work together for peace and safety.

    Honoring India’s Military History: Earlier, General Dwivedi paid tribute to Indian soldiers who fought in World War I by laying a wreath at the Indian War Memorial in France. This act serves as a reminder of India’s contributions to global peace.

    Adopting Modern Warfare Technologies: The IAF is keeping up with technology in modern fighting, using automation and artificial intelligence (AI). Singh pointed out that many systems are being automated, making work faster and more efficient.

    General Dwivedi also saw live military demonstrations in France, showcasing new vehicles and technologies. His visit highlighted India’s growing military collaborations and commitment to making its defense industry self-reliant.

    India is steadily moving towards achieving self-reliance in defense while enhancing its role on the global stage.

  • Review: Suzhal – The Vortex Season 2 – A Mixed Bag of Intrigue

    Review: Suzhal – The Vortex Season 2 – A Mixed Bag of Intrigue

    In 2022, directors Pushkar and Gayatri created the web series Suzhal – The Vortex, which was exciting and unique for Tamil shows on OTT platforms. They received much praise, and now they are back with Season 2!

    The Story:
    As Season 2 starts, we find Nandini (played by Aishwarya Rajesh) in jail. She is accused of killing her sister’s abuser with a gun that belongs to SI Sakkarai (Kathir). Nandini’s lawyer, Chellappa (Lal), who is like a father figure to Sakkarai, is trying to help her but then something shocking happens—Chellappa is found dead. Muthu (Gouri Kishan) is also in trouble because she was found with the murder weapon in the cottage where Chellappa died. However, things get even more complicated as seven other girls come forward, claiming they are the ones who killed him.

    Sakkarai, despite being under investigation himself because his gun was used, decides to lead the murder investigation. The season follows his journey as he tries to find the truth, sticking to his belief that a police officer’s role is to investigate, not judge.

    This season introduces eight new characters (the girls) that add twists and surprises to the story. The reason for eight girls is linked to the Ashtakaali festival, where eight Kaalis join together to fight evil.

    While the mystery keeps unfolding over the eight episodes, the direction and writing by Bramma and Sarjun KM feel less engaging compared to the first season. The charm of the local culture and colorful details from Kaalipattanam is missing, and the story shifts to a more typical police investigation.

    The Verdict:
    The eight episodes are a slow build-up, but unlike the first season, they lack a strong mystery that impacts the village. Some parts can feel slow, and the audience begins to figure things out too easily. Nandini’s character isn’t as well-structured, leaving a desire for sharper writing. Logical gaps in the plot also leave viewers wanting more depth.

    Overall, while Suzhal – The Vortex Season 2 might not be as gripping as the first, it still stands out as one of the better Tamil crime thrillers. The excellent cinematography by Abraham Joseph and the music by Sam CS beautifully showcase elements like the Ashtakaali festival. Pushkar and Gayatri have delivered a mix of characters with an average follow-up to the murder mystery.

  • Stocks Jump Over 15% Despite Market Drop: Today’s Highlights

    Stocks Jump Over 15% Despite Market Drop: Today’s Highlights

    NEW DELHI: On Friday, many stocks in Mumbai jumped over 15%, even though major indexes like the BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty were falling due to a lot of selling. One of the biggest winners was Sri Nachammai, which went up by 16.33%. The 30-share BSE index fell by 861.34 points and was at 73,751.09, while the 50-share NSE index was down by 268.21 points, sitting at 22,276.85. In the Nifty50 index, only 6 stocks were gaining, while 44 were losing.

    Some companies such as Hira Automobiles, Dhanlaxmi Cotex, Triumph International Finance India Ltd., Mahan Ind, and Rubra Medica reached their highest prices in the last year. Meanwhile, other stocks like TCFC Finance, Kachchh Mineral, Kunststoffe Ind, Capital Trust, and KCD Industries India hit their lowest prices in a year during the trading session.

  • Rizwan’s Disappointment: Pakistan Exits ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Early

    Rizwan’s Disappointment: Pakistan Exits ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Early

    Pakistan’s cricket team captain, Mohammad Rizwan, shared his sadness after the team was knocked out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The tournament is happening in Pakistan and the UAE. After their final group match against Bangladesh ended without a result due to rain, Pakistan finished in last place in Group A with just one point. They suffered defeats against strong teams like New Zealand and India, leaving them unable to reach the semi-finals.

    Rizwan explained that injuries to key players Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman disrupted the team’s balance. “We really wanted to perform well for our fans. Expectations were high, and it’s disappointing that we didn’t do better,” Rizwan said. He described how important Ayub’s recent performances were for the team, but losing him to an ankle injury during a Test series hurt their chances. Zaman also had to leave the tournament early due to a muscle strain.

    When asked about the team’s preparation and depth, Rizwan emphasized the need for improvement in Pakistan’s domestic cricket. “We need to work on many aspects to raise our standards. It’s clear we need to improve our game,” he added.

    Looking ahead, Pakistan is set to tour New Zealand for a series of five T20 matches and three One Day Internationals starting March 16. Rizwan is hopeful that his team will learn from their recent mistakes and come back stronger against New Zealand. “We’ve made mistakes recently, but we can learn and do better next time,” he concluded.

  • Tuhin Kanta Pandey: New SEBI Chairman as Stock Market Faces Challenges

    Tuhin Kanta Pandey: New SEBI Chairman as Stock Market Faces Challenges

    Tuhin Kanta Pandey has been named the new chairperson of SEBI (the Securities and Exchange Board of India) for three years. He will take over from Madhabi Puri Buch, who is the first woman to lead SEBI. Pandey’s appointment was approved by the Cabinet on February 27.

    Pandey steps into this important role as the Indian stock market is experiencing low performance because many foreign investors are pulling out their money. This year alone, these investors have taken out over Rs 1.13 lakh crore.

    Tuhin Kanta Pandey is an experienced officer from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), having joined in 1987. Before this role, he served as the Finance Secretary and the Secretary of the Department of Revenue. He played a big part in significant decisions, like selling Air India and listing LIC on the stock market.

    As Finance Secretary, his job was to advise the Finance Minister and manage important finances for the government. Now, as the head of SEBI, he brings his knowledge of finance and economic management.

    Education-wise, Pandey holds a Master’s degree in Economics from Panjab University and an MBA from the UK. Throughout his career, he has taken on many important roles, including working in health and transport sectors. He has also worked as a District Collector and has been involved in key projects for the government.

    This new position at SEBI marks an exciting chapter in his career!

  • India Demands Transparency and Reform in UN Security Council

    India Demands Transparency and Reform in UN Security Council

    India has called for more openness in how the UN Security Council and its working groups operate. Speaking at a recent UN meeting, Ambassador P. Harish explained that when requests to add people to the UN’s blacklist of terrorists are denied or delayed, the reasons are often kept secret. He referred to this lack of information as a “disguised veto,” meaning it acts like a veto but isn’t officially recognized as one.

    Harish stressed the importance of reforming the Security Council to make it work better and be more transparent. He pointed out that while decisions to add individuals to the terrorist list are shared publicly, the reasons for rejecting these listings remain hidden, limiting accountability. This lack of transparency is especially concerning given that China, a close ally of Pakistan, often blocks India’s attempts to blacklist Pakistani terrorists.

    Harish also lamented that while many countries agree on the necessity for reform, little progress has been made. He urged all UN member states to stop just talking about reform and take action instead. He emphasized that the path to real change begins with clear plans and timelines.

    Additionally, he mentioned that when peacekeeping missions are planned, the concerns of countries providing troops and police need to be considered. As the largest contributor of peacekeeping forces, India believes this is crucial.

    He urged the Security Council to remove outdated issues that no longer matter today and to engage more meaningfully with all UN member states. Simply summarizing the Security Council’s activities in reports isn’t enough; those reports should be more thorough and help member countries understand how the Council is functioning.

    Harish concluded by saying the Security Council needs major changes to fit today’s world. Its current structure has not changed much in 80 years and doesn’t reflect contemporary realities. To effectively carry out its mission and meet people’s expectations, the Council must be reformed to serve its purpose better.

  • Trump Cuts USAID Aid: Millions of Lives at Risk!

    Trump Cuts USAID Aid: Millions of Lives at Risk!

    On Thursday in Cape Town, South Africa, health groups and charities were shocked and angry when they heard the Trump administration decided to cut 90% of foreign aid contracts from USAID. This means that important programs that help people with food, health, and emergency assistance around the world will lose funding, leaving millions in danger.

    One group, InterAction, said this decision will hurt many vulnerable people, leading to hunger and disease. They warned that “women and children will go hungry, and families will struggle.” Instead of keeping people safe, this could create more problems like instability and migration.

    The U.S. government is stopping about $60 billion in aid because they believe it doesn’t help American interests. This means thousands of contracts with NGOs will end, which many say is a huge blow to American foreign aid.

    Liz Schrayer, a leader of a non-profit organization, said that this decision could allow countries like China, Russia, and Iran to gain more power and influence around the world.

    In South Africa, health organizations mentioned that many programs aimed at treating HIV will end, affecting thousands of people. USAID plays a large role in fighting diseases like HIV and tuberculosis, and the cuts can put these programs at serious risk.

    Critics, including Trump and his advisor Elon Musk, argue that foreign aid is wasteful and supports a liberal agenda. They are making deep cuts to these programs quickly, and many organizations have received letters saying their funding is being terminated because it doesn’t match U.S. priorities.

    After the cuts, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio introduced a waiver program to save some funding, but many essential services still lost support.

    Many USAID workers received just a short time to clear their workspaces amid the cuts. This rapid change has left many programs and the people they help in a difficult position.

  • Trump Fires Top Military Leaders: What You Should Know

    Trump Fires Top Military Leaders: What You Should Know

    In a surprising move, President Donald Trump fired Gen. CQ Brown Jr., the top leader of the U.S. military, along with five other high-ranking officials. This decision stirred up a lot of talk because people admired Brown for his service. He was only the second African American to hold this important position in U.S. history.

    When Trump confirmed Brown as the Air Force chief of staff in 2020, he celebrated the decision on social media. But when he fired Brown and the others on February 21, he was much quieter about it. Critics worry that this move mixes politics into the military, which is usually nonpartisan.

    Republican senators mostly defended Trump’s right to make these changes. Sen. Mike Rounds said he thought Brown had done a great job but acknowledged Trump’s ability to choose his team. Sen. Thom Tillis compared this situation to when President Barack Obama made military changes.

    Gen. Brown, along with Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to lead the Navy, and other top officials, was dismissed in a rare shakeup. Some Republicans backed the president, saying he has the right to change military leaders.

    Others, like Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, criticized the firings and said it showed that political loyalty mattered more than skill. Brown’s dismissal was especially noted because he had spoken out about race in the military after the murder of George Floyd.

    A bipartisan group of House members asked for clear rules about firing military leaders, emphasizing the importance of keeping the military apolitical. Sen. Susan Collins expressed her view that Brown and the others had been doing well in their roles. In contrast, some, like Rep. Derrick Van Orden, approved of the firings, saying it was time for a new start at the Department of Defense.

    Trump announced that retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine would replace Brown. While Caine had a solid military background, he didn’t meet every requirement to be chairman, but Trump can overlook those rules. Some see this as a way to bring in new perspectives.

    Democrats, however, worry this could hurt recruitment and retention in the military, as it suggests the president’s political views matter more than talent and experience. Sen. Richard Blumenthal expressed strong concerns about the message these firings send.

  • WhiteOak Launches Equity Savings Fund: Smart Investing Made Easy!

    WhiteOak Launches Equity Savings Fund: Smart Investing Made Easy!

    WhiteOak Capital Mutual Fund has introduced a new investment option called the WhiteOak Capital Equity Savings Fund. This fund lets you put your money into three main areas: stocks (equity), a strategy to make money without risk (arbitrage), and safer investments like bonds (debt). The new fund is open for people to invest in until March 5.

    The goal of this fund is to help your money grow by investing in stocks and safe options. It is designed for people who want a mix of stable and potentially high returns. The fund will be overseen by a team of experienced managers.

    One of the best parts about this fund is that it isn’t as risky as just investing in stocks. This means it can help you make money while keeping your savings safe. The fund is also good for people who pay higher taxes, as it can offer tax-friendly returns.

    “We believe investing is about finding the right balance between making money and protecting what you have. This fund is perfect for those looking for stable returns during uncertain times,” says Aashish Somaiyaa, the CEO of WhiteOak Capital Asset Management.

    If you invest for more than one year, any profits you make could be taxed at a lower rate. The fund usually invests a large part of the money in stocks, about 65% to 90%. This includes safe investments to balance out any risks. The fund’s smart strategy adjusts how much it invests in stocks based on how the market is doing.

    In times when it’s hard to find good chances to make money with stocks, the fund will shift to safer options, ensuring that your investments are always working for you.

  • BJP’s Push to Rename Delhi Villages: Madhavpuram and Nahargarh

    BJP’s Push to Rename Delhi Villages: Madhavpuram and Nahargarh

    BJP MLA Anil Sharma plans to rename Mohammadpur village in his RK Puram area of Delhi to ‘Madhavpuram.’ He mentioned that a proposal to change the name had been approved by the local corporation long ago but had been stuck in the Assembly during the Aam Aadmi Party’s government.

    Sharma said, “People want this village to be called Madhavpuram. Now that the BJP is in charge in Delhi, we will listen to what the people want.” He hopes to present this proposal to the Assembly soon.

    Sharma isn’t alone in this effort. BJP MLA Neelam Pehelwan also wants to change the name of her area, Najafgarh, to ‘Nahargarh.’ She explained that the change is important due to the area’s history, saying, “During the 1857 revolt, local leader Raja Nahar Singh fought for our region. It’s important for our people to honor our history.”

    Pehelwan has been trying to change the name for a while, believing that the new name represents the local struggles and significance of the area more accurately.