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  • Amsterdam-bound Dutch plane skids off Oslo airport runway after emergency landing

    Amsterdam-bound Dutch plane skids off Oslo airport runway. No casualty has been reported so far. This was the third major aviation mishap reported over the weekend with the deadliest occurring in South Korea where 179 people died after a flight crashed in Muan International Airport
    Dutch plane skids off runway after making emergency landing in Norway airport. Photo Courtesy: Nick Sortor X page

    On the day of a deadly air crash in South Korea claiming 179 lives, a major tragedy was averted after an Amsterdam-bound flight skidded off the runway at Oslo Torp Sandefjord Airport in southern Norway after it experienced a technical malfunction after takeoff.

    All 182 passengers, including the crew of the flight, remained unharmed.

    Sharing details about the flight, the Norwegian Police earlier wrote on its website: “A passenger plane en route from Oslo to Amsterdam has made an emergency landing at Torp Airport after a report of a hydraulic failure.”

    “The plane has landed on the runway,” police said.

    All passengers of the KLM Royal Dutch Airlines-operated Boeing 737-800 were evacuated from the flight.

    KLM has decided to send a flight to Oslo to pick up the passengers stranded in the airport, media reports said.

    Several videos of the flight are currently going viral on social media platforms.

    Meanwhile, an Air Canada flight made a perilous landing at Halifax airport as the plane skidded down the runway and caught fire. The plane touched down with a broken landing gear.

    No casualty has been reported while the video of the flames as it was landing has gone viral. 

    The Oslo incident occurred just hours before a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, operated by Jeju Air, flying from Bangkok to South Korea with 181 people on board, crashed after it landed at Muan International Airport on Sunday.

    According to reports, 179 passengers on the flight died in the crash.

    Only two passengers were evacuated safely from the plane.

  • India records highest ever coal production in 2023-24, focus on raising coking coal output

    coal

    IANS

    India recorded its highest ever coal production of 997.826 million tonnes (MT) in the financial year 2023-24 which represents an 11.71 per cent increase in comparison to the corresponding figure of 893.191 MT in the year 2022-23, according to the year-end review of the Coal Ministry.

    During the calendar year 2024 (up to December 15, 2024), the country supplied about 963.11 MT of coal as compared to about 904.61 MT of coal during the same period of last year with a growth of about 6.47 per cent. This comprised a coal supply to the Power Sector of 792.958 MT as compared to 755.029 MT coal during the same period of last year with a growth of 5.02 per cent.

    The coal supply to the non-regulated sector during the calendar year was 171.236 MT as compared to 149.573 MT during the same period of last year with a growth of 14.48 per cent.

    The Ministry of Coal has launched ‘Mission Coking Coal’ to enhance domestic coking coal production to reduce the import of coking coal, keeping in view the demand projection of the steel sector. This mission aims to increase domestic raw coking coal production up to 140 MT by FY 2029-30.

    The total domestic raw coking coal production during the financial year 2023-24 is 66.821 million tonnes (MT) while the domestic raw coking coal production target for the financial year 2024-25 is 77 MT.

    Centre completes auction of 9 coal mines, to yield Rs 1,446 crore annual revenue

    IANS

    The target to increase raw coking coal production by FY2029-30 from CIL subsidiaries is about 105 MT by FY2029-30 from 60.43 MT during FY 2023-24.

    Modernization and renovation of existing ageing washeries of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) and Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), which have surpassed the designed lifespan, for its optimal utilization to make more high-quality coal available in the country.

    Supply of coal to the steel sector through the Non-Regulated Sector (NRS) Linkage auction route to promote domestic coking coal for steel production and implementation of reforms in the auction process with the aim of substitution of coking coal import are also being undertaken.

    The Ministry of Coal has also auctioned 14 coking coal blocks to the private sector. These blocks are expected to start production by 2028-29.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • Good news for India before the New Year! The government and the common man will all get the benefit of this


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    FDI @ 2025: Good news is also coming out for the year 2025 regarding foreign direct investment in the country. DPIIT says that due to the government’s policies, India still remains a favorite destination for foreign investors.

    The year 2024 is coming to an end and the new year is once again bringing new hopes for the future. The Indian economy also has high hopes for the year 2025 and according to the Department of Industry and Internal Promotion (DPIIT), the next year is going to prove to be good for India on the foreign investment front.

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    DPIIT says that despite global uncertainties and challenges, the average monthly foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into India have been over $4.5 billion since January 2024. This trend is expected to continue in 2025 as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government promotes investor-friendly measures in the country.

    According to DPIIT, investor-friendly policies, strong returns on investment, skilled workforce, low compliance burden, elimination of small scale industry-related offences, National Single Window System for streamlined approvals and clearances and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes are creating ample opportunities to attract foreign investors to India. Further, to ensure that India remains an attractive and investor-friendly destination, the government reviews the FDI policy on a continuous basis.

    How much was FDI?

    During the January-September period this year, foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country increased by about 42 percent to $42.13 billion. In the same period last year, FDI was $29.73 billion. In April-September 2024-25, FDI inflows increased by 45 percent to $29.79 billion, from $20.48 billion in the same period last fiscal. Total FDI in 2023-24 was $71.28 billion.

    What is expected from 2025?

    Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, said that as per the trend, the country will continue to attract good foreign direct investment in 2025 as well. India continues to open its economy to global investors by increasing foreign investment limits, removing regulatory hurdles, developing infrastructure and improving the business environment.

    FDI increased in 10 years

    During the last ten years (2004-2024), a total FDI inflow of US$ 991 billion was recorded, of which 67 percent (US$ 667 billion) was received in just 10 years i.e. 2014-2024. From US$ 98 billion in 2004-2014 to US$ 165 billion in 2014-2024, FDI equity inflows in the manufacturing sector have increased by 69 percent. India continues to be a preferred investment destination for global companies.

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  • Venture Capital investments in India surge to $16.8 bn in January-November: Report

    venture capital

    IANS

    Venture capital (VC) activity in India has witnessed significant growth from January to November 2024, with investments reaching $16.77 billion across 888 deals, according to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF).

    Venture capital activity in India from January to November 2024 has surged to US$ 16.77 billion across 888 deals, reflecting a robust 14.1 per cent increase in value and a 21.8 per cent rise in deal count compared to the same period in 2023, according to figures gathered by the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF).

    The technology sector emerged as the frontrunner, attracting $6.50 billion, a remarkable 52.5 per cent increase year-over-year. Consumer discretionary investments followed with $2.30 billion, up 32.2 per cent, while the financial sector saw a slight decline to $2.20 billion, the IBEF report said.

    Noteworthy deals included KiranaKart Technologies (Zepto) at $1.3 billion and Poolside AI SAS at $500 million. Industry leaders express optimism about continued momentum into 2025, with expectations for more initial public offerings (IPOs) and increased activity in later-stage funding rounds as funds that have been cautious begin to deploy capital.

    Venture capital investments in India surge

    IANS

    Experts like Bhaskar Majumdar and Sajith Pai foresee a positive shift in the Indian startup ecosystem, anticipating “great easing” in 2025. Despite concerns about the economy’s reliance on the India1 engine, which comprises around 30 million households contributing significantly to GDP, optimism remains high due to ongoing capital flows supported by savings.

    The energy transition presents new opportunities in electric mobility and green hydrogen sectors. At the same time, traditional areas like fintech and e-commerce continue to attract investment.

    Additionally, there is a growing focus on intellectual property (IP) -led businesses, particularly deep tech, with significant investments in robotics, drones, and semiconductor technologies.

    As the landscape evolves, the influence of the US market under the new administration could shape global capital flows, presenting both challenges and opportunities for Indian startups, the IBEF report added.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • Sayantan Bhattacharyya: Expertise in M&A and ERP Transformations

    Sayantan Bhattacharyya

    Leveraging Technological Expertise in M&A
    With over 19 years of experience across various industries, Sayantan Bhattacharyya has built a strong foundation in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) transformations. Currently serving as a Director at a leading consulting firm, Sayantan focuses on managing M&A transactions, IT integrations, and facilitating technology adoption for organizations. His skills in technology integration and strategic planning have made him a reliable resource for businesses undergoing change.

    In a recent engagement, Sayantan oversaw the integration of IT systems for a merger involving three financial institutions with combined assets of over $120 billion. As the IT Shared Services Workstream Lead, he contributed to Day 1 integration planning, application disposition strategies, and data migration roadmaps. His work supported a smooth transition while maintaining operational consistency.

    Designing Target-State IT Strategies
    Sayantan has experience in developing IT strategies that support businesses in competitive environments. He has led initiatives to design IT landscapes for new entities, often as part of regulatory requirements. For example, he worked on defining the IT strategy for a newly formed retail entity created as part of a merger between two grocery chains. This included building an operating model, collaborating with technology vendors, and determining the IT run rate to ensure long-term sustainability.

    His collaborative approach ensures that strategies align with immediate integration needs and future growth objectives. By engaging stakeholders effectively, he develops plans that help organizations adapt to changing market conditions.

    IT Diligence for Private Equity Transactions
    Sayantan has contributed significantly to private equity transactions by conducting buy-side and sell-side IT diligence. He evaluates IT systems of target companies to identify synergies and potential risks, providing detailed insights that inform decision-making.

    In one instance, Sayantan led IT diligence efforts for the acquisition of a technology company with $200 million in revenue. Through management interviews, cost benchmarking, and operating model assessments, he prepared a diligence report that supported the buyer’s strategy. His detailed evaluations help private equity clients address challenges and leverage opportunities effectively.

    ERP Systems Implementation
    Sayantan has led multiple ERP transformation projects, helping organizations implement Oracle cloud applications for HR and finance systems. His work spans banking, retail, and hospitality sectors, where he has tailored solutions to meet diverse business needs.

    As a project leader, he has coordinated teams across geographies, worked with vendors, and streamlined processes for timely implementations. His expertise in configuring payroll, time and labor, and absence management systems has been particularly valuable for clients managing large workforces. Sayantan’s focus on delivering compliant and practical solutions supports clients in achieving their operational goals.

    Academic Background and Professional Contributions
    Sayantan holds an MBA with a concentration in Strategy from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and a Bachelor of Technology in Information Technology from an institution in India. His MBA research focused on optimizing due diligence for M&A transactions.

    He has also contributed to industry discussions by publishing articles on strategy and IT transformation. These contributions reflect his efforts to share knowledge and engage with professionals in his field.

    Commitment to Professional Growth
    Sayantan Bhattacharyya’s career demonstrates a consistent commitment to supporting organizations through transitions and technological changes. His experience in M&A transactions, IT strategy design, and ERP implementations reflects a practical approach to solving business challenges.

    With a focus on aligning technology with organizational goals, Sayantan continues to provide valuable insights and solutions for businesses navigating complex scenarios.

  • Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy wins second World Rapid Chess Championship

    Koneru Humpy wins second World Rapid Chess Championship

    Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy defeated Indonesia’s Irene Sukandar to clinch the historic second title at the World Rapid Chess Championship in New York on Sunday.

    She is now the second player after Ju Wenjun of China to win the title in the women’s section more than once.

    The final round of the match was crucial since Humpy could only bag the title by winning it.

    She had last won the title in 2019.

    Humpy won the title just weeks after D Gukesh lifted the Chess World Championship in the classical format.

    Gukesh became the second Indian player to win the prestigious title since Viswanathan Anand won it.

    Humpy thanks family members for supporting her

    Humpy thanked her family member for supporting her and credited them for the victory.

    “I think it was possible because of the support from my family. My husband, and my parents, support me a lot. Especially my parents look after my daughter when I travel. It’s not easy to become a World Champion when you are 37,” she said.

    “It’s quite difficult when you get older to keep that motivation and stay sharp when required. I’m glad that I made it,” the champion said.

    Narendra Modi congratulates Humpy

    Indian PM Narendra Modi appreciated her for the victory and said her grit and brilliance continue to inspire millions of people worldwide.

    Modi wrote on X: “Congratulations to @humpy_koneru on winning the 2024 FIDE Women’s World Rapid Championship! Her grit and brilliance continues to inspire millions.”

    “This victory is even more historic because it is her second world rapid championship title, thereby making her the only Indian to achieve this incredible feat,” he said.

  • Passengers to board flights at Navi Mumbai International Airport from May 2025: Officials

    Passengers to board flights at Navi Mumbai International Airport from May 2025: Officials

    IANS

    After the successful trial of the first commercial flight at Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), airport officials called it a historic moment and said commercial operations will begin at the airport in May 2025.

    Speaking to IANS, Adani Airport Holding CEO, Arun Bansal said that landing a commercial flight at Navi Mumbai International Airport is historic.

    “Now we have moved one step further towards starting the airport. We will inaugurate the first terminal of the airport around April 17, 2025, and commercial operations will start on it in May. The capacity of the first terminal will be around 2 crore passengers per year.”

    He further said that India’s aviation market will grow 5X from here. Now, it is necessary to have such greenfield airports in the country. This will create thousands of job opportunities.

    According to Bansal, after the completion of all phases, NMIA’s capacity will be 9 crore passengers per year.

    Along with this, the capacity to handle 30 lakh tonnes of cargo per year is also being developed in the airport. Out of this, 8 lakh tonnes of capacity will be started in the first phase.

    CIDCO, MD, Vijay Singhal said that the NMIA is well-connected. It is connected to South Mumbai via Atal Setu. Apart from this, it is also connected to other Metro lines, due to which the entire Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) will get access to the airport.

    Mumbai Airport

    Wikimedia Commons

    He further said that the construction of this airport will support the development of this area and a large number of jobs will be created in many sectors.

    Navi Mumbai Airport, CEO, BVJK Sharma said that this is a milestone.

    “When we started the work, there were many villagers and a large mountain. To build this airport, first, the land was prepared and then the terminal was built.”

    This airport will be inaugurated on April 17.

    All major airlines will start their air services here.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • Indian Railways’ New Time Table and Train Numbers will Change From the New Year

    Indian Railways


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    Indian Railway: If you are going to travel by railway trains in the coming days, then there is important news for you. Railways is going to change its time table. This news is going to affect the people traveling by trains.

    Indian Railways will release a new time table of trains on January 1, 2025. Actually, the 44th edition of the current time table ‘Train at a Glance’ will remain effective till December 31, 2024. After this, the time table of the railways will be changed.

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    When was TAG implemented

    Let us tell you that last year, Indian Railways released the All India Railway Time Table Train at a Glance (TAG), which came into effect on October 1. Its deadline is ending on December 31. In such a situation, the new time table will come into effect on January 1, 2025. Let us tell you that the Railways is planning to start Namo Bharat Rapid Rail, Amrit Bharat Express trains and all 136 Vande Bharat Express trains in 2025. Usually the ‘Train at a Glance’ (TAG) operating time table is released by the Railways by June 30 and the updated time table of trains becomes effective from July 1. However, the rules have been changed this year.

    What is Train at a Glance

    Train at a Glance (TAG) contains important information about Indian Railways trains. It includes all the information including route map, station index, information about trains, trains between stations, station code index, train number index and train name index.

    The numbers of these trains will change.

    Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has announced to change the numbers of 120 i.e. 60 pairs of trains. The numbers of these trains will remain the same as they were before Covid. Railways has said that the new numbers of trains will be applicable from 1 January 2025. Please note that during Covid time, 0 (zero) was added before the numbers of all passenger trains. After the amendment in the train number, special care will have to be taken before booking tickets from IRCTC online or from the counter. Book tickets only after confirming the train number, so that there is no mistake.

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  • Railway projects worth Rs 88,875 crore sanctioned in big boost to 3 economic corridors

    Indian  Railway

    IANS

    A total of 58 railway projects have been sanctioned across three economic corridors, with a combined completion cost of about Rs 88,875 crore and a total track length of about 4,107 kilometres during 2024 as part of the Centre’s strategy to spur economic growth in the country through big infrastructure projects, according to the year-end review of the Indian Railways.

    The projects include Energy, Mineral and Cement Corridors, High Traffic Density Routes and Rail Sagar corridors,

    A total of 434 projects have been planned for implementation under these three corridors.

    The Energy, Mineral and Cement Corridors accounted for 51 projects, spanning 2,911 kilometres with a completion cost of Rs 57,313 crore.

    The High Traffic Density Routes included 5 projects, covering about 830 kilometres and costing about Rs 11,280 crore.

    The Rail Sagar corridor covers two projects, with a total track length of about 366 kilometres and a completion cost of about Rs 20,282 crore.

    EIB Global announces 300 million euro loan for Bengaluru suburban railway network

    IANS

    The total Capex for 2024-25 is Rs 2,65,200 crore, which is the highest amount allocated in the budget, till now.

    In order to boost investment from industry in setting up cargo terminals along railway lines, Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals (GCT) are also being developed across the country.

    So far, 354 locations (327 on non-railway land and 27 on railway land) have been identified across the country. As many as 91 GCTs have been commissioned this year.

    To expedite projects, Indian Railways has also streamlined its project engineering and management processes. All the pending cases of the Engineering Department of various Zonal Railways on Indian Railways E-Procurement System (IREPS) have been disposed of under “one time settlement scheme called ‘Vivad Se Vishwas II’ (Contractual Disputes)”.

    To address uncertainties in the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) tendering mode, a new ‘Schedule G-1’ has been included for the Bill of Quantities for itemised works, the review added.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • Navigating the Blockchain Economy: Lessons from Siva Aditya Kancherla

    Siva Aditya Kancherla

    Siva Aditya Kancherla embodies the spirit of innovation, risk-taking, passion, and an unwavering belief in the transformative potential of blockchain technology. A software engineer turned visionary entrepreneur, his story is one of the most inspiring journeys from Silicon Valley to the blockchain frontier. It is not just a tale of personal triumph but also a guide for aspiring entrepreneurs navigating the unpredictable landscape of the crypto economy.

    From Big Tech to Blockchain
    Siva’s journey began with a solid educational foundation. After earning his Master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he worked at Oracle in India and interned at Amazon during his graduate studies. However, it was at Google Cloud in Sunnyvale, California, where his entrepreneurial ambitions began to take shape.

    In 2017, Siva made a bold move that attracted attention: he invested his entire Google 401(k) into cryptocurrency. This audacious decision showcased his deep confidence in blockchain’s potential and his belief that big rewards require big risks. His calculated gamble paid off, providing him the financial freedom to focus entirely on developing groundbreaking projects in the blockchain sector.

    Leaving behind the security of a prestigious role at Google, Siva launched a series of innovative startups that have left a lasting impact on the blockchain industry:

    • Picolo: A decentralized database for web3 applications that raised $2.2 million in seed funding led by Menlo Ventures and Village Global.
    • Mavrik Labs: Backed by Binance Labs, this venture simplified NFT creation on Ethereum, making blockchain technology more accessible.
    • Infinity: An NFT marketplace aggregator that secured $3 million in funding to revolutionize the NFT ecosystem with a streamlined and user-friendly platform.

    Lessons from Siva’s Journey: Thriving in the Crypto Economy
    Siva’s journey offers invaluable insights for anyone aiming to succeed in the volatile and fast-evolving crypto economy. Here are the key lessons inspired by his path:
    1. Embrace Calculated Risks
    Siva’s decision to invest his retirement savings in cryptocurrency was not reckless; it was the result of thorough analysis and a clear understanding of blockchain’s potential. In the unpredictable world of crypto, critical evaluation of risks is essential for success—whether investing in tokens or building a blockchain startup.

    2. Leverage Financial Independence for Innovation
    By achieving financial security early, Siva was able to dedicate his time and energy to developing impactful projects without the constraints of short-term financial pressures. Financial independence fosters long-term thinking and enables entrepreneurs to focus on innovation.

    3. Bridge the Gap Between Technology and Accessibility
    Through ventures like Mavrik Labs and Infinity, Siva worked to make blockchain technology more user-friendly and accessible to everyday consumers. Simplifying complex systems is key to driving widespread adoption in the blockchain ecosystem.

    4. Adapt to Market Dynamics
    The crypto economy is constantly evolving, requiring entrepreneurs to stay agile and pivot when necessary. Siva’s ability to adapt his strategies to align with trends such as NFTs exemplifies the importance of flexibility in navigating this volatile industry.

    5. Cultivate a Visionary Mindset
    Siva’s success is rooted in his belief in blockchain’s potential to revolutionize industries and society. Leaving a high-paying corporate job to pursue decentralized technology was a testament to his vision. True leadership in the blockchain space requires thinking beyond personal gains to focus on creating a broader impact.

    Siva’s Legacy and the Future of Blockchain
    Siva’s contributions to the blockchain ecosystem have earned him widespread recognition. From winning the Prathibha Scholarship in his formative years to being accepted into prestigious programs like Binance Labs and Tachyon Accelerator, his achievements demonstrate a consistent track record of excellence. In 2023, he was invited to serve as a judge and mentor at events like CalHacks and Techstars AI Startup Weekend, further solidifying his role as a thought leader in the field.

    Looking to the future, Siva emphasizes the need for the blockchain industry to address key challenges and opportunities, including:

    • Sustainability: Developing energy-efficient blockchain solutions to mitigate environmental impact.
    • Interoperability: Enhancing connectivity between blockchains and distributed ledgers for improved functionality.
    • Regulation: Striking a balance between compliance and fostering innovation.
    • Inclusivity: Expanding blockchain’s reach to underserved communities to ensure equitable benefits.

    Conclusion
    Siva Aditya Kancherla’s transition from a corporate tech worker to a trailblazing blockchain entrepreneur exemplifies the power of vision, calculated risk-taking, and a relentless pursuit of innovation. By leveraging his financial freedom and focusing on accessibility, he not only achieved personal success but also advanced the broader cause of decentralized technology. His journey serves as both an inspiration and a roadmap for navigating the dynamic crypto economy.