India is celebrating its 73rd Republic Day

Morning Masala Tea
26 January, 2022

News Today:

India is celebrating its 73rd Republic Day

Today India is celebrating its 73rd Republic Day. One of the key features of the celebration is the Republic Day Parade held at Rajpath in New Delhi where India’s military might, cultural diversity and many unique initiatives will be on display. HT

Corruption perception index (CPI) of 2021 – India at 85

India’s rank improved one place to 85 among 180 countries in a corruption perception index (CPI) of 2021, according to a new report by Transparency International which, however, raised concern over the country’s democratic status. Deccan Herald

Future Retail and Amazon issue – Future Retail debt risk

A week after Future Retail and Amazon surprised everyone with an elaborate farce that raised the hope of some sort of rapprochement after an intense 16-month squabble in various courts, the combatants appeared to be squaring off for a renewed battle over the future of Future Retail, which is scrambling to raise money to pay off a Rs 3,494.56 crore debt by January 29 or risk being declared a defaulter. Telegraph

Sharp drop in education level of kids during COVID

The proportion of students in classes II, III, and VI in Chhattisgarh who are unable to recognise letters have doubled since 2018, coupled with a sharp drop in their basic mathematical skills, according to the latest Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), which captures Covid-related learning losses in one of the most backward states of the country. Indian Express

Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Tuesday refused Padma Bhushan award

Former West Bengal Chief Minister and veteran CPI(M) leader Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Tuesday refused Padma Bhushan award. The Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier in the day announced Padma awards and Mr. Bhattacharjee’s name was among the recipient of Padma Bhushan awards. He was given the award in the field of Public Affairs. Hindu

 

Google Trends Today

Padma Bhushan 

The Indian government has awarded Padma Bhushan to Satya Nadella and Sundar Pichai

R P N Singh joins BJP

Senior Congress leader and former Union minister R P N Singh joined BJP on Tuesday, saying the Congress was no longer the party it used to be.

 

Twitter Trends 

  1. Ukraine leaders tell the nation that Russian invasion is not imminent as world leaders prepare for potential escalation
  2. Delhi reduces number of ‘dry days’ from 21 to 3
  3. UN calls on Burkina Faso military to free president ‘immediately’
  4. #RepublicDay

 

Compiled from Twitter

Startup
24 February, 2024

Byju’s, once heralded as a flagship in India’s edtech sector, is grappling with severe financial and operational challenges, marked by a dramatic valuation drop. The company, which sought to stabilize its operations and finances, is now raising funds at a valuation significantly lower than its peak. This development comes amid efforts to address a substantial debt burden, with Byju’s proposing a repayment plan for its $1.2 billion loan. Investor confidence appears shaken, with some stakeholders pushing for drastic changes in leadership to navigate the crisis effectively. The turmoil reflects broader sectoral pressures and raises questions about the sustainability of high-growth trajectories in the edtech industry

Energy
10 February, 2024

Australia’s energy market is witnessing significant transitions and investments aimed at bolstering renewable energy infrastructure and securing gas supplies. Key developments include a $179 million investment by the Queensland Government for community battery projects, Santos’ $5.7 billion gas pipeline project following a legal battle win, and a $206 million energy savings package for NSW households. Additionally, the Australian government has secured new gas supply deals to support the east coast market, emphasizing the role of gas in transitioning to a renewable grid.

India 2024
9 February, 2024

The latest opinion polls, including the Mood of the Nation survey by India Today, predict a comfortable victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP and its allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), with a projected win of 335 Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 general elections. This forecast suggests a slight decrease from the 2019 elections but still ensures a majority. The survey, involving interviews with over 149,000 respondents, reflects Modi’s enduring popularity based on his nationalist policies and economic reforms. Other polls echo these findings, although seat projections vary slightly. The opposition INDIA alliance is expected to secure a significant number of seats, yet not enough to challenge the NDA’s majority. These predictions highlight a political landscape that remains largely favorable to Modi and the BJP as the election approaches