Category Archives: News

Bharat Taxi Sees Strong Response as Nearly 8 Lakh Drivers Join Platform

New Delhi, July 29: Bharat Taxi, India’s cooperative-based mobility platform, has received an exceptional response from the driver community, with nearly 8 lakh drivers joining the platform as partners. The strong participation reflects growing trust in a driver-focused mobility model that aims to empower drivers with greater ownership, transparency, and economic opportunities.

Bharat Taxi is built on the vision of creating an inclusive transportation ecosystem where drivers are not just service providers but active stakeholders in the platform’s growth. Through its cooperative approach, the platform seeks to promote fair participation, improved earning opportunities, and a stronger sense of community among driver partners.

The rapid expansion of the platform highlights the increasing acceptance of technology-enabled, community-driven mobility solutions in India. With a focus on reliability, affordability, and service quality, Bharat Taxi continues to work towards providing seamless travel experiences for passengers while supporting the growth and welfare of its driver partners.

The overwhelming response from nearly 8 lakh drivers marks a significant milestone in Bharat Taxi’s journey and reinforces its commitment to building a sustainable and inclusive mobility network across the country.

Indian Tourists Get Easier Access as UPI Payments Reach Burj Khalifa Bookings

Dubai, July 29: Travelling to Dubai has become more convenient for Indian visitors, with UPI payments now available for online bookings at Burj Khalifa, one of the world’s most popular tourist attractions.

The new payment option allows Indian travellers to use familiar UPI-enabled apps to purchase tickets and services, making the booking process faster, simpler, and more seamless while visiting the UAE.

The move marks another milestone in the global expansion of India’s digital payment ecosystem. With UPI gaining acceptance in international markets, Indian travellers are increasingly able to use a trusted and secure payment method while shopping, dining, and accessing tourist services abroad.

The initiative is expected to benefit the large number of Indian visitors travelling to Dubai each year by reducing payment-related challenges and improving the overall travel experience.

The growing adoption of UPI across global destinations highlights the rising influence of India’s digital finance infrastructure and reflects stronger technology and economic cooperation between India and the UAE.

As digital payments continue to expand worldwide, the availability of UPI at major international attractions like Burj Khalifa showcases India’s progress in building a globally connected and convenient payment network.

Nepal’s Tiger Conservation Success: Population Climbs to 429 in 2026

Kathmandu, July 29: Nepal has achieved a major milestone in wildlife conservation, with its tiger population increasing from 121 in 2009 to 429 in 2026, marking significant progress in protecting one of the world’s most endangered big cats.

The rise in tiger numbers reflects years of dedicated conservation efforts, including stronger wildlife protection measures, improved habitat management, anti-poaching initiatives, and greater involvement of local communities in preserving forest ecosystems.

Wildlife experts said the steady growth in the tiger population is a positive indicator of Nepal’s successful conservation strategy and highlights the importance of long-term efforts to protect natural habitats and maintain biodiversity.

The increase has also strengthened Nepal’s position in global tiger conservation efforts, demonstrating how coordinated action between government agencies, conservation groups, and communities can help revive threatened wildlife populations.

Authorities continue to focus on protecting tiger habitats, managing human-wildlife interactions, and ensuring sustainable conservation practices to support the long-term survival of the species.

Nepal’s achievement serves as an encouraging example of wildlife recovery and shows the impact of consistent conservation efforts in safeguarding the country’s rich natural heritage.

India’s Youth Take Centre Stage in Drive to Build a Drug-Free Future

New Delhi, July 29: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch the ‘Nasha Mukta Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyaan’ on August 2, a nationwide initiative aimed at encouraging young people to stay away from substance abuse and promoting a healthier, stronger future for the country.

The campaign seeks to create awareness about the harmful effects of drug addiction while bringing together youth, families, educational institutions, and communities to support prevention and rehabilitation efforts.

Through this initiative, the government aims to inspire young citizens to become active participants in the fight against substance abuse by promoting awareness, responsible choices, and positive lifestyles.

Officials said the campaign will focus on reaching communities at the grassroots level and encouraging greater public participation to address the challenges linked to drug addiction. Special emphasis will be placed on empowering young people with knowledge, support systems, and opportunities for personal growth.

The initiative reflects the importance of protecting India’s youth population and creating an environment where young citizens can focus on education, careers, and nation-building without the impact of substance abuse.

With the launch of the campaign, the government hopes to strengthen collective efforts towards building a healthier, more aware, and drug-free India.

What Kids Watch on YouTube Isn’t Always What They Learn: ISB Study

India, July 29: Children have unprecedented access to digital video content, but identifying content that supports academic learning remains a challenge. A study by the Indian School of Business finds that the popularity of children’s videos does not necessarily translate into learning outcomes, highlighting a critical gap between what children watch and what they actually learn.

Introducing a novel AI-driven approach to assess the academic quality of children’s video content at scale, the research titled “Quantifying the Academic Quality of Children’s Videos Using Machine Comprehension,” authored by Professor Sumeet Kumar, Assistant Professor of Information Systems at the Indian School of Business, along with Mallikarjuna Tupakula and Ashiqur R. KhudaBukhsh of the Rochester Institute of Technology was published in the INFORMS Journal on Computing , and conducted in collaboration with the Rochester Institute of Technology.

The study analysed nearly 49,000 videos from 134 popular children’s YouTube channels drawn from a global pool of content, supported by a dataset of over 6,300 curriculum-based question–answer pairs and benchmarked against approximately 21,000 textbook questions spanning grades 1 to 12. The findings show that videos with higher viewership are not always those that deliver stronger educational value, pointing to a broader challenge in how digital platforms surface and prioritise content.

To address this, the researchers developed a machine comprehension-based model that evaluates videos using school curricula. By assessing whether a video can correctly answer textbook-aligned questions—using both its spoken content and visual elements—the model provides an objective way to measure its academic relevance. The approach achieved an accuracy of up to 77.5%, demonstrating its potential as a scalable evaluation tool.

“Parents today face a digital deluge of content, making it difficult to distinguish between what is educational and what is simply engaging,” said Sumeet Kumar, Assistant Professor of Information Systems at ISB. “Our research provides a systematic and scalable way to evaluate children’s videos using academic benchmarks. By aligning content with school curricula, we aim to help parents, educators, and platforms prioritise videos that genuinely support learning.”

The study also identifies gaps in content availability. While foundational topics such as basic measurement and language skills are relatively well represented, more complex areas—including scientific reasoning and advanced concepts—remain underrepresented. This points to the need for stronger alignment between digital content and curriculum requirements, particularly for higher-grade learners.

By providing a data-driven method to assess academic quality, the research offers practical implications for multiple stakeholders. For parents and educators, it enables more informed content choices. For digital platforms, it presents an opportunity to improve recommendation systems by incorporating learning value alongside engagement metrics.

As video continues to play a growing role in children’s learning environments, the study underscores the importance of moving beyond popularity as a measure of value. Strengthening the focus on educational quality will be critical to ensuring that digital content meaningfully contributes to learning outcomes at scale.

Heavy Rain Disrupts Odisha Life as Seven Districts Close Schools and Colleges

Bhubaneswar, July 29 (UDN): Several parts of Odisha are facing disruption due to heavy rainfall and rising flood concerns, prompting authorities to temporarily close schools, colleges, and Anganwadi centres across seven districts as a safety measure.

Educational institutions in Bhadrak, Keonjhar, Jajpur, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, and Deogarh will remain closed as continuous rainfall has caused river water levels to rise and increased the risk of flooding in vulnerable areas.

The precautionary decision aims to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and staff while local administrations continue to monitor the weather situation and prepare for possible emergencies.

Officials are keeping a close watch on affected regions, where rising water levels have impacted daily life in some areas. Residents in low-lying locations have been advised to remain cautious and follow safety instructions issued by authorities.

Emergency response teams and district administrations are working to manage the situation, provide assistance where needed, and minimize the impact of the ongoing monsoon conditions.

The temporary closures highlight the administration’s efforts to protect communities as Odisha continues to experience heavy rainfall and flood-related challenges.

India Hockey Team Ready for Asian Games Challenge Under Harmanpreet’s Leadership

New Delhi, July 29: Hockey India has announced a 20-member squad for the upcoming Asian Games, with captain Harmanpreet Singh set to lead the team as India aims for another strong showing on the continental stage.

The squad features a balanced mix of experienced players and emerging talent, reflecting India’s focus on maintaining consistency and building a competitive unit for one of the biggest sporting events in Asia.

Harmanpreet Singh, known for his leadership and world-class drag-flicking ability, will guide the team as India looks to continue its impressive international run. The side enters the tournament with confidence after delivering encouraging performances in recent global competitions, showcasing strong teamwork, defensive discipline, and attacking strength.

Hockey India said the squad selection was based on players’ current form, fitness levels, and performances in recent matches. The team management expressed confidence in the group’s preparation and ability to handle the pressure of a high-stakes tournament.

The Asian Games hold special importance for Indian hockey, offering the team an opportunity to compete against Asia’s top sides and strengthen its position in international hockey.

With a combination of experience, young energy, and strong determination, the Harmanpreet-led squad will look to make a mark at the Asian Games and continue India’s proud hockey legacy.

India’s Africa Partnership Deepens as Investments Reach Dollar 75 Billion Milestone

New Delhi, July 29: India’s growing economic engagement with Africa has reached a significant milestone, with the country’s cumulative investments in the continent rising to nearly $75 billion, reflecting stronger business ties and long-term cooperation between the two regions.

According to a recent report, Indian companies have expanded their presence across key sectors in Africa, including energy, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, agriculture, and manufacturing. These investments have supported local development while creating new opportunities for Indian businesses in emerging markets.

The partnership between India and African nations has evolved beyond traditional trade, with greater focus on technology sharing, sustainable development, healthcare, renewable energy, and capacity building. Both sides continue to explore new areas of collaboration aimed at driving economic growth and creating shared opportunities.

Industry experts believe that Africa’s growing markets, abundant resources, and rising demand for infrastructure and technology solutions offer significant potential for further Indian investment.

The expanding economic relationship highlights India’s commitment to building stronger global partnerships and supporting inclusive growth through investment, innovation, and cooperation.

With continued collaboration, India and Africa are expected to strengthen their role as key partners in shaping future trade and development opportunities.

Banking Charges Put the Spotlight on Customer Costs as Fees Cross INR 26,000 Crore

New Delhi, July 29: Banks collected ₹26,170 crore in minimum balance charges between FY23 and FY26, according to government data, highlighting the growing conversation around account-related fees and their impact on customers.

The charges were collected from account holders who were unable to maintain the minimum balance requirements specified by their banks. While banks consider these fees an important part of covering account management and service costs, the issue has sparked discussions about affordability and accessibility of banking services.

For many customers, especially those managing tight household budgets, unexpected account charges can add financial pressure. Consumer advocates have emphasized the importance of transparent communication, timely alerts, and greater awareness about account requirements to help customers avoid penalties.

In recent years, banks have expanded zero-balance accounts and basic banking services to encourage wider financial inclusion and bring more people into the formal banking system.

Industry experts believe that as digital banking continues to grow, maintaining a balance between bank operations and customer-friendly practices will remain crucial. Clearer policies, improved customer awareness, and accessible banking options can help strengthen trust between financial institutions and account holders.

The latest data has renewed the focus on making banking services more transparent, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of everyday customers.

West Asia Tensions Pose Fresh Challenges for Indian Trade, Exporters Face Rising Costs

Mumbai, July 29: Escalating tensions in West Asia and potential disruptions at critical global shipping routes could increase costs for Indian exporters and importers, affecting freight rates, marine insurance premiums, and supply chain operations, according to a report by CareEdge Ratings.

The report highlighted that prolonged uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea could pose significant challenges for businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises that have limited flexibility to absorb higher expenses.

The Strait of Hormuz plays a vital role in India’s energy security, with a large share of the country’s crude oil imports and key energy supplies such as LNG and LPG passing through the route. Any disruption could lead to higher global oil prices, increased production costs, and added inflationary pressure.

The report noted that simultaneous disruptions across major maritime chokepoints could create further strain on global trade networks. Longer shipping routes, including diversions around the Cape of Good Hope, may increase transit times by several weeks while adding to logistics and transportation expenses.

Rising energy costs and supply chain disruptions could weigh on industries dependent on imported raw materials and fuel. While larger companies with diversified supply chains may be better positioned to manage the impact, smaller exporters and importers could face pressure on profit margins, cash flows, and working capital requirements.

Experts believe businesses may need to strengthen supply chain resilience, diversify sourcing options, and adopt proactive risk management strategies to navigate ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.

The evolving situation in West Asia remains a key factor for global trade and energy markets, with potential implications for India’s economic outlook and business environment.