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MakeMyTrip Records 3,400% Surge In Lakshadweep Searches Post PM Modi’s Visit

By
Manali Goswami
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MakeMyTrip Records 3,400% Surge In Lakshadweep Searches Post PM Modi's Visit

Online travel company MakeMyTrip reported a massive 3,400% increase in searches for Lakshadweep on its platform after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the union territory.

In a tweet, MakeMyTrip said, “We have observed a 3400% increase in on-platform searches for Lakshadweep ever since the Honorable PM’s visit.”

To capitalize on the heightened interest in Indian beach destinations, the company has launched a “Beaches of India” campaign offering deals and discounts to encourage travelers to explore the country’s stunning coastline.

Raj Rishi Singh, Chief Marketing and Business Officer at MakeMyTrip, confirmed the over 3,000% rise in Lakshadweep searches post PM Modi’s tour. He said this inspired them to build a beach-focused promotional campaign to boost domestic beach tourism.

The surge in demand comes after PM Modi shared images of his Lakshadweep visit on social media, including his experience of snorkeling in the island’s idyllic waters. His posts were aimed at placing Lakshadweep on the global tourism map.

In solidarity with the ongoing calls for #BoycottMaldives after insults against PM Modi by some Maldivian ministers, travel portal EaseMyTrip also announced the suspension of all flight bookings to Maldives.

EaseMyTrip co-founder Nishant Pitti stated that “country comes before business” while making the decision. He urged more Indian travel firms to take similar steps to uphold national dignity over profits.

The remarks by junior Maldivian ministers over social media had sparked widespread public outrage in India. While Male issued an apology and suspended the ministers, some damage was already done. Several Indians canceled their Maldives trip plans as backlash.

PM Modi’s promotion of Lakshadweep combined with the boycott calls against Maldives seem to have rerouted Indian tourists towards homegrown beach destinations. Domestic firms like MakeMyTrip are gearing up to make the most of this shift in the post-pandemic world.

PM Modi Shares Devotional Song ‘Ayodhya Mein Jaykara Gunjay’ Ahead Of Ram Mandir Ceremony

By
Manali Goswami
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0
PM Modi Shares Devotional Song 'Ayodhya Mein Jaykara Gunjay' Ahead Of Ram Mandir Ceremony

As India gears up for the consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22nd, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been sharing devotional Ram bhajans on his social media handles.

The latest song shared by PM Modi has been composed and sung by Vikas, known popularly as JJ Vyck, and created by Mahesh Kukreja. Sharing the link on his platform, PM Modi wrote, “Today, along with Ayodhya, auspicious songs are being sung everywhere in the country to welcome Lord Shri Ram. On this auspicious occasion, you must also listen to the Ram Bhajan of Vikas ji and Mahesh Kukreja ji, filled with devotion to Ram Lala.”

The song, titled ‘Ayodhya Mein Jaykara Gunjay’, captures the festive spirit and liveliness in the city of Ayodhya ahead of the momentous ceremony. It expresses devotion and love for Lord Rama through its lyrics and composition.

The song was released on the popular devotional YouTube channel ‘BLive Bhakti’. As per the channel, the song encapsulates the essence of Ayodhya’s age-old tradition of singing bhajans in praise of Lord Ram.

Over 7,000 special guests, including celebrities like Sachin Tendulkar, Amitabh Bachchan, and Rajinikanth, as well as industrialists Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, are expected to attend the consecration event in Ayodhya.

In the build-up to the mega event, Prime Minister Modi has been sharing devotional Ram bhajans by various artists on his social media pages. The previous songs include bhajans sung by Geetaben Rabari, Swasti Mehul, and Jubin Nautiyal among others.

The consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya marks the culmination of India’s historic Ram Janmabhoomi movement. As the country prepares for the mega celebration, devotional fervor is on the rise, with songs like the latest one shared by PM Modi encapsulating the mood of the nation.

Diplomatic Row Erupts Over Maldivian Ministers’ Remarks Against PM Modi

By
Manali Goswami
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0
Diplomatic Row Erupts Over Maldivian Ministers' Remarks Against PM Modi

A diplomatic controversy has erupted between India and Maldives after some Maldivian ministers publicly mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media.

The incident started when an Indian user commented on Twitter that the Maldives was a “Chinese puppet” and promoted Lakshadweep as a better tourist destination. In response, Maldives’ Deputy Youth Minister Mariyam Shiuna and two other ministers, Abdulla Mahzoom Majid and Malsha Shareef, used objectionable language against PM Modi.

The Indian High Commission in Male immediately raised the issue strongly with the Maldivian Foreign Ministry. This prompted the Maldives government to suspend the three ministers and distance itself from their “personal comments”.

However, the damage seems to have already been done. Over 200,000 Indian tourists visit the Maldives annually. The tropical nation relies heavily on high-end Indian travellers. The remarks have hence understandably caused outrage in India.

Several Indian actors, sportspeople and netizens have called for boycotting Maldives as a tourist destination. The hashtag #BoycottMaldives has been trending on Indian social media. This could significantly impact the island nation’s tourism-based economy.

The incident is also a setback for the traditionally close relationship between India and Maldives. PM Modi has invested personal diplomatic capital in reviving ties with Male under his “Neighbourhood First” policy in the last few years. His recent visit to promote Lakshadweep’s tourism potential seems to have provoked unnecessary envy and insecurity amongst certain sections of Maldives’ political leadership.

While the Maldives government has reaffirmed its “India First” policy, the damage from such high-level public insults against the leader of India may be difficult to undo overnight. Indian authorities will hope this incident remains an aberration in the larger relationship. But they have conveyed that malicious remarks against PM Modi will not be taken lightly.

The coming days will be crucial in bringing bilateral ties between the two Indian Ocean neighbours back on an even keel.

Indian Markets Open Lower Amid Volatility

By
Manali Goswami
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0
Indian Markets Open Lower Amid Volatility

The Indian equity benchmarks opened lower on Monday amid volatility in the markets. The BSE Sensex fell 84 points to 71,942 in early trade, while the NSE Nifty 50 index declined 26 points to 21,685.

The markets were dragged down by losses in FMCG and IT stocks. FMCG major Hindustan Unilever (HUL) fell over 1%, while ITC, Nestle India, Tech Mahindra and Bajaj twins also traded lower. However, telecom giant Bharti Airtel, jewelry maker Titan, IT services provider HCL Technologies, automaker Tata Motors, power utility PowerGrid, and pharmaceutical company Sun Pharma bucked the trend to trade higher.

The BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices also witnessed selling pressure in the broader market, falling 0.3% and 0.1% respectively. Barring oil & gas and auto, all sectoral indices on the NSE traded in the red, with the Nifty FMCG index shedding 1%.

Asian markets displayed a negative trend after China reported dismal trade data over the weekend. Hang Seng index plunged 2% in Hong Kong, while the Shanghai Composite fell 1%. Other Asian indices like Straits Times, and Kospi were largely flat, except Taiwan which climbed 0.5%.

On Friday, Indian indices had closed higher, with Sensex finishing over 150 points higher at 72,026 and Nifty settling above the 21,700 mark. Continued foreign fund inflows led the uptick, as foreign institutional investors (FIIs) net bought shares worth Rs 3,290 crore on Friday. However, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) offloaded shares worth Rs 7,900 crore.

The Indian markets may witness volatility this week ahead of the quarterly earnings season. Global cues, currency movement and crude oil prices will influence investor sentiment.

Fans Outraged Over Abhishek’s Surprise Mid-Season Eviction From Bigg Boss 17

By
Manali Goswami
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0
Fans Outraged Over Abhishek’s Surprise Mid-Season Eviction From Bigg Boss 17

In a controversial turn of events, breakout contestant Abhishek Kumar was abruptly evicted from reality show Bigg Boss 17 this week. Fans were outraged as the decision stemmed from an altercation where Abhishek was provoked.

The trouble began when fellow housemates Samarth Jurel and Isha Malviya mocked Abhishek over mental health issues, eventually driving him to lash out physically at Samarth. Though violence violated show rules, viewers felt the punishment was disproportionate given the blatant bullying Abhishek faced.

As per the format, the house captain Ankita Lokhande was given the power to decide Abhishek’s fate. She ruled in favor of eliminating him mid-way through the season, leading to a tremendous backlash against her perceived unfair call.

Fans flooded social media slamming the eviction as a grave injustice. Many highlighted how contestants who resorted to uglier outbursts in the past were not thrown out so hastily without public voting. Some saw it as a larger conspiracy to protect more “commercial” contestants.

“This is not fair, how can you evict Abhishek from mid of show?” one fan protested online. Another lamented “Just because Abhishek raised his voice against Ankita, makers gave this loser power to evict him??”

Most felt Abhishek deserved strong punishment for the physical attack but that complete expulsion sans audience votes was excessively harsh. Many clamored for his return while continuing to condemn the systemic bullying within the show.

Abhishek’s exit gained more significance as he emerged as a key rival to eventual winner Munawar Faruqui. With the fan favorite now out, the game has opened up again. But the storm over his eviction is far from over.

Microsoft Ushers In The AI Era With Dedicated Copilot Key

By
Manali Goswami
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0
Microsoft Ushers In The AI Era With Dedicated Copilot Key

Nearly three decades since revolutionizing keyboards with the Windows key, Microsoft has now introduced another dedicated button that signals its next frontier – Artificial Intelligence.

In a historic alteration, Microsoft unveiled a new Copilot key that will sit between the spacebar and arrow keys on Windows keyboards. Set to appear on new 2023 laptops and eventually become mandatory, it provides one-touch access to Microsoft’s AI assistant for productivity enhancements.

By simply pressing the key, users can activate Copilot to generate emails, summarise text, create images via DALL-E prompts, and automate other tasks. The feature leverages capabilities from OpenAI’s cutting-edge GPT-4 language model which Microsoft is betting big on with a $13 billion investment.

The redesign makes Copilot access nearly as seamless as invoking Word or Excel. It underscores Microsoft’s grand vision to make AI ubiquitous and mainstream in the coming era it dubs the “year of the AI PC.”

From underlying silicon to operating systems and apps, Microsoft aims to bake responsive AI across Windows products. Spearheading the shift are flagship devices from partners like Lenovo, Acer, and HP showcasing the Copilot keyboard at CES 2023 this week.

However, the ramp-up may not immediately accelerate AI device sales as the features also support existing hardware. However, increased future reliance on advanced AI workflows could compel more users to upgrade.

By dedicating a prime keyboard real estate to Copilot, Microsoft has made its AI ambitions impossible to ignore. The tech giant believes it can replicate the success of the Windows key launched in 1994. Time will tell whether the AI key also transform how people use personal computers in the years ahead.

Dhoni Files Criminal Case Against Former Business Partners For Fraud

By
Manali Goswami
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0
Dhoni Files Criminal Case Against Former Business Partners For Fraud

Indian cricket icon MS Dhoni has accused business partners Mihir Diwakar and Soumya Vishwash of defrauding him of over Rs 15 crores in a major sports fraud case.

The former Indian captain filed a police complaint in a Ranchi court alleging the duo failed to honor the terms of a 2017 agreement made through their company Aarka Sports. He claims they did not pay the obligated franchise fee nor shared profits after setting up cricket academies under his name globally.

According to Dhoni’s lawyer Dayanand Singh, repeated attempts to resolve the issues and enforce the contractual conditions failed. A legal notice served in August 2021 was also ignored by Aarka Sports and its promoters. This finally prompted the cricketing superstar to initiate criminal proceedings against them.

The case also shed light on the shady dealings that even India’s most revered sporting icons get embroiled in. Dhoni’s close friend Simant Lohani revealed he endured threats and abuse from primary accused Mihir Diwakar when confronted over the dodgy deal and missing payments.

While the 42-year-old Dhoni spent New Year celebrations with family in Dubai, he seems set for a turbulent start to 2023 battling his former associates in court. The CSK captain was expected to lead his franchise again during the 2024 IPL season.

Meanwhile, injured star wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has made public appearances with Dhoni, indicating he has recovered well from his horrific car crash in December 2022. As Dhoni fights for justice in the courtroom, cricket fans will hope Pant can make up for lost time terrorizing bowlers on the pitch again this year.

India Sees Slight Uptick In Covid Cases, Maharashtra On Alert

By
Manali Goswami
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0
India Sees Slight Uptick In Covid Cases, Maharashtra On Alert

India reported 761 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, marking a mild resurgence in infections likely driven by colder weather and the emergence of new Omicron sub-variants.

The national active caseload currently stands at 4,334, reflecting a slight decline from the previous day’s 4,423. However, authorities remain vigilant about possible fresh waves as new mutations like BF.7 and JN.1 gain ground globally.

Of the 761 new cases, Kerala accounted for the highest tally with 1,249 active infections. Maharashtra followed with 914 ongoing cases, though no state is currently seeing an alarming surge.

Unfortunately, the virus continues to claim lives, albeit at a reduced rate. The health ministry recorded 12 new fatalities, including 5 in Kerala and 4 in Karnataka. The national death toll since the pandemic began is over 530,000 and counting.

In Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar revealed the state government is closely tracking the situation by collating daily case reports. Though the JN.1 sub-variant is not very severe yet, he advised people to keep wearing masks as a precaution. The health department has also been instructed to ready containment measures if cases spiral.

Overall, India’s recovery rate remains a healthy 98.81% with over 4.4 crore recovered patients. Over 220 crore vaccine doses have been administered under a successful nationwide immunization program.

Authorities hope to avert another wave through public cooperation in following COVID-appropriate behavior. Citizens are advised to avoid crowded areas, maintain hygiene, and masks in public for their safety amidst the lingering pandemic threat. With proactive tracking and containment protocols in place, India is working to keep potential future surges under check.

Gautam Adani Emerges As Asia’s Wealthiest Person, Surpassing Mukesh Ambani Post Hindenburg Verdict

By
Manali Goswami
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0
Gautam Adani Emerges As Asia's Wealthiest Person, Surpassing Mukesh Ambani Post Hindenburg Verdict

In a dramatic turn of events, Gautam Adani has reclaimed his spot as Asia’s richest person after a turbulent year of extreme wealth fluctuations.

The Indian billionaire first claimed the title in early 2022, but his crown began slipping in January 2023 when short-seller Hindenburg Research accused his conglomerate Adani Group of fraud. The damning report triggered a stock rout that wiped out over $150 billion from Adani’s net worth. From a peak of $120 billion, his wealth plummeted to a low of $59 billion.

Just as abruptly, his fortunes have now reversed. Buoyed by a favorable Supreme Court verdict this week that brought the Hindenburg saga closer to resolution, shares of Adani companies came roaring back. The stock surge added $13.3 billion to Adani’s net worth overnight, pushing him past long-time Indian richest man Mukesh Ambani.

As of January 5th, 2024, Adani’s net worth stood at $97.6 billion, edging out Ambani’s $97 billion. The gap may widen further if the momentum continues. Adani also became the biggest gainer among all billionaires worldwide in 2023. From $59 billion in January, he has added over $38 billion in just 12 months.

The Supreme Court ruling provided immense relief for the embattled tycoon. The apex court ordered market regulator SEBI to conclude its investigation into Adani in three months and unequivocally stated no additional probes were needed. This effectively stemmed the year-long onslaught of short-seller allegations that had sunk shares of Adani’s ports-to-power conglomerate.

After the dramatic wealth erosion and restoration, Gautam Adani has now completed a staggering financial round trip to regain his Asia’s richest crown. It remains to be seen whether he can hold on to the top spot amidst still swirling controversies even as his backers toast his meteoric comeback.

North India Paralyzed By Worst Cold Wave In Decades; Flights, Trains Disrupted

By
Manali Goswami
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0
North India Paralyzed By Worst Cold Wave In Decades; Flights, Trains Disrupted

New Delhi – Northern India ground to a halt this week as an intense and unrelenting cold wave brought sub-zero temperatures, dense fog, disrupted transportation, and misery to millions.

The residents in North India and the national capital don’t seem to be getting respite from the chilly weather conditions soon, as fog continues to grip the Delhi-NCR region on Friday morning amid the prevailing coldwave conditions. The maximum temperature was recorded several notches below normal in the region.
A layer of fog covered parts of Delhi on Friday as the city witnessed a dip in temperature. According to news agency ANI, several trains were delayed at Delhi’s Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station due to fog.

The extreme cold has already claimed over 100 lives this season across northern states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. “We are witnessing continuous days of intense cold the likes of which have not been felt in decades,” said Mahesh Palawat, Vice President of Meteorology at Skymet Weather. Temperatures have plummeted as a result of icy winds from the snow-clad Himalayas to the north.

Homeless shelters have overflowed with people seeking refuge, but overcrowding poses risks of respiratory infections spreading given the COVID pandemic. Officials have urged caution heading into the weekend with temperatures expected to drop further at night. Frostbite and hypothermia are key concerns along with keeping regular medication like asthma inhalers accessible.

Weather models indicate partial relief from early next week as wind patterns shift, but northerly states must steel themselves for a harsher-than-average winter. “My only advice is to take it one day at a time,” said 80-year-old Ramandeep Singh, sipping piping hot tea to warm himself on a deserted Delhi road. “This too shall pass.”

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