India’s Shrimp Boom: A Global Export Powerhouse India has long been a global leader in shrimp exports, with a thriving aquaculture industry that fuels livelihoods, particularly in coastal states like Andhra Pradesh, where over 300,000 farmers grow shrimp in saline ponds. With seafood exports reaching $7.3 billion in 2024, shrimp accounts for the lion’s share—$2.5 billion to the U.S….
BJD’s Legacy and Leadership Under Naveen Patnaik The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has long stood as a dominant political force in Odisha, carving its identity through regional pride, social justice, and welfare-centric governance. Formed in 1997 by Naveen Patnaik, son of the legendary Biju Patnaik, the party has enjoyed unbroken electoral success for over two…
An Era of Uncertainty for the Global Workforce The year 2025 has already seen a surge in corporate layoffs across industries, with over 40,000 jobs lost globally, signaling a continuation of a troubling trend that began during the pandemic and accelerated in its aftermath. Major corporations—particularly in tech, pharma, and biotech—are shedding employees at an alarming…
A New Naming Strategy Raises Old Questions The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), India’s apex body for curriculum development, has recently stirred a national conversation by assigning Hindi titles to English-language textbooks, including those meant to teach English. Titles like Poorvi, Mridang, and Santoor now adorn English textbooks for Classes 1 through…
A Landmark Antitrust Trial with Far-Reaching Consequences A high-stakes antitrust trial against Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, began in Washington this week. At the center of the case is the possibility that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg may be forced to divest two of the world’s most influential social media…
A Major Milestone in India’s Defence R&D Capabilities In a move that marks a giant leap in futuristic warfare, India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested a Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system on April 13, 2025. Conducted at the National Open-Air Range (NOAR) in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, the trial showcased India’s growing prowess…
Environmental Watchdog Slaps Penalty for Alleged Violation of Fly Ash Norms The Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) has imposed an environmental compensation of ₹71.1 crore on Hindustan Zinc Ltd, a subsidiary of the Vedanta Group, for allegedly dumping fly ash without the requisite authorisation. The notice, dated April 10, 2025, has been issued under…
A Scam That Shook India’s Banking System In 2018, India was jolted by one of the most significant financial frauds in its banking history. The Punjab National Bank (PNB), the country’s second-largest public sector bank, reported a staggering scam involving fraudulent Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) and Foreign Letters of Credit (FLCs) amounting to over ₹13,500…
Grooming Grassroots Leadership in a Key Electoral State As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) cements its growing presence in Odisha, party president and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda inaugurated a strategic three-day training camp in the state capital for BJP MPs and MLAs. Odisha, which recently witnessed a major political shift with the BJP forming…
Trump’s Legacy of Harsh Immigration Enforcement The United States’ immigration landscape has long been shaped by contrasting ideologies. President Donald Trump’s administration took a stringent approach to illegal immigration, aiming to curb undocumented arrivals and enforce rigid deportation policies. From the construction of a border wall to strict asylum restrictions, his tenure saw the rise…
