Rising in the National League Odisha has carved a notable place in India’s electric mobility map, ranking fifth nationwide in the adoption of electric buses. According to Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, the state is set to dramatically expand its e-bus fleet, signaling a decisive shift toward cleaner, smarter, and more inclusive urban…
A Viral Phrase Takes Over X For two days, social media was consumed by one jarring phrase: “Trump Is Dead.” The posts flooded X (formerly Twitter), rapidly propelling the U.S. President’s name into the top global trends. Unlike his usual spikes in online attention—trade wars, campaign rallies, or off-the-cuff comments—this wave of speculation centered on something…
Odisha’s Global Footprint in Seafood and Textiles Over the past two decades, Odisha has carved a distinct space for itself in global trade through two dynamic sectors—marine products and textiles. From the bustling seafood processing hubs along its 480-km coastline to emerging textile clusters across its inland districts, the state has steadily expanded its export presence….
Rail Investment in Odisha: Then and Now Railways have long been a lifeline for Odisha—moving coal, iron ore, steel, and other minerals from its industrial belts to ports and markets across India. Yet for decades, the state lagged behind in terms of rail infrastructure compared to its contribution to freight revenue. According to earlier Railway Budget documents, Odisha…
SCO and India’s Diplomatic Stakes The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), founded in 2001, has steadily evolved into one of the most influential regional blocs in Eurasia, encompassing major powers like China, Russia, India, and Central Asian states. For New Delhi, participation in SCO is more than symbolic—it is an avenue to engage both friends and competitors…
Supply Chains in Turmoil: The Tariff Backdrop The world economy has been unsettled for years by President Donald Trump’s aggressive use of tariffs as a policy weapon. His blanket duties, often framed as “reciprocal” measures against trading partners, disrupted supply chains, inflated import costs, and triggered retaliatory measures worldwide. From steel and aluminum to consumer goods, his…
A Shared Past, a Forward-Looking Future The relationship between India and Japan has been rooted in cultural, spiritual, and economic exchanges for centuries. The compassion of Buddhism linked the two civilizations, while post-war solidarity and trade deepened ties. Over the decades, Japanese technology helped power India’s industries, just as Indian traders contributed to Japan’s commerce. This…
Ethanol Blending: The Bigger Picture India’s ethanol blending programme, which targets E20 fuel (20% ethanol mixed with petrol), has been positioned as a cornerstone of the country’s energy transition. Advocates highlight its promise to cut crude oil imports, lower carbon emissions, and generate fresh income opportunities for farmers growing sugarcane and maize. Globally, countries like Brazil have successfully adopted…
Global Crossroads: Tariffs, Conflict, and Energy The intersection of U.S. trade policy, the war in Ukraine, and India’s growing influence in the global energy market has created new geopolitical friction. Washington’s strategy under President Donald Trump, carried forward by allies in the U.S. Senate, links tariffs directly to countries that purchase Russian oil. For India…
A New Phase in India’s GST Journey Since its launch in 2017, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has been hailed as India’s most transformative indirect tax reform, unifying multiple state and central levies into a single national framework. Yet, over the years, its multiple rate slabs and uneven burden across sectors created complexity for…
