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India's GDP growth projected over 7% this fiscal: FICCI

India is poised for robust economic growth, with GDP projected to exceed 7% this financial year, according to Anant Goenka, the newly appointed President of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Goenka emphasized the need to elevate the manufacturing sector's contribution to GDP from 15-17% to 20-25% over time, highlighting priorities such as increasing R&D spending, enhancing industry-academia partnerships, and promoting sustainable practices. India's economy recently recorded an impressive 8.2% growth in the July-September quarter, driven by public investments and strong consumption, solidifying its status as the world's fastest-growing major economy. Goenka acknowledged existing challenges, including insolvency issues and demand fluctuations post-COVID, but expressed optimism about overcoming these hurdles. He also called for further simplification of business regulations to improve the overall business climate in collaboration with state governments. sources

Published:
Dec 02 2025, 3 pm

Varaha, Kellanova start regenerative corn project for Maharashtra farmers

Kellanova, a global food leader, has partnered with Varaha to launch a five-year regenerative corn program in Maharashtra, India, aimed at transforming the practices of 5,000 smallholder farmers across 12,500 acres. This initiative is part of Kellanova's broader sustainability agenda, focusing on climate action and regenerative sourcing. By promoting methods that enhance soil health and reduce fertilizer use, the program aims to sequester nearly 100,000 tonnes of CO₂e emissions, directly impacting the company's supply chain carbon footprint. The project employs an insetting approach, creating climate benefits within Kellanova's supply chains, and adheres to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Additionally, it seeks to improve farmer livelihoods through sustainable practices and addresses food safety concerns related to aflatoxin contamination. Kellanova's Vice President, Shaughan Kennedy, emphasized the importance of aligning business success with community and environmental well-being, while Varaha's CEO, Madhur Jain, highlighted India's potential as a leader in regenerative agriculture. sources

Published:
Dec 02 2025, 3 pm

Malaysia Airlines boosts Thiruvananthapuram-Kuala Lumpur to daily flights

Malaysia Airlines has upgraded its Thiruvananthapuram-Kuala Lumpur service to daily operations, enhancing connectivity for passengers and tourists from Kerala. Previously operating five days a week, the new schedule will provide a total of 11 weekly flights, with Air Asia contributing an additional four services. This increase is expected to attract travelers from other states, drawn by competitive fares. Concurrently, Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has announced a winter schedule that reflects a 22% rise in weekly flight operations, increasing from 600 to 732 Air Traffic Movements (ATMs). The new schedule includes additional domestic routes to Navi Mumbai, Mangaluru, and Trichy, while international operations will see a 9% growth. This expansion highlights the airport's growing significance as a key gateway to Kerala and its role in supporting regional mobility and economic development, as emphasized by officials and Adani Airport Holdings Limited, which manages the facility. sources

Published:
Dec 02 2025, 3 pm

India's aquaculture surges 167% as Asia embraces farmed fish

India has experienced a remarkable 167% increase in inland aquaculture production, soaring from 1.5 million tonnes in 2014 to nearly 4 million tonnes in 2023, according to a study by the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). This growth positions India as a key player in Asia's shift from wild-caught to farmed fish, with aquaculture now accounting for 40% of fisheries employment, up from 17% in 1995. However, the report highlights significant challenges, including rising fish loss and waste, with marine fish losses increasing from 2.78% to over 10%. The study calls for urgent investments in cold-chain infrastructure and improved handling practices to mitigate these issues. Despite a robust seafood export sector, which is valued at $7.5 billion, the domestic supply chain remains vulnerable, raising food safety concerns for local consumers. sources

Published:
Dec 02 2025, 3 pm

NHAI partners with Reliance Jio for telecom safety alerts

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has partnered with Reliance Jio to implement a telecom-based safety alert system across the National Highway network. This initiative will utilize Jio's 4G and 5G infrastructure to send real-time warnings to travelers about hazardous locations, including accident-prone areas, stray-cattle zones, and fog-affected stretches. Alerts will be delivered via SMS, WhatsApp, and high-priority calls, allowing drivers to adjust their speed and behavior accordingly. The system will be integrated with NHAI's digital platforms, such as the 'Rajmargyatra' app and the emergency helpline 1033, and will be accessible to all Jio users near National Highways. This automated solution, which requires no additional roadside hardware, aims to enhance road safety for over 500 million subscribers. NHAI also plans to collaborate with other telecom providers for similar initiatives. sources

Published:
Dec 02 2025, 2 pm

Panel urges revival of urea plants to meet demand

A parliamentary panel, chaired by TMC MP Kirti Azad, has urged the Indian government to revive three closed urea plants, including two in West Bengal, to address a projected increase in urea demand of 56 lakh tonnes over the next decade. The Standing Committee on Chemicals and Fertilizers highlighted the urgency of this revival in its report, citing a rise in urea demand from 388 lakh tonnes in 2024-25 to an estimated 444 lakh tonnes by 2035-36. The government indicated that any revival would depend on the demand-supply gap following the operationalisation of five revived plants. Currently, India has 33 urea manufacturing units with a total capacity of 269.40 lakh tonnes, but farmers have reported inadequate urea availability. The panel also recommended establishing a task force to enhance domestic urea production and expand the capacity of other fertilizers through fiscal incentives and long-term supply agreements. sources

Published:
Dec 02 2025, 2 pm

IndiGo flight makes emergency landing in Mumbai over bomb threat

An IndiGo flight from Kuwait to Hyderabad was forced to make an emergency landing in Mumbai on Tuesday due to a bomb threat. Flight 6E1234, operated by an Airbus A321neo, landed safely at 7:45 am after a full emergency was declared at 6:33 am, following a bomb threat email received at Hyderabad airport. A bomb threat assessment committee (BTAC) was convened at the airport and deemed the threat "specific." IndiGo confirmed the incident, stating that they followed established protocols and informed the relevant authorities promptly. While the airline did not disclose the number of passengers on board, it emphasized the seriousness of the security threat that prompted the diversion. The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding aviation security and the measures airlines must take in response to potential threats. sources

Published:
Dec 02 2025, 1 pm

Vizhinjam Port to begin cargo operations by January 2026

The launch of gateway cargo operations at Kerala's Vizhinjam International Container Transhipment Terminal has been postponed to January 2026 due to technical issues, delaying a significant milestone for the Indian shipping industry. Initially set to commence on November 1, the terminal's opening is expected to enhance direct liner connectivity to global ports, thereby reducing shipping costs and improving delivery times for South Indian industries. Stakeholders, including the Kerala Steamer Agents’ Association, anticipate that the terminal will boost the state's economy by creating jobs linked to port operations. Customs officials are considering proposals for the movement of containers from nearby ports to Vizhinjam, while concerns about infrastructure, including road conditions and staffing for 24/7 operations, have been raised. Adani Port officials acknowledged the need for improved facilities and indicated that trial runs for loaded trailers will be conducted after infrastructure completion. sources

Published:
Dec 02 2025, 11 am

India's sugar production rises 43% due to Maharashtra's success

India's sugar production surged by 43% to 4.11 million tonnes in the first two months of the 2025-26 marketing year, according to the Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA). This increase, up from 2.88 million tonnes during the same period last year, is largely attributed to robust output from Maharashtra, which saw production rise dramatically to 1.69 million tonnes from 460,000 tonnes. Uttar Pradesh, the largest sugar-producing state, also reported an increase to 1.40 million tonnes, while Karnataka's output fell to 774,000 tonnes. ISMA noted that the number of operational factories increased to 428 from 376. The association has called for a rise in the minimum selling price of sugar, which has remained unchanged for over six years, citing rising production costs. Additionally, ISMA urged the government to adjust ethanol procurement prices to better reflect current costs, highlighting an imbalance in ethanol allocations. sources

Published:
Dec 02 2025, 12 pm

Kochi to Host 7th India Seaweed Expo and Summit

The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute is set to host the 7th India International Seaweed Expo and Summit 2026 (IISE&S 2026) on January 29-30, 2026, marking one of the largest gatherings in the seaweed industry. Organised in collaboration with the Indian Chamber of Commerce, CMFRI, and CSIR-Central Salt Marine Chemicals Research Institute, the event will attract participants from countries including Brazil, Sri Lanka, the Netherlands, and Sweden, fostering international partnerships and technology transfer. A key feature will be the ‘Seaweed 2030’ panel, aimed at establishing a national roadmap for India to become a leader in sustainable seaweed production. The summit will include technical sessions on various topics, including market development and biotechnology, with a focus on enhancing India’s seaweed value chain and supporting coastal livelihoods. With its extensive coastline and marine biodiversity, India is poised to emerge as a significant player in the global seaweed market, according to CMFRI Director Grinson George. sources

Published:
Dec 02 2025, 12 pm

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