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In a significant move to enhance trade relations, the Kerala Exporters Forum, led by Secretary Munshid Ali, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, represented by President Gokarna Garki, during a visit to Nepal. The agreement aims to facilitate the import of quality vegetables, honey, and other perishables from Nepal to meet the demands of Kerala exporters serving Middle Eastern markets. Minister for Industry and Tourism Mitralal Batsyal highlighted the need for improved connectivity, specifically requesting Nepal Airlines to establish routes to Calicut and Cochin airports, which would not only streamline shipments but also promote tourism from Kerala to Nepal. The meeting also called for the establishment of a free customs zone in Nepal to enhance cargo transshipment, while Kerala exporters extended an invitation to Nepalese officials to explore the tourism potential of Kerala's attractions. 
Published: Dec 04 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIn Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, farmer Shivaji Kurhe has revolutionized his income by offering a unique farm-to-doorstep turmeric service. By grinding turmeric on-site as per customer orders, Kurhe has increased his daily sales from 20 to 50 kilograms, earning Rs 300 per kilogram compared to the Rs 130 offered by traders. This direct selling model not only boosts farmers' earnings but also reduces their reliance on loan waivers, as Kurhe emphasizes the importance of reaching consumers directly. Customers appreciate the purity and transparency of Kurhe's product, with buyers like Sandhya Waghmare praising the organic quality and freshness of the turmeric, which they believe is less likely to be adulterated than market alternatives. Kurhe advocates for improved government support, particularly in providing reliable power supply for irrigation, to help more farmers adopt similar practices. 
Published: Dec 04 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndia's central government faces challenges in managing nearly 50 gigawatts (GW) of unsold renewable power, primarily due to unfinished transmission infrastructure, regulatory delays, and state power utilities' hesitance to sign purchase agreements amid higher costs. Despite calls from industry representatives to halt new state clean energy projects and utilize existing unsold capacity, Santosh Kumar Sarangi, secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, emphasized that state tenders will be crucial for future clean energy initiatives. He noted that these tenders are tailored to meet specific state requirements, marking a shift from the previous model where federal agencies played a central role. Concerns over transmission delays and the reliability of power delivery have contributed to state utilities' reluctance to engage with federal projects. Nevertheless, Sarangi highlighted the importance of clean energy in meeting rising electricity demand, particularly with the growth of data centers, as India aims to double its non-fossil fuel power output to 500 GW by 2030. 
Published: Dec 04 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndia is poised to see a significant increase in renewable energy capacity, with expectations of 60-80 GW coming from commercial and industrial developers by 2030, according to Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Speaking at the India Edge Event, Sarangi highlighted the growing trend of rooftop solar installations and noted that states like Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat are leading the way in renewable energy initiatives. He emphasized the need for enhanced storage solutions and battery systems to address integration challenges within the grid. As electricity demand surges, the role of states in facilitating renewable energy projects will become increasingly vital. Additionally, Sarangi mentioned the rising costs of grey ammonia and the government's efforts to establish green hydrogen production facilities. The Ministry is actively collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition to renewable energy, holding regular meetings with industry representatives. 
Published: Dec 04 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIndia's largest airline, IndiGo, has cancelled over 300 domestic and international flights across major airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, as operational disruptions persist for a third consecutive day. The airline's On Time Performance (OTP) plummeted to just 19.7% on Wednesday, down from 35% earlier in December, prompting an investigation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The cancellations include 95 flights at Delhi, 85 at Mumbai, and 70 at Hyderabad, affecting hundreds of passengers. IndiGo attributed the disruptions to a combination of crew shortages, technology glitches, and adverse weather, while the Federation of Indian Pilots criticized the airline for a hiring freeze despite a two-year preparation period for new flight duty regulations. As a result of the turmoil, IndiGo's shares fell over 3% on the Bombay Stock Exchange. The airline is working to adjust its schedules to restore normal operations. 
Published: Dec 04 2025, 3 pmeznews.inA goods train derailed near Panvel railway station in Raigad district on Thursday afternoon, disrupting traffic on the crucial Mumbai-Goa route, according to a Central Railway (CR) official. The incident, which occurred at 12:28 PM, involved one trolley of a goods train bound for the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) derailing near platform five. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The derailment has impacted train services on both the Mumbai-Goa and Mumbai-Panvel-Karjat routes, causing delays for commuters. Panvel station is situated approximately 50 km from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai. Authorities are currently assessing the situation, and further updates are expected. 
Published: Dec 04 2025, 2 pmeznews.inThe Indian stock market saw modest gains on Thursday, with the SENSEX rising by 37.79 points to close at 85,144.60, while the NIFTY increased by 18.05 points, reaching 26,004.05. In commodities, crude oil prices fell by 18.00 to settle at 5,338.00, gold dropped by 549.00 to 127,283.00, and silver saw a significant decline of 2,493.00, closing at 175,800.00. Meanwhile, Pune Airport faced significant operational disruptions as a pilot shortage at IndiGo led to the diversion of six flights from various airlines, including Air India and SpiceJet. The airport's limited parking bays were occupied for extended periods, resulting in the cancellation of eight arrival and departure flights and delays for 19 others. The Airport Authority of India is working with airlines to manage the situation and restore normal operations. 
Published: Dec 04 2025, 2 pmeznews.inAyekart, a prominent integrated agri-food network in India, has unveiled Aantriva, an AI-enabled platform designed to enhance efficiency and transparency within the country's fragmented agri-food value chain. Despite growth in agriculture and FMCG sectors, challenges persist, including limited market access for farmers, inconsistent supply for processors, and unreliable data for FMCG companies. Aantriva aims to address these issues by strengthening market linkages for farmers, offering GIS-based weather intelligence, and facilitating faster payment settlements. The platform also provides processors and FMCG brands with data-driven insights for better procurement and inventory management, while enabling financial institutions to assess risks accurately through verifiable transaction trails. Co-founder and CEO Debarshi Dutta emphasized that Aantriva leverages data to deliver predictive insights and reduce carbon footprints across the supply chain. As the network grows, it is expected to foster stronger supply-chain connections and empower stakeholders with timely, market-aligned information. 
Published: Dec 04 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIn a groundbreaking initiative, Puducherry Union Territory has successfully launched its first seaweed farming project, overseen by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). The inaugural harvest at Pannithitu yielded an impressive 3.5 times growth, showcasing the potential of seaweed farming as a lucrative opportunity for local fisher communities, particularly fisherwomen. This one-year project, titled ‘Farming of commercially important marine finfishes in sea cages integrated with seaweeds at Puducherry,’ is funded by the Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare and began on April 16, 2025. The project employs an HDPE-based tube-net method, suitable for rough sea conditions, with 16 rafts deployed across three locations. Six fisherwomen from the Pannithitu Fishermen Cooperative Society, trained in cage-fish culture and seaweed farming, achieved a total harvest of 1,920 kg, generating revenue of ₹38,400. The harvest was attended by local dignitaries, highlighting the project's significance. 
Published: Dec 04 2025, 1 pmeznews.inThe World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has reported a 55% likelihood of a weak La Niña developing over the next three months, which is expected to influence global rainfall and temperature patterns through early 2026. While this phenomenon may slightly cool global temperatures, most regions are anticipated to remain warmer than usual. The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) in Australia confirms that La Niña is firmly established in the tropical Pacific, with sea surface temperatures remaining unusually warm, potentially intensifying storms and rainfall. The WMO emphasizes the importance of seasonal forecasts for climate-sensitive sectors, aiding in economic planning and humanitarian efforts. As the negative Indian Ocean Dipole weakens, the outlook suggests a cooler winter for northern India, with increased chances of severe weather systems in the Bay of Bengal, despite overall warmer conditions persisting in many areas. 
Published: Dec 04 2025, 1 pm
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