In a major achievement for the 'Make In India' initiative, Indian Railways conducted a successful trial run of the Vande Bharat train on the world's highest railway bridge in Jammu and Kashmir. The train, designed to operate in extreme temperatures of up to minus 30 degrees Celsius, will provide comfortable and all-weather transportation for the people of the valley. With features like Kavach technology and accessible toilets for persons with disabilities, the Vande Bharat train is expected to boost tourism, horticulture, trade, travel, and education in the region. This marks a significant step towards fulfilling the long-held dream of a train to Kashmir.
Vande Bharat Express: A Transformative Milestone for the 'Make in India' Initiative
Introduction:
In a momentous achievement for the 'Make in India' initiative, the Indian Railways has successfully conducted a trial run of the indigenously-built Vande Bharat train on the world's highest railway bridge in Jammu and Kashmir. This groundbreaking feat marks a significant step towards fulfilling the long-held dream of a train to Kashmir, connecting the scenic valley with the rest of the country.
Background:
For decades, the mountainous terrain and extreme weather conditions of Jammu and Kashmir posed significant challenges to the construction of a railway line. However, with unwavering determination, the Indian Railways undertook this ambitious project, overcoming engineering hurdles and geographical constraints.
About the Vande Bharat Express:
The Vande Bharat Express is a state-of-the-art train designed to provide comfortable, all-weather transportation. It is equipped with a host of advanced features, including:
Benefits for Jammu and Kashmir:
The introduction of the Vande Bharat Express in Jammu and Kashmir is expected to bring numerous benefits to the region, including:
FAQs:
When will the Vande Bharat Express begin regular operation in Jammu and Kashmir? Answer: The official launch date is yet to be announced.
What is the maximum speed of the Vande Bharat Express? Answer: It has a maximum operating speed of 180 km/h.
How many coaches will the Vande Bharat Express have? Answer: It will have 16 coaches, including Executive Chair Car, Chair Car, and Vistadome coaches.
Is the Vande Bharat Express wheelchair-accessible? Answer: Yes, it features accessible toilets and designated spaces for wheelchair users.
What is the fare for the Vande Bharat Express? Answer: The fare structure is still being finalized.
Shantanu Naidu, an MBA graduate and longtime associate of Ratan Tata, has been appointed as the General Manager and Head of Strategic Initiatives at Tata Motors. Naidu, who shares a deep connection with the Tata Group, reflected on his father's past employment at Tata Motors and his own unexpected journey to working with the tycoon. Their bond goes beyond professional, as Tata named Naidu as his Executive Assistant and supported his NGO, Motopaws. Naidu's new role highlights the close relationship between the two and their shared commitment to socially impactful projects.
After its debut on the stock market, ITC Hotels' shares were removed from the benchmark Sensex and other BSE indices, causing a drop in its share price. The demerged entity of FMCG conglomerate ITC had seen a volatile start, with shares dropping for the fourth consecutive session. The demerger was part of a larger plan by ITC to allow its hotel business to focus on growth and maximize shareholder returns.
Allegion, a leading global security products and solutions company, announced its acquisition of Next Door, a privately held business, to strengthen its presence in the Americas. The acquisition includes Next Door's brands and assets, and will be overseen by Allegion's senior vice president Dave Ilardi. Next Door's owner, Justin Schechter, will join Allegion to assist in the transition and drive growth for both companies. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
Kalyan Jewellers, one of India's largest jewellers, reported a significant increase in consolidated net profit for the third quarter of the 2024-25 fiscal year due to strong sales. The company's stock saw a surge of nearly 13%, reaching Rs 496.80 on the BSE and Rs 496.85 on the NSE. With a 40% increase in total income and plans for expanding showrooms, Kalyan Jewellers is set to end the financial year on a high note.
Get ready to invest as two companies, Dr Agarwals Healthcare and Malpani Pipes and Fittings, are all set to launch their initial public offers this week worth a combined total of Rs 3,053 crore. Dr Agarwals Healthcare, a Chennai-based eye care specialist, will have an IPO worth Rs 3,027 crore, while Malpani Pipes and Fittings, which specializes in pipe fittings, will have an IPO worth Rs 25.9 crore. Both companies will open for bidding on January 29 and are expected to be listed on February 5.
The "Farting Unicorn by Elon Musk" project is gaining attention in the crypto world with its introduction of $FU, a meme coin on the Solana blockchain. The project seeks to build a playful and engaged community through social media platforms and future airdrops. By utilizing Solana's technology, $FU aims to provide an efficient and affordable experience for its users, while also leveraging the influence of Elon Musk. Stay tuned for more updates as the project evolves.
Canada has announced that it will challenge the new 25% tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump through international legal channels. In response, Canada has also introduced its own tariffs on American products, affecting 17% of all US imports. The move is seen as a violation of trade agreements between the two countries and has raised concerns about the impact on global economic growth and inflation. Meanwhile, Nirmala Sitharaman has presented the second Budget for the BJP government, with a focus on reviving the Indian economy through healthcare, infrastructure, and privatization, though critics argue these measures should have been implemented earlier.
Samvardhana Motherson International has approved the sale of its joint venture company, Marelli Motherson Auto Suspension, to Gabriel India for Rs 60 crore. The joint venture, established in 2014 to manufacture suspension components for vehicles in India, will be transferred to Gabriel India along with fixed assets, inventory, and employees. The Indian auto component maker, which contributed 0.3% of Samvardhana Motherson's revenue in FY24, stated that the sale is aligned with their long-term strategy and will not affect their other businesses. The acquisition will expand Gabriel India's product portfolio and manufacturing capacity, positioning them for further growth in the market.
Mumbai's Ranji Trophy team receives a major boost as India T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav and all-rounder Shivam Dube make themselves available for the quarter-final against Haryana. Despite Yadav's series of low scores in the ongoing T20Is against England, his presence will greatly benefit the team. The MCA has confirmed that the two players have informed them of their availability and the selection committee will soon meet to pick the squad. Both players have been busy with national duty but have previously played for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The quarter-finals are set to begin on February 8.
US stocks took a hit on Friday as the White House announced tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada, and China, reigniting fears of a trade war with the nation's closest trading partners. The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average both fell into the red, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite reversed earlier gains. The news overshadowed positive updates earlier in the day from Apple's solid earnings and a matched inflation reading. The looming tariff deadline has sparked concerns about the impact on the US economy and uncertainty over potential inflamed inflation has put Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell in a wait-and-see position.