India’s gig workers and household helps are set for a financial lifeline. The central government plans to introduce a new microcredit program offering unsecured loans, potentially transforming access to capital for these underserved groups. The gig sector, valued at $200 billion and growing 20% annually, employs over 15 million. Yet, formal credit remains elusive. Domestic workers, mostly women from marginalized communities, fare worse, relying on exploitative moneylenders. Under the proposed scheme, loans will be disbursed via fintech partnerships, using alternative data like app earnings and utility payments for eligibility. No guarantors or property pledges required— a first for this segment.…
Author: News Analysis India
Read More
Every Bollywood tale has its twists, and Minisha Lamba’s is packed with them. Backed fully by her parents, she stepped into films with high hopes. Yet, her very first movie shoot ended with a stinging slap that echoed across the set. Raised in a nurturing environment, Minisha’s family played a pivotal role in her decision to chase acting dreams. Leaving the comfort of home, she arrived in Mumbai ready to make her mark. The debut film ‘Aashiq Aawara’ with Govinda was her launchpad. The slap incident unfolded during an intense sequence. What was meant to be choreographed turned real, catching…
In a stunning pre-election twist, Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) has severed ties with the Jamaat-e-Islami-dominated alliance, primarily over contentious seat allocations. This fracture, announced Friday in Dhaka, threatens to upend strategies just weeks before the February 12 polls. IAB’s bold move stems from dissatisfaction with the coalition’s press conference unveiling, where it was sidelined despite months of groundwork. Party spokesman Ghazi Ataur Rahman minced no words: the process not only shortchanged them but also insulted their self-respect. He lambasted Jamaat for high-handed tactics, claiming the bloc had deviated from Islamist ideals. Opting for independence, IAB will field candidates across 268…
A chilling statistic grips India: one woman dies from cervical cancer every eight minutes. Oncologist Dr. Meera Pathak reveals this grim reality, underscoring a preventable tragedy unfolding across the nation. With 123,000 new diagnoses and 77,000 fatalities yearly, cervical cancer dominates as a leading killer of women aged 15-44. HPV infection fuels nearly all cases, yet vaccination coverage hovers at a mere 1%. Screening lags even further, with under 3% participation among at-risk groups. Dr. Pathak, speaking at a national health summit, dissected the crisis. ‘Poverty, illiteracy, and gender inequities amplify the risk,’ she said. In Uttar Pradesh alone, incidence…
Shimla’s corridors of power echoed with urgency as Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met Union Minister Piyush Goyal in the national capital. Topping the agenda: an impassioned call to prohibit apple imports during the crucial peak harvesting months, shielding Himachal’s orchard owners from market mayhem. The apple economy pulses through Himachal’s veins, generating over Rs 5,000 crore annually and sustaining rural livelihoods across rugged terrains. Yet, a surge in low-cost imports has turned bounty into burden, with prices plummeting below Rs 40 per kg in recent seasons. Growers, battling climate vagaries and rising input costs, face existential threats from…
Rahul Mamkootathil, the Congress MLA recently booted from the party, suffered a crushing defeat in court today when his bail plea was dismissed. The Wayanad legislator faces mounting charges stemming from fiery demonstrations that targeted government liquor shops, escalating into widespread vandalism. What began as a peaceful rally against the Kerala government’s liquor policy spiraled into chaos last month. Mamkootathil, spearheading the Youth Congress charge, was filmed smashing bottles and leading charges against outlets. Police swiftly registered cases under rioting and criminal mischief statutes, leading to his arrest and subsequent party expulsion. During the bail hearing, defense lawyers argued for…
Buckle up, tech enthusiasts—India’s job market is set for an explosive 2024. Reports indicate a healthy 12-15% uptick in technical positions, translating to 125,000 new jobs nationwide. This optimistic outlook signals brighter days ahead for millions aspiring to build careers in technology. What’s fueling this momentum? A perfect storm of factors: enterprises worldwide are doubling down on AI, machine learning, blockchain, and sustainable tech amid post-pandemic recovery. Indian IT giants and startups alike are expanding teams to meet these needs, with exports hitting record highs. Bengaluru remains the undisputed kingpin, but Tier-2 cities like Indore, Coimbatore, and Jaipur are emerging…
Ajinkya Rahane, the seasoned Indian cricketer and current Test skipper, has made headlines by opting out of the Ranji Trophy 2024. The announcement has sent ripples through the cricket fraternity, leaving fans wondering about the star batsman’s next moves. The 36-year-old right-hander, who has been Mumbai’s go-to leader in domestic circuits, cited personal commitments as the reason for his withdrawal. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Mumbai selectors were informed promptly, ensuring no last-minute disruptions. Rahane’s track record in Ranji Trophy is illustrious, boasting over 4,000 runs including multiple centuries. His presence was anticipated to bolster…
Bollywood’s Mr. Reliable, Akshay Kumar, dropped a bombshell of nostalgia during a recent television appearance. Recalling Dimple Kapadia, the veteran actress known for her bold choices, Akshay declared, ‘My saas never speaks a lie,’ evoking laughter and admiration from the audience. This quip surfaced 25 years post-Dimple’s marriage to Raj Kapoor’s son, a union that made headlines for its fairy-tale romance and eventual challenges. Akshay, who shared screen space with her in multiple ventures, was all praises for her integrity. Their collaborations, including hit films from the 90s, showcased Dimple’s versatility—from intense dramas to light-hearted romps. Akshay credited her mentorship-like…
Expectant mothers can breathe easier today. A massive new investigation debunks fears that paracetamol during pregnancy heightens risks for autism spectrum disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in offspring. The findings represent a significant shift in how we view this everyday drug. Spanning data from nearly 300,000 mother-child pairs, the study employed advanced statistical modeling to isolate paracetamol’s effects. Tracked from prenatal exposure through childhood development up to age 12, the cohort revealed no elevated incidence of ASD or ADHD among exposed children compared to controls. ‘What we found was clarity amid confusion,’ remarked senior author Dr. Raj Patel. Previous alarms stemmed…