National
Tamil Nadu mandates free breakfast for school kids
The Tamil Nadu government has made it mandatory that the food products used for preparing free breakfast for school children will have to be certified by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
In the state Assembly, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister had announced that Tamil Nadu would roll out free breakfast for children of government schools studying in classes 1 to 4.
The free breakfast will be provided to students on all working days, and on two days, it will include millets cultivated in the state. The menu includes upma with sambar, Rava Kesari, or Semia Kesari.
Lucknow to light up for 75th Independence Day
Lucknow will light up like never before to mark the country’s 75th Independence Day on August 15.
As part of an initiative by the district administration and traders, more than 75 markets in Lucknow will be decked up with tricolour lights and 75,000 national flags during celebrations to mark the occasion.
Members of the Lucknow Vyapar Mandal will decorate markets, organise cultural programmes, sapling plantations and other events at the marketplace while the administration will ensure cleanliness and repair of broken roads and drains.
Business
Gifts World Expo begins at Pragati Maidan
MEX Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd., a leading trade show organiser in the country, is all set to organise its next edition of Gifts World Expo, the largest B2B gifting and promotional solutions exhibition at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, from 28-30 July 2022.
The trade show will showcase over 350 exhibitors from the entire industry, representing over 1000 brands showcasing more than 10,000 products.
This 20th edition will mark the beginning of the gifting and festive season, with massive business deals and limitless networking opportunities across the show floor. All exhibitors are all set to exhibit their best and latest gifting solutions. In the past, the show had an impressive record of participation of leading brands showcasing top-class, innovative products that catered to the overwhelming footfall.
The products will cater to all budget ranges, sourcing every buyer’s needs. Many leading household brand names will be participating in the show and there’s a lot to look forward to.
Economy
Singapore, USA and Mauritius account for over 60 per cent of total FDI inflow
Singapore, the USA, and Mauritius are the top three sources of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) equity inflows to India. These countries together accounted for 60.93% of the total overseas investment in the country during the financial year 2021-22.
Singapore is the biggest source of FDI equity inflow into India, accounting for 27.01% of the total inflow. With 17.94% of the total FDI equity inflow, the United States of America is the second biggest source. Mauritius is the third biggest source of FDI equity inflow accounting for 15.98% of the total overseas investment.
The Netherlands is the fourth biggest source with a 7.86% share followed by Switzerland with a 7.31% share, as per data released by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
India targets $300 billion worth bioeconomy by 2030
Bioeconomy is the production, utilization, and conservation of biological resources, including related knowledge, science, technology, and innovation, to provide information, products, processes, and services across all economic sectors.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science and Technology and Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences, Jitendra Singh, stated that India has a target of $300 billion in the Bioeconomy by 2030.
India registered a sustained growth in the Bioeconomy from $44 billion in 2019 to $80.1 billion in 2021.
The Indian biotech industry is aligned around five major segments -BioPharma, BioAgriculture, BioIndustrial, Bio-energy and a combined segment of BioServices comprising BioIT, CROs, and Research Services.
The number of biotech startups in the country has increased from 50 to over 5,300 in the last 10 years. Biotech startups arising from a strong talent pool are expected to further increase by 2 times, to 10,000 by 2025. India’s northeast has huge potential and talent to take forward the Biotech sector.
International
Maldives President to visit India from August 1-4
Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is set to visit India next week to review the progress made in this wide-ranging partnership between the two countries.
During his India visit, Solih will meet President Droupadi Murmu and hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Maldives is India’s key neighbour in the Indian Ocean region and occupies a special place in the country’s Neighbourhood First policy.
India’s “Neighborhood First” policy and Maldives’s “India First” policy work in tandem to tackle shared concerns and advance mutual interests.
Technology
Huawei launches Harmony OS 3 to take on Google Android
In a bid to take on Google’s Android mobile operating system, Chinese conglomerate Huawei has unveiled an upgraded version of its own operating system- HarmonyOS 3.
The company’s third-generation operating system is designed to provide a more seamless experience across devices, including smartphones, tablets, printers, cars and smart home devices such as televisions. It enhances the idea of IoT in all fields and builds upon basic Android features.
The company said that HarmonyOS 3 will be available on devices starting in September.
Sports
F1 legend Sebastian Vettel to retire with conclusion of 2022 season
Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel announced that he will be retiring at the end of the 2022 season.
The 35-year-old will end his final season with Aston Martin after winning a total of 53 Grand Prix and 122 podium finishes. Vettel made his debut in 2007. His first title win came in 2010 which also made him the youngest title winner. He won four titles for Red Bull between 2010 to 2013.
The German racer announced his retirement on Thursday through an Instagram video. Vettel who is a legend of the sport is third on the list of all-time Grand Prix winners with 53 victories to his name. Only Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher have more titles than him.
