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India Witnesses ‘Snowball Effect’ Set for Exponential Growth in Coming Years: WEF President Borge Brende

India is expected to clock the highest growth among the world’s major economies this year, and the country’s economy is benefitting from a “snowball effect” that will lead to more investments and jobs, as stated by World Economic Forum (WEF) President Borge Brende.

India’s recent reforms have simplified bureaucratic processes and created a better climate for investments, combined with the digital revolution taking place. With these positive economic changes, Brende is “very bullish and optimistic” about the future of the Indian economy.

Holding the G20 presidency, India is one of the fastest growing major economies in the world and WEF has had a close relationship with the country for many years. As Brende puts it, when the snowball starts rolling, it will get bigger and bigger and this is exactly what is happening with India’s economy – leading to more investments, more job opportunities, and ultimately enhancing the quality of life.

Furthermore, India is the largest democracy in the world and a very open society, so much so that it has more of a broad startup ecosystem than any other developing nation. This is a great example for other countries to follow.

In line with UN projections, WEF expects an economic growth of at least 6 per cent this year in India. In order to continue this momentum, improvements in infrastructure, education, upskilling, reskilling, and right skilling are also needed.

Moreover, India handled the coronavirus pandemic following the right strategies, which kept them from getting into debt. Compared to other countries, India has plenty of room to grow.

World Economic Forum (WEF) is an international organisation based in Geneva that brings together public and private partnerships to shape global, regional, and industry agendas. Each year, the organisation attracts several of the world’s political, business, cultural, and other leaders.

Borge Brende is the current President of the WEF and previously served as Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Industry. He recently visited India and held talks about collaborations of the country’s G20 presidency with various stakeholders.

HE upgraded his “very optimistic” expectations about the Indian economy during this visit and stressed the need for continuous reforms in order to achieve even more growth.

Considering the immense potential of its population, the booming technology sector, and growing digital influence coupled with economic reforms, India’s future indeed looks bright.

Promoting Children’s Health and Nutrition – Sharda Welfare Foundation and School of Allied Health Sciences Organise Bal Swasthya Sabha Program

Sharda Welfare Foundation and School of Allied Health Sciences recently organised the ‘Bal Swasthya Sabha’ program, aimed at promoting children’s health and nutrition in government schools in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The program’s goal is to educate more than 1,100 students from underprivileged backgrounds about the importance of a balanced diet, as well as the benefits of incorporating millets into their diets.

Led by experts in nutrition, the ‘Bal Swasthya Sabha’ program encouraged healthy habits through engaging activities such as health drives, interactive sessions and games. Both teachers and children were involved in the program to create an environment that is conducive to learning and positive health choices. The sessions were conducted in five government schools, namely Ghodi Bachheda, Tugalpur, Lakhnawali, Sirsa and Bironda.

UN has recently declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets and the ‘Bal Swasthya Sabha’ program plays an important role in promoting this. To ensure the effectiveness of the program, the team of nutritionists worked to make nutrition education more engaging for children, as well as address the lack of awareness of healthy food habits.

Sharda Welfare Foundation is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to fostering sustainable development in underprivileged communities. Established in 2021, the foundation has been working to create equal opportunities and improve the lives of those in need by providing essential services and addressing critical social issues.

Desh Raj Singh, Assistant Registrar of Sharda Welfare Foundation, explained the importance of the ‘Bal Swasthya Sabha’ program in educating children. He noted that by equipping school children with knowledge and skills about their health and well-being, they are able to make informed decisions that can shape a healthier future.

Prof. Sally Lukose, Dean of Sharda School of Allied Health Sciences, pointed out the importance of engaging parents and the community to shape children’s attitudes and behaviours towards health and nutrition. The foundation, with the support of Sharda Welfare Foundation, will organise various workshops and awareness programs to educate parents and the community about the significance of a healthy lifestyle, as well as the inclusion of millets in their diets.

Anantjeet and Ganemat Achieve Sixth Place in Mixed Team Skeet at Almaty World Cup

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Indian shooters Anantjeet Singh Naruka and Ganemat Sekhon recently competed in a Mixed Team Skeet competition at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup Shotgun in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The duo came in sixth place, narrowly missing out on a medal by just one point, shooting a combined 142 after 75 targets each in qualification. Italy’s Tammaro Cassandra and Chiara Cainero beat Kazakhstan’s Eduard Yechshenko and individual women’s skeet gold medallist Assem Orynbay to take the gold medal.

Anantjeet missed only two targets and posted a 73, and while Ganemat also performed well with a 69, it wasn’t quite enough to secure them a place in the medal standings. The second Indian pairing, Gurjoat Khangura and Darshna Rathore, shot a total of 135 to finish 15th. The Trap competition will commence on Friday.

The ISSF is the international governing body for shooting and the 2021 ISSF World Cup is an event that tests the best shooters in the world. With presence in nearly 150 countries, the federation stands for sport, safety, management and ethics. The Shot Gun World Cup also provides a platform for athletes to compete in various categories such as Trap and Skeet. It also offers mixed events that feature both male and female competitors in a concurrent competition.

Anantjeet Singh Naruka and Ganemat Sekhon have been part of India’s shooting ranks for several years, emerging time and again with top performance. Anantjeet is an ASI (Assistant Sub Inspectorate) of Jammu and Kashmir Police and was the sole Indian Skeet shooter representing the Men’s Team at the 2020 ISSF World Championship, while Ganemat Sekhon became the first Indian female shooter to secure a quota place for the Tokyo Olympic 2020. Both have worked hard to reach the highest level in the world of shooting and impressed in the Almaty World Cup, missing out only by a narrow margin.

PM stresses on Team spirit in Youth by introducing Khelo India University Games

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 3rd edition of Khelo India University Games 2022 via video conference in Lucknow on May 25th 2021. The games, which will be held from 25th May to 3rd June in Uttar Pradesh, is an initiative to reignite the team spirit amongst youths of the country and further the feeling of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’. The games will feature 4,000 athletes from as many as 200 universities competing across 21 sporting events, with associations in Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Lucknow, and Gautam Buddha Nagar.

Modi remarked, “It has become a very good medium to increase the team spirit among the youth and the feeling of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat”. Furthermore, he noted that under the new National Education Policy, sports are now part of the curriculum and that the aim is to create a sporting culture in India. To support this, the government has allocated a whopping Rs 3,000 crore towards the Khelo India initiative, which is much higher than the meagre Rs 300 crore spent by the previous government under their urban sports infrastructure scheme.

Under the Khelo India University Games (KIUG), athletes will be able to compete and learn from experienced sportspersons and mentors, and will be provided with the best sports infrastructure to help them in their journey. The opening event was attended by Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, Union Minister of State for Sports Nisith Pramanik, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath among other dignitaries.

Khelo India is an initiative, launched in 2018, to revive India’s sporting legacy by developing a strong sporting culture and infrastructure, promoting sports science, and incentivizing sportspersons from rural and urban India. It has since been dedicated to providing a platform to encourage and recognize sports talent from all across India while aiming to improve the quality of sportspersons and building a sporting ecosystem in the country.

What the Future Holds for the Asia Cup

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The future of the Asia Cup hangs in the balance as the Asian Cricket Council’s President is deciding its fate. Pakistan’s hopes of hosting the tournament have been significantly affected due to India’s decision to not cross the border. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) proposed a hybrid model to keep a few matches in the country, but it faces skepticism from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka because of the lack of logistical support. India’s Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is trying to push for a tournament outside of the region, even raising the prospect of Pakistan boycotting the World Cup in India.

The Chairman of PCB, Najam Sethi, emphasizes the importance of reaching a sensible agreement which satisfies all participating cricket boards. It is essential to find the right balance between hosting and logistics, as the decision might just determine the future of the international cricket.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is one of the most powerful cricket boards in the world. It has been at the forefront in the creation and implementation of various cricketing policies and regulations, its aim being to grow the game of cricket in India. The BCCI is responsible for governing and regulating all international and domestic cricket activities in India, as well as promoting and developing the sport at large.

Najam Sethi is a Pakistani journalist and politician who has served a Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, as well as a Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab. He also holds the title of President of the Asian Cricket Council. Under his leadership, the PCB has strived to develop and grow cricket in the region, and is now aiming to reach a decision that is mutually beneficial to all participating boards in the Asia Cup.

XG Wows New York Audience at 88rising’s Head In The Clouds Show

On May 21, XG made their debut on the big stage at 88rising’s “Head In The Clouds” Festival at the Forest Hills Stadium in New York City. The music and art festival, affectionately known as HITC, has been taking the U.S. by storm since its 2018 launch in Los Angeles, Jakarta, and Manila. Joining iconic names like ITZY, Rich Brian, NIKI and MILLI, XG surpassed expectations with their electrifying performance.

Following a captivating CGI introduction, the crowd welcomed XG with an eruption of applause. Known for their flair and buoyant energy, XG electrified the audience with a medley of Tippy Toes and MASCARA. In between vocal numbers, the group expressed their gratitude to the crowd, saying, “It is an honor to have our first performance in America at HITC. We have been dreaming of this day for a long time and are truly thankful for the amazing turnout.”

The energy continued to skyrocket as XG performed two unreleased songs – ‘Two Tens’ by HARVEYMAYA and ‘Nothin’ by JURINCOCONA. The songs had recently been making waves on social media and had the crowds entranced. Chisa Juria and Hinata took the stage to deliver a breathtaking rendition of Justin Bieber’s hit single ‘Peaches ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon’, which they renamed ‘XG VOX #1 Peaches’. They then rounded off their set with their 3rd single ‘LEFT RIGHT’ and ‘SHOOTING STAR’. This fully engaged crowd of 15,000 attendees gave XG a standing ovation.

Just a week before their New York show, XG had made their Japanese debut at the world’s largest K-Culture festival, “KCON JAPAN 2023”. XG, comprised of seven hip-hop and R&B girls – JURIN, CHISA, HARVEY, HINATA, JURIA, MAYA and COCONA, will soon be making their official debut as the first artists from XGALX.

XGALX is an international entertainment production company focused on making content and creating a culture of bold and daring creativity. By empowering young people through their music and performances, the company is capable of delivering a powerful and meaningful message: to listen to your heart, focus on your dreams, and have the courage to make them a reality.

Zee Entertainment Records Q4 Net Loss of Rs 196 Crore, Income Drops 10% to Rs 2126.3 Crore

Zee Entertainment Enterprise Ltd on Thursday reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 196.03 crore in the fourth quarter ended on March 31, 2023, with their total income dropping 9.89 percent year-on-year to Rs 2,126.35 crore. It had posted a net profit of Rs 181.93 crore in the January-March quarter in the previous year.

The decline in earnings can be tied to several causes. Firstly, there was a sluggishness in advertisement spending, which impacted revenue. The second factor was a hike in costs, as the company invested in ZEE5, movie launches, and sports. This led to a higher programming and technology cost for the organisation. Finally, the withdrawal of FTA services saw subscription revenue drop marginally as well.

ZEEL’s total expenses for the March quarter increased 9.95 percent, standing at Rs 2,083.36 crore. Advertising revenue for the period was at Rs 1,005.77 crore, decreasing 10.17 percent. Subscription revenue was almost flat at Rs 847.42 crore. Though the income earned from their OTT platform ZEE5 increased, it was offset by the decline in linear TV subscription revenue. Other sales and services also dropped off by 25.5 percent to Rs 258.92 crore.

For the full fiscal year FY23, the company reported a drop in net profit of 95 percent to Rs 47.99 crore, down from Rs 955.77 crore in FY22. The revenue from operations also dipped 7.7 percent in FY23, to Rs 4,057.89 crore.

Zee Entertainment Enterprise Ltd (ZEEL) is an Indian media conglomerate based in Mumbai, comprising various channels that cover music, radio, education, news, movies, and entertainment. It is a part of the Essel Group, owned by Subhash Chandra and his family, and employs over 3,000 people. ZEEL has been successfully capturing the diverse Indian markets since 1992, and continues its relentless effort to create engaging content for viewers of all age groups.

Ram Charan Promoting New Talent with V Mega Pictures

Tollywood superstar Ram Charan is working with his friend Vikram Reddy of UV Creations to launch V Mega Pictures, a production company focused on promoting new and young talent. The company aims to entertain Pan-Indian audiences with inspiring storytelling and superior entertainment. The team at V Mega Pictures is dedicated to cultivating an open and collaborative atmosphere that embraces different cultures. With an aim to energize the entertainment industry, the team is looking to uncover new and emerging talent.

V Mega Pictures also seeks to promote creativity and expand boundaries to make a lasting impact. Ram Charan said, “We at V Mega Pictures are devoted to fostering an open and cooperative setting that embraces diversity and welcomes new opinions. By empowering creativity and going beyond limits, we are looking to make a lasting mark in the entertainment industry and provide an opportunity for new and aspiring talent.” The production company’s partner, Vikram Reddy, added, “We’re thrilled to get started on this exciting venture. By teaming up with talented artists, writers, directors, and technicians, V Mega Pictures looks to push the limits of filmmaking and share new points of view.”

From becoming a global sensation after the critically-acclaimed RRR to now collaborating with old friend Vikram Reddy to promote new talent, Ram Charan has taken a big step towards making a difference in the entertainment industry. V Mega Pictures will surely provide aspiring filmmakers with a unique platform to share their ideas and inspire storytelling.

Discovering the Missing Piece Through a Viewer’s Eye

Photographer Leena Kejriwal has dedicated her career to highlighting a problem that many people may not realize even exists: sex trafficking and exploitation. She does this through her work with the Missing Link Trust, an organization she founded, and her public art residency to explore the power of public art. Using her experience as a catalyst, Kejriwal has raised awareness about the need to address this issue.

Through her work with nonprofits in red-light districts and her installations displayed at India Art Fair 2014, Kejriwal has been able to reach a wider audience about the problem of sex trafficking and exploitation. In the efforts of further public awareness, she has created the Missing Project which includes various works of art like murals, stencil art, photography and sound installations. She has also created the Missing Game which puts players in the shoes of a person trapped in a brothel to further engage the public and create an understanding of darker side of the internet.

The Missing Link Trust is committed to tackling sex trafficking and exploitation through awareness and providing resources to anti-trafficking movements. It is focused on preventing trafficking, which is the foundation of the problem, by creating a space of self-learning through factual experiences. The trust has helped those in red-light districts while also gaining global recognition for its courageous work.

Leena Kejriwal is a female photographer whose work is driven by personal trauma from her childhood. She was inspired to take action when she saw a young girl in a red-light district, and has since used photography to capture her perception of the world. Her art has enabled her to give a voice to the voiceless and bring attention to the problem of sex trafficking and exploitation.

Indian Shares Expected to Open Down Despite Positive Global Outlook

Indian shares are set to open lower on Friday, despite improved global cues in the previous session. The NSE stock futures listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange were down 0.24% at 18,421.50, as of 8:16 AM IST. Progress on U.S. debt ceiling talks lifted sentiment and powered a rise in Wall Street equities. Moreover, strong earnings from chip giant Nvidia assisted in a rally of technology stocks, while Asian markets edged higher. For the week, the Nifty 50 has gained 0.65%, largely due to the surge in Adani stocks in the metal sector.

Sahaj Agrawal, Head of Research – Derivatives at Kotak Securities commented that the trend of upward movement in the markets is set to continue and select energy and media stocks look attractive. Agrawal further noted that buying on dips should be carried out until we breach the support level of 18,040.

On Thursday, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) purchased a net amount of 5.89 billion rupees ($71.2 million) in Indian equities. Notable names such as Zee Entertainment Enterprises, Reliance Industries, Emami and Page Industries reported results of the March quarter.

Zee Entertainment Enterprises reported a first quarterly loss in three years following weak advertising demand and increasing costs. The company’s unit, Reliance Consumer Products, completed the acquisition of 51% stake in Lotus Chocolate. Emami reported a dip in net profit for the second quarter, while Page Industries reported a fall in profits in the March quarter due to diminishing sales.

Overall, FIIs have been net purchasers of Indian stocks for 20 out of the last 21 sessions, indicating the climb of the country’s stock markets.