Latest news with #Indian
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
'F*** OFF! Indian Student Brutally Assaulted, Racially Abused In Australia, Sparks Outrage
A 23-year-old Indian international student, Charanpreet Singh, was brutally attacked in Adelaide, Australia, in what is being investigated as a racially motivated assault. Singh was with his wife near Kintore Avenue on July 19 when they were ambushed by five men. Viral videos show the assailants using metal knuckles or sharp objects while shouting racial slurs. The attack has left Singh hospitalised with serious injuries and triggered outrage in the Indian community. The incident has renewed urgent calls for stronger protection and safety measures for international students in Australia.#CharanpreetSingh #AdelaideAttack #IndianStudentSafety #HateCrimeAustralia #RacialAttack #InternationalStudents #StudentAssault #IndiansInAustralia #StopRacism #JusticeForCharanpreet Read More
The Hindu
16 minutes ago
- Business
- The Hindu
How Karnataka's artisans strive to stay afloat sans a middleman
The recent years have seen a surge in the demand for traditionally handcrafted home decor. Brassware, wooden idols, handmade lamps, rugs and more are being marketed as 'minimalist aesthetic' on various social media platforms and weekend pop-ups. Minimalism, referring to a lifestyle of intentionally living with only essentials rather than focusing on appearances, has led to a boom in the Aesthetic Economy. The gleaming finish of various handicrafts in Karnataka's newly constructed urban houses raises the question of who really benefits from it. At a hushed weaving unit in Bengaluru, Nanditha Sulur's team consists of 15 weavers who make rugs, pure silk and cotton silk sarees using traditional pit looms. 'As home decor becomes more popular, people tend to focus on the price and beauty of the product without taking into consideration the creator or the time it took to make it,' says Nanditha, owner of Indu Silks and Sarees in Bengaluru. By removing intermediaries, Nanditha ensures her customers pay fairly, instead of exorbitant prices. When determining prices, the cost of raw materials and complexity of designs are factored in, as well as daily wages for workers. 'I've seen my saris being sold at much higher prices in other outlets, which is why I made sure to eliminate the middlemen,' she says. 'People want a handmade finish at mass-produced rates,' says Jeenal Desai, founder of Clayodyssey in Bengaluru, commenting on the home decor trend. She explains, 'I have tried to sell my pottery through middlemen twice but since they add a 30% charge, it becomes more expensive.' Heritage and handiwork Artisanal hubs such as Channapatna and Bidar, which once reflected Karnataka's cultural heritage and craftsmanship, are struggling to remain relevant due to new marketing techniques. 'The National Institute of Design and National Institute of Fashion Technology have helped artisans reinvent their products, enabling them to reach a broader global market. Dolls that were traditionally made have now become educational tools, pen holders, and showpieces,' says HR Rajappa, Managing Director (MD), Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation (KSHDC). 'Channapatna toys have become much more than just toys. From napkin rings to chandeliers, Channapatna artisans are developing designs using innovative colours and shapes,' says Karthik, founder of Varnam Craft Collective. Varnam, which has been collaborating with Channapatna artisans for over a decade, observes that the demand from city buyers and foreign customers for customised products is time-consuming and results in a lower yield return for the artisans. Middlemen continue to wield power in numerous craft ecosystems by setting up units and gaining more profit. Though traditional handicrafts have begun to decorate Indian homes, many consumers remain unaware of their origin. 'Artisans using banana fibre and sandalwood are slowly being replaced by the Western or Korean products in marketplaces and metro station stalls,' adds M Mandal, Manager Development, KSHDC. A fine balance While keeping up with the times is important, one should not stray far off the mark where culture is concerned. Commenting on this ironic loss of tradition, Shejal Tewari, chief aide for an independent documentary on Karnataka's handlooms that is currently in production, says, 'A line should be drawn if artisans are being forced to commit to a trend which may fade away eventually.' She mentions the 'two-minute sari' with readymade pleats. 'It is functional, but a sari is not just a garment. The whole experience of learning how to drape it from your mothers and sisters is taken away. Such trends cannot carry the value of stories and memories forward.' 'The term 'sustainability' is often used as a marketing gimmick without taking into account the production process of each handicraft,' says Karthik. 'Even though the forests are regulated, the use of wood is still necessary for handicrafts such as Channapatna toys, which means they cannot be termed sustainable.' 'Culture and tradition seem to exist within spaces that are not doing well financially, and while they have a few patrons, the ones actually using their hands and sitting at the loom, are from villages and financially backward areas. No funds are provided taking that into consideration,' says Shejal. She adds how knowledge handed down over generations, is being eradicated as artisans do not want their children to take up the family craft. 'They'd rather see their sons as street vendors than learn the craft. It is not about money anymore, it is a social concern.' Baby steps 'The KSHDC works towards preserving and protecting Karnataka's rich tradition of craftsmanship,' says Rajappa, adding, 'Each piece has a set price that is not arbitrary. The price is calculated by a committee comprising officers and master artisans, who take into consideration the skill, material value, and workmanship it entailed.' He goes on to explain how accommodationshave been built in Kalanagar a at Channapatna to support artisans. These homes are provided with subsidies and are rented for ₹155 per month through 25-year EMIs. Similarly, Bidriware artisans working with blackened zinc and inlaid silver, have adapted to crafting corporate gifts and home decor. Through Cauvery Handicrafts and its e-commerce portal, the government provides support to artisans and minimises the involvement of middlemen. Even as the KSHDC's influence stretches across Karnataka, craftsmen in smaller towns still struggle without funds and support. A few such as Prakash Cannappa Ganiger, an artisan at Krishikala Handicrafts based in Mysore, have taken matters into their own hands. 'We train local women in Yarebudihal at grassroot level, thereby forming a self-help group or a sangha.' Though sales happen through melas, exhibitions and social media plans help widen their reach. 'Despite the challenges faced by rural artisans due to financial disparity, there is hope as now consumers increasingly favour products created using ecological and sustainable practices,' says Prakash. Boon and bane Mahalasa Prashant, who runs Adhya creations in Bengaluru, says online platforms such as Dhruti Mahila Marukatte and Facebook provide opportunities for women entrepreneurs to promote and sell their crafts. She emphasised the need for a tight-knit social circle among independent artisans, especially when dealing with common issues they face, including haggling and plagiarism. Mahalasa says, 'Once, I found a screenshot of a custom nameplate I had made, posted on another account for sale. On confronting them, they denied the allegation and deleted the post. In this sea of social media you can never keep track of such accounts.' The fickleness of trends is as significant as their far-reaching impact. The subtle loss of heritage, tradition and identity loom large as artisans and their consumers subconsciously call for makeovers.
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First Post
16 minutes ago
- Business
- First Post
Watch: PM Modi embarks on 4-day visit to UK, Maldives; trade, defence ties in focus
PM Modi's trips aim to boost trade and defence ties, with a major highlight being the anticipated signing of a landmark India-UK free trade agreement read more Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (July 23) departed for a two-nation visit to the United Kingdom and the Maldives. In the first leg of the visit, the PM will visit the UK from July 23 to 24. From there, he will fly to the Maldives before concluding his four-day trip. #WATCH | Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi departs for a two-nation visit to the United Kingdom and Maldives. PM Modi will pay an official visit to the United Kingdom from 23 – 24 July. In the second leg of his visit, PM will undertake a State Visit to Maldives from July… — ANI (@ANI) July 23, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD PM Modi's trips aim to boost trade and defence ties, with a major highlight being the anticipated signing of a landmark India-UK free trade agreement during his London visit. The foreign tour comes amidst the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, which started on July 21. In the Maldives, the PM will be the guest of honour at the nation's Independence Day celebrations. In the UK, he's scheduled for in-depth discussions with Starmer and a meeting with King Charles III on July 23-24. This marks PM Modi's fourth UK visit since taking office. On Thursday (July 24), Starmer will host Modi at Chequers, the British prime minister's countryside retreat, about 50 km northwest of London. According to sources cited by news agency PTI, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his UK counterpart Jonathan Reynolds are expected to finalise the free trade agreement in the presence of both leaders. (More to follow)
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Business Standard
16 minutes ago
- Business
- Business Standard
India to resume tourist visas to Chinese nationals from July 24 after 5 yrs
India will start issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals from July 24 after halting them for five years, Reuters reported, citing the Indian Embassy in China. The development marks a shift in the strained ties between the two countries, which are aiming to improve ties and ease tensions after Galwan clashes in 2020. Chinese media Global Times shared the post made by the Indian Embassy in China on Weibo. Sharing the post on X, it said, "The Embassy of India in China announced via its Sina Weibo account on Wednesday that, starting from July 24, 2025, Chinese citizens can apply for a tourist visa to visit India after completing an online application, scheduling an appointment, and personally submitting their passport and other required documents to the Indian Visa Application Centers in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, in South China's Guangdong Province." It further added, "This marks the first time since the suspension in 2020 that India has resumed issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens after a five-year hiatus, according to media reports." India suspends visas for Chinese nationals In 2020, India suspended all tourist visas for Chinese nationals in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. In April 2022, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) issued a notice, stating that all tourist visas to Chinese nationals will no longer be valid. The move came in retaliation after China limited the re-entry of as many as 22,000 Indian students in the country after the Covid-19 pandemic. Breakthrough in India-China ties Earlier in March this year, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi highlighted positive developments in India-China relations. He added that both countries have made positive strides in their bilateral ties and achieved encouraging outcomes. Yi emphasised the need for a cooperative partnership between the dragon (China) and the elephant (India). He stated, "China believes that as the largest neighbors, both countries should be partners in each other's success." He attributed the positive developments between the two countries to a successful meeting held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at Kazan, Russia.
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Business Standard
16 minutes ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Inbound Aerospace raises $1 mn to build reusable re-entry spacecraft
Inbound Aerospace, an IIT Madras-incubated space-tech startup, has raised over $1 million in a pre-seed funding round led by Speciale Invest, with participation from Piper Serica. Founded in 2025 by Aravind I B, Vishal Reddy, and Abhijit Bhutey, the company is developing autonomous and reusable re-entry vehicles designed to support in-orbit experiments, microgravity manufacturing, and commercial space research. The fresh capital will be used to accelerate the R&D of its re-entry spacecraft, validate key sub-systems, and achieve critical design review milestones. Inbound's technology is uniquely positioned to address a growing gap in microgravity infrastructure as the International Space Station (ISS) nears decommissioning in 2030. 'Microgravity environments are extremely hard to recreate on Earth. Our spacecraft is designed to enable cost-effective, repeatable, and safe return of payloads conducting in-orbit experiments and manufacturing — a capability that's critical to unlocking the next wave of growth in the space economy,' said Aravind I B, co-founder and chief executive officer, Inbound Aerospace. 'We believe re-entry vehicles will become foundational infrastructure for the microgravity economy. Inbound's deep-tech ambition spanning autonomy, material science, and systems engineering is bold and timely. We're backing this team because they are not just thinking of access to space, but access back from space, which is equally critical for a sustainable orbital economy,' said Vishesh Rajaram, managing partner, Speciale Invest. This marks Speciale Invest's sixth investment in the space-tech sector, reinforcing its position as a leading early-stage investor in India's new-space movement. With the Government of India's Bio3E policy (2024) and the growing interest in space-enabled pharma, biotech, and material science research, Inbound's re-entry vehicles could become key enablers of in-orbit experimentation and commercial-scale manufacturing. Initially pre-incubated at IITM Nirmaan, Inbound Aerospace is now formally housed at the IIT Madras Incubation Cell. The startup was the only Indian finalist at Japan's S-Booster 2025, a prestigious space-business idea competition hosted by the Cabinet Office of Japan. It aims to launch its first re-entry MVP mission by Q1 2028. Inbound Aerospace is focused on providing a spacecraft platform that utilises the unique microgravity environment of space to manufacture revolutionary products that profoundly impact and improve lives on Earth. 'We take pride in assisting our customers in producing these innovative products in space and bringing them back to Earth, delivering life-transforming benefits. By harnessing the power of space, we aim to bring the advantages of the cosmos right to our planet. Our recoverable spacecraft platform enables customers to conduct in-orbit technology demonstrations and microgravity experiments, accelerating their product development timelines,' said a statement.
