Latest news with #Indians


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Can India make filing taxes as easy as a phone recharge? CoinSwitch's Ashish Singhal thinks it should
Ashish Singhal , co-founder of CoinSwitch , has called out a reality check for India's salaried workers and startup employees. Many are shifting to the new tax regime , enjoying more take-home pay. But Singhal asks if this extra cash is building better discipline or just giving people more room to delay the annual tax scramble. 'Only 6.7% of Indians filed ITRs last year,' Singhal wrote in a LinkedIn post that's got people talking. 'Even among those who want to comply — salaried folks, startup employees — filing is often treated as a last-minute emergency.' Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Artificial Intelligence Public Policy Design Thinking MBA Management Operations Management Product Management healthcare CXO MCA Cybersecurity Data Science Data Analytics Degree Digital Marketing Leadership Healthcare Finance Others Technology Project Management Data Science others PGDM Skills you'll gain: Duration: 7 Months S P Jain Institute of Management and Research CERT-SPJIMR Exec Cert Prog in AI for Biz India Starts on undefined Get Details India's tax system has come a long way. There are smoother online portals now, simpler forms and digital payment options. All this should make tax filing easier than ever. But for many, it's still a once-a-year panic. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas Prices In Dubai Might Be More Affordable Than You Think Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Quote Undo Singhal summed it up well: 'Deadlines shift. Habits don't.' He believes India's low digital tax participation is a blind spot. 'Low digital tax-participation is a blind spot. The system's getting smarter, but not easier,' he said. Live Events Millions wait until the last week of July to hunt for documents, receipts and old bank statements. It's become a ritual. Newer tools help, but convenience still hasn't caught up with intent. The new regime's bigger promise Under the new tax regime, people keep more of their money. But does it lead to better planning? Singhal is not so sure. He asked, 'As users get more liquidity under the new tax regime, are we helping them build financial discipline or just giving them more runway?' His warning is clear. Unless this extra liquidity is paired with better habits, it risks being wasted. Bigger pay slips mean nothing if the same old scramble continues every July. Beyond pop-ups and reminders For Singhal, the answer is not another flood of ads, SMSes or 'file now' push notifications. He wants smarter systems that weave tax planning into daily life. 'We don't need more 'file now' reminders. We need infra that builds tax planning into everyday finance,' he wrote. Small nudges can help people stay ahead of deadlines. Singhal wants tools that remind people to collect paperwork early, fill out forms automatically and flag mistakes. He explained, 'We need tools that auto-remind, pre-fill, and validate. Nudges that turn filing from a chore into a habit. Products that treat tax compliance as a core loop, not a checkbox.' One comment under his post captured the mood. 'Imagine if AI could turn tax filing into something as easy as paying for groceries. Isn't that the future we want?' Tax season is once, money planning is daily Singhal's message is simple. Tax deadlines may come once a year. But managing money is daily work. 'Tax season comes once a year. Financial planning? That's every day,' he said. If India wants more people to file tax returns on time, the system must feel as normal as paying a phone bill. Routine, quick and not a source of stress. As more Indians move to the new regime, Singhal's question remains: Will this extra cash help people build better habits? Or will it just push the rush to next July, yet again?


New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
New foreign policy for a news world
Sooner than later, India will have to make a choice where it stands. Perhaps more important, what India stands for. The Narendra Modi government's policy of multi-alignment brought good results for the country's foreign policy for most of Modi's time as prime minister. But with Donald Trump acting like a bull in the china shop of world order, multi-alignment, at its best, has exhausted all possibilities. It was inventive while it lasted. India needs a new foreign policy. Exposed to the scorching heat of Trump's assaults on the existing order, the old policy is now like wine that tastes of wet cardboard. It emits an aroma similar to spoilt vinegar. The existing policy is no longer sustainable. Repackaging it in shimmering new Bohemian crystal will not make the old wine any better. It will not be potable, although the new bottle may draw praise. The old policy must be discarded. Or else, South Block will be stranded by the receding tide of history. In six months, Trump has decisively pulled the world away from multilateralism or even from plurilateral ways of advancing foreign policy. This may change if Trump does not complete his term for any reason, or if the next US president is either a Republican in the conventional mould or a Democrat. But India cannot wait for that. The challenge of adapting the country's foreign policy to the new global realities is urgent. Every single day's delay entails opportunity costs for 1.4 billion Indians whose aspirations, no longer circumscribed by the nation's borders, are at stake. India's biggest contribution at the recent BRICS summit in the enchanting city of Rio de Janeiro was to propose a new expansion of that acronym. As India prepares to succeed Brazil as BRICS chair, Modi told his co-leaders at the summit: 'Our goal will be to redefine BRICS as Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability.' That means BRICS will no longer be Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa. But in the Trump era, it falls short of hard bargains and transactional foreign policy. Modi is obsessed with catchy acronyms—his administration is peppered with them.


Local Sweden
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Local Sweden
Who has been granted Swedish citizenship so far in 2025?
After a freeze on new citizenships earlier this year, Sweden's Migration Agency is again processing cases. So what do the statistics say about which nationalities have received Swedish citizenship in the first half of 2025? Advertisement The top nationalities to be awarded Swedish citizenship between January and June 2025 were Syrians, Afghans, Indians, Eritreans and Polish people, new statistics from the Migration Agency show. In total, 20,974 citizenship applications were approved in the first half of 2025, down from 33,633 in the same period last year. A major reason behind the slowdown is a citizenship freeze earlier this spring, when the Migration Agency was unable to approve any citizenships by naturalisation for almost two months while new security checks ordered by the government were being rolled out. As The Local has already reported, the processing of citizenship cases appears to be picking up pace again, but hasn't yet returned to normal levels. The Migration Agency has also warned that it may not be able to process as many cases as previously estimated due to the security checks. Here's a table of which nationalities have been granted Swedish citizenship so far this year:


Time of India
3 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Sammaan Capital's new ad celebrates the dreams and success of India's middle class
Sammaan Capital , a financial partner for India's middle class , has announced the launch of its brand-new campaign, ' Hum Ho Gaye Kamyaab ' celebrating the dreams, struggles and triumphs of millennials across India. This campaign highlights the journey of the modern Indian middle class and positions Sammaan Capital as a trusted financial partner that stands by its customers every step of the way. For generations, the dream of owning a home or growing a business has been deeply embedded in the aspirations of middle-class Indians. These goals go beyond financial milestones—they reflect emotional fulfilment, social standing and core cultural values that shape the Indian identity. However, even as India emerges as the world's third-largest economy, access to formal credit remains a persistent barrier to true financial inclusion . Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) significantly contributes to the nation's GDP and generates large scale of employment—still grapple with systemic hurdles in securing the credit they need to grow and thrive. By leveraging government-backed housing schemes that offer tax benefits and subsidies, and forging strategic partnerships, we make homeownership more accessible and help bridge the credit gap that has long hindered true financial inclusion, the company stated in a press release. We understand that these aspirations go beyond economics—they are about earning respect, gaining stability, and living with dignity. That's why our mission is rooted in the belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to Jiyo Sammaan Se. This powerful tagline reflects our core philosophy: to empower people to live a life of purpose, pride, and possibility, it added. Sachin Chaudhary , executive director and chief operations officer, Sammaan Capital speaking about the launch of the new campaign said, 'We understand the pride and aspirations of every middle-class Indian. This campaign is not just about celebrating financial success, but about acknowledging the journey – the struggles, the determination, and the triumphs. With ' Hum Ho Gaye Kamyaab ,' we are not just supporting our customers' financial goals; we are part of their emotional journey , helping them realise the dreams that define their future. This film is a salute to the spirit of the middle class; their pride, resilience, and quiet determination. At Sammaan Capital, we're proud to be more than a financial partner; we are enablers of dignity, aspiration, and self-respect.' The 'Hum Ho Gaye Kamyaab' campaign reflects the transformation of the millennial generation, who started with dreams in the 90s, often singing "Hum Honge Kamyaab Ek Din." Fast forward to the present day, this same generation has worked hard, overcome barriers, and emerged victorious. Many have now built homes, expanded businesses, and fulfilled their long-awaited aspirations. Sammaan Capital celebrates their success with a sense of pride and accomplishment, as they now sing "Hum Ho Gaye Kamyaab." The campaign showcases their personal journeys – from humble beginnings to the realization of dreams. It highlights the pride of owning a home or scaling a business and positions Sammaan Capital as the trusted partner that fuels these dreams, enabling customers to live with confidence and pride. Sammaan Capital's 'Hum Ho Gaye Kamyaab' campaign not only celebrates the success of the middle class but also serves as a reminder of the collective spirit of self-respect, pride, and achievement that defines this community. Through its innovative products, customer-centric approach, and understanding of the unique challenges faced by millennials, Sammaan Capital remains committed to fostering a brighter and more prosperous future for India's middle class. The campaign has been conceptualised by McCann and brought to life by Firecracker Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. Together, they have crafted a visually rich and emotionally powerful narrative that brings the core philosophy of Sammaan Capital — Jiyo Sammaan Se — to life on screen. Adding further soul to the film is the evocative anthem 'Hum Ho Gaye Kamyaab', sung by Bollywood singer and music composer Amit Trivedi, whose voice lends depth, nostalgia and inspiration to the storytelling. Watch the video here:


News18
3 hours ago
- Sport
- News18
Divya Deshmukh Shocks Jiner Zhu In FIDE World Women's Chess Cup
Last Updated: Divya Deshmukh defeated second seed Jiner Zhu in the pre-quarterfinals of the FIDE World Women's Chess Cup. Koneru Humpy, D Harika, and R Vaishali drew their games. Indian International Master Divya Deshmukh made significant progress by defeating second seed Jiner Zhu of China in the first game of the pre-quarterfinals of the FIDE World Women's Chess Cup on Wednesday. Divya, rejuvenated after the event's first rest day, outplayed the much higher-ranked Zhu and now needs only a draw in the return game to reach the quarterfinals. Zhu opted for a Sicilian defense, which was met with an original response from Divya. She gained control in the center and gradually strengthened her position. Although Zhu is known for her resilience, her attempt to create counterplay towards the end of the first time-control proved risky, allowing Divya to convert to a superior Queen and minor piece endgame. With her Queen and knight creating havoc, Divya secured an important victory without any trouble. What About Other Indians In The Fray? Top-rated Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy played out a hard-fought draw with former world women's champion Alexandra Kosteniuk of Switzerland. Humpy's Berlin defense provided an optical advantage to Kosteniuk, but the Indian held her ground to split the points. D Harika played an enterprising game but settled for a draw with Kateryna Lagno, who is competing under the FIDE flag. Harika sacrificed a couple of pawns, but her Bishop pair always provided enough play for the lost material. Another Indian contender, R Vaishali, signed the peace treaty with Meruert Kamalidenova of Kazakhstan. Vaishali did not gain much from the opening, and all minor pieces were exchanged, keeping the position level in the ensuing heavy pieces situation. The draw was a fair result. Among other prominent players, top seed Tingjie Lei of China defeated Umida Omanova of Uzbekistan, while the remaining Chinese competitors, Zhongyi Tan and Yuxin Song, also began with victories against Yulia Osmak of Ukraine and local hopeful Lela Javakhishvili, respectively. The event is now intriguingly poised with four Chinese and four Indians remaining. The top three finishers will secure a berth in the next Women's Candidates' tournament. In each round except the finals, players compete in two games under Classical time control, and in case of a tie, shorter duration games are used to determine the winner. Results round 4 game 1: R Vaishali (Ind) drew with Meruert Kamalidenova; Alexanndra Kosteniuk (Sui) drew with Koneru Humpy (Ind); Kateryna Lagno (Fid) drew with D Harika (Ind); Divya Deshmukh (Ind) beat Jiner Zhu (Chn); TIngjie Lei (Chn) beat Umida Omanova (Uzb); Yuxin Song (Chn) beat Lela Javakhishvili (Geo); Mariya Muzychuk (Ukr) drew with Nana Dzagnidze (Geo); Zhongyi Tan (Chn) beat Yulia Osmak (Ukr). view comments First Published: July 16, 2025, 22:51 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.