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Good Morning 🇮🇳
In a trip that reeks more of PR than Pure Research, Prada sent members of its core technical team to Kolhapur to ‘study’ the traditional production methods of the Kolhapuri chappals. The Italian luxury giants had landed in hot water earlier for allegedly stealing (read: inspired by without telling anyone the inspiration) the Kolhapuri chappal look for its Milan Fashion Week early this year. A bit much we think?
Now, let’s get into the dispatch! 🚀
Today’s reading time is 6 mins.
MARKETS 🔔🐂🐻
As of Indian market close on July 17
After a couple of green days, the Indian stock markets dipped on Thursday due to profit booking in heavyweights, weak Q1 earnings, and foreign capital outflow.
Electric vehicles ⚡
EVs charging infra up, but ‘range anxiety’ persists
Image credits: Mercom
What happened? According to a recent report, India’s EV charging station network witnessed a 5x increase from FY22 to FY25. There are now ~26,000 public EV charging stations across India. This highlights the government’s commitment to enabling EV adoption, and state-level EV policies that are playing a significant role in securing public/private investment. Karnataka leads the pack with ~6,000 charging stations followed by Maharashtra (~4,000) and Uttar Pradesh (~2,000).
So let’s Electric up? Mmm, maybe just not yet: Even though there has been rapid growth, charging infrastructure still hasn’t kept pace with increasing EV adoption. India has one charging station for every 235 on-road EVs, whereas markets such as Europe and China maintain a significantly denser network with one charger for every 5-7 on-road EVs. This brings up a special problem called ‘Range anxiety’, roughly translating to the fear that a vehicle won't have enough charging to reach its destination, particularly for long-distance travel outside metro areas.
This update signals a strong push towards cleaner mobility. However, the charging infrastructure needs to keep up with electric vehicle adoption to truly embrace sustainable transport.
Airlines ✈️
Aviation’s growth potential
Image credits: NDTV
Potential for aviation growth: According to a report by Jeffries, India’s aviation industry has strong untapped potential. Despite having 18% of the world’s population, India accounts for only about 4% of the global air traffic. This is because India’s capita flight travel remains relatively low, which in turn also signals a huge opportunity. Factors such as rapid urbanization, rising incomes, and ongoing investment in expanding airport infrastructure can drive significant growth.
Challenges: Despite the vast potential, the industry faces some critical roadblocks. Global aircraft shortage and high taxation on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) increase operational costs for airlines. Additionally, recent safety incidents, including the horrific Air India crash has increased flight anxiety considerably.
Explorers: This potential though has caught a few eyes. Eternal’s (Zomato remember?) Deepinder Goyal has launched LAT Aerospace to foray into the regional airspace market, and entities such as Fly91 and Star Air are also trying to make their mark.
With the sky as the limit (quite literally), India’s aviation industry is at a crucial junction right now. However, to truly take off, it needs cost and safety management, and a regional push.
BUSINESS INDIA: Dhanda Hai Yeh!
AI reaches the villages: India’s IT minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced free AI training for 5.5 lakh village entrepreneurs via Common Service Centres. The aim is to skill 10 lakh Indians in advanced digital technologies such as AI, machine learning, data analytics and cybersecurity under the India AI Mission.
Taiwan’s banks eyeing India: Taiwanese banks Taipei Fubon and CTBC plan to open additional branches in Gujarat’s GIFT City, eyeing further expansion in India. The move will strengthen India-Taiwan trade and financial ties. CTBC bank already has two branches in India (Delhi and Chennai).
India-UK Free Trade Agreement: India and the UK are set to sign a Free Trade Agreement next week, aiming to double trade to $120 billion by 2030. The agreement will eliminate taxes on exports of labour-intensive products such as leather and clothing. Additionally, it will make imports of whiskey and cars from Britain cheaper.
Tata-Bosch chip deal: Tata Electronics has signed an MoU with Germany’s Bosch to collaborate on semiconductor chip packaging and manufacturing at its upcoming assembly and test facility in Assam and Gujarat foundry. The deal bolsters India's chipmaking ambitions
India's oil resilience: India’s Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri says India is well-prepared to maintain its oil supply even if Russian imports face secondary sanctions. With diversified sourcing from 40 countries, including Brazil and Canada, India’s ability to procure oil remains robust.
WORLD: KYA CHAL RAHA HAI? 🌏
EU’s crackdown against cybercrime: The European Union's police agency, Europol, led a global operation against a pro-Russian cybercrime network called NoName057. It disrupted over 100 systems and issued seven arrest warrants for distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks targeting Ukraine and its allies.
UK-Germany pact: UK PM Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signed a landmark treaty to deepen defence, security, and address migration. This pact aims to bolster Europe's security amid an aggressive Russia, and shifting U.S. support.
UK achieves medical feat: In a recent groundbreaking advancement, UK doctors announced 8 healthy babies born using the 3-parent IVF technique (mitochondrial donation treatment). This prevents inherited mitochondrial diseases by combining the parents' DNA with healthy donor mitochondria.
Rain Emergency in Pakistan: Pakistan's Punjab region declared a rain emergency after torrential downpours. 54 people were killed in the last 24 hours since the report, bringin the national death-toll to 178 over the last 3 weeks.
US deports more Indians: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reported that over 1,500 Indian nationals have been deported from the US so far in 2025. This figure includes 636 deportations previously noted in March and is attributed to the increased US crackdown on immigration.
Aur Batao: News from across India 📰
India steps in as Bolivia battles measles: India has sent 300,000 Measles & Rubella vaccine doses and supplies to Bolivia, where a measles outbreak has led to 60 confirmed cases and a National Health Emergency. Bolivia is ramping up mass vaccination, especially for kids under 5, as low immunization and misinformation fuel the outbreak.
Indigenous missile system hits the mark: India just tested Akash Prime, a made-in-India missile system, in Ladakh at 15,000 ft and nailed 2 direct hits on fast-moving targets. It’s an upgraded surface-to-air defence missile with a smart Radio Frequency (RF) seeker for precise targeting in any weather or terrain. With a 30 km range, the missile’s purpose is to guard Army bases from air attacks.
Tolls just got cheaper: NHAI just introduced an annual pass letting private vehicles take 200 trips on national highways & expressways for just ₹3,000 starting Aug 15. You can activate it via Rajmargyatra app or the NHAI site using your existing FASTag.
India’s fugitive crackdown: CBI has been cracking down on Indian fugitives taking safe haven in other countries. In the last 5 years, 134 fugitives have had a ‘homecoming’ - nearly 2x the number of fugitives brought back between 2010 - 2019. India has amped up the pressure by signing extradition treaties with 48 countries. At this moment, 65 extradition requests are still pending with US authorities.
Sports and Entertainment
39 moves to victory: Indian Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa impressively defeated World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in just 39 moves during a freestyle game at the Chess Grand Slam in Las Vegas on Wednesday, securing the lead in his group.
India’s ODI triumph: The Indian women’s team beat England by 4 wickets in the 1st ODI at the Utilita Bowl stadium. Deepti Sharma bagged the Player of the Match award, with a pivotal knock of 62 not out.
Root rose to the top: English cricketer Joe Root is back at No. 1 in ICC Test batting rankings after his Lord's heroics. At 34, Root becomes the oldest player to occupy the top Test batting spot since Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara.
A change for the penalty rule: Football's penalty kick rules might change, banning rebounds to make them a one-shot attempt, similar to shootouts. This aims to balance the advantage between attackers and goalkeepers.
Indian shutters exit Japan open: Indian shuttlers Lakshya Sen and the men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were eliminated in the second round of the Japan Open.
Salman Khan unveils racing league: Salman Khan (now a strategic investor) unveiled Season 2 of the Indian Supercross Racing League. The league aims to popularize the sport and develop grassroots talent.
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