July 29: Starlink makes India debut, sports economy on the rise

Good Morning 🇮🇳

Move over, Royal Enfield, the OG is back in town. The iconic sasta, sundar and tikau Kinetic is making a comeback, and it’s even going green. On Monday, Kinetic Engineering dropped the Kinetic DX scooter, instantly triggering 90s nostalgia. The legend returns with its signature wide-eyed headlamp, but leaves behind the retro smoke trails. Mileage kitna deti hai? A solid 116 km in a single charge, enough for that “long drive” to the chai point and back without breaking a sweat—or the ozone layer.

Now, let’s get into the Dispatch! 🚀

Today’s reading time is 4.5 mins.

Billionaire tycoon Elon Musk is set to launch his satellite internet services in India through Starlink, sparking questions about potential challenges for domestic players such as BSNL. However, India’s Minister of State (MoS) for Telecom, Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, confirmed that Starlink will only be allowed to offer up to 20 lakh connections nationally, with speeds of up to 200 Mbps.

Starlink is the third company, after OneWeb and Jio, to receive approval from the Department of Telecommunications for satcom services. However, high setup and subscription costs (around ₹33,000 upfront and ₹3,000/month) have positioned it as a niche, supplementary service rather than a mass-market competitor.  

Starlink the disruptor:  Starlink is the world’s first satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX, providing internet access to users around the globe. It uses a network of small satellites in low Earth orbit to deliver a high-speed, low-latency (i.e. minimal delay fast-traveling data) network. Starlink is partnering with major telecom players like Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio to distribute devices and extend coverage in underserved regions. It currently serves over 6 million global users. In the last year itself, the company expanded to 42 new countries, territories and other markets around the world.

Key aspects of this move:

Short me bole toh: While Starlink won’t replace traditional telecom giants anytime soon, it could play a vital supporting role in India’s digital infrastructure, especially in regions where connecting fibre poses a challenge. So technically, the sky isn’t the limit anymore. India’s internet dreams go above and beyond.

According to a report titled 'Winning Together: Unlocking the Sports Economy between India and Manchester', India’s sports economy, currently estimated at 38.84 billion pounds, is expected to nearly double by 2027. This report also highlights increasing Indian investments across different sports beyond cricket, with the Indian football market alone projected to reach USD 0.40 billion by 2033.

The report also suggests launching an India-UK sports tech innovation hub and creating an e-sports talent exchange program. Academic and research ties would be deepened through partnerships between institutions like Loughborough University and IIT Delhi. Additionally, the plan encourages greater involvement from Premier League clubs and Indian investors, with a shared focus on building inclusive, gender-balanced sports ecosystems.

Premier League fever: In July 2024, Star Sports reported 7.1 crore (71 million) viewers tuned in for EPL matches, a 63% jump year-on-year and a massive 125% growth over the past two seasons. That figure isn’t just passive viewership; the league has inspired vibrant fan clubs rooted in enthusiasm and loyalty.

Beyond the IPL: While the Indian Premier League (IPL) remains the crown jewel of India’s sports economy, with its glitzy fanfare, it’s no longer a solo act. Leagues like the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) and Indian Super League (ISL) have carved out their own loyal audiences and commercial ecosystems. PKL, in particular, has become the second most-watched league in India, transforming a traditional desi sport into prime-time entertainment. The ISL has also significantly boosted football’s popularity in the nation, while Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) and the Premier Badminton League (PBL) have elevated Indian talent in niche sports.

With international collaborations, tech-driven innovation, and a growing appetite for diverse leagues, the country is building a more inclusive and commercially vibrant sports future.

NRIs flock home for healthcare: According to a report by PolicyBazaar, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are flocking to India for affordable, quality healthcare. The data shows a staggering 150% growth in NRI customers seeking affordable Indian healthcare in FY25, driven by huge savings on surgeries and insurance.

TCS shares drop: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) announced it will lay off about 12,000 employees this year, which caused its shares to drop nearly 2% on Monday. Despite recently increasing its workforce, the layoff news has worried investors and affected the company’s stock price.

Tesla’s $16.5 billion Samsung deal: On Monday, Elon Musk's Tesla secured a $16.5 billion chip supply deal with Samsung for AI6 chips, sending Samsung shares climbing over 6%. This deal is aimed at meeting Tesla’s demand for next-gen AI chipsets.

Mixed reactions on EU-US trade deal: France criticised the new EU-US trade deal as "submission" and a "dark day" for Europe, citing a 15% US tariff on most EU goods. However, many EU nations welcomed the deal, relieved to have avoided a deeper trade war. 

Thailand-Cambodia border truce: Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an "immediate and unconditional" ceasefire, starting Monday midnight, following five days of deadly border clashes. This took place following talks in Malaysia with both the US and Chinese involvement. The conflict has caused at least 33 fatalities so far while displacing thousands.

Trump eases tech curbs on China: The US has paused tech export controls on China for trade talks and a Trump-Xi meeting, drawing some security concerns. Despite concerns, companies like Nvidia are resuming sales of advanced AI chips to China—a reversal from earlier curbs—in an effort to defuse tensions and resolve long-standing economic disputes.

Pahalgam attack mastermind killed: Indian security forces launched ‘Operation Mahadev’ on Monday in Srinagar's Harwan, killing 3 terrorists, including Suleman Shah alias Asif. Asif, the mastermind behind the Pahalgam terror attack, was killed in an intense encounter near Dachigam National Park.

Deepika Padukone honoured: Indian actress Deepika Padukone was featured in "90+ Women Shaping Culture" by The Shift, a global cultural publication recognising influential women. She made it into the list for her advocacy of mental health and women's empowerment. She's even set to receive a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2026, making her the first Indian actress to receive this recognition.

India’s modern warfare: The Indian Army simulated future warfare near the China border in East Sikkim, using AI, drones, and high-speed data systems in 'Exercise DIVYA DRISHTI' for better battlefield awareness and quick responses.

India’s new chess grandmaster: 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh won the FIDE Women's World Cup, defeating the veteran grandmaster Koneru Humpy via tiebreaks. She also earned her Grandmaster title, becoming India's fourth female GM. 

NASA x ISRO collab: In a joint venture, NASA and ISRO are launching the NISAR satellite on July 30 in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. This $1.5 billion observation satellite is the world’s most expensive Earth observation satellite and will scan the globe every 12 days for climate and hazard data.

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