The Hero Indian Open begins on Thursday. It is India's premier Golf tournament and is sanctioned by the European Tour which is currently fighting a pitched battle with Liv Golf. Shubhankar Sharma is the highest-ranked Indian in the field and is expected to challenge for the trophy come Sunday. Sharma will play at the British Open in July and he opened up about his return to the hallowed stage in a conversation with Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo. He also believes that LIV Golf has hyped up the sport.

HERO Indian Open: India's Premier golf tournament returns

Israeli Aerospace Industries(IAI) and India's Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), firms owned by their respective Governments, have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to form a joint venture firm for extending long-term product support services for Indian Armed Forces.

Aimed at providing life-cycle support for the Indo-Israeli Medium-Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM), this joint venture furthers the long-standing cooperation between India and Israel in the field of Defence. The venture is to have its headquarters in India's capital New Delhi and will provide technical and maintenance support for MRSAM and its related systems.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/worlds-largest-four-day-work-week-trial-in-britain-proves-to-be-a-success-heres-how-564724">World's largest four-day work-week trial in Britain proves to be a success, here's how</a>

Bhanu Prakash Srivastava, CMD, BEL, said, “BEL considers IAI, Israel, as a very important strategic partner. This Joint Venture between the two companies is expected to play a pivotal role in ensuring timely Product Support services for MRSAM Systems and enable substantial indigenous workshare with the active participation of the Indian supply chain.”

MRSAM is an advanced air and missile defence system that provides protection against a variety of aerial platforms. The MRSAM is used by the Indian Air Force, Indian Army, Indian Navy and Israeli Defence Forces.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/toyota-accedes-to-unions-demands-set-to-provide-biggest-wage-hike-in-two-decades-564764">Toyota accedes to unions' demands, set to provide biggest wage hike in two decades</a>

The system includes an Advanced Phased Array Radar, command and control shelter, mobile launchers and interceptors with an advanced RF seeker. MRSAM is jointly developed by IAI and India's Defence Research Development Organization(DRDO) in collaboration with India and Israel for India’s Armed Forces. The MRSAM missile is capable of taking down multiple aerial targets such as jets, drones, helicopters, and incoming missiles, within a 70km range.

Watch | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wagner-group-head-accuses-russian-command-of-treason-564716">Wagner group head accuses Russian command of treason</a>

Boaz Levy, IAI’s President and CEO, had said earlier, “Our joint venture with BEL will leverage the best technology, innovation and talent to provide services matching the needs of our customers in India. It follows our announcement in 2022 about the opening of Aerospace Services India (ASI), an IAI subsidiary in New Delhi, both of which illustrate our support of the Indian Government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’(self-reliant India) initiative and investment in India.”

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Israeli Aerospace Industries(IAI) and India's Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), firms owned by their respective Governments, have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to form a joint venture firm for extending long-term product support services for Indian Armed Forces.

Israeli Aerospace Industries(IAI) and India's Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), firms owned by their respective Governments, have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to form a joint venture firm for extending long-term product support services for Indian Armed Forces. Aimed at providing life-cycle support for the Indo-Israeli Medium-Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM), this joint venture furthers the long-standing cooperation between India and Israel in the field of Defence. The venture is to have its headquarters in India's capital New Delhi and will provide technical and maintenance support for MRSAM and its related systems. Also Read | World's largest four-day work-week trial in Britain proves to be a success, here's how Bhanu Prakash Srivastava, CMD, BEL, said, “BEL considers IAI, Israel, as a very important strategic partner. This Joint Venture between the two companies is expected to play a pivotal role in ensuring timely Product Support services for MRSAM Systems and enable substantial indigenous workshare with the active participation of the Indian supply chain.” MRSAM is an advanced air and missile defence system that provides protection against a variety of aerial platforms. The MRSAM is used by the Indian Air Force, Indian Army, Indian Navy and Israeli Defence Forces. Also Read | Toyota accedes to unions' demands, set to provide biggest wage hike in two decades The system includes an Advanced Phased Array Radar, command and control shelter, mobile launchers and interceptors with an advanced RF seeker. MRSAM is jointly developed by IAI and India's Defence Research Development Organization(DRDO) in collaboration with India and Israel for India’s Armed Forces. The MRSAM missile is capable of taking down multiple aerial targets such as jets, drones, helicopters, and incoming missiles, within a 70km range. Watch | Wagner group head accuses Russian command of treason Boaz Levy, IAI’s President and CEO, had said earlier, “Our joint venture with BEL will leverage the best technology, innovation and talent to provide services matching the needs of our customers in India. It follows our announcement in 2022 about the opening of Aerospace Services India (ASI), an IAI subsidiary in New Delhi, both of which illustrate our support of the Indian Government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’(self-reliant India) initiative and investment in India.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Indo-Israeli joint venture firm to provide service support for India's MRSAM missiles

India has reiterated its stance on the ongoing war in Ukraine at the G20 finance meeting. India said that the present era is 'Not an era of war'. Watch here.

'Not an era of war' says India at G20 finance meet

France&nbsp;hopes that&nbsp;India&nbsp;will use its&nbsp;links&nbsp;with&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;to find a peaceful solution amid the&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;conflict. New Delhi has had a close relationship with Moscow, something that is well known. "We ask the&nbsp;Indian government to use&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;links&nbsp;to help us&nbsp;for&nbsp;peace," French Diplomatic sources told WION, pointing to frequent contacts between the two sides on the issue.

As the&nbsp;conflict&nbsp;between&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;and&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;enters its second year, the focus is on finding a peaceful solution to the&nbsp;conflict. The United Nations General Assembly is set to vote on a western-backed resolution calling&nbsp;for&nbsp;the immediate withdrawal of&nbsp;Russian military&nbsp;forces from Ukrainian territory, with a cessation of hostilities.

While the resolution has been discussed with all partners to address their concerns, French diplomatic sources have stressed the importance of&nbsp;India's role in finding a peaceful solution.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-who-provided-the-most-aid-to-ukraine-564493">Who provided the most aid to Ukraine?</a>

India&nbsp;has maintained close ties with both&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;and the West, making it a crucial player in the&nbsp;conflict. However, the&nbsp;Indian government's position on the UNGA resolution is still unclear, according to French diplomatic sources. "At&nbsp;this stage, we still don't know what the position of the (Indian) government will be. We have a very candid discussion with them," said the sources. They further explained,' the UNGA draft resolution has been discussed will all our partners in order to accommodate their concerns.'

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Biden’s five hours in Kyiv could spell disaster for Ukraine | WION Game Plan

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The French side has welcomed PM Modi's remarks that this is not an era of war. PM Modi had told this to&nbsp;Russian President Putin during his bilateral on-the-sidelines Shanghai cooperation organisation summit in Samarkand last year. Since then, the remark has been quoted often by world leaders including French President Macron&nbsp;at&nbsp;the annual United Nations general assembly meeting in New York.

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France hopes that India will use its links with Russia to find a peaceful solution amid the Ukraine conflict. New Delhi has had a close relationship with Moscow, something that is well known.

France hopes that India will use its links with Russia to find a peaceful solution amid the Ukraine conflict. New Delhi has had a close relationship with Moscow, something that is well known. "We ask the Indian government to use Russian links to help us for peace," French Diplomatic sources told WION, pointing to frequent contacts between the two sides on the issue. As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine enters its second year, the focus is on finding a peaceful solution to the conflict. The United Nations General Assembly is set to vote on a western-backed resolution calling for the immediate withdrawal of Russian military forces from Ukrainian territory, with a cessation of hostilities. While the resolution has been discussed with all partners to address their concerns, French diplomatic sources have stressed the importance of India's role in finding a peaceful solution. ALSO READ | Who provided the most aid to Ukraine? India has maintained close ties with both Russia and the West, making it a crucial player in the conflict. However, the Indian government's position on the UNGA resolution is still unclear, according to French diplomatic sources. "At this stage, we still don't know what the position of the (Indian) government will be. We have a very candid discussion with them," said the sources. They further explained,' the UNGA draft resolution has been discussed will all our partners in order to accommodate their concerns.' ALSO WATCH | Biden’s five hours in Kyiv could spell disaster for Ukraine | WION Game Plan The French side has welcomed PM Modi's remarks that this is not an era of war. PM Modi had told this to Russian President Putin during his bilateral on-the-sidelines Shanghai cooperation organisation summit in Samarkand last year. Since then, the remark has been quoted often by world leaders including French President Macron at the annual United Nations general assembly meeting in New York. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

France counts on Indo-Russia links to resolve Ukraine conflict

The European Union has sought India's support on a resolution that will be taken up at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Wednesday. The demarche was presented by European Union envoys to the Ministry of External Affairs on 15 February seeking New Delhi's support on the resolution. The debate on the resolution starts on Wednesday and will be carried out on Thursday as well.

The western backed resolution reiterates demand Russia "immediately, completely and unconditionally" withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, and calls for a "cessation of hostilities".

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/miracle-baby-aya-born-under-turkey-quake-rubble-adopted-by-her-aunt-uncle-564352">Miracle baby 'Aya', born under Turkey quake rubble, adopted by her aunt, uncle</a>

The Resolution co-sponsored by more than 50 countries, a substantial number from Europe "deplores" the "dire human rights and humanitarian consequences of the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine".

India so far at the United Nations has abstained on all resolutions when it comes to Russia -Ukraine conflict. A meeting was held under the Indian Presidency of United Nations security council in December of last year in which Indian Ambassador to UN Ruchira Kamboj called "immediate cessation of hostilities" emphasizing on "dialogue and diplomacy".

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-poet-javed-akhtar-at-lahore-event-says-2611-terrorists-roaming-free-in-pakistan-564306">Indian Poet Javed Akhtar, at Lahore event, says 26/11 terrorists roaming free in Pakistan</a>

The European Union's ambassador in an interview to WION said engagement on these issues continue with New Delhi.

Watch | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/air-india-begins-massive-hiring-pilots-salary-crosses-rs-2-crore-564293">Air India begins massive hiring, pilots' salary crosses Rs 2 crore</a>

Meanwhile, French Diplomatic sources seeking Indian support for the resolution said, "at this stage we still don't know what will be the position of the (Indian) government", but also pointed "we have a very candid discussion with them (India)." "The UNGA draft resolution has been discussed will all our partners in order to accommodate their concerns," they added.&nbsp;

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The European Union has sought India's support on a resolution that will be taken up at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Wednesday. The demarche was presented by European Union envoys to the Ministry of External Affairs on 15 February seeking New Delhi's support on the resolution.

The European Union has sought India's support on a resolution that will be taken up at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Wednesday. The demarche was presented by European Union envoys to the Ministry of External Affairs on 15 February seeking New Delhi's support on the resolution. The debate on the resolution starts on Wednesday and will be carried out on Thursday as well. The western backed resolution reiterates demand Russia "immediately, completely and unconditionally" withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, and calls for a "cessation of hostilities". Also Read | Miracle baby 'Aya', born under Turkey quake rubble, adopted by her aunt, uncle The Resolution co-sponsored by more than 50 countries, a substantial number from Europe "deplores" the "dire human rights and humanitarian consequences of the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine". India so far at the United Nations has abstained on all resolutions when it comes to Russia -Ukraine conflict. A meeting was held under the Indian Presidency of United Nations security council in December of last year in which Indian Ambassador to UN Ruchira Kamboj called "immediate cessation of hostilities" emphasizing on "dialogue and diplomacy". Also Read | Indian Poet Javed Akhtar, at Lahore event, says 26/11 terrorists roaming free in Pakistan The European Union's ambassador in an interview to WION said engagement on these issues continue with New Delhi. Watch | Air India begins massive hiring, pilots' salary crosses Rs 2 crore Meanwhile, French Diplomatic sources seeking Indian support for the resolution said, "at this stage we still don't know what will be the position of the (Indian) government", but also pointed "we have a very candid discussion with them (India)." "The UNGA draft resolution has been discussed will all our partners in order to accommodate their concerns," they added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

European Union seeks India's support on UNGA resolution against Russia

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (February 21) started a first-of-its-kind project to transcribe its proceedings live using Artificial Intelligence (AI). “We'll see how it works, especially in the Constitution Bench matters, because then we'll have a permanent record of arguments.

Chief Justice of India backs use of AI

In India's Jammu & Kashmir, traffic on the national highway was suspended after a landslide happened in Ramban district.

Landslide blocks National Highway on India's Jammu & Kashmir

India has set up a panel of officials to see how rising temperatures will have an impact on the wheat crops as the weather officials has warned that above normal temperatures would prevail in key producing states.

India studies impact of higher temperature on wheat

Air India's largest-ever plane deal in history will not only disrupt the aviation sector in India but it is also going to result in a massive jump in salaries of the workers including pilots and the cabin crew.

Air India begins massive hiring, pilots' salary crosses Rs 2 crore

In yet another sign of the rising status of India in the world, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has stated that it is not considering any job cuts despite layoffs at big tech firms and large companies. India's tech giant, TCS, the largest exporter of tech services in the country, is also eager to hire startup workers who have lost their jobs and said it believes in developing talent for longer careers after hiring an employee.

TCS chief human resources officer Milind Lakkad in a media interview, said, "we don't do that (job cuts); we believe in grooming talent in the company and (there will be) no layoffs".

He claimed that many businesses are now compelled to cut jobs to lower costs because they recruited more people than they intended.

TCS, which he described as "conservative," disagrees, contending that the employer must ensure that new hires are productive and add value.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/indias-forex-reserves-mark-the-biggest-weekly-drop-in-11-months-563840">India's forex reserves mark the biggest weekly drop in 11 months</a>

Lakkad speaking to the Indian news agency PTI said when an employee's skill set falls short of what is needed, the company prioritises training the worker.

<h2>Salary hikes coming soon</h2>

The chief human resources officer said TCS, which has over 6 lakh employees, would soon announce salary hikes similar to previous years. That underscores the "India a bright spot" in an otherwise gloomy global economy backdrop comments from top institutions.

Indeed, TCS is looking at increasing employee benefits at a time when global firms are laying off thousands of employees.

The Indian tech giant also said it is looking at hiring employees laid off, especially in the US and startups the world over.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;LinkedIn gains popularity amid mass layoffs

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Lakkad said TCS is working on fascinating projects across various industries and technologies. He added that some extraordinary talent must join in on the action for those projects. But when asked about the decline of more than 2,000 staff in the December quarter, the HR head said it was a one-off case.

He did not clarify if there would be more additions or if the company would continue to groom their existing talent base.

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In yet another sign of the rising status of India in the world, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has stated that it is not considering any job cuts despite layoffs at big tech firms and large companies.

In yet another sign of the rising status of India in the world, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has stated that it is not considering any job cuts despite layoffs at big tech firms and large companies. India's tech giant, TCS, the largest exporter of tech services in the country, is also eager to hire startup workers who have lost their jobs and said it believes in developing talent for longer careers after hiring an employee. TCS chief human resources officer Milind Lakkad in a media interview, said, "we don't do that (job cuts); we believe in grooming talent in the company and (there will be) no layoffs". He claimed that many businesses are now compelled to cut jobs to lower costs because they recruited more people than they intended. TCS, which he described as "conservative," disagrees, contending that the employer must ensure that new hires are productive and add value. ALSO READ | India's forex reserves mark the biggest weekly drop in 11 months Lakkad speaking to the Indian news agency PTI said when an employee's skill set falls short of what is needed, the company prioritises training the worker. Salary hikes coming soon The chief human resources officer said TCS, which has over 6 lakh employees, would soon announce salary hikes similar to previous years. That underscores the "India a bright spot" in an otherwise gloomy global economy backdrop comments from top institutions. Indeed, TCS is looking at increasing employee benefits at a time when global firms are laying off thousands of employees. The Indian tech giant also said it is looking at hiring employees laid off, especially in the US and startups the world over. ALSO WATCH | LinkedIn gains popularity amid mass layoffs Lakkad said TCS is working on fascinating projects across various industries and technologies. He added that some extraordinary talent must join in on the action for those projects. But when asked about the decline of more than 2,000 staff in the December quarter, the HR head said it was a one-off case. He did not clarify if there would be more additions or if the company would continue to groom their existing talent base. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India's TCS: No Layoffs; instead, salary hikes are coming

On February 21, 2023, India's retail payment system Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and its comparable network in Singapore, PayNow, were connected to enable speedier remittances between India and Singapore.

India's UPI connected to Singapore's Pay Now, connectivity to allow instant money transfers

Indian filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali has announced a new project called 'Heeramandi'. The film explores the lives of sex workers. Watch this video for more details.

Indian filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali announces new project 'Heeramandi'

The Indian Air Force has always been largely dependent on Foreign-origin fighter aircraft, however, in recent years the Indian aerospace industry has been able to rise up to the challenge and produce indigenous fighter jet 'Tejas'. While it is a fair start, much more needs to be done to keep up the progress and move ahead. Our Correspondent Sidharth.M.P spoke to Director General of India's Centre for Air Power studies to understand the top priorities for Indian defence aviation sector.

Will India get the F-35 or develop its own 5th Gen aircraft? The way forward for Indian fighter jets

Marking a key milestone in sustainable mobility in India, Uber has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Motors to bring 25,000 electric vehicles onto the platform. This agreement is both in alignment with India's vision to reach net zero by 2070 and Uber's commitment to 100% zero-emission vehicle rides by 2040.

This deal between a ride-hailing app and India’s top carmaker is the largest EV commitment ever of this kind. In a statement, Uber said that Tata Motors will begin deliveries of "XPRES-T EVs to Uber fleet partners in a phased manner starting this month."&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-joe-biden-arrives-in-kyiv-on-surprise-visit-563870">US President Joe Biden lands in Kyiv on surprise visit, announces more arms supplies for Ukraine</a>

The partnership will aid the electrification of Uber service across Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, the statement added.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/undercover-investigation-reveals-women-sexual-abuse-on-british-owned-kenyan-tea-farms-563955">Undercover investigation reveals women's sexual abuse on British-owned Kenyan tea farms</a>

Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility said, "With this association, we have taken another leap towards enhancing electric mobility across the country, and will continue our work in ‘Moving India’ to a safer, smarter and greener future.”

Watch | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ukraine-biden-arrives-in-kyiv-on-surprise-visit-563933">Ukraine: Biden arrives in Kyiv on surprise visit</a>

Earlier, Tata Motors also partnered with BluSmart Mobility to expand the Electric Vehicles fleet in Delhi NCR.&nbsp;In a telephone conversation with Reuters, Prabhjeet Singh, President, of Uber India and South Asia, said, "When you're looking at great transitions, you also don't want to rush into those without necessarily fully appreciating the economics and trade-offs."&nbsp;

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Marking a key milestone in sustainable mobility in India, Uber has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Motors to bring 25,000 electric vehicles onto the platform.

Marking a key milestone in sustainable mobility in India, Uber has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Motors to bring 25,000 electric vehicles onto the platform. This agreement is both in alignment with India's vision to reach net zero by 2070 and Uber's commitment to 100% zero-emission vehicle rides by 2040. This deal between a ride-hailing app and India’s top carmaker is the largest EV commitment ever of this kind. In a statement, Uber said that Tata Motors will begin deliveries of "XPRES-T EVs to Uber fleet partners in a phased manner starting this month." Also Read | US President Joe Biden lands in Kyiv on surprise visit, announces more arms supplies for Ukraine The partnership will aid the electrification of Uber service across Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, the statement added. Also Read | Undercover investigation reveals women's sexual abuse on British-owned Kenyan tea farms Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility said, "With this association, we have taken another leap towards enhancing electric mobility across the country, and will continue our work in ‘Moving India’ to a safer, smarter and greener future.” Watch | Ukraine: Biden arrives in Kyiv on surprise visit Earlier, Tata Motors also partnered with BluSmart Mobility to expand the Electric Vehicles fleet in Delhi NCR. In a telephone conversation with Reuters, Prabhjeet Singh, President, of Uber India and South Asia, said, "When you're looking at great transitions, you also don't want to rush into those without necessarily fully appreciating the economics and trade-offs." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Uber signs MoU with Tata Motors to bring 25,000 EVs on platform in India

A pan-India study has revealed that dementia, a debilitating disorder that affects memory and cognitive function, is prevalent among an estimated 7.4% of seniors citizens in India.

9 million Indians suffer from Dementia

India's foreign exchange reserves fell by $8.3 billion to $566.95 billion in the week ended February 10 -- its biggest weekly fall in 11 months. According to data released by RBI on Friday, the reserves are at their lowest level since January 6, 2023.

India's Forex Reserves fall biggest in 11 months

As Asia's largest Defence Aerospace show, Aero India has been garnering a lot of attention, visitors have been enjoying the dazzling aerobatics of the fighter planes and helicopters as well.

India's DRDO unveils 'Tapas UAV'; WION speaks to Director of ADE, DRDO unit, Y Dilip

George Soros, a billionaire hedge fund manager and former currency speculator who has transitioned into a political philanthropist, came under fire from the BJP on Friday for saying that the sharp erosion of Adani Group wealth has weakened Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will pave the way for a "democratic revival" in the nation.

India: George Soros targets PM Modi over Adani Saga

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz quotes India's Jaishankar at Munich conference: 'Europe has to get out of...' Watch the video to know more.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz quotes India's S Jaishankar at Munich conference

Every year in February, tourists make their way to the Indian state of Rajasthan to join in the festivities of the Desert Festival that takes place in Jaisalmer . WION's Entertainment Editor Abira Dhar takes us on a joy ride.

Jaisalmer Desert Festival: Meet the man with 6 feet long moustache

Air India Ltd. placed the largest aircraft order in aviation history, opting to purchase 540 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus on Monday (February 13), allowing the Tata Group airline to expand its operations both domestically and internationally, reported the Mint. Air India is estimated to spend a whopping $82 billion on the acquisition of short&nbsp;and long-haul aircraft, while the real cost would be less as bulk purchases are eligible for discounts and incentives.

Out of the total 540 aircraft, 470 are firm orders, while the remaining 70 are options with Boeing that Air India may subsequently exercise. 250 Airbus and 220 Boeing aircraft make up the 470 aircraft, with the first lot arriving later this year. The previous single-largest jet purchase, according to Bloomberg, was made by American Airlines in 2011 for 460 planes.

“The first aircraft to arrive will be 25 brand-new Boeing B737-800s and six Airbus A350-900s in the second half of 2023, with deliveries really ramping up in 2025 and beyond. In the meantime, our capacity growth will continue to be supported by the previously announced lease-in of additional narrow-body and wide-body aircraft and the restoration-to-service of the remainder of our grounded fleet," Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said in an email to employees, reported Mint.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/western-leaders-hail-billion-dollar-air-india-airbus-and-boeing-annoucement-562059">Western leaders hail billion-dollar Air India, Airbus, Boeing announcement</a>

Around 450 single-aisle aircraft from the Airbus 320 family and Boeing 737 MAX are included in the total order; these aircraft will be used for local and short-haul international operations. The remaining 90 aircraft, all dual-aisle planes, will travel to Europe and the Americas.

<h2>Why is the Air India order for 470 new aircraft such a huge&nbsp;deal?&nbsp;</h2>

The historic Air India purchase of 470 jets, valued between $80-100 billion, has caused the world to sit up and take notice because of its scale and the ramifications it has for Air India, the aviation industry, and some of the biggest global economies.&nbsp;

This is the biggest bulk order for aircraft; American Airlines' purchase of 460 aircraft in 2011 is now&nbsp;the second-highest. The deal, which took more than a year to work out, marks India's debut as one of the major aircraft-buying countries.&nbsp;

<img alt="picture" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ced6aef1-0b66-4e31-9530-bb4a0cebbcdb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2872%29_0.png" />

Indian PM Narendra Modi addressing a virtual meeting&nbsp;on agreement between Air India and Airbus. Photo credits: Twitter

Air India has ordered 40 wide-bodied A350 planes and 210 narrow-bodied A320 neo-family planes from Airbus, reported Hindu BusinessLine.&nbsp;The Boeing order entails&nbsp;10 wide-bodied B777X planes, 20 wide-body B787 planes, and 190 narrow-body B737MAX planes.&nbsp;Indigo is reportedly considering similar plans to buy 500 aircraft, said the Hindu BusinessLine.&nbsp;

<h2>How is this order beneficial for Air India?</h2>

After the Tatas' takeover in early 2022, the former national airline of India, which had been making significant losses, has been working to improve its performance. By merging with Vistara recently, it became the nation's largest airline operating on foreign routes and the second-largest domestic airline after&nbsp;Indigo. Prior to the most recent order, the Tata group operated 218 aircraft, flying to 52 domestic and 38 overseas destinations.

With this deal, Air India's fleet size will more than double, and it will surpass Indigo's fleet of 300 aircraft to become the largest airline operating domestic routes as well. The kind of aircraft that&nbsp;Air India has ordered indicates that it aims to significantly expand its footprint on international routes as well as fly to both major and minor locations within the domestic market.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/google-layoffs-late-night-email-terminates-453-employees-in-india-562943">Google layoffs: Late-night email terminates 453 employees in India</a>

How Air India finances this transaction will be interesting to observe. When the Tata family assumed control of the airline, they had paid off around 15 per cent&nbsp;of the struggling airline's 61,562 crore debt. The Tatas, however, claim to have already refinanced the debt they inherited, as per a Hindu BusinessLine&nbsp;report.&nbsp;

<h2>What does the deal really mean for India's aviation sector?</h2>

The Maharajah will re-ascend the throne to rule supremely over India's skies, and the aviation industry in India will undergo a shakeout. The agreement aims to turn India into a major international air travel hub by significantly increasing the number of international&nbsp;air carriers operating from India. This will require a revamp&nbsp;of Indian airports too.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Chetan Sharma Resigns: Indian cricket Chief selector resigns

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The chairman of the Tata group suggests that some aircraft parts may be manufactured in India which will stimulate local manufacturing and provide new job opportunities.

<h2>Is this deal in tandem with the present passenger traffic?</h2>

Aviation traffic has undoubtedly increased during the previous 12 months. Between April and December 2022, domestic aviation traffic increased by 63 per cent&nbsp;year over year, according to ICRA, with 986 lakh passengers. Since the pandemic&nbsp;lows, the passenger load factor has also increased and now stands at 91 per cent.

India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) predicts that India will move up one spot in the next 10 years, moving from seventh to third in terms of civil aviation. By 2024, India is expected to surpass the UK to acquire the third-largest position in the domestic aviation industry. The population and rising buying power of India would undoubtedly lead to an increase in domestic aviation travel.&nbsp;

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Air India Ltd. placed the largest aircraft order in aviation history, opting to purchase 540 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus on Monday (February 13), allowing the Tata Group airline to expand its operations both domestically and internationally, reported the Mint.

Air India Ltd. placed the largest aircraft order in aviation history, opting to purchase 540 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus on Monday (February 13), allowing the Tata Group airline to expand its operations both domestically and internationally, reported the Mint. Air India is estimated to spend a whopping $82 billion on the acquisition of short and long-haul aircraft, while the real cost would be less as bulk purchases are eligible for discounts and incentives. Out of the total 540 aircraft, 470 are firm orders, while the remaining 70 are options with Boeing that Air India may subsequently exercise. 250 Airbus and 220 Boeing aircraft make up the 470 aircraft, with the first lot arriving later this year. The previous single-largest jet purchase, according to Bloomberg, was made by American Airlines in 2011 for 460 planes. “The first aircraft to arrive will be 25 brand-new Boeing B737-800s and six Airbus A350-900s in the second half of 2023, with deliveries really ramping up in 2025 and beyond. In the meantime, our capacity growth will continue to be supported by the previously announced lease-in of additional narrow-body and wide-body aircraft and the restoration-to-service of the remainder of our grounded fleet," Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said in an email to employees, reported Mint. ALSO READ | Western leaders hail billion-dollar Air India, Airbus, Boeing announcement Around 450 single-aisle aircraft from the Airbus 320 family and Boeing 737 MAX are included in the total order; these aircraft will be used for local and short-haul international operations. The remaining 90 aircraft, all dual-aisle planes, will travel to Europe and the Americas. Why is the Air India order for 470 new aircraft such a huge deal? The historic Air India purchase of 470 jets, valued between $80-100 billion, has caused the world to sit up and take notice because of its scale and the ramifications it has for Air India, the aviation industry, and some of the biggest global economies. This is the biggest bulk order for aircraft; American Airlines' purchase of 460 aircraft in 2011 is now the second-highest. The deal, which took more than a year to work out, marks India's debut as one of the major aircraft-buying countries. Indian PM Narendra Modi addressing a virtual meeting on agreement between Air India and Airbus. Photo credits: Twitter Air India has ordered 40 wide-bodied A350 planes and 210 narrow-bodied A320 neo-family planes from Airbus, reported Hindu BusinessLine. The Boeing order entails 10 wide-bodied B777X planes, 20 wide-body B787 planes, and 190 narrow-body B737MAX planes. Indigo is reportedly considering similar plans to buy 500 aircraft, said the Hindu BusinessLine. How is this order beneficial for Air India? After the Tatas' takeover in early 2022, the former national airline of India, which had been making significant losses, has been working to improve its performance. By merging with Vistara recently, it became the nation's largest airline operating on foreign routes and the second-largest domestic airline after Indigo. Prior to the most recent order, the Tata group operated 218 aircraft, flying to 52 domestic and 38 overseas destinations. With this deal, Air India's fleet size will more than double, and it will surpass Indigo's fleet of 300 aircraft to become the largest airline operating domestic routes as well. The kind of aircraft that Air India has ordered indicates that it aims to significantly expand its footprint on international routes as well as fly to both major and minor locations within the domestic market. ALSO READ | Google layoffs: Late-night email terminates 453 employees in India How Air India finances this transaction will be interesting to observe. When the Tata family assumed control of the airline, they had paid off around 15 per cent of the struggling airline's 61,562 crore debt. The Tatas, however, claim to have already refinanced the debt they inherited, as per a Hindu BusinessLine report. What does the deal really mean for India's aviation sector? The Maharajah will re-ascend the throne to rule supremely over India's skies, and the aviation industry in India will undergo a shakeout. The agreement aims to turn India into a major international air travel hub by significantly increasing the number of international air carriers operating from India. This will require a revamp of Indian airports too. ALSO WATCH | Chetan Sharma Resigns: Indian cricket Chief selector resigns The chairman of the Tata group suggests that some aircraft parts may be manufactured in India which will stimulate local manufacturing and provide new job opportunities. Is this deal in tandem with the present passenger traffic? Aviation traffic has undoubtedly increased during the previous 12 months. Between April and December 2022, domestic aviation traffic increased by 63 per cent year over year, according to ICRA, with 986 lakh passengers. Since the pandemic lows, the passenger load factor has also increased and now stands at 91 per cent. India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) predicts that India will move up one spot in the next 10 years, moving from seventh to third in terms of civil aviation. By 2024, India is expected to surpass the UK to acquire the third-largest position in the domestic aviation industry. The population and rising buying power of India would undoubtedly lead to an increase in domestic aviation travel. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

EXPLAINED: What does Air India's historic aircraft deal mean for India?

Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his administration had&nbsp;stepped up their efforts to address the thousands of child marriage cases that had been reported in the state. The police launched a massive operation on February 4 against groups involved in child marriages in an effort to rescue girls and arrest those responsible.&nbsp;Irrespective of the widespread public outcry, Assam's chief minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, had&nbsp;said&nbsp;that the state would&nbsp;continue its crackdown on child marriage despite the fact that more than 2000 people had already been&nbsp;detained in connection with the same.

According to an official announcement from the Assam government, more than 2,250 people had&nbsp;been detained in the state in&nbsp;connection with the campaign against child marriage. Based on 4,074 FIRs filed, 2,258 people were detained in total.&nbsp;

<h2>The backlash of the arrests&nbsp;</h2>

As per local media reports, a young woman in Assam died by&nbsp;suicide amid the campaign against child marriage because she was frightened her father would be detained for getting her married when she was still a minor.

The woman, who&nbsp;died by suicide had two children and a husband who had passed away due to Covid. In addition, a Golakganj woman entered a police station and said she would commit suicide if her husband, who was detained on suspicion of child marriage, was not released.

Despite the state government's plans to outlaw child marriage and save young women who had been forcibly married off, hundreds of women surrounded police stations in an act of protest against the arrests made by the administration.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/gauhati-hc-grants-bail-in-child-marriage-cases-says-crackdown-caused-havoc-in-private-lives-of-people-562455">Gauhati HC grants bail in child marriage cases, says crackdown caused ‘havoc in private lives of people’</a>

The protesting women insisted that the relatives and spouses the government had detained were innocent. They demanded their release and blocked highways and impeded police mobility.

Asaduddin Owaisi, the leader of AIMIM, criticised the BJP administration in Assam for arresting individuals on suspicion of child marriage and demanded to know who would look after the girls and women left behind after their elders were taken into custody.

Owaisi said in a press conference, “For the past six years, there has been a BJP Government in Assam. What have you been doing during the past six years? This is your failure for the past six years. You are sending them to jails. Now, who will take care of those girls? CM (Himanta Biswa Sarma) will? It is a failure of the state and on top of that you are pushing them into misery.”

<h2>What was the Gauhati&nbsp;High Court's decision?</h2>

In conjunction with the state-led drive against child marriages, the Gauhati High Court has granted anticipatory bail&nbsp;to nine individuals who were&nbsp;being questioned by Assam Police. In reference to how the crackdown has wreaked "havoc in the private lives of people," the High Court stated that there was&nbsp;no need to question those who had&nbsp;been detained.

The Assam High Court also condemned the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act, 2012 (POCSO), and rape accusations against those who were found guilty of child marriage. The Assam administration made assertions and charges that the High Court described as&nbsp;"absolutely weird."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/explained-what-does-air-indias-historic-aircraft-deal-mean-for-india-563040">EXPLAINED: What does Air India's historic aircraft deal mean for India?</a>

Judge Suman Shyam immediately granted bail&nbsp;to all the accused in child marriage cases as per ANI report.

"These are not matters of custodial interrogation. You (state) proceed as per law, we have nothing to say. If you find somebody guilty, file a charge sheet. Let him or her face trial and if they are convicted, they are convicted," the judge said.

"This (arrest) is&nbsp;causing havoc&nbsp;in the private life of people. There are children, there are family members, there are old people. This may not be a good idea to go for (arrests), obviously it is a bad idea," he observed on Tuesday (February 14).

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;India: G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant, UN Resident Coordinator attend Model G20 discussion

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In Assam, 4,225 child marriage instances have been reported as of February 14; 3,031 people have been detained&nbsp;overall; and 4,004 FIRs have been lodged since the operation started on February 3.

Judge Shyam reminded Assistant Public Prosecutor D Das that the state government did not even have room in the jails and advised that additional cells be built.

Justice Shyam responded to the government advocate's observation that cases had been filed under the POCSO Act's non-bailable charges and the rape (IPC Section 376) provision by saying, "What is the POCSO here? Merely because POCSO is added, does it mean the judges will not see what is there?"

<h2>Addressing the 'real issues' in Assam&nbsp;</h2>

As per the latest statistics, roughly 74 per cent&nbsp;of rural women in Assam have not completed even 10 years of schooling, said a&nbsp;Times of India report. Instead of promoting&nbsp;education, the Assam government announced the shutting down of almost 1,700 state-run schools in keeping with the school 'rationalisation' plan as recommended by the NITI Aayog in September 2022. The state's inability to provide good quality education and healthcare facilities to its women is a major factor contributing to the state's staggering child marriage cases, the report added.&nbsp;

 
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Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his administration had stepped up their efforts to address the thousands of child marriage cases that had been reported in the state.

Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his administration had stepped up their efforts to address the thousands of child marriage cases that had been reported in the state. The police launched a massive operation on February 4 against groups involved in child marriages in an effort to rescue girls and arrest those responsible. Irrespective of the widespread public outcry, Assam's chief minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, had said that the state would continue its crackdown on child marriage despite the fact that more than 2000 people had already been detained in connection with the same. According to an official announcement from the Assam government, more than 2,250 people had been detained in the state in connection with the campaign against child marriage. Based on 4,074 FIRs filed, 2,258 people were detained in total. The backlash of the arrests As per local media reports, a young woman in Assam died by suicide amid the campaign against child marriage because she was frightened her father would be detained for getting her married when she was still a minor. The woman, who died by suicide had two children and a husband who had passed away due to Covid. In addition, a Golakganj woman entered a police station and said she would commit suicide if her husband, who was detained on suspicion of child marriage, was not released. Despite the state government's plans to outlaw child marriage and save young women who had been forcibly married off, hundreds of women surrounded police stations in an act of protest against the arrests made by the administration. ALSO READ | Gauhati HC grants bail in child marriage cases, says crackdown caused ‘havoc in private lives of people’ The protesting women insisted that the relatives and spouses the government had detained were innocent. They demanded their release and blocked highways and impeded police mobility. Asaduddin Owaisi, the leader of AIMIM, criticised the BJP administration in Assam for arresting individuals on suspicion of child marriage and demanded to know who would look after the girls and women left behind after their elders were taken into custody. Owaisi said in a press conference, “For the past six years, there has been a BJP Government in Assam. What have you been doing during the past six years? This is your failure for the past six years. You are sending them to jails. Now, who will take care of those girls? CM (Himanta Biswa Sarma) will? It is a failure of the state and on top of that you are pushing them into misery.” What was the Gauhati High Court's decision? In conjunction with the state-led drive against child marriages, the Gauhati High Court has granted anticipatory bail to nine individuals who were being questioned by Assam Police. In reference to how the crackdown has wreaked "havoc in the private lives of people," the High Court stated that there was no need to question those who had been detained. The Assam High Court also condemned the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act, 2012 (POCSO), and rape accusations against those who were found guilty of child marriage. The Assam administration made assertions and charges that the High Court described as "absolutely weird." ALSO READ | EXPLAINED: What does Air India's historic aircraft deal mean for India? Judge Suman Shyam immediately granted bail to all the accused in child marriage cases as per ANI report. "These are not matters of custodial interrogation. You (state) proceed as per law, we have nothing to say. If you find somebody guilty, file a charge sheet. Let him or her face trial and if they are convicted, they are convicted," the judge said. "This (arrest) is causing havoc in the private life of people. There are children, there are family members, there are old people. This may not be a good idea to go for (arrests), obviously it is a bad idea," he observed on Tuesday (February 14). ALSO WATCH | India: G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant, UN Resident Coordinator attend Model G20 discussion In Assam, 4,225 child marriage instances have been reported as of February 14; 3,031 people have been detained overall; and 4,004 FIRs have been lodged since the operation started on February 3. Judge Shyam reminded Assistant Public Prosecutor D Das that the state government did not even have room in the jails and advised that additional cells be built. Justice Shyam responded to the government advocate's observation that cases had been filed under the POCSO Act's non-bailable charges and the rape (IPC Section 376) provision by saying, "What is the POCSO here? Merely because POCSO is added, does it mean the judges will not see what is there?" Addressing the 'real issues' in Assam As per the latest statistics, roughly 74 per cent of rural women in Assam have not completed even 10 years of schooling, said a Times of India report. Instead of promoting education, the Assam government announced the shutting down of almost 1,700 state-run schools in keeping with the school 'rationalisation' plan as recommended by the NITI Aayog in September 2022. The state's inability to provide good quality education and healthcare facilities to its women is a major factor contributing to the state's staggering child marriage cases, the report added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

EXPLAINED | Crackdown on child marriage in India's Assam: What really happened?

After the news of its significant aircraft order, IndiGo is preparing to compete with Air India. According to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, the airline aims to receive deliveries of about 50 aircraft in FY24 and extend its local and global network by adding 115 new destinations to its current 104.

India: After Air India's mega deal, Indigo expected to order 500 jets

Around 453 people were laid off through an official email late at night on Thursday from Google's India offices as per a report, which further claimed that firing took place across different departments.

Google India's Country Head and Vice President Sanjay Gupta sent an email to the employees who were laid off and informed them about their sudden, said the report published by the Business Line.

However, this remains unknown whether this is a fresh round of layoffs or is part of the company's plan to cut down the staffing by around 12,000 which is 6% of its global workforce, as was announced by Google CEO Sundar Pichai in January.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/google-heading-towards-launching-its-own-chatbot-technology-in-response-to-chatgpt-558876">Google heading towards launching its own chatbot technology in response to ChatGPT?</a>

Informing the employees about the move in an email, Pichai took 'full responsibility for the decisions that led the company to this juncture and added that a ‘rigorous review' was undertaken by the company before reaching this conclusion.

“The roles we're eliminating reflect the outcome of that review. They cut across (parent firm) Alphabet, product areas, functions, levels and regions,” Pichai wrote in the mail.

He added that the company went through a “rigorous review across product areas and functions” so that the people and their roles are aligned with the highest priorities of the company.

“The roles we’re eliminating reflect the outcome of that review. They cut across Alphabet, product areas, functions, levels and regions,” Pichai wrote in the mail.

WATCH | Google's Prabhakar Raghavan: 'Chatbots' convincing yet fictitious answers'

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The report comes a day after Google India was said to have posted various job vacancies on LinkedIn. Some of the positions open were Manager, Startup Success Team, Employee Relations Partner, Startup Success Manager, Google Cloud, Vendor Solutions Consultant, Google Cloud, Product Manager, and Database Insights. The vacancies were available across Google offices, in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Gurugram.

The layoff continues amid Indian-origin Neal Mohan taking over as the new CEO of YouTube after its former CEO Susan Wojcicki stepped down on Thursday.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Around 453 people were laid off through an official email late at night on Thursday from Google's India offices as per a report, which further claimed that firing took place across different departments.

Around 453 people were laid off through an official email late at night on Thursday from Google's India offices as per a report, which further claimed that firing took place across different departments. Google India's Country Head and Vice President Sanjay Gupta sent an email to the employees who were laid off and informed them about their sudden, said the report published by the Business Line. However, this remains unknown whether this is a fresh round of layoffs or is part of the company's plan to cut down the staffing by around 12,000 which is 6% of its global workforce, as was announced by Google CEO Sundar Pichai in January. ALSO READ | Google heading towards launching its own chatbot technology in response to ChatGPT? Informing the employees about the move in an email, Pichai took 'full responsibility for the decisions that led the company to this juncture and added that a ‘rigorous review' was undertaken by the company before reaching this conclusion. “The roles we're eliminating reflect the outcome of that review. They cut across (parent firm) Alphabet, product areas, functions, levels and regions,” Pichai wrote in the mail. He added that the company went through a “rigorous review across product areas and functions” so that the people and their roles are aligned with the highest priorities of the company. “The roles we’re eliminating reflect the outcome of that review. They cut across Alphabet, product areas, functions, levels and regions,” Pichai wrote in the mail. WATCH | Google's Prabhakar Raghavan: 'Chatbots' convincing yet fictitious answers' The report comes a day after Google India was said to have posted various job vacancies on LinkedIn. Some of the positions open were Manager, Startup Success Team, Employee Relations Partner, Startup Success Manager, Google Cloud, Vendor Solutions Consultant, Google Cloud, Product Manager, and Database Insights. The vacancies were available across Google offices, in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Gurugram. The layoff continues amid Indian-origin Neal Mohan taking over as the new CEO of YouTube after its former CEO Susan Wojcicki stepped down on Thursday. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Google layoffs: Late-night email terminates 453 employees in India

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