Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has sharply criticized the government's economic agenda, underscoring what he describes as a widening gap between the rhetoric of self-reliance and the reality of growing dependency on imported goods. According to Yadav, this dissonance has eroded domestic manufacturing, weakened traditional craftsmanship, and led to the steady dismantling of indigenous industries. His critique arrives amid government initiatives to develop tier-2 and tier-3 cities and boost local production.

TCG Crest, an initiative of The Chatterjee Group (TCG) led by industrialist Purnendu Chatterjee, announced the establishment of a new university in Kolkata aimed at bridging fundamental research with translational applications. Recently awarded the 'Deemed to be University' status under the ‘distinct category’ by the University Grants Commission (UGC), TCG Crest intends to create a robust academic ecosystem that addresses national priorities and fosters employment in key economic sectors.

After a 14-year hiatus, the prestigious Gaddar Awards have made a grand comeback to recognize outstanding achievements in Telugu cinema from 2014 to 2023. The awards ceremony, scheduled for June 14 at Hyderabad’s Hitex, celebrates a wide array of cinematic talents—from actors and directors to technical experts. ‘Kalki’ won Best Film, with Allu Arjun and Nivetha Thomas securing top acting honors. Over 1,200 films were considered, reflecting the depth and diversity of Telugu cinema.

Bata India Ltd., a leading player in the Indian footwear sector, announced a 36% decline in operating profit to Rs 37 crore for the fourth quarter ending March 31, 2025, down from Rs 58 crore in the corresponding period last fiscal. Despite a marginal dip in revenue to Rs 788 crore from Rs 798 crore year-over-year, the company emphasized volume-driven growth amidst persistent demand challenges. The board declared a final dividend of Rs 9 per share, complementing the interim dividend, reflecting Bata's commitment to shareholder returns.

PayPal’s Indian subsidiary has received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to function as a Payment Aggregator for Cross-Border Exports (PA-CB-E), a significant regulatory milestone. The move enhances the company’s ability to support Indian exporters, small businesses, and freelancers in accessing nearly 200 international markets through secure digital payment solutions. Amid rising export volumes and growing momentum in India’s cross-border trade, the RBI’s nod underscores the country’s commitment to fostering innovation and resilience in digital finance.

Foodfight!, an animated film with a decade-long, troubled production, stands as Hollywood’s most infamous box office failure. Conceived in 2002 by first-time director Lawrence Kasanoff and backed by a $65 million budget, the project featured prominent voice talent yet was plagued by delays, production turmoil, and investor withdrawals. Ultimately auctioned off due to unpaid loans, the film grossed a mere Rs 1 crore at the box office—a 99.8% loss—cementing its legacy as the largest financial flop in the industry.

In a significant development for Android users, Microsoft has unveiled a new feature that allows for seamless, anonymous file sharing across its Office apps—Word, Excel, and PowerPoint—without the need for signing into a Microsoft account. Previously exclusive to iOS, this convenience now extends to Android, offering recipients read-only access to shared documents with a simple link click.

PepsiCo India Holdings Pvt Ltd demonstrated resilient financial performance in 2024, reporting consolidated revenue from operations of Rs 9,096.62 crore and a profit of Rs 883.39 crore. This marks a significant expansion from the previous reporting period, despite a challenging economic environment marked by inflationary pressures and slowing urban consumption. The company’s diversified portfolio, spanning snacks and beverages, supported steady growth, while strategic marketing and innovation fueled market penetration.

BC Jindal Group has emerged successful in securing a 150-megawatt (MW) segment of Solar Energy Corporation of India’s (SECI) 1,200 MW round-the-clock (RTC) renewable energy project via reverse auction. The awarded capacity comes with a competitive tariff of Rs 5.07 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), positioning the group to deliver uninterrupted clean power integrated with the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS).

IHG Hotels & Resorts has achieved a major milestone in its India growth strategy with the opening of Crowne Plaza Lucknow, marking its 50th operational hotel in the country. This development underscores the hospitality giant’s commitment to expanding its footprint across India by balancing its mainstream offerings with a growing portfolio of premium and luxury brands.