
Heritage Hijacked: When Luxury Labels Overlook Our Origins, India Should Walk Away
In 2023, India's domestic luxury market stood at roughly $17 billion, with projections to triple by 2030. Yet, when international brands borrow from India's cultural treasure troves without acknowledging their source, the admiration of Indian buyers can turn to indignation—and even boycott.

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India.com
16 minutes ago
- India.com
Modi govt's plan B to counter China's arrogance revealed! Chinese engineers' exit won't affect iPhone 17 manufacturing in India because...
Representational Image The Indian government is actively monitoring the iPhone manufacturing in the country, and has expressed confidence that the exit of 300 Chinese engineers from Foxconn iPhone plants in India will not affect the production of Apple's flagship device, including the upcoming iPhone 17 series. Why Indian govt called it an 'opportunity'? Media reports citing government sources said the Centre is keeping a close eye on the matter, and is confident that Apple is capable of dealing with the situation. A senior official from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) said the matter was directly between Apple and Foxconn, and termed it as an 'opportunity'. 'I would look at it more as an opportunity. If the workers want to go back, it's between the company and the workers. They will have to make arrangements to ensure the work continues — production won't be impacted. We facilitated their visas'. The official noted that Apple has alternatives but the primary responsibility lies with the company (Apple) to ensure that the manufacturer doesn't impact production. What was the job of Chinese engineers who went back? According to reports, the 300 Chinese engineers who were recalled by Beijing, were responsible designing the factory, handling the assembly line and training employees. The Indian government said it was monitoring the production capacity of Foxconn, one of the few companies part of the Narendra Modi government's PLI scheme. Its must be noted that China is a global manufacturing and industrial powerhouses, and most of the equipment required to assemble mobile phones comes from there. These machines require specialized training to operate, which is usually imparted by Chinese experts who work for the manufacturer of these devices. How India plans to boost iPhone manufacturing? While a decade ago, iPhone manufacturing in India was practically negligible Apple began to assemble iPhones in the country from 2017 with newer models now being manufactured at Indian plants. Apple is strengthening its footprint in India as it proves to be a key market with its high population and rapidly growing economy. Foxconn operates iPhone manufacturing plants in India's southern states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Telangana, and its estimated that iPhones worth $14 billion, were assembled in India in the 2024-25 fiscal year, which means that one out of seven iPhones sold across the world carries a 'Made in India' tag. The Union government has launched the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme which is expected to attract gadget making moguls other than Apple, to establish their presence in the country. Two flagship stores were launched by Apple in Mumbai and Delhi in 2023 and Apple indicated that they are now planning to open four more retail stores in Bengaluru, Pune, Delhi-NCR, and Mumbai.


India.com
16 minutes ago
- India.com
Nature's VIP Pass: 5 Birdwatching Havens Near Thiruvananthapuram Will Blow Your Mind!
Thiruvananthapuram functions as the capital city of Kerala while offering its residents both cultural elegance and peaceful backwaters along with extensive tree-covered areas that attract wild bird enthusiasts. The ecological diversity across the region supports various bird species which find their perfect homes among wetlands and forests and along the coastal areas. Birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts can find pure joy while exploring the birdwatching destinations of the area. The following list introduces the top birdwatching sites Thiruvananthapuram residents can easily access. 1. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary Of all bird watching locations in Kerala Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary stands as the most renowned because it sits around 140 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram. Birdwatchers visit this sanctuary on Vembanad Lake because it becomes a destination for Siberian cranes together with egrets, herons and kingfishers during winter season. Birdwatchers can observe native and migrant species due to both the peaceful surroundings and many water sources. The sanctuary offers boat services that provide visitors with access for closer bird watching experiences. 2. Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary Located 50 kilometers northeast of Thiruvananthapuram in the Western Ghats you will find Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary which serves as a biodiversity conservation area. The sanctuary contains 200 types of birds among which stand the rare Malabar grey hornbill and the Indian pitta as well as the paradise flycatcher. A dense evergreen forest environment creates superb conditions for rare forest inhabitants thereby giving enthusiastic bird watchers a rewarding experience. Visits made during the first hours of day provide the best opportunity to identify rare bird species. 3. Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary This wildlife sanctuary with its 128 square-kilometer area exists approximately 30 kilometers beyond Thiruvananthapuram. The sanctuary presents itself as an area with combined tropical forests and grasslands along with wetlands that welcome diverse bird populations. Great Indian hornbills together with Malabar trogons and oriental darters can frequently be observed in this area. The sanctuary provides visitors the chance to experience multiple activities such as trekking through its trails in addition to boat services that allow them to explore its varied environments while hearing birds singing in the background. 4. Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary exists near Thiruvananthapuram as its location sits at the point where Kadalundi River meets the Arabian Sea about 60 kilometers to the north. The sanctuary serves as a migratory bird habitat where thousands of animals select this area as their temporary sanctuary during the months spanning November through April. Every year numerous sandpipers join terns, gulls and whimbrels at this location. Folks enjoy the natural appeal while taking in the magnificent riverfront views at this scenic place. 5. Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary maintains its special position despite its distance (114 kilometers from Thiruvananthapura) because of its perfect natural features along with diverse bird population. This Kannur district sanctuary includes multiple Western Ghats species including Nilgiri wood pigeon along with white-bellied treepie and broad-tailed grassbird among others. Natural surroundings untouched by human activities at this location provide tranquility to visitors who want a peaceful nature-based retreat. Tips for Birdwatching Enthusiasts Bird activities peak in the first part of daytime and continue through the afternoon hours. Strategize when to visit the areas to get the best possible bird viewing results. Observing distant or shy birds becomes easier while you maintain their unprovoked state by using a trustworthy pair of binoculars. Scientific attire includes using muted clothes which helps observers remain discreet while observing birds undisturbed. The essential step to preserve wildlife is maintaining complete silence along with moving in a slow manner. The ethical practice of wildlife respect includes abstaining from giving food or pursuing the birds. Final Thoughts The birdwatching prospects for nature enthusiasts are abundant throughout Thiruvananthapuram and its bordering areas. Visitors can find distinct bird-filled environments between the serenely drifting Kumarakom backwaters and the hilltop atmospheric Ponmudi region. Whether you have bird watching experience or enjoy it casually these locations guarantee nature-based memories through their bird activities. Take your camera equipment with you to explore the extravagant bird population found around the Thiruvananthapuram region.


Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Private equity investments in Indian real estate surge 38% to $2.4 billion in H1 2025: Report
NEW DELHI: Private equity (PE) investments in the Indian real estate sector rose sharply to USD 2.4 billion (₹203 billion) during the first half (H1) of 2025, marking a 38% year-on-year (YoY) growth, according to a report by Savills India . The momentum accelerated in the April–June quarter (Q2 2025), with investment inflows doubling sequentially to USD 1.6 billion (₹139 billion), buoyed by strong investor appetite for commercial office assets, hospitality, and alternative segments like student housing. "There is a clear strategic shift towards portfolio diversification. Segments such as retail, hospitality, and student housing are increasingly drawing investor attention, reflecting the market's maturity and resilience," said Sumeet Bhatia, managing director (Capital Market Services), of the company. Commercial and alternative assets lead investment activity Commercial office assets accounted for approximately 31% of the total investment volume in Q2, maintaining their position as the dominant asset class. However, investor sentiment showed a marked shift toward high-growth potential in alternative real estate segments. Hospitality and student housing collectively captured 16% of the quarterly investment share, with hospitality alone contributing 15%. Land emerges as a key investment avenue Land transactions surged during H1 2025, contributing 40% of total PE inflows—significantly higher than 13% in full-year 2024 and 26% in 2023. Mumbai remained the top destination for land deals, commanding nearly 70% of land-related investments during the first half of 2025. Foreign capital remains dominant Foreign institutional investors continued to dominate India's private equity landscape in real estate, accounting for 76% of total inflows during H1 2025. This reaffirms global confidence in India's economic and urban infrastructure trajectory. Top deals highlight diversified investor focus The largest deal in Q2 2025 was Blackstone's USD 378 million investment in South City Mall, Kolkata—a major retail-focused transaction. Additionally, Sumitomo invested USD 295 million and Brookfield pumped in USD 151 million into MMRDA assets in Mumbai, underscoring a strategic alignment with India's infrastructure-driven urban growth.