Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is all set to present the Union Budget 2022-23 in a a few days. She would present what is being dubbed as the most crucial Union Budget in recent years on February 1. The attempt will be to ensure a firm recovery in the Indian economy, which has been ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the big day of Union Budget 2022 nears, here’s a look at the FM’s team that has worked on the challenging task. (Image: PTI)Tarun Bajaj: Revenue Secretary, Bajaj, has over three decades of experience and has served in several crucial positions including the post of economic affairs secretary. He also has worked at the PMO and is known for having good communication with the industry. He has already grabbed attention by increasing India’s borrowing programme to Rs 12 lakh crore. (Image: CNBC-TV18)Ajay Seth: The Economic Affairs Secretary has a clear task at hand. He will have to find ways to revive private capital expenditure in the economy in order to maintain India’s GDP growth. (Image: Twitter)Debashish Panda: The banking secretary has the responsibility to ensure that bankers remain positive even when credit and liquidity are pumped into various stressed sectors through the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme. (Image: CNBC-TV18)TK Pandey: The Secretary of the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management, Pandey will be in charge of the government’s plans to privatize five or six companies such as Bharat Petroleum and Shipping Corporation of India. (Image: YouTube screengrab)TV Somanathan: The Finance Secretary, who has served at the PMO, is tasked with increasing fund allocated to the healthcare sector and finding additional funds for the large-scale vaccination process. He will also be tasked with providing details on off-budget expenditures in order to ensure better transparency. (Image: YouTube)
The common man eagerly awaits Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to deliver the 2022 Union Budget speech, with major expectations of raising tax slab and provide some relief given the jolts everyone has suffered amid the coronavirus pandemic. The government recently announced that the Union Budget this year will be held in two phases – on January 31 and February 1 – which has further raised hopes of tax breaks to citizens. Nonetheless, as this year’s Budget is around the corner, here is a look at some key terms that you should familiarize yourself with, ahead of Budget 2022. (Image: CNBC-TV18)Annual financial statement | The key document of the Budget, the compilation comprises three government accounts — public account, consolidated fund and contingency fund — for which the government has to mention the expenditure and income for a financial year. Apart from this, the document includes other receipts and expenditures. (Image: Shutterstock)Public account | This is a fund where the government plays a banker for the citizens. All public savings like provident fund, small saving schemes etc are deposited into this public account. Although the government uses these funds for various purposes, it needs to be repaid to the rightful owners at some point in time. The government cannot withdraw money from any of the government funds without the Parliament’s approval, except the Public Account. For the funds listed above, the government is required to present a statement of the earnings and the expenditure for the financial year. (Image: Shutterstock)Consolidated fund | This is the main account from which the government facilitates its revenues. From this fund, the government finances loans and adds the receipts from loans. Most government expenditures are made from the consolidated fund. (Image: Shutterstock)Contingency fund | The money from this account is for complying with any unforeseen expenditures. The amount which is taken out from this fund has to be reimbursed with the money available in the consolidated fund. (Image: Reuters)Revenue | Receipts and Expenditures: Revenue expenditures are termed to be the expenses which the government requires to run the business as usual and pay the interest on debt and subsidies. Revenue receipts for the government come from direct and indirect taxes, interest, dividends and profits from investments, fees and other receipts from services rendered. (Image: Shutterstock)Capital | Receipts and Expenditures: Capital expenditures are incurred by the government for acquiring assets and investments and loans and advances to the state governments. The capital receipts are funds raised from the market, borrowing from the central bank, external assistance from foreign governments and recoveries of the loans and advances. Divestments and tax revenue also fall under the umbrella of capital receipts. (Image: Reuters)
With around 2 million active military personnel in its armed forces, China by far has the best manpower in its military, according to Global Firepower Index as of January 2022. In comparison, India has the second-highest manpower in its armed forced with 1.45 million, followed by the US at 1.4 million military personnel. However, manpower alone does not determine the strength of an army. Here’s a look at the top-10 most powerful militaries in the world, as per the Global Firepower Index 2022. The Global Firepower Index uses 50 individual factors to determine a given nation’s PowerIndex score with categories ranging from weapon numbers, weapon diversity, natural resources, available industries, manpower, financial stability, logistical capability and geography to determine the ranking. A 0.000 rating is the perfect score, which is considered unattainable. (Image: Shutterstock)No 10 | Country: Brazil | Power Index Score: 0.1695 (Image: Reuters)No 9 | Country: Pakistan | Power Index Score: 0.1572 (Image: Reuters)No 8 | Country: United Kingdom | Power Index Score: 0.1382 (Image: Reuters)No 7 | Country: France | Power Index Score: 0.1283 (Image: Reuters)No 6 | Country: South Korea | Power Index Score: 0.1261 (Image: Reuters)No 5 | Country: Japan | Power Index Score: 0.1195 (Image: Reuters)No 4 | Country: India | Power Index Score: 0.0979 (Image: Reuters)No 3 | Country: China | Power Index Score: 0.0511 (Image: Reuters)No 2 | Country: Russia | Power Index Score: 0.0501 (Image: Reuters)No 1 | Country: United States | Power Index Score: 0.0453 (Image: Reuters)
The launch of Freshpik marks Reliance Retail’s forays into the ultra-premium grocery segment in India and offers a wide range of food products and beverages sourced from select local and international destinations.The range of food items offered at Freshpik includes staple; ingredients for international cuisines such as Italian, Thai, Japanese, Korean; a wide selection of bread, artisanal cheese, ice creams, frozen desserts and chocolates from local and international producers.Freshpik also brings shopping concepts, many of which are being implemented for the first time in India. For instance, the Wine Library has globally renowned wines, and an inbuilt tasting room where customers can try wines and beers of their choice, and even engage in appreciation and education sessions.The store also has dedicated live kiosks from brands such as Mondelez’s ‘Cadbury Purple room’ where one can get customised 3D printing done on chocolates.There is also a dedicated M&Ms corner, which has a whole range of products from M&M and allows customers to customise and pick flavours of their choice.Yogurt brand Epigamia also has a live ‘Yogurt Bar’ in the store where consumers can get a fresh Yogurt bowl, milkshake and waffles.PVR’s popcorn counter also offers fresh popcorn under the 4700BC popcorn brand in three flavours – cheese, caramel and BBQ, along with a cotton candy pop-up.There are also dedicated sections for exotic varieties of tea and coffee that one can also try and buy at the counter; a wide range of personal care products, including premium ayurvedic and natural products; a host of kitchen accessories like cooking ware, serve ware, and bespoke and ready-to-pick gifting options.Most sections of the store also have an experiential factor to them such as a live salad and sandwiches counter, or the staples counter, where consumers can watch nut butter or nut milk being freshly prepared.The store also houses a Good For You section catering to dietary preferences of the health-conscious customers, and dedicated sections for non-dairy milk, keto-friendly, gluten-free, organic, vegan, high-protein options.Customers can also buy fresh fruits and vegetables with specially curated exotic and organic varieties and live microgreens. There is also a counter to purchase pots of live herbs such as coriander, lemongrass, mint leaves to be grown at home.Freshpick offers ‘Omnichannel’ service called the ‘Personal Shopper’ where customers can do a quick self-check-out. The FRESHPIK app will be available soon too.Freshpik will be open from 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM on all days. All store members and delivery partners are strictly following COVID-safety protocols in the interest of the safety of customers and employees.
Smoke rises from an explosion outside the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday (August 26, 2021). The explosion went off outside Kabul’s airport, where thousands of people have flocked as they try to flee the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Officials offered no casualty count, but a witness said several people appeared to have been killed or wounded. (AP Photo/Wali Sabawoon)Smoke rises from a deadly explosion outside the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday (August 26, 2021). Two suicide bombers and gunmen have targeted crowds massing near the Kabul airport, in the waning days of a massive airlift that has drawn thousands of people seeking to flee the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Wali Sabawoon)Hundreds of people, some holding documents, gather near an evacuation control checkpoint on the perimeter of the Hamid Karzai International Airport, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday (August 26, 2021). Western nations warned on Thursday of a possible attack on Kabul’s airport, where thousands have flocked as they try to flee Taliban-controlled Afghanistan in the waning days of a massive airlift. (AP Photo/Wali Sabawoon)US soldiers stand guard inside the airport walls as hundreds of people gather near an evacuation control checkpoint on the perimeter of the Hamid Karzai International Airport, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday (August 26, 2021). Western nations warned on Thursday of a possible attack on Kabul’s airport, where thousands have flocked as they try to flee Taliban-controlled Afghanistan in the waning days of a massive airlift. Britain said an attack could come within hours. (AP Photo/Wali Sabawoon)A US soldier stands inside the airport as hundreds of people gather near an evacuation control checkpoint on the perimeter of the Hamid Karzai International Airport, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday (August 26, 2021). Western nations warned on Thursday of a possible attack on Kabul’s airport, where thousands have flocked as they try to flee Taliban-controlled Afghanistan in the waning days of a massive airlift. Britain said an attack could come within hours. (AP Photo/Wali Sabawoon)
The ongoing pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have taken a toll on citizens across the world, with many losing their source of income, which has impacted their standard of living. However, as people look at alternate sources of income and take cost-effective measures to survive, here is a look at 10 countries which are the cheapest to live in 2021, according to a Numbeo report. (Image: AP)Rank 10 | Georgia | Cost of living index: 28.58 | The former Soviet republic is the tenth cheapest place to survive on the planet clocking 28.58 in the cost of living index. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)Rank 9 | Colombia | Cost of living index: 28.12 | The Latin-American nation, known for drug cartels and coffee, is one of the best places to live in terms of expenses. (Image: Shutterstock)Rank 8 | Syria | Cost of living index: 28.05 | The war-torn Arab nation has seen a dip in safety forcing millions to leave their homes. This in turn has also forced the cost of living to go down in the region. (Image Reuters)Rank 7 | Nepal | Cost of living index: 27.86 | India’s Himalayan neighbour secures seventh position in the list. (Image: AP)Rank 6 | Algeria | Cost of living index: 27.84 | The North African nation is arguably one of the peaceful countries in the crisis-hit region. (Image: Shutterstock)Rank 5 | Kosovo | Cost of living index: 27.83 | The disputed region is a bone of contention between Serbia and its neighbours making peace and stability a distant dream.Rank 4 | Afghanistan | Cost of living index: 27.64 | The war-torn nation that is seeing another crisis unfolding following the Taliban takeover is fourth. (Image: Shutterstock)Rank 3 | Uzbekistan | Cost of living index: 27.10 | The central Asian republic, formerly part of the USSR is third on the list. (Image: Shutterstock)Rank 2 | India | Cost of living index: 24.60 | India secures the second spot in the ranking as it slowly recovers from the downturn cost by the spread of the pandemic. (Image: Shutterstock)Rank 1 | Pakistan | Cost of living index: 21.88 | Securing the top spot in the list is Pakistan. (Image: Shutterstock)
There is immense instability across the world and the brunt of it is being faced by innocent civilians. The current situation in Afghanistan, where the Taliban has captured almost the entire country — after NATO-backed forces withdrew following 20 years of war — has raised questions over how the militant organisation managed to overrun the country within a few days. While every country has a mechanism (read Army) in place to safeguard civilians and protect them in any condition, some nations have failed to win wars and safeguard innocent citizens. Here’s a look at the 10 worst militaries in the world, according to a report in wearethemighty.com. Note: The report does not consider the nuclear arsenal owned by a country nor weapons it possesses, but has handpicked a few countries that could do better to defend it citizens. (Image: AP)Rank 10 | Country: Costa Rica | It is not surprising the South-American nation is on the list given that it does not possess a standing army. Costa Rica has small units for law enforcement in the country, but has no permanent army. (Image: Shutterstock)Rank 9 | Country: Iraq | Once the fourth-largest army on the planet, the Iraqi Ground Forces has now weakened after disastrous military campaigns under former dictator Saddam Hussein, which followed by military action against the country by US forces. The civil war following the rise of ISIS exposed the Iraqi Ground Forces, which is now dependent on mercenaries to maintain law and order. (Image: Shutterstock)Rank 8 | Country: North Korea | While the hermit kingdom is considered a global threat given its nuclear capability, its military may not be capable of delivering a punch in the event of war given the rudimentary weapons its army possesses. (Image: Shutterstock)Rank 7 | Country: Eritrea | Although the Eritrean Army is one of the largest in Africa, it is predominantly made up of conscripts, meaning every citizens in the country needs to mandatorily join the army. Despite that the country does not seem to have the prowess to win a war. (Image: Shutterstock)Rank 6 | Country: Nigeria | The African nation, home to a vast wealth of natural resources, has been ravaged by civil war, piracy and most recently Islamic extremism led by Boko Haram, which has seriously affected the efficiency of the army. (Image: Shutterstock)Rank 5 | Country: The Philippines | The archipelago has been victim to not only invasions by superpowers, but also terrorism. With radical outfits and gangs violating the internal peace and an aggressive China making inroads across its maritime border, Manila needs to step up its game to defend its territory. (Image: Shutterstock)Rank 4 | Country: Tajikistan | Part of the former Soviet Union, the country finds it hard to maintain a standing army given the low pay scale and internal tensions that had led to a civil war a few years ago. (Image: Shutterstock)Rank 3 | Country: Mongolia | Once an empire that shook the world, Mongolian Armed Forces now seems to be trapped between two superpowers — China and Russia. (Image: Shutterstock)Rank 2 | Country: Saudi Arabia | While the oil-rich country has spent billions to modernise its army, the performance on its forces on the battlefield has been disastrous, as it has time and again failed to hold its own against the ragtag Houthi militants in neighbouring Yemen. (Image: AP)Rank 1 | Country: Afghanistan | As evident from their recent capitulation in the face of a resurgent Taliban, the Afghan army showed that the lack of will to fight can negate the efforts made over decades to modernise the army into an efficient fighting force. The war-torn country’s army ranks the worst in the world, cause just like the Iraqi army escaped when ISIS advance in 2012-13, the Afghan Army did not even put up a fight against the Taliban onslaught and fled leaving citizens at the hands of terror group. (Image: Shutterstock)
UK-based consultancy company Skytrax released its latest ranking of the best airports in the world. Singapore’s acclaimed Changi Airport lost the top spot in the annual list for the first time in nearly 10 years. India’s Indra Gandhi International Airport in Delhi also managed to climb 5 spots to end up at 45 in a year that has been marred with challenges for airlines and airports across the world. (Image: AP Photo)No 10 | Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) | City: Hong Kong, China | Last year’s rank: 6 (Image: Reuters)No 9 | Kansai International Airport (KIX) | City: Osaka, Japan | Last year’s rank: 10 (Image – Wikimedia Commons)No 8 | Heathrow Airport (LHR) | City: London, UK | Last year’s rank: 12No 7 | Zurich Airport (ZRH) | City: Zurich, Switzerland | Last year’s rank: 11No 6 | Munich International Airport (MUC) | City, Munich, Germany | Last year’s rank: 5 (Image: Twitter/@MUC_Airport)No 5 | Narita International Airport (NRT) | City: Narita, Japan | Last year’s rank: 7 (Image: AP Photo)No 4 | Incheon International Airport (ICN) | City: Incheon, South Korea | Last year’s rank: 4 (Image – Twitter @WORP)No 3 | Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) | City: Singapore, Singapore | Last year’s rank: 1No 2 | Tokyo International Airport (HND) | City: Tokyo, Japan | Last year’s rank: 2 (Image – Instagram)No 1 | Hamad International Airport (DOH) | City: Doha, Qatar | Last year’s rank: 3Rank 45 | Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) | City: New Delhi, India | Last year’s rank: 50
Wildfires rampaged through Greek forests for yet another day threatening homes and triggering more evacuations a day after hundreds of people were plucked off beaches by ferries in a dramatic overnight rescue. (AP Photo)A firefighting helicopter approaches a lake to load water, as it participates in an operation against, a wildfire in northern Athens. (AP Photo)A man and woman enjoy the sea as a huge cloud of smoke, is seen in the background, fills the horizons at sunset over the island of Evia, where catastrophic wildfires continue to burn. (AP Photo)Three large wildfires churned across Greece on Saturday, with one threatening whole towns and cutting a line across Evia, the country’s second-largest island, isolating its northern part. (AP Photo)Burned forest is seen next to houses after a wildfire in the Thrakomacedones area, in northern Athens. (AP Photo)Burned trees cast shadows on the ground after a wildfire in northern Athens. (AP Photo)
Indian men’s hockey team rewrote history as it secured an Olympic medal after a gap of 41 years. (Image: Kiran Rijju, Twitter)The Indian men’s hockey team won the bronze medal at Tokyo Olympics after defeating Rio Games bronze-winner Germany by 5-4 in the third-fourth place play-off match on Thursday. Pictured here: Germany’s Timur Oruz, centre, reacts after scoring on India during the men’s field hockey bronze medal match, at the 2020 Summer Olympics, in Tokyo. (Image: PTI)Simranjeet Singh (17th, 34th minutes) scored a brace, while Hardik Singh (27th), Harmanpreet Singh (29th) and Rupinder Pal Singh (31st) were the other goal-getters for India. Pictured here: India’s Rupinder Pal Singh (3) hugs goalkeeper Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran as Germany’s Lukas Windfeder (4) reacts after India won their men’s field hockey bronze medal match 5-4 at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo)Germany’s goals were scored by Timur Oruz (2nd), Niklas Wellen (24th), Benedikt Furk (25th) and Lukas Windfeder (48th). Pictured here: India’s Nilakanta Sharma (18) and Sumit (17) celebrate as Germany’s Lukas Windfeder, right, reacts after India won their men’s field hockey bronze medal match 5-4. (AP Photo)India players celebrate after defeating Germany 5-4 during the men’s field hockey bronze medal match. (AP Photo)Germany is the most successful hockey nation in the Olympics after India with four gold medals. Pictured here: India goalkeeper Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran, left, makes a block as Germany’s Jan Christopher Ruhr (17) looks on. (AP Photo)It is India’s third hockey bronze medal in the history of the Olympics. The other two came in 1968 Mexico City and the 1972 Munich Games. Pictured here: India goalkeeper Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran, centre, celebrates after making a save as Germany’s Benedikt Furk, second from left, looks on during the men’s field hockey bronze medal match. (AP Photo)Germany took an early lead in the goal-rich match through a second-minute goal by Timur Oruz, and posed a threat to eight-time Olympic hockey champions India in the first quarter. Pictured here: India’s Vivek Sagar Prasad, bottom, and Germany’s Tobias Constantin Hauke compete for possession. (Text: Reuters/ Image: AP Photo)After Simranjeet Singh equalised with a backhand shot for India, Germany kept their cool, scoring two goals to take a 3-1 lead in the second quarter. Pictured here: India’s Mandeep Singh (11) defends against Germany during the men’s field hockey bronze medal match. (Text: Reuters/ Image: AP Photo)But India pulled level late in that quarter thanks to goals by Hardik Singh and Harmanpreet Singh, making it 3-3 at the halftime break. Pictured here: India goalkeeper Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran, right, makes a save against Germany’s Tobias Constantin Hauke (13) and Timm Alexander Herzbruch (12) during the men’s field hockey bronze medal match. (Text: Reuters/ Image: AP Photo)India then took a 5-3 lead after Rupinder Pal Singh notched in a penalty stroke and Simranjeet Singh scored his second of the match not long into the second half. Pictured here: Germany’s Lukas Windfeder (4) reacts after India defeated Germany 5-4. (Text: Reuters/ Image: AP Photo)Germany came back a goal but was unable to force the equaliser, even after taking out its goalie to bring in an extra field player late in the game. Pictured here: India’s Hardik Singh (8) reacts after scoring on Germany during the men’s field hockey bronze medal match. (Text: Reuters/ Image: AP Photo)India’s Harmanpreet Singh of celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Germany. (Image: Reuters)Indian team players Harmanpreet Singh and Vivek Prasad celebrate winning their match for bronze. (Image: Reuters)India goalkeeper Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran (16) gestures toward a camera while sitting on the goal after India defeated Germany 5-4 during the men’s field hockey bronze medal match. (AP Photo/John Locher)India goalkeeper Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran, left, celebrates with Mandeep Singh (11) after defeating Germany. (AP Photo)
