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At IndiaVerve, we go beyond the noise to bring you meaningful stories of change, resilience and progress—from India to the world stage. Our mission is to bring readers credible, wide-ranging coverage across politics, business, sports, culture, society and more.
At IndiaVerve, we go beyond the noise to bring you meaningful stories of change, resilience and progress—from India to the world stage. Our mission is to bring readers credible, wide-ranging coverage across politics, business, sports, culture, society and more.
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Day: January 21, 2026

Abhishek, Rinku power India to emphatic T20I win over New Zealand

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Nagpur: Riding on a breathtaking assault from Abhishek Sharma and a late blitz by Rinku Singh, India crushed New Zealand by 48 runs in the first T20 International here today to take an early 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

India posted a daunting 238 for seven after being put in to bat at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, their highest T20 total against New Zealand. Abhishek set the tone with a scintillating 84 off just 35 balls, racing to a half-century in 22 deliveries and dismantling the Kiwi attack at the top. Despite losing a couple of early wickets, the momentum never dipped, with Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya ensuring stability through the middle overs.

The innings gathered fresh pace at the death as Rinku Singh unleashed an unbeaten 44 from 20 balls, propelling India beyond the 230-mark. The late surge turned a strong platform into a near-unassailable total, giving the bowlers ample cushion.

New Zealand’s chase began with intent, but the asking rate kept climbing. Glenn Phillips mounted a lone resistance with a powerful 78, while Mark Chapman added 39, yet the target proved too steep. Varun Chakaravarthy and Shivam Dube struck twice each, applying pressure through the middle overs and preventing any sustained partnership. The visitors eventually closed at 190 for seven, falling well short.

Abhishek Sharma was named Player of the Match for his blistering 84 off just 35 balls, along with two sharp catches in the field. Speaking at the presentation, the opener said India had been clear in its approach from the outset. “We had a plan from day one and are just following it. If you want to strike at 200, you have to carry intent,” he said, adding that opposition teams now come prepared for him. “All teams have a plan for me. It’s about my preparation and backing my instinct. I don’t see my role as high-risk. I’ve been practising to go big in the first six overs.”

The victory handed India a commanding start to the series, which also serves as their final build-up before defending the T20 World Cup title. With the batting firing in full flow and the bowling unit responding under pressure, the hosts sent a clear message ahead of the remaining matches.

India, Spain reaffirm ties as Jaishankar meets Spanish FM

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New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on Wednesday reaffirmed India’s commitment to deepening its partnership with Spain, highlighting growing cooperation in trade, defence, culture, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Speaking during his meeting with Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares in New Delhi, Jaishankar said India and Spain share a strong relationship anchored in democratic values, multilateralism, and support for a rules-based international order. He noted that political engagement between the two countries has steadily expanded through regular high-level exchanges.

The external affairs minister also conveyed India’s condolences over the recent train accident in Cordoba, expressing solidarity with the families of the victims and wishing a speedy recovery to those injured, according to a statement by the External Affairs Ministry.

Jaishankar pointed out that 2026 marks a significant milestone in bilateral ties, with the two countries celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations. The year will also be observed as a Dual Year of Culture, Tourism, and Artificial Intelligence, aimed at strengthening people-to-people links while promoting collaboration in future-oriented sectors.

As part of the initiative, both ministers jointly unveiled the logo for the Dual Year, selected from more than 1,900 entries submitted through an open competition. In a post on X, Jaishankar described the response as encouraging and reflective of the strong public connection between the two countries.

On economic ties, he said Spain has emerged as one of India’s important trade partners within the EU, with bilateral trade in goods crossing USD 8 billion in recent years. Spanish firms have made a strong footprint in India across sectors such as infrastructure, renewable energy, urban mobility, engineering, water management, and smart cities, while Indian companies are increasingly active in Spain in IT, pharmaceuticals, and automotive components.

Highlighting defence cooperation, Jaishankar referred to the Airbus–Tata C-295 Final Assembly Line in Vadodara, jointly inaugurated by leaders of both countries in October 2024. He said the first “Made in India” C-295 aircraft is expected to roll out before September this year, calling it a symbol of the growing depth of defence industrial collaboration.

Odisha to send 20 women for e-bus driver training in Pune

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Bhubaneswar: Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra on Wednesday announced that on January 31, Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) would send 20 women to Pune for training in operating e-buses.

He made the statement following a review meeting of the ‘Ama Bus Service’ held at Unnati Bhavan. The meeting was also attended by CRUT’s managing director, general manager, and senior officials.

During the meeting, discussions were held on CRUT’s operational systems, accident prevention measures, and various structural initiatives related to the Ama Bus Service. Special emphasis was laid on training and deploying women drivers.

In a post on X, Mahapatra said: “On this occasion, I also advised that the ongoing work to start Ama Bus operations in the districts of Baripada, Kendujhar, and Angul should be expedited.”

The minister also said a specialised driver training institute will be set up within the CRUT depot complex. The proposed facility will emphasise hands-on driving instruction, behavioural conditioning, adherence to traffic rules, lane discipline, and comprehensive road safety practices.

Tax the super rich: Millionaires urge Davos leaders

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New Delhi: A group of wealthy individuals, including actor and filmmaker Mark Ruffalo, musician Brian Eno, and film producer and philanthropist Abigail Disney, has issued a sharp appeal to global leaders gathering at Davos, Switzerland, urging them to impose higher taxes on the world’s richest individuals to curb rising inequality and restore democratic balance.

In an open letter titled “Time to Win”, released during the World Economic Forum meeting, the signatories argue that decades of technological and economic progress have failed to benefit society at large. While innovation has transformed industries and improved living standards for some, they say it has also coincided with widening inequality, environmental damage, and the concentration of power in the hands of a small elite.

The letter notes that global connectivity and economic growth have not translated into shared prosperity. Instead, it claims the wealthiest one per cent now controls a disproportionate share of global resources, while political influence, media freedom, and access to innovation have increasingly fallen under the sway of ultra-rich individuals and corporations.

Describing the situation as unsustainable, the authors warn that unchecked wealth concentration is eroding democratic institutions, weakening public services, and deepening social divides across countries and generations. They argue that extreme wealth has enabled excessive control over governments, technology, and public discourse, accelerating both social exclusion and environmental harm.

Unusually, the appeal comes from millionaires themselves. The signatories say that even among the wealthy, there is growing recognition that extreme inequality has come at a cost to social stability and long-term progress. They call on elected leaders – from heads of state and ministers at Davos to local and regional policymakers – to act decisively.

The solution they propose is straightforward: higher taxes on the super-rich. The letter argues that wealth taxation enjoys broad public support and backing from many high-net-worth individuals, and could help rebuild public trust, fund essential services such as healthcare and education, and reduce the outsized influence of money in politics.

“Tax us,” the signatories conclude, calling for action that would ensure the next fifty years deliver on the promise of progress for everyone, not just a powerful few.

Indian IT giants strengthen global brand leadership in 2026

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New Delhi: India’s leading IT services companies continue to dominate the global brand landscape in 2026, reinforcing the country’s position as a powerhouse of technology-led transformation. The latest IT Services 25 (2026) report by Brand Finance showed that the collective brand value of the world’s top 25 IT services brands has reached USD167.2 billion this year, with Indian firms playing a central role in driving growth as enterprises worldwide double down on AI, cloud, and cybersecurity.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has once again emerged as the world’s second most valuable IT services brand, a position it has now held for five consecutive years. With a brand value of USD21.2 billion, TCS has further strengthened its global standing after crossing the USD30 billion annual revenue mark in FY2025. The company’s sustained investments in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and cybersecurity have been key growth drivers, supported by the launch of new AI labs, centres of excellence, and delivery hubs across markets.

Beyond technology, TCS’s long-running association with global marathon events has become a distinctive brand asset. Its sponsorship of marquee races such as the New York City, London, Boston, Chicago, and Sydney marathons has helped the company build year-round visibility in major client markets, while reinforcing a brand narrative around technology-enabled wellness, trust, and community engagement.

Infosys remains the world’s third most valuable IT services brand, with a brand value of USD16.4 billion. It is also the fastest-growing IT services brand globally over the past six years, recording a compound annual growth rate of 15% in brand value. Infosys’ rise has been fuelled by its sharp focus on digital transformation, AI-led services, and large-scale enterprise modernisation, which continue to resonate strongly with global clients.

HCLTech has retained its position among the global top 10, ranking eighth with a brand value of USD9 billion. The company’s steady performance reflects its engineering-led approach and growing presence in digital operations and next-generation services. Wipro, ranked ninth with a brand value of USD6.3 billion, has also held its ground, supported by targeted investments in AI-driven solutions and operational transformation.

In terms of brand strength, Indian companies feature prominently. Infosys has emerged as the world’s third strongest IT services brand, backed by rising familiarity, consideration, and preference among clients, along with improving scores on price acceptance and recommendation. TCS follows closely, retaining fourth place globally and achieving its first-ever AAA brand strength rating in 2026. The rating reflects the company’s exceptional scores for reliability and admiration, underlining its reputation as a trusted long-term partner for enterprises.

Meanwhile, Accenture has retained its position as the world’s most valuable IT services brand for the eighth year in a row, lifting its brand value by 2% to USD42.3 billion in 2026.

European Commission president signals breakthrough EU-India trade deal

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A long-stalled India–European Union free trade agreement is entering a decisive phase, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announcing at the World Economic Forum in Davos that she will travel to India right after Davos to help seal what could become one of the world’s most consequential trade pacts

“There is still work to do. But we are on the cusp of a historic trade agreement. Some call it the mother of all deals. One that would create a market of 2 billion people, accounting for almost a quarter of global GDP,” von der Leyen said, underscoring the scale and strategic importance of the proposed partnership.

Negotiations on the India–EU free trade agreement began in 2007 but remained stalled for nearly a decade before being revived in 2022. Since then, talks have gathered momentum alongside the India–EU Trade and Technology Council, which has helped narrow differences on regulation, technology cooperation and supply-chain resilience.

For Brussels, India is central to its effort to diversify trade and reduce dependence on China. For New Delhi, deeper access to the 27-nation bloc—its second-largest trading partner—would bolster exports and support ambitions to move up the manufacturing value chain. Bilateral trade has already surged, with goods trade touching €124 billion in 2023 and services trade nearing €60 billion.

Despite optimism, hurdles remain, including EU demands for tariff cuts on automobiles and alcohol, and India’s push for easier mobility of skilled professionals. Sustainability standards and public procurement access also remain sensitive issues.

Von der Leyen’s upcoming visit is seen as a critical political push to resolve these sticking points ahead of a planned India–EU leaders’ meeting later this month. A successful agreement would not only reshape trade flows but also signal a major strategic alignment at a time when global supply chains are being reconfigured.

Rare Valmiki Ramayana manuscript gifted to Ram Katha Sangrahalaya

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New Delhi: A rare Sanskrit manuscript of the Ramayana, dating back more than two centuries, was formally handed over to the International Ram Katha Sangrahalaya in Ayodhya on Tuesday in a move aimed at strengthening the preservation of India’s literary and cultural heritage.

The manuscript was presented by Prof. Shrinivasa Varakhedi, Vice Chancellor of the Central Sanskrit University, to Nripendra Misra, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Prime Ministers Museum and Library, at Teen Murti in New Delhi, according to an official statement.

Prepared in Sanskrit using the Devanagari script, the manuscript contains a traditional rendering of the Valmiki Ramayana along with an early scholarly commentary by Maheshvara Tirtha. Historical records place the work in Vikrama Samvat 1849, corresponding to 1792 CE, making it one of the few surviving copies from that period.

The text preserves five major sections of the epic – Balakanda, Aranyakanda, Kishkindhakanda, Sundarakanda, and Yuddhakanda – and is regarded by scholars as an important example of the Ramayana’s classical transmission across generations.

Until recently, the manuscript had been kept at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Its permanent transfer to the Ram Katha Sangrahalaya is expected to allow broader public access while ensuring professional conservation in Ayodhya, a city closely associated with the Ramayana tradition.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Prof. Varakhedi said placing the manuscript in Ayodhya would help connect academic study with public engagement and keep the teachings of the epic alive for future generations.

Misra said the transfer marked an important addition to the Ram Katha Sangrahalaya and described it as a significant moment for devotees and scholars alike, particularly in the context of Ayodhya’s growing role as a centre for Ramayana-related research and heritage.

Odisha showcases PM-JAY, ABDM progress at NHA Chintan Shivir

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Bhubaneswar: Health and Family Welfare and IT Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling on Tuesday said the State has made strong progress in implementing Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), citing its leading performance in PM-JAY card distribution and the widening reach of cashless healthcare services.

Dr. Mahaling was speaking during the inauguration of a two-day Chintan Shivir organized by the National Health Authority (NHA) on AB PM-JAY and ABDM in Bhubaneswar on January 19–20. He stated that ensuring affordable and quality healthcare remains a key priority for the government, and reiterated Odisha’s commitment to strengthening service delivery and accelerating the rollout of digital health systems.

NHA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Sunil Kumar Barnwal, in his opening remarks, said India’s national health IT platform supporting AB PM-JAY allows multiple health schemes to operate on common standards while giving states flexibility to tailor implementation as per local needs. He said the Chintan Shivir aims to review progress, share best practices and address challenges faced by states in implementing AB PM-JAY and ABDM.

Dr. Barnwal said Odisha is moving towards large-scale implementation of ABDM to build an integrated digital health ecosystem linking public and private hospitals, enabling digital health records, and ensuring patient-centric care.

During the event, the NHA signed three Memoranda of Understanding with Bhashini, the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, and NABH-QCI to improve multilingual access to digital health services, promote AI-driven healthcare innovations, and strengthen quality standards. The NHA also released the Health Benefit Package Manual – Part 2 and a Best Practices Compendium under AB PM-JAY, according to an official statement.

Officials from nearly 30 States and Union Territories participated in the deliberations. Discussions covered the Ayushman App, auto-adjudication, ABDM integration in PM-JAY empanelled hospitals, onboarding of health professionals on national registries, and measures to strengthen fraud detection mechanisms.

CCI clears JSW-JFE steel restructuring

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New Delhi: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Tuesday cleared the proposed combination involving Bhushan Power and Steel Limited (BPSL), JSW Sambalpur Steel Limited, JFE Steel Corporation, and JSW Kalinga Steel Limited.

The transaction involves two key steps. First, BPSL’s steel business undertaking will be transferred to JSW Sambalpur through a slump sale. Second, Japan’s JFE Steel Corporation will acquire a 50% direct stake in JSW Kalinga Steel, which will result in JFE indirectly holding a 50% shareholding in JSW Sambalpur as well. Following the transaction, JSW Kalinga – and by extension JSW Sambalpur – will operate as a 50:50 joint venture between JFE and JSW Steel Limited, according to an official statement.

JFE is part of the JFE Group, which operates across three core businesses: steel manufacturing through JFE Steel Corporation, engineering through JFE Engineering Corporation, and trading via JFE Shoji Corporation.

JSW Kalinga is a wholly owned subsidiary of Piombino Steel Limited, which in turn is a subsidiary of JSW Steel. The company is yet to begin commercial operations. JSW Sambalpur, a wholly owned subsidiary of JSW Kalinga, is also yet to commence operations and will own the transferred steel business following completion of the transaction.

At present, the target business is owned by BPSL, a public limited company engaged in integrated steel manufacturing and downstream processing of finished steel products. BPSL is currently an indirect subsidiary of JSW Steel, held through Piombino Steel Limited.

Separately, the CCI has also given its approval to Emirates NBD Bank’s proposed entry into RBL Bank as a majority shareholder.

The plan allows Emirates NBD to acquire a controlling interest ranging between 51% and 74% in the private sector lender. This will be achieved through a mix of steps, starting with an open offer to existing shareholders as required under market regulations. In parallel, RBL Bank will issue fresh equity shares to Emirates NBD, significantly expanding the latter’s ownership in the bank. In addition, Emirates NBD’s banking operations in India – currently run through its branch network – will be merged into RBL, ensuring a single unified banking platform in the country.

Dubai-headquartered Emirates NBD is a listed banking group with operations across several international markets, including India. Its business spans retail and corporate banking, Islamic finance, investment and private banking, asset management, treasury, and brokerage services.

RBL Bank, which is listed in India, operates as a private sector lender offering deposit products, credit services, digital payment solutions, and cash management facilities. It also runs an IFSC Banking Unit in GIFT City, which functions as its overseas banking arm.

Erigaisi-Gukesh draw keeps Tata Steel Masters wide open

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New Delhi: Top seed Arjun Erigaisi was held to a draw by world champion D. Gukesh in an all-Indian clash in the third round of the Tata Steel Masters at Wijk Aan Zee, Netherlands, on Monday. Despite pressing for long phases, Erigaisi could not breach Gukesh’s solid defensive setup, and the players eventually split the point.

German grandmaster Matthias Bluebaum, who recently secured qualification for the Candidates Tournament, registered his first win of the event by defeating compatriot Vincent Keymer, according to reports. The victory lifted Bluebaum into the leading group with two points from three rounds.

The other Indian players also settled for draws. Aravindh Chithambaram played out a balanced game against Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov, while R Praggnanandhaa recovered from his earlier setbacks to halt Thai Dai Van Nguyen of the Czech Republic in a hard-fought draw in the 14-player, 13-round tournament.

After three rounds, Erigaisi, Abdusattorov, and Hans Niemann were joined at the top of the standings by Bluebaum and Jorden van Foreest, all on two points. With only half a point separating the leaders from the chasing pack and 10 rounds still to be played in the season’s first super tournament, the coming games before the rest day could prove crucial in shaping the title race.