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NATIONAL AFFAIRS
BDL Partners with Ultra Maritime to Supply Sonobuoys for Indian Navy
In January 2025, Hyderabad-based Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), an Indian Defence Public Sector Undertaking, has partnered with Ultra Maritime, the United States of America(USA) based leading global provider of undersea warfare systems, to supply and manufacture sonobuoys of the US Navy standard for the Indian Navy (IN).
- This collaboration was announced by USA National Security Advisor(NSA) Jake Sullivan during his visit to India from January 5 to 6, 2025.
- These innovations will enhance sonar performance in the Indian Ocean, enabling better wide-area searches with custom solutions, as part of the USA.-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) launched in May 2022.
Key Highlights:
i.Sonobuoys,which are critical for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), will be manufactured indigenously in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh(AP) at BDL’s facilities as part of a Joint Venture(JV) with Ultra Maritime, with a facility set to become operational by 2027.
ii.The Ultra Maritime sonobuoys produced in India are compatible and can be used by the U.S. Navy, IN and allied forces with P-8, MH-60R, and MQ-9B Sea Guardian aircraft.
iii.The IN operates ‘12 P-8I’ maritime patrol aircraft, which drop the sonobuoys into the sea for anti-submarine operations.
iv.In August 2024, USA President Joe Biden’s Administration had approved a USD 52.8 million government-to-government deal for the sale of U.S. sonobuoys to India.
About Sonobuoys:
i.Sonobuoys are small, disposable devices used in underwater sonar systems to detect submarines and other threats, helping in identifying and targeting adversarial ships and submarines for about 24 hours.
ii.A naval helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft usually releases sonobuoys in a specific pattern.
iii.The sonobuoys are dropped in canisters and activate automatically when they hit the water.
Types:
- Active sonobuoys emit sound energy, receive the echo, and transmit the information back to the aircraft based on the received echo.
- Passive sonobuoys listen for sounds from ships or submarines and transmit the detected sounds back to the aircraft.
About Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL):
Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) – Commodore A Madhavarao (Retired)
Headquarters – Hyderabad, Telangana
Established – 1970
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Announces ‘Cashless Treatment’ Scheme for Road Accident Victims
On January 07, 2025, Union Minister Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), announced the upgraded ‘Cashless Treatment scheme’ for road accident victims, set to launch by March 2025. The announcement was made during a meeting with transport ministers from all states and Union Territories (UTs) held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Delhi.
i.He also launched a nationwide scheme for establishing Driver Training Institutes (DTIs), offering incentives for setting up DTIs and additional rewards for integrating the infrastructure of Automated Testing Stations (ATSs) and DTIs.
ii.The government will provide a Cashless Treatment for road accident victims nationwide, covering up to Rs. 1.5 lakh per person per accident for a maximum of 7 days, provided the accident is reported to the police within 24 hours.
- Families of deceased victims in hit-and-run cases will receive an ex-gratia payment of Rs. 2 lakh.
MeitY Partners with IITs for Skill Development to Boost Semiconductor Sector
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has initiated partnerships with various Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and private institutions and colleges, to provide training activities including skill development in semiconductor manufacturing. It was stated by S. Krishnan, Secretary of the MeitY in New Delhi(Delhi) on January 08 2025.
i.The USA-based software tech giant, Microsoft Corporation, Inc. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MeitY under the IndiaAI Mission, which aims to provide skill development training to 5 lakh students, teachers, and professionals in AI by 2026.
- Under this MoU, Microsoft in partnership with MeitY will set up an AI Center of Excellence (CoE) named ‘AI Catalysts’, to promote rural AI innovation and support 1 lakh AI innovators and developers through hackathons, community-building solutions and an AI marketplace.
ii.Microsoft announced collaborations with 5 key Indian Industries like:Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited, RailTel Corporation of India Limited (RailTel)
upGrad Education Private Limited, Mahindra & Mahindra Limited and Bajaj Finserv Limited in sectors like: transport, healthcare, finance, agriculture and education.
About Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY):
Union Minister- Ashwini Vaishnaw (Rajya Sabha- Odisha)
Minister of State (MoS)- Jitin Prasada (Constituency- Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
>> Read Full News
WEP Launches ‘EmpowHER Biz’ Partners with New Shop to Empower Women Entrepreneurs
On January 8 2025, the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) of the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog partnered with New Shop, a 24/7 convenience retail chain based in New Delhi(Delhi), to launch the initiative ‘EmpowHER Biz – Sapno Ki Udaan’. It was part of WEP’s Award to Reward (ATR) initiative.
- This collaboration aims to empower women entrepreneurs and drive growth in the organized retail sector.
Note: ATR initiative was launched in 2023, provides a framework for collaborative projects that deliver measurable impact.
About EmpowHER Biz – Sapno Ki Udaan Initiative:
This program is designed to provide women with essential skills and support to succeed in retail entrepreneurship.
i.The initiative is open to women from Delhi- National Capital Region (NCR), Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh (UP) , Haryana, Madhya Pradesh (MP), and Gujarat, ensuring support across these states.
ii.Fifty women, aged between 18 and 35 years, will be selected through an online application process.
- Among them, the top 20 participants will receive a full waiver on New Shop franchise fees, enabling them to establish their ventures with greater ease.
iii.The initiative will offer expert mentorship to participants, along with training in retail management, financial literacy, digital tools, and business development, aiming to enhance their entrepreneurial capabilities.
iv.Through this partnership, New Shop aims to assist 10,000 entrepreneurs by 2030, enhancing its franchising model to provide opportunities and support for first-time entrepreneurs across India.
About Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP):
The WEP is an initiative of NITI Aayog, launched in 2018 as an online platform.
- It became a Public-Private Partnership(PPP) in 2022 and now collaborates with over 30 partners from both the public and private sectors to develop programs that support and empower women entrepreneurs.
- Since 2023, WEP’s ‘Award to Reward’ initiative offers a flexible framework for stakeholders to design and implement impactful programs.
ICAR Launches Kisan Samriddhi Portal to Promote Efficient Agricultural Marketing
In January 2025, Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director General (DG) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW), launched the ‘Kisan Samriddhi Market Portal’ and the Kisan Samriddhi trademark at the ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) in Kasaragod, Kerala.
- The launch took place during the 109th Foundation Day celebrations of ICAR-CPCRI, as part of the inaugural session of the National Seminar on ‘Harnessing the Plantation Sector for Sustainable Development Goals’ and an exhibition.
i.The portal was developed by ICAR’s Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), based in Bengaluru, Karnataka and is managed by ICAR’s Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), based in Pathanamthitta, Kerala.
ii.The portal, operating in Karnataka, Kerala and Lakshadweep, connects farmers, agri-entrepreneurs, and consumers for direct online sales of agricultural products, promoting transparency.
iii.The portal aims to create a Digital Vyapar Network (DIVYAN) to promote efficient agricultural marketing, and it is scalable to connect all KVKs across the 11 ICAR-ATARI centers in India.
Note: ICAR-ATARI has registered the Kisan Samriddhi trademark for over 150 products across five categories. A mobile application (app) for easy access is also under pilot testing and will be launched soon.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Henley Passport Index 2025: Singapore Reclaimed Title of World’s Most Powerful Passport; India Ranked 85th
On January 08 2025, London (the United Kingdom, UK)-based Henley & Partners released the annual edition of Henley Passport Index 2025. As per the index, Singapore has reclaimed its title as the world’s most powerful passport with visa-free access to 195 out of 227 destinations worldwide, followed by Japan which secured 2nd rank with visa-free access to 193 destinations.
- India’s rank dropped from 80th spot (in 2024) to 85th spot (in 2025) on the list, with visa-free access to only 57 destinations of the world, down from 62 visa-free destinations in 2024.
ii.As per the index, several member states of the European Union (EU): France, Germany, Italy and Spain witnessed a decline in their ranking from 2nd position (in 2024) to 3rd spot (in 2025).
- These EU countries are ranked along with Finland and South Korea, with access to 192 destinations with no prior visa required.
ii.The index was originally created by Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, compares 199 passports and 227 travel destinations annually for the last 19 years. Countries are ranked based on visa-free entry to citizens holding that country’s passport.
About Henley & Partners:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Dr. Juerg Steffen
Headquarters- London, United Kingdom (UK)
Established- 1997
>> Read Full News
WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025:78 Million New Job Opportunities by 2030
On January 7, 2025, the World Economic Forum (WEF) published its 5th edition of “Future of Jobs Report 2025 – Insights Report January 2025,” revealing that job disruption will equate to 22% of jobs by 2030 globally. This transformation is driven by technological advancements, demographic changes, economic pressures, and geopolitical tensions.
- The report forecasts the creation of 170 million new jobs and the displacement of 92 million, leading to a net increase of 78 million jobs.
- This analysis is based on the perspectives of over 1,000 global employers, representing more than 14 million workers from 55 economies.
- The report highlights key macrotrends shaping jobs and skills and discusses the workforce transformation strategies that companies will adopt from 2025 to 2030.
About World Economic Forum (WEF):
President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– Børge Brende
Headquarters- Cologny, Geneva, Switzerland
Established – 1971
>> Read Full News
BANKING & FINANCE
KredX Receives RBI Approval to Operate as TReDS Platform
On 9 January, 2025, Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based KredX, India’s largest supply chain finance platform, received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) platform.
- The new business will operate under the brand name DTX (Domestic Trade Exchange).
Note: KredX is now the fifth company to receive this license after Receivables Exchange of India (RXIL), M1 Exchange, Invoice Mart, and C2FO (Collaborative Cash Flow Optimization) Factoring Solutions.
About Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) platform:
TReDS platform launched in 2018 operate under the regulatory framework of the RBI, governed by the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 (PSS Act).
- It helps Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) access credit by selling their receivables (bills of exchange, also called factoring units) to financiers, including banks, government departments, and public sector undertakings (PSUs).
Eligibility:
i.To set up a TReDS platform, companies are required to have a minimum paid-up equity capital of Rs 25 crore.
ii.Businesses with a turnover of Rs 250 crore or more are required to register on the TReDS platform.
iii.Additionally, sellers are required to have been in operation for more than a year to participate.
Process:
i.On the TReDS platform, the process begins when the seller uploads an invoice, which is listed as a Factoring Unit (FU). Buyers, review and approve the FU, making it available for financiers to bid.
ii.The seller chooses the most favorable bid and receives an advance payment, typically 80-90% of the invoice value.
iii. On the due date, the buyer settles the full invoice amount directly with the financier, ensuring timely payments and improved cash flow for the seller.
Point to Note: TReDS transaction volumes are expected to grow significantly, increasing from approximately USD 30 billion annually in January 2025 to around USD 50 billion annually by 2026.
RBI Introduced New 15-Day Credit Reporting Rule Effective from January 1, 2025
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced new credit reporting rule. It has mandated that all lenders must update credit bureau records every 15 days instead of previous monthly cycle. This direction came into effect from January 01, 2025.
- This new change aims to enhance credit score accuracy and ensure timely reflection of financial activities of borrowers.
- This direction was previously issued by the RBI in August 2024, allows lenders and credit bureaus to transition to 15-day cycle to upgrade their systems and processes.
Key Impact on Borrowers and Lenders:
i.Halting loan ‘evergreening’: The new rule will help to curb loan ‘evergreening’, where borrower take new loan to repay old loan, creating an unsustainable debt cycle. The new rule enable the lender to detect such cases sooner, reducing financial risk for both financial institutions and borrowers.
ii.Faster Updating of Credit Scores: Earlier, under the monthly reporting system, missed payments or defaults could take up 40 days to appear on credit report of borrower. The new 15-day reporting cycle will significantly reduce these delays and will enable the lenders to have access to more accurate and timely data.
Key Benefits:
i.Timely Update of Credit Score: The new 15-day reporting cycle will ensure that consumers credit histories are kept updated. For borrowers who pay their installments on regular basis, could help in improving their credit scores.
ii.Enhanced Credit Access: More accurate credit scoring will enable the faster access to loans for consumers with responsible repayment habits, thus making it easier for consumers to secure credit when required.
iii.Consumer Empowerment: This new change will help borrowers to have better understanding of their financial well-being, as changes in their credit scores will be promptly reflected.
iv.Improved Risk Management for Lenders: Regular updates will help the lenders in managing risk effectively by providing information of borrower’s financial actions and will help in reducing default rates.
WhiteOak Capital MF Unveils India’s 1st Actively Managed Quality Factor Theme Fund
On January 8, 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based WhiteOak Capital Mutual Fund (MF) introduced the WhiteOak Capital Quality Equity Fund, an open-ended equity scheme on the Quality Factor theme, through its new fund offer (NFO).
- This is India’s first actively managed fund based on the Quality Factor theme. It focuses on companies with robust fundamentals that demonstrate the potential for consistent earnings and resilience to economic stress.
- Investors can subscribe to the NFO starting January 8, 2025, with the offer closing on January 22, 2025
About WhiteOak Capital Quality Equity Fund:
i.Minimum Investment Amount:
- For Lumpsum Purchase: Minimum of Rs. 500, with additional investments in multiples of Re. 1 thereafter.
- For Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) Purchase: Minimum of Rs. 100 on a Weekly, Fortnightly, and Monthly basis, with additional investments in multiples of Re. 1 thereafter, with a minimum of six-month installments.
ii.Asset Allocation Pattern:
- Equity and equity-related instruments of companies that align with the quality factor theme – 80% to 100%.
- Equity and equity-related instruments of companies not adhering to the quality factor theme- 0% to 20%.
- Debt securities and money market instruments (MMI) – 0% to 20%.
- Units issued by Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InVITs) – 0 to 10%.
iii.The scheme will use the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Quality TRI (Total Return Index) as its benchmark. It will be managed by Ramesh Mantri (Equity), Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of WhiteOak Capital Asset Management Limited.
About New Fund Offer (NFO):
i.A New Fund Offer (NFO) launched by an asset management company (AMC) to introduce a new mutual fund.This process is similar to initial public offering (IPO).
ii.During the 10 to 15-day subscription period, investors can buy units of the fund at a fixed price, generally set at Rs. 10 per unit.
iii.Once the NFO concludes, the fund gets listed on the stock market, and its value fluctuates according to its net asset value (NAV)
About WhiteOak Capital Mutual Fund (MF):
WhiteOak Capital Mutual Fund, established in June 2017 by Prashant Khemka, operates under the White Oak Capital Group
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Aashish P Somaiyaa
Exim Bank raised USD 1 Billion through 10-year Bonds
In January 2025, Mumbai-based Export-Import Bank of India(EXIM Bank) ,also known as India Exim Bank , has raised United States Dollar (USD) 1 billion (Rs. 8,570 crores) through 10-year bonds in the international market, achieving the lowest-ever spread of 100 basis points(bps) over 10-year United States (US) Treasury securities.
- The milestone makes EXIM Bank the first Indian organisation to issue dollar bonds in 2025, representing a significant achievement for Indian issuers in international capital markets.
i.The bank will utilise the funds to finance its ongoing and future projects worldwide.
ii.The amount was raised in the 144A/Reg-S format under Rule 144A which allows Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs) to trade debt securities without needing registration or review by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
iii.Bank of America Securities (BofA Securities), Citigroup, Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), J.P. Morgan Chase, and Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) served as the main managers and book runners for the bond offering.
Note: India Exim Bank, established in 1982, has been rated as Baa3 (Stable) by Moody’s Investors Service, BBB- (Positive) by Standard & Poor’s (S&P), and BBB- (Stable) by Fitch Ratings.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Mumbai’s CSMIA becomes India’s 1st Airport to Receive Level 5 Accreditation from ACI
In January 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) which is operated by Adani Airports Holding Limited (AAHL), a subsidiary of Adani Group, has become India’s 1st and world’s 3rd airport to receive the prestigious Level 5 Accreditation which is the highest distinction awarded from the Airports Council International (ACI) for exemplary customer experience standards.
- This recognition consolidates CSMIA position as leader in passenger service and operational excellence.
About ACI Level 5 Accreditation:
i.It is the highest recognition in the Airport Customer Experience Accreditation Programme.
ii.The accreditation is awarded based on rigorous evolution criteria, including customer feedback, service quality, and airport operations. Thus, creating a 360-degree framework for customer service excellence.
Key Initiatives of CSMIA:
i.CSMIA has established new standards of excellence through its various innovative initiatives in infrastructure, technology, and services like:
- Aviio application (app) which was launched in September 2024 by AAHL. It is designed to provide access to real-time data to passengers in seven airports in India including CSMIA.
ii.Pawfect programme, is one of the significant initiatives of CSMIA, which includes 9 comfort dogs stationed at Terminal 2 Departures, to further enhance the passenger experience.
iii.It has expanded its digital gateway programme by increasing the number of e-gates from 24 to 68 (highest in India).
About Airports Council International (ACI):
It is the association of the world’s airports, representing the collective interests of airports worldwide to promote excellence in the aviation industry.
Director General (DG)- Justin Erbacci
Headquarters- Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Established- 1991
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
V Narayanan appointed as 11th Chairman of ISRO
On January 07 2025, the Government of India (GoI) appointed V Narayanan as the 11th chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) and Secretary of the Department of Space(DoS). His tenure starts on January 14, 2025, for a period of 2 years by replacing incumbent Sreedhara Panicker Somanath.
- The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) and was notified by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (MoPP&P).
- Currently V Narayanan serves as the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), Valiamala, Kerala.
- He will also be the Chairman of the Space Commission, playing a key role in India’s development of the cryogenic engine.
MoF Appoints C S Setty, Uday Kotak as Governing Council Members of NIIFTL
In January 2025, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) appointed Challa Sreenivasalu Setty, Chairman of State Bank of India (SBI) and Uday Kotak, Founder and Director of Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited(KMBL) as the governing council member of the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Trustee Limited (NIIFTL), which provides strategic guidance on a number of matters including investment of the corpus of NIIF.
- C S Setty replaced Dinesh Khara, former Chairman of SBI, while Uday Kotak replaced T V Mohandas Pai, Chairman of Bangalore (Karnataka) based Aarin Capital.
- According to the circular issued by the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), MoF, the nomination was approved by Nirmala Sitharaman, the chairperson of the Governing Council.
About National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Limited (NIIFL):
i.NIIFL, an Indian Public Sector Company, was established in December 2015 with the goal of boosting infrastructure financing by investing in new (greenfield), existing (brownfield), and stalled projects.
ii.NIIFTL was established to serve as an advisory council to NIIF, offering strategic guidance on matters such as the investment of NIIFL’s corpus.
iii.NIIFTL is a six member council chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
- The other members of the council include Ajay Seth, Secretary of the DEA; M. Nagaraju, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services (DFS), MoF; and Hemendra Kothari, Chairman of the Mumbai-based DSP Mutual Fund.
Former shot putter Bahadur Singh Sagoo Appointed as President of AFI
On January 7 2025, former Indian athlete and Asian Games Gold Medalist Bahadur Singh Sagoo was appointed as the President of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) for a period of four years, during the Annual General Assembly Meeting of the AFI in Chandigarh, Punjab.
- He will replace Adille Sumariwalla , who served as the AFI president for three consecutive terms from 2012.
- Stanely Jones from Telangana was appointed as the new treasurer and former middle-distance runner Jyotirmoyee Sikdar as the joint secretary of the AFI.
i.He is a one-time Asian Games gold medalist and a two-time national champion in shot put.
ii.He won the gold medal at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea with a throw of 19.03 meters. He also represented India at the Olympics in 2000 and 2004.
iii.In 2004, his career-best throw of 20.40 meters(m) was recorded at the Koncha-Zaspa Sinitskoha Memorial in Kyiv, Ukraine.
iv.In 2006, he was honoured with the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian honour for his contributions to sports.
Note: AFI was established in 1946 in New Delhi, Delhi. It is the national governing body for the sport of athletics in India and is responsible for organising competitions across India.
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
GoI Approved Suzuki Motor Corporation to Acquire 26% Stake in NDDB Mirda Ltd
In January 2025, the Government of India (GoI) has granted approval to Suzuki Motor Corporation, headquartered in Shizuoka, Japan, to acquire a 26% stake in NDDB (National Dairy Development Board) Mirda Limited, a bio-gas venture of the NDDB, headquartered in Anand, Gujarat.
- Suzuki Research and Development ( R&D) Center India Private Limited, a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, signed an agreement with NDDB to invest in NDDB Mirda Limited.
- The total investment for this acquisition is Rs 34 crore. Suzuki will initially invest Rs 8.84 crore, with the remaining Rs 25.16 crore to be invested later.
i.This collaboration is part of Suzuki’s strategy to use Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) to enhance vehicle sustainability and performance.
ii.The deal also allows Suzuki to gradually increase its equity to 49%.
Note: In 2023 an agreement was signed between Suzuki, Banas Dairy, and NDDB plans to set up four dung-based CBG plants in Banaskantha district of Gujarat, with NDDB constructing the plants, Banas Dairy operating them, and Suzuki providing the funding.
OBITUARY
Renowned Writer-filmmaker and Padma Shri Awardee Pritish Nandy passed away
On January 8 2025, Renowned Writer-filmmaker and Padma Shri Awardee Pritish Nandy passed away at the age of 73 in Mumbai (Maharashtra). He was born on 15 January 1951 in Bhagalpur, Bihar.
- Pritish Nandy has received numerous awards including the ‘Padma Shri’ award.
About Pritish Nandy:
i.Pritish Nandy was a versatile writer, journalist, poet, filmmaker, and animal rights activist.
- He began his career as a writer, published his 1st poetry collection, ‘ Of Gods and Olives’, in 1967.
ii.Over the years, he published over 40 volumes of poetry and translated works from Bengali, Urdu, Punjabi, and Sanskrit into English.
iii.In the 1980s, he became the Publishing Director of ‘The Times of India Group’ (Bennett Coleman & Co-Limited). He served as the Editor of prominent publications, including ‘The Illustrated Weekly of India’, ‘The Independent’, and ‘Filmfare’.
iv.In 1990, he made substantial contributions to Indian cinema through his production company, creating hit films such as Sur (2002), Kaante (2002), Chameli (2003), Jhankaar Beats (2003), Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2005) and Pyaar Ke Side Effects (2006).
- He was the founder of Pritish Nandy Communications Limited (PNC), the media and entertainment company.
v.In 1992, he founded People for Animals (PFA), India’s 1st animal rights non-governmental organisation (NGO).
- He represented Maharashtra in the Rajya Sabha as a Shiv Sena member from 1998 to 2004.
vi.In 1996, he opened India’s 1st cyber café at Hotel Leela Kempinski, Mumbai and in 2010, his web series ‘Four More Shots Please!’ was nominated for an Emmy Award.
Awards and Honors:
i.In 1997, he received the ‘Padma Shri’ India’s 4th highest civilian award at the age of 26 for his exceptional contributions to Indian literature.
iii.In 2008, he received the ‘KarmaVeer Puraskaar (KVP)’ for his outstanding contributions to the NGO’s.
iv.In 2012, he was awarded ‘International Humanitarian Award’ at the Genesis Awards from the Humane Society of the United States of America (USA) for his contributions to the film industry.
- He also received the ‘Friends of Liberation War Honour’ and the EM Forster Literary Award and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO) Asia Pacific Heritage Award.
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