Business

Starlink to Benefit Railway Projects in Remote Areas, Says Ashwini Vaishnaw

Published

1 year ago

March 18, 2025

Union Minister for Railways, Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, expressed enthusiasm on Wednesday over the introduction of Elon Musk’s affordable satellite internet service, Starlink, to India.

India’s top telecommunications companies, Airtel and Jio Platforms, have teamed up with SpaceX to bring Starlink Internet services to the nation.

Vaishnaw took to the X social media platform to say, “Starlink, welcome to India! This will be valuable for railway projects in remote areas.”

Just a day after Airtel announced its partnership with SpaceX, Jio Platforms followed suit with a similar agreement.

Airtel and SpaceX plan to provide Starlink equipment in Airtel’s retail outlets and offer Starlink services to business customers, with a focus on connecting communities, schools, and healthcare centers in even the most rural regions of India.

Furthermore, Airtel and SpaceX will investigate how Starlink can enhance Airtel’s network capabilities and how SpaceX can leverage Airtel’s ground infrastructure in India, as stated by the company.

Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, remarked that a new era of seamless global connectivity lies ahead for consumers. He stated that soon, users will be able to take their mobile devices to the most remote locations, whether in the skies or across blue oceans.

During his opening address at the recent ‘Mobile World Congress 2025’ in Barcelona, Mittal urged both telecom and satellite companies to collaborate, combining their strengths to achieve the goal of connecting unserved areas, including oceans and challenging terrains.

“I am pleased to see active partnerships being announced between satellite firms and telecom operators,” he remarked.

For the telecom sector, integrating satellite technology should be viewed as just another advancement in service offerings. “Similar to how 4G, 5G, and future 6G have transformed our industry, we will now introduce another technology to our portfolio: SAT-G,” Mittal added.

Business

Tomato Prices Crash from Rs.1200 to Rs.80, Farmers in Distress

Published

2 weeks ago

March 25, 2026

Namma Kudla

Business: Tomato prices in Vijayanagara district have dropped sharply, causing heavy losses to farmers and traders. A box of tomatoes that was earlier sold for Rs.1000 to Rs.1200 is now being sold for just Rs.80 to Rs.100.

Due to the sudden fall in prices, farmers are struggling to recover their investment. Many had taken loans to grow the crop and are now facing financial difficulties.

In local markets, traders are selling tomatoes at very low rates. Around 2 to 4 kilograms of tomatoes are being sold for just Rs.20.

The price crash has been linked to multiple reasons. Export of tomatoes to other countries has reduced due to the Iran–Israel conflict. In addition, many hotels are not operating properly due to a shortage of cooking gas cylinders. This has reduced demand for tomatoes.

As a result, both farmers and sellers are facing serious losses, and the situation has become very difficult for them.

Business

Gold Prices Rise in Mangaluru; 24K Gold at Rs.13,564 per Gram

Published

3 weeks ago

March 24, 2026

Namma Kudla

Mangaluru: Gold prices in the coastal city of Mangaluru have been updated today, reflecting the latest market trends.

The price of 24 karat gold (99.9% purity) stands at Rs.13,564 per gram. Meanwhile, 22 karat gold (91.6% purity) is priced at Rs.12,434 per gram. The rate for 18 karat gold (75% purity) is Rs.10,173 per gram.

Mangaluru, known for its rich coastal culture and love for seafood, also has a deep connection with gold. The demand for gold ornaments in the city remains strong, especially during weddings and festivals.

The gold trade in Mangaluru has a long history and continues to play an important role in the local economy. Many families prefer investing in gold due to its cultural and financial value.

Buyers are advised to check the latest rates before making any purchase, as gold prices may change daily based on market conditions.

For those planning to buy gold, using a Gold Rate Calculator can help in getting accurate pricing based on weight and purity.

Business

Good News for Milk Producers in Chikkaballapur – 50 Paise Increase per Litre

Published

1 month ago

March 8, 2026

Namma Kudla

Chikkaballapur: The Chikkaballapur Milk Union (Chimul) has announced good news for milk producers in Chikkaballapur district. The union has decided to increase the milk procurement price by 50 paise per litre, which will benefit dairy farmers in the district.

Earlier, on January 1, Chimul had increased the price by Rs.1 per litre as a New Year benefit to farmers. Now, the union has announced an additional 50 paise increase.

With this latest revision, dairy farmers will receive Rs.36.40 per litre for milk. The 50 paise increase will remain in effect until the end of May.

Chimul President Manjunath Reddy told Public TV that the union will review its profits and may continue the price increase in the future based on financial performance.

The decision is expected to provide some relief and encouragement to dairy farmers in Chikkaballapur district.