Namaste! Aaj ka news roundup, Newswala style!

MARKETS

Markets: The markets kicked off the year on a positive note, gaining nearly half a percent. After a brief dip, buying interest in key stocks helped push the index higher.

TOP STORIES

Tobacco Exports Light Up Record ₹12,005 Crores  

What Happened

India’s tobacco exports are on fire—figuratively, of course. In FY2024, unmanufactured tobacco puffed up to an all-time high of ₹12,005.89 crore, an 87% jump in just five years. Export volumes didn’t just grow—they ballooned from 218.84 million kg in 2019-20 to a hefty 315.51 million kg in 2023-24. 

Andhra Pradesh brought the heat, producing a jaw-dropping 215.35 million kg of FCV (Flue-Cured Virginia) tobacco, with auction prices peaking at ₹411 per kg.

Why It Matters

Tobacco isn’t just a cash crop; it’s a jackpot. Farmers are laughing all the way to the bank, with average earnings per kg doubling from ₹124 in 2019-20 to ₹279.54 in 2023-24. That’s a lot of zeros in their accounts! Andhra Pradesh’s growers alone pocketed ₹6,313.58 crore this season, proving that good tobacco (and good prices) are worth the sweat.

And let’s talk global bragging rights—India’s the second-largest tobacco exporter, trailing only Brazil. Plus, we’re fourth in FCV tobacco production.  

Conclusion

India’s tobacco industry is smoking hot, and not just because of the exports. Strategic planning, sustainable practices, and a whole lot of grit have turned a humble leaf into a money-making machine. Farmers are thriving, exports are booming, and the government’s coffers are overflowing with foreign exchange. 

On the humane side, the Tobacco Board hasn’t been all business. They waived ₹184 crore in penalties for farmers selling extra produce and chipped in ₹92.70 lakh for cyclone relief.

PAISON KA KHEL

Reliance goes big on everything but oil

Reliance Industries has flexed its wallet, spending a whopping USD 13 billion in five years to diversify from its core oil business. The billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led giant has splurged across telecom, media, retail, and healthcare, with 48% of funds going to tech and media and 14% to clean energy.

The latest? A ₹375 crore buyout of Karkinos Healthcare, boosted its cancer diagnostics portfolio. Big-ticket purchases like Hathway Cable (USD 981 million) and REC Solar (USD 771 million) have kept Reliance in the acquisition fast lane. 

Nippon Life India MF under fire for Yes Bank bond losses

Nippon Life India Mutual Fund is in hot water after investors lost nearly ₹1,830 crore on Yes Bank's AT-1 bonds, which were later written down. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued a show-cause notice, alleging a potential "quid pro quo" arrangement. 

While investors took a hit, the fund earned ₹88.60 crore in management fees. SEBI's probe also highlights excess expenses and regulatory lapses, adding more fuel to the fire. 

"Quid pro quo" is a Latin phrase that means "something for something" or "this for that." 

TOP STORIES

US Power Bank Maker Turns to India  

What Happened

In the ongoing US-China trade saga, India just got a big win. US-based Anker, a top power bank maker, has signed a deal to source one million lithium-ion cells monthly from Munouth Group in India, starting Q2 2025. This move comes after the US slapped a 25% tariff on Chinese lithium cells, effective from 2026. 

Munouth’s Andhra Pradesh facility, with its current capacity of 500,000 cells per month, is gearing up to increase production fivefold to meet demand.

Why It Matters

The tariff war is pushing global companies to find new, non-China suppliers, and India’s fledgling lithium battery industry is stepping up to the challenge. With Apple already shifting 15% of its iPhone production to India, the Anker-Munouth deal is another boost to the country’s growing manufacturing sector. 

The move could help reduce India’s reliance on lithium imports—currently, the country brings in 1.5 million cells from China each month. A strong local battery industry could power India’s electronics sector, positioning it as a worthy competitor to China’s manufacturing.

The trade-spat

The US-China trade war ignited in 2018, has been a rollercoaster of tariffs, accusations, and economic clashes. The US kicked things off by accusing China of stealing intellectual property and forcing tech transfers.

In retaliation, both nations slapped hefty tariffs on each other’s goods, sparking chaos in global supply chains. The tech world got caught in the crossfire, with the US putting Chinese giants like Huawei on its “naughty list,” restricting their access to American tech. A brief “Phase One” deal in 2020 promised calm, but tariffs and tech rivalry still run rampant.

GLOBAL NAZARA

Taiwan rolls out new visa programs to woo skilled Indian workers

Taiwan is rolling out two fresh visa programs to attract skilled Indian professionals in fields like tech and engineering. The Employment Seeking Visa lets workers explore job opportunities before committing to a position. The Taiwan Employment Gold Card takes it up a notch by offering a visa, work permit, and residence permit in one, valid for up to three years. It’s ideal for highly skilled experts and entrepreneurs looking for long-term opportunities. 

Alibaba offloads majority stake in Sun Art for $1.6 billion

Alibaba is offloading its 78.7% majority stake in Sun Art Retail Group to DCP Capital for HK$12.298 billion ($1.58 billion). This follows a solid performance for Sun Art, whose shares surged by 85% in the last year.

Alibaba initially invested $3.6 billion for the controlling stake in 2020, hoping to leverage its digital prowess to boost Sun Art's operations. The sale is part of Alibaba’s broader strategy to streamline its portfolio and refocus on its core e-commerce business.

TOP STORIES

Holiday Rush Fuels Petrol and Diesel Demand

What Happened

In December 2024, India’s petrol and diesel consumption skyrocketed, thanks to the holiday travel rush. Petrol sales zoomed up by 9.8%, hitting 2.99 million tonnes, compared to last year’s 2.72 million tonnes. Diesel didn’t sit quietly either, with a 4.9% rise, reaching 7.07 million tonnes. 

This wasn’t just a random fuel frenzy—road trips, air, and rail travel over the holidays sparked the demand. Plus, agriculture got in on the action, with more fuel needed for those trusty harvesters and tractors.

Why It Matters

After the monsoon months slowed things down, December’s surge is a much-needed shot of adrenaline for India’s fuel consumption. Diesel, the heavy lifter of India’s fuel needs, makes up almost 40% of the country’s total petroleum consumption. And with the transport sector gobbling up 70% of that, these numbers matter—big time. While diesel is still the go-to fuel, the rising demand for petrol shows that India’s driving habits are changing.  

That’s not all

While holiday travels and agricultural needs may have driven December’s petrol and diesel sales, the electric vehicle (EV) sector is eyeing a major shift in the coming years. The 2025-26 Union Budget could bring much-needed support for electric mobility, with measures like reduced GST on EV batteries and better-charging infrastructure. 

By 2030, the EV sector aims to create a ₹20 lakh crore market and 5 crore jobs. As the world slowly pivots towards cleaner energy, we might just see a future where charging stations, not petrol pumps, become the new norm.

MIRCH MASALA

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