Namaste! Aaj ka news roundup, Newswala style!

MARKETS

Markets: Markets bounced back but remained bearish, with most sectors in the red. Optimism in banking, auto, and realty helped, but global uncertainty and fading rate cut hopes kept investors cautious.

TOP STORIES

FY26 Could Be a Landmark Year for Two-Wheelers

What Happened

India’s two-wheeler market is charged up and expected to hit pre-Covid peaks by FY26. Thanks to strong rural demand, lower inflation in cities, and an unusually high number of wedding dates, sales could grow 8-10% next year. 

Industry giants like Hero MotoCorp, HMSI, and TVS Motor are optimistic about surpassing the 21.18 million units sold in FY19. 

• Electric vehicles (EVs) will also join the party, contributing over one million units. 

• In the first nine months of FY25, sales have risen by 11.6%, with scooters speeding ahead with 19.1% growth.

Why It Matters

Two-wheelers are not just vehicles; they’re a way of life in India, especially in rural areas, which account for half the sales. With better crop prices, decent monsoons, and weddings galore—FY26 has 66 auspicious dates compared to FY25’s 54 the space looks really promising.

Inflation, that annoying price monster, is calming down too, with rates expected to settle at around 4.3-4.7%. This could lead to cheaper loans and happier shoppers. Even new emission norms, which increased prices, haven’t slowed things down.  

Final words

It looks like two-wheeler companies have found their lucky charm. Rural buyers are returning, wedding shopping lists include motorcycles, and even city folks are loosening their wallets. Add a pinch of EV excitement, and FY26 could be a blockbuster year.

PAISON KA KHEL

Infra sector pushes for bigger budget boost

Ahead of the Union Budget 2025, India’s infrastructure sector is calling for a big lift in funding and green initiatives. Industry leaders want GST rationalisation, tax incentives for green buildings, and a rise in capital expenditure (capex) for roads, railways, and ports.

They also want to boost public-private partnerships (PPPs) and skill development. The key suggestions include increasing capex for roads by 10%, extending tax benefits for eco-friendly buildings, and revitalizing PPPs for Tier 2 and 3 cities.

NMDC’s ₹70,000 crore plan to dig big 

NMDC is going all in with a massive ₹70,000 crore investment over the next five years to hit a mind-blowing 100 million tonnes of iron ore production by 2030! After a successful 2023-24, where it produced 45 million tonnes (and spent a record ₹2,066 crore), NMDC is ramping up its game.

If everything goes according to plan, NMDC will be a mining powerhouse, with its sights set on helping boost India’s steel production to 300 million tonnes!

TOP STORIES

L&T will Build Uzbekistan’s Smartest Data Centre

What Happened

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has scored big with a new project in Uzbekistan. The company will build the country’s first AI-enabled, sustainable 10-megawatt data center in Tashkent. 

L&T will handle everything—from designing to construction—making sure the facility is secure, efficient, and future-ready.

Why It Matters

This is a major step for Uzbekistan toward modern tech infrastructure. With AI running the show, the centre will support next-gen applications while keeping energy use low. Plus, it’s a win for L&T, adding a ₹1,000–2,500 crore feather to their cap.

On a lighter note, this shows L&T’s knack for multitasking—crushing quarterly profits one month and building high-tech hubs the next. Their recent Q2 results were no joke either, with a 21% revenue jump to ₹61,555 crore.  

Conclusion

L&T’s new project is a win-win: Uzbekistan gets a tech boost, and L&T further cements its global reputation. As this green, AI-powered marvel takes shape, it’s safe to say the future is looking smarter—and a little brighter—for both sides.

GLOBAL NAZARA

Coffee Island brews a storm in India

European coffee chain Coffee Island has set its sights on India’s caffeine-loving crowd, opening its first outlet at Gurugram’s HQ27. Partnering with Vita Nova, the brand plans to launch 20 outlets by 2026 and hit 250 by 2029, reaching both metros and smaller urban markets.

With India’s coffee market brewing at a hot 10.15% CAGR, Coffee Island targets the 18-40 age group—82% of urban coffee drinkers.  

Coca-Cola’s fizz fizzles out in Europe

Coca-Cola has recalled products in Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands due to higher levels of chlorate, a chemical linked to health risks like thyroid problems. Affected drinks include Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Tropico, and Minute Maid, with limited batches sold in Britain.

Chlorate, commonly found in disinfectants, was flagged during routine tests in Belgium. Coca-Cola reassured consumers that the risk is low and has alerted authorities. Meanwhile, nutritionists are questioning the chemical’s presence in beverages.

TOP STORIES

Indians Are Ditching ROP Policies for Term Plans

What Happened

Indians are now making a turn when it comes to life insurance. Instead of sticking with return-of-premium (ROP) policies, which combine insurance and savings, more people are opting for pure term plans. 

• SBI Life reported that 43% of its protection policies are now pure term, while HDFC Life has seen a 22% increase in total coverage, mainly driven by these plans

Why It Matters

This shift is good news for both consumers and insurance companies. ROP policies cost 1.5 to 2 times more than pure term plans, which means people are saving more while getting more coverage.

While ROP policies might sound appealing with their promise of a payout at the end, inflation tends to reduce its value over time. On the other hand, pure term policies offer solid protection for families at a fraction of the cost. 

Zoom out

For insurance companies, pure-term plans are also more profitable, offering higher margins. So, it’s a good deal—people get better coverage, and insurers get better returns.

The result? More peace of mind, less financial stress, and possibly even a little extra cash in the pocket!

MIRCH MASALA

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