In a first in India, Air India rolls out in-flight Wi-Fi net

In a first in India, Air India rolls out in-flight Wi-Fi net

 TIMES NEWS NETWORK 0.01.2025

New Delhi : Air India has become the first Indian airline to offer in-flight Wi-Fi internet to passengers on domestic and international routes aboard its Airbus A350, Boeing 787-9, and select A321neo flights. “Wi-Fi is complimentary for an introductory period and will progressively roll out on other aircraft in the fleet over time. It will enable passengers to browse, access social media, catch up on work, or text friends and family,” Tata group company said. 

The service allows passengers to connect multiple devices simultaneously when flying above 10,000 feet, subject to factors such as satellite connectivity, overall bandwidth usage, flight routes, and govt restrictions. “Connectivity is now an integral part of modern travel. For some, it is about the convenience and comfort of real-time sharing, while for others, it is about greater productivity and efficiency. Whatever one’s purpose, we are confident that our passengers will appreciate the option to connect to the web and enjoy the new Air India experience on board these aircraft,” said Rajesh Dogra, AI’s chief customer experience officer. 

The deployment of Wi-Fi on domestic routes follows an ongoing pilot program on international services aboard Airbus A350, select A321neo, and Boeing 787-9 flights to destinations such as New York, London, Paris, and Singapore. Passengers will need to enter their PNR and last name to connect to the Wi-Fi.

PhonePe, GPay get 2 years more to cut UPI mkt share

PhonePe, GPay get 2 years more to cut UPI mkt share 

NPCI Lifts 10Cr User Cap On WhatsApp Pay 

Mayur.Shetty@timesofindia.com 01.01.2025

Mumbai : NPCI has extended by two years the deadline for third-party apps PhonePe and Google Pay to bring down their market share in UPI. The apex payments body has also lifted the onboarding limit, capping the maximum number of users at 10 crore for WhatsApp in respect of UPI. This is the second time NPCI has extended the timeline, even as PhonePe and Google Pay increased their market shares to 48% and 37%, respectively, despite the entry of new players. In Nov 2020, NPCI had announced that no single thirdparty app provider should have a market share of more than 30% of total UPI transaction volumes by Dec 31, 2024. The cap was introduced following the moratorium on Yes Bank, which impacted PhonePe transactions and led to UPI volumes dropping nearly 40% overnight. The cap aimed to reduce the risk of single-point failure. Since then, PhonePe has partnered with multiple banks to process UPI transactions. 

However, PhonePe and Google Pay’s shares con tinued to rise as the third-largest player, Paytm, faced challenges due to RBI action on Paytm Payments Bank. As of Dec 30, there were 1,613 crore UPI transactions worth Rs 22.3 lakh crore for the month. “We welcome the extension of the market cap as we believe that people will choose from dozens of new UPI apps available. Paytm is regaining market share, and new apps like Naavi, Cred, Bhim, WhatsApp Pay, and others are growing strongly. Banks are also getting their UPI app strategy in place. I believe that in the next two years, the market will resolve this market cap issue on its own. Blocking growth of incumbents is not the right strategy and would have surely slowed UPI’s growth,” said Vishwas Patel, chairman, Payment Council of India (PCI). 

Although there are a number of players, they have failed to make a significant impact in the market, as they were unwilling to spend to acquire transactions where there was little or no revenue. Google Pay and PhonePe, owned by Alphabet and Walmart, respectively, have invested billions of dollars to gain users on their platforms. NPCI’s Bhim app, launched by the prime minister during demonetisation, lost most of its initial momentum after the company shifted its strategy. 

The app was offered as a white-label service to banks that lacked their own UPI app. Recently, however, Bhim has been spun off as a separate division, and NPCI plans to push the product more aggressively. Industry insiders believe UPI is on track to achieve a billion transactions per day. “Given such volumes and the low operating cost structure, players would be able to make money even if a small charge on large merchants is imposed,” said an executive at a payment company.

State’s healthcare system suffers critical gaps, says CAG report

State’s healthcare system suffers critical gaps, says CAG report 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 01.01.2025

Bengaluru : From a shortage of medical professionals to undelivered equipment and inadequate budget allocation, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has uncovered several shortcomings across multiple areas of Karnataka’s healthcare system. The audit report, tabled in the recent winter session of the state legislature, covers the period from 2016-17 to 2021-22. It reveals a severe shortage of medical professionals, with taluk hospitals operating at 45% below the required staffing levels of Indian Public Health Standards. This deficit is particularly acute in services such as general surgery and anaesthesia, leading to increased pressure on existing medical staff in secondary healthcare facilities.

The CAG findings also reveal that infrastructure and equipment deficiencies plague the system: The state faces a critical shortage of ICU beds, while many taluk hospitals lack functional operating theatres, compromising their ability to provide surgical services. Adding to these concerns, equipment valued at over Rs 95 crore remains undelivered. The audit identifies serious issues in drug management and procurement. Karnataka lacks a “documented” procurement policy for essential medicines, resulting in shortages, particularly in emergency services. 

The report also flags discrepancies in drug quality testing, noting six instances where results from the drug controller conflicted with empanelled laboratory findings. Maternal and infant healthcare services face particular challenges, with shortages in both personnel and essential medications. These deficiencies pose increased risks for premature infants and their postnatal care, as per the report. Scrutinising the financial aspects of healthcare management, the report finds that the state’s health sector received an average budget allocation of nearly 4.3% of total state spending during the review period, falling short of National Health Policy recommendations. Health expenditure as a percentage of gross state domestic product remained between 0.6% and 0.8%, significantly below prescribed benchmarks. The report also noted concerns about the  proper utilisation of allocated funds.

28-year-old man duped of ₹16L in ‘work from home’ fraud

28-year-old man duped of ₹16L in ‘work from home’ fraud

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 01.01.2025

Ahmedabad : A 28-year old man from Thakkarbapanagar filed a complaint with Cybercrime police on Monday, stating that he was cheated of Rs 15.64 lakh in a ‘work from home’ fraud in July and Aug. According to the complainant, he received a call from an unknown man in the second week of July, offering him a work from home job. He was given the task of liking different web portals of various services and was promised remuneration for liking each service. He was then made to join a WhatsApp group where different tasks were assigned. “The fraudsters gained the complainant’s trust by asking him to submit ratings through a fake application under the pretext of completing tasks. Believing the scheme to be legiti mate, the complainant transferred Rs 15.64 lakh to various bank accounts provided by the scammers,” said a Cybercrime police officer. 

However, even after he paid the money, he was not given any remuneration and was repeatedly asked to pay more money. The complainant finally approached Cybercrime police and filed a complaint of cheating and breach of trust under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with charges under the Information Technology Act, and an investigation began

IMA writes to doctor MPs and MLAs to oppose ‘mixopathy’

IMA writes to doctor MPs and MLAs to oppose ‘mixopathy’ 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 01.01.2025

Ahmedabad : The Gujarat State Branch of the Indian Medical Association (GSBIMA) on Tuesday wrote letters to MPs and MLAs with a medical background to garner support for opposing ‘mixopathy’ in the state. The letters are in the context of a proposed meeting by the state health department on Jan 3 to discuss ways to allow doctors with a degree in ayurveda to practise allopathy in a controlled manner. IMA already approached the senior health department officials to protest the move. The letters are written to MPs and MLAs along with senior functionaries such as Dr Darshita Shah, Dr Darshna Deshmukh, Dr Hasmukh Patel, Dr Payal Kukrani, Dr Pradyumna Vaja, Dr Tushar Chaudhary, and Dr Jashwantsinh Parmar, among others.

‘Allowing or promoting mixopathy could lead to hazardous outcomes, including misdiagnoses, inappropriate treatments, and serious ad verse events. This not only jeopardises the health of individual patients but also undermines public trust in the healthcare system as a whole,’ mentioned the letter. The officials also sought time from the functionaries and lawmakers to explain the finer points of the proposal. On Tuesday, the Federation of Family Physicians’Associations of India also wrote a letter to Rushikesh Patel, the state health minister, to protest the move. ‘We request to delve deeper into this critical issue, reject any unreasonable demand from anyone, and collaboratively explore solutions that will ensure the health and safety of Gujarat’s citizens remain uncompromised,’ mentioned the letter

Visa firm sends 2 to Philippines for dud MBBS degree

Visa firm sends 2 to Philippines for dud MBBS degree 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 01.01.2025

Ahmedabad : A Viratnagar businessman, aged 50, was allegedly defrauded of Rs 27.18 lakh by four individuals from a visa consultancy firm who allegedly arranged for his son and nephew to study MBBS in the Philippines despite the degree not being recognised for practice in India. The victim on Monday filed a complaint with Nikol police against owners of the firm and three others, alleging forgery and breach of trust. In 2022, the businessman had sought admission for his son and nephew at Lyceum Northwestern University in Dagupan City, Philippines, and approached a local visa consultancy where he met the managers. The management team, including a woman, presented a fee structure for the MBBS course in Manila, Philippines, quoting Rs 17.50 lakh for each student, with additional charges for accommodation, food, visa extensions and miscellaneous expenses. After agreeing to send both students, the family received offer letters confirming admission. Before the students’ departure, the consultancy collected Rs 9.5 lakh as course fees. In Feb 2023, after the programme commenced, the students discovered that the MBBS qualification from the Philippines was not valid in India due to licensing restric tions. The family later learned that whilst they were told the course would last five and ahalf years, the college indicated a sevenyear duration. 

Despite raising concerns, the consultant allegedly continued making false promises and provided written confirmation that the Dagupan City Lyceum Northwestern University certificate would be recognised in India. Upon consulting the Indian Embassy, the family confirmed that Philippines-issued practice licences were invalid in India. When the family requested the students’ return due to the course’s non-recognition in India, the consultant informed them that college fees were non-refundable. A complaint was filed on Monday

Leopard spotted at Infosys Mysuru campus

Leopard spotted at Infosys Mysuru campus 

EMPLOYEES TOLD TO WORK FROM HOME 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 01.01.2025

Mysuru : A leopard was sighted at the Infosys campus in Mysuru on Tuesday, sending foresters and police on a hunt to trap the big cat. CCTV footage confirmed the leopard’s presence some 100m from the hostel at the high-security campus located in the Hebbal industrial area on the outskirts of the city. However, personnel from the forest department, cops and the IT company staff did not spot it during the day. Combing operations will continue on Wednesday as well, forest authorities said. As soon as the big cat’s pres ence on the campus was confirmed, it was closed for the day. Except for a handful of staff members, only foresters and police were allowed inside, and all the gates were closed. More than 10,000 people work on the campus that is spread over 300 acres. A software engineer said he received a message around 6am about the presence of the leopard and was advised to work from home for the day. Speaking to reporters in Bidar, forest minister Eshwar B Khandre said: “Drones fitted with thermal cameras are being used to trace the leopard.