Not very long ago, chocolate was far from the creamy, rich delicacy it is today. Back in the 19th century, it was brittle, hard, and not quite a favoured sweet.
Hawking came to India in 2001 and we watched the Archaeological Survey of India go scurrying for makeshift ramps at Red Fort. It stirred our conscience.
For an industry globally classified as hazardous, protections such as health insurance and a provident fund for workers are necessities. In Sivakasi, they remain elusive.
The industry forecasts exports are set to grow 16% in 2025-26, boosted by surplus domestic production and a drive to push into 26 underserved global markets with strong potential.
Indigenisation level will progressively increase up to 60 percent with key sub-assemblies, electronics and mechanical parts being manufactured locally.
It is a brilliant, reasonably priced, and mostly homemade aircraft with a stellar safety record; only two crashes in 24 years since its first flight. But its crash is a moment of introspection.
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