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The Indian <keyword id="20420017" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="paris-paralympics" source="keywords">Paris Paralympics</keyword> contingent touched down at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on Tuesday. People gathered in large numbers to welcome them for their record-breaking performance at the multi-sport event. People also danced to the beats of dhols. Para javelin thrower <keyword id="20647010" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sumit-antil" source="keywords">Sumit Antil</keyword> and para archer <keyword id="20036346" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="harvinder-singh" source="keywords">Harvinder Singh</keyword> were among the others who returned to New Delhi on Tuesday. The Indian contingent concluded its <keyword id="20396851" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="paralympics" source="keywords">Paralympics</keyword> campaign in Paris on Sunday with a record haul of 29 medals, including seven golds, nine silvers, and 13 bronzes. The 29-medal tally is the most by <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="keywords">India</keyword> in the history of the Paralympics. Following the conclusion of the landmark campaign, India surpassed its record medal tally of 19, which was achieved at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. India ended the marquee event in the 18th position. India rewrote several records and unlocked some new "firsts" at the Paralympic Games. Para-shooter AvLekhara became the first ever Indian woman to secure two Paralympic gold medals as she managed to defend her women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 shooting title with a world record score of 249.7 points. India recorded a one-two finish at a para-athletics competition for the first time, with <keyword id="20419803" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="dharambir" source="keywords">Dharambir</keyword> and <keyword id="23108096" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="parnav-soorma" source="keywords">Parnav Soorma</keyword> clinching gold and silver, respectively, in the men's club throw F51 event. This was among India's first-ever medals in this sport. Dharambir also set an Asian record of 34.92 m. In the T64 high jump event, <keyword id="20123196" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="praveen-kumar" source="keywords">Praveen Kumar</keyword> stood at the top of the podium with an Asian record-breaking jump of 2.08 m, landing India their sixth gold. India finished the competition with seven gold medals. India also found its first-ever archery champion across the Olympics and Paralympics, with Harvinder Singh getting the gold in the individual recurve para-archery against Poland's Lukasz Ciszek. Indian javelin throw ace Sumit Antil became the first Indian male to defend their Paralympics title, making it back-to-back gold in the F64 event with a stunning Paralympic record-breaking throw of 70.59 m. He broke his own previous record set during the Tokyo 2020 not once, but thrice.

Indian contingent of Paris Paralympics receives rousing welcome on return home

Indian wrestler <keyword id="20121986" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Antim-Panghal" source="keywords">Antim Panghal</keyword>, who found herself in a soup following a <keyword id="22708314" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="disciplinary-breach" source="keywords">disciplinary breach</keyword> at the Olympic Games athletes' village in <keyword id="19916613" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Paris" source="keywords">Paris</keyword>, returned to the country on Friday. The wrestler grabbed headlines on Wednesday after she tried to facilitate her sister's entry into the athlete's village through her accreditation card, after which they were summoned by the police. The incident left the country embarrassed and the <keyword id="19896477" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Olympic-Association" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian Olympic Association" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Indian Olympic Association">Indian Olympic Association</keyword> (<keyword id="19934453" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IOA" source="keywords">IOA</keyword>) furious and the apex sports body promptly decided to fly Panghal and her support staff back home, after the act of transgression was brought to its notice by the French authorities. Although the world championship bronze medallist said she did not "intend to do anything wrong," she is expected to face disciplinary action for violating the rules inside the <keyword id="22716710" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="athletes-village" source="keywords">athletes village</keyword>. Clad in a team India jersey, Panghal quickly exited the Indira Gandhi International Airport, refusing to speak to the waiting scribes on the controversy. Panghal was knocked out of the competition after losing her opening 53 kg freestyle bout 0-10 to Turkey's <keyword id="22702307" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="yetgil-zeynep" source="keywords">Yetgil Zeynep</keyword> on Wednesday morning. Following the loss, Panghal, who claimed she was unwell, allegedly gave her accreditation card to her younger sister Nisha and sent her to the Games Village to collect her belongings. However, she was stopped by the village security personnel. By late Wednesday evening, both Panghal and her sister found themselves at the police station within the village. "I was not well and there was confusion. All of this happened due to confusion," Panghal had said in a video message to PTI. To make matters worse, Panghal's support team, comprising coaches Bhagat Singh and Vikas, were also involved in a separate matter involving a Parisian taxi driver and the police. They allegedly refused to pay the cab fare and behaved inappropriately with the driver before quickly retreating inside. The cab driver later reported the incident to the police.

Antim Panghal returns to India after Olympic controversy

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Indian and Nepalese men are being coerced into fighting for Russia against Ukraine, a report said.</li><li>The men were apparently deceived by fake job ads and forced to sign military contracts.</li></ul>Countless Indian and Nepalese men have been forced into joining <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-democracy-the-best-kremlin-against-all-evidence-navalny-2024-3?r=US&amp;IR=T">Russia</a> in its fight against Ukraine, according to multiple reports.At least 20 Indian men were reported by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/03/02/india-ukraine-war-uae-job-dubai-fight/">The Telegraph</a> as being trapped on the front lines after being tricked with the false promise of job opportunities.But the total number could be much higher, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/07/he-had-no-idea-he-was-being-sent-to-a-war-zone-the-indian-and-nepalese-men-on-frontlines-in-ukraine">The Guardian,</a> which noted that some estimates are in the hundreds.Indian and Nepalese men told The Guardian that they had been pressured into signing military contracts written in Russian and that they couldn't leave because their passports had been taken.<div type="image" title="Russian soldier" height="1369" width="1825" msid="108307053" hostid="261" sizebytes="155988"></div>The family of Hemil Mangukiya, a 23-year-old from the Indian state of Gujarat, spoke of the confusion and fear their son felt after being tricked onto the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-military-avdiivka-struggles-with-underprepared-defensive-lines-2024-3?r=US&amp;IR=T">front lines</a>.Mangukiya traveled to Russia last December after watching a recruitment video on YouTube, The Guardian reported. He believed he was going to work in security — but when he arrived, he was taken to a military training camp and then to the front lines.He died in a missile strike in Ukraine in late February, his family said.Mangukiya's father, Ashwin, told The Guardian that the family is "devasted" and that they are "still trying to get back his dead body."At least 26 Indian men have been tricked by recruitment videos by the YouTube channel Baba Vlogs, run by the Dubai-based Indian recruiter Faisal Khan, The Guardian said.The channel falsely advertised military helper jobs that would not involve fighting on the front lines.Khan told The Guardian that he had been "misled" by a Russian intermediary about the position and said he had "no idea they would be sent to a war zone.""We are trying to get these people out of there now," he said.Similar tactics have been used on Nepalese citizens. Speaking to The Guardian from an army hospital in Russia, Nandaram Pun, from the Rolpa district in Nepal, said that he had been offered a job in Germany and was told to go to Russia as a transit stop.But like many others, he said he was taken to a military camp shortly after arriving in Moscow. He was later sent to Bakhmut in Ukraine, where he became injured in a drone attack."We had no idea about the drone attacks. My legs, thighs and right hand were hit by shrapnel," he said. "I don't want to be cured, because if they think I am better, then they will send me back to war again."Pun said he had attempted to contact the Nepalese authorities in the hope of being rescued, but he had received no help.<h2>India and Nepal's reactions have been completely different</h2>The apparent coercive tactics used by Russia are significant, not just for those involved, but for Russia's respective relations with India and Nepal.While Nepal has historically had a <a target="_blank" href="https://mofa.gov.np/nepal-russia-relations/">friendly relationship</a> with Russia, the government has pushed back against its citizens being recruited.<div type="image" title="Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with Nepal's then-Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal in 2010" height="1380" width="1840" msid="108307228" hostid="261" sizebytes="193640"></div>In December, a spokesperson for the Nepal government said in a statement that it had requested the Russian government to "immediately return" the bodies of six Nepalese nationals killed in the war and pay compensation to their families, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/nepal-urges-russia-not-recruit-its-citizens-into-army-says-six-killed-2023-12-05/">Reuters reported</a>.In February, the government <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/05/nepal-bans-citizens-from-working-in-russia-or-ukraine-after-deaths-in-military">barred citizens</a> from working in Russia or Ukraine after the death toll increased to 12, and countless others were reported missing from the front lines.A spokesperson for Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs told The Guardian they were working "constantly" to bring its citizens home.While the exact number of Nepalese people still fighting in Russia is not known, the spokesperson said 245 families had filed petitions claiming that they had a relative trapped in the army, while five others have been recorded as prisoners of war by Ukraine.India's reactions to the situation appeared to be less confrontational.<div type="image" title="Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016" height="1324" width="1765" msid="108307232" hostid="261" sizebytes="136954"></div>"We are aware that a few Indian nationals have signed up for support jobs with the Russian army," a spokesperson for the Indian Government said in a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mea.gov.in/response-to-queries.htm?dtl/37653/Official_Spokespersons_response_to_media_queries_regarding_Indians_caught_in_conflict_in_Russia">statement</a> on February 23."The Indian Embassy has regularly taken up this matter with the relevant Russian authorities for their early discharge."The spokesperson urged all Indian nationals to "exercise due caution and stay away from this conflict," but did not make an official ban.India's relationship with Russia has only appeared to strengthen since the invasion of Ukraine, as it did not join the EU, the US, and other Western countries in imposing sanctions.The leaders of the two countries have also made public exchanges during this period. Most recently, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a phone call in January, where they discussed "the situation in Ukraine," <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/putin-indias-modi-discuss-ukraine-wish-each-other-well-elections-kremlin-2024-01-15/">Reuters </a>reported.Representatives for the Russian army, the Indian government, and the Nepalese government did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Indian and Nepalese men say they were tricked into fighting for Russia in Ukraine and can't return home

<ul class="summary-list"><li>It's been 14 years since Duncan Forgan left Scotland and he's unsure whether he'll ever return home.</li><li>He says that bad air quality and traffic congestion can make Bangkok a difficult city to live in.</li></ul>A friend recently said that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/reverse-culture-shock-moving-back-to-america-asia-singapore-2023-12">living in Southeast Asia</a> was akin to winning one of Willy Wonka's golden tickets. And it's impossible to dismiss a long list of advantages that include the cuisine, cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, low cost of living, and generally friendly, laid-back hosts.There are trade-offs, including terrible air quality, horrendous traffic congestion, and temperatures that veer toward the inhumane. But on the plus side, I get sun-kissed winters, palm-fringed beaches, and a less stringently regulated existence.Like anywhere, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/thailand-bangkok-tourist-mistake-travel-guide-local-tips-2023-4">life in Bangkok</a> has its difficulties. The city is enervating, largely incomprehensible, and as batty as Mr Wonka. Yet, overall, I do feel like I was handed the keys to the proverbial chocolate factory.With its gilded temples, sci-fi-worthy skyline, and heady mélange of sights, sounds, and smells, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moved-back-to-us-after-living-abroad-thailand-regret-home-2024-5">Bangkok</a> could barely be more vivid. This intensity helped me fall for Thailand's lovably deranged capital when I first traveled here 14 years ago.<div type="image" title="Man with glasses standing on red bridge" height="853" width="1280" msid="110448816" hostid="261" sizebytes="32454"></div>Here are four other things that have kept me in Southeast Asia's occasionally grubby grasp.<h2 id="5d0cb12b-bf8c-420d-b816-fc1ac122b684">1. Food is one of the city's chief keepers.</h2>From pavement vendors serving up banquets for just a few dollars to bustling markets packed with produce and vibrant with color, the city has a knack for whetting appetites, including my own.Bangkok is often cited as the planet's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jay-fai-michelin-star-bangkok-street-food-stall-review-price-2022-8">street food capital</a>. For high-quality street food in a safe, clean environment, it's hard to beat Or Tor Kor Market. It's a great place to sample a wide range of tasty creations, from som tam (spicy green papaya salad) and kao ka moo (braised pork served with rice) to mango sticky rice. Another choice destination is Yaowarat Road in Chinatown where delicious noodle dishes and roast meats such as pork, duck, and goose are the order of the day.The diversity of options still floors me. On a recent Sunday, I started my day with a bowl of Chinese-Thai jok (rice porridge) from Jok Prince, where charcoal fire imparts added smokiness. I then had lunch at South Indian stalwart Tamil Nadu and finished the day off with a dinner at Ojo, the sky-high signature Mexican restaurant at the crown of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bangkok-skyscraper-mahanakhon-2016-10">MahaNakhon Tower, </a>Thailand's tallest building.<h2 id="7dd2731d-5914-4980-9e72-9fda7cea38d8">2. It's easier to tune out of the news cycle</h2>This one is such an exile privilege that it comes with caveats.Many Thai friends despair about the country's broken politics and surface-level media which favors soap opera-style stories over critical analysis.But personally, I find it liberating to detach from the yoke of everyday consumption of Western news outlets through choice or osmosis.The pandemic was a giant story in Thailand, as it was everywhere. Yet Western media obsessions — US presidential elections and divisive identity politics, to name but two — are not given the same relentless prominence here.Social media makes it difficult to ignore the vicissitudes of the global news agenda. However, I appreciate the added scope to tune out the noise.<div type="image" title="Two motorbikes on dirt road in Southeast Asia" height="1206" width="1608" msid="110448817" hostid="261" sizebytes="426276"></div><h2 id="f9b9eaf2-31d7-4920-a64b-8bfd1f6fdbba">3. The amazing destinations on my doorstep</h2>I've experienced some transcendent moments across the Asia-Pacific region.My travel writing gigs have encompassed dancing to obscure soul music in a sweaty underground club with Kansai's mod contingent, piloting a vintage Royal Enfield to hunt down the best bowl of khao soi in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chiang-mai-travel-guide-tips-for-tourists-packing-mistakes-list-2022-8">Chiang Mai</a>, and hacking my way along the Nullarbor Links from South to Western Australia.Recently, I visited Phong Nha in north-central Vietnam for the first time and spent three days exploring the karst scenery. A <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/motorbike-vietnam-ha-giang-loop-dangerous-roadtrip-worth-it-2023-9">motorbike loop</a> from the Phong Nha Farmstay was a worthy introduction to the area. But the grand finale — a one-day trek involving waterfall jumps and a swim into the extremities of a river cave — was unforgettable.The cliché about there always being something new to discover is well-worn. And, in the case of Asia, it's true.<div type="image" title="Father and sun walking on green grass in Scotland" height="1512" width="2016" msid="110448818" hostid="261" sizebytes="411794"></div><h2 id="0246d509-0c21-469b-a8fd-156497efa7cc">4. Life at home gets harder to visualize</h2>I'd be lying if I said I never feel the call of home.When I <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/man-partying-bangkok-expat-dad-fatherhood-asia-overseas-thailand-2023-11">left London for Asia</a> at the end of 2010, I felt pretty done with the UK due to a combination of factors, ranging from relationship woes to despair about my spluttering career.For a while, I was happy enough to redeem the return portion of my airfare whenever I made my yearly trip home.The arrival of my son, Alexander, along with a nearly three-year pandemic-imposed gap between trips, and a long-term Bangkok resident's gratitude for clean air and quiet have helped soften my perspective. These days, the annual pilgrimage to Scotland is something to anticipate rather than to tick off.For all my renewed appreciation of my homeland, relocating there still feels like a stretch. I've not lived in Scotland since 2007, and the axis of my life — wife and son, friends, work networks, clients — is almost entirely Asia-orientated. Also, years of encountering diverse cultures, ways of life, and perspectives in Asia have altered me to the point where I'm <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moved-back-to-us-from-cuba-expat-culture-shock-2024-5">not confident of readjusting to home</a>.We are heading back to Scotland this July, and I can't wait to catch up with friends and family and show my son Alex the Highlands for the first time. But post-trip, I'll resist the temptation to place rose-tinted spectacles on overly misty eyes.Got a personal essay about living abroad that you want to share? Get in touch with the editor: <a target="_blank" href="mailto:akarplus@businessinsider.com">akarplus@businessinsider.com</a>.

I moved to Thailand, started a family, and can't picture ever returning home to Scotland  

Former World no. 1 <keyword id="25683" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="venus-williams" source="Orion">Venus Williams</keyword> is gearing for a comeback during the North American hard-court tennis season. Drawing inspiration from her sister <keyword id="19996430" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="serena-williams" source="keywords">Serena Williams</keyword>, she is determined to make a successful return to the sport. In a recent video shared on her YouTube channel, the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion expressed her aspirations to participate in the <keyword id="13862998" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="wta-1000" source="Orion">WTA 1000</keyword> events in Indian Wells and Miami, considering them "big goals". "One of my big goals is to play United States, to play in the <keyword id="279394" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="miami-open" source="Orion">Miami Open</keyword> and at Indian Wells," Williams said. "I have not played there since 2019 due to injuries. It's a long time... It's a lot of years not to play at home. So that's of course one of my big goals on the horizon, is to be there, prepare to do that. Amongst many goals on the court, too. "My little sister, Serena, told me I'm not allowed to quit, and of course, I would never quit. But it's the mandate. She said no, so I will be back on the court," Venus was quoted by WTA website. In the video, the 43-year-old Williams revealed the challenges she has faced with injuries over the past year and discussed the knee injury that left her hobbling off Centre Court at Wimbledon last summer (she took a fall in the second game of her first-round match against Elina Svitolina) at length for the first time. "I don't talk a lot about my injuries because I hate complaining," she said, but called the cartilage damage she suffered as one of the "craziest" injuries she's tried to play through in her long and storied career. After the early exit at Wimbledon, Williams said the lingering swelling and pain impacted her ability to train and even, sometimes, walk -- in advance of events in Montreal and Cincinnati, as well as the US Open. Despite that, she scored what was then a Top 10 victory over Veronika Kudermetova in Cincinnati, her first Top 10 win in four years. But after that tournament, the swelling in her knee blew up and she was forced to withdraw from the WTA 250 event in Cleveland, where she had intended to play as a wild-card entry. "I felt terrible about that, because when I give my word, I keep it. When I said I was going to Cleveland, I meant it, and the fact I had to withdraw, I felt miserable because that's not me. I do what I say I'm going to do." In an effort to play the US Open, Williams revealed she had a cortisone injection for the first time in her three-decade career, but it did little to help. Her season eventually ended with a 6-1, 6-1 loss to Belgian qualifier Greet Minnen in the first round, the heaviest defeat she ever suffered at her home Grand Slam event.

'Serena told me I'm not allowed to quit': Venus Williams targets return

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Some expat Indians are moving back home to launch companies of their own.</li><li>India's booming market size, internet growth, and post-pandemic spending is driving their decision.</li></ul>Nithin Hassan, 41, has always been fascinated with building something of his own.As a child in India, he would get in trouble for dismantling electronics around the house just so he could peek inside.In college, in true <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/startups-to-bet-your-career-on-in-2024-2024-2">startup</a> fashion, he started working on a small business out of his parent's garage in Bengaluru, assembling computers for friends and family.It was the early 2000s and the internet was not the trove of knowledge it is today — Hassan was relying on books to learn. Finding mentorship and the right guidance was a challenge, too.Everyone around Hassan told him that going to the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/resume-tips-google-software-engineer-skills-experience-careers-software-tech-2024-3">US for a master's degree</a> was the next big opportunity. So he did.Over the next 16 years, he put his startup plans on hold and worked at some of the world's biggest companies, including Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta.<div type="image" title="Nithin Hassan" height="2450" width="3266" msid="113831978" hostid="261" sizebytes="215682"></div>But the pandemic felt like a turning point. And its aftermath made India look like a lab-designed business environment: It had just become the world's most populous country, the pandemic had created <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/private-consumption-continues-to-be-supported-by-pent-up-demand-finance-ministry/articleshow/99069973.cms?from=mdr">pent-up demand</a> for consumer products, and growing internet adoption made commerce more scalable, he said.So Hassan left behind about $500,000 in annual pay at Meta to move back to Bengaluru in December 2023 with his wife and two children. He has since launched two startups.Hassan is part of a group of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/i-moved-back-to-india-after-living-abroad-for-decade-2024-9">expat Indians moving back</a> home to venture out on their own. As such, he's also part of a decades-long trend of reverse migration back to India.The trend began in the 1990s and picked up at the turn of the century, driven by the economic collapse in 2008, said Binod Khadria, the president of Global Research Forum on Diaspora and Transnationalism. Many of those who returned to India for work were largely working for multinational companies.Today, the impetus for the move often looks a bit different: It's driven by factors like unstable visa policies and economic recessions, which lead to uncertainty when it comes to jobs and duration of stay in these destinations.Many returnees find work in tech, but the finance, retail, and climate sectors also absorb a large number of expat Indians, Khadia said. And some of the returnees are heading back to India to start companies of their own.India is undergoing a startup explosion. The country reported over<a target="_blank" href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2043805"> 140,800 recognized startups</a> at the end of June — nearly 50,000 more than last year — and credited them with creating 1.6 million direct jobs.To be sure, not all of these companies will make it big — and some do still stumble, like <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://inc42.com/features/what-are-the-current-problems-being-faced-by-oyo/">Oyo </a>and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/blackrock-hsbc-funds-byjus-startup-valuation-zero-edtech-india-raveendran-2024-6">Byju's</a>. But the chaos, where even established startups are trying and failing, makes India a fair playing field for new entrants, Hassan said.Business Insider spoke to six <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-vc-wants-see-5-traits-new-founders-fundraising-antler-2024-8">first-time founders </a>about why they have recently returned to India after spending several years, or even an adult life, abroad.<h2 id="0e4a3c47-ba19-4690-8b52-c6bfece1c81d">Fastest-growing economy</h2>The health of the economy and interest from investors are fueling the entrepreneurship boom.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-billionaire-karan-adani-plans-challenge-china-dominance-seaports-2024-8">India's economic growth</a> in 2023 — 8.2% — was the fastest of all large economies worldwide. That's led to greater purchasing power, which lets companies, including startups, sell more.India's inflation rate of about 3.5% is well below its annual wage growth of 9.6%. This makes inflation less of a challenge than it is for slower-growing peers, where consumer-focused businesses have been <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/economy-jobs-report-sentiment-consumers-elections-recession-inflation-mortgage-rates-2024-9">hurt by high prices</a>.Investors are getting in on the action.From 2015 to 2021, the number of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sequoia-capital-vc-firm-split-china-india-2023-6">unique investors in India</a> nearly quadrupled, though the number is tracking much lower this year, per PitchBook."Other than a slight downturn in 2022 and 2023 due to global macroeconomic factors, VC funding has been consistently growing in India," said Ben Mathias, a managing partner at Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia &amp; India.Besides funding, domestic developments have encouraged founders and VCs too, Mathias said.The Indian government's Universal Payment Interface system has spurred consumers and businesses to pay online, and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.bcg.com/press/2june2022-digital-payments-in-india-projected-to-reach-10-trillion-by-2026">40% of all digital payments</a> globally happen in India today, the partner said.Programs like Startup India, which provides founders benefits like tax exemption, easier compliance, and funding support, have made creating a company smoother.Devyani Parameshwar worked in the microfinance and fintech space in India in the 2010s before heading to the UK and Africa. She returned to India in 2022 to launch a financial management venture."It's changed dramatically. I remember standing in line at various ministries in Delhi trying to get meetings and then trying to get answers and it wasn't easy in the past," she said of her memories of India.Now, she can use an online platform to ask the country's central bank and banking regulator questions.It's easier than ever for foreign companies to invest in India, which means startups have a clearer exit path through acquisition — something VCs think hard about before entering new markets or writing checks.<h2 id="e5dd7b6f-a09f-4ff2-84c1-5907de96dc5e">Market ripe for the taking</h2>For Rohan Bhide, who spent most of his college and professional life <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/worked-in-big-tech-before-launching-my-own-startup-engineer-2024-9">preparing to launch something of his own</a>, a trip home in 2017 while he was studying in the US was a turning point.Indian telecom giant Reliance had recently launched a cheap unlimited data plan, which spiked Indian internet adoption. India was charting among the countries with the highest online transactions."That really, really drew my attention," said Bhide, who worked at Meta after graduation. "It was my dream come true — a huge market, a huge user base, and at the same time, the ability to adopt technology was incredible."Bhide returned to India in January, leaving behind about $580,000 in total compensation at ticketing platform StubHub. He and a cofounder are working on launching a consumer tech product later this year.<div type="image" title="Rohan Bhide" height="2304" width="3072" msid="113831979" hostid="261" sizebytes="218468"></div>Most Indians grew up wanting to work at a multinational company — but that's changing, Bhide said.Freelancing, running your own business, or working for a startup is much more socially acceptable now, because people see the success of other Indian startups. The country has the third-largest number of "unicorns" — companies worth $1 billion or more — with 64, per PitchBook.<h2 id="7f423804-745b-4e04-a250-839e01663f09">Boom in entrepreneurship culture</h2>A lot has changed since Hassan first wanted to launch his hardware startup in the early 2000s.Tech hot spots like Bengaluru and Gurugram have seen a boom in entrepreneurship culture in the last few years, with meet-ups, networking mixers, and even morning walks with like-minded builders.<div type="image" title="man standing in front of mountains in USA" height="2268" width="3024" msid="113831980" hostid="261" sizebytes="141132"></div>Dhruv Anand, who left Google in the US to move back to India in 2021 to launch an <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-startups-most-promising-2024-9">AI startup</a>, said that there were lots of other founders and mentors to help guide him."If you want to figure out who's the right chartered accountant to talk to, who's the right lawyer to help you draft agreements, all of that stuff is very easy," Anand said."It's been a really, really supportive community," Bhide said. There are people "telling you about their entire lives just because they want to help you and they're hoping that you pass the favor onto the next person who moves to India and wants to start their own company."<h2 id="3c8bff36-e855-4530-9b44-bcc7f36b0825">Not everything is perfect</h2>Although these founders made the decision to return to India, that doesn't mean they no longer see the benefits of operating in the US.Ruchit Garg founded an agriculture startup in Silicon Valley in 2016, with a focus on supporting farmers around the globe. In 2019, he returned to India, where his late grandfather worked as a farmer.Garg has been building in India ever since, but he says its startup ecosystem cannot yet compete with the Valley's decades of experience."The overall ecosystem was more mature back in Silicon Valley. It's still one of the best places for entrepreneurs. India isn't there yet, although it's growing pretty drastically," he said.Despite efforts to digitalize key processes, many bureaucratic challenges persist.For most founders, after living in US cities where populations are a fraction of those in Mumbai and Bangalore, congested roads and poorer air quality are also everyday annoyances.But India provides some big perks, including affordable domestic help and the appeal of building solutions for problems they witness firsthand."It's a different joy to be able to build for problems that you feel for very personally," Parameshwar, the fintech founder, said. When she worked in Africa, she needed translators. Now, she can speak with her users herself.Bhide said the general sentiment among local founders is shifting from "Build from India" to "Build for India."For some founders, being surrounded by family and the culture they grew up in was another selling point.Niranjan Vemulkar moved back to India in 2015 and later founded a digital legacy planning platform.He said that he never fully felt at home in the US, where he lived for over a decade."For us, it was the fact that we wanted to raise a family in an environment where the children would have access to the grandparents and Indian culture," Vemulkar said. "The fact that you could come back to India, start something of your own and figure things out in an ecosystem which was potentially booming for startups, was just a cherry on the cake."Are you in India and have a story to share about the tech and entrepreneurship landscape? Please reach out at shubhangigoel@insider.com

Some techies are leaving cushy Silicon Valley jobs to launch startups at home in India

During the coronavirus pandemic, offices around the world had to alter their way of working and make work from home the norm to keep people safe. For two years, almost all companies in the world offered <keyword id="20665553" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="remote-work" source="keywords">remote work</keyword> and there were reports that this would become the future of working. Employees enjoyed the new flexibility and realised how remote work can help them balance work and life with ease. However, contrary to what was perceived, companies began calling employees <keyword id="9081434" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="back-to-office" source="Orion">back to office</keyword> as soon as it was safe. <h2><keyword id="20122085" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CEOs" source="keywords">CEOs</keyword> want employees back in offices </h2> In the last few months, there have been ample studies that show how employees are more productive while working from home or in a hybrid setup where they are required to come to office for 2-3 days in a week. Yet, companies are adamant on calling their employees back to offices. For instance, Amazon recently ordered its employees to return to office for five days a week, putting an end to remote work forever. Now, a new study by <keyword id="19896405" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="KPMG" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="KPMG" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="KPMG">KPMG</keyword> has revealed that majority of Indian CEOs are ready to incentivise employees who work from the office, marking a shift towards a more traditional work model post-pandemic. According to the KPMG 2024 India CEO Outlook, 91 percent of Indian CEOs are considering linking rewards, such as promotions and pay raises, to <keyword id="21386806" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="office-attendance" source="keywords">office attendance</keyword>. This figure is slightly higher than the global average of 87 percent, indicating a stronger push in India to encourage in-person work. The report, based on responses from 125 Indian CEOs, highlights a growing belief that office-based work fosters better collaboration, innovation, and productivity. As many as 78% of Indian CEOs expect their entire workforce to return to the office within the next three years, a trend mirrored globally, though at a slightly higher rate of 83%. <keyword id="20142903" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-companies" source="keywords">Indian companies</keyword> are increasingly focused on improving their employee value proposition—the set of benefits and incentives offered to employees. CEOs are prioritising a supportive and engaging office environment as key to attracting and retaining top talent. By linking rewards to in-office work, companies aim to align employee satisfaction with long-term growth objectives. <h2>Understanding what employees want </h2> Sunit Sinha, Partner and Head of Human Capital Advisory Solutions at KPMG in India, pointed out that in the post-COVID-19 era, it is crucial for businesses to understand the evolving preferences of employees. As workers reconsider their options, businesses need to adapt to remain competitive in the talent market. Sinha said that companies must use data to address employee needs, saying, “The power to shape the future of talent lies in staying informed and adapting proactively.” In addition to in-office incentives, the KPMG report also talked about the increasing role of technology, particularly generative AI, in workforce development. Half of the CEOs surveyed are prioritising the enhancement of workforce skills alongside their investment in AI. Indian CEOs believe generative AI can help develop diverse skills and prepare their teams for a future where technology plays a central role in operations. However, while CEOs are optimistic about the potential of AI, they also expressed concern over the lack of regulations governing the technology. Seventy-seven percent of Indian CEOs are apprehensive about the pace of AI regulation, higher than the global average of 69%. Despite these concerns, Indian business leaders remain confident in AI’s ability to enhance organisational performance and secure a competitive edge.

91 percent Indian CEOs want to reward employees who work from offices, majority expect to end remote work in three years

Tensions in Middle-East are rapidly inching closer to their zenith, with Iran firing about 200 ballistic missiles at Israel late yesterday night. In response today, the Indian markets witnessed their worst decline in two months, with Sensex dipping around 1,769 points, or 2.1% to close at 82,497.10. <keyword id="19896381" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nifty" source="keywords">Nifty</keyword> followed suit and was also down by 2.1% to close the day at 25,250.10. As a result, about Rs 11 lakh crore were wiped off the market today. The decline was broad-based, with sectors like realty (dipped by over 4%) auto, and energy suffering the most. Broader indices also fell, losing nearly 2% each. The Hang Seng index, which had rallied over 14% during the last week, largely on the back of various stimulus measures announced by the central bank to stir consumption in the Chinese economy, also slumped around 1.47%. With the possibility of an all-out war between Iran and Israel looming on the horizon, threatening to happen sooner than later, markets are expected to remain volatile in near future. Even the India VIX, seen as a gauge of uncertainty and investor fear in the market, jumped over 9% during the day. The war could throw a huge spanner on India's crude oil import plans. As of August 2024, about 44.6% of India's crude oil imports came from <keyword id="19904316" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="middle-east" source="keywords">Middle East</keyword>. Israel has already promised significant retaliation, in response to Iran's attack in the days to come. And the strong possibility of a full-blown Israeli attack in Middle East, particularly major oil fields in Iran has sent the crude oil prices surging. Closer home, ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation) was amongst the biggest gainers on NSE today. <h2>Should Indian investors worry? </h2>But is the impending action in Middle-East the only reason behind today's drastic fall? Vishnu Kant Upadhyay, AVP, Research &amp; Advisory at Master Capital Services notes that while it plays a significant role, other factors are also at play. "Recent regulatory changes in the F&amp;O segment by SEBI is expected to impact trading volumes, as retail participation may decline due to the increased contract size and limits on weekly expiries. Meanwhile, strength in the Chinese market, following the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) stimulus package, has also diverted foreign investment to China, where valuations remain more attractive compared to India", he noted. But Upadhyay believes that the extension of losses in Indian markets wont last long. "From a technical perspective, as long as prices hold above the 25,250–25,100 zone, any decline could present an opportunity to build fresh long positions. A stock-specific approach is advisable, with sectors such as Oil, IT, PSU Banks, Metals, and Chemicals likely to outperform in the coming days", he adds. Shrikant Chouhan, Head Equity Research, Kotak Securities observes that as long as market is trading below 25,365/82,800, the weak sentiment is likely to continue. On the down side, it could slip till 25,150-25,025/82,200-82,000 as well. On the other side, one quick technical pullback is likely if the market succeeds to trade above 25,365/82,800. Above the same, it could bounce back till 25,475-25,500/83,100-83,300. The current market texture is volatile hence; level based trading would be the ideal strategy for the day traders. <h2><keyword id="20760178" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mutual-fund-investors" source="keywords">Mutual fund investors</keyword>, stay put</h2>In the aftermath of a <keyword id="19968045" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="market-correction" source="keywords">market correction</keyword>, most mutual fund investors often face a critical decision- should they stop their SIPs (<keyword id="21047553" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Systematic-Investment-Plans" source="keywords">Systematic Investment Plans</keyword>) or to view the downturn as a valuable opportunity to acquire more mutual fund units? By continuing SIPs during such downturns, investors can take advantage of 'rupee-cost averaging,' i.e. accumulating more units when prices are down. This approach not only lowers the average cost per unit, but also positions the portfolio for greater returns when the market eventually recovers, and softens the impact of short-term volatility. Swapnil Aggarwal, Director, VSRK Capital explains that alongside maintaining regular investments, revisiting your asset allocation is also essential in these turbulent times. A well-diversified portfolio, that balances equities with safer assets like bonds can withstand market fluctuations more effectively. You can consider shifting some investments into bond funds or other stable instruments, which can provide a cushion against further declines. <h2>What happens next? </h2>While the immediate impact of a market correction may lead to declines in the NAV (Net Asset Value) of mutual funds, disciplined investors can view this as a moment to reassess their strategies. Focusing on your <keyword id="20908416" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="long-term-financial-goals" source="keywords">long-term financial goals</keyword> will let you turn market volatility into opportunity! The market will remain keenly focused on the evolving situation in the Middle East. What will also be equally important are the US monthly jobs data due tomorrow, which could determine the size of Fed's next interest rate move in November.

Nifty, Sensex in freefall today as Iran mounts attack on Israel. Here's what experts think you should do

Russia on Wednesday said it is hoping for quick resolution of the issue relating to India's call for return of Indians recruited into the <keyword id="20279961" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Russian-Army" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Russian Army" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Russian Army">Russian Army</keyword> as support staff and asserted their recruitment was purely a commercial matter. In first comments on the issue from the Russian government, Russia's Charge d'affaires Roman Babushkin said Moscow never wanted the Indians to be part of its Army and their number is insignificant in the context of the conflict. "We are on the same side with the Indian government on the issue... We hope that the issue will be resolved soon," he said at a media briefing while responding to a question. Babushkin's remarks came a day after Russia promised to ensure early release and return to home of the <keyword id="19946607" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-nationals" source="keywords">Indian nationals</keyword> working in the <keyword id="19919123" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Russian-military" source="keywords">Russian military</keyword> as support staff after <keyword id="19898052" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Prime-Minister-Narendra-Modi" source="keywords">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</keyword> "very strongly" raised the issue with President <keyword id="19900702" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vladimir-Putin" source="keywords">Vladimir Putin</keyword>. Babushkin noted that the issue should not be politicised. "Let us be very clear, we have never wanted Indians to be part of the Russian Army. You would never see any announcement by Russian authorities on this," he said. The Russian diplomat said most of the Indians were recruited under a commercial framework as they wanted to "make money". The number of Indians -- 50, 60 or 100 people -- does not make any significance in terms of the wider conflict. "They are there purely for commercial reasons and we did not want to recruit them," he said. Babushkin said most of the Indians recruited as support staff are working illegally as they do not have appropriate visas to work. He said most of them came to Russia on tourist visas. Asked if the families of those killed would be given compensation and Russian citizenship, Babushkin said that it "should happen anyway as per the contractual obligations". On Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said in Moscow that the Russian side promised early discharge of all Indian nationals from the service of the Russian Army. "The prime minister strongly raised the issue of early discharge of Indian nationals who have been misled into the service of the Russian Army. This was taken up strongly by the prime minister and the Russian side promised early discharge of all Indian nationals," he said. It is learnt that Modi raised the issue during his informal talks with Putin over dinner at the Russian leader's dacha or country home on Monday evening. Kwatra said the two sides will work on how expeditiously the Indians can be brought back home. Last month, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the issue of Indian nationals serving with the Russian Army remains a matter of "utmost concern" and demanded action from Moscow over it. On June 11, India said two Indian nationals, who were recruited by the Russian Army, had recently been killed in the ongoing <keyword id="20634729" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Russia-Ukraine-conflict" source="keywords">Russia-Ukraine conflict</keyword>, which took the number of such deaths to four. Following the deaths of two Indians, the MEA demanded a "verified stop" to further recruitment of Indian nationals by the Russian Army. In a strongly-worded statement, it said India demanded that there be a "verified stop to any further recruitment of Indian nationals by the Russian Army and that such activities would not be in "consonance with our partnership". In March, 30-year-old Hyderabad resident Mohammed Asfan succumbed to injuries sustained while serving with Russian troops on the frontlines with Ukraine. In February, Hemal Ashwinbhai Mangua, a 23-year-old resident of Surat in Gujarat, died in a Ukrainian air strike while serving as a "security helper" in the Donetsk region. Modi was on a two-day high-profile visit to Russia from Monday to hold the 22nd <keyword id="22301215" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India-Russia-annual-summit" source="keywords">India-Russia annual summit</keyword> with Putin.

We never wanted them: Russia on Indians in Russian Army

India's <keyword id="6355013" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tennis" source="Orion">tennis</keyword> campaign at the <keyword id="20006192" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Paris-Olympics" source="keywords">Paris Olympics</keyword> lasted just one day as <keyword id="19926485" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sumit-Nagal" source="keywords">Sumit Nagal</keyword> and the men's doubles pair of <keyword id="19895238" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rohan-Bopanna" source="keywords">Rohan Bopanna</keyword> and <keyword id="20253721" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="N-Sriram-Balaji" source="keywords">N Sriram Balaji</keyword> bowed out after losing their respective opening matches to French challengers on Sunday. Nagal was first to take court, but his strong baseline game didn't seem to be enough against mercurial Corentin Moutet, who earned a stylish three-set win. In his second appearance at the Olympic Games, Nagal bounced back after losing the first set but fell 2-6 6-4 5-7 in two hours and 28 minutes at a packed court seven at the Roland Garros. In the Tokyo Games, Nagal had lost in the second round to Russian Daniil Medvedev but could not make the most of a manageable opener today. He was up 2-0 in the decider with an early break but allowed Moutet to claw his way back and win. Later in the day, Bopanna and Balaji went down fighting 5-7 2-6 against Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Gael Monfils, who replaced injured Fabien Reboul in the home team at the last minute. India have won only one Olympic medal in tennis, when <keyword id="20346818" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Leander-Paes" source="keywords">Leander Paes</keyword> bagged a bronze in the 1996 Atlanata Games. Monfils' big-hitting helped the home team that was egged on by the partisan crowd. It was probably the last time Bopanna represented India in a multi-sport event. The 44-year-old has already announced his retirement from Davis Cup. The doubles match featured several fiery baseline exchanges between Bopanna and both the French players. The French ploy of engaging Bopanna in long rallies from the back took Balaji out of the picture on many points, and it largely denied the debutant opportunity of a quick finish at the net. The Indians dropped serve first when Bopanna went down 0-40 in game six following a long rally that ended with Indian team's unforced error. Bopanna and Balaji though got the break back in the next game on Roger-Vasselin's serve. Down by a breakpoint, Monfils could not put away a volley. The match was back on serve. Eventually, Balaji came out to serve at 5-6 to stay in the set. Feeling the nerves, he struggled to put first serves in and committed a double fault to get to 15-30. A long rally ensued, which ended in home team's favour. At second set point, Bopanna netted a backhand volley. Balaji could not hold serve in the second set, as Bopanna too stuggled to cope with the powerful strokes of the French players. The match ended with Indian team's unforced error. It has always been a battle of attrition between Nagal and Moutet with three of their last four outings being three-set affairs and it was no different today. Nagal had got the better of Moutet in their last meeting in Grand Prix of Hassan in the Moroccan city of Marakkech in April this year. Nagal didn't seem to have a plan B but Moutet had a few tricks in his bag to unsettle his rival. He served underarm a number of times and used the drop shots, the forehand slice and the backhand slice very effectively. The chants of Coco-Coco, Aaale-Aaale and Moutet-Moutet certainly gave the home player the energy required in such a slugfest. Nagal had a nervy start with a boisterous crowd behind Moutet. A drop volley error at 30-all put him down by a break point. Another unforced error cost him the opening game. The French player began with an underarm serve, much to the amusement of the home fans. He, however, ended up serving a double fault. It was an easy hold for the southpaw even as Nagal also bounced back with a hold at love. Nagal said he was expecting underarm serves from him but obviously didn't appreciate that. Moutet struggled a bit with his first serve but fed Nagal a lot of high balls and attacked his backhand more to build on the break. Nagal had his chances to get the break back in game four but squandered four breakpoints. He was down by another break point in game five but saved and held when Moutet just missed the line with his return. The crowd favourite again amused the gathered supporters at court seven as he crossed over the court to check the spot if the ball landed inside the line. It was crucial for Nagal to hold serve after falling behind 2-4 but he erred on overhead volley at breakpoint. Moutet pocketed the opening set when Nagal'a forehand return soared over the baseline. The second set was not a one-way traffic with Nagal finding his rhythm. The free points were not given. The set remained in serve till game five. After playing two deuce points, Moutet again served underarm, and this time he got the point as Nagal netted the return. Nagal was furious but the crowd loved the moment. Nagal finally had his first break of the match when Moutet's dropped shot crashed into the net. Before that on the second break point, when he netted the return, Nagal had banged his racquet on the court, letting go of the frustration. However, he gathered himself with the crucial break. The crowd stood and began singing the national anthem to egg on their favourite. Nagal though, consolidated the lead with a hold and levelled the match by breaking his rival in game eight when Moutet netted a volley return. The French player yet again resorted to giving high balls and drop shots to Nagal to break the momentum, and almost succeeded, but Nagal too stuck to his guns, avoiding an early break. He then broke Moutet when he double faulted while facing his fourth break point. Leading 2-0 in the decider, Nagal had a perfect opportunity to run away with the match but found himself down 0-40. He saved the first breakpoint but a drive volley error from him meant that the set was back on serve. Serving at 5-5, Nagal began by netting a forehand, and Moutet found a stunning forehand slice passing-winner on the run. Another forehand error put Nagal down by three break points. He lost fourth point in a row when he could not pick up a half volley. It was not difficult from there for Moutet to close the match. He will play either Australian world number six Alex di Minaur or Germany's Jan-Lenard Struff next.

India's tennis campaign at the Paris Olympics ends in a single day as Nagal, Bopanna and Balaji bow out

Projected to last only days, the first crewed test flight of <keyword id="19915275" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Boeing" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Boeing" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Boeing">Boeing</keyword>'s <keyword id="20138728" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="starliner" source="keywords">Starliner</keyword> <keyword id="19982902" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="spacecraft" source="keywords">spacecraft</keyword> with two <keyword id="20038917" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="astronauts" source="keywords">astronauts</keyword> onboard is in limbo with no exact return to Earth announced. <keyword id="19935155" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NASA" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="NASA" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="NASA">NASA</keyword>'s <keyword id="20430894" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Commercial-Crew-Program" source="keywords">Commercial Crew Program</keyword> manager, Steve Stich has said that the US space agency is considering extending the duration of Starliner's mission from 45 days to 90 days, CNN reported. Officials have repeatedly hinted that the Starliner, which faced issues with helium leaks and thruster outages heading to the International <keyword id="20073557" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="space-station" source="keywords">Space Station</keyword> in early June, will be safe to bring astronauts including indian-origin Sunita 'Suni' Williams and Butch Wilmore home. On Friday, Stich said that NASA is considering extending the maximum length of Starliner's mission from 45 days to 90 days and there is no firm return date on the horizon, according to CNN report. Addressing a briefing on Friday, the NASA official said, "We're just looking at the timeline to execute (the test in New Mexico) and then review the data." He further said, "And that's what's really the long pole, I would say, determining a landing date." Stich added, "We're not in a rush to come home." Part of that desired extension is due to the ground tests that Boeing and NASA plan to conduct in New Mexico, seeking to better understand why some of the Starliner's thrusters unexpectedly failed during the first leg of its journey. Stich and Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager of the Commercial Crew Program for Boeing, also said that engineers are still not certain about the reason behind the Starliner's problems. Nappi said that part of the aim is conducting the ground tests while the vehicle is still in space is to try to whittle down possible reasons why the thrusters malfunctioned. Mark Nappi said, "So, if (the test in New Mexico) comes back and gives us all the answers, then we can just undock and come home." He added, "If it comes back and says, 'Here's 80 per cent of the answer. And if you just run one more docked hot fire (test on the Starliner in orbit), then you can get 100 per cent of the answers' -- then we want (Starliner) to be there so that we can get that information." Meanwhile, Williams and Wilmore have integrated with the rest of the crew currently aboard the International Space Station and are conducting routine tasks. Several more helium leaks were identified while the craft was heading to the International Space Station, along with the thruster issues. The Starliner's service module, a cylindrical attachment at the bottom of the spacecraft that provides much of the vehicle's power during flight, faced several issues, CNN reported. As per the design, the service module will not survive the return to Earth. The module is jettisoned and destroyed as the Starliner spacecraft reenters the atmosphere and that's the reason why Boeing and NASA teams then opted to leave the Starliner spacecraft safely docked with the space station while they worked to learn as much as possible about those issues. It is not clear yet whether NASA will extend the maximum mission length to 90 days. Stich said officials must clear the battery life of the Starliner for that purpose. Although he noted that the batteries are being recharged at the space station, they should operate the same way after 90 days as they will for the first 45 days. The spaceflight industry frequently experiences cost overruns, delays and unmet deadlines. However, Boeing has faced challenges that have stood out, particularly when the Starliner program is directly compared with SpaceX's Crew Dragon, CNN reported. Crew Dragon, which falls under the same NASA Commercial Crew Program for astronaut transportation, completed its first test flight in 2020 and has been carrying out routine missions ever since. SpaceX did not have the benefit of designing the Crew Dragon spacecraft off the back of its Cargo Dragon vehicle, which for years sent supplies to the International Space Station before its successor started operating while Boeing designed Starliner from scratch. Nappi said, "We've got a really good test flight that's been accomplished so far, and it's being viewed rather negatively." In the latest update regarding the ongoing space mission, the Expedition 71 crew members on Friday packed a US cargo craft, cleaned up the International Space Station, studied techniques of futuristic piloting, and carried out eye exams. NASA's Boeing Crew Flight Test astronauts spent the day reconfiguring a space botany facility. In its live blog, NASA stated, " Robotics controllers are scheduled to detach the Cygnus space freighter from the Unity module on July 12 and release it into Earth orbit for disposal over the South Pacific Ocean ending a five-and-a-half-month mission at the orbital lab." NASA Flight Engineer Matthew Dominick spent most of the time on Friday on loading trash and discarding gear inside the Cygnus with assistance from fellow NASA astronauts Jeanette Epps and Tracy C Dyson. Canadarm2 robotic arm captured the Cygnus on February 1, with more than 8200 pounds of science experiments and crew supplies. Epps operated standard medical imaging gear found in an optometrist's office on Earth and peered into Dyson's eyes. She examined the cornea, retina, and lens of Dyson to help flight surgeons understand and counteract microgravity's effect on crew vision. Earlier, Dyson collected and stowed excess space station hardware for disposal. During the day, NASA Flight Engineer Mike Barratt routed cables and reprogrammed communications systems inside the Columbus laboratory module. He stowed hardware and components used earlier in the week for advanced orbital plumbing in the Tranquility module's bathroom. Mike Barratt refilled supply kits in Columbus' two Human Research Facility racks with biomedical gear, including sample tubes and needles. On Friday, Starliner's Commander and Pilot, Butch Wilmore and <keyword id="21544825" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sunita-Williams" source="keywords">Sunita Williams</keyword> in Kibo conducted space botany work. They removed the Plant Habitat growth chamber from Kibo's EXPRESS rack, replaced its camera and carbon dioxide sensors, then reinstalled the research device. In the liveblog, NASA said, "NASA and Boeing continue to evaluate Starliner's propulsion system performance before returning to Earth from the orbiting lab. NASA and Boeing leaders participated in a media teleconference today to discuss Starliner and station operations." "NASA is now targeting the end of July for the next spacewalk outside the space station. This change allows teams on the ground to continue to troubleshoot and understand the water leak in the service and cooling umbilical unit that forced an early end to a spacewalk on Monday, June 24," it added. Flight Engineer Nikolai Chub practiced planetary spacecraft and robotic piloting techniques future crew members and conducted two sessions of an investigation exploring ways to create new materials on the lunar surface. Meanwhile, Flight Engineer Alexander Grebenkin worked throughout the day inventorying medical kits and cleaning fans inside the Rassvet module and Station Commander Oleg Kononenko replaced thermal components in Roscosmos' life support hardware.

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Indian contingent of Paris Paralympics receives rousing welcome on return home

ANI

Antim Panghal returns to India after Olympic controversy

PTI

Indian and Nepalese men say they were tricked into fighting for Russia in Ukraine and can't return home

Mikhaila Friel

I moved to Thailand, started a family, and can't picture ever returning home to Scotland

Duncan Forgan

'Serena told me I'm not allowed to quit': Venus Williams targets return

IANS

Some techies are leaving cushy Silicon Valley jobs to launch startups at home in India

Shubhangi Goel,Charissa Cheong

91 percent Indian CEOs want to reward employees who work from offices, majority expect to end remote work in three years

Divyanshi Sharma

Nifty, Sensex in freefall today as Iran mounts attack on Israel. Here's what experts think you should do

Ira Alok Puranik

We never wanted them: Russia on Indians in Russian Army

PTI

India's tennis campaign at the Paris Olympics ends in a single day as Nagal, Bopanna and Balaji bow out

PTI

Boeing Starliner with Sunita Williams onboard could wait months in space before return as NASA mulls extending mission duration

ANI

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