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Mumbai: The rupee slipped 1 paisa to an all-time low of 84.40 against the US dollar in early trade on Wednesday, as persistent <keyword id="20520117" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="foreign-fund-outflows" source="keywords">foreign fund outflows</keyword> and a muted trend in domestic equities weighed on the local unit. Forex traders said the USDINR pair has shown significant volatility in recent sessions, with the rupee inching closer to its all-time low of 84.40. This downward pressure is largely driven by global factors, particularly the Dollar Index's strengthening. At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 84.40 against the greenback, registering a fall of 1 paisa over its previous close. On Tuesday, the rupee fell 1 paisa to a new lifetime low of 84.39 against the US dollar. "It appears that the rupee has established support around the current levels, with depreciation limited near 84.50," CR Forex Advisors MD Amit Pabari said. Pabari further added that the RBI stands tall as the depreciation in the rupee seems to be limited as the <keyword id="19899810" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Reserve-Bank-of-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Reserve Bank of India" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Reserve Bank of India">Reserve Bank of India</keyword> (RBI) continues to sell the dollars to protect the sharp depreciation. "For the 5th consecutive week, India's forex reserves declined, possibly due to RBI selling the dollars. Currently, the forex reserves of India stand at USD 682 billion down from the recent all-time high of USD 704 billion," he said. Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading lower by 0.04 per cent at 105.98. Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, rose 0.25 per cent to USD 72.07 per barrel in futures trade. On the domestic equity market front, Sensex was trading 210.66 points, or 0.27 per cent lower, to 78,464.52 points. The Nifty fell 100.45 points, or 0.42 per cent, to 23,783.00 points. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net sellers in the capital markets on Tuesday, as they offloaded shares worth Rs 3,024.31 crore, according to exchange data. On the macroeconomic front, retail inflation breached the Reserve Bank's upper tolerance level, soaring to a 14-month high of 6.21 per cent in October mainly on account of rising food prices. Inflation based on the consumer price index (CPI) was 5.49 per cent in September and 4.87 per cent in the year-ago month. India's industrial production expanded by 3.1 per cent in September after recording a contraction in the preceding month, as all three major segments -- mining, manufacturing, and power generation -- showed improvement. However, the growth in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) during the month was lower than 6.4 per cent registered in September 2023.

Rupee falls 1 paisa to all-time low of 84.40 against US dollar in early trade

Unrelenting rain forced the abandonment of the first-day's play of the two-day practice match between India and Prime Minister's XI here on Saturday, robbing Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill of some much-needed Pink ball game time ahead of the day-night second Test against Australia at Adelaide. The teams have agreed to play a 50-over-a-side match on Sunday at the Manuka Oval, weather permitting. However, the day might have come as a dampener for captain Rohit, who had skipped the first Test at Perth to welcome a baby boy into his family, ahead of the Pink Ball Test, starting from December 6. Though he has had couple of extensive net sessions with Pink ball, facing some quality bowlers in a real-match situation holds a different value, considering India's last day-night Test was against Sri Lanka in March 2022 in Bengaluru. Gill had to sit out of the first Test because of a finger injury and the top-order batter is expected to walk back into the eleven. Prior to that, Gill, who also had a good hit at nets on Friday, would have been hoping to enter the match zone through this side game. Rohit and Gill are expected to replace Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel in the playing eleven for the Adelaide Test. Now, they will pin their hope to form some early plans for the Pink ball Test on Sunday through that 50-over game. India have so far played four pink ball Tests. After their victory over Bangladesh (2019, Kolkata), India lost to Australia in 2020 (Adelaide) before winning against England (2021, Ahmedabad) and Sri Lanka (2022, Bengaluru) at home.

India vs PM XI: 1st day's play abandoned due to rain; Rohit, Gill miss Pink ball game time

New Delhi: After meeting Prime Minister <keyword id="19895781" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="keywords">Narendra Modi</keyword> ahead of the <keyword id="21272963" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="semicon-india-2024" source="Orion">Semicon India 2024</keyword> Summit, <keyword id="20137945" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sanjay-mehrotra" source="keywords">Sanjay Mehrotra</keyword>, CEO of Micron, appreciated PM Modi's vision of developing semiconductors in India and said policies set up by him to incentivise semiconductor manufacturing in India are also very exciting. "PM Modi's vision to develop semiconductors in India and make it self-reliant is very exciting. The policies set up by him to incentivise semiconductor manufacturing are equally exciting. This is the perfect time for India to develop semiconductors because opportunities will grow with AI. The best is yet to come," Mehrotra said ahead of SEMICON India 2024 Summit. PM Modi will inaugurate SEMICON India 2024 at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, today. Earlier on Tuesday, PM Modi chaired Semiconductor Executives' Roundtable at his residence. During the meeting, the Prime Minister said that their ideas will not only shape their business but also India's future. Mentioning that the coming time will be technology-driven, Prime Minister said semiconductor is the basis of the Digital Age and the day is not far "when the semiconductor industry will be the bedrock for even our basic necessities". The Prime Minister emphasised that democracy and technology together can ensure the welfare of humanity and India is moving ahead on this path recognizing its global responsibility in the semiconductor sector. According to an official release, the Prime Minister talked about the pillars of development which include developing social, digital and physical infrastructure, giving boost to inclusive development, reducing compliance burden and attracting investment in manufacturing and innovations. The meeting was attended by CEOs, Heads and representatives of various organisations including SEMI, Micron, NXP, PSMC, IMEC, Renesas, TEPL, <keyword id="23116584" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tokyo-electron-ltd" source="keywords">Tokyo Electron Ltd</keyword>, Tower, <keyword id="19920144" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="synopsys" source="keywords">Synopsys</keyword>, Cadence, Rapidus, Jacobs, JSR, Infineon, Advantest, Teradyne, Applied Materials, Lam Research, Merck, CG Power and Kaynes Technology. Also present in the meeting were Professors from Stanford University, University of California San Diego and IIT Bhubaneswar. SEMICON India 2024 is being organised from 11 to 13 September with the theme "Shaping the Semiconductor Future." The three-day conference will showcase India's semiconductor strategy and policy, which envisions making India a global hub for semiconductors. It will witness the participation of top leadership of global semiconductor giants and will bring together global leaders, companies, and experts of the semiconductor industry. The conference will witness participation of more than 250 exhibitors and 150 speakers.

Semicon India 2024: This is perfect time for India to develop semiconductors, says MICRON CEO Sanjay Mehrotra

<ul><li>OpenAI expands ChatGPT Search to all free users.</li><li> The AI startup has also brought in some important new features and enhancements with a new update.</li><li> Information from Netflix and travel booking platforms gains prominence now.</li></ul> OpenAI has expanded access to ChatGPT Search, making it available to all free users. Originally introduced in October 2024 for paid subscribers, the feature was first offered as an invitation-only preview under the name SearchGPT. This update marks a broader rollout, improving the overall user experience. ChatGPT Search features ChatGPT Search provides users with quick, up-to-date answers and links to relevant web sources, a task typically managed by search engines. Kevin Weil, OpenAI’s Chief Product Officer, announced the update in a YouTube video, highlighting the advantage of integrating real-time web information into the <keyword id="19925753" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI-chatbot" source="keywords">AI chatbot</keyword>. In this enhanced version, prominent links—such as those from Netflix or travel booking platforms—are displayed at the top of search results, followed by ChatGPT’s text-based responses. <keyword id="21453184" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="voice-search" source="keywords">Voice Search</keyword> A significant update is the addition of voice search for users with Advanced Voice Mode enabled. This feature can be accessed by tapping the audio waveform button in the compose bar. With voice search, users can request <keyword id="20186447" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="real-time-information" source="keywords">real-time information</keyword> on topics like travel destinations, weather updates, or activity recommendations. ChatGPT’s Voice Assistant will reply using one of ten available voice styles. Search engine enhancements OpenAI has enhanced browsing speed and efficiency for users who choose ChatGPT as their default search engine. To streamline this process, the company has also launched a Chrome extension, enabling users to set ChatGPT as their default search engine for instant answers from reliable websites. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/vivo-x200-and-x200-pro-launched-in-india-starting-at-65999/articleshow/116248162.cms">Vivo X200 and X200 Pro launched in India starting at ₹65,999</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/oneplus-13-with-snapdragon-8-elite-to-be-launched-globally-in-january/articleshow/115920790.cms">OnePlus 13 with Snapdragon 8 Elite to be launched globally in January</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/nothing-will-reportedly-launch-three-phones-in-2025-including-the-phone-3/articleshow/115891768.cms">Nothing will reportedly launch three phones in 2025, including the Phone (3)</a>

OpenAI rolls out ChatGPT Search to all free users with voice and map features

<ul><li>You can get <keyword id="23085304" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Apple-AirPods-4" source="keywords">Apple AirPods 4</keyword> and <keyword id="20524550" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Apple-Pencil" source="keywords">Apple Pencil</keyword> for free in India</li><li>This is part of a <keyword id="23216168" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="limited-time-deal" source="keywords">limited-time deal</keyword> by <keyword id="19894961" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Apple" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Apple" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Apple">Apple</keyword></li><li>The accessories are available for free with purchase of selected devices</li></ul> Apple, during the “It’s Glowtime” event held earlier this month, introduced us all to the <keyword id="20994992" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="airpods-4" source="Orion">AirPods 4</keyword>. In addition to this, the company also announced that the AirPods Pro would now be functioning as a hearing aid as well. The company also got FDA’s nod for the same recently. What if we tell you that you can grab the new AirPods 4 and the Apple Pencil for free? Read on to know how. <h2>Apple’s limited-time deal in India </h2> Apple has rolled out a special offer for university students and staff across India, providing substantial discounts on some Mac and iPad models. The offer also includes <keyword id="23216169" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="free-accessories" source="keywords">free accessories</keyword> like AirPods or an Apple Pencil, as well as a 20 percent discount on AppleCare+ plans. This promotion is available exclusively through Apple’s Education Store and will run until September 30, 2024. Eligible students and staff can purchase Apple devices at reduced prices under this deal. One of the standout offers is the <keyword id="19927330" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="MacBook-Air" source="keywords">MacBook Air</keyword>, which is available at a starting price of Rs 89,900, and comes with a free set of AirPods 4. Additionally, the <keyword id="20025151" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="iPad-Air" source="keywords">iPad Air</keyword> is priced at Rs 54,900 and includes a complimentary Apple Pencil. For those seeking higher-end devices, Apple is also offering discounts on its premium products. The MacBook Pro can be purchased starting at Rs 158,900, while the iPad Pro is available for Rs 89,900. Both of these devices come with either AirPods or an Apple Pencil, depending on the model. Apple’s Mac Mini and iMac are also part of this educational promotion, offering savings and coming bundled with free AirPods. <h2>How to access the deal </h2> To get the discounts or free AirPods 4 and Apple Pencil, students and staff will have to verify their status through Unidays, a third-party service that confirms their eligibility. The verification process is straightforward and requires a valid university or educational institute ID. Once verified, customers can access Apple’s Education Store and complete their purchase. It is important to note that this promotion cannot be combined with other offers, such as no-cost EMI or cashback from banks. Additionally, the offer is only valid for purchases made during the promotional period, which concludes on September 30, 2024.

You can get free Apple Airpods 4 and Apple Pencil with this limited-time deal in India, details here

<ul><li>The <keyword id="20656465" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="iPhone-16-Pro" source="keywords">iPhone 16 Pro</keyword> and iPhone 16 Pro Max are expected to be <keyword id="20054650" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Made-in-India" source="keywords">made in India</keyword> soon after their global debut.</li><li>This will be the first time that the Pro models are being made in <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword>.</li><li>Domestic production is expected to slightly bring down the cost of the <keyword id="22846245" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="iPhone-Pro-models" source="keywords">iPhone Pro models</keyword>.</li></ul>In a boost to <keyword id="19894961" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Apple" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Apple" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Apple">Apple</keyword>’s iPhone production in India and the country’s Make in India initiative, the iPhone Pro models, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro will be made in India, making them the first Pro models to be made in the country. According to a<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-08-20/apple-s-first-made-in-india-iphone-pro-models-coming-this-year"> report</a> by Bloomberg, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be assembled by Apple’s partner <keyword id="19926050" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Foxconn" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Foxconn" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Foxconn">Foxconn</keyword> at its facility in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu. The assembly of the devices will reportedly begin just weeks after their launch. The company has reportedly started training thousands of workers as it aims to produce the Pro models in India as close to their global debut as possible. Last year, Apple produced the<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/iphone-15-iphone-15-plus-with-usb-type-c-port-improved-cameras-launched-starting-at-799/articleshow/103615581.cms"> iPhone 15</a> in India and this was available from day one. Soon after this, the iPhone 15 Plus was produced in India by <keyword id="20003591" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pegatron" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Pegatron" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Pegatron">Pegatron</keyword>. The<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/iphone-15-pro-pro-max-can-record-3d-videos-that-can-be-viewed-on-vision-pro-in-a-magical-way/articleshow/103616220.cms"> iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max</a> were imported in the country. The ‘Made in India’ iPhone 16 is expected to be available in India from day one. Apple has been pushing its production in India since 2021, as its push for diversification of its production from China was welcomed with production-linked incentives (PLI) from the Indian government. In FY24, the Cupertino tech giant assembled iPhones worth $14 billion in India, accounting for 14% of its global output. While Foxconn is expected to spearhead iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max production in India, the <keyword id="19924335" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata-Group" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Tata Group" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Tata Group">Tata Group</keyword> and Pegatron are also expected to assemble the Pro models later this year. <h2>Domestic production to make iPhones cheaper</h2>While there is no confirmation from Apple, the report reveals that Apple will be able to meet the domestic demand for iPhones in India through locally assembled devices by the end of the year. This is expected to slightly bring down the prices of iPhones in the country. Apple is expected to export the bulk of the domestically produced Pro models of the iPhone 16 series to the US, Europe and the Middle East after meeting the local demand. Apple saw robust sales of around $8 billion in the country in FY24, an increase of around 33% year-on-year. Apple shipped over 10 million iPhones in 2023 in India, up from 6 million in 2022. The company recorded a 6% market share in the Indian smartphone market in 2023. Experts have said that there is a definitive trend of Apple attracting many first-time users for its newly launched iPhones in India, alongside the strong sales of previous-generation devices. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/orient-technologies-ipo-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/112646237.cms">Orient Technologies IPO – Price band to risk factors, all you need to know</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/indian-pc-market-records-7-1-growth-in-q2-2024-hp-leads-with-nearly-a-third-market-share/articleshow/112643060.cms">Indian PC market records 7.1% growth in Q2 2024, HP leads with nearly a third market share</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/indian-smartphone-market-records-7-2-growth-in-the-first-half-of-2024-vivo-leads-the-market-in-q2/articleshow/112629172.cms">Indian smartphone market records 7.2% growth in the first half of 2024, Vivo leads the market in Q2</a>

The iPhone Pro models will be made in India for the first time this year

Smartphones have changed how we connect, work, and entertain ourselves, but they might also be silently reshaping our closest relationships. A recent study titled ‘Impact of Smartphones on Parent-Child Relationships’ sheds light on a growing concern: the excessive use of smartphones is creating barriers between parents and children in India. The sixth edition of the vivo Switch Off survey, conducted in collaboration with CyberMedia Research (CMR), highlights how technology, while indispensable, has become a source of conflict in family dynamics. The findings are a stark reminder of the need for balance in a world increasingly dominated by screens. <h2>Children are more aware of smartphone impact </h2> One surprising revelation from the study is that children appear more aware of the negative impact of <keyword id="24400365" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="excessive-smartphone-use" source="keywords">excessive smartphone use</keyword> than their parents. About 69% of children acknowledged that smartphone overuse has led to conflicts with their parents, and an overwhelming 94% suggested that their ideal phone for parents should focus on basic features like calling, messaging, and a camera—stripping away apps for entertainment, gaming, or social media. Children also demonstrated a desire for collective change: 66% said they would give up social media if their peers did the same, while over 90% wished that some popular social media platforms had never been created. <h2>Parents spend more time on their phones than children </h2> While 75% of parents worry about their children’s ability to build meaningful relationships, the irony is evident. Many parents overlook how their own smartphone habits are affecting their bond with their kids. On average, parents spend more than five hours daily on their phones, compared to four hours for children. A striking 73% of parents admit that their device use has caused friction at home. Even during significant moments like family vacations or celebrations, both groups confess to using their phones, underscoring how deeply ingrained this habit has become. <h2>Yearning for stronger bonds </h2> Despite the challenges, there’s a shared longing for deeper connections. About 76% of children and 84% of parents expressed a wish to strengthen their relationships through meaningful family time, free from digital distractions. Both groups are exploring solutions such as creating “phone-free” zones at home and setting mutual screen-time limits. One-third of children believe the world would be better off without certain apps, reflecting their frustration with the digital environment they’ve grown up in. Yet, they also see hope in collective action—if their families and friends embrace healthier smartphone habits, they’re ready to follow suit. <h2>Expert opinion </h2> Highlighting the issue, Riddhi Doshi Patel, a child psychologist and parenting counsellor, noted, “Excessive smartphone use is silently eroding emotional bonds between parents and children. Campaigns promoting mindful tech use aren’t just helpful; they’re transformative. They can foster genuine connection and create homes where relationships flourish beyond screens.” To address these challenges, vivo has collaborated with experts like Catherine Price, author of How to Break Up with Your Phone, and Riddhi Doshi Patel to offer practical advice. Their guidance includes actionable steps like setting screen-time boundaries, creating phone-free zones, and prioritising face-to-face interactions. What are your thoughts on this growing issue? Can families bridge the digital divide, or is it a price we’ll continue to pay for staying connected?

Parents spend more time on their smartphones than children and this might be straining relationships, new study suggests

A sixth-grade social science textbook that I read described India as a piece of fabric, with countless threads coloured in a myriad of majestic shades, woven together. This metaphor holds exceptionally well when put into the context of our <keyword id="22706215" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="handloom-industry" source="keywords">handloom industry</keyword>. India has a rich history of handlooms and weaving cultures. The culture of handlooms is so intricately woven into Indian culture, that there are whole towns dedicated to the same: <keyword id="248532" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chanderi" source="Orion">Chanderi</keyword> in Madhya Pradesh to Pochampally in Telangana and a dozen more! Unfortunately, the handloom industry in India is dying. The struggle is multi-faceted, ranging from a declining workforce to fierce competition from <keyword id="20496028" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="power-looms" source="keywords">power looms</keyword>. Hence, five years ago, August 7 was proclaimed <keyword id="22677698" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Handloom-Day" source="keywords">National Handloom Day</keyword> in response to this crisis and to heighten public awareness. This date holds special historical significance, commemorating the initiation of the Swadeshi Movement in 1905—a pivotal act of defiance against British colonial rule. <h2>When did this industry come into existence?</h2>According to archaeological findings, the origins of handloom in the Indian subcontinent may be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization. The Mughal Empire was known to support and patronise <keyword id="20258864" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="weavers" source="keywords">weavers</keyword>. The support from the royal patrons resulted in the invention of new textiles such as ‘Mulmul’ and ‘Banarasi Brocade’ among others. This era witnessed a heightened worldwide demand for Indian textiles. In the 17th century, India produced 25% of the world’s textiles, with Bengal accounting for more than 50% of textiles and 80% of silks imported by the Dutch from Asia. <h2>What led to the decline of the <keyword id="19934660" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-handloom" source="keywords">Indian handloom</keyword>?</h2>The East India Company's entry fuelled the industry's initial decline, which started in the 1830s. The weavers were obliged to sell only to the British, and that too at exceedingly cheap prices, virtually putting them out of business. On the other hand, Indian cloth was taxed excessively to promote machine-made British clothing. The Industrial Revolution in Britain strengthened their indigenous textile industry, giving rise to new markets for cheaper textiles. In India, the collapse of the Mughal aristocracies meant no access to royal patronage. As a result, textiles like Khadi and muslin had little demand in the market. Circling back to the present, the industry is facing both similar and new challenges. Fabrics made on power looms are cheaper and faster to produce, in comparison to handloom fabrics. The industry is largely unorganised, and the wages are shockingly low. 67% of <keyword id="22706216" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="handloom-workers" source="keywords">handloom workers</keyword> are earning less than the minimum wage every month. Faced with economic challenges, the older artisans are thus forced to encourage the newer generation to choose an alternative career path. This migration of the workforce from a traditional sector is evident from the fall in the number of weavers less than 35 years of age- from 26.13 lakh in 2009-10 to 16.07 lakh in 2019-20. The majority of weavers do not have access to banking facilities, let alone institutional credit. Furthermore, if one manages to accumulate credit, there is a mismatch between the supply and demand forces due to the lack of awareness about handwoven textiles in the current generation. <h2>Initiatives for revival</h2>The cultural significance of the Indian handloom isn’t just limited to its beauty and extravagance, but it extends to our independence struggle as well. The Swadeshi movement immortalised the charkha and advocated for the use of indigenous goods. Following independence, the Indian government took many measures to revive the handloom industry. In 1953, India’s Parliament approved the Khadi and Other Handloom Industries Development Act. In 1955, the All India Handloom Fabrics Marketing Cooperative Society was formed to promote the sale of fabrics produced by handloom cooperatives across India. The National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) aimed to provide financial assistance for marketing and production. The Handloom Weavers’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme offers health and life insurance to weavers, to ensure social security. The organisation commenced a fortnight-long exhibition, “VIRAASAT” dedicated to celebrating the 10th National Handloom Day began at Handloom Haat in Janpath, New Delhi on Saturday, 3rd August 2024, and will conclude on 16th August 2024. The Handloom Mark scheme was introduced to authenticate handloom products, thus enabling weavers to gain better market access and ensuring that consumers get genuine products. Moreover, the India Trade Portal also mentions that the GOI plans to provide financial assistance of Rs. 30 crore to at least 10,000 handlooms. Various state governments also regularly conduct handloom expos and fairs, providing platforms for weavers to showcase and sell their products directly to consumers. <h2>Contemporary Brands and their love for Indian handloom</h2>Modern, popular designers such as <keyword id="8264" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sabyasachi" source="Orion">Sabyasachi</keyword> and <keyword id="21493890" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ritu-kumar" source="keywords">Ritu Kumar</keyword> are known to work closely with weavers and have been doing their part by bringing worldwide attention to the handloom industries. Recently, <keyword id="1472101" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ajrakh" source="Orion">Ajrakh</keyword> was brought into the limelight when Alia Bhatt wore a custom Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla Ajrakh saree to Joy Awards in Riyadh. However, it’s not just the fashion moguls who are working towards the revival of this industry. Contemporary indie brands are partnering with local weavers, and creating awareness about their work. The emergence of such indie brands and their association with local artisans is beneficial for both entities. For instance, Joskai Studio derives its name from ‘Joskai’, a woven piece of cloth worn as a part of the traditional costume of the Tiwa community of Assam. They work with artisans in northeast India, specifically from the weaving village of Saualkuchi in Assam. Rouka by Sreejith Jeevan is a Kerala-based brand that works strictly with weavers from Kerala, specifically Chendamangalam and Kuthampally. <h2>Employment and Exports</h2>According to the Indian Trade Portal, the Indian handloom sector is the country’s second-largest employer after agriculture in rural areas. The Handloom Census 2019-20 mentions that the industry employs about 35,22,512 workers across the country, with women forming 77.29% of the workforce. India is the second largest exporter of handloom products in the world, with exports valued at $ 353.9 million in 2017- 18, as per EXIM bank's working papers. The major handloom export centres are Karur, Panipat, Varanasi and Kannur where handloom products like bed linen, table linen, toilet linen, floor coverings, and embroidered textile materials and curtains etc. are produced for export markets. During April 2021-February 2022, India exported handloom products worth 1693 crore, as per Indian Trade Portal. Indian silk scarves also form a sizable chunk of total handloom exports, in addition to home textiles like carpets, rugs and mats, which constitute over 13.6% of India’s total handloom exports. <h2>The Path Forward</h2>The mere existence of organisations and allocation of funds isn’t enough to sustain the legacy of India’s rich handloom industry. Big corporations working with local weavers ensure employment but don't protect them from exploitation and meagre wages, leaving them vulnerable. The people in power ought to come up with strategies that ensure the trickle-down effect of the schemes and funds. The new generation of buyers has a greater purchasing power than the one before them. Marketing focused on bringing Indian handloom practices into the limelight can do wonders in this case.

Fabric of a nation: Sustaining India's handloom legacy in modern times

<ul><li>The Indian wearable market has declined by 10% in Q2 2024, its first ever decline.</li><li>The smartwatch segment has recorded a huge decline in shipments in Q2 2024.</li><li>The earwear segment has remained flat, while the <keyword id="22725791" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="smart-ring-segment" source="keywords">smart ring segment</keyword> is going strong.</li></ul> The <keyword id="22725790" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-wearables-market" source="keywords">Indian wearables market</keyword> has declined for the first time ever, recording a 10% decline in shipments in Q2 2024. India’s wearables market shipped 29.5 million devices in Q2 2024. According to a report by the International Data Corporation, the first half of 2024 also reported a decline of 4.7%, with 55.1 million units shipped during the first six months. The decline in shipments includes cautious inventory stocking by the vendors looking to clear existing stock and fewer new launches in the market. <h2><keyword id="20615528" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="smartwatch-shipments" source="keywords">Smartwatch shipments</keyword> decline</h2>The <keyword id="22725792" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="smartwatch-category" source="keywords">smartwatch category</keyword> recorded a decline of 27.4% as shipments declined from 12.77 million devices in Q2 2023 to 9.27 million in Q2 2024. As per the report, innovation exhaustion and existing channel inventory of older models were the key reasons for the decline in shipments. The Smartwatch average selling price (ASP) dropped to $20.6 from $25.6 a year ago due to discounts being offered to clear inventory. The wristband category however continued to grow, recording a 23.4% growth in shipments. The earwear category remained flat, with a 0.7% shipment growth from 19.95 million in Q2 2023 to 20.09 in Q2 2024. <keyword id="11974058" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ultrahuman" source="Orion">Ultrahuman</keyword> leads the smart ring segment The smart ring market has started making its mark, with over 72 thousand smart rings shipped in Q2 2024 with an ASP of $204.6. Ultrahuman leads the market share in the smart rings segment with a market share of 48.4%, followed by Pi Ring at 27.5% and Aabo with a 10.5% share. <h2>Smartwatch market share in India</h2><table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#000000;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Company </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#000000;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Q2 2024 </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#000000;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Q2 2023 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Noise </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">25.7% </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">27.6% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Fire-Boltt </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">24.2% </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">23.8% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">boAt </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">11.6% </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">15.2% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Titan </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">7.9% </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">3.4% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Boult </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">3.9% </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">3.4% </td></tr></tbody></table> Source: IDC The top two companies, Noise and Fire-Boltt enjoy nearly half of the market share, with Noise leading the segment with a 25.7% market share and Fire-Boltt a close second at 24.2%. <h2>TWS market share in India</h2><table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#000000;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Company </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#000000;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Q2 2024 </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#000000;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Q2 2023 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">boAt </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">34% </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">35.3% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Boult </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">12.9% </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">9.6% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Noise </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">9.2% </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">6.6% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Oppo + OnePlus </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">7.4% </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">8.5% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Realme </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">6.4% </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">4% </td></tr></tbody></table> Source: IDC boAt has emerged as the market leader in the TWS segment in Q2 2024 despite a decline in its market share. The company leads the market with a 34% market share, with Boult a distant second with a 12.9% market share. <h2>Online channels continue to be the preferred mode</h2>Online channels continued to be the preferred mode with their share increasing to 63.4% in Q2 2024 from 62% in Q1 2024. “The offline channel remains underutilised, often serving merely as a means for brands to offload excess inventory. Due to cost pressures, many brands are shifting their focus toward e-tailer channels, particularly during festive periods. While several smaller brands rely on offline channels, the major players remain heavily dependent on online channels,” said Anand Priya Singh, Market Analyst, Smart Wearable Devices, IDC India. <h2>Average selling price falls</h2>The average selling price (ASP) of wearables declined to a new low, falling by 0.3% from $21 to $18.8 in Q2 2024. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/unicommerce-esolutions-ipo-allotment-how-to-check-allotment-ipo-gmp-listing-date-and-more/articleshow/112393219.cms">Unicommerce eSolutions IPO allotment – How to check allotment, IPO GMP, listing date and more</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/rbi-mpc-meet-cheque-clearing-time-reduced-upi-limit-increased-for-tax-payment/articleshow/112366099.cms">RBI MPC meet – Cheque clearing time reduced, UPI limit increased for tax payment</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/ola-wants-to-re-enter-the-quick-commerce-business-to-take-on-blinkit-and-swiggy-instamart/articleshow/112364583.cms">Ola wants to re-enter the quick commerce business to take on Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart</a>

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