The <keyword id="3274960" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-High-Speed-Rail-Corporation-Limited">National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited</keyword> (NHSRCL) on Saturday said that it has opened two <keyword id="1115984" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Technical-bids">technical bids</keyword> for <keyword id="34617" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="construction">construction</keyword> or building of bridges for the 508 km Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor in the state of <keyword id="6354766" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gujarat">Gujarat</keyword> and <keyword id="382155" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dadra">Dadra</keyword> and Nagar Haveli in which nine companies have participated. NHSRCL spokesperson Sushma Gaur said that the technical bids for contract packages of P-1(B) and P-1(C) for construction or building of bridges for the MAHSR corridor in the state of Gujarat as well union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. She said that as of now, 5 bidders for <keyword id="10880154" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="p-1">P-1</keyword> (C) whereas four bidders for P-1 (B) have submitted their bids for the package. She said that the P-1 (C) package includes construction of bridges for double line High Speed railway for four PSC Bridges and seven steel truss bridges between Zaroli Village at Maharashtra -- Gujarat Border and Vadodara, in Gujarat and the union territory of Dadar and Nagar Haveli for the project. Gaur said that for the P-1 (C) package, Ranjit Buildcon Limited, MG Contractors Pvt Ltd, KEC-SAM India JV and GRIL-GPT JV have participated in the technical bids. Meanwhile, package P-1 (B) includes the construction of bridges for double line high speed railway for one PSC Bridge and four steel truss bridges between Vadodara and <keyword id="5065" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ahmedabad">Ahmedabad</keyword>, in Gujarat for the project. She said that Ranjit Buildcon Limited, MG Contractors Pvt Ltd, KEC-SAM India JV and GRIL-GPT JV and URC Construction Pvt Ltd have participated in the technical bids. Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> and then Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe had on September 14, 2017 laid the foundation stone for the ambitious ₹1.08 lakh crore ($17 billion) project. Bullet trains are expected to run at 320 km per hour covering the 508-km stretch in about two hours. In comparison, trains currently plying on the route take over seven hours to travel the distance, whereas flights take about an hour. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/apple-find-my-stalking-airtags-item-safety-alerts/articleshow/81342449.cms">Apple’s new Find My feature updated to prevent stalking as launch of the rumoured AirTags nears</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/regulating-digital-news-is-important-but-freedom-of-press-is-precious/articleshow/81341289.cms">OPINION: Regulating digital news is important but freedom of press is precious</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/heranba-industries-ipo-makes-a-bumper-debut-on-stock-exchanges/articleshow/81342578.cms?upcaceh=2">Heranba Industries makes a bumper debut on stock exchanges — shares soar 44% over the issue price band</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/ignore-low-cibil-score-for-street-vendor-loans-work-on-holidays-and-other-diktats-from-indian-government-to-banks-rushing-to-meet-march-target/articleshow/81223572.cms">EXCLUSIVE: Bankers may be working all 31 days of March with the government looking to double the loans doled out under the PM SVANidhi scheme</a>

Tech bids open for Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet train bridge project, says NHSRCL

As millions of <keyword id="6354616" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Twitter">Twitter</keyword> user demand an <keyword id="2591764" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="edit-button">Edit button</keyword> to correct spelling errors in their tweets, app researcher Jane Manchun Wong has spotted a new "<keyword id="1601730" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="undo-send">Undo Send</keyword>" button that is in the works. The Twitter interface shows familiar "Your <keyword id="6354904" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="tweet">Tweet</keyword> was sent" dialog above a new "Undo" button. Gmail offers a similar option for emails, where it provides a short window to stop messages from being sent after clicking the "Send" button. The undo button doubles as a progress bar, which appears to show you how long you have to undo a tweet before it gets sent," reports The Verge. Last year, reports surfaced that Twitter has started working towards its paid subscription service that will provide users options like "Undo Send" button, along with an ability to tweet longer and high-quality videos. The 'Undo Send' button is likely to provide a 30-second window for users to recall or withdraw a tweet with typos and other errors before anyone can see it. This will, however, be only an alternative to the 'Edit' button users have been demanding for years. Twitter aims to more than double its total annual revenue to over $7.5 billion in 2023 with at least 315 million mDAU (monetisable daily active users), its CEO Jack Dorsey has said. "Our goal is to more than double our total annual revenue to over $7.5 billion in 2023. This requires us to gain market share with performance ads, grow brand advertising, and expand our products to small and medium sized businesses throughout the world," the Twitter CEO said during the virtual analyst day. Twitter ended 2020 with 192 million daily users, up 27 per cent (year-over-year) with growth from product improvements reaching an all-time high last year. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/apple-find-my-stalking-airtags-item-safety-alerts/articleshow/81342449.cms">Apple’s new Find My feature updated to prevent stalking as launch of the rumoured AirTags nears</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/regulating-digital-news-is-important-but-freedom-of-press-is-precious/articleshow/81341289.cms">OPINION: Regulating digital news is important but freedom of press is precious</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/heranba-industries-ipo-makes-a-bumper-debut-on-stock-exchanges/articleshow/81342578.cms?upcaceh=2">Heranba Industries makes a bumper debut on stock exchanges — shares soar 44% over the issue price band</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/ignore-low-cibil-score-for-street-vendor-loans-work-on-holidays-and-other-diktats-from-indian-government-to-banks-rushing-to-meet-march-target/articleshow/81223572.cms">EXCLUSIVE: Bankers may be working all 31 days of March with the government looking to double the loans doled out under the PM SVANidhi scheme</a>

Twitter may soon bring a button to unsend tweets

<keyword id="163437" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="US-employers">US employers</keyword> added 379,000 <keyword id="11018" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jobs">jobs</keyword> in February, with the <keyword id="6358907" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="unemployment">unemployment</keyword> rate little changed at 6.2 per cent, the <keyword id="57432" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Labour-department">Labour Department</keyword> reported. In February, most of the job gains occurred in leisure and hospitality, with smaller gains in temporary help services, health care and social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing, according to the monthly report released on Friday by the Department's Bureau of Labour Statistics. Employment fell in state and local government education, construction and mining, Xinhua news agency reported citing the report as saying. The unemployment rate, meanwhile, edged down by 0.1 <keyword id="1624988" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Percentage-Point">percentage point</keyword> to 6.2 per cent in February, but still well above the pre-pandemic level of 3.5 per cent in February 2020. Despite the improvement in the pandemic-ravaged labour market, some 10 million people remained unemployed in February, well above the pre-pandemic level of 5.7 million, the report showed. The number of permanent job losers, at 3.5 million, was essentially unchanged in February, but is 2.2 million higher than a year earlier, according to the report. The labour force participation rate remained at 61.4 per cent in February, according to the report, and this measure is 1.9 percentage points lower than a year earlier. Amid widespread Covid-19 shutdowns in March and April last year, 22 million Americans lost their jobs. Despite improvement in the pandemic-ravaged labour market, the recovery has been stalled in recent months amid surging Covid-19 cases. The weekly jobless claims report released on Thursday showed that the total number of people claiming benefits in all programs, state and federal combined, for the week ending February 13 decreased by 1 million, but remained elevated at 18 million. Lawmakers are debating a $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief package in the Senate, as Democrats highlighted the urgency to rein in the surging pandemic, and to bolster the ravaged economy. Republicans have however, called it a Democratic wish list, arguing that the plan includes provisions unrelated to the crisis, and the high price tag could result in unsustainable debt for future generations. Democrats hope to send the bill to President Joe Biden's desk before unemployment benefits expire in mid-March. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/apple-find-my-stalking-airtags-item-safety-alerts/articleshow/81342449.cms">Apple’s new Find My feature updated to prevent stalking as launch of the rumoured AirTags nears</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/regulating-digital-news-is-important-but-freedom-of-press-is-precious/articleshow/81341289.cms">OPINION: Regulating digital news is important but freedom of press is precious</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/heranba-industries-ipo-makes-a-bumper-debut-on-stock-exchanges/articleshow/81342578.cms?upcaceh=2">Heranba Industries makes a bumper debut on stock exchanges — shares soar 44% over the issue price band</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/ignore-low-cibil-score-for-street-vendor-loans-work-on-holidays-and-other-diktats-from-indian-government-to-banks-rushing-to-meet-march-target/articleshow/81223572.cms">EXCLUSIVE: Bankers may be working all 31 days of March with the government looking to double the loans doled out under the PM SVANidhi scheme</a>

US adds 379,000 jobs in February, say Labour Department report

India Grid Trust, India's first power infrastructure <keyword id="2948615" type="DOMAIN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Investment-trust">investment trust</keyword> (InvIT), on Saturday signed a share purchase agreement to acquire NER-II Transmission Limited from <keyword id="3245667" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sterlite-Power">Sterlite Power</keyword> as part of the Framework Agreement. The indicative value of the <keyword id="30334" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="acquisition">acquisition</keyword> is ₹4,625 crore and would boost IndiGrid's AUM (asset under management) by 34 per cent to over ₹20,000 crore ($2.8 billion). Post completion, the platform's asset portfolio would consist of 13 power transmission projects, with a <keyword id="10879999" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="total-network">total network</keyword> of 38 power transmission lines and 11 substations extending over 7,570 circuit kilometers and 13,350 MVA in 17 Indian states and 1 Union Territory. NER-II is part of Inter State Transmission Scheme (ISTS) network, and was awarded on a Build, Own, Operate, Maintain ("BOOM") basis with a contractual period of 35 years. The project has 11 elements including two substations of 1,260 MVA capacity and four transmission lines extending over 830 circuit kilometres. The asset spans across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura and is of strategic importance for the delivery of power in one of the <keyword id="10879998" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="toughest-regions">toughest regions</keyword> in the country. This project will strengthen the power transmission network in the <keyword id="80223" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="North-Eastern-states">North Eastern States</keyword> and address the of transmission, sub-transmission, and distribution system needs of the region. IndiGrid had signed a framework agreement in April 2019 with <keyword id="45465" type="DOMAIN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sterlite">Sterlite</keyword> Power for acquisition of NER-II upon commissioning. This transaction is expected to be consummated during Q4 FY21, subject to unitholders' approval, regulatory approvals, and other customary closing adjustments. The acquisition will be funded through a combination of internal accruals, debt, equity proceeds from the preference issue done in May 2019 and forthcoming rights issue. Post this acquisition, the net debt/AUM would stand at 64 per cent. Commenting on the acquisition, Harsh Shah, Chief Executive Officer of IndiGrid, said: "We are excited with acquisition of NER-II which is one of the largest acquisitions in Indian power transmission sector in India. NER-II fits well with our strategy of focusing on operating assets with long term cash flows and minimal counter party risk. This acquisition would be DPU accretive and augment our recent increase of DPU to ₹12.40 per annum for a considerable period." Commenting on the transaction, Pratik Agarwal, Managing Director, Sterlite Power said, "This mega transmission project will help deliver reliable power for 5.3 crore people in India's north eastern region." IndiGrid has acquired ₹8,300 crore assets since the last capital raise including ₹7,100 crore of Framework/ROFO projects from Sterlite Power and first cost-plus transmission asset from Reliance Ifrastructure. It has also announced its foray into the renewables sector with the planned acquisition of 138 MW solar asset. Separately, in FY21, KKR was inducted as a sponsor following the ₹2,510 crore preferential issue in 2019 which was subscribed by KKR and <keyword id="6357968" type="DOMAIN" weightage="20" keywordseo="gic">GIC</keyword> amongst other marquee investors. KKR has also acquired majority interest in the Investment Manager SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/regulating-digital-news-is-important-but-freedom-of-press-is-precious/articleshow/81341289.cms">OPINION: Regulating digital news is important but freedom of press is precious</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/heranba-industries-ipo-makes-a-bumper-debut-on-stock-exchanges/articleshow/81342578.cms?upcaceh=2">Heranba Industries makes a bumper debut on stock exchanges — shares soar 44% over the issue price band</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/ignore-low-cibil-score-for-street-vendor-loans-work-on-holidays-and-other-diktats-from-indian-government-to-banks-rushing-to-meet-march-target/articleshow/81223572.cms">EXCLUSIVE: Bankers may be working all 31 days of March with the government looking to double the loans doled out under the PM SVANidhi scheme</a>

IndiGrid inks largest transmission deal with Sterlite Power

Four top Republican <keyword id="78619" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Senators">senators</keyword> on Friday urged US President <keyword id="99719" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Joe-Biden">Joe Biden</keyword> not to accept a proposal by India and South Africa to the <keyword id="84934" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Trade-Organisation">World Trade Organisation</keyword> to waive anti-Covid vaccine patents to boost its supply. India, South Africa and <keyword id="2386915" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="other-countries">other countries</keyword> are presenting a proposal at the World Trade Organisation to waive all <keyword id="80726" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Intellectual-Property-Rights">intellectual property rights</keyword> for any innovation related to COVID-19," the group of four Republican senators wrote in a letter to Biden. The proponents of this scheme argue that if we just destroy the intellectual property developed by American companies, we will suddenly have more manufacturers producing COVID-19 <keyword id="79555" type="TECHNOLOGY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vaccines">vaccines</keyword>, they said. In the letter, Senators Mike Lee, <keyword id="2309726" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tom-Cotton">Tom Cotton</keyword>, Joni Ernst and Todd Young urged Biden to reject the upcoming proposal at the WTO. But the opposite is true. By destroying the intellectual property of every American company that has worked on COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, we would be ending the progress -- started under Operation Warp Speed -- that led to the fastest development of life-saving vaccines in history," the Senators wrote. They alleged that some countries believe that they would benefit from seizing America's intellectual property. But this is a mistake, they said. Waiving all rights to intellectual property would end the innovation pipeline and stop the development of new vaccines or boosters to address variants in the virus. It also wouldn't increase the supply of vaccines because of the tremendous time and resources needed to build new manufacturing plants and acquire the knowhow to produce these complex medicines, they said. Even if the waiver may temporarily result in a few copycats attempting to produce what American companies developed, it would introduce major quality control problems, the Senators said. As a global leader and a force for good, we can do a lot to help other countries overcome the virus. But destroying our rights to intellectual property wouldn't advance our mission of fighting the virus -- it would make the problem worse, for America and for the world, they wrote. The end of this pandemic is in sight. More than 50 million Americans have been vaccinated, and cases have declined by more than 75 percent from their recent high. We stand ready to work with you to bring an end to this deadly crisis and urge you to take a strong stand against this scheme that would halt our progress, the Senators said. In a statement, the US Chamber of Commerce's Global Innovation Policy Centre (GIPC) senior Vice president Patrick Kilbride said the proposals to waive intellectual property rights are misguided and a distraction from the real work of reinforcing supply chains and assisting countries to procure, distribute and administer vaccines to billions of the world's citizens. Diminishing intellectual property rights would make it more difficult to quickly develop and distribute vaccines or treatments in the future pandemics the world will face, he said. Early this week, hundreds of American civil society organizations and three top Congressmen urged Biden not to block the waiver to COVID-19 vaccines at the World Trade Organisation, a move they said would boost the treatment of coronavirus patients worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic knows no borders and the need for vaccine development and dissemination across the globe is critically important. The TRIPS waiver raised by India and South Africa at the WTO would help the global community move forward in defeating the scourge of COVID-19 by making diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines available in developing countries, Congressman Rosa DeLauro, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee told reporters at a news conference. The WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) requires countries to provide lengthy monopoly protections for medicines, tests and technologies used to produce them. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/apple-find-my-stalking-airtags-item-safety-alerts/articleshow/81342449.cms">Apple’s new Find My feature updated to prevent stalking as launch of the rumoured AirTags nears</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/regulating-digital-news-is-important-but-freedom-of-press-is-precious/articleshow/81341289.cms">OPINION: Regulating digital news is important but freedom of press is precious</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/heranba-industries-ipo-makes-a-bumper-debut-on-stock-exchanges/articleshow/81342578.cms?upcaceh=2">Heranba Industries makes a bumper debut on stock exchanges — shares soar 44% over the issue price band</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/ignore-low-cibil-score-for-street-vendor-loans-work-on-holidays-and-other-diktats-from-indian-government-to-banks-rushing-to-meet-march-target/articleshow/81223572.cms">EXCLUSIVE: Bankers may be working all 31 days of March with the government looking to double the loans doled out under the PM SVANidhi scheme</a>

Republican senators urge Biden not to accept India and South Africa proposal to WTO to waive COVID-19 vaccine patents

India's COVID-19 tally rose to 1,11,92,088 with over 18,000 fresh cases being reported in a span of 24 hours in the country after 36 days, while active cases registered an increase for the fourth consecutive day on Saturday and were recorded at 1,80,304, according to the <keyword id="83655" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-health-ministry">Union Health Ministry</keyword>. The death toll reached 1,57,656 with 108 <keyword id="10603965" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="more-fatalities">more fatalities</keyword>, while a total of 18,327 new cases were registered in a day, the ministry's data showed. On January 29, 18,855 new infections were recorded in a span of 24 hours after which the daily rise in fresh cases remained below 18,000. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,08,54,128 which translates to a national COVID-19 recovery rate of 96.98 per cent, while the case fatality rate stands at 1.41 per cent. The COVID-19 active caseload has increased to 1,80,304 which now comprises 1.61 per cent of the total infections. India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20 lakh-mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one crore-mark on December 19. According to the ICMR, 22,06,92,677 samples have been tested up to March 5 with 7,51,935 samples being tested on Friday. The 108 new fatalities include 53 from <keyword id="13126" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maharashtra">Maharashtra</keyword>, 16 from Kerala and 11 from <keyword id="6354953" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="punjab">Punjab</keyword>. A total of 1,57,656 deaths have been reported so far in the country, including 52,393 from Maharashtra followed by 12,513 from Tamil Nadu, 12,354 from <keyword id="6354780" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Karnataka">Karnataka</keyword>, 10,918 from <keyword id="66" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Delhi">Delhi</keyword>, 10,275 from West Bengal, 8,729 from Uttar Pradesh and 7,172 from <keyword id="37102" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Andhra-Pradesh">Andhra Pradesh</keyword>. The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities. "Our figures are being reconciled with the <keyword id="6364555" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Council-of-Medical-Research">Indian Council of Medical Research</keyword>," the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/apple-find-my-stalking-airtags-item-safety-alerts/articleshow/81342449.cms">Apple’s new Find My feature updated to prevent stalking as launch of the rumoured AirTags nears</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/regulating-digital-news-is-important-but-freedom-of-press-is-precious/articleshow/81341289.cms">OPINION: Regulating digital news is important but freedom of press is precious</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/heranba-industries-ipo-makes-a-bumper-debut-on-stock-exchanges/articleshow/81342578.cms?upcaceh=2">Heranba Industries makes a bumper debut on stock exchanges — shares soar 44% over the issue price band</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/ignore-low-cibil-score-for-street-vendor-loans-work-on-holidays-and-other-diktats-from-indian-government-to-banks-rushing-to-meet-march-target/articleshow/81223572.cms">EXCLUSIVE: Bankers may be working all 31 days of March with the government looking to double the loans doled out under the PM SVANidhi scheme</a>

India records 18,327 new COVID-19 infections, active cases rise again

Packed with industry-leading health and fitness tools, <keyword id="6354427" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="apple">Apple</keyword> Watch has once again dominated one of the key wearable segment, leading the <keyword id="10878690" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="smartwatch-category">smartwatch category</keyword> with a 51 <keyword id="10878691" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="per-cent-global-share">per cent global share</keyword> in 2020 and further cementing its position in the India market, according to latest reports this week. <keyword id="22670" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="watches">Watches</keyword> grew significantly as demand for wrist bands declined during the year, witnessing a 139.3 per cent (on-year) growth with 2.6-million unit shipments last year. According to the IDC, smartwatches, which can run third-party applications on the device itself, accounted for a 24.5 per cent share in the watch category and Apple continues to lead the smartwatch category with a massive 51 per cent share in 2020. "In India, mainly Watch 3 and Watch 6 led to the growth in 2020. Apple Watch has been well received by the Indian consumers," Navkendar Singh, Research Director, Client Devices &amp; IPDS, <keyword id="126803" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="IDC-India">IDC India</keyword>, told. Price reductions on older Apple Watches and the promotional discounts offered by banks and e-tailer channels on Series 5 and Series 6 made the device a popular purchase among consumers in India. According to Jaipal Singh, Associate Research Manager, Client Devices, IDC India, the high cost associated with wearable watches is not much of a challenge anymore. "Also, the watch form factor is now seen as more appealing to the consumers, and vendors will leverage this shift by further expanding their watches portfolio in coming quarters," he added. <keyword id="6439913" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="counterpoint-research">Counterpoint Research</keyword> said that Apple Watch Series 6 and SE did well globally, shipping 12.9 million units and accounting for 40 per cent market share in Q4. "In a year where annual growth inched forward at only 1.5 per cent, Apple maintained its solid number one position and increased its market share by 6 per cent, helping shift the overall market closer to the premium segment," it said. Apple Watch users can view their cardio fitness levels in the Health app on <keyword id="6354606" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="iPhone">iPhone</keyword>, and receive a notification if it falls within the low range. Apple Watch already estimates average and higher levels of VO2 max during vigorous outdoor walks, runs, or hikes, which many runners and other athletes monitor to improve performance. Apple Watch also has several other health features like ECG, Fall Detection and more. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/apple-find-my-stalking-airtags-item-safety-alerts/articleshow/81342449.cms">Apple’s new Find My feature updated to prevent stalking as launch of the rumoured AirTags nears</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/regulating-digital-news-is-important-but-freedom-of-press-is-precious/articleshow/81341289.cms">OPINION: Regulating digital news is important but freedom of press is precious</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/heranba-industries-ipo-makes-a-bumper-debut-on-stock-exchanges/articleshow/81342578.cms?upcaceh=2">Heranba Industries makes a bumper debut on stock exchanges — shares soar 44% over the issue price band</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/ignore-low-cibil-score-for-street-vendor-loans-work-on-holidays-and-other-diktats-from-indian-government-to-banks-rushing-to-meet-march-target/articleshow/81223572.cms">EXCLUSIVE: Bankers may be working all 31 days of March with the government looking to double the loans doled out under the PM SVANidhi scheme</a>

Apple Watch garners 51% global market share, India sweet spot, says report

Hospitality major <keyword id="7036155" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="OYO-Hotels-Homes">OYO Hotels &amp; Homes</keyword>' valuation has reached the $9 billion-mark, according to industry sources. The development comes after the latest fundraise of ₹54 crore or $7.31 million from <keyword id="145884" type="DOMAIN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hindustan-Media-Ventures-Ltd">Hindustan Media Ventures Ltd</keyword>. In a regulatory filing with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, OYO said that it has raised ₹54 crore ($7.31 million) at a share price of $58,490 as part of its <keyword id="10872902" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="series-f1-round">Series F1 round</keyword>. With over 50 products and more than 500 microservices, the company plans to utilise the capital in strengthening its technology stack for delivering an improved partner and customer experience. <keyword id="183958" type="DOMAIN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hindustan-Media-Ventures">Hindustan Media Ventures</keyword> subscribed to OYO's Series F1 Compulsory Convertible Cumulative Preference Shares (Series F1 CCCPS) for cash at an issue price of ₹43.20 lakh per Series F1 CCCPS for an aggregate consideration equivalent to ₹54 crore to Hindustan Media Ventures Limited on a private placement basis. The growth in valuation comes after it dropped to $8 billion last year from $10 billion in November 2019. OYO Hotels &amp; Homes is also backed by investors including the SoftBank Vision Fund, <keyword id="122716" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sequoia-Capital">Sequoia Capital</keyword>, <keyword id="860456" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lightspeed-Ventures">Lightspeed Ventures</keyword>, Airbnb, and Hero Enterprise, amongst others. In October 2019, OYO announced that it had raised $1.5 billion, as part of its Series F funding round. As a part of this round, RA Hospitality Holdings' infused approximately $700 million as primary capital in the company, with the balance of $800 million being supplemented by other existing investors. When contacted Abhishek Gupta, Chief Financial Officer, OYO Hotels &amp; Homes told: "We are delighted to welcome HT <keyword id="283616" type="DOMAIN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Media-Ventures-Ltd">Media Ventures Ltd</keyword>. as an investor in OYO. Their support will help us to further build on our unique technology stack for small hotels and homeowners across the world." He said that OYO is on a steady path of resurgence in 2021, the company is seeing signs of recovery in its core markets of India, Europe, and Southeast Asia while sustaining gross margin dollars at pre-Covid levels. "Despite the pandemic, the company's valuation has held through and we believe this will only improve as the guests across the world gradually begin to travel again," Gupta said. Piyush Gupta, Group CFO, HT Media Ventures Ltd, said: "We are extremely excited to partner OYO in its mission of supporting owners and operators of small and independent hotels and homes through its pioneering technology. We look forward to working with the company's management as it continues to add value to the experience of its asset partners and guests alike." Hindustan Media Ventures is promoted by HT Media Ltd which holds 74.4 per cent stake in the company. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/apple-find-my-stalking-airtags-item-safety-alerts/articleshow/81342449.cms">Apple’s new Find My feature updated to prevent stalking as launch of the rumoured AirTags nears</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/regulating-digital-news-is-important-but-freedom-of-press-is-precious/articleshow/81341289.cms">OPINION: Regulating digital news is important but freedom of press is precious</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/heranba-industries-ipo-makes-a-bumper-debut-on-stock-exchanges/articleshow/81342578.cms?upcaceh=2">Heranba Industries makes a bumper debut on stock exchanges — shares soar 44% over the issue price band</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/ignore-low-cibil-score-for-street-vendor-loans-work-on-holidays-and-other-diktats-from-indian-government-to-banks-rushing-to-meet-march-target/articleshow/81223572.cms">EXCLUSIVE: Bankers may be working all 31 days of March with the government looking to double the loans doled out under the PM SVANidhi scheme</a>

OYO's valuation climbs again — hits $9 billion after its latest fundraise of $7 million

<ul><li><keyword id="6477319" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="bank-employees">Bank employees</keyword> are on strike today and tomorrow to protest the government’s proposal to privatise two more public sector banks this year.</li><li>Unlike past mergers, where one public sector bank was combined with another, divestment this time will mean a change of ownership from public to private.</li><li>Most branch-related services will be unavailable during the strike, but customers will still be able to operate their mobile and <keyword id="92298" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Net-banking">net banking</keyword> services or head to an ATM for cash. </li></ul>Over one million public sector bank employees are on strike today and tomorrow, March 15 and March 16, in protest of the government’s proposal of privatisation. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="81223572" title="EXCLUSIVE: Bankers may be working all 31 days of March with the government looking to double the loans doled out under the PM SVANidhi scheme" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> “The Government’s announcement to privatise our public sector banks is totally unfortunate and unwarranted. The need of the hour is to strengthen public sector Banks” said the strike notice by the All India Bank Officers' Confederation (AIBOC). Meanwhile, private sector banks like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Axis Bank and IndusInd Bank, which account for around one-third of the market share, are expected to operate as usual. Services that may be affected due to the stick at public sector banks: <ul><li>Deposit and withdrawal services at branches</li><li>Opening of new accounts</li><li>Cheque clearance</li><li>Loan approvals</li></ul>However, ATMs are expected to function normally during the course of the strike, provided they don’t run short on cash. Mobile and net banking services will operate as expected. Why are public sector <keyword id="3523785" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bank-Employees-on-strike">bank employees on strike</keyword>? The main demand of the unions’ is that the government should withdraw its plan to privatise state-run banks. According to Finance Minister Sitharaman’s announcement, the government plans to privatise two more public sector banks this year — apart from the sale of IDBI Bank. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="80971254" title="Bank of India, Central Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, and Bank of Maharashtra rally by over 19% on hopes of privatisation" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> Top 10 Indian banks with the most government stake: <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Public sector bank </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Percentage of government shareholding </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Indian Overseas Bank </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">95% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">UCO Bank </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">93.29% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Punjab National Bank </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">92.22% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Central Bank of India </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">88.02% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Bank of India </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">87.05% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Bank of Maharashtra </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">87.01% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Indian Bank </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">81.73% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Punjab and Sind Bank </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">79.62% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Canara Bank </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">72.55% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Union Bank of India </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">67.34% </td></tr></tbody></table>Source: Centre for Financial Accountability (CFA) In the past when public sector banks went on strike, it was to oppose the merger of public sector banks — like Syndicate Bank with Canara Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce with Punjab National Bank, and Dena Bank with Bank of Baroda. In the past four years, the government has merged 14 public sector banks. This time around, mergers will mean that public sector banks will no longer be ‘public’. With the government planning on outrightly reducing its stake, public sector banks will see a change in ownership with control being given to private investors. According to the unions, employment opportunities will shrink and jobs will be contractual rather than permanent, affecting job security. Moreover, the move would prove beneficial for whoever buys these banks but not for the depositors. “Private banks do not entertain loans to poor people and for the priority sectors. Their aim is only more and more profit. Service charges are more in private banks and common people will be affected. Rural branches may be closed in the name of non-viability,” said the strike notice. However, many are questioning whether or not going on strike will yield a different outcome than the numerous times the banks have travelled down this path — and failed. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/ignore-low-cibil-score-for-street-vendor-loans-work-on-holidays-and-other-diktats-from-indian-government-to-banks-rushing-to-meet-march-target/articleshow/81223572.cms">EXCLUSIVE: Bankers may be working all 31 days of March with the government looking to double the loans doled out under the PM SVANidhi scheme</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/bank-of-india-central-bank-of-india-indian-overseas-bank-and-bank-of-maharashtra-rally-by-over-10-on-hopes-of-privatisation/articleshow/80971254.cms">Bank of India, Central Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, and Bank of Maharashtra rally by over 19% on hopes of privatisation</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/asset-quality-hdfc-bank-icici-bank-axis-bank-and-others-is-better-than-expected-according-to-moodys/articleshow/80706240.cms">Moody's sees better than expected recovery of asset quality in India's leading private banks</a>

Bank employees on strike today and tomorrow — ATMs, net and mobile banking likely to be the only relief

<ul><li>Around 115 kilometres from the city of Visakhapatnam, <keyword id="566330" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Araku-Valley">Araku Valley</keyword> is ideal for those itching to get away from it all.</li><li>This rustic hill station is perched at about 1,200 metres above sea level in the Eastern Ghats.</li><li>The Borra Caves, also called Borra Guhalu, is considered one of India's largest and deepest caves in India.</li></ul>Around 115 kilometres from the city of Visakhapatnam, the truly tranquil hill station of Araku Valley in Andhra Pradesh is ideal for those itching to get away from it all. Frequented by people in Visakhapatnam (Vizag) who are, perhaps, sick of staring at the sea and need to get away from the sweltering heat, the picturesque hill station has also become increasingly popular because of its coffee plantations. In fact, the Britishers realised the potential of the region's microclimate in the 1900s and set up coffee plantations here. <div type="image" title="Araku Valley" msid="81363695" hostid="261"></div> This rustic hill station is perched at about 1,200 metres above sea level in the Eastern Ghats. So lovely is the terrain, that it features in a bunch of popular Telugu movies. Like most hill stations, Araku has a plethora of 'touristy' hotspots like the Borra caves, Chaparai cascade waterfalls, Tribal Museum, Katika waterfalls, Ananthagiri Hills, Araku Waterfalls, Tyda Nature Camp, and Tatipudi Reservoir. However, brand consultant, Shilpa Colluru, who stayed at Sunkarametta Village, recommends this place because "it is quiet, peaceful and lovely if you want to spend a few days doing nothing except stare at some gorgeous views, take long walks and generally unwind.” <div type="image" title="Araku Valley" msid="81363726" hostid="261"></div> The Borra Caves, also called Borra Guhalu, is considered one of India's largest and deepest caves in India. It features a variety of cave formations - stalactites and stalagmites ranging in size and shape. Tribals of the area share a legend that a cow apparently fell through the roof of one of the caves and miraculously survived, and the cowherd who found his cow noticed a ‘Shiva Lingam’ shaped stone in the cave and surmised it was Lord Shiva who saved the cow and thus to this date there is a tiny temple outside the cave that is frequented by locals and tourists alike. While the area is teeming with waterfalls, it is also, unfortunately, overflowing with tourists, and discerning travellers may want to skip the experience. But if large crowds are not a deterrent, you can scope out: Chaparai cascade waterfalls, which are not traditional waterfalls, but water flowing over massive boulders that make for a unique experience. Three kilometres from Ananthagiri village, Ananthagiri waterfalls, also known as Tadimada waterfalls, is a bit of a trek to get to, and therefore you may find it less crowded. Araku waterfalls, also called Ranajilleda waterfalls, is a 60-feet high waterfall requiring a small amount of hard work (15-minute trek) to get there. Around seven kilometres from the Borra Caves, the 100-feet-high Katika waterfalls is yet another tourist hotspot accessible by jeep, and people have permission to cook there. Tyda, a small village 70 kilometres from Vizag, is popular because of an ecotourism resort run by AP Tourism and the forest department called Jungle Bells Camp or Tyda Nature Camp. The camp is strategically located amidst rich flora and fauna and offers several adventure activities, including trekking, hiking, and bird watching, making it a great place to visit with family. <div type="image" title="Araku Valley" msid="81363774" hostid="261"></div> Getting there: Araku Valley is about a 3-hour drive from Visakhapatnam, which is where the nearest airport is located. Alternatively, one can also opt for the 'glass train' fitted with massive windows for travellers to soak in the gorgeous views. Upon arrival, travellers can hire a rickshaw to take you to your place of stay. Places to stay: While the options are pretty limited, very basic and mostly government-run establishments, they are all clean and decently maintained, and the food is usually good — a wholesome South Indian spread. Colluru recommends trying out the special delicacies made by the tribals living in the area like the Bamboo Chicken. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/regulating-digital-news-is-important-but-freedom-of-press-is-precious/articleshow/81341289.cms">OPINION: Regulating digital news is important but freedom of press is precious</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/heranba-industries-ipo-makes-a-bumper-debut-on-stock-exchanges/articleshow/81342578.cms?upcaceh=2">Heranba Industries makes a bumper debut on stock exchanges — shares soar 44% over the issue price band</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/ignore-low-cibil-score-for-street-vendor-loans-work-on-holidays-and-other-diktats-from-indian-government-to-banks-rushing-to-meet-march-target/articleshow/81223572.cms">EXCLUSIVE: Bankers may be working all 31 days of March with the government looking to double the loans doled out under the PM SVANidhi scheme</a>

Araku Valley, an idyllic weekend getaway spot in the north-eastern corner of Andhra Pradesh

<ul><li>Pench alone has over 53 tigers living in the reserve and an additional 80 tigers (approximately) utilising the reserve.</li><li>The reserve was the muse behind Rudyard Kipling’s iconic character ‘Mowgli’ from The Jungle Book.</li><li>Somewhat of a legend, T15, also called <keyword id="4388723" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="collarwali">Collarwali</keyword> Baghin, is a 14-year-old tigress who has happily provided Pench eight litters - in total, she has had 29 cubs, out of which 25 have survived.</li></ul>A mere glimpse of the majestic big cat is the surreal experience most wildlife enthusiasts yearn for, and <keyword id="57596" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pench-Tiger-reserve">Pench Tiger Reserve</keyword> in <keyword id="6355554" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Madhya-Pradesh">Madhya Pradesh</keyword> is undoubtedly an excellent place to start the pursuit. Boasting a healthy population of tigers, this 758 square kilometre park in the southern part of Madhya Pradesh was given the status of a national park in 1975 and was established as a tiger reserve in 1992. Named after the Pench River that cuts through the park, this national park consists of two parts -- the Priyadarshini National Park and <keyword id="10883492" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mowgli-Pench-Sanctuary">Mowgli Pench Sanctuary</keyword>, which covers an area of 299 square kilometres and a buffer area of 464 square kilometres. Around 257 square kilometres of this park lies in Maharashtra, which is also accessible from Madhya Pradesh. The reserve was the muse behind Rudyard Kipling’s iconic character ‘Mowgli’ from The Jungle Book. Supriya Sehgal, a Mumbai-based travel and children's book author and the co-founder of a digital marketing and production house, tells Business Insider, “I had the opportunity to spend a short but memorable time in Pench through the eyes of Pugdundee Safaris, while on a long Madhya Pradesh national parks loop. It is believed that Pench and the surrounding areas were the inspiration behind 'The Jungle Book' by Rudyard Kipling. While this piece of information alone was amply intriguing for me, naturally, spotting a tiger sprawled close to a watering hole trumped it. It was a female, eyes heavy with sleep under a leafy patch that curtailed the harsh hand of the sun, in touching distance of a natural pool — it was the perfect way to unwind — one, I would have wanted for myself, but there was more of the vast jungle to explore.” <div type="image" title="Pench-Jungle-Camp-Mottled-Wood-Owl" msid="81374528" hostid="261"></div>Madhya Pradesh is one of the few Indian states blessed with a substantial number of national parks including -- Kanha Tiger Reserve, Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Panna Tiger Reserve, Pench Tiger Reserve, Satpura Tiger Reserve, Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve, Madhav National Park, Vanvihar National Park, Fossil National Park and Dinosaur Fossil National Park. At Pench, apart from a robust population of big cats, wildlife enthusiasts have much more to spot, including mammals like leopards, wolves, jackals, fox, striped hyenas, sloth bears, the Indian gaur, chital, sambar deer, nilgai, dholes (Indian wild dog), macaques, chinkara, barking deer, wild boars, and swamp deer. The reserve also hosts snakes like cobras, pythons and the Indian krait and a diverse population of avian beauties like the Indian pitta, pintail duck, red wattled lapwings, owls, vultures and blue kingfishers. <div type="image" title="Pench Tiger Reserve" msid="81374325" hostid="261"></div><keyword id="10883491" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="deepika-sinha">Deepika Sinha</keyword>, a marketing and communications professional from Mumbai, has visited the Pench National Park four times now, and each time she says she falls more in love with the place. She tells Business Insider, “I have been extremely lucky to have some of my best sightings at Pench from the regal tigress to wild dogs, boars, jackals and the ever-so-shy sloth bear, which I'm told is a very unique sighting in Pench.” <div type="image" title="Pench Tiger Reserve" msid="81374334" hostid="261"></div>A 2018 government tiger status <a href="http://moef.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Tiger-Status-Report-2018_For-Web_compressed_compressed.pdf">report</a> estimated that India has around 3000 tigers, and Pench alone has over 53 tigers living in the reserve and an additional 80 tigers (approximately) utilising the reserve. As far as wildlife destinations in India go, Pench is among travel blogger Revati Victor’s hot favourites. She says, “It's one of the easiest to access (a 2-hour drive from Nagpur airport) and is where I have seen the most tigers... This is truly Jungle Book land, where regardless of whether you're here as a tourist to capture the famous tigress Collarwali for your Instagram or as a traveller to enjoy a quiet picnic under the watchful gaze of a pair of brown wood owls far from the crowds -- Pench has something to offer you and you will come away utterly fascinated.” <div type="image" title="The legendary Collarwalli" msid="81374415" hostid="261"></div> Somewhat of a legend, T15, also called Collarwali Baghin, is a 14-year-old tigress who saunters around the park wearing a tracking collar. She has happily provided Pench eight litters -- one litter of four cubs as recently as 2019. In <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/madhya-pradesh-pench-tiger-reserve-population-5875907/">total</a>, she has had 29 cubs, out of which 25 have survived. Two famous male arch-enemies who constantly battle over territory go by the name BMW (because of the B, M and W marking on his thigh) and Sula (referencing the wine brand because of the distinctive wine-glass-shaped marking on his body). The stories the guides and jeep drivers share during these safaris can be quite intriguing, so it's best to keep your eyes and ears peeled. Best time to visit: November to February is considered the best time to visit Pench since the temperature hovers around 10° to 28° celsius, making the safari quite pleasant. With temperatures between 28° to 45° celsius, March to June is often too hot to enjoy the tour, but some still brave the weather and make the trip. July to mid-October, the Pench National Park remains closed primarily because the monsoons are usually the breeding season. <div type="image" title="Pench-Tree-Lodge-Safari" msid="81374444" hostid="261"></div>Safari zones and timings: Pench National Park has seven zones – Turia, Karmajhiri, Jamtara, Rukhad, Wolf Sanctuary, Sillari, and Khursapar. The main entry points are Jamtara, Turia and Karmajhiri. Turia is the most popular because there are several water bodies in the area, thus increasing the chances of spotting wild animals out for a drink. The park timings vary depending on the season. The morning jeep safari starts from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM, and the evening safari starts from 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM. In the summer months (March to June), the safari timing changes to 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM. There is also a government-approved night safari in the Wolf Sanctuary from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM; this is great for those who want to catch a glimpse of wolves as well as jackals, spotted deer, sambar deer, nilgai and various nocturnal birds. Places to stay: There are a number of good properties in the region. Sinha highly recommends <a href="https://www.tajhotels.com/en-in/taj/baghvan-pench-national-park/">Baghvan, A Taj Safari - Pench National Park</a>, for a perfect mix of the fancy and the rustic. The property has 12 cottages and each cottage consists of a room, indoor and outdoor bathroom and a machaan where, if you are brave enough, you can spend the night in. Another great option is the <a href="https://www.penchtreelodge.com/">Pench Tree Lodge</a>, a Pugdundee Safaris’ property that consists of six treehouses and six luxury cottages set amidst forty acres of wilderness. Kiplings Court is a slightly more affordable option in the region. This well-kept government-run establishment has two 6-bed dorms as well as private cottages. Plus, it has the added advantage of being only a kilometre away from the park's Turia gate. Victor suggests <a href="https://www.penchjunglecamp.com/">Pench Jungle Camp</a> where she stayed in a room modelled after a tent. She says, “It is the perfect distance from both the Khursapar gate and action-packed Turia gate.” SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/ignore-low-cibil-score-for-street-vendor-loans-work-on-holidays-and-other-diktats-from-indian-government-to-banks-rushing-to-meet-march-target/articleshow/81223572.cms">EXCLUSIVE: Bankers may be working all 31 days of March with the government looking to double the loans doled out under the PM SVANidhi scheme</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/check-out-all-the-hiring-opportunities-in-2021-in-india/slidelist/81343839.cms">A whole host of jobs, from government to private to foreign companies in India, are opening up ⁠— here’s a look at some of those</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/these-are-the-worlds-top-food-delivery-companies-indias-zomato-and-swiggy-have-a-long-way-to-go-as-compared-to-their-global-counterparts-like-doordash-or-meituan/slidelist/81344728.cms">These are the world’s top food delivery companies – India’s Zomato and Swiggy have a long way to go as compared to their global counterparts like DoorDash or Meituan</a>

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