News Broadcasting
Indias Economic Confidence Uncomfortably Uncertain: Ipsos Study
MUMBAI: India’s economic confidence recovered marginally but it remains uncomfortably uncertain as food inflation remains sky high and economic growth dwindling, according to a report by global research firm Ipsos.
According to the “Ipsos Economic Pulse of the World” survey, India’s economic confidence increased by only 1 points to 54 percent in the month of September compared to the month of August 2013, however its rating further got pulled down to eighth most economically confident country in the world, as sentiments in G8 and other developed countries improve.
Thirty four percent Indian Citizen believe a further decline of 2 points. However, what is alarming is generally optimist Indians have turned pessimist, with only 40 per cent people expecting that the economy in their local area will be stronger in next six months, a drop of further 3 points.
Mick Gordon, CEO, Ipsos in India said, “India’s sizable current-account deficit compared to its economic output, nearly double-digit inflation in consumer prices and dwindling economic growth is making India’s economic sentiments uncomfortably uncertain.”
“Perhaps the crucial general election next year is limiting governments’ ability to make politically unappetizing economic decisions to implement drastic reforms to revive economic growth and to boost the weakening rupee,” added Gordon.
The online Ipsos Economic Pulse of the World survey was conducted in August 2013 among 18,503 people in 25 countries.
After a stagnant June/July, the average global economic assessment of national economies surveyed in 25 countries takes a turn for the better this month as 39% of global citizen’s rate their national economies to be ‘good.’ This shift largely reflects the inclusion of Norway in the global aggregate. Without Norway, the average is 37%, up one point from last sounding.
Source: Ipsos
A substantial margin continues to exist at the top of the global ratings between global leader Norway (97%), and runners-up Saudi Arabia (82%), Sweden (70%), Germany (67%), Canada (66%), China (63%), Australia (56%) and India (54%). Only a handful of those in Spain (5%) rate their national economies as ‘good’, followed by Italy (8%), France (9%), and Hungary (11%)
Countries with the greatest improvements in this wave: Indonesia (53%, 11pts), South Africa (25%, 5pts), Poland (23%, 3pts), South Korea (20%, 3pts), France (9%, 3pts) and Italy (8%, 3pts).
A strong majority of Brazilians (64%) continue to indicate they predict their local economies will be stronger in the next six months. A gap persists in between Brazilian ratings and the rest of the highest-ranking countries: Saudi Arabia (51%), Argentina (41%), India (40%), Indonesia (37%) and China (35%).
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
