GECs
India fourth most economically confident country: Ipsos Study
MUMBAI: Little did anyone know that the Modi sarkar that had vowed to boost growth, control inflation and restore investor confidence will actually work wonders at such a short span.
According to the study conducted by Ipsos, India’s economic confidence has got a major boost primarily due to a landslide victory of the business-friendly government led by Narendra Modi.
‘Ipsos Economic Pulse of the World’ survey reports that the country’s economic confidence shot up by six points to 66 per cent in May 2014 compared to April 2014, making it the fourth most economically confident country in the world after Saudi Arabia, Germany and China.
Indians are the most optimistic people in the world and are very confident of good time coming soon. For the very first time India (60 per cent) tops the list of countries whose citizens expect that its economy will be stronger in next half year. Marginally less than a half of Indian citizens (43 per cent) believe their local economy which impacts their personal finance is good, a significant rise of five points.
“All the data points in the Ipsos report indicate that India’s economic confidence has shot up substantially, which is also corroborated by the fact that India’s current account deficit has significantly eased, the currency has stabilised, inflation has substantially pulled back, stock market had a dream run so far and corporate earnings are improving,” said Ipsos CEO Mick Gordon in India.
“However, recent high food inflation, conflict in oil-producing Iraq and the fear of a below normal monsoon is big challenge for the new government,” added Gordon.
The online ‘Ipsos Economic Pulse of the World’ survey was conducted in May 2014 among 19,242 people in 25 countries. For the results of the survey herein, a total sample of 19,242 adults aged 18-64 in US and Canada, and aged 16-64 in all other countries, were interviewed between 1 and 15 April 2014.
For a second month in a row, the average global economic assessment of national economies surveyed in 25 countries remains unchanged as 39 per cent of global citizens rate their national economies to be good.
Although down two points since last round, Saudi Arabia (87 per cent) is in the lead once again, with Germany (75 per cent), China (66 per cent), India (66 per cent), Canada (65 per cent), Sweden (64 per cent) and Indonesia (59 per cent) following behind. European countries dominate the bottom of the global average: France (9 per cent), Italy (9 per cent), Spain (10 per cent), Romania (10 per cent), Hungary (18 per cent) and Argentina (18 per cent).
Countries with the greatest improvements in this wave: South Africa (28 per cent, 10points), Indonesia (59 per cent, 9 points), Russia (58 per cent, 8points), India (66 per cent, 6points), Great Britain (43 per cent, 6points), Poland (31 per cent, 6points) and Belgium (42 per cent, 2points).
Countries with the greatest declines: Australia (53 per cent, -7pts), Hungary (18 per cent, -6pts), Brazil (20 per cent, -6pts), South Korea (19 per cent, -4pts), Sweden (64 per cent, -2pts), Saudi Arabia (87 per cent, -2pts) and China (66 per cent, -2pts).
Up three points since last sounding, Saudi Arabia (67 per cent) leads the local economy assessment which impacts their personal finance, followed by Germany (55 per cent), Sweden (51 per cent), China (48 per cent), India (43 per cent), Canada (42 per cent), and Indonesia (39 per cent). Ranked the lowest in this measure this month is Italy (9 per cent), followed by Spain (11 per cent), Romania (12 per cent), Hungary (13 per cent), France (13 per cent), Japan (14 per cent) and Argentina (15 per cent).
New leader emerges, as for the first time India (60 per cent) tops the list of countries that predict their local economies will be stronger in the next six months. The rest of the highest-ranking countries are: Brazil (56 per cent), Saudi Arabia (53 per cent), Indonesia (50 per cent), China (39 per cent), Mexico (31 per cent) and Argentina (31 per cent). Only 6 per cent of those in France expect their future local economies will be “stronger” in the next half year, followed by South Africa (11 per cent), South Korea (13 per cent), Hungary (14 per cent) and Japan (14 per cent).
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
