GECs
Indians Optimistic About Future: Ipsos Study
MUMBAI: 50 per cent Indians are optimistic about Indian economy and expect that the economy will be stronger in next six months, a rise of two points, according to a report by global research firm Ipsos.
According to the “Ipsos Economic Pulse of the World” study, India’s economic confidence level has declined to 58 per cent in March 2014, a decline of three points. However, India continues to hold sixth position as the most economically confident country in the world after Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Germany, China and Canada.
Only 35 per cent Indians believe that the local economy which impacts their personal finance is good, a drop of two points.
“Inflation in India increased on account of higher food costs in March, breaking a three-month easing trend, this would give RBI little scope to support the economy amid fresh signs of slowdown,” said Mick Gordon, CEO, Ipsos in India.
“However Indians are hopeful that the new central government which will come to power with fresh mandate in May will bring in stability, push economic growth and build investor confidence,” added Gordon.
The online Ipsos Economic Pulse of the world survey was conducted in March 2014 among 18,675 people in 25 countries.
Holding steady for a second month in a row, the average global economic assessment of national economies surveyed in 24 countries remains unchanged this month as 38 per cent of global citizens rate their national economies to be ‘good.’
Saudi Arabia (86 per cent) remains the top-ranked country on this measure, but runner-up countries are not far behind: Sweden (80 per cent), Germany (76 per cent), China (69 per cent), Canada (66 per cent) and India (58 per cent). Those least likely to rate their national economies as ‘good’ are in Spain (6 per cent) and Italy (6 per cent) followed by France (10 per cent), South Korea (16 per cent), Hungary (17 per cent) and Argentina (18 per cent).
Countries with the greatest improvements in this wave: Sweden (80 per cent, 11pts), Russia (39 per cent, 7pts), South Africa (21 per cent, 4pts), Canada (66 per cent, 3pts), Hungary (17 per cent, 3pts) Germany (76 per cent, 2pts) and France (10 per cent, 2pts).
Countries with the greatest declines: Egypt (36 per cent, -20pts), South Korea (16 per cent, -7pts), Japan (25 per cent, -4pts), Argentina (18 per cent, -3pts), Poland (22 per cent, -3pts), Australia (54 per cent, -3pts) and India (58 per cent, -3pts).
Six in ten Brazilians (58 per cent) indicate they predict their local economies will be stronger in the next six months. The rest of the highest-ranking countries are: India (50 per cent), Saudi Arabia (49 per cent), Indonesia (42 per cent), China (36 per cent), Argentina (33 per cent) and Egypt (33 per cent).
Only one in twenty (5 per cent) of those in France expect their future local economies will be “stronger” in the next half year, followed by Belgium (8 per cent), Hungary (12 per cent), Poland (14 per cent), and South Korea (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.
