Category: Life & Style

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will introduce a four-day workweek for its employees starting April 2024. The initiative aims to tackle Japan’s record-low fertility rates and support young families.

“Flexibility in work styles is crucial,” said Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike in her policy speech. “This ensures no one has to quit their career due to childbirth or childcare.”

Under this policy, employees can opt for three days off per week. Parents with elementary school children will also have the option to reduce working hours with a slight salary reduction.

Addressing Japan’s Falling Birth Rate
Japan’s fertility rate dropped to 1.2 children per woman last year, far below the 2.1 needed for population stability, according to the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare. Despite government efforts, the country recorded only 727,277 births last year.

Governor Koike emphasized the urgency of the move, saying, “Now is the time for Tokyo to lead in improving lives, livelihoods, and the economy.”Work Culture and Gender Gap
Experts believe Japan’s long working hours discourage women from balancing careers and family life. According to the World Bank, only 55% of women participate in the workforce compared to 72% of men.

Paris has been named the world’s most attractive city for the fourth consecutive year. The French capital topped the Top 100 City Destinations Index 2024 by Euromonitor International, a global data analytics company.

This achievement comes just four months after Paris successfully hosted the Olympic Games. However, it also coincides with political uncertainty following the resignation of France’s minority government on Thursday.

The Top 100 City Destinations Index ranks 100 cities using 55 metrics across six key pillars. These pillars include:

• Economic and business performance
• Tourism performance
• Tourism infrastructure
• Tourism policy and attractiveness
• Health and safety
• Sustainability

The report, created by Euromonitor International in partnership with data company Lighthouse, highlighted that European cities continue to dominate. Six of the top 10 cities are from Europe, but non-European cities are also rising in the ranks.

Top 5 Cities in 2024:
1️⃣ Paris
2️⃣ Madrid
3️⃣ Tokyo
4️⃣ Rome
5️⃣ Milan

Tokyo and Singapore (ranked 9th) were the only Asian cities in the top 10. European cities maintain strong positions due to their well-developed tourism infrastructure.The Index also revealed a 19% increase in global international arrivals in 2024, driven by strong tourism demand. Europe remained the most popular region, recording 793 million international trips that year.

The Thailand Embassy in New Delhi announced that Indian passport holders can apply for an e-visa starting January 1, 2025. Applicants will need to pay the visa fee through offline payment methods, according to the embassy’s statement, as reported by ANI.

The 60-day visa exemption for tourism and short business trips will continue until further notice, the embassy confirmed. It added, “Applicants must pay a visa fee, and details on offline payment options will be provided by the Embassy and Consulate-Generals. Please note that visa fees are non-refundable under all circumstances.”

More information on the e-visa system will be shared soon. Currently, Indian travelers can also use the visa-on-arrival option when visiting Thailand.

Thailand Offers Debt Relief for 1.9 Million Borrowers Amid Rising Household Debt

The Thai government, led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has introduced new debt relief measures to support citizens. The initiative targets 1.9 million borrowers with a combined debt of 890 billion baht ($26 billion) from housing, auto loans, and small business financing.

Borrowers will get a three-year break from interest payments. Officials from the Finance Ministry and Bank of Thailand said, “Reduced principal payments will also be offered to help ease the debt burden.”

Sanjay Malhotra, a seasoned civil servant known for keeping a low profile, has been appointed as the new Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), succeeding Shaktikanta Das after his six-year term.

The 56-year-old Princeton-educated Malhotra will take charge at a time when India faces slowing economic growth and stubborn inflation. His appointment is seen as a move to align fiscal and monetary policies more closely, as Malhotra is currently serving as India’s revenue secretary. He is set to hold the position for a three-year term.

“Under Das’ leadership, we had forecast that repo rate cuts would only begin in April,” said Shilan Shah of Capital Economics. “But given the announcement, we are now forecasting the first 25 basis point cut at Malhotra’s first meeting in charge in February.”

Dhiraj Nim, an economist at ANZ Research, emphasized the point, saying, “The appointment will ensure cohesion and coordination between monetary and fiscal policies.”

While Malhotra hasn’t made any public statements on inflation or growth so far, his leadership is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the RBI’s policy direction. With rate cuts now on the horizon, all eyes are on his first policy review in February.

Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam is all set to visit Odisha during his India tour in January, marking a significant boost to the state’s global partnerships. Singapore’s High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong, shared the news on Tuesday during his meeting with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi at Lok Seva Bhawan.

In a big win for Odisha, Singapore will also be the first official partner country for the Utkarsh Odisha-Make in Odisha (MIO) Conclave 2025, scheduled for January 28-29. This biennial event is Odisha’s flagship platform for attracting global investors.

Highlighting the importance of the visit, Wong said, “Odisha is the only state the president has chosen to visit during his India tour. This visit recognizes Odisha’s immense potential for business growth and its strong cultural connection with Singapore.” He pointed out the state’s key strengths in petrochemicals, green energy, and skills development as prime areas for future partnerships.

Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, who recently visited Singapore, welcomed the announcement with optimism. “There is tremendous potential for collaboration between Singapore and Odisha,” he said, emphasizing the opportunity to create new business and cultural connections.The upcoming visit by President Tharman is expected to deepen economic and cultural links between Singapore and Odisha, opening doors for new business opportunities, collaborative ventures, and investment prospects.

Morocco’s tourism sector is riding high, with a record 15.9 million visitors arriving by November 2024, marking a 20% surge compared to the same period in 2023, according to the Tourism Ministry. This milestone highlights Morocco’s rising status as a sought-after global destination.

November 2024 alone saw 1.3 million tourist arrivals, a 31% jump from the previous year. A key contributor to this growth was the strong turnout of Moroccan residents living abroad, whose visits increased by 17%, adding 1.1 million more travellers. This reflects the enduring bond between Moroccan expatriates and their home country.

Tourism remains a cornerstone of Morocco’s economy, contributing approximately 7% to GDP while also supporting job creation and bringing in vital foreign currency.

Looking ahead, Morocco’s tourism ambitions are crystal clear. The nation aims to welcome 17.5 million visitors by 2026 and a staggering 26 million by 2030. Hosting the FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal is expected to be a game-changer, propelling Morocco further into the spotlight as a prime tourist destination.

With visitor numbers on the rise and bold future goals in place, Morocco is solidifying its position as one of the world’s most attractive tourist hotspots.

On December 9, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Bima Sakhi Yojana in Panipat, Haryana. This initiative, introduced by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), aims to uplift and empower women while promoting financial literacy and insurance awareness.

Who Can Join?

Women aged 18 to 70 years with at least a Class 10th pass qualification are eligible for the scheme.

What’s in it for Women?

Here’s how the Bima Sakhi Yojana supports women step-by-step:

1. Specialised Training – Women receive hands-on training to build skills and confidence.
2. Stipend for 3 Years – They’ll get a monthly stipend of ₹7,000 in the first year, ₹6,000 in the second, and ₹5,000 in the third.
3. Career as LIC Agents – After completing the training, they can work as LIC agents.
4. Growth Opportunities – Graduates among them can even qualify to be considered for LIC Development Officer roles.

The Bigger Picture

This scheme is part of the government’s commitment to women empowerment under Viksit Bharat 2047, with a whopping ₹3 lakh crore allocated for women-focused initiatives in the FY25 budget. The goal? To create 25,000 skilled Bima Sakhis ready to shape their future while supporting others.

With financial independence, career growth, and hands-on support, the Bima Sakhi Yojana is more than just a scheme — it’s a chance for women to rise, lead, and make a lasting impact.

Dubai is set to become a more pedestrian-friendly city with the launch of the Dubai Walk Master Plan, approved by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai. The plan aims to create a 6,500 km network of walkways covering 160 areas across the city.

By 2040, Dubai will build 3,300 km of new walkways and upgrade 2,300 km of existing ones, with plans for an additional 900 km beyond 2040. It also includes 110 pedestrian bridges and underpasses to improve connectivity.

Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that the goal is to boost pedestrian movement from 13% to 25% by 2040, promoting a healthier lifestyle and making walking a key part of daily life.

The plan prioritizes safety, comfort, and accessibility with green spaces and seamless walkways. Officials, including Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed and other senior leaders, attended the launch near the Museum of the Future, where RTA’s Mattar Al Tayer shared the project’s impact on Dubai’s global competitiveness.

This initiative is part of Dubai’s mission to become one of the world’s healthiest, most sustainable cities, enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024 on Monday at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC). He will arrive at Jaipur airport in the morning before heading to JECC, where he will inaugurate the summit and take a brief tour of the exposition in Hall B.

In Hall A, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma will present a souvenir to PM Modi, followed by a welcome by a children’s choir. After this, the Chief Minister will address the audience, and a short film on Rising Rajasthan will be screened. Prominent industry leaders like Mukesh Ambani, Anil Agarwal, Anand Mahindra, Kumar Mangalam, and Karan Adani will deliver speeches before PM Modi’s special address.

Later, PM Modi will travel to Panipat, Haryana, to launch the Bima Sakhi Yojana by LIC. The scheme aims to train women aged 18-70 to become LIC agents, offering them a stipend for three years and future opportunities as LIC Development Officers.

He will also lay the foundation for the Maharana Pratap Horticultural University in Karnal, a 495-acre campus worth over Rs 700 crore, focusing on horticultural research and crop diversification.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first-ever ‘Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav’ at Bharat Mandapam, Delhi, on Friday. The three-day event, running from December 6 to 8, highlights the rich culture, craftsmanship, and economic potential of Northeast India.

In his address, PM Modi praised the Northeast’s vibrant culture and dynamic people, calling the region a key driver of India’s growth. He stressed the need to preserve cultural heritage while unlocking the region’s economic opportunities. After his speech, PM Modi toured various pavilions, interacting with artisans and craftsmen, acknowledging their work as a reflection of the Northeast’s diversity and traditions.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also attended the event, supporting the mission to increase awareness about the Northeast’s contributions to India’s economy.

The Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav brings together the eight Northeastern states under one roof, showcasing their traditional arts, crafts, handlooms, and GI-tagged products. The festival also features handmade exhibitions, Grameen haats, and state-specific pavilions, offering visitors an immersive experience into the region’s cultural richness. By promoting tourism, handicrafts, and agriculture, the event highlights the Northeast’s growing role in India’s cultural and economic landscape.