Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal presided over a review meeting with authorities from ONDC and Nirmit Bharat on Wednesday.

The discussions centered around using open digital networks to change retail and distribution systems, including small farmers and artisans on digital platforms, and improving logistics and mobility services via creative digital solutions.

Goyal commented on X, “Highlighting how these initiatives may increase market access, enhance service delivery, and promote broad-based economic engagement.”

Nirmit Bharat is a non-profit company of the government-backed Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).

One of the first investments made by a multinational technology firm in India’s open digital commerce network, ride-hailing platform Uber announced a strategic investment in ONDC earlier this month.

According to the company, the investment strengthens its commitment to India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) ecosystem and demonstrates its long-term plan to develop mobility and logistics services through open, interoperable networks.

The investment follows Uber’s previous integration with the network and is based on its current relationship with ONDC.

The investment demonstrates increasing trust in India’s digital commerce infrastructure and its capacity to establish a fair and equitable playing field for enterprises, according to Adil Zainulbhai, an independent director at ONDC.

Zoho Corporation had previously disclosed a Rs 70 crore investment in ONDC in order to promote the development of sovereign technology and bolster India’s digital public infrastructure.

According to the global technology firm located in Chennai, the investment is intended to increase access to and inclusion of technology for enterprises of all sizes, particularly micro, small, and medium businesses (MSMEs).

In FY2025-26, ONDC facilitated 218 million transactions as it kept extending its network across industries like financial services, mobility, logistics, and retail.

While addressing structural challenges like fragmented systems, high entry barriers, and trust deficits in digital commerce, ONDC is developing open digital commerce rails that aim to facilitate interoperability, inclusivity, and efficiency across all industries.

OpenAI revealed that China-linked actors utilized ChatGPT to create material designed to sway discussions over US tariffs and the accelerated expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure, prompting a bipartisan congressional leader to accuse China of attempting to take advantage of America’s open political system.

Rep. John Moolenaar, Chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, highlighted the findings and stated that the Chinese government was attempting to sway valid public debates in the United States.

There are legitimate concerns about data centres, and Americans deserve answers as businesses strive to create the infrastructure necessary for our nation’s future. Moolenaar stated that we are fortunate to live in a free and open society where we can debate these issues.

Sadly, the Chinese Communist Party uses its United Front organizations and other organizations to split Americans and take advantage of our openness. He continued by saying that “some components in China” are attempting to divide Americans over the construction of data centres through more concealed techniques, and that “its state-run media has explicitly released English-language content seeking to do so. “

According to OpenAI’s threat report for June 2026, the business blocked two clusters of ChatGPT accounts that were probably from China after they used the platform to advocate what it termed secret influence campaigns aimed at discussions over American AI policy and technology competition.

According to it, the first initiative, named the Data Center Bandwagon campaign, sparked social media postings and images that asserted AI data centers were raising power costs for average Americans.

OpenAI stated that the material was disseminated using social media profiles that were probably fake and intended to raise awareness of growing energy expenditures associated with AI infrastructure.

The second operation, which was known as the Tech and Tariffs campaign, resulted in political cartoons and remarks that condemned US tariffs and depicted Washington as vying for tech supremacy.

OpenAI stated that operators explicitly told the system to only show President Donald Trump and to avoid any allusions to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

According to the report, certain networks also propagated untrue allegations about ChatGPT user data being compromised. These allegations are untrue, according to OpenAI.

OpenAI said that the campaigns had minimal internet influence. The firm determined that the social media campaigns had no genuine participation and no proof of significant breakout beyond their own operations.

However, the company cautioned that the narratives being tested were what made the activities important. The campaigns, it claimed, tried to link US technology policies to economic worries and public issues while introducing foreign entities into current domestic discussions about AI, energy expenses, and technical rivalry.

Moolenaar stated that his panel will carry on looking at prospective foreign influence activities related to the growth of data centers.

He said, “I hope that all Americans engaged in these discussions would treat one another with respect, and my committee and I will keep looking into any Chinese malign influence in the data center controversy.”

The report is released at a time when China and the United States’ rivalry in the field of artificial intelligence is heating up.

In order to foster economic expansion and protect national security, both nations are making considerable investments in AI infrastructure, cutting-edge computing capabilities, and next-generation technologies. These are becoming more and more crucial.

Dev Rishi, General Manager for AI at Rubrik stated that, the biggest challenge facing organizations today is not AI capability but governance, security, and compliance. Even without creating its own frontier AI models, artificial intelligence can help India become a global leader in the next phase of technological innovation.

Rishi stated that firms worldwide are still in the early stages of AI adoption in advance of Rubrik’s yearly Forward event in Las Vegas, where the company is revealing a number of AI-focused cyber resiliency solutions.

Rishi stated that he believes we are in the early stages of AI’s transformation of the planet. The first generation of artificial intelligence was primarily informative and consisted of these LLM models.

The next step, he claims, will be led by AI systems that can do things and take action within organizations.

That transition from generative AI to adjunct AI, in my opinion, is what I typically think of as, he said. That is how it will actually start to create a great deal of ROI inside businesses.

Rubrik, a company that specializes in cyber resilience, revealed a fresh range of AI solutions aimed at assisting businesses in recovering more rapidly from cyberattacks and safely overseeing AI agents functioning within their organizations.

In addition, agent-driven recovery features are being introduced by the company, along with integrations for Anthropic’s Claude AI ecosystem.

According to Rishi, worries about governance and security, rather than technology constraints, are increasingly hindering big firms’ adoption of AI.

He stated that if you question enterprise CIOs and CISOs, they will tell you that governance, safeguards, and compliance are the biggest barriers to implementing AI.

It’s not about cost, it’s not about orchestration, and it’s not about quality.

The executive contended that AI itself will be necessary to ensure the security of AI systems.

“To use AI, he said, “you need to employ AI itself to secure and manage those agents. ”

Rishi provided a fresh perspective on the worldwide AI competition that diverged from the more competitive story between China and the United States.

He stated that his own opinion on AI is that it would become increasingly common everywhere.

I honestly believe that, like many other technologies, the advantages will grow over time.

Asked where India stands in the changing AI scenario, Rishi claimed the nation has significant benefits due to its technological skill and educational environment.

He stated that India has a very advanced tech sector and an outstanding education system that put it in an excellent position to lead the way in AI.

Although India hasn’t seen the same degree of foundation model development as the US or China, he said that this doesn’t preclude AI leadership.

He stated, “I don’t believe that’s a key need to become a leader in AI. ”

Instead, he thinks India will play a significant role in developing business tools and applications for AI. According to him, India will be actively involved in essentially developing some of the harnesses, settings, and verticalized applications around AI that enable organizations to get ROI from it considerably more quickly.

Governments might also gain a lot from utilizing AI in document evaluation, information synthesis, and approval processes, according to Rishi, who was born in India and is an Overseas Citizen of India cardholder.

Highlighting fields where public organizations encounter substantial delays in administrative reviews and paperwork, he stated, “I believe artificial intelligence can be quite beneficial in those areas. ”

Rishi rejected claims that AI is overblown, despite increasing worries about its risks.

“I believe that, like many other technologies, we’ll see that it may get a lot of attention in the short run,” he added. However, we discover that it is underhyped in the long run.

I believe AI will follow a really comparable scale, he remarked, drawing parallels between its route and the internet’s.

The quick ascent of generative AI since ChatGPT was released at the end of 2022 has sparked a worldwide competition among tech businesses and governments to create sophisticated models and AI-powered services.

India has also stepped up its efforts to create domestic AI capabilities and promote the wider use of artificial intelligence in education, healthcare, public services, and industry.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached 4,399 days in office on Wednessday, becoming India’s longest-serving elected leader.

The milestone was praised by the PM and Union ministers as evidence of the public’s confidence in him emphasizing the government’s development, welfare, and reform initiatives throughout the previous 12 years and demonstrating leadership.

What started in 2014 as a country struggling under the label of the Fragile Five? Now, economies have established themselves as the world’s most rapidly expanding large economy, fearlessly making headway toward the ambitious aim of becoming a $5 trillion economy.

This comprehensive plan details the last twelve years of the Union administration under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. not only about statistics, but it also reflects a shared aim where every citizen is viewed as a nation builder who supports a bigger ideal of autonomy and affluence.

The study, titled Rashtra Nirman (Nation Building), illustrates how India has changed from being one of the fragile five economies in 2013 to being the world’s fastest-growing big economy.

Current prices in the fiscal year (FY) 2025-26 show that India’s GDP has reached 345 lakh crore rupees. According to the report, the nation is quickly advancing toward a five-trillion-dollar economy.

The GDP of India has increased quickly after reaching $1 trillion after six decades following independence.

Rashtra Nirman said in a statement that by 2014, the economy had reached $2 trillion, and within a decade it had surpassed $4 trillion, and is now ready to reach $5 trillion in the following two years.

India, according to the World Bank, has emerged as the second-largest driver of global GDP growth, which is evidence of strong changes, digital transformation, and all-inclusive policies.

Inflation, formerly a continuous problem, has been brought under control, dropping from almost 10 per cent at the beginning of last year to a level that is manageable. from almost eight per cent in the early 2010s to less than five per cent in recent years, alleviating family pressure. budgets while sustaining development momentum.

This change is best illustrated by the electronics industry. Exports surged by 800% over the previous year. 38 million crore to 3. Production increased sixfold to Rs 11 lakh crore, while expenditure grew by three. Three lakh crores. Exports of mobile phones alone increased by 163 times, from a small Rs 0. from Rs 1. 016 lakh crore in 2014 to Rs 2. 2026 will see a 6 lakh crore increase.

The Production Linked Incentive program and semiconductor investments totaling 1. 83 trillion rupees are fueling this boom. India has established itself as a global center for production and created over 2. 5 million jobs thanks to investments of over 64 lakh crore.

The India Semiconductor Mission 2. 0. With 12 approved projects spread over six states, the government is establishing the groundwork for technological self-sufficiency, ensuring strong supply chains and reasonably priced electronics.

In 2025–2026, public sector banks, which had previously been burdened with non-performing assets, made a record profit of over Rs 2 lakh crore, marking a remarkable comeback.

The gross NPAs decreased from 4. from 4 percent in 2014 to barely 1. 93 percent by 2026, boosting credit accessibility and lowering financial strain.

In a similar vein, Rs 51 lakh crore in direct benefit transfers have been sent to citizens, removing leakages and guaranteeing that welfare programs reach the populace at the grassroots level.

India’s entrance into green aviation was heralded by sustainable aviation fuel projects and the rapid expansion of the aviation industry, which saw airports grow from 74 in 2014 to 164 in 2026.

The great equalizer has emerged in the form of technology. UPI has transformed transactions, with over 2,300 crore transactions totaling Rs 30 lakh crore occurring in March 2026.

Real-time payments in India currently make up 49% of all real-time payments made worldwide.

The number of Internet connections increased fourfold to 103 crore, with 5G services now available to 99 percent of the population. 9% of the districts.

Citizens’ participation has increased thanks to digital platforms such as DigiLocker, which has released 950 crore papers, and MyGov, which has six crore members.

The JAM trinity (Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile) allowed for seamless welfare delivery to over 58 crore beneficiaries as Aadhaar coverage increased to 144 crore.

Along with domestic advancement, India’s international standing has increased.

Nine significant free trade agreements, covering 38 countries, have been finalized, with six of them scheduled between 2024 and 2026, leading to a record-high export figure of Rs 79 lakh crore.

Underlining resilience against global shocks, foreign exchange reserves now cover 94% of external debt and eleven months of imports.

Rural incomes and the economies of small towns were bolstered even more by remittances totaling Rs 13 lakh crore in FY25–26.

The formerly marginalized Northeast has been integrated into the mainstream. The area is now considered to be a doorway to India’s prosperity and security, thanks to Prime Minister Modi’s over 83 visits in twelve years.

The landscape has been changed by road, bridge, and connectivity projects, bringing it more in line with the nation’s expansion narrative. This twelve-year road is about trust as much as statistics.

Reforms to taxation, including the new regime that excludes incomes up to Rs 12. While faceless tax systems boosted transparency, 75 lakh alleviated the burden on the middle class.

Strengthening trust in governance, citizens now see their money represented in roads, hospitals, and schools.

The rise of India from the Fragile Five to a confident, rapidly expanding economy is a narrative of tenacity, change, and unwavering desire. It is a story of technology enabling the poorest, infrastructure meeting innovation, and every citizen contributing to the development of the country.

As India approaches its one hundredth anniversary of independence, the dream of a developed, self-sufficient country is no longer a distant possibility, but rather a reality that is becoming apparent to the globe.

Piyush Goyal, the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, called the event a historic day and stated that PM Modi’s leadership over the previous twelve years had brought about transformative changes that had altered India’s growth path.

Goyal wrote on X that the benefits of every significant programme started by the PM Modi administration have reached the grassroots level, empowering millions nationwide, from farmers to entrepreneurs, women to MSMEs, and youth to the middle class.

Nirmala Sitharaman, the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, stated that Prime Minister Modi’s administration was characterized by resolute leadership during difficult times and was founded on the idea of Antyodaya.

The government’s guiding philosophy of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas, she added, made sure that every citizen received the benefits of development while acknowledging each person’s role in building the country.

Sitharaman said that the Modi-led NDA administration has taken historic steps and implemented a number of programs with unparalleled speed and size.

Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, the Union Minister for the Development of the North Eastern Region (MDoNER), hailed the achievement as evidence of PM Modi’s dedication to a Nation First strategy and the confidence of 140 million Indians.

Bharat has undergone a significant shift in the previous 12 years. Citing welfare initiatives, women’s empowerment, youth development, support for farmers, and India’s increasing global stature, he stated that what was formerly aspiration has progressively turned into accomplishment.

According to Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh, after serving 12 years as Prime Minister and becoming India’s longest-serving elected PM, PM Modi had attained a historic milestone.

Throughout the time, Puri emphasized accomplishments in social empowerment, infrastructure expansion, digital transformation, economic growth, and India’s stronger worldwide presence.

He stated that the government’s emphasis on inclusive development and citizen welfare was shown by initiatives including the Swachh Bharat Mission, Smart Cities Mission, PM SVANidhi, metro rail expansion, the UDAN scheme, and the Ujjwala Yojana, which he referred to as flagship programs.

He further stated that the goal of a Viksit Bharat was to give dignity, opportunity, and optimism to every citizen, not simply to become a developed nation by 2047.

Furthermore, the ministers emphasized that India’s journey toward becoming a developed country by 2047 would continue to be shaped by PM Modi’s vision, which has been supported by a series of electoral mandates.

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) announced on Tuesday that it will present a variety of deep-tech breakthroughs, strategic research initiatives, and incubated firms at “Bharat Innovates 2026,” an international technology display in France.

In order to discover, mentor, and showcase some of India’s most promising technology businesses originating from centrally sponsored technical institutes and institutions of higher education, the Ministry of Education in France will host the event from June 14–16.

According to IIT Madras, the event would link Indian entrepreneurs with a global audience of investors, legislators, industry leaders, research institutions, and technology partners.

In addition to showcasing 15 of its incubated companies, IIT Madras will manage two of the 13 thematic areas at the event.

Five major research initiatives showcasing India’s prowess in indigenous technology development and deep-tech innovation will be on display at the institute’s pavilion.

This includes a local AI ecosystem designed for certain domains, low-compute indigenous AI, port automation, 5G and 6G communications, lab-grown diamond technologies, and Hyperloop technology.

IIT Madras Director Prof. V. Kamakoti underlined the importance of the event and stated that the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 and Bharat Innovates 2026 are likely to present fresh chances for cooperation between French universities, research labs, firms, and IIT Madras.

He added that the event offers possibilities for collaborative research in 6G technology, shared testbeds, standards creation, startup collaborations, technology transfer, and talent exchange initiatives.

IIT Madras will be in charge of the event’s Blue Economy and Next-Generation Communications thematic sectors.

Startups like WiSig Networks, Astrome Technologies, and REIO Systems, which are creating Open RAN-based 5G solutions, wireless backhaul systems, and indigenous software-defined radio platforms, will be featured in the communications segment.

Planys Technologies, an IIT Madras-incubated business, will present underwater inspection technologies for maritime and offshore infrastructure in the Blue Economy sector. These technologies are based on remotely operated vehicles, autonomous systems, and AI-powered diagnostics.

In addition to presenting seaweed-derived natural polymer materials created as sustainable substitutes for traditional plastic packaging, Zerocircle is another company.

IIT Madras’ Hyperloop research project will be one of the strategic technologies on exhibit.

The Ministry of Railways has recognized the institute as the Centre of Excellence for Hyperloop Technology, and it is collaborating with TuTr Hyperloop on the creation of vacuum tube technology, levitation, and propulsion.

In addition to laser-based technologies that can embed invisible identification markings inside diamonds for authentication and traceability, IIT Madras will also highlight inventions from the Indian Centre for Lab Grown Diamonds (InCent LGD).

The institute will also showcase its research in low-compute artificial intelligence models, smart port automation systems, indigenous 5G and 6G technologies being developed by IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation.

According to the institute, the exhibition will offer global exposure for Indian inventions and create new opportunities for international collaborations, technical partnerships, and startup expansion.

AESL, India’s top energy solutions provider, announced on Tuesday that it had executed a binding securities purchase and subscription agreement (SPSA) to purchase a 100% interest in IntelliSmart Infrastructure Private Limited, a smart metering company, for Rs 3,050 crore.

The acquisition, according to the company, will improve AESL‘s standing in the smart metering market and increase its total smart meter portfolio to more than 4. 7 crore meters, making it India’s largest smart metering platform.

According to AESL, the deal involves the purchase of all of IntelliSmart’s equity share capital and the redemption of NIIF’s optional convertible debentures.

Regulatory clearances and other customary closing conditions still apply to the completion of the transaction.

IntelliSmart is a major joint venture in smart metering owned by the Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) and the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF). It owns and manages a portfolio of over 2. 2 crore smart meters in Bihar, Assam, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.

IntelliSmart’s footprint in a number of high-growth consumer segments, according to the company, is anticipated to serve as a solid basis for further growth.

According to Kandarp Patel, CEO of Adani Energy Solutions, “Acquisition of IntelliSmart enhances our scale and execution capabilities, allowing us to support India’s power distribution modernisation through technology-led solutions. ”

AESL stated that the purchase is in accordance with its plan to pursue value-accretive growth via both inorganic and organic means.

The business has projected that the transaction would produce operational synergies through economies of scale, optimization of operations and maintenance expenditures, and integration with its larger energy and infrastructure platform.

Anil Rawal, managing director and CEO of IntelliSmart, stated that the acquisition represents a major turning point for the firm and is anticipated to hasten India’s power distribution industry’s digitalization.

The fund’s capacity to develop and grow infrastructure firms in developing industries, according to Vinod Giri, Managing Partner at NIIF, is mirrored in IntelliSmart’s expansion into one of the nation’s top smart metering platforms.

He also said that the acquisition is a significant turning point in NIIF’s infrastructure investment plan and allows it to realize value while supporting India’s digital and energy change.

Akhilesh Dixit, CEO, EESL stated that the company is still committed to promoting digital transformation and energy efficiency throughout India’s power sector. He also added that the company feels the deal will further boost IntelliSmart’s capacity to serve power distribution firms and customers on a large scale.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has warned food shops and establishments throughout the nation to cease wrapping or serving food with newspapers, claiming that doing so poses significant health risks.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated that the advisory comes after a recent event in Mumbai where a vadapav hawker was seen wrapping and serving food in newspapers.

In the wake of the incident, the FSSAI’s West Region and the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) took coordinated action and gave instructions to prevent similar behaviors throughout the city and region.

The food safety regulator stated that printing inks used in newspapers contain hazardous chemicals, pigments, binders, and heavy metals, such as lead, which can leach into food when it comes into touch with hot or greasy goods.

It further stated that newspapers may transmit microorganisms that might lead to foodborne diseases since they are frequently exposed to unsanitary conditions during distribution and handling.

The FSSAI reaffirmed that the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations of 2018 expressly forbid the use of newspapers or comparable unapproved materials for the preservation, wrapping, or delivery of food.

The advisory applies to all food establishments, including street sellers, restaurants, cloud kitchens, caterers, quick service restaurants, hawkers, and mobile food vendors, who have been instructed to only utilize safe and food-grade packaging materials.

Additionally, FSSAI advised consumers to be cautious and to avoid eating items that were served or wrapped in newspapers.

In addition to promoting safe and sustainable packaging solutions in the food industry, FSSAI and state agencies are maintaining surveillance and enforcement in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The food safety authority sent a statutory notice to the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) in May after a video posted on social media claimed that Train No. 12223 Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT)-Ernakulam (ERS) Duronto Express’s utensils were handled in an unsanitary manner.

India’s persistent improvements over the previous 12 years to enhance its business regulatory environment, with the government’s emphasis moving from a compliance-heavy system to a facilitation-driven ecosystem, have resulted in the nation’s rising position in worldwide benchmarks for investor confidence and ease of doing business.

The World Bank’s Doing Business Report 2020 and other international assessments demonstrate the progress. According to the statement, India’s rank rose from 142 in 2014 to 63 in 2019, reflecting a 79-position advancement over five years.

For businesses, the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2025 evaluates the economic performance of the country, government, business efficiency, and infrastructure development. Between 2021 and 2025, India’s rank rose from 43 to 41. According to the factsheet, this demonstrates a better business climate, stronger governance, and better digital and regulatory reforms.

In 2020, 2022, and 2025, India was placed in Group A by the World Bank’s GovTech Maturity Index, which evaluates public sector digital transformation. This category comprises nations that have shown innovation and progress in vital government systems, the provision of public services, engaging citizens digitally, and govtech facilitators.

In addition, the United Nations carries out an E-Government Survey to evaluate the digital government environment in various nations. In the poll, India received a high overall rating. India has also received a very high rating in the online services index as a result. India has also done well in terms of human capital and telecommunication infrastructure. This shows strong digital public service delivery, increasing digital infrastructure, and better citizen access to technology-enabled government services.

These advancements are being made due to continuous attempts to streamline procedures and simplify regulations. Moreover, the government has eased the compliance load at every stage of a company’s existence. Reform initiatives cover a wide range of issues, from registration and logistical assistance to bankruptcy settlement. This is changing business practices and making things simpler for business owners all over the world, including India.

The government has made considerable reforms over the previous 12 years to streamline formalisation and business entry processes in India. According to the official release, these actions have eliminated procedural obstacles and made it possible for business owners and MSMEs to utilize paperless, speedier, and technology-driven systems.

In an effort to turn India into a nation of job creators rather than job seekers, it promotes the Startup India program, which aims to help entrepreneurs and create a strong startup ecosystem. A credit guarantee system, investor connect portal, Fund of Funds, and Seed Fund are all part of the support initiatives.

Only 502 businesses were acknowledged in 2016, resulting in 308 direct employment. Nevertheless, more than 2. 23 lakh companies have been acknowledged by March 2026, creating 23. 3 lakh direct employment. This rapid expansion has opened up possibilities for entrepreneurship and jobs. Furthermore, reflecting increasing inclusivity, around 48% of these firms have at least one woman director or partner.

The MCA21 Project, a forward-looking, AI-driven program, similarly improves transparency in India’s corporate environment. For registry and incorporation-related services of businesses and limited liability partnerships, the platform offers end-to-end support.

Between 2021 and 2025, around 3. 84 crore filings were submitted. Of these, 3. 33 crore filings were approved through the Straight Through Process. According to the official statement, this has lowered processing time, reduced manual interference, and increased ease of compliance for enterprises.

Additionally, it emphasizes the Udyam Registration Portal, which was launched in July 2020 and gives MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) a paperless, self-declaration-based, free system. By June 5, 2026, MSME registrations on the Udyam Portal had increased from 10,020 in October 2020 to over 858,000.