Page 159 - India

Don't ignore Covid

The vaccination programme needs to be updated and revised

India most favoured destination globally for investments: Jagdeep Dhankhar

India is growing at a faster pace and it has become the most preferred destination for investments and opportunities in the world, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said on Monday. Recently, India has surpassed its colonial masters and has become the fifth-largest economy in the world, he said. The Vice President also exuded confidence that India will become the third-largest economy on the global horizon by the end of the decade. "India is on the rise as never before. The rise of India is unstoppable, and we are the most favoured destination globally for investments and opportunities," he said here at the National Handicrafts Award ceremony. The handicraft sector holds a huge potential for growth, particularly in the rural and semi-urban areas, he noted. Dhankhar also suggested that professionals from IITs and IIMs can help the industry in promoting its growth and branding of products. Branding is key to fetch good prices, he said, adding it is only the handicraft sector where hug

Guru Tegh Bahadur refused to bow to injustice: PM Modi pays tributes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid tributes to Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur on his martyrdom day, saying he refused to bow to tyranny and injustice, and his teachings continue to motivate us. Guru Teg Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, was executed on the orders of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb. "I pay homage to Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji on the day of his martyrdom. He is universally admired for his courage and unwavering commitment to his principles as well as ideals," Modi said in a tweet. "He refused to bow to tyranny and injustice. His teachings continue to motivate us," the prime minister said.

India's economy likely slowed to annual 6.2% in July-Sept qtr: Poll

In April-June, Indian economy showed explosive growth of 13.5% from a year

Canada to strengthen visa processing capacity in Delhi, Chandigarh

To foster greater diversity among those seeking to work and study in Canada, the government will invest in strengthening the visa processing capacity

India's electricity shortage erased by growth of renewable energy: Analysis

There was no repeat of the widespread blackouts which plagued many parts of India in late September and early October last year when coal-fired power plants ran short of fuel

India, Australia to conduct 'Austra Hind 22' military exercise in Rajasthan

The bilateral training exercise "Austra Hind 22" between contingents of the Indian Army and the Australian Army is scheduled to take place at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan from tomorrow

India eyes smaller nuclear reactors for clean energy transition: Minister

India is taking steps for the development of small modular Reactors with up to 300 MW capacity to fulfil its commitment to transitioning towards clean energy, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said Sunday. At a workshop on Small Modular Reactors (SMR) organized by NITI Aayog and the Department of Atomic Energy, he said the participation of the private sector and start-ups needs to be explored in the development of this critical technology within India. He emphasised that technology sharing and availability of funding are the two crucial links for ensuring the commercial availability of SMR technology. Singh said the exploration of new clean energy options is in tune with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadmap for clean energy transition through bold climate commitments which are reflected in the updated Nationally Determined Contributions. SMRs with up to 300 MW capacity, by nature, are flexible in design and require a smaller footprint, Singh said, adding that being mobile and agile .

India now has second largest gamer base in world at over 369 million

India now has the second largest gamer base in the world with 396.4 million gamers, a new report has showed

Mahatma Gandhi's bust to be inaugurated at UNHQ during India's presidency

A bust of Mahatma Gandhi will be inaugurated as a gift from India to the United Nations during India's Presidency of the Security Council next month, the first sculpture of the Mahatma to be installed at the world body's headquarters here. The bust, made by renowned Indian sculptor Padma Shree awardee Ram Sutar, who has also designed the 'Statue of Unity' in Gujarat, will be inaugurated on December 14 during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to the UN for India's Presidency of the Council for the month. India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj told PTI in an exclusive interview here that the bust will be placed in the expansive North Lawns of the UN headquarters. The bust, a gift from India, will be the first Gandhi sculpture that will be installed in the UN headquarters, which proudly displays gifts and artifacts from around the world. Notable works of art at the UNHQ include a section of the Berlin wall donated by Germany, Soviet sculpture

Egypt president al-Sisi to be India's chief guest at Republic Day event

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations in January, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Sunday. "This is the first time that the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt will be the Chief Guest at our Republic Day," the MEA said in a statement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sent a formal invitation to al-Sisi which was handed over to the Egyptian president by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on October 16. Both countries are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year. Egypt has been invited as a 'Guest Country' during India's Presidency of G-20 in 2022-23, the statement said. "India and Egypt enjoy warm and friendly relations based on civilisational and deep-rooted people-to-people ties," the statement said. Leaders of friendly nations have graced the Republic Day celebrations since 1950, when the then Indonesian President Sukarno was invited as the chief guest. In 1

China will be a challenge for India during G20 presidency: Pankaj Saran

Dealing with China would be a "challenge" for India during its G20 presidency and New Delhi would adopt a "cautious approach" towards Beijing, judging it by its deeds and not words, former deputy national security advisor Pankaj Saran said on Sunday. In an interview with PTI, Saran also said India would expect that China recognises it as a rising power and deals with it on equal terms. He said India's number one priority during its upcoming G20 presidency should be to restore the economic order that provides stability and creates an atmosphere conducive to the growth of an economy such as itself. India should focus on bringing a semblance of sanity back into the global order, said Saran, who is a member of the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB). Saran said another important priority for India during its presidency would be to address the issues of concern to the developing world such as energy security, food security, climate security, and to see how India's voice and perspect

Counter-terrorism, multilateralism India's key focus during UNSC presidency

Countering terrorism and reformed multilateralism will be among the key priorities for India as it assumes the monthly presidency of the UN Security Council from December 1, culminating its two-year tenure as non-permanent member of the 15-nation powerful body. According to the UNSC rules of procedure, the Council presidency rotates between each of the 15 members of the UNSC, in alphabetical order. For us, in the December Presidency, our priorities will be countering terrorism for which we have very successfully built a good narrative in these past few months as well as a focus on reformed multilateralism, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj told PTI in an exclusive interview here. India assumes the monthly rotating presidency of the Security Council from December 1, the second time after August 2021 that the country will preside over the Council during its two year tenure as elected UNSC member. India's 2021-2022 term on the Council ends December 3

India must utilise G20 presidency by focusing on global good: PM Modi

Assuming the G20 presidency is a huge opportunity for India and the country must utilise it by focusing on global good, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday. India will officially assume the G20 presidency from the current chair Indonesia on December 1. In his latest monthly radio address, Mann Ki Baat, Modi said that India is capable of providing solutions to the varied challenges being faced globally. "India will assume presidentship of powerful grouping G20 on December 1. For India it is a huge opportunity. India must utilise opportunity of G20 leadership by focusing on global good and welfare," he said. The G20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union. "Be it peace or unity, sensitivity towards environment or sustainable development, India has solution to challenges related to all such things," he

Kuki-Chin refugees continue to flee violence in Bangladesh hills

With more batches of refugees escaping violence in Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts, the number of ethnic Kuki-Chin tribals from the neighbouring country who have sought sanctuary in Mizoram has risen to nearly 300, a local leader familiar with the issue said on Saturday. Refugees from the Kuki-Chin tribe numbering 21 crossed the border from Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tract (CHT) late on Friday night, local refugee organising committee chairman Gospel Hmangaihzuala told PTI. The organising committee was formed recently by village authorities and NGOs at Parva village in Lawngtlai district to deal with Kuki-Chin refugees, who have fled to Mizoram after facing alleged violence in CHT. The Kuki-Chin tribe is spread over hilly areas in Bangladesh, Mizoram as well as in Myanmar. The new entrants were shifted to Parva village, about 21 km from the border village, by Border Security Force (BSF) soon after they crossed the border, Gospel said. He said that a total of 294 people from

Special briefing for G20 envoys, invitee nations held in Andaman - Nicobar

Ahead of India assuming the G20 Presidency, a special briefing of the Resident Heads of Missions of the G20 member countries, invited guest countries and International Organizations was held

Andaman's Swaraj Dweep decked up for G20 Presidency meeting today

Swaraj Dweep, popularly known as Havelock Island, in Andaman and Nicobar Islands has been decked up to host one of the much-awaited meetings of the G20 Presidency which will be held on Saturday afternoon. Spread over an area of 92.2 sq km and having a population of 5,500, Swaraj Dweep is two-and-half-hour by sea journey from Port Blair in government ferries and private cruises. As Swaraj Dweep is known for its pristine beaches, G20 India coordinator Harsh Vardhan Shringla and G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant organised a yoga session on Kala Patthar beach on Saturday morning for around 40 delegates from various countries. The beach is nearly 13 km from the private hotel where they are staying. The delegates, including British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis, Russian ambassador Denis Alipov, German envoy Dr P Ackermann, Australian High Commissioner to India Barry O'Farrell and others reached the island around 7.30 pm on Friday after a tour of Cellular Jail in Port Blair, a senior offici

India waging a lonely battle to lay its hands on 26/11 attack masterminds

The United State does not remind Pakistan of its obligation to punish the perpetrators of the 26/11 attacks any more

India will bring different perspective to the task of G20: Australian envoy

India will put forward a different perspective to the task of the G20 Summit, that respects those developing countries across in a better way that we need to encourage and support, said Australia's High Commissioner to India, Barry O'Farrell on Friday as India all set to assume the G20 presidency on December 1 this year."India will bring a different perspective to the task of the G20, a perspective that respects better those developing countries across that we need to encourage & support," Barry O'Farrell told ANI.Moreover, Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov, who was also present in Andaman and Nicobar Islands for the G20 curtain raiser also reaffirmed his support for India's upcoming G20 Presidency."We'll support all endeavours of India in the year to come," the Russian ambassador said while speaking to ANI.Over 40 various heads of missions and heads of international organisations visited Andaman and Nicobar Islands for the G20 curtain raiser on Friday, ahead of India assuming the

French Armed Forces Minister to visit India on Sunday for defence dialogue

Minister Lecornu will also meet National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister, Ajit Doval for discussions on regional security issues and our close cooperation in combating terrorism