Page 87 - India

Doval holds talks with French President's advisor, focus on PM's visit

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Thursday held wide-ranging talks with French President's diplomatic advisor Emmanuel Bonne with a focus on Prime Minister Narendra Modi visit to Paris next week. Modi will attend this year's Bastille Day Parade as the guest of honour in Paris on July 14. Bonne also called on Modi and briefed him on the progress in various areas of bilateral cooperation. The prime minister is set to hold extensive talks with French President Emmanuel Macron during the visit. The defence and security cooperation between India and France have been on a major upswing since New Delhi's procurement of 36 Rafale jets from French aerospace major Dassault Aviation. French defence major Safran is also set to jointly develop an engine with India's relevant state-run defence manufacturers for military aircraft. People familiar with talks between Doval and Bonne said the main agenda of the discussions was preparations for Modi's visit and overall strategic ...

100,000 unicorns, 1-2 mn startups doable: Chandrasekhar on tech opportunity

India's success with innovation, entrepreneurship, electronics manufacturing as well as its digital clout is just the "tip" of a massive growth opportunity before the country, and the nation has the ability to scale to one lakh unicorns and almost 10-20 lakh startups in future, according to Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar. Chandrasekhar -- who completes two years as Minister of State for Electronics and IT -- said the India Stack and the digital public infrastructure built by the country, have demonstrated to the world how technology can be deployed for good, to benefit people, society and communities, and the country at large. The extent of digitalisation of government, governance and economy is going to "accelerate even more", Chandrasekhar promised. The last two years have seen Chandrasekhar keeping a razor-sharp focus on driving India's digital agenda and work on measures to promote electronics and semiconductor manufacturing in the country. He has also been deeply involved

Posters inciting violence against Indian diplomats unacceptable: MEA

Days after posters inciting violence against Indian diplomats surfaced in Canada and a few other countries, India on Thursday said such activities are not at all acceptable. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi also said that space must not be given to extremist and terrorist elements in the name of freedom of expression. At a media briefing, he also asserted that the safety of Indian diplomats and the country's missions is of utmost importance for the government.

Proptech startup OfficeBanao raises funds from ex-Meta MD, ex-Collier CEO

Real estate startup OfficeBanao, which raised USD 6 million from Lightspeed in April this year, on Thursday said it has raised funds from three angel investors, including former Meta India MD Ajit Mohan and former Colliers India CEO Ramesh Nair. The company did not disclose the amount raised. Gurugram-based OfficeBanao, which is a workspace interior platform, said in a statement that it has "raised an undisclosed amount of angel investment" from Ajit Mohan, founding CEO, Hotstar and former MD, Meta India, Ramesh Nair and Apurva Chamaria - Head of Partnership solutions, start-ups & venture capital, Google India. The startup seeks to disrupt the competitive workspace interior market with its comprehensive, end-to-end service.. With the additional funding, OfficeBanao plans to fuel its expansion. "The funds will be utilized to further enhance its technology-driven platform, accelerate product development, and expand its workforce," the statement said. The platform is for designers,

India has highest input tariffs for electronic among competing nation: ICEA

India has the highest tariffs on inputs in electronic segment among competing economies, according to industry body ICEA's study that analysed input tariffs in electronics sector across five nations. The high tariffs impact competitiveness, ICEA said on Thursday adding that the industry is seeking reduction of tariffs, and glide path to match Vietnam and other competing nations. The study revealed that high tariff induced costs accentuates India's cost disability vis--vis the four competing economies. India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) said the study is critical to evaluate India's competitiveness to reach the USD 300 billion electronics production goal by 2025-26, including USD 120 billion of exports. A line-by-line comparison of India's non-zero tariffs shows that India's tariffs are higher for up to 98 per cent lines compared to Vietnam (for FTA tariffs) and 90 per cent of the lines compared to Thailand. The competing economies have nearly double or more, zero ta

Any attack on Indian mission 'unacceptable': UK amid Khalistani threats

The UK government on Thursday declared that any direct attacks on the High Commission of India in London are "completely unacceptable" amid anti-India attacks by Khalistani extremists emerging on social media channels. UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly took to Twitter to declare that the safety of the staff at India's diplomatic mission in the country is paramount. His intervention follows threats and attacks targeted at Indian diplomatic missions in the US, Australia and Canada and some threatening posters emerging online with images of Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami and Dr Shashank Vikram, the Consul General of India in Birmingham. Any direct attacks on the Indian High Commission in London are completely unacceptable, said Cleverly. We have made clear to Vikram Doraiswami and the Government of India that the safety of staff at the High Commission is paramount, he said. There has been a very visible Metropolitan Police security presence at India House in .

Prachanda's remark on India stirs up storm in Nepal, Oppn demands resign

Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda's stunning remarks that an Indian businessman settled here "once made efforts" to make him the premier has stirred up a storm in the Himalayan Nation with the Opposition demanding his resignation. Prachanda also said that Sardar Pritam Singh, a pioneer trucking entrepreneur in Nepal, played a special and historic role in enhancing Nepal-India relations. Prachanda made these remarks on Monday while addressing a function to launch the book, Roads to the Valley: The Legacy of Sardar Pritam Singh in Nepal' He (Singh) had once made efforts to make me the prime minister, Prachanda said. He travelled to Delhi several times and held multiple rounds of talks with political leaders in Kathmandu to make me the prime minister, the Prime Minister said. Prachanda also said that Singh has played a special and historic role in enhancing Nepal-India relations. The remarks have stirred up a storm and drawn criticism from several quarters. The main

Indian shooters likely to compete in tournament at Paris' Olympic range

A handful of Indian shooters are likely to compete in a tournament in Paris in the third week of July, hoping to gain some "advance knowledge" of lining up at the range that will host the events at next year's Olympics. The forthcoming tournament, starting July 15, will take place at the same range that will also play host to the shooting events of the 2024 Olympic Games in the French capital. While not all shooters selected for the ISSF World Championships and Hangzhou Asian Games are going to be part of this tournament, which is being organised exactly one year before the quadrennial extravaganza, quite a few of them are set to take to the Paris range in the coming days. "The team is going to be a mix of players who are in the current Indian squad for the World Championship and Asian Games and those shooters who missed out on selection now but were part of the earlier squad," a source in the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) told PTI. "As far as the participating shooter

PM2.5 pollution in India dips by 19% between 2017 to 2022: Report

PM2.5 pollution in rural and urban India reduced by around 19 per cent between 2017 and 2022, according to a new analysis. Uttar Pradesh leads the way with a 38 per cent decline in PM2.5 pollution in both urban and rural regions during the same period. On the other hand, Maharashtra observed the least decrease in PM2.5 pollution across the country, according to the study conducted by Climate Trends, a non-governmental environmental think tank, using satellite data from IIT Delhi. PM2.5 are fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller, and are the greatest risk to health. The acceptable annual standard for PM2.5 is 40 micrograms per cubic metre. Rural India's PM 2.5 levels in 2022 stood at 46.8 microgram per cubic metre, down by 19.1 per cent compared to 2017. Urban India's PM 2.5 levels in 2022 stood at 46.4 microgram per cubic metre, down by 18.7 per cent compared to 2017. The study shows the annual average PM 2.5 levels in rural and urba

India can contribute in ending war in Ukraine: US ambassador to Kyiv

India, with its rising global profile and current presidency of the G20, can contribute significantly in ending the war in Ukraine, US Ambassador to Kyiv Bridget A Brink said on Wednesday. At a special online briefing for a small group of Indian reporters, Brink said India's leadership is critical in addressing various global challenges and New Delhi's increasing concern over the adverse impact of the war on the Global South creates the ground for its role in defusing the crisis. She said the United States hopes to work with its partners and allies around the world, including India, to support freedom and democracies, and the ability of countries to choose their own future. "From Kyiv, every day I see both the devastating effects of the war and the strength and resilience of the Ukrainian people," Brink said. The ambassador said India's aspirations for global leadership and its calls for collective action through its G20 theme of "One Earth, One Family, One Future" reflect the spir

India can also put trade barriers in retaliation to restrictions: RK Singh

India can also put trade barriers in retaliation to restrictions imposed by some countries, Union Minister R K Singh said on Wednesday. The minister for power, new and renewable energy made the remarks at the first International Conference on Green Hydrogen 2023. There is a huge potential for players looking to invest in green hydrogen manufacturing in India as there are various sectors like steel, cement, transportation where there will be a demand for the clean energy source, he said. "We want the whole world to partner with us and that I think is the solution. The solution is not setting up barriers which some countries have started doing. If you put up barriers we (Indian government) can put up barriers as well," Singh said addressing the attendees which included foreign diplomats and industry leaders from various countries. Without naming any specific country, the minister said his message to such countries will be that India can also put up the same kind of barriers which wou

Never forget your mothertongue, motherland: President Murmu urges people

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday made a pitch for the use of mother tongue in family and society, and said people should never forget their mother tongue and motherland. She was addressing a gathering at the inauguration of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Sanskritik Kendra in Nagpur. "We are Bharatiya first, whether we live in our country or outside it," she said. Citing an example from the Ramayana, the president said she feels that 'matrubhoomi', 'matrubhasha' and 'Maa' (motherland, mother tongue and mother) are above all. "The new generation, after getting modern education in the country and abroad, is doing good work. In spite of being away from their birthplace, they are connected to their local language and culture, which is very good," she said. "I want to tell you all that it is your responsibility to use your mother tongue in your family, society and community. Give your children knowledge of their mother tongue. Learning other languages and cultures is good. But whatever .

India's first 'Tele-MANAS' chat-bot to ensure 24X7 services launched in J&K

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday launched India's first Tele-MANAS chat-bot in the Union Territory, which will ensure round the clock services of health counsellors, clinical psychologists and consultants, officials said. The service was launched after Sinha inaugurated 'J-K Health Conclave' on mental health and non-communicable diseases at SKICC here, they said. On the occasion, the J-K Health and Medical Education Department inked memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre and NIMHANS, the officials said. The Centre had in Budget 2022 announced the National Tele Mental Health Programme of India, Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS). Tele-MANAS is a two-tier system. Tier 1 comprises State Tele MANAS cells, which includes trained counsellors and mental health specialists. Tier 2 comprises specialists at District Mental Health Programme (DMHP)/Medical College resources for .

Govt set to declare India manual scavenging free by August: Official

As the government's deadline to declare India manual scavenging free nears, about 246 districts of the country are yet to declare themselves free from the inhuman practice, according to officials. The matter was discussed at the eighth meeting of the central monitoring committee chaired by Social Justice Minister Virendra Kumar. According to data shared in the meeting, out of 766 districts, as many as 520 districts have declared themselves manual scavenging free, while 246 districts are yet to submit the report. "I would request the states concerned to submit a report to us as we are committed to our vision of declaring India manual scavenging free by August 2023," a senior official with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said. He said the defaulting states are required to either declare all their districts free from manual scavenging or upload existing insanitary latrines and manual scavengers, if any, associated with them so that requisite rehabilitation benefits can

India in talks to supply tonnes of green hydrogen to EU, Singapore: Report

The meeting was attended by officials from EU governments and Indian renewable companies, including Avaada Group, Renew Power and ACME Group

India's April-May finished steel imports from China at six-year high

In April and May, China emerged as the second-biggest steel exporter to India, selling 0.2 million metric tons of the alloy, up 62% from the same period a year earlier

High growth of 8-9% to be driven by manufacturing, urbanisation: Kant

High growth of 8-9 per cent could be driven by focus on manufacturing and urbanisation, G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said on Wednesday. About 5,500 census towns need to have master planning, and sustainable urbanisation is the way forward, which is a huge opportunity to drive growth in India, he said speaking at an event for release of report titled 'The Rise of India's Middle Class'. The bulging middle class holds immense power to drive sustained economic, political and social growth in India, he said. As the number of middle class rises, he said, this will drive demand for quality healthcare, education, housing, consumer goods and many other things. The government increasingly will have to focus on education and health as well as creating job opportunities. The vision of India becoming a fully developed country by 2047 really implies that the middle class needs to be the key driver of India's growth story, he said. "Rise of the Indian middle class is also indicative of economic ...

G20 to rise above differences, address global challenges: Jitendra Singh

India on Wednesday asked the G20 countries to rise above differences and address the challenges confronting the world such as climate change, cyber security and water scarcity using their collective expertise. In his inaugural address at the G20 Science Ministers meeting here, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh said India recognises the significance of global collaboration and knowledge-sharing in addressing the complex challenges of today's times, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has talked about this at every international forum. The minister called upon the G20 countries to leverage their collective wisdom, expertise and resources to foster a culture of innovation, promote sustainable development and ensure a prosperous future for all. The G20 countries should rise above differences and address the global challenges confronting the world in the spirit of one family, he said. This group has the potential to address major global challenges as it did

India's space programme set to transform planet's connection: Report

Lauding India's ambitious space programme, The New York Times has said the country, currently witnessing an "explosive" growth in space-tech start-ups, is set to "transform the planet's connection to the final frontier" and can emerge as a "counterweight" to China. "When it launched its first rocket in 1963, India was a poor country pursuing the world's most cutting-edge technology. That projectile, its nose cone wheeled to the launchpad by a bicycle, put a small payload 124 miles above the Earth. India was barely pretending to keep up with the US and the Soviet Union. In today's space race, India has found much surer footing, the leading US newspaper said. The article titled 'The Surprising Striver in the World's Space Business' notes that India has become home to at least 140 registered space-tech start-ups, comprising a local research field that stands to transform the planet's connection to the final frontier." "The start-ups' growth has been explosive, leaping from five when th

Walmart Global Tech gets Balu Chaturvedula as new Country Head for India

US retail giant Walmart's technology arm Walmart Global Tech has promoted Balu Chaturvedula as the country head for India operations, the company said on Tuesday. Chaturvedula joined Walmart in 2015 and was previously the Vice President of Supply Chain Technology for Walmart's US Omni Tech organisation. "We are pleased to welcome Balu in his new role as Walmart Global Tech's Country Head in India. Balu's vast technical expertise and tenure as a Walmart leader will immensely benefit our efforts as a people-led, tech-powered omnichannel retailer," Suresh Kumar, Executive Vice President, Global Chief Technology Officer and Chief Development Officer, Walmart Inc, said. Chaturvedula succeeds Hari Vasudev, who will transition to a global role in Bentonville, Arkansas as Executive Vice President, Global Tech Platforms, the statement said. In his new role, Chaturveda will be based out of Bangalore and lead Walmart Global Tech's vision of innovation. An engineering graduate from the ...