Author: Nupur Rohila

India’s Power Secretary, Pankaj Agarwal, discussed the Narendra Modi government’s initiatives to advance solar power during the 26th edition of the World Energy Congress, aiming to align with COP28 renewable energy commitments. At a Ministerial Round Table Conference, Agarwal highlighted initiatives like the PM-KUSUM Scheme and solar rooftop programs, promoting environmental sustainability and job creation. He mentioned the Indian Carbon Market as another step towards sustainability. The PM-KUSUM Scheme targets 10,000 MW of Decentralised Grid Connected Renewable Energy Power Plants and 27.50 lakh stand-alone solar agriculture pumps, aiming to increase non-fossil-fuel power to 40% by 2030. Agarwal noted India’s efforts,…

Bhavini Patel, an Indian American, faced defeat in her attempt to unseat progressive Democrat Rep. Summer Lee in Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District. Lee secured nearly 61 percent of the votes, confirming the strength of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party in Western Pennsylvania. During the campaign, Patel criticized Lee’s stance on a ceasefire in Gaza and accused her of neglecting the district’s Jewish community. Patel labeled Lee as an extremist, advocating for unity within the Democratic Party and support for President Joe Biden’s policies. In response to her victory, Lee emphasized the rejection of right-wing interests and Republican billionaires…

In 1969, Robert Noyce, co-founder of Intel, explored setting up a fabrication unit for integrated circuits in India. However, India’s facility size didn’t align with Intel’s ambitions. Despite a setback, India initiated semiconductor ambitions with the Semiconductor Complex Ltd, which faced a fire in 1989. Today, global economies, including India, pursue self-sufficiency in semiconductor chip manufacturing post-Covid. While Intel hasn’t considered India for a fab yet, Micron, PSMC, and Renesas have invested in India’s semiconductor vision. The government aims for a comprehensive ecosystem beyond fabs. Establishing semiconductor fabs and ATMPs leads to downstream ecosystem development critical to India’s semiconductor goals.…

In the fiscal year 2023-24, India reached a significant milestone by exporting a record 4.8 million tonnes of oil meal, primarily utilized as animal feed. This achievement, reported by the Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA), was propelled by a resurgence in soybean meal shipments. These exports amounted to US$ 1.84 billion (Rs. 15,368 crore), marking the highest quantity and value since fiscal year 2013-14, surpassing the previous record of 43.81 lakh tonnes and US$ 1.38 billion (Rs. 11,500 crore) in 2013-14. During the April-March period of the 2023-24 fiscal year, overall oil meal exports reached 4.886 million tonnes, indicating…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocated for the unregulated growth of esports, particularly skill-based gaming, during a discussion on Saturday. Stressing the importance of allowing the sector to thrive within a structured legal framework, he highlighted its potential to offer diverse career opportunities for the youth while fostering innovation. Engaging with prominent Indian gamers, PM Modi underscored the significance of gaming as a viable career path for young individuals. He emphasized that rather than imposing regulations, the focus should be on facilitating the industry’s development within an organized legal framework tailored to the country’s requirements. PM Modi expressed his vision of…

Bollywood veteran Jackie Shroff extended heartfelt wishes to his fans on ‘Happy Ram Navami’ as the world commemorated the auspicious occasion. Sharing a throwback video, he revisited his pilgrimage to the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, inaugurated in Uttar Pradesh on January 22, 2024. In the video, Jackie Shroff is seen walking barefoot, paying homage to the sacred site. Clips from the grand inauguration ceremony, where he was among the esteemed guests, were showcased. Notably, he carried a plant, symbolizing his commitment to environmental advocacy. The video also captured a moment of humility as Jackie Shroff engaged in temple cleaning in Mumbai,…

Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia’s debut feature, “All We Imagine As Light,” is set to compete for the prestigious Palme d’Or at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival alongside renowned directors such as Yorgos Lanthimos, Paolo Sorrentino, Francis Ford Coppola, and Paul Schrader. This marks a significant milestone as it’s the first time in three decades that an Indian film has secured a spot in the festival’s competitive section, following Shaji N Karun’s 1994 film “Swaham.” Kapadia has previously tasted success at the French festival with her documentary “A Night of Knowing Nothing,” which won the L’Œil d’or (Golden Eye) at the…

The United Nations’ Financing for Sustainable Development 2024 Report highlights India’s position as a significant destination for foreign investments, attributing it to multinational corporations viewing the country as a viable alternative for manufacturing within their supply chains diversification strategies, amidst growing interest. Emphasizing India’s resilience in attracting investments, especially in comparison to other developing nations, the report underscores the country’s appeal as an alternative manufacturing hub without directly mentioning China, which plays a role due to geopolitical concerns. While India maintains its strong investment appeal, the report contrasts this with the challenges faced by many developing countries, citing a “sustainable…

The Congress manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections highlighted caste and cash incentives, while the BJP’s manifesto, titled ‘Modi Ki Guarantee’, avoids cash freebies and focuses on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s credibility. It showcases achievements of the past decade and reaffirms promises like the abrogation of Article 370 and construction of the Ram Temple. Key Points: – BJP pledges to fulfill unfinished agendas from 2019, including One Nation, One Election by 2029 and the Uniform Civil Code. – No mention of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) due to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). – BJP emphasizes welfare schemes…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is poised to make history as the first Indian Prime Minister since Indira Gandhi to grace the cover of Newsweek, marking a significant moment akin to Gandhi’s appearance in April 1966. Engaging in an extensive exchange with the New York-based magazine, PM Modi addressed written inquiries and delved into a 90-minute dialogue during the interview. Touching upon a spectrum of topics including China, the global economy, and India’s economic strategies, PM Modi underscored India’s pivotal role as both a democratic force and a driver of global economic growth. Emphasizing transformative economic reforms such as the Goods…