Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

The Garchumuk Zoological Garden in Kolkata’s Howrah has initiated a crucial program for the protection and conservation of the fishing cat, a vulnerable species that holds significance as West Bengal’s State animal, known as Baghrol in Bangla. The State Forest Minister, Jyotipriya Mallick, made this announcement, stating that the program would extend to places like Bankura and Jhargram in the southern and northern regions of the state. If successful, the plan aims to reintroduce six to eight pairs of fishing cats into their natural habitat by 2024. Conservation breeding programs are vital to prevent the complete collapse of species populations…

The bilateral relationship between the United States and India has reached new depths, according to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. As India marked its 77th Independence Day, the Biden administration extended its best wishes to the Indian-Americans celebrating the occasion. Highlighting the strong bond between the two nations, Blinken emphasized that the US and India, as the world’s oldest and largest democracies, are collaboratively contributing to an open, prosperous, secure, stable, and resilient world. Expressing warm regards to India, Blinken acknowledged the profound growth in the US-India relationship over the past year. He underlined the significance of the strategic…

The recently approved ‘PM-eBus Sewa’ initiative by the Union Cabinet is a significant step towards promoting green mobility and enhancing urban transportation across India. The main objective of this initiative is to augment city bus operations by introducing electric buses (e-buses) in various cities, with a particular focus on those areas that lack organized public bus services. Under the scheme, a total of 10,000 e-buses will be deployed in 169 cities across the country. This deployment will follow a public-private partnership (PPP) model, which encourages collaboration between the government and private sector to efficiently implement and manage the e-bus services.…

The Consulate General of India in New York, along with the Indo-American Arts Council, is set to commemorate India’s Independence Day at Times Square. Vikas Khanna, a renowned Indian American chef, revealed the event details, including the hoisting of the Indian Flag and the unveiling of a remarkable modern art piece. Khanna emphasized that this India Day celebration would create history. The Indian American community will raise the Indian National Flag on 45th Street & Broadway, followed by unveiling an artifact weighing around 8000 pounds. Regarding the artwork, Khanna expressed its ability to evoke pride and emotion. He mentioned, “After…

During his visit to Mumbai, US Congressman Ro Khanna engaged in a conversation with Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan, delving into topics like artificial intelligence (AI) and the significance of timeless values. Khanna, who co-chairs the Congressional India Caucus, met with Amitabh Bachchan, hailed as India’s most prominent global brand ambassador. Their extensive hour-long discussion encompassed artificial intelligence’s implications, India’s progression, Bachchan’s family legacy, and the US-India relationship’s significance. Khanna stressed that Amitabh Bachchan’s life story reflects India’s narrative and is symbolic of the nation’s rise on the global stage. Khanna shared his hope that Amitabh Bachchan would consider visiting the…

As per the National Bioenergy Programme (NBP), Mr. R. K. Singh, the Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy and Power, has conveyed that the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy introduced the National Bioenergy Programme (NBP) in November 2022, covering the timeframe from April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2026. Divided into two phases, this initiative carries a budgetary allocation of Rs. 1,715 crore (US$ 207.16 million). The initial phase is granted a budget of Rs. 858 crore (US$ 103.64 million). This program aims to extend Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to establish Bioenergy plants. Under the NBP guidelines, approvals…

The Consulate General of India in Chicago hosted its annual flagship event, Kala Utsav, at Naperville’s Yellow Box Theatre as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The event spotlighted India’s rich heritage and diverse culture, featuring performances by various cultural troupes from the US Midwest region. At the inauguration, Consul General of India in Chicago, Somnath Ghosh, along with Congressman Bill Foster and State Senator Laura Ellman, addressed an audience of six hundred. Consul General Ghosh expressed gratitude to dignitaries, Indian American organizations, and friends of India, emphasizing the event’s aim to support youth and emerging artists. The Consulate…

Since its establishment in 2016, the GeM platform has resulted in savings of over US$ 5.43 billion (Rs. 45,000 crore) in government procurement costs, as per the commerce ministry. The ministry’s statement highlights the platform’s commitment to cost efficiency, having facilitated savings exceeding US$ 5.43 billion (Rs. 45,000 crore) since 2016. The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) serves as India’s digital marketplace for public procurement, offering transparent and efficient sourcing for government entities, organizations, and PSUs. Furthermore, the portal’s performance has surpassed prominent public procurement platforms like South Korea’s KONEPS and Singapore’s GeBIZ. In the fiscal year 2022-23, central purchasers, including CPSEs…

The pursuit of justice in the tragic history of the Kashmiri Pandit genocide and their subsequent forced migration seems to have taken a positive turn, as the Jammu and Kashmir Police reopen investigations into prominent figures’ killings in the region after more than thirty years. This development offers hope to the community, despite the Supreme Court’s previous refusal in 2017 to reopen 215 cases related to the brutal killing of around 700 Kashmiri Pandits during the period of displacement. The Supreme Court’s earlier stance, grounded in the challenge of gathering substantial evidence decades later, seemed to close the door to…

India is playing a leading role in tackling global concerns, according to Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy, and Space. Dr. Singh highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is spearheading the global climate movement, and India is positioned to guide the world in its battle against climate change. He made these remarks during a meeting with a delegation from the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), emphasizing the urgency of addressing climate change, which transcends boundaries and societal divisions. The PHD Chamber of…