Category: India

The Department of Posts and the Ministry of External Affairs have made an exciting announcement! They are going to create 600 new passport service centers in post offices. This was revealed by Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday at the India Economic Enclave 2024.

India Post has an amazing 640,000 locations all over the country, and no one else in the world can match that! In the next 3-4 years, the goal is to focus more on serving the people. With the new agreement with the Ministry of External Affairs, these centers will aim to help one crore (10 million) people every year with their passport needs.

Since the Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) started in 2017, they have helped over 1.52 crore citizens with passport services. Currently, there are 442 POPSKs spread across India. According to the official announcement, the new 600 POPSKs will be set up by 2028-29.

The postal department is not just stopping there! They also plan to expand services like postal and life insurance, as well as rural postal life insurance (RPLI). The focus will be on making parcel delivery better too. Scindia added that the postal department is transforming to become more like a logistics company.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari recently shared exciting news about the new Delhi-Dehradun expressway. This road will make the trip between Delhi and Dehradun much faster, cutting travel time down to just two hours! Right now, it takes five to six hours to travel between these two cities.

Gadkari also mentioned that the construction of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is almost done and will be finished in about two months. Once this expressway opens, it will reduce the travel time from 24 hours to just 12 hours!

He highlighted that the Delhi government has approved a ₹10,000 crore project for a new road that stretches from Kalindi Kunj in Delhi to Faridabad. This exciting project will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the next 15-20 days.

Gadkari explained that improving roads also helps the environment. The transport sector contributes to 40% of air pollution in India. By using rice straw for making fuels, he believes the issue of stubble burning, which often causes pollution, can be solved in two years. He also mentioned that they are working on 400 projects aimed at using rice straw effectively.

The minister shared that India’s logistics costs are much higher than those of other countries. The goal is to bring these costs down from 14-16% to 9% in the next two years, which would help increase India’s exports significantly.

Regarding road safety, India has a very high number of traffic accidents, with 1,78,000 deaths from 5,00,000 accidents each year. Gadkari explained that many accidents occur due to poor road conditions and a lack of awareness about road safety. He expressed hope that new measures to fix dangerous spots on highways will reduce accidents.

On Friday, the Sealdah court in Kolkata said that Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, and Abhijit Mondal, the former officer-in-charge of Tala police station, can go free on bail. This happened because the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) didn’t file their charge-sheet within the required 90 days.

The CBI is looking into the sad case of a trainee female doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Hospital on August 9. Ghosh and Mondal were arrested because they were accused of interfering with evidence and setting up a quick cremation for the doctor without her family’s permission, who wanted a second autopsy.

The public prosecutor from the CBI said they were not asking to keep the two men in custody. Since no charge-sheet was filed in time, their lawyers requested bail, which the court granted. According to the law, people can get bail if no charge-sheet is filed within 90 days. Ghosh and Mondal were both found without evidence against them.

However, Ghosh won’t be released yet because the CBI alleges he was involved in financial problems during his job at the hospital from 2021 to 2024. The case has caused outrage across the country.

The young doctor, who was 31 years old, is said to have been attacked and killed by Sanjay Roy, a volunteer for Kolkata Police, on August 9. The high court decided to switch the investigation to the CBI on August 13.

On October 7, the CBI charged Roy with the crimes of rape and murder. They recently updated the Supreme Court about how the investigation is going.

The CBI claimed that Ghosh and Mondal tried to hide evidence and even created fake records at the police station to cover up the case. However, their lawyers denied these claims. The CBI wanted to run tests on Roy, Ghosh, and Mondal, but Mondal and Ghosh initially refused.

The CBI also opened another case about Ghosh’s financial issues at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. They filed a report against him and several companies for corruption on August 24 and arrested him and others on September 2 for those charges.

NEW DELHI: On Friday, India expressed sadness over the recent murders of three Indian students in Canada, calling them “terrible tragedies.” The Indian government urged Canadian authorities to investigate these crimes closely.

Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesperson for India’s external affairs ministry, shared that the Indian high commission in Ottawa and the consulates in Toronto and Vancouver are actively following up with Canadian officials. They have also been in touch with the families of the students involved. “We send our deepest condolences to the grieving families,” he stated.

Jaiswal highlighted that the safety and well-being of Indian citizens, especially students, in Canada is very important to India. The Indian missions in Canada are regularly communicating with local authorities to ensure their security.

In light of recent events, India has advised its citizens and students to be extra careful and aware of their surroundings due to an increase in hate crimes and violence in Canada.

India-Canada relations have worsened lately. In September last year, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed that Indian government agents might be linked to the murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Since then, diplomatic tensions have escalated, with both countries expelling several diplomats.

Jaiswal also responded to a report claiming that Canada was preventing pro-Khalistan individuals from getting Indian visas. He called it “disinformation” spread by the Canadian media. He stated that India has the right to refuse visas to anyone who threatens its territory.

On Friday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spoke out strongly about the country’s need to protect its sovereignty and responded to reports from Canadian media claiming that India refused to give visas to people connected to Khalistan, a movement for a separate state for Sikhs in India.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called these reports a part of a “disinformation campaign” by Canadian media aimed at tarnishing India’s reputation. He said, “We are aware of these reports. This is just another example of how Canadian media spreads false information about India.”

Jaiswal emphasized that India has the right to defend its national interests against anyone who threatens its unity. He explained, “Issuing visas is a right of our country, and we can deny them to anyone who endangers our territorial integrity.”

He also pointed out that the remarks in Canadian media resemble outside interference in India’s matters. He added, “What we see in Canadian media is similar to foreign meddling in our country’s internal affairs.”

India is becoming a big player in global technology, thanks to fast digital changes and a growing economy. With a lively startup scene, a young population, and a government that supports new ideas, India is changing from a place that mainly does outsourcing to a center for innovation. This shift is helping grow the economy, making India more competitive worldwide.

In 2024, India’s spending on technology is predicted to hit $44 billion, which is an 11% increase from last year. Overall, India is expected to spend about $54.5 billion on technology this year, marking the highest growth in the Asia-Pacific area at 8%. This is largely because businesses and governments are pushing for digitization.

Companies are eagerly investing in new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), edge computing, cloud solutions, Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain. As a result, revenue from technology and business process management (BPM) in India is expected to exceed $254 billion in the financial year 2024. The focus on innovation is opening new ways for companies to grow and make profits, attracting big names like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Salesforce, and NVIDIA to invest in India.

Global Capability Centers (GCCs), which used to focus on cutting costs, are now becoming value-driven hubs for high-tech jobs. Currently, 70% of the world’s GCCs are located in India, with many taking full responsibility for projects. About 32% of GCCs also serve as Transformation Hubs, helping various industries like aerospace, banking, and chip design, using advanced technologies like AI, cloud computing, and data analytics.

According to EY (Ernst & Young), the GCC market in India could be worth over $110 billion by 2030 and create 4.5 million jobs. The demand for advanced technologies is increasing due to the expansion of global roles and strong economic indicators.

Moreover, five new semiconductor units are planned, with well-known chip companies like AMD, NVIDIA, and Micron looking to grow in India. Tata’s fab unit at Dholera aims to produce 50,000 wafers monthly. Design is a crucial part of chip manufacturing, and India has expertise in this area. Many American tech companies have chip design centers in India, including AMD, which is investing $400 million in its largest global design center in Bengaluru, creating 3,000 new engineering jobs.

The Indian government is committed to showcasing the country’s capabilities by investing in programs like BharatNet, Digital India, and Startup India. These initiatives focus on improving digital infrastructure, making governance and services easily accessible, and promoting digital skills. Significant funds, including Rs. 1 lakh crore for technology development and Rs. 10,371.92 crore for groups focusing on technology innovation, are on the table.

With strong support for AI innovations, investments in technology and skill development are increasing. India’s digital revolution encourages more investment in technology, allowing the country to utilize its strengths and address any challenges.

Dell Technologies is playing a key role in this by using its knowledge to help with large-scale projects in India, like Aadhaar and GST. They also aid businesses with smart investment choices. To succeed, businesses need flexible frameworks like Dell’s AI Factory, which can speed up how quickly they see results and make use of cutting-edge technologies to grow and embrace a digital future.

As the world changes with new technologies, India’s strengths fit perfectly with these changes. Now is the perfect time for increased investment in technology to leverage India’s unique advantages and strengthen its position as a worldwide leader in the tech revolution.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the last part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link has been completed. He shared this update on X, mentioning that the final work on a special 3.2 km track inside Tunnel T-33 was done at 2 AM today.

This rail link is a big step for better travel between Kashmir and the rest of India. A direct train from Delhi to Srinagar is planned to start in January 2025, and it will be a new sleeper version of the Vande Bharat train. This service will make the long trip of 800 kilometers much quicker, taking less than 13 hours!

In about a month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to open the last 17 kilometers of the entire 272-kilometer rail project, which will really improve access for people in the region.

This project will not only make it easier to move goods but also help the local economy grow and encourage more people to visit. Eventually, the route will link Delhi, Jammu, and even Baramulla in North Kashmir.

One of the most impressive parts is the Chenab Bridge, which is the tallest railway bridge in the world, making the journey between Delhi and Srinagar even more beautiful.

The Journey So Far

The idea for this rail project began in 1995 when Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao approved it. It gained traction in 2002 when then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee called it a national project.

Here’s how it has progressed over the years:
– 2009: Completed 118 km from Baramulla to Qazigund.
– 2013: Extended further to Banihal.
– 2014: Inaugurated the Udhampur-Katra section.
– 2023: The Banihal-Sangaldan section opened.

The new Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, which will be produced by BEML, was launched by Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in September 2024, costing more than ₹35,000 crore.

Travel Details

The new train will leave from New Delhi at 7 PM and arrive in Srinagar by 8 AM the next day. Key stops along the way include:
– Ambala Cantt Junction
– Ludhiana Junction
– Kathua
– Tawi Jammu
– Sangaldan Banihal (near Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra)

Ticket Prices

For ride comfort, there will be three options for sleeper tickets:
– AC 3 Tier: around ₹2,000
– AC 2 Tier: around ₹2,500
– AC Class I: around ₹3,000

This exciting development is sure to change the travel experience for many!

New Delhi, December 13 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming to Uttar Pradesh this Friday. He will open and start many development projects costing about Rs 5,500 crore in Prayagraj.

The Prime Minister, at around 12:15 pm, will pray and visit important religious sites at Sangam Nose, Akshay Vata Vriksh, Hanuman Mandir, and Saraswati Koop. He will also check out the Mahakumbh exhibition site.

Among the projects he’s launching for Mahakumbh 2025 are new roads and railways. This includes building 10 new Road Over Bridges (RoBs), permanent Ghats, and river roads to help improve transportation in Prayagraj.

To keep the Ganga River clean, he will start projects to treat water from small drains before it reaches the river. There will also be new projects for clean drinking water and power supply.

The Prime Minister will open major temple paths, including the Bharadwaj Ashram Corridor, Shringverpur Dham Corridor, Akshayvat Corridor, and Hanuman Mandir Corridor. These paths will make it easier for visitors to get to the temples and will support spiritual tourism.

Finally, he will unveil the Kumbh Sah’AI’yak chatbot. This chatbot will help people by giving them information and updates about the Mahakumbh Mela 2025.