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PM Narendra Modi interacted with beneficiaries of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, including Balveer Kaur, sarpanch of village Rangpur and a farmer from Arnia in Jammu district. Kaur informed the Prime Minister about availing the benefits of multiple government schemes such as Kisan Credit Card scheme, Farm Machinery Bank Scheme, and Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojna. During the interaction, the PM jokingly remarked that Kaur might become the new sarpanch as people were pushing their way to her seating row. Modi congratulated Kaur for owning a tractor purchased through the Kisan Credit Card scheme. from Times of India https://ift.tt/eHzfQtU via IFTTT

BSF director general criticizes Pakistani Rangers for ceasefire violation and lack of convincing explanation at flag meeting. He also highlights increased drone activity for smuggling narcotics and weapons from Pakistan. The recent border truce violation occurred along the international border, not the line of control. Despite internal issues in Pakistan, the BSF assures the security of personnel and borders. The BSF has recovered a total of 90 drones and seized large quantities of drugs on the western border. from Times of India https://ift.tt/Du0Z9lp via IFTTT

Growth in the country's core sector surged to double digits in October on the back of robust expansion in coal, electricity, cement and steel and sustaining the strength displayed since June. Data released by the ministry of commerce and industry on Thursday showed the core sector spanning coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity, rose an annual 12.1% in October, higher than the 0.7% in October last year and above 9.2% recorded in the previous month. from Times of India https://ift.tt/qNC3Mk2 via IFTTT

Applicants in the Rs 3,043-crore Tata Technologies maiden offering, who got shares of the company at Rs 500 apiece, saw their holding jump more than 2.5 times on Thursday. The stock listed at Rs 1,200, touched a high at Rs 1,400 and closed the day at Rs 1,314 - up 163% or 2.6 times the IPO price. Two other companies - Gandhar Oil Refinery and Fedbank Financial Services - also listed on the same day. Gandhar Oil listed at Rs 295, a 75% premium over its IPO price of Rs 169, and closed at Rs 302. from Times of India https://ift.tt/xP1saAp via IFTTT

The Indian government signed a peace agreement with the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the oldest valley-based armed group in Manipur. The UNLF, formed in 1964, had resisted peace overtures until now. Under the agreement, the UNLF has committed to returning to the mainstream, renouncing violence, discontinuing illegal activities, and exploring a peace settlement within the constitutional framework. The move is expected to bring calm to the North-East, particularly Manipur. Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the agreement as a "historic milestone" . from Times of India https://ift.tt/UNAbhsc via IFTTT

A metropolitan court on Tuesday acquitted Congress MLA and Dalit activist Jignesh Mevani and six others of the criminal case lodged against them for staging a demonstration and blocking traffic on Ashram Road while raising the demand for improvement in the service conditions of sanitation workers in 2016. Mevani and his associates were agitating at the Income Tax Circle in the city in 2016, demanding regularization of the jobs of sanitation workers. from Times of India https://ift.tt/8QEfkK6 via IFTTT

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PM Narendra Modi flew in a twin-seat variant of the Tejas light combat aircraft for a 30-minute sortie here Saturday. “The experience was incredibly enriching, significantly bolstering my confidence in our country’s indigenous capabilities, and leaving me with a renewed sense of pride and optimism about our national potential. A flight to remember! Tejas is India’s pride, a manifestation of the strength and skills of 140 crore Indians,” said Modi, after becoming the first PM to fly in a fighter jet. from Times of India https://ift.tt/i0yN9op via IFTTT

An alleged courier arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Mahadev betting app case on Friday submitted before a special court that he had been framed up as part of a conspiracy and he had never delivered cash to politicians. Asim Das, the alleged cash courier, and constable Bhim Singh Yadav were arrested by the ED on November 3, four days before the first phase of the Chhattisgarh assembly elections. The duo were on Friday produced before a special judge for Prevention of Money Laundering Act cases, upon expiry of their judicial remand. from Times of India https://ift.tt/ZnQxrLd via IFTTT

Allahabad HC has said that there is no restriction on transportation of beef from any place outside Uttar Pradesh to any location within the state as per the UP Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955. The court said in a judgment earlier this week that the restriction under the Act is only in respect of transportation of cows, bulls and bullocks. Ordering the DM to release the seized mobil​e, the HC said that the confiscation was made “on a misreading of section 5A(7) of the Cow Slaughter Act”. from Times of India https://ift.tt/NIa15n4 via IFTTT

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appearance in Parliament wearing a sleeveless jacket made of material recycled from plastic bottles highlighted the importance of transitioning to a 'reuse economy' to address plastic pollution. India has taken steps to streamline the collection and recycling of plastic waste through extended producer responsibility (EPR) rules. Globally, countries are working towards a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution and a circular economy. from Times of India https://ift.tt/mCH2rEF via IFTTT

Two workers were killed and another severely injured in a Maoist IED explosion near the Aamdai Ghati iron ore mine in Narayanpur district of Bastar on Friday. Police say it was a well camouflaged pressure-triggered IED and one of the workers inadvertently stepped on it on their way to work in the morning. The site is near the Maharashtra border, around 300km from Raipur. The deceased have been identified as Ritesh Gagda and Shravan Gagda. Shravan was initially reported missing, but his body was found sometime later. from Times of India https://ift.tt/dVWzHx4 via IFTTT

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Four villagers, including two minor boys, were trampled to death by wild elephants in Karbi Anglong in Assam on Thursday, reports Kangkan Kalita. The deceased have been identified as Kania Toria (55), Ribika Kerketta (28), Geseya Kerketta (3) and one-and-a-half year-old Augustin Karmakar. All of them were from Bormanthi village. Forest department officials said the incident took place around noon when Kania and Ribika were cutting grass at an isolated location in Lalubasti area near Bokajan town. from Times of India https://ift.tt/law1J24 via IFTTT

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A 3D-printed temple, touted as the first such structure in the world, has come up at Burugupally in Siddipet dsitrict of Telangana. Built by Hyderabad-based Apsuja Infratech in collaboration with Simpliforge Creations, the unique structure took about three months to 3D print. The 3-part structure, which spans 4,000 sq ft and is 35.5 feet tall, has 3 sanctums — a modak dedicated to Lord Ganesha, a square Shivalay devoted to Lord Shankar, and a lotus-shaped one for Goddess Parvati. from Times of India https://ift.tt/9VtZ5Kw via IFTTT

India's growth experience in 2023-24 will continue to be a positive outlier as compared to other major economies and the country can look ahead to the prospect of a longer economic and financial cycle than in the past, subject to global factors, says the finance ministry's monthly economic report for October. But it cautioned that risks on the downside persist. Inflation is one of them that has kept both the government and RBI on high alert. from Times of India https://ift.tt/gWq34BA via IFTTT

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has questioned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's caste, alleging a discrepancy in his OBC status. Kharge claimed that Modi included his Ghanchi-Teli community in the OBC category during his tenure as Gujarat CM, contradicting his current opposition to a caste census. Kharge accused Modi of focusing solely on criticising Congress and spreading misinformation, while highlighting Congress's focus on the welfare of the poor in their manifesto. from Times of India https://ift.tt/FMkBo4Z via IFTTT

The Uttar Pradesh government recently banned the production, storage, distribution, and sale of the ‘Halal-certified’ food products. Two days after the ban, the Food Safety and Drugs Authority (FSDA) conducted raids in the city to check if the order was being followed. Multiple teams searched malls, grocery stores and wholesale markets, but none of the retailers were found guilty of violating the new law. The raids were unsuccessful in finding any evidence of non-compliance. from Times of India https://ift.tt/Z5TPjXY via IFTTT

The National Investigation Agency has booked designated 'individual terrorist' Gurpatwant Singh Pannun under anti-terror laws for attempting to disrupt the transportation sector in India. Pannun, the self-declared General Counsel of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs for Justice, had recently released a video message in which he threatened Air India and its passengers with a global blockade and closure of operations. The NIA stated that Pannun's threats have triggered high alert in the world. from Times of India https://ift.tt/E6GOo7A via IFTTT

US President Joe Biden celebrated his 81st birthday on Monday by joking repeatedly about his advanced age, even as the White House strongly defended his stamina and batted away polling — and one prominent Democrat — suggesting that the issue could cost the President votes in the election scheduled for next year. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the president's age should not be a primary focus. President Biden, for his part, went for humor. from Times of India https://ift.tt/PH9si5D via IFTTT

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Controversies over antisemitism have engulfed the billionaire and his social network, X. from BBC News - Technology https://ift.tt/yrI75jM via IFTTT

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao criticized the Congress party and its promised 'Indiramma Rajyam' on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. KCR stated that the tenure of the Congress government led by Indira Gandhi was marked by starvation-related deaths, scams, encounters, and looting. He further accused the Congress of merging Telangana and Andhra Pradesh without public consent and urged voters to compare the progress made under the BRS government. from Times of India https://ift.tt/0Mykt9u via IFTTT

As India reaches the ICC World Cup finals, marketing and advertising spending is projected to increase by 20-25% from October to March. Brands are targeting popular cricketers like Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami, Rohit Sharma, and Bumrah. Maruti Suzuki has invested heavily in advertising for the final match, while Disney Star is selling ad inventory for the finals at a higher rate than usual. Maruti Suzuki is among the companies that have ramped up advertising for the final match. from Times of India https://ift.tt/tFmCafL via IFTTT

India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar are scheduled to hold the second India-Australia 2+2 Defence and Foreign Ministerial Dialogue on Monday. The meeting will involve discussions with their counterparts, Richard Marles and Penny Wong, who are visiting India. This was confirmed by the government in an official announcement. from Times of India https://ift.tt/5aCprNe via IFTTT

The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral R Hari Kumar, has stated that the Indian Navy is prepared for evacuation operations in West Asia if necessary. The Navy has already deployed assets in the Gulfs of Oman and Aden, as well as the Red Sea, and is providing relief materials to Gaza. Admiral Kumar also outlined plans for the Navy's growth, projecting an increase in ships, submarines, and aircraft by 2035. He mentioned the focus on manned-unmanned teaming and the development of unmanned air, surface, and underwater vessels. from Times of India https://ift.tt/Ocz4H79 via IFTTT

The appointment of BS Yediyurappa's son and his loyalist to key positions in the Karnataka BJP has caused discontent among party members. Some veterans have expressed their displeasure, as they were passed over for these positions. This has created tension within the party, with some members openly revolting and boycotting meetings. Others, however, are choosing to keep their dissatisfaction private for now. from Times of India https://ift.tt/nxXs9A7 via IFTTT

The tunnel collapse in Uttarkashi could have been much worse if it had occurred on a regular day instead of on Diwali. Currently, 40 people are trapped inside, but on a regular day, there would have been 150 to 200 workers inside. The collapse happened just an hour before the end of the night shift, which saw low attendance due to the holiday. Some workers, like Mamlesh Rawat and Girish, were lucky to be outside, but are concerned for their colleagues. Rescue efforts are underway, with worker Vikas Yadav assisting. from Times of India https://ift.tt/uYH8I54 via IFTTT

The rescue team using a high-performance American auger drilling machine to save workers trapped in a tunnel in Uttarkashi encountered a roadblock when the machine encountered an obstruction. In addition, a team of experts from Delhi arrived at the site to conduct a geophysical survey using ground penetrating radar and seismic reflection methods. The Uttarkashi district administration also disclosed that there were 41 trapped workers, not 40 as previously thought. from Times of India https://ift.tt/qd8Hux1 via IFTTT

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed concern about the dangers of 'deepfakes', calling for artificial intelligence (AI) developers to tag their products to caution against AI-enabled deception. He highlighted the issue of deepfake videos, including one of himself participating in a garba dance during Navratri festivities. Deepfakes involve superimposing a person's face or body onto someone else's, making it appear authentic. The proliferation of deepfakes on social media has prompted the Indian government to issue guidelines for their identification and removal. from Times of India https://ift.tt/AHfSRFv via IFTTT

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Two separate incidents of fire in Bihar-bound trains have raised concerns among railway authorities. The first incident occurred in the Delhi-Darbhanga Humsafar Express, leaving eight passengers injured. The second incident occurred in the Delhi-Saharsa Vaishali Express, resulting in minor burns and suffocation for 19 passengers. Railway authorities suspect that passengers may be carrying inflammable materials or smoking inside the coaches. Strict warnings have been issued to check coaches thoroughly before departure, and action will be taken against those caught smoking. from Times of India https://ift.tt/BJNn75D via IFTTT

The Delhi High Court has asked the Indian government to make a decision within a week on a request from the mother of a Kerala woman on death row in Yemen. The woman, Nimisha Priya, was convicted of murdering a Yemeni national by injecting him with sedatives to retrieve her passport. Priya's mother seeks permission to travel to Yemen and negotiate "blood money" to save her daughter. The court has directed the government to decide on the request within one week. The Ministry of External Affairs has stated that they are aware of the case and are providing consular assistance. from Times of India https://ift.tt/gj26fwv via IFTTT

It doesn’t get weaker than this. Poor password hygiene compromises personal data privacy. In 2023, “123456” was the most common password among Indians, showed the fifth edition of the NordPass study. In fact, almost a third (31%) of the world’s most popular passwords consist of purely numerical sequences, such as “123456789,” “12345,” “000000,” and others. Internet users often go for country or city names and India is no exception here, with “India@123” ranked high in the country’s list. from Times of India https://ift.tt/OxEVaj1 via IFTTT

Delhi experienced its seventh 'severe' air day this month as the Air Quality Index (AQI) rose to 401. The city has also had five 'very poor' air days this month. Stubble burning in Punjab has exceeded 30,000 incidents this season, with 2,544 fires reported in a single day. Satellites detected farm fires in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh as well. However, as wind direction changes, the contribution of biomass burning in Delhi's PM2.5 is predicted to decrease. from Times of India https://ift.tt/Vyxrwvf via IFTTT

IIT-Bombay has introduced new guidelines to restrict students and faculty from organising talks and seminars that may be political in nature. The guidelines require permission from a review committee to invite external speakers for political talks and police permission for protest gatherings on campus. The move comes after a PhD student complained about a guest lecture on the Palestine situation, which led to protests and threats against the professor. The institute's decision has drawn criticism from students, who called the guidelines a "new set of gag rules". from Times of India https://ift.tt/KsAQXFc via IFTTT

Union Minister Smriti Irani and former Congress President Rahul Gandhi have chosen different ways to convey their Diwali wishes to the people of Amethi, sparking speculation about the 2024 general elections. Smriti reportedly sent mobile phones, wall clocks, and saris to residents, while Rahul distributed shirts, trousers, and sweets. The gifts have reignited speculation about a potential electoral battle in Amethi during the next Lok Sabha elections. The Congress party is said to be making efforts to reclaim its stronghold in the constituency. from Times of India https://ift.tt/uXzdJ1n via IFTTT

According to Delhi Traffic Police data, more men than women lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes in the city last year. Men accounted for 91% of the total deaths and 86% of the injuries. Road engineering issues were found to be major causes of the crashes, and pedestrians and motorcyclists were the most vulnerable. The number of fatal crashes involving two-wheelers increased, with one in every three death or injury victims being a two-wheeler rider. from Times of India https://ift.tt/NtdXfln via IFTTT

The Indian Army and Indian Air Force successfully facilitated the return of 39 Myanmarese military personnel who sought refuge in Mizoram after fleeing rebel resistance groups in their country. The personnel were flown in batches from Mizoram to Manipur, avoiding the need for IAF helicopters to enter Myanmar airspace. The Myanmar army personnel had surrendered to Mizoram police and were handed over to Assam Rifles. Three additional personnel were captured by Mizoram police and are expected to be repatriated to Myanmar soon. from Times of India https://ift.tt/DentWYg via IFTTT

All available MBBS seats in Karnataka will be filled this year, while the number of vacant BDS seats has decreased. The Supreme Court allowed a special stray vacancy round to fill all vacant MBBS/BDS/BSc nursing seats across the country. Online counseling was conducted in Karnataka, and all 152 vacant MBBS seats were allotted. The transparency brought by the National Medical Commission and the use of the Karnataka Examinations Authority for admissions has contributed to the filling of all MBBS seats this year. Extra rounds of counseling have also led to a decrease in vacant BDS seats. from Times of India https://ift.tt/f1COAZz via IFTTT

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the socioeconomic revolution in India over the past decade. During his visit to the UK, Jaishankar highlighted the transformative policies implemented by PM Modi, such as Beti Padhao Beti Bachao, Jandhan Yojana, Awas Yojana, Digital India, Startup India, and Skill India campaigns. He also emphasized the need to reframe the India-UK relationship in light of the changes in both nations and explore new convergences. India and the UK are currently negotiating a Free Trade Agreement. from Times of India https://ift.tt/AFjinIY via IFTTT

The Maratha community in Maharashtra is demanding reservation and feeling betrayed by the political leadership. The community has a significant presence in politics and the economy, but there is a large economic divide within the community. Many Marathas are dependent on agriculture, which has shrunk over the years, leading to a deteriorating economic situation. The community blames the political leadership for not addressing their upliftment. The community is also angry at politicians for not giving back to the community and many villages have banned the entry of political leaders. from Times of India https://ift.tt/4IEA36V via IFTTT

An increasing number of holidaymakers are picking more environmentally-friendly trips. from BBC News - Technology https://ift.tt/hWYwQRe via IFTTT

The BJP has criticized the law and order situation in Rajasthan after a sub inspector raped a five-year-old girl. The party accused the state government of inaction and said that perpetrators of such crimes have become fearless. The BJP spokesperson questioned the silence of Congress leaders and alleged that the government has a system to protect rapists. The spokesperson also accused the government of victim-shaming and cited comments made by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and minister Shanti Dhariwal. Assembly elections are due in Rajasthan on November 25. from Times of India https://ift.tt/ocQ9M3Z via IFTTT

Whitney Wolfe Herd is stepping down as chief executive at the end of the year after nearly a decade. from BBC News - Technology https://ift.tt/jH1ClET via IFTTT

A lecture by writer Devdutt Pattanaik at the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay campus sparked controversy, with students divided on whether it should be held. Another organization, Vivek Vichar Manch, wrote to the Mumbai police commissioner asking for action against those "vitiating the campus' environment." Students from IIT-Bombay filed a police complaint against a professor and a guest lecturer who allegedly expressed support for Hamas and terrorists during a lecture. The lecture took place as part of a coursework on November 6. from Times of India https://ift.tt/sHaSWwb via IFTTT

Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended the 62nd Raising Day function of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) in Dehradun. During the event, Shah emphasized the development of villages along the India-China border. He stated that the migration of residents from these border villages is a major issue and a challenge for the ITBP. The government has raised the budget for border areas to Rs 12,000 crore from Rs 4,000 crore in 2014 and aims to ensure road connectivity to 168 border villages within a year. The ITBP will also act as the nodal agency for development works in these villages. from Times of India https://ift.tt/sxKbZ3p via IFTTT

The Supreme Court has criticized the governor of Punjab for withholding assent to four bills passed by the assembly, stating that he was "putting parliamentary form of government in peril". The court ruled that the session in which the bills were passed was valid and within the jurisdiction of the speaker. The court also highlighted similar grievances by the Tamil Nadu and Kerala governments against their governors and sought the home secretary's response on resolving the constitutional issues. from Times of India https://ift.tt/HCul0SP via IFTTT

A lecture by writer Devdutt Pattanaik at the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay campus sparked controversy, with students divided on whether it should be held. Another organization, Vivek Vichar Manch, wrote to the Mumbai police commissioner asking for action against those "vitiating the campus' environment." Students from IIT-Bombay filed a police complaint against a professor and a guest lecturer who allegedly expressed support for Hamas and terrorists during a lecture. The lecture took place as part of a coursework on November 6. from Times of India https://ift.tt/kJaPbNq via IFTTT

The Bihar assembly has passed bills increasing quotas for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, and Extremely Backward Classes in government jobs and educational institutions from 50% to 65%. This brings the overall reservation to 75% when including the 10% for economically weaker sections. The bills were passed unanimously and will become law after the consent of the governor. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar called for a caste census and urged BJP legislators to appeal for special category status for Bihar. from Times of India https://ift.tt/lwGz2n7 via IFTTT

Congress MLA Aftab Uddin Mollah from Assam's Goalpara constituency has been arrested for allegedly making a hate speech targeting Hindu priests and namgharias. Mollah had linked temple priests and namgharias with criminal activities, claiming that Muslims were being blamed for crimes actually committed by Hindus. The speech was circulated on social media, leading to an FIR against him. Police have arrested Mollah on charges of promoting enmity between religious groups and fomenting hatred. from Times of India https://ift.tt/1kuCnjH via IFTTT

Ofcom reveals its new draft guidance for fighting child abuse and other illegal material. from BBC News - Technology https://ift.tt/tIA1RyK via IFTTT

The Supreme Court has directed Delhi and its surrounding states to immediately stop stubble burning and called the odd-even plan to restrict vehicles on Delhi's roads as mere "optics". Instead, the court suggested using different colored tags for diesel, petrol, and CNG vehicles and banning only orange-coded vehicles. The court emphasized the need for all stakeholders to come together to find solutions to the perennial problem of pollution. The court also mentioned that stopping minimum support price for paddy could be considered as an option. The case will be monitored on a weekly basis. from Times of India https://ift.tt/Gu6hZk3 via IFTTT

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A senior government geologist in Bengaluru, who had been cracking down on illegal mining, was found murdered at her home. The 45-year-old woman's body was discovered with signs of strangulation and throat-slitting, but there were no signs of forced entry. Police are investigating multiple angles, including her actions against illegal mining and a possible family dispute. from Times of India https://ift.tt/SchA7MO via IFTTT

As the studio celebrates its 20th edition, the people that make it tell the BBC how it has changed. from BBC News - Technology https://ift.tt/tcAkvod via IFTTT

The Indian government is offering the Philippines at least seven helicopters for the rescue and humanitarian efforts of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) during disasters in the country. Sources said the two countries have been discussing the issue since the Philippines expressed interest in the choppers during the visit of an Indian delegation to Manila in August. from Times of India https://ift.tt/wVK0ABM via IFTTT

The Institute of Science in Mumbai will be relocating a nuclear source, Californium-252 and Plutonium Beryllium, from its campus. The source, which has completed 14 half lives, is the last remnant of the institute's nuclear chemistry laboratory, which was established in 1962 but declined due to lack of funds and attention. The institute plans to expand its research in high-end areas after the source is safely removed. The decline of the institute began when the state government excluded research from a teacher's workload for salary purposes. from Times of India https://ift.tt/EVSy0Bh via IFTTT

Nepal was hit by another earthquake with a magnitude of 3.6, following a previous earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter Scale. The government has mobilized the army and police force for rescue operations, while India has offered support. The impact of the earthquakes has been felt in several districts of North India. from Times of India https://ift.tt/5bD3rah via IFTTT

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday wrote a letter to a young girl from Kanker, Chhattisgarh, who had presented him a sketch at a recent public rally. Akanksha Thakur's sketch caught the PM's attention while he was addressing an election rally in Kanker. Modi paused his address, requesting security personnel to bring him the sketch. The Prime Minister requested Akanksha to write her address on the back of the sketch so that he could write her a letter. from Times of India https://ift.tt/ctH3qjv via IFTTT

The Indian road transport ministry has made it mandatory for contractors and agencies to provide evidence of time-stamped and geo-tagged photos of 'before works and after maintenance' when submitting bills for National Highways. The move comes in response to complaints about poor maintenance and a focus on construction rather than upkeep. The decision will affect around 10-15% of the 1.5 lakh km network and will primarily focus on highways converted from state highways to National Highways. from Times of India https://ift.tt/Hu96tqI via IFTTT

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has encouraged companies to tap into India's food diversity and meet the increasing demand for packaged food due to rapid urbanisation. He highlighted the growth of the food processing sector, which attracted Rs 50,000 crore in foreign direct investment over the last nine years and saw a 150% increase in processed food exports. Modi also stressed the need to reduce post-harvest losses and food wastage to enhance food security. He urged entrepreneurs to plan big and take advantage of the opportunities presented by urbanisation. from Times of India https://ift.tt/smSz9Kn via IFTTT

Quota activist Manoj Jarange has ended his nine-day hunger strike, but has warned of a larger protest if the government does not take action on providing reservation to the Maratha community by January 2. The government has agreed to provide Kunbi (OBC) caste certificates to Marathas with Kunbi antecedents from across the state, not just in Marathwada region. The state government is relieved by Jarange's decision and a delegation, including ministers and legal experts, persuaded him to end his strike. from Times of India https://ift.tt/5lBIsLM via IFTTT

Political parties in India, regardless of regulations, receive the majority of their funding from public and corporate donations, according to the Centre. Parties are not required to disclose details of donors contributing less than Rs 20,000, resulting in a significant portion of income being classified as unknown. In 2021-22, 66% of the eight national parties' income came from unknown sources, including electoral bonds. The BJP, TMC, and Congress had high percentages of income from unknown sources. from Times of India https://ift.tt/Trfsc3U via IFTTT

Unesco has added two Indian cities, Gwalior and Kozhikode, to its Creative Cities Network. Gwalior was included in the 'Music' category, while Kozhikode made the list in the 'Literature' category. The cities were acknowledged for their commitment to utilizing culture and creativity for urban development. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the announcement and stated that it showcased India's cultural vibrancy. The newly designated Creative Cities will participate in the 2024 UCCN Annual Conference. from Times of India https://ift.tt/7EXhHud via IFTTT

The number of minors killed in road crashes in India increased by 28% last year, with those aged 18-45 being the most affected group. The report, released by the transport ministry, revealed that 9,528 minors were killed in road accidents in 2022, accounting for 6% of all fatalities. The data also showed that the working-age group of 18-60 years accounted for 83.4% of total road accident deaths, highlighting the significant impact on productivity. from Times of India https://ift.tt/yAZxSNH via IFTTT

Bir-Billing is a renowned paragliding destination, attracting enthusiasts from around the world. Apart from 93 paragliders from 70 countries taking part in the ongoing Cross Country Pre-World Championship, around 300 free flyers have gathered in Bir-Billing this season. The fatalities have prompted questions about the safety measures in place for free flyers, a term used for those who are allowed to use take-off sites at Bir-Billing by the Special Area Development Authority (SADA). from Times of India https://ift.tt/K5Q2PuI via IFTTT