Shri S. C. L Das, Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India, and Ms. Isabel Casillas Guzman, Administrator, Small Business Administration (SBA), Government of the United States of America, in keeping with the direction given by the Leaders of the two countries in the India-US Joint Statement of June 2023, signed a,
Memorandum of Understanding for Promoting Cooperation on Small and Medium-size Enterprises in New Delhi. The MoU provides a framework for both sides to discuss issues concerning micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and explore possibilities of cooperation.
It also provides for the joint conduct of programmes for women entrepreneurs to empower them and facilitate trade partnership between women-owned small businesses of the two countries. Recognizing the crucial role that MSMEs play in advancing inclusive growth, expanding exports, and boosting employment,
the two sides also agreed to explore the development of a “Business Matching Digital Platform” to boost business opportunities.
Shri Sandeep Poundrik has assumed charge as Secretary, of the Ministry of Steel, at Udyog Bhawan. He is a 1993-batch IAS officer from the Bihar cadre. Shri Poundrik was in charge of the Additional Chief Secretary position in the Industries Department and also held additional charge for several other positions in the Government of Bihar.
He had previously served as Advisor in the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) under the Ministry of Home Affairs and as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Rana Ashutosh Kumar Singh has taken over as managing director in charge of State Bank of India's (SBI) risk compliance and stressed assets resolution group (SARG) departments after his appointment got the government nod.
Gajendra Singh Rana, the former chief general manager of the Mumbai Circle, has succeeded Singh as the deputy managing director (DMD) of retail and real estate at the nation’s largest lender. Singh’s new responsibilities encompass supervising departments that were previously under the management of former MD Alok Choudhary.
Singh’s promotion to the position of MD was also authorised by the ACC. Singh’s term is presently in effect until his retirement on June 30, 2027.
National Health Authority (NHA) and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the presence of Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda in New Delhi. As per the MoU, MUHS will offer its Digital Health Foundation Course to NHA and co-develop additional Digital Health programs,
To support the roll-out of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. The Digital Health Foundation Course provides a comprehensive understanding of Digital Health fundamentals to doctors and healthcare providers. On the occasion, Health Minister J.P. Nadda said that the partnership between NHA and MUHS marks a significant milestone in integrating digital health education,
into the medical curriculum. The MoU laid the foundation for a more connected and effective healthcare ecosystem. He also said this partnership will not only enhance the skills of medical students and professionals but also drive the broader implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, ultimately benefiting millions of people with better access to quality Care.
The Big Cricket League (BCL), a franchise-based T20 event that will offer aspiring local players a chance to play alongside their cricketing heroes, has joined hands with the national broadcaster Prasar Bharati in a landmark long-term deal. The inaugural edition of BCL will be held in September this year in Lucknow.
BCL will be broadcast live on DD Sports across the country, and Prasar Bharati will also be promoting the league across its network. The Big Cricket League’s first season will be televised internationally in more than 30 countries. It will feature six teams, namely Awadh Lions, Northern Challengers, Rajasthan Kings, Mumbai Marines, Southern Spartans, and Bengal Rhinos.
A council of eminent former cricketers, led by the League Commissioner and former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar, will oversee the league. Former Indian pacer Rudra Pratap Singh is President and legendary West Indian fast bowler Courtney Walsh is Vice-President of BCL.
After the Indian men's hockey team won the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh announced that PR Sreejesh would become the Junior India Hockey team's head coach. Notably, India won consecutive bronze hockey medals for the first time in 52 years since the 1972 Munich Games.
State-owned BHEL said it has secured a 1,600 MW project from Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC). The coal-based unit will be set up in the Koderma district of Jharkhand on an EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) basis, BHEL said.The 2x800 MW Koderma Supercritical Thermal Power Project (STPP) has been awarded through International Competitive Bidding (ICB), it said
This is the first such project in terms of capacity for DVC and will be set up adjacent to its existing 2x500 MW units set up by BHEL earlier. BHEL further said that it has a long-standing partnership with DVC and has installed over 80 percent of the coal-based power stations of the utility in Jharkhand and West Bengal.
The new project from DVC includes supply, erection and commissioning, along with civil works. The key equipment for the project will be supplied by BHEL's manufacturing units.
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) is one of the largest engineering and manufacturing companies in India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the government is committed to empowering farmers of the nation. Mr Modi stated this in a social media post after releasing 109 high-yielding, climate-resilient, and biofortified crop varieties at the India Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi.
He further added that the climate-friendly and high-yielding varieties of crops will boost the income of farmers. The 109 varieties of 61 crops include 34 field crops and 27 horticultural crops. Among the field crops, seeds of various cereals were released. The horticultural crops will cover different varieties of fruits, vegetables, plantation crops, tubers, spices,
flowers, and medicinal plants.
Modi launched the seeds at three experimental agriculture plots on Delhi's Pusa Campus and also interacted with farmers and scientists. Modi also released a durum wheat variety, suitable for Maharashtra, Karnataka, and the plains of Tamil Nadu. Adapted for irrigated conditions, it has an average grain yield of 30.2 q/ha.
This variety is tolerant to terminal heat, resistant to stem and leaf rust, and biofortified with higher levels of zinc (41.1 ppm) and iron (38.5 ppm). It also contains 12% protein. Among the field crops, new varieties of barley, maize, sorghum, pearl millet, and finger millet were also released.
Among the field crops, new varieties of barley, maize, sorghum, pearl millet, and finger millet were also released. In pulses, new varieties of chickpea, pigeon pea, lentils, and mungbean were introduced. The chickpea varieties are suitable for timely sown, rainfed, or irrigated conditions in the Rabi season within the Northeast Plain Zone (NEPZ).
They yield 17.79 q/ha and mature in 130 days. These varieties are moderately resistant to wilt, collar rot, and stunt, and are tolerant to pod damage.
Among the 69 field crops, there are 23 cereal seed varieties, including rice, wheat, barley, maize, sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, proso millet, and barnyard millet,
These are climate-friendly seeds and are designed to thrive in adverse weather conditions and offer high nutritional value. According to the ministry, 11 varieties of pulses have been released, including chickpea, pigeon pea, lentil, field pea, faba bean, and mungbean. Additionally, seven oilseed varieties, such as safflower, soybean, groundnut, and sesame,
And seven forage crops, including forage pearl millet, berseem, oats, forage maize, and forage sorghum, have also been introduced.
The PM also introduced four sugarcane varieties, six fiber crops, including cotton and jute, and 11 potential crops, such as buckwheat, amaranth, winged bean, adzuki bean, pillipesara, kalingda, and perilla.
The ministry said 40 new horticultural crops have also been introduced, covering fruits, vegetables, tuber crops, spices, plantation crops, flowers and medicinal plants.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent returned to India after successfully participating in Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 in Malaysia’s Kuantan. The joint air exercise was conducted in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Air Force from the 5th to the 9th of August.
The Defense Ministry, said that during the exercise, the Indian Air Force’s Su-30MKI fighter jets engaged in air combat missions alongside the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s Su-30MKM fighters. The primary focus of the exercise was to bolster operational efficiency and enhance the technical expertise of both air forces.
Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana), the purplish flowering shrub, that blooms once in 12 years, has been included on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) official Red List of Threatened Species. This is the first-ever Global Red List assessment for this flagship species of the montane grasslands of southwest India.
The latest global assessment confirms its threatened status in the Vulnerable (Criteria A2c) category of the IUCN. The mass blooming of the flower is a huge tourist attraction. The blooming was reported recently, though not in a vast spread, at Peerumade in Idukki.
The assessment was done by Amitha Bachan K.H. and Devika M. Anilkumar of the Centre for Ecology Taxonomy Conservation and Climate Change (CEtC) of the Western Ghats Hornbill Foundation at the Research Department of Botany, MES Asmabi College, Kodungalloor, and reviewed by Aparna Watwe of the Western Ghats Plant Specialist Group.
Axis Bank, in collaboration with Visa, has launched the ‘Primus’ credit card, a new ultra-premium offering designed exclusively for high-net-worth individuals. This invite-only card provides exceptional benefits and privileges tailored to the discerning needs of India's elite and comes with a steep joining fee of Rs 5 lakh, reflecting the card's exclusivity.
The annual fee stands at Rs 3 lakh. The launch of Primus is a strategic move by Axis Bank to strengthen its position in the premium segment, building upon the success of its Burgundy Private offering. Primus cardholders will experience a level of luxury and service unmatched by any other credit card in India.
With its focus on exclusivity, personalized benefits, and world-class partnerships, Primus caters to the discerning needs of the ultra-wealthy. Ultra-high net-worth individuals have distinct and complex banking needs that require specialised services beyond those provided to other clients.
The PRIMUS credit card is thus designed to appeal to India’s wealthy elite and their distinct tastes for style, exclusivity and access, Visa added in the statement.
In a major development, the Indian Navy has cleared the state-owned Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) to build six submarines with a projected cost up to Rs 60,000 crore. The decision follows the completion of trials for submarines under Project 75 India, according to defence sources.
The deal is crucial for India to counter the increasing influence of China and Pakistan in the Indian Ocean Region. MDL, in partnership with Germany's ThyssenKrupp, was competing against Larsen & Toubro and Navantia. The Indian government is focused on enhancing public sector units for job creation and technology development.
India plans to acquire six advanced conventional submarines equipped with an Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, allowing them to stay underwater longer than previous models without AIP.
Project 75 India aims to acquire diesel-electric attack submarines with AIP technology, making them larger and more advanced than current models.
Earlier, India’s nuclear submarine programme has been advancing with the imminent commissioning of its second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), the INS Arighat.
The INS Arighat, India's second indigenously built SSBN, is currently in the final stages of trials and upgrades as required by the Indian Navy.
According to sources, the submarine is expected to be officially commissioned into service within the next two months.
On August 12, 2012, the inaugural World Elephant Day was launched to bring attention to the urgent plight of Asian and African elephants. The elephant is loved, revered and respected by people and cultures around the world, yet we balance on the brink of seeing the last of this magnificent creature.
The 2024 theme, “Personifying Prehistoric Beauty, Theological Relevance, and Environmental Importance,” captures the significance of the occasion. Known as gardeners of the forest, elephants are catalysts in seed dispersal and necessary partners in forest regeneration.
India’s merchandise exports contracted 1.48 per cent to $33.98 billion in July due to muted global demand and geopolitical challenges, data released by the commerce department showed. Inbound shipments into the country rose 7.46 percent to $57.48 billion during the month, leading to a trade deficit of $23.5 billion.
During the first three months of the financial year (April-June), outbound shipments from India witnessed 5.8 percent growth year-on-year at $109.9 billion.
India's wholesale price index (WPI) inflation cooled to a three-month low of 2.04 per cent in July from a 16-month high of 3.36 per cent in June, primarily on the back of a sharp reduction in food prices.
The food price inflation stood at 3.45 per cent during the month as compared to 10.87 per cent in the preceding month.
The data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday showed that the inflation of other major sub-indices like manufactured products and fuel and power witnessed a slightly higher year-on-year (Y -o-Y) print in July.
Rajani Sinha, chief economist, CARE Ratings says that the moderation in WPI inflation was primarily driven by a decline in the inflation of primary articles, even as inflation for manufactured products and fuel and power increased. The cool down in factory gate inflation comes days after retail inflation dropped to a nearly five-year low of 3.54 percent in July,
due to the high-base effect and reduction in food prices. Although the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) tracks retail inflation for its monetary policy, the reduction in WPI may help in keeping retail inflation low, though with a time lag.
