Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh in the presence of Union Minister of State for External Affairs & Textiles, Pabitra Margherita, launched India-specific fashion trend book, “Paridhi 24x25” a bilingual web portal of VisioNxt and the AI Taxonomy e-book. VisioNxt has produced 60+ micro trend reports, 10+ close-to-season trend reports, 3+ research papers,
and the first ever AI Taxonomy book of Indian wear categories to date.
VisioNxt has positioned India globally among countries that predict fashion trends, increasing the visibility of Indian fashion vocabulary and identity while reducing dependence on international trend agencies.
The much-anticipated National Institute of Fashion Technology’s (NIFT) Begusarai Extension Centre was officially inaugurated by the Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh. The launch of a three-day workshop accompanied the inauguration focused on imparting basic tailoring and garment construction skills to participants.
During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between NIFT and the National Skill Development Council (NSDC) in the presence of the Shri Giriraj Singh. The Minister in his address mentioned the establishment of the NIFT Begusarai Centre which will lead to inclusive growth of the marginalised society of the nation.
Begusarai Extension Centre successfully completed its first workshop from 17 to 19th of September 2024 in which 31 ladies from Jeevika self-help group were trained in an intensive workshop for basic cutting and tailoring for beginners. The workshop was very well received and all the participants very keenly attended and learnt many new methods and designs.
At the Global Textile Summit in 2017, the Prime Minister highlighted the gap in the availability of India-specific real-time trend insights for industry stakeholders. In response, VisioNxt — a Trend Insights and Forecasting Initiative, was conceived and established at NIFT with the support of the Ministry of Textiles. The initiative focused on delivering trend insights,
VisioNxt is India’s first-ever initiative that combines Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emotional Intelligence (EI) to generate fashion trend insights and forecasts. It identifies, maps, and analyses geo-specific trends, reflecting the positive plurality, cultural diversity, and socio-economic nuances of India while collating comprehensive trends and insights.
Rama Mankirdia, a resident of Khunta block’s Mahilabasa village in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, is delighted to receive habitat rights of the local forested area.
The habitat rights were formally provided to Mankidia on September 22 under the legal sanction of The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006,
a landmark legislation popularly known as the Forest Rights Act, of 2006.
Historically, Mankidia’s ancestors have been dependent on the forest for their livelihood and ritualistic practices but it is now that his tribal community has a legal claim over the forests around his village.
Mankidia, along with other members of his community, was felicitated at a ceremony in Barapada which was presided over by Krushna Chandra Mohapatra, Odisha’s urban development minister, and Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia, minister of forest, environment, and climate change.
Before the legal entitlement, despite Mankidia belonging to the namesake tribe,
which is classified as a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG), his community was officially prevented from trespassing the forest land or using forest produce.
He, along with his community members in Mayurbhanj district, has got the habitat rights from the ministers in a function held at Baripada.
Mankidia is the second PVTG to get the habitat rights in the state, while the district-level committees (DLCs) have approved for four other communities.
Paudi Bhuyan of Deogarh district was the first PVTG to receive habitat rights title in Odisha on March 7, 2024. Habitat rights of Paudi Bhuyan have been recognised in over 32 villages under Barkote block.
Fulfilling the pre-poll promise, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha launched a new scheme -- CM-SATH -- to support the meritorious students for higher education.
Launching the scheme, the Chief Minister reiterated the state government's commitment to ensure that financial constraints do not hinder the growth of genuine talent and access to quality education.
The CM-SATH project has been designed to provide financial support of Rs 60,000 (Rs 5,000 monthly) to 200 students -- 100 at Madhyamik level and 100 at Higher Secondary level, based on merit for two and three years respectively, for higher learning.
Under this project, out of 200 students, 152 students at the block level, 12 students at the Nagar Panchayat level,
and 10 students at the Agartala Municipal Corporation level would be selected.
The 200 beneficiaries will be selected by the District Education Officer of each district.
The CM-SATH scheme has been launched to ensure that no student's education is interrupted due to a lack of funds. Rs 1.20 crore would be spent on this project in the first year,
Rs 2.40 crore in the second year, and Rs 3 crore from the third year onward.
During the event, two students from each of the eight districts were presented a symbolic check of the scholarship by the Chief Minister.
The Central Government, through the Ministry of Law and Justice, notified the appointment of Chief Justices to eight High Courts to fill key judicial positions and ensure the smooth functioning of the judicial system in various states.
Union Law Minister (Independent Charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal announced the appointment of Chief Justices to eight High Courts.
According to the notification, Justice Manmohan, who is currently serving as the Acting Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, has been appointed as the regular Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court.
Justice Indra Prasanna Mukerji, a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court, has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court.
Justice Rajiv Shakdher, a sitting judge of the Delhi High Court, has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. Similarly, Justice Suresh Kait, also from the Delhi High Court, has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
The notification from the Ministry of Law and Justice also includes the appointment of Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar (from the Bombay High Court), who has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court.
Justice Tashi Rabstan,currently the Acting Chief Justice of the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, appointed as the regular Chief Justice of the same court
Justice Shriram Kalpathi Rajendran (from the Bombay High Court) has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court.
Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao, the current Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, has been transferred and appointed as the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court.
Moody's has revised its calendar year (CY) 2024 growth forecast for India to 7.1%, from its earlier estimates of 6.8% in June, as it expects growth in the Asia-Pacific region to outpace the global economy.
It, however, kept its India growth forecast for CY 2025 unchanged at 6.5%.
The revision in India's growth forecast by Moody's comes a month after Moody’s Ratings similarly upgraded the GDP growth forecast to 7.2% in 2024 and 6.6% in 2025.
The World Bank earlier in September revised its fiscal year 2025 or FY25 growth forecast for India to 7%, from its previous estimate of 6.6%.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) projects sustained strong growth for India’s economy, forecasting a 7 percent increase in gross domestic product (GDP) for the financial year 2024 (ending 31 March 2025) and 7.2 percent for FY2025. The projections were outlined in the bank’s Asian Development Outlook report for September 2024.
Mio Oka, ADB Country Director for India, said, “India’s economy has shown remarkable resilience in the face of global geopolitical challenges and is poised for steady growth.
The report indicates that above-average monsoon across much of India is expected to stimulate strong agricultural growth, positively impacting the rural economy in FY2024.
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India assumed chairmanship of the Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI) for 2024-2027.
CAG of India Girish Chandra Murmu said the 16th Assembly of ASOSAI has expanded to include 48 Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs).
The Assembly, which brings together about 200 delegates from 42 countries,
including the heads of 22 SAIs, is a significant milestone in regional cooperation in the field of public auditing, with a focus on enhancing transparency, accountability, and good governance.
The West Bengal government has decided to discontinue the 150-year-old tram service in Kolkata soon, barring a solitary heritage stretch from Maidan to Esplanade, Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty said. Kolkata is the only city in the country where trams continue to operate.
Trams are undoubtedly a part of Kolkata's heritage after their introduction in 1873 as horse-drawn carriages and played a crucial role in transportation in the previous century.
Heritage trams, however, will run between Maidan and Esplanade so that people can have a pleasant and environment-friendly ride, the minister said.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has introduced new rules aimed at simplifying the process of applying for public issues of debt securities. From November 1, individual investors applying through intermediaries for amounts up to ₹5 lakh will be required to use the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for fund blocking.
This decision is part of SEBI’s effort to make the process more efficient and align it with the existing process for public issues of equity shares and convertibles.
The new rules will be mandatory for investors applying for public issues of debt securities via intermediaries, such as stock brokers, syndicate members, registrars, or depository participants.
Investors are also required to provide their UPI ID, linked to their bank account, in the bid-cum-application form submitted to intermediaries.
SEBI has also introduced new rules aimed at reducing the time it takes for issuers to access funds.
Under the rules, SEBI has shortened the minimum subscription period for public issues of debt securities from three to two Days.
Additionally, in the case of price band or yield revisions, the bidding period can now be extended by just one working day, rather than three.
For issuers with securities already listed, the time allowed for public comments on draft offer documents has been reduced to one day.
For other issuers, the period is reduced to five days.
Federal Bank, one of India’s leading banks has unveiled NPS Vatsalya, a pioneering program inside the National Pension System (NPS) designed exclusively for minors. The Government of India launched NPS Vatsalya on September 18, 2024, to provide a secure and flexible retirement planning solution for children while assuring long-term wealth building,
through the power of compounding. With a minimal annual contribution of Rs. 1,000, this initiative is accessible to families from all socioeconomic backgrounds, encouraging financial inclusion and early financial planning.
NPS Vatsalya provides diverse investment alternatives, allowing guardians to choose between active and passive investments across multiple asset classes.
The scheme is managed by reputed fund managers that are registered with the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), ensuring skilled investment management. Subscribers can also benefit from tax deductions under Sections 80 CCD (1) and 80 CCD (1B) of the Income Tax Act, making it a tax-effective investment alternative.
Bank of Baroda, one of India’s leading public sector banks, partnered with EaseMyTrip.com, a prominent online travel platform, to launch the Bank of Baroda EaseMyTrip Co-branded Travel Debit Card. This is the first co-branded travel debit card introduced by a public sector bank, tailored specifically for frequent travelers, entertainment lovers, and shopping enthusiasts.
The card offers an array of exclusive benefits across travel bookings, hotel stays, OTT streaming platforms, and popular e-commerce sites, ensuring that users enjoy year-round savings with no minimum order value. From discounts on flights and hotel bookings to complimentary premium memberships, the card is designed to redefine the customer experience.
Launched on September 25, 2014, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the "Make in India" initiative is completing 10 years as a pivotal step in India's nation-building efforts. The initiative was conceived during a period when India's economic growth had sharply declined, and the country faced critical challenges in sustaining its development trajectory.
Against this backdrop, "Make in India" was designed to transform India into a global hub for design and manufacturing. Its core objectives were to facilitate investment, encourage innovation, and develop world-class infrastructure.
As one of the pioneering 'Vocal for Local' initiatives, it sought not only to boost India's manufacturing capabilities but also to showcase its industrial potential on a global stage.
The initiative’s focus on developing a robust manufacturing sector promises to elevate India's economic trajectory and generate employment opportunities for its vast young workforce.
Now, with the "Make in India 2.0" phase encompassing 27 sectors, the program continues to drive forward with significant achievements and renewed vigour, reinforcing India's position as a major player in the global manufacturing landscape.
The "Make in India" initiative celebrates its 10th anniversary, it stands as a testament to India’s determination
to reshape its manufacturing landscape and enhance its global standing. With strategic reforms, investment-friendly policies, and a strong focus on infrastructure development, the initiative has significantly enhanced India's industrial capabilities.
The success of indigenous projects like the Vande Bharat trains and INS Vikrant, alongside record-breaking FDI inflows, reflects India's growing self-reliance and global competitiveness.
NICDC Logistics Data Services Ltd. (NLDSL) announces the launch of Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) Hackathon 2.0, a competitive event aimed at fostering innovation and developing digital solutions to tackle pressing challenges in the logistics industry. The Hackathon was officially launched at an event held under the chairmanship of Shri Rajeev Singh Thakur,
Additional Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), at Vanijya Bhawan. The launch event witnessed more than 1800 attendees joining the kick-off physically and virtually, reflecting widespread industry interest in the initiative.
As part of its ongoing commitment to transforming the logistics sector, NLDSL also announced the launch of the Track Your Transport (TYT) application powered by ULIP. This app is designed to empower small-scale transporters and traders by addressing various facets of logistics management, from providing tracking of cargo via all modes to verification of vehicles and drivers
TYT eliminates the need for heavy IT infrastructure investments, making it a cost-effective and user-friendly tool for the unorganized sector.
ULIP is a digital gateway that allows industry players to access logistics-related datasets from various Government systems through API-based integration.
Currently, the platform integrates with 37 systems from 10 ministries via 118 APIs, covering over 1800 data fields. Private sector participation in ULIP has been instrumental in amplifying its impact, with over 1000 companies registered on the ULIP portal.
World Maritime Day is celebrated annually on the last Thursday of September, and in 2024, it falls on September 26. This special day is organised by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to highlight the importance of maritime activities and the contributions of the maritime industry to global development.
This year's theme, Navigating the future: safety first! reflects the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) work to enhance maritime safety and security, in tandem with the protection of the marine environment, whilst ensuring its regulatory development process safely anticipates the fast pace of technological change and innovation.
The General Assembly commemorates 26 September as the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. This Day provides an occasion for the world community to reaffirm its commitment to global nuclear disarmament as a priority.
It provides an opportunity to educate the public - and their leaders - about the real benefits of eliminating such weapons, and the social and economic costs of perpetuating them. Commemorating this Day at the United Nations is especially important, given its universal membership and its long experience in grappling with nuclear disarmament issues.
