Washington, Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) A coalition of South Asian American lawmakers and elected officials has called for stronger action against rising hate, harassment and violence targeting the community, as they gathered for a national roundtable led by Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi.

The meeting brought together federal, state and local elected officials to discuss discrimination facing South Asian Americans and ways policymakers can strengthen prevention, reporting and responses to hate crimes.

US Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Ami Bera, Suhas Subramanyam and Shri Thanedar joined Krishnamoorthi at the roundtable, along with state and local elected officials from across the country.

Representatives of Indian American Impact and Stop AAPI Hate also participated.

“Today’s roundtable brought together South Asian leaders from across the country to confront the rise in hate, harassment, and violence our communities are seeing and focus on what we can do about it,” Krishnamoorthi said.

“This is about protecting South Asian Americans, but it is also about making clear that no American should be made to feel they do not belong because of where they were born, how they worship, or what their name sounds like,” he said.

“That is why I have been working to strengthen our response to hate crimes, including through the Hate Crimes Commission Act, so we can better understand what is driving this hate and prevent violence before it happens.”

Participants discussed what South Asian communities have been experiencing, factors driving hate and measures that could improve prevention, reporting and responses, according to Krishnamoorthi’s office.

State and local elected officials taking part came from North Carolina, New Jersey, Virginia, California, Michigan, Texas and Pennsylvania.

Indian American Impact Executive Director Chintan Patel and Stop AAPI Hate co-founder Manju Kulkarni also participated.

The gathering comes amid heightened concern among South Asian American organisations and elected representatives over hate and discrimination directed against people because of their ethnicity, religion or national origin.

Krishnamoorthi, who represents Illinois’ 8th Congressional District, has sought a broader federal examination of the causes of hate crimes and gaps in reporting them.

He reintroduced the Hate Crimes Commission Act in May alongside Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and House co-leads Grace Meng and Nydia Velázquez.

The legislation would establish a bipartisan US Commission on Hate Crimes to study factors contributing to such crimes, including the role of social media and technology, barriers to accurate reporting and approaches to prevention. It would also direct the Government Accountability Office to audit federal hate-crime data collection systems.

Federal data cited when the legislation was reintroduced showed that more than 11,000 single-bias hate-crime incidents involving nearly 14,000 victims were reported to the FBI in 2024. Those incidents targeted Americans on grounds including race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability.

Source: IANS

The post US lawmakers call for stronger action against hate crimes targeting South Asian community appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Washington, Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) The United States has warned that employment-based first-preference green cards for Indians could become unavailable within weeks because of heavy demand, adding fresh pressure to an already severe backlog that has left another major category closed to Indian applicants.

The State Department, in its September Visa Bulletin, said high demand and use of EB-1 immigrant visa numbers by applicants chargeable to India could exhaust the country's allocation before the US fiscal year ends on September 30.

"High demand and number use by aliens chargeable to India in the EB-1 visa category may necessitate making the category unavailable in the coming weeks if India's pro-rated limit in the EB-1 category is reached before the fiscal year ends," the State Department said.

“This situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly,” it said.

EB-1 is the employment-based first-preference category, covering priority workers including people with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers and certain multinational executives and managers.

The warning is particularly significant for Indians because several other employment-based green-card queues are already severely constrained.

For September, the EB-1 India final action date is October 15, 2022.

That means an Indian applicant generally must have a priority date earlier than the listed cutoff for a visa number to be available for final action, subject to other eligibility requirements.

India's EB-2 category, which covers professionals holding advanced degrees and people of exceptional ability, is listed as “U” -- unavailable -- in the September bulletin.

The State Department defines “U” as meaning visa numbers are not authorised for issuance in that category during the period concerned.

EB-2 India was already unavailable in August and remains so in September.

The backlog is also stark in the employment-based third-preference category.

The EB-3 India final action date for September is January 1, 2014, meaning the queue stretches back more than 12 years.

For comparison, EB-3 is September 1, 2024 for most countries not separately listed in the bulletin, January 1, 2022 for mainland China and August 1, 2023 for the Philippines.

India's unreserved EB-5 investor category is also unavailable for final action in September, although the EB-5 set-aside categories for rural projects, high-unemployment areas and infrastructure remain current for all countries.

The filing dates offer somewhat more room than the final-action dates.

For India, the September dates-for-filing chart lists December 1, 2023 for EB-1, January 15, 2015 for EB-2 and January 15, 2015 for EB-3.

Applicants seeking adjustment of status inside the United States, however, must check which chart US Citizenship and Immigration Services authorises for use in a particular month.

The pressure on Indian employment-based applicants stems in large part from the combination of heavy demand and statutory limits on the number of employment-based immigrant visas available each year.

For fiscal 2026, the State Department says the worldwide employment-based preference limit is 186,317. US immigration law also generally imposes a 7 per cent per-country limit across family- and employment-based preference visas, although carryover provisions affect the final calculations.

Source: IANS

The post US warns EB-1 green cards may shut for India appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Mathura, Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will arrive in Mathura on Thursday for a two-day visit to mark the occasion of Janmashtami.

During his visit, the Chief Minister will inaugurate the newly constructed Swami Haridas Auditorium in Vrindavan and inaugurate as well as lay the foundation stone for several development projects with a combined value of around Rs 1,051 crore.

According to the schedule, CM Yogi will land at the Pawan Hans helipad in Mathura at around 1 p.m. on Thursday. After arriving, he will travel by road to inspect the Bhakti Marg established along the Panigaon link road.

Following the inspection, the Chief Minister will proceed to the Geeta Research Institute. At around 2:30 p.m., he will chair a review meeting of the Braj Tirtha Vikas Parishad at the institute. During the meeting, various issues related to the development of Braj and ongoing projects are expected to be reviewed.

At around 3:30 p.m., CM Yogi will inaugurate several development projects and lay the foundation stones for a number of other projects worth approximately Rs 1,051 crore. The projects include the Shri Haridas Auditorium, which is being developed in Vrindavan.

Preparations for the Chief Minister's arrival are underway at the Geeta Research Institute and the Shri Haridas Auditorium, with both venues being decorated ahead of the programme. The Chief Minister will also address the gathering at the newly developed auditorium.

The Shri Haridas Auditorium has been equipped with seating arrangements for around 1,000 people and is expected to provide a significant venue for cultural and religious programmes in Vrindavan.

After completing the day's engagements, CM Yogi will spend the night at the Veterinary University in Mathura.

On Friday morning, the Chief Minister is scheduled to visit the Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple, where he will offer prayers on the occasion of Janmashtami.

Source: IANS

The post UP CM Yogi to visit Mathura today, inaugurate projects worth Rs 1,051 crore ahead of Janmashtami appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Los Angeles, Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Two people were killed and the suspect died after a shooting in Minneapolis, the largest city in the US state of Minnesota, local television station KSTP reported.

The suspect died by suicide, and six others, including three police officers, were injured in the shooting that took place on Wednesday (local time).

The City of Minneapolis said in a post on X that police officers were dispatched to the shooting at approximately 4:36 p.m. local time (2136 GMT).

Officers entered a high-rise apartment building, where they encountered victims and heard additional gunfire. Officers followed the sound of the gunfire to an upper floor of the building, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting KSTP.

On that floor, officers encountered a haze that significantly limited visibility. Three officers were injured, two of them by gunfire, the post added.

Local television station KARE reported that the shooting began as a domestic incident between the shooter and one of the victims. The shooter opened fire on responding officers before retreating into an apartment, the report said.

An investigation is underway to determine the motive behind the incident, officials said.

Further details are awaited.

This comes close on the heels of another shooting incident in the US.

On August 29, a police officer was killed and a second was injured Saturday in a shooting at a park in Columbia, the US state of South Carolina, according to police.

Columbia Police Department Chief W.H. "Skip" Holbrook confirmed that the suspect also died.

The incident occurred at Southeast Park on Hazelwood Road in the city as two officers responded to a reported domestic dispute, Holbrook said at a press conference.

On August 15, one person was killed and four others injured in a shooting at a park in Lexington, Kentucky.

Source: IANS

The post Two killed in US Minneapolis shooting; suspect commits suicide appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Chapel Hill (North Carolina), Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that countries helping Iran evade American sanctions could themselves face penalties, while dismissing suggestions that India and Iran were preparing a trade agreement.

Rubio made the remarks when asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with the Iranian President and officials, and reports that the two countries appeared to be moving towards a trade deal.

“Well, I don’t think there’s a trade deal between India and Iran,” Rubio said in an interview with The Brian Kilmeade Show.

He acknowledged that countries pursued independent foreign policies and maintained contacts with Tehran. Washington itself had communicated with representatives of the Iranian government, he said.

“Obviously, there are -- countries all develop their own foreign policy, and many countries around the world talk to the Iranian regime,” Rubio said. “I mean, we’ve met with elements of the Iranian regime as well, in terms of some of these discussions that have occurred and there’s been contact with them.”

But Rubio said President Donald Trump had made clear that no country should assist Tehran in bypassing sanctions or establishing channels to earn revenue.

“I think what ultimately happens though is -- and the President’s been very clear -- is no country should be helping Iran evade sanctions,” he said.

“No country should be out there helping them create mechanisms by which they can generate revenue that they will then use to sponsor terrorism and try to build a nuclear weapon. And if countries decide to do that, then we’re going to have to sanction them too.”

Rubio said preventing Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon remained the central objective of the Trump administration.

“Iran will never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon, certainly not as long as President Trump is in office,” he said.

The Secretary of State said Washington’s primary means of pressuring Tehran remained economic, but it reserved the right to use military force when it considered such action necessary.

“As long as they continue to endeavour or claim to want one, they’re going to pay a price for it, and that price is going to be primarily economic,” Rubio said. “But we reserve the right, as we said, to take military action when necessary -- not just to protect ourselves but to prevent them from being able to threaten others as well.”

Rubio also accused Tehran of using its financial resources to support armed groups rather than improve the lives of Iranians.

“They want money for two things -- to sponsor terrorism and ultimately to have a nuclear weapon,” he said. “And we can’t allow that to happen.”

On the Strait of Hormuz, Rubio said Iran had continued firing at commercial ships, while the United States had destroyed mines placed in the strategic waterway.

“So we will continue to target those things that pose an imminent threat to our forces and to global shipping in the straits,” he said. “The straits will remain open, and they will not be under Iranian control.”

India and Iran have longstanding diplomatic and commercial relations. India has also been involved in developing Iran’s Chabahar port, which gives it a trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia without passing through Pakistan.

Source: IANS

The post Countries helping Iran evade sanctions could themselves face penalties, says Rubio appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for his three-day visit to India.

This will be PM De Wever's first visit to India after assuming office in February last year. Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken is also part of the visiting delegation.

Later in the day, the visiting Prime Minister will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Taking to X, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, "Welcome to India! A very warm welcome to Prime Minister Bart De Wever of Belgium as he arrives in New Delhi on an official visit. He was received by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth."

"The visit provides an opportunity to further strengthen the close and multifaceted India-Belgium partnership," the MEA added.

The visit is focused on strengthening bilateral trade, defence cooperation, renewable energy, technology, and deepening broader India-EU engagement.

While announcing his visit earlier, the MEA said that Bart De Wever and PM Modi will meet on Thursday, during which both will discuss the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest. PM De Wever will also deliver a keynote address at a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) business event, in the context of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

After concluding his engagements in New Delhi, Bart De Wever will travel to Mumbai, where he will engage with various stakeholders, including from the diamond, ports and logistics sectors.

"The visit will provide an opportunity to further strengthen the India-Belgium partnership and advance cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment, defence and security, technology, renewable energy, connectivity and people-to-people ties, as well as to further deepen India-EU and India-Europe engagement," the MEA mentioned.

Belgium was one of the first European nations to establish diplomatic ties with independent India in September 1947. The strong bilateral relationship between India and Belgium is rooted in shared values, including a commitment to the rule of law, federalism, and pluralism, according to the Indian Embassy in Brussels.

Belgium also supports India's bid for permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Source: IANS

The post Belgian PM Wever arrives in India for first official visit, to hold talks with PM Modi appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Chapel Hill (North Carolina), Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) The United States sees India as an “extraordinary opportunity” for artificial intelligence cooperation and is working with New Delhi to build an integrated AI technology stack, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has said.

“India is an extraordinary opportunity, and we are working together, as I said, to try to build that AI stack together,” Lutnick told reporters at the conclusion of the G20 Innovation Ministerial in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

The remarks came after Lutnick and Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and science advisor to the President, announced that G20 members had reached consensus on a ministerial statement covering innovation, investment and economic growth.

Lutnick said the AI stack offered countries opportunities to develop national champions in different segments while working with American frontier models and technology companies.

“The idea is the frontier models are clearly American models,” he said. The United States, he added, was trying to have its AI stack integrate with individual countries so it could work with national systems and succeed globally.

Kratsios said discussions at the ministerial had highlighted the growing importance of AI in scientific research. He said the technology would influence chemistry, mathematics, physics and materials science.

“So something that we shared with all the G20 nations, I think is very applicable to India is this fundamental belief that we have to sort of push our science community to absorb AI into what they do to work,” he said.

The two-day meeting concluded with agreement on the Carolina principles for emerging technology. Kratsios said the framework was designed to help governments support the discovery, development and deployment of new technologies.

“The Carolina principles, which we all agree to here at the G20, reflect the common features of the innovation lifecycle across all emerging technologies,” he said.

The principles call on governments to invest in foundational research, strengthen development and commercialisation pathways and encourage trusted adoption. They also recommend applying existing sector-specific rules where appropriate and reserving new regulations for novel issues.

Lutnick described the consensus among all G20 members as the result of extensive negotiations. He said political considerations can complicate efforts to reach agreement in international forums.

“When you bring global leaders together, there’s always lots of politics,” he said. “People sometimes like to stay out of consensus to make a point as opposed to the point of the consensus.”

Lutnick said the United States wants its AI technology to be used globally, with individual countries deciding whether to deploy frontier or open-weight models.

Kratsios said the Trump administration’s American AI Exports Program was intended to make US chips, models and applications available to partners and allies.

“We have the very best chips, we have the very best models, we have the very best applications, and we wanna make those available to all of our partners, friends, and allies all around the world,” he said.

India is a member of the G20, which brings together major advanced and emerging economies. The grouping operates through annual summits, ministerial meetings and working groups covering economic, technological and development issues.

India and the United States have expanded cooperation in recent years across artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum technology, telecommunications and scientific research. Technology has become a major pillar of the broader strategic partnership between the two countries.

Source: IANS

The post US sees India as ‘extraordinary’ AI partner, says Howard Lutnick appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Chapel Hill (North Carolina), Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Group of 20 nations has reached consensus on a new set of principles governing emerging technologies, overcoming political differences to endorse policies aimed at accelerating innovation, investment and economic growth.

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and White House science advisor Michael Kratsios announced the agreement at the conclusion of the two-day G20 Innovation Ministerial in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

“We have reached consensus on our G20 innovation ministerial statement,” Lutnick said. “That means we had all 20 countries agree, and it was an enormous amount of work.”

The agreement includes the Carolina principles for emerging technology, which call on governments to support research, strengthen pathways for commercialising new discoveries and encourage the trusted adoption of technology.

Kratsios said the principles could be applied to new technologies across different political and legal systems.

“The Carolina principles, which we all agree to here at the G20, reflect the common features of the innovation lifecycle across all emerging technologies,” he said.

“These principles can be applied to any novel development and within any legal system and will empower all G20 countries to build policy frameworks that increase productivity, strength and national competitiveness and improve quality of life.”

The principles call for governments to invest in foundational research, strengthen development and commercialisation pathways and promote the adoption of emerging technologies. They recommend using existing sector-specific rules where appropriate and introducing new regulations only for novel considerations.

Kratsios cited commercial drone operations as an example of a technology that required fresh regulations because existing aviation rules were not designed to handle large-scale drone delivery.

The minister also discussed the adoption of artificial intelligence in government services and preparations for technology-driven changes in the workforce.

“Today in particular, artificial intelligence is poised to expand economic opportunity and improve the lives of our fellow citizens if we navigate this moment effectively and responsibly,” Kratsios said.

He said the US message to the other G20 members was that Washington wanted stronger innovation and economic growth across the world.

“Technology lets us do more with less, extending human capabilities and using our resources more efficiently,” he said.

Lutnick acknowledged that political considerations had complicated negotiations over the final statement.

“When you bring global leaders together, there’s always lots of politics,” he said. “People sometimes like to stay out of consensus to make a point as opposed to the point of the consensus.”

He said the discussions remained focused on artificial intelligence, technological standards and opportunities presented by innovation.

“What ended up happening is they addressed the topics on the table rather than letting politics overwhelm things and someone standing outside just so they can make a point,” Lutnick said.

The United States invited several leading technology executives and researchers to address the ministerial. Participants heard from Nvidia, SpaceX, Meta, Google DeepMind and other companies and institutions involved in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

The G20 brings together 19 countries, the European Union and the African Union. Its members account for the bulk of global economic output, international trade and the world’s population.

Source: IANS

The post G20 seals pact on new emerging technologies principles appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, Sep 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Emphasising that Shiv Sena is a party for the common man fighting for public rights, party's Chief leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has called upon every office-bearer and worker to take the party to the last person in society through welfare initiatives.

He also announced on Tuesday that Shiv Sena will donate ambulances across 25 states in the country.

He made these remarks while addressing a review meeting of State Shiv Sena Presidents from various states.

Deputy Chief Minister Shinde instructed party leaders to work effectively on critical issues such as education, sports, employment, women's welfare, healthcare, water, roads, and agriculture.

He gave clear directions that if needed, office-bearers should step up and lead agitation in "Shiv Sena style" in their respective states to secure justice for the public.

To further strengthen the party's base at the grassroots level, Eknath Shinde advised organising state-level sports competitions across various states over the coming months.

To accelerate party growth, Deputy CM Shinde directed that appointments of key functionaries be completed immediately across all states.

"This primarily includes selecting state-level office-bearers, women's wing chiefs, Yuva Sena leadership, and leaders for other affiliated organisations. State chiefs were instructed to submit a concrete "Action Plan" to the party leadership within the next two months, tailored to the political and social conditions as well as upcoming elections in their respective states."

Deputy CM Shinde suggested that office-bearers take direct initiative in resolving daily civic issues, including drinking water supply, road repairs, healthcare services, solid waste management, school maintenance, and clean public toilets.

To expand the party's footprint, he clarified during the meeting that a widespread "Shiv Sena Membership Drive" must be launched across all states to ensure the party reaches the last village and household.

All state chiefs expressed their determination to celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday and his 25 years of successful public service on a grand scale through various social welfare programs.

During this dedicated service week, blood donation camps, health drives, and job fairs for youth will be organised nationwide, alongside the distribution of notebooks and educational materials to underprivileged students, the statement said.

"Shiv Sena office-bearers work not just for politics, but for social welfare. Strengthening the party network down to the booth level and rushing to the aid of people in their times of need is our ultimate goal," Deputy CM Shinde reiterated to the state leaders.

Source: IANS

The post Reach the last mile of society through public service: Maha Dy CM Eknath Shinde tells Shiv Sena state chiefs appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Chapel Hill (North Carolina), Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Palantir Chief Executive Alex Karp said that India could emerge as a major artificial intelligence (AI) power, citing its technical talent, energy initiatives and capacity to develop advanced AI models.

"I could see it doing very, very well," Karp told IANS when asked where he saw India in the field of AI.

"I mean, first of all, model development, energy source. I mean, you guys are doing a lot of scrappy things to get energy," he told IANS during a media interaction on the sidelines of the G20 Innovation Ministerial here.

Karp described energy and technical expertise as vital to the development of AI.

"One of the bottlenecks is energy, technical talent," he said, adding that every country possessed distinctive technical capabilities.

The Palantir CEO called AI possibly the most consequential technological advance in a century.

He also cautioned that it could be deployed for constructive as well as harmful purposes.

"The most important technological development. It, it may be in the last hundred years," Karp said.

"And because of that, it can be used for good and ill. So you really do need to have experts looking at it."

Karp said nations would have to find ways to build and retain control over their own sovereign AI systems.

"I think what's particularly interesting about the conference is every country has to figure out a way to have its own sovereign AI," he said.

He pointed to several questions governments must address while building such systems.

"How do you control the weights? How do you control the data? How do you control where it goes?" Karp said.

"How do you make sure it's indigenous to your own country?"

He identified the United States, China and Israel as leaders in the field, but said other countries must also develop domestic capabilities and determine how best to use them.

"America, really America, China, Israel are in the forefront here, but it's really important that other countries have their own AI developments and figure out ways to use them," he said.

Karp added that organisations using AI needed computing capacity and an application layer.

They also needed to decide where to deploy closed and open models to protect valuable information, he said.

"You need compute, you need an application layer, you need to be able to control where you put closed and open models so that you're not losing your telemetry, your alpha, your government's secrets maybe," he added.

Palantir's platform, he said, could run models from different developers.

The company preferred American products but supported competition in commercial markets.

"We have to win this battle, and we have to have American models be the best," Karp said.

"But you can't just say our models are gonna be the worst and people should use them even though they're more expensive and equally not as safe."

Karp also warned governments to approach AI regulation carefully, saying poorly designed rules could hurt the countries they were intended to protect.

"One of the biggest problems is it's gotta be done by people who understand the issues," he said.

"That doesn't mean there should be no regulation. So I, I'm not an anti-regulation person."

Palantir Technologies is a US software company co-founded by Karp in 2003. Its platforms help government agencies and commercial organisations integrate and analyse large volumes of data.

The company is known for its work with US defence and intelligence agencies. It has also expanded its commercial business, providing software for sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, energy and financial services.

Source: IANS

The post India doing ‘very, very well’ in AI: Karp appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Hyderabad, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday paid rich tributes to former Chief Minister of united Andhra Pradesh, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR), saying he gave his whole life to the Congress Party and to the poor of his state.

He said YSR believed that the purpose of government was to give ordinary people dignity, security and opportunity.

“Then when he got power, he did not forget what he strove for. He brought healthcare within the reach of poor families through Aarogyasri, built homes for poor families through Indiramma Indlu, worked to give land to the landless, and gave free electricity to farmers while ensuring that farm loan relief reached thousands of families,” said Kharge.

The Congress chief was speaking at the Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy Award 2026 programme in New Delhi.

The award was presented to M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation.

“17 years ago, on this very day, we lost Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, a man who gave his whole life to the Congress Party and to the poor of his state. So, there could be no better way to pay tribute to him than to honour, in his memory, an institution that shares his deepest belief that no farmer and no poor family should be left behind or deprived of their basic needs,” said Kharge.

The AICC President also paid tribute to Dr M. S. Swaminathan. He said Dr Swaminathan transformed Indian agriculture, but his vision went way beyond producing more food.

“I had the privilege of knowing Dr Swaminathan personally for many years. I first came to know him when I was a minister in Karnataka. We invited him to speak to students and faculty as a chief guest for programmes at the University of Agricultural Sciences in Bangalore. I had the opportunity to interact with him on several occasions. I knew him as a great scientist, and later as a nominated Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha (2007 to 2013), but what stayed with me was his commitment to science and his belief that scientific knowledge must ultimately improve the lives of ordinary people,” said Kharge.

Addressing the award ceremony, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said there was an urgent need to make Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Minister of India.

The Chief Minister asserted that Rahul Gandhi’s leadership is a historical necessity for the country in the difficult and challenging times.

Revanth Reddy remembered YSR’s leadership qualities and recalled his final wish of making Rahul Gandhi as the PM. After taking the oath of office as CM for the second time, YSR announced that his life's goal was to see Rahul Gandhi become the Prime Minister. However, he passed away before that wish could be realised.

CM Revanth Reddy said that the people of the country were facing hardships and a leader must stand by them during such times. The country needs a leader to stand by the people at this historic juncture and Rahul Gandhi is the strong leader.

“Making Rahul Gandhi the Prime Minister is a tribute to YSR. To fulfil his final wish, we must ensure Rahul Gandhi becomes the Prime Minister in the upcoming elections,” the Chief Minister. He called for working together under the leadership of Mallikarjun Kharge to make Rahul Gandhi the Prime Minister.

Stressing the need to take forward YSR's vision, the CM said that YSR deserved the credit for launching projects like Pranahita-Chevella, Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation, and the SLBC tunnel to provide irrigation water in Telangana. Now, these projects are stalled. We will complete the projects and dedicate them to the people of Telangana, the CM announced.

CM Revanth Reddy also recalled the services rendered by the country's first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who accorded top priority to education and irrigation sectors. The nation transformed from a state of hunger and distress to becoming a food exporter under Nehru's leadership. Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had taken measures to provide Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farmers' produce for the first time in the country. Sonia Gandhi introduced the Food Security Act to ensure food security for every citizen in the country. Former PM Indira Gandhi also introduced agricultural reforms, distributing assigned lands to the poor.

It was when the Congress party launched the Public Distribution System (PDS), supplying essential commodities through ration shops. The Chief Minister said 3.48 crore people in Telangana were getting fine quality rice.

Source: IANS

The post YSR gave whole life to Congress and poor people: Kharge appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Asheville (North Carolina), Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) India has moved to deepen economic partnerships with the European Union, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and several major economies, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman using the G20 meeting in Asheville to seek greater investment, stronger supply chains and wider access to advanced technologies.

Sitharaman held a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting.

Her discussions covered critical minerals, infrastructure financing, digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence, trade and cross-border payment systems.

In talks with European Commissioner for Economy and Financial Affairs Valdis Dombrovskis, the two sides discussed strengthening the India-EU Economic and Financial Partnership. They also reviewed cooperation through the macroeconomic dialogue and the Trade and Technology Council.

The meeting covered negotiations for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement and Investment Protection Agreement. Both sides expressed a commitment to advance the negotiations.

They also discussed resilient and diversified supply chains, including cooperation on critical raw materials and technologies.

Sitharaman stressed the need to build processing and value-addition capabilities rather than focus only on sourcing critical minerals.

India and the EU will also explore greater cooperation in FinTech, artificial intelligence and generative AI.

The discussions included efforts to foster closer engagement between Indian and European start-ups.

In a separate meeting with World Bank President Ajay Banga, Finance Minister Sitharaman welcomed the speedy processing of $1.5 billion in Development Policy Financing.

She also noted the International Finance Corporation's support to micro, small and medium enterprises through the Small Industries Development Bank of India.

The two discussed a larger role for the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency in India. Its guarantees could help deepen corporate, infrastructure and municipal bond markets while mobilising private capital.

They also considered political risk insurance for Indian companies investing overseas and credit enhancement for infrastructure projects.

Sitharaman raised India's work with the World Bank Group to establish a Global Digital Public Infrastructure Knowledge Hub in the country.

The initiative could explore the use of technology in sectors such as agriculture.

The meeting also covered plans to develop globally competitive tourism destinations under the new India-World Bank Group Country Partnership Framework.

The proposed model would combine policy and infrastructure support, private investment and guarantees.

Sitharaman and IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva in their meeting reviewed the global economic outlook and India's growth trajectory, a media statement said.

Georgieva noted India's strong economic performance and the resilience built by its economy.

The Finance Minister stressed the need for evidence-based surveillance frameworks that adequately capture structural shifts in emerging market and developing economies.

The two also discussed IMF initiatives to strengthen institutional capacity, policymaking and statistical systems.

Sitharaman's meeting with South Korean Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol focused on investment, critical minerals and resilient supply chains. They agreed to advance working-level consultations for the India-Korea Finance Ministers' Meeting.

India welcomed greater Korean investment in emerging sectors and proposed stronger cooperation through the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund, a press statement said.

The two sides also discussed a concessional credit line for infrastructure and green-transition projects.

Efforts to make India and South Korea's QR-based payment systems interoperable were also reviewed. Such a system could make payments easier for travellers and strengthen commercial and people-to-people links.

In other meetings, Sitharaman discussed multilateral development banks with Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, investment and energy cooperation with Qatari Finance Minister Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, and trade, defence, energy security and emerging technologies with Polish Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski.

India and the EU have been negotiating a broad trade agreement alongside an investment protection pact, with market access, regulatory standards and resilient supply chains among the central issues. Their Trade and Technology Council provides a platform for cooperation in digital technologies, clean energy and trade.

Source: IANS

The post In North Carolina, India pushes global investment partnerships appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Amaravati, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday asked Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to stop what he called dramas over Polavaram.

He urged the Chief Minister to focus on the works and complete Polavaram at its stipulated height of 45.72 metres instead of restricting it to 41.15 metres.

“This will make full-scale storage possible, thereby enabling water to be stored to the full capacity and supplied through both the Right and Left Main Canals entirely by gravity. Then, without any dependence on the Purushothapatnam and Pushkara lift schemes, abundant water can be supplied by gravity through both the Polavaram Left Main Canal and the Right Main Canal. Instead of doing this, why all these dramas?” asked YS Jagan in a post on X.

The former Chief Minister was referring to the Chief Minister inaugurating the Polavaram Left Main Canal in Anakapalli district on Wednesday.

“Chandrababu garu, what is this about lifting Godavari water from the already existing Purushothapatnam project using the already existing pumps, releasing it into the already existing Polavaram Left Main Canal, and then beating the drum claiming, “We have brought Polavaram waters”? You know, and everyone knows, that this is not water flowing by gravity from the Polavaram reservoir. But the publicity is at an entirely different level. The water is from Purushothapatnam, the canal was constructed during YSR’s tenure, but the desperation to claim the credit is yours? What kind of magic is this?” asked Jagan.

“Aren’t all the publicity events you have been conducting one after another over irrigation projects meant only to mislead the people? The other day it was Veligonda, today it is the Polavaram Left Main Canal, and another day it will be something else. Claiming credit for projects that you neither started nor completed, and getting your friendly media to sing your praises as though you were their creator, has become a habit for you. Even when you undertake some incomplete works, you inflate the estimates only to loot. Whichever irrigation project one looks at, this has been your modus operandi, your approach and your nature,” reads the post.

“The water that you now say will be released through the Purushothapatnam pumps is 3,500 cusecs. This project and these pumps are not new, are they? They already exist, don’t they? Then why this drama? In fact, when 79% of the major works relating to the Polavaram Left Main Canal were completed during YSR garu’s tenure itself, standing on all those works today and claiming, “I did everything,” is something only you, Chandrababu garu, can do! There is no need to specifically explain how the dramas you staged, the lies you told, the mistakes you committed, and the corruption and loot that took place during 2014–19 in relation to the Polavaram project turned into a curse for the State. Because of the mistakes you committed without foresight, proper planning, prioritisation or a systematic approach, our government had to struggle immensely during its five-year tenure to rectify them. You left the project in disarray by carrying out the spillway and cofferdam works only partially. Ultimately, without completing the spillway works and without diverting the river flow, you went ahead with the diaphragm wall, which forms part of the foundation works of the main dam. Because of your mistakes and mismanagement, not only was the project delayed, but during the floods, the water could not be diverted through the spillway as it was only partially completed. Due to the partially constructed upstream cofferdam, water entered through the gaps and damaged the foundations beneath the main dam, including the diaphragm wall,” added Jagan.

The YSRCP chief demanded that Chandrababu Naidu clarify the issue of Polavaram’s height. “While the FRL of Polavaram is 45.72 metres, water storage is being restricted to only 41.15 metres. The Centre says it will provide funds only up to the 41.15-metre level. Then how will the project be completed to its full extent? How will water be stored to its full capacity? When will the package be paid to the displaced families? What is your answer to these questions, Chandrababu garu?” he asked.

Source: IANS

The post Stop ‘dramas’ over Polavaram, Jagan tells Chandrababu appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Visakhapatnam, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said on Wednesday that no water shortage will be caused by upcoming data centres in Visakhapatnam.

He alleged that the opposition YSR Congress Party was creating a fake narrative over the issue.

He said the government can bring up to 500 TMC of water from the Godavari to Visakhapatnam via the Polavaram canal, while data centres would need only 5 TMC.

Inaugurating the Polavaram Left Main Canal works and releasing the Godavari waters into Anakapalli, CM Chandrababu Naidu confirmed the availability of water for data centres through this project. He categorically clarified all the misinformation and concerns over water availability for data centres.

The Chief Minister said that after the inauguration of the project, 2 TMC of water will be brought through the Polavaram canal, but it is not the limit.

He asserted that Andhra Pradesh now has the capacity to bring not only 5 TMC but even 50, 100 or 500 TMC of water to the region.

He stated that if all five proposed data centres come up, they would require around 5 TMC of water.

CM Chandrababu Naidu further said that once the Polavaram project is completed and water flows through gravity, Visakhapatnam will not face a water shortage, and appealed to people to recognise the long-term benefits of the project.

He also said that YSRCP is trying to create a fake narrative surrounding the data centres and water scarcity.

He welcomed the Godavari waters by offering Jala harathi at Payakaraopeta cross regulator.

The government has planned to provide irrigation water to 2.87 lakh acres and drinking water to 9.23 lakh people in East Godavari, Kakinada, Konaseema and Anakapalli districts through the water released into the Left Canal.

Officials informed the Chief Minister that 23.44 TMC of water has been planned for diversion to meet industrial, drinking and irrigation requirements in Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli districts.

Addressing a public meeting, the Chief Minister said that Godavari waters had reached North Andhra and that the barren lands in the region would now turn into fertile agricultural fields.

The Godavari, which reaches the sea through its three tributaries – Gautami, Vasishta and Vainateya – has now travelled to Anakapalli through the Polavaram Left Canal, he said.

The Chief Minister said the Godavari had crossed the Eastern Ghats, forests, rivers, streams, highways and other obstacles to reach the region. “We will take Godavari waters to the feet of Lord Varaha Narasimha at Simhachalam next year and subsequently to Sri Suryanarayana Swamy at Arasavalli, taking the Godavari waters up to the Vamsadhara,” he said.

The Chief Minister said Rs 4,192 crore had already been spent on construction of the Polavaram Left Canal and another Rs 800 crore would be spent to complete the remaining works. He said siphons had been constructed on the Yeleru Canal and aqueducts across the Pampa, Tandava and Varaha rivers, completing the canal works. He also said a land dispute at Tallapalem had been resolved and rehabilitation provided to displaced families.

The Chief Minister alleged that the opposition party was indulging in false propaganda, claiming credit for every development taking place in the State.

Source: IANS

The post Data centres will not cause water shortage in Vizag, says Chandrababu Naidu appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Hyderabad, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Telangana’s main opposition party Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) released a ‘chargesheet’ on Wednesday, describing 1,000 days of the Congress party in the state as incompetent, corrupt and anarchic.

Releasing the chargesheet at Telangana Bhavan, BRS Working President K. T. Rama Rao claimed that it was 1,000 days of public oppression.

He accused the Congress government of failure on all fronts. He said the Congress promised a paradise within 100 days but instead subjected the state to a daily living hell.

He said top Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Sonia Gandhi, had guaranteed the execution of all promises within 100 days, but even after 1,000 days, not a single promise has been fully implemented.

He alleged that the government’s performance over the past 1,000 days had resulted in growing difficulties for farmers, students, unemployed youth, women, employees and other sections.

Alleging that the rift between the Chief Minister and his ministers is driven entirely by commission distribution, tenders, and corruption, KTR likened the ruling dispensation to a story of 'Ali Baba and 40 Thieves', stating their only conflict is over the division of looted public funds.

The BRS leader accused the government of running a 30% commission racket under the guise of Section 22-A and the prohibited property list, noting that private and government lands across 1.20 crore acres are being manipulated.

He stated that the BRS has documented the major failures of the Congress government and would take these issues to the people.

KTR announced a 7-day intense outreach programme across all 119 constituencies, involving dedicated sessions and protests alongside farmers, women, youth, and welfare beneficiaries.

He asserted that the opposition will aggressively corner the government in the upcoming Assembly session over unfulfilled declarations, economic mismanagement and a deteriorating law and order situation.

On the economy, KTR alleged that Telangana’s financial position had weakened during the Congress government’s tenure. He questioned the utilisation of what he described as Rs 4.5 lakh crore in borrowings and demanded greater transparency on how the borrowed funds had been spent.

KTR further alleged corruption and irregularities in contracts, land transactions and government projects. He said the chargesheet contains details of around 30 alleged scams and controversies and demanded that the government address the allegations transparently.

The BRS leader declared that when his party returns to power in 2008–29, every single rupee of public money swallowed during the past 1,000 days will be thoroughly investigated and recovered.

On agriculture, KTR alleged that farmers had been let down on several fronts, including Rythu Bharosa, crop procurement, fertiliser availability, farmer insurance and loan-related support. He said delays in welfare payments and procurement had added to the problems faced by farmers and alleged that agrarian distress had increased under the Congress government.

He said the education sector was also facing serious problems, particularly due to mounting fee reimbursement dues. He questioned the government’s approach towards government schools and universities and alleged that students were being forced to bear the impact of administrative failures. He also criticised the government’s handling of student protests.

On employment, KTR questioned the implementation of the Congress job calendar and sought clarity on the promise of filling 2 lakh government vacancies. He said unemployed youth who had supported the Congress during the elections were now seeking answers on recruitment and employment opportunities.

KTR alleged that women had also been disappointed by the government’s failure to implement several assurances, including monthly financial assistance. He raised concerns over pending payments under welfare schemes and demanded that the government clear the dues without further delay.

He accused the Congress government of failing to meet its commitments towards BCs, SCs, STs and minorities. KTR alleged that promised financial support, reservations and welfare measures had either not been implemented or had fallen short of the assurances made during the elections.

On government employees and workers, KTR alleged that PRC and DA-related benefits remained pending. He also criticised the government’s handling of Anganwadi and ASHA workers, RTC employees, Singareni workers and other sections seeking better working conditions and financial support.

KTR also raised concerns over Hyderabad’s civic administration. He alleged deterioration in sanitation, infrastructure and public services and criticised the government’s handling of HYDRAA-related actions and property disputes. He also questioned decisions concerning major infrastructure and public transport projects in Hyderabad.

Source: IANS

The post BRS ‘chargesheet’ terms 1000 days rule of Congress as incompetent, corrupt appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to launch a month-long nationwide campaign, 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', to mark 25 years of public service by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The special campaign will begin on September 17, the Prime Minister's birthday, and continue until October 7, the day that completes 25 years of his journey in public life.

Through this campaign, the party aims to take the key achievements of these 25 years directly to the people and highlight the transformative work undertaken under PM Modi's leadership.

The BJP will organise a series of programmes across the country to showcase the journey from grassroots service to national governance.

The campaign will begin on September 17 with a major event titled "Public Representatives, Public Servants Mahakumbh: From Panchayat to Parliament".

Prime Minister Modi will address the gathering on this occasion.

The programme is designed to bring together public representatives and public servants from the panchayat level to Parliament, underlining the continuum of service and accountability.

A wide range of activities has been planned under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan. These include the 'Ashirwad Ka diya (Lamp of Blessings)', 'India of 25 Crore Children's Dreams', 'Namo Seva Gatha', 'Angan Ka Utsav (Festival of the Courtyard)', 'Kahani Badlav Ki (Story of Change)', 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra (Developed India Sankalp Yatra)', and the 'Seva Jyoti Yatra'.

Special thematic programmes such as 'Vadnagar se Varanasi', which traces PM Modi's journey from his hometown to the cultural capital, and 'Sewa Mera Yogdan (Service My Contribution)' will also form part of the outreach.

Other key initiatives include the 'Seva Setu Abhiyan – Sarkar Aapke Dwar (Government at Your Doorstep)', aimed at taking governance closer to citizens, along with 'Rangoli Rashtra (Nation)', a 'National Innovation Challenge', and the 'Jansewak (Public Servant) Mahakumbh – from Panchayat to Parliament'. These events are expected to engage citizens, youth, women, and local representatives in large numbers.

BJP leaders said the campaign will not only celebrate the milestones of the past 25 years but also renew the commitment to public service and the vision of a Developed India.

Preparations are in full swing to ensure the message of Seva Sankalp reaches every section of society through creative and participatory programmes.

The month-long "Abhiyan" is being positioned as both a retrospective of achievements and a forward-looking pledge of continued service.

PM Modi charts roadmap for water-secure India, calls for continuous review and people's movement.

Source: IANS

The post BJP unveils month-long ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ to celebrate PM Modi’s 25 years of public service appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired the valedictory session of the two-day national-level “Departmental Summit on Water” organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, marking the first in a series of such summits aimed at strengthening the spirit of Team India and deepening cooperative federalism.

Addressing ministers and senior officials from states and Union Territories, the Prime Minister appreciated the intensive deliberations and stressed that the actionable, time-bound outcomes emerging from the summit must be pursued through a continuous process of review, learning and follow-up.

He made it clear that the summit should not remain a one-time event but evolve into an ongoing mechanism for collective action on water security.

Emphasising Jan Bhagidari, PM Modi called for promoting “Jal Utsav” to deepen public awareness on water conservation and transform it into a sustained people’s movement. He urged greater adoption of water-saving technologies and suggested dedicated exhibitions and workshops that expose Indian manufacturers and stakeholders to global best practices so that efficient solutions can be developed and scaled up.

The Prime Minister also called for robust water data governance, recommending that water-sector data be systematically brought together, managed, analysed and utilised effectively, with artificial intelligence deployed for data collection and analysis in a uniform format. He suggested structured inter-state study visits involving public representatives, officials and farmers to facilitate practical learning and replication of successful interventions.

Highlighting urban challenges, PM Modi called for sensitising urban local bodies to the pressures of population growth and future water needs, and suggested organising similar “Chintan Shivirs” for them. He advocated making de-silting a regular programme with clear criteria and SOPs, and stressed rigorous monsoon preparedness for dam safety along with awareness among school students through suitable incorporation in curricula.

He further urged strengthening water management knowledge in universities and higher educational institutions, and stressed anticipatory planning that utilises treated water for agriculture and industry.

Drawing from his experience as Gujarat Chief Minister, PM Modi noted that water scarcity can be transformed into an opportunity through systematic planning, commitment and deployment of capable officers and resources.

Union Minister for Jal Shakti CR Patil outlined four key outcomes of the summit: accelerated completion of water infrastructure projects, strengthening water conservation as a people’s movement, ensuring long-term sustainability of drinking-water sources, and institutionalising effective operation and maintenance of rural drinking-water schemes under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0.

Source: IANS

The post PM Modi charts roadmap for water-secure India; calls for continuous review, people’s movement appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Hyderabad, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Telangana Rakshana Sena (TRS) has demanded stringent action against a state police constable who allegedly posted vulgar and abusive remarks online targeting party leader Kalvakuntla Kavitha.

TRS leaders have lodged a police complaint against the accused constable following the publication of what party leadership described as exceptionally misogynistic comments on a public social media platform.

A delegation of TRS leaders met Additional Director General of Police Mahesh Bhagwat and submitted a representation, demanding action against the police constable involved.

TRS leader Roop Singh told the media after the meeting that they demanded that the constable should be dismissed from service within 24 hours. He said if the constable was not removed from service, the party would stage state-wide protests.

The remarks made by the constable on various social media platforms were shameful for the entire civilised society, he added.

Women leaders of TRS submitted a representation to State Women’s Commission, seeking strong action against the police constable for his abusive remarks.

TRS national spokesperson Akash Kolluru launched a scathing attack on the state’s law and order machinery, demanding the immediate resignations of both Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who holds the home portfolio, and the Director General of Police.

"The comment that has been brought to our notice is absolutely disgusting, irrespective of who the person uploading the particular comment is. And more so because this person is wearing the uniform of the Telangana police. He is a cop and, mind you, the most violent and the most dangerous predator is one who's wearing a uniform and has full legal sanctioned authority and protection," he said.

Highlighting the inaction over a 24-hour window following the incident, Kolluru questioned the double standards of the administration in handling online dissent versus grave misconduct within its own ranks.

"The Home Minister, Mr Revanth Reddy, must answer very, very serious questions here. Why do you refuse to even suspend a cop? And our demand is not stopping with the suspension of this particular police constable who has not only gone out to put an abusive comment, but has also, mind you, used sexual expletives against our party chief," he added.

The party warned that if immediate criminal action and arrest are not carried out against the accused, the consequences would escalate. Kolluru emphasised that the issue transcends party lines and concerns the safety and modesty of women across the state.

"The Home Minister, unfortunately in the state of Telangana today, is the Chief Minister himself. So he should resign if he cannot even act on one of his own. The DGP should also resign if he cannot act on one of his own. The Cyber Crime Chief, Ms Shikha Goel, should also resign if she cannot even suspend... and mind you, it cannot stop on suspension. This man needs to be arrested, and we will not stop until that happens," Kolluru said.

Source: IANS

The post TRS seeks action against police constable for abusive remarks against Kavitha appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Srinagar, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Jailed Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief, Yasin Malik, has decided not to contest the trial proceedings against him in the 1990 murder of a Kashmiri Pandit nurse, while he also decided to separate from his wife, Mushaal Malik, according to reports.

Malik has decided not to contest the trial proceedings against him in the 1990 murder of nurse Sarla Bhat and has instead requested the court to award him capital punishment.

According to the reports, Malik submitted a 25-page statement before the Additional Sessions Judge (TADA/POTA) and Special Judge designated under the NIA Act in Srinagar through his counsel, Advocate Abu Adil Pandit. The matter has been listed for the prosecution’s reply on September 19.

Malik, while maintaining that he has been falsely implicated in the case, said he had decided after "deep reflection' and 'Istikhara’ (a voluntary Islamic prayer used to seek divine guidance and clarity from Allah when making an important decision), not to contest the proceedings further.

He specifically clarified that his decision should not be treated as an admission of guilt or acceptance of the allegations against him, while requesting the court to impose capital punishment.

The development comes after the State Investigation Agency (SIA) filed a 737-page charge sheet in June in connection with the abduction and killing of Bhat, who was working as a nurse at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) on April 18, 1990. Her body was subsequently recovered from the Malabagh area on the outskirts of Srinagar.

The charge sheet names Malik along with Khurshid Ahmad Chalkoo, Abdul Hamid Sheikh, Mohammad Yousuf Sofi and Ghulam Mohammad Taploo as accused.

Malik has denied any involvement in her killing. According to his submission, he first learnt about the murder months after it occurred while he was in judicial custody. He has also challenged the prosecution’s reliance on an alleged handwritten JKLF note purportedly recovered from the crime scene.

He has further rejected allegations that Bhat was targeted because she was allegedly working as an informer for security forces. He maintained that she was an innocent civilian and questioned why his name did not figure in the investigation conducted at the time of the killing.

In a separate personal message contained in the same submission, Malik announced his decision to separate from his Pakistani wife, Mushaal Hussein Mullick. According to reports, Malik said he did not want Mushaal to spend the rest of her life carrying the burden of his circumstances or living as his widow.

He urged her to begin a new chapter of her life "with dignity and hope" and expressed his love and respect for Mushaal and their daughter, Raziya Sultana.

Malik also asked his daughter to remain in regular contact with her grandmother in Kashmir, including by speaking to her for at least five minutes every day, the report said. Malik and Mushaal married in Pakistan in 2009 and have a daughter, Raziya Sultana.

The development is separate from Malik’s conviction in the 2017 terror-funding case, in which a Delhi court sentenced him to life imprisonment in 2022. The request for capital punishment in the Sarla Bhat case is part of the ongoing proceedings before the Srinagar court and does not itself constitute a death sentence.

Source: IANS

The post JKLF chief Yasin Malik decides not to contest trial in 1990 murder of Kashmiri Pandit nurse, chooses to separate from wife appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Kathmandu/New Delhi, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) As many as 166 Indian nationals have been rescued, including three individuals on Wednesday, as New Delhi continues to extend humanitarian assistance to Nepal in the wake of devastating floods which have claimed over 1,100 lives so far.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), a total of 410 Indian nationals who were visiting Tibet Autonomous Region for pilgrimage or other activities left China on Wednesday.

Carrying more humanitarian assistance, a fifth Indian Air Force (IAF) flight reached Kathmandu on Wednesday. It brought with it about 5.5 tonnes of medical supplies, including antibiotics, analgesics, surgical items and other essential medicines.

The flight also carried an 11-member specialised team with more than six tonnes of rescue equipment. With the latest tranche of assistance, India has delivered around 74 tonnes of relief assistance to Nepal to date.

According to the MEA, the fresh tranche of relief material was handed over to the local government by Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava. The aid supports the ongoing response to catastrophic flash floods that struck Nepal following a glacial collapse in Tibet on August 26.

"Today, the Indian tunnel rescue team moved its base to Syabrubesi from Trishuli, which will help reduce the time taken to travel to Chilime, where the rescue operations are taking place. The team continued its search operations in Chilime in collaboration with the Nepali Army. Amidst deep slush and blockages inside the tunnel, the team was able to move forward by about 100 metres today," read a statement issued by the MEA.

"To ensure expedited progress, the possibility of an improvised road approach to the tunnel was explored so that more heavy equipment could be used for search and rescue. The 11 rescue experts that arrived today from India have moved close to Trishuli Bazaar along with specialized equipment, and are expected to commence their work from tomorrow in coordination with the Nepali Army," it added.

Meanwhile, the Indian forensics team is now working in two laboratories in Kathmandu for the examination and analysis of DNA samples in collaboration with experts from Nepal.

At least 1,114 bodies swept away by last week’s floods had been recovered by 9 am Wednesday, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). Around 3,916 people still remain out of contact.

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Wednesday called for stronger international attention to growing climate-related risks in the Himalayan region as the death toll from devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi River crossed 1,100.

Addressing the House of Representatives, Shah said Nepal must highlight more forcefully the disasters it is facing due to climate change.

Experts said an avalanche blocked the Lengde Khola, a tributary of the Bhotekoshi River near the Nepal-China border. The accumulated water later breached the natural barrier, triggering a massive flood that swept downstream towards the Trishuli River and devastated settlements and infrastructure.

Shah said the disaster had raised questions about how such an event occurred and what it meant for Nepal’s future.

“The huge disaster, whose impacts of climate change we have suddenly experienced, has kept us working around the clock to manage the damage. At the same time, another profound question has arisen in our minds: How did this disaster come upon us?” he questioned.

Source: IANS

The post Nepal disaster: 166 Indian nationals rescued so far, 410 on Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pilgrimage leave China appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Bhopal/Rewa, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday condoled the deaths in a road accident in Madhya Pradesh's Rewa district, where three people were killed and several others injured after a passenger bus collided with a bulker on a National Highway.

"The loss of lives due to a mishap in Madhya Pradesh's Rewa is saddening. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. Praying for the swift recovery of the injured," PM Modi said in a post on social media platform X.

The accident occurred around late evening near Badwar Stand in the Gudh area when a Pawan Travels bus travelling from Rewa to Sidhi was hit from behind by a bulker, according to police.

The impact caused the bulker to overturn, while the bus plunged into a roadside ditch.

Around 40 passengers were travelling in the bus.

Police and administrative teams rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital in Rewa, where they were undergoing treatment.

Eight passengers are in critical condition, while several others have reportedly sustained injuries, police said.

Rewa Collector Narendra Suryavanshi said the death toll could rise.

Suryavanshi said that a three-year-old girl is missing following the accident.

Her mother, who was injured in the crash, is currently unable to provide information about the child.

A search operation is underway in and around the roadside ditch as officials suspect the child may have fallen into it.

The bus was operating a daily route of around 240 km from Rewa to Amiliya, passing through Churhat, Baghor, Sidhi and Patpara.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief over the accident and directed officials to provide all possible medical assistance to the injured.

"The news of the deaths of passengers in a collision between a bus and a bulk carrier on the Rewa-Sidhi highway today is deeply heart-wrenching. I pray for peace for the souls of the deceased and a speedy recovery for the injured," CM Yadav said.

The Chief Minister also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh each to those seriously injured.

He also directed the administration to continue the search operation for the missing child and ensure proper treatment of all injured passengers.

Source: IANS

The post PM Modi condoles Rewa bus accident deaths; three killed, several injured appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) India on Wednesday severely condemned the reported demolition of a century-old Hindu temple in Pakistan and called upon the country's government to conduct a "prompt and transparent investigation" into yet another shocking incident involving the destruction of a place of worship for minority communities in the neighbouring nation.

Responding to media queries, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that New Delhi has noted with deep concern the disturbing reports of the destruction of a historic Hindu temple in village Siraj, Narowal, Pakistan.

"We unequivocally condemn this reprehensible act of vandalism against a century old minority place of worship. The apparent apathy of authorities and failure to protect this century-old temple is alarming. Such incidents are a stark reminder of the continuing vulnerability of minority communities and the egregious violations of their religious freedoms and places of worship in Pakistan," said Jaiswal.

"We call upon the Government of Pakistan to conduct a prompt and transparent investigation into this incident and ensure that those responsible are held fully accountable. Furthermore, the Government of Pakistan must take immediate remedial measures to restore the desecrated temple and fulfill its primary obligation to guarantee the safety, security and well-being of all its minority citizens and their cultural heritage," he added.

The Hindu temple, constructed over 100 years ago, was demolished in Narowal city of Pakistan's Punjab province recently, sparking massive concerns.

A minority rights group said that the structure was intentionally demolished to make space for the expansion of an adjacent seminary and called for reconstructing the temple in its original form, local media reported on Tuesday.

The temple in Siraj village in Narowal city of Punjab was demolished on August 21. The Pakistan Masiha Millat Party (PMMP), which works for the rights of the minorities, said that a group of people demolished the structure, country's leading daily Dawn reported.

In June, the demolition of the 125-year-old Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Pakistan's Farooqabad left portions of the historic shrine in rubble after a local businessman allegedly carried out the work without legal clearance or court order. Authorities acknowledged the demolition only after Sikh residents of Farooqabad took to the streets to protest the incident.

"For the Sikh community of Farooqabad, the night of June 24 was not an abstraction. It was the sound of machinery tearing into a building their grandparents’ grandparents had prayed in — a gurdwara built over a century ago, when the Singh Sabha movement was still reshaping what it meant to be Sikh in a modernising Punjab. By morning, portions of the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib lay in rubble, demolished by a local businessman who never bothered to seek the legal clearance required to touch it. No court order. No warning to the community that has treated this ground as sacred for generations," a report in Khalsa Vox detailed.

After the gurdwara was demolished, Sikh residents of Farooqabad took to the streets to protest against the incident. According to the report in Khalsa Vox, an official later admitted that the department failed to take notice of the demolition until local Sikhs protested. It added that the Pakistani authorities responded only after a minority community, long burdened by institutional neglect, was forced to stand up and defend its heritage.

Source: IANS

The post Stark reminder of continuing vulnerability of minority communities in Pakistan: India on demolition of century-old Hindu temple appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Hyderabad, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Wednesday met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi and sought cooperation for the 'Invest Telangana Global Summit-2026' being organised by the state government at the 'Bharat Future City' from December 7 to 9.

The Chief Minister briefed the Defence Minister on the main objective of the global summit and requested him to inaugurate the Defence Expo-2026, which is to be conducted as part of the summit.

He highlighted that the Defence Expo would feature a special session on the aerospace, defence, and space sectors, alongside a prestigious air show, industrial exhibition and live demonstrations of land-based defence systems.

According to the Chief Minister’s Office, Revanth Reddy sought the full cooperation of the Defence Ministry to successfully organise the Defence Expo-2026 in accordance with international standards.

The Chief Minister appealed to Rajnath Singh to provide assistance mainly in granting the necessary airspace clearances for the airshow and ensuring the participation of Indian Air Force aircraft, as well as the 'Surya Kiran' , 'Sarang' aerobatic teams and also the support for the static aircraft display.

The Union Minister has been requested that state-of-the-art defence systems belonging to the army, navy, and air force be showcased and that senior officials and representatives from the three armed services participate in the event.

CM Revanth Reddy emphasised the presence and guidance of the Defence Minister at the expo, where the defence industries, startups and young scientists from across the country would also join and share their experiences and ideas.

He asserted that the participation of the Defence Minister would serve as a great source of inspiration for all guests from the defence sector. The CM informed Rajnath Singh that the state government is looking forward to hosting the Defence Expo-2026 in Hyderabad.

The arrangements made for the extensive and active participation of defence public sector undertakings (PSUs) -- HAL, BEL, BDL, MDL and DRDO laboratories to showcase indigenous defence technology at the global summit were discussed in the meeting. The CM also sought the Defence Ministry's cooperation in organising meetings with foreign defence representatives, bilateral defence delegations, and prominent figures from international defence organisations.

They also discussed several issues, including investment prospects in the defence sector in Telangana.

Referring to land acquisition for Adilabad Airport, CM Revanth Reddy informed Rajnath Singh that the state government has already acquired 750 acres of land. Another 750 acres of land would be acquired on the Defence Ministry's request.

The Chief Minister announced that the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) has agreed to allocate 416.18 acres of land in Devarakadra Mandal of Mahabubnagar district, for a prestigious project to be undertaken by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL).

The land would be leased for a period of 33 years at a nominal annual rent of just Rs 1 for the entire land rather than on a per-acre basis. The provision of extending the lease agreement twice, if necessary, was also highlighted.

Telangana SHAKTI Minister G. Vivek Venkataswamy, MPs M. Anil Kumar Yadav, Dr Mallu Ravi, Suresh Shetkar, and Porika Balram Naik, along with State Government Advisor (Protocol) Harkara Venugopal, were also present at the meeting.

Source: IANS

The post Telangana CM meets Defence Minister, seeks cooperation for ‘Invest Telangana’ summit appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Kathmandu, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) As India continues to extend humanitarian assistance to Nepal following the disastrous flash floods that has killed over 1,100 people in the Himalayan nation, a fifth Indian Air Force (IAF) plane landed in Nepal on Wednesday, carrying an 11-member rescue team with specialised equipment and 5.5 tonnes of essential medicines.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the fresh tranche of relief material was handed over to the local government by Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava.

The aid supports the ongoing response to catastrophic flash floods that struck Nepal following a glacial collapse in Tibet on August 26.

Earlier in the day, taking to X, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar said, "The fifth Indian aircraft has departed for Nepal. It is carrying a 11-member rescue team with specialised equipment, and 5.5 tonnes of essential medicines."

India has rushed over 68 tonnes of emergency relief materials and specialised rescue teams to support Nepal following devastating flash floods.

Deliveries include blankets, sleeping bags, heavy-duty tarpaulins, plastic sheeting, and hygiene kits. The supplies also include essential medicines, food packets, solar lamps, water purification tablets, and portable generators.

At least 1,114 bodies swept away by last week’s floods had been recovered by 9 am Wednesday, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). Around 3,916 people still remain out of contact.

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Wednesday called for stronger international attention to growing climate-related risks in the Himalayan region as the death toll from devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi River crossed 1,100.

Addressing the House of Representatives, Shah said Nepal must highlight more forcefully the disasters it is facing due to climate change.

Experts said an avalanche blocked the Lengde Khola, a tributary of the Bhotekoshi River near the Nepal-China border. The accumulated water later breached the natural barrier, triggering a massive flood that swept downstream towards the Trishuli River and devastated settlements and infrastructure.

Shah said the disaster had raised questions about how such an event occurred and what it meant for Nepal’s future.

“The huge disaster, whose impacts of climate change we have suddenly experienced, has kept us working around the clock to manage the damage. At the same time, another profound question has arisen in our minds: How did this disaster come upon us?” he questioned.

Source: IANS

The post Fifth Indian aircraft lands in Kathmandu with more relief material for disaster-struck Nepal appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Hyderabad/New Delhi, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Forest, Environment, and Endowment Minister Konda Surekha, state Congress President Mahesh Kumar Goud had separate meetings with party President Mallikarjun Kharge in the national capital on Wednesday as the Congress high command continued consultations for second day to take a final decision on the minister's future.

CM Revanth Reddy and Goud also had meetings with Congress General Secretary, Organisation, K.C Venugopal, while Surekha is likely to meet him later.

She also met state in-charge Meenakshi Natrajan. Later, the minister told media persons that she conveyed to party leaders whatever she wanted to convey.

Surekha, who is in the eye of a storm over her daughter’s remarks against Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, said that she is waiting for the high command’s decision.

The minister said she had not yet been told to resign. "I don’t know what decision the party takes about me," she said. However, some of the remarks she made indicate that the high command has made up its mind.

Asserting that she belongs to a backward class, Surekha remarked that there can’t be one justice for her and another for others. She said that Cabinet ministers from other social groups have serious allegations against them. "What action will be taken against them?" she asked.

She claimed that her performance as a minister is good and that there are no allegations of corruption against her.

Surekha said she had already conveyed in writing to Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other leaders about the happenings in the party in Telangana. The minister said during the meeting with Kharge, she requested him to take all aspects into consideration.

She said she was issued a show-cause notice for the remarks made by her daughter. "I said in my reply that she is married and independent and has the freedom to speak whatever she feels. I can’t be held responsible for what she speaks," she said and found fault with the Disciplinary Committee issuing a show-cause notice to her.

The minister demanded that the party issue notices to those MLAs and MLCs who spoke against her. She said those who were behind these MLAs and MLCs should also be identified and action be taken against them.

Meanwhile, state chief Goud said he discussed the issues related to Surekha with the high command. He had separate meetings with Kharge and Venugopal.

The state Congress chief said the high command will take a final decision on Surekha.

He told the media that the high command expressed satisfaction over the performance of the Congress government in Telangana during the 1,000 days.

Source: IANS

The post Congress high command continues consultations on Telangana minister Konda Surekha’s future appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Mumbai, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and actor Pawan Kalyan turned 55 years old on Wednesday. Celebrating the special day, several members from the fraternity wished him with lovely social media posts.

'RRR' star Ram Charan, who is Pawan Kalyan's nephew, shared on his X (Earlier known as Twitter) timeline, "Wishing the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh @PawanKalyan Garu a very Happy Birthday You have always been a great source of inspiration to me. Wishing you good health, happiness and many more wonderful years ahead. Love you, Babai (sic)".

Kamal Haasan wrote, "Heartiest birthday wishes to Shri @PawanKalyan Garu, Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. Wishing you good health, strength and a long, fulfilling journey of meaningful public service."

'Pushpa' actor Allu Arjun also penned on the micro-blogging site, "Many Happy Returns of the day to Power Star @PawanKalyan garu #OGPowerStar".

Mahesh Babu dropped a throwback pic with Pawan Kalyan and said, “Happy Birthday @pawankalyan …. May the year ahead bring you more strength to pursue everything you believe in… Wishing you the very best always”

His other nephew, Varun Tej, added, "Happy birthday Babai! Forever proud of the journey you’ve taken and the values you’ve always stood by. You’ve always been someone I look up to. Wishing you tons of strength and good health babai! Love you always, my power storm!"

Additionally, Pawan Kalyan's better half, Anna Konidala, also posted a heartfelt birthday wish for him, saying, "Celebrating you today. You are in so many hearts, thoughts and prayers - a beautiful reflection of how many lives you have touched and how much you have given to others. Happy Birthday!

Not just that, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also shared on X, "Birthday greetings to Shri Pawan Kalyan Garu. He is widely respected among the people and is at the forefront of adding momentum to the good governance agenda of the NDA in Andhra Pradesh. May he be blessed with a long and healthy life in service of society."

Source: IANS

The post Kamal Haasan, Ram Charan, Allu Arjun & others wish Pawan Kalyan as he turns 55 appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Asheville (US), Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra participated in the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting in Asheville, in the US state of North Carolina, engaging with global counterparts on key economic and financial priorities.

The Governor also met Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh and the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) First Deputy Managing Director Dan Katz on the sidelines of the FMCBG meeting, according to an RBI post on X.

India is taking part in the two-day G20 FMCBG meeting, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is leading India’s delegation. The meeting, under the US G20 presidency, is focusing on global economic growth, financial stability, rising debt, trade, investment and reforms to the international financial system. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has stressed the need for stronger growth, higher investment and better productivity to tackle growing global debt.

India is using the meeting to highlight the needs of emerging economies and promote sustainable growth, trade and investment. New Delhi also wants to strengthen economic ties with G20 countries and present India as a major hub for manufacturing, technology and innovation.

Finance Minister Sitharaman held talks with UK Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey on trade and investment cooperation on the sidelines of the meet. She also met 3M CEO William Brown to discuss India’s manufacturing, technology and skilled workforce.

China’s large trade surplus is another key issue, with the US pushing for more balanced global trade and greater domestic consumption in China. China is saddled with excess industrial capacity as domestic demand is weak. This is resulting in cheap exports of Chinese goods flooding other countries where local industries are getting hurt, and workers are losing jobs.

At the G20 finance meeting, US Treasury Secretary Bessent led 19 other member nations in backing language to curb non-market policies and excessive external trade surpluses.

China was the lone holdout, refusing to sign the consensus. People's Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng argued that global imbalances require structural reforms from both deficit and surplus nations, noting that protectionism and unpredictable policies worsen economic strains.

Because of China's objection, the G20 failed to release a traditional joint communique, forcing the US host to issue a chair's statement instead.

Source: IANS

The post RBI Governor meets US Fed chief Kevin Warsh at G20 meet appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Kolkata, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday ordered the immediate demolition of two structures set up for the Sebashray health camp initiative, associated with Trinamool Congress General Secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee, at Falta in South 24 Parganas district during the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool government.

The order was passed by a division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Atarup Banerjee while hearing a petition filed by Aminuddin Khan, who sought the removal of the structures allegedly built illegally on a playground. The health camps there stopped functioning a long time ago.

In his petition, Aminuddin Khan contended that the two structures had remained in place despite having ceased to operate. He argued that their continued presence had deprived local residents of the use of the playground, which was previously used for school sports events, cricket and football tournaments, as well as various government and social programmes.

After hearing the petition, the division bench ordered the immediate demolition and removal of the two temporary structures built in the name of the Sebashray health camp.

Last year, Abhishek Banerjee, also the nephew of the former West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, had started Sebashray health camps in different parts of the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency to provide medical services to the people there. He had constructed several temporary camps before the assembly elections.

Since the change of regime in West Bengal after the assembly polls earlier this year, there had been several complaints of irregularities, including cases of gross medical negligence against the Sebashray health camps.

There were complaints that the camps are run by medical students and interns instead of qualified doctors with proper registration numbers. There were also complaints that the patients treated there developed severe medical complications at a later stage because of the wrong line of treatment at the Sebashray health camps.

In July this year, while addressing the floor of the West Bengal Assembly, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had said that the State Health department would conduct a detailed probe of the irregularities at the Sebashray health camps.

Source: IANS

The post Calcutta HC orders demolition of two Sebashray camp structures linked to Abhishek Banerjee initiative appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Chapel Hill (North Carolina), Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang has said India must move faster to seize the opportunities offered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), describing the country as one of the world’s leading information technology powers and urging its companies and start-ups to build a domestic AI economy.

“AI is moving fast, so every country has to move faster,” Huang told reporters on the sidelines of the G20 Innovation Ministerial.

Huang said the rise of AI marked the beginning of a new technology platform, creating an opening for India to build on the strength of its established IT industry.

“India is one of the world’s leading IT industries, and this is the beginning of a new IT platform,” Huang told IANS in response to a question.

Huang recalled an early conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the emerging technology.

“And I had the benefit of seeing Modi Ji a decade ago, talking about AI,” Huang told IANS.

“I’m really anxious to see and very excited to see the local companies and the local startups starting in India, starting to take advantage of the technology, contributing to the technology, and then building the local AI economy with it,” Huang added.

The Nvidia chief said AI had become productive economic infrastructure. While the United States intended to lead by building the entire technology stack, he said other countries should be able to select the components they needed to develop their own AI economies.

He said the US administration was supportive of technology development and proud of American companies building within the country. Washington, he added, wanted other G20 countries to adopt the technology and use it to create their own AI economies.

Asked about the rules governing AI and innovation, Huang cautioned against regulations based on risks that had not materialised.

“The rules of the road, right now the technology is in its formative stages,” he said. “The advice that I would have is to regulate practical and actual harm and not regulate theoretical and hypothetical harm.”

Huang said the technology should continue to advance safely. More sophisticated systems, he argued, could become safer, more practical and more useful.

He compared the development of AI with improvements in automobile safety over the past century.

“Just as cars today are much safer because the technology is better than the cars were 100 years ago, we need to make the technology as advanced as possible,” Huang said.

The quality and reliability of AI systems had improved considerably over the past two years, he said. Newer systems were hallucinating less, becoming more grounded in factual information and acquiring a greater ability to solve practical problems.

“We need to keep moving in that direction,” he said.

Huang also placed responsibility on technology companies to ensure that AI was developed safely, even as they competed to build more powerful systems.

“Every single company has to take it upon themselves to develop the technology safely,” he said. “As we race quickly to make the technology better and more useful and safer, we also build it safely.”

Huang said he had not discussed the prospect of additional semiconductor tariffs with the US official at the ministerial.

“I had no conversation related to that,” he said.

Nvidia was founded in 1993 and initially became known for graphics processing units used in computers and gaming. Its chips later emerged as a central component of the computing infrastructure used to train and operate artificial intelligence systems.

Huang co-founded Nvidia and has served as its chief executive since the company’s creation. The company’s rapid growth has made him one of the most prominent industry voices in the international debate over AI infrastructure, regulation and safety.

Source: IANS

The post Had benefit of watching PM Modi talk about AI 10 years ago: Nvidia Chief Executive appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Panaji, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Wednesday interacted with Booth Level Officers (BLOs) from across Goa, describing them as the "foundational pillar" of the world's largest democracy and the first point of contact between the Election Commission of India (ECI) and citizens.

More than 1,000 BLOs from different parts of the state participated in the interaction.

The programme focused on their crucial role in maintaining accurate and transparent electoral rolls and ensuring the smooth conduct of elections.

Addressing the gathering, CEC Gyanesh Kumar said the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections in India are carried out strictly in accordance with the Constitution, the law and the instructions issued by the ECI.

He highlighted the important role played by BLOs at the grassroots level, particularly in Goa, in the preparation and upkeep of electoral rolls.

Calling them the first interface between the ECI and citizens, the CEC said their work is critical to ensuring that every eligible citizen is properly represented in the electoral process.

Commending the BLOs for their contribution to safeguarding the integrity of electoral rolls, the CEC also added that the electoral rolls and the wider election process are subject to concurrent scrutiny.

Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed by recognised political parties, along with polling and counting agents of candidates, play an important role in this process.

The interaction also witnessed the release of short videos explaining the responsibilities of BLOs in Konkani and the role of BLAs in English.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening awareness about the electoral process and the responsibilities of various stakeholders.

Adding a cultural dimension to the occasion, a programme celebrating Goa's rich traditions and heritage was also organised.

The BLOs subsequently took part in a question-and-answer session with the CEC, giving them an opportunity to raise issues and seek clarification on matters related to their duties and responsibilities.

Source: IANS

The post BLOs are the first point of contact between ECI and citizens: CEC Gyanesh Kumar appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Ayodhya, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Effecting a major administrative overhaul, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Wednesday appointed Air Marshal (Retd) Jeetendra Mishra as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and elevated Swami Govind Dev Giri as the General Secretary.

Additionally, Mahesh Bhagchandka, Madan Mohan Pandey, and Nirmala Yadav were appointed as the new trustees, filling three vacant positions within the Trust.

The Ram Temple Trust approved the fresh appointments during the high-profile deliberations, including that of Air Marshal (Retd) Jitendra Mishra's appointment, after considering the recommendations of the committee formed to select the temple's first CEO, from a pool of more than 5,000 candidates.

The Trust members in its presser, soon after appointments, hailed the Air Force veteran's more than 39 years of distinguished career in the service and reaffirmed belief in his extensive leadership experience, which will now move from military command to institutional responsibility.

Commissioned into the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986, Mishra is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and served as the Commander during Operation Sindoor -- India's befitting response to Pakistan-sponsored Pahalgam terror attack.

The CEO will have his hands full with numerous tasks, as he will be the point person for making the administration and financial management of temple more organised and robust.

Temple management, security, staff administration, devotee facilities, and coordination among various departments and agencies will be among his primary responsibilities.

Swami Govind Dev Giri has been entrusted with the role of General Secretary, while Mahesh Bhagchandka will take charge as the Temple trust Treasurer.

The Trustees commended Krishna Mohan, the internal General Secretary for shouldering the responsibilities, during the difficult and challenging two-month period.

Among the three new members, who were appointed to the Trust included Mahesh Bhagchandka, Madan Mohan Pandey and Nirmala Yadav.

The 68-year-old Mahesh Bhagchandka is a businessman and social worker. Based in New Delhi, he is author of the book 'Hindutva Ke Purodha' (Proponent of Hindutva). He participated in the rituals as 'Yajman' (host/patron) during the 'Bhoomi Pujan' (groundbreaking) and 'Pran-Pratishtha' (consecration ceremony) of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. He has also been associated with the initiative to install 'Shri Ram Stambhs' (pillars) at 292 sacred pilgrimage sites linked to the 'Shri Ram Van Gaman Yatra' (Lord Ram's exile journey). He is a member of the executive committee of the World Hindu Economic Forum.

Madan Mohan Pandey is a 74-year-old law graduate and advocate. A resident of Ayodhya Cantonment, Pandey represented 'Shri Ram Lalla Virajman' and Mahant Shri Ramchandra Paramhans Das in the High Court and the Supreme Court regarding the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi case from 1990 to 2019. He has served as the Additional Advocate General of Uttar Pradesh for six years. He is also the Vice President of the 'Shri Hari Satsang Samiti' and a patron of the 'Kathakar Yojana Prashikshan Kendra' (Storyteller Training Centre) in Ayodhya.

Nirmala Yadav is a 66-year-old educationist. She holds a Master's degree and a PhD in Hindi and Sanskrit. She served as a college principal for 19 years and is now retired. She has also been involved in evaluating PhD theses and MA answer scripts. She served as a member of the university's Executive Council for 15 years.

Source: IANS

The post Ram Mandir Trust overhaul: Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra is first CEO, Govind Dev Giri becomes General Secretary (Ld) appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Ranchi, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) A two-day international conference on voter registration began in Ranchi on Wednesday to deliberate on the challenges faced during voters' roll preparations while eliminating fake and duplicate entries with the help of advanced technology alongside robust ground-level verification.

With increasing migration, rapid urbanisation and constantly changing demographics posing fresh challenges to maintaining accurate voter lists, the conference, titled “Voter Registration and Voter Register-2026”, has brought together election administrators, academics and researchers to discuss global best practices in electoral roll management.

The event is being jointly hosted by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Jharkhand, and the Central University of Jharkhand at the National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL), Ranchi.

Election Commission's Principal Secretary, Arvind Anand, attended the inaugural session as the chief guest.

Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer K. Ravi Kumar said the objective of the conference extends beyond the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The forum, he said, aims to facilitate discussions on national and international experiences related to voter registration and electoral rolls.

"Bringing together the practical experiences of election administrators and academic research can help make electoral rolls more reliable and inclusive," he said.

Ravi Kumar informed delegates that more than 800 universities and institutions were approached for participation in the conference. A total of 230 abstracts were received, of which 80 were shortlisted and 58 research papers selected for discussion and publication.

Apart from panel discussions, six technical sessions were held on the opening day. Researchers and experts presented studies on voter registration systems in countries including Estonia, Brazil, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ghana, and South Africa. Topics such as online registration, voter databases, emerging technologies and voter awareness initiatives also featured prominently in the discussions.

One of the key themes of the technical sessions was the challenge of migrant voters. Experts highlighted the difficulties faced by migrant workers and other mobile populations in retaining and updating their voter registration records as they move across regions for employment and livelihood opportunities.

The conference also examined ways to improve electoral participation among rural and marginalised communities, tribal populations, residents of border areas and women voters. Participants discussed the potential of social media outreach and multilingual awareness campaigns to enhance voter registration efforts.

Artificial Intelligence and digital systems emerged as another major area of discussion. While experts agreed that technology can significantly streamline voter registration and electoral roll management, they emphasised that human scrutiny and verification must remain central to the final decision-making process.

NUSRL Vice-Chancellor Prof (Dr) Ashok R. Patil said electoral rolls are the foundation of democratic participation. He underscored the need to ensure inclusion of every eligible citizen while preventing the entry of fake, duplicate and ineligible names.

Central University of Jharkhand Vice-Chancellor Prof Sarang Medhekar stressed the importance of continued engagement between electoral institutions and academic bodies. While acknowledging the transformative potential of emerging technologies and AI in election management, he said issues such as data security and related challenges must be addressed simultaneously.

Dr Father Robert Pradeep Kujur, Principal of St Xavier’s College, Ranchi, called for greater efforts to connect young voters, migrants and disadvantaged groups with the electoral process. He said colleges and universities can play a significant role in voter awareness and registration campaigns.

The key findings and recommendations emerging from the conference will be published in both print and digital formats. Organisers hope the outcomes will contribute to future research on voter registration and support improvements in electoral management practices.

Source: IANS

The post ‘Human oversight critical’: Two-day international conference on electoral rolls opens in Ranchi appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday said the Opposition was misguiding the country's citizens by downplaying India's economic growth even as the country continues to be the world’s fastest growing major economy.

Speaking at the 66th Annual Session of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), the minister said India has stayed on course despite global turmoil, describing it as "one oasis in the desert."

"The naysayers can say what they want... 7.8 per cent growth is a reality," Goyal remarked.

The minister said that the Opposition was trying to "find holes" in the Centre's economic data without knowing "how to compare apples with apples."

"They are trying to misguide the people of India, comparing a growth rate at an old series to the growth rate in the new series, where the base year itself has changed. They are trying to find holes," he added.

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI) on Wednesday refuted the claim that last year’s current GDP for Q1 has been revised down from Rs. 86 lakh crore to Rs. 80 lakh crore, to make current year’s GDP for the first quarter to look better and if this was not done, the growth would have been 2.6 per cent in current prices.

According to an FAQ issued by the Ministry, the Q1 GDP for 2026-27 has been estimated with the new series based on 2022-23 as the base year and therefore cannot be compared with the Rs 86 lakh crore figure for the Q1 of 2025-26 formed part of the old series that has 2011-12 as the base year. A valid comparison can be made only with the Rs. 80 lakh crore figure based on the new series data with 2022-23 as the base year.

The comparison of the Q1 GDP estimates needs to be understood in the context of the revisions made to the GDP series. The change in the estimate of Q1 2025-26 does not represent a downward revision made to make the current year’s growth appear higher. It reflects successive methodological and data revisions to the GDP series, the MOSPI said.

Source: IANS

The post Piyush Goyal slams opposition for downplaying India’s economic growth appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will travel to the United States later this month to attend the G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting and hold discussions on the ongoing India-US bilateral trade deal negotiations, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the 66th Annual Session of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), Gor said India and the United States are working closely to strengthen their trade relationship and have made significant progress in negotiations.

The US envoy said Goyal would visit the US in the coming weeks as Washington hosts the G20 talks, adding that both governments are working towards a trade relationship that is fair, reciprocal and mutually beneficial.

The visit comes as India and the US seek to advance discussions on a bilateral trade agreement. NDTV Profit had earlier reported that Goyal was expected to travel to the US towards the end of September as both sides work towards finalising the deal.

"It's great to be with my good friend, the Commerce Minister. The United States and India are working very closely together; a lot is happening," Gor said, adding that Washington looks forward to hosting Goyal for the G20 meetings.

Gor also referred to the progress made by the two countries, including a trade understanding reached by their governments. He said the cooperation between India and the US extends beyond trade in goods and covers a wide range of areas.

"Our two governments are working closely together to build a trade relationship that is fair, reciprocal and mutually beneficial," Gor said.

Highlighting broader cooperation, the ambassador said the two countries are partnering across several areas and pointed to the Pact Silica declaration signed earlier this year. According to Gor, the declaration is aimed at creating a pro-innovation regulatory framework and facilitating greater cross-border investment by American and Indian companies.

He said the initiative would also help empower the next generation of entrepreneurs and builders in both countries.

Source: IANS

The post Piyush Goyal to visit US for G20 Trade Ministers’ meet, India-US trade talks: Sergio Gor appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, Sep 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI) clarified on Wednesday that a negative inflation in the implicit deflator in manufacturing does not mean that manufacturing prices have fallen, and it is important to distinguish between the price deflators of output and inputs and the implicit Gross Value Added (GVA) deflator.

The explanation came in response to a question: How can the manufacturing sector record a negative inflation in the GVA implicit deflator of "(-)1.5 per cent" in Q1, 2026-27 despite an increase in both manufacturing output and input prices, while the agricultural sector recorded a positive inflation rate of 3.9 per cent?

The ministry said that under the double-deflation approach, output and intermediate consumption of the manufacturing sector are deflated separately and real GVA is obtained as real output minus real intermediate consumption. Therefore, when input prices increase faster than output prices, the relative price movement can result in nominal GVA growing more slowly than real GVA. Consequently, the implicit GVA deflator, which is derived by comparing nominal GVA with real GVA, can show negative inflation even though both output and input prices are rising.

Importantly, a negative GVA deflator does not mechanically imply lower real growth. Real GVA growth depends on the relative movements in real output and real intermediate consumption, the statement pointed out.

In Q1, 2026-27, manufacturing GVA is compiled using the double-deflation approach, under which output and intermediate consumption are separately deflated. During this period, input prices increased faster relative to output prices. As a result, nominal GVA growth for this sector was relatively lower at 7.7 per cent, while real GVA growth was 9.2 per cent. The resulting difference between nominal and real GVA growth produced a negative implicit GVA deflator of 1.5 per cent. For example, some of the activities where the growth of input prices was found to be more than that of output prices are the manufacturing of textiles and cotton ginning; basic metals; rubber and plastic products, etc.

To add further, research papers by the OECD highlight that countries using double deflation frequently experience volatile or negative implicit deflators in manufacturing during global energy and raw material shocks. Advanced economies that depend heavily on imported raw materials regularly experience negative manufacturing deflators when international supply chains fluctuate.

Thus, this does not imply that manufacturing output prices declined. Rather, it reflects the relative movement of output and input prices in the double-deflation framework, the ministry contended.

In contrast, at the quarterly level, Agriculture GVA is compiled at constant price first using the production estimates. Current Price estimates of Agriculture GVA are then derived by inflating the Constant Price estimates using the relevant Producer Price Index.

During Q1, 2026-27, the output Producer Price Index for Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing group rose by approximately 5 per cent. Since the output prices rose and agricultural nominal GVA is heavily driven by these output prices, its implied inflation remained positive at 3.9 per cent, the statement added.

Source: IANS

The post Why manufacturing sector recorded negative inflation in implicit deflator in Q1 appeared first on Social News XYZ.