Category Archives: Business & Economy

INTERNATIONAL: UN COP28: Two Indian Women Sangitaben Rathod and Jasumatiben Jethabai Parma Illuminate at Global Climate Talks in Dubai with Traditional Solutions to Fight Climate Change

Wearing desi clothes, Sangitaben Rathod and Jasumatiben Jethabai Parmar have boldly stepped into the limelight at the global climate talks here, bringing with them potent traditional solutions to tackle climate change.

The two women — Rathod, from Naganamoth, and Parmar from Simej, both in Gujarat – who had never ventured beyond their home state before, showcased practical climate resilience solutions that are making waves on the international stage.

heir traditional wisdom involves using neem leaves and cow urine to create organic fertilizers and insecticides – an innovative practice that has not only sustained their crops for years but is now being adopted by women farmers across India, offering a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers.

“I decided to look for local solutions after incurring huge losses due to climate change. I lost over Rs 1.5 lakh in wheat crops in 2019. After that, we started looking at the problem and we realised pest attacks had considerably increased due to the changing climate and commercial insecticides were failing. It was then that we thought of turning to the traditional solutions our forefathers used – neem leaves and cow urine,” Rathod, 28 said.

“Then the solution we shared with the Self Employed Women’s Association and they empowered us to train communities based on our solution,” Parmar, 63, added.

On what they wish to expect on the global platform, Rathod said she hopes the solutions they have implemented can be shared with a wider audience and also make the negotiators realise the impact women in India are bearing due to climate change and how we need help.

Alongside her, Jasumatiben said, “Our seemingly simple traditions hold the key to a sustainable future.”

Amidst the formal suits of international bureaucrats, Sangitaben and Jasumatiben actively participated, and passionately advocated for reduced insecticide and pesticide usage by integrating cow urine and neem leaves into farming practices during the gender-themed discussion that took place during the UN COP28 on Monday.

Sangitaben and Jasumatiben also shared their insights with former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, shedding light on the challenges faced by Indian women workers due to climate shocks.

Reema Nanavaty, Director of Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), highlighted the challenges faced by Indian women workers due to climate shocks.

Nanavaty elaborated on the difficulties encountered by those involved in street vending, construction, and other labour-intensive occupations.

“I think there’s an urgent need for this Global Climate Resilience Fund for women, especially in India. This will be the first of its kind, a fund for the Global South, and this is a bottom-up fund,” Nanavaty emphasised, aligning with Clinton’s call for a targeted and comprehensive initiative to address the impact of extreme heat on women workers in India.

Nanavaty pointed out the urgent need for actionable solutions and advocated for a unified appeal for global collaboration to create a sustainable and resilient future for women in India and beyond.

The global climate talks are taking place in Dubai and have seen participation from over 100,000 people from 198 countries. PTI UZM NSA AKJ

(This story was produced as part of the 2023 Climate Change Media Partnership, a journalism fellowship organized by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security.) NSA

source/content: ptinews.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL RECORDS: EDUCATION: India sends Record Number Students to U.S., Surpasses China: Report

Number of international students from India has increased by 35%, with an all-time high of 268,923 students.

India surpassed China to become the largest source of international graduate students in the United States for the first time since 2009-10, according to the Open Doors Report (ODR), published by the Institute of International Education (IIE) in partnership with the U.S. government’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

According to the report, released on Monday, a record number of Indian students travelled to the United States to pursue higher education for the third year in a row.

The report said the number of international students from India to the United States increased by 35%, numbering an all-time high of 268,923 students in the academic year 2022-23. “Indian students constitute more than 25% of the over one million foreign students studying in the United States,” said the US Embassy in India in a press release. The number of Indian graduate students rose by 63% to 165,936 students, an increase of nearly 64,000 students, compared to last year, while Indian undergraduate students also increased by 16%, the Embassy added.

As many as 69,062 students opted for optional practical training (OPT), a type of temporary work permission that allows eligible students to get real-world experience related to their field of study. “The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India issued record high numbers of student visas during the main student visa season of June-August 2023. Consular officers across India issued 95,269 visas in the F, M, and J categories. This is an 18% increase over 2022 during the same timeframe,” the release added.

U.S. Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti said that Indian students are bringing both countries closer together. “We celebrate the strength of the Indian educational system that prepares students to compete globally and look forward to seeing India continue to lead. We also look forward to balancing these record numbers. We want to see equal numbers of women pursuing studies in the United States and see more U.S. students coming to experience all that India has to offer,” he said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: HEALTH & MEDICAL SERVICES / DRUGS: First 4 made-in-India drugs for rare diseases launched, 4 more in pipeline, announces govt

The Union Health Ministry Friday announced that the first four made-in-India drugs for rare diseases, also called orphan diseases, which will bring down costs of the medicines by up to hundred-fold, have been launched in the country this year.

All drugs used for treating rare diseases were so far being imported and were prohibitively expensive, often forcing people to crowdfund treatment.

“As part of the National Policy on Rare Disease, an initiative in collaboration with government agencies and drugmakers had been started last year and 13 priority rare diseases, along with sickle cell anemia, had been identified for which India made drugs were to be developed,” a senior ministry official said at a press briefing.

The drugs that are being launched as part of the initiative, said the official, are going to be the “game-changer” and will bring upon a paradigm shift in the rare disease treatment landscape in the country and other low income nations.

A rare disease is a health condition of a particularly low prevalence that affects a small number of people — less than 1 per 1,000 according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) — but collectively afflicts about 6-8 percent of the population in any country at any given time.

Nearly 80 percent of these diseases are genetic in nature.

According to details shared by the health ministry, India could have a total of 8.4-19 crore rare disease cases. There are over 700 diseases categorised as rare diseases but the government says that less than 5 percent have therapies available to treat them.

“As part of the exercise”, the official said, 6 out of the 13 prioritised rare diseases were identified as “low hanging fruits” and work began last year to develop 8 drugs for them.

“Of these, four have been approved now while four more are likely to get the approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation by early next year,” he added.

In addition, for sickle cell disease — for whose elimination the Union government had launched a national programme this year — an Indian generic drugmaker, Akums pharma, has developed an oral suspension form of the drug Hydroxyurea, used in treating the condition.

“As of now, the pediatric patients of this condition mostly cannot avail treatment because the syrup Hydroxyurea is not freely available and cost of the oral suspension, when procured, can go up to Rs 70,000 per 100 ml,” the ministry official also said.

He added that the tentative cost of the locally produced drug, which is due for regulatory approval as of now, will be Rs 405 per 100 ml.

Sickle cell anemia is a common condition among the tribal population and affects the shape of red blood cells which carry oxygen to all parts of the body.

India is among the countries with one of the highest burden of the disease globally, second only to Nigeria and some tribal communities in the country report as many as 40 percent of the population affected.

Diseases and drugs

The diseases for which the generic drugs have been developed include Tyrosinemia Type 1, which is characterised by jaundice, liver failure, liver cancer. Untreated patients die by the time they are around 10 years of age.

The imported drug for the disease, Nitisinone, currently costs Rs 2.2- 6.5 crore per year depending on the body weight of the child.

The generic version of the drug launched by Laurus Labs and Zenara Pharma will bring down the cost of the drug to Rs 2.5 lakh per annum.

The other disease for which indigenously developed drug is now available in the country includes Gaucher’s disease, which causes liver or spleen enlargement, bone pain or crisis and acute fatigue.

The imported drug for this ailment costs Rs 1.8-Rs 3.6 crore, but the drug launched in India by Zenara Pharma has been priced at Rs 3-6 lakh per annum.

The third disease for which the indigenous medicine will be available now is Wilson’s disease, whose symptoms include copper deposit in liver, brain, cornea, psychiatric symptoms and destruction of red blood cells. The imported version for the drug used to treat the disease costs Rs 1.8 to Rs 2.1 crore per annum but the generic versions launched by Laurus Labs and MSN Pharma will bring down the cost to Rs 2.2 lakh per annum.

Another disease for which locally produced drugs have been made available is Dravet or Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome which results in complex and difficult to treat seizures. Cannabidiol oral solution used in treating it costs Rs 6-20 lakh per annum for children weighing 5-20 kg.

But the generic drug developed by Zenara Pharma will bring down the cost to Rs 1-5 lakh every year.

The other diseases for which India made generic medicines are in the pipeline next year include Phenylketonuria — which leads to patients having small heads, mental retardation and seizures — and hyperammonemia which is a complex metabolic condition.

“Not only will these drugs bring down the cost of treatment for Indian patients but can be supplied to other countries as well,” the official quoted earlier said.

He added that pharma companies were not making drugs for these conditions earlier due to less lucrative commercial opportunities but have now come forward after the call by the government.

Last year, the government had decided to hike the monetary support offered to patients suffering from rare diseases from Rs 20 to 50 lakh, covering all conditions through the designated hospitals.

(Edited by Gitanjali Das)

source/content: theprint.in (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL / NATIONAL: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: Scientist Prof Urbasi Singh, 1st Indian Scientist to get Canadian Excellence Research Chair (CERC) Award, Wins USD 8 million grant

Prof Urbasi specialises in quantum science and her research interests span cutting-edge topical areas such as quantum communication, quantum computation, quantum optics and quantum fundamentals.

Prof Urbasi Singh from the Quantum Information and Computing (QuIC) laboratory at the Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bengaluru, is the first Indian scientist to be awarded Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Photonic Quantum Science and Technologies.

She won a grant worth $8 million, opening possibilities for international interactions in academia, industry and other sectors developing lab-to-market innovative models — for building a future ecosystem based on quantum technologies.

Prof Urbasi specialises in quantum science and her research interests span cutting-edge topical areas such as quantum communication, quantum computation, quantum optics and quantum fundamentals and information processing.

Her lab is one of the first in India to manufacture and establish the usage of heralded and entangled photon sources towards various applications in quantum technologies.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Airbus, HAL tie up for commercial aircraft maintenance

French aerospace manufacturer Airbus said on Thursday that it was partnering with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for commercial aircraft service support.

Under the agreement, Airbus will provide the A320 family tool package and offer specialised consulting services to HAL to set up an MRO. Airbus will also offer HAL access to AirbusWorld, a digital platform that offers support, technical data and training solutions.

HAL’s Nashik division has capabilities in civil MRO, which include three Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)-approved hangars and skilled manpower from their defence activities.

“HAL has a vision to establish an integrated MRO hub in the country and provide airlines with an effective MRO solution. This step by HAL Nashik is also aligned to civil-military convergence and the Make in India mission of the Government of India,” said Saket Chaturvedi, CEO (MiG Complex), HAL.

“An indigenous MRO infrastructure will not only help airlines streamline their aircraft operations, but also support the government’s aim of making India a global aviation hub,” said Rémi Maillard, President and Managing Director, Airbus India and South Asia.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: ARTS & CRAFTS / CINEMA: FIRST INDIAN: Ektaa R Kapoor Creates History, set to become 1st Indian Filmmaker to Receive International Emmys Directorate Award

Indian producer Ektaa R Kapoor is poised to make history as the first Indian filmmaker to secure the International Emmys Directorate award at the upcoming 51st Emmys. Kapoor’s name resonates strongly in the entertainment industry, where she is hailed as a Content Czarina, demonstrating her prowess across television, films, and OTT platforms. Boasting an insightful and targeted understanding of audience preferences, Kapoor has reigned over the industry for over a decade, amassing a myriad of accolades. This year, her exceptional win at the Emmys serves as a crowning achievement, elevating the jubilation surrounding her remarkable career.

Known for her versatile contributions to entertainment, Kapoor’s influence extends seamlessly across diverse platforms. From shaping compelling narratives on television to producing impactful films and embracing the digital realm with OTT endeavors, she has become a stalwart force in the industry.

Ektaa R Kapoor’s ability to connect with audiences on a profound level has been a cornerstone of her success, culminating in this groundbreaking recognition on the global stage. As the anticipation builds for the 51st Emmys, the industry awaits with bated breath to witness Ektaa R Kapoor etch her name in history as she claims the International Emmys Directorate award.

On the professional front, Ektaa is gearing up for the release of The Buckingham Murders, which is directed by Hansal Mehta and features Kareena Kapoor Khan in a lead role. She last bankrolled Thank You For Coming, which garnered critical acclaim for its bold content. It featured Bhumi Pednekar, Shehnaaz Kaur Gill and others in prominent roles.

source/content: firstpost.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: INDIAN ORIGIN LEADER IN LONDON: Delhi Man Tarun Ghulati, London Mayoral Hopeful, Wants To Run The British Capital City As A CEO

After Indian Origin PM, the UK may soon get Tarun Ghulati as next London Mayor who wants to ‘improve’ the capital city by way of strengthening the police, affordable housing, ‘uplift’ all Londoners.

Tarun Ghulati, 63, is fighting tooth and nail to become the next Mayor of London as the contest for the coveted post heats up before the May 2, 2024 election date with several key hopefuls from Britain’s leading political parties in the fray. Ghulati, a finance pro and “proud Hindu with Sanatan roots”, has plans to run the British capital city as a “CEO” by “improving” and “uplifting” the lives of Londoners with an enhanced police, affordable housing and abolishing “unpopular” rules brought about by incumbent Sadiq Khan.

Ghulati, a father of two who claims to be a “global citizen” working across geographies from Delhi to Mauritius and Qatar to the UK, entered the chaotic British political scene around 2021. In 2009, he was successful in obtaining the citizenship of that country, which since then has become his home. However, Ghulati has been living in London for the past two decades. He arrived there on a work permit by banking giant HSBC, Ghulati’s former employer.

But it has not been easy for Ghulati, who inevitably as a person of Indian origin and being a person of colour had to face hurdles in the initial years, which he had been able to win over eventually. He is the first Indian to run for this post in the history of the UK.

“I have been the same person every day for the last 40 years. I am disciplined. I get up early and I have the plan for the day ready. I am extremely punctual. I tend not to look over my shoulders and feel the envy or the pain of what others are doing. I have my own journey which I follow. I am known for being trustworthy and straightforward … As far as I am concerned whilst there will be concerns and hindrances down the way, I have a clear plan to make sure that I bring the smiles back and the mojo back for London,” he told ABPLIVE during his recent visit to India.

Dressed in an impeccable blue suit, Ghulati spoke about how he overcame some of the obstacles, gate-crashed into London’s political theatre and now vying for a place for himself as an independent candidate amid a tightening mayoral race of London.

“Like anybody else, I have faced hurdles and turns-off being initially an Indian and perhaps later on because of my colour but I have not faced racism overtly because I have always been somebody whom people have recognised that I will not be cowered down by any sort of hindrances … I do know people in high places, whether it’s members from the House of Lords or politicians I do meet them. That helps in understanding the local issues and opportunities,” he averred.

‘Want To Be A Mayor For Everybody’

Ghulati began working actively in London’s political scene during the days of former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

“I felt that to beat the London Mayor Sadiq Khan you need someone who is not only able to bring investments, is a global citizen, but somebody who has the gravitas to take position. The budget for London that the London Mayor handles is roughly about $21 billion Sterling. I would like to run it as a CEO runs a business with a good dashboard with the right sort of people running it,” he underlined.

“I want to be a mayor of London for everybody,” said Ghulati, eluding to some of the controversial policies laid down in the British capital by Khan such as the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which was launched in 2019, that is over and above the £15 congestion fee.

“Imagine if you are a businessman in a cost of living crisis, where people are wondering whether to heat or eat and at the same time there are a lot of middle income people there who need to be uplifted … I sincerely believe that the freedom of movement is as critical as the freedom of speech. So I want to abolish ULEZ on day one,” he added.

Ghulati’s other objective is to push security and safety through increased Police deployment in certain neighbourhoods where crime rates are high and opening of more Police stations.

“Whilst I am a Londoner and I spent nearly two decades there and call it home, I am also a global citizen. I am also proud about my Hindu heritage, Sanatan roots … I am here for everybody,” he said.

Khalistan Vandalism, India-UK FTA

Being an Indian-origin, Ghulati vows to work towards strengthening the bilateral relationship between the UK and India, be it addressing the growing concerns in New Delhi over the resurgence of Khalistan terrorism in London or whether it is pushing for the India-UK trade pact, or Free Trade Agreement (FTA) towards a meaningful conclusion.

“Indian flag being disrespected is not accepted at all. In those sorts of things, the London Mayor Sadiq Khan should have been more proactive, there should have been intelligence. People are not being parachuted there out of nowhere, there was a group of people coming towards the High Commission, so there should have been preventive action taken. In matters like these more action could have been taken not only to prevent but avoid an escalation too,” he said.

Ghulati added that the London Mayor was “sitting on the fence” when the incident happened.

While incidents of vandalism of the Indian High Commission in London by Khalistan supporters has become a regular affair, tension between both countries peaked in March this year when a Khalistani protestor pulled down the Indian Flag flying atop the High Commission and was not even stopped once by the Police present there.

On the issue of having the India-UK FTA, Ghulati said he is already working on getting the pending pact concluded. As a member of the London Chamber of Commerce he has brought a business delegation to India in August to foster business and trade ties.

“When the FTA is signed, and I know we are on the last legs of that particular trade agreement, it would pave the way for me in playing a role there as the London Mayor plays a key role in fostering businesses and we facilitate there entry into London and give them the support so that they can hit the ground running,” said Ghulati.

source/content: news.abplive.com (headline edited)

IIT-Bombay researchers patent technology that will save crores for steel industry and reduce emissions

A groundbreaking energy-efficient carbon dioxide (CO2) capture technology has been developed, offering the potential to revolutionize the steel industry while advancing India’s aim of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. Developed by the National Centre of Excellence in Carbon Capture and Utilisation (NCoE-CCU) at IIT Bombay with support from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), this innovation enables the conversion of CO2 into carbon monoxide (CO) under electrocatalytic conditions at ambient temperatures, even in the presence of water.

Dr Arnab Dutta and Dr Vikram Vishal, along with dedicated researchers at the NCoE-CCU, have successfully patented the CO2-to-CO conversion technology. Moreover, their work is set to be published in the prestigious international journal, Nature Communications.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is widely used in the industrial sector, particularly in the form of synthesis gas (syngas). In the steel industry, CO is indispensable for converting iron ores into metallic iron within blast furnaces. However, the traditional method of CO generation involves the partial oxidation of coke or coal, leading to substantial CO2 emissions as a byproduct.

The innovation developed by IIT Bombay’s NCoE-CCU offers a more sustainable approach by converting emitted CO2 into valuable CO. What sets this technology apart is its ability to function at ambient temperatures (25-40 °C) with minimal energy requirements.

This electrocatalytic reaction can efficiently harness energy from renewable sources, such as solar panels or windmills, ensuring a carbon-neutral process for converting CO2 to CO. Notably, this advancement aligns with India’s environmental goals and represents a critical pathway for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.

The technology has immense potential for various industrial applications and is currently in the process of scaling up, thanks to the recent incubation of UrjanovaC Private Limited. The steel sector, in particular, stands to benefit from this breakthrough. Additionally, another technology for aqueous-based CO2 capture and conversion to calcium carbonate, originating from DST-supported NCoE-CCU activities, has been licensed to UrjanovaC Private Limited, incubated through SINE at IIT Bombay.

source/content: newsable.asianetnews.com

NATIONAL: WOMEN LEADERSHIP : Nita Ambani Honoured with The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF)’s ‘2023 Global Leadership Award for Philanthropy and Corporate Social Responsibility’

The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) on Sunday honoured Nita Ambani , Founder and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, with the 2023 Global Leadership Award for Philanthropy and Corporate Social Responsibility.

Dr Mukesh Aghi, USISPF President and CEO, in his statement on X, said: “We are delighted to award Nita M. Ambani for her tireless efforts to enrich the lives of many Indians. Nita M. Ambani is someone who believes that the work is never done and that there is so much more left to accomplish…”

“At a time of hard power globally, she has shown us the reach and impact of soft power, especially in preserving and promoting India’s rich tapestry of arts and showing us that sports is a vital tool in nation-building,” he added.

Nita Ambani is a champion for women’s rights in India and is the founder of one of the largest philanthropy foundations in the country, Reliance Foundation. She also plays a key role in organisations ranging from sports to arts.

The foundation has helped 70 million people, focuses extensively on providing better health care to women , improving digital literacy, and educating them with skills to improve employability.

In August, Reliance Foundation partnered with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to ensure that women in farm and non-farm jobs will receive an annual salary of at least $1,200 for the next three years.

Nita Ambani in 2021 also founded Her Circle , a digital app and social networking site that discusses a range of topics from lifestyle trends to women’s health, including promoting diversity of women’s appearances and body sizes.

Nita Ambani is also the co-owner of five-time Indian Premier League winner Mumbai Indians and the founder of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre .

source/content: news18.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: TELECOMMUNICATION / INTERNET: INDIA’s FIRST: Reliance Jio Launches Jio SpaceFiber- India’s First Satellite-based GigaFiber Internet Service

At the India Mobile Congress 2023 New Delhi, Reliance Jio demonstrated India’s first satellite-based GigaFiber service called Jio SpaceFiber in the presence of PM Narendra Modi. The new Jio SpaceFiber service aims to provide high speed broadband services to previously inaccessible geographies within India.

The service will be available across the length and breadth of the country at highly affordable prices. Right now, the Jio SpaceFiber is now available across four of the remotest locations in India– Gir Gujarat, Korba Chattisgarh, Nabrangpur Odissa and ONGC-Jorhat Assam.

“Jio has enabled millions of homes and businesses in India to experience broadband internet for the first time. With JioSpaceFiber, we expand our reach to cover the millions yet to be connected. JioSpaceFiber will allow everyone, everywhere, to fully participate in the new digital society with gigabit access to online government, education, health, and entertainment services,” said Akash Ambani, Chairman Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited.

Jio already delivers high speed broadband fixed line and wireless services to over 450 million Indian consumers. To accelerate digital inclusivity for every household in India, Jio has added JioSpaceFiber to its premier lineup of broadband services, JioFiber and JioAirFiber. With Jio, consumers and businesses have unprecedented access to reliable, low latency and high-speed internet and entertainment services, regardless of location. The satellite network will also support additional capacity for mobile backhaul, further enhancing the availability and scale of Jio True5G in the remotest parts of the country.

Jio is partnering with SES to access the world’s latest in medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite technology, the only MEO constellation capable of delivering truly unique Gigabit, fiber-like services from space. With Jio having access to a combination of SES’s O3b and new O3b mPOWER satellites, it is the only company that offers game-changing technology, providing scalable and affordable broadband across all of India with a level of guaranteed reliability and service flexibility that is a first in the industry.

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