Rs 200cr market in sight as state backs safe, smokeless fireworks unit at Champahati or Maheshtala.

A large section of firecracker manufacturers in Bengal has been planning to set up India’s first factory to produce cold firecrackers with the help of the state government next year.

They said that there was no such unit in the country, as cold fireworks are completely imported from China. Cold firecrackers worth around ₹200 crore are sold annually in India.

“We have already chalked out a plan to set up a factory for cold firecrackers in Bengal. We have discussed it with the principal secretary of the micro, small and medium enterprises department, who has assured us of full support in setting up the country’s first such manufacturing unit,” said Sukdeb Naskar, the general secretary of the All Bengal Trinamool Green Firecrackers Manufacturing Workers’ Union.

Cold fireworks are a type of pyrotechnic display that uses a combination of liquid nitrogen and other chemicals to create a unique visual effect. Unlike traditional firecrackers, cold firecrackers do not produce heat or sound, making them ideal for use in areas where noise and fire hazards may be a concern.

Cold firecrackers are commonly used at indoor parties and cricket grounds, as they pose no risk of fire accidents. The manufacturers said the demand for the cold firecrackers increased significantly because of their “no-risk” and “zero pollution” characteristics.

“We have already contacted LIT University in Nagpur, which has been developing the procedure to produce cold firecrackers with the help of experts from Germany and the UK. They have assured us that they will soon visit the proposed manufacturing site. We also plan to begin training around 250 firework manufacturers in the production of cold firecrackers in January next year,” said Sarkar, claiming that the cold fireworks are the future of the firecracker industry.

A source said the government had advised the firecracker manufacturers to choose either Champahati or Maheshtala in South 24-Parganas for setting up the cold firecracker unit.

The firecracker industry in Bengal has suffered multiple blows in recent years, with several explosions claiming dozens of lives and leaving the government embarrassed. The multiple explosions and loss of lives had raised questions over the government’s supervision of illegal firecracker-producing units.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee also held several meetings to help manufacturers switch to green crackers, ensuring the safety and security of workers and the public.

The government has already constructed several firecracker clusters to help small-scale producers operate in protected areas while following proper norms and regulations. However, hundreds of firecracker manufacturers have complained to the Trinamool-backed union that they were denied licences despite fulfilling all required conditions.

“We praise the state government for its initiative to protect the interests of firecracker manufacturers. There are 1.5 lakh manufacturers in various districts of the state. However, the cold firecracker initiative will greatly improve safety for manufacturers and also help reduce pollution,” said Sakti Pada Mondal, president of the union.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting another part of China for the SCO summit, possibly with the motive of improving relations, but away from the spotlight Rabiul Baksh and Mehernosh Pastakia have been building culinary bridges for a while now.

Beijing is a bustling metropolis with a population of around 22.5 million. Of those, less than a thousand are Indian. Two of them are Rabiul Baksh and Mehernosh Pastakia, who stand out in this crowd because of their culinary adventures. They both own restaurants Beijingers swear by, as do people at the Indian embassy in the city.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit another part of China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Tianjin, possibly with the motive of improving relations between the two countries, but away from the spotlight, Rabiul and Pastakia have been building bridges between the two sets of cultures for a while now.

Whether he gets the opportunity to cook for Modi this time or not, the current Indian prime minister has already made it to Pastakia’s list. He has had the unique honour of catering food to three Indian prime ministers, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Dr Manmohan Singh and Modi, as well as former President APJ Abdul Kalam. Not a future that any amount of suan ming (Chinese for fate calculation or fortune telling) could have predicted when 24-year-old Pastakia arrived in Jiang Zemin’s China in 1991.

‘China had just opened its doors’

Pastakia started out as the manager of an Indian restaurant in Beijing. Not long after, he fell in love with Zheng Xiaowen, an accountant who was just starting to pick up English, and life took a wondrous turn.

“I got married in 1997 and then I left my job a year later, and then that year we started our first restaurant, the Taj Pavilion, in Beijing. We opened it at the best location in Beijing at that time, the China World Trade Centre,” Pastakia tells The Telegraph Online.

“There were very few foreigners here at that time. China had just opened its doors to outsiders. The concept of foreign food was not much. Our main clientele was Chinese, of course, and then expats living in China.”

Twenty-seven years on, Pastakia has consolidated three very successful restaurants into one single restaurant. He is also the go-to person when Indian dignitaries arrive in China.

“In my team of workers, we also have a very versatile chef from Calcutta — he does most of the food and of course the team helps him,” he says.

“A restaurant is a home away from home. So, Maharashtrians are going to hold a Ganesh Chaturthi event at our restaurant. Then the Malayali community is going to have their Onam celebration. And then we have Durga Puja celebrations for Bengalis.”

A one-stop shop for all Indians in Beijing. But not just Indians, as Pastakia points out.

The current Taj Pavilion is in one of the oldest hotels in Beijing, Lido.

‘Kosha mangsho like Calcutta’

In a totally different part of the city, Rabiul, a 32-year-old Bengali culinary maestro, is the proud owner of four restaurants. He is the new kid on the block, his energy is infectious, and he speaks at the speed of light.

“My first restaurant, which I opened in 2021, is called ‘Dastaan—Indian cuisine’. It’s my dream come true,” he tells The Telegraph Online. “After two-and-a-half years, I came up with Bollywood Tales, Mumbai Impression and Rabiul’s Kitchen, all in the Chaoyang district of Beijing.”

This remarkable achievement is not just a testament to his talent and hard work — he possibly sleeps even less than the prime minister claims to — but also a reflection of his family’s legacy as culinary ambassadors of Bengal and India.

The journey began 64 years ago, when Rabiul’s grandfather Karim Baksh began cooking for village functions. From these humble beginnings in their village in East Midnapore, the flame was further ignited by Rabiul’s father, Ajimul Baksh, who relocated to Tokyo as a chef in 2007. There’s been no looking back since for the family. An uncle has been running a restaurant in Tokyo for the past 25 years.

“Growing up in an environment filled with the aroma of food, I was destined to be a chef,” Rabiul says. “I love what I do and absolutely adore Beijing. As a proud Bengali, I ensure that you get kosha mangsho just the way you’d want it for a Sunday lunch in Calcutta. It’s not just the Indians; people in China love it too. So do the Europeans. They also pronounce it perfectly.”

Beijingers have taken to the food in a big way, and for long now. After spending six years working in the hospitality industry in various parts of India, Rabiul arrived in Beijing in 2015. Then came life-changing stints in the kitchens of Wyndham Grand Plaza Royal Kaidi and Hyatt Regency Beijing Wangjing, and within three years, he had opened his first outlet. “I haven’t looked back after that.”

“During Durga Puja and Poila Boishakh, we celebrate with full Bengali meals,” Rabiul, as proud of his roots in Bengal as one can be, says.

Restaurateurs and ambassadors

Pastakia and Rabiul are both busy with their lives and careers and have been warmly accepted by the locals in China. Even though no one mentions a word, the strain in relations between two countries is perhaps not lost on them nor is the opportunity for improved Sino-Indian relations on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

“I might not have the time to watch news all the time, I make sure I listen to a podcast,” Rabiul says. “Here, I am an Indian, a migrant, speaking Bengali in Beijing and proud of it. All migrant workers, at home or abroad, should have the freedom and dignity I have.”

Does he speak Mandarin? “Of course, I have been learning for ten years now,” he says. “And my favorite Chinese dish is ‘酸辣土豆丝’ (suānlà tǔdòusī, or spicy and sour shredded potatoes),” he texts.

For Pastakia, Mandarin comes easily now. He slips into the language as he gives instructions to his driver while we speak over the phone. “It’s very, very natural to walk up to our guests and talk to them in Chinese.”

Sixty-nine years ago, in July 1956, a young diplomat in what was then Peking wrote in his diary (later published as a book) while staying at the Hsin Chiao Hotel meant only for foreigners. “The menu was in Chinese,” he had written. “The waiters did not know English. My Chinese was confined to only thank you, ‘hseai hseai ni’ and sorry, ‘tuai pu chi’.”

The man was Natwar Singh, who would later as Union minister of state for external affairs accompany Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi for a historic visit to China in December 1988.

That world changed long back — Hsin Chiao, with its Soviet architecture, is now Novotel Beijing Xinqiao — but in the Beijing of 2025, we have Rabiul and Pastakia bridging gaps with flavours and aromas that mix perfectly with the local flavours and aromas.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

“His term will be for a period of 3 years from the date of assumption of charge of the post, or until further orders, whichever is earlier,” the notification said.

The government has appointed former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Urjit Patel as new Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund, according to a notification by the Appointment Committee of the Cabinet.

“His term will be for a period of 3 years from the date of assumption of charge of the post, or until further orders, whichever is earlier,” the notification said. He will replace K V Subramanian, whose term was cut short earlier this year.

The decision of ACC surprises many as in December 2018, Patel stepped down as RBI Governor, about nine months ahead of the completion of his three-year term. It was believed that he quit because of a reported major rift between the government and the central bank. It was only the second time since Independence that a sitting RBI Governor quit. The previous one to do so was Sir Benegal Rama Rau, who resigned before his second extended tenure expired due to differences with the then Finance Minister.

While Patel cited ‘personal reasons’ for his decision, the resignation followed feuds between the RBI and the government on a host of issues including those relating to central bank autonomy, transferring RBI’s excess reserves to the government and relaxing the Restrictive Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework for 11 state-owned banks. The government had invoked the never-before-used Section 7 of the RBI Act to seek consultation on some of these issues when it found the RBI top brass not inclined to look into them.

A man of few words, Patel, under whose watch the NDA’s government’s demonetisation exercise was carried out, was elevated as RBI Governor (after Rajan demitted office) on September 4, 2016 after serving as Deputy Governor since January 2013.

Patel served as the 24^th governor of the Reserve Bank of India. During his tenure he was director of Bank for International Settlements and member of the Advisory Board of the Financial Stability Institute. Before his governorship he was the deputy governor in charge of monetary policy and chaired a committee on strengthening monetary policy. From 2013 to 2018 he was principal/deputy in the G-20 and BRICS Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ groups. Earlier, he worked with Reliance Industries and Infrastructure Development Finance Company. He began his career as an economist with the International Monetary Fund. He has been a consultant to the Indian Ministry of Finance, and a non-resident senior fellow of Brookings Institution.

Patel will take the place of K V Subramanian, who had to leave six months before his tenure was to end due to a government order dated April 30, 2025 which stated that “ACC approved termination of Dr Krishnamurthy Subramanian as Executive Director (India) at the International Monetary Fund with immediate effect.”  Subramanian joined the multilateral agency in November 2022.

Although no official reason was given, sources said that his criticism of the IMF’s data mechanism did not go well with the multilateral agency. The agency was also not very happy with his working style. Later, principal opposition party, Congress claimed the Narendra Modi government abruptly terminated Subramanian’s tenure due to “embarrassing details” that had emerged in the public domain and “impropriety” committed by him.

source/content: thehindubusinessline.com (headline edited)

After commissioning two multi-mission stealth frigates, Singh said India never believes in aggressive expansionism and that the whole world knows it.

 “I want to reiterate that Operation Sindoor is not over, it is merely a pause,” said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

He was speaking at the commissioning of two advanced stealth frigates INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri at the Eastern Naval Command Headquarters in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday.

The Defence Minister presided over the ceremony, which marked the first time two frontline surface combatants built at different shipyards, were commissioned simultaneously.

Addressing the gathering, Singh reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to self-reliance in defence manufacturing. “INS Tamal was the last foreign order for the Indian Navy. No future ship for the Indian Navy will be built abroad. All will be constructed in India,” he asserted.

The Defence Minister described the commissioning of the two frigates as an important step toward enhancing indigenous capabilities. He reiterated India’s policy of restraint while asserting readiness to defend national security.

“When our security is threatened, we know how to give a befitting reply. Innocent civilians were killed in Pahalgam. We gave an effective, measured and precise response through Operation Sindoor,” he said. Singh reaffirmed the government’s firm commitment to strengthening the Armed Forces with a futuristic approach, describing it as a significant achievement of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign. “Today, we are safeguarding not only land, sea and air, but also space, cyberspace, economic space and social space. Self-reliance is no longer just a slogan but is becoming a reality, thanks to the relentless efforts of our scientists,,” he added.

In his address, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi termed the double commissioning of INS Himgiri and INS Udaygiri a testament to India’s growing maritime power and self-reliance, noting that both warships have over 75% indigenous content.

Highlighting the Navy’s capability to deliver decisive force from the sea, he cited Operation Sindoor as an example of swift deployment and deterrence. The two frigates are follow-on ships of the Shivalik-class (Project 17) and incorporate improved stealth, advanced weapons, sensors, and modern propulsion systems. Both vessels are capable of performing a full range of maritime operations in blue-water conditions.

INS Udaygiri was constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), Mumbai, while INS Himgiri was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.

The ships were designed in-house by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB), with Udaygiri being 100th warship designed by it, marking a key milestone in five decades of indigenous design efforts.

Security on eastern seaboard strengthened

Each ship is equipped with a Combined Diesel or Gas propulsion system, an Integrated Platform Management System, and a suite of advanced indigenous weapons and sensors.

Both ships revive the names of earlier frigates-INS Udaygiri (F35) and INS Himgiri (F34) – that served the Indian Navy for over three decades before being decommissioned. Udaygiri is noted for being fastest ship in her class to be delivered post-launch, a result of modular construction techniques adopted by Indian shipyards. The addition of these frigates is expected to strengthen maritime security on India’s eastern seaboard.

Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C), Eastern Naval Command (ENC), presided.

Commissioning of frigates hailed

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and HRD Minister N Lokesh, in separate posts on X, hailed the commissioning of two stealth frigates INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

It is for the first time in the history of the Indian space sector, a private consortium would invest more than ₹1,200 crore over the next five years to launch a constellation of 12 state-of-the-art EO satellites.

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) on Tuesday announced the selection of the PixxelSpace India-led consortium to design, build, and operate India’s first fully indigenous commercial earth observation (EO) satellite constellation under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.

The Bengaluru-based PixxelSpace India consortium comprises Piersight Space, Satsure Analytics India, and Dhruva Space.

IN-SPACe said the selection of the PixxelSpace India consortium was done following a competitive bidding process which involved two more consortia.

It is for the first time in the history of the Indian space sector that a private consortium would invest more than ₹1,200 crore over the next five years to launch a constellation of 12 state-of-the-art EO satellites equipped with panchromatic, multispectral, hyperspectral, and microwave Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors.

The constellation will deliver Analysis Ready Data (ARD) and Value-Added Services (VAS) for applications in climate change monitoring, disaster management, agriculture, infrastructure, marine surveillance, national security, and urban planning, while also catering to the global demand for high-quality geospatial intelligence.

IN-SPACe said that by generating high-resolution, indigenous satellite data, the initiative will significantly reduce India’s reliance on foreign sources, ensure data sovereignty, and position the country among the global leaders in space-based data solutions.

“This initiative signals the coming of age of India’s private space industry in the space sector. It demonstrates the capability and confidence of Indian companies to lead large-scale, technologically advanced, and commercially viable space missions that serve both national and global markets. The EO -PPP model fosters an ecosystem where public and private capabilities reinforce each other to drive growth, innovation, and self-reliance,” Pawan Goenka, chairman, IN-SPACe, said.

Under the PPP framework, the Union government will provide strategic, technical, and policy support, while the PixxelSpace India-led consortium will own and operate the EO system, including satellite manufacturing, launches from Indian soil, ground infrastructure, and commercialisation of data services.

IN-SPACe further added that the EO constellation will be deployed in a phased manner over the next four years to ensure continuous service upgrades and expanded coverage.

Once operational, it will be among the most advanced EO systems in the world, designed, built, and operated entirely in India by Indian talent.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

On 23rd August 2025, the AI–Drone–Robotics Workshop became the stage for a groundbreaking moment in education and technology, as BrainHap in association with IIT Bombay and Aerobott unveiled NeuroCalm 42. With Atharva University and Rahul Education Trust joining as academic partners, the event blended neuroscience, artificial intelligence, drones, and robotics into a powerful vision for the future of learning. At the heart of the workshop was the unveiling of NeuroCalm 42, BrainHap’s revolutionary brain-mapping technology designed to analyze students’ cognitive skills, focus levels, and emotional balance. Developed in collaboration with IIT Bombay under the leadership of Jyoti Gupta, Founder of BrainHap, the solution is positioned as a timely response to the growing challenges of digital distractions and fragmented attention spans among learners.

The event featured an expert session by Azizuddin Khan, Professor at IIT Bombay, whose three decades of research in psychology, neuroscience, and digital behavior emphasized the urgent need for cognitive training and digital wellness in today’s fast-evolving world. His insights underscored how brain mapping and emotional balance are essential tools for preparing students for the future.

Beyond discussions, the workshop offered rich experiences. Participants engaged in practical Solutions for a Healthier Future through mind-training techniques aimed at reprogramming, rewiring, and resetting the brain for better focus. Aerobott led a dynamic “Build and Fly Your Own Drone” session, while robotics demonstrations highlighted real-world automation applications. AI learning tools and interactive modules further inspired participants to see how technology can reshape education and enhance performance.

Sharing her vision, Jyoti Gupta said, “NeuroCalm 42 is not just technology, it is a movement to bring focus, calm, and emotional strength back into the lives of students. By merging neuroscience with AI, we are giving schools and parents a way to truly understand the minds of young learners and help them grow into balanced, confident individuals ready for the future.” The day ended with a strong sense of purpose: education must evolve with science and technology to equip students with sharper minds and steadier hearts. The AI–Drone–Robotics Workshop was not only the launch of a breakthrough product but also a statement of intent — that the fusion of neuroscience, AI, drones, and robotics is here to shape healthier, smarter, and future-ready generations.

(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NRDPL and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

This is an auto-published feed from PTI with no editorial input from The Wire.

source/content: thewire.in (headline edited)

It is for the first time in the history of the Indian space sector, a private consortium would invest more than ₹1,200 crore over the next five years to launch a constellation of 12 state-of-the-art EO satellites.

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) on Tuesday announced the selection of the PixxelSpace India-led consortium to design, build, and operate India’s first fully indigenous commercial earth observation (EO) satellite constellation under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.

The Bengaluru-based PixxelSpace India consortium comprises Piersight Space, Satsure Analytics India, and Dhruva Space.

IN-SPACe said the selection of the PixxelSpace India consortium was done following a competitive bidding process which involved two more consortia.

It is for the first time in the history of the Indian space sector that a private consortium would invest more than ₹1,200 crore over the next five years to launch a constellation of 12 state-of-the-art EO satellites equipped with panchromatic, multispectral, hyperspectral, and microwave Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors.

The constellation will deliver Analysis Ready Data (ARD) and Value-Added Services (VAS) for applications in climate change monitoring, disaster management, agriculture, infrastructure, marine surveillance, national security, and urban planning, while also catering to the global demand for high-quality geospatial intelligence.

IN-SPACe said that by generating high-resolution, indigenous satellite data, the initiative will significantly reduce India’s reliance on foreign sources, ensure data sovereignty, and position the country among the global leaders in space-based data solutions.

“This initiative signals the coming of age of India’s private space industry in the space sector. It demonstrates the capability and confidence of Indian companies to lead large-scale, technologically advanced, and commercially viable space missions that serve both national and global markets. The EO -PPP model fosters an ecosystem where public and private capabilities reinforce each other to drive growth, innovation, and self-reliance,” Pawan Goenka, chairman, IN-SPACe, said.

Under the PPP framework, the Union government will provide strategic, technical, and policy support, while the PixxelSpace India-led consortium will own and operate the EO system, including satellite manufacturing, launches from Indian soil, ground infrastructure, and commercialisation of data services.

IN-SPACe further added that the EO constellation will be deployed in a phased manner over the next four years to ensure continuous service upgrades and expanded coverage.

Once operational, it will be among the most advanced EO systems in the world, designed, built, and operated entirely in India by Indian talent.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

India plans to launch the first module of the BAS, its own home-built space station, by 2028, marking its entry into the group of a handful of nations that operate orbital laboratories.

ISRO on Friday unveiled a model of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) module during the two-day National Space Day celebrations that began here.

India plans to launch the first module of the BAS, its own home-built space station, by 2028, marking its entry into the group of a handful of nations that operate orbital laboratories.

Presently, there are two orbital laboratories — the International Space Station operated by five space agencies, and the Tiangong space station of China.

India plans to have five modules of the Bhartiya Antariksh Station in place by 2035 as part of its ambitious plans for the space sector.

The BAS-01 module is expected to weigh 10 tonnes and will be placed in a low earth orbit at 450 km above the earth.

Salient features of the BAS include, indigenously developed Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), Bharat Docking System, Bharat Berthing Mechanism, automated hatch system, platform for microgravity research and technology demonstration, viewports for scientific imaging and crew recreation.

The BAS will also have provision for refilling of propulsion and ECLSS fluids, radiation, thermal and Micro Meteoroid Orbital Debris (MMOD) protection, space suits, airlocks to support extra vehicular activity and plug and play integrated avionics.

The BAS is expected to serve as a research platform for studying various aspects of space, life sciences, medicine, and interplanetary exploration.

It will provide an opportunity to study the effects of microgravity on human health and test essential technologies needed for long-term human presence in space.

The space station will support space tourism, with India entering the commercial space sector by leveraging the orbital lab’s resources.

The BAS will contribute to ongoing international collaborations and serve as a hub for scientific research and also inspire younger generations to consider careers in space science and technology.

The massive 3.8 meter x 8 meter BAS-01 model was the center of attraction among those attending the National Space Day celebrations at the Bharat Mandapam here

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

OpenAI will collaborate with the government on its $1.2 billion IndiaAI Mission, focused on developing voice-first AI models for Indian languages of various scales.

OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has announced plans to open its first office in New Delhi later this year. This move comes as multinational companies turn to India for AI talent, attracted by the country’s lower costs compared with the US and Europe.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman highlighted India’s potential, stating, “India has all the ingredients to become a global AI leader — amazing tech talent, a world-class developer ecosystem, and strong government support through the IndiaAI Mission”.

He added that the office marks an important first step in making “advanced AI more accessible across the country and to build AI for India, and with India”.

OpenAI will collaborate with the government on its $1.2 billion IndiaAI Mission, focused on developing voice-first AI models for Indian languages of various scales.

India has become one of ChatGPT’s fastest-growing markets, ranking second globally in terms of user numbers.

In just one year, the number of weekly active users increased by over four times. To further strengthen its presence, OpenAI launched ChatGPT Go, a subscription plan priced at ₹399 per month with UPI payment integration, tailored to the Indian market.

OpenAI is also expanding its AI literacy programme in collaboration with India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology through the OpenAI Academy. Its GPT-5 model has shown significant improvements in understanding Indic languages.

India is becoming a hub for AI investment, with companies such as McDonald’s planning to set up data-centric, “global capability centres”.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)