Category Archives: Business & Economy

INDIA OVERSEAS: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) Opens Office in Kuala Lumpur to Explore Business Operations both in Malaysian and all of Southeast Asia

HAL’s new office in Kuala Lumpur would take up the market promotion of the company’s range of products and services not only in Malaysia but also all of Southeast Asia.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will set up an office in Kuala Lumpur to tap business opportunities in Malaysia and the entire Southeast Asian region, the PSU said in a statement on Thursday.

The new office is expected to help the public sector firm to explore business around Fighter Lead-in Trainer (FLIT) LCA and other requirements of Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) like Su-30 MKM and Hawk upgrades, as per HAL.

“It will reinforce the commitment of India in supporting the Malaysian Defence Forces and industry for sustainable aerospace and defence landscape in Malaysia,’‘ said a company communique.

According to HAL, the company had submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), Malaysia in October 2021 for the supply of 18 FLIT LCAs against a global tender issued by RMAF.

The final winner of the tender is expected to be declared soon by Malaysian authorities and LCA Tejas stands a fair chance of selection in the bid as it meets all the parameters sought by RMAF, as per the release.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL RECORD: LEADERS & LEADERSHIP : Record 130-plus Indian-Americans at Key Positions in Biden Administration

U.S. President Biden shattered the record of his predecessor Donald Trump, who had appointed more than 80 Indian-Americans

U.S. President Joe Biden has appointed more than 130 Indian-Americans to key positions in his administration so far, the best representation from the community that makes up around one per cent of the American population.

In doing so he has not only fulfilled his promise to the community that he had made as a presidential candidate in 2020, but also shattered the record of his predecessor Donald Trump, who had appointed more than 80 Indian-Americans and his previous boss Barack Obama, who had appointed over 60 Indian-Americans to key positions during his eight years of presidency.

More than 40 Indian-Americans has been elected at various state and federal levels including four in the U.S. House of Representatives. Not to miss the more than 20 Indian-Americans leading top U.S. companies.

While the first-ever presidential appointment was done during the time of Ronald Regan, this time Mr. Biden has appointed Indian-Americans to almost all departments and agencies of his administration.

“Indian-Americans have been imbued with the sense of seva (service) and this is reflected in their enthusiasm to pursue positions in public service instead of the private sector,” Silicon Valley-based entrepreneur, philanthropist and venture capitalist M. R. Rangaswami told PTI.

“The Biden administration has now appointed or nominated the largest group to date and needless to say we are proud of our people and their accomplishments for the United States,” Mr. Rangaswami said. Mr. Rangaswami is founder and head of Indiaspora, a U.S.-based global organization for Indian-origin leaders. Indiaspora keeps a track of Indian-origin leaders.

Mr. Biden, who has maintained a close relationship with the community since his Senator days, often jokes around about his Indian relationship. He made history in 2020 by selecting Indian-origin Kamala Harris as his running mate.

The list of Indian-Americans in the White House as compiled by Indiaspora reflects that there would be only a few meetings inside the White House or in Mr. Biden’s Oval Office that would not have an Indian-American presence.

His speech writer is Vinay Reddy, while his main advisor on COVID-19 is Dr. Ashish Jha, his advisor on climate policy is Sonia Aggarwal, special assistant on criminal justice is Chiraag Bains, Kiran Ahuja heads the Office of Personnel Management, Neera Tanden is his senior advisor, and Rahul Gupta is his drug czar.

Last week when India’s Ambassador to the U.S., Taranjit Singh Sandhu, hosted a reception at India House on the occasion of Independence Day, Indian-Americans from his administration were representing almost all major branches of the U.S. government.

Young Vedant Patel is now the Deputy Spokesperson at the Department of State, while Garima Verma is the Digital Director in the Office of the First Lady. Mr. Biden has also nominated several Indian-Americans to key ambassadorial positions.

According to the list prepared by Indiaspora, more than 40 Indian-Americans have been elected to various offices across the country. Four are in the House of Representatives — Dr. Ami Bera, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Pramila Jayapal. This includes four Mayors.

Led by Indian-Americans Sunder Pichai of Google and Satya Nadella of Microsoft, there are over two dozen Indian-Americans heading U.S. companies. Among others include Shantanu Narayen of Adobe, Vivek Lall of General Atomics, Punit Renjen of Deloitte, Raj Subramaniam of FedEx.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

GLOBAL RECORDS: ENGINEERING, STEEL: India is the World’s #2nd-Largest Producer of Crude Steel. India to Become World’s Number #1- Producer of Steel: Scindia

He was of the view that India has moved from becoming the net importer of steel to the net exporter of steel.

 Union Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia on Tuesday exuded confidence that India will become the number one producer of steel in the world in the days to come. India is the world’s second-largest producer of crude steel after China.

The minister was speaking during a conference on the Indian minerals and metals industry organised by NMDC and Ficci.

He was of the view that India has moved from becoming the net importer of steel to the net exporter of steel.

He said India’s per capita consumption of steel has increased from 57.8 kg in 2013-14 to 78 kg. The government intends to achieve 300 million tonnes (MT) of steel production target by 2030, Scindia said.

Steel across the world is the primary sector which results in economic, capital and infrastructure growth.

“Our target policy and focus also have been to turn India from just another player in the steel sector to becoming a force to reckon with,” he added.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: MANUFACTURING, ENGINEERING, SHIP-BUILDING: India’s Kolkata-based ‘Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Making Seven Vessels for Foreign Countries’: Defence PSU official

Defence PSU Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd is making seven vessels for foreign countries, out of the 23 ships that are in the different stages of construction, its chairman and managing director Commodore (retd) P R Hari said.

GRSE, which had bagged the prestigious Rs 19,294-crore order for the construction of three advanced stealth frigates under Project 17A for the Indian Navy, has already launched two of these ships and the construction of the third one is in full swing.

“Of the 23 ships being developed by GRSE, seven are for foreign countries,” Hari told PTI.

The Kolkata-based warship maker is constructing six patrol boats for Bangladesh and an ocean-going passenger and cargo ferry vessel for Cooperative Republic of Guyana, he said.

After having launched P17A advanced frigate INS Himgiri and large survey vessel INS Sandhayak, GRSE is doing outfitting work on these ships at its FOJ (fitting out jetty) unit before handing these over to the Indian Navy, Hari said.

The second stealth frigate Dunagiri made by the shipyard was launched on July 15 by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Among the ships under construction at its sprawling facilities on the bank of the Hooghly river are four large survey vessels, of which Sandhayak is undergoing outfitting.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: FOOD, GI Tag : Govt Awards GI Tag to ‘Mithila Makhana’ for ‘farmer’s profit’

The government has awarded Geographical Indication (GI) tag to Mithila Makhana, a move which is expected to help growers get the maximum price for their premium produce.

“Mithila Makhana registered with GI Tag, farmers will get profit and it will be easier to earn.

Due to Geographical Indication Tag to Mithila Makhana in the festive season, people outside Bihar will be able to use this auspicious material with reverence,” Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said in a tweet.

Once a product gets this tag, any person or company cannot sell a similar item under that name. This tag is valid for a period of 10 years following which it can be renewed.

The other benefits of GI registration include legal protection to that item, prevention against unauthorised use by others, and promoting exports.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL PATENT: HEALTH & MEDICAL SCIENCES: ‘Collision Impact Reducer’ Developed by Woman Dentist Dr. Dhanya R.S. in Kerala, gets U.K. patent

Device cuts severity of impact during accidents

Collision Impact Reducer, a device developed by a Thrissur-based woman dentist and intended for reducing the impact of collisions involving automobiles, has received patent granted in the United Kingdom.

The invention by Dhanya R.S. has already been granted patent in India. The device has been developed with an objective of saving lives, reducing injuries and lessening other damage during accidents.

In addition to vehicles, the device can be used on crash guards, pillars of bridges, railway lines, culverts of bridges, road medians, hand rails, ships, harbours, boats, boat jetties, seaports and on most areas with increased probability for collisions.

Dr. Dhanya says everyday reports about accidents and casualties prompted her to develop such a device. “It can be installed on the front, rear and sides of light, medium and heavy vehicles. It effectively reduces the severity of impact by absorbing the intense energy generated during collisions. The system also has technology to prevent the ‘recoil effect’ that occurs when the absorbed energy attempts to get released. Technically, it is a mechanical system, so it is more reliable and relatively inexpensive,” she says.

The dentist had applied for patent in the United States and the United Kingdom after receiving a favourable International Search Report on the application submitted to the World Intellectual Property Organisation.

Dr. Dhanya has also secured a U.S. patent grant for a technology named ‘digitalised high value paper currency’ meant for preventing counterfeiting of currency.

Hailing from Chavakkad in Thrissur, Dr. Dhanya holds an MDS in Public Health Dentistry and is a teaching faculty of Public Health Dentistry at PSM Dental College, Akkikavu, Thrissur.

source/contents: thehindu.com (headline edited)

GLOBAL RECORDS: HEALTH, MEDICAL & PHARMACEUTICALS: India Supplies Nearly 60% of Vaccines Used Worldwide. New Book launched ‘India’s Vaccine Growth Story’.

India today is double dosing every citizen and produced COVID-19 vaccines even during the lockdown period, said Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said nearly 60% of all the vaccines used in the world are produced in India and over the decades, the country has made remarkable contribution to vaccinating the world.

India today is double dosing every citizen and produced COVID-19 vaccines even during the lockdown period, she added.

Launching the book India’s Vaccine Growth Story by Sajjan Singh Yadav, Additional Secretary, Expenditure Department, Sitharaman said it is in the country’s DNA to be able to contribute to world vaccination.

“Over the decades India has made a remarkable contribution. Nearly 60% of all the vaccines which are used in the world are produced in India. India has a singular contribution to make to the world in terms of vaccination and that which is being produced and supplied to the entire world,” Ms. Sitharaman said.

Today, the country is double dosing every citizen, she said, adding it is not easy to produce and execute COVID vaccination at that scale.

India crossed the target of 200 crore COVID vaccinations in a time-bound manner. So far, 208.57 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered under the nationwide inoculation drive.

sources/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATION: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: India at 75 | High points in Science, Technology and Innovation

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research has undertaken its mission effectively since Independence.

Reflecting on 75 years of independence makes one proud of the socio-economic developments of our country. The long period of colonial rule had robbed India of most of its wealth, and, more importantly, the skills required to sustain economic growth. Starting off as a poor country in 1947, with its GDP a mere ₹2.7 lakh crore, and food grain production a meagre 50 million tonnes, the challenges of educating the people, feeding the population, implementing democracy, promoting industry and trade, and ensuring the country’s security remained daunting. It is against this backdrop that the responsibility of developing the science, technology and innovation ecosystem fell upon the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), which had been founded in 1942.

The immediate priority of the CSIR was to establish a number of national laboratories under its umbrella, and also promote similar organisations independently. The CSIR started five of its own laboratories with support from the government and industry and raising resources through crowdsourcing. Similarly, in collaboration with the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Government of Bombay, the Government of India (through the CSIR) started the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, with the CSIR providing substantial financial support in the initial years.

Among the first examples of finding science and technology-based solutions was the harmonisation of existing varied calendar systems. A committee under the Chairmanship of Meghnad Saha was formed to address this issue. The committee’s report was published by the CSIR in 1955, which then led to its acceptance as the national calendar, now one of the national identity elements. Another example in the early years of Independence was to address the challenges in conducting democratic elections — preventing frauds, including double voting by the same person. The CSIR’s National Physical Laboratory developed the indelible ink made up of silver nitrate to address this concern. The indelible ink is used even today and exported to many countries, undoubtedly remaining one of the prized gifts of the CSIR to the nation.

The leather story

At the time of Independence, India did not have well-established industries in many sectors. The informal work sector was also highly unorganised without their skills being developed for any particular industrial segment. A key mandate of the CSIR was, therefore, to help develop local industries by making contemporary technologies available and training requisite manpower. A prominent example of the CSIR’s contributions in this context has been in developing the leather industry. The making of finished leather products had remained elusive in the absence of a well-established leather industry and relevant technologies. Consequently, the leather industry employed less than 25,000 people at the time of Independence. In the 1970s, the Government took the decision of banning the export of raw hides and skins, and also imposing 25% export duty on semi-finished leather products. These decisions were a major turning point as far as the development of the leather industry in India was concerned.

In more than 50 years since then, the leather industry now has a workforce of more than 4.5 million, a large percentage of them being women, and a thriving market for Indian leather products around the world. Indian exports in this sector are close to $6 billion. The CSIR’s footprint in this sector has been transformative. First, when the CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) was established in 1948, it developed technologies for finished leather products, such as the first ever indigenous manufacture of leather chemicals, making the transition from semi-finished to finished leather possible. Further, the CSIR-CLRI routinely trained the next generation manpower for the leather industry. As a result, more than 40% personnel employed in the leather industry have been trained directly or indirectly in the CSIR-CLRI. Human resource development across all sectors, dominantly that in science, technology and innovation, has been the hallmark of CSIR.

Successes in technologies

The Green Revolution has been one of the crowning glories of science, technology and innovation. Similarly, the emergence of the generic pharmaceutical industry in India also has a fascinating history.

During the Green Revolution, the CSIR’s footprint could be seen in the development of agrochemicals and the mechanisation of agriculture. The chemicals industry needed the necessary thrust for its maturation although the Bengal Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd. had been formed by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray long before Independence. Two public sector companies were founded, post-Independence, based on technologies developed in the CSIR’s laboratories — the Hindustan Insecticides Ltd. and Hindustan Organic Chemicals Ltd., the former to make agrochemicals. Similarly, production of anti-HIV drugs by processes developed in CSIR laboratories provided the necessary impetus to the growth of generic pharmaceutical companies. These indeed represent fine examples of academia-industry interactions from the early days of Independence.

The mechanisation of agriculture was achieved through the indigenous development of the Swaraj tractor at the CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI), leading to the formation of Punjab Tractors Ltd. in 1970. Notably, the technical team of CSIR-CMERI shifted to this company, presenting one of the first successful models of a spin-off company from academia in the country.

Path to self-reliance

A significant impact of the CSIR is also seen in the food and nutrition industry, in the aerospace sector, in the health and biotechnology industry, in protecting India’s traditional knowledge systems, and in promoting crops for enhancing farmers’ incomes. For example, in the 1950s, when solving the infant food problem appeared impossible, the CSIR successfully developed technologies to convert buffalo milk into powder and commercialised it with the help of Amul Industries. The Aroma Mission of the CSIR in recent times has been transforming the lives of thousands of farmers across the country. The cultivation of lavender in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been attracting attention worldwide as India’s ‘Purple Revolution’. Thus, there are many examples of science, technology and innovation, which have allowed India to take definitive steps towards becoming an Atmanirbhar country. True Atmanirbharta will however emerge only if we remain at the forefront of futuristic technology development — a task clearly cut out for the CSIR.

Even as we attribute the growing affluence of Indian society to science, technology and innovation-led developments, the challenges for the future remain intimidating. Reducing dependence on natural resources, making all industrial processes circular so that no footprint of human activity is left, making technologies environmentally friendly, providing sufficient opportunities to all for living either in cities or in villages will remain priorities of science and technology. Moreover, the ancient wisdom of integrating science and spirituality by enhancing our understanding of nature in association with that of the human mind and spirit will be the fond hope of the science and technology community of India.

Dr. Shekhar Mande is former Director-General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING: DEFENCE: Several New Indigenous Defence Equipments/Systems introduced to the Indian Army in an ongoing process to modernise.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hands over several indigenous defence equipments to the Indian Army.

The equipment/systems have been jointly developed by the Indian Army in collaboration with the Defence Public Sector Undertakings, Defence Research and Development Organistion and the Industry, a Defence Ministry statement said..

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on August 16 handed over several indigenously-developed equipment and systems to the Army which includes Future Infantry Soldier as a System (F-INSAS), new generation anti-personnel mine ‘Nipun’, rugged and automatic communication system with enhanced capabilities, upgraded sights system for tanks, advanced thermal imagers and state-of-the art high mobility infantry protected vehicles and assault boats.

The equipment/systems have been jointly developed by Indian Army in collaboration with Defence Public Sector Undertakings, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Industry, a Defence Ministry statement said.

Under the F-INSAS the infantry soldier is being equipped with three primary sub-systems. The first sub-system is the modern state-of-the-art assault rifle along with day and night holographic and reflex sights and the sights are mounted on the weapon and also on helmet to enable a 360-degree visibility and accuracy in operational conditions, the statement explained. “In addition to the primary weapon system, the soldiers will also be kitted with multi-mode hand grenade which has also been procured indigenously along with multi-purpose knife,” it stated.

The second sub-system is protection system through a specially designed helmet and a bullet proof jacket while the third sub system consists of communication and surveillance system.

On the anti-personnel mine, the statement said the Army has been using vintage NMM 14 mines and with the Armament Research and Development Establishment, Pune, and the Indian industry, a new Indian mine named ‘Nipun’ has been developed.

This equipment gives enhanced visibility and range to the commanders of armoured columns. In T-90 tanks the older thermal sights had image intensification systems which had its own limitations and constraints the Ministry said, adding these limitations have been overcome by use of thermal imaging sight produced by India Optel Limited.

Solar Photovoltaic Energy Project

One of the most challenging terrain and operational sectors is the Siachen Glacier and complete power requirement in the area to operate various equipment was met only through captive generator supply, the Ministry said. A solar photo-voltaic plant has been installed to improve the overall energy requirements and also obviate dependence on fossil fuels which was virtually inaugurated by Mr. Singh.

source/content: thehindu.com (edited)

INDEPENDENCE DAY OF INDIA: 75 YEARS : Today August 15th, 2022 :India @75: 100 events that shaped India

As Independent India marks 75 years, take a tour through 100 events that mark flashpoints and turning points, wars won and battles lost, new beginnings and realised ambitions.

How does one tell the story of a nation? How does one capture a billion tales that are, eventually, one? As Independent India marks 75 years, take a tour through 100 events that mark flashpoints and turning points, wars won and battles lost, new beginnings and realised ambitions — from the creation of a Constitution to the rise of political stalwarts, from pitched battles on the cricket field to dreams captured on celluloid, from events that challenged us to responses that elevated us. We, the people of India, have a lot to remember, and a lot to celebrate…

1. India gains Independence (1947)

2. Partition rocks the new nation (1947)

3. Kashmir accedes to India (1947)

4. Mahatma Gandhi is assassinated (1948)

5. India gets a Constitution (1950)

6. Ever Onward with the first Asian Games (1951)

7. The first IIT comes up in Kharagpur (1951)

8. The Bharatiya Jana Sangh is founded (1951)

9. India votes for the first time (1951)

10. Pather Panchali is released (1955)

11. The States Reorganization Act is passed (1955)

12. Kerala gets the first elected communist government in the world (1957)

13. The Dalai Lama seeks asylum (1959)

14. ISI is declared an institute of national importance (1960)

15. Mughal-e-Azam is released (1960)

16. Milkha Singh flies, but comes fourth (1960)

17. The First Non Aligned Summit is held (1961)

18. Goa is finally free, and part of India (1961)

19. China shocks India (1962)

20. Jawaharlal Nehru dies (1964)

21. The anti-Hindi agitation breaks (1965)

22. The Second India-Pakistan War (1965)

23. The arrival of Indira Gandhi (1966)

24: The Congress starts to weaken (1967)

25. The Green Revolution starts (1967)

26. The Naxalbari movement emerges (1967)

27. Ravi Shankar wins a Grammy (1968)

28. The West Indies couldn’t out Gavaskar (1971)

29. The West Indies couldn’t out Gavaskar at all (1971)

30. Bangladesh is born (1971)

31. The basic structure doctrine is articulated (1973)

32. The tree-hugging movement begins – in India (1973)

33. Indian enterprise gets its flagbearer (1973)

34. The angry young man emerges (1973)

35. Amul is born (1973)

36. India goes nuclear: Pokhran 1 and 2 (1974)

37. JP launches total revolution (1974)

38. India reaches for the stars (1973)

39. Indian democracy’s darkest moment (1975)

40. Sholay releases on Independence Day (1975)

41. The retrograde 42nd amendment is passed (1976)

42. India gets its first non-Congress government (1977)

43. Prakash Padukone wins the All-England championship (1980)

44. Sanjay Gandhi dies in an air crash (1980)

45. Asiad, and in colour (1982)

46. India win the cricket world cup (1983)

47. Everyman’s wheels, the Maruti 800 is launched (1983)

48. An Indian goes where no Indian had gone before (1984)

49. India gets its first soap, Hum Log (1983)

50. Usha soars (1984)

51. Indira Gandhi is assassinated (1984)

52. December 2, 1984 India experienced its worst ever industrial accident, Union Carbide plant in Bhopal

53. One step forward, two steps back with Shah Bano (1985)

54. The Assam Accord is signed (1985)

55. A (big) smoking gun (1986) – Bofors

56. A judgement reaffirms the power of the floor-test (1989) – The Bommai Judgement

57. Boy wonder Sachin Tendulkar makes his debut (1989)

58. The home minister’s daughter is kidnapped (1989)

59. Mandal redefines Indian politics (1989)

61. India opens up (1991)

62. Star TV launches (1991)

63. The Big Bull and a big scam (1992)

64. A rape results in some reforms (1992)

65. The Babri Masjid falls (1992)

66. Infosys IPO heralds the equity culture (1993)

67. Bombay witnesses bomb blasts, but they also take down the underworld (1993)

68. Mayawati becomes India’s first Dalit CM (1995)

69. Internet on Independence Day (1995)

70. DDLJ (1995)

71. The BJP’s first government (1996)

72. Arundhati Roy wins the Booker (1997)

73. Amartya Sen wins the Nobel (1998)

74. The Kargil War (1999)

75. IC814 hijack (1999)

76. Tata buys Tetley (2000)

77. The rest begins with Clinton’s India visit (2000)

78. The Match fixing scandal (2000)

79. India’s population touches a billion (2000)

80. The seat of democracy comes under attack (2001)

81. Gujarat is wracked by riots (2002)

82. Delhi gets a world-class metro (2002)

83. The Congress springs a surprise (2004)

84. Rights and entitlements in focus with RTI and MGNREGA (2005)

85. Cricket goes pop with IPL (2007)

86. India wins first individual gold at Olympics (2008)

87. Terror ravages Mumbai (2008)

88. One India; One ID (2009)

89. The movement against corruption (2011)

90. The nation weeps for Nirbhaya (2012)

91. Modi! Modi! Modi! (2014)

92. The activist as politician (2015) – Arvind Kejriwal

93. Money is for nothing (2016) – Demonetisation

94. One country, one tax (2017)

95. The court legalizes consensual gay sex (2018)

96. Another terror strike and a muscular response (2019) – Pulwama

97. Jammu & Kashmir is completely integrated with India (2019)

98. The Ram temple becomes a reality (2019)

99. China flexes its muscles, but India holds its own (2020)

100. Neeraj Chopra’s javelin soars (2021)

source/content : hindustantimes.com (headline and captions edited)