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New Delhi [India], July 1 (ANI): As the Digital India Mission completed 10 years on Tuesday, BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari drew contrast between the BJP and the opposition bloc and said that while the INDI Alliance is associated with 'corruption and nepotism,' the Modi government is associated with the model of development. The BJP leader praised the central government for the success of Digital India and stated that the country now accounts for 50 per cent of global financial transactions, a testament to Prime Minister Modi's development model. Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Pradeep Bhandari said, 'Today (July 1, 2025), Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji's 'Digital India Mission' completes 10 years. As Digital India marks a decade of success, India now accounts for 50 per cent of global financial transactions. It's a victory of PM Modi's model of development. Look at the two parallels. While the INDI Alliance is synonymous with corruption and nepotism (pariwarvad and vinashwad), the Modi government is synonymous with development (vikas).' Taking a swipe at the Congress, Bhandari said, 'Remember when the Congress claimed the internet could never reach rural India? Today, even Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted about this.' He further highlighted the digital expansion under the BJP government, stating that internet connectivity has reached 95 per cent of India's villages. 'The Internet has reached 95 per cent of villages in the country. Under the Congress rule, only 27 crore internet connections existed. Today, India has 97 crore connections. This is the truth and the success of Digital India,' he said. Bhandari also hit out at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, claiming he has 'no clue' about the situation in Karnataka. 'Today, Kharge ji himself doesnt know what will happen in Karnataka because Nehru, Gandhi, Vadra family's model is corruption and only corruption,' said Bhandari. Continuing his tirade against the Congress party, Pradeep Bhandari said, 'The people of the country have two models before them -- on one side is the model of the corrupt, dynastic, appeasement-driven opposition. In Himachal Pradesh, a government employee is beaten by Rahul Gandhi's close aide, while in Karnataka, they engage in corruption in schemes and remain busy fighting for power, because corruption is in their DNA.' 'Just think, what did former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi used to say? He used to say that the government sends one rupee, and only 15 paise reaches the public. Today, the same is happening in Congress-ruled states,' he added. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a blog titled 'A Decade of Digital India' on his official LinkedIn handle, celebrating 10 years of the Digital India mission. He described how India has transformed from limited internet access and digital services in 2014 to becoming a global leader in digital technology in 2024. PM Modi said that earlier, people doubted if Indians could use technology well. But the government trusted the people and used technology to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. Today, digital tools have become part of everyday life for 140 crore Indians -- from learning and business to accessing government services. In 2014, India had about 25 crore internet connections. Now, it has over 97 crore. High-speed internet has even reached remote areas like Galwan and Siachen. The country's 5G rollout is one of the fastest in the world, with nearly 5 lakh base stations set up in just two years. PM Modi highlighted platforms like UPI, which now handles over 100 billion transactions yearly. Through Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), Rs 44 lakh crore has been sent directly to people, saving nearly Rs 3.5 lakh crore by cutting out middlemen. He shared how platforms like ONDC and GeM are helping small businesses grow by connecting them with big markets. ONDC recently crossed 200 million transactions, and GeM has reached over 1 lakh crore in sales in just 50 days. The SVAMITVA scheme has given more than 2.4 crore property cards and mapped over 6 lakh villages. India's digital tools, including Aadhaar, CoWIN, DigiLocker, and FASTag, are now being utilised and studied by other countries. CoWIN helped in managing the world's largest vaccination drive, issuing 220 crore certificates. India is now among the top 3 startup ecosystems in the world, with over 1.8 lakh startups. The country is also growing fast in artificial intelligence (AI). Through the India AI Mission, India is offering access to powerful AI tools at very low cost, making it a global hub for digital innovation. PM Modi said that the next 10 years will be even more transformative. India is moving from using digital tools to leading the world with them. He called on innovators and entrepreneurs to build technology that helps and unites people, and to make India a trusted global partner in the digital world. (ANI)
IMPHAL, Nov 17: The NPP on Sunday withdrew support from the BJP-led Government in Manipur, even as violence continued to rock the state as offices of the Congress and the saffron party were ransacked in the hill district of Jiribam where an unidentified body was found earlier in the day, officials said. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp A BJP MLA's ancestral house was vandalised in Imphal Valley while a building owned by Ashab Uddin, the Independent legislator of Jiribam, was ransacked, officials said. The incidents occurred a day after irate mobs set fire to the residences of ...Read More >
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], November 19 (ANI): With the Maharashtra elections approaching, wrestler and Congress MLA from Haryana's Julana, Vinesh Phogat, held a roadshow in Pune to support Congress candidate Datta Bahirat from the Shivajinagar Assembly constituency. She urged voters to ensure a victory for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), criticising the Mahayuti government for "injustice" by toppling the government elected by the people. "Everything is going well... If people shower their blessings on us on the 20th, we will win with a bigger margin this time. I appeal to voters to respond to ...Read More >
nion Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje cited statistics in the Lok Sabha on Monday to show that youth unemployment rates in India were lower than global levels. The minister cited a report by the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Institute for Human Development (IHD) which states that the worldwide youth unemployment rate was 15.6 per cent in 2021. Further, as per World Employment and Social Outlook Trends, 2024 by ILO, globally, in 2023, the youth unemployment rate was 13.3 per cent. On the other hand, the latest annual Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS ...Read More >
The Cure SMA Foundation of India has praised the government’s recent efforts to address rare diseases, including Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), with over Rs 900 crore allocated for treatment procurement. The foundation urges swift action to implement the procurement process within 45 days, following the Delhi High Court’s directive. SMA, a life-threatening genetic disease, has limited treatment access in India. While the drug Risdiplam has brought hope, collaborative efforts are needed to ensure wider availability. Experts stress the importance of a holistic approach to SMA care, citing Kerala ...Read More >
From hospitals to exams, people's distrust of public institutions is growing because of past mistakes and broken promises In Prayagraj, student protests outside the UPPSC office slowed down after the government agreed to hold the provincial civil services exam on a single day. The decision to split the exam across two days was not a big issue in itself -- officials explained it was because there were so many applicants. This is a common practice both in India and around the world. However, what really upset students was the intense competition for government jobs, which are hard to get, along ...Read More >
Delhi's air pollution continues to worsen, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) hitting a hazardous 490, despite the government's 21-point plan to tackle the issue. The city’s residents are struggling to breathe, even indoors, and hospitals are overwhelmed with patients facing respiratory problems. The pollution crisis is exacerbated by the lack of cooperation among Delhi and neighboring states, and the central government, with each blaming the other. This pollution not only threatens public health but also jeopardizes Delhi's economic future, as it could drive away professionals and harm business ...Read More >
The Indian government launched the Rs. 1,435 crore PAN 2.0 project. Announced by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the project aims to establish the PAN number as a common business identifier across all government digital systems. PAN 2.0 Project Launch The Rs. 1,435 crore PAN 2.0 the project aims to establish the PAN number as a common business identifier across all government digital systems. CCEA Approval The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the project under the Income Tax Department. As per Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaish ...Read More >
The Supreme Court on Tuesday (November 26, 2024), indicated a level of hypocrisy attached to criticism about Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), saying ""EVMs are tampered when you lose and fine if you win". The oral remark was made by Justice Vikram Nath before dismissing a petition filed by evangelist K.A. Paul, who urged for a judicial order to return to paper ballots. Also read:EVM-VVPAT case | Cannot disclose 'source code' of EVMs, will result in misuse: Supreme Court Justice Nath, during the hearing, asked Mr. Paul whether he wanted to turn the court into a political arena. Mr. Paul sa ...Read More >
This is a Mint Premium article gifted to you. Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. New Delhi: The debate on laboratory-grown meat, dairy, and egg products may soon be settled, with the issue reaching India's apex food regulator, three people aware of the development said. The development comes in the backdrop of concerns about public health, food security and ecological sustainability. While the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has put in place a regulatory framework for plant-based protein products, manufacturers and sellers of fermentation-derived and cultivated protein ...Read More >
ess than 24 hours after he asserted in Nigeria's Abuja that stepping out of the comfort zone, innovating and creating new paths has now become the very essence of today's India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told the gathering of world's most influential leaders converged in Rio de Janeiro for the G20 Summit that the main reason for India's success lies in his government's 'back to basics' and 'march to the future' approach. Addressing the G20 session on 'Social Inclusion and the Fight Against Hunger and Poverty' at the bayside museum of modern art during the two-day 19th G20 Summit, ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], November 18 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party leader and in-charge of the party's National IT Department, Amit Malviya, on Monday, criticised the Congress party's 'hypocrisy' over their stance on the Adani Group, pointing to past investments and agreements made with the corporate conglomerate by Congress-ruled states. Taking to social media platform X, Malviya referenced Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's recent "public admission of accepting money" from the Adani Group on November 10, 2024, pointing out that this acknowledgment contradicted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's ...Read More >
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India] November 18 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party MP K Laxman slammed Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, accusing the Congress party of 'misleading' people. He further said that the people of Maharashtra know "how to teach a lesson" to Congress. "Revanth Reddy as a CM of Telangana and as a Congress leader is misleading the public. Maharashtra people are clever enough they know how to teach a lesson to these Congress people and Revanth Reddy you will come to know what has happened in Haryana that is going to be repeated in Maharashtra, and Jharkhand also," K Laxman ...Read More >
Mumbai, November 26: The final allotment for the NTPC Green Energy IPO has been confirmed, and investors can now check their status through bank debit messages or online platforms such as the BSE, NSE, and Kfin Technologies. The shares of NTPC Green Energy, which opened for subscription on November 19 and closed on November 22, are set to be listed on the stock exchanges on Wednesday, November 27, 2024. The public offering received strong investor interest, with the issue oversubscribed by 2.42 times, according to the National Stock Exchange (NSE). Analysts maintain a positive long-term outlo ...Read More >
Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a 13-year-old cricket prodigy, becomes the youngest player signed for IPL, bought by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 1.10 crore. His achievement has sparked pride in his hometown, with family replaying a vital role in his journey. Vaibhav marks a new era for young talent in cricket. In a groundbreaking moment for Indian cricket, 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi has made history by becoming the youngest player ever signed by the Indian Premier League (IPL). Acquired by the Rajasthan Royals for a staggering Rs 1.10 crore during the IPL 2025 auction, Vaibhav's remarkable achievement ...Read More >
New Delhi, Nov 26: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking directions to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to introduce ballot paper in place of EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines). A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and P.B. Varale rejected the prayer to return to the ballot system due to the alleged manipulability of EVMs. "When you lose, EVMs are tampered with; when you win, EVMs are fine," remarked the apex court, when the petitioner referred to the statements made by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and his predecessor Jagan Mohan ...Read More >
The Supreme Court on Monday stayed further recovery of an outstanding tax demand from news portal NewsClick, directing the company's banker not to release any more money to the tax department based on a 2023 notice, and allowing the portal to use its two bank accounts for daily operations. The order was passed by a bench headed by justice BV Nagarathna on an application moved by PPK Newsclick Studio Limited, which alleged that ICICI Bank was not allowing the company to use its accounts despite a top court order to this effect passed on August 9. The tax department had raised the demand again ...Read More >
India’s star batter Virat Kohli, ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, reflected on his memorable century on Perth’s challenging pitch during the 2018/19 series, calling it his best knock in Australia. However, Kohli faces immense pressure this series, struggling with form after scoring just 488 runs in 2024 at an average of 20.33. Once a dominant force in Test cricket, his performance has dipped since 2020, raising questions about his place in the team. With the five-Test series kicking off in Perth on November 22, Kohli aims to rediscover his magic on Australian soil and silence his c ...Read More >
Severe air pollution in northern India has led to a surge in demand for respiratory medications, with Foracort becoming India’s top-selling drug in October. The inhaler, used to treat asthma and COPD, recorded Rs 75 crore in sales, surpassing popular medicines like Augmentin and Glycomet-GP. Manufactured by Cipla, Foracort combines budesonide and formoterol for effective dual-action therapy. Other respiratory drugs, Duolin and Budecort, also saw increased sales. With Delhi’s Air Quality Index reaching hazardous levels, the rise in respiratory issues underscores the urgent need for better healt ...Read More >
With the deadline for free Aadhaar updates approaching on December 14, 2024, the UIDAI is urging those who received their cards over 10 years ago to update their details. However, updating is recommended, it is not mandatory. To prevent fake identities, Aadhaar assigns a unique number to each person, linked to their biometric data, making duplication impossible. Although updating is optional, it helps improve services, ensures accurate authentication and simplifies daily life. Aadhaar is a vital identification document for every Indian citizen due to its reliability, legal compliance, and ea ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed strong disapproval over the repeated doubts raised by political leaders regarding the credibility of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The court criticised the tendency of some political figures to question the integrity of the EVM system when they lose elections, while conveniently accepting its legitimacy when they win. The bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud, pointed out the inconsistency in the stance taken by several leaders. "When they win, there is no issue with EVMs, but when they lose, questions are raised abo ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition seeking to revert to ballot paper voting in elections in the country. "What happens is, when you win the election, EVMs (electronic voting machine) are not tampered. When you lose the election, EVMs are tampered (with)," remarked a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and P B Varale. Apart from ballot paper voting, the plea sought several directions including a directive to the Election Commission to disqualify candidates for a minimum of five years if found guilty of distributing money, liquor or other material inducement to the voters d ...Read More >
Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, has accused two top AAP leaders of backing separate candidates for the Barnala assembly bypoll on November 20. Bajwa claimed that while one leader is supporting the official AAP candidate, the other is backing a rebel candidate. He urged the public to reject both and vote for the Congress candidate. Bajwa also took a jibe at Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, suggesting he could become Punjab's "Eknath Shinde" after reportedly being in contact with the Union Home Ministry through a Punjab-based Union minister. ...Read More >
SynopsisOn the technical charts, the RSI of the stock stood at 49.49.Shares of Bajaj Holdings & Investment Ltd. traded 1.41 per cent at Rs 10447.00 at 01:30PM (IST) on Tuesday, even as BSE benchmark Sensex 227.01 points to 79882.84. The stock had closed at Rs 10596.80 in the previous session. The stock quoted a 52-week high price of Rs 11348.50 and 52-week low of Rs 7212.00, respectively. As per BSE data, total traded volume on the counter till 01:30PM (IST) stood at 638 shares with a turnover of Rs 0.68 crore. At the prevailing price, shares of the company traded at 15.71 times its trailing ...Read More >
JAMMU, Nov 17: Maharashtra police along with Military Intelligence and Army have arrested nine persons hailing from the border district of Rajouri for taking up jobs as security guards in different cities in Maharashtra and carrying weapons with fake licenses. Nine 12-bore rifles and 58 bullets have been recovered from their possession. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The arrests were made during a joint operation of Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar) police in Maharashtra, Southern Command and Military Intelligence on the basis of tip off that some persons from Rajouri distric ...Read More >
New Delhi, Nov 26 (UNI) Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday greeted the people on the occasion of 75th Constitution Day. On social media handle X, Kharge said, "The Constitution of India, painstakingly and carefully drafted by our foremothers and forefathers, is the lifeblood of our nation. It guarantees us social, economic and political rights. It constitutes India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC". He said, "Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity are not ...Read More >
CHENNAI: Singles, Doubles, and the Team Championship - the 18-year-old Chennai girl, the daughter of an auto driver from Kasimedu, left nothing for competitors from around the world at the sixth edition of the Carrom World Cup held in the US which Team India swept. The Women's Singles final was a hard-fought contest, where the 18-year-old M Khazima kept her nerves to defeat 12-time national and multiple World Cup winner Rashmi Kumari from Bihar. With this victory, Khazima became the youngest Carrom World Champion. Khazima, whose father Mehaboob Basha is an auto driver from Kasimedu, had been ...Read More >
Campaigning for the November 20 assembly bypolls to four seats in Punjab ended on Monday evening with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Opposition Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party making last-ditch efforts to mobilise support for their respective candidates. Hours before the campaign ended at 6 pm, major political outfits intensified their efforts to woo the voters. Bypolls to four assembly segments -- Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal (SC) and Barnala -- will be held on November 20 from 7 am to 6 pm, and the results will be out on November 23. The bypolls were necessitated afte ...Read More >
Sir Speedy, PIP, and Signal Graphics Drive Growth in Print Marketing Sir Speedy, PIP, and Signal Graphics, renowned leaders in print and marketing services, are seeing rising demand as small businesses turn to print for affordable, impactful marketing tools like brochures, flyers, and catalogs. Combined sales for these brands grew 5% in 2023, with expectations to surpass that in 2024. Richard Lowe, COO of Franchise Services, Inc., highlights the enduring value of print in creating personal connections in a digital world. Celebrating 50 years of family franchises, these brands showcase a leg ...Read More >
A crucial meeting of Manipur's National Democratic Alliance, chaired by Chief Minister N Biren Singh, saw significant absences, with only 27 out of 45 MLAs attending. The meeting, convened amidst rising ethnic violence, resulted in a seven-point resolution demanding immediate action on issues like the reimposition of AFSPA and mass operations against Kuki militants. Tensions within the ruling coalition were evident, as several lawmakers, including a cabinet minister, skipped the meeting without explanation. The resolution included a threat of political consequences if decisions were not implem ...Read More >
Times of India's Edit Page team comprises senior journalists with wide-ranging interests who debate and opine on the news and issues of the day. Over time, govts' failure to improve Delhi's air quality is bound to impact its economic primacy About three weeks ago, Delhi govt told NGT it was implementing its 21-point winter action plan involving about 30 govt depts to mitigate air pollution. It would be laughable were the situation not so serious. Yesterday, Delhi's AQI shot to over 490 on a scale of 500 at 26 of Delhi's 37 monitoring stations - even though personal diesel vehicles were off t ...Read More >