Is India ready for the AI revolution? The rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, from generative AI tools to sophisticated machine learning algorithms, are transforming industries across the nation. From fintech's burgeoning use of AI-powered fraud detection to the agricultural sector's embrace of precision farming technologies, the impact is undeniable. This week saw a major breakthrough in indigenous 5G technology development, signaling India's growing prowess in the global tech landscape. But alongside this progress comes the crucial discussion surrounding data privacy, cybersecurity, and the ethical implications of AI deployment. How will India navigate these challenges and harness the transformative power of technology for inclusive growth? Explore the latest developments in Indian tech, from the rise of digital payments to the burgeoning startup ecosystem, and discover how innovation is shaping the nation's future. Stay informed with Abtak.com – your gateway to understanding the tech revolution reshaping India.
Jaipur: In a case echoing the plot of Breaking Bad, two science teachers from Rajasthan were arrested for operating a high-tech mephedrone (MD) drug lab out of a rented flat in Sriganganagar. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Jodhpur unit, raided the apartment Tuesday morning and uncovered a fully functional synthetic drug lab allegedly run by Manoj Bhargava (25), a govt school science teacher, and Indrajit Bishnoi (35), a former physics tutor now preparing for Rajasthan Administrative Services (RAS) exam.According to NCB, the duo turned their scientific knowledge into an illegal enterprise, using weekends to manufacture MD in a makeshift lab located in Riddhi-Siddhi Enclave, Dream Homes. This week, they even took leave Monday to extend production time.NCB zonal director Ghanshyam Soni, said, the lab was operating for over two months. "They rented the flat solely to manufacture drugs. They would stay there on weekends and used their knowledge of science to mix the chemicals in the right proportions," said an official.Officials revealed that around 5 kg of the synthetic drug was produced in the last two and a half months, with over 4 kg already pushed into the market -- allegedly consumed largely by local youth. During the raid, 780 grams of mephedrone were recovered.Inside the flat, officials found a sophisticated setup, including chemicals, laboratory-grade glassware, and other equipment. Seized substances included acetone, benzene, sodium bicarbonate, bromine, 4-methyl propiophenone, isopropyl alcohol, ethylamine, and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone -- all essential in MD synthesis. Most of these items are available in labs or chemical markets, with many of them sourced from Delhi.NCB launched the operation following a tip-off. Both accused are in custody, and investigations are underway.
OP Singh is brother-in-law of the late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput. He is married to Sushant's elder sister, Ritu Singh. The Haryana government on Tuesday, October 14, appointed Om Prakash (O P) Singh, a 1991-batch IPS officer, as the new DGP. This came hours after Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Singh Kapur was sent on leave following controversy over the suicide of senior IPS officer Y Puran Kumar. The appointment order, issued by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) ...Read More >
Food influencer Revant Himatsingka revealed lab tests on paneer. Branded paneer samples passed purity tests. However, paneer from local restaurants and a dairy shop failed. This raises concerns about fake paneer, which has less protein. Millions of vegetarians rely on paneer for protein. Consumers are advised to check paneer carefully before purchase. Revant Himatsingka, popularly known as the Food Pharmer, has warned that the paneer served by local food vendors and dairies could be fake. In a ...Read More >
New Delhi: Delhi govt has prepared a plan under which Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus drivers and conductors will receive regular training, with a focus on ethical values, customer service and safe driving, transport minister Pankaj Singh said on Friday. The move is for improving the public image of DTC buses.The minister mentioned that DTC bus drivers who fail to halt at designated stops or are found speeding will face strict departmental action.Several commuters have complained about the behaviour of DTC bus drivers. There have alleged that the buses often fail to stop at the designate ...Read More >
RIYADH: Indian companies and business groups are stepping up efforts to tap into Saudi Arabia's growing petrochemical sector, with a focus on refining complexes, technology partnerships, and joint ventures, according to an official at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh. The move underscores the expanding economic cooperation between the two nations, with chemicals and petrochemicals forming a key pillar of bilateral trade. The partnership was further reinforced during a recent high-level meeting aimed at boosting investment and technological exchange, Al-Eqtisadiah reported. Saudi Arabia's emergen ...Read More >
Hyderabad: In a major food safety crackdown, the Hyderabad Commissioner's Task Force Golconda Zone Team along with Mehdipatnam police raided an ice cream parlour and found ice candy and lassi being prepared in unhygienic conditions. Police arrested the owner and seized ice candies, lassi, and other materials worth Rs 5.44 lakh. The raid was conducted at Aliya Ice Cream Parlour situated at Ahmed Nagar, First Lancer. Police arrested Syed Musharafuddin, aged 24, who was manufacturing and supplying these items using chemicals in an unhygienic manner to earn illegal profits. Police seized 92 pack ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Former head of Air India and chairman of the Railway Board Ashwani Lohani is the new Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) director. The official order for his appointment was issued on Wednesday. A 1980-batch officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineering (IRSME), Lohani is known for turning around various organisations during his illustrious career. Following his retirement from IRSME service, he joined the GMR Group as the CEO. According to the order dated June 4, his appointment to the post of director, Prime Ministers Museum and Library in the rank and pa ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 19 (PTI) The Regional Medical Research Centre in Bhubaneswar, under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has developed an advanced malaria vaccine that can prevent plasmodium falciparum infection in individuals and minimise community transmission. The ICMR Delhi has invited Expressions of Interest (EoI) from eligible organisations, companies and manufacturers enthusiastic about the Transfer of Technology for commercial production of "a recombinant chimeric multi-stage malaria vaccine (AdFalciVax) against plasmodium falciparum". ...Read More >
- Renewed homepage of Samyang's industrial water treatment solution brand, 'TRILITE' ... Featuring AI chatbot 'TRIGENT' and Design programs 'TriAngle' - Providing tailored and technical information to the user's queries ... Service available in over 100 languages. - Innovative Water Treatment Design Softwares... Ion Exchange Resin and RO membrane SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Samyang Corporation (CEO Kang Ho-sung) introduced its new website for its water treatment solutions brand, 'TRILITE' (http://www.samyangtrilite.com), along with the launch of an innovative Artificia ...Read More >
The U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) has appointed Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, to its Board of Directors and Executive Committee. "The U.S.-India partnership is among the most consequential partnerships in the world, and I have long believed that when our two nations come together with purpose and clarity, they can shape the arc of global commerce and innovation for the better," said Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, in a statement. The appointment comes at a time when the Aditya Birla Group has emerged as the largest India ...Read More >
NEW DELHI/BATHINDA: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Friday conducted searches at 22 de-addiction centres across Punjab, including in Chandigarh, Barnala and Ludhiana, after its investigation revealed illegal sale of drugs by these centres. The agency also searched a premise in Mumbai linked to the accused.Dr Amit Bansal, who runs these 22 centres, is prime accused in the case, sources said. Bansal, against whom Punjab Police has registered multiple FIRs, is alleged to be engaged in illegal sale of drugs from his de-addiction centres.Privately-run drug de-addiction centres in Punjab are ...Read More >
Mumbai: The attack on Sambhaji Brigade leader Pravin Gaikwad has triggered a stir in Maharashtra politics with opposition parties alleging the assailants were the BJP activists. However, Maharashtra minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule claimed the BJP has nothing to do with the attack. Raising the issue in the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha, Congress legislative party leader Vijay Wadettiwar said that Gaikwad was fatally attacked, dragged out of his car, and his face was blackened. He claimed it was an attempt on Gaikwad's life. Gaikwad was manhandled and ink was hurled on him allegedly by activists ...Read More >
GUWAHATI: Madhya Pradesh police seized a major amount of drugs, associated chemicals and related processing equipment, collectively worth over Rs 5 crore in Agar-Malwa district on Friday. While two men identified as Ishwar Malviya and Daulat Singh Anjana were detained by the police from Agar-Barod Road from the two cars, which concealed the drug Ketamine, associated chemical and related manufacturing/processing equipment, the prime suspect, Rahul Anjana, who is reportedly a local BJP leader, managed to escape. Meanwhile, acting in the matter, the ruling BJP has expelled absconding suspect Ra ...Read More >
A crucial round of negotiations on a global plastic pollution treaty has begun in Busan, South Korea. Led by Norway and Rwanda, 66 countries and the EU are pushing for a legally binding agreement to control plastic production, consumption, and waste management. However, key points of contention include limits on plastic production and the ban of single-use plastics. With plastic production set to rise 70% by 2040, negotiators aim to protect human health and the environment while promoting recycling, reducing harmful chemicals, and supporting sustainable plastic practices. Industry leaders and ...Read More >
Pune: Passengers on board a Goa to Pune SpiceJet flight (SG-1080) had a scare on Tuesday evening when a window panel was found dislodged while the plane was mid-air.The airline played down the incident, saying the window part that had come off was "a non-structural trim component, fitted onto the window for the purpose of shade".But a person on board the plane -- a Bombardier Q400 -- told TOI the incident triggered anxiety among the passengers. "Two to three layers of the window panel just came off," said Aatish Mishra, the passenger."There was no depressurization, but this shouldn't have happ ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar/Gopalpur: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday laid the foundation stones for five major industrial projects at the Tata Steel Special Economic Zone Limited's (TSSEZL) Gopalpur Industrial Park (GIP) in Ganjam district. With a cumulative investment of over Rs 20,500 crore, these projects mark a significant boost to the state's fast-growing industrial base. Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Majhi said, "Ganjam has emerged as a dynamic industrial destination due to its robust infrastructure, a strategically located port, and a pool of skilled manpower. With inv ...Read More >
Chennai: Madras high court has clarified that private self-financing medical colleges are required to pay only a stipend, and not a full salary, to in-service govt doctors pursuing postgraduate or super-specialty courses under the govt quota.A division bench of Justice R Subramanian and Justice K Surender passed the order while partly allowing a batch of appeals moved by Karpaga Vinayaga Medical College and others. They challenged a single judge's order that directed private colleges to pay salaries to in-service doctors studying in their institutions.The appeals were moved based on a GO dated ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 18 (ANI): A team of Nand Nagri Police Station launched a special drive against individuals involved in the sale of banned 'Chinese Manjha', amid rising incidents of injuries and nabbed two siblings with 325 rolls on Friday. With Independence Day (15th August) and Raksha Bandhan approaching, the Delhi Police has launched a special drive to curb the sale and use of hazardous Chinese Manjha -- a nylon-based kite string that has caused numerous injuries and fatalities involving people, birds, and animals. Acting on local intelligence, a team led by Inspector Anand Yadav, ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 15 (PTI) Biocon Ltd on Monday said it has launched its diabetes and chronic weight management injection, Liraglutide, in the Netherlands through its distribution partner, Pharmamedic BV. The drug-device combination will be marketed in the Netherlands under the brand names Diavorin for diabetes and Vobexoryn for chronic weight management, Biocon said in a statement. Liraglutide is a synthetic analog of GLP-1 peptide (glucagon-like peptide-1) that helps lower blood sugar levels and promote weight loss. It is administered as a once-daily injection, the company said. The launch f ...Read More >
New Delhi : Somany Ceramics Ltd., one of India's most respected names in building materials, has acquired a majority stake in Durabuild, a Delhi-based manufacturer of construction chemicals, marking its strategic entry into the rapidly expanding construction chemicals market. Founded in 1998 by the late Dr. Dhananjoy Ghanti, a pioneer widely regarded as India's first construction chemical chemist and currently spearheaded by Mr Rudrabir Ghanti, Durabuild brings with it a strong legacy of R&D-driven innovation. With a product portfolio of over 200 SKUs across waterproofing systems, concrete ad ...Read More >
Chandigarh, Oct 14 (PTI) The 1992-batch IPS officer O P Singh, who on Tuesday assumed charge as Haryana's new DGP, holding the position as additional charge after government sent state DGP Shatrujeet Kapur on leave, is a multi-faceted personality. The IPS officer of Haryana cadre, Singh is an author, a podcaster too, all while serving in a senior role where he led critical efforts in law enforcement modernisation, community resilience, and national capacity building. The Haryana government on Tuesday sent state DGP Shatrujeet Kapur on leave, amid mounting attacks from the opposition over IPS ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 4 (ANI): SpiceJet on Thursday acknowledged that some passengers are currently facing difficulties in reaching the airline's customer care helpline due to intermittent technical issues. The airline said efforts are underway to restore normal functioning as soon as possible. In an official message on X, SpiceJet stated, 'We are currently experiencing intermittent issues with our SpiceJet Customer Care helpline numbers. We assure you that our relevant teams are working to resolve this as soon as possible. In the meantime, please connect with us through our official social ...Read More >
Jaipur: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Wednesday stressed the need to speed up the establishment of a food safety laboratory in Bikaner and assured FSSAI's support for this purpose.FSSAI chief executive officer G Kamala Vardhana Rao held a meeting with health department officials in Jaipur. He appreciated the efforts of the state govt in promoting food safety and combating food adulteration. He also directed officials to ensure continuous monitoring to strengthen enforce ...Read More >
New Delhi: A racket which was manufacturing and supplying spurious ghee ahead of the festive season has been busted. A total of 2,651 litres of ghee packed under the names of reputed brands have been seized.A raid was conducted at a godown in Budh Vihar, Rohini on Oct 5. Police seized 2,241 litres of fake ghee and arrested the godown owner, Rakesh Garg (38). Two days later, one Mukesh was caught while delivering 410 litres of adulterated ghee in Rohini. His illegal manufacturing unit in Jind, Haryana was sealed."The gang mixed vanaspati ghee and refined oil with chemicals and synthetic colours ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 9 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed confidence that India and the United Kingdom will double bilateral trade from the existing approximately USD 56 billion before the mutually set target of 2030. Addressing the India-UK CEO Forum, PM Modi said the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the two countries is not just a trade agreement, but a roadmap for shared progress and shared prosperity between the world's two largest economies. "Today, our bilateral trade is approximately USD 56 billion. We have set a target ...Read More >
New Delhi: In light of the ongoing conflict in West Asia and the consequent disruptions in global supply chains, the Government of India has decided to provide full Customs Duty exemption on critical petrochemical products till 30th June, 2026, the Finance Ministry said on Thursday. This measure, according to the ministry, has been taken as temporary and targeted relief to ensure the continued availability of critical petrochemical inputs for the domestic industry, reduce cost pressures on downstream sectors, and safeguard supply stability in the country. "The exemption is expected to benefi ...Read More >
MUMBAI: Shadowfax has filed draft IPO papers with markets regulator Sebi through the confidential filing route. The company is seeking to raise up to Rs 2,000-2,500 crore comprising a mix of fresh issue of shares and offer for sale (OFS) by existing shareholders, sources said. The Flipkart and TPG backed logistics startup which was last valued at $712 million or about Rs 6,000 crore is eyeing an IPO valuation of about Rs 8,500 crore.Startups are rushing to Dalal Street after a recovery in stock markets opened up the IPO window for companies. Over the past few days, Pine Labs, Wakefit and Curef ...Read More >
Hyderabad, April 1: Intensifying its drive to curb adulterated food, Hyderabad police have seized a large number of ice and lassi candies laced with harmful chemicals. The sleuth of the Commissioners Taskforce, Golconda Zone Team, along with Mehdipatnam police, raided an ice cream parlour at Ahmed Nagar, in the First Lancer area, and apprehended its owner, Syed Musharafuddin, who was manufacturing and supplying ice candies and lassi in an unhygienic environment. The team seized material valued at Rs 5.44 lakh. According to police, the accused was intentionally using harmful chemical substanc ...Read More >
Srinagar/New Delhi, Nov 16 (PTI) Preliminary investigations into the accidental explosion that ripped through the Nowgam police station late Friday night, killing nine people, suggest that the use of excessive lighting by the forensic team may have triggered the massive blast, officials said Sunday. The explosion, which authorities maintain was an accident and not a terror attack, occurred around 11:20 pm while a team was extracting samples from the final boxes of seized explosive material transported from Al-Falah University in Faridabad, Haryana. The area has been visited by teams from the ...Read More >
New Delhi: With the completion of eight years, implementing the goods and services tax (GST) -- one of the country's biggest tax reforms, India has broken all the stereotypes by showcasing a perfect balance between Centre and state administrations and coming together to make decisions and resolve issues as well. Back on July 1, 2017, the GST was rolled out with a promise that the country will bring 'one nation, one tax' by merging various indirect taxes under one umbrella. As of today, it is part of every common man's daily lives; from a cup of tea to a car almost everything he/she buys has a ...Read More >
Nagpur: In a major step aimed at combating the growing narcotics menace in Maharashtra, CM Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday announced that drug offenders will now be prosecuted under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). The state govt will amend the law in the current legislative session itself to enable this move.Fadnavis made the announcement while responding to a question raised by MLC Parinay Fuke in the legislative council. Highlighting the severity of the drugs issue in smaller cities like Bhandara and Gondia, Fuke said that the synthetic drug mephedrone (MD) has ...Read More >