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.
Pune: Arguments with passengers and overcharging marred the indefinite strike called by aggregator app-based cab and auto drivers from Friday in the city. Among the worst affected were flyers arriving at the airport and struggling to find further travel options.A woman on her way to a doctor near Amanora Mall said she was mistreated by some autorickshaw drivers on strike. "I had hailed an auto and was on my way to the doctor when a group of other autorickshaw drivers stopped the driver. They snatched his cellphone and forcibly tried to pull me out of the vehicle, stating that a strike was on," she told TOI, choosing anonymity."They paid no heed even when I said I had a doctor's appointment. When I screamed, they backed off a bit. The auto driver took the opportunity to drive off. How can they indulge in violence like this?" she said.Indian Gig Workers Front has called the strike in Pune, Mumbai and Nagpur demanding fare-by-meter system acknowledgement by state govt and scrapping of e-bike taxis .The strike called by cab and auto drivers affiliated to aggregator apps led to major inconvenience for commuters. For instance, in the morning hours, a ride from NIBM Road to Pune airport (around 15km) by auto showed a fare of Rs430 against the normal Rs240 on the Uber app. If one booked an Uber XL, the fare reflected a whopping Rs1,461, and a ride via an Uber Sedan showed a fare of Rs777. A ride via UberGo showed a fare of Rs739, and if one wanted to ride in the Uber Premier category, the fare showed Rs1,096. Elsewhere in the city as well, auto prices almost doubled -- a short ride from Karve Road to FC Road cost at least Rs70-80 by auto, versus the usual average of Rs40-50 on aggregator apps. By meter, the same cost comes to around Rs30.Arriving flyers at the airport in the early hours of Friday were especially hassled. Vivek Purekar, who had to go to Kothrud from the airport, said, "I booked an Uber cab, for which the fare is locked advance. Upon reaching the AeroMall from the arrival area, I was told that cab drivers were on strike and I had to take another mode of transportation. Many other flyers besides me were clueless about this. I then wasted around 30 minutes trying to cancel the pre-paid ride and had to take pre-paid autorickshaw to my destination."Ajinkya Bhavane, who came from Delhi and wanted to go to Kalyaninagar, was in for a shock too. "The cab pickup area at the AeroMall was practically empty, and even after repeated attempts over 30 minutes, I couldn't get any cabs. I came outside with my luggage and found an auto driver who asked me to pay Rs500 for the short distance, saying that there was a strike going on. I was in a hurryand had no choice," he rued.Ankit Rai, a Pune resident, wrote on X, "There are no cabs available to commute to work. The aggregator applications are showing triple times surge, and striking drivers are stopping cabs and assaulting the non-striking drivers and also passengers, resulting in passengers being left stranded on the road."Sonu Pandey, who was at the airport late on Thursday evening, also shared his plight on X and posted: "Last night, I witnessed five or six individuals acting like thugs, threatening and physically assaulting cab drivers, forcing them to cancel rides. Meanwhile, regular cabs were charging exorbitant fares -- upwards of Rs2,000 for a mere 10km ride. This is a complete disaster."Keshav Kshirsagar, president of the Indian Gig Workers Front, accepted that incidents of violence occurred. "We have been appealing to striking drivers not to indulge in any violence and will continue to do so. On Friday, we also met some officials of the transport department who said they could arrange a meeting with all stakeholders by Tuesday. So, at present, the strike will be on until Tuesday at least until our demands are met," he told TOI.Earlier this year, the Indian Gig Workers Front announced that from May 1, cabs of Ola, Uber and Rapido should charge fares as per state govt-approved rates.App companies had said that for autos, they had already switched to a SaaS (software as a service) model, wherein commuters could book autos via the apps but then fares would be decided by mutual understanding.On May 1, the Gig Workers Front launched the website 'onlymeter.in' on which govt approved fares would reflect when details were entered.Pune RTO officials had told TOI that once the state aggregator policy comes into effect, this confusion will be cleared. "Once it comes into play, apps will have to adhere to norms and apply for a licence," Pune deputy RTO Swapnil Bhosle had earlier said.
Guwahati, Jun 5 (PTI) The Assam Congress on Thursday demanded a CBI inquiry into alleged illegal stone mining in Karbi Anglong district in violation of a Supreme Court order. Addressing a press conference here, former Rajya Sabha member Ripun Bora also alleged that Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang was allowing illegal activities in the district in nexus with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. "Large-scale illegal stone mining is taking place in the hills of Karbi Anglong in violation of the Supreme Court order. The SC had banned mining in and around K ...Read More >
Kolkata: A law student of a south Kolkata college was allegedly gang-raped at the campus security guards' room on Wednesday evening after being offered a key union post.Cops arrested three persons -- college alumnus and ad-hoc staff Manojit Mishra and current students Pramit Mukherjee and Zaib Ahmed -- after a medical test on the survivor corroborated her complaint. Mishra was thrown out of the college's Trinamool unit in 2021 and graduated in 2022, after which he started practising law. He, however, returned to the college recently as an ad-hoc non-teaching staff member. First-year student Mu ...Read More >
Navi Mumbai: The father of a three-day-old girl who was found abandoned in a blue basket outside Navi Mumbai's Panvel wad traced and detained on Sunday, the police said. According to them, the infant's parents were not financially stable enough to raise her. Due to this, the couple decided to give up the baby to an orphanage that could look after her, reported PTI. However, the Navi Mumbai police's crime branch traced the infant's father, Aman Iqbal Kondkar, a resident of Thane's Bhiwandi, within 24 hours, an official said. ...Read More >
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced several pre-election promises targeting auto drivers. These include a ₹10 lakh insurance policy, ₹1 lakh for daughters' marriages, a biannual ₹2,500 uniform allowance, free coaching for their children, and the relaunch of the 'PoochO' ride-booking app. Kejriwal and the AAP are campaigning to secure a third term in the upcoming February elections.Ahead of crucial Delhi assembly polls, Arvind Kejriwal promised several measures for auto dri ...Read More >
Mumbai: The death toll in Monday's BEST bus crash rose to seven and the number of injured to 42 even as the driver, Sanjay More, booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, claimed he had noticed a spark and mistakenly accelerated the bus instead of applying brakes. Seeking More's custody, police said they want to investigate if he intentionally used the vehicle as a weapon. The bus on Route 332 had accelerated on a congested 200m stretch near Kurla station hitting vehicles and pedestr ...Read More >
Speaking at IIT Bombay's Techfest 2024, Mr Adani, the 27-year old younger son of infrastructure magnate Gautam Adani, said the future of technology is both scary and exciting. India cannot stay out of global technological race, said Jeet Adani. Mumbai: India cannot stay out of global technological race and should build capabilities that will keep it at the top while remaining vigilant against its misuse, said Jeet Adani, Director, Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. Speaking at IIT Bombay's Techfest ...Read More >
New Delhi: A new change is going to happen regarding voting before the Bihar assembly elections. Bihar is going to become the first state in the country where voting can be done through phone. Bihar State Election Commissioner Deepak Prasad gave this information on Friday, June 27. His comment came before the voting to be held on Saturday for six municipal councils of Patna, Rohtas and East Champaran. However, it is not clear at the moment whether voting will be done through phone in the upcoming assembly elections or not. Giving more information about this, Bihar Election Commissioner Deepak ...Read More >
HYDERABAD: The Crime Investigation Department (CID) on Sunday arrested Aaryan Singh alias Aaryan Singh Chhabra, a key accused in the Falcon invoice discounting scam, which defrauded 4,065 victims of over Rs 792 crore. CID chief Charu Sinha said Aaryan, the COO of Falcon Invoicing, was closely involved with the company's MD, Amar Deep Kumar, and other accused in luring depositors and issuing fake receipts. He is believed to have collected Rs 14.35 lakh in "strategic deposits" and diverted Rs 1.62 crore from Falcon's funds into his personal account. After the scam came to light, Aaryan fled to ...Read More >
Thane/Mumbai, July 7 (PTI) Two children were injured after falling off a speeding school van when its rear door opened in Ambernath town in Thane district on Monday, police said. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media. The Regional Transport Office (RTO) at Kalyan stated that action will be taken against the school van under the School Bus Rules, 2011, and relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act after document verification. A police official stated that the van driver didn't stop after the children fell on the road and continued driving. "An auto rickshaw driver and oth ...Read More >
Mumbai, December 3: Three people including the car driver have been arrested for allegedly dragging a biker rider on the bonnet of the car for 2 kilometres in Maharashtra's Pune, a police officer said on Tuesday. The incident unfolded on December 1 in Pune's Pimpri Chinchwad following an altercation with the car driver, the official said. Pune Police Inspector Ashok Shirke said that car driver along with his two friends have been arrested and booked under section 103 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Pune Shocker: Audi Driver Drags Bike Rider on Car Bonnet for 2 Kms After Altercation in Pimpri Chinc ...Read More >
Walmart-owned e-commerce major Flipkart is leaning heavily into social video and livestreaming to attract young shoppers who are glued to their smartphones. The move reflects a broader strategy of the company to seek long-term customer loyalty by making online shopping more immersive and interactive. Online shopping with live commerce Using videos to display and promote products has become one of the company's key new strategies, Neha Agrahari, a director at Flipkart told Bloomberg News. "Users ...Read More >
Srinagar- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said foreign countries were told clearly during the post-Operation Sindoor diplomatic outreach that in case of a fresh provocation, India would repeat its action. Speaking at a discussion at the Ahmedabad Management Association, Tharoor said Indian delegations which visited foreign countries in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor managed to convey that India acted with restraint and responsibility. "In other places, we actually were able to get some very high-placed people to say not only that they respected and supported India's right of self- ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Centre on Tuesday launched 'RailOne', a super app designed to serve as a one-stop platform for all railway-related queries, passenger needs and services. The app, launched by Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in the national capital, aims to enhance convenience by integrating multiple services into a single interface. With a user-friendly interface, the RailOne is live and available to download on Google Play Store and iOS App Store. The new app integrates services such as unreserved and platform tickets with 3 per cent discount, live train track ...Read More >
PTC Web Desk: India is expected to witness a massive nationwide shutdown (Bharat Bandh) on July 9 as over 25 crore workers from key critical sectors, including banking, insurance, postal services, coal mining, highways, and public transport -- gear up for a day-long Bharat Bandh. The strike has been called by 10 central trade unions and their allied organisations to protest against the Centre's economic and labour policies, which they allege are anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate in nature. Who is participating in the strike? More than 25 crore workers are expected to take part in t ...Read More >
Bengaluru, Dec 12 (PTI) Ride-hailing app Uber on Thursday launched 'Uber Moto Women,' a first-of-its-kind service in Bengaluru offering women-only bike rides, the company said. In a statement, Uber said that this on-demand two-wheeler service connects female riders with female drivers and is designed to address women's safety and mobility needs while "empowering female drivers with flexible earning opportunities". "Developed based on feedback from women riders and drivers, Uber Moto Women offers a safe, affordable, and convenient commute option for women who prefer to ride with female driver ...Read More >
New Delhi/Ghaziabad, June 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's security was beefed up on Friday after a caller issued a death threat by dialling up the police control room in the neighbouring city of Ghaziabad, an official said. The caller, who made the death threat to Delhi Chief Minister, turned off his mobile phone immediately after communicating the message to the PCR at 11 p.m. on Thursday, said Ghaziabad's Deputy Commissioner of Police (City). The inter-state coordination cell of Ghaziabad Police informed the Delhi Police about the death threat call made in connection ...Read More >
Morbi pretium leo et nisl aliquam mollis. Quisque arcu lorem, ultricies quis pellentesque nec, ullamcorper eu odio. Trump and Musk's most "hot" alliance, the breakup is also the most "hot" and spectacular: on Thursday, the two were almost completely torn apart in a live broadcast similar to a reality show. Musk called him "ungrateful" and Trump described him as "crazy". As soon as the news came out, it immediately caused a sharp drop in the stock and crypto markets. ETHRANSACTION reminds cryptocurrency holders to convert their cryptocurrencies into investment plans as soon as possible (to av ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Revenue minister Suresh Pujari on Saturday said Odisha would not be allowed to follow the lawless path in sand operations like it is in Bihar and West Bengal, while responding to the recent assault of an additional tehsildar in Kaptipada block, Mayurbhanj district, by the sand mafia. He promised stringent action against the sand mafia regardless of their connections, while speaking to mediapersons here on Saturday."The Kaptipada incident represents a serious escalation in conflict between law enforcement and the sand mafia. The attack on officers performing their enforcement dutie ...Read More >
VIJAYAWADA: The State government on Friday accorded approvals to a slew of industries. Among those are Krishnapatnam Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), which is set to establish a 350 MW Solar and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Thamminapatnam and Mommidi villages of SPSR Nellore district with a Rs 1,225 crore investment, creating 575 jobs. Furthermore, the government also waived off a Rs 54 crore extension of time fee, contingent on project completion within two years as per the Andhra Pradesh Integrated Clean Energy Policy-2024. The government also allocated 22.80 acres at MPSEZ in N ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 28 (PTI) Eighteen Bangladeshi nationals staying illegally in Delhi have been apprehended. Five of those detained had been living in the national capital disguised as transgenders, police said on Saturday. The police found a banned messaging app installed in seven mobile phones of the accused, using which they communicated with their families in Bangladesh, they said. During the first operation, police cordoned off nearly 100 jhuggis and 150 lanes in the locality and conducted verification drives, a senior police officer said. One person, initially evasive during questioning, ...Read More >
Mumbai: A window frame of SpiceJet's aircraft SG-1080 operating its flight to Pune from Goa was found dislodged mid-air but there was no impact on passengers' safety, the airline said on Wednesday. There was no cabin depressurisation as the outer layers of the windowpane remained intact and passenger safety was not compromised, the airline said in a statement. The frame was fixed once the aircraft landed at the Pune airport, in accordance with standard maintenance procedures, the airline said. Mandar Sawant, a passenger on the flight, said, "I was travelling back from Goa to Pune after attend ...Read More >
Gurgaon: Two days after a law student died and his friend suffered critical injuries when a car knocked them down as they stood near railing on the service lane of Delhi-Jaipur highway in the early hours of Tuesday, a civil engineer was arrested on Thursday.Mohit (31), an employee of a private company in the city, told police that he got drowsy while driving. He is staying at a PG facility in Sector 14.The student who died, Harsh Singhal (25), was a resident of Om Nagar colony. His friend Abhishek Kumar (23), who is from Shanti Nagar in Sector 11, is undergoing treatment at a private hospital ...Read More >
A major portion of George Road in Thoothukudi has become a nightmare for drivers due to the presence of large potholes. This key stretch which has not undergone any restoration for several years has become a significant source of hardship for daily commuters. The road, which comes under the State Highways department, serves as one of the major connections between the Bypass and Beach Road. Bala, an autorickshaw driver, who has been driving on this stretch for over 15 years says, "The road has been in this poor condition for years as it is not frequently used by higher authorities." He added ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday debunked all allegations made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi about rigging and match-fixing in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections. In his articles titled 'Those Rejected by the People Deny the Mandate', published in the same three newspapers where Gandhi's write-ups appeared, CM Fadnavis advised the Congress MP to "accept defeat, introspect on where you went wrong, why your connect with the people is lacking, and what needs to be done." He taunted Gandhi, saying that the latter was preparing excuses for "defeats ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 8 (ANI): BJP MP Gulam Ali Khatana, who was part of the all-party parliamentary delegation to Europe, said that during their recently conclued visit they successfully communicated India's development story and its resolute stand against terrorism, particularly emanating from Pakistan. Highlighting the delegation's key discussions during the tour, Khatana told ANI, 'We discussed how we dismantled the terrorism factory in Pakistan by responding... We also talked about tourism infrastructure, G20 Summit, and projects like the six-lane roads, bridges, solar initiatives, our ...Read More >
Mumbai: Senior BJP leader Ravindra Chavan is all set to become the next Maharashtra BJP chief as he filed his nomination for the post of party's state president on Monday. Mr. Chavan presented the nomination forms to Union Minister Kiran Rijiju, who has been appointed as a central observer for the elections by the BJP. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and outgoing party chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule were present on this occasion. With no other nomination being filed for the post, Mr. Chavan is certain to become the next state president of Maharashtra BJP, said party leaders. The ...Read More >
Srinagar, Jul 3 (PTI) The annual Amarnath Yatra began on Thursday with the first batches of pilgrims setting off from the twin base camps in Baltal and Nunwan towards the 3880-metre-high cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas, which houses a naturally formed ice-lingam, officials said. The yatra started early morning from the twin tracks -- the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route and the 14-km Baltal route. The batches of pilgrims, including men, women and sadhus, left from the Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam, in south Kashmir's Anantnag, and Baltal base camp in Sonamarg area of central ...Read More >
HYDERABAD: With the kharif season underway and farmers facing an acute shortage of urea, agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao has written to the Centre, urging immediate intervention to ensure timely and sufficient supply of the critical fertiliser. In letters addressed to Union minister for chemicals and fertilisers JP Nadda, Tummala highlighted the alarming gap between the state's demand and actual supply. The minister said the Centre had allocated five lakh metric tonnes of urea to Telangana for the months of April, May, and June. However, only 3.06 lakh metric tonnes have been suppli ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Normal life came to a standstill across Kerala on Tuesday after around 20,000 private buses were off the roads due to a token strike called by the operators. The operators have been raising demands like an increase in charges for student concessions, steps to check fake concession cards, besides a few other demands for a while now. With the talks with the Transport Commissioner failing, the operators decided to have a token strike on Tuesday. They have warned that if the government fails to address their demands in a week, they will have no other o ...Read More >
Gukesh Dommaraju is welcomed home upon his arrival at the Chennai International Airport on December 16 after his win at the FIDE World Chess Championship in Singapore. Gukesh Dommaraju returned home to jubilant scenes at Chennai International Airport on Monday having become the youngest ever chess world champion last week. The 18-year-old beat defending champion Ding Liren 7.5-6.5 in their best-of-14 final in Singapore on Thursday after the Chinese player blundered in the final game. Draped in ...Read More >