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.
India - Relentless rain batters paddy farmers; harvesting halted, 30-50% crop loss feared Unseasonal and relentless rainfall has thrown paddy farmers in Udupi district into distress, halting harvesting operations and sparking fears of massive crop losses across several parts of the region. Farmers say rice mills are refusing to buy wet paddy as fields remain waterlogged, while harvesting machinery lies idle amid rising operational costs. Harvesting had begun only recently when the district started experiencing daily spells of rain. Farmers noted that, in previous years, showers around Deepavali would last only a day or two. This year, however, the rain has continued well after the festival, leaving fields drenched and harvesting work paralysed. "Every year fewer people take up paddy cultivation," lamented local growers. "Now, even those of us who continue farming are finding it hard to recover what we've invested. After all the hard work, it feels as if the food never reaches our mouths," growers say. A few weeks ago, harvesting machines had arrived in Udupi from Tamil Nadu, Gangavati, and Haveri to assist with large-scale harvesting. Although operations began smoothly, persistent downpours for more than a week have forced machinery to stop. "The harvesters have been standing idle for days," said paddy farmer Suresh. "If this continues, the rental costs will rise and add to our financial burden." In several low-lying areas, continuous rainfall has caused paddy stalks to bend and lodge in the soil, making machine harvesting difficult. Farmers said the falling grains are reducing yields drastically. "Nearly 30% of the crop harvested so far has already been damaged by the rain," said Kudi Srinivas Bhat, general secretary of the Udupi District Farmers' Association. "If the downpour continues for another week, we could be looking at losses of up to 50%." He added that many farmers had deliberately waited until after Deepavali to start harvesting, expecting dry weather. "Now they're caught completely off guard. To make matters worse, rice mills lack sufficient drying facilities. Even farmers who've managed to harvest are unable to sell because mills are refusing to buy wet paddy," Bhat explained. With forecasts predicting more rain in the coming days, anxiety among Udupi's paddy farmers continues to grow. If the weather fails to clear soon, the district may face one of its worst seasonal setbacks in recent years -- a devastating blow to an already struggling agricultural sector.
Sribhumi (Assam) [India], June 26 (ANI): Continuing her whirlwind tour of the Northeast, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse arrived in Sribhumi on Thursday under the Centre's Poorvottar Sampark Setu outreach initiative--an ambitious programme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deepen administrative ties and accelerate development across the region. During a robust one-day engagement in Sribhumi, Khadse chaired a review meeting with officials from 26 departments. She underlined youth and sports as key drivers of social upliftment and assured enh ...Read More >
Guwahati (Assam) [India], July 1 (ANI): Assam has set a new record in paddy procurement by procuring nearly 7 lakh MT of paddy during the Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2024-25. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said, 'We are proud to announce the successful conclusion of Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2024-25 with a record paddy procurement of 6.97 lakh MT -- the highest ever.' In Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2022-23, the state procured 5.92 lakh MT of paddy, and in 2023-24, the state procured 3.14 lakh MT of paddy. 'This remarkable achievement reflects our commitment to e ...Read More >
Dehradun, Jun 6 (PTI) The Centre and Uttarakhand government are committed to making the state a national hub of horticulture, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Friday. Interacting with farmers at a Kisan Chaupal in Pavwala Sauda village under Doiwala block of Dehradun, the agriculture minister said, "The quality of fruits, grains and vegetables grown in Uttarakhand is unique and they have full potential to make a mark at the global level." "The Centre and the state government together will make Uttarakhand a national hub of horticulture," he said. During his visit, the ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Monsoon covered the entire country on Sunday, nine days before the normal date, advancing into the remaining parts of Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, west UP and Haryana, IMD said.This is only the fourth time in the past 25 years that monsoon covered NCR and remaining parts of northwest India the same day. The last time this happened was on July 13 in 2021, whereas the earliest date on which such an event took place was June 16 in 2013 -- the day Kedarnath witnessed a major disaster due to cloudburst and flash floods.It has taken monsoon 37 days to cover the entire country this time since its ...Read More >
Imphal, July 4: Vigil has been intensified in the agricultural belts in Manipur by the security forces following the recent attacks on farmers. Authorities are working to prevent further violence during the ongoing cultivation season. The Manipur Police Control Room on Thursday said that additional forces have been stationed in both the hill and valley districts to ensure the safety of farmers, particularly in sensitive and conflict-prone areas. The move follows a spike in violence, including the incident on June 19 in which a 60-year-old farmer was shot while working in a paddy field at Ph ...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 >
Chandigarh [India], December 3 (ANI): Punjab Legislative Assembly Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa on Tuesday, slammed the BJP-led central government for neglecting the interests of farmers in Punjab and Haryana. Bajwa's scathing attack comes amidst growing discontent among farmers in the region, who feel their concerns have been ignored by the ruling party. "Ever since the BJP government has come to power, they have not taken a single decision that is in the interest of the farmers of India, especially the farmers of Punjab and Haryana. It is their fundamental rig ...Read More >
The overall development of the country is not possible without the development of agriculture and farmers. The nation's economy can be strengthened by the development of agriculture, fishery production, and livestock, President Droupadi Murmu said on Thursday. Gracing the convocation ceremony of the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology at Bhubaneswar, she said agriculture is facing new challenges such as natural disasters, adverse effects of climate change, decreasing per capita farm ...Read More >
New Delhi: Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday met farmers in Punjab and reviewed crops and production. Addressing a gathering, Chouhan said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision is Viksit Bharat, and we are working tirelessly with that goal in mind. Our mission is to build a glorious, prosperous and powerful India. Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy. In the fourth quarter of last financial year, the country achieved a growth rate of 7.5 per cent, with agriculture contributing to 5.4 per cent of it. Agriculture still accounts f ...Read More >
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], June 6 (ANI): Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday attended a 'Kisan Chaupal' event at Pav Wala Soda village in the Raipur block of Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The programme was held as part of the 'Developed Agriculture Resolution' campaign aimed at strengthening the agricultural sector in the state. During the event, Chouhan interacted with local farmers and praised the success stories shared by them, especially in the areas of organic farming and coarse grain production. He also showed strong support for promoting Uttarakhand's organic produce at both n ...Read More >
Srinagar: Before towering cranes and cutting-edge engineering transformed the Himalayan landscape, the monumental dream of connecting "Kashmir to Kanyakumari" by rail began with the plodding footsteps of humble mules. This extraordinary backstory underpins the official realization of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, 2025, a project crowned by the awe-inspiring Chenab Bridge. According to Afcons Infrastructure Limited, the company behind the Chenab Bridge, the earliest and most formidable hurdle wasn't just the design of ...Read More >
Majuli (Assam) [India], June 28 (ANI): Majuli, the river island district in Assam, has marked a significant milestone as its indigenous organic red bao paddy makes its debut in the global market. In a historic development, the first consignment of this unique variety of rice has been formally exported to countries in Central Asia and Europe, bringing smiles to the faces of Majuli's farming community. Also Read | Long-Awaited Relief for Retired Government Employees? 8th Pay Commission May Reduce Commuted Pension Restoration Period from 15 to 12 Years. The export initiative has been spearhead ...Read More >
Kolkata, July 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) The West Bengal unit of BJP, under the leadership of its new State party President Samik Bhattacharya is making all efforts to ensure a political rally in the state, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing it, before Trinamool Congress's annual Martyrs' day rally in Kolkata on July 21. An insider from the state committee of BJP said that the week before July 21, the Prime Minister is scheduled to go for an election campaign in Bihar where the Assembly polls are scheduled later this year. "We are trying hard so that the Prime Minister can spare some time ...Read More >
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 5 (ANI): Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan attended the sixth convocation ceremony of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-K), Srinagar, and conferred degrees upon the graduates. On the second day of his visit to Jammu & Kashmir on Friday, Shivraj Singh said, 'I've been in Srinagar since yesterday. The cool breeze, the fragrance of the soil, the natural beauty, and the warmth of the people have truly touched my heart. Jammu & Kashmir is the crown jewel of ...Read More >
New Delhi: Economic think tank GTRI on Saturday cautioned that allowing genetically modified (GM) farm products from the US under the proposed trade pact would have implications for India, as it may affect the country's agri exports to regions like the European Union. India and the US are negotiating an interim trade pact, which is expected to be announced before July 9. The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said that allowing the import of GM products such as soybean meal and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) for animal feed would affect India's agricultural exports to the E ...Read More >
Delhi is facing worsening pollution and erratic weather patterns, with the air quality regularly reaching dangerous levels. This is partly due to climate change, with temperature rises and unpredictable rainfall patterns caused by global warming. The industrial revolution has played a significant role, contributing to the rise in global temperatures. The effects are already being felt, with 2024 witnessing record-breaking heat in India. Despite this, there is little action from society or leadership, with courts repeatedly stepping in to address issues like pollution and farm fires. The need f ...Read More >
Dharwad: Joint director of agriculture Manjunath Antarvalli has called upon the farmers to grow millets and supply quality food items to the domestic market. Speaking after flagging off 'Walk for Millet' organised by the agriculture department in Dharwad on Thursday, he said the farmers growing millets should be encouraged in all possible ways. "Popularly known as superfoods, the millets which are little wonders have been the most sought-after food post-pandemic. High in nutritional values, the ...Read More >
MUMBAI: India is likely to produce a record 117.5 million tonnes of wheat in the year ending June 2025, the farm ministry said, above its March forecast of 115.4 million tonnes, as higher prices prompted farmers to expand the area planted with high-yielding seed varieties. India, the world's biggest wheat producer after China, produced 113.3 million tonnes of wheat in 2024, the farm ministry said in a statement issued late on Wednesday. However, a leading industry body said the crop was nearly 6.25% lower than the government's estimate. The country's rice production in 2025 is also set to c ...Read More >
Hisar, Jun 5 (PTI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini Thursday announced the establishment of natural and organic mandis in Gurugram and Hisar to promote natural farming on a large scale in the state. The Gurugram mandi will cater to produce such as wheat, paddy and pulses, while the Hisar mandi will focus on fruits and vegetables grown through natural and organic methods. Also Read | Delhi: High-Level US Team Arrives for Talks on Bilateral Trade Pact With India. In addition, a committee will be formed under the Haryana Kisan Kalyan Pradhikaran to determine fair pricing for produce gr ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 26 (ANI): The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that it is keeping a constant watch on developments in India's neighbourhood, especially in light of the recent trilateral meeting involving China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Speaking at a press briefing, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, 'We maintain a constant watch on the developments in our neighbourhood that have a bearing on our interests and our security, our relations with individual countries, while they stand on their own footing, take into account the evolving context as well.' The meetin ...Read More >
Navi Mumbai: Farmers are experiencing a significant setback because of the unpredictable rainfall. There is concern that planting will be lost because of heavy rainfall. Farmers are experiencing the embarrassment of leaving their fields uncultivated. Farmers are concerned because the seeds in their rice fields have decayed. Because the dust collector hasn't had an opportunity because of the rains, there is a call for the government to genuinely evaluate the situation of the farmers. This year, the farmers' planting timetable has disrupted since the rains began in May. There is concern that th ...Read More >
Ahmedabad: From sabzis to sambhar, the cost of cooking a regular Indian meal for an average family is rising sharply as vegetable prices hit new highs, with everyday greens now as pricey or pricier than exotics. Going by the current prices, a humble bhindi or guvar sabzi may cost more than a takeaway meal. Retail prices of vegetables like okra, ivy gourd (tindora), bottle gourd, and tomatoes surged well beyond the Rs 100/kg mark in Ahmedabad markets, turning daily nutrition into a household budgetary challenge.The steepest spike is seen in ivy gourd (tindora), now priced at Rs 216 a kilogram, ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 5: A story that goes back to the very fertile heartland of Traori, Karnal in Haryana, the place where you find paddy fields that extend as far as your eyes can see. True to originality, high quality, and the fine flavour of tradition, Double Chabi, Founded by Late. Shri Kashmiri Lal, now led by his son Brij Bhushan Goel with a vision of Global expansion, Double Chabi is a brand that signifies quality to the people. Once a modest venture in the heartland of the rice bowl in India, today, this venture has turned into an internationally established rice brand, serving mill ...Read More >
Hisar, Jun 5 (PTI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini Thursday announced the establishment of natural and organic mandis in Gurugram and Hisar to promote natural farming on a large scale in the state. The Gurugram mandi will cater to produce such as wheat, paddy and pulses, while the Hisar mandi will focus on fruits and vegetables grown through natural and organic methods. In addition, a committee will be formed under the Haryana Kisan Kalyan Pradhikaran to determine fair pricing for produce grown using natural and organic farming practices. The Chief Minister made these announcements ...Read More >
Patiala: Union minister for agriculture and farmers' welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited Rajpura in Patiala district on Thursday as part of an ongoing initiative, Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA), which is aimed at transforming Indian agriculture through direct farmer engagement and sustainable practices.At a 'Kisan Chaupal' in Gandia Kheri village, Chouhan emphasised on govt's commitment to formulating agricultural policies based on direct interactions with farmers rather than relying solely on bureaucratic inputs. " If scientists go to the ground, they'll know about the problem of farm ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 6 (ANI): IFFCO Managing Director (MD), U S Awasthi on Friday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his residence office in New Delhi. During the meeting, Awasthi briefed and updated the Minister on the overall performance of Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) for the Financial Year 2024-25, a strong testament to the vision of Sahakar Se Samriddhi under his dynamic guidance. Awasthi also apprised him of the progress at the seed research and development facility at IFFCO's Kalol Unit in Gujarat. Furthermore, both had a meaningful discussion on strategies to en ...Read More >
Agartala, June 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) In a bid to boost the farmers' income, in all 22 foreign improved varieties and 13 indigenous improved varieties of mango are being experimentally cultivated at the Horticulture and Research Centre, at Nagichara in West Tripura, Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath said on Sunday. Addressing the Monsoon Mango Fiesta-2025 at Narikel Kunj in Gandatwisa under tribal inhabited Dhalai district, the minister said that since the BJP government came to power in 2018, around 706 hectares of new area have been brought under mango cultivation throug ...Read More >
New Delhi: Economic think tank GTRI on Saturday cautioned that allowing genetically modified (GM) farm products from the US under the proposed trade pact would have implications for India as it may affect the country's agri exports to regions like the European Union. India and the US are negotiating an interim trade pact, which is expected to be announced before July 9.The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said that allowing the import of GM products such as soybean meal and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) for animal feed would affect India's agricultural exports to the Eur ...Read More >
Wheat is the unsung hero of African food, the secret sauce (or rather, secret grain) behind some of your favorite dishes. From the cloud-like deliciousness of Ethiopian injera to the satisfying Moroccan couscous, wheat is Africa's culinary backbone. This article features five mouthwatering dishes that highlight the versatility and tastiness of African wheat-based cuisine. Injera is a sourdough-risen flatbread with a slightly spongy texture, made from fermented teff flour. In Ethiopia and Eritrea, it serves not only as sustenance but also as a utensil for eating. The blend of teff flour and wa ...Read More >
Hyderabad: With the early onset of pre-monsoon showers, farmers across Telangana have started their agricultural activities ahead of schedule. However, the agriculture department is facing strong criticism for failing to provide adequate fertilizers and seeds necessary for the current season. According to officials, there is a significant shortfall in the availability of essential inputs like urea and cotton seeds, which may negatively impact crop planning and productivity across the state. Also Read: Madhuri Dixit Recalls 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun' Magic with Salman Khan as Monsoon Arrives For ...Read More >