News for 'digital inclusion'

Govt to promote Kisan Drones, chemical-free farming

Govt to promote Kisan Drones, chemical-free farming

Rediff.com1 Feb 2022

The Centre will promote Kisan Drones, chemical-free natural farming, public-private partnerships for the delivery of digital and high-tech services to farmers across the country during the financial year 2022-23, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Tuesday. Presenting the Budget 2022-23 in Parliament, Sitharaman said the inclusive development is one of the four priorities of the government moving forward. As part of the inclusive development, the government will promote the use of 'Kisan Drones' for crop assessment, digitisation of land records and spraying of insecticides. The government will also facilitate a fund with blended capital raised under the co-investment model through Nabard to finance agri start-ups and rural enterprises, she said.

US, allies launch declaration for future of Internet, invite India to join

US, allies launch declaration for future of Internet, invite India to join

Rediff.com29 Apr 2022

The Declaration for the Future of the Internet is in part a response to a rising trend of digital authoritarianism, including Russia's actions to block credible news sites

G20 Summit: Time For India To Raise Stature

G20 Summit: Time For India To Raise Stature

Rediff.com7 Sep 2023

'The group commands 85 per cent of the global GDP, and if you are able to convey your point of view effectively to this group then you have reached more or less all the important players that matter.'

Full Text: PM Modi's address to US Congress

Full Text: PM Modi's address to US Congress

Rediff.com23 Jun 2023

Here's the full text of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to a joint session of the United States Congress, delivered on Thursday.

Jay Shah provides updates on WPL, Asia Cup venue

Jay Shah provides updates on WPL, Asia Cup venue

Rediff.com14 Apr 2023

BCCI honourary secretary Jay Shah provived updates on the Asia Cup venue, WPL and India's preparations for the ODI World Cup.

Army takes out patent on new camouflage-style uniform

Army takes out patent on new camouflage-style uniform

Rediff.com3 Nov 2022

The Indian Army on Thursday said it has registered the intellectual property rights of its new design and camouflage pattern uniform.

Modi to attend 3 key sessions at G20 summit in Bali

Modi to attend 3 key sessions at G20 summit in Bali

Rediff.com13 Nov 2022

The prime minister will leave for the Indonesian city of Bali on Monday on a three-day visit to attend the summit that is expected to deliberate extensively on pressing global challenges including the Ukraine conflict and its implications.

Google to wind down free WiFi services globally

Google to wind down free WiFi services globally

Rediff.com25 Feb 2020

Google had started the Station as a five-year partnership with the Indian Railways and RailTel in 2015 to provide fast, free WiFi in over 400 stations by mid-2020.

Nations must ensure cryptocurrency does not end in wrong hands: PM

Nations must ensure cryptocurrency does not end in wrong hands: PM

Rediff.com18 Nov 2021

Modi cautioning that cryptocurrency can spoil the youth.

G20 invite from 'President of Bharat' triggers uproar

G20 invite from 'President of Bharat' triggers uproar

Rediff.com5 Sep 2023

A G20 dinner invitation from President Droupadi Murmu describing her position as 'President of Bharat' triggered massive debate on Tuesday, with the opposition alleging that the government is planning to drop India and stay with just Bharat as the country's name.

At G7, India pledges to protect free speech

At G7, India pledges to protect free speech

Rediff.com28 Jun 2022

Leaders of the powerful G7 grouping and its five partner countries, including India, have said that they are committed to open public debate and the free flow of information online and offline while guarding the freedom, independence and diversity of civil society actors.

Govt close to finalising e-commerce policy: DPIIT secy Rajesh Kumar Singh

Govt close to finalising e-commerce policy: DPIIT secy Rajesh Kumar Singh

Rediff.com12 May 2023

The government is at a "fairly advanced stage" of finalising a well-coordinated e-commerce policy and consumer protection rules, which will incorporate provisions of Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said on Thursday. "E-commerce rules and e-commerce policy will be congruent with each other... That exercise is at a fairly advanced stage," Singh told reporters. The remarks come on a day the number of daily transactions on the platform has gone up 500 times since the beginning of this year with the number of retail merchants added to its roster growing 40-fold.

9 EU nations clear Covishield amid 'Green Pass' row

9 EU nations clear Covishield amid 'Green Pass' row

Rediff.com1 Jul 2021

India has already asked the EU member countries to individually consider allowing Indians who have taken Covishield and Covaxin vaccines and want to travel to Europe.

Jaishankar meets Russian FM Lavrov ahead of G20 meet

Jaishankar meets Russian FM Lavrov ahead of G20 meet

Rediff.com1 Mar 2023

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday held wide-ranging talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov focusing on the Ukraine conflict, bilateral ties and issues relating to the G20 foreign ministers' meeting.

Govt report on next-gen civil services stresses on tech in governance

Govt report on next-gen civil services stresses on tech in governance

Rediff.com14 Jun 2022

Governments need to proactively plan for attracting and retaining the next generation of talent for its civil services, an official report has said.

Look! It's Fahadh Faasil and Kamal Haasan

Look! It's Fahadh Faasil and Kamal Haasan

Rediff.com12 Apr 2021

'I am working with him for the first time in Vikram.'

China, Russia to be the focus of Quad deliberations

China, Russia to be the focus of Quad deliberations

Rediff.com23 May 2022

The leaders of the Quad comprising India, the United States, Australia and Japan are set to demonstrate that the grouping is a 'force for global good' and has a unifying commitment to a rules-based international order amid China's increasingly intimidatory behaviour.

Test cricket and ODIs will stay, says Sehwag

Test cricket and ODIs will stay, says Sehwag

Rediff.com2 Dec 2022

Plenty of room for all three formats to flourish, says Sehwag

How Your Workplace Will Change in 2023

How Your Workplace Will Change in 2023

Rediff.com21 Dec 2022

As employers eye quality talent, employees will enjoy an upper hand in demanding high pay, better benefits, remote work options and other perks, predicts Navneet Singh, CEO, Avsar, a talent management firm.

Why Travel Insurance Is A Must

Why Travel Insurance Is A Must

Rediff.com16 May 2023

If your flight is cancelled or delayed or you miss one, a travel insurance policy can cover the costs at such times and help you book a new one.

'e-RUPI may completely negate pilferage'

'e-RUPI may completely negate pilferage'

Rediff.com2 Aug 2021

The launch of e-RUPI, a person- and purpose-specific digital payment solution, by the government is expected to completely negate any pilferage and will ensure full benefit to intended beneficiaries, India Inc said on Monday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched e-RUPI, which is aimed at improving transparency and targeted delivery of benefits. PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Sanjay Aggarwal said that the move is a significant step to enhance the digitisation process of the country.

Living In The Times Of Crime

Living In The Times Of Crime

Rediff.com3 May 2023

Redress for a victim is not easy. It is not really painful to file a cyber-crime complaint.
But someone who is technically unsophisticated enough to fall for a scam will find it hard to navigate the processes, points out Devangshu Datta.

Microsoft plans Centre of Excellence in Vizag

Microsoft plans Centre of Excellence in Vizag

Rediff.com28 Dec 2015

The company will also deliver an exclusive workshop to the government's key administrative officers on improving productivity by using Microsoft technologies

IPL media rights: BCCI set for $6 billion windfall

IPL media rights: BCCI set for $6 billion windfall

Rediff.com29 Mar 2022

Eyeing a windfall of close to Rs 50,000 crore, the Board of Control for Cricket in India on Tuesday floated the media rights tender for the next five seasons of IPL from 2023 to 2027.

India keen to develop 5G & 6G tech: Modi

India keen to develop 5G & 6G tech: Modi

Rediff.com18 Nov 2021

India is investing in developing indigenous capabilities in 5G and 6G telecom technologies besides focusing on manufacturing semi-conductors, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday. In a virtual address at the Sydney Dialogue, the prime minister said the "greatest product" of technology today is data and that India has created a robust framework of data protection, privacy and security. "And, at the same time, we use data as a source of empowerment of people. India has unmatched experience in doing this in a democratic framework with strong guarantees of individual rights," he said.

IPL: Rohit's form a concern for MI ahead of crucial RCB clash

IPL: Rohit's form a concern for MI ahead of crucial RCB clash

Rediff.com8 May 2023

Captain Rohit Sharma's form with the bat and bowling in the death overs will be a huge concern for hosts Mumbai Indians when they take on Royal Challengers Bangalore on Tuesday.

Only 25% of India's workforce is female, says McKinsey report

Only 25% of India's workforce is female, says McKinsey report

Rediff.com20 Jun 2018

The report suggests India in the longer term needs to create far more jobs in the formal organised sector -- 97 per cent of all female worker activity is in the informal sector

ONDC adds 15 more cities, onboards Snapdeal for pan-Indian access

ONDC adds 15 more cities, onboards Snapdeal for pan-Indian access

Rediff.com19 Jul 2022

Open Network Digital Commerce (ONDC) has expanded its pilot to 15 more cities. This comes at a time when it plans to begin operations next month. Snapdeal has also signed the onboarding agreement with the network and will debut on it next month. On Monday, ONDC expanded to Noida, Faridabad, Lucknow, Bijnor, Bhopal, Chhindwara, Kolkata, Pune, Chennai, Kannur, Thrissur, Udipi, Kanchipura, Pollachi, Mannar and Ramnathpuram.

HUL appoints Rohit Jawa as new MD & CEO

HUL appoints Rohit Jawa as new MD & CEO

Rediff.com11 Mar 2023

FMCG major HUL on Friday announced the appointment of Rohit Jawa as the managing director & chief executive officer to succeed Sanjiv Mehta who will retire from the company after leading it for a decade. Jawa, presently the Chief of Transformation for Unilever, would take over the leadership role for a term of five consecutive years with effect from June 27, 2023, the company said in a statement. "The appointment of Rohit Jawa as a whole-time director and MD & CEO will be subject to approval of Shareholders and other statutory approvals as may be applicable," it added.

Pak, China to go ahead with $10 bn Karachi-Peshawar railway project

Pak, China to go ahead with $10 bn Karachi-Peshawar railway project

Rediff.com28 Oct 2022

Prime Minister Sharif will be visiting Beijing with a high-powered delegation from November 1, 2022, where minutes of the joint coordination committee meeting will be signed.

Mutual funds' SIP collection jumps 31% to Rs 1.5 lakh cr in 2022

Mutual funds' SIP collection jumps 31% to Rs 1.5 lakh cr in 2022

Rediff.com16 Jan 2023

Contributions to mutual fund schemes through systematic investment plans or SIPs remain unfazed from the market volatility in 2022 with inflow growing to Rs 1.5 lakh crore in 2022, a surge of 31 per cent from a year earlier, due to higher retail participation. In comparison, an inflow of Rs 1.14 lakh crore through the route was registered in 2021 and Rs 97,000 crore in 2020, data with the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) showed. Going ahead, SIP numbers are expected to continue to remain strong in 2023 as investors are increasingly appreciating the importance of regular investing through the route, Kaustubh Belapurkar, director - manager research at Morningstar Investment Adviser India, said.

India to grow at over 7% in FY23, says CEA

India to grow at over 7% in FY23, says CEA

Rediff.com20 Sep 2022

Chief economic advisor V Anantha Nageswaran on Tuesday said Indian economy will grow at over 7 per cent, down from above 8 per cent of growth rate projected in January. He, however, said that the economic momentum and the animal spirits are "unmistakable". "India's own growth rates have come off the projections made in January down to about 7-plus per cent for the current financial year," Nageswaran said speaking at Global Fintech Fest event in Mumbai.

Force for good, says Modi on Quad

Force for good, says Modi on Quad

Rediff.com24 May 2022

Modi said Quad is moving ahead with a constructive agenda for the Indo-Pacific

Use tech to scale up COVID-19 vaccination: Nilekani

Use tech to scale up COVID-19 vaccination: Nilekani

Rediff.com20 Apr 2021

'We are the only country in the world where everybody gets a digital vaccination certificate immediately... Then as we open up, as they did yesterday, which I think is a welcome move, you will have lots and lots of points where people will come in'

Highlights of Budget 2023-24

Highlights of Budget 2023-24

Rediff.com1 Feb 2023

Per capita income has more than doubled to Rs 1.97 lakh in around nine years. Indian economy has increased in size from being 10th to 5th largest in the world in the past nine years. Seven priorities of the Budget, 'Saptarishi', are inclusive development, reaching the last mile, infrastructure and investment, unleashing the potential, green growth, youth power and financial sector.

Telcos will be able to invest fearlessly: Sunil Mittal

Telcos will be able to invest fearlessly: Sunil Mittal

Rediff.com15 Sep 2021

Telecom operator Bharti Airtel Chairman Sunil Mittal on Wednesday said the telecom sector reforms approved by the Cabinet will ensure that the industry is able to invest fearlessly, and the company will respond to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to invest and accelerate the country's growth. Among a series of breathers for the stressed telecom sector, the Cabinet has approved the inclusion of revenues earned only from telecom services in the adjusted gross revenue (AGR), and the removal of penalty on dues to be paid to the government prospectively. Mittal congratulated and thanked the government for undertaking these seminal reforms to lift an industry that is at the core of his Digital India vision.

Onboarding of e-commerce giants crucial to ensure success of ONDC

Onboarding of e-commerce giants crucial to ensure success of ONDC

Rediff.com15 Sep 2022

When Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) was conceived last December, the idea was to reduce the dominance of e-commerce giants like Amazon and Flipkart. It was also to bring in a level-playing field for small merchants in India's fragmented but fast-growing $1-trillion retail market. However, those goals have changed now as large e-commerce players such as Flipkart, Amazon and Ecom Express are in various levels of talks with the ONDC team. They want to form partnerships like integrating with the network as well as providing their expertise to build it, according to the industry sources.

Modi's longest Parliament speech pressed all the right buttons

Modi's longest Parliament speech pressed all the right buttons

Rediff.com10 Aug 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday slammed the opposition alliance INDIA as a collection of arrogant dynasties who will take India back by two centuries as he exuded confidence that people will bless the "garib ka beta" with a record-breaking mandate in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

How To Fix The Jobs Crunch

How To Fix The Jobs Crunch

Rediff.com14 Feb 2023

The only real solution to the jobs crisis, whether in India or abroad, is to direct tech innovation towards job enhancing sectors, and disincentivising job-replacing ones, observes R Jagannathan.

'Whatever we do, we have to make an impact'

'Whatever we do, we have to make an impact'

Rediff.com26 Jun 2023

'Professors can teach even when they are 90 because they don't lose their skill with words. Go deeper and there's spirituality in it.'