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Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Gujarat surpasses Rajasthan to become India's top renewable energy state
Rajasthan is no longer the number one state in the renewable energy sector. Gujarat has grabbed the top spot in the country, powered by wind power and rooftop solar projects. According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy data, Gujarat's renewable energy capacity rose to 35,900 MW against Rajasthan's 35,400 MW by the end of May 2025. While Rajasthan still has the highest capacity in the solar power segment in the country, its poor performance in attracting wind power projects has been the main reason for losing the top position to Gujarat. Similarly, Rajasthan's rooftop solar segment also remains a laggard, unlike Gujarat. The state could have made rapid progress if the subsidy scheme announced in the budget was implemented. In the 2025-26 Budget, the state govt announced that it will provide a subsidy of Rs 17,000 for solar rooftop plants having 1.1 kW capacity (producing 150 units a month). A 1.1 kW capacity plant costs Rs 50,000, and the Union govt is providing Rs 33,000 as a subsidy. However, the approval of the state subsidy is stuck in the finance department, derailing the state's target of covering 5 lakh households. President of the Renewable Energy Association of Rajasthan (REAR), Ajay Yadav, said, "Despite any additional subsidy, Gujarat has become the leader in rooftop solar. Being a leader in the solar segment, Rajasthan should have been closer to the rooftop solar capacity of Gujarat, if not the leader. Sadly, this is not the case." He said Rajasthan announced an additional state subsidy to make up for the lost ground. "Unfortunately, that has again become the victim of the govt's indecisiveness," added Yadav. Rajasthan has been overly dependent on solar and has lost opportunities in the wind energy sector, which is driving renewable energy targets of many states. Solar with wind is more efficient renewable energy than solar alone. Industry experts said that Rajasthan has no strategy to promote wind energy. "Because of wind, Gujarat has been able to beat Rajasthan," said one of the experts.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Gujarat topples Raj to emerge as No. 1 state in renewable energy capacity
Jaipur: Rajasthan is no longer the number one state in the renewable energy sector. Gujarat has grabbed the top spot in the country, powered by wind power and rooftop solar projects. According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy data, Gujarat's renewable energy capacity rose to 35,900 MW against Rajasthan's 35,400 MW by the end of May 2025. While Rajasthan still has the highest capacity in the solar power segment in the country, its poor performance in attracting wind power projects has been the main reason for losing the top position to Gujarat. Similarly, Rajasthan's rooftop solar segment also remains a laggard, unlike Gujarat. The state could have made rapid progress if the subsidy scheme announced in the budget was implemented. In the 2025-26 Budget, the state govt announced that it will provide a subsidy of Rs 17,000 for solar rooftop plants having 1.1 kW capacity (producing 150 units a month). A 1.1 kW capacity plant costs Rs 50,000, and the Union govt is providing Rs 33,000 as a subsidy. However, the approval of the state subsidy is stuck in the finance department, derailing the state's target of covering 5 lakh households. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo President of the Renewable Energy Association of Rajasthan (REAR), Ajay Yadav, said, "Despite any additional subsidy, Gujarat has become the leader in rooftop solar. Being a leader in the solar segment, Rajasthan should have been closer to the rooftop solar capacity of Gujarat, if not the leader. Sadly, this is not the case." He said Rajasthan announced an additional state subsidy to make up for the lost ground. "Unfortunately, that has again become the victim of the govt's indecisiveness," added Yadav. Rajasthan has been overly dependent on solar and has lost opportunities in the wind energy sector, which is driving renewable energy targets of many states. Solar with wind is more efficient renewable energy than solar alone. Industry experts said that Rajasthan has no strategy to promote wind energy. "Because of wind, Gujarat has been able to beat Rajasthan," said one of the experts.
The Wire
09-06-2025
- Politics
- The Wire
Debt, a Language Barrier and No Answers for Three Men Who Went to Russia for Their Relatives in the Russian Army
Menu हिंदी తెలుగు اردو Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion Support independent journalism. Donate Now Top Stories Debt, a Language Barrier and No Answers for Three Men Who Went to Russia for Their Relatives in the Russian Army Kusum Arora 11 minutes ago As per their families, a total of 21 Indians – seven from Kerala and 14 from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and other states – are missing in Russia and are all fighting the Russia-Ukraine war. Reports of Indian men who were tricked into joining the Russian Army surfaced in early 2024. Jagdeep Kumar from Jalandhar and Ajay Yadav from Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, outside the Indian Embassy in Russia. Photo: By arrangement. Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute now Jalandhar: In March this year, Jagdeep Kumar from Jalandhar in Punjab, and Ajay Yadav and Azamuddin Khan from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh reached Russia on a 30-day tourist visa. The three had gone there to look for – and in one case, press for compensation for – relatives who they said had been tricked into enlisting for the Russian Army in its war on Ukraine. Their visit, facilitated by Punjab Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal and Jalandhar Cantonment MLA Pargat Singh, came after a year-and-a-half's wait for the Union government to offer clarity on the situation. But the three returned with very few answers. Kumar, Yadav and Khan were not allowed to move beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg. At Moscow they failed to get any response from authorities. Russian Military Headquarters at St Petersburg in Russia. Photo: By arrangement. At St. Petersburg they managed to access official letters proving that their brothers had joined the Russian Army. The three also me two Russian Army officers in uniform, a Lieutenant Colonel heading the selection point for military service under contract (otherwise known as 'First Class') in the Leningrad region and a Captain rank officer, who was the deputy head of the under-contract military service selection point, also in the Leningrad region. The Wire has accessed letters of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation which mentioned the military unit numbers of the three men and the contracts signed by the Indian citizens who joined the Russian Army. In one of the letters, a Colonel-rank officer has signed off on the fact that Indian citizens joined the Russian Army at St. Petersburg. The families were asked by MEA officials to provide their DNA samples to verify the identities of the deceased Indian soldiers. They submitted the samples at AIIMS Delhi in February 2025. 'We also met Russian military officials and legal advisors at the Ministry of Defence office at Moscow where they inquired about the status of our DNA reports. We had submitted our DNA reports in February and they had already been sent to Russia', Jagdeep Kumar told The Wire. As per their families, a total of 21 Indians – seven from Kerala and 14 from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and other states – are missing in Russia. The Russia-Ukraine war started three years ago and reports of Indian men who were tricked into joining the Russian Army surfaced in early 2024. While the Indian government claims that 128 Indians had joined the Russian Army out of whom 96 individuals had returned home, the families of those who are yet to return have said that the government has not shared the latest numbers in this case. 'It has been over 1.5 years since we have been waiting to hear about our loved ones but nobody took our pleas sincerely – whether it is the Indian Embassy in Russia, Russian Military, or the Union government,' Kumar said. Several men were lured by a nexus of fake travel agents who had promised them jobs as helpers in the Russian Army along with Russian citizenship, and Rs 1.95 lakh as monthly salary. They not only siphoned off the salary of the victims but were still at large, the families have said.. In the last week of May this year, the families of those missing in Russia had staged a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi to press the Union government to expedite their case. 'Now, we are planning to meet the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi or AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi to question the Modi government for such a lapse. Had the government helped us, we would have never gone to Russia bearing such a huge expense. It is an international issue but nobody is bothered to help us,' Kumar said. Families of missing Indian citizens during their protest outside Jantar Mantar in Delhi on May 28, 2025. 'Left in the lurch' Kumar is from the Goraya town of Jalandhar district. Along with Yadav and Khan, Kumar reached Russia on March 3 and came back on March 25. His brother, Mandeep, who joined the Russian Army after getting basic training at St Petersburg, is missing. Mandeep has a partial physical disability, Kumar said. He had initially gone to Armenia in August 2023 along with two of his friends. Kumar said they were trapped in Russia on their way to Italy. Kumar had to incur Rs 2.50 lakh in expenses for the trip. He has had to take a loan. Kumar said that he has returned only with a promise by the Russian and the Indian authorities that they would clear the status of the missing Indians in Russia within two months. He said that although he reached out to two officials in the MEA, neither facilitated their stay in Russia. Moscow Indian Embassy officials, he said, were initially high-handed but eventually met them four times. 'They kept telling us that they cannot help us in this case,' he added. Jagdeep Kumar said that the Russian Army officials initially refused to accept that they had recruited any Indian citizen in the Russian Army. 'However, when we showed them the Russian Army recruitment documents, passport, and photos of my brother, they listened to us briefly. But then they were not willing to accept that Indians had joined the Russian Army at St. Petersburg. We even told them that many Indians lost their lives in the Russia-Ukraine war while others were still missing but they remained adamant on their stand and left us helpless,' he added. Kumar said Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal bought air tickets for him and Azammudin Khan. Azamuddin's brother Azaruddin Khan is missing in Russia. Congress MLA Pargat Singh, Kumar said, provided him Rs 50,000 as financial help. 'To cut our expenses, we stayed in a hostel in Russia and used to walk for hours in the heavy snow,' Kumar said. Also read: Dead, Trapped and Waiting to Escape: Meet the Indians Forced to Fight Russia's War Against Ukraine MEA speaks Highly placed sources in the MEA told The Wire that they were committed to help the family members of those Indian nationals who are reported missing in the Russian Army. 'The senior officers of MEA have twice met the family members of such Indian nationals', they said. They also maintained that the MEA was in touch with the Russian authorities in Moscow through our Embassy in Moscow as well as with the Russian Embassy in New Delhi. 'As a result of MEA's efforts most of the Indian nationals in the Russian Army have managed to end their services with the Russian Army. The case of 18 missing Indian nationals has also been taken up with the Russian side,' they said. On the claims of Kumar, Yadav and Khan that they were not assisted by the Indian Mission in Moscow, sources in the MEA stated that the family members of some missing Indians travelled to Moscow at a very short notice. 'Despite this our Embassy made all efforts to provide help and suitable advice and guidance. The family members also submitted relevant compensation papers to the Embassy, which have been forwarded to the Russian side,' he said. The MEA officials also claimed that the Russian government was responding officially to their queries in this matter. 'It is difficult to comment on individual family members' interaction with the Russian side. We continue to raise with the Russian side the need to intensify search for those Indians that remain missing and provide an early update on their status', sources added. 'We continue to assist Indian families in ensuring clarity of those nationals that remain missing', sources in the MEA stated. Also read: Families of Men Trapped in Russian Army Protest At India Gate, Outside Russian Embassy 'Punjab leaders gave financial assistance, none from Uttar Pradesh' Ajay Yadav's father Kanhaiya, who was tricked into joining the Russian Army was killed in a drone attack in the Russia-Ukraine war on June 17, 2024. His body reached home in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, on December 23, 2024. Yadav who visited the Russian Military Headquarter at Moscow four times in March said that he had gone to Russia to seek compensation, as was promised by the Russian military in his father's army contract. 'When my father's body reached home, an MEA official had told us that we were eligible for compensation. It included my father's salary and health insurance benefits. I took my father's documents, passport, and photos to Russia but nobody responded. It was as if he never existed,' Yadav said. Officials at the MEA did not even inform Yadav's family about what needs to be done to secure compensation. 'Had they told us that my mother's visit to the Russian military office was a must, I would have taken her along. Now, I will have to go to Russia again,' Yadav said. His maternal uncle Vinod Yadav is also missing in the Russia-Ukraine war. Yadav also said that they were planning to visit the Military Training Camp at Rostov in Russia but were not granted permission. Yadav said that while the Punjab MP and MLA helped Jagdeep Kumar and Azamuddin Khan, none from Uttar Pradesh provided any financial help to him. 'I have a debt of Rs 2.50 lakh now,' he said. In Russia, Yadav said, they had to pay Rs 5,000 per day to a translator who assisted them in their meetings with the Russian officials. 'Before leaving for Russia, we had informed MEA officials about the need for a translator but they did not arrange one for us,' he said. He also said that before boarding the flight to Russia he even met Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan for financial help in Delhi but was given nothing. With inputs by Devirupa Mitra. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments. Make a contribution to Independent Journalism Related News Post Op Sindoor, Experts Say India Should Look Beyond Traditional Suppliers For Defence Procurement Russian Ambassador Says 'Discussion Ongoing' On India Getting More S-400 Air Defence System Units: Report 'Indo-Pacific Region Never Existed, Made Up to Drag India Into Anti-China Schemes': Russian FM Lavrov The 'Punjabi Mindset': Why Pakistan Army's Nuclear Red Lines Are Much Lower than India's Manipur: Violence Erupts in Valley Districts After Arrest of Arambai Tenggol Leader Kanan Singh Army Chief's Visit to Spiritual Leader's Ashram in Uniform Raises Questions 'Army Bowing at Modi ji's Feet': Why a Deputy CM's Gaffe Doesn't Bode Well Army Blames News Reports, Contradicts Corps Commander's Claim of Air Defence Guns at Golden Temple What BJP's Extraordinary Silence on Vijay Shah – Who Called a Colonel a 'Terrorist's Sister' – Says View in Desktop Mode About Us Contact Us Support Us © Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
Fashion Value Chain
31-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh to Play Key Role in FinTech & Banking Education with Industry Collaborations for Practical Learning: TCS Sr. Consultant, Ambrish Srivastava
The Faculty of Business and Commerce at Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh organised a panel discussion focused on India's transformation through education and its goal to become a $7 trillion economy by 2030. The event witnessed participation from industry leaders, academicians and expert panellists. Held in two sessions, the discussion delved into themes such as changes in education, the future of the economy, and the roadmap for achieving the $7 trillion economic goal. Experts participating in the panel discussion India @2030 organized by Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh The panel also explored how AI will impact employment in the coming years. Speakers highlighted that AI-based jobs are likely to witness a 40 percent rise over the next five years. According to the India Skills Report 2024, the AI industry in India is expected to reach USD 28.8 billion by the end of 2025. Additionally, as per a report by ServiceNow and Pearson, AI is projected to generate 2.8 million new jobs in India by 2028. Under the Uttar Pradesh governments newly launched UP AI City Project, a target has been set to create 50,000 direct and indirect jobs over the next five years, reflecting the promising future of AI in India. Dr. Ajay Yadav, Registrar, Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh said, 'It is a proud moment for us to host the first business school panel discussion at Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh in the presence of esteemed dignitaries. This institution is not merely a project-it is a dream to create one of the finest educational spaces in India, with an investment of over â¹2,500 crore. Our vision is to build an iconic learning environment in the state capital region-one that parallels global standards and fulfills the aspirations of students who otherwise seek education abroad. We look forward to continued support and collaboration from academia and industry alike as we shape this dream into reality.' The Chief Guest, Prof. Manuka Khanna, Pro Vice-Chancellor, University of Lucknow said, 'It was a delight to visit Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh and witness the energy and vision shaping this emerging institution. The integration of AI across disciplines, coupled with a strong focus on skill development and incubation, reflects the future of higher education. Initiatives like these will empower students with real-world capabilities and position India as a global hub for innovation and talent. As the National Education Policy gains momentum, such models will play a vital role in transforming the educational landscape.' According to the Stanford AI Index 2024, India ranks first globally in AI skill penetration and has recorded a 263 percent growth in this sector since 2016. Moreover, India has now emerged as the world's third-largest startup ecosystem, having generated over 1.6 million jobs through 1.57 lakh startups. These statistics indicate that India is becoming a global power in AI skills, innovation, and entrepreneurship. While speaking on the role of AI in the finance and commerce sectors, speakers pointed out how AI is making processes such as data analysis, customer service, fraud detection and investment advisory faster, more accurate, and more secure than ever before. AI-powered chatbots and automated tools are not only improving customer experience but also enhancing critical functions like risk management and credit scoring. This is making banking and financial services more transparent and efficient. Speakers also emphasized that cyber fraud has become a major challenge in the digital era, and AI is proving to be an effective tool in combating it. AI-based systems can identify suspicious transactions in real-time. Thus, AI technology is playing a significant role not only in economic and educational development but also in strengthening cybersecurity. The event was graced by Prof. Manuka Khanna, Pro Vice Chancellor of Lucknow University as the chief guest, and by special guests including Prof. Neel Mani Verma, former Vice Chancellor of BBAU Lucknow, Prof. Amarendra Pratap Singh from IGNTU Amarkantak, and Mr. Ambarish Srivastava, Senior Consultant, TCS Lucknow. During the discussion, experts also stressed that aligning education with innovation, industry needs, and the vision of Digital India can not only make Indian youth globally competitive but also help India become economically self-reliant and prosperous. The discussion underlined that long-term thinking and an inclusive approach in education policies are essential to ensure that every section of society is integrated into the mainstream of economic development. In the first session, titled 'Future of Education and Economy,' in-depth discussions were held on changes in education and the future of the economy. The session was moderated by Prof. Alka Singh from the Faculty of Business and Commerce, Chandigarh University UP. Key speakers included Prof. Manuka Khanna, Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Lucknow; Prof. Neel Mani Verma, former Vice Chancellor, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow; Prof. Amarendra Pratap Singh, Professor, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak; and Mr. Ambarish Srivastava, Senior Consultant, Tata Consultancy Services, Lucknow. This session saw a deep exchange of ideas on Indias new education policy, technology-driven education systems, the relationship between industry and academia, and the role of education in economic growth. A key thought that emerged was that adopting innovation and industry-oriented vision in education systems can make India's economy stronger and more inclusive. In the second session titled 'Roadmap to a $7 Trillion Economy', the speakers discussed the necessary steps to take India's economy to the next level. This session was moderated by Prof. Ashutosh Bajpai from the Faculty of Business and Commerce, Chandigarh University UP. Key speakers included Prof. Manoj Agrawal, Professor, Department of Economics, Lucknow University; Prof. Saurabh, Dean, Siddharth University, Kapilvastu; and CA Anurag Pandey, Chairman of the Lucknow Branch of ICAI. All the speakers, being experts in their respective fields, shared valuable insights on the role of education, policy and investment in India's economic advancement. Mr. Ambrish Kumar Srivastava, Senior Consultant, TCS said, 'With nearly 60% of our population under the age of 35, India has a vast talent pool ready to be empowered through technology-driven education. Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh is leading this transformation by integrating AI across disciplines and building a future-ready curriculum. Its strong industry collaborations and focus on innovation are preparing students for diverse roles-from fintech and manufacturing to defence-making them truly industry-ready.' CA Anurag Pandey, Chairman, Lucknow Branch of ICAI said, 'Financial discipline, tax reforms, and a strong regulatory framework are crucial for sustainable national growth. As financial professionals, we play a vital role in shaping this journey. I appreciate Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh's beautiful campus and its commitment to practical, industry-aligned education. With a strong focus on AI and global collaborations, the university is empowering students with the skills needed to become future-ready professionals.' About Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow) Envisioned to foster a culture of sustainability and empower future global leaders, Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh, immerses 21st-century learners in a personalised and experiential learning experience, integrating an AI-powered academic model and a multidimensional, futuristic perspective on education. Our Uttar Pradesh campus carries forward the venerable legacy of more than a decade of Chandigarh University, Punjab, which has established itself as Indias No. 1 Private University and a torchbearer of groundbreaking pedagogy and research-driven innovation. The AI-augmented new campus offers a broad spectrum of industry-driven futuristic academic programs encompassing data-driven insights, virtual reality experiences, real-world simulations, corporate mentorship, international perspective, interdisciplinary research, cultivation of entrepreneurial spirit, and professional competencies. For more information, please visit
The Print
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Out-of-school children: Centre flags huge mismatch in Bihar, Jharkhand data & national survey
The discrepancies surfaced during meetings between state officials and the Project Approval Board (PAB) for the Samagra Shiksha Scheme, the largest school education scheme, held between March and April 2025. The minutes of the meetings were released last week. With the mismatch raising concerns about the reliability of state data, the ministry has asked these states to closely monitor the data uploaded to the portal. New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Education has flagged significant discrepancies between the number of out-of-school children reported by Bihar and Jharkhand on the Centre's online portal and the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) survey, ThePrint has learnt. According to the minutes reviewed by ThePrint, the ministry identified a 'large variation' in the number of Out-of-School Children (OoSC)—defined as those aged 6 to 14 years who are not enrolled in or attending any educational institution—on the PRABANDH portal, the online system used to monitor the implementation of the Samagra Shiksha scheme. In Bihar, state data for 2023-24 showed 33,285 OoSCs on PRABANDH while the number of 'never enrolled' children recorded by the NSSO survey (2022-23) was 6,27,763. Similarly, in Jharkhand, PRABANDH listed 37,409 OoSC in 2023-24 compared with the NSSO's (2022-23) 1,07,639. NSSO defines 'never enrolled' children as students not attending school or any formal education institution at that point of time 'The state was advised to monitor the data uploaded on the portal by a responsible officer under the supervision of the state project directorate,' the minutes stated. The ministry has advised other states and Union territories (UTs) to ensure effective data collection of out-of-school children and timely updates on the PRABANDH portal on bringing them to school. Shashi Ranjan, State Project Director, Jharkhand Education Project Council, told ThePrint the state was investigating the reason behind the data mismatch. 'We are trying to find out how this gap has been reported because we conduct household surveys. We will also coordinate with the NSSO to understand their methodology. However, our process is very meticulous,' he said. He said the education department in Jharkhand conducts door-to-door surveys annually to identify the number of out-of-school children, and the data is updated on the PRABANDH portal. ThePrint reached Bihar Education Department Secretary Ajay Yadav via multiple calls or messages. This report will be updated if and when a response is received. Meanwhile, a Bihar Education Department official told ThePrint on condition of anonymity that they are also looking to ascertain the cause of the discrepancy. Also Read: 'Everything at stake' for Indian students as US pauses visa interviews amid social media vetting plan Teaching posts lying vacant across various states According to the minutes, the ministry also flagged widespread vacancies in teaching posts across various states. Bihar reported 'significant' teacher vacancies, with 208,784 at the elementary level, 36,035 at the secondary level and 33,035 at the senior secondary level. According to the minutes, the state indicated that recruitment is underway, with around 80,000 posts to be filled through the state public service commission and 'plans for further recruitment to follow'. In Haryana, the ministry flagged 7,626 teacher vacancies in elementary schools, 4,070 in secondary schools and 3,847 in senior secondary schools. Madhya Pradesh had 47,122 teacher vacancies in elementary schools, 2,877 in secondary schools and 2,020 in senior secondary schools. Similarly, Punjab had 6,423 vacant teaching posts across the state, including 1,546 at the elementary level, 961 at the secondary level and 3,916 at the senior secondary level. According to the minutes, the states were advised to fill the teacher vacancies by December 2025. Besides, in Maharashtra, the ministry flagged 8,254 vacancies in elementary school teachers, 660 in secondary school teachers and 65 in senior secondary school teachers. 'The state has informed that it has started the recruitment process and has advertised the vacancies. lt will fill the vacant positions within a period of three months,' the minutes stated. Kerala came in for praise by the ministry for 'filling up all sanctioned posts of teachers in all schools'. (Edited by Sugita Katyal) Also Read: To use or not, is no longer the question. From IITs to DU, universities are fighting unethical AI use
