Mr. Kiran Kondeti, CEO, Parawheel
 

Specialising in voter behaviour analysis, booth-level field research, and data-driven political intelligence, Parawheel has conducted large-scale opinion surveys across Tamil Nadu with a minimum sample size of around 30,000 respondents per constituency. Based on its preliminary election assessment and current survey findings, Parawheel’s early electoral projections indicate DMK at 41.5%, AIADMK at 36.2%, TVK at 13.6%, and NTK at 7.9% vote share in the upcoming election scenario in the state.

In Chennai, Parawheel’s survey findings indicate that TVK shows significant strength across several constituencies, emerging as the second strongest political force after DMK in many parts of the city. The data suggests that while DMK continues to hold the leading position in most constituencies, TVK has been gaining notable traction, particularly among youth and first-time voters, positioning it ahead of other parties in several urban segments of the Chennai region.

Speaking at the press conference, Mr Kiran Kondetti, CEO, Parawheel said, “Our research is focussed on voter sentiment studies across key regions including Chennai, Coimbatore, the Delta districts, and Southern, Northern, and Western Tamil Nadu, along with detailed analysis of caste coalitions, governance perception, and anti-incumbency trends. Our study examines the role of first-time voters, women voters, and swing constituencies in shaping electoral outcomes. A special area of analysis was done for TVK–Vijay factor, studying the transition of fan bases into voters, youth mobilisation, and its potential impact on the vote share of major parties such as DMK and AIADMK.”

“We have extended the war room model that is traditionally limited to party headquarters, to individual candidates through our ‘One Candidate – One War Room’ initiative. Under this model, we will provide dedicated campaign war rooms across all 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu. These war rooms will deliver real-time voter data, booth analytics, and campaign strategy support to every registered candidate throughout the election period. Also, as part of our constituency-level political intelligence services, Parawheel can provide candidates with a database of a minimum of 5,000 neutral voters in each constituency. This will help candidates better understand swing voter segments and design targeted outreach strategies during election campaigns,” he added.

Furthermore, "At Parawheel, we have strong confidence in the credibility and accuracy of our research and data. If the projections or data provided to candidates are found to be inaccurate, or if there is a variation of more than 1% in the projections or data shared, the full amount paid by candidates who purchase the data will be refunded. This reflects our organisation’s commitment to transparency, reliability, and confidence in the scientific methodology behind our research," he said.

From Andhra Pradesh to Maharashtra- Parawheel’s Proven Accuracy in Major Election Predictions

In the 2019 Andhra Pradesh Assembly Elections, Parawheel accurately forecast electoral trends ahead of the results.

In the 2024 Andhra Pradesh Assembly Elections, it precisely predicted the sweeping victory of the TDP–Jana Sena–BJP alliance at a time when several national pollsters failed to capture the trend. Parawheel also delivered accurate political trend analysis ahead of the final results in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly Elections, further strengthening its reputation for reliable election research and forecasting.

For more details, please visit www.parawheel.com.

About Parawheel

Parawheel, a tech-driven political intelligence research and election forecasting firm powered by KK Surveys & Strategies Pvt Ltd, has entered the Tamil Nadu political research landscape. Conceived and developed by KK Surveys & Strategies Pvt Ltd, the organisation has demonstrated a strong track record in political forecasting across key Indian elections. It aims to bridge the gap between citizens and decision-makers by leveraging deep field insights, AI-driven analytics, and structured data reporting.

The organisation specialises in voter behaviour analysis, booth-level field research, and data-driven political intelligence. By combining advanced data analytics with on-ground field intelligence, Parawheel seeks to better understand evolving voter behaviour and political trends. It maps historical voting data against current voter sentiment to generate high-fidelity projections for every polling booth. Using advanced analytical tools, the organisation identifies swing booths and fortress booths, enabling precise micro-targeting and more efficient campaign resource allocation.

As part of its Tamil Nadu initiative, the organisation proposes to undertake large-scale scientific opinion surveys across all 234 Assembly constituencies in the state. Its analysis also highlights the role of leadership influence, referred to internally as the ‘Sir Impact’—which acts as a significant force multiplier in electoral outcomes.

Indian legislators who attended NCSL Summit 2024 in Boston as part of the NLC Bharat initiative 

The delegation—comprising Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) and Members of Legislative Councils (MLCs) from over 24 Indian states and representing a diverse spectrum of 21 political parties—embodies the rich and inclusive tapestry of Bharat’s democratic leadership. This historic journey began in 2024, when a pioneering group of 50 legislators participated in the Legislative Summit held in Louisville, USA—an initiative unprecedented in independent Bharat and undertaken neither by the government nor any other institution. 

Now, in a landmark moment, the delegation has grown to an unprecedented 130 legislators—marking the largest-ever Indian legislative presence at any global conference. This first-of-its-kind endeavour aims to foster cross-border learning, enhance legislative capacity, and provide exposure to international best practices in governance and lawmaking.

Rooted in the success of the inaugural NLC Bharat 2023 in Mumbai, this international visit is part of a long-term vision to create non-partisan, knowledge-driven platforms for legislators. At the NCSL Summit, legislators from Bharat will participate alongside over 2,000 U.S. legislators and more than 7000 legislators from different parts of the world in sessions addressing AI in governance, digital democracy, cybersecurity, voter confidence, and policy innovation.

Dr. Rahul Karad, Founder, NLC Bharat, said, “This is not just a delegation. It is a living expression of Bharat’s democratic strength and unity in diversity — never before has such a large and representative group of Honourable MLAs and MLCs come together to engage the world on such a scale. What makes this moment even more special is the spirit behind it — the desire to learn, to grow, and to lead with wisdom and vision. When our legislators step into this international arena, they carry not only their personal aspirations, but the hopes of a billion citizens and the essence of an ancient civilization. Our goal is simple yet profound — to build meaningful bridges across democracies, to learn from each other, and to kindle conversations that transcend borders and strengthen governance.”

The itinerary includes academic orientation programs on U.S. legislative systems, visits to local institutions and state assemblies, and meetings with Indian-origin leaders across politics, academia, and industry. These engagements aim to foster meaningful dialogue between the world’s two largest democracies and deepen ties with the Indian diaspora.

The Boston delegation is part of a larger vision to create a series of international exposure programs for Indian legislators, with future visits being planned to countries across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Through this structured engagement model, NLC Bharat aspires to build a stronger, more informed, and globally connected legislative ecosystem—one that enhances India’s democratic credentials and positions Bharat as a leader in democratic innovation on the global stage.

This marks the first time an Indian B2B startup is introducing such a service in Mexico, strengthening collaboration between Mexican importers and Indian exporters, and accelerating supply chain diversification for Mexican businesses.
 

Credlix announces the launch of its India–Mexico Connect service at the IndMex Chamber
 

The service was formally introduced at the IndMex Chamber event hosted by the Embassy of India in Mexico on Thursday, June 19, in the presence of H.E. Pankaj Sharma, Ambassador of India to Mexico. Organized by the Trade and Commerce Council of India and Mexico (IndMex), the event convened key stakeholders from business, trade, and diplomacy to foster stronger bilateral ties.
 

“With the launch of India Sourcing for Mexico, we are enabling a new chapter in India–LATAM trade,” said Rahul Garg, Founder & CEO of Moglix and Credlix. “As Mexico grows as a nearshoring hub and India expands its manufacturing base, this initiative bridges both supply and capital gaps, creating stronger global value chains.”
 

Ambassador Dr. Pankaj Sharma, along with Daniel Becker Feldman, CEO of Banca Mifel, emphasized the shift from diplomatic goodwill to concrete business outcomes. Dr. Sharma reiterated the growing momentum in bilateral cooperation and stressed the importance of enabling tangible economic engagement.
 

Becker Feldman highlighted Mexico’s untapped potential in digital finance, noting that “over half of Mexican transactions remain cash-based,” and praised India’s digital payments infrastructure as a model Banca Mifel already leverages.
 

Through India–Mexico Connect, Mexican buyers can access a wide range of industrial products—including automotive components, engineering goods, chemicals, bulk packaging, textiles, and electronics—from over 20,000 Indian suppliers in the Moglix network. Backed by Credlix’s invoice-based export financing, these imports are eligible for up to 90% working capital at the time of shipment, all without collateral.
 

The platform addresses long-standing challenges such as payment security, sourcing complexity, and limited access to trade finance. By integrating procurement and financing into a digital-first platform, it delivers a frictionless cross-border trade experience.
 

Aligned with global trends such as China+1 diversification, nearshoring, and Indo-Pacific economic cooperation, this initiative aims to rapidly grow the relatively smaller USD 11 billion trade between India and Mexico, which stands in sharp contrast to Mexico’s USD 120 billion trade with China. India–Mexico Connect positions India as a reliable sourcing partner and Credlix as the financial backbone of this evolving trade corridor.
 

Credlix
Credlix is a global supply chain financing platform that enables SMEs to access fast, collateral-free working capital. With operations across India, the United States, Mexico, and the UAE, Credlix helps businesses scale sustainably and thrive in global markets.

Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal Joins All-Party Parliamentary Delegation Visit to Latvia

Following high-level engagements in Russia, Slovenia, and Greece, the Indian delegation is holding a series of high-level meetings with Members of the Latvian Parliament (Saeima), senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and key stakeholders from think tanks, academia, media, and the Indian diaspora.

Dr. Mittal stated, “Terrorism is a shared global threat, and India is committed to working hand-in-hand with the international community to eliminate it. Latvia, as a strong democratic partner, plays a vital role in this dialogue, and I am honoured to contribute to this effort on behalf of India.”

This marks the first high-level Indian parliamentary visit to Latvia since India established its Resident Mission in Riga in July 2024, underscoring the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations. 

The visit highlights India’s united political stance across parties on zero tolerance toward terrorism and promotes its evolving counter-terrorism doctrine, which prioritizes global cooperation, accountability, and decisive action based on shared commitments to global security, democratic values, and enhanced international cooperation.

Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal Joins All-Party Parliamentary Delegation Visit to Greece
 

The delegation, following successful engagements in Russia and Slovenia, will meet Greek Parliamentarians, senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, think tanks, the Indian diaspora, media representatives, and other key stakeholders during their stay.
 

Dr. Mittal stated, “India and Greece share deep civilizational ties and a relationship founded on mutual respect and a shared commitment to peace. This visit will focus on addressing the global menace of terrorism and reafirming the Indo-Greek cultural and strategic ties that span over 2,500 years.”
 

These engagements are expected to highlight India’s commitment to unity, peace, and its firm resolve to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
 

India and Greece share a steadily strengthening partnership, built on shared democratic values, economic collaboration, and enduring cultural connections. The visit of Greek Prime Minister Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis to India in 2024 marked a significant step forward, as both nations identified key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, ports, chemicals, shipping, food processing, communications, and defence to enhance trade and strategic cooperation. At that time, bilateral trade stood at USD 1.9 billion for FY 2022–23, and both sides expressed a mutual ambition to significantly scale this figure in the coming years.

Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal Highlights India's Commitment to Global Cooperation and Anti-Terrorism During Slovenia Visit

The visit comes as part of India’s broader diplomatic outreach following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, under a national initiative titled Operation Sindoor—a concerted effort to build international consensus against terrorism and ensure global solidarity on this critical issue.

During high-level engagements in Ljubljana today, Shri Ashok Mittal met with:

• H.E. Predrag Baković, Chairperson of the Foreign Policy Committee of the National Assembly of Slovenia,

• Mr. Miroslav Gregorič, Chair of the India–Slovenia Parliamentary Friendship Group, and

• Mr. Vojko Volk, State Secretary and National Coordinator for National and International Security in the Prime Minister’s Office.

In these meetings, Dr. Mittal conveyed India’s unified and resolute approach to national and global security. Slovenian leaders reaffirmed their strong condemnation of terrorism, calling it a threat that is morally indefensible and incompatible with democratic values.

Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal stated, “India stands united in its determination to eliminate terrorism and to forge meaningful global partnerships for peace, innovation, and inclusive growth. In an era of shared challenges, cooperation with democratic partners like Slovenia is vital. This visit is a step forward in strengthening our bilateral ties and reinforcing our mutual commitment to a safer, more just world.”

Dr. Mittal’s participation underscores India’s resolve to lead globally through dialogue, strategic alliances, and unwavering principles.

Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal Joins Indian Parliamentary Delegation to Russia

The visit comes as part of India’s broader diplomatic outreach following the 22 April Pahalgam terrorist attack, under an initiative known as Operation Sindoor, a national effort to build international consensus against terrorism. The delegation includes Members of Parliament from across political parties, including BJP, DMK, and AAP, demonstrating collective political resolve on a matter of pressing national and global importance.

In Moscow, Indian MPs held high-level discussions with representatives from both houses of the Russian Parliament. Key topics included counter-terrorism cooperation, inter-parliamentary dialogue, and regional economic connectivity.

Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal commented, “We exchanged views on urgent global challenges, particularly the rising threat of terrorism. Such international dialogues are critical in building partnerships that promote peace and security. Russia has been a consistent and trusted partner of India, and this visit reaffirms our mutual determination to confront forces that undermine global harmony.”

The Russian side expressed strong solidarity with India following the Pahalgam attack and voiced support for a unified global stance against extremism.

India and Russia share a decades-long strategic partnership anchored in mutual trust, aligned geopolitical interests, and robust defence collaboration, from the Indo-Soviet Treaty of 1971 to the co-development of the BrahMos missile system. This relationship has helped spur bilateral trade to $65 billion in FY 2023–24. Their close cooperation in multilateral platforms such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) further reflects a joint push for a multipolar global order and a united front against cross-border terrorism.

As India navigates global disruptions while striving to achieve its growth objectives on the path to its centennial milestone as an independent nation in 2047, ABP Network, the country's leading multi-language news network, launched the fourth edition of ABP Network's Ideas of India 2025 in Mumbai. The two-day long summit was hailed by masses for discussing global movement towards 'Humanity's Next Frontier', and witnessed the convergence of inspiring ideas from the foremost icons leading the charge to make our nation a 'force for good'.

ABP Network Ideas of India 2025

The summit hosted over 30 thought-provoking sessions with over 50 esteemed speakers exploring India's role in global socio-cultural, economic and scientific evolution and its future as a global stabilizer in geopolitical affairs. Through the two days, the initiative witnessed the convergence of ideas flowing from policy makers, International experts, social activities, spiritual thinkers, entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors, film stars and celebrities, sports icons, and musicians from all over India who share soul stirring perspectives and stories for people to reflect and action.

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal emphasized the strong India-U.S. partnership, calling the two nations "force multipliers" rather than competitors. Addressing U.S. tariffs, he reassured that India’s industry is resilient and optimistic about bilateral trade. On Tesla and ‘Make in India’, he said, "It would be great if Tesla manufactures in India. Moving towards electric mobility is beneficial, and if it aligns with national interest, it’s even better."

Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Author, Politician, and Former International Diplomat, highlighted the paradox of India’s growth story, where economic expansion coexists with rising unemployment and social crises. He pointed out that the desperation of people from Punjab and Gujarat to migrate reflects a deeper crisis rather than mere aspiration. Emphasizing the plight of migrants, he called for investment, employment, and entrepreneurship to ensure migration is a choice, not a necessity. He condemned the demeaning deportation of illegal immigrants, advocating for dignity in repatriation. Tracing India’s historical migration, he noted how Indian laborers and professionals have shaped global economies, citing the resilience of past generations. On India-Canada relations, he took a firm stance against Khalistani extremism, calling for stricter action.

Prof. Ashwani Mahajan, Author, Columnist, and National Co-convenor of Swadeshi Jagran Manch, and Dr. Ashima Goyal, Economist and Member of India’s Monetary Policy Committee, addressed India’s economic transformation, poverty reduction, and job market shifts. Prof. Mahajan dismissed negative global narratives on India’s poverty, calling them a conspiracy to undermine progress, while Dr. Goyal highlighted that poverty has dropped from 30% to 5%, a historic achievement. She emphasized India’s stable, high growth rate averaging 8.3% over three years, leading to a 10% rise in job creation. On youth unemployment, she pointed out that job seekers often refuse opportunities, preferring government jobs for their security. Discussing freebies, Dr. Goyal warned that excessive welfare spending limits infrastructure investment, while Prof. Mahajan criticized "Revdi Culture" for bankrupting states like Andhra Pradesh and Punjab.

Discussing the developments in United States since Donald Trump assumed office, Ambassador Kurt Volker, said, “For Donald Trump, unpredictability is deliberate tactics to create uncertainty and he likes to shock people by saying provocative things to make people react.” He further added, “For Trump, to end the war one has to stop Russia which no one was doing. He also wants Ukraine to pay back to United States for the help it offered.” On India, he said, “India is a rising power that comes across a friendly state with shared values. President Trump personally likes Prime Minister Narendra Modi but that doesn’t stop his transnationalism.”

Speaking in the session “The Science of Ageing- The Yearning for Immortality”, Dr. (Prof.) Venki Ramakrishnan, Nobel Prize-winning Biologist, and Former President, The Royal Society, said, “One stark reality is that wealth plays a role in longevity as rich people tend to live 10 to 15 years longer than the poor. We now understand why exercise, a good sleep cycle, and other healthy habits help slow aging. Avoiding social isolation and maintaining a sense of purpose is crucial. Early health screenings, such as for diabetes, can make a significant difference in ageing.”

Speaking on the topic ‘Transforming India with AI: Why We Need More Data’, Dr. Manish Gupta, Senior Director at Google DeepMind, said, “India is not a poor country anymore, and we must take bold steps in developing our foundational AI models. AI is accelerating progress on a range of critical problems, from drug discovery and plastic pollution to structural biology. Innovations like AlphaFold are helping us solve complex scientific challenges faster than ever before.”

Dr. Goutam Chattopadhyay, Senior Scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Visiting Professor at Caltech was speaking in the session, ‘Transforming India with AI: Why We Need More Data’, when he confirmed, “NASA is not keeping Sunita Williams in space. Sunita Williams’ return was delayed due to a technical glitch, but on March 19, they will be safely back home.” He added, “ISRO and NASA are collaborating on a project right now. ISRO is doing great and executing successful missions. Astronomy truly opens up your vision to the universe and it is a big mystery that we are trying to solve.”

In a mega sporting panel, Viswanathan Anand, 5-time World Chess Champion, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri and Arjuna Awardee; Geet Sethi, 9-Time World Champion of Billiards/Snooker and Founder of Olympic Gold Quest; Prakash Padukone, All England Open Badminton Champion, Padma Shri and Arjuna Awardee; Leander Paes, Indian Olympic Medalist, Grand Slam Winner, International Tennis Hall of Fame member, and Entrepreneur, Founder of Flying Man Ventures discussed the next frontiers of sports in India.

Leander Paes said, "I am concerned about tennis. Our association is currently facing the Supreme Court. We should learn from what the BCCI has done for cricket and follow its model of establishing hundreds of cricket clubs in every region of India. We start scouting for talent quite late. As a nation, if we embrace sports science and incorporate DNA testing to assess young athletes whose abilities align with geographical genetics, I believe we can truly make a difference.”

Geet Sethi added, “The reason why we are not producing Olympic level sportspersons is that sports in India don’t have the money for the talent to be nurtured. Socioeconomics, genetics, and subconscious self-belief are the three things which will drive India to sporting excellence.” 

Prakash Padukone said, “We have abundant talent in the country, but many previously lacked opportunities. Over the last 15 years, this has changed significantly. The sports federations must be professionalized. Talent is not the issue, nor is funding a problem now. The government is doing its part, and people are receiving support, but it is crucial that sports federations become more involved. These federations need to operate like corporations. Federations control the sports. It is their responsibility to encourage and promote sports.” 

Viswanathan Anand, said, "In India, I work to identify talent and provide them with all the resources they need. Winning medals will inspire more people to take up sports as a career option. When sports become a mass movement in our country, that's when true transformation will happen. Currently, we are competitive in sports but often miss out narrowly. We shouldn’t be satisfied with these close misses; that's how we will grow as a sporting nation. In India, federations should be reformed to become more accommodating and spontaneous. Many chess players have started their own academies.”

ABP Network's Ideas of India 2025, centred around the theme ‘Humanity’s Next Frontier’, will bring together thought leaders and innovators to explore the challenges and opportunities posed by India’s rise in a rapidly evolving world. In the face of climate change, geopolitical conflicts, and technological advancements such as AI, the summit delved into India’s role as both an ancient civilisation and a demographic powerhouse in shaping the future. The two-day summit gathers a confluence of ideas from global thought leaders, intellectuals, and change makers, covering transformative possibilities in science, medicine, social contracts, and global leadership, with experts from diverse fields offering bold visions for a better, more sustainable world for all.

“As an entrepreneur, I feel that this result is encouraging and beneficial to the overall development of Maharashtra," said, Dr. Dhanjajay Datar, popularly known and revered as Masala King, CMD of Adil Group of Superstores, Dubai & UAE.

Dr. Dhananjay Datar, Chairman and Managing Director, Adil Group of Super Stores, Dubai
 

As per his observation the economic and industrial development of any state depends upon the stability of the government policies- and to ensure the consistency of such policies, the government should have a strong mandate. Since both the governments at the Centre and State level are from the same alliance, being stable, like-minded and pro-development, they will surely not face challenges like instability, compromise or fear of President’s rule over the next five years. Also, the state will receive abundant funding from the Centre to carry out various crucial development projects, which is promising.

As per Dr. Datar, the last regime of BJP led alliance in Maharashtra demonstrated comprehensive and fast development with its people-centric decisions. The same will be witnessed in the near future. Many vital infrastructure projects are in the final stage of completion and some of them- for example, Samruddhi Expressway, Metro Trains, Bullet Train, Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, Navi Mumbai International Airport, proposed Wadhwan Port etc. are also crucial for national progress.

Dr. Datar expressed, “I am sure that there will be a great boost to investment, communication, import-export and industrial development in Maharashtra, which would result in the economic prosperity of the state. My best wishes to the new government and its visionary leadership."

Dignitaries present during discussion of Indo-US and India's Neighbourhood in New Delhi

Participating in a panel discussion on 'Indo-US Relations and India's Neighborhood' organized by Shaheed Nanak Singh Foundation, in association with the Post Graduate Government College, Sector 11, Chandigarh, former Indian Ambassador Mr. Kanwal Sibal acknowledged the historical differences between India and the US but highlighted the significant progress in bilateral relations. He cited defense deals and declaration of India as a major ally outside of NATO Major Defense Partner as evidence of improving relations. Mr. Sibal also warned that any instability in India's neighborhood would advantage China.
 

Also present on this occasion Ex- Ambassador Mr. Shyam Saran suggested that India should not leave any open spaces in its neighbourhood for any other major power to exploit the situation. He said that it has been a long-standing position that unless we get our periphery, our neighbourhood right, it is very difficult for us to play a larger role globally. Thus, managing our neighbourhood is critical in terms of the safeguarding of India's future.
 

Another illustrious career diplomat Mr. Jayant Prasad too echoed similar opinion. He underscored the necessity of India enhancing its regional engagement and strengthening ties with its neighbours. This, he asserted, would further solidify India's relationships with the United States, Russia, and China.
 

The event was held to honor Shaheed Nanak Singh's efforts in promoting communal harmony between Hindus and Muslims during India's partition.
 

Lord Rami Ranger CBE, Member of the House of Lords, United Kingdom, who is also son of Shaheed Nanak Singh Ji, narrated the role that his father played in uniting Hindus and Muslims during the turbulent times of partition. Shaheed Nanak Singh Ji also believed in humanity and was of the opinion that a country born out of hatred cannot go a long way, he said.
 

Mr. Navneet Soni, former Chief Commissioner of Income Tax and Member of the Board of Trustees of the India International Centre, also graced the occasion and said, “India’s relations with the USA is both at all time high and facing critical challenge. I concur with our panelists’ views that India should keep up the tempo of relations with USA while focusing on our neighborhood.”
 

Highlighting the importance of such discussions, Mr. Vineet Nanda, an alumni of Post Graduate Government College, Chandigarh and Chairman of the FICCI Committee of Housing and Infrastructure for Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and Uttarakhand said, “Given the recent global developments, the topic of discussion was not only timely, but also apt as our panelists enlightened the audience with nuances of the Indo-US relations and neighbourhood angle of this dynamic relationship.” 
 

The panel discussion was moderated by Hardayal Singh, IRS Retd and an alumnus of the P. G. Government College Chandigarh with several dignitaries, including alumni of Government College, Chandigarh, in attendance.

(L-R) Ambassador Chang Jae-bok, Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Minister of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (ITE&C) and Industries & Commerce (I&C), Telangana

Organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency), the India-Korea Business Cooperation Center, and the Honorary Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Hyderabad with the support of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the event aimed to boost cooperation in various sunrise industries and provided ample opportunities for business networking.

Speaking on the occasion, Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Minister of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (ITE&C) and Industries & Commerce (I&C), Telangana, said, “To address specific needs of the Korean companies, the state government not only offers the state-of-the-art infrastructure and talent pool, it will also have a dedicated desk under Invest Telangana Cell to handhold Korean investments and provide single window service.”

The minister said, “Because of the KOTRA support, the interest of Korean companies increased in manufacturing, technology, semiconductors, and life sciences sectors. I invite KOTRA to set up its office in Telangana also.” 

Chang Jae-bok, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, said that over the past decade, we have witnessed successful implementation of India's initiatives like 'Make in India,' 'Self-reliant India,' and 'Act East.' “These policies have significantly deepened the bilateral relationship between Korea and India, with trade volumes reaching an all-time high of $27.8 billion in 2022. Major Korean companies such as Samsung, Hyundai, LG, and Kia, along with MSMEs, are actively expanding their investments in India, further strengthening our economic ties,” he added.

In his welcome address, C. Shekhar Reddy, immediate past chairman, CII Telangana, and CMD, CSR Estates Ltd., said, “South Korean companies have been actively investing in Telangana, leveraging the state's industrial growth and strategic advantages. This is exemplified by companies like Samsung, which has established a significant manufacturing presence in the region.”

Suresh Chukkapalli, the Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Hyderabad, said in India, South Korea continues to dominate some of the sectors that have become household names—Hyundai, KIA, Samsung, etc. In Telangana in the last few years, some of the major Korean brands, such as YoungOne, have moved here. Korean semiconductor company APACT is launching a JV project with ASIP in Hyderabad.

Dr. E Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, Special Secretary for Investment Promotion & External Engagements and VC&MD TSIIC Govt of Telangana, discussed Telangana's industrial ecosystem and investment policy.

While presenting a Korea-India Economic Cooperation Plan, Ms. Jeongseon Lee, Executive Director of the India-Korea Business Cooperation Center at KOTRA, said, “Major transformations are taking place in the global value chain, and these changes can potentially lead to new prospects for collaboration between India and Korea. For example, global companies are expanding their GCC presence, notably in Hyderabad, to leverage India's IT talent. These GCCs are not only playing key roles in back-office operations but are also serving as important innovation centers. Several Korean companies have already followed suit to benefit from these advantages. I hope more companies will join these movements in the coming days.”

The forum featured several sessions on successful collaboration cases across different industries. Sanjeev Deshpande, MD & CEO of NTT Data Business Solutions, shared insights on IT collaborations. The semiconductor industry was represented by Venkata Simhadri, CEO of ASIP Technologies. Further presentations were made by Balaji Prabakaran, Head of Product Planning Department at Hyundai Motor India Engineering, and Jayesh Sanghvi, Partner at Ernst & Young, who highlighted other successful collaboration cases.

The forum concluded with a networking dinner, providing participants the opportunity to establish communication channels and explore potential business partnerships. This event marked a significant step forward in strengthening the economic ties between Korea and India.

Dr. Dhananjay Datar, Chairman and Managing Director, Adil Group of Super Stores, Dubai
 

"This development reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, work style, and foresight," said Dhananjay Datar, Chairman and Managing Director of Adil Group of Super Stores, Dubai. "Modi has extensive experience in administration, having served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat for 14 years from 2001 to 2014. He developed Gujarat in a planned manner, transforming it into a prosperous state, and now applies the same ambition to the progress of the entire country."

From the first Prime Minister of the country, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, to Dr. Manmohan Singh, all previous Prime Ministers have made valuable contributions to India's development. Narendra Modi continues this tradition but with a unique approach that has accelerated development. He remains committed to his slogan of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas", which emphasizes inclusive growth. Modi's popularity among global leaders has also elevated India's status in the global trade arena.

“With the installation of a 70-member council of ministers under the leadership of Mr. Narendra Modi as Prime Minister, the journey of Modi 3.0 has begun with high promise", added Datar. "There is confidence that the new government's approach over the next five years will drive development, increase self-reliance across various economic sectors, and enhance people's incomes and living standards. The industry and trade sectors are optimistic that the new policies will be conducive to their interests and will allow them to contribute meaningfully to India's economic progress. The experience and cooperation of members in the National Democratic Alliance and the council of ministers will add value to Mr. Modi’s vision. Over the last ten years, Mr. Modi has elevated India’s global standing, benefiting the Indian diaspora in their business and trade endeavors. We experience this positive impact in the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf countries. Best wishes for the new government.”

Adil Group of Super Stores, under the leadership of Dr. Dhananjay Datar, has played a key role in bringing more than 9,000 Indian products to the UAE. The group produces over 700 items, including readymade flours, spices, pickles, jams, Namkeen, and instants, under its brand ‘Peacock’. For the last 36 years, Dr. Datar and his group have been providing the Indian community in the Gulf region with authentic, hygienic, and secure Indian foodstuffs. Today, the group encompasses a chain of 50 spacious superstores across the Gulf Countries, two spice factories, two flour mills equipped with modern technology, and an import-export company. Its Indian arm, Masala King Exports (India) Pvt. Ltd., operates successfully from Mumbai. Al Adil Group has established special trade routes in the USA, Canada, Kenya, Switzerland, Italy, Eritrea, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

A Demographic Snapshot The survey included a balanced representation of genders, with 48% female and 52% male respondents. Equally split between those still in education or not working (50.5%) and those employed either full or part-time (49.5%), these young voters bring diverse perspectives to the polling booths.
 

Election Day: A Tapestry of Emotions Election Day stirred a mix of emotions among first-time voters:

• Pride: The predominant feeling, with 22% of respondents expressing pride in participating in the country's governance.

• Hope: 18% felt optimistic that the election results would bring about positive changes.

• Ritualistic/Ceremonial Feelings: 20% viewed the day as a significant traditional event.

• Anxiety: 9% experienced nervousness about the outcomes and their implications.

• Doubt: 8% harbored doubts about the fairness or impact of the election.
   

Engagement in the Campaign Process First-time voters demonstrated a keen interest in the election process, marked by high levels of media consumption and participation:

• Media Engagement:

• 80% watched campaign commercials.

• 65% sought information through social media.

• 56% watched candidates' speeches.

• 48% viewed candidates' interviews.

• Direct Participation:

• 28% attended rallies or yatras.

• 30% created or pasted campaign posters.
   

Despite their enthusiasm for staying informed, fewer engaged in direct campaign activities, suggesting constraints such as time or opportunity might limit their involvement.
 

Belief in the Power of Elections The survey reveals a robust belief in the efficacy of elections among first-time voters:

• 81% believe elections matter and can lead to significant changes.

• 65% are confident that their vote can significantly influence the future direction of the country.
   

Perception of Government Responsiveness The majority of first-time voters feel valued by the government, yet a notable minority remains skeptical:

• 75% believe the government cares about their opinions.

• 24% feel that the government does not care about what people like them think.
   

Reactions to Potential Election Outcomes First-time voters display a mature approach to the election results:

• 34% would feel disappointed if their chosen candidate lost, but an equal percentage would remain calm and accept the outcome.

• Very few express extreme reactions, such as anger or depression, indicating a general readiness to respect the democratic process.
   

A Hopeful Yet Cautious Electorate Overall, the sentiments of first-time voters in India's 2024 elections paint a picture of an engaged, hopeful, and responsible young electorate. While pride and optimism are the dominant emotions, the presence of anxiety and doubt highlights areas for improvement in the electoral process. Ensuring greater transparency and responsiveness from government institutions could further strengthen the faith and participation of these young voters in the democratic process.
 

Conclusion First-time voters are not just passive participants but active contributors to the democratic process, eager to make their voices heard and influence the future. By addressing their concerns and fostering a more inclusive environment, electoral and governmental institutions can harness the full potential of these young citizens, ensuring a vibrant and dynamic democracy.
 

For more information, please visit www.linkedin.com/feed/update/.

H.E. Dato’ Muzafar Shah Mustafa, High Commissioner of Malaysia to the Republic of India

India and Malaysia established bilateral relations in 1957. In terms of trade and investment, both countries signed the Malaysia-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (MICECA) in February 2011. The total bilateral trade volume in 2023 was recorded at USD 16.53 billion. India was Malaysia’s 11th largest export destination, and 12th largest import source. Within ASEAN, Malaysia ranks as India’s third largest trading partner. Currently, Malaysia is leading the negotiations for the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) with India to make it more trade-facilitative and beneficial for businesses across the region.

Among the Malaysian companies that currently are operating in Mumbai are Khazanah Malaysia, Petronas Lubricants, Maybank and MFE Formwork Technology (India) Pvt. Ltd.

Dailyhunt, India's #1 local language content discovery platform, today unveiled the findings of its comprehensive "Trust of the Nation 2024" survey. The extensive online survey, administered via Dailyhunt, in 11 languages including English, Hindi, and key regional languages, garnered responses from over 77 lakhs participants across diverse demographics and is providing valuable insights into the public sentiment ahead of the 2024 general elections.

The survey, which aimed to understand the public's perception of the incumbent government's performance, with 61% of respondents expressing satisfaction with the current administration, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Notably, 63% believe that the BJP/NDA alliance will emerge victorious in the upcoming general elections.

Key findings from the survey include

2024 Election Sentiments

• Three out of five respondents (64%) are in favor of PM Narendra Modi’s continuance as Prime Minister; 21.8 % of respondents are in favour of Rahul Gandhi 

• Nearly two out of three respondents (63%) believe that the upcoming elections will be won by BJP/NDA alliance

• In Delhi, PM Modi is the leading candidate capturing 57.7% of the vote. Rahul Gandhi received 24.2% of the vote, while Yogi Adityanath received 13.7%.

• In Uttar Pradesh, PM Modi was the top choice for this year’s election, garnering 78.2% of the vote. Rahul Gandhi received 10% of the vote.

• In West Bengal, PM Modi emerged as the leading candidate, receiving 62.6% of the vote. Rahul Gandhi, received 19.6% of the vote, while Mamata Banerjee, the regional leader trailed at 14.8% 

• In the southern states, the picture is more nuanced:

• In Tamil Nadu, Rahul Gandhi leads with 44.1% support, while PM Narendra Modi trails closely at 43.2%. 

• However, Kerala appears to be a close contest, with PM Modi garnering 40.8% and Rahul Gandhi close behind at 40.5%

• In Telangana, PM Narendra Modi received 60.1% of the vote. Rahul Gandhi received 26.5% while N. Chandrababu Naidu trailed at 6.6%

• In Andhra Pradesh, PM Modi received 71.8% of the vote. Rahul Gandhi received 17.9% while N. Chandrababu Naidu trailed at 7.4%

Governance and Economic Progress

• Three-fifths (61%) of respondents have voiced their approval of the current administration's performance, while 21% have expressed dissatisfaction 

• Over half (53.3%) of respondents rate the PM Modi government's economic management as 'very good', while 20.9% believe it 'could be better'

• Six in every ten (60%) respondents have stated that they are 'very happy' with the country's economic progress under PM Modi's leadership 

• In the West, East, and North regions, 63% of people are satisfied with the country’s economic progress. In the South, only 55% of people approve of it.

• Over half of the respondents (52.6%) have indicated profound satisfaction with the government's vigorous anti-corruption measures under PM Modi's leadership, while 28.1% have expressed dissatisfaction

Foreign Policy

• Nearly two-thirds of respondents (64%) have given a 'very good' rating to the PM Modi Government's handling of foreign affairs, while 14.5% believe it 'could be better'

• Crisis Handling:

• A substantial 63.6% has conveyed great happiness with the leadership provided by PM Modi in times of national emergency, while 20.5% have responded as 'unhappy' and 10.7% have stated 'neutral'

• Welfare Initiatives:

• Over half of the respondents (53.8%) have expressed considerable contentment with the central government's welfare initiatives, while 24.9% are unhappy

Methodology

• Comprehensive online survey conducted by DailyHunt with questionnaire available in 11 languages, including English, Hindi, and key regional languages

• Diverse sample size of over 77 lakhs participants across demographics

• Respondents were across various age groups (18-24, 25-34 and 35+ years) and across genders and professions 

• Survey questions were designed to assess public perception of the incumbent government's performance on like economic management, foreign policy, crisis handling, welfare initiatives and other aspects of governance

About Dailyhunt
Dailyhunt is India’s #1 local language content platform offering 1M+ new content artifacts every day in 15 languages. The content on Dailyhunt is licensed and sourced from a creator ecosystem of over 50,000+ content partners and a deep pool of over 50,000+ creators. Our mission is to be ‘the Indic platform empowering a billion Indians to discover, consume, and socialise with content that informs, enriches, and entertains’. Dailyhunt serves over 350 million monthly active users (MAUs) every month. The time spent per daily active user (DAU) is 30 minutes per user per day. Its unique AI/ML and deep learning technologies enable smart curation of content and track user preferences to deliver real-time, personalised content and notifications.

Ritwick Shrivastav, Founder & CEO of Prajatantra

Prajatantra, a non-profit and non-partisan organization established to encourage, educate, and empower governance-centric Indians to contest elections, has conducted this groundbreaking study to comprehensively understand the extent of gatekeeping in Indian politics, the various methods employed by Elected Representatives to enter the political arena, the relationship between family and financial backgrounds, and the age at which individuals embark on their political careers, among other pertinent aspects. With a steadfast commitment to empowering ordinary citizens, Prajatantra's research aims to unravel the complexities that often impede the participation of ordinary citizens in shaping the nation's political landscape.

"The findings underscore the urgency of dismantling the gatekeepers that prevent deserving candidates from entering the political arena," observes Ritwick Shrivastav, Founder & CEO of Prajatantra. "If we can incubate and provide a platform for grassroots leaders, there is a higher chance of bringing about real change in our governance system."

Privilege and Gatekeepers
According to the study, 91.7% of MLA seats are occupied by gatekeepers (dynasts, criminals, or wealthy individuals). Among privileges, Money holds a significant influence (82.5%), followed by criminal backgrounds (48.7%) and dynast (20.2%). Women's representation mirrors similar trends, with 47% from dynastic backgrounds. Alarmingly, Non-privileged/ grassroot politicians get 5 years disadvantage compared to privileged/grassroots politicians.

Method of Political Entry
Avenues for political entry primarily comprise Local politics (29.4%), Party organizational politics (26.4%), and family legacy (20.2%), constituting over 70% of entry paths. Meanwhile, only 4.3% of the people enter politics through student politics, which is further highly gatekept (over 85%) by criminals and wealthy politicians. Local and party organizational politics offer comparatively lower gatekeeping (39%) but demand substantial time (4-6 years) for state-level ascension.

First-Time MLAs
First-time MLAs largely emerge from privileged backgrounds (85%), with only 5.7% overcoming all entry barriers on their first attempt. Party organizational politics was the most favored among first-time elected representatives at 39.2%, followed by local politics at 21.7% and family legacy at 20%. Student politics and social service were 5.3% and 3.3%, respectively. Over the years, entering politics has become more challenging as the age of entry for first-time elected representatives increased by 2 years, with people entering politics at 46 instead of 44.

Demographics of Political Entry
Demographically, the study reveals that 32.5% lack a college degree, while 30.7% hold graduate degrees, favoring arts (46.5%), law (17.8%), and engineering (10.9%) qualifications. Moreover, the educational degree does not affect elected representatives’ chances of entering politics. A person with a Graduation degree and no degree enters politics at the same age of 44. Professionals, especially from business backgrounds (38%) and doctors (7%), are increasingly venturing into politics.

Details of the study and data are available at prajatantra.org.

Prajatantra's study highlights the need for reforms and interventions to level the playing field where the organization's mission comes into force. They drive this through a 3E approach: Encourage - celebrating self-made politicians and inspiring Indians to join electoral politics; Educate - educating aspirants about electoral processes, entry methods, and political strategies; Empower - providing aspirants with necessary tools, teams, and ecosystems to help them contest elections successfully.

Union Railways Minister, Ashwini Vaishnav
 

The session commenced with an insightful discussion featuring Union Minister of Earth Sciences, Kiren Rijiju. Subsequently, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Mohan Yadav, and Union Railways Minister, Ashwini Vaishnav, actively participated in the discourse.
 

During his session at News18 India Chaupal, Minister Vaishnav provided a comprehensive overview of the evolving landscape of the Railways and Telecom sector. He emphasized the changing face of these sectors, showcasing a progressive transformation.
 

Expressing confidence, Vaishnav said, “The promise of Prime Minister Modi's hat-trick victory would be fulfilled in the upcoming elections.”
 

During the presentation on the accomplishments under his ministries, Vaishnav highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been true to his commitments, delivering on promises made. He shared details about the ongoing initiatives, showcasing the expansion of Ayodhya Railway Station's capacity to accommodate three crore devotees annually. The station exemplifies modern infrastructure while encapsulating the cultural essence of Ayodhya.
 

The Union Minister for Railways, a former IAS officer, provided insights into the swift progress of the Bullet Train project. Vaishnav announced that the work on the Bullet Train, including a groundbreaking 21-km undersea tunnel, is underway. He emphasized the significant increase in the Indian railway budget for 2024-25, reaching Rs. 2,52,000 crore compared to Rs. 15,674 crore during 2004-14. India is now the second-largest electrified network globally.
 

Vaishnav highlighted the ongoing transformation of railway stations nationwide, incorporating modern facilities that reflect the cultural ethos of their respective regions. He underscored the design excellence of Vande Bharat Sleeper, featuring world-class interiors.
 

The discussion also delved into the rapid development of digital infrastructure in India, with the imminent rollout of 5G. Vaishnav shared that over 4,15,000 towers have been installed to support this digital revolution.
 

In a significant development, Vaishnav emphasized India's foray into semiconductor production, with the country now set to export Made-in-India chips. He highlighted the remarkable achievement of commencing semiconductor production within 90 days, showcasing India's prowess in the global technology landscape.
 

As the political and intellectual luminaries convened, the event witnessed an illustrious conclave that could potentially shape India's trajectory towards development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India by 2047 became the focal point, aligning with the nation's aspiration to become the third-largest economy by 2030 and overshadowing the US GDP by 2060.
 

News18 India Chaupal strategically unfolded as India, the fastest-growing economy, showcased its prowess on the world stage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to join the league of developed nations by 2047 echoed through the summit. Projections envision India as the third-largest economy by 2030, poised to surpass the US GDP by 2060.
 

As the summit unfolded, it became a platform for thought leaders to deliberate on critical themes and topics, setting the stage for the 2024 general elections. News18 India Chaupal engaged forward-looking speakers, discussing a progressing, growing country, and exploring how the abundant energy in the nation can be channeled to drive development, growth, and prosperity.
 

In essence, News18 India Chaupal emerged not just as an event but as a amalgamation of ideas, a convergence of intellect and insight that could potentially chart the course for India's evolution into a developed nation by 2047. The summit's strategic timing ahead of the elections added layers of significance, making it a catalyst for shaping India's future.

Mr. Peter Dutton and Dr. Jagwinder Singh Virk had a series of significant meetings and interactions with prominent Indian leaders and business tycoons

Dr. Jagvinder Singh Virk is a community leader with expertise in Trade & Investment, International Education, and Infrastructure has been promoting Australia in the international market since 2007 and has experience in strategy, project planning, business development, and stakeholder relationship management. In 2013, he established the India Australia Strategic Alliance to promote business ties between India and Australia.
 

The highlight of this delegation's visit was the distinguished meetings held with key Indian dignitaries, including Mr. Nitin Gadkari, Mr. Ram Madhav, Mr. Navin Jindal, Finance Minister Uttar Pradesh Mr. Suresh Khanna and G20 Sherpa Mr. Amitabh Kant. Discussions were also held with the illustrious Hinduja Group, Niti Aayog CEO, Leader of Opposition (Punjab) S. Partap Singh Bajwa, and His Excellency, Mr. Philip Green Ambassador of Australia; showcasing the breadth and depth of the delegation's engagement.
 

One of the standout achievements of this visit was the strong commitment by the Australian industry to invest in various industry verticals in India. Australian businesses displayed keen interest and enthusiasm in exploring opportunities in sectors like technology, infrastructure, renewable energy, healthcare, and education, among others. These investments are expected to strengthen economic cooperation between the two nations and create a conducive environment for mutual growth.
 

The visit also celebrated the successful mission of the Indo-Australian Strategic Alliance (IASA) Economic Trade Delegates. Honorable Mr. Peter Dutton and the entire delegation took the time to embrace the rich cultural heritage of India by visiting the Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple. They also sought blessings and paid their obeisance at the revered Sri Bangla Sahib Gurdwara, demonstrating their respect for the Indian places of worship.
 

This visit serves as a testament to the enduring friendship between Australia and India, and it is expected to catalyze stronger economic collaboration. The connections forged and the commitments made during this visit lay the foundation for a promising future of trade and cooperation between these two nations.

From Right: Shazia Ilmi, Charu Pragya, Dr Annurag Batra, Dr Sudhanshu Trivedi, Gaurav Bhatia, Anurag Bhadouria, Anil Antony and Sunil Kumar

BJP’s Dr. Sudhanshu Trivedi, Sr Advocate Gaurav Bhatia, Dr. Sambit Patra, Congress spokespersons Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Pawan Khera, Supriya Shrinate and AAP’s Raghav Chadha and Sanjay Singh featured among the top 10.
 

In a vibrant democracy like India, political spokespersons play a pivotal role in shaping public perception, influencing policy debates, and driving the narrative for their respective parties. 

In the second edition of this prestigious list five spokespersons of the Bharatiya Janata Party, three from the Congress and two from AAP featured among the top ten.

e4m Party Spokesperson’s 50 initiative aims to recognize and honor the individuals who stand at the forefront of political communication, evaluate their effectiveness, and acknowledge their impact on the national discourse. By systematically assessing their articulation skills, credibility, and ability to engage with diverse audiences, we aim to shed light on the leaders who master the art of political representation.

The ranking process employs a comprehensive and unbiased approach. It considers various parameters such as communication style, media presence, knowledge of issues, and public influence. The assessment involves a thorough evaluation of their public statements, media interactions, and overall impact on shaping political narratives

“Today we celebrate the power of eloquence and the art of political representation. These spokespersons are not just voices; they are architects of national narratives, shaping our understanding of democracy. Their words echo in the corridors of power, influencing policies and public opinions. The e4m Party Spokesperson’s 50 is not just a list; it’s a tribute to those who wield words with impact, and tonight, we honor their exceptional contribution to our vibrant democracy," Dr. Annurag Batra, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, BW Businessworld and Founder, exchange4media Group.

2nd Edition of e4m Party Spokesperson’s 50

In a vibrant democracy like India, political spokespersons play a pivotal role in shaping public perception, influencing policy debates, and driving the narrative for their respective parties.  
 

In the second edition of this prestigious list five spokespersons of the Bharatiya Janata Party, three from the Congress and two from AAP featured among the top ten.
 

e4m Party Spokesperson’s 50 initiative aims to recognize and honor the individuals who stand at the forefront of political communication, evaluate their effectiveness, and acknowledge their impact on the national discourse. By systematically assessing their articulation skills, credibility, and ability to engage with diverse audiences, we aim to shed light on the leaders who master the art of political representation. 
 

The ranking process employs a comprehensive and unbiased approach. It considers various parameters such as communication style, media presence, knowledge of issues, and public influence. The assessment involves a thorough evaluation of their public statements, media interactions, and overall impact on shaping political narratives. 
 

“Today we celebrate the power of eloquence and the art of political representation. These spokespersons are not just voices; they are architects of national narratives, shaping our understanding of democracy. Their words echo in the corridors of power, influencing policies and public opinions. The e4m Party Spokesperson’s 50 is not just a list; it’s a tribute to those who wield words with impact, and tonight, we honor their exceptional contribution to our vibrant democracy," Dr. Annurag Batra, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, BW Businessworld and Founder, exchange4media Group.

The MSME Promotion Council organized the MSME Business Scale-Up Summit in Chennai's Crown Plaza Hotel. During the event, all members of the Tamil Nadu team took an oath, including Tamil Nadu Chairman M. V. Chaudhary and other designatory. Entrepreneurs from Tamil Nadu and other states participated in the event, along union Minister for MSME Shri Narayan T. Rane, senior officials from MSME, NSIC, Coir Board, National Stock Exchange, Central Bank of India, Khadi Industries and others. The event aimed to create awareness on reveling schemes, benefits, privileges, by various stack holders, of the sectors such as union, state government, financial institutions, supporting government and non-government organizations etc. as well as to discuss the challenges faced on grass root level by the sector into fined adequate appropriate effective proactive measures to overcome them and let entrepreneurs flourish and contribute in the economical growth of the nation.   

MSME Promotion Council Newly appointed State Council
 

During the event M. V. Chaudhary acknowledge Dr. E. Muthuraman, National Chairman MSME Promotion Council, and also expressed gratitude for the continuous support from honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Minister for MSME Shri Narayan T. Rane. During his address, Shri Rane appreciated the efforts and initiatives of the Council for promoting the MSME sector. A stated that under the visionary leadership of honorable Prime Minister his department is doing tremendous work to attain the goal of “ATMA NIRBHAR BHARAT". Dignitaries included Vimalchand S - National Director, D. Hemamalini - National Director, M.V. Chaudhary - Chairman, Arun Suresh - Vice Chairman, Frabclin M - State Director, Vishal Kumar - State Director, Harish Ke A - State Director, M. Vasanth Rajan - State Director, Somdundaram Manikandan - State Director, Manoj Krishna - Executive Member, Reni Priya - Executive Member, Charles - Executive Member, Shiv - Executive Member, Suganti Sundar - Executive Member, Balasaranan - Executive Member, Natesh Ramasamy - Executive Member, K.S. Reddy - Executive Member, Sarguru P. Senthil Kumar - Executive Member, and others.
 

During the panel discussions were held with including panelist, R.S.N. Muralidharan - AGM Corporate Finance Central Bank of India, Amburaj C - DGM SIDBI, R.L. Narayanan - Vice Chairman, R. Kartik - Director Digital Transformation Deloitte, Abhishek Jain - Director NepaBooks Limited, Kumar Saurabh - Director International Brand Equity, K. Gaurav Kumar - Gaurav Kumar and Associates, and others shared their views.
 

Dr. Muthuraman said that MSME sector has got a tremendous room for expansion and unlimited potential for growth as well as can be beneficial to resolve the major issues like unemployment, rural economical sustainable growth. He further added that if the awareness is created on the rural block and panchayat level and the schemes and policies are being penetrated till the root level the fruits of prosperity will nurture soon.

Dr. E Muthuraman Chairman MSME Promotion Council addressing gathering along with MV Chowdhary Chairman Tamil Nadu State and Dushyant Yadav Secretary MSMEPCI

M.V Chaudhary thanked Dr. E Muthuraman for showing faith in him and giving the opportunity to serve the MSME sector of Tamil Nadu. Furthermore, chowdhary added that we need to identify the challenges faced by the MSME sector on ground and work for the solutions to overcome with the other stakeholders. He assured that his team will go to all blocks level and work proactively to cater at their best to the entrepreneurs especially in rural Tamil Nadu.

About the MSME Promotion Council

MSME Promotion Council is an associated body working for the growth and development of MSME sector in India. Primary aim is to create awareness on the policies and schemes for all the stakeholders such as MSME Ministry, Govt of India, Various State govt departments and banks, etc. Council works on grass root level though its nationwide network spread over more than 15 states till districts with constant communication to more than 10 lakhs MSME Enterprises.

Representatives of Indian and Vietnamese companies along with Captain Rahul Bali and Consul General Dr. Madan Mohan Sethi at the MOU signing ceremony
 

The second edition of the mega festival organised jointly by the Indian Embassy and Consulate General of India in Vietnam under the aegis of Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and Innovations India saw a number MOU’s being signed in 03 Major sectors - Railways, Tourism & Cinema.
 

Conforming to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reiteration that Vietnam is a key partner of India's Act East Policy, the Namaste Vietnam Festival curated by Captain Rahul Bali has become an effective networking platform to promote business and cultural relations between India & Vietnam. MOU’s worth more than USD 1 billion were signed between business enterprises from both the nations during various seminars and meets as part of this Mega Festival conducted in different provinces across Vietnam from 12^th - 20^th August 2023.
 

Some of the biggest Railway Companies from India namely Railtel Corporation of India, Ashoka Buildcon Limited, Efftronics & JMV LPS Limited inked MOU’s with Big Railway & Infra Companies in Vietnam like the Hoa Binh Group and VIENC (Vietnam International Entrepreneurs Networking Corporation) at the India Vietnam Railway Cooperation Seminar during the Festival. Vietnam is looking at upgrading its rail infrastructure by building 2000 km of new track for Trans Vietnam High Speed Rail by 2030 with a total investment of over USD 58 billion. Vietnam Railways is thus looking for transfer of expertise and technology in various fields like modernization, signalling and safety systems and is seeking partnership of Indian Companies in railway projects of Vietnam. The MOU’s were signed for transfer of technology and expertise of Indian companies for the upgradation of Vietnam Railways.

In the Tourism sector more than 10 MOU’s were signed between the visiting Tour Operators from India and some of the leading Hotels & Tour Companies in Ho Chi Minh City, Dalat, Phu Yen, Ha Nam & Hanoi to promote tourism in both the countries. The MOU’s were signed during the “India – Vietnam Tourism Cooperation Seminars” held in different cities across Vietnam in the presence of His Excellency the Consul General of India Dr. Madan Mohan Sethi and leaders of various provinces.
 

In another Landmark event towards boosting the cultural relations between India & Vietnam, A MOU was signed between the Government of Phu Yen province of Vietnam and the Curator of Namaste Vietnam Festival, Captain Rahul Bali towards Film Cooperation and Collaboration in Film Making. The ceremony was organised at the beautiful Stelia Beach Resort in Phu Yen and was attended by the Honourable Consul General of India Dr. Madan Mohan Sethi, Eminent Filmmakers & Actors from India and a number of Vietnamese Dignitaries. Internationally acclaimed film makers Rahat Kazmi & Tariq Khan officially announced the first India - Vietnam Co-Production Film to be shot in Vietnam later this year during the event.
 

Speaking to the media, His Excellency the Consul General of India Dr. Madan Mohan Sethi remarked, “This is a historic moment and I am extremely delighted to say that this is the best take away of the Namaste Vietnam Festival 2023. I am happy that this festival has become an effective platform for the delegations from both countries to explore the possibilities of doing business and the MOU’s signed during the festival bear testimony to the same. It is indeed the start of a new era of collaboration.”

“Women must ensure national ambition for Global Good is Recognised": Smriti Irani
 

“We are at a time in our country’s history where we can catapult to new achievements in new areas for a greater good. Cannot afford to lose this opportunity,” she added.
 

"The union minister criticised the previous Congress rule for ignoring women’s issues, such as their safety as well as lack of sanitation and proper hygiene." “The Congress government in 2005-06 knew that women were getting raped in the open; in 2010, it knew that the GDP (gross domestic product) was taking a hit due to lack of sanitation. Building toilets was never considered glamorous in the politics but now women have access to toilets. Before 2014, many people said women can’t start a business, but now Mudra has made it possible for them," she said.
 

Irani shared an anecdote featuring ‘Missile Woman of India’, Tessy Thomas, when she was the union education minister and how she was instrumental in getting the eminent scientist nominated to the IIT Council, the apex body of all Indian Institutes of Technology.
 

She described her experience when she held the first meeting of the council, where the room was full of male scientists. “I asked them about a woman representative but they told me that I was the ‘face’. But I told them I was the politician, and walked out of the room to make a phone call. I immediately called Tessy Thomas, and asked her if she would like to be nominated by me to the IIT council. She literally choked; the Missile Woman of India choked," she said.
 

Irani added, “It’s not that women of merit didn’t exist, but she (Tessy Thomas) was not in that room. Women, when they are young, are told that they will only reach a certain level of achievement, so it’s incumbent upon my generation and the one after me to recognise the potential of those before us."
 

"New18’s Rising India-She Shakti” is a movement that empowers women, celebrates their saga of success, and encourages their continued progress. It is a symbol of India's commitment to fostering gender equality and inclusivity across all aspects of society.

Women diplomats at BRICS CCI WE Trailblazers Dialogues

BRICS CCI WE represents the women’s vertical of The BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BRICS CCI) which promotes commerce and industry in the BRICS and other friendly nations. The Vertical focuses on women empowerment initiatives and policies across geographies.

Historically, diplomacy has been the preserve of men. However, research shows that when women have a seat at the table, the odds of reducing instability and conflict improve significantly. The results of the 2023 Women in Diplomacy Index suggest that women remain underrepresented in ambassadorship positions across the world with only around 20% of all ambassadors being women in 2023. Between 1992 and 2019, women represented a mere 13 percent of negotiators, 6 percent of mediators, and 6 percent of signatories in peace processes worldwide. The numbers are even lower in conflict-affected states where women have been quasi-absent from peace processes.

While greeting the gathering, Dr. BBL Madhukar, Director General, BRICS CCI, highlighted the importance of providing equal opportunity to women in education and representation. Dr. Madhukar stated “In a rapidly changing world, diplomacy stands as the cornerstone of international relations, shaping the course of nations and the trajectory of global affairs. However, one critical dimension remains underrepresented in the diplomatic arena: the influential voices of women. As women gain power, societal barriers are removed.”

Shri R.K. Vishnoi, Chairman, BRICS CCI, as a part of his special address to the event, highlighted “The role of women in diplomacy is inevitable. People, international committees, and leadership are convinced that women bring a lot of ideas that are life-changing. When women have a seat at the table, the odds of solving conflict improve significantly.”

Delivering the welcome address, Ms. Ruby Sinha, President, BRICS CCI WE said, “While recognizing the indispensable contributions women have made to diplomacy throughout history, let us also collectively work towards a future where gender equality and women's empowerment are fully integrated into our diplomatic efforts.” ‘’These discussions are especially important in a year when India is spearheading the G20 dialogues with holistic and inclusive, women-led development being a key focus area,’’ she added.

The Roundtable saw the participation of Ambassador Bizunesh Meseret, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Ethiopia; Ms. Wathsala Amarasinghe, Minister Counsellor, High Commission of Sri Lanka; Ms. Hagar Spiro-Tal, First Secretary (Political), Embassy of Israel in India; Ms. Amaranta Vandeperre, Third Secretary and Counsel, Embassy of Chile; Ms. Jalpa Ratna, Chief of Field Services, United Nations Children's Fund. The discussion was moderated by Ms. Shormishtha Ghosh, Governing Body Member, BRICS CCI. Amb. Manju Seth (Retd.), Former Ambassador & Consul General of India delivered the valedictory address.

H.E. Ms. Bizunesh Meseret, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Ethiopia, shared reports of women's representation in Ethiopia and highlighted the Government of Ethiopia’s initiatives that have resulted in increased participation of Women in Diplomacy. Ms. Meseret said, "Ethiopia has a female policy in place at both national and regional levels ensuring women empowerment in all spheres, be it political, economic or humanitarian.”

Ms. Wathsala Amarasinghe, Minister Counselor, High Commission of Sri Lanka highlighted Sri Lanka’s glorious legacy of female leadership. “In Sri Lanka, we’ve had a long tradition of democracy and great female leaders. We have free education. We elected the 1st female PM in the world in 1960, who also laid the foundation stone for the Sri Lankan High Commission in Delhi,’’ said Ms. Amarasinghe.

Ms. Hagar Spiro-Tal, First Secretary (Political), Embassy of Israel in India, appreciated BRICS CCI WE for hosting the discussion and reiterated the importance of such deliberations. Ms. Hagar said, “The journey of making a change is no less important than the achievement itself. Shaping an agenda that includes women's representation and raising awareness is critical in paving the way towards reaching gender equality. We are still facing gender-biased perceptions which require the adoption of more inclusive, proactive and tolerant approaches, sometimes even affirmative actions.” 

According to Ms. Amaranta Vandeperre, Third Secretary & Counsel, Embassy of Chile, “Increasing women's participation in diplomacy or in any other field is vital to achieving equality in a context of deep-rooted discrimination”. Highlighting Chile’s achievement in this area, Ms. Vandeperre noted, "Chile went from having 15% women ambassadors to 33% in the past decade.”

The round table conference saw the participation of various international & global organizations, including UNICEF. Ms Jalpa Ratna, Chief of Field Service, UNICEF spoke about the vital role of primary education of girls to ensure long-term gender equality even in diplomatic roles. Ms. Ratna also mentioned “Bal Patrakars” or “Child Reporters”, an initiative run by UNICEF in India empowering students from classes 6 to 8 to spread awareness of child rights in their communities and take the issues affecting them directly to the Chief Minister of their respective states. 

Amb. Manju Seth, Former Ambassador & Consul General of India in her Valedictory Address put forth her desire for a day when the talk for gender equality is no longer a topic of discussion. Ms. Seth urged men to come forward to empower women in all fields, including diplomacy.

Bringing the inaugural Trailblazers Dialogues- Round Table Discussion to its successful conclusion, Ms. Shabana Nasim, Executive Director, BRICS CCI and Chief Patron, BRICS CCI WE delivered the Vote of Thanks for the day. 

 'Meri Sarkar Mera Abhiman' campaign launched in New Delhi
 

This book has been jointly written by Gopal Krishna Agarwal, National Spokesperson for Economic Affairs of BJP and Gopal Kumar V R Honorary Member of Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority of India (IEPFA).
 

The purpose of the book is to present 75 major schemes together in simple and common language so that the general public can benefit from it. In the next phase of this campaign, a big target has been set to reach 75 lakh people through social media and direct contact.
 

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Gopal Krishna Agarwal said that the BJP government has done a great job by achieving the welfare and empowerment of the people with more than 22 crore beneficiaries, but we need to achieve further by creating awareness and connecting with the potential beneficiaries at the grassroots level.
 

Shri Gopal Kumar V R who played a key guiding role in the launch of the national level campaign "Meri Sarkar, Mera Abhiman", launched a book which describes 75 major schemes of the government in areas such as health, housing, financial inclusion, agriculture and entrepreneurship. These schemes will further strengthen the basis of our socio-economic development with a people-centric approach, the campaign aims to reach out to people at the village level through the right content and creating mass awareness.
 

Author Gopal Kumar said that this book is the first publication of this campaign, and we will come up with many more similar publications with audio/video material through social media and disseminate the same through district level events.

"This publication contains a brief description of about 75 schemes, including scheme name, start date, objectives, benefits, eligibility and website link of the scheme. To help people take benefits of the scheme, we have Launched our first Namo Seva Kendra and a Help Desk (Sector 65, Noida, C 62. Helpline No.: 9891408720) where we engage with potential beneficiaries and inform them about various schemes in Gautam Buddha Nagar area This model can be emulated in other areas as well," said Agarwal.
 

During the program, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's tenure of 9 years was also discussed, with which the Honorable Prime Minister is bringing a big change with the goal of service, good governance and poor welfare. The Indian economy under Modi ji has become the engine of growth of the world.
 

The event was organized by the Bhartiya Vitta Salahkar Smiti (BVSS), an association of professionals, CAs, CS, lawyers and financial experts. Shri Subhash Aggarwal, Chairman of SMC Group, CA Praveen Kant, CA Sushil Gupta, Anil Gupta, Avnish Matta, Raj Chawla, Anil Sharma, Sandeep ji, Nalini Padmanabhan were honored on this occasion.

• It has already organized 36 events on the core issues of the Arctic agenda

• Over its two-year tenure as chairman of the Arctic Council, Russia plans to organize forums, conferences, workshops, round tables, festivals and exhibitions, research expeditions, and professional skills championships

• India has been an observer at the Arctic Council since 2013
   

Addressing the media on Russia completing the first year of its two-year chairmanship in the Arctic Council, Mr Nikolay Korchunov, Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials and Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Cooperation of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the achievements of the first year.

He detailed the events planned under the “Responsible Governance for the Sustainable Arctic” program.

The diplomat stressed Russia’s commitment to the Arctic region’s balanced development. He further stated that Russia believes sustainable socio-economic development is key to improving the well-being of the indigenous people of the North, creating new jobs, and increasing the Arctic’s investment appeal.

“Russia geographically accounts for nearly one-third of the entire Arctic region and recognizes its special responsibility for the region. Our goal is to ensure the Arctic’s sustainable development through creating a state-of-the-art infrastructure, exploring resources, developing the industrial base, and improving the quality of life of the indigenous people of the North while preserving their unique culture and traditions. Today, 423 investment projects cumulatively worth RUB 693 billion are being implemented in the Arctic. These projects will create 21,900 jobs in the region,” Added Yury Trutnev, Deputy Prime Minister, Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District, Chair of the Organizing Committee on Russia’s Chairmanship in the Arctic Council.

The Council’s plenary session held on 1–2 December 2021 in Salekhard was the highlight of the official event series. It included discussions of the Arctic’s sustainable socioeconomic development and of the opportunities for bolstering youth cooperation in high latitudes, broached the issues of cooperation between the Indigenous Peoples of the North and between the Arctic regions, and the matter of increasing the efficiency of interactions with the Arctic Economic Council where Russia also holds the chairmanship in 2021–2023. The participants discussed the implementation of projects and joint solutions to such matters as forest fires, climate change and its effect on the Arctic ecosystems, the novel coronavirus pandemic and its influence on the health of the Indigenous Peoples and other residents of the Arctic. For the first time, the event featured speeches by special representatives of the Chair of the Committee of Senior Arctic Officials on cooperation between indigenous peoples, maritime activities, by the youth ambassador, and by the Indigenous Youth ambassador.

Russia’s chairmanship programme includes a section on the human dimension which features several conferences such as Human Health Conservation in the Arctic, “The Arctic as a National Megaproject: Personnel and Research Support,” and the “Arctic: Territory of Development” on creating a comfortable urban environment. Participants of the ‘Arctic: Territory of Development’ Conference on Ensuring a Comfortable Urban Environment, which took place on 22–25 May in Yakutsk, discussed the development of the urban Arctic environment, the creation of master plans for northern cities and the tourism industry, and the implementation of the Arctic Hectare programme.

The Conference on Waste and Microplastic Problem in the Arctic, the International Forum on Designated Conservation Areas (DSA) in the Arctic, and the Arctic Meteorological Summit will discuss the future of developing nature conservation cooperation in high latitudes and the introduction of nature-saving technologies.

A thematic Arctic booth at SPIEF 2022 will host three events under Russia’s chairmanship, including an International workshop on shipbuilding and ship repairs in the Arctic, a Conference on developing telecommunications and digitization in the Arctic, and the “Creative Industries of the North” event intended to promote the cultures of the small Indigenous Peoples of the Arctic, Northern territories’ brands, and to stimulate cooperation between the state, businesses, non-commercial and public organizations in order to preserve the heritage.

In March of this year, western member states of the Arctic Council temporarily suspended their participation in the Council’s official events and in the activities of its auxiliary bodies

Nikolay Korchunov says that this decision “Will inevitably result in the mounting risks and challenges for the ‘soft’ security in the Arctic that the Council has theretofore been successfully handling.” The current “hiatus” in the Council’s activities is fraught with negative consequences for the well-being of the population of the Arctic, including its Indigenous Peoples. The speediest resumption of the Arctic Council’s full-fledged activities is in the best interests of the entire international community. Russia is ready to resume the dialogue in the high latitudes. The emphasis is on the fact that western member states putting a ‘freeze’ on their involvement in the Council’s activities is a temporary development that does not entail reformatting membership in the organization. At the recent ‘Arctic Borders’ conference in Tromso, different speakers stressed that the Arctic Council is particularly valuable with the participation of all the eight Arctic states and that western member states are not interested in changing the structure or the membership lineup and are committed to preserving the Council as the key forum for making collective decisions. In this sense, our western colleagues’ stance on the Arctic Council has not changed.”

Some of the other projects spearheaded by the Arctic Council are:

• digitizing the cultural and linguistic heritage of the indigenous people of the North

• biosecurity issues in the Arctic

• developing renewable energy sources

• creating an international Arctic research station focused on carbonless energy
  ​

In addition, the Council is currently working on project proposals for traditional medicine of the indigenous people and on developing creative industries in the Arctic. It is also developing Russia’s initiative - “Digital Museums of the Arctic”.

“An extensive and diverse schedule is planned for Russia’s tenure as chairman, reflecting the role and importance of the Arctic, both for Russia, which is consistently building up its regional presence and for the entire world. The fact that Members of the Arctic are willing to act together, forgetting their regional differences, significantly contributes to the Arctic’s balanced development. This approach rests on international research, cutting-edge technologies, and close attention to the ecosystem and the people who live and work in the North,” opined Alexei Chekunkov, Russia’s Minister for the Russian Far East and Arctic Development.

Russia’s chairmanship programme focuses on the human dimension, which features several conferences such as

• Human health conservation in the Arctic, “The Arctic as a National Megaproject: Personnel and Research Support,” and the “Arctic: Territory of Development” on creating a comfortable urban environment.

• Participants of the Arctic: Territory of Development conference on ensuring a comfortable urban environment, which took place on 22–25 May in Yakutsk, discussed the development of the urban Arctic environment, the creation of master plans for northern cities and the tourism industry, and the implementation of the Arctic Hectare programme.

• The Conference on Waste and Microplastic Problem in the Arctic, the International Forum on Designated Conservation Areas (DSA) in the Arctic, and the Arctic Meteorological Summit will discuss the future of developing nature conservation cooperation in high latitudes and the introduction of nature-saving technologies.

• A thematic Arctic booth at SPIEF (St. Petersburg International Economic Forum), 2022, will host three events under Russia’s chairmanship:

• An international workshop on shipbuilding and ship repairs in the Arctic

• A conference on developing telecommunications and digitization in the Arctic

• The “Creative Industries of the North” event is intended to promote the culture of the small indigenous people of the Arctic and Northern territories’ brands and to stimulate cooperation between the state, businesses, and non-commercial and public organizations to preserve the heritage.

• The core issues during Russia’s chairmanship will enhance the upcoming St. Petersburg International Economic Forum agenda. For example, the SPIEF’s business program will feature the ‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue forum focused on responsible governance in the Arctic to ensure sustainable development. “Discussions will present new solutions for the key issues in the development of the Russian Arctic. Such as improving the quality of life for the region’s population, developing the Northern Sea Route and the infrastructure, climate change and environmental protection”, stressed Anton Kobyakov, advisor to the President of Russia, executive secretary of the organizing committee on Russia’s chairmanship in the Arctic Council.

The complete recording of the briefing of Nikolay Korchunov, Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials and Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Cooperation of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is available at: pressmia.ru/pressclub/20220520/953662753.html.

Mr. Ardeshir B.K. Dubash with his wife and family together with Ambassador Carlos Polo and his wife, Mrs. Eva Alvarado and Mr. Fabio Subia, First Secretary of the Embassy of Peru in India

The award was conferred by the Ambassador of Peru in India, H.E. Carlos R. Polo, who travelled from Delhi to Mumbai for this special occasion, bringing the decoration issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru, H.E. Cesar Landa.

Mr. Dubash was designated as Honorary Consul of Peru on August 13th, 1973. His career as Honorary Consul, which spans almost half a century, has seen 14 Presidents of Peru and 15 Ambassadors of Peru to India. Owing to Mr. Dubash’s personal qualities and professional prestige his work has been instrumental in strengthening the image of Peru in India and fostering consular, commercial and cultural ties between both countries.

The Order of Merit, which was instituted in 2004, takes its name from Jose Gregorio Paz Soldan, a distinguished Peruvian official who established the Peruvian diplomatic service and who held the office of Minister of Foreign Affairs on three different occasions.

The award is normally reserved for career diplomats who have excelled in their work to promote the democratic, historical and institutional values of the Ministry, and who have made outstanding contributions to Peruvian foreign policy.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen interacting with youth
 

Climate change and biodiversity loss are at the top of the political agenda of the European Union (EU) and India. Observing that the young should raise their voice for climate action, the President said, “Youth are the advocates to fight climate change as well as to fight for the planet. But they are also the ones who develop solutions.” 

"Young people have fully understood the urgency of the climate crisis. And they are doing something about it. From living more sustainable lifestyles to making their voices heard on the street and advocating for greener policies, young people are at the heart of the solution. So make your voices heard," the President added.

Highlighting the long-standing partnership between EU and India, the President commended India’s ambitious renewable energy goals announced at COP26. “There is a lot of untapped potential between the European Union and India, we have a lot in common. And joining forces, we can do so much together for the benefit of our people but also for the benefit of our climate and our planet.”

"We share the idea that we need to look into solar energy, wind energy, biomass, hydropower, green hydrogen, and geo thermal. These are the ingredients for success for the economy, for the benefit of the people, and the protection of our climate and environment. Protecting the climate and environment has a lot to do with innovation. With innovation the world takes the right direction in cutting emissions and protecting the environment and for that we need clean innovative technologies,” she said.

Observing that women leadership is crucial for inclusive and environmentally sensitive decision-making, Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, said in her welcome address, “Engaging with young people on matters concerning security, climate change and public policy is important to promote youth leadership along with global citizenship for our common future. We are extremely honoured and delighted that this intergenerational dialogue is taking place involving a prominent woman leader and our future generation.”
 

After the discussion with the youth, the President planted a sapling at the TERI Gram campus and visited the TERI-Deakin Nano-Biotechnology Centre. TERI and the EU have a long history of joint projects supporting the green transition. The EU through its Research and Innovation Programme ‘Horizon 2020’ has funded several projects (investing close to Euro 20 million) with TERI’s participation, focused on climate change (e.g. ENGAGE & CD-LINKS) and water (e.g. PAVITRA GANGA).

Youth programme in India

The youth participating in the discussion were selected from a large group of participants in the annual Youth Climate Conclave, which is organised annually under the Strategic Partnership for Implementation of the Paris Agreement (SPIPA) project by TERI, GIZ India, CEEW and the EU Delegation to India. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) is the nodal Ministry for the initiative. The Youth Climate Conclave seeks to engage in a positive and proactive way with the youth in science-based discussions about the most relevant climate change issues. A few Indian Erasmus students also participated in the discussion. For last two years, India has been the top recipient of the prestigious Erasmus Mundus scholarships. There are over 6,000 Indian Erasmus Mundus scholars who have studied in Europe under this programme.
 

Cooperation between TERI and the EU

The cooperation between TERI and the EU goes long back, with many joint projects funded under the EU Framework Research and Innovation Programme across diverse areas, such as climate action, resource efficiency and circular economy, smart and sustainable urbanisation.

A recurring yearly event in the EU’s cooperation with TERI is the EU’s participation in TERI’s flagship event World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS). In addition, TERI and EU delegation to India have jointly organised three Youth Climate Conclaves, in close cooperation with the Indian Ministry of Environment Forestry and Climate Change.

The Nanobiotechnology Centre

The Nanobiotechnology Centre and associated Research Groups (working on Nanotechnology-based Agri products and Mycorrhiza Research) of the Sustainable Agriculture Programme at TERI have been involved in a number of bilateral and multilateral projects in the past 10 years. The centre is a member of EU Nanonetwork as well as the International Initiative for Safe and Sustainable Nanoproducts (INISS-Nano). Through the centre’s DTDRNA-network across continents program, the centre is involved in capacity building in Nanoscience, partnering with Portugal, Spain and Austria on this network. The EU and TERI have collaborated in several projects in the last decade under the EU Research and Innovation Framework Programme and recently under the newly launched Horizon Europe Programme (2021-2027).

About TERI Gram: TERI GRAM houses state-of-the-art facilities for developing green technologies with a clear vision of a residence-building for a sustainable habitat. The 36-hectare TERI campus at Gual Pahari, Gurgaon, is a lush green habitat, 30 km south of Delhi, and built as a model training complex. The building demonstrates efficient utilization of clean and renewable energy, integrated use of both natural resources and optimised waste management. This 30-room training hostel boasts of conference facilities for 100 people, and is unique as it enjoys complete independence from the city's grid system.

About the European Union: The EU, which consists of 27 countries, has the world's second largest economy and its third largest population, after China and India. Though richly diverse, the countries that make up the EU (its 'Member States') are all committed to the same basic values: peace, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights. By creating a frontier-free single market and a single currency (the euro) which has been adopted by 19 Member States, the EU has given a significant boost to trade and employment.

EU-India relations: The EU and India have worked together for 6 decades to reduce poverty, prevent disasters, expand trade, fight climate change and biodiversity loss, promote green and digital transition, enhance security around the world and promote joint research in energy, health, agriculture and many other fields of mutual interest.

Molitics is about to bring positive changes in Indian politics in the years to come. Socio-political media company Molitics Infomedia raised funds with backing from SAAMAG Group founded in 1995 as a trading firm in New Delhi, SAAMAG Group is a frontrunner in Shipping, Healthcare, Real Estate and E-commerce industries.

Molitics Team

Molitics Infomedia, the first-ever socio-political media, has developed two applications; one is Molitics, which is a social networking application, designed especially for journalists, social activists and political commentators while another one is Molitics+, which runs on subscription base model for political leaders.

"Molitics is intended to bridge the gap between political leaders and common people,” says Anudeep, Director and Founder of Molitics, the main brain behind the applications. “It is something which lets leaders know about the needs of voters and allow common people to put forward their issues pertaining to a particular leader or group of leaders.”

Talking about the funds, the Founder & Director of the company, Anudeep, said that the funding would help Molitics grow its user base globally and expand its business across the country. "As far as future plans are concerned, Molitics is looking forward to being the Social Media platform specially designed for journalists, social activists and political commentators. Apart from this, it will provide its users all the political information like leader's encyclopaedia, real-time surveys and election results." He added.

Presently, more than hundred national and local political leaders are using M+ in individual capacities whereas four prominent political parties used M+ to expand their reach, build team and strengthen themselves.

Recently, Molitics Infomedia revamped its existing news application as the socio-political social media. The development came after approximately 15 days since Molitics got funding from SAAMAG Group. The investment has been made in order to expand the user base and service areas. The investment will help them reach out to more users across the country.

Molitics will be the one-point knowledge centre for everyone interested in politics. All the stakeholders of political ecosystem like voters, leaders and political workers will be benefitted by the solution.

Molitics is a mass product and is available on iOS and Google Play Store for free providing its users the static and dynamic political knowledge like political leader’s details, election results, ground reports etc. Apart from this it gives its users a platform to write about the socio-political developments and issues. It also gives them an option to hold their representative accountable for concerned issues. Whereas, Molitics+ is one of the most expensive applications present on Google Play store. It is especially designed for political leaders in order to manage their task-force and strategies elections accordingly.

Molitics+ is designed keeping in mind that transparent communication between political leaders and voters will benefit everyone. As per its functioning, political leaders may get to know about the real problems of their electorates and address them accordingly. A leader can also delegate the tasks to his workers and keep a track of it.

About SAAMAG Group

Founded in 1995 as trading firm in New Delhi (India), SAAMAG Group has redefined success creating unmatched value in the realms of shipping, real estate, hospitality, construction and E-commerce.

MAXHUB Classic

As the states of Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand gear up for the elections in February, campaigning is in full swing. However, the pandemic has resulted in discontinuation of traditional community gatherings, political rallies, campaigns, etc. till January 22. In such a scenario, the safest way to interact with the masses across the regions is through video communication solutions. With this arrangement, the government can use MAXHUB Classic Series interactive flat panels with MAXHUB Video-Conferencing Devices to facilitate digital rallies and communicate in remote areas, run social awareness camps and much more. MAXHUB’s solution ensures the safety of every citizen and will help the political parties stay connected with them even in these hard times.

Mr. Avinash Johri, Executive Director, CVTE Group (India and SAARC regions) states that, "Elections all these years have been held in a very effective manner, which has enabled the parties to connect with the public emotionally. COVID-19 has changed how the world functions, but that doesn’t mean that the essence of things has to be lost. This is exactly where MAXHUB plays a role in assisting these political parties in organizing digital rallies around the country. This ought to eliminate the discomfort of losing touch with the people and allow party representatives, media and social workers to understand their needs and problems efficiently."

The MAXHUB Classic Series (C Series) interactive flat panel display provides 4K Ultra HD resolution for crisp image quality. With its built-in seam speakers, it delivers exceptional audio. The 12MP HDR Camera with Speaker Tracking facilitates people in getting a real-time experience of the rallies. Its multiple easy-to-use annotation tools and extensive connectivity features like Type-C, make it user-friendly, hassle-free and convenient for people who are attuned to the traditional ways of working.

MAXHUB’s products have already been in use by Public Works Department (PWD) Assam, BHEL, SAIL, Indian Oil, Arunachal Pradesh Police, Defense R&D Organization, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (Raebareli), Karnataka Bank Ltd., etc. MAXHUB looks forward to now serving more government organizations and political parties with its disruptive solutions.

From Left to Right: Vikram Sakhuja, Group CEO, Madison Media, Pradeep Gupta, CMD, Axis My India and Shashi Sinha, CEO, IPG Mediabrands

The company has embarked on an audacious mission of solving the problems of 25 crore Indian households and transforming a billion lives, and the advisory board will serve as the guiding ship to enable the success of these endeavors.
 

With diversified offerings including but not restricted to new-age advertising solutions, psephology and market research, Axis My India has a physical presence in ~700 out of India’s 740 odd districts and can mobilize engagement with over 80 million Indian households immediately. While this scale presents a plethora of opportunities, it also allows a ring-side view into the country’s socio-political developments and their effect on businesses in real time.
 

The board’s primary responsibility would be to keep track of the big picture of the organization, anticipate challenges in the ambitious path and suggest mitigation tools to avoid the same. Board members would also be expected to bring in diversity of thought and action, and help broaden the company’s horizons to engage with constituencies and stakeholders out of its conventional realm.
 

A key focus of the company’s long term vision is to contribute to the development of infrastructure that caters to India’s first gen digital-natives as well as deconstruct the motivations and perceptions that define the workings of the most populous and complex democracy in the world.
 

Taking over as chairman of the Advisory Board, Vikram Sakhuja, Group CEO, Madison Media, remarked, “Axis My India has over the years established itself to be the most accurate psephologist in India. Underlying that is one of the most innovative organisations I have encountered, in terms of their leadership, team and processes. As they now roll out more exciting products, they have the potential to provide not only authoritative insights about both Bharat and India, but also create a platform for meaningful dialogue with consumers that can be invaluable for marketers and policy makers. It is my privilege to be able to participate in this journey as an outside-in advisor.”
 

Giving insight into why the board was formed, Shashi Sinha, CEO, IPG Mediabrands, remarked, “There is tremendous innovation and bustling activity coming out of India’s non-metros. India’s small towns and villages will power its rise to an economic powerhouse in the 21^st century. It is my privilege to be able to engage with Axis My India on its larger vision to empower these communities and to be a part of this exercise underpinned in nation building.”
 

Commenting on the initiation of the board, Pradeep Gupta, CMD, Axis My India said, “Our company is certainly at an inflection point, as we look to take to fruition some marquee ideas - India’s first offline-online people empowerment platform focused on listening and facilitating resolution of various issues of an everyday Indian, the country’s largest syndicated brand study, Consumer Trust Index, as well as aggressively expanding by engaging with all echelons of industry with our superior data and research offerings. Shashi and Vikram along with other advisory board members, with their deep understanding of India’s business landscape will be invaluable as guides and mentors as we navigate challenges in our trajectory towards rapid growth and disruption.”
 

Axis My India, recently launched Consumer Trust Index (CTI) which is India’s largest syndicated consumption study measuring current product consumption & future purchase intent across 40 categories with yearly 1Mn+ sample spread across 737 districts. The All-Media Measurement module (AMMS) of CTI will capture media consumption habits across touch points - TV, Print, OTT, Digital, social media, daily used apps, Radio, Cinema, OOH. As part of CTI, brands will also be able to do media & product consumption linkage analysis. EY are the process advisors for this study.

About Axis My India

Axis My India is India’s foremost consumer data intelligence consultancy that has revolutionized the field of election polling in the country, with an accuracy rate of ~92% spread across 28 states and 8 union territories and 2 national elections. The company has a presence in over 737 districts and has touched 85 million Indian households. It counts some of India’s largest corporations, state governments as well as Union Government in its clientele and offers a repertoire of research related services, including consumer insights, product validation, market segmentation, on-ground brand activation, personalized media solutions and micro marketing. The company publishes an annual Consumer Trust Index - spread across 45 consumer and product categories, and 1 million respondents.
 

For more information, please visit www.axismyindia.org.

Veer Bal Diwas

In a statement issued here today, Brar said that the Prime Minister has announced that every year on 26th December, Veer Bal Diwas will be observed in the name of Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. He said that for a long time there was a demand from the country and abroad from the Sikh community that the martyrdom day of Sahibzadas should be celebrated as 'Bal Diwas'.

He said that the story of the martyrdom of Chhotte Sahibzade and Mata Gujri ji is very important and every child of the country should know about. He said that there is no such example in the world where children of 7 and 9 years old did not care about coercion and oppression, did not leave their religion and opted for martyrdom. He said that every year lakhs of devotees gather in the Shaheedi Jod Mela held at Fatehgarh Sahib to have a glimpse of the wall, foundation of which Sahibzadas were martyred.

Brar said that after 75 years of the country's independence, Modi ji is the only Prime minister who felt the need to recognise the sacrifice of those Sahibzade, and why it is important to remember them, and read about them.

He thanked the Prime Minister for his gesture and added that for a long time Sikh community has been demanding the same, which has finally been fulfilled. He said that the saga of Sahibzadas will now reach our children because of this decision and will bring our countrymen together to commemorate and pay tribute to the supreme martyrdom of Chhotte Sahibzade.

He also lauded the Prime Minister for all his decisions with respect to the Sikh community, which included reopening of the Kartarpur Corridor, which connects Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan to the border with India, justice for 1984 riot victims and reopening of cases for a probe by SIT, release of postage stamp to commemorate 550th parkash utsav, observing the 400th parkash utsav of Guru Tegh Bahadur by organising several events, securing safe exit of over 457 Sikhs in Afghanistan, among several other decisions in support of the Sikh community.  

 World Youth Group - Felicitation​

The World Youth Group is a globally renowned team of elected young leaders, politicians, parliamentarians, and diplomats. Its mission is to Educate, Encourage, and Engage global youth in social and political sectors within the UN realm by supporting the United Nations initiatives. Apart from the UN and its Agencies, the entity to host the highest number of elected representatives in the 76th UNGA.

A total of 22 Members of Parliament, 6 Ministers, and UN Permanent Representatives, representing over 25 countries, will be participating in 5 Summits. The founding organizations are Collegiate Congress Inc. (USA), All-Africa Students Union (AASU), European Students Union (ESU), Organization Continental Latinoamericana y Caribeña de Estudiantes (OCLAE), Young Democrats of America, and Young Republican National Federation (YRNF), and the founding members are then heads of the respective organizations. 

Adding heft to the organization is the Advisory Board which comprises of ten Permanent Representatives (Ambassadors) of UN Member States. Each Ambassador also acts as Chief Advisor for a Committee on SDG. With 108 national student unions, a dozen national youth political leadership, and over 45 Youngest Members of Parliament, they are to be the largest only elected youth leader’s consortium in the world. 

Speaking on the appointment, H.E. Ambassador Collen V. Kelapile, Permanent Representative of Botswana to the UN and President of UN's Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) quoted, "Mr. Mansoor's credentials as an entrepreneur and social activist speak for themselves. We, at the Advisory Board, are delighted to have him as our partner. We are confident that under Mr. Mansoor's able leadership the Council, which comprises of top experts in various fields and is the only non-parliamentary, the non-diplomat team at the World Youth Group, will serve to further strengthen our group as we actively work towards United Nations Agenda 2030 - the Sustainable Development Goals and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development especially during these challenging times." 

Cristo Thomas, Chair of, World Youth Group added, "Mr. Mansoor's association with us will add the much-needed impetus to invigorate The Council, I am confident that we will grow by leaps and bounds and accelerate our progress towards our common goals." 

About World Youth Group

Founded in 2019, the World Youth Group, is a globally renowned team of elected young leaders, politicians, parliamentarians, and diplomats. The group’s mission is to Educate, Encourage, and Engage global youth in social and political sectors within the UN realm by supporting the United Nations initiatives.

The World Youth Group endorses and supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aimed at transforming our world by 2030 in accordance with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/70/1, adopted on 25 September 2015 entitled: “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.

The World Youth Group stands firmly in its commitments to promoting the United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/73/25 adopted on 3 December 2018 by the General Assembly proclaiming 24 January as “International Day of Education”. We focus on legislative reforms in its implementation.

For more information, kindly visit: www.worldyouth.group.

Mr. Mohammad Khan Pathan, President - State Minority Cell offering appointment letter to Saleem Sarang

When corona pandemic struck and poor were hit hard Mr. Sarang came to the rescue of the needy and provided food and ration kits to over 10,000 families. This proved to be great relief for many daily wage earners who had lost livelihood in lockdown. 

Concern for the poor is always on the forefront of Mr. Sarang in all his actions. On the occasion of NCP leader and deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s birthday, instead of spending money on putting up big hoardings, Mr. Sarang distributed ration among 300 needy families. He firmly believes that hunger as no religion and no one deserves to sleep hungry in entire world.

With his new position as state general Secretary of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) minority cell, Mr. Sarang vows to serve society at much wider level.

“Health, education and generating employment are going to be my key focus areas,” Mr. Saleem Sarang said while outlining his future plan of action.

Mr. Sarang thanked to Mr. Sharad Pawar, President - Nationalist Congress Party, Shri Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister - Maharashtra, Mr. Jayant Patil, NCP - Maharashtra State president, Mr. Mohammad Khan Pathan, President - State Minority Cell, & Mr. Sultan Maldar President - Navi Mumbai District Minority Cell along with all senior leaders of NCP for giving him new responsibility. 

For more information, please visit: twitter.com/sarangsspeaks.

The overarching theme of the summit, Build Back Better, set by the UK as hosts, covered the current global priorities - economic and societal recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and accelerating the green transition to overcome climate change.

The UKIBC was pleased that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited to participate, and we hope that future hosts also invite the Prime Minister to attend, as India will be a critical ally in tackling global challenges.

Joining virtually, PM Modi highlighted India's commitment to democracy, freedom of thought and liberty: the values the G7 stands for. On this year’s focus areas, Mr. Modi highlighted the importance of global health vaccines and recovery from COVID-19, environmental and climate change, and open societies and open economies.

UK India Business Council Chair, Richard Heald said, “It was great to see such strong cooperation between participants at the G7 Summit, including the UK and India, on vaccine rollout, health security, democratic values, and infrastructure. We are better off working together, sharing ideas and experiences, and relevant solutions through people-to-people links, trade, investment, and R&D. Business will play a key role in the innovation, production, and distribution of the goods required to overcome global challenges, including the urgent pandemic and climate change. We at UKIBC congratulate Prime Minister Johnson for hosting a successful summit and warmly welcome the critical inputs from Prime Minister Modi to achieve the G7’s goals.”

The UKIBC believes that global cooperation will support the UK-India bilateral relationship, as two key allies, and the bilateral relationship will support global cooperation as the UK and India share goods, services, and innovations more freely.

We also welcome the ‘One Earth, One Health’ narrative of PM Modi in a speech on a session on health. Calling for global unity, leadership, and solidarity to overcome the COVID pandemic and prevent future pandemics, Modi also emphasised the special responsibility of democratic and transparent societies to deal with the challenge. Ensuring that cyberspace advances democratic values was also outlined by the Prime Minister as a key goal.

While, on a session on climate change, Mr. Modi outlined the need for developing countries to have better access to climate finance. The UKIBC recognises that climate-related and sustainable finance will be vital to help poorer countries to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure and clean energy, and to incentivise sustainable behaviours. Through our Energy Transition and Green Economy Sector Advocacy Group we will support our members and clients to play their part, through renewable energy solutions, energy-related infrastructure, as well as sustainable financing.

The UKIBC welcomes the G7’s immediate response to Mr. Modi’s proposals: a pledge of USD100 billion a year by rich countries to help poorer ones cut emissions and cope with global warming; and donations of 1 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses over the next year to poorer countries. As UKIBC’s Kealan Finnegan wrote ahead of the summit, India and South Africa, as the two developing nations at the event, were likely to call for greater support from advanced countries for the world, through sharing expertise and enabling widespread distributions and production of vaccines.

The global vaccine roll-out will remain important in the coming weeks, months, and years as the world rises to the COVID challenge and introduces systems to enable the planet to live with COVID. Energy transition financing is also a vital theme and will be one on which the public and private sector focus in the lead up to and beyond, COP26 in Glasgow in November.

Ahead of this year’s G7 hosted by the UK, the first since 2019, the UKIBC has urged the leaders of the two countries to build an alliance to ensure global impact in the areas of their cooperation.
 

“India and the UK are leading in dealing with the urgent issues facing the global community, including the most urgent and immediate ones - combatting COVID and climate change. It is equally important that the UK and India engage in multilateral forums like the G7 and ensure positive global impact that the two countries are working towards,” said Kevin McCole, Managing Director, UKIBC.

McCole added that India’s participation in the Summit was important in terms of the bilateral relationship too. “Prime Ministers Johnson and Modi have set out a “transformational Comprehensive Strategic Partnership”, with a 10-year roadmap and it is no surprise that the Roadmap contains three of the big issues being covered at the G7: tackling climate change; healthcare cooperation (including in the immediate term to address the pandemic); and economic development through trade and investment,” said McCole.

"The Indo-UK cooperation in producing the Oxford University-Astra Zeneca vaccine clearly signals that the two countries can lead the world on healthcare R&D and manufacturing, and collaborate on digital technology, critical to improving the efficacy and availability of healthcare solutions," he added.

McCole said that the UK India Business Council would be watching the G7 deliberations closely as the three main agenda items were at the core of Indo-UK ties and are expected to add a new dimension to the bilateral cooperation also.

Ek Mulakat Visesh virtual session with young Norwegian politician Himanshu Gulati

The Ek Mulakat Visesh session was organised by Prabha Khaitan Foundation of Kolkata and presented by Shree Cement. Himanshu was in conversation with Rishma Gill of Ehsaas Woman of Chandigarh and was joined in by Harsha Parekh of Spectrum, Pune Chapter, social activist and member Ehsaas Woman of Varanasi, Ankita Khattry Nadaan and scores of curious audience from all over India.

“I try to stay very much connected to India by watching news everyday, listening to Indian music, movies and visiting India as much as I can. It also gives a perspective. India represents almost one-fifth of humanity and with the historical weight the Indian culture carries through mediation, yoga, scriptures, India gives a bigger perspective than living in a small country like Norway,” Gulati said.

Himanshu Gulati’s parents immigrated to Norway in the late 70s and started from scratch.1988-born Himanshu Gulati is a member of parliament from Norway representing the Progress Party. He became the youngest state secretary in Norwegian parliament at the age of 25 in 2013 and served as a Deputy Minister of Justice. For three years he served as a Deputy Minister State Secretary in the Prime Minister’s office. Mr Gulati has travelled to more than 160 countries. He has directed an International Art House feature film, starred in several cinemas and documentaries and also participated and hosted shows on Norwegian television. Himanshu was awarded Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award in 2019 by the President of India at a function in Varanasi.

On being asked what it is like to be one of the youngest members of Parliament?

Himanshu said, “I am truly very grateful for the opportunity to have high positions of office in politics at a young age and although it is lesser common in India, I am lucky that in Norway is not completely uncommon for people below 30 to be Members of Parliament or be Deputy Ministers and I think it is important in every society that people of all ages, and the younger ones, have their voice inside politics and play a part in how society is shaped. So I think it helps to create better policies if all age groups are represented.”

Commenting on the challenges he faced climbing the political ladder, Gulati said, “I have been able to ascend high in politics at a young age. The challenges you face as an outsider being so young in politics is that people underestimate you. I think that is a challenge people face everywhere. When somebody stands out in a different way, people underestimate you. But we live in a world where what you do and your input is more important than who you are. That is one of the reasons I could also be where I am.”

Alluding to his parents’ humble origins in Norway, Gulati said, “My parents like a lot of people who left India in the 70s-80s for Norway and started with two empty hands. My father, being an educated doctor, and my mother a physiotherapist. I am very grateful to them. Me and a lot of people who had been born to Indian parents abroad and got opportunities were served down silver platters while people who really did the hard work were our parents’ generation. I am just a small example.”

“Indians, wherever they travel, are very good at preserving their culture. Although living away from India, my parents, like millions of other Indians abroad, closely watched Bollywood films, listened to Indian music, not just they made Indian food for themselves but for all the neighbours and themselves and sort of became ambassadors of Indian culture. Indians are very good at exporting their cultures to others,” Himanshu said.

Responding to a question about his experiences of having travelled to over 160 countries, Himanshu said, “Travelling is the true passion of my life and I urge everybody to travel as much as possible. I travelled a lot within India also and was fortunate to see all parts of the country. Travelling truly expands one's horizon and also teaches one that the world is not black and white. The world is full of nuances and people all over are very different in culture. I have travelled to some dangerous parts of the world like North Korea, which is one of the most isolated countries in the world. I was recently in Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and also have participated in several personal initiatives to help Norwegians stranded abroad to come home. So I do travelling for my own soul and as a hobby.”

Expressing his views on India-Norway relationship, Himanshu said, “Norway is a small country but you could say it has super powers in certain fields when it comes to energy, gas, oil, fisheries and so on. Both India and Norway can increase trade. I think this great potential for Norwegian and Indian technologies go both ways. I think India offers Europe and Norway something more than just commodities. It offers the habit of yoga, meditation and sort of the inner aspects I know Norwegians are very inspired by. So it is always my effort to try to create a close relationship between Norway and India.”

Recounting his experience of receiving the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, Himanshu said, “It was an out of the world experience and for the motherland of my parents to honor the children of somebody who left India 40 years ago. Personally, to receive the Award from the President and Prime Minister was one of the greatest honors of my life and something I will never forget.”

In particular, we welcome the UK-India Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) and the intention to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The Prime Ministers also announced GBP 1 billion of new UK-India trade and investment. This is a great start, but only the beginning.

The ETP, part of a 10-year roadmap of bilateral co-operation agreed by the Prime Ministers, aims to double the annual trade between the UK and India by 2030. The UKIBC believes this is the right ambition and is achievable. UK-India trade is already strong: in the year before the pandemic bilateral trade grew by 10 percent to GBP24 billion. The ETP is a great opportunity to grow this rapidly, particularly in sectors such as food and drink, life science and healthcare, advanced engineering, energy, digital technology, defence, education, and legal, financial and professional services.

Similarly, an FTA is the right eventual goal. It will require momentum. As such, it is hugely encouraging that the ETP will address market access barriers and ease of doing business immediately and on an ongoing basis.

In this regard, it was great news that the ETP, signed by the UK’s Secretary of State for International Trade, Liz Truss, and Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, removed barriers to trade in the food and drink, services, and healthcare sectors. Non-tariff barriers on fruit and medical devices will be lowered. There was also a commitment to deepen co-operation in educational services including the recognition of UK higher education qualifications, which will help Indian students to study and work more fluidly between the UK and India. A pledge to work to remove barriers in the Indian legal services sector is another step that could significantly increase trade and collaboration. It is also hugely encouraging that lowering or removing current tariffs such as those of up to 150% on whisky and up to 125% on automotive have been highlighted as objectives of the ETP.

UKIBC Group Chair Richard Heald, OBE said, “Our countries are already close partners and friends, and today’s announcement of a 10-year roadmap working towards an FTA will take the bilateral relationship to the next level. In the immediate term, the focus will rightly be on removing market access barriers. Businesses in both countries are enthused by the opportunities to enter and expand across the UK-India economic corridor and the ETP, leading to an FTA, will make that more appealing and easier than ever.”

UKIBC Managing Director, Kevin McCole said, “It matters when the 5th and 6th biggest economies in the world form a trade partnership, so the Enhanced Trade Partnership is a potential game-changer for businesses and consumers - doubling trade to GBP50 billion per year. Both governments should be congratulated in getting it to this stage.

While the ETP will rightly tackle immediate barriers to trade, it is also important that it is future-proofed. Alongside growth in goods trade, we expect significant trade growth to be in services, particularly the technology, digital, financial, and IP-rich services where the UK and India are globally competitive and where there is scope for far greater bilateral activity. By focussing, now, on the trade of the future, the UK-India ETP and FTA can be a model for all trade deals that follow.”

The UKIBC also laud the UK’s continued support for India in combatting the ongoing pandemic. The UK Government and UK businesses have been playing their part through the provision of critical equipment such as ventilators and oxygen concentrators. The UKIBC has been working with both countries’ High Commissions and partners like the CII and FICCI to coordinate UK businesses’ efforts to assist India.

It was great to see cooperation on COVID-19 and other diseases set to continue as a new GBP 240 million investment by the Serum Institute of India in the UK will create a large number of jobs and is expected to generate new business worth over GBP 720 million, support clinical trials, research and development, and possibly manufacturing of vaccines.

Through continued dialogue with our members and clients, namely UK and Indian businesses, and with both Governments, the UKIBC will support the journey to greater UK-India trade and investment and ultimately the achievement of a comprehensive and mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement.

While the pandemic has to be the immediate priority, it is encouraging that the Prime Ministers are working together now on medium - and long-term priorities such as climate action, healthcare, defence and security, and trade and investment.

Trade and Investment

The trade and investment partnership is particularly important, and the UKIBC hopes that the meeting tomorrow will provide more details of the Enhanced Trade Partnership initiated by Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industries, and his UK counterpart, Liz Truss, Secretary of State for International Trade.

Our two countries are starting from a position of strength. UK-India trade grew by 10 percent to GBP 24 billion in the year before the pandemic. India is the second largest investor in the UK and, over the last decade, the UK has been the second fastest growing G20 investor in India.

Nevertheless, there is great potential to do even better. The UK and India are the 5^th and 6^th largest economies in the world, they are both growing, and there is great complementarity between them.

Businesses are looking forward to the Governments implementing an Enhanced Trade Partnership that addresses market access barriers in the short- and medium-term and begins the journey to an eventual Free Trade Agreement.

With our economies growing and the barriers reducing, we at the UKIBC expect to see a step-change in the volume and nature of the trade and investment relationship. Alongside the reduction and removal of tariffs and non-tariff barriers to goods trade, it is important that the ETP recognises the critical importance, to both countries, of knowledge- and technology-driven trade, such as digital, data, and financial services.

By reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers, including the alignment of standards, the benefits will be felt across many sectors, most notably digital and ICT, food and drink, defence, healthcare and pharma, and advanced manufacturing.

The Enhanced Trade Partnership is therefore important - it will create jobs and prosperity in both countries, and we at the UKIBC look forward to supporting the implementation of the ETP on this exciting and important journey to an FTA.

COVID recovery and healthcare

The UK and India have cooperated and supported each other consistently throughout the COVID-19 pandemic: in the UK’s first wave the export of pharmaceuticals and PPE from India helped to save lives, the Oxford University-Astra Zeneca vaccine manufactured in Pune is one of the world’s leading vaccines, and now the UK is supporting the second wave in India through the export of oxygen concentrators, mobile oxygen factories, and ventilators. Friends and partners support each other in challenging times, and the UKIBC is delighted to be playing a role in sourcing UK suppliers of these life-saving items.

It is important that this collaboration sustains and evolves after the pandemic. It will bring solutions to our countries’ own healthcare challenges and, given the exciting R&D work going on in the UK and India and the drug manufacturing capability in both countries, the UK and India could provide solutions to support global problems. Together, we can lead the world on R&D and production, combining the best of our medical technology - including digital and AI - and our drug discovery capabilities.

The UKIBC welcomes that the UK-India 10-year roadmap, trailed by the countries’ Foreign and External Affairs Ministers in December 2020, includes healthcare as one of the five priorities for the bilateral partnership. We look forward to supporting businesses to make a difference to the health and well-being of the UK and Indian people.

Climate Change

The inclusion of climate change as a priority in the 10-year UK-India road map, trailed by the Foreign and External Affairs Ministers in December 2020, shows just how important the issue is and just how important the UK and India are in the fight against climate change.

The role of business will be crucial to the fight through investments, innovation, and research and development to create solutions to mitigate and adapt to our changing environment.

Tech-rich UK businesses are keen to collaborate with their Indian counterparts in a wide range of areas, including waste to energy, solar, wind, electric vehicles and associated infrastructure, and in hydrogen.

We at the UKIBC look forward to further details of the governments’ collaboration plans and look forward to supporting by bringing businesses that can help both countries achieve their climate goals.

Defence and Security

As India is the world’s third-highest military spender and its Government increased the FDI cap from 49% to 74% in 2020, there is significant scope for even more UK investments and UK-India co-creation of defence and aerospace technologies.  

There is also increased collaboration between the armed forces of the two countries, with the UK’s new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth and accompanying fleet set to be deployed on a maiden voyage to the Indian Ocean this month.

Beyond national security considerations, defence, aerospace and security are critical sectors for India’s industrial objectives as set out in Government’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat missions.

A flourishing Indian defence sector requires increased foreign technology transfer and foreign investment that will meet not just the needs of India but will also be exported to other countries.

UK businesses, like Rolls Royce, BAE systems, Babcock, MBDA and Thales are deeply committed to India. And the inclusion of defence and security as one of the priorities in the UK-India 10-year roadmap, announced by the Foreign and External Affairs Ministers in December 2020, will, we hope, greatly enable business to business activity.

The India Makkal Munnetra Katchi (IMMK) has stirred quite an expectation in the upcoming 2021 State Assembly Elections. The IMMK party unveiled its ‘Robot’ symbol and released the election manifesto in the event held in Chennai recently.
 

Dr. Ra. Arjunamurthy, Party President, IMMK released the election manifesto in the press meet, Chennai on 9^th March. The first copy was received by Ms. Yamunasri, Viluppuram Dt Secretary, IMMK
 

Dr. Ra. Arjunamurthy, Party President, IMMK introduced the ‘Robot’ symbol which was specially designed using the ‘Augmented Reality’ technology. This Robot said that it will be involved in garnering votes in support of its party which took everyone by surprise. A demonstration was also shown by the Robot as ‘how will it meet the voters?’

The Party President Dr. Ra. Arujunmurthy, released the election manifesto for the 2021 State Assembly election with the primary goal, “A Change in Tamil Nadu with an inclusive growth for everyone”. Through the unique project 'Pasu-My Puratchi’, IMMK’s progressive special plan to deliver 500 ml to 1 litre of free milk for the family cardholders daily, to lease half an acre of Government Squatter Land to a farmer on terms of merit, free distribution of 4 country ethnic cows and distribution of free housing are notable features.

It is mentioned in the manifesto that various notable schemes will be implemented for the progress of Tamil Nadu, if the party comes to power, such as, in each district, an extent of 50-acres sports complex as per international standard, free transportation for working women, aid/scholarship for senior citizens, a special plan for families living below the monthly income of Rs. 20,000/-, e-Market Card for students, the cancellation of fees for vehicle parking in the Hindu temple during deity darshan, and also the fees collected for safeguarding footwear.

To know more about the election manifesto, watch the Party President Dr. Ra. Arujunmurthy’s speech: twitter.com/raarjunamurthy?s=11.

The administrators of the India Makkal Munnetra Katchi and many participated in this event.

Sujata Pandey

It is acknowledged even by the government’s Economic Surveys that women’s representatives in Lok Sabha and the legislative assemblies are abysmally low. However, the success of women’s reservation in the three-tier Panchayati Raj institutions is widely admitted across the country. Even after heavy demand from all quarters including women groups, the women’s reservation bill was not tabled by the NDA government in the recently-concluded budget and winter sessions of Parliament.

The Women Reservation Bill, in discussion over the last two decades, proposes to amend the Constitution to reserve 33% of all seats for women in the Lok Sabha and all legislative assemblies.

“To bridge the gender gap in political decision-making the Women’s reservation bill can become a very strong catalyzing tool. Political leadership plays the most important role in nation-building and if we will have an adequate number of women leaders, in the law-making process, they would significantly impact policy decisions and raise aspirations among teenage girls,” says Sujata Pandey, Political Analyst.

Historically speaking the Constituent Assembly originally comprised 389 members out of which only 15 were women. Studies reveal the issue of women’s reservation was raised in the Assembly but it did not garner much support due to various reasons. Even woman members such as Renuka Ray, argued against it as she considered it an “Impediment to our growth and an insult to our very intelligence and capacity.” She believed that in a free India, women would be evaluated in terms of ability alone and would not be in any need of reservation, citing the example of Ms. Vijaylaxmi Pandit and Sarojini Naidu, failing to realise they were the exception rather than the norm, and unable to anticipate the institutionalised sexism and discrimination that women would continue to face which act as obstacles to female success.

“We were very hopeful that our Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojna and the intension of his government appeared honourable in this context. A ray of hope was visible for the passage of the Women Reservation Bill too,” she adds.

The main objective of the Bill is to enhance the participation of women in decision-making. Several researchers have found that despite the handicaps women leaders might face in terms of education and experience, they invested more in public goods preferred by women suggesting that reservation for women had important effects on local policy decisions in the reserved gram panchayats. “This is high time to scale up the process at national and state levels,” Pandey emphasises.

Another disadvantage faced by women is the reluctance of major political parties to give more tickets to women candidates. In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, Congress gave only 13% of its tickets to women and the BJP gave 12% of its tickets. Parties like Trinamool Congress and the BJD, which have given 37% and 33% of tickets to women respectively, have done a far better job than the larger parties.

It is high time for women to take their rightful place in the state legislatures and Parliament. Political leadership should not have any doubt regarding Women’s power and women in leadership positions are more likely, than their male counterparts, to make decisions that further the cause of an inclusive and just society. In this context, women's reservation has huge potential to transform governance in India.

To know more, please visit: www.sujatapandey.com, Follow her on twitter: @imsujatapandey.

Union Budget 2021

Rajiv Bhalla, MD, Barco India - "The budget is a major step in the right direction. It outlays a strong focus on infrastructure, healthcare, capital spending, disinvestment, monetization, job creation and digitization. These measures are not only progressive and recovery-led, if implemented correctly would ease the burden on the economy and lead India towards the projected v-shaped growth and development. The budget talks about structural reforms in banking, enhancing debt financing and credit limits for businesses and asset monetization. This will lead to an increase in government spending, which, in turn will spur demand, therefore net positive for the industry. The several initiatives around job-creation, startups, reskilling, rural development and better quality of services to people are positive as a Nation cannot progress without care for the environment and inclusive all-round transformation."

Finance/Taxation

Suraj Malik, Partner, BDO India (M&A) - "Budget 2021 constructively impact the lives of common man with targeted proposals for extending social security benefits to gig economy, tax concessions on affordable housing and rental housing, simplified compliance regime for start-ups and exemption to senior citizens from tax filings. Stability in tax regime, simplification in compliance procedures along with consolidation of laws will provide a strong foundation to the six pillars for achieving economic growth".

Real Estate

Neetish Sarda, Founder, Smartworks, - "Hon'ble FM's vision for Atmanirbhar Bharat with a budget focused on six essential pillars is commendable. The government has set an ambitious target to build infrastructure in the country and increase focus on digitisation and public investments. The proposal to exempt dividend payments on REITs and InVITs from TDS will surely boost investor sentiment thus augmenting funds for infra and real estate sectors. Initiatives to boost the Indian startup ecosystem by incentivising the setting up of One Person Companies (OPCs), announcing tax holidays and an extension in capital gains exemption are welcome steps."

Prashant Solomon, MD, Chintels India and Hon. Treasurer- CREDAI NCR - "Finance Minister has presented a forward looking Budget that is aimed at generating investments and reigniting the growth cycle. The government’s big bet on infrastructure is bound to pay off in the long term and bring in growth for real estate and allied sectors. Giving flexibility to REITs to raise more debt capital will attract more investment in the real estate sector and will lead to faster closure of transactions. The decision to extend tax holiday for affordable housing projects is a step in the right direction and will help realise Prime Minister’s dream of ‘Housing For All by 2022’."

Women Entrepreneur& Start-up

Jahnabi Phookan, National President, FICCI FLO - "The budget proposed by Finance Minister will help to boost the revival of our nation’s economy following the Covid induced Economic Fallout. With its targeted proposals for extending benefits to the women in form of policies such as Mega Investments Textiles Park, Incentivising one-person companies, Implementation of the four labour codes, dedicating 3000 crore to NATS, proposal of funds for the welfare of tea workers especially the women & children in Assam & West Bengal, It will provide a strong foundation for the female strata to rise and support in building an Atmanirbhar Bharat.”

Shammi Pant, Co-founder, myJen.ai - "This budget reinforces the focus on the fundamentals with intent to revive the economy from the unprecedented pandemic setback of last year. In a major way it focuses on Health, Infrastructure and further rationalization of our financial regulations, which is going to give the economy an impetus in revival and put the focus back on fundamentals. The startup community welcomes the attention given in Budget speech of the Finance Ministry and we thank for announcements regarding Tax Holidays and Capital Gain Exemptions.”

Romira Roy, Founder and Chairperson – SEED - “The six-pack budget proposed by the Finance Minister encompasses the true spirit of sustainable and equal growth. The push for the health sector and the skilling space with tie-ups with UAE and Japan, to begin with, will go a long way. The focus on revamping the health infrastructure, the push for aggressive disinvestment with LIC’s IPOs, Tax holiday for start-up, expansion & strengthening of nameless faceless IT along with the revision of years are something to be applauded. Although tax slab revisions & further involvement of the private sector in the COVID vaccination distribution is something that could have also been looked at. Overall it was a well-balanced budget given the fiscal deficit constraints.”

Rishi Ahuja, Founder, Klip VR Immersive Tech - “It’s heartening to see the focus on Education in Finance Minister’s budget speech where she rightly said youth of the country have abundant skills and it needs proper channelization. This year will be historic and motivational for our youth with events like 75th Year of Independence and Chandrayaan Mission 3. The education budget and steps announced for effective implementation of National Education Policy, increased focus on the role of technology will provide further opportunities for growth and sustained development of the sector and students. Rishi Ahuja, Klip VR Immersive Tech.”

Automotive

Mr. Sharad Malhotra, President – Automotive Refinishes and Wood Coatings, Nippon Paint India - "With an expansionary Budget that focuses on growth, the Finance Minister has delivered on major counts. The Budget has announced a massive infrastructure boost with huge outlay for Railways and privatizing airports. Along with this, measures that will increase consumer spending and make India more self-reliant are a step in the right direct. Fitness testing for both PVs and CVs is a positive move that will not only generate employment opportunities but also ensure a cleaner environment. Our sector has got a favorable boost in form of FM's voluntary vehicle scrappage policy announcement."

Retail/Sports

Mr. Arun Pandey, Chairman & MD, Rhiti Group - “The Union Budget 2021-2022 laid major impetus on unlocking our nation’s true potential by introducing schemes such as providing financial incentives to promote digital transactions, providing incentives to one-person companies, allocating resources for the revival of the MSME sector, setting up of Central University in Leh, allotment of 3000 cr to NATS, etc. These initiatives will help to foster the Start-up Industry, MSME sector, education sector & help in the overall development of the nation. Through this budget, the Finance Minister was able to address each & every aspect of the economy.”

Healthcare

Farhan Pettiwala, Executive Director & Head Development, India & South Asia, Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital (AJEH) - "We expected a bigger change and disruptive budget, indeed the budget has Kickstarted by increasing investment in Infra, healthcare, ARC (asset management company), LIC IPO disinvestment, no change in tax structure, INR 64,180 crore to new health scheme is a big plus, with 35,000 cr for COVID vaccine."

A total of 33,82,560 valid nominations were received through our website for 512 Lok Sabha MPs between Oct 1, 2020 and Oct 15, 2020. The top 25 MPs based on the number of nominations received were shortlisted for the field interviews stage. Their names (as listed on the Lok Sabha website) are listed below alphabetically:

Shri Maulana Badruddin Ajmal - Dhubri, Assam (UIDF), Shri Sukhbir Singh Badal - Ferozpur, Punjab (SAD), Shri Om Birla - Kota, Rajasthan (BJP), Shri Vinod Chavda - Kachchh, Gujarat (BJP), Shri Karti P. Chidambaram - Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu (INC), Dr. T. Sumathy (a) Thamizhachi Thangapandian - Chennai South, Tamil Nadu (DMK), Shri Anil Firojiya - Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh (BJP), Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari - Nagpur, Maharashtra (BJP), Shri Rahul Gandhi - Wayanad, Kerala (INC), Shri Hemant Tukaram Godse - Nashik, Maharashtra (SS), Shri Vijay Kumar Hansdak - Rajmahal, Jharkhand (JMM), Choudhary Mehboob Ali Kaiser -Khagaria, Bihar (LJSP), Shri Abdul Khaleque - Barpeta, Assam (INC), Shri Vijay Kumar - Gaya, Bihar (JDU), Shri Mohanbhai Kalyanji Kundariya - Rajkot, Gujarat (BJP), Shri Shankar Lalwani - Indore, Madhya Pradesh (BJP), Shri Sadashiv Kisan Lokhande - Shirdi, Maharashtra (SS), Ms. Mahua Moitra - Krishnanagar, West Bengal (AITC), Shri Malook Nagar - Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh (BSP), Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad - Patna Sahib, Bihar (BJP), Shri Adala Prabhakara Reddy - Nellore, Andhra Pradesh (YSR Congress Party), Shri Syed Imtiaz Jaleel - Aurangabad, Maharashtra (AIMIM), Shri L.S. Tejasvi - Bangalore South, Karnataka (BJP), Dr. Shashi Tharoor - Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (INC), Shri Akhilesh Yadav - Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh (SP).

After conducting field interviews in those 25 constituencies, Shri Anil Firojiya is top in the list of top 10 MPs followed by Shri Adala Prabhakara Reddy, Shri Rahul Gandhi, Ms. Mahua Moitra, Shri L.S. Tejasvi Surya, Shri Hemant Tukaram Godse, Shri Sukhbir Singh Badal, Shri Shankar Lalwani, Dr. T. Sumathy (a) Thamizhachi Thangapandian, Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari respectively.

More details on the survey, rankings and methodology are available at the URL provided above.

Speaking about the results, Mr. Manjunath Keri, Senior Project Lead of the survey team said, "The results don't reveal the stories of courage and selflessness of these MPs that our teams heard during their conversations with people across various constituencies. For all the negative publicity our elected representatives get, we don't hear the stories of how some MPs and their teams risked their personal safety to serve their constituency."

Over the next several weeks, GovernEye will seek brief interview sessions with all the MPs listed above to learn from them how India can be better prepared to face a similar crisis in the future.

Shri Gangadhar Reddy, BJP Contestant, Gachibowli Division, GHMC Elections (left), and Shri Bikshapathi Yadav Ji, ex-MLA, with Shri Reddy (right)

One  such leader, Shri. Gangadhar Reddy, is contesting from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket from Gachibowli (105) division. Shri Gangadhar Reddy lived all his life in the Nallagandla region - where he saw the region transform from a small cluster of impoverished villages in the  outskirts of Hyderabad - to a thriving residential hub for professionals from around the nation.

Shri Gangadhar Reddy has been active in politics for over 15 years now. Mentored by the likes of Gachibowli’s iconic leaders, Shri Bikshapathi Yadav Ji, and Shri Ravi Kumar Yadav Ji, he has been serving the community in his personal capacity - standing up for anyone who needed a helping hand.

Commenting on why he decided to contest in these elections, Shri Gangadhar Reddy stated, “I have lived all my life here and got first-hand experience of the problems our people face. For the last 15 years, I operated in my personal capacity, helping anyone and everyone - but the  impact, I believe, will be much larger if the same social initiatives were implemented via formal government channels.”

Most candidates have a little idea of the community's challenges, and hence talk about solving problems that don’t even exist. Shri Gangadhar Reddy, on the other hand, personally knows the nook and  corner of every slum, street, locality, gated community, colony and  so on. Being an active part of the community, he understands key issues and the obstacles in solving them.

Talking about his inspiration, Shri Gangadhar Reddy added, “I am a true believer in Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s ideals and initiatives. What his predecessors could just talk about - he actually implemented on the ground. Like him, I view serving the people as an accomplishment only a few can achieve.”

During lockdown, Shri Gangadhar Reddy spearheaded food arrangements for over 80,000 people near Tellapur circle. He also provided essential supplies to daily wage earners at construction sites in areas other than Gachibowli as well. At nights, he would go around in his car, feeding stray dogs, who too were hungry, but were largely ignored by people stuck in their homes.

The inspiration behind all this, Shri Gangadhar Reddy spoke, “Since childhood, my parents and mentors made me stand for people during times of natural calamities. What started out as some initiatives towards helping  the poor, has grown into a way of life for me.” He further added, “Whether elected or not, I stay accessible, 24X7X365 days a year, to all my citizens of the Gachibowli division, ready to fight for their cause.”

Kasani Veeresh, General Secretary, Jana Jagruthi Academy submitting the representation to Dr. Shashank Goel Garu, Chief Electoral Officer – Telangana

The letter advised corrective measures to address two large problem areas affecting the registration numbers – low awareness about the initiative and complicated voter registration process. The letter addressed to Dr. Shashank Goel, Chief Electoral Officer – Telangana, informed the state election body about the barriers faced by graduate voters on-ground due to COVID restrictions. The letter suggested the following steps to offset the negative impact of COVID on the registration process.

• Extension of voter registration deadline by 15 days in view of the information barriers induced by COVID outbreak, floods and heavy rainfall in the city.

• Acceptance of new voter applications in the ‘period of filing of claims and objections’ (1^st December – 31^st December) and inclusion of new voters in the supplementary voter list scheduled to be released on 12^th January, 2021 in line with the decision by Kerala State Election Commission to feature new voters even in the supplementary voters’ list for its local body elections scheduled in December, 2020.

• Acceptance of self-attested educational documents for voter registration to avoid possible exposure of voters to COVID virus from visiting the highly frequented offices of gazetted officers and also align themselves with the Recommendations made in Second Administrative Reforms Commission in its 12th report (February, 2009) by the central government

• Immediate deputation and mobilization of door-to-door verification teams to verify voter information and educational documents at the doorstep of the voter and use the same modus operandi followed for voter verification in Assembly Elections and Lok Sabha Elections.

Kasani Veeresh, General Secretary, Jana Jagruthi Academy on submitting the application to State Election Commission said, “I have requested the State Election Commission of Telangana to extend the deadline for voter registration and accept self-attestation of educational documents for online voter application in view of the low voter turnout in Graduates’ Voter Registration program. Chasing gazetted officers and notary officers for verification of documents during COVID puts a voter’s health at risk.”

He further added, “State Election Commission of Telangana must immediately depute door-to-door verification teams and follow the same modus operandi used to verify voters in Assembly Elections and Lok Sabha Elections.”

While conducting Graduates’ voter awareness program which resulted in 35,000+ registrations for the initiative, the team lead Jana Jagruthi Academy noted very low awareness levels on the ground for Graduates’ Voter Registration drive. The letter apprised the state body on the broken information channels due to COVID restrictions and resistance of voters from stepping outdoors for document verification. Veeresh Kasani in the letter also expressed his fear that lakhs of graduates will choose not to register their votes in case the voter registration guidelines are not relaxed.

The team at Jana Jagruthi Academy also made sure to only suggest changes which require no big systemic change and are quick to implement.

About Kasani Veeresh

Kasani Veeresh is a second-generation politician from the state of Telangana and has been working for over a decade on initiatives around voter awareness, caste discrimination and women empowerment. Kasani Veeresh also serves as the General Secretary for Telangana Rashtra Mudiraj Mahasabha and 93 BC Kulala Ekya Vedika. He has also served as the president for Telangana District Cricket Association from 2007-18.

Mr. Bhagi Nanda Sandilya with Mr. Donald Trump Jr. at the success of the book "Liberal Priviledge" at New York

AI Mason campaigns for President Trump along with the entire team of SRAM & MRAM - Appeals to Indian-Americans to support Donald Trump. India’s perspective highlighted by Co-Chair of Trump Victory Indian-American Finance Committee - Al Mason, highlighted seven key reasons why Indian-Americans should support Trump to be re-elected.

Quoting a recent survey, Mr. Mason also revealed that in key battleground states, more than 50% Indian-Americans are leaning towards President Trump. “You (Indian-Americans) may not realize your power, but President Trump surely does,” he said. At the event, Mr. Mason listed seven key factors for Indian-Americans to support President Trump:

#1: Mutual Respect

Given his equal treatment of Prime Minister Modi on the world stage, President Trump has respected the Indian-Americans like no other. He continues to echo this sentiment consistently.

#2: Soaring Bi-Lateral relations

Having elevated India’s stature by establishing rock-solid Indo-US ties, President Trump has assured a lasting bond between the world’s largest and oldest democracies.

#3 Unconditional Support

President Trump has proven his unconditional support to India and PM Modi’s tough yet necessary policies regarding Kashmir and Radical Islamic terrorism. President Trump’s side by side appearance at Houston’s Howdy Modi event was an indication of this support.

#4 Ally against China

President Trump has been the only US President to standby by India in face of China aggression and supporting the Republic of India by visiting the country and extolling its people, culture and contribution to the US and the world.

#5 Protecting the Motherland

Most Indian-Americans still fondly regard India as the motherland and have some roots still there in terms of relatives and connects. Trump’s support of India against China is a deterrent for China to start a war with India.

#6 Emotional Connect

The success of the 4-More-years video launched by Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle underscores the emotional bond the first family has established with Indian-Americans across the country, The more than 25 million views is proof of a mutually connect.

#7 Robust Economy

Under President Trump, the US economy is at an all-time high, outperforming previous records even during uncertain times. Unemployment continues to fall and the efficient handlings of eradicating COVID-19 are all factors of a strong committed leader who can get the job done!

"I am so proud that in a recent event President Trump in front of all, praised Al Mason by saying "Al Mason is very dedicated, my dear friend and will not forget his efforts to make me win," said Hemant Bhatt a member of Indian Voices For Trump Coalition.

"Our Campaign activities are vastly different to Democratic party-perfect messaging structured with a public view not political or personal views which resonates in all our activities otherwise, How else do you see 30 million impressions thus far possible on this video “4 more years” plus grass-root level contributions," exclaimed Sridhar Chityala, Indian Voices for Trump Advisory Board Member.

A Young & Dynamic New Jersey-based Entrepreneur and Vice Chairman of Gandhi Mandela Foundation, United States Mr. Bhagi Nanda Sandilya has presented Bhagavad Gita for his father - President Donald J. Trump and received a copy of “Liberal Privilege” book personally signed from Donald Trump Junior.

“Indian community is with Donald Trump for his clear vision towards building the economy and job creation. President Trump’s commitment to strengthening US Indian relations is also commendable, and in this U.S. Elections, it is going to get showcased,” said Bhagi Nanda Sandilya, an NJ based entrepreneur and vice-chairman of Gandhi-Mandela Foundation, United States. Praising President Trump’s tenure in White House, Nanda also said, “President Trump is only President in last 47 years who has created peace without firing a bullet, real Middle East peace deal maker.”

grptalk is the world's largest Audio Conferencing service provider which can connect more than 50,000 people on a single call at the same time. The upcoming elections have increased business prospects for us. Wherever there are a large number of people on a call or target consumer, parties need solutions like grptalk. For the Bihar elections, Telebu’s multiple products are being leveraged by leading political parties and adopted by many party workers. grptalk helps party workers on their daily work and understanding of the situation on a day to day basis from all the individuals at one go. Party workers have to coordinate before the election and they need to have a lot of digital rallies that are visual and audio. That is a large gathering that parties need to reach out.

Political parties are using grptalk to organize such virtual rallies. These audio rallies also help the leaders share their message to 50,000+ people on a single call. Telebu products help conduct polls for political parties to identify the right candidate. Missed call services are also very popular amongst political parties. These services help them get insights based on public opinion. Voter Identification and verification campaigns help gather support for elections manifestos and identify burning issues. It is helping them plan the focused campaigning areas by understanding the ground situation from the party workers. Broadcast campaigns also remind the public to vote, deliver personalised messages from leaders. Telebu is also offering IVRS, TelebuJoin (webinar/video meetings) and grievance redressal system (TelebuHub) that helps in getting the manifesto of the party directly sent to the voters, area specific strategizing and messages targeted on the segment or consumer sharing what the candidate is going to do also can be send to the voters with his voice and videos, which is added personalization.

The grptalk app helps political parties to organize a maximum of eight rallies and allows connecting at least 10-50,000+ people in each rally. It also guarantees to pledge to vote for elections. The audio conferencing app helps them to make all the workers to enroll voters for MLC elections. It is considered as the best tool to connect all the party workers of the constituency. It guides them for their daily work and helps in understanding the situation on a day to day basis from all the individuals at one go. It is also used to plan the focused campaigning areas by understanding the ground situation from the party workers.

Speaking about the business, role in elections and future, Mr. Satya Yeramsetti, CEO Telebu said, “The rise in demand of grptalk services made us realize the high demand and potential in the Indian market. We had a successful campaign in the previously held Telangana elections as well. Grptalk is the world's only application which connects over 50,000+ people on a single call at the same time which gives us an edge over our competitors. This feature is very useful for political parties and they are using it efficiently.” 

“The upcoming election in Bihar was a perfect opportunity for us to increase business prospects. We are looking at expanding our services portfolio and already have a gamut of solutions that can be instrumental for parties to hold campaigns, get polls, get authentic surveys and hold party meetings with a large gathering and all. To support the current demand in the segment, we are also looking at expanding our team strength and increasing our headcount by 20-25% in next quarter,” Satya added. 

grptalk is a mobile and web-based audio conferencing app that lets you connect 10-50,000+ people in less than 30 seconds. It enables ‘instant conferencing’ and gives you complete control and visibility of the call. The app also has more than 80,000 active users connected to it. Telebu offers grptalk services for political parties to connect with their party workers and plan a strategy for the elections. 

About Telebu

Telebu has a unique strategy. It does not cater to a single market, but multiple markets simultaneously. These can broadly be called the Team Communication, Team Collaboration, and Customer Communication markets. Put together the size of these markets will reach $150 billion by 2024. The COVID-19 pandemic has created another segment called the "work from home or Virtual Office segment". Over the next five years, Telebu expects to capture ten per cent of this soon to be $350 million market. Telebu has offices in Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Delhi NCR. It also has offices in Gulf Coast Countries including UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait. Telebu employs more than 400 people. It serves more than 100,000 customers and more than 3,000 enterprises. Among Telebu’s customers are ten political organisations.

A web URL has been launched today (www.governeye.co.in/survey/login) where people from across India can nominate their Lok Sabha Member of Parliament. The survey is open to everyone but they will need a GovernEye login so duplicate entries are not submitted. The nomination process ends on October 15, 2020, after which GovernEye will conduct field interviews in the nominated constituencies to get more information. Final results and lessons learned will be announced in the second or third week of December.

Speaking about the survey, Mr. Ajay Kumar Tiwari, Senior Community Manager said, "The coronavirus situation was and still is an unprecedented situation not just in India but across the globe. With around six months of experience behind us since it really hit us, we want to collect and share best practices from Lok Sabha MPs all over India so that we're better prepared when something like this hits us again."

The details of the survey process and the mechanisms will be released at the time of announcing the results. GovernEye is not releasing any information at this stage so that no attempt is made to influence the process externally.

A GovernEye login, which is required for the nomination form, does not collect a user's personally identifiable information at any time, not even their mobile number or email address. GovernEye has a strict policy of no invasion of user privacy. It does not collect any personally identifiable information during the registration process, the use of the app, or the nomination process.

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As the Assembly elections is just around the corner, Delhi-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) Women’s Association for Training, Empowerment and Resettlement (WATER) launched a massive campaign urging people to vote and choose a woman candidate in their constituency.

To ensure women candidates’ victory, the NGO is providing extensive social media and ground support to every woman candidate. WATER’s President Shilpi Arora has come up with a unique idea to motivate women candidates, who are trying their luck to rise in politics by offering them a small token ‘Good Luck Shagun’

Since its inception, NGO WATER demanded an equal representation of women in legislation for a fair practice of democratic politics.

Ab Hai Meri Baari

Meanwhile, the NGO’s nationally acclaimed, ‘Ab Hai Meri Baari’ (now it’s my turn) campaign is aimed towards an equal opportunity to women representation in the political sphere. Arora believes that if women can be successful insphere of life, they have the right to represent themselves on the political front too.

According to her, a women leader would be more efficient to reduce crime against women and women majority in politics would be beneficial to frame new set of law and order against rising incidents of rapes to put a stop to the Nirbhaya like scenario again. Unfortunately, the Union Budget for 2020-2021 has disappointed women in respect of measures for their safety and security.

Of the 672 nominees fielded across the 70 seats for the February 8 Delhi State Assembly elections, only 79 (or 11.75 per cent) are women. The three big parties - AAP, BJP and Congress – have given tickets to only 24 women. The share is just 11.42 per cent.

Shilpi Arora Wishes Good Luck to Women Candidate from Chandani Chowk, Alka Lamba

The NGO recently organised a big round table discussion over women participation in politics with the chief spokespersons of major regional and national political parties. A letter requesting to grant more tickets to women candidates along with the findings and conclusion of the long discussion had been sent to the supremo of each political party. However, no party really seems to encourage the initiative on real grounds, again making Delhi elections a very narrow space for women.

Expressing her disappointment with the political entities of Delhi, Shilpi Arora, President of WATER said, “Delhi is a hotbed of politics and it is crucial to check what we are showcasing here.”

She further stated, “Our mission is to drive politics towards a point where there is almost 50-50 representation of women in both the Houses of Parliament, state Assemblies and all elections, including civic bodies and panchayats."

“We request Delhi people to vote and choose a competent woman leader to represent their constituency. Modern women of young India are capable leaders. Only thing they need is your favourable support and, if they get the chance, I am sure, they will redefine political spectrum for the good,” Arora said.

Massive voter awareness campaign through electronic medium especially FM radios, live performances, outdoor billboards on 17 Metro trains, several metro stations along with several new initiatives have been launched to spike voters turnout in Delhi. Six youth icons from sports, media, and culture fields, model polling have started inspiring voters to come in large number to use their franchise in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.

Ranbir Singh - Delhi Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) 

As Delhi’s 70 Assembly constituencies prepare to go for polls on February 8, massive arrangements, with several new initiatives, have been made by Delhi Chief Electoral Office for not only to conduct free and fair polls but also to attract more voters at the polling stations. 

“To attract people at polling stations, 70 Model Polling Stations (one in each constituency) are being set up and all booths in these polling stations would not only have facilities such as medical kit, creche, ramp, wheelchairs, pick up and drop for elderly like other booths, but they would be highly decorated and made attractive in every sense,” said Delhi Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ranbir Singh.  

The mood has already been set with the typical advertising campaigns surfacing every day. But there is none like ‘Delhi Ka Voter, Delhi Ka Dabang’, the campaign adopted by the CEO.

This unusually bold stance personifies Delhi’s citizens who are fully aware of their rights and powers. They carry the spirit of democracy in their hearts irrespective of age, gender, class, ability, etc. Through this campaign, every citizen of Delhi is addressed as ‘Dabang’. "It appeals to every eligible Delhite to vote without fear and bias. Moreover, it especially touches upon the young upcoming voters to do the needful and become eligible voters," added Singh.

In a unique initiative to create awareness among voters to exercise their voting rights, Delhi Chief Electoral office has tied up with Delhi Metro and 17 Metro Trains would carry awareness campaigns. Similarly at several Metro Stations would also display awareness advertisement issued by the electoral office. 

“Apart from the conventional medium, we have launched a massive campaign through Radio Jingles on FM Channels. Moreover, in association with Indian Railways, the announcement regarding polls is being made at all the seven railway stations of Delhi through Railway Public Announcement System,” Singh added. 

Voter awareness campaigns have been launched with six youth icons from Sports, media and classical dance fields. 

“We have roped in Cricket star Risabh Pant, Table Tennis player Manika Batra, two Paralympians - Neeraj Yadav and Ankur Dhama, Radio Jockey Naved Khan and acclaimed Kathak dancer Alaknanda Dasgupta to encourage voters in the national capital to engage in the Assembly elections exercise. They have started spreading awareness about the upcoming Assembly through radio, video messages and live performances at several locations. The sports icons have been roped in to spread awareness among the voters especially youth. Alaknanda and Naved are performing Live to educate and motivate people about voting. Our effort will be to increase the total vote percentage significantly this year from previous elections,” said Delhi CEO. 

According to Singh, pick up and drops facilities would be provided to elderly and one poll officer would especially be designated to voter above 100 years. It will be the sole responsibility of the officer to visit the home of such voters and safely dropped them back after they cast their votes. 

Delhi elections, this time, would pass on some strong social messages to the people. In each district, one booth will be entirely managed by Persons with disability (PwD). There will be 11 such booths.

“Women would take a lead in 380 Model booths and apart from polling activities, even security will entirely their responsibility. At 11 booths, one in each district, voters would have unique experience tech-driven exercise when QR Code would facilitate the entire process of voting,” said Delhi CEO. 

Massive resources have been deployed for the free and fair elections. Over 1 lakh polling officers and staff would be looking after the entire electioneering process. For security 190 companies of the paramilitary force, 3800 Delhi Police personnel and 19,000 Home guards would be deployed.

“We have identified 3500 critical or sensitive booths and apart from deploying security personnel in large numbers, there will be webcasting from these stations and booths,” informed Singh.  

To conduct polls, the Electoral Office would spend nearly Rs. 70 crore. Delhi goes to polls on February 8 and the results will be declared on February 11. There are 13750 polling stations in 2689 locations of Delhi.