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Campaigning Ends in Telangana; KCR Eyes History

If K Chandrashekar Rao, widely known as KCR, wins another term in office, it will be the first occasion when a Chief Minister from a Southern state will get a third straight term in office…reports Asian Lite News

Campaigning for the high-stakes battle in Telangana ended on Tuesday with Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao seeking a third term in office on the basis of the party’s performance and promises over the past 10 years, Congress talking of momentum in its favour to form its first government in the state and the BJP also promising to end “misrule and corruption” of the ruling Bharatiya Rasthra Samithi.

The aggressive campaigning saw the Congress and BJP repeatedly raising issues concerning people, with the BRS leaders expressing confidence about the delivery of their programmes.

The three parties have made big promises in their manifestos. Polling in the state will be held on November 30 with counting of votes to take place on December 3 along with four other states.

If K Chandrashekar Rao, widely known as KCR, wins another term in office, it will be the first occasion when a Chief Minister from a Southern state will get a third straight term in office.

The Congress campaign in Telangana apparently picked up momentum after Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra and the party’s victory in assembly polls in neighbouring Karnataka.

The Congress chief in the state Anumula Revanth Reddy, 54, is seen as a leader who has taken on KCR and the party is keen to gain from the anti-incumbency against the government.

Congress leaders have been reminding residents of India’s youngest state of the role played by former party chief Sonia Gandhi in its creation in 2014.

Political analysts feel that the fortunes of BJP, which was emerging as an alternative to BRS with its victories in two by-polls and strong performance in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation election, dipped a few months ago.

BJP leaders have been strongly attacking the KCR to fend off any perception of the party being soft towards the ruling party in Telangana. They have accused the Chief Minister of being “inaccessible” and ruling from a “farmhouse”. BJP leaders have also accused KCR of propagating dynastic politics and said that suggestions by KCR to join NDA were not accepted. BRS leaders have refuted the suggestions about their intention to join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.

One of the key BJP promises is to make a person from the Backward Class community a Chief Minister if the party gets support from the people of the state to form a government.

The party has also reached out to various communities and the BJP-led government last week set in motion the process of setting up a committee that will go into the issue of sub-categorisation of the Madiga community within the Scheduled Castes. It has been a long-pending demand of the community.

BJP has promised in its manifesto to implement the Uniform Civil Code and quash 4 per cent reservation for Muslims and instead increase the quota for OBCs, SCs and STs in the state.

The party said that a committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge will investigate all “corruption cases” against the ruling BRS.

It has promised four free LPG cylinders per year to poor families, Rs 2 Lakh to every girl child from a poor family after she attains the age of 21, providing 2.5 Lakh government jobs in five years, procuring paddy at Rs 3100 per quintal, and reducing the price of petrol and diesel.

The party has said that free arrangements will be made for senior citizens keen to visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya for the pran prathistha ceremony on January 22.

The BJP has alleged several scams in the state including that related to the Kaleshwar Dam scam and liquor poultry apart from several cases of paper leak.

It said September 17 will be celebrated every year as Hyderabad Liberation Day to mark its freedom from Nizam’s rule and August 27 will be observed as Razakar Horrors Remembrance Day.

Congress has sought to outdo the BRS in its poll promises and has announced six guarantees.

Under the Mahalakshmi scheme for women, the Congress has promised Rs 2,500 monthly financial assistance, LPG cylinders at Rs 500; and free travel for women in state-run buses.

The party has promised that Rs 15,000 per acre will be paid to farmers and Rs 12,000 will be given to tenant farmers. The party has promised a bonus of Rs 500 per quintal for paddy.

It said that families not owning a house will be provided a site for one and Rs 5 lakh for construction. Families of those killed during the Telangana Movement will be provided 250-square-yard plots.

The party said that students with Vidya Bharosa cards will receive Rs 5 lakh and Telangana International School will be opened in every manda.

The party has promised up to 200 units of free electricity to households, Rs 4,000 monthly pension will be paid to vulnerable sections.

The party will have promised that Rajiv Aarogyasri will provide health insurance up to Rs 10 lakh.

The Congress announced that it would waive crop loans up to Rs 2 lakh and promised a caste survey within six months of forming the government.

The party promised a judicial inquiry into “irregularities and corruption” in the construction of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project

The Congress said it would name a district after former PM PV Narasimha Rao.

Among the BJP’s strong push to get the support of OBCs, the Congress has also made many promises including increasing reservations for the community

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders point out that the state’s per capita income has seen a significant rise in the last 10 years due to efforts of the government and various welfare and development schemes will continue.

The party has promised LPG cylinders at Rs 400 each, below-poverty-line (BPL) families would be enhanced health insurance coverage, social security pension would be increased to Rs 5,000 a month from Rs 2,106 and there will be an increase in disability pension.

The party said under ‘Rythu Bandhu’ scheme, under which farmers get Rs 10,000 per annum per acre, would be enhanced gradually to Rs 16,000 per annum in the next five years.

KCR is contesting from two seats – his original seat Gajwel and Kamareddy. While he is facing BJP leader Etela Rajender in Gajewal, Congress leader Revanth Reddy is taking him on in Kamareddy.

Both Etela and Revanth Reddy are also contesting from two seats.

In the 2014 assembly polls to a united Andhra Pradesh, the then-incumbent Congress got 25.20 per cent votes and BRS (then TRS) got 34 percent in the Telangana area.

Senior leaders of all parties including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda, Congress leaders Mallikurjan Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, TRS’ KCR, KT Rama Rao and K Kavitha and AIMIM Asaduddin Owaisi ran strong campaigns in the state.

Congress accused the BJP and BRS of having a “strategic alliance” with BJP leaders accusing Congress and BRS of dynastic politics.

In 2018, BRS (then Telangana Rashtra Samithi) won 88 of the 119 seats and had 47.4 per cent of the vote share. The Congress came a distant second with just 19 seats.

While the BJP has an ambitious goal of seeing its first government in Telangana, the Congress is hoping to come to power on the basis of the “momentum” of the past few months. But the party has a huge, almost 18 per cent gap to cover in terms of voting percentage of previous assembly election. (ANI)

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Telangana: Rahul Promises 2 Lakh Govt Jobs in One Year

Recently, Rahul Gandhi interacted with youth at Ashok Nagar in Telangana’s Hyderabad on Saturday….reports Asian Lite News

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed the Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) government in Telangana led by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and guaranteed to give 2 lakh government jobs in 1 year if the Congress comes to power.

Recently, Rahul Gandhi interacted with youth at Ashok Nagar in Telangana’s Hyderabad on Saturday.

Taking to X on Monday, Rahul Gandhi said “Telangana’s youth are suffering immensely under ‘Dorala’ KCR sarkar, my recent visit to Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad made that crystal clear. Our ‘Job Calendar’ is the first step in easing their pain. We will ensure: 2 lakh Govt Jobs in 1 year, Revamp of TPSC on UPSC lines and ‘Yuva Vikasam– Rs5 lakh assistance.”

Further posing it as another guarantee, Rahul Gandhi said “The future of our youth is secure in the hands of Congress’ Prajala Sarkar – this is my Guarantee!”

Earlier on Saturday, Congress MP took to X after interacting with youths in Hyderabad and said “Today in Ashoknagar, Hyderabad, I met the youth who are preparing for various competitive exams. I was moved by the fact that they had hoped that they would get success if Telangana came, but even 10 years after the state’s arrival, their aspirations have not been fulfilled.”

“Telangana youth did not get justice during KCR’s ten-year rule. Due to a lack of notifications, court cases and paper leaks, 30 lakh unemployed youths have suffered badly. In Telangana, which they fought for, they are in an unfathomable plight,” added the Congress MP,” he added.

Earlier in September this year, the Telangana high court ordered the cancellation of preliminary examinations for recruitment for Group-1 services in the state government held by the Telangana State Public Services Commission (TSPSC) on June 11, following several petitions filed by students who alleged a violation of the guidelines in the conduct of exams.

This was the second time that the same exam had been cancelled. Earlier in March, the TSPSC had cancelled the exam, which was held in October last year, following an alleged paper leak scam.

Meanwhile, a young Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) aspirant allegedly died by suicide in the Ashok Nagar area, which is deemed a student hub, due to the “postponement” of the TSPSC exam notification, which created pandemonium in the state with several opposition leaders throwing brickbats at the ruling KCR government over the cancellation of exams.

The woman, identified as Pravalika and aged around 25 years, allegedly committed suicide in her room in a hostel in Ashok Nagar.

Meanwhile, the state is going to the polls on November 30 and the counting of votes will take place on December 3.

Telangana is set to witness a triangular contest among the ruling TRS, BJP and Congress. (ANI)

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Father- Son duo of London Labour

A dynamic father-son duo in London, consisting of Prabhakar Kaza and his son Aaditya Kaza, is forging a connection between the Labour movement and the Indian community, especially as the 2024 elections draw near … writes Krithika Iyer

London’s father-son duo have set an example for many Indian-origin residents as they have been elected to the Hertsmere Borough Council. On May 4, father Prabhakar Kaza was elected as a Labour Party candidate from Borehamwood Kenilworth and his son Aaditya won a seat from Borehamwood Hillside.

Prabhakar Kaza worked as a banker in the UK for a very long time, up till the age of 65. Following that, he decided to start Kaza Business Consultants. He has long been active in politics in addition to his professional life. Since the outset, he actively ran a campaign in Southall for Virendra Sharma, the sole Member of Parliament of Indian descent.

Prabhakar Kaza and his son Aaditya Kaza

He spent his free time working for the Labour Party in the evenings. He made a risky move in 2018 and ran for office for the first time. Fortunately, his efforts were successful, and in 2019 he was chosen to serve as the representative for the town of Borehamwood.

Prabhakar understood that his new position would present some difficulties. Essential services like a movie theatre and an appropriate commercial centre were lacking in Borehamwood. The streets and roads were unclean, and fly-tipping was a frequent problem. His goal for the community was to make it more livable, secure, and appealing to residents.

One of the main reasons for their victory was their effective “door-knocking” strategy. They managed to make contact with 60% of the people they visited, which is one of the highest rates in the country. Their hard work and dedication paid off, leading to great results in the election.

His objectives are to increase investment in the community, produce job opportunities, and improve public access to basic services. Prabhakar is dedicated to improving the community’s care and treatment and seeing that things are done to enhance the quality of life for those who reside in Borehamwood.

When asked about what best described him, apart from being a politician he said: “Being a good human. I don’t distinguish one person from the other based on race, caste, gender, physical disability etc.”

His son, Aaditya Kaza, spent 24 years in a region that was governed by conservatives. He excelled in the election while majoring in journalism at Westminster University. His victory is remarkable because it overturns the Tories’ dominance in that ward, which seemed impossible for the Labour Party to take. Important issues including defending the Green Belt, combating crime, and lowering fly-tipping incidents were the emphasis of Aaditya’s campaign.

Over the years, he has demonstrated a deep interest in politics and has been an active participant in Labour Party activities: “I was always kind of interested in more current affairs and international politics and like politics.” He received 770 votes, placing him as Borehamwood Hillside’s second-highest vote-getter.

He entered local politics because he believed that changing things from the outside would only have a limited impact on the community. “I just want to do the best I can for people’s issues.”

He intends to concentrate on doing a good job for the residents of Borehamwood Hillside, keeping commitments, and addressing new challenges rather than making great plans. He will serve on the council through 2027.

The father and son credit door-to-door canvassing, in which they knocked on every door they could find for three months—whether it be Conservative, Labour, Lib Dem, or any other party persuasion—for their election triumph.

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Flipkart bets big on Telangana

Some of Flipkart’s key investments in Telangana include the establishment of six fulfillment centers for making millions of products, including home appliances, furniture, large appliances, and grocery available…reports Asian Lite News

India’s leading e-commerce player Flipkart has expanded its footprint in Telangana and strengthened its supply chain infrastructure with the launch of a new fulfillment center in Sangareddy.

The facility will support the delivery and logistics of a wide range of product categories, including furniture and large appliances, offered by thousands of local sellers and MSMEs in Telangana, providing them access to a national market.

Spread over 4 lakh square feet, the fulfillment centre will further Flipkart’s commitment to India’s digital commerce evolution by empowering local sellers, employable youth, and customers while making e-commerce more inclusive and accessible.

Flipkart said its supply chain operations have contributed to the growth of Telangana’s economy by creating over 40,000 direct and indirect jobs.

The company’s e-commerce platform has so far empowered more than 14,000 sellers in the state to join the mainstream economy and cater to the rising consumer demand in the country.

Telangana’s minister for industry K. T. Rama Rao virtually inaugurated the fulfillment centre virtually from Hyderabad. Government of Telangana Secretary for industry and commerce Jayesh Ranjan, Flipkart Group CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy were also present.

Some of Flipkart’s key investments in Telangana include the establishment of six fulfillment centers for making millions of products, including home appliances, furniture, large appliances, and grocery available. With close to 100 distribution hubs in the state, it collectively generates over 40,000 job opportunities.

About 5,000 kiranas in Telangana, are also associated with Flipkart’s Kirana Delivery program, making lakhs of deliveries that augment their income. Last year, Flipkart signed an MoU with the Society for the Elimination of Rural Poverty to promote market access and growth for Farmer Producer Organizations and Self-Help Groups in Telangana, to enable access for them to Flipkart’s pan-India customer base.

Flipkart has a green data center located in the state, powered by renewable energy, that strengthens the technology infrastructure and underlines the company’s efforts towards building a sustainable value chain.

Speaking on the occasion, minister KTR suggested to Flipkart to create a model for the rest of the country by taking good care of gig workers.

“As we go along the journey in e-commerce business, we must take care of the gig workers. We should ensure that they feel secure, and their livelihoods, families are protected. It’s our duty to see to it that they are not affected by factors extraneous and beyond their control. We should build credibility, and aspiration among youngsters to work in the e-commerce sector. Let’s create a unique model that will serve as a statement from Telangana,” he said.

He suggested a model that includes a tripartite arrangement among government, e-commerce companies, and marketing vendors and partners to safeguard the livelihoods of the gig workers.

The minister also suggested that the e-commerce companies join hands with Telangana Academy of Skills and Knowledge (TASK) to create a readily employable workforce with required skills.

He observed that the centricity of Telangana makes it an ideal place to become a logistic hub, hub to disseminate services and good to eight states adjoining it and connecting point between North and South.

KTR also suggested that the company use the services of women self-help groups to employ more women and provide better livelihood opportunities in rural areas.

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First batch of Haj pilgrims from Telangana departs

First batch of Haj pilgrims from Telangana left for the pilgrimage from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport here on Monday.,,reports Asian Lite News

A total of 373 pilgrims left for Jeddah by a special flight of Saudi Airlines at 5.55 a.m., an official of Telangana State Haj Committee said.

Earlier, around midnight the buses carrying the pilgrims were flagged off by state home minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali and State Haj Committee chairman Mohammed Saleem at Haj House in the city.

The pilgrims began their journey with enthusiasm amid chanting of ‘Talbiyah’, a special prayer invoked during the Haj. Emotional scenes were witnessed at Haj House as scores of relatives, friends and well-wishers bid adieu to the pilgrims.

The first flight had 211 pilgrims from Hyderabad and the remaining were from seven other districts.

This is after a gap of two years that pilgrims from India are performing Haj. Saudi Arabia had not allowed pilgrims from other countries in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 pandemic.

About 80,000 Indian pilgrims will be performing Haj this year. The Haj quota this year has been reduced in view of Covid protocol.

Telangana has been allocated a quota of 1,822. About 5,000 pilgrims from Telangana had performed Haj in 2019.

Officials said this year a total of 3,016 pilgrims including pilgrims from some districts of neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra would depart from Hyderabad through Saudi Airline flights.

Like in the previous years, Haj House was turned into embarkation point for the pilgrims. The Haj Committee made all the arrangements including food and accommodation for the pilgrims who had reached there from various districts of Telangana.

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Various departments provided services like customs clearance, checking of baggage and provision of currency exchange under one roof.

One of the five pillars of Islam, Haj is annual pilgrimage to holiest city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Haj is mandatory for at least once in lifetime for all Muslims who are financially and physically capable of undertaking the journey.

Haj pilgrimage this year will commence on July 7 and continue through July 12, corresponding to the 10th of Dhulhijjah, the last month of Islamic calendar. The final date will be decided upon sighting of the new moon of Dhulhijjah,

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KTR slams Centre on fuel price rise

He termed as “pure lies” the reasons cited by the Modi government for not controlling prices…reports Asian Lite News

Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) Working President K.T. Rama Rao on Wednesday wrote an open letter to the Central government, blaming its “inefficient policies” for the steep hike in fuel prices.

“On the one hand, the BJP Government at the Centre is constantly raising prices. But, on the other hand, it is trying to push the blame on state governments. This is blatant lying and totally unacceptable. That is why I am writing this letter to expose the inefficient policies of the Central Government which have inflated petrol rates in an unforeseen manner,” he said.

“When he was in opposition, Narendra Modi shed crocodile tears over the sufferings of the poor and the plight of common people. However, he has been ruling the nation, completely ignoring the welfare of the people since he came to power. From the earliest days of Narendra Modi’s swearing-in as the Prime Minister, the Central government has been making the country’s people suffer with its incompetence and inefficient economic policies. The main reason behind my criticism is that petrol rates are rising daily without any control and the prices of essentials are skyrocketing,” wrote KTR, as the TRS leader is popularly known.

He termed as “pure lies” the reasons cited by the Modi government for not controlling prices.

Modi

“BJP leaders are simply narrating stories, such as the problems in the international crude oil supply, the rise in crude oil prices, and the Russia-Ukraine war. But all this is not true. Union ministers who say prices are rising in the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, and even France are deliberately hiding that the per litre petrol rate there is lower than ours. The petro products are still available at cheaper rates in some of our neighbouring countries, including Sri Lanka, which is reeling under the financial crisis.”

When the BJP government took office in 2014, the international price of crude oil was about $105. After that, due to various reasons, crude oil prices came down to below $40 a barrel at one stage. However, the BJP government has continued to raise petrol prices in the country, pointed out KTR, who is also the state’s Information Technology and Industries Minister.

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TLUK’s Women’s Day celebrations

Telugu Ladies in UK group has marked the International Women’s Day recently at Blue Room Sports Venue, Harrow. More than 150 ladies have attended from in and around London, and as further afield from Midlands.

The five-hour program included games, competitions, ice breakers, songs, dance, DJ, and cake-cutting. Several have met each other for the first time, although were connected on Facebook before.

The occasion poised festive atmosphere and assumed vibrancy with the décor done by Nekkanti Sahithi and Mounika Chowdary. Cakes were made by Chaitanya Rani Adudodla and Anusha Kiran. Kala Jyothi Ganga gave return gifts to all attendees following the Indian tradition of Tamboolam, and Jyothy Balusu from Coventry brought home-made Pootharekulu, a typical traditional Telugu sweet.

Telugu Ladies Group at Women’s Day celebrations

Even small things such as naming the tables by popular Telugu serials have made all relate and connect with yesteryears and stay in India. Anchoring was done by Lakshmi Chirumamilla, Sree Charani, and Suvarchala Madireddy. Renditions by famous singer Swathi Reddy were alluring.

Founder of TLUK Sridevi Meenavalli says “I am very glad to see Telugu Ladies in UK group come a long way in 10 years’ time. It is a pleasure to have organised this women’s day event which served multiple contexts, the most important being a face-to-face get-together after the Covid restrictions are lifted, in addition to being the 10th anniversary year. Thanks to all the supporters, attendees, and sponsors, the event brought all of us together and was most enjoyable”

ALSO READ: Int’l Women’s Day celebrated at Parliament House

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Telangana to showcase startup success at India Pavilion

The state has lined up events and meetings for sharing the business opportunities through new innovative ideas, products, and services that the business and startup ecosystem of the state can offer to the global investors…reports Asian Lite News

Telangana will showcase the success and capabilities of its startups and women entrepreneurs during November 09-12 at India Pavilion EXPO2020 Dubai.

The state has lined up events and meetings for sharing the business opportunities through new innovative ideas, products, and services that the business and startup ecosystem of the state can offer to the global investors.

Telangana to showcase startup success at India Pavilion

A 17-member strong business delegation of The Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI), chamber member of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and industry (FICCI), led by the chamber’s president and MD, Creamline Dairy Products, K Bhasker Reddy, will be exploring potential business tie-ups through these meetings and events.

“Government of India has set up an ambitious target of US $400 billion exports for 2021-22 and FTCCI aims at facilitating and supporting the ecosystem. The governments all across the world has captured the flourishing startup community and we are of the opinion that there could be huge synergies going forward between UAE and India and other countries,” said Reddy.

Anil Agarwal, Sr VP, FTCCI and MD of Jeevaka Industries, Meela Jayadev, VP, FTCCI and MD, Sudhakar Irrigation Systems, Gautam Chand Jain, CMD, Pokarana Ltd. are among the other industry leaders from the state, who are part of the business delegation.

The members of the delegation will be meeting Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry besides holding B2B meetings with members of the Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC). The delegation will also be part of the India-GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) business meet and India-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia meet. It will also hold interactive B2B & B2G meetings aimed at promoting trade and investments.

Among the 14 Startups, which will showcase their innovative capabilities, five have been founded by the women entrepreneurs, and are from diverse sectors, including healthcare, edutech, drones, prop tech, fintech, agritech, electric vehicles and apparel.

These startups will pitch in the ‘Elevate’ session which is a pitching event that India Pavilion has designed to attract investors and will allow them to display their innovations to look for potential investors. The participating startups will also learn more about the latest sectoral trends, and the events will also include best practice workshops for startups and fireside conversations with business leaders.

2.35 Million Visits: Expo Declares First Month ‘Huge Success’

Meanwhile, the India Pavilion has hosted over 2,00,000 visitors as on 3rdNovember with various sector and state specific sessions to discuss India’s growth roadmap. It also secured investment opportunities for the country and celebrated several cultural events to attract visitors.

 “The October month was a huge success for the India Pavilion. We saw a strong visitor turnout and expect this momentum to continue in the coming months,” said Dr. Aman Puri, Consul General of India in Dubai & Dy. Commissioner General for India at Expo 2020 Dubai.

“While the India Pavilion will showcase more business opportunities for collaboration and investment, the popularity of India’s festivals, food, and cultural performances, have been crucial aspects in attracting visitors from across the globe”, he added.

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Besides sector specific weeks, the India Pavilion also hosted specific weeks for Gujarat, Karnataka and UT of Ladakh. The state of Gujarat organized events at the India Pavilion where Mr. Bhupendra Patel, Chief Minister, Gujarat virtually showcased the state’s vibrant Pharma sector along with its plan for sustainable development.

Similarly, the Karnataka Week also witnessed the presence of Shri Murugesh Nirani, Minister, Large and Medium Scale Industries, Government of Karnataka along with Dr. C N Ashwath Narayan, Minister for Higher Education; IT & BT, Science & Technology; Skill Development, Entrepreneurship & Livelihood, Government of Karnataka.

Additionally, a series of events showcasing opportunities in Ladakh across focus sectors like sustainable infrastructure, connectivity, food processing and tourism were discussed during the Ladakh Week at India Pavilion.

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Jagan’s kin arrested in Andhra quarry explosion case

Y.S. Pratap Reddy, kin of Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, was arrested and produced in court on Tuesday….Reports Asian Lite News

 The Andhra Pradesh police have made one more arrest in connection with their ongoing probe into the limestone quarry explosion in Kadapa district on Saturday that left 10 persons dead.

Y.S. Pratap Reddy, kin of Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, was arrested and produced in court on Tuesday.

District Superintendent of Police, Anburajan, said that Pratap Reddy was arrested on charges of contravention of the laws on transportation of explosive substances, as no safety protocols were observed during transportation.

The mishap had occurred on Saturday near Mamillapalle village in Kalasapadu mandal when the labourers were unloading gelatin sticks from a vehicle for using them at a limestone quarry.

Such was the impact of the explosion that the body parts of the deceased were blown apart and the vehicle was completely burnt.

Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy
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The gelatin sticks, which were allegedly transported from Pulivendula to the quarry, were traced back to Pratap Reddy who holds a magazine licence for explosives.

Police sources said that Pratap Reddy has mining operations of his own in the areas adjoining Pulivendula, Lingala and Simhadripuram, and is authorised to use explosives for mining operations.

On Monday, the police had arrested the limestone quarry owner and one of his employees in connction with the case.

TDP national president and former chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu also expressed deep shock and grief over the death of several innocent workers in the blast.

He demanded that the government extend all help and announce ex gratia to the kin of the deceased on par with the LG Polymers in Vizag.

In a statement here, the TDP chief demanded immediate steps to provide better medical care to all those who were injured in the blast. It was unfortunate the tragic incident took place claiming so many lives in the chief minister’s own native district. To prevent such incidents, proper safety standards should be followed there. All the workers should be given perfect safety equipment.

Chandrababu Naidu said that the government should immediately launch rescue and relief operations. The rulers should explain to the people why they had allowed the mining works at a time when there was an 18-hour curfew clamped all over the state to check the spread of coronavirus.

ALSO READ: Ghulam Nabi Azad to chair Congress task force on Covid
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Fiat Chrysler To Invest $150Mn For Digital Hub In Hyderabad

Automotive giant Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) announced that it is setting up a Global Digital Hub in Hyderabad with an investment of $150 million.

FCA ICT India, FCA’s new innovation and technology development facility, will create nearly 1,000 new cutting-edge technology jobs by the end of 2021 and it has plans to increase hiring over the next two to three years.

This will be FCA’s second largest facility outside North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

“The $150 million investment to set up a Global Digital Hub in Hyderabad cements our continued commitment to India and our customers,” said Dr. Partha Datta, President and Managing Director, FCA India.

“FCA ICT India will be our technology backbone that will not only help us develop products for future mobility but will also sharpen our efforts to enhance customer-centricity. This is a significant step forward in realizing our vision to make our Indian operations more capable to develop digitally-driven products and technologies locally for India and also for the world,” he told a virtual news conference.

Karim Lalani, director and head of FCA ICT India, said the new centre will drive strategic competencies in niche technology areas for connected vehicle programs, artificial intelligence, data science, and cloud technologies.

He said the company was building an innovation powerhouse to deliver at the speed of customer expectations by harnessing intelligence throughout the customer lifecycle. It will be establishing an ecosystem of strategic partners, start-ups, digital accelerators and universities in Hyderabad.

Lalani said the newly recruited employees will work on exciting products and concepts that will define the future of mobility at FCA. The Global Digital Hub will serve as a transformation and innovation engine for FCA and drive global IT strategy, and deliver excellence through a robust platform, technology and service centres of excellence.

“We are working closely with strategic technology partners to accelerate our talent and competency ramp-up at FCA ICT India,” said Lalani.

“The availability of talent coupled with a culture of innovation and pro-business policies played a major role in FCA’s decision to set-up the facility in Hyderabad. The Global Digital Hub will also expand FCA’s relationships with several ecosystem partners, including strategic partners, startups, digital accelerators and universities, to accelerate our innovation agenda,” said Mamatha Chamarthi, Chief Information Officer, FCA, North America and Asia Pacific.

FCA has a major presence in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, with headquarters in Mumbai and employs over 3,000 people. The company has a joint venture vehicle and powertrain manufacturing facility in Ranjangaon, Maharashtra. The company’s engineering and product development operations are located in Pune and Chennai.

FCA India manufactures the award-winning Jeep Compass in Ranjangaon and exports the SUV to 13 international right-hand drive markets, including Japan and Australia. FCA India is gearing up to launch a number of new and exciting products in 2021.

Telangana’s Minister for industry and information technology K.T. Rama Rao welcomed FCA’s decision to open the Global Digital Hub in Hyderabad and assured all support to the company from the government.

The Minister also urged the company to look at Telangana for its manufacturing component and the collaboration in promotion of electrical mobility.

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